Around the world through laziness and boredom

      Everything was so familiar, but at the same time so different! Architecture did indeed feel similar to the one big cities in Equestria had, as well as early drawings. However, unlike their predecessors, here everything was built using ideal cut sandstone, not wood.   The square also filled with bards and musicians, but they used completely different instruments: a lute, a violin and drums were heard very distinctly, changing their melody from one to another in a very smooth manner. So smooth, in fact, it seemed like someone tried to cut bread and butter with the music.   The company was surrounded by ponies, but they were also different - their muzzles longer, and sizes with heights far bigger, compared even to the biggest neighbours from a different realm. Little one indeed appeared very-very little, compared to those horses, and the risk of being lost in their legs only rose, further she went to the city centre.   However, the orange mare was also different because of one more thing - wings. Nobody else had any additional limbs - not a horn, not anything closer. Every deed they performed with their mouths and hooves, except some precise matters where they used those magnetic bracelets. After all, they saw the first light right here.         And because of this, an almost healthy horse flew upwards over the square, as soon as she stepped away from the caravan. Long-eared pony saw the whole city, and nothing interfered with her intentions - not any house, not a single creature. In fact, there were no creatures in the sky at all, not even one manta or a bird near the town walls. Quite lonely and empty, though liberating.   Eastern culture went almost through to the horizon - this place was that big. Here or there - still the same desert, with small differences. Despite having a big territory around, it certainly was not enough for all the citizens to have their own place. It is visible with a naked eye.   — Gamby, just look at this! - winged pony dwelt in awe - Everything is.. Not what it is!         Ah, if only he could answer to her in a state of his.. The bug had a lot of thoughts in his mind. For example, the language of those creatures was close to the equestrian one, though it was still not understandable. Or that the pony attracted attention of others - both grownups and kids. A flying horse with a bad leg was too unusual and captivating.   “Need to rest.” - thought Sunshine, changing her course to the nearest roof. Thankfully, every roof was flat and at almost the same level, so it did not matter where to land. And they all managed to heat up from the Sun, otherwise how could one explain such an unusual comfort?   Changeling wanted to look around and talk as well, but he could only do the second thing. Too dangerous for him or anyone alike to show their true nature there, where he could be killed for lack of fur and lots of noise. No matter if he wanted to make them or not.   — So we got here. What is next?   — U-um.. We have to meet someone, don’t we?   — In a city, where nobody speaks like us. After more than two weeks.   — What a big de-eal! We have a good excuse!   — Very good - got lost and almost died. Few times.   Little one only snorted, while looking for something beneath her, on the street. Truth be told, the task seemed almost impossible to grasp - not only the signs were written with confusing symbols, but the crowds, like fish during spawning, moved somewhere without stopping. Trying to distinguish a thing or two in this endless flow is impossible.   — It’s too crowded there.. That’s not comfortable at all!   — That is why they tried to build a second town. But something stopped them.   The shapeshifter had some thoughts about that too. After all, he saw more than the others. But now there were other problems that needed to be taken care of. Friends should look for the informer first, and leave all the thinking about everything else for later. Except, probably something no less important.   — For a start, we have to look for food. - hinted the changeling - What Fortune has left us is not enough.   — Right! ..But where?   — Look around. There must be some kind of signs.   — Why me? You’d do the job better!   — You, because I cannot stick out. I believe in you.   While the insect laid on a flat roof, Sunny moved her eyes from pony to pony. They all looked similar to each other - wore different coloured silk, decorated themselves and closed their bodies almost completely. Seems like they did not understand, that they cover their individuality that way.   — Nothing’s understandable out here! I can’t see! We have to walk around.   — But you can not.   — I can! You’ll see that I can!   — Alright. You can make a few steps by yourself. What if you need to suddenly turn? You will be run over, you will not walk away.   Winged mare whined, holding her head with her hooves. The way she wished for all the minor conveniences, all the small things that were provided by the merchant moments prior.. At minutes like these, home was imagined like heaven. Thoughts about going back did not disappear from both their heads:   — I still think we got somewhere wrong. - pushed Gambit.   — ..Now I think so too. Maybe we really should get back home.   — Finally, you think the same way. - changeling prepared to get the scroll.   — Let’s look around first! Didn’t we make all the way here for nothing? Ple-ease!   At moments like these, the bug understood that he could not influence the moody pony much, not to mention someone else in this evil country. In the end, she was the one to deal with all the strangers - he was simply there to protect her. Gambit quietly changed his appearance back to saddlebacks, mentally preparing for more adventures.         Maybe it would be better if the fanged creature morphed into some kind of cloak, so that Sunshine would not be so vibrant and high-profile around other clothed and big townsfolk. Solar pony barely took off from that small shelter of hers, and tens of eyes followed her again.   Thankfully, the lazy and untrained horse did not have to fly too far - quite a big part of the city was occupied by a corner, so different from the bland stone slabs: a whole square filled with tents and hundreds of fabric roofs. And also a caravan passing by, so familiar to the adventurers.   — How did I not think about this before? Could have asked him about everything!   ..Except, the flying pony could not land anywhere, because there were even more buyers on the bazaar than ponies walking in tight alleys. And so Sunshine, carefully calculating the trajectory, landed and sat on a silky canopy just before a friendly face.         However, the little horse forgot about one important thing - that roof was not designed for ponies to sit on, and it fell onto the ground with her shortly after. All the surrounding stands and shelves fell down under the soft-bodied one as well. When the pony finally raised her head up and the dust had settled, she met all the judging sights around. From a unicorn as well.   Whereas the merchant that was struck with such ill fate, expressed his complaints with voice. Under competitors’ laughs, the stallion in turban sweared towards the winged Sun. Which did not pay much attention to what had happened because of her.   — Hello! - she waved her hoof at an acquaintance of hers.   — ..It would be better if we don’t speak to each other at such a moment.   — Why?   Only then did the stallion point behind the bully’s back. The trader yelled and argued, but the capital's guest did not understand what exactly he was saying to her. Probably not great things, as he raised his voice even further and waved his hooves in such a way, as if he was going to be killed soon. Or he will kill someone himself.   — Maybe this’ll calm you down?   Little horse grabbed a few gems from her brown bag and gave it to the midillian. He silenced himself, but not for long - after just a few seconds, the stallion spoke in a completely different tone, even louder than before. Sunshine was left with no choice but to gift him with even more priceless stones.   — I hope you can forgive me! I have to go!   ..Whereas where to go she has, is to speak with Fortune about what bothered her so much - provision. Shameless horse did not even walk a few metres, as she sat on the pavement, right in front of the cart and a familiar sorcerer. This behaviour spiked the mood around even more, since everyone’s day was ruined by the orange creature.   — Hello-o! Where can I eat around here?   — That is a long explanation.   — But I don’t understand anything out here! Please, tell me!   The merchant really wanted to disappear, simply vanish somewhere or act like he does not understand anything this pony is saying. But he could not leave his goods, carts, nor new friends, even if they broke the public order and peace in such a shameful way.   — Correct. Everything here is different from ours. You can buy anything here.. - the magician subtly tilted his head towards the bazaar - ..And the rest is in the city. For instance, hostels.   — Where can I rest? I don’t know their language, can’t even ask anyone.   Every passing second around this silly pony resulted in nerve-wracking for everyone else. Every pony simply wanted to continue what they were doing, but nobody could do anything because of the road jamming. Financial genius showed his wits once again, by taking a piece of paper and a quill. The stallion wrote something in eastern language and gave the note to Sunshine.   — Here, just look for something similar. That means “rest house”. Now, please, go, don’t hold others any further.   Sunny was happy even with that, though the letters did feel like gibberish more than something senseful. Long-eared pony put the note into the same bag she grabbed the shiny stones from, and nodded to her saviour. Finally, this show of shame was ending!   — Thank you! I’ll, probably visit this place later..         The little one flew away, looking for that desired place. Bazaar life followed its course once again, not counting the stallion whose business literally fell onto his head. Winged guest brought even more attention to herself with her actions, which the changeling saw perfectly. But the pegasus did not fill her head with unnecessary stuff, keeping only what is important - words on the note.   Though, that pony did differ from her friend, especially with that attention to details of hers. She remembered the phrase differently as well. And the house she wandered a few minutes later, had another purpose. Checking the letter was not possible - presence of only hooves and wings did restrict the mare in her actions.   But she could show the paper to someone else without a problem. Sunshine entered the establishment, holding the paper key to the language barrier in her mouth. The host did notice that the little guest missed the place, and pointed his hoof aside, saying in his language the word she was looking for - a hostel - “dinleme’evi”.   Though, the winged horse did understand the gesture her own way. Following the guided place with her gaze, the pony stumbled upon a door in the same building, and she thought of opening it. A small parlour hid behind the sandy slab, as well as few inhabitants, surrounded by hookah pipes and smoke.   Aside from smoking, the visitors were enjoying a private dance of some other worker. Only then that the manager knew - he had to intervene. He led the silly guest out of the building and pointed where she wanted to actually end up, also noting that she was in “duman’evi” the entire time. “Different folk, but can compete in obscenity the same!” - thought the mare.   Stallion in front at a new place did not say much as well, and he led the little one to her room in exchange for the gem and that piece of paper. Although the payment method did confuse the host, Sunshine simply thought she was overspending. A few minutes later, the mare could finally relax, locking up in her room.   — What a relief.. - big-eared pony softened, pulling up her blanket.   — You need a bath. You smell like a nosy.   — Where’d you see a bath over here? As soon as it’s near - I’ll wash!   — Will remember.   True, this room only had an uncomfortable bed, few tables and a lone candle, as the sole source of light. Not counting a very high cut in the wall as a window replacement, that is. It did look more like a prison than a room in a hotel. But it would be strange to judge the potential.         As well as culture. Endless bargains and noises from the main square did reach resting friends as well. It did not distract them - aside from the fact that each partner kept quiet for so long. This, is what they really needed in the background - an illusion of busyness.   — I want to say thanks. - quietly said the horse - Can’t remember anything so fascinating in my whole life.. And now, thanks to you, I live to tell others about it, in all the details.   — What do you mean?   — Well, you saved me out there, back then in the desert.   Winged horse moved her head towards the changeling, who lay near her in his ordinary bug guise. He kept his silence, as he was interested in what his friend had in her head. He felt as if she was indeed happy, and her face portrayed the truth. Actual truth.   — I remember how you carried me. Remember badly, but still. Remember how you showed me those flying manta rays. I read about them, and always wanted to see them with my own eyes. Thank you.   Ah, all those delicious memories, this marvellous mood that appeared from nowhere.. Shapeshifter himself did not notice how he started to smile - all the horror, repeated by her friend’s voice, did feed the fanged creature, as they were no longer viewed as something horrible.   — I’m curious, why didn’t you leave everything back then? Why didn’t you return home?   — ..Do not know. - the changeling stumbled in his voice for the first time - Do not want to talk about it that much.   — Why? Come on, I will not be mad at you. - Sunshine got closer to the insect - Be honest with me. I want to hear you out.   At this moment, the bug suddenly wanted to stop talking, and his smile disappeared. It was a very strange and unpleasant topic, answers to which he could not get from his head. Or simply did not want to. The voice, talking pace, expression on his face - everything hinted at the bug’s uncertainty. At his fear of something, of someone.   — I am afraid.   — What are you afraid of?   — Everything. - his voice shook even more - I was afraid I would lose you. That I would lose home because of this. I wanted to help on my own. After that.. hard to explain. I am different.   — That is exactly why I am asking you to talk, I want to understand you. - little one giggled, pressing towards the cold chitin - Understand completely. You never did show emotions before, and now, well.. You even surprise me. Are you turning into a pony, like a butterfly?   Hugging did calm Gambit a little. This topic indeed appeared not as frightening as it was imagined at first by the bug’s head. However, should the changeling relax and lower his guard, he heard the question that he feared more than any other. The one that he suddenly predicted:   — What did you fear the most - losing me, or home? Be honest.   — You really will not be upset, if I say it?   — Not at all. Promise.   — I feared, that I would no longer sense your emotions.   The changeling heavily exhaled. After all, this answer could change a lot. However, surprisingly enough, Sunshine did not show a glimpse of negativity towards the insect. She did thoroughly think about her friend’s words, and he felt that perfectly. Honesty kept the comfort shining through uneasiness.   — I don’t want to be like this. This is not.. right, in some way.   — Why?   — Because of instincts. They contradict my wishes. I am sort of sentient, but at moments like these - not so much.   — What do you want, then?   — Be, like you. Like others. - shapeshifter stopped for a moment - I feel like something was taken away from me. Everything started to feel different, special, after that weird tree in the desert. Something I lack now, something new I got now.   How hard it is to explain what you want, when you do not know the language well.. Winged pony did not even answer! She simply closed her eyes, continuing to smile and hug the bug. For the whiskered one, that was enough to continue expressing his thoughts; he did not hear a refusal:   — Think, I want love. Real love, emotions. Without lying to myself. What we talked about in the jungle, but equal. For real. I feel like it gets real, from me, but.. It is hard to explain.   — Don’t rush, we’ve got heaps of time.   — ..Heaps?   — That means “a lot”. We have a lot of time.   This exact presence of time caused the disturbance. The shapeshifter felt once again, how it feels when every second seems like a year or two. And no matter how affectionate and friendly the orange pony was, this kindness and smile did not save from the thoughts and pressure.   — We lie all our lives, because we want different emotions, feelings-   — I know. What is important, is what actually caused those emotions. You wanted to save me, not your food, in the first place?   — I.. I do not know..         No matter how silly this solar pony seems to be, she understood everything. Understood even more than the shapeshifter himself. She felt the difference in species and other things more than him. All the new and unknown, unusual for the bug himself, only brought Sunshine closer to the insect.   That is what distinguished the little pony from the rest. Their first meeting is worth mentioning alone - not a gram of fear or disgust, with immediate hugs. But the changeling could not say for sure what he wanted, as he was the one to feel the fear, not his closest friend. “More yes, than no.” - passed in his head the most.   — Listen to yourself, it’ll help. I’m not a changeling, but I feel something, too. Not like you, but still! Figuratively, with actions..         Insectoid lost the plot completely. All of this was too hard for him, he was too young and without experience at all. Not only did he not understand a lot, but he also ended up in situations, so alien for the changeling - the bug felt what none other did. Whiskered bug actually tried to understand others. Tried to understand himself.   Understand the emotions, events, the world around, so untypical for the likes of him.. But something continuously distracted, disturbed from doing so. Plated one thought he understands his friend, that she was predictable in her childish and cheerful behaviour, but now she speaks like Moonrise.   How is this possible - not a changeling, but hides her own nature? What did the pony actually have in her mind? The insect could not read her by emotions! Why would something so familiar suddenly turn so strange and obscure? Unthinkable! This is too much. Too much difficulty.   — I am sorry.   Gambit hid himself from his friend, morphing into the white saddlebags. He heard her, he saw everything around him, but he could not - perhaps, did not want to answer further questions. “Need to deal with the irritations first.” - snowwhite insect decided for himself.   — Silly..! - little one got upset, continuing to hug the animated object - You are still able to hear me, I know that! That is disrespectful! You can’t just hide from me when we are talking!         All of a sudden, a few loud knocks landed right on the door. Sunshine frightened - was it because of the loudness of her complaints? Pony simply shut her mouth, hugging her private things, hoping that everything was just as she thought it was.   Alas, but the knocking did not stop. In addition, distinctive swearing heard behind the wall. Neighbour complaint? Or was it not because of the noise? The sandy door suddenly opened, and the room was filled by equipped stallions, momentarily surrounding the bed.         Soon after, Sunshine found herself in a sack, along with all her belongings. A sack, without a single hole, very tight and dark as well, like if it was made specifically for abduction. Escape was simply not an option, just as learning who would do this to the mare.   — Let me go! Where are you taking me?   Good question. High population density is simply ideal for such kidnappings, and for crime in general. In the end, solar one could end up anywhere, and it is unknown why it was her, because nobody speaks the language she understands. Except, some gestures.   What if Gambit hid from them, not her? After all, he managed to do so seconds before the friends ended up captured. The bug always remained concerned about security, and he did indeed succeed at that; did not cause any abnormal attention to himself.   Yet, it is common here for the insects to be killed. He can be found and uncovered very easily and quickly, not to mention that Sunshine ended up a centre of attention, for now. At least, nobody expects for some saddlebags to jump on anyone..