//------------------------------// // Chapter 12: What About Correal and Chrysalis // Story: The Lost Changeling: Rolling Ends // by AizakkuHorooee //------------------------------// My previously widened eyes close when something pops into my head. “Okay.  I have a backup plan then.  We’ll search for Correal and see if she did tell anyone about us posing as guards.  Rumors spread particularly quickly around the hive if no one’s careful.  Now, let’s hurry.” Carina nods as I start galloping, with her right behind me. “Is that what her name is?  Correal?” “Yes, Carina.  I saw her every so often.  I completely forgot how she was able to save our invasions from going further awry than they already did with her talents.  I guess the lack of travel had gotten the best of her this past year and a half.” Tahot!!! When I skid to a stop, Carina trips on my tail and lands, face first, straight onto my folded, disguised wings.  I wince, glare at Carina, then look back ahead.  There appears to be a lone guard in front of us, standing with tall composure. “Nuta le matur in?” The guard holds back amusement from me having deepened my voice.  Then he stares at me. “Colir nat halaha te bin tehinterin ga le drasur sa casetodo.” “What are you two saying?” Carina whispers in my ear. I use my horn to push Carina away from me. “Si.  I...” “Le ze fa bin tehinterin?” I shake my head at the guard. “Ni.  Zi le riva casetodo en catoro bin.” The guard studies us particularly closely, eyeing our convincibility, Carina’s more than mine.  After two blinks, he regains the tall composure from earlier, then nods. “Aro.  Mat en.” I salute the guard. “Si, casetodo.” And with that, the guard walks by us, allowing us to continue our journey to find Correal. “Alada, Colir le fu eldeyen.” “What WAS that?” Carina asks after looking back a few times, still shocked from what she heard. I tap my throat to change back to my normal voice. “What was what?” “That language you and the guard spoke.  It also happened earlier when we first entered the hive.” “Oh that was just the common language for changelings.  It’s called Lingo.” Suddenly, Carina starts snickering. “Okay, what?  Lingo...” ...and sigh… “Well, the language is older than me, so don’t blame me for saying that.” “Well, any chance I can learn it?  Because your understanding seems to make us convincing enough.” “I’d be up for that next time a guard comes up to us.  Just listen.  You’ll catch onto a few words soon enough.  I know Rusty did.” “Rusty... Flashlight?  Pegasus right?  I keep thinking of a human whenever I hear a name like Rusty.” “Yes, Rusty Flashlight is a pegasus.  And can you give me some examples of ‘human’ names?” “Jon Vibe, Roman Bagley, Sophie Handy, Dan Bell...” “Um, no.  I really don’t see any similarities between Rusty’s full name and those names you listed.” “Oh.  So, uh, this Rusty Flashlight pegasus... i-is he an urban explorer?” I nod. “I thought so.  The name kind of gave it away.” “Exactly.  If it weren’t for the pridefulness in some of the names, I wouldn’t have minded being given a pony name.  It’d be so much easier to get to know someone.” “Yeah, I see, Carve.  Compared to a name like Correal, or Dan, I can see how names like Twilight Sparkle and Rusty Flashlight make it easier to know somebody.” “Wait.  Is that a pun?” “What is?” “Some... body...” “No.  No pun.  “Body” is really no different from “one” when used as a suffix.” “Ooooh... okay.  I see what you’re saying, Carina.  For a second there, that confused me a little.” “Well, you know what they say... ‘the more you know’.” “I’ve... never heard a changeling say that.” “...never mind then.” For the next few hours, we keep searching for Correal.  That is until Carina starts to yawn. “Carve... what time is it?” “Well, it has to be nearing sunset.  I haven’t seen a single changeling in the past half hour.  Maybe they’re turning in early.” “Well, one thing’s for sure... I don’t think we can look for much longer.” “Hang in there, Carina.  Normally, it’d be supper time for the both of us at this time, right?” “Um, uh, yeah?” “Good.  You should be able to keep up for another hour.  If you have trouble keeping up, just give me a yell.” “O-okay.” Carina proceeds to yawn again. So, walking around, near the top of the hive, all the nestrooms seem to have closed off.  Walking back to the bottom, more of the nestrooms are open.  Once again, throughout the hive, no changeling is in sight. “Are there any beds around here?” “Wait.  You sleep on beds?  Is it possible to simply sleep on a bed instead of a nest?” “Well, for me, yeah...  I’ve lived with Jon for seven years.  Can I just sit for a second though?” “No.  We’re going to find Correal, even if it takes all night.  This is for Chrysalis.” Suddenly, Carina’s eyes shoot wide open unlike their previously droopy state. “Chrysalis... she’s with my son, Aita.  Where will they sleep?” “Well, she can’t sleep here obviously.  Thorax dethroned her.” “Where will they though?!?” “Whoa.  Relax, Carina.  It’s only just one night.  Chrysalis knows where I live.  I was the last one to be taken on this journey before we set off, after all.  She might stay there.” “As long as they’re welcome there, that is.” ;=; As Pane and I get home and set the candy and new decorations down, we hear a few knocks on the door. “Strange... the tricker treaters shouldn’t be this early.  We haven’t even been home for five minutes.” “I got it, Rusty.” Pane opens the door, using her magic, revealing the pony, to me and Pane’s surprise, who looks like... “Trace Light?!?” When we get a better look, the pony sure looks quite a bit like Trace Light as a colt, the only difference being that he looks to be thirteen instead of eighteen.  His eyes are also a bit different. “Who’s that pony?” “Oh, phew.  I thought it was my niece.  But I was mistaken.  What do you need?” “Oh, I know Carve.  I was wondering if she was here or not.” “Well, this is news to me.  Get comfy, uh...” “Aita.” “Aita?  What kind of pony name is that?” “Nothing... I travelled to, uh, Wisconsin when I was a foal.  That’s when I got my name.” “Wisconsin?  Are you sure you don’t mean Whinniesconsin?” “Aita” nods. “Uh... okay...” “Hey, uh, I was... wondering if you have an open guest room for tonight.” “Okay, Aita.  Why’re you asking these questions?!?”