//------------------------------// // Chapter 4: Metamorphosis, Meet Ocellus // Story: Patrilineality: Making Up For Time We Lost // by Melody Song //------------------------------// Metamorphosis watched as the young changeling, Ocellus, stood up. She lifted up her book with a clear white aura coming from the curved horn on her head. Ocellus set the book on a nearby table and trotted to Thorax, who entered the library fully. “What are you doing here? The next visiting day isn’t for a few more months.” Ocellus said, brushing against the changeling leader in greeting. “Heh, I know. But Pharynx and I came because we have someone for you to meet.” “Really? Who?” the young changeling asked inquisitively. Thorax smiled and rested a hoof on her head momentarily, then looked up at the other creatures. “Well… if your friends wouldn’t mind maybe letting us talk to you privately about it?” “Sure, we’ll clear out.” The dragon shoved the rest of her gem in her mouth, then started walking towards a door on the opposite end of the library. The griffon took off and led the way out, the other creatures following behind. Once the door had closed behind them, Ocellus looked up at Thorax. “You can by all means tell them what happens later, okay? I just figured you’d want to have the choice on how much to tell them about what we’re going to tell you.” “Okay King Thorax.” “Ocellus…” “Okay… Thorax.” “Thank you.” Thorax then walked over to the table, leading Ocellus. Pharynx entered the library next. “I’m going to find the Princess and bring her here, okay?” Tempest told him, and Pharynx nodded. “Hello Pharynx.” Ocellus greeted the General kindly as he walked in. “Hello kid.” “Alright… Ocellus, do you remember what Pharynx and I told you, about how we were going to look for our father?” “Of course.” Ocellus smiled at them. “Are you back already? It wasn’t bad, was it?” “No, no, nothing like that.” Thorax smiled and rubbed Ocellus’ head. “We… we found him, but I want you to not freak out when you see him.” “You brought him here?” Ocellus beamed “Mhm.” Thorax looked to the door, and Metamorphosis nodded before entering the room. He locked eyes with Ocellus. Her eyes widened and she backed up, knocking into Thorax, who put a hoof around her. “Ocellus, it’s alright. I promise.” Thorax murmured, and Ocellus nodded hesitantly. Metamorphosis trotted forwards and sat down on his haunches, then lowered himself down to lie on his stomach. Now he was eye level with her, and offered her a kind smile. “Hi… Ocellus, right? Thorax has told me a lot about you.” he said softly. Ocellus, who was still hiding between Thorax’s forelegs, cautiously peeked out. Metamorphosis gave her a tentative smile. “He said you like reading. What kinds of books do you like?” “H-History… fantasy… fiction and non-fiction…” Ocellus whispered, stepping out from behind Thorax’s forelegs. “Heh, I always enjoyed hearing stories and legends from other kingdoms. It’s a shame we didn’t have any stories of our own.” Metamorphosis said, extending a hoof gently. Ocellus reached and laid her own hoof on top of his. She then offered a smile and stepped away from Thorax completely. Metamorphosis smiled and pulled his hoof back, as Ocellus leaned forwards to touch noses with him in greeting. “It’s nice to meet you…” Ocellus murmured. “Nice to meet you too.” Metamorphosis nuzzled her. “So, what were you reading before we came in?” Ocellus lit up her horn and levitated the book over and showed him the cover. “It’s a book about the trials of Clover the Clever. He was a Unicorn mage back during the time of Starswirl the Bearded.” Ocellus explained, and Metamorphosis smiled. “It sounds very interesting.” “I-It is…” Ocellus said “Heh, would you like us to read with you while we wait for Princess Twilight?” Thorax asked “O-Okay…” Ocellus smiled as Thorax laid down in a similar position to Metamorphosis. Ocellus beamed and laid down between Thorax’s forelegs, curling up in front of him. Metamorphosis got up and laid on Thorax’s right side. Pharynx sighed heavily before sitting to Thorax’s left. Ocellus giggled as she eyed him, then opened her book. The group all sat in silence as they read over Ocellus’ shoulder. Thorax nuzzled Ocellus gently and she giggled. Metamorphosis chuckled and leaned against Thorax. Pharynx sighed and settled down eventually. He even leaned closer to get a better look. “Heh, interested?” Thorax asked Pharynx slyly. “N-No…” Pharynx stammered “Heh, you are.” “I am not!” “Are to-” “Boys.” Metamorphosis chided, and they fell silent, though they seemed to give each other looks as though they were communicating silently. Ocellus glanced up at him, and he smiled softly. “Figured they were distracting you.” he murmured, lowering his head to whisper to her. “I’ve seen enough of their interactions to know they banter a lot.” Ocellus nodded. “It looks like they’re telepathically communicating.” she giggled “Well, as clutch-mates they are technically twins. I’ve heard that twins share deeper connections than other siblings.” “I read about that…” Ocellus smiled “It seems really interesting. I have younger siblings, they’re ‘twins’. When they get older I think I’ll ask them if they share a deep connection. Maybe it will explain why Thorax and Pharynx are glaring at each other.” “Heh, maybe.” Metamorphosis watched the two nudge each other and share looks. “They’re so different, yet so alike…” “Mhm. It’s why I’m being trained by them both. Thorax teaches me about gaining personal connections with the other changelings, and Pharynx insists on training me in self defense. Headmare Twilight’s school was a compromise made by them because it would teach me government relations.” “That sounds like them alright.” Metamorphosis smiled “Mind telling me about your friends?” “Well, there’s Gallus… he’s the griffon. He’s our kind of leader… we’ve never made it definite but he seems to take on the leadership role. Then there’s the pony, Sandbar. He’s calm, sensitive, kind, and one of the peace makers of our group, kind of like me…” “Heh, that makes sense, you seem like the peaceful type.” “Mhm. Then the dragoness, Smolder. She’s fiery, fierce, strong, brave, loyal… she’s perfect…” Ocellus blushed “Heh…” “You two are…” “No! At least… not yet…” Ocellus shook her head “Anyway, next is Yona, she’s a yak. She’s strong and honest. Last is Silverstream, the hippogriff. She’s really bubbly and energetic.” “They sound like great friends.” “They are.” Ocellus agreed Thorax was now nuzzling Pharynx, who was shoving him away. Ocellus stood and curled up in between Metamorphosis’ forelegs instead. He chuckled and shifted slightly. “You kind of give off the same energy as Thorax…” Ocellus murmured “I have heard Pharynx, Ember, and Tempest say similar things.” Metamorphosis chuckled “You met Ember and Tempest?” “Mhm. They were quite nice.” Ocellus smiled and nodded. She curled up and turned back to her book. “I like you. You seem nice.” “Thank you.” Metamorphosis smiled “What in the name of Celestia?!”