CiderCon Chronicles
Chapter 16 : Center of Attention
"As much as some ponies may think that they want it, it's really difficult to be the center of attention."
-Limelight, Entertainer
P'tach walked straight down Main Street and into the thick of town. As busy as town was on a Saturday, it took a few minutes for his presence to filter through the clamor and into the collective perception of the townsponies. Likewise, it time for P'tach to realize how quiet the street was, and how motionless the townsponies had become. He looked around. Everywhere he looked was a strange face staring at him. Some wore expressions of shock, or amazement, or just plain interest.
Some, though, stared at him in fear. A scant few stared in disgust.
The realization of how completely outnumbered he was struck him like a hoof in the gut. He had taken some solace in knowing that the Constable was on is side, and had trusted that he could keep him safe if it came down to it. Now, though, the truth was utterly apparent. If it came down to it, nopony could protect him from so many others.
He continued walking, taking comfort in the sound of Bramley and Warm Welcome's hooffalls behind him. Off to the side of him he heard a disturbance, and saw a small blue shape running towards them. A colt ran up, and stopped right in front of him.
He was a small lightish blue colt with a red mop of a mane, and a listless red tail. Like everyone else he stared at P'tach.
His stare was one of wonder with just a hint of envy.
"B!" He exclaimed, his eyes flashing from Bramley to the changeling.
"Aw Wow! Is this him? The changelin', that is." Although he was standing right in front of P'tach, he addressed Bramley as though the changeling was incapable of speech.
Bramley, unaware of just how angry the changeling was becoming, trotted forward and diffused the situation.
"Yes, Plumb Line, this is th' changelin'. His name is P'tach, and he can speak fer himself ya' know."
Plumb Line's eyes, already wide, opened even wider at the realization that he could talk.
"Really!? What else can..." Plumb Line began before Bramley talked over him.
"P.L., he ain't some trained pig or something. He's just like you n' me. A little different on th' outside is all."
Bramley looked at P'tach and they smiled at each other. Plumb Line seemed to realize his rudeness, and looked at the changeling with contrition.
"Ah'm real sorry, Puh'Talk", he said, doing his level best to wrap his tongue around the unfamiliar name, "Ah just ain't never seen nary a thing like you before!" He looked at the ground, embarrassed. "Y'all 'reckon you cn' forgive me?"
The changeling looked Plumb Line in the eyes, and grinned from ear to ear.
The townsponies and Plumb Line gasped as the FWOOSH of colored fire enveloped the changeling. In its wake, it left a taller version of P'tach, long legged and slender. Atop his head was a glittering gold crown, and adorning his body was a dress fit for the noblest princess. There were titters of laughter here and there from the crowd, but most kept silent, unsure of the whole situation. P'tach looked down at Plumb Line with a mock-imperious expression, and said in his most commanding voice "We Forgive you!" while touching Plumb Line's head in a gesture of royal favor.
There was another FWOOSH, and another collective gasp, and the changeling was himself again. He looked at the dumbstruck Plumb Line with a friendly smile and said: "and I forgive you, too." Plumb Line fell on his hindquarters at the shock of it all. There was a laugh like the rumble of thunder from off to the changeling's right. He turned to see Tough Temper laughing and pounding his hoof on the ground so hard that the dust and pebbles in the road leapt with each strike. Plumb Line looked up, wiped the mop of mane out from in front of his eyes, and joined Tough Temper with a high, hearty laugh. Then the whole street erupted with mirth. Almost everywhere P'tach looked, there were ponies laughing. Warm Welcome felt a rush of pride in the changeling for how well he was handling what she knew must've been a difficult situation. He had bonded a whole street full of ponies together in laughter and friendship, and had given them all a good story to share with others.
Before the laughter had fully died down, P'tach Bramley and Warm Welcome were inundated by ponies coming up to shake hooves, talk, share a laugh, and welcome the changeling to town.
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The rest of the trip was a whirlwind of new faces and experiences for the changeling. The whole time, a throng of ponies followed the three of them around to see what the he would do next. Everywhere he went,he spread joy.He talked to ponies, explained about changelings if they asked, and even (at the risk of bring seen as just a "trained pig") put on an impromptu shapeshifting show for some little foals and fillies. Soon, though, the sun was dipping toward the horizon, and it was time to leave. The coterie of changeling fan-ponies followed them to the edge of town where P'tach, fearing that they intended to follow them home, said: "I've had a lot of fun today. I wish we could stay longer, but I really need something to eat, and to get in bed." The group made a general sound of disappointment, but respected the changeling's wishes, said their goodbyes, and went their separate ways.
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On the walk home, P'tach Bramley and Warm Welcome talked about the trip. They told and retold the stories of the day. Each teller had a different perspective, and so the stories seemed new each time.
The time passed quickly, and they arrived at the house just after sunset. The three of them went in, washed up, ate a quick meal, and adjourned to the living room to relax a bit before bed.
Sipping from a steaming mug, Warm Welcome addressed P'tach : "I jus' can't tell you how proud I am o' the way you handled yourself in town today. As new, n' strange, n' scary as you told us it was, you showed em' all your true colors, and really made a positive impression."
P'tach just stared at the ceiling as he had for the last few minutes.
"Yeah!" Bramley chimed in. "Th' thing with Plumb Line! Aw buddy, that was something else. Folk're gonna be laughing at that fer years!"
It was only then that Warm Welcome and Bramley heard the snoring.
P'tach, exhausted by his day, and lulled by a full belly and comfortable couch, was fast asleep.
Warm Welcome and Bramley smiled to each other at this final funny story of the day, made the changeling more comfortable, and went to their own beds.