//------------------------------//
// Breaking the News 
// Story: Bug and Bird 
// by Ooo Spooky 
//------------------------------//

“AHWHAHAHGHAH” Thorax sputtered, as incomprehensible noises came spilling out of his mouth.

“Thorax! Are you ok?” Ocellus asked her surrogate father.

“He’s… just in shock is all. And I mean, can you blame him?” Pharynx said, with his signature apathy. “I’m surprised too.”

“GAWAWAHAHWAH?” Thorax spouted once again.

“Uhm…” Ocellus said, unsure how to proceed.

“Don’t worry hun,” said Pharynx. “I’ll translate. He said: “Can I see the ring?””

“Oh! Of course!” Ocellus, knelt down, presenting her horn. Around it was a ring made of a gold material with several different types gems around the the outside.

“AHWHAHWHOA” Thorax yelled once again, before Pharynx bonked him on the head with his hoof.  “Oops. Did I get hysterical again?”

“No shit, sherlock.” Pharynx said with an air of brotherly mocking. “But, woah kid, that’s one hell of a ring. That Griffon kid buy it for you? Wow, not to sound prejudiced or whatever, but aren’t they notoriously, uh, stingy?” Ocellus laughed.

“Haha, no, no. Especially not Gallus. He’s been treating me like a queen! N-not that that’s the most important thing to me!” She exclaimed, quickly flailing her hooves.

“Relax, Ocellus!” Thorax said, placing his hoof on her shoulder. “We know you’re not a gold digger.” He laughed, as Ocellus turned as red as a tomato. “At any rate! Gallus, finally popped the question, huh?” Thorax made a ‘wiping a tear from his eye’ motion and grinned. “To think, my daughter marrying a member of the Canterlot Royal Guard.” Ocellus’ eyes began to glimmer and she smiled.

“He’s the most outstanding boy I’ve ever met.” She said. Thorax and Pharynx looked at each other and smiled. Before embracing Ocellus in a hug.

“I’m so glad, hun.” Thorax said.

“Yeah kid, you sure know how to pick ‘em. He’s a knockout boy.” Pharynx affirmed. Ocellus laughed and raised an eyebrow.

“He almost WAS knocked out thanks to a certain uncle, the first time he came to meet you guys.” Ocellus said.

“Hey! I thought he was an intruder!” Pharynx exclaimed, defensively.

“Hey, come to think of it. When Ember and I started dating, you attacked her too!” Thorax said.

“HEY! As I recall it’s my job to defend all of you!” Pharynx said.

“From what? Romance?” Ocellus shot back, and the three laughed as they hugged.