Around the world through laziness and boredom

      Discord’s words completely imprinted themselves into Sunshine’s head. Just like he wanted. Feels like all the world’s sadness poured down to stop the little troublemaker. Was it also the sorcerer’s wish? How could one live with all this? How could one even live, if everything was decided already?   — Sun? What is with you?   — I don’t know. I’m tired.   — We are walking for a whole day, and you have not said a single word. - the bug continued after not hearing an answer - Maybe, we should talk about it?   Yet, there was no reaction once again. Not even a sigh - nothing, that would hint at an advice or answer. Gambit suddenly remembered the words of his newest friend and decided to continue how he thinks it is best to. After all, he had a lot to say, even without current troubles.   — I need to tell you something. When you walked out of Curio’s room, I noticed someone in black. He watched us. When we went out of town, our friend ran away from him, leaving a.. mess, behind. - whiskered insect stopped for a moment, trying to get some kind of reaction - This someone did not let her sleep. When he lost her, he walked after us. That black one lost us after the town. Remember it? One that is militarised.   — I guess.   — I remember it before the soldier waves by the way. Fortune spoke about me back then - it was me who ate half his store. Because of me that it all happened.   — So you too are going to bother me with all the choice and morals?   The chitin-faced creature did not expect to hear anything rude from the fluffy pony. Even less he was ready for the absence of emotions in her speech. Only the void surrounded this horse. Nothing, but the sadness and dreaminess, albeit not much of that either. She was not the Sunshine that insectoid remembers.   — You do not care? I tell you about two incidents of your friends, and you do not care?   — No. I don’t know.   Even a stop and a hug did not help. When Gambit tried to catch the gaze of his friend, he almost benumbed - those eyes full of life, unpredictable and deep look, lost all its depth. Her eyes simply stared straight and were not interested in anything. Not even in hiding predators.         Oh, but those predators were very interested in such easy prey. Small pack of wolves finally showed themselves and came out from the bushes. Not that they were not seen before so, but their intentions are more clear now. The bug got ready for the worst. And the worst happened.   Wargs attacked one by one and tried to provoke the insect for a chase. They did not need such a hard body with a shell - only the lying pony, who was not even against of being eaten. Perhaps, in such a state, it was her only wish. But the shapeshifter did not even think of fulfilling it.   He protected the soulless friend like himself, like his real home, sparing no strength. Huge wolves could not do much, but deep scratches on the white bug, both physically and mentally, gave confidence to wargs. At least, before the insect chewed away half of all the predators.   Still, they were scared off by something else. Mauled muzzles and flanks of brethren did not scare the fanged ones as much, as something behind a more toothed creature. And when the shapeshifter himself saw the reason for their running, he almost instinctively ran away too. Before Sunshine, and near him, walked a real and genuine tree.         Equestria has very many almost unexplainable things. For example, this tree-like, deer-like creature. Why did it sit near the orange mare? What does it want? Whiskered insect took this green and brown pony as an enemy at first. Yet the winged horse did not pay attention to anything.   Not at the warg attack, not at their lying bodies, not even at a further conversation between two curious representatives of magic fauna. It appears those ponies are named very differently - one would say a dryad, someone else - a leshy. And the meanings they attain are different as well. Mostly with a whole barrel of lies and slander.   — Spriggan - is your name? - Gambit could not understand.   — It is a calling. A purpose.   The company has not yet met any forest spirits for many reasons. All those reasons come from a single root - there are less forests now. Dryads attentively look after their homes and obey their own rules where they live. But how could one act against hordes of mindless axe-wielders?   Knowing the superstitiousness of furred folk, they are ready to cut even spriggans, along with wood, for nothing bad to happen elsewise. Since as an excuse, those tree-like ponies are impossible to find, if they merge with a tree - they are being cut without a clue. Honestly though, leshy folk use this modern ignorance themselves.   — How can amount of flowers mean something?   — It cannot. But they believe it. - green hoof movement made the nearest bushes bloom - They believe, that the more the glade is blooming - the more trouble they will find. And they find us, or other forest inhabitants.   — Wood is still being cut.   — Someone is overdoing with threats and frightens too much. Others - oppositely, showing too much mercy and friendship. - spriggan portrayed measuring scales with its branches - And so the beliefs range from woods to woods. We manage to balance out - let the young couples in, scare off silly kinds.. And cover it all with flowerbed count.   That is probably a hard life. A wrong decision can lead not only to losing life, but probably leaving the whole forest in danger. That will also affect the neighbours, who decided to interfere and have influence over their surroundings in the first place. Why did this leshy choose those travellers?   — Why have you decided to help us?   — We have many reasons. Now - especially. - forest spirit pointed towards burning Dome with its head - We simply must know who did this. We must have our own protection. - soon enough, spriggan made the earth consume defeated wolves - And.. Reproduction. Not many of us left. But there is nothing that can be done with you. In such a state - for sure.   Deer-like being felt the sadness of the horse, who had not paid attention to any conversations. Perhaps, this spriggan saw a lot of joy and sorrow in its long life to make such assumptions. The thought alone about how those are being born, made the bug remember about his nature. Plated insect tried to hide his uneasiness.   — Is she.. Sick?   — Yes. But not with illness.   — How is that?   — She needs a friend, not a simple remedy.         A very strange sickness. One that the changeling never met before. He saw enough, he witnessed a lot and fed on the most diverse emotions, but he just did not know what would help this little horse. In an exchange for this secret, the bug told dryad everything it was interested in.   Thoroughly hearing the tale about a burning city, the forest spirit noticeably frowned. It certainly did not like that an elder being decided to cause a huge fire, not even caring about their closest ones. After all, both leshy and earling kinds are old friends. And now, this..   — She needs you. Be near her. And I.. - the dryad got up on its legs - Hold your breath. And do not go to Grasscloud. Better move south-west, there.   Displeased spriggan pointed where it wanted travellers to go, and walked to the right of their destination - north-west of them. And it walked not alone, but with wolf bodies, which can no longer be called wolves. As they are completely covered and distorted by moss and small plants. Or by fungi.   Otherwise, why would one ask to hold their breath, other than to not inhale dangerous spores? Sunshine still did so, even though she did not see much reason for it. And the bug.. The bug remembered one thing, that made him think a little, and laugh afterwards. Orange pony saddened even more after that giggling.   — Laughing at me?   — No. Sun, why all this negativity?   — ..I’m a burden.   — You.. are what?   — I’m a mess.   — You are not a mess. How can you say that? ..I simply remembered one thing.. I forgot how not to breathe.   One could think that insectoid meant “forgot how to breathe”, but he did not make a mistake. Because of the changeling that this misfortune happened, the one that he tries to hide his friend from. While she blamed herself for everything. Even where she had nothing to do with.         Friends continued to walk somewhere, where the leshy pointed to. Gambit tried to support the sad pony, but it was not always possible - something that seemed right, did not help much. Blatant flattery was not different at all. And so he decided to shift the blathery completely.   — You know, I was always surprised by the strength of your emotions. When we walked towards Tsokburg, or whatever it is, I understood with what - with whom your feelings are similar. With a dragon.   — ..So what?   — Don’t you find it fascinating? Your emotions are similar to dragons - your feelings are as powerful as.. Those giants.   For the first time after the fight with an elf, changeling sensed something new. Fear. A lot of thought boiled in shapeshifter’s head about it, and all of it blended in together with itself. Theories, accusations.. too soon for blaming anyone - one needs to listen to this pony first. If she is even going to say anything.   — Not long ago, before the end of that fight, I sensed something.. very unusual. How all your feelings, all emotions sparked at the same time. I remember you having this before, but after today.. Everything is gone. Completely. - the bug moved his head towards his companion, worryingly looking at her - First all very strong, then nothing at all. This does not look like you. You sure don’t know anything about it?   — ..You going to leave me here?   — No! What is wrong with you?   The current fear only intensified, but the changeling secretly rejoiced. Gambit was very happy that Sunshine liven up at least somehow - she moved, looked around with her eyes.. As if she looked for an answer between the trees and leaves. Yet, that energy surge lasted not for long. Soon enough, that empty mood returned.   — You won’t believe me if I tell you.   — I believe you. I want you to feel better.   — You haven’t seen it, you won’t understand. Back there, then, was a dragon. No, worse - an evil.   — Evil..? I don’t understand. Tell me more.   Nevertheless, all pleas were ignored just as easily as all and any questions. Something caused a great discomfort, and the solar mare did not wish to help herself. She did not want anything at all. The pony did not react at a completely random house in the middle of woods either. A house, surprisingly, full of life.         Although, calling it like that is too bold. However, it is not empty - right now, a light came from inside, someone loudly cursed, and some bunnies jumped around nearby. Seems like those big-eared creatures were tamed - they did not go too far from home, and even closed the door with themselves, should the bug get closer.   Those are certainly not simple rabbits. Gambit saw those before, but a lot smaller - in another forest, before Armare-de-forge. Just before the beginning of his own adventure, finding Sunshine at the end of it. Those rodents were different though, at least mindfully.   Seeing that the plated insect was not a threat to the long-eared creatures, they liven up and tried to study their new guests from up close. And the bug studied them - half-lopped ears long enough to touch the ground, very pleasant fur to touch, and curiosity, compared to a pony. Someone’s pets, for certain.   — Please, do not touch her. - whiskered insect seemingly talked to himself - She does not feel well.   Miraculously enough, it seems those fluffy beings understood the insectoid! They stood before him and shifted their heads to the side, as if they silently asked the insect about the orange pony’s condition. Why, and how did those animals understand the bug's words?   — She is very sad. I do not know how to help her. Well, I know, but it does not help. I’m confused..   Big-eared creatures affirmatively nodded. They actually understood what the puzzled and lost changeling meant! After “talking” like this, one of the rabbits offered a carrot to the winged pony, receiving a sluggish refusal. Chitin-faced insect had matured an interesting idea..   — Since you understand me, maybe.. You could help us? There is someone in the house, I could talk to him. You do not mind, if I leave Sunshine with you, and talk with your owners myself?   Quite an absurd situation - an insect is talking to rodents that answered with gestures. However, briefly thinking about the proposal, all three pink bunnies agreed without any words, and the lilac bug left his friend with them. She was not against this decision at all.         But the owner appeared less talkative and friendly. Should the shapeshifter get closer to the old hut’s doorstep, he became a witness of absence of any soundproofing. The tone and phrases that the stallion threw behind the walls, hinted at an upcoming night’s absurdity.   — ..No, not that! Maybe, reptiles? Nonsense! Nobody would be interested in that! A garden in the sky with pocket stars? ..Cock!   The bug did not like what awaited him in this house. Whiskered insect looked around and noticed that Sunshine also disliked those loud, in every way, expressions. A normal dialogue would probably not happen with such a stallion. Still, the bug decided that even if he will not get help, he will try to silence the troublemaker.   Not an opened squeaky door, not an outsider inside the house, have distracted the cabin’s owner from his important matters. Yet the insect was distracted a lot by tons of scrolls, stained paper and empty ink pots. How does this stallion find his way around, if any step is a step on something?   While the bug with lots of eyes manoeuvred around and walked towards the voice, an owner of this voice managed to swear and curse everything in the world a few times already. Snowwhite insect expected to see an old, unwashed and grumpy grandstallion; probably deaf or with similar ailment, because of which he was angry. And the bug almost guessed.         Before Gambit appeared a skinny, grubby unicorn, who was surrounded by even more writings than around the entryway. The writer was quite young, with spectacles, though not exactly blind - his eyes had some other condition. No iris seen around the pupils.   However, the stallion saw his guest perfectly. Saw that it is a white changeling. Saw, as if he was turned inside out in terms of body accents. For a surprise, nothing of it concerned the author - he was occupied by seemingly such an important piece of work, that he did not even greet the bug and turned away almost immediately.   — Hello. Who are.. You?   — Noir Inkwell. And who you are?   — Ace Gambit, a changeling.   — I noticed that you are a changeling. Looking like a fly, covered in holes. You showered under the shrapnel? What are you doing here?   Horned horse said everything in one breath, almost confusing Gambit with the speech. And even though he understood everything, the answer could not gather inside his head - instead, many thoughts about this strange stallion appeared. What is with his eyes? Why is his cutiemark going through his whole legs?   — What is this fea-         The insect lost his ability to speak. The horse seemingly knew what his interlocutor would say, and simply silenced him with a spell. However, he decided to not stop on that - and with his unusual feather, wrote an answer in the air, before the bug’s eyes. And he understood!   Shapeshifter, who never learned how to read and did not know equestrian language perfectly, suddenly understood that a bunch of unknown symbols meant “It is a magic feather, lets me do this. Go away. You are not interesting to me.”. The meaning of words literally imprinted into the bug’s head. And not only there.   In the same order as Noir wrote it on an empty spot, it burned onto the changeling’s chitin seconds after. Soon enough, with the grasp of these words, it burned even more, before disappearing with a full realisation and understanding. Such a way of communication was obviously disliked by the whiskered insect.   — Do not d-   And again! The unicorn understood word by word that Gambit wanted to say “Do not do that.” and “I will not go anywhere.”. For some reason, the sorcerer decided to not answer immediately, returning the ability to speak back to the bug. Felt like a return to life. Like a taste of ink.   — I-   — ..Need help. - the writer got ahead of his interlocutor - Something happened to your friend, you wandered here, and now want me to help you. I have nothing to help with.   — How do you-   — Know what you will say? Come now, it is obvious! I’ve read so many books that I simply know the answer. I do not need any continuation - all the possible dialogues already build inside my head. - the stallion did not even wait for the next question, as he continued - Elementary! Constantly reading, constantly writing. It’s always identical everywhere! I am so irritated by those authorlings, who think they are so fucking original; think they know everything, understand everything! I write truly unique masterpieces, different from the rest in every way. Have you heard of “Cat’s gaze”?   Fanged insect feared to say anything extra. Truth be told, he feared to say anything at all! Any word could provoke this insane horse and his platinum feather. Thinking a little, the changeling simply shook his head, calming his curiosity. That the unicorn still managed to sense.   — Thought so. You cannot read. The words came to you too slowly first time. And what should I do with you, illiterate creature? Maybe teach you my skills? Perhaps then you’ll master the language?         This living typewriter seemed unstoppable. He kept talking and talking, trying to share his own experience and knowledge, spicing it up with examples and taking the moral out. During these moments, the insect felt like those long-eared beings he met earlier.   They were also quiet and not talkative, used gestures and, surprisingly, understood every word with unusual easiness and fervour. As if this sorcerer created all of them himself, or at least taught them everything. When suddenly, the stallion started talking about them:   — Lepus sapiens - a sentient rabbit. You wanted to learn about them? Earys are always like this - quiet and obedient. Very smart, got tied to me - I’ve fed them before. Now, they feed me, by taking the food from a nearby village. Folk got used to it - have a lot of these around, bred easily in this forest..   — Whe-   — The village? Monacolt stands a bit further in the direction you walked. Not the first time some nobody gets into my shack - always confused..   And he went on. Again. At first, it seemed like this writer said completely different and untiable things that he simply could not know. However, if one thinks for a bit, then those things had quite a clever transition, that have not severed or turned the main thread of thought too far..   — ..Not looking at their surroundings at all, always angry and ungrateful! Even a useless stick has more use than they could think of! Everything has a meaning, and this “everything” can give so many ideas, that a few works of art can be made out of them alone! - at one moment, the unicorn seriously frowned - ..Only thing I cannot understand is chess. It keeps me off my thoughts! Strange figurines, unrealistic formations! What secret does it have? Metal has it - it’s being forged into something. But this? Where is the story? A heart beats inside, pumping blood? Can’t hear it! Can’t understand..!   And again! Should the insect wish to ask something, the wizard did the same trick he used before: “Chess is a board game. Need to move figurines, every one has its own rules.”. So what was the problem? Even Gambit understood, that the meaning gets different with every..   — No! No, it doesn’t work like this! - yelled the goggled horse, throwing his load of paper into another - The meaning can’t change with every new game! ..I mean, with every new reading attempt!         Lilac bug had enough of this beige horse’s tricks. Yet even then, he could not even hiss as a protest - the snowwhite insect will be stopped immediately after he opens his mouth and makes any sound. What if he simply tries to open his mouth, and pretend he hisses?   The bug did so - showed his teeth, put out his tongue like a snake, and angered in silence. But even this had not saved the whiskered insectoid - the unicorn got interested in a displeased image of his interlocutor, and decided to look at him from every way and angle. Only, the stallion was not looking with his eyes.   Horned horse was supposed to get scared, not start poking everywhere with his feather! He knocked on the carapace, looked over every centimetre - nothing had surprised the writer - even the unnatural horizontal eyelids, or a complete absence of sexual characteristics..   — You have no use for me, I said it already.   — Too whi-?   Surprisingly enough, racism had nothing to do with it. At least, usual to the unusual changeling. “Too horsey!” - expressed the dreamer - “You look like a pony. I look like a pony. Everything around looks like a pony! I do not need anything pony!”. And he could be understood - when all the stories are about the same thing, it will be boring and annoying. Like with Sunshine and her wishes.   Insect tried to look at the problem from another angle. Definitely, like with the sunny horse, this unicorn needed something new, something unusual, that would help the inspiration and skill pour out ink like a fountain. Though, what could it be? Maybe, something completely new..?   — F-f-frog. - a fanged bug suddenly expressed.   — ..Frog? What is that?   — How should I know? You needed something interesting, I thought of something that made you interested. Now look for meaning.         If the usual pupils of mutated eyes could increase out of fanaticism and positive emotions, they would do so already. A new, never heard before word gave light to so many thoughts, that an unprepared head would certainly pop. And the stallion did not mind.   He fully embraced those inspiring feelings and obsessed on a new word. The stallion’s head boiled a whole ton of new stories for the future books. Even a whole universe was born in a few seconds, with lots of creatures that this world had never even had nor seen.   — Thank you. - the writer exhaled with ease - You will become a co-author of this masterpiece. You move writing on a new level!   — That is probably good, but-   — I know. I have nothing to offer. Only water, probably - there is a well behind the house.   — Thank you. And try to be quiet. Sunshine needs to sleep.         A previously enraged unicorn kept silent the whole night. And day. And another night.. Just exact for the little pony to get enough sleep. All this time, befitting the bodyguard and a best friend, Gambit kept near his companion. A smile did not go away from his face - she also smiled around an eary company. First time during the sad period..   Alas, but all the joy circled around the winged pony only in her sleep. Should she finally get up and open her eyes, as everything returned to its previous mood. Or rather, its absence - surroundings stopped making any sense. Only negativity and displeasure - especially towards the closest one.   — Why so much screaming? - pony referred to the prior meeting of Gambit and Noir - Why are we still here?   — I.. I did not want to disturb you. You slept very well, and-   — Why so loud? - each one of her words had no emotions at all.   — I did all I could! He insisted on his own, and did not want to listen to me. Just like Moonrise, but tal-         Plated bug could not finish, as he was stopped by a previously lost pony. Unusual anger and somehow appearing strength filled the cute looking horse from hooves to ears. What was wrong in Sunshine’s brother's mention? Why did she not want to listen to the truth?   — Stop it! Stop talking about him like this! - she scared off all the animals with her yelling and actions - He’s good, he’s nice!   — What is wrong with you? - whiskered insect tried to stay cold-blooded - Why every talk about Moon end-   — Shut up! Shut u-up!   Did the pony really not see this small evil and rudeness of her brother? Everything that is tied to him in any way, is being thrown away and ignored. All the topics slide off, when they need to be discussed! But the orange one did not want to discuss anything - she wanted to punch the intrusive insect.   And she punched him, sparing no effort. She has not even tried to see the reason for the changeling’s worrying - mixed emotions confused everything. But not the shapeshifter. He got used to this gimmick. He saw the problem clear as day - something close controlled her. Something, that tried protecting her this way.   Only, what protection is it, if the flower subjects the pony and her friend to danger? It worked against desert bugs, but the plant was certainly not created against chameleonlings. Just as furiously as little pony tried to conceal the flower, it did not let her see the contradiction. Maybe, one should take the guise of a blurred stallion and show her the problem?         Gambit, with the imperfect shapeshifting of his, tried to show the dark unicorn as accurately as possible - straight and flat hair, chaotic bright pattern on the limbs ends, and a very gloomy body palette. Forget about all the holes, the yellow carapace and wings - this is the problem!   Problem, which inflicted pain to the red-eyed mare back then and now! Just as she punched the bug, he answered her the same way. Not in another sense, not with words, but with actions - with a hoof to the forehead, with all his might. Chitin-faced creature was unwillingly going to repeat the deed, to imbue the thought to his only friend, but that was not needed.   — No, no-no-no, no-o! Wait! Enough! Stop it!   Fanged insect felt this torture again. Emotional torture. Only now, it affected both of them - winged pony held her own head, trying to remember something, keep something in her mind.. A missing piece of the puzzle stayed just before the exhausted horse. In every sense of those words.