Arabian Swindler

The next day, the mare came back. They had their changelings in waiting at the gate and like before, they spotted her. Though unlike the previous day, the mare had a couple of baskets on her sides and trotted her way through the front gate among the thick crowds.

Once more, the feeling of a strange changeling being around was felt, though once more they could not exactly pinpoint it’s location. But it was almost obvious it came slowly when the mare was around. As for her trail… it consisted of largely the same things. Going to a bar for a few drinks, leaving to trade and haggle for foods, mostly of sugars, sweets or in some cases, fruits, veggies, berries and seeds.

From there, it was mostly a tag along as she visited some lower district areas, met with the locals and talked with them. It became obvious she was not going to leave anytime soon, and it was midday by the time she headed for a different place to once more get a drink, though this time around seemed to be taking up a place to eat something. For all intents and purposes, she seemed normal… if not everywhere the encompassing strange changeling feeling was. (End)

And for a while, they kept a watch on her, but they had to figure out something on her. To try to figure out why she was here, why her Hive cause such damage...and they had to send in something familiar. They couldn't send Mercy, mostly due to her being a Queen of all things. They can’t send either Debt or even Dejen himself, as Debt express with Dejen request, already made her possibly suspicious of the gnoll.

And they knew that sending any other changeling, or even Windy and Gem was bad. Mostly because the former she might spot, Windy being a slave, and Gem ...being Gem. While some thought Herbal could do it...Dejen vouch that the best way to talk to her...was a game of poker.

So after keeping an eye on her and trying to figure out where she might head, Dejen got his chance, as when she was walking in, talking to the bartender and getting a drink, Dejen, in some casual arabian clothings as to not cause suspicion, walked to the ‘pony’ in her place. Having a friendly air as he sat by her in the barstool as he look to her and greet. “Hey there,” having a curious expression as he spoke. “Hope I’m not being rude, but I was wondering if you were willing to play a small game of cards?” making a hand motioned around as he went on.

“I would ask someone else, but there’s not many around, and most are usually drunk by this point.”

She turned, giving a smile, but also a glance around. She slightly frowned about those around her, but dismissed it and said, “Well, normally I don’t mind, but I’m just here for a bite to eat.” Taking a sip from the cup of what clearly was water. “But you’re welcome to stay and talk, I don’t mind company at all.” Once more having a smile in place.

Having a sigh and shaking his head, he said. “Fair enough, a bit of a shame I can’t play a game of cards, hopefully I’ll play with someone who isn’t too drunk off their hooves yet,” then introduce himself. “The names Dej, if you don’t mind me asking-- what's an earth mare like you doing in a place like this? Are you taking in the grand sights?” chuckling some. “Because if you wanted to see the wondrous and exotic places of Arabia, you should travel on to the ‘golden city’ of Saddle Arabia. The Great capital itself, Constantinople?”

Giving a shake of her head and pointing a hoof down to the floor near her, ‘Dej’ was given sight to the two baskets as she told, “Just shopping and taking a bit of a walk. Nothing else, really.” Making it seem fairly simple. “I’m not really looking for anything big or grand. Just doing what I feel like at the moment.”

Looking at the baskets, he could sniff out some sugar and sweets, a mixture of fruits as he spoke. “No offense, but I thought most ponies who come by to Arabia tend to try to get the exotic clothing and threads, not fruits and sweets.” then shrugging. “Then again, most ponies who come here tend to look the part of tourists themselves.” flicking an ear as he joked with a grin. “Although I haven’t gotten a name from you miss, I did introduce myself after all. I recall it’s a bit common courtesy to give a name when someone introduce themselves.”

She seemed to pause before smiling sheepishly, “Sorry, I’m not exactly practiced in ‘manners’ all the time.” Then went on, “I’m Shima.” Glancing to see if her food had arrived, though it looked like it still wasn’t done.

Glancing to where the cook was making the food, he looks back to Shima as he suggested with a smile. “Well Shima, I know you said you wouldn’t play while you’re getting a bite of food-- but it seems it might take a while,” then added as he had his deck out in his other hand. “Why not a quick game? At least until your food arrives?”

Shima seemed to think it over for a moment, but eventually asked, “What kind of game?”

“Well, how about something that’s basic and easy for us to play for a short bit?” shuffling the cards as he suggested. “Go Fish, it's a basic sort of game really.” and granted while he wanted to play poker-- he was technically on a time limit. As he finished shuffling as he gave five cards to her and five to him, as he looks over the familiar set of cards from his home, which was the only thing he had on him from Earth.

Picking up her own set, a slight frown shown on the mare’s face as she said, “These….” Seeming to take a moment to think, “Looks… different?” Mostly noting the lone jack in her ‘hand’. It was not pony, or minotaur, or griffon, horse or really anything of this land.

Focusing at her, noting the tone, the bits of expression he could get, Dejen simply held a smile as inwardly he was using everything he learn of poker to read his opponent. “Exotic really, they were given to me by my grandfather a long time ago.” deciding to give half-truths, telling bits of it, but not revealing everything as to not arouse suspicion. “Now why don’t you start first? Give you a chance to see what I may have?” looking over his own set of 2, Ace, a 3 of hearts and spades of four, and a King of Clubs.

“Got any jacks?” Was the first thing she spoke, “But really? You’re grandfather?” Pausing before looking down and saying, “Because the jack is… well, nothing like anything around here. What is it?”

“Something he got from a war, said he found this deck by chance.” which was again, half-truth as he added. “Go fish.” as he asked. “Got any 3’s?” as he further sprinkle some ‘history’ he know of the Striped. “Really, it is what we Striped do, search for things no one would want, and try to make something out of it.”

With a thoughtful look, she said, “Weird thing to find.” then scanned through her cards, telling, “go fish.” Listening to him get a card while she told, “Striped… so, is that what you are?” Looking up and telling, “At first I thought you were some hunched over diamond dog or… something like it?” Not seeming all that sure how to define him.

Chuckling, he said while looking at the new 5 of spades. “I get that a lot actually, but yes, I’m a Striped. One would think that I shouldn’t be here, and be on the Isles where most of the rest of us lot are at. Considering the Isles is our homeland and all that.”

“Huh.” Gave out Shima, “Would have never guessed.” Seeming a bit bemused, but left it at that. She frowned and glanced up to say, “I don’t mind the game, but why did you ask for a game with me?” Curiosity brimming from her. “I mean, not that I mind really, but I thought you’d do this with a friend or… something, I don’t know.” Giving a slight shrug before reaching to take a sip of water again.

“To be honest?” looking around as there was a lack of sober horses as he went on. “Originally I was supposed to meet a pal-- but they seem to be running late,” which was another half-truth, as he was supposed to meet Herbal here, but the thestral apparently didn’t show just yet. He look back as he got a card from her to place down some 4’s.

“And I was starting to get bored with playing against myself with a card game, really knocks the fun when no one else is playing,” then added with a shrug. “Side, not everyday I meet a pony who got some good taste in fashion.”

This time, Shima gave him a strange look. If it were not for the glasses and headpiece, Dej was sure he would have seen a ‘you’re kidding’ sort of look on her. “Good taste in fashion?” She asked almost slowly, “Well, I guess it’s fashionable here…” Though it still showed she found his idea of ‘fashionable’ as odd.

Laughing some he said. “Apologies, but most Arabian vendors don’t have sunglasses, or even have silk clothing. Silk is sort of a rare thing now and then.” already noticing that despite the way the dress and cloth around her head looked, they were made out of silk, which was indeed, hard to get around here.

This time Shima told, “Well there’s a difference between fashionable, and quality.” Then patted herself, “I just got these from family. Homemade, nothing as fancy as you might think.”

Family huh? Either her Hive got some good weavers, or have alias that are rich. thought the Striped as he gave a card as she asked for a number, whistling some. “Must be great to have silk clothing, most would see silk like that in vendors with high prices-- or on them nobility folk.” asking for a card as she shook her head, resulting him gaining another card as he asked in curiosity. “So what brings you to Arabia? Decided to travel around and see the sights before heading back to Equestria?”

“Why does everyone just assume I’m visiting?” Shira seemed to grouse to herself, placing down a set she gained. “I know I’m a bit odd, but really? It is so weird that I’m a pony that happens to be in a place where plenty of other ponies and horses happen to be?”

Chuckling some, Dejen explained a bit. “You got that ‘I’m not from around Arabia’ air, most natives here can notice someone that is either a tourist from another country, someone from another city-- or you having sunglasses which most ponies around here don’t usually have.”

With a huff, Shima said, “You too? What is it with everyone going over my shades. Is it really that big of a deal? It’s bright all the time outside!” As if to make a point, “Why else do you think I wear them so much?”

Shrugging he said. “Hey, just saying it as it is,” then told as he took a card from her after gaining a card he needed to put in a pair on the table. “But most ponies or horses learn how to adapt to the brightness, but maybe another thing why it's a ‘big deal’? Is because some might wonder why you need them, sure you say it’s bright all the time, but most folk can handle the brightness with ease. It's merely a curiosity than anything to be honest.”

For a moment it looked like the mare was rolling her eyes, though it was hard to tell with her shades. But the subtle head motion was there to imply it. She paused in her focus on the game, giving another glance and, still, her food was not ready. She screwed up her face, but said nothing and refocused on the game for now, taking another sip of her water while she was at it.

“I didn’t think a small tomato salad would take so long to make.” She said in a low tone, “I don’t see anyone else getting served, what’s with that?”

He raised his brow as he had a ‘really?’ face, then ‘recalled’ as he shook his head as he gave a whisper tone. “I forgot, you aren’t from around here. Some stores need to acquire fresh fruits and vegetables, and this place is a hotspot for most who eat vegetables, that this store has to get runners to grab more food just to fill out their quota.” shrugging some as he added. “Part of the price for making good food really, customers can’t get enough of food.”

“I still find it weird they don’t tell you there's going to be a delay or something.” Told Shima rather simply, “I mean, if that happened? Wouldn't they have to at least tell them it might be a while longer?” Finding it rather odd in her mind. She glanced down and screwed up her face adding, “I can’t stay for lunch too long, I was trying to bring my food home without it spoiling too much.”

“You could simply do it the old fashion way,” joked Dejen as he motioned a hand to where the cooks were at in the kitchen. “Simply shout over to the kitchen, tell them you weren’t satisfied, and walk out and get food on the go. Sure it's not a salad-- but it’ll at least fill your stomach for the ride, right?”

“I’m tempted to pay for the water and just leave.” Shima told flatly, though she played with the idea of getting food someplace else… though glanced outside for a moment to think. She gave a grunt and placed down the cards and said in annoyance, “I really don’t have time to wait around.” Reaching a hoof down to scrounge around for the needed shekels to pay for at least the drink.

He shakes his head, but took his cards as he said. “A shame we couldn’t finished. But hey, maybe next time if you’re not busy, we can take a longer card game? Maybe see each other while in the city?” shuffling his deck once he had all the cards as he added with a smile. “It was nice meeting you Shima, hope you’ll have safe travel with unspoiled food.”

Giving a small smile, she told while lifting the coins and telling, “It was nice meeting you too.” Then frowned in annoyance as she counted out her coin, separating it out before placing it on the table and rather quickly getting those two baskets on her back before heading out without so much of a second glance.

After a minute or two, the salad finally came as the waiter was about to apologize-- but saw the mare was gone, as Dejen glance to the horse as he grins and told. “She left and pay for the water-- that means the food is free.” the horse sighed, but nodded as he handed the plate to Dejen, who in turn waited until the horse was gone...and soon Windy trotted by his side as he smiled to her and said.

“Good girl on distracting the kitchen staff.” her tail wag as she smile, she was glad that she did good for him, as he motioned her salad as she said in happiness.

“Thank you Master.” moving to eat the salad, as she didn’t use silverware, but let her mouth munch in while feeling his hands scratching her head some. Dejen thought on what he learned, as while the quote on quote, ‘mare’ was odd looking? There was something he managed to learn, for one she was smarter than he thought, as she deflect a few questions here and there, keeping her emotions steady, and able to watch what she said.

Another thing was that she probably was doing her best to use her emotion sensors to get something out of him, and try to figure out about him as much as he could on her. He also noted she never really mention if she was visiting or not, or even where she came, granted he probably should've asked that, but had to make it natural in terms of conversation. Would of been left field if he asked personal questions like that.

Windy raise her head up as she licked her lips, looking up at him as she spoke in confusion. “Master? This salad is full of sweetness.” He frown some, as he motioned her to keep talking as she rolled her tongue around to clean in her mouth as she added. “There were honey in it, bits of sauces with sweetness in them and a few dried out fruit or berries to keep it sweet.”

Would explain why it took longer without my pet distracting. Sweet stuff like that isn’t usually in salads, so they probably had to get runners to get the ingredients to get something like the honey, sauces, and the dried fruits and berries. although as he thought as he patted her head to let her finish eating up the salad, one of the other customers gave an annoyed look and berated Dejen.

“Haven’t you learn to keep your property out of establishments like this?” Dejen give a glance and asked with a raised brow.

“Did you see any signs that said no slaves allowed?”

All that was given in turn was a gruff of annoyance and an upturned nose, apparently the stallion choosing to ignore them when obviously trying to press further would only cause trouble. It made Dejen smirk some, though something pricked at his mind some. Why such an overly sweet salad? As it was, changelings didn’t need food often, if not at all… but now that he thought about it, that wasn’t the only sweet thing the mare had.

She had, from reports, sweet honey, sugar, fruits and berries in her bags...Why sweet things to begin with? it made him contemplate a bit, as he scratches the mare head some, hearing her hum in content as he thought over it. Mercy told me once that changelings didn’t need food, but could eat it to help give added nutrients-- or to digest when in a disguise. But nothing about sweetness…

Could it be part of this ‘weird changeling’ thing? It’s possible, even more that maybe this Hive Shima’s is in, might need sweet things to survive...but why? it provided him with some answers, but at the same time 3 more questions pop up. Questions of which, he didn’t know how to answer yet. Another thing that made him question...what did she use to pay for this in the first place?

Granted she had shekels...but had a feeling she had to use Equestrian money to make a transfer from bits to shekels. Problem was? Where? He frowned as he thought. Only one place to look at. grumbling some as he patted Windy head, letting her move away for him to set the plate aside as he told. “Come on Windy, we’re going to the market.” a wide smile on her face, as she asked.

“Master, are we going to go shopping?” He merely rub her head some with affection as he said simply.

“A bit, as well ask around.” having a neutral expression as he walked, the pegasus merely followed with as once they were out of the store, he took the lead to the market place to find out where Shima got the shekels. And he knew where to look. After all, he did have a few changelings working for him work in the marketplace as to gain extra info.

Going into the district only brought one thing to mind, controls chaos. The hustle and bustle of so many was hard to keep pace with, and with the constant shoutings of shop owners looking for customers, it might as well have been some weird and blasphemous combination of Discord and Celestia working paw-and-hoof.

Ridiculous notions aside, the trip proved to be much more useful than he anticipated. The first few shops he checked up on held little news, though the fifth brought up something interesting, very interesting. “She came by this morning.” the stallion, in fact changeling, told from behind his stand.

Using his hooves, he brought up a roll of white silk, not too different from the material that Dejen himself seen on the mare, Shima. “She sought to sell me a few roles of these, and it was hard to not buy them. I was able to get a decent price for her on them. These may help boost our funding greatly later. Though, I don’t know where she got them.” Then spoke on a bit more lowly, almost drowned out by the voices of many others. “She also didn’t seem… aware of what I was, not from what I could tell.”

He refuses to scrunch his face up in confusion, as he leaned close to the stallion, his other hand holding Windy close as she sat on her haunches, keeping a good lookout as Dejen asked. “You sure? I thought most changelings could easily sense each other, it’s one of the few ways to separate disguised changeling from food.”

Shaking his head, the owner said, “I don’t know how to explain it. When she was close enough, I tried to feel her out, but…” Pausing in thought before telling, “It was like she was… half not there. But what emotion I could feel was… oblivious. She didn’t realize I was a changeling, or Algin at her stand across from me-- and the mare bought honey from her not a moment later, not a single fault of realization or sudden alertness. I don’t think she knows.”

Thinking some, Dejen ponder over that, as he spoke lowly. “And yet, as far as we can tell, she’s a changeling. So perhaps, for some odd reason, while she can’t sense you...she can at least sense emotions…” he then asked. “What did she seem to get in the market? What did she usually sell off to gain further funding?”

Thinking about that, the stallion told, “Just the silk for shekels. She was able to sell enough that she could buy sugars, fruits, berries, honey, most anything sweet or nectory.” Then scratched his chin and told, “Also bought a good amount of seeds for similar fruits and berries I think. Plenty of melon seeds though.”

Melon seeds? thought over Dejen, making him think over as once again he was having far more questions than answers. while the fruits and sugary stuff I can slightly understand why seeds? Is she hoping to plant and grow. Why? thinking over it some, he gave a low sound of annoyance, having little information of her buying seeds, but soon asked. “Does she buy anything else beside sweets and seeds?”

There was a simple shake of the stallion's head, showing that no, she didn’t seem to purchase anything else. “The only thing I can think of are the baskets. I recall one of the owners mentioning her buying the pair of baskets yesterday to get similar things as mentioned before leaving.”

Like the same bunch of baskets I saw with her… thought Dejen, feeling rather annoyed that so far, despite having some answers, he still lack the vital information. Mostly about her, why she didn’t act like...a changeling. He paused, thinking that perhaps...perhaps she wasn’t acting like a changeling...was because she wasn’t fully changeling? That is utterly insane...but...at the same time, with the evidence we had about her and this hive...it’s possible. But if she isn’t fully changeling...then what is she?

That was probably the one million shekel question. What was she? It was something he couldn’t answer, as he felt Windy poking his arm with her hoof. Glancing to her, she gave a cute pout as she asked. “Master, can we go shopping now?” having a begging like expression. “It’s been awhile since we last shop together and maybe this time you can find something pretty for me to wear for you?” It also didn’t help that Algin, from across the stand tease.

“Come on and show that mare of yours a good time with shopping!” Dejen having to keep his annoyance hidden as to show that neutral expression as while he did say they were going to look around a bit-- he still wanted to find out more. Problem was? He didn’t know where to start. As such he let out a low breath, as he lowly asked to the stallion. “Any good sales going on that would suit a mare?”

He gave a chuckle to that and told, “Here, feel the fabric.” Motioning to the recently gained silk from the unknown mare. “I’m unsure how it’s made, but it’s fairly soft, very smooth-- and most of all, much sturdier than most silk I have handled in my experience.”

As Dejen felt it, he frown some, already noting a few differences between this and the silk they usually get. As he felt the slight elastic likeness, moving his hands to hold onto it as he stretched it out some, both Windy, and the stallion look surprise as the Striped was slightly pulling. While it wasn’t like normal elasticity-- it was more than normal silk was given. He ended his pulling as he told to the stallion.

“Try to sell this to the highest bidder, save some for us to use as ‘exotic’ merchandise. This stuff can be worth a fortune with it’s bits of elastic…” then added lowly as he passes the silk back. “And get the seamstress to make a set for Windy to make as rope-- we can make a killing with certain groups for this stuff as bondage gear.”

Giving a firm nod, the disguised changeling said, “I’ll be sure to do that.” Though admitted, “Maybe we should have some saved for our local Gem to look over? See what fabric is made of, yes?”

As much as he didn’t want to, he had to admit, the diamond dog was the best known person who knows every element in the periodic table. He gave a low sound as he told. “Alright, save some for Gem to look at.” then added. “See if any silk she sold to our other vendors can be acquired, because if we play our cards right?” grinning some. “We’ll be able to gain a lot of shekels for future endeavors.” then pull back as he patted Windy head as he told.

“Come on Windy, lets see the sights.” while the pegasus mare held a beaming smile, come close to nuzzle him as the two walked off, the mare across the faux stallion teased a bit with a wink.

“Those two almost seem like a weird lovey dovey couple if it wasn’t for that pegasus wearing a collar.”

Rolling his eyes to that, the stallion said, “Not my place to say. I’m more busy trying to keep the shekels rolling in.” Though it was rather cute, not that he would admit it aloud. Still, part of him hoped the mare came back. The silk was rather impressive, and it made him wonder if it could be recreated?

Since the day ended and the sun had set down into the horizon, Shima had once more vanished after leaving the gates. That was not to say, she was followed by a single scout that kept low and followed as closely as they dared. It was hours after the mare and scout left, and when night came, did the scout finally make it back home.

They had rushed their way to one of the many short-cut tunnels that was part of the city, navigating their way straight to the safety of their headquarters. At the time, some of the higher up’s were holding another meeting, though this one was far from serious and they were mostly comparing notes of what had gone on through the day.

Her Queen was the first to notice her entrance, and the Scout was fast to give a bow, but also tell, “I bring news of the stranger you asked me to track.”

They all focus on the scout, as Gem was looking up from the silk she was given, as she held a frustrated expression. As what she managed to find was it was more organic than processed-- and it bothered her that she didn’t knew what it was made out of yet.

Debt stood simply, as both he and Herbal were there mostly to talk, as Dejen was in his usual spot, although this time with Windy serving some tea, as her emotions provided the scout with plenty of admiration and love to the male. Yet the Queen spoke with a glow of her horn and a smile to the scout. “Speak my child, what have you found?”

Smiling some at the approval, the scout soon re-schooled her features and said, “I think I found their hive.” It was a bold statement, but she went on, “Nearly seven hours away from here on hoof, three by wing. It was inside a sandstone cavern peeking out from the sands.” Pointing at the general direction. “South-East from here. She went inside and descended down. I didn’t dare get too close, I didn’t feel like testing my luck. She also showed no hint of noticing me during the whole trip, and not once left disguises. But after being far enough from the city, she did feel like a changeling…. Sort of.” Hesitating at the last bit.

Raising a brow at this, Dejen spoke as he took his cup of tea. “Elaborate.” short and crisp in his tone.

Trying to think of the right words, she said, “I couldn't taste emotions from her as easily, just like any normal changeling.” Then paused to soon tell, “But… all the same, she was… half there.” Not sure how to explain. “We changelings feel emotions, and sometimes magic. I could barely taste the emotion, and the magic… it… it was like it wasn’t really there, but… also hidden and...” Twisting her face a bit to soon add, “And… odd. Like… like how a Earth pony and a crystal pony are the same, but… different..”

Mercy gave a nod as she helped her scout explain further. “What my child is trying to say, is that there is always a way for us to know emotions and magic, like how a unicorn uses a trick of ambient or passive magical sense to sense other magical creatures. We all have our own ‘feeling’ of magic in our own ways, and for us changelings, we are able to ‘feel’ the magic changelings can only have.”

“As well as others are able to find changeling with magical items tailor to them.” added Herbal in a thoughtful tone, thinking some as he added. “And like the scout said, it’s like how earth and crystal ponies are like ‘cousins’ with their magic and body shapes.” then held a confused expression as the thestral place a hoof under his chin. “But we don’t have any records of this ‘changeling’....”

Mercy herself scrunch her face up, as she admitted. “Even I don’t know of this ‘oddity’, and that’s saying something considering I have much knowledge of our kind…” Mercy then asked to the scout. “Were you able to find anything else, my child?”

Thinking, the changeling soon gave a nod, “an Oasis.” Gaining particular attention from the others. Oasis’s being not all to common in their part of Arabia, which had more desert sand than actual greenery in other areas. “The hive, which I think is under the ground, is also by a fairly large Oasis. Even the cavern seemed to have water inside, from my viewpoint. I could even see a few areas of new plants growing near the waters. Not native.”

“So that’s why she was getting seeds.” muttered Dejen, as he looks to the other's to explain. “One of the vendor changelings mention that Shima was getting plenty of seeds, mostly fruits that were sweet. Meaning she and her hive are growing the seeds to provide sweet fruits for them to eat.”

“But why do they need sweets to begin with? What could make them get it so much?” mused Gem, as Herbal thought to that, then clop on the ground as he told.

“Biology, it may be that whatever she is, whatever they are-- need a substance of sweetness from fruits, sugar and nectar to sustain themselves. It's possible that even if they are able to feel emotions and possibly disguise themselves-- they need more than emotions, they need food.” As Windy came back to Dejen side, as the Striped thought over that, the head honcho asked.

“But that bring us to square one. Simply put, why? Why didn’t she use her transformation? Why does she require so much sugar and sweetness? Why provide sweetness in the first place to her Hive?” getting the info broker to tap his head, thinking the best he could with what he got...until Windy tilt her head and asked.

“Maybe she’s something beside changeling?” getting a few glances as the pegasus shift, but continue. “Maybe, there could be something that's, well like cousins to changelings? I mean...there tend to be a cousin of something, like with earth ponies and crystal, pegasus and thestrals-- even gnolls and...well Hyenas.”

It was an interesting thought, but one the changelings almost felt like doubting. Considering they themselves had more knowledge of something like this and even had been in places that only a changeling would be. But there was an admittance this new changeling hive was odd, and off.

Thinking a bit, something came to mind and the scout soon spoke up. “There… was something odd I recall.” Attention back to her. “I didn’t think much of it at the time.. But her clothes aren't part of her transformation. She had moved off the wrappings around her head once, even fixed the black dress a few times…” Then paused to go on, “Changelings can completely gain cloths with a transformation so… why does she have clothes in the first place?”

There were a few thoughts put into this, as Dejen rubbed his chin some, taking a sip of his tea...as a crazy thought came to him, as he put the cup down....and said simply. “She can’t transform.” making them just look at him, for a brief moment, that what he said was probably the most crazy and stupidest thing they ever heard, he kept going on. “Mercy, you know that changelings who can’t transform-- have to live within the Hive, for their safety than anything. You mention it was rare genetic defect-- well maybe this Hive is unable to transform, hence Shima needing those clothing's to be on her at all times?

“To hide whatever she is, so that she can pass off as an earth mare, I wouldn’t be surprised if her horn wasn’t there and was replaced with something else!”

“Like what?” asked Gem with a raised brow, to which Dejen shrug.

“Don’t know, but it would slightly explained why she got clothes on her at all times and why she eats so much sweet stuff. Maybe whatever she is, is that while she lacks the use of transformation, and has to eat-- she gains some other benefits to survive as whatever she is?”

While there were doubts, they also couldn't’ fault the idea. Maybe it was simply some offshoot hive of changelings with a weird genetic defect. It would explain the odd behavior at least, though how they survived this long was also brought into question. Though one thing was for certain, they could only speculate right now. The only ways to really gain answers was form Shima somehow, or going to where her hive was-- and the last one was possibly more dangerous than the first option.

While they were quiet with their thoughts, with Dejen taking a sip of his tea, Mercy motioned the scout to leave as she spoke. “Go and rest, you did your job well.” Looking back to Dejen as she asked. You seem rather calm, what are you planning?” Noting how Dejen was keeping himself calm and steady, not showing any visual or giving off anything to set him off, as the Striped let his tea settle as he said.

“Really Mercy, the only thing I can plan is probably stupid at this time. I see three options. One, me talking to her and confronting about what she is-- that is not only stupid, but could easily backfire. Option two, we gear up, go to her Hive and talk from there-- not only is that stupid, but we also have no way of survival or escaping with our lives if things go south.”

“Thank Luna you are considering this,” muttered Herbal as the thestral asked. “Whats option three?”

“We wait.” gaining looks as the info broker told. “Right now? While we managed to find some information-- we also know that trying to push for info is going to make things fall apart. Right now, we know where they lived, right now? Things are going steady. No need to unsettle everything, so we’re going to wait, going to prod-- and when the time is right, we try to talk. As far as we can tell, they have no interest in being in the city, which is good for us. Now we just need to figure out what they’ll do.”

“And if they attack wildlife and damage flora?” asked Herbal as Dejen stretch his arm around and told.

“We’re surrounded by sand Herbal, not much live around here beside desert creatures.” Gem also added in with a bit of a smirk in her tone.

“You also want to try to gain more of her silk, eh?” to which Dejen shrug.

“Hey, it might pay off with the right play and highest bidders, we could make a few fortunes with that stuff.” there was a sigh, as Mercy shake her head-- but soon nod with Dejen.

“If we are to wait. We shall wait. For now I am simply glad we know where they are...even if they are somewhat close to the city. Let us hope that they are content with staying in the desert.” Although she asked to Dejen. “Will you tell Harsho about their location?”

Now that was a difficult question. While he could...he still needs to prod more, he thought over it and said. “I might-- but I’ll caution him to take it slow, we don’t know what might happen if we act soon.” he motioned them to head out, as while Gem, Herbal, and Debt walk out, Mercy gave a look to Dejen, and soon tease with a flirtatious wink.

“When the new ropes come-- mind if I decide to join in? I’ve been extremely good at waiting to jump at your bones~.” there was a flush on Dejen face as he facepalm, as Windy giggle in delight and amusement, Mercy just grin wide as she gain extra food-- and get to see the male reaction as she had a bit of a bounce in her steps as she was getting closer to his heart. She could feel it. Literally.