//------------------------------// // Chapter 22 - Adjustment // Story: Welcome to Distopia // by LucidDreamer //------------------------------// "Well... it's very... Spartan." John nodded as he looked around the basement room. The house had evidently given them an area that was slightly smaller than the living room at the bottom of the stairs; a small closet, by the size of it; a small bathroom (that didn’t have much more than a sink, mirror, toilet, and shower with a plain white shower curtain);  and a sizable room for Thorax. However... there wasn't much there. The walls looked like concrete painted white and the floor was just flat gray stone. Thorax's room was very plain as well. There was a single bed with plain white sheets against one wall, a black chest of drawers sitting against the wall across from it, lastly an empty four-shelf bookshelf and a wood desk on the wall across from the door (meaning that you had to walk between the chest of drawers and the bed to get to the desk). "I didn't stay in any one place for too long." Thorax said a little weakly. "I haven't really had a chance to really settle down and find out what I like as an individual." "Well, this is your home now. So congrats, you get to find out what that is." John said with a grin. Thorax just smiled back. "So, what would you like to do?" The smol bug asked the normal bug. Thorax shrugged. “Well we could go shopping in town.” John suggested as he headed for the stairs. “That could work.” Thorax nodded as he followed. “Wanna just do that tomorrow? And Hell, we could introduce you to people in town while we’re at it. Kinda make a day of it.” John rattled off as he waited for the larger bug to reach the landing before closing the door to the basement. “That would probably help.” Thorax nodded. “I mean, we don’t have to, if you want to take time to settle down for a bit to adjust.” John made sure to add as he headed to the kitchen. Thorax followed him in. Gilda, Sweetie, and Alastor all watched Thorax follow the smol bug around like a puppy. “Oh no!” Thorax quickly shook his head. “That sounds great.” He paused as John started pulling things out of cupboards. “What are you doing?” John blinked at him as he levitated a pot over to the sink and started to fill it. “Starting dinner.” “Dinner? As in food?” Thorax blinked back. “You poor thing, you have been away from society for a long while.” John frowned, then brightened. “Wanna help?” Thorax buzzed his wings happily. “Sure!” The following morning, Sweetie Belle trotted out of the back door to see a shivering and grumbling doe girl soaking up the morning sunlight. “Ya want me to get you a blanket?” The “filly asked, trotting up to her. “No, need to keep the leaves out.” Lorraine said in a slightly grumpy half-grumble. “Right, because part plant. Right.” Sweetie nodded. “Well want some warmth anyway?” “I’m good.” The doe girl replied, yet was still shivering. Sweetie deadpanned, then walked next to the doe. She lowered herself and snuggled into a little ponyloaf, before leaning against the doe. She was very warm. “Uhhh…” The doe girl glanced at her. “Just accept my heat dammit.” Sweetie kept the deadpan look. “You might not like contact, but this is better than just watching you freeze in the morning air.” “Yeah, no. Head back inside, I’ll be fine.” Lorraine replied. “And if I say no?” The filly raised a challenging brow. “Then I’ll have to tell Rarity you weren’t listening to me.” Lorraine replied. “Oh no! Not Rarity!” Sweetie gave a dramatic gasp, then returned to deadpanning. “And you’d also have to explain the circumstances for not listening, right?” “I don’t run the risk of getting sick, you do.” Lorraine stated. “Do I look cold to you?” Sweetie asked. “I think you’re more susceptible to the cold than I am at this point.” The doe gestured at the frost covered grass. "It's not exactly spring out here and I don't want to risk you getting a cold. Inside, now." the doe sternly stated. “Fine.” Sweetie gave a groan as she got up and walked towards the door. “I’ll just tell Alastor or John that you’re freezing.” She said before sliding the door open. Lorraine just rolled her eyes at the comment. “So, do any of you mind hanging out here?” John asked, glancing at Alastor, Lorraine, Gilda, and Sweetie. “Do you need me to go with you?” Lorraine immediately asked. “Counter question, do you want to go?” John pointed a hoof at her. “Not really, it’s fucking freezing out there.” Lorraine replied, snuggling more into the couch. Everyone else just looked at her funny. “I wouldn’t mind going.” Alastor nodded with a smile as he got up. “I’ll keep the cold doe company.” Gilda gestured at Lorraine. “Same.” Sweetie said, gesturing a hoof at the TV. “We can watch bad romance movies or something.” “Sure.” Lorraine repled bluntly. “Lovely. A day of the males on the town!” Alastor grinned as he stood next to the pair of bugs. “It’s not gonna be that fun, we’re just gonna shop and have Thorax meet a few people.” John rolled his eyes. “But Jimmy, that’s exactly why it should be that fun.” Alastor nodded. Both bugs just blinked at him as Sweetie giggled and Gilda face-taloned. Thorax shuddered a little as he walked between John and Alastor. “It’s gonna be fine.” John said as they crossed the bridge into Ponyville proper, specifically the market. “You- You sure?” Thorax glanced at the bug. “Oh my medium-sized friend, you have nothing to worry about.” Alastor said with a chuckle. “Hi John.” A few mares by a stall called in unison. Thorax’s jaw dropped as he looked between the mares and John. “Know that giant monster I turned into?” John looked at Thorax as he waved at the mares, to a tumult of giggles. “Uh huh.” Thorax nodded. “I fought a giant multi-headed snake thing and kinda became a town hero… Whether I wanted it or not.” John rolled his eyes. “At least they’re leaving me alone.” Alastor smiled and nodded at a few mares, who also broke down in a fit of giggles. “Somewhat.” “Is this real?” Thorax blinked as he looked around. “Am I dreaming?” “Yes and no, in that order.” John said as they made a b-line for Barnyard Bargains. “I really can just, be this, and absorb love?” Thorax gestured a hoof at himself. “Honestly?” “I mean, haven’t you been doing that anyway?” John asked, raising a brow at the larger bug. “Yeah.” Thorax said awkwardly. “Ummm, since I came into your house.” “Kay.” John nodded. Thorax blinked. “You’re not mad?” “Why would I be mad at you for eating?” John gave him a funny look. “Lorraine gets mad whenever I eat her biscuits.” Alastor commented. “Yeah, because those are her biscuits.” John turned to glare at the deer. “And you never ask.” “Point made.” Alastor just grinned. “Don’t make me swat that smile off your face.” John deadpanned and Alastor gasped and brought his hooves to his nose. “I’m just going to stop asking questions, I’ll just get more questions.” Thorax commented. “Good idea, also, Barnyard.” John gestured at the building. “Let’s outfit the basement.” “Wonderful.” Alastor said, relaxing. “I don’t need much, I don’t want you to waste your bits.” Thorax said weakly. “Thorax, buddy, Lorraine and I could probably buy out the store and still have money to spare.” John deadpanned. “We have money, we just never spend it.” “Oh.” Thorax blinked. John nodded sagely, then grinned. “So let’s go splurge.” “Sorry for interrupting your movie.” Scootaloo apologised as she, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Lorraine all stood in the backyard. Well, Lorraine was a deer loaf in the grass as the Peacewalkers stood near the lake. “Yeah, we just needed someone to give us an honest opinion of if this is good or not.” Apple Bloom nodded. “And I’m sorry I forgot.” Sweetie said with a wince. “Eh, no big deal.” Lorraine commented. “Okay girls? A one, a two-” Scootaloo stated. Lorraine’s poor ears were assaulted by sound that was probably supposed to be music. A couple, painful, minutes later the assault ended. “Ow.” The doe commented as she got the ringing out of her ears. All three winced. “I assume that it’s not good?” Sweetie asked. “I knew something was off. Was our timing off?” Scootaloo’s brow furrowed. “Are you guys doing this for fun, or what?” Lorraine asked. “We’re kinda doing it to get our Cutie Marks.” Apple Bloom said. “Ya know, try, at least.” “Mainly because Diamond talked shit.” Scootaloo grumbled. “Again.” Sweetie rolled her eyes. “That was not good.” Lorraine stated. “You three might need to come up with something else.” “Well, I’m glad that we have time to come up with something else before we actually put any work into the construction.” Sweetie nodded. “Mind if we hang around and brainstorm?” Scootaloo asked. “And maybe look around for inspiration?” Apple Bloom added. “Go for it, just don’t make a mess.” Lorraine said, getting up as her roots retracted into her legs. “Yay!” The girls cheered and raced for the back door. “Was all that necessary?” Thorax asked as the three walked through town. John simply nodded in reply. “Even two Televisions?” Thorax tilted his head to the side in confusion. “One for your room and one for the lower living room.” John said with a smile. “Okay, if you’re sure.” Thorax hummed. “Anything you’d recommend watching?” “Feel free to browse the living room collection or my personal collection. Borrow whatever catches your eye.” John said with a nod. “Be careful to avoid the anime, you never know what you might find.” Alastor said with a sage nod. “Fuck you, you just walked in at the wrong time!” John pointed a hoof at the buck, only getting a smug chuckle in response. “Hey guys.” The call of Rainbow Dash heralded the mare’s arrival, as the pegasi came in for a landing in front of them. “Dash.” John nodded. “Rainy Day.” Alastor nodded, getting a deadpan eye roll from the mare. “Who’s the bigger bug, or did you give birth?” Dash raised a brow at John. “Dash.” John blinked, groaned, face-hoofed, then gestured at the other bug. “This is Thorax.” “Hi.” Thorax waved nervously. “He seems jittery.” Dash commented, looking at him. “How’d you feel, being surrounded by things that are supposed to hate you?” John asked. “You mean my job?” Dash raised a brow at the smol bug. “Ha!” Alastor barked a laugh. Thorax actually giggled. John snorted. “Good point, but seriously.” He shook his head. “I get it.” Dash nodded and raised a hoof towards the larger bug. “Dash, Rainbow Dash.” Thorax tentatively bumped it. “Thorax, just Thorax.” “Welp, see you around Just Thorax.” Dash snorted and took off. “I have work to get back to doing, slackers aren’t gonna get a pass just cause I got distracted for a minute.” “She seemed nice.” Thorax looked at John. “She’s better.” John nodded. “Not all the way, but she’s on the right track.” “So, we were going to see Twilight, yes?” Alastor got the bugs back on track. “Yes!” John looked around to get his bearings again. “And it’s right there.” He rolled his eyes as the library wasn’t even a block away, and right in front of them. “Dash could’ve just crashed into Twilight’s place if she was that curious.” “No.” Alastor shook his head. “It’s not Wednesday.” “Right. Anyway.” John snorted and led the three towards the library. Thorax seemed confused by the library. He just slowly scanned the shelves as he trotted around the circumference of the library’s main room. “So, his brother was after him?” Twilight asked from the dinner table, glancing at John who sat next to her. “Mmmhmmm.” John said. “By the way I might need to borrow Spike, need to send a letter to the Princesses.” “For what?” Twilight blinked. Thorax paused as he saw Spike sitting on the couch with a few stacks of comics sitting next to him. Spike looked up, getting the feeling of being watched. “Hey, Thorax right?” “Uh huh.” Thorax nodded. “What are those?” “Uhhhh, comics?” Spike held up his issue of Feathermare. “Ooooooh! Right. Those are comics.” Thorax blushed a little in embarrassment. “Sorry, still adjusting to… everything.” Spike patted the couch. “Take a seat, lose yourself for a bit.” He gestured at the stacks of comics. “Ooookay.” Thorax nodded and reached a hoof out to pull a comic off the top of one of the piles. Meanwhile Alastor was in the kitchen, brewing tea. He didn’t expect to run into anyone, yet here he was. “And why are you here again?” Trixie asked, munching on her crackers at the small kitchen table. “Spending quality time with the two insects of course.” Alastor replied, glancing over at the mare. “So, how goes the new job?” “Well, technically they’re Arthroequinoids.” Trixie said with a thoughtful look. “And it’s going well. Very well actually. I should be getting my new wagon soon.” She gestured at a letter on the table. “Of course they told Trixie that with the past four letters.” “Ah, bureaucracy changes no matter where you are.” Alastor chuckled as he poured his hot water into his tea cup and dipped the tea bag into it. “Have you had any pushback?” “From Ponyville citizenry as a whole? No.” Trixie shook her head. “From a select few mares that consider themselves nobles, yes.” “Of course.” Alastor walked over to the table and took a seat. “They’ll get sorted in time.” “True, hopefully sooner rather than later.” Trixie nodded. “You’re quite the gentlebuck when you’re not being an ass.” “Darling, that could be my title.” Alastor chuckled. “YOU WHAT?!” Roared from the front of the library. “Ah, John told her then.” Alastor calmly sipped his tea. “What did he do?” Trixie blinked and looked at the buck. “Oh, just dusted a decent portion of the castle in the Everfree.” Alastor commented, glancing at her. “Oh, no wonder then.” Trixie nodded and returned to eating her crackers. There came a knock on the front door. “And that’s interruption number two.” Sweetie said as she sat on the couch with the other two girls. “Like I give a shit.” Lorraine said, getting up to go answer the door. “Of course we’re going to be polite!” Came a familiar voice from the other side of the door. “I didn’t mean anything by it.” Came another familiar voice (to the doe girl). "We are guests here, it would be impolite to just teleport into their home." “We teleport into our room.” Lorraine opened the door to see Luna and… Prince Akechi. Lorraine blinked. “Hello Lorraine. We- I hope I’m- we’re not imposing?” Luna said with a slightly awkward smile. She quickly gestured to Akechi. “Our- My dear nephew just wanted to meet you while he was still in town.” "Aunt Luna spoke so highly of you, I just had to meet you," the pegasus explained with a charming smile. "After all, not many would be willing to be so casual around royalty." Lorraine glanced between Akechi and Luna, her expression almost wary. “Why don’t you two go have a chat, maybe in the small forest that we spied on the way here.” Luna said with a nod. “We shall enter your abode and entertain ourselves.” With that Luna trotted inside. “Ah, movies! Awesome!” “Luna!” Came a cheer from the Peacewalkers. Lorraine deadpanned, entirely done with the situation. John, Alastor, and Thorax looked at the construction site. Which so far seemed to be cleared land, construction equipment, and a few prefab buildings that were probably offices, as well as more than a few ponies working away at various jobs. Around the site was a chain link fence. On the front, by the gate inside, was a large sign bearing the logo of the Conservation Committee. “What’s this?” Thorax blinked. “Apparently they’re making a facility here. Unsurprising, what with the vicinity to the Everfree.” Alastor nodded then looked at the smol companion. “Feeling better, John?” “Meh.” John mumbled, looking worn out. “We can head home after this.” Alastor nodded and turned away only for something to catch his eye. Something was… slithering towards them. It’s upper-half was a black-furred stallion, wearing a white button-up shirt, a black suit-coat, and a black tophat. His eyes were gold, and his mane was long, black, and bore a streak of gold through it. His toothy smile showed off a pair of fangs. His lower-half was a black-scaled snake tail with gold under-scales. “Hello, hello! Welcome!” The snake-pony announced happily. “We’re not exactly open yet, but I can answer any questions you may have. My name is Pentious, Sir Pentious of Ashford, I’m head of Research and Development at this facility, a pleasure to meet you.” “Hi.” John said bluntly. “H-hello.” Thorax waved, leaning away from the snake-pony. “Now Thorax, there’s nothing to be afraid of.” Alastor patted the bug on the head. “This is a Lamia, a sub-race of pony from the deserts south of Equestria. Their magic is incredibly potent, however they tend to be vain, short-sighted, egotistical, overly-flamboyant (and that’s coming from me), and generally rude.” He looked over at Pentious, whose left eye was starting to twitch. “Oh, I’m sorry, that wasn’t an attack, just a few observations.” He paused. “You know, you look familiar. Do I know you?” Pentious opened his mouth to speak. “Ah, I can’t remember.” Alastor chuckled. “And if I can’t remember then it’s probably not worth remembering in the first place, and look at the time.” He looked at the sun. “We should get poor John home to recoup from the day out. And Thorax needs time to get his things sorted. So, have a blessed day, Sir Pentious.” He nodded at the lamia and led the pair of bugs off. “Was that… really necessary?” Thorax asked, glancing back at the clearly steaming Pentious. “Yes.” Alastor nodded, smirking a little. “Yes it was.”