Around the world through laziness and boredom

      Travel in the bag did not differ much from a normal, more free option. The only significant difference - the darkness. The pony was still carried anyway, just a bit differently. Yet for the changeling, this change was new, as he involuntarily gave the leading role to someone else.   Movement in such a tight spot quickly got very slow, boring and uncomfortable. It felt like the friends were carried back to Equestria. Carried, because the muscle did not even try to blend in as merchants, no matter how inconvenient it was for them. It seems this nation has a big problem with the law enforcement.   And with receiving guests, too. No translators, no guides.. Now they even kicked the pony! No, wait, they simply put the sack on a smooth surface. Very smooth - that is certainly not a cart, and it was somewhat quiet for a city. The music played way different too, only the motive persisted. Some conversations on the side.. Probably thinking what they should do with their plunder.         They decided to open what they had stolen, and what was stolen was very much confused, as the situation seemed very absurd for her. Long-eared horse sat in the centre of a large hall, and at the end of it stood a throne with a massive, old and bearded stallion. Black velvet, saturated colours, a feather in a turban.. Everything pointed at a meeting with the local ruler.   A ruler of slums or all of Midillia - that is left to be found out. But how, if nobody speaks the normal language? Guards did not hint at the pony's upcoming fate either, simply observing the situation. The most important horse also kept his silence, weary looking over the guest who kept holding her stuff.   — What do you want from me? - asked Sunshine, tilting her head.   — Silence! - a rough voice sounded all of a sudden.         Someone spoke equestrian! It was certainly not a common soldier - the voice came from the throne side. Not a ruler either - he was too old to speak with such zeal and without gesturing. There was another stallion, who just came out from behind the throne. And he very closely resembled the one who sat in the end.   — State your name. - said the same stallion.   He certainly did not look like the others - his body smaller than the rest, his clothing - different, and a knowledge of a foreign language deserved additional praise. The way this three-coloured, yellow-faced stallion stood near the white-grey old horse hinted, that he was no mere servant. More of a relative, or an advisor - he even had glasses.. and a horn.   — W-wait! You are a unicorn?! - the winged one amazed.   — Speak what is demanded of you, outlander!   — But you’re the same! Little pony’s rebelliousness dimmed the chance for her own rescue just as fast, as halfblood’s patience ran out on its own. Janissaries drew out their swords, and only an elder’s hollow voice stopped them. Soldiers still stood ready to strike, but were not yet going to resort to the last method.   — Say, your, name. - repeated the unicorn, making a pause after each word.   — S-sunshine..   — Come closer. - advisor calmed a little - “Durs”!   Eastern warriors put their weapons away completely, obeying the order. Spectacled horse furiously wrote something on the parchment - at this rate, with his moves, the paper will tear very quickly. However, little horse did not hurry to obey the command issued to her, and as always, acted in her own way:   — Why? I don’t understand!   — How dare you behave like this before the greatest and wisest sultan Bil’ge?! - vizier lost control over himself.   — So it was him who ordered my abduction? - resented the pony - Nothing sacred is left!   — Sacredness is left - and it is our ruler, his word is the law! - the stallion tore the parchment a little - You are accused of plundering the government treasury and disrespecting the law.   It appears that those gems were indeed stolen. But who could have known about this, especially if they still ended up missing, out of nowhere? The desert is huge, but the big detachments run it over in no time, while they pursue the bugs. How could anyone miss such bright silk between the sands?   — This is outrageous! - long-eared one shouted him over - Absurd!   — Agreed. - smiled the advisor - Outrageous deed - an attempt to impoverish our great empire and create so many problems in less than half a day!   Spectacled stallion continued to write over the indicting document, probably adding even more and more reasons, why the little pony should be punished. With such a fervour he wanted to get rid of the problem! Why did he hate the innocent horse so much?   — ..As well as cooperation with changelings. - unicorn added sharply, propping his glasses.   — W-what changelings?   — You want to say, that this white monster that you’re hiding in your legs so effortly - is not your friend? - stallion evilly squinted his eyes - Will be noted, execution through burning out.         This cannot be, it is a bluff! Nobody could see the disguise master - he hid himself before anyone could even know of his existence. As if the master accuser, somehow, read through the solar pony and her mind! Unless, someone did give them away earlier..   However, he knew. He learned, with some incomprehensible way. Little pony’s reaction only confirmed all the accusations towards her - she could not hide her fear. But she could not stay reactless - her friend is going to be killed. With burning out - is it not about that same wood?   The same moment that winged mare wanted to prove that the vizier is mistaken, the changeling suddenly assured everyone that the advisor was right. No point in lying to someone who knows about everything. No point in hiding. There is nothing that can be done in a situation like this - openly, for sure.   — Sun. They will not let us go. - the bug kept his composure - We cannot do anything right now. - he began to discuss a lot more quietly - Think of something together.   — But we are innocent! This isn’t right! - raged the sun pony - I will not allow that! ..Not like this!         The pony got onto her hind legs and covered the bug with herself. She knew that her fragile body would not be able to hold against a single blow with such a big and masterful weapon, but Sunshine was not bothered by that for a bit. In that moment, her spirit could not be compared to even the hottest forge of Dome, even with the core of the planet she lived on.   And that life could end at the same second the winged one got onto her hooves. Despite the pain in her leg, the mare stood very straight, and her confidence got through to everyone in the throne room. Not to mention her gaze, that made flinch the sultan himself.   — What are you doing? - the insect fearfully peeked out behind the horse.   Plated bug thought of covering the orange one with himself, and janissaries were going to jump on troublemakers.. When all of a sudden, the same command was heard, that vizier ordered a few moments prior. All around were deeply surprised - especially the advisor, already trying to object the decision in his own language.   However, nobody would disrespect the order from the greatest and wisest. Even the shapeshifter, who was completely on his own wave, decided to stop, without having any idea what was going on. And even though weapons touched sheaths’ bottoms, the solar mare did not get down, did not calm down, and did not even flinch - her ideally straight posture continued to stay so after a minute, two, three..         The stance can say a lot about someone, and ponies do have to use their front hooves everywhere for various purposes, despite the obvious inconveniences. Lots are being taught to keep their back straight - soldiers, miners, common lackeys. Hard training was not enough to get the same result that the guest from Equestria has shown.   And the wise stallion did understand that more than anyone. More than her, even. Only someone who has trained since their childhood could stand like this. Even more so - not just trained to simply stand at one place, but to exercise and do something in that pose, so that their spine would form differently.   The pony got down only when an old horse came closer and lowered her front hooves. Their gazes silently took emotions from each other - unusual calmness and surprise was given to the mare by the stallion, and she filled him with that rage of hers.   Rage, with which the wise stallion dispersed his soldiers. Now, when nobody could interfere, the sultan finally came to his verdict. He deeply bowed down, surprising everyone who still remained in the hall. The stallion broke the silence, which he had created moments prior:   — Welcome to Midillia.         Oh, this beautiful and mystical language. The one that gave life to all others. It is a shame for a self-respecting aristocrat to not know this language - and everyone who was still left in the room, understood that speech. The language barrier stopped only the insect.   — You can speak elvish? - wondered the long-eared horse.   — She knows dragonish?! - vizier almost fell into rampage, finishing tearing up the indictment.   — Let us not talk about earlings. - sage lowered his voice - The history is already written. I am glad to meet Old Equestria descendants.   — How did you know? - solar pony shifted her head.   — Old world dwellers are impossible to miss. I beg you to forgive Herseyi’guren - our order is not strict for no reason.   Important ponies’ companions certainly not expected such a twist. Plated bug did not understand foreign speech and simply laughed at the somewhat peaceful ambiance. Whereas the unicorn already destroyed everything in his mind, and his anger was obvious for everyone around, due to his gestures.   — Come, I will show you the palace. - said the sultan.   — Father, let me do it! - spectacled horse showed initiative - You should rest. Your age, you understand.   Bil’ge nodded. And it was very notable that he did not like this idea and the sudden zeal. Exchanging a few phrases in their own language, the ruler left equestrian folk with his vizier. They barely walked away from the throne hall, as he readied himself to explain and show greatness and might of his kind.         And, of course, greatness of himself. Half-blooded horse looked at the guests from above not only because he was taller - his robe, as well as curved dagger’s sheath, were decorated by all kinds of gemstones. Seems like he got used to living a life full of wealth and excessive freedom.   — We achieved all of this by ourselves. - explained the stallion - Only rarely do we trade with you. You should be grateful that we share desert’s gifts with such primitive creatures.   — Says who. - objected the changeling - You do not have strength, or endurance of this “great” nation.   — Shush, insect. I, am talking not with you, but with a respected pony from the old world.   Unicorn’s spite towards both guests shared perfectly through his fake smile and attempts at saying words. Purposely he did try to do it or not - he already earned enemies for himself. And to think of it - the greeting and the rest of rituals did not even properly start..   — I hope, you won’t disappoint that respected pony and will behave with courtesy to her close friend and companion as well? - Sunshine faked the smile too.   — Changeling - a close friend? - silly stallion could not hold his laugh - I can’t understand how someone so simple, so.. alien, can be a friend! Although, maybe, he is not as stupid as he looks at first - could talk, and morph properly.   — ..And recognize fools.   — You both, enough!   Solar pony did respect the laws of hospitality, and she intended to hit both of them for conflicting. No matter how disgusting the stallion was for them, he had his own understanding of cordiality, that had to be accepted by others. Albeit nobody wanted to deal with his arrogance.   — Ahem, I ask for your forgiveness. Not every day that you deal with foreigners. Are every one of those, out there, are like this one - white and able to talk?   — Only I am like this. And I have a name. Ace Gambit.   — Changeling with a name, my, my. They usually mean something in these lands, and I don’t even understand what yours does! I am proud of the easy alias given to me - Herseyi’guren - which means the “all-seeing”.   — Oh, by the way! - pony suddenly changed the topic - How did you guess that Gamby is a changeling?   — The glasses. See the lenses? - he took his spectacles off and demonstrated them to others - They are made out of truth crystals. Don’t even try to hide anything, I see it all. There’s only a few of them in the whole world..   Proud stallion did not stop talking, and he boasted about himself with such an effort, that not a single word could be said besides appreciation or open flattery. He brought the topic of his glasses very often, not even thinking that the curious pegasus knows where those crystals are mined. In the Crystal Empire.   Truth be told, mines over here are especially good, too - all the gemstones originated from here, as well as magnetic bracelets. The iron that attracted the metal affected the whole world, not just an army of this nation - special locks for doors and chests, tools..         Fortunately, the stallion did show at least something worth showing, other than obvious and himself - for example, the residence wing of the palace. Builders of such a massive place did not cheap out on its size - if another side of the palace is as huge as this one, it could compete with the whole city.   However, not only because of this, that the luxurious palace could be called luxurious. From huge glassless windows and no less big stained glass, one could clearly see fields full of various crops. Town folk were lucky that they could grow something where they have settled.   Even though there is only sand everywhere - even the fields are full of it. And despite that, everything and everybody felt comfortable! Changeling saw the reason literally, and that reason did remind him of the oasis - the one that friends did suffer near.   — Why is it so tight over here? - the changeling suddenly asked, interrupting another midillian tale.   — ..What-what?   — Tight, overcrowded, in the city. No space to move.   — We can grow plants only here. - thought the horned stallion - Or, rather, plants like it here more..? We already tried to do it before, in a different spot, but-   — We saw. Awful sight. You need dirt.   — Ha! Why do plants need dirt, if they live well in sand? Don’t be stupid, insect.   Interlocutors glanced at each other. Each of them thought they were smarter than the other, not only in building and feeding questions. Pretentious rareness himself, especially did not understand, how the city he and his kind lives in, was built. How it was conceived, to be exact.   — So how many things do grow here?   — We don’t need a lot. Let us continue.   Eastern dweller did not want to hear this nonsense. For he is used to always feeling righteous, eating only the tastiest and wearing the newest. But his voice did not matter much to the travellers. Probably to his father as well, considering how much their opinions differed before. Although, both of them were right in a way..         At the end of a very long corridor, vizier sharply turned into one of the rooms, which did not differ too much from the rest. All of them covered not by doors, but by silk, so nothing could be hidden from curious gazes. Especially eye-catching were the big bed with lots of pillows, the same sandstone furniture, and a few rare wooden parts in it.   — The wisest shall see you tomorrow morning. You shall prepare thoroughly, especially you. - unicorn pointed at Sunshine - Such a pony should not look like that. Finally, the annoying stallion left the couple alone. After the step sounds completely silenced, friends sighed together and finally started moving. What a relief, how sickening he was for them! Lazy pony’s hooves immediately reached for the blanket, but they were timely stopped by the snowwhite changeling.   — I thought he'd never shut up. Silly!   — Agree. But he was right in the end.   — Huh?   — Such a beautiful pony needs to take a bath.   — Where’d you see a bath over here? As soon as it’s near..!   The answer to his question was an uncovered room, hidden from the corridor. In the middle of it stayed a tub, lots of flasks laid around, and a lever hung above - probably what served the water. Technological advancement confirmed itself again with a presence of brush with a magnetic bracelet for it. Convenient!   — Here. - the changeling spoke from inside that room - Get in and wash.   — Will you help me?   With the question remaining unanswered, solar pony went to see her friend. There, she understood it all without another word - that tub was constructed with the same wood so familiar to them. Only one gaze at it already gave friends chills. Thankfully, the bracelet did hint that the pony could reach her back herself.   — Oh.. Still, watch over!   The amount of various flasks did confuse the dirty pony just as much as a hole in the wall outside, from which something long and tilted stuck inside. Something that looked like a piece of pipe made of yellow stone. Nothing could be seen from below, but even if so - who in their right mind would leave a hole in the wall?   — And where’s water?   — Do not know. Maybe, this hanging thing will help?   Nothing happened. Pony already had the time to get offended and cross her hooves near her chest in a familiar manner, when she got flooded by water, like from a barrel. This long thing was actually an aqueduct, not some abstract artistic attempt at a sea creature, sticking out from every window.   — Silly! And what if that happened to you?   — I would laugh, like now.   — You’re silly!   Washing session went quite fast and efficiently - probably, an engine to progress and justice was the desire to punch a less silly changeling for laughing at a more silly pony. Or maybe it was horse’s shaking flower, horribly reacting to the evil wood? In any case, it worked.         Yet so it grew dark. Situation did indeed remind of the ambiance at home - unimaginable boredom. However, the mare could not even wake up from her bed - her leg did not let her do so. And the pony did not even need to do so, unlike at her own home. Seems like this boredom could be fought only with a conversation.   — Ga-a-amby.   — What?   — How about we talk?   — About what?   — About anything. I am very bored..   The bug attentively listened to foreign sounds. Even though the atmosphere was familiar, every new place did give the feel of something unusual, that nothing else in the world could repeat. Especially music, that did not stop playing, no matter where one would step.   — You will probably not be interested in talking about what I am thinking of.   — What are you thinking about?   — About music. Sounds. It is different here.   — What’s so different about them here?   — They differ, a lot. Like music. Wind sounds in the desert, hoof clops on different surfaces. Smooth change from one melody to another. You do not notice that?   — They.. - sun pony silenced and listened - Are indeed different, somehow. And music sure is very satisfying and smooth..   For a simple pony to understand a shapeshifter - it is not a simple task, but it worked in both ways. While the insect thought and discussed literally, winged one thought about a hidden reason after this short dialogue. What pony did think of at home, attained a completely new meaning in a new place:   — ..Maybe the result isn’t as important as the process itself? - slipped Sunshine.   — What do you mean?   — That someone would not understand it, and someone else would be amazed. Music! Everyone works their ways; their instruments are so much different than ours.   — Are they not trying to please the crowd?   — Moon never tries to please anyone, for example!   The great unicorn truly does what he wants, not asking for anyone’s opinion. With that attitude and approach, he managed to get ahead in many aspects and projects. And that way did not differ much from current musicians - not many might understand them fully, but they did not stop.   — Except you. He gets distracted on you.   Yet again, what the changeling meant literally, solar mare understood as a hint at something. Very serious hint, which turned all the inspiration and positivity into desperation and negativity. Hint, that provoked that same weird and frightening amount of emotions.   — ..I am a distraction?   — I am meaning that-   — But that is what it is! - little one stopped him - He doesn’t work as efficiently when I’m around! I must-   — You contradict yourself. Result isn’t as important as the process itself. - a bit later, the fanged bug added - He loves you.   Whiskered bug was partially right, and the worrying pony finally unravelled this ball of thought-yarn in her head. The mood did not yet improve, but it could not be any other way with such emotionality. Truth be told, even that bad mood did not last long - shifted away by new positive thoughts:   — So what would you want to do?   — What do you mean?   — If you had a choice, what would you do for your whole life?   — Eat.   Sunny quietly chuckled, covering her mouth with her hoof. And again - thought about home. About how interesting it would probably be to cook for herself and uncover new tastes.. “Maybe it isn’t as hard as it looks?” - red-eyed pony thought in a good way again, about her past thoughts.   — Eating is nice, I want to eat as well. And is there anything else?   — Would cook to eat.   — But it’s hard!   — Will learn. Will try. Like with potions. With using spells. Talking to you. - the bug suddenly changed his tone to a similar to his friend, in a joking manner - Result isn’t as important as the process itself.   Laugh intensified, and the pony covered her head with the blanket. Maybe, the insect should become a jester, not a chef. Sadly, not many would understand such humour, as his unusual calmness and void of facial expressions stood out for others more than anything else. Like with any other shapeshifter.   Sunshine proved it with her own skin, encountering such unusual attempts at jesting before, as well as gestures. Even now, when she got her head out of the blanket, unintentionally hitting her hive friend with her nose. The insect was not even close to being like her, albeit he tried to blend in with all his might.   — Aw, what’s the matter? Come here. - pony tugged plated creature’s cheeks, making him smile - Such a go-o-od one!         Insectoid’s sincere laugh was that exact music, that the orange big ears wanted to hear. This deep, saturated and vibrating tone - it could not be repeated by anything. But he could repeat anything, perhaps even anyone by himself! ..Of course!   — Have you tried to sing?   — ..Sing?   — You control your voice very well, you can do it!   — What to sing?   — Anything you can think of! Process itself is important, isn’t it?   Fanged bug vanished under the blanket. Plated insect crawled out of it from another end of the bed, ending a completely different bug; changed, like a butterfly. Gigantic antennas reaching his tail, huge wings.. White creature instantly bloomed like a caterpillar. No, even better!   Any and every hole and crack simply disappeared, and all the accent shifted onto the coloured body parts. Eyes changed to single big ones, with real pupils, not a bunch of small lilac beads that he usually used to look through. And a second shell, covering his wings..!   — So beautiful! Let me touch!   — No-no. - he spoke in a completely different, but nice and feminine voice - You should rest.   — But you are so.. so..!   — Not so as you. - sonorous tone sharply loudened - Bright, sunlight, pocket-sized luminary..   For a start, bug did not sound that bad, albeit his speech and choice of words invoked a deep and sound sense of shame. The only listener’s orange cheeks turned into a bright-red soup, almost as how real cooks do their magic to food pots. The changeling made his own rhythm, ignoring the background melody..   — ..My bright sunlight, I am feeling your emotions..   The bug tilted from side to side, like he had his own orchestra performing in his own head. Left, right; left, right.. And again! The pair moved in the non-existent beat, as if the same thing played in their ears at the same time. What a lively performance, what a passion!   — They are, so near, as if they are mine; they are, so strong, as if they are not yours..         ..What a sudden fall on the end of the bed. That new voice disappeared, the insect's new disguise - too. Again, the same laugh, vibrating and deep. Changeling kept his eyes closed due to his fatigue - for the first time in this adventure, he genuinely wanted to rest.   — You alright?! - worried orange mare.   — No strength. Need rest.   — ..Let go! Not so hard!   Whiskered insect hugged one of the pillows so tightly, it even squeaked. How could one not touch the ringing pillow afterwards? Only after some time that he realised - pillows do not talk. Need to think of something, somehow distract from the embarrassing moment..   — ..How was it?   — Huh?   — Song.   — It was horrible. - red-eyed pony quietly laughed - ..Horribly cute! You did great!         Snowwhite bug should practice, a lot, before others would accept him and his actions. Not that he did want to be completely like the others, or looked for approval from someone else.. However, he had those thoughts. There were a lot of them - and all of them distracted.   — I don’t like it. - mumbled the fanged bug.   — You mean singing?   — Feelings. After that tree.   — What feelings? What are you feeling?   — Emptiness. Fullness. Something was taken, something was given for it.   From a different perspective, the bug did not change at all - he was still very unusual and white. His identity stayed the same, sort of; still trying to imitate something close to a pony. But something did change, something was different inside the bug.   — I don’t understand..   — I, too. I am becoming more like you. This cannot be ignored. Future is full of the unknown.   — How.. so?   — I do not know the right words. Do not know, if I want those changes. Not know, if I want it back.   Winged pony could think of the right words - after all, her vocabulary was way bigger than that of a shapeshifter, or most of the Equestria inhabitants. But the therapy was interrupted by some stallion. He stood in a doorway, probably for a long time, waiting for when he would be noticed.   At first glance - a typical soldier. He had his weapon, armour as well, but he also carried something bright coloured, with lots of said colours, crumpled into one big mass. When he finally proceeded to go in, that chaotic and voluminous mess started to look more like attire.   There were so many dresses, that they took more space than pillows. Seems like the blue-blooded midillian wanted to prepare carefully for tomorrow, and he wanted the same from the guests. Except, instead of working out the solution himself, he preferred to send someone. And that someone did not want to work on it either.   — Oh.. We won’t be able to try it all before morning! And I haven’t even slept yet!   — We?   — You will help me, right?   — Want me to wear a dress? — U-u-ugh.. - moody pony pointedly exhaled - Yes, I want that! Now, I’m sleeping.