//------------------------------// // Chapter 7 - Just a Chat With the Teacher // Story: James' Nymphs // by AizakkuHorooee //------------------------------// Alright, so now that we’re in Hedgetown, I think it’s time to arrive at Megan’s lab.  Inside, Megan waits across the main room. “Megan!  What’s going on?” “Well, James, I’ve received word that Angel City is forbidding morpher from entering.  There’s been a drastic increase of security after a major threat arose. If you’re going to go in there, I’d advise you to leave your nymphs here.  Your other anicom should be safe though.” Hey Jimmy! “Jerry?” “Hey, did you get invited to the wedding too?” “A wedding?  Who invited you?” “My sister, Martia.  One of our relatives in Angel City is gathering everyone in Comania to see her partake in the wedding!  You should get gussied up pretty soon! Well, catch you all later. I’m getting a ride from my voro.” “Wait.  Jerry, I should probably come with you.  I have my own flying anicom now anyway.” “Oh ho!  Besides your ravo?” “Actually, yes.  James caught a pegaso on the way over to Aquatown on Route Eight.” “Well then, I’ll meet you outside, Jimmy.  I would love love love to see your pegaso in action.” Arada and Alo begin snickering at Jerry before Mat shushes them. “Hey, what was that?” Jerry asks as he pauses. “Nothing.” “Huh, probably me.  Now then, let’s go.” “I-I’ll be right out, Jerry, okay?  Alright, Mat, Alo, Arada, while I’m away Megan should be able to keep you guys company.  I’ll be back with Parry and Indie soon enough, okay?” The three nod as they get out of my backpack. HEY JIMMY!!! “Ah!  Megan, take the translator, I’ll see you guys later!  Bye! Hang on Jerry!!! I’m coming!!!” -=- And so, James rushes out of the lab to try and catch up with Jerry. “So, you three are changelings?” Alo, Arada and I nod at Megan. “Hmm.  So I suppose you come from a hive.  How’d you end up here in Comania?” “Well, we left our hive to search for our queen.  She rules on the other side of the Luna Ocean.” “Hmm.  Luna Ocean?  That’s just east of Lake Towingo.  Anyway, continue.” “We were pretty excited about the extra love we’d have, especially when we’d see Queen Areola again after she and her student went to Equestria.” “Well, this is getting interesting.  So how long has she been your queen?” “Since my mom was a nymph.” “Wow, I’d say that’s quite a while, even barring the lifespan.” “Well, speaking of lifespans, um, how long is yours?  I heard it’s pretty close to ours.” “Well Mat, for humans, it’s seventy nine years.” “Wow.  That glossary wasn’t lying when it said ours was identical.  Ours is eighty.” “Well, the glossary looks at any anicom and records its features, possible move-set, and its lifestyle.  If I’m correct, you must have the same special nerves on the forehead that yunico do; it’s how yunico can perform telekinesis.  Unfortunately, no anicom has had a recorded lifespan longer than ours. We have pursued a few ways to expand them, like better medicine-” “I know, it’s only going to take us so far.  But it would be kind of interesting for species other than ponies to outlive us.” “So back to you, Mat, I know how a hive works, experience for years with morpher and all, but does your queen make any additions to her system?” “Only thing we know of is that Queen Areola has an apprentice that’s next in line.  Her name is Chrysalis.” “Okay, so suppose that Chrysalis ended up having to step out of line.  Does Areola have any top tiers in case that happens?” “Well, top drones, yes.  But they’re barely fit to rule compared to Areola and Chrysalis.” “Hmm.  A little odd.  Most morpher have similar systems, but top tiers are always trained for the possibility of ruling.” “I guess that’s the lack of the ability to predict.  Kind of like how we started here in this port to search for Queen Areola.  I’d rather us take forever to find her and end up simply on the east coast of the Celestia Sea seeing her than to pass this region up only to see her here.” “I know how that feels,” Megan responds.  “Chances are though she’s not here. No major news, wedding aside, has made any reference to any morpher.” “Oh yeah, James went to a wedding.  Angel City, if I heard right,” I ponder aloud. “Yes.  That was his next destination anyway.” “Ah.  It’s a shame we can’t go there.  It would’ve been snack city for us.” “I’m sure it would’ve been.  See, most morpher are emotivores and have the ability to flaunt features otherwise inaccessible.” “Well, we’re only nymphs, so our influence can vary quite a bit.  Besides, James’ chipperness really keeps us in check. In a way, we follow the confidence of our kind.” “I don’t know, Mat.  Most emotivores wouldn’t miss a wedding for the world.” “You don’t-” Ring-ring-ring!  Ring-ring-ring! Phone call!  Phone call! Ring-ri- “Hello?  James? Okay.  So, how was your ride?  ...Alright. I’m glad you’re safe.  Is Jerry with you right now? ...Good.  Just stay safe over there okay? I know I shouldn’t be worrying, but Angel City has been under threat.  ...You do? ...I imagine so. Well, thanks for calling and letting me know. Bye.” “What’s going on?” I ask. “Well, James and Jerry made it to Angel City just fine.  They’ll be back by the end of the day.” As Megan begins to walk around the room, the four of us hear plastic sliding on some tiling.  The sound seems to be coming from below, confirmed when Megan stops and backs up by a pace. She bends over and picks up a familiar looking object. “Isn’t that James’, uh, glossary?” Voro. “Actually, I have to take this to my office.  I’ll be back later.” Megan proceeds to walk away from us with the glossary that seems to know about Jerry’s anicom, as well as the translator. “Alo, Arada, stay.  I’ll be right back.” I hover up to the glass that the door to Megan’s office has, listening in on the conversation. Hello?  ...Jerry? Hey, did you drop your glossary before you left?  ...Well, it went sliding for about a foot on the floor. ...You don’t?  ...Will do. I’ll see you when you get back. Bye. I squeal for a split second when Megan closes her phone, returning back to my post from earlier. “So it’s Jerry’s?”  I ask Megan. “Yep.  But the two are at the wedding right now.  They’ll retrieve it after the party.” “Ah.” Well, I guess we aren’t about to see Jerry and James any time soon.  I really wish we were at the party.