> More Then Meets The Eye > by Jest > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > A Rather Awkward Conversation > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- “So you aren't going to like, accuse him of anything right?” Spike gently inquired. Twilight shook her head. “No of course not. He may not even know that Chrysalis primed him to serve as a replacement queen in case of a disaster.” “Good. I don't want Thorax to think that we are going to attack him or anything,” Spike murmured as they continued to walk the halls of the crystal palace. “This isn't putting a strain on your relationship is it?” Twilight sighed. “If he knew then it certainly explains why he was so hesitant to let me do any kind of research into changeling physiology.” “Other than the more hooves on approach you’ve been taking up until now,” Spike added, jabbing an elbow into the pony’s side. The unicorn blushed. “Yes, well. My relationship with Thorax aside. How are things with Glitterbug?” “Fantastic. I never would have imagined that Thorax had a hot sister who escaped alongside of him,” Spike declared with a grin. “It's a little hard to maintain a relationship while she's all the way out here but hey, at least we both have excuses to visit more often.” “Shining Armor and Cadance do enjoy it as well,” Twilight remarked. “I suppose it is rather convenient isn't it?” “It sure is,” Spike exclaimed. The pair came to a stop outside of an unguarded door on the eastern side of the crystal palace. Though it was in one of the more illused areas of the palace, the area was clean and tidy. A simple green T had been painted on the entrance, marking this as Thorax’s new apartment. Twilight clopped a hoof against the meticulously crafted crystal before taking a step back. “One minute!” Shouted a familiar voice. “No rush, it's just Spike and I!” Twilight shouted back. “Oh wonderful!” Exclaimed Thorax a few seconds before the door opened to reveal the chitin clad creature himself. “And to what do I owe the pleasure?” Twilight winced, and rubbed the back of her neck. “I wish I could say it was a social call, but I just got the results of our last tests and have important news to share with you.” “Super important,” Spike added. The changeling gasped, and quickly stepped aside. “Please do come in and make yourselves comfortable.” The pair trotted inside the small living space, each of them noting that it was still relatively barren despite Cadance’s frequent offers to help furnish it. Originally intended as a servant’s living area, the apartment consisted of only three rooms. One large area that served as kitchen, living room, dining room, and entryway where two doors lead to a small bedroom as well as a bathroom. Which was fine by Thorax, as compared to his old bunk this amount of room was a mansion in his opinion. Taking a seat around the simple wooden table, Twilight reached out and gently took Thorax’s hoof in her own. “Now, this may come as a bit of a shock to you, but I feel like it's important to get the heavy part out of the way first,” Twilight announced. “Oh? W-what is it?” Thorax nervously asked. “Twilight found out you were a proto queen,” Spike exclaimed. “I wanted to ease him into it at least a little more than that,” Twilight murmured before smiling weakly. “Spike is right however. You should be able to not only change appearance but sex as well. I also theorize that you should be able to reproduce if given the desire.” Thorax sighed. “Well that's a relief. For a moment I thought you were breaking up with me.” “I wouldn't do that,” Twilight declared, squeezing his hoof. “Though this does add a different dimension to our relationship.” “And I’ll always be your friend,” Spike declared. “I suppose you probably also figured out the rest then huh?” Thorax gently asked, retrieving his hoof. “The rest?” Twilight replied. “What do you mean?” “Yeah Thorax, what are you talking about?” Spike pressed. “I’m…” he nibbled briefly on his lip before hanging his head in defeat. “I’m Glitterbug.” “What?” both the unicorn and dragon muttered. Thorax lit his horn and was bathed in green fire, turning him from the average sized male changeling drone into a distinctly female and slightly shorter female copy of himself. The changes were subtle, but noticeable, and Spike’s jaw hung open as he took them all in. “I created this disguise to maximize the amount of love I could collect, but after meeting you two I couldn't help but genuinely care for you both,” Thorax/Glitterbug admitted, her tone a little higher and clearly female. “Please, don't hate me.” “What the hell Thorax? You mean I was dating a guy the entire time?” Spike exclaimed. “N-no,” Glitterbug murmured, the changeling staring down at her hooves. “I really am a girl in this form and it's not like I was faking it or anything.” “Changeling royals have a more fluid understanding of sex due to the fact that they can switch it at will,” Twilight remarked. “Though I never thought you’d create a whole extra persona.” “I sort of didn't?” Glitterbug replied, wincing prematurely. “I act the exact same as both Thorax and Glitterbug. The only thing that changes is my erm, bits.” Spike deflated. “I… don't know what to think.” Glitterbug gently took Twilight’s and Spike’s forelimbs in her own. “I know this is a lot to take in but I genuinely love you both. If you make me choose I don't think I could.” “That would be cruel,” Twilight quickly stated. “Ultimatums are always mean,” Spike added. “So you wont break up with me, er, us?” Glitterbug asked. Twilight and Spike shared a knowing look, the pair almost immediately coming to an agreement of sorts, though it was clear they both still had concerns. “I think we are both open to the possibility, but I think Spike wants to say something,” Twilight remarked. Glitterbug eyed the dragon carefully. “Please, go ahead.” Spike sighed. “First, though I feel a little betrayed, I understand why you did it.” “Thank you,” Glitterbug murmured. Spike squeezed the changeling’s hoof. “I also feel like making you constantly switch back and forth wouldn't be conducive to a healthy relationship.” “What are you thinking?” Twilight inquired. “Well…” Spike glanced towards the changeling. “Can't you like, have both parts?” “You mean to be both male and female at the same time?” Glitterbug asked. “That would solve that problem. I don't mind if your more feminine so long as you still have… you know,” Twilight murmured, blushing profusely. “And so long as I can still call you Glitterbug I feel like I would be okay with… everything,” Spike remarked. “R-really? You would, but how would that work?” Glitterbug exclaimed. “We would just… share you?” Twilight winced. “That makes it sound like your a toy or something but you know what I mean.” “I do,” Glitterbug murmured. “So…” Spike muttered. “You know how we feel, but how do you feel?” “Relieved,” Gliterbug quickly exclaimed. “I thought for sure you would both leave me when the truth came out.” “I think I speak for both of us when I say these last few months have been eye opening,” Twilight remarked, glancing at Spike. Who nodded. “They have. I certainly couldn't see myself going without you in my life.” “Me neither,” Twilight added. Moisture gathered at the edges of the changeling’s slightly pink eyes. “Oh you guys. You have no idea how much this means to me. As soon as I understood pony dating customs I felt so bad, but I couldn't just break up with you, and the longer I didn't tell you the worse I felt, and I… I…” The changeling broke down, tears springing from her eyes. Twilight and Spike hastily rounded the table, wrapping their shared lover in a hug. “There there,” Twilight whispered. “It's okay,” Spike added. They stayed this way for several long minutes, until finally Glitterbug had run out of tears, and had wiped her face clean. “I think I’m okay now,” she whispered. “So would you be willing to show us your mixed form?” Twilight gently inquired. “I am rather curious,” admitted Spike. “I suppose I could,” Glitterbug murmured, gently pushing her lovers away from her. “Just give me a bit of space.” The pair did just that, both watching closely as their lover lit their horn and was bathed in fire once more. This time when the flames passed they revealed a taller changeling, one who was clearly feminine but was slightly broader. The changeling’s eyes were a mix of pinkish green, and the bug like pony stared down at their lovers curiously. “What do you think?” They asked hesitantly. “Not bad, Thorax, err Glitter?” Spike scratched his head. “What should we refer to you as?” “Maybe Glittering Thorax?” Twilight offered. “Ooh I like it. Glittering Thorax it is,” stated the changeling. “Can I still refer to you as a girl, or what?” Spike inquired. “You guys worry too much about that kind of thing,” Glittering Thorax replied. “You can call me whatever you like.” “I’m just glad I still get to call you mine,” Twilight remarked. “Very true,” added Spike with a smile. “I love you two,” Glittering Thorax exclaimed. “We love you too,” they replied.