Sclerite was laying on the ground with his mind filled with questions. What could Queen Formic have in store for him? Why did he suddenly become stronger? What's Little Strong Heart doing? Hope she's not in any trouble for bringing him to the village. Sclerite snapped out of his thoughts when he saw Carapace step in front of him.
"Can't sleep?" he asked softly.
"Yes sir," Sclerite whispered.
"Come with me. Let's talk near the fire," Carapace said. Sclerite stood up and walked over to the lit campfire that was still large and bright. "Why don't you tell me what's wrong," he said like a father to his son.
"Well Major. I've been asking myself why I had been feeling stronger when I was with that Buffalo, Little Strongheart. I have never felt that strong my entire live. It was like she was in one of those cocoons back at the Hive."
Carapace thought for a moment. "We only use those cocoons back at the Hive just so we could forcefully take love. And to trade them with other Hives so they can take other emotions from them. It is possible to feed off of love that comes directly from another creature. I think you were feeding off of her love."
"Yeah but it wasn't like feeding off of the ponies in those cocoons. It was like I didn't need to think about it."
"That happens when another creature give love willingly. What I'm really interested in is why she would care about you."
"I'm not sure myself. It's clear that Buffalos hate Changelings but she was really friendly after her initial fear."
"Hmm... I believe you are developing some feelings for this 'Little Strongheart.' Is that what's bothering you?"
Sclerite sighed, "That's right sir. In the past I never cared about anything other than myself. Why should I start now? It isn't normal."
"I wouldn't be too worried about that. This happened to me once but eventually you will realize that in the end they are the enemy," Carapace said. "Remember no matter how much a Pony, Buffalo, or anything else cares about you. They are still the enemy and they will kill you when they get the chance. You're only true friends are from the Hive no matter what anypony says."
Carapace patted a hoof on Sclerite's shoulder. "It'll be your shift soon. I would suggest going back to sleep," Carapace said before he walked over to grab one of the firewood logs nearby.
Sclerite laid back on the ground. Maybe one day everything would be alright and he could live without the insults from his comrades. When that day comes he won't have anything left to worry about.
What Sclerite couldn't see was a buffalo shaped figure that blended in with the darkness on top of a hill. The figure had one horn that looked damaged and replaced by carved stone. The figure stole one last look at the group before he turned away and disappeared into the night.