Trust Exercise
Our companionship was weakened by my failure, I am saddened to admit. Topaz would keep the incident in mind for a long time even after she had forgiven me. Though she would put on a strong face, she admitted that she would need some space, and her emotional recovery took time as she tended to rage or break into fits of manic laughter or tears at a moment’s notice. I honestly did not see what good it did to give her more space, but continued to do so with every outburst, opting to err on the side of caution.
After one of her outbursts, Topaz looked at me in confusion as I stood some thirty paces away. “Hey, Idol!” She called, sounding annoyed. “The hay are you doing back there?”
“Giving you space. As requested.”
Topaz murmured something about Celestia, strength, and all stallions being the same, then sat on her haunches to try to work up a good glare, but I could see a bit of a smile even from this distance. “Get over here, that’s not what it means.”
“I dislike this trend of ponies to say a thing that doesn’t mean what it means and then claim it to be a ‘figure of speech’.” I grumbled as I trotted up. How was one to request space around them or explain that they had in fact kicked a bucket out of the way or that a clock had spontaneously grown wings, as Wasta had explained was a serious issue in Canterlot especially.
“Oh don’t pout. We didn’t design you for it. All I meant is that I don’t want anypony hovering over me.” As I opened my mouth to protest, she cut me off. “Don’t you dare say you haven’t been flying. We went over that one.” I was quite sure we had not, but chose not to argue.
“I was under the impression we should head due north. We have been moving towards the rising sun.”
“North northeast.” She clarified, holding up her odd disc with the arrows on it. I glared at the device, quite sure that it was untrustworthy. “See? We have to stop at an outpost before we head back. I honestly almost forgot, but maybe we can get a coach. Find someone to look at my wing.” The mare stretched both wings, though the right twinged before reaching full extension. “It’s probably just a small sprain. I wouldn’t have minded having that shell of yours back then.”
“To be quite fair, my wings would have probably been torn to shreds, if not ripped completely off.”
Topaz screwed up her face at that. “Ewww. Do they… you know, grow back or anything?”
“I… do not know. With molting, perhaps? It will take a great deal more time.” I pondered aloud. “Shedding bits is not uncommon, but larger injuries usually require a full-body molt. It is both exhausting and wasteful.”
“You know, some insects eat their moltings.”
“I believe my kind will do so to hide them or in times of scarcity, but it’s rather bland and most likely not worth the effort. Better to use it as bait for scavengers.”
“What, ah…. What does meat even taste like?” She looked a little ill at the question, but I opted to be truthful.
Then I hesitated. How would one describe the taste? ‘Wriggly’ seemed an inappropriate choice. Most of the things I had consumed could only be compared to other meats. “It tastes like what it is.” I offered lamely, knowing this would not be sufficient. Changing the topic seemed wise. “Why is there an outpost here in the badlands?”
Topaz seemed all too willing to leave that conversation to die as well. “Well, we’re in Equestria proper now. This is just on the more remote side of things. It’s really for travelers, Saddle Arabia isn’t technically Equestria because nopony controls the mountains or the badlands. Why take territory nopony wants when it makes a fine border?”
“What about griffins and dragons?” I countered, reasonably sure my people had encountered both in the badlands.
“Dragons nest wherever they want and griffins are clannish. If one of the clans splits, then we might have to worry about that. As long as nopony bothers a dragon’s hoard, usually they don’t bother with ponies. Besides, that’s why the outpost is here. Keep an eye out. If things get messy, well, they can contact the guard with dragonfire. I’d be amazed if they didn’t have a jar set to the next town and Canterlot at minimum.”
“I… assume they will see the plume of fire and send assistance?”
“What? No.” She gave me a look, then laughed. “Dragonfire jars. It’s one of the few commodities dragons are willing to trade with, the littler ones anyways. Have the dragon breathe fire to move things into a warded jar, tweak it a bit and you have a jar to teleport small packages. It’s only been around for a few years but Celestia raised the pony who discovered it to lesser nobility. Outrageously expensive but great for important mail.”
Having no idea what any of that meant, I grunted in acceptance and continued on.
The… outpost was little more than a few stone buildings and wooden pickets, with a large odd ladder set on the ground that went far out of view that I could not begin to understand the point of. A few ponies lazily patrolled the area, and I could not help but feel disdain for their lackadaisical attitudes. Given that the two species they knew that were likely to be in the area were capable of flight and one of them was also capable of setting wood alight, I felt entirely justified. With little more than above-ground stone to defend them, I deemed the outpost ‘showy and useless’, leading Topaz to shush me as we approached.
There was some commotion when Topaz announced herself to the guardian at the gate instead of doing the sensible thing and flying over it, but as I was soon to learn it was considered a ‘courtesy’ to let the local outpost know you were leaving Equestrian territory and give them some brief information on where you were going prior to departure, if only so they would know where to send the search party in the event of your disappearance. Topaz, for instance, had been gone for weeks longer than expected and a search party had been sent out only that morning.
After some hurried explanations, she was whisked away to see the outpost’s medic and I was left standing alone in a courtyard, feeling startled and confused. This was an odd place, I decided. There was not nearly as much bustle as Topaz had warned me of as the few inhabitants of the outpost wandered about doing chores and patrolling the walkway above the wooden barricade. I opted to ignore my feelings of foalishness and helped a mare in armor gather water from a well, though she protested that travelers weren’t required to assist in daily chores, the idea that I should stand around and simply watch was preposterous and I would not waste my time thusly. After that I assisted a pair of earth ponies who were carrying square stones and buckets of stone-smelling powder and water to the roof of one such building, and was delighted to learn that the mixture of the two buckets provided a thick compound that was runnier than I approved of but apparently would dry into a rocklike mixture in a few hours’ time, keeping the stones in place. I dumped a small amount in my saddlebag, intent on asking Topaz about its other uses later.
I had begun an acceptable rhythm of hauling stone and buckets up the side of the building when my thoughts began to stray towards Topaz’s extended absence. I was about to go search for her (as soon as the work was done, of course) when she returned with an odd contraption on her injured wing and plenty of fresh bandages, and I thought I could hear her grumbling something about ducks. She seemed confused by my absence.
“Marefriend’s looking for you.” One of the earth ponies offered, sliding another stone into place. “Got it. Thanks for the help. Easiest way down is-“ I hopped off the building, pleased by my labor and landed lightly by Topaz, who gave a small scream as I apparently fell from the sky. This was oddly echoed from above.
“What- where…” She looked straight up. “Were you on the roof? Whyyyyy were you on the roof? Did you just jump off?!”
I stared at her, not quite comprehending. It was not a long drop. Only twenty feet. Thirty at most. “Yes. I did not mean to startle you. I was moving stone.”
“Well, fleas can leap- and grasshoppers, I suppose, crickets too… but not unicorns. Unicorns don’t jump from buildings!” She hissed at me under her breath, looking up to where two earth ponies were staring over the edge in shock. Oh dear.
Foalishly, I waved up at them. I had been caught up and had forgotten myself again. It was good that I had Topaz to remind me of these things, I considered. Who knows what trouble I’d be in?
“He has a featherfall spell memorized!” Topaz called up to them. The two seemed conflicted between annoyance and relief, but then went back to their work. I could not help but marvel at such quick thinking. I also did not know such a spell existed, but realized I should probably educate myself on that as well. “You,” Topaz went on, “- are a very lucky bug. And I can’t believe I didn’t think to ask how far you could jump. Anyways, they sent a message to the search party. We’re invited to dinner, and we need to get our story straight.”
“Er… story? I have never tried to be a teller of tales… that seems… quite pointless, actually.”
“Better get used to it, Iddy. We need to explain why you weren’t in the logbook and how I got away from a manticore before someone gets it in their head that I’m a battered mare. Come on, they’re giving us a night’s lodging. There’s a supply train coming with fresh recruits, they’re letting us ride home tomorrow with the ones who are heading back.” She started trotting towards another building.
“What is this thing on your wing?” I asked, finally unable to contain my curiosity.
“This?” She lifted the bandaged mass. “…It’s a splint. You’ve never seen a splint?”
“What does it do?”
“Keeps you from moving it wrong. What do you do when a cha- one of your people can’t use a limb? Just let them hurt themselves more?”
“I believe we eat them.”
“You what?!” Topaz cried in horror. I began to despair that I would truly never master humor.
After reassuring Topaz that my people did not practice casual cannibalism, she showed me that they had given us each a room, side by side. I found both needlessly spacious, having preferred the smaller barred rooms I had seen through a window, but Topaz explained those weren’t for guests. I supposed it made sense that the warriors would receive more comfortably snug accommodations, so did not argue. I could not help but be wistful, however. A small sturdy hole in the rock surrounded by nestmates would have been wonderful, the idea of metal bars between us instead of rock only felt like it would have improved the sensation of closeness. I wondered if the hive would consider it.
Topaz crafted a fine tale about me being a colleague who determined there was an incongruity in the mixture she had used to create her repellant that would cause it to fail by tainting the results. I then rushed after her, forgoing all but the most basic of needs in an attempt to catch her to prevent her from doing anything unwise. Topaz had clouted a young manticore with her sack when the repellant appeared to not be working, and it had attacked her in a rage. I had arrived and driven it off with a combination of the correct mixture and a few lucky bolts of magic.
All in all, I decided, things were looking up.
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“I believe we eat them.”
I el oh eld.
Ya know.... When I first started reading this I was confused why you used Idol instead of Idle....
Now I know.
Also this story is excellent.
Instant fave!
Keep up the good work!
If Idol Hooves was voiced, what would he sound like?
That was short, but still amuse.
I like Topaz's little freak-outs. Especially in public. Does this mean changelings always land on their feet?
That work ethic Idol has will probably be appreciated in the guard. I'm pretty sure some of them are required to have no sense of humor, too.
And yes, the cover picture is appropriately awesome.
5249802 Hadn't really considered it, but Brent Spiner as Data always had this great combination of emotionlessness and innocent sarcasm. I'll have to think about it more.
Great as always.
Looking forward to the next chapter.
I like how this is going.
So we're not going to be seeing any Changeling comedy clubs anytime soon, is what I've taken away from this.
I like the new cover art. Changelings look good in Royal Guard armor, don't they?
You know, it's a pretty good indicator that the story you're reading is enjoyable when you hit the most recent chapter and you think to yourself, "that's it?" with a sting of disappointment.
Looking forward to this continuing.
Gotta say, I like Idol quite a lot. I'm really interested in finding out how he ends up in the guard and in finding out what happens to him because of the invasion.
Fun stuff.
Heart Broken. Crestfallen. I was all this when I learned that I had gotten to the most recent chapter. I wish you luck, speed, and I patiently wait for the next installment.
Hah!
Ooo, I see we're going with dragonfire as a means of communication available to more than just Spike and Celestia, even if it's a little limited by the amount of the fire on-hand.
Hilarious detail with that jumping issue.
Hahaha!
This has been a great story so far, and I cannot wait to read more.
Have you thought about submitting this to Equestria Daily?
In some languages sayings like "what could go wrong?", "how could this get worse", and "things are looking up" are a powerful curse
Too bad there aren't any more chapters for now. Like and Favourite.
Hilarious part with jumping off the building. Idol should learn that you can get away with casually jumping off any heights if you shout "Parkour!" beforehand.
Interesting. Looking forward to more.
Keep up the good work. Deus tecum.
Somepony doesn't realize that she's digging this poor changeling a very deep hole if he ever has to prove to be who she says he is and inconveniently scrapping any ability to have a more truthful story tied to this persona.
...i could swear there were more chapters. Oh well back to CCNA homework. (love the way idol thinks) (i know its not going to happen but i ship Idol and Topaz HARD. I JUST CANT HELP MYSELF! )
5254897 I wanted to come up with some sort of fantastical insect for Topaz to bring up. The multiheaded milipede is a parasitical insect that hooks itself to it's fellows. It ends up being multiple insects forming one long strand that can split apart and scatter if one segment gets killed. I thought it was suitably creepy-crawly. Topaz will probably talk shop with Idol more at some point, but I don't know if I'd ever bring that up again in-story, so there you go.
5256509
Multipedes, maybe? XD
5254427
As far as I see it, it's a version of Celestia (fictional or true), a genuine tall tale, or another magical creature that just looked like an alicorn (Another changeling in the past? A spirit? Discord trolling?)
I found it interesting that Idol's thoughts changed when he took the persona as well. It speaks of something powerful.
this sounds like a fun story
Love this story so much. don't want to wait for more but need to. *sets up tent.*
My one regret is that I put off reading this story for so long. Very well done, particularly your ability to make exposition not end up being bland and uninteresting. And I absolutely adore Idol and Topaz together. I can't wait to see what you have in store for them.
And I can already see the look on Twilight's face when she goes to write a book on changelings after the invasion only to find out that someone already beat her to it. Priceless.
5252349 Given that Dresden Files was a huge inspiration to write this in a first person style, I have to be flattered by the reference.
5265241 I'm having far more fun playing those two off of one another than I was originally expecting. And dear god, can you imagine Twilight writing a report, submitting it and having Topaz mark it up with all the inaccuracies in red ink? Her head would explode.
As for the existence of the flame haired figures, that will play a role later. For now, Idol tapped into something far beyond his ability to control or even fully wrap his mind around before it nearly destroyed him. To him, whether that comes from it being flame-haired or an alicorn is irrelevant, he's been burned and he knows not to touch that particular stove again.
good story, cant wait for the next chapter
Did... Did he put wet cement into his saddlebag?!?
Dear Noodles, Idol
5284212 Don't be so hard on him, he's just senticemental.
5292648
BOOOOOOOOOOOO
Very interesting, but enjoyable so far. I am curious to see where you take this.
5292648
Ah, I see. He wanted to take a cememento with him. A concrete reminder of his journey.
Please don't stone me for my puns
5356950 Augh masonry puns! Only out-groaned by geology puns!
Story started off as a insert fic, but I am loving the alternate perspective parts. where the character seems to actually think like a changeling might, instead of just suddenly understanding.
5544436 An "insert" fic? You mean a self-insert? How do you figure that? It doesn't come across as a self-insert at all.
“He has a featherfall spell memorized!”
5265241
Me too. Then again, I have a few hundred that I'm regretting not reading right now.
Oh, Topaz... Never change.
And now that things are looking up, trouble's gonna be right around the corner!
Well I hope he doesn't get funnier I like his bland wit
Oh! It's a train track.
...ducks... ducks...
...she's just had a doctor see to her wing...
...ducks... docs/doctors?..
Oh! Quacks!
She's unhappy about having to wear a splint.
Okay, he got me with that too. I totally thought he was serious until that last line.
Well played.
Oh Idol, So ridiculous. the moment he jumped I was like "oops"
I dunno I found it hilarious. XD Poor topaz
This story is so cute and silly. I'm excited for him becoming a guard, though at this point I almost want him to become an architect instead
While there are many differences between our respective headcanons concerning changelings, I am finding this story to be outstanding so far. It is excellent to see such a unique perspective so well done. Time for me to continue reading... Heck, I do not expect much else getting done, cause this fic is so good, I find myself unable to put my tablet down!
I can totally sympathize with his confusion/irritation over metaphors and 'figures of speech'. They usually don't make any sense, especially the older ones that use objects we don't need anymore, or that refer to specific things a non-native speaker is not familiar with.
You can be entirely fluent in a language, but without being raised in the culture, a lot of communication is gibberish. Weird phrases, body language and expressions meaning different things, sometimes people say no just to be polite when offered something they actually want (for example, in Japan, the traditional courtesy is that if someone invites you to something, and it seems important, you refuse the invitation the first two times, and then may accept if they ask a third time. This is because that person, especially if they're not a close friend or family member, may simply be inviting you out of another rule of courtesy, because you happen to work with them or just happened to be present when they talk about it, but your presence would be a problem somehow. It's like a politeness contest or something, and as with most things, is interpreted a lot by the situation and how the invitation is offered. I doubt this is big among young people these days, but it's an example of something westerners wouldn't automatically know, and ignorance is usually why we come off as rude in other places).
It can get a little crazy, with all those things to keep track of. Poor Idol only understands the world from one point of view, literally everything would be like this, or warped by Chrysalis' view of the world.
I assume the small buildings with bars are temporary holding cells for prisoners, and his wanting to stay there cracked me up.
Reading things that come naturally to oneself from the perspective of another culture is always entertaining. (My husband once saw a *crucified Santa* in a store display window. 
once again, Japan haha. Some crossed wires there, apparently). We did thought experiments along that vein in an anthropology class I took many many years ago.
6351677 This comment is important to figure out Idol
I find this both hilarious and just plain awesome, heheheheh, I honestly wish he stayed as an alicorn and played off the role of being royalty of some sort.
Nice job!
5249802
I'm fully aware that I'm responding to a comment that's two years old, but I believe Idol Hooves would sound a fair bit like Data from Star Trek: The Next Generation.
*EDIT*: Holy snap, I just scrolled back up and say the author's reply.
Talk about a delayed reaction.
*crunch*
What, its natural.
I... I don’t wanna be that guy.
But no one else is being that guy.
Sooo
InsectsCanOnlyFallHugeDistancesBecauseOfTheirTinySizeI’mSorry!