//------------------------------// // Chapter XVI - Help in the Hurf // Story: A Changeling's Christmas Catastrophe // by AizakkuHorooee //------------------------------// It seems the changelings have caught on to my new additions to the festivities.  Currently, there is a tournament going on of Never Have I Ever, an interaction game where someone describes something they haven’t experienced.  This tournament edition of the game has two players at a time find a description that the other HAS experienced, but there are limitations. Obviously, the game has to be kept lighthearted, so no items of infamy will be described. Currently, I’m just sitting within the crowd witnessing the tournament taking place.  In a few spots, matches would go on for several minutes. But it’s not too long. Suddenly, I receive a letter as we near the semifinals.  And quite unlike the other times I was sent a letter, this one is written on paper that came from Wisconsin.  It has to be from Jon. Perhaps it’s one last thank you for helping out Carina in her time of need. In any case, I have to read it out of the festivities room. As I head into the hall, on my way to the throne room, I unravel the paper and read what’s inside. Dear Chrysalis, Carina needs your help again!  She was describing to me what she sounded like back at this stage of having Aita, and then next thing I know, she’s in the bathroom, launching all of the love I shared with her!  I almost gagged from hearing her! Will you please help my friend? Your subject, Carve “Ugh, Carve, need I come to Wisconsin again?  At least it’s worth addressing.” I look on the other side of the paper and see nothing on it, so that means I can write something back to Carve. Carve, Before I come back, describe to me how in Tartarus Carina managed to excrete every once of the love you shared.  Was it too abundant for the egg to handle? Was it from something she did after I left? And will you PLEASE describe how she replicated audio of her state the day before Aita was released?  I need to know, because this should’ve gone smoothly for the remainder of today and tomorrow. Yours truly, Queen Chrysalis I send the letter, knowing that I will get another one.  And just a minute later, that very thing I predict happens. Dear Chrysalis, I understand your frustration.  Trust me. I felt that the situation came completely out of nowhere as well.  I will have to talk it over with Jon though so that I can see where things went differently from last time.  As for replicating how she sounded, she used her wings to do it. If you have anymore questions, I can come to your hive so I don’t waste anymore paper.  In the meantime, we’re about to head to the vet. Your subject, Carve. Well, time to take advantage of Carve’s offer.  I flip the paper over and begin think-writing. Carve, I would greatly appreciate it if you find with Jon the differing circumstances between Aita’s conception and the one in progress presently.  Come to the hive afterwards to deliver the information. If what you say is one hundred percent true, I may know why Carina is now without your love.  I expect to see you soon. Yours truly, Queen Chrysalis. So, I send the letter back to Carve, leaving me with nothing left to do before Carve comes by. Mysteriously, I start humming a tune.  I don’t know what one it us, but it sounds a bit lullabiliar in melody. Around the end of it though, in teleports a VERY worried Carve, in disguise as Princess Twilight before she accepted me.  And as quickly as I see the disguise, it peels off in a swift flame of green. “Greetings Carve.  I can deduce that you discussed with Jon the differentiations that this conception is granting over Aita’s from seven and a half years in the past.” “Well, yes, I did.  But how did you know?” “I had a sweet melody roaming through me while I waited.  It was enough time for you to do as I asked.” “Well, Jon explained to me that Carina never tried to replicate any audio back when she had Aita, likely due to having no reason to do so.  That and Carina’s abdominal pain simply escalated instead of moving up and down like it’s been doing.” “So, this is Carina’s third time blacking out this week.  How many times did Jon say it happened?” “Only once, and it technically was the nerves laser focusing on the escalated abdominal pain.  It was on the day Aita was released.” “Hmm.  Carina’s audio replication may have something to do with her situation.” “Was it simply vibrations in her body that made it do that?” “No, it’s not that, Carve.  Do you know about Patch?” “Not really.  How old is he?” “Thirty years younger than me.  Back just before the new millenium, he was conceived by me.  I had attempted to replicate a heated discussion about the next invasion at the time and it resulted in me doing the same as what Carina had just done now.” “So, what are you getting at?” “When a changeling replicates audio through their wings, those wings also replicate the emotions present.  That was how Carina averted the result when she copied you-know-who before I let her live with Jon. The replication had with it the compassion you-know-who had for Carina.” “So what Carina showed me was when Jon was fearful of losing her forever!!  That’s how she yakked the love I’d shared with her!!” “Exactly.  Presumably, I have provided all of the guidance you need to handle the rest of the situation with Carina’s family.” “Yes.  Thank you so much, Chrysalis.  I will do what I can to help her, even if it means that I have to share my love once more.  I am confident Carina will be in the right hooves.” “And hands.” “Eh  Works either way.  Well, I have to get going now.  Good luck with the rest of the celebration.” “Thank you.  Farewell, Carve.  I wish you luck.”