Chapter IV: ..Hides inside
— ..Cannot believe that she did that!
— Cannot, believe?
— It's an expression. I understand what you are saying, but.. U-u-ugh! - pony crossed her hooves near her chest - Never liked circus!
— That simply happened.
Instant escape could not be achieved. Only by transportation. Yet it takes time to get to some warehouse. Alive city did not seem so difficult with all that kindness, and now.. "Then.", with bad feelings around, an identical mood surfed inside the whiskered one's head.
He understood, that something was off. Though, those glimpses, even when consuming cringeberries, could not truly point at a reason - since those are only embryos of feelings. Like instincts. "Hunch.". Like some circle that harrasses itself. And pressures the bug as well.
Should not throw those ponies under the carriage, should he? Insect wanted to teach a lesson to the silly mare, however the price for so is too high. He did not want to traumatise others - did not want to cause more bad feelings. Differences in consumed emotions especially stood out in such moments. Difference in folks - too.
Dome's chief did not want to tend to the problem by himself. Alluring Bliss searched for a too easy way out, without putting if not any effort, then at least some respect. And the common and miserable stallions continued to do everything for such insolents. For an opportunity to buy, almost bug-sized therapy.
The leisure is not enough. Dome, with all its virtues, suffered from many problems of abuse. Many drinked off their problems, some ate them away, and certain ponies even consumed something frightening. What - not certain for the bug. However, the effects are visible by the faces. Literally.
Eyes mushed like scrambled eggs, aggression, hissing.. Like that of changelings. Only thing is, those are genuine ponies. Not to mention, insects have to get through Armare-de-Forge first, for them to get to Dome. And would they want to, with all the problems? "Feelings. Bad.".
The more snowwhite one realised, what causes ponies' emotions, the more he frowned. "Hive." - he remembered every time - "Submission. Lack of emotions.". Almost like in Dome. Like in every tired horse. Like the changelings of all looks and castes behaved. Nobody liked it. Nobody saw the root cause.
— ..So what came next? - the orange one did not understand the silent embarrassment.
— You know.
— ..I understand. - the horse quickly threw the fears out of her head.
Next, like following a scenario: snowwhite bug distracted others from himself with made-up noises, quietly sneaked into various buildings, and then he was transported into a completely different settlement under the guise of a commodity. In a village, few dozens of heads happier. And more laborious too - everyone did something, everyone were friends, as if nobody knew offence!
Earys were not shooed away, foals were played with - everything was so joyful, that the insect wanted to stay. Luckily, the trader intended to do exactly that. Should he show himself to such kind folk? "No." - insect immediately decided that back then - "Will not understand.".
And if he shows his true appearance, would the rest happen? Would the bug morph into a soft pillow? Would he be bought for real? Those little things from Dome stayed in Dome, until they had to be unleashed. And when one has everything, why would that be needed?
So he waited. And waited enough for the little orange pony to appear. She also seemingly waited for this moment - tired mare looked only at the pillows, should she get to her destination. Whiskered one realised by her wing movements - "Tired. Flight. Heavy.". ..And very lazy.
Since instead of doing a real thing, big-eared pony bought the pillow and returned back! The road, of course, took a few days, yet everything simply pointed at that! And the pony herself pointed things out loud - to herself, and the pillow! Did the winged one know she was talking to an insect? Of course not. She spoke about softness.
Unfathomable softness. Because the white one did not know how pillows worked, he came up with something completely different - his own and unrepeatable. That is the reason why the solar pony took it! Maybe, the lilac heart in the middle also helped to choose, as well as size. However, softness - the deciding factor.
Otherwise, how can one ignore all the animals in the world and sleep under the open sky? How can one get through the strange fog by land and sky, not losing the soft thing out of sight? How could the pony react in such a way at the shapeshifter's revelation to her?
— ..And who is such a good one?
Not a pinch of fear or doubt - insectoid was immediately hugged! So tight, that he lost the ability to speak. What of it - emotions, from one single pony, and brighter than the whole of Monacolt! They sparked even stronger, with hugs and revealing of truth! They were not desired to be walked away from.
If the insect's beads could decrease in size out of surprise, like the pupils do for ponies, they would do so already. Perhaps, the bug is a good one - he entertained ponies. He made someone happy. He protected the orange horse. He tried. And what is good, in her own understanding?
— Well..! - pony snorted out of not knowing how to answer - Good is good! You understand everything!
He understands. He asked that on purpose. Changeling wants even more feelings. Like the drug and alcohol addicts - for sensations. Like himself, when he stole the provisions and experimented with different drinks. Curiosity raised onto a new level. Instincts made themselves known again.
Is there a point in ignoring this call? Why should such a strong creature as himself resist? This source of warmth seems infinite, in every sense of those words. Red-eyed mare wants such friend herself! Or not such; different? What if someone objects?
— Sunshine. - a very deep voice interrupted the hug.
— No, wait! - the mare got up on her hind legs and covered her new friend with herself - You can't! I won't allow that! He is good!
Blue unicorn. Like the one in the past. If not counting the chaotic patterns on legs and accents. Emotions, magic - everything is similar! However, the bug never heard the name "Moonrise". Whiskered insect never saw anyone, who speaks like he does. "That is not time.".
Very intermittent speech instilled genuine fear into the shapeshifter. Perhaps, not only to him - but certainly not to solar pony. Though, maybe it is because of her? She did not fear the giant. The mare did not even think of leaving the plated one alone! Seems like she just saved him with her determination.
She suppressed the will of this Moonrise. Was the pony really going to stand her ground until the end, indeed? Like the insect himself in case of a reverse situation? "What if she disappears?" - finally, this thought stuck into the changeling's mind at least somehow.
Actually, no. If one constantly follows feelings, then the Dome situation will repeat. Naturally, an addicted bug cannot be called the word "alcoholic", however the situation will be identical. "Want to protect." - fanged one decided to repeat after the big-eared pony - "Want to share.". Only, he was not allowed to stand up.
Little pony's feelings prevented her from listening to her own head. And when the fearsome giant walked away, she jumped at the insectoid herself. There, with more conversations, the bug's thoughts confirmed themselves. "Bonded.". Like him. Like the drunkards to a bottle.
— Do you like tea? - suddenly asked red-eyed mare.
— ..Tea? Leaves? - strange taste immediately reflected in his head - Chewed. Did not like.
— They need to be boiled though! I mean, put into boiling water, so that it would taste different! Different approaches got different sensations. - it seems like she guessed something - Like with feelings, yes?
— ..How do you know?
— Some little thing might change everything around. - pony understandably nodded - You told me that yourself! And how is food any different? Some like one thing, others - another. It can even be helpful! Tea, for instance, helps cure others, like a good mood - every thing has its properties! Even something so common as potatoes. It's everywhere, and everyone got so used to it, they don't notice the benefits..!
"Makes sense.". Insect compared everything around just the same, like the solar pony described. Different foods did perceive differently, indeed. Everyone reacted to everything their own way! Even though everybody also shared the similarities. No matter the species. "Who am I? A pony? A changeling?".
— I.. Want to, too. - the bug barely squeezed the words out - To share.
— What are you talking about?
— Emotions. Feelings. Pl-
— But that's not possible! No, there are stories about some reborn changelings - they say, those gave emotions away. - pony suddenly laughed - Sounds like tales of someone going crazy. Not a single creature can survive by rejecting their food! One can even die that way! It's as if ponies would turn away from grass..!
The shapeshifter perceived the words literally for so long, that even the solar one began to think in this direction. And even though the whiskered insect had not the literal sense in mind, at least now - to simply do pleasant things.. he understood. Realised back then. Some moments back. Nature cannot be deceived.
This cannot be sorted out immediately. Desires are different - some are certainly his, and some are not exactly. Something is suggested by the hunch, and somewhere he acts without thinking. Now, with such range of words and ideas, this problem cannot be tackled. "Need time.". "Need answers.", for other questions.
— Who was that? What is Moon?
— Moon is a name - Moonrise, for short. At least in this case. - the horse hit her forehead with the hoof - ..I didn't even introduce myself! My name is Sunshine! And you? Do you have a name?
— ..Introduce? What is a name? ..Is it close to "called"?
Every pony had some kind of a name. They always meant something, like a prediction or desire. Their meaning is not always graspable on the spot - like with marks. Especially for the insect - he had neither a name, nor a cutiemark.. Not a single changeling had them. "Why?".
— ..Let's pick a name for you too! - Sunshine thought for a very short time - How about.. Ace Gambit?
— Ace.. Gambit? What does that mean?
— You are very good at disguising! And at deceiving too! Well, in good sense of this word! It has a ring to it, after all!
— Good.. sense? Ring, after all? I do not understand.
Sunny pony chuckled very kindly at her interlocutor's silliness.
— We still have a lo-ot of work ahead..!
End of the first small story.