‘…And as we depart the upper nurture and wellness suite, that brings us back to the throne room. Hey again, bro– I mean, my liege.’ As he and the threesome he guided – alongside some other giggling changelings who were mainly just flittering in the same general direction for the fun of it – left the aforementioned area and emerged back out into the open, Pharynx gruffly saluted King Thorax, who was sitting with his antlers held high atop the mossy oaken throne at the peak of the Changeling Hive, ‘And with that the tour’s over, so uh, I guess I’ll leave the ladies and gentlecolt here with you.’
Most of the insectoid hangers-on took their leave, laughter in the air as they flew off in whichever direction suited them now the show was over, although a few stuck around either as court functionaries or just because they felt like it, and Rarity removed her summer hat in the presence of royalty. ‘Oh, thanks for that, Pharynx,’ Thorax brightly-but-seriously nodded back, ‘And calling me brother is fine in front of visitors. Uh, welcome back, Yona, Sandbar, Rarity. Everything all alright on the way around?’
Thorax had been chatting with Spike, who was seated, cross-legged with his official friendship ambassador medallion, on one of the throne’s leafy lower boughs. He’d agreed to temporarily part ways with his travel companions as Thorax’s first-in-command took them under his wing, giving them an orientation around an organic fortress that was fairly alien for neophytes such as themselves, while Spike and the sparkling green-orange changeling-in-charge had a lighthearted catch-up.
Now they were back he hopped down onto the floor, flapping his wings twice for a sure landing upon both feet before running up to his friends with a big smile on his face and sucking the juice of one of the tree-throne’s striped fruits, that he’d eaten during their absence, off his digits. ‘Hey guys! Did Pharynx show you what they’ve done with the old sac chambers? Thorax just told me about it!’
Sandbar raised a hoof as Spike wolfed down the rest of his snack. ‘Hey again, Spike. Uh, I think so? We went through a wide area at some point where a bunch of these guys,’ he stopped as a passing changeling gave him an unsolicited high-five, which he returned eagerly with a laugh, ‘Hey, thanks dude! Uh, where a bunch of these guys were doing… something…? With these pools of swirling colours and sequenced glowworms on the ceiling blinking off and on… it looked cool, anyway. Seemed important.’
‘Yes, that was them, working the love mixer. And not to be disturbed when they’re in session,’ Pharynx noted, ‘Hopefully no changelings lost their orb to the drink after somecreature nearly broke through the viewing port.’
Yona blushed, ashamed. ‘Yona understand. Looked fun, wanted closer look at Hive activity,’ She looked down as Sandbar smiled and gave her a side-hug, and she shrugged.
‘I’ll let it slide once for a newbie… just curb your enthusiasm, friend. Changelings aren’t one-on-one as hardy as yaks,’ Pharynx nodded. Yona looked back up and nodded back with a grunt.
Yona, her significant other and her boss stood before the changeling king, looking up at him like the tourists they were. Rarity’s mane was tied up into an elaborate crimped bun, with conspicuous, sapphire-studded ornate golden clasps around her right foreleg and its opposing ear, and a translucent, tropical-blue sarong around her waist and back legs. Meanwhile, Yona wore a light red shawl decorated with a white leaf pattern, golden tasselled earrings and a garland of bright magenta-and-lilac flowers over the fur she’d recently had trimmed prior to travelling. For his part, Sandbar wore mirrorshades, a floral Kawaiian shirt and a gold chain with a turtle charm hanging off that Yona had insisted completed his “look”. He certainly didn’t look bad, although the shirt was an eye-watering hot pink that Spike suspected could be seen from orbit.
Yes, they were each dressed for the weather of a fine vacation. Of course they hadn’t needed to wear anything, but given the stock-in-trade of the ladies present, getting dressed up for the occasion had been contemplated at long length before departure. Compared to central Equestria in late autumn the Changeling Hive’s climate was positively balmy, moreso than within living memory.
Until a few years ago the Hive’s environs had long been a blasted, ashen hellscape where nothing could ever grow. The burgeoning greenery and wildflowers growing ever thicker over and obscuring the sharp edges of the damaged landscape made clear this was a place of renewal now; alive and wild, yet tranquil and idly fascinating. Nature had moved back in with the changeling populace, much to their collective joy.
The Hive itself reflected that change. Where once everything had been hostile spikes, toxic green goop and sheer black crags bathed in brown from meagre half-light struggling to penetrate acid clouds, everything had become much sleeker and grassier to the point of overgrowth that its residents needed to keep in check inside of a few short years. That was especially apparent where they stood, the towering obsidian seat from which Queen Chrysalis had once reigned upon the changeling populace now replaced with a less imposing but no less strong wooden throne that was nonetheless slowly climbing upwards, definitely encouraged by the improved climate. The purple and red-streaked fruits of which Spike had partaken grew from its branches, and there were flower and mushroom patches of various sorts sprouting from the roots that wound all the way across the open-air room.
Feeling the humidity prickling her neck, Rarity fanned herself with the hat she was holding to her bosom for a second. ‘Well, Yona’s little whoopsie aside, everything is perfectly lovely here, Thorax darling,’ she grinned, nodding her head at the king, ‘I must say you’ve all made coming off the beaten track so worth it already,’ she looked around at the colourful welcoming committee swarming around them, ‘Ahh, thank you all for such a warm greeting!’ she waved before looking down at the brown tinge on her attire, ‘It was rather a hike from the station to here, with nary a trail no less, and heaven knows I wasn’t dressed for it, but it is certainly worthwhile! I’m really looking forward to learning more about the new Hive! We all are, aren’t we?’
Yona and Sandbar nodded vigorously as Thorax looked sheepish at Rarity’s observation. ‘Yeah, we usually fly to and from the Hive… well, when we travel. Now you mention it, we’re still pretty secluded all the way out west away from Ponyville and the rest… I guess we’re still used to the old days when this place was very, very off limits to outsiders entirely.’
‘Walking fine. Hiking through woods good, and Spikey brought direction-pointy thing so nocreature lost!,’ Rarity’s assistant laughed, ‘And Yona like bug welcome! Thanks for flowers, too!’
The garland she wore suddenly grew eyes after she said that, before sprouting insect wings, flying back over her horns and transforming with a green flash back into a male changeling, his colours corresponding to the flowers it had been just a moment ago. She gasped with wonder, ‘Ooh, flowers just changeling too. Yona accept this.’
Sandbar frowned and looked over the rim of his shades, making an attempt at looking threatening at the changeling. ‘Uh, boundaries, bro? Me and Yona are kind of a thing together.’
Yona rubbed a cheek against Sandbar’s gently as the changeling fluttered opposite them both. ‘Ah, sparklebug not do anything bad, Sandbar. Yona yell if so. Relax.’
‘Sorry… we’ve just never had a yak visit before!’ the changeling chirruped as he extended a purple hoof to Sandbar, whose grimace relented once he was deep into a vigorous hoofshake, ‘It’s a big first and I am here for it! Name’s Boscis, short for “Proboscis”. Say, didn’t you come to visit Ocellus? I’m actually in her acting troupe.’
Thorax looked around, then grunted. ‘They did, yeah. Uh, isn’t she around here? I know she knew you were all coming by but she didn’t answer when I checked in on her, uh, cell yesterday…’
Boscis winced as he looked up at the changeling king. ‘Dearlove told me she was fussing about making a big entrance when she visited her this morning, your majesty. You know how she gets before a big event, everything has to be just so.’
‘Yona confirm,’ said the yak, ‘Ocellus need space to perform. Wish bug friend meet us now though.’
‘Well, if she intends to do as you say, she ought to do it now before the moment passes!’ said Rarity, looking around, ‘We must have been here over an hour already, and no sign. Ah, nocreature is wearing her like dear Yona was wearing young Boscis, I presume?’
As every clad creature in the throne room inspected themselves closely in case Rarity was right, Spike’s ear frills pricked at a harsh whisper nearby, though he just couldn’t quite locate where. ‘Now! Do it now! We’ve been sitting here for ages!’
Then another, one he recognised. ‘They’re still talking… oh, why did Boscis have to interrupt like that, ooh…’
A third, a slight baritone. ‘Of course they’re talking, they just met! They’re waiting for you, Ocellus, make a move already! Just fall so we can follow your lead, for goodness’ sake!’
‘Uh, uhh...’ Ocellus’ voice responded, with a heightening nervous pitch Spike felt in his heart.
His eyes darted around, but he could only figure the voices as coming from somewhere vaguely overhead. ‘I can hear you up there,’ Spike said, raising a claw as the others watched, ‘Come on down, Ocellus and, whoever else. It’s true, we’re waiting for you, but we can’t wait forever, y’know.’
‘Ah, breezie toots! Rumbled!’ the first voice responded. ‘Now! Now!’
Then a deep breath could be heard. Everycreature looked up as a cloud hanging low over the throne room hesitantly turned light blue, dipping down as it started to swirl, sparkle and change shape. Two songbirds flew from within the tree’s leafy upper boughs and encircled it as it rippled, flying around and around it, singing what was initially shrill birdsong that soon deepened into a harmonious duet as they too changed shape. They morphed into a yellow female changeling and a goat respectively, while the cloud turned into a spinning sphere that likewise emitted a sustained, controlled soprano before hitting the ground and slowing.
Ocellus finally revealed herself as the sphere slowed to the shape everycreature knew her by, looking slightly flush from the effort and no small embarrassment. ‘Um, heeeey, everycreature,’ she said, off-balance from all that spinning, ‘Sorry I’m late.’ The yellow changeling steadied her with both hooves as she continued, her eyes rotating comically for a second more before she shook it off, ‘I kind of got stage fright when I saw you all. Um, this is Dearlove, and the goat’s Elytron. Ely, take things seriously for once, the king’s right there!’
Ocellus gave the goat a gentle shove, and it bleated before transforming into a grey changeling with red eyes. He was a little taller than his fellows, although shorter than his king, and he cracked his neck from side to side before addressing those present. ‘Eh, you love me for it. Hey, Boscis, everycreature else… especially Yona and Sandbar! Geez, Ocellus goes on about you two, and the other three guys she hung out with at the School of Friendship, so much I could swear I know everything about you already!’
Sandbar balked slightly, but Yona was unperturbed. ‘Everything? Grey bug know Yona’s favourite colour?’ she pressed, raising an eyebrow as she trotted over to the changelings.
‘Brown, duh. Your fur’s brown, so it’s your favourite,’ he answered without hesitation.
‘Correct! Most things in Yakyakistan brown too, when not covered in snow! Brown a fine colour, often many colours all at once! And Ocellus!’ she turned to her old schoolfriend, whose unease dissipated in the aura of the lively yak, ‘Yona impressed by puffy cloud entrance! This your acting troupe, yes? Just four, or more?’
‘Well, membership is mostly fluid based on who wants in, but for us main players… there’s actually five, but Trochanter’s got a sore cibarium and can’t sing so well right now. Which is too bad… she’s the real, um, vocal talent among us. Not that we’re not at least pretty good by ourselves!’ she flop-sweated for a second and looked around, ‘You all just heard us, we were fine, right?’
Dearlove rolled her eyes, then smiled. ‘Ocellus, we’re the best singers in the Hive. Everybug knows it. Don’t talk us down because you froze, eh?’
‘Yeah, chill,’ said Sandbar, as he and Yona moved in for a hug that the blushing Ocellus got sandwiched between, ‘You all did great, keeping us hanging aside. We’re all just happy to finally see you!’
‘Spinning pretty good! Sing better too! Ocellus practice?’ asked Yona, hopping away and likewise twirling on one back leg for a moment, getting steadied by Sandbar after making herself dizzy after a rotation or two. ‘Oof… Yona hurl if keep that up long. Spinning definitely took practice.’
Rarity suppressed a giggle, finding Yona’s excitement infectious, and Spike flew just beside her. ‘Well, it’s wonderful to meet you all at last, anyway, darlings! As I said before, this has been quite the wondrous reception from everybug here, hasn’t it, Spikey-Wikey?’
Spike looked adoringly at Rarity’s sarong and clasps from his vantage point above and behind her, and the distraction meant he didn’t respond immediately. Just as he was about to reply, he was interrupted by Pharynx. ‘Yes, well, you can’t all stay in the throne room all day, it’s a security issue where non-changelings are concerned. Bro, should I take the outsiders– ’scuse me, guests, down to the amphitheatre? That’s where Ocellus and her company do what they do, right? I’m not much for the arts so I don’t, uh, pay close attention.’
King Thorax tipped his head and pointed right, taking into account something Spike had bent his ear with earlier. ‘Sure, brother. Take Yona and Sandbar that way with our esteemed actors, they can show you the way. This pair,’ he put a hoof on Spike and Rarity’s shoulders and grinned, ‘Need to stick around here a little longer. I wanna talk longer with ’em. I mean, if that’s alright with Rarity.’
Rarity jumped a bit at the unexpected contact, then looked up at Thorax. ‘Ooh! Ah, yes, now that you mention it, I could use further guidance here and now, not that the tour wasn’t a sufficient overview of the place! Yes, we can catch up with our younger compatriots later, I mean, if that is okay?’
‘Sounds good, Ms. Rarity,’ Yona answered, putting her forelegs around Ocellus and Sandbar for another group hug that they both definitely found a bit too tight, ‘Let grown ups and Spike talk in peace. Schoolcreatures got catching up to do! Acting troupe new friends, too!’
‘Oof, Yona!’ Ocellus breathed, fluttering her wings in agitation, ‘Let me go! Have you forgotten what Pharynx said before?’ As Yona loosened her grip on her and Sandbar, somewhat more used to his yakfriend’s affections, laughed, Ocellus smiled and gave her a gentler hug, adding, ‘It is wonderful to see you both, though. I’m sure we’ll all get along great!’
Elytron grabbed Boscis in imitation of Yona and, with a grin on his face, transformed into an orange polka-dot bandana before wrapping himself around the purple changeling’s neck. ‘Hey, what’s the idea?’ Boscis cried indignantly, ‘Even if you could actually keep me warm like that, it’s not cold today!’
The bandana laughed, then said with relative seriousness, ‘I figure I should restrain you from bugging Yona again, man. Something tells me Sandbar wasn’t super OK with it, and if you’re wearing me, you physically can’t. Anyway, I’m down with heading out from the Hive for a while to get to know our new friends better, if everycreature else is.’ Sandbar responded to Elytron’s observation with a nod of approval.
‘Of course! Let’s go. Um, it’s really nice to see my old professors again too, Spike, Rarity! Please come down our way a little later while it’s still light!’ said Ocellus, as Pharynx stepped towards the throne room’s exit. The throng of changeling actors and assorted creatures filed out, saying their goodbyes and chattering among themselves as they left.
‘We will! See you later, kids!’ Spike said as Rarity cooed her own goodbyes. Then they left, leaving the room feeling empty all of the sudden, despite the other changelings still flying and chattering nearby.
Rarity gave Spike an elbow nudge and a disapproving glare once they’d gone. ‘Spikey, you’re barely older than any of them. Don’t be silly, darling.’
He snorted and looked at her with a grin, which turned sheepish as he realised she wasn’t joking. ‘What’s your point?’ he balked as her disapproval intensified, ‘I was just kidding– wait, that’s not a great choice of– uh, it was a joke.’
Her expression mellowed as she realised she mostly had him to herself for the first time all day, and she reached over and gave him a pat on the forehead that ruffled his frills. Thorax let go of the pair as she did that and sat back onto his oaken throne, leaning forward in an effort to put them at ease as they took a seat on a protruding root each and faced him. ‘So, Rarity, Spike told me a little about what’s been happening back around Canterlot? Sounds pretty stressful, even if Princess Twilight and the rest of you guys have a decent handle on it.’
‘Well, it may not be the sole reason I accompanied Spike here, but it certainly won’t hurt to, ah, get away from it all for the week, and besides, Yona was champing at the bit to bring her beau along to visit Ocellus for the first time in quite the while,’ Rarity addressed the antlered king, ‘And it is really, really lovely here so far. Spike tells me that the changelings have become quite the experimental species in the past few years, and the tour Pharynx just took us on illustrated that nicely. There’s just so much… diversity of activity here now! A true hive of such, you could say!’
Thorax laughed, ‘We do our best. We don’t wanna dwell on what we were, and what we can be instead is, well, changelings can almost literally be anything! Which is… mostly good…’ he said, visibly losing confidence in his words as he mulled them over for a second, ‘As long as what we want to be is good, which of course is what I’m encouraging, and… oh, Yona might not have minded but young Boscis there displayed a little problem we’ve been having, some of the younger changelings who’ve never left the Hive can be kind of… like that.’
‘Hmm… no real harm done there, but…’ Rarity hemmed before looking at the little dragon next to her, ‘Being friendly is not a bad thing, but overstepping one’s bounds can be problematic. Isn’t that right, Spike?’
Spike raised an eyebrow, then laughed as he understood Rarity’s implication, borne of their recent history together, and she smiled slyly. ‘Heh, true. I’m still getting used to, uh, this mutuality thing myself. That’s what Twilight called it when we talked about it a couple weeks ago, anyway… healthy boundaries, respect and all that stuff. Like I was saying to Thorax, I’ve definitely been having a crash course on it myself lately, for uh,’ he blushed, ‘Various reasons.’ Of course Rarity understood what he meant, but those very same boundaries meant he wouldn’t say it outright in mixed company.
Rarity tipped her head at Spike before adding, ‘Indeed, and you know, you’re progressing with that quite well, in this mare’s opinion, my sweetheart. Anyway, Thorax, is that a severe concern? Has anything especially untoward happened as a result of overfamiliar youngsters around these parts?’
‘Not really, the worst we’ve seen is impersonation with intent, and it’s easier to solve cases like that among ourselves than you’d think,’ Thorax elaborated, ‘And Ocellus has been a good influence on them, thanks to yourselves and the other ponies at the school. It’s just another one of those things we’re figuring out as a collective, like, uh, everything, even now, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t worry at least a little.’
‘You’re worried that somebug’ll turn out badly?’ asked Spike, ‘I mean, all seems well here, but… well, maybe you could use some, uh, contingency plans just in case.’
‘Well, I’ve had words with some others about it. Counsellor Freelove maintains that short-term, low-stakes misunderstandings are unavoidable preparation for the longer-term and it would be stifling to force my subjects to deny an elemental part of their nature, and for the most part I agree with her.’
‘Let them have their mistakes now to avoid them later on, huh,’ Spike said seriously, ‘Fine for little mistakes, but how big is too big?’
Thorax continued. ‘I can’t wrap my Hive up in cotton wool, Spike. If intervention meant preventing the self-actualisation I want for my changelings, I’d rather leave well enough alone so long as it’s not disrupting things significantly, and if it does… well, I’ve talked to Princess Ember about it besides and she says she’d leave them to get on with it unless it did, then she’d, uh, “crack some skulls”, to quote her. I see her point, but I’d rather not resort to violence…’ he cringed at the thought.
‘…And from what yours truly has seen of all these dear creatures,’ Rarity swept a hoof around her, ‘I severely doubt you’d need to… from what Starlight told us back in Ponyville a while back Pharynx was the toughest nut to crack, and I can see for certain he’s thriving as well as anybug here now. From how things are looking in my view, you have my vote of confidence.’
Then she squared up Thorax’s slender neck, looking for all the world like a sapling shoot adorned with three crystalline sacs where it joined his body, her eyes drawing upwards from its orange base up its green-ness until she once again looked into his red eyes. ‘You know, dear, it’s a little warmer here than back home, but would you like a sweater? I have something in mind that’d make you look very regal indeed. I brought some knitting resources, and winter is approaching, you know!’
Thorax balked slightly, and Spike couldn’t suppress a laugh before he could respond. ‘What?’ Rarity sniffed with her lips pursed, but as their eyes met she saw the laughter borne of affection, not ridicule.
She leaned against her favourite little dragon as he beamed, leaning back and putting one arm around her. ‘Oh, I’m sorry Rare, it’s just… you really know your priorities, huh? I’m actually pretty surprised that you didn’t insist I wear another jacket before we came over here.’
‘I brought several with me, Spikey-Wikey, just in case,’ she chuckled into his ear, gliding a hoof over his medallion and pressing her cheek against his, ‘But it’s up to you whether you want an accompaniment to your official ornamentation!’
‘Maybe I would, Rarity. Maybe I would,’ Spike breathed. He felt her heat against his face and a frisson down his spine as she said that, and Thorax breathed in, sensing something in the air. He bit his lip before smiling with his eyes closed, then exhaled. Spike and Rarity noticed the rest of his court followed suit, pausing as something flowed over them, but the whole thing was over in under five seconds.
‘Uh, did we just…?’ Spike started, as Rarity sat bolt upright, scrunching as she held her hat against her chest fluff.
Thorax seemed intoxicated as he spoke again at first, then shook it off, looking perturbed. ‘Abluh. I, uh, excuse us. That was a bit heady. Uh, maybe you two should, uh, how should I put this…?’
Spike got to his feet. ‘Hoo, boy. It’s that obvious, is it? I was, uh, we were trying to be discrete about it, but…’
‘But what, Spikey? What’s going on?’ asked Rarity, blinking before realising. ‘Oh. Oh. Ah. I suppose I did feel, ah, somewhat sweet on you just then, darling. I forgot changelings can sense affection and, ah, feed off the energy.’ Her face became painted with concern, ‘That isn’t a potential problem, is it Thorax?’
‘Absolutely not, Rarity. Nobug here’s interested in, uh,’ Thorax blushed deeply and looked guilty, ‘Harvesting it nowadays, at least they shouldn’t be. We can live just fine off of neighbourly love, and self-love these days… we didn’t know any better back in the day when Chrysalis was abusing us, you know?’ He stamped a foreleg on the floor and his voice deepened, ‘And that is the correct word to use, by the way. She used us badly, and harmfully. Counsellor Freelove helped us see that.’
The changeling king exhaled for a moment, standing and addressing the room with a noticeable wobble in his voice as he paced in a circle around the pair, obviously upset by a painful remembrance of Chrysalis’ reign. ‘Actually, Spike, cotton wool or not you make a good point; I should make this official, while you’re all under my purview.’
His gossamer wings protruded from his back and he puffed out his chest as he exclaimed, his usually meek tone turning loud and as stern as he could muster as he turned to a bespectacled changeling hovering near the throne wielding a quill and parchment, ‘Scribophilia, jot down a proclamation, effective immediately, if you don’t mind. Not that I seriously expect any of my changelings to be so, uh, selfish, but I proclaim by royal decree, anybug caught, or conspiring towards, sucking the love out of our guests will be rehabilitated with extreme prejudice! Spike, Rarity, I swear that you two can, uh, be sweet on one another without disturbance here. So can Yona and Sandbar, on that matter. Anybug found taking advantage of any of you will be held accountable.’
‘No interference. Just interact with our visitors like anycreature else. No snooping, no shapeshifting on them in private, absolutely no wrapping them up in cocoons. We’ve all been over this before where visitors are concerned, but I want to be extra clear about it. Mind your manners. Zero exceptions. That’s all. Let all levels of the Hive know,’ he finished, nodding to his attendant.
‘Thank you, Thorax. I’m glad you’re looking out for us,’ said Rarity, ‘Just in case.’
‘Huh. Looks like you’re learning from Ember well enough,’ said Spike as Scribophilia rolled up her scroll and buzzed off, ‘Without compromising your own leadership methods. Respect… although I’m sorry if we’re inconveniencing the Hive with our presence. Truth be told, I just don’t think of you guys as lovesuckers anymore. You’ve changed. I didn’t take this into consideration, I guess.’
Thorax had a serious, angry glint in his eye. ‘We’re never going back to the old days, Spike. Not if I can help it. Besides,’ he lightened up as his wings retracted, ‘When I told you we love having visitors here? It’s not for that reason! We really do enjoy seeing new faces here, and you guys are great! We all want you to have a good stay! I’m just taking a precaution that I should’ve before you arrived. I didn’t take into consideration either, that you two… or Ocellus’ friends, for that matter, from what Sandbar said before, were, uh, paired up, and we don’t have much experience with that in our visitors. I want to trust my insects, I’m sure I can, even, but you never know.’
‘Well, better late than never, sweetheart, and we’re just over the moon to be here,’ Rarity smiled, standing up, ‘Though regarding the whole “staying” aspect… could we perhaps request a guide to our lodgings? We didn’t happen upon them while Pharynx took us around the scenic route, and one so needs to rest one’s hooves after our journey.’
‘Now that I did plan ahead,’ Thorax said, hovering over his throne and plopping himself back on its seat, ‘Uh, I made sure you all have a special cell in the underground each, all down the same corridor. I’ll have an attendant guide you down there right now, if you like.’
‘Cells? Surely you don’t mean to accommodate us in the Hive’s dungeon?’ Rarity exclaimed.
Spike raised a claw before correcting her. ‘We’re standing in what used to be the Hive’s dungeon, after a fashion. It’s just what they call a living space here, Rarity, don’t worry. I’ve stayed in one before. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by how comfortable they are,’ he added, giving her a toothy grin.
She brightened up at that. ‘Oh, well, that’s just fabulous! I confess I’m unused to the terminology used around these parts, my apologies. Very well, King Thorax,’ Rarity smiled and bowed her head a little, ‘I presume the belongings we conferred to your reception party are already there?’
‘Sure!’ Thorax confirmed, motioning to a nearby purple changeling as he spoke, ‘All cases and saddlebags should be right by your beds, as per my own instruction. Ah, Chitin? Could you show our guests to their quarters now?’
The changeling in question fluttered up to Spike and Rarity, and addressed the king with a slight buzz in her voice. ‘My pleasure, o king. Ah, would it be inappropriate to request that I, ah, formulate something for these two to enjoy together later?’ She wrung her hooves together, looking excited but nervous.
‘I don’t see why not, so long as you obey my proclamation… just nothing weird. And don’t keep them all to yourself,’ Thorax said with a raised eyebrow before turning back to his guests, ‘Uh, anyway, once everycreature’s settled all four of you are cordially invited to our weekly pot-luck lunch in a few hours, guests of honour! I’ll make sure you’re not served grubs. I know ponies are vegetarians… I guess yaks are, too? And we have gems for Spike.’
‘Pescetarian, to be accurate, and Yona has something of a sweet tooth, if your changeling chefs are taking culinary recommendations,’ said Rarity, ‘She’d appreciate a decent dessert, as would I, as a matter of fact. Something citrusy for us both, ideally.’
‘I’m feeling adventurous, Thorax. Serve me as many grubs as you like,’ Spike smiled, a smile that widened as he caught a horrified expression as Rarity made eye contact, ‘Hey, tasting the local cuisine is an important part of travel, not to mention in diplomatic relations, Rare!’
Rarity turned pale green, grimaced and stuck out her tongue for a second, suppressing a dry-heave. ‘Blech. With all due respect, none of that for me, Thorax darling. Let Spike ingest what he wants if he’s the stomach for it, but you’ll have to be prepared for me to give you a wide berth if you’re intent on popping squirming maggots like jellybeans, Spikey-Wikey!’
Spike shot an expression of mock disappointment back at her, failing to suppress a laugh. ‘Oh, it won’t be like that, Rarity,’ Thorax laughed in turn, ‘We just have one big one, roasted – that’s the centrepiece of the pot-luck! And it probably won’t be moving around on the plate, unless the chef really screws up. Anycreature who wants a slice gets one, there’s always plenty. And if not, like I said, we have other options.’
Rarity relented, her mind put at ease. ‘I suppose I can keep a better eye on one big, roasted one over hundreds of wriggly little alive ones, although the thought of carving up a giant grub is not to my tastes… but if it’s as you say, I don’t see the harm, and I’m not terribly keen on leaving this little dragon,’ she grabbed Spike and gave him a light cuddle around his shoulders and chest as he melted into her, ‘To his own devices overmuch… we did come here to have a lovely old time here together, after all, even if we’ve my protégé and her sweet beau along for the ride. Isn’t that right, precious scales?’
‘That we did, Rare. Spending some quality time with my special somepony is gonna help us both de-stress after all the trouble back home,’ Spike sighed.
Thorax and Chitin both had that drunk look on their faces again when Spike and Rarity looked up at them again, before standing to attention. The rest of the changelings present also seemed to move in slightly as Thorax blurted out, ‘Right! Yes! Well, the two of you might want to continue that line of discussion elsewhere for now,’ he inhaled through his mandibles, ‘But you’re both welcome to stop by here anytime when it’s less awkward… don’t worry about what Pharynx said before. I know you’re cool. Besides, I’d like to think on that sweater offer Rarity made. Ask me about that again later!’
Rarity chuckled demurely, one hoof to her mouth. ‘Of course, Thorax. I can bring some samples here later when you’ve time, darling. We’ve got all week.’
Thorax inhaled again. ‘I know it’s what you love to do, Rarity… anyway, Chitin, if you wouldn’t mind showing our guests to their cells… I mean, rooms.’
‘As you wish, o king,’ Chitin nodded, ‘Follow me, then, Ms. Rarity and Mr. The Dragon. Walk this way!’ Then she flashed green as she transformed into a goony white bird with brown wings and blue webbed feet before perambulating towards an exit with a peculiar flapping, kicking gait.
‘Well, when in Cloudsdale…’ Spike muttered, imitating her as he followed her out of the room. Rarity tugged the brim of her summer hat back over her purple locks as she scrunched with mirth, then laughed as she watched, an affectionate chuckle that almost made her tear up as he waddled away.
Then she caught up to him, giving him a nudge from behind with her muzzle before floating him onto her back with a sparkle of her horn. ‘You’d wear yourself out in no time flapping about like that, darling,’ she giggled, affecting a bumpy dressage as she moved. Chitin’s silly walk was more infectious than she’d admit out loud, it turned out.
‘Oop!’ Spike squawked as he was forcibly laid upon the part of Rarity’s back that was bare, before sitting upright with his claws pressed lightly against the base of her neck to stay stable as he pressed his rump against the line of her back. ‘Hah, you’re not wrong. Uh, if it’s alright with you, we can take a little alone time, maybe find the others with Ocellus’ troupe once we’ve rested, then we all go to dinner? It’ll be a proper party, you know!’
Rarity turned back and nodded. ‘Sounds marvellous, Spikey-Wikey. Hiking is a necessary evil as far as I’m concerned, and I wasn’t expecting to traipse through the woods for a while, while wearing this rather classical looking outfit… ah, do they have a laundry here in the Hive? I’m a tad muddier than I’d like…’
‘We have your soap and water this time,’ Chitin answered, ‘After Mr. The Dragon visited us last time and was rather displeased by our traditional cleaning methods, we made the provision before you all arrived. We haven’t had much practice using it, though, so please do bear with us. Ah, Ocellus and a few others know what to do.’
‘I mean, clean is clean, but I was seriously weirded out by the hardening changeling spit all over my bobble hat that time,’ Spike said sincerely, ‘Good to hear you took my feedback seriously, though, I appreciate it!’
‘Well, what’s good for the goose,’ Chitin flashed green as she morphed from a blue-footed booby into the waterfowl she’d just mentioned, ‘Isn’t always good for the gander, now is it? We’re still learning, after all. It’s a process.’
They all laughed as they followed Chitin down, down, deep down from the Hive’s apex to their allotted chambers deep within, perchance to unpack their luggage.
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