//------------------------------// // The Changeling Hive // Story: Patrilineality // by Melody Song //------------------------------// They continued walking towards the Hive. Pharynx and Thorax were walking side by side, with Metamorphosis beside Thorax. The ground became greener after a while, and they walked through a small cluster of trees. When they reached a cliff, they stopped and the sole unreformed changeling could see the jagged spires of the Changeling Hive. But it was now covered with greenery, and looked lighter colored. Its peak was missing as well. “The Hive… it’s been so long…” Metamorphosis said “You know, I've been thinking..." Pharynx began, and Thorax and Metamorphosis looked over at him. "What have I told you about thinking?" Thorax teased, and Pharynx swatted at him. "Shut up." "Yes, Pharynx?" Metamorphosis asked "Well, I was thinking... how come none of the old-timers ever mentioned you?” Pharynx asked “Chrissy probably banned them from saying anything, most likely with the punishment of death or exile. I’m sure she thought if you two learned of me and my… ideas… it would draw you away from the path she wanted you to follow. Now that you've reformed and... and she's no longer a problem... they must have simply forgotten about me.” "How could they have done that?" Thorax asked, confused. "It's because the only reason they remembered he existed was because Chrysalis made the ban in the first place." Pharynx replied to his brother, staring at the Hive in the distance. "Huh?" "She made the ban, and since they had to follow the ban at all times, it kept the thought of Metamorphosis in the front of their minds all the time. But then they were finally free of having to worry about the ban. Which meant, of course, that they wouldn't have to think about it all the time, and it would be in the back of their minds. I'm sure some would have eventually come to us but you keep everyone so busy with your theater clubs and feelings circles-" "Feelings Forum." "Whatever. Point is, everyone's so busy that they have other things to think about. So they forgot." Pharynx explained, and cut in as Thorax opened his mouth to speak. "Don't be mad at yourself and don't bother apologizing to dad, you didn't know." "I wasn't going to-" "Thorax, we've been brothers ever since we hatched." Pharynx fixed him with a deadpan stare. "I know you. You're blaming yourself." "I just..." Thorax looked at Metamorphosis. "I wouldn't have-" "Thorax!" Pharynx snapped, making him look at him. "There's no reason to blame yourself. There is no possible way that you could have known that all your activities would stop them from remembering something that happened over twenty years ago. Just drop it." Thorax sighed and leaned over to nuzzle him. Pharynx gave him a halfhearted smile and pulled away, though he did so reluctantly. Thorax then looked at Metamorphosis. “Things aren’t like the old Hive now." Thorax assured him. "I know you probably wish that she joined us… but we’re moving on. We've really begun to thrive, with the first clutch of eggs from reformed changelings a month or so ago. We've all started to adjust to this new change. It was actually the anniversary of our ‘Great Change’ a few days ago.” Thorax told him. Then, they headed down the cliff. As they walked, Thorax pulled ahead, and Pharynx sighed. "About back there..." Metamorphosis began "I didn't mean to be rude to him." Pharynx cut him off. "You have to understand, dealing with Thorax, he..." "Yes?" "He... he gets upset about the smallest things. Panics when things don't go exactly right. Sometimes being calm and collected helps, especially when it's not more serious than a panic attack before a big meeting with other leaders. But other times...it helps to be harder on him. He may not have the thick skin I wish he did, but that doesn't mean a little tough love will break him." Metamorphosis chuckled softly and smiled at him. "I understand that. I'm not mad. I..." he nuzzled Pharynx, and the beta changeling batted at him. "Well?" "I just...I see now why you two are so close. You looked out for each other. And you love each other, even if you don't admit it, or if you need a little tough love to get the message through." Pharynx hesitated, then smiled. "Thanks...dad." They smiled at each other as they caught up with Thorax. He looked back at them. "Did I miss something?" “No, it's just...I’m so proud of you both.” Metamorphosis said, smiling. “Why me? I was the last to reform.” Pharynx said, looking straight ahead, eyes scanning the horizon. “Yes, but you stayed. You endured whatever those others said about you for Thorax. Because you knew he wanted you to stay, that he would have been heartbroken if you left. You stayed for him. That’s the true measure of your strength, Pharynx.” Metamorphosis said to him, and Pharynx turned to look at him. “...Wasn't expecting that...thanks dad…” Pharynx said, smiling softly. Then, his grin sharpened and his eyes narrowed, giving him a fierce look. “Still think physical force is the real strength though.” Thorax and Metamorphosis glanced at each other, sharing equally exasperated looks, and Pharynx burst out laughing. “Oh boy, this is gonna be great, now I have two ‘lings to annoy the heck out of!” he exclaimed “Great, takes some of the pressure off me.” Thorax smiled, reaching to rub his head. Pharynx swatted him away, still chuckling. “Yep. I guess finding dad was a pretty great idea Thor.” “You didn’t think it was?” Metamorphosis asked “Well… we didn’t know why you left… I honestly wasn’t sure if you deserved to have us find you. It was before we found your letter. But I supported Thorax. And I’m glad I did now.” Pharynx admitted, smiling. They made their way down the cliff and headed towards the mountainous Hive. As they neared, Pharynx opened his jaws, tasting the air. He suddenly halted, and Thorax turned to him. “Pharynx? What’s wrong?” “Thor...they’re waiting inside.” “Who? The other ‘lings?” “No… just taste for yourself.” Thorax opened his own mouth, and Metamorphosis followed their lead. He felt two distinct scents wafting into his sensors. They were tangy with worry, and coming in with a lot of force, showing the strength of the emotions being felt. The scents themselves were separate, but intertwined, showing the owners of the scents were standing next to each other. The first was the dying ashes of a fire, and the second the fresh taste of the air after a thunderstorm. While he didn’t recognize who they might belong to, his sons apparently did. “Oh no…” Thorax breathed “Oh Hivemother. We’re dead. We’re so bucking dead.” Pharynx swore. “What do you mean? Who do the scents belong to?” Metamorphosis asked “...You’ll see.” Pharynx sighed “Just… can you stay back? Like, so they can’t see you?” “Of course, if you need me to.” Metamorphosis replied, and they gave him grateful looks. Metamorphosis followed them the rest of the way to the entrance and stood near it. Thorax and Pharynx then entered.