I do not own My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
The last leg of the trip was unusually quite for Ventral, who would glance over her shoulder to see the young scout’s head hung low. She was worried about Iota, who had yet to act out or show any kick she had before. She was hoping her fellow clan sister would come out of her funk after leaving the snowy forest and into their own warmer one, but that didn’t happen.
She wasn’t ready for this yet. Ventral sighed, pushing on through the greenery around her and towards home. She would have liked nothing more than to march up to the current clan head and choke him for making this situation happen. But that wouldn't fix anything, she knew, and the evens that happened could have happened to any scouting group.
We just happen to be the lucky three. The changeling-disguised-griffin snarled at that thought, angered that it still happened.
Ventral shook her head, trying to remove her irritation and pain as she started reaching familiar landmarks once more. Looking up she could see the same willow tree with it’s little creek and rock slabs sticking up from the ground. She immediately dropped her disguise and almost moved to her home in a rush.
She held the urge though, as she looked back to Iota, who was lagging behind still and had yet to change back. Seeing this, Ventral sighed, moving back to Iota and stopping her.
Feeling a hoof stop her, Iota seemed to snap out of her thoughts and look up to Ventral’s concerned compound eye. “Iota, we’re home. you can change back now.” Ventral told her in a soft voice.
With a slow nod, Iota backed up some and breathed a little, returning into her changeling form. Ventral smiled softly putting a fore-leg over the young changelings shoulders, gently guiding her back to their home.
As expected, a few sentinels came out of varying spots, looking the two over with suspicion rolling off of them as the scouts drew near. When they were close enough for their liking, one sentinel stepped forward saying, “Identify and verify yourselves.”
Iota seemed to draw into herself some at the steely edge in the sentinels voice, while Ventral herself said, “We’re a the scout group sent a week ago, Ventral and Iota…” Softly patting Iota to calm her, “Cleft, our lead was killed two days ago from a bandit attacking us on our return trip.”
Still glancing over the two with a hard look, the sentinel asked, “And your verification?” Still holding his place in-front of the clan entrance.
“Forever glory in our fight.” Ventral said, and receiving a nod from the changeling before her.
Moving aside he more softly nodded, “Welcome home sister's… and I’m sorry to hear of Cleft’s passing.” Motioning for the other sentinels to rerun to their places.
Gently moving Iota forwards, Ventral gave a small, “Thanks…” Guiding the young scout past the willows hanging vines and into the rocks that hid the sharply declining steps. She cast another concerned filled look to her younger clan sister, not sure what she should do.
Ventral knew losing those of you’re clan was never an easy thing to take in. Even less so when it is ones first time losing another during a mission or fight. What made this more easter for Iota would be the fact she didn't see Cleft’s body, or know him as much as she did. Still, it must have been a shock for her after just hearing the same changeling that saved her was also dead because of it.
What concerned Ventral the most was how Iota’s emotions were so…bland. It was like her being was not the same at it when they first left. This alone scared the more experienced scout to no end, as it could mean that Iota was taking the situation harder than she thought.
Using her hoof that was over the younger changeling to give a small shake, Ventral asked, “Iota, are you sure you’re up for reporting in?” Her voice low and filed with her worry.
Iota slightly flinched, but did nod to Ventrals question. With a sigh, Ventral said a bit more firmly, “I know you want to think it is, but what happened to Cleft wasn't your fault.” Feeling her heart sink at Iota’s bowed head and ever present silence.
Please Iota, don't do this to yourself… It felt painful for Ventral to see her clan sister in such a state, and it hurt even worse because she had no idea how to fix it.
Coming out of the winding and steep hall and into the dim light of the clan hive, both changelings cast their eyes over the vine-filled place of paradise with a number of overgrown weeping willows and a number of waterfalls. All together there were around six levels of overhangs, each with pools of crystal clear water that would flow into the next level below before reaching the bottom.
The familiar hum of the hive greeted them both, causing Ventral’s own wings to vibrate a little in response to the low hum, while Iota noticeably perked up at the sound. Ventral gave a small smile to this, happy to see some emotion from the young changeling that wasn't associated with gloom.
Thinking quickly on this line of thought, Ventral smirked and said, “Hey, why don't you meet up with the others?” Getting a surprised look from Iota, “You know, to let them know we’re back!”
Instead of getting a feeling of joy, all Ventral could read was nervousness, something that made the mare frown. “I don't know…” Iota scuffed the stone path that lead to the deeper parts of the clan hive, “W-what…what if they ask…”
“Iota.” The single use of her name made the young changeling to stop and look up to Ventral’s two compound eyes as she told, “You need to talk to the others. Find your ma, find you brothers, shell, find that jerk who picks on you!” She nearly exclaimed while pointing out into the hive.
Poking a hoof to Iota’s chest, she continued, “You need to get this out, holding it in will only make it worse…” Going a little quite somberly saying, “I talk from experience.”
Iota remained quite, mulling over what her elder clan sister had said to her. So, with a reluctant nod, Iota showed her agreeing with the older channeling.
With a smile and a nod, Ventral lit her horn telling, “Good.” Lifting her pack off her back and onto Iota’s while opening her wings, “I’ll go and give our report to our ‘oh so wise’ clan head.”
Ventral took off and once she was far enough away to not be heard, she muttered, “Because it’s because of him we lost Cleft…” Buzzing her wings faster to speed to the hive’s center.
Watching as Ventral speed off, Iota once more cast her eyes about. She lost her once pained and regretful demeanor some, as she scanned the hive before herself. Narrowing her eyes, she took a breath and donned the mask of survivors guilt once more, and slowly wondered into the clan.
Slowing her decent and landing at the front gates of the hive center, Ventral gave a reluctant glance up at the semi-imposing structure. Inside would be the current head to the Salient clan, Sardonic, who was no doubt trying to get a good grasp on more of the clans workings.
Though she was angered at him for his blunder and even wanted to try giving him a tongue lashing, Ventral also was not stupid. Sardonic did not rise to being head to their clan because his father got old and died. He gained the title after killing his father in a challenge for the position and claiming the older heir did not have what it took to lead anymore.
Being the proud conquerer he was, Dynamist took his sons challenge, even with his still weak body from the last fight against the Quasi clan. It only took five minutes for the younger, more spray heir to outmaneuver his older and weakened father.
After that, none in the clan dared to even consider opposing this new heir, even less so when he was their last one. Ideas for revolt would come and go, but the truth of the matter still remained. The commons were either too scared to try, or feared the power-struggle that would come later on.
Ventral hissed to herself as she began to make her way into the home of their heirs, If that bozo doesn’t get his act together, then the whole clan's gonna be in trouble! It was not just a concern for herself and her kinsmen, but any that lived in the clan. Infighting was a very real nightmare to clans, and the thought of being told to kill your own brothers and sisters of ones clan was horrifying to any changeling.
Getting closer to her destination, Ventral could not help but take in a deep breath and hold it. Counting to five, she let it out, trying to dispel any anxiety she had. Sending Iota to their group was the best choice she could have made, she was sure Sardonic was going to rail her about the loss of Cleft.
After ascending another winding hall, the scout could see the doors that belonged to the current head to the Salient clan. The sentinels that hid in their hiding holes above her could feel her building anxiety, and perked their ears in curiosity.
Rapping the door with her hoof, Ventral didn't have to wait as a, “Enter.” Was called from the other side. Gulping and trying to keep her head tall, Ventral opened the door and walked in, closing it behind her.
The room itself was luxurious, fixed with a number of red and green banners and a number of weapons, both broken and worn from enemies defeated. The bed in the center of the room was large and elaborate, holding dark green curtain up form its twisting posts. To the left were a number of books in neat lines along the wall, while at the right was a large window looking over the clan and a desk before it. It was at this desk that Sardonic was sitting, looking in Ventrals direction with his piercing gaze.
Just slightly, Sardonic’s brows drew in and his eyes almost showed a blazing inferno, while he asked in an even tone, “Why did you come and disturb me?” Rising from his place to advance on the common, part of his longer mane falling in front of his right eye.
Ventral felt her body stiffen at the lack of emotions she could read from the heir, and replied, “I’m from Cleft’s scouting team, and come to report our findings.” Keeping still even when the larger changeling walked behind her.
“I see…” Sardonic narrowed his eyes at the back of the scouts head, “And pry tell why Cleft didn't come to me directly. Getting too old to keep up with our generation anymore?”
As Sardonic began to make his way around to her front from her right side, Ventral had a hard time trying to repress as much of her anger as she could, saying, “Cleft’s dead. A bandit killed him while trying to defend Iota, who’s now in some shock over the event” Watching as the heir began to make his way around the front of her.
slightly turing his gaze to the scout, Sardonic decided to make another circuit around the scout, feeling out her emotions. She was angry, extremely angry and most of it was directed at him. The way she had gotten even more angry with how he talked about the older scout, it had apparently hit a nerve.
“I suppose he was getting too old then.” The heir finally said as he reached the spot in front of the common once more, and feeling her emotions wanting to burst out. Sitting before her, he waved a hoof, “Tell me your report, and depending on how it is I might not send you and that other scout on another mission for this loss.”
Ventral clenched her jaw, and did her best from hissing or buzzing in irritation, calmly reporting, “The settlement has gone into the stage’s of becoming a town. The populous has shown to be a fair choice for extracting positive emotions, with less negative emotions.”
“It should also be noted that before his death, Cleft was able to gain some information that may put us in danger.” At this point, Ventral took a moment to prepare herself and spoke, “The Griffin Kingdom is on high alert for changelings, and is trying to seek out any in their boarders. Planting any gatherers in the settlement maybe too high a risk for them.”
When she was finished, Sardonic nodded and processed what the common had told him. for a few moments he considered a few things in his mind. He then stood telling, “You have five days before I deploy both you and that other scout.” Not even acknowledging the changelings shock.
Reaching his desk and pulling a new paper up, he began to write something down while saying, “I want you both to go and find out what parts of the Griffin Kingdom we can use, and what cant be used. Send back reports every other day, and spend at least a week in each area.”
Finishing his work, he floated the paper over to the scout, who hesitantly took it into her own magic as he finished, “Those are the locations I want you and the other scout to look through.”
Ventral’s nervousness turned into downright alarm at those words, and turned her gaze up to the heir who wasn't even looking in her direction. With an almost dry mouth she started, “Y-you cant be serous, Iota’s—”
“Going to have to adapt faster.” Sardonic cut off from where he sat, “In this clan, the strong thrive. I will not have any weak links bring it down!” Slamming a hoof onto the desk and turning his blazing green eyes to look at the scout.
At the sight of his highly risen body and the murderous glare he sent her, Ventral felt herself shrink away as he told, “This clan took too long to recover, and it was weak links like my father that made us fall. If that lowly scout can’t take the pressure, then she is no use to the clan.”
Seeing he had made his point to the quivering scout, Sardonic calmed down and turned back to his desk waving off, “No leave me. You only have five days worth of preparation. I suggest you get to work.”
Though she wanted to, especially after that outburst of rage, Ventral had to ask, “What… what about the third member of the scouting group?” Knowing only two scouts would not be able to hold their own if something would happen.
“Not my Problem.” The heir once more waved off callously, making Ventral’s mouth gap at him, “You had a third member, but he’s dead. You’ll just have to deal with what you have. Now leave.”
Backing up, Ventral could only stutter out, “B-but—”
Sharply turning his gaze at her, Sardonic said in a dangerous tone, “Do not test me common. Now leave.”
With no regard for her own dignity, Ventral turned and rushed out the door, slamming it shut and breathing quickly. This was why she hated the new clan head, but at the moment, all she felt was fear. For some reason, she knew he would kill her just for not listening to him. It caused great fear for her, knowing that her clan had to put up with it.
From above, the sentinels all watched as the mare just sit at the door and breath, her whole body shaking from the rush of adrenalin pumping in her body. Though they didn't hear most of it, they did hear the yelling, and watched the scout’s rapid exit of the room.
They each felt a ripple of concern when she began to leave, giving off a steady flow of loathing that seemed to be directed at Sardonic’s place of living.
Housing wasn't a huge necessity for changelings, as living deep underground already blocked a number of different hazards from them. Instead, homes were something akin to places of rest and relaxation for certain groups of the clan. These homes were used to host personal parties, times of feasting —even if they didn't need to eat— or just a place to pile up in and sleep next to these they trusted.
But others liked using these homes to mostly keep a close knitted groups together from varying age groups that grew up with one another. It didn't matter much as to which house was used, as long as it had the room for the group to feel comfortable in.
It was at one of these homes that a smaller group was sitting around and trading their day’s events with one another. They all laughed, cuddled, laid and leaned on each other, not really caring who was with who.
In the center on a cleared out space, stood the changeling telling his day out before his group, beaming with the biggest smile, “Then when he wasn't looking, Leno and I popped out form behind the bush and dumped the whole bushel of rotten tomatoes on him!” To say, he enjoyed the prank he and his brother pulled.
Laughing at this, another male changeling barely got out from his chuckles, “You and your brother are going to get shell for doing that, Vol.” Almost falling forwards when one of his clan sisters suddenly leaned on him during her laughter.
“Ebon, Ebon, Ebon…” Vol slowly shook his head, “Leno and I are the pranking kings here, and none have yet to catch us, yeah?” Looking to the side.
“Yeah!” Leno, Vol’s younger brother, called from where he was under a pile of both clan sisters and brothers after losing a small tussle with them. He shifted from under the pile, trying to get a little more comfy.
Rolling his eyes at them both, Ebon simply said, “You seem pretty much caught where you are Leno.” Smirking at the younger changeling’s alarm. Gaining a grin, he added, "I mean, if what your brother said was true, then shouldn't you be on top?"
Those that were on the pile sensed Leno’s intent, and most were ready when he suddenly pulled himself away from the pile. Some were not fast enough and began to fall, while others flew up and began to once again wrestle with one another. After escaping and turning around, Leno launched himself back into the game of tussle, each changeling trying to be onto of the other.
The whole group inside the house laughed and hooted, each cheering on their siblings and calling out instructions. Tackling, grabbing and tugging all happened in their playful brawling, each one trying to pin one of their clan siblings to the floor.
“DOG PILE!” A drone called from her perch, joining into the game and tackling a fellow drone to the floor. Like a domino effect, all the others began to pile on those two, stacking higher and higher. After all was said and done during those six minutes, Leno was stuck in the middle of the stack, while one drone sat on top, grinning broadly.
Shaking his head after the six minute display, Ebon only commented, “Most in that pile are commons, and all beaten by a drone…how embarrassing.” Putting a hoof to his face to hide his smile.
At this, a number of changelings all clicked and chuckled in amusement, while those in the pile just pouted or looked sheepish. Leno himself was trying to pull himself back out, only for a number of hooves to hold him in place in the pile.
On the very top of the pile, the drone leaned her head down asking, “Please don't leave Leno, I want to sit here!” Becoming cheerful at the end, giggling and almost bouncing on the pile.
While a few small protests were given about the jumping changeling, Vol from his spot grinned up at the small drone asking, “First time on top Loll?” Getting a happy nod from the nymphlike drone.
She seemed to stop all her actions though when she spotted something outside the open doorways. With a wide smile, Loll called, “Ven’s back, Ven’s back!” Jumping off the pile.
As one, all changelings looked to the entrance of their current residence to see Ventral walking back, head looking down and slight scowl on her face. This was however, ignored by most for he changelings in the pile who shot up and ran to the lone channeling who just entered the house.
She was promptly swamped by a number of eager clan brothers and sisters who were more than excited at her return. Cries such as, “You’re back!” “Did you get us anything?” “Where did you go?” “How was your mission?” “Welcome home sister!” And random hugs were given all around.
Any tension that was on Ventral’s mind just evaporated when a number of her clansmen she had grown up with, rushed out to meet her. Much like they had, she began to hug and nuzzle back each of them, slowly giving answers about. Slowly but assuredly, Ventral pushed her way into the house, greeting other members of her clan that merely stood off to the sides and smiled.
Pushing his way past past his own kin, Ebon reached out with a hoof and got it over Ventral’s shoulders saying, “Welcome back, love!” Trying to get a quick kiss.
his efforts were blocked by a hoof, as Ventral smirked, “I like your persistence Ebon, but no.” Pushing the stag back.
Ebon huffed after being pushed away by the mare and being rejected again, while his fellow clan brothers all laughed at his misfortune. Sending a small glare at them, Ebon snorted, “Yeah yeah, laugh it up. you know sooner or later she will cave.”
“Keep dreaming love-bug.” Ventral teased from where she was sitting with a number of her clan sisters who either giggled or laughed at the two.
There was a glint in Ebon’s eye, as he said, “Well, one of these days you’re going to have to admit I’m what you want.” Standing tall, flaring his gossamer wings and showing off his fangs with his large smile.
With a snort and a roll of her eyes, Ventral got comfortable where she was and started to braid one of her clan sisters silky manes. “As if. I’m not up for a mate yet.” Ventral blew off and gestured with her head to one of the other mares, “Here, their all willing. Take your pick.” This seemed to only earn her a few swats from the other mares who seemed to disagree at the moment.
Throwing his hooves up, Ebon cried out, “Why, what did I do to get this sort of rejection from you!” Falling back onto the ground as if he had fainted. Holding his hooves up and inspecting them, he asked aloud, “Am I not handsome enough?”
Laughs and giggled filed the room at Ebon’s rather nymph like antics. Ventral also snorted and told, “No, your look good enough and I like your persistence.”
When he heard these words, Ebon rose form his place with perked ears, hoping his last pass wasn't really rejected, but the mare playing hard to get. It was here he saw the smirk on Ventral’s features as she told, “You just chose the wrong time to ask me.”
Blinking a few time at this bit of information, Ebon questioned, “Wrong time?” Trying to think of a time he had actually asked her was ever a wrong time.
Heaving a sigh and being reminded of what had transpired just minutes before, Ventral told, “You keep asking me to be your mate every time I get a mission. An’ the same thing just happened.”
“But you just got back!” Loll wined from where she had plopped herself onto Ventral’s back, “Do you really have to leave again?”
Reaching back and patting the drone on the head and minding the fin on her, Ventral told sadly, “Yeah, gotta go out on another scouting mission in five days.” Scowling at the end growling, “And after how well our last mission went…”
Now lifting his head in interest, an older changeling drawled out, “Somthin’ happen?” Stretching his neck slightly after his little nap.
Feeling the shift in the mare’s mood, all changelings seemed to hush up as Ventral explained, “The mission did good. Up until our return trip where a bandit attacked us…” Stopping her braiding of the other changeling’s mane as she was finished. “We followed Cleft’s orders and split-up in the woods below. I was alone for a while after things seemed to have calm down.”
“Things did go well for Cleft. He apparently found Iota being bound by the bandit and went in to help her. He then ran off before being caught.” Ventral seemed to sigh here, not bothering in trying to hold back her feelings that swirled in her, “Cleft didn't make it, and neither did the murderer that got him. Iota…”
Lifting her head up and looking around, Ventral asked, “Where’s Iota, I told her to meet up with you all while I sent in our report?” A newfound concern rolling off her body and sending all changelings on alert at the sudden change.
“Maybe she’s still looking for us.” Ebon suggested, knowing his group liked to move around a lot in the clan. Turning to Vol, he told, “Vol, take your brother and go find Iota, let her know where we are.”
Vol nodded and got up from his place, waving his brother to follow. Bounding off her body-pillow, Loll cheerfully said, “I’ll help too!” Trotting up to the two bothers.
While the three left, Ebon turned his attention back to a still concerned Ventral, who had a number of her clan sisters trying to cheer her up. Giving a perplexed look, he felt the need to ask, “What happened to Iota, Ven?”
Ventral’s body sagged at the thought of what had doused Iota’s current level of behavior telling, “Iota didn't take Cleft’s passing too good. She’s really beating herself up over being caught and blame his death on herself.” Bowing her head in some regret at not knowing what to do.
Feeling a slight tug on her long flowing mane, Ventral lifted her head up to see Ebon smiling down at her telling, “Then I guess we know what to do, right?” Gaining a confused look from the mare for a moment, before she figured what he was getting at.
Looking to the rest of their group, Ebon practically ordered, “You heard Ven, one of our clansmen needs us.” Sending a comforting look to Ventral “I think we should go and join Vol, Leno and Loll in their search and help ease Iota's mind. Who’s in?”
Seeing them all stand up, Ebon gave a proud nod telling with a professional tone gained form being a knight, “Some of us should hang back incase those three find Iota first. Rest of us go looking around before retuning after while to report, sound good?” The reply he received was a number of changelings taking off from the ground and out the door.
With a collective buzzing that sounded like an angry swarm of hornets, they all rushed past Ebon, intent to help their younger clan sister. As the dust cleared and seeing the room was now next to empty, Ebon huffed once more, “Was hopping to take the lead in that…” Sitting down for a moment to sulk.
Giving a tame giggle at Ebon, Ventral called, “Oh, you’ll get your chance one day, hero.” Fluttering her eyes at him cooing, “Do you want me to give you snuggles to make wittle Ebon all better?”
“Don’t patronize me, love…” Ebon continued to sulk form his spot whilst Ventral laughed.
After a while the mare did calm down and stare at the still sulking stag before her. Looking about, Ventral waved other changelings to all gather with her, each one taking a spot and laying in one large comfy pile. All that was left was Ebon, who was now looking out the door way with a irked expression.
“Come on Ebon.” Ventral’s voice called out to the stag who looked in her direction where a somewhat spread out pile of changelings laid and relaxed. “The floor’s cold enough, get over here with us where it’s warm.”
Gaining a small smile, Ebon got up from his place and trotted over to the pile. Buzzing his wings, he flew over a few of his kinsmen and squeezed between a few just to get closer to Ventral whom shook her head. As much as she wanted to take up the stags offer at a time like this, she knew it would be only make things worse for her.
Maybe when I come back Ventral thought to herself while sending a quick glance to the changeling that was starting to relax into the group nap that was about to happen. I’ll think on it, the mare somewhat smirked to herself, deciding to open her wing to retrieve the list Sardonic gave her. She might as well have some idea where to go first before starting their mission.