//------------------------------// // The Bug that Badgered the Bronco // Story: The Ship that Sailed in the Sea // by Queen Fangirl //------------------------------// Double Diamond suddenly flashed open his eyes to the small streams of sunlight filtering delicately through the trees. He rubbed his eyes and stood up from his back. Cold white feathers still laid stubbornly on the ground, but there seemed to be less of it now compared to last night. Must be the heating spell. The white stallion shifted his gaze upon the companion with him. He was still sleeping off in Lalaland, his chest slowly rising and sinking each moment. It was rather relaxing to look at, but there were things to do, places to see, and they got to eat and get going. He decided to leave the scarf on Party Favor and walked out to find food. It was a lot sunnier than last time. Though the rays seemed delicate through the trees' leaves, it was just a cover-up of much "shiner" weather. It wasn't even that hot, just...shiny. The icicles dangling from trees were too painful to look at because the sun's reflection was so bright, he couldn't tolerate it even for a second. He usually had a great appreciation for things related to cold weather, but he'd rather keep his vision clean, thanks. Double Diamond found some patches of grass and some daisies, ripped them out, and dropped them in his ski helmet. He hoped Party wouldn't mind the slight spit, but he's always picking on him to be clean, so no guarantee. Yet there wasn't much of a choice, so he just went rip and drop, rip and drop. Rip and drop. Rip and drop. Rip and drop. Rip and drop. Rip and drop. Rip and drop. It was getting boring just ripping and dropping things into the helmet. He didn't even know what he was ripping out anymore, there wasn't any more vegetation. In the middle of it, he groaned in annoyance, "I wanna go hoome! Ugh, it's all my fault! When are we ever getting back ho-o-o-o-o - ACK!" He jumped back at the sight of a flying green bug a mere millimeter from his snout. "Who is it!? What is that!? I HATE THAT!" He desperately attempted to slap the bug away, but all it did was make it fly drunk-like around him more. It got to the point where Double Diamond quickly grabbed his helmet full of grass and daisies and snow and trotted away for his life. "GET AWAY FROM ME GET AWAY FROM ME GET AWAY FROM ME PARTY FAVOR PARTY FAVOR HELP OH MY CELESTIA GET THIS THING AWAY FROM ME!!" Party Favor stirred a bit from the distant yelling of his friend. "Mmmm yeah Double? What'zzup I'mma kinda sleeeping right now so yeeeaaah come back lateeerr..." "PARTY FAVOR FOR CELESTIA'S SAKE!!" The sudden increase in volume jolted the curly-maned unicorn awake. "What? What's wrong? Woah, what is that bug chasing you? It looks like a beetle - " Party Favor got the wind knocked out of him when Double Diamond slammed himself against his friend and gasped from fear. "I - GASP - always - GASP - had a fear - GASP - of flying - GASP - inseeeects!" "Okay okay okay calm down I'll get rid of it," Party promised. Sparks surrounded his horn as he did his best to teleport the bug somewhere safe, away from crazy entomophobic ski ponies. With a flash, the insect disappeared to what he prayed wouldn't be life-threatening. Double Diamond was still pressing against him, shaking from the event. "I n-never want to see that thing. Ever. Again." It took a moment for him to regain composure and calm down. "I know it's only been a week since we've known each other, but I've known way less about you than I thought. You're afraid of flying bugs?" "Don't judge?" "I guess not. Oh, you brought food! Great, I'm starving. Er, are you gonna let go of me?" "Is it gone?" "Yeeaaahhh." "For good? You sure?" "Come on, Double D, let's eat. We need to get back home." Hesitantly, the snow-white stallion detached himself and moved the helmet between them, and they ate their meal of grass and flowers coated with snow. Party Favor held on to the warmth of the grasp of his buddy. His embrace was so tight and vulnerable from the oh-so terrifying creature, it almost made him giggle a little. It was so silly but so cute. Who would've known he was afraid of such a thing? Not like it was the stallion's place to make fun of him, he himself has multiple fears. But it was still pretty cute. "Um, Party? There's a daisy in your mane." The blue stallion jerked his head around to see it. "Huh? Where?" "It's not anywhere you can see it." Double Diamond tried his best not to cackle. "It looks cute on you, though." Party Favor turned red and glared. "I see, how about I put one on you?" He picked up a daisy from the helmet with his telekinesis and jammed it in Double Diamond's messy hair. Double tried to get it out, but it was in a spot he couldn't reach, and gave up. Party Favor tilted his head at his friend and smirked. "Hey, you don't look too bad yourself." The other stallion rolled his eyes and chuckled. "I know, we all know I'm fabulous." He stood up and struck a pose, perking out his lips and making a purposefully awkward pose. Party Favor sighed. "Alas, we all know that I'm more fabulous." He too stood up and flipped his mane in an over exaggerating fashion and did an awkward pose as well. Then the two bursted out in laughter and fell on the ground. It was probably the hardest they have ever laughed in their lives. Double Diamond quickly stood up and struck out his chest with a gray look on his face. "If you are boring, everyone will love you. The more you preach, the more successful you become, but of course it's not based off of passion and love, suckers, ya gotta do with what ya gotta do, am I right?" Party Favor repeatedly bowed down in a flop-like manner. "All hail our god, Starlight! She can do no wrong! We will become boring for you our majesty because why the frick not?" They continued this skit for a bit longer, constantly poking fun at their previous lives as dull copies of each other. Time has passed and it was already afternoon, so they quickly tried to run after the time they lost and got back to traveling.