Chapter IV: Miracles and only
Part II: Natural romanticism
Much to friends' surprise, the town was not that much of a town, and not that close. Shapeshifters managed to help in time, because they severely shortened their distance, rushing straight through the normal forest, passing ponies and nearby homes. Ruining a holiday in the process.
Broken decorations, trampled flowers, spilled cauldrons with goodies.. As if a hurricane went through the settlement, grabbing everything unpinned to the ground with it. Frustration went beyond any possible measures, and mares all around the area gathered, to yell at the queen through other bugs.
And when the adventurers came by, all the attention was pointed at the self-willed referent and her retinue. Friends were too shocked by the wail in the forest, for them to react to this resentment. Worker bugs also did not understand why others were angry at them, but they showed their happiness because of emotions. Which only angered the crowd even more.
— ..Do ye even realise that ye ruined oure festival with yer doings?! - yelled some uncontent being.
— I haven't eaten anything all day, so I could judge everything fairly! And you..! - another little pony got upset.
— We prepared so thoroughly.. - added an old mare - Ommatidia, what for?
— For, us being attacked. We could have been killed. - Gambit covered the little insect with himself - We are in this together. If any of you wants to say something to her, needs to say it to me first.
Unusually calm insectoid striked fear in almost everyone. Who were not convinced by the unnatural colours, changed their mind at the emotionless manner of speech. Nobody wanted to deal with this insect - nobody ever met such horror! Big-antennaed bug pulled her companion back, hoping to settle it all peacefully:
— Gambit, please, don-
— They hurt you. - insect moved his head completely backwards - This is not right. We did not have a choice. - plated bug turned to the dispersing mares - We ask for forgiveness for this mess. But we have to ask for help. Our friends need care and-
— And why would we help you? - some stayed to argue - So ye would done evil again? We know yer kind..!
— You don't want to help your friends and neighbours? - lilac bug stepped aside - Skewer is not one of yours? Drones are not, too?
Should the herd hear one of their gatherer's names, when it paid attention to the newcomers again. They did not want to lose this pony, but nobody would stop grumbling either. However, with all the anxiety and anger, Ommatidia was simply ignored. Does she really mean nothing to them?
Even scouts from the nearest hive have not crossed their eyes with her, or said a single word. And that is considering some of them desiring to participate in a failed festival, yet she was seemingly boycotted and not asked to join. Because of what? Why does this town share such a strange atmosphere from the start?
— ..Who will bring our holiday back? - a random pony grieved - 'Tis food is gone already, another will rot soon!
— We will help you. - snowwhite insect stood up - What holiday? What do we have to do?
— Food festival. - explained the long-whiskered bug - Every month, every willing pony can try cooking something delicious for their friends or someone else..
— I think Sunshine talked about it. We will help, but help us first. Help them. - the insect pointed at the cart with horses and supplies - ..Ommatidia, we have to move away and talk. Two of us.
Being left alone, the pair tried to discuss what was happening in Mareland. Some facts stunned the plated insect immediately, and something he noticed and simply missed the point. Missed, just like this advisor did not understand herself. And, probably, all the purple hive as well.
— ..Don't understand. It is not hard to talk for you. Not hard to do something. You can do something together.
— Exactly! But it doesn't give us emotions. We feel each other differently - like you feel me, and I feel you!
— You still can do something together. I don't understand.
— Me neither.. I just want to discuss something with someone, or play, or.. Anything! Without manipulations, without.. giving orders to the drones! Like how ponies do it, not how we are doing it! Well, the hive, I mean..
"Hive not seeing need in friendship." - thought the bug - "She - an outcast. Like me. Like all us.". But some scouts did some stuff together - they acted naturally! However, should one ask about insects themselves in more detail, when Gambit remembered a similar experience. His own along with it.
— ..We aren't accepted completely. We are trying to be like them, but they still see us as strangers, even when we aren't posing any danger! And if we try to act like ourselves - like what they are doing and what they are encouraging.. Then I happen. I understand that it's just their choice, and we are being taught about this said choice, but..
— Why? You are not threatening them, you are trying to be friendly. You did not have a single fight, after all. You are not lying, are you?
— I'm not, I swear! Maybe..? No, it can't be. That's silly!
— Not understanding. What are you thinking about?
Everything came up together with further questioning. Mareland have not attained this title for nothing. In one moment, every stallion and many other non-feminine looking creatures were banished. There were many reasons, and they are almost harmless separately.. Nonetheless, everything starts from the smallest things.
Gambit even understood half of the complaints - he saw that with his own eyes while travelling alone and with Sunshine. Cruelty, obscenity, aggression, excess vulgarity.. Anyone would lose their mind, if they would be pushed stuff they do not like right into their faces. But are the bugs to blame?
Are the changelings guilty for simply being visually similar to stallions? Is Ommatidia guilty for her desire to learn about everything around? Of course, some questions or actions can remind about mental traumas, but one can always warn and talk about them. Have they not healed up to this day?
— How long ago were they banished? How long are you pretending?
— I wasn't even born then! Must be very long time ago. - whiskered bug moved her antennas - ..Ten years ago. Just learned that.
— I wasn't born then, too. How is that possible? Why are you trying, and they are not? What prevents them, after all this time?
— Maybe, they simply don't like us. It's hard to make friends when the whole world decides it doesn't like you..
The shapeshifter immediately noticed something was off, but he could not even think of what actually was hiding behind such specific phenomena. This is not friendship. This is not even partnership, but assimilation and an attempt to make everything identical. Or simply not disgusting, in their own twisted understanding.
The changeling simply must tell Sunshine about it. This problem can be tried solving - ponies somehow decided to help the travellers, even though only because of Skewer! These ponies are able to uphold a conversation without pitchforks, insults and flying torches!
— ..Thank you for sharing this. We will definitely help you. But first, we have to return peace to Mareland. Will you help me?
— Of course! Maybe, they'll finally look at me differently after!
— Maybe. - lilac bug sincerely doubted - Maybe..
— And it's I who should be thanking you. You are giving me a chance, for real.
A hug for a changeling from another changeling was not anything special for bugs; nobody actually did this. But Gambit felt something again when he was hugged! Something, that appeared since the desert, that also needs to be discussed with the sun mare. But before all this, one must work.
And friends must spend these days in beds. Each and everyone's hearing progressively returned to normal, and health in general also improved! Not surprising, as the company was well fed, and properly eating is very important. Just as important as doing something.
Boredom. It tormented everyone. Companions really wanted to walk out onto the street, look over this settlement surrounded by forests; observe the Shrubwood trophies in peace.. But all they were allowed to do, was lie in beds. Their room did not even have a single window!
White changeling was let to see his friends only after several days. They were very happy to see someone of their own, but the joy slowly withered away at the sight of the insectoid's face. He was worried. And, it seems, not only because of his closest ones' health.
— ..Gamby, what happened? - solar pony vainly tried not to raise her voice - Why are you so.. sour?
— Sour? - the bug barely understood the figurative meaning - This place is very strange. Are you able to understand now?
— Of course! Probably.. Head hurts, but it's getting better. Tell us about what's outside! Please!
And the fanged bug told them. Told, that he has not met a single stallion for all these days. Told, that the insects were looked at with caution and contempt, how other changelings specifically picked visual feminine features for their looks. And, of course, how others treat the little insect.
Him, too. Ponies tried to avoid Gambit. Only after this working marathon, a doctor came to the insect and removed the stuck arrow from his stomach. Not that the shapeshifter could catch something usual like ponies, but this way the healing will take more time. This is inconvenient.
— You're surprised by that? - Skewer have not given much importance to this horror - You seen yourself how stallions behave. We drove them off, shouldn't have spoiled us and prevented us living lives. You're really looking lot like them, you know. Maybe you've offended someone?
— I behaved myself peacefully. All these days, we have gathered plants and mushrooms. - noted the changeling - And nobody offended anyone in Hoofgrad, everyone lived in peace. What have stallions done here?
— More like, what they haven't! They are all like one and same! You tell one thing, they another! Don't see problems, go off topics, behave aggressively, think with their prick instead of head.. Like everywhere! I don't believe that Hoof-
— Like everywhere. - he emphasised - All decided to turn away from me when I defended Ommatidia. Like everywhere. They were angry at us for surviving. Like everywhere. You are not accepting changelings, but they simply want friendship.
Green pony decided to turn away and stop listening to this "nonsense", but she immediately understood her mistake. Not wishing to lose her face, the winged mare continued to argue, now leaving her bed. However, such manipulations have not worked on this shapeshifter - he grew up his own way. He knew something.
— Then why you don't have any stallions in your ranks? - pushed the green one - You don't count, you are a bug, and-
— I count. I am still being looked at. Even if I change colour.
— And my brother is not like that! - orange pony stood for her family - He-
— So why he's not among you then? Or you're also a bugling, and your kin is Gambit?
The question about Moonrise made Sunshine think, and Skewer only rejoiced at such short silence, gloating at every second of it. Of course, one can embellish some events, but is it right to carefully pick the words? At the same time, who would change their mind without it, in such a society?
— Don't make early assumptions! He's helping refugees from Galloppolis right at this second! Dalliant will confirm! - red-eyed mare could not stay excuseless - At least, if Clockwork found no other way, he doesn't have any either..
— You are not from here as well, are you? - the changeling guessed something - You were also accepted?
— And you don- ..Wait, where are you going with this? Why do you think so?
— Your manners. Speech. Absence of a mark. You do not want to look back. You do not want to hurt yourself with mistakes? You want to believe us?
Finally, ponies stopped yelling at each other! Their yelping could have been written off on unhealed hearing, but everyone heard each other well enough even while talking quietly. However, to hear - does not mean to understand. And to understand - does not mean to realise.
— ..Sure. But that's different, I-
— You are not accepting stallion-likes. We are also not accepted, often because of our appearance. We behave differently. How do you feel about Sunshine?
— Well.. she.. she is a good pony, we had time to talk while ly-
— She is very similar to Ommatidia. And you are similar to Sunshine. Why are you treating your friend like that?
— We aren't friends, we are ac-
— She is trying to be your friend. What are you not liking? Her screeching? Many eyes? Curiosity?
Winged mare could not answer a single question. Gambit continued to ask them and question her, Sunshine explained something very difficult in a more understandable language, but to no avail. This pony locked herself inside her head too hard. Yet, unlike others, she understood that.
— Look, I.. I need some time. I will try talking to Ommatidia, but-
— This is not enough. - insectoid pointed at the door - There, everyone thinks what you thought minutes prior. You were accepted because you are a mare, they did not look at your appearance.
— Then we'll persuade them together! We all need to start thinking.
— You mean.. Right now?
Dalliant already got up from her bed and stomped her legs near the door, hinting at a huge desire to leave these four walls. The sheep could not even talk for all this time! Adventurers urgently need to return to their familiar life rhythm - full of colours and various events!
Kind Mareland severely differed from the one that friends first saw. Probably, because of the absence of confusion and presence of energy. Everything around seemed so magical, so genius.. When in reality, the whole town was built with nature's gifts. Artificial one included.
Many roofs were actually just giant leaves, and decorations with headdresses - huge mushroom caps and flower buds. Of course, one could not forget about simple wood and stones, but most of the fame went to the gatherers and the big bush itself.
And now, thanks to the unending diligence of changelings and opportunity to feast, they were also praised. Nobody paid attention to their smooth appearance and gritting manners - everybody just wanted to eat new food, as much as they could! There were no unsatisfied. Except Ommatidia.
Maybe, insectoids managed to return their fair names, but that is only the beginning of the whole idea. All the physical labour and precise pillaging of giant nature have not stood even close to persuading such a big population. What if it does not work out? How should one talk about it?
— Sun, come on. - Skewer nudged her flank - I'll help, if anything. You sounded convincing then, sounded convincing during our dispute.. You can do it!
— We have to do this together! - the referent could not stay in one place - We are friends, aren't we?
— We.. - green mare suddenly nodded - We are very good friends. Later, it will be even better!
— There is nobody stronger than you in talking. - stated the whiskered insect - You can do it. We will help.
With the support of friends, nothing seemed impossible! After plucking up courage and waiting for the right moment, friends got up on a small hill on the main square. Everyone feasted and delighted - there, that very needed moment! It is time!
— Dear Mareland settlers! - started the orange pony - I want to apologise for taking you off your feast, but you have to listen to this! Remember, what was the cause of this holiday - the cause for your happy life? What do you think changed in all this time? Not much!
— Almost ten years have passed, and we still keep to our deep wounds. - continued the green horse - Is this right? Isn't it you who decided with me, that we will help the needed folk? Aren't you the ones who accepted me when I was fourteen?
— Many things could change in this time. - added the lilac one - You got confused in daily life. You are rejecting those who fought alongside you for these happy moments. Look at her. - plated insect pointed at Ommatidia - She is not like your former enemies. She is different. We are different. But you refer to us-
— This hurts us! - whined the purple bug - We lived in peace! You lived in peace with my kin! Why are you angry at us? Why are you behaving like those you banished? I remember all your complaints, all our conflicts - this is unfair! You are spoiling!
Folk around reacted rather mixed. Some actually understood that they strayed from the right path, and some were offended like spoiled children. However, calm persuasions from the opportunists calmed the crowd. For the most part, mares of Mareland will have to follow Skewer's path.
They will have to reassess all their lives, realise and embrace from the start with the gatherer. Strong friendship will not begin immediately, but a strong foundation for this friendship is finally built. And to think of it, the only thing one needs to do, is simply remember the past experience, how it happened and what it led to.
— Well.. that's it. - Sunshine sighed with relief - All that's left is Fillydelphia, and-
— But what about my hive? - advisor worried very much - We have to talk to my mother!
— But isn't she-
— I haven't talked to her about what's happening here. Nobody else spoke either - there are no bugs in the centre, nobody else heard this speech! I have a plan, let's come to my home!
If the hooved creatures did not know Ommatidia, they would perceive this offer as an invitation to the last life's dinner. However, they have not seen a more friendly changeling in their lives. Still, Skewer refused to go into the cave, not that distant from the hamlet:
— Sorry, but.. I can't.
— Why? - whiskered bug turned to her friend.
— I.. can't get used to insects, couldn't ever in my life. I do spend most of my life around them, that is true, but they are frightening me. And you, changelings - too. Not to mention, I have to think about all of this, what just happened. I hope you're not upset about it.
— Not at all!
— ..You are not coming with us? - Sunshine despaired - At least to Fillydelphia?
— Nay. I am needed here, as a gatherer. You can't imagine what effort it costs to hold back all this forest. If this infection goes further from its borders, then.. We will all become their dinner.
The team got a bit upset, but did not follow the mistakes of Mareland horses. Living in the past is silly, and friends have just witnessed an example of such life. Yet, solar pony still went quite emotionally through such a loss of her new friend. Albeit nobody lost anyone.
Only one thing calmed such sensitive mare - grassy pegasus makes a great contribution to society. Maybe even greater, than if she were to join the troublemakers in such a trying burden. Not to mention, one cannot control others, like canterlotians do, can they?
— ..Don't be sad! - purple bug trotted towards her hive - You'll have more than Skewer going with you! A whole hive more! Believe me!
