Bug on the Breeze

There was a flash of light at the border of the changeling hive and two beings popped into existence.

Zephyr Breeze shuddered and swept his hoof over his fur. “Thanks for the teleport Starlight, really, I appreciate it. I can’t even imagine hoofing it allll the way out here. I just hate what the magic does to my mane.”

Starlight started walking towards the hive, an uninterested ‘uh huh’ her only response. She didn’t believe it was possible to find anyone more self-absorbed than Trixie, but Fluttershy’s brother was a close contender. She quickly learned that any attempt at actual conversation was pretty pointless, so resorted to the occasional nod and one or two word responses.

Zephyr looked around, amazed at the sights around him. There was a lot of greenery, nice soft grass and beautiful flowers and even some trees. “Wow, this place is popping! Though, you’d really think they’d start building a train station or cloud port or something, how else is anypony supposed to know about and appreciate this!”

He looked forward again and galloped to catch up to Starlight. “You have a direct link to the princesses, why don’t you ask them about it? Ooh, maybe you can make an official department of expanding transportation or something. Department of Tourism Interests? OH how about -”

“OH WOULD YOU LOOK AT THAT IT’S PHARYNX, HI PHARYNX.”

The changeling raised an eyebrow at Starlight’s volume. “Hello again Starlight.” He looked at the pegasus. “You must be Zephyr Breeze.”

Zephyr grinned and struck a pose. “Oh ho, I see my reputation precedes me! Well, Ferris-”

“Pharynx.”

“Pharynx, that’s what I said isn’t it? Anyways, It honors me that you would come to personally welcome me to your home, er, hive. You know, it was really only a matter of time before you bugs were blessed by the breeze. So tell me, what kind of artiste are you?”

There was an odd, grinding grumble from Pharynx, his eyes narrowing briefly as he looked back to Starlight, who shrugged apologetically. “He doesn’t know when to shut up.”

Starlight sighed and shook her head. “Unfortunately not.”

Zephyr blew a raspberry. “Oh come now, that almost sounded hostile. Heh, but obviously that can’t be the case cause, well, look at me! Who could be mad at this face?”

Pharynx grunted. “You better hope we don’t come to regret this, Starlight. Come along you two, we shouldn’t stay out here too long.”

Starlight tilted her head. “Is everything okay? There’s not another dangerous animal threatening the hive is there?”

Pharynx shrugged as he looked around, eyes scanning carefully and ears on a swivel. “Not sure yet, better to not take chances.” His eyes flicked back down to Starlight as he added with a smirk. “Just don’t go changing any vegetation trails this time around.”

Starlight sputtered, “Wha- but, but that was only the one time! And it ended up being a good thing!”

Pharynx snickered and jerked his head towards the hive. “We’ll see if history repeats itself.”

Starlight started on the trail with an indignant huff, a slightly confused Zephyr following. The rest of the walk was quick and, thankfully for Starlight and Pharynx, quiet.

It was only as they approached the mouth of the main entrance that the pegasus spoke up again. “You know, you never did answer my question. What are you, a sculptor? You look like you have the muscles for it. Or maybe you’re a model? Ooh, if you ever model ponies, or any creature with a mane, let me know and I can style.you.up. Not to brag or anything, but I am a certified Mane Therapist.”

Starlight rubbed her temple with a hoof, muttering under her breath for a minute before loudly declaring. “OH WOW I TOTALLY FORGOT!” She coughed to regain control of her voice. “Sorry, I just uh, I have very, um, very important things to get back to at…at the school! Yeah! Sooo I’m just going to leave Zephyr here in your capable hooves, Pharynx. Tell Thorax he can send me a letter if he needs anything, okay bye!”

Zephyr and Pharynx watched her quickly walk away, Zephyr humming. “If I didn’t know any better I’d say she was running away from something.”

“I can’t imagine what.”

“Oh well, she always struck me as more of a science mare than anything, she probably isn’t emotionally prepared to handle the harsh journey that is exploring our souls through - art.”

Pharynx stared at Zephyr intently. “Do you even hear yourself?”

“All the time! I’ve been told I have a very soothing voice. Ponies tend to go quiet whenever I’m around, I guess because I have so much wisdom to share.”

Pharynx opened and shut his mouth a couple times, for the first time in his life at a complete loss for words. Zephyr chuckled and pointed at him. “See! Exactly like that! Oh I tell you, sometimes it’s a curse being this charming. Well don’t you worry about saying anything else, I can handle talking for the both of us, just put your energy into showing me around.”

Still unable to come up with anything to say in response, Pharynx nodded and walked into the hive.

~~

“And here is where we prepare meals.”

“Oh wow! You know, I’ve heard baking is the real art of the soul, so it makes sense you’d have artisans dedicated to the craft. There really is something for everybody here!”

Pharynx moved on without another word, silently cursing Starlight for being a coward and leaving him with this…well, idiot didn’t begin to cover it. The pegasus reminded him of Trixie, but was somehow even worse. At least the unicorn didn’t pretend to be humble. He found some comfort that the tour was almost over and all that was left was the throne room. Then, he could toss the burden of their ‘guest’ onto his brother.

“-am loving the vibes and energy of this place. I swear I can already feel myself healing, my mind and body preparing itself so I can finally realize my destiny! You know, you could make a lot of money charging ponies for a spiritual retreat. Of course, since I’m the first one, I should get it for free because I can help work out the kinks and design the program for maximum healing.”

Pharynx paused, his wings thumping against his side in irritation. “You realize this is our home, right? It’s not meant to be a vacation spot or ‘spiritual retreat’ or whatever for ponies. You are only here because Fluttershy asked Thorax if he minded hosting you for a little bit.”

“Ahh, now I see what’s going on here.”

Pharynx looked over his shoulder with a bewildered look. Could it be? Had he finally broken through the pegasus’s thick skull? “You…do?”

“Sure do! Thorax was so moved by my sister’s plea for help he made a special exception for me to come and stay at the hive.”

Pharynx blinked, genuinely surprised. “Uh, yeah actually, that’s pretty much it.”

Zephyr continued on as if he didn’t hear Pharynx. “The filly bug that goes to the school, Oculus or something, said that Thorax calls the shots now and was really helping lead the changelings into a brighter future. He must be a true master artisan, not only taking the mantle of leadership but also willing to take a pony like me as an apprentice. I can’t wait to meet him and really get started on finding my purpose.”

Pharynx’s eye twitched and he forced himself to inhale deeply, almost to his breaking point. The only thing that kept him from completely snapping was that, pretty soon, he would be Thorax’s problem. Slowly, he released his breath, already too tired to keep trying to correct whatever delusion Zephyr was living under. “Yeah, sure, whatever. We are almost done with the tour, let me take you to meet him.”

“Sounds good to me! Lead on, I think I’m gonna spend some time quietly introspecting to prepare myself, wanna make a good impression with the big bug.”

“Uh huh.”

Surprisingly, Zephyr was mostly good to his word, the walk to the throne room passing quietly but for the occasional mumble from the pegasus. Finally, they walked through a doorway, flowering vines hanging from the top to create a curtain. The throne room was large and circular, tree’s sprouting around the edges and rising above, their leafy boughs meshing together to create a ‘roof’ while still allowing a bit of sun and fresh air through.

Thorax was laying on his ‘throne’, a large, organic made chair with moss and vines creating a cushion in the middle and flowing over the sides. He was busy looking through a large book, a quill and paper held in his magic as he jotted down some notes. “Just a moment.”

Thorax finished the note and set the paper in the book as a bookmark before addressing the pair. “Oh hey Pharynx, and you must be Zephyr Breeze. I heard a lot about you from Fluttershy.”

Zephyr grinned and struck a pose like when he first met Pharynx. “All good things I’m sure. I must say it is a real honor to be here, your artfulness. I look forward to being your student and finding my real purpose once and for all.”

Thorax looked curiously at Pharynx, who shrugged in response. “Well, my job here is done. With your leave, brother.”

Thorax nodded and levitated the book he was reading. “Take this, I’ve highlighted a few sections I think will help you. Be safe.”

“I will.”

Zephyr waved after Pharynx. “See you around the hive!”

Pharynx snorted, muttering. “Not if I see you first.”

Thorax flew off his throne and landed by Zephyr. “So, Pharynx showed you all around the hive?”

Zephyr nodded. “He was an excellent tour guide. I love what you’ve done with the place, all natural and green and stuff, it really puts a pony at ease. It also speaks to me just how many different kinds of art you’ve got going on. Where were you thinking of starting first? Painting? Sculpting? Pottery? I am yours to mold.”

Thorax chuckled and held up a hoof. “Hang on, there’s no need to rush. Actually, I was thinking of showing you the room we had made up. I’m sure today has been a lot so far, it might be good to take some time and soak it all in.”

Zephyr rubbed his chin. “You know what, you are so right. I was just thinking it’s about time for a nice afternoon siesta. Can’t get those creative art juices flowing unless I’m fully rested.”

“Exactly. Here, follow me.”

Thorax led Zephyr down the hallway, stopping a few doorways down from the throne room. “The hive can still be a bit confusing to newcomers, so I wanted to make sure you were close to a central point. Go ahead and take a nap, freshen up, whatever you want to do. I’ll come grab you when it’s dinner time.”

Thorax reached towards a handle on the solid piece of rock and slid it to the side, the door smoothly gliding into the wall. Inside was a decent sized room, a hole in the back wall acting as a window and lighting the space. A comfortable moss rug covered the floor and a large hammock in the left corner seemed to be the bed. A dresser set under the window had an unlit lantern and a box of matches next to it. To the right, there was an archway that led to a bathroom, featuring a large tub carved out of natural rock.

Thorax pointed out the features as he explained them. “Just pull on the rope and natural spring water will fill the tub. The lantern is for when the sun goes down, just strike a match and it will last the whole night. The dresser has towels and an extra blanket if you need it. If you need anything else, I’ll be in the throne room.”

Zephyr slowly turned around the room, soaking in everything. “Wow, I, I don’t even know what to say. You made this all for me?”

Thorax nodded. “We have a few similar rooms set up down this hallway, for whenever we get non-changeling visitors. I hope you have a good siesta, I’ll see you later.”

Zephyr nodded as well. “Thank you, really, thank you.”

Thorax smiled and stepped out, sliding the door back into place.