//------------------------------// // Return // Story: Hard To Find The Right Words // by Nameless Narrator //------------------------------// “Hah-?” “Ooof, caught you in time.” “Y- yeah… you should really work on your navigating, Crest. I swear I tripped over something.” “Umm… nope, nothing there. To me it looks as if you just stumbled out of nowhere. Are you okay? Tired?” “I’m fine, Crest. Don’t project your incompetence onto me. I could traipse on this excuse of a sidewalk all day easily.” “You’re breathing as if you’ve been climbing a mountain.” “You just screwed up putting the collar on. I’m fine.” “...” “You didn’t need to pull it up and let it fall down my neck, Crest.” “Just checking, you know?” “...” “Come on, if you’re that tired just say it.” “...few days without food would do that to a changeling...” “I actually caught that mumbling this time. I can ask somepony-” “No.” “But-” “No. That’s the punishment I chose for failing my queen. I am a waste of a changeling, no matter what I sometimes might say, and nothing will change that anymore. I will do things in the open as much as I can, and I will refuse anypony ordered or persuaded to feed me by you or anypony other than myself. And I will know, because I dig through their head when I feed.” “That’s… unpleasant.” “Only the newest and relevant memories, it’s an instinctual changeling thing. Trust me when I say I have no interest in watching foal Crest learn to use the potty.” “I was a quick learner.” “Good, and what did a quick learner understand in the past few minutes?” “That you are absolutely fine, full of energy, vitality, and ready for a complex tour of Riverside including its famous turnip museum.” “...” “Hey, good to know that even if you can’t see your eye can still twitch.” “...you win this one, Crest...” “What’s so bad about admitting you’re tired? Nopony who has gone through what you had is expected to be completely alright.” “Crest, I get it - you don’t understand. You are more than a police pony. You have a personal life, although a rather pathetic one, your subordinates like you on a level past their job, and the few citizens I’ve met or heard about from Puff  respect you. Changelings don’t work like that. I was a warrior, and I was an excellent one. That’s it. Changelings don’t go past their designation. I’m trying to… at least… seem somewhat… useful, threatening, I don’t even know what myself.” “...” “I should bite your foreleg off for patting my head like a dog’s.” “...” “I didn’t tell you to stop.” “You know, this is exactly the problem with you. You’re torn between what you are and what you think you should be. Can’t you just accept that we’re trying to help you since you’re not in charge of the situation for once?” *Sigh.* “I knew you wouldn’t understand.” “You’re one stubborn buggy.” “Shut up, lunchbox.” “Heh.” “...but thanks...” “I head that one too.” “And I suppose you enjoy having ears, right? Because I might not have eyes, but I still have my -hnnngaaagh- teeth.” “And you just gave me an excellent reminder with that yawn.” “All planned, that wasn’t a- aaaauahg.” “And I suppose neither was this one.” “You really ARE a quick learner.” “Alright, let’s circle around this block so that few more ponies get a glimpse of you and we’ll be on the way back to Star Trail’s house. I can help keep you steady if you-” “...take that wing away from me...” “Fury? I’m just trying to-” “I WILL bite you, Crest...” “Whoah, no need to growl. That actually made a chill run down my spine.” “There’s a limit to which I will allow you to mock me, pegasus.” “I’m not- you know what? Nevermind. Let’s go.” “Good.” “...I’m not sure you still have ears, because you certainly seem like you’re only hearing what you want to hear...” “Shut up and keep walking.” “Hard-headed mule.” “Nosey know-it-all, know-nothing birdhorse.” “IT’S THE ACTION HERO PONY, AND SHE CAN WALK AGAIN!” “Stop it, don’t go there! Come back! Damn it.” “Commander Crest? Commander Crest?” “Yes, little guy?” “Why is the superhero pony on a leash?” “Because she’s a-” “See this horn, little pony… colt? It gets stuck in trees real easy. I can’t see.” “That’s horrible! I hope you get better under our police care and can fight the griffon mafia again.” “...” “Yes, Fury, he DID just hug your foreleg.” “...so tiny...” “What’s your name, miss?” “Erm… Fury.” “THAT IS SO COOL AND RIGHT!” “My ears are okay, you little sqeaky creature.” “Hey, what are the holes for?” “I think you’re a little too young for that, but if you really want to know then who am I to judge? When mommy pony loves a daddy pony really much- OW!” “He meant the legs, Fury, and I refuse to believe you misunderstood that one.” “Pony culture is so weird.” “Try that one on somepony else.” “Fiiiine, prude. You, little colt, tthe holes are so that I can shove swords there and spin like a blender.” “THAT. IS. SO. AWESOME!” “Huff- huff- huff- I apologize, Commander Crest, he watches too many movies. Come on, leave the officer alone with his… ehm… companion.” “No need to gallop, sir. Your son was just curious. However, we do have to go because my friend here needs her rest. To fight… the mafia?” “Ehm, yes, exactly. Let’s go, son.” “Buuuut-” “We’re stopping for some ice cream on the way home.” “Yaaaaay!” “Phew, they’re gone. Hey, Fury, it looks like you made a good first impression on at least somepony.” “Please tell me this was the village idiot or something. Because if not, I’m going to feel even worse for failing to conquer your species.” “It was just a foal- what’s going on? You froze on the spot.” “I need you to pull me, Crest. Violently and mercilessly back home.” “What? Is this another game?” “Crest, please. I’ll explain later, but don’t make me attack you.” “Alright, alright, I can take a hint if you drop it from high enough. Come, criminal!” “Rgh, oww, damn you… pegasus.” “...this hurts me more than it hurts you, Fury...” “I’ll snap your neck, pony. Curse you for parading me like a trophy!” “Stop making a fuss or I’ll break your legs and wait for the paladins to arrive.” *Grunting of resistant fake struggling.* “...I can feel you watching, infiltrator...” “...stronger than before...” “...but what’s worse...” “...there’s a lot more with you...”