//------------------------------// // 27- Sub Rosa // Story: Changing Expectations // by KKSlider //------------------------------// “Thorax, when did you start calling me Phas?” “You didn’t notice?” “Apparently not. Katydid was the one who pointed it out.” “I’ll be more careful with that in public,” Thorax softly said. “When, though?” “That day when you picked me to be your Praetorian.” “Oh.” “Do... do you want me to stop?” “N-No.” “You two should kiss,” Coxa whispered from behind us. ‘These hallway conversations remind me of Mass Effect elevator scenes.’ “Never heard of a Bromance? And keep your jokes limited out in public, Coxa. If word gets around I let such ‘insults’ slide, the Queen will hear about it, and she’ll make me sit through lectures about how I need to have a massive ego.” “You told me not to make jokes, then immediately made a joke.” “Do as I say, not as I do.” Coxa sighed. “Bromance? Where did you come up with that terminology?” Thorax asked. “Shush.” We had arrived at the Greencave. Despite the name, it was actually a complex of large rooms, all linked by a central hub. Inside the hub, changelings bustled about, moving carts of different mosses, soil, plants, and other organic materials. “My Prince!” Came a surprised voice to my right. At the exclamation, all the changelings looked over, and immediately bowed. “Rise. I’m not here for an inspection.” “Then what does My Prince need?" “I’m looking for a changeling.” Lacewing had her tongue stuck out to the side, completely absorbed in her work when Coxa called out from behind her. “Lacewing!” Lacewing jumped up, hitting her hooves on the bottom of the tray, and her head on the crystal lights hanging above them. “Ow!” Lacewing quickly fiddled with the bottom of the tray in front of her “What’s the big idea, scaring me like that?” “It’s funny,” Coxa chuckled. Thorax looked uncomfortable. ‘I mean, it kinda was…’ “You’re going to have a lot of problems picking up girls if….” Lacewing said while turning around. She started to stare at me as we approached. “Phasma…?” I smiled, “I told you I keep my promises.” She ran over and tackled me with a hug. “Oh- Again! You know, I haven’t seen any other changeling get hugged other than myself.” “That’s because you’re so huggable!” Lacewing squealed. “Oh...kay?” A throat cleared behind me, “It’s true, you know.” “Of course you would claim that, Thorax. To you, every ‘ling is huggable.” “Wait, Thorax? That Royal Guard–” “Praetorian.” “– is Thorax?! Why’re you a guard now?” I turned my head and saw him sheepishly rubbing the back of his neck. “Ah, well, Phas got me out of a bind…” Lacewing let go and backed off. “Oh. Oh Prince Phasma, have you come here to sweep-” “Coxa already made that joke.” “Aww carapace!” Lacewing pouted, though shortly broke off her fit to hoof-bump Coxa when he stretched out a hoof. “It’s good to see you again, Phasma and Thorax. You both, or rather all three of you, got here quick. How did all three of you manage to shirk duties to come all the way down here?” “They both work for me.” “Have you come to recruit me, too?” I stifled a yawn. “Wish I could. I don’t have anything open, but when I do, you’re at the top of the list. Best I can do right now is a safe position in the Eleventh Legion. That is, unless you’re fond of doing paperwork…?” “I’ve never done paperwork and I don’t think I’d like it either. I do enjoy working in the Greencave, even if it gets rather… dull.” “What do you do to keep yourself occupied?” Thorax asked. Lacewing smiled as she trotted back to the tray she was sitting at. Now that I was closer, I could see that it was filled with blue glowing mushrooms. They had a dark brownish-green hue, with light cyan veins of light snaking through their tops and the entirety of the underside of the caps. ‘Never seen those around the hive for illumination. I wonder what they are for?’ Then I remembered that I could just ask. “What’re those mushrooms for?” Lacewing pulled something out from the bottom of the tray as she spoke. “Saturnine. In addition to feeding some of the bugs we keep on hoof, many changelings use it to light up their personal rooms. You’ve never seen it?” I shook my head. “Hmm. Anyways, I managed to get something from the expedition to help pass the time.” She had in her hooves a paper notepad. Lacewing flipped open the cover and showed the pages to us all, who had gathered around her while she removed the pad from her apparent hiding spot. There were crude sketches of pony, houses, plants, a squirrel, and trees. “Wow,” Thorax gasped, “I love your drawing of that creek there!” “Thanks! I saw it and just had to sketch something quick!” “Lace, I don’t remember seeing you stop to sketch all this,” Coxa said. “Most of these are brief drawings,” she sighed. “Wish I could do something in detail.” “How’d you get this?” I asked. “I bought it. With pony money. At a pony store.” “From a griffon?” “No, from a– oh, har har har.” We eventually extracted ourselves from Lacewing’s nonexistent hair after a few minutes of conversation– I was still busy, after all– and after she extracted promises from us to keep meeting with her. And to bring Oestridae along. My companions and I headed up to the main hive spire so I could get to work on today’s needlessly in-depth paperwork. ‘Apparently not even severe resource scarcity brings an end to bureaucracy. Horrid.’ When we entered the main hall, I swear I could see Thorax’s wings start to vibrate when he got close to the Savior’s doors. Coxa, on the other hoof, looked unimpressed. “I mean, it looks nice and all, but I don’t see what’s special.” “That’s not surprising, drone,” came a deep voice from the side of the main door. The Praetorian on duty spoke. When he stepped forward and into the light of the open windows, I quickly recognized the edgelord. Thorax beat me to the punch, though, “Pharynx!” “Thorax? Why’re you wearing orange Praetorian armor?” “He’s my personal guard.” Pharynx reared back in disbelief. “Thorax? You’re… what?” Thorax scuffed a hoof on the ground before coughing, “Ahem. Yeah I’m not actually working down in excavation anymore.” He ducked his head when Pharynx glared at him. “Don’t be mad, please?” Pharynx groaned and put a hoof to his forehead. “Why… Ugh. My Prince Phasmatodea, what is the meaning of this, if I may ask?” I smiled, “Well I knew that you worked hard to achieve your position, dedicating so much of your time to constantly training, completely dedicated to the survival of the hive, and one of our best warriors. So I promoted your brother to the same level, despite the fact that he’s a pacifist, ill suited to physical training, and most definitely not capable of following any order given to him without question.” Pharynx stared at me with a blank expression. I gave him a small smile in response and walked into the throne room, turning away so I can keep a straight face easier. “O-oh, I guess I’ve got to go now. We’ll talk later tonight, okay Pharynx?” “We'll be talking alright. I’ll see you then, Thorax.” Queen Chrysalis sat on her throne, speaking with a few members of her higher court. I directed our group around the edge so as to not attract her attention, but I really should have known better. “Prince Phasma,” she called from her overpriced stone chair. “Queen Chrysalis,” I responded from across the room. “Who is that drone you are dragging in, now?” “My new Steward.” “I see I do not need to inform you how useful delegation is. Do not let your standards slacken or attention waver, Prince Phasma.” With that, she returned to her conversation with Chamberlain Eucharis and the rest of her attending court. ‘Great conversational skills there, Bug-mom. She’s probably just happy that I’m working hard to keep the invasion on schedule.’ I motioned Coxa and Thorax to follow again. Coxa was still silent, though clearly was no longer unimpressed. He was wise enough to hold his tongue until we stepped into the royal wing and into my personal study. In preparation for the Stewardship role, I got in a whole ‘nother desk and chair. A small desk, and stuffed into the close left corner from the door, but I’m sure Coxa wouldn’t mind. When Thorax and Coxa entered, I shut the door behind them. I then pointed at the desk. “That’s yours, my Steward.” “Wowiee. A whole desk for doing paperwork. You’re spoiling me, Phasma.” Thorax took his usual seat on the back left corner as I sighed, while Coxa lounged in the chair behind his new workstation. I then took my spot at the big boy desk in the middle. “I tried getting a gold plated mahogany desk imported from the farthest corner of the globe, but Chrysalis said that will have to wait till after we conquer Equestria.” Coxa snorted, “In that case, I suppose I’ll just have to suffer then.” “Oh come now Coxa,” Thorax spoke up as he leaned back. “We’re not that bad. At least, I’m not.” “Wait, did you just deride me, Thorax? I didn’t know you were physically capable of talking low of others.” “I think you’re rubbing off on me.” Coxa snickered. “Is that what you two do in here all day?” “Y’know, on second thought, Lacewing would make a better Steward. Now that you’re here though, I need to ask you to do something.” “I’m not rubbing–” “Coxa, please, this is serious. I need your help, as well as any loyal changelings in this. And by loyal, I mean… to me,” I finished in a whisper Coxa stood up straight and I heard the shuffling of Thorax’s chair behind me. “To… you?” Coxa whispered back. “That’s right.” “Are you…?” “I might.” “W-.... Why?” “Chrysalis claims that all my siblings died mostly natural deaths, though she was rather callous with them. I think at least a few tried to rebel, and she murdered them and covered up their deaths.” “What?” Thorax gasped from behind me. ‘Good thing there’s no Game of Thrones in this world, Thorax would have a heart attack by the end of the first episode… Joking about my siblings’ potential murder leaves a bad taste in my mouth, though.’ Coxa looked at the door. “Is this… We’re awfully close to….” “Which is why your first task is to find somewhere we can talk and meet. The entire First Fang, and any ‘ling else we can trust.” “And then you’re gonna….?” “We’ll see. I’m going to get some answers soon.” “From where?” I mouthed ‘The Vault.’