private A Cultural Exchange 1x1 with DwhitetheGamer

[DwhitetheGamer 867]

@@Illiad Easle, 

 

Twilight nodded at the answer.  "Sounds very interesting indeed.  So what type of emotion does your hive feed on?  And while we're on the subject of the hives, are all of them trying to question Chrysalis on her plan of trying to take over Equestria?  What was her intention?"

[Illiad Easle 3,135]

@@DwhitetheGamer,

 

The mare looked surprised at the more personal turn to the line of questioning. "Us? My hive favors amusement primarily, though joy is a personal favorite of mine. As to Chrysalis..." The mare shrugged, "We can't exactly find out why unless we find her, and given the way you guys sent her away I wouldn't be surprised if she were dead like those that weren't so fortunate as to be standing near a window when that bubble appeared. Finding her isn't exactly a priority, looking into the remains of her hive we discovered that the spring that grew their emorphic gel dried up a while ago. They were probably starving for some time before they attacked."

[DwhitetheGamer 867]

@@Illiad Easle, 

 

Twilight looked surprised, but she nodded.  "That does sound terrible, about her hive starving for a while, but what she did was not right, so we had to do something about it.  I hope you understand.  So next question, in your eyes, what will your hive do when Equestria will no longer see changelings as a whole as threats?"

[Illiad Easle 3,135]

@@DwhitetheGamer,

 

The mare looked like she was about to say something, then she sighed. "No, I won't attempt to justify her actions to you. You simply wouldn't understand. As to my hive's plans? I think the plan is to continue as we always have. You won't know we're here and we'll keep on as we always have. the attack didn't really change anything for us other than us being a bit more cautious about our disguises and who we potentially reveal ourselves to." She looked down at the floor. "I was planning to reveal to someone who had grown close to me, but those plans have been delayed as a result of the attack, perhaps indefinitely." She looked back up, a sad smile on her face. "As long as she's happy though I guess that's really all that matters." 

[DwhitetheGamer 867]

@@Illiad Easle, 

 

Twilight nodded in understanding in the changeling's response.  "Of course.  It's a real shame to have to be more cautious of who you approach because of someone else's wrong doings.  It may evolve more than just being more cautious, though."

 

She looked surprised to hear that she wanted to reveal herself to a friend of hers, and then gave the changeling a warming smile.  "I'm sure that time will come, miss.  She may end up wanting to know you more, and you just don't know that she would accept you for who you are.  You just need to wait for her to ask.  Anyways, I have a couple more questions before we wrap this up.  What is your hive like?  Now know that none of us have been in hives before, so we don't have a clue as to what they normally look like."

[Illiad Easle 3,135]

@@DwhitetheGamer,

 

The mare didn't look too sure but she gave a slight smile. "Thanks, I'll keep that in mind."

 

She perked up a bit when asked about her hive though, she looked contemplative for a moment. "Well... It's pretty big... I guess I'll start at the entrance." She used her magic to help visualize what she was describing, the shapes were simple but seemed to convey well enough. "So this long narrow cylinder is the entrence tunnel that comes from the surface which connects more or less directly to the main chamber, a large mostly spherical area a bit bigger than the grand hall in Canterlot from what I've heard. In there is where most of the hive sleeps in small bed-pods, it also has a large crystal that my queen enchanted to serve as a clock. This central chamber has many branching paths to other areas of the hive such as storage, the nursery, the growing pools, and other sleeping areas, as well as the training and educating areas." As she spoke more tunnels formed outward from her magic to connect to rooms as she stated them. Despite the simplicity of the diagram it gave a good impression of the complexity of the hive. "I just about forgot the throne room, that's where my queen spends most of her time and also where we keep a record of our history and the more notable figures that were actually changelings from our hive." 

Edited April 18, 2016 by Illiad Easle

[DwhitetheGamer 867]

@@Illiad Easle, 

 

The Mane Six and Copper watched as the changeling showed her hive to them.  Some of them spoke to each other about it, while the rest looked in amusement and awe.  Twilight nodded approvingly at the changeling.  "That looks really well made.  Tell your queen we appreciate the work her hive has made.  Now for the last questions.  Could we come to your hive sometime?  Are there any restrictions that are needed?  Because really, we do spread friendship throughout Equestria, and ponies like Copper,"-She motioned with her hoof to the blue stallion present-"can be what brings changelings and ponies together."

[Illiad Easle 3,135]

@@DwhitetheGamer,

 

The mare looked unsure, "Well... I guess it's not for me to say. I'd have to talk to my queen about it first. There isn't exactly a precedent for this so I don't know of any procedures she may have in place. Maybe? I'd have to get back to you later on that. We have preferred our secrecy this long time, part of me just wants this whole thing to blow over and have everyone go back to forgetting about us so we can go about our lives like we used to, without all this suspicion flowing about town." 

Edited April 19, 2016 by Illiad Easle

[DwhitetheGamer 867]

@@Illiad Easle, 

 

Twilight nodded in understanding.  "Well, if it's preferred you want to be kept secret, then that's fine with us.  We can keep promises, and Pinkie Pie will make sure of that.  If we break Pinkie Promises, she will not be happy.  Well, you are free to go if you like.  This interview was a great learning lesson for us, wasn't it girls?"

 

The mane six nodded and voiced their agreements.  Twilight then went closer to the bed that the changeling was in a offered a hoof-shake.  "It was a pleasure meeting you, miss."

[Illiad Easle 3,135]

@@DwhitetheGamer,

 

"Null," she said as she accepted the offered hoofshake, "You can call me Null. It was great to talk with you all, I'll see you around town though you wont recognize me. I trust you guys to keep it a secret though." Null then made her way out of the room, the castle, and town, never to be seen again and her features utterly unmemorable.

 

Midnight turned to Copper, "Well? Where to next?"

[DwhitetheGamer 867]

@@Illiad Easle, 

 

Copper gave Midnight's words some thought before responding.  "How about we go to Sugarcube Corner?  We didn't go inside the place, and I should've caught that, I know, but I'm in the mood for a shake."

 

Twilight blushed with embarrassment.  "My apologizes, Midnight.  We've been rushed to get through the rest of today that I didn't think of showing the inside yesterday."

[Illiad Easle 3,135]

@@DwhitetheGamer,

 

Midnight waved a hoof dismissively, at this range Twilight might just detect a hint of illusion magic woven in his shoe. "It's no matter, I hardly expected you to show me the insides of the buildings, there had to be something left for Copper to show me after all." He turned back to Copper. "A shake does sound good right about now. Do lead the way."

[DwhitetheGamer 867]

@@Illiad Easle, 

 

Copper nodded.  "Follow me, then.  See ya, girls!"

 

After the girls gave their goodbyes, he led Midnight out of the castle and into Sugarcube Corner.  The place was pretty busy, with ponies chatting inside, and the cake family was currently taking only one order.  Copper, when the order was finished, waved at the two at the other side of the counter.  "Hi, Mr. and Mrs. Cake!  Great to meet ya again!"

 

Mr. Cake was the first to speak up.  "Hi, Copper!  Who's the stallion ya brought with ya?"

 

"This is Midnight.  I'm doing an exchange of cultures with him."

 

"Well, hi, there, Midnight!"

[Illiad Easle 3,135]

@@DwhitetheGamer,

 

Midnight was surprised, though a bit underwhelmed at how well the ponies here were taking his height, he was pretty much Celestia sized after all. He supposed it was for the best though, he gave a slight bow of his neck. "Greetings, it's a very nice place you have here, far more stylized than anything I'm used too. Do you deal exclusively in pastries here? Or do you do other bakery fares as well?"

[DwhitetheGamer 867]

@@Illiad Easle, 

 

Mrs. Cake giggled, not only of Midnight's statement, but also the height in which the stallion was.  "We do other bakery fares as well, Midnight.  Whatever you like, we can make.  I must say, sir, you are about Princess Celestia's size.  Isn't he, honey?"

 

Mr. Cake nodded.  "Indeed he does."

 

Copper chuckled.  "He has seen everything from the old days of Equestria, Mr. and Mrs. Cake.  He's over a thousand years old."

 

The cakes, and the rest of the ponies in the bakery, looked surprised at the statement.  But the visiting ponies went back to their chats.  Mr. and Mrs. Cake looked at each other, then Mrs. Cake said, "Who cast a spell on you to live that long, Midnight?"

[Illiad Easle 3,135]

@@DwhitetheGamer,

 

Midnight gave a slight smile, the reaction was a bit delayed but closer to what he had expected. He gave a slight shrug, "Oh, Princess Luna was a good friend of mine, I used to be awfully sweet on her way back when and she returned the sentiment. I've remained at just about my prime for the last almost dozen centuries, who knows how long I'll survive?"

[DwhitetheGamer 867]

@@Illiad Easle, 

 

Mr. and Mrs. Cake looked at each other, seeing that Princess Luna had done it.  They both nodded at Midnight.  "There must be a big reason behind being that close to her, Midnight.  You know that she's returned after 1000 years, right?"  Mr. Cake said.

 

"Whatever the case, live your life to the fullest for the rest of it, Midnight."  Mrs. Cake said.  "Now, what can we get for you both?"

[Illiad Easle 3,135]

@@DwhitetheGamer,

 

Midnight gave a slightly sarcastic nod, "It was hard to miss her return, the sun not rising and all? I am well aware of her return."

 

He turned to Mrs. Cake with a slightly more genuine smile. "I fully intend to. Now, Copper here said you serve very good shakes here, I would like to try one please."

[DwhitetheGamer 867]

@@Illiad Easle, 

 

Copper nodded at Midnight's words about shakes.  "Give us your best ones, please.  I happen to want one of those myself."

 

Mr. and Mrs. Cake nodded.  "Coming right up!"  Mr. Cake said, and they went off to make their voted best shakes.

 

Copper turned to Midnight.  "Their Strawberry Shake happens to be the town-voted best shake.  It has strawberry flavored shake, as well as some well-made cashews on the inside.  You have the choice of a straw or a spoon, of course... or do you have a choice of either when you get shakes at the Archback?"

[Illiad Easle 3,135]

@@DwhitetheGamer,

 

Midnight looked slightly unsure, "Strawberry? Really? If I wanted to be healthy I'd get a smoothie, chocolate is far superior to strawberry in my opinion, though the cashews are a nice touch I'll give you that. As to Archback, we don't have much dairy given the lack of cows in the community, so we don't really have ice cream, besides, the colder climate makes us more inclined to baked goods." 

[DwhitetheGamer 867]

@@Illiad Easle, 

 

The ponies that were in the bakery stopped chatting again and looked at Midnight again.  Copper looked around at them and said, with a nervous smile on him, "It's just his opinion, guys.  If he likes chocolate more, then that's fine."

 

The rest shrugged and went back to their conversations.  Copper then whispered in Midnight's ear, "You don't have to make a big deal out of it.  You could've said you wanted a chocolate shake."

[Illiad Easle 3,135]

@@DwhitetheGamer,

 

Midnight returned the quiet tone, "You didn't exactly ask before you ordered. If it is the best in town then I hope to be pleasantly surprised despite my reservations. I guess I can't complain, though the question remains of who's paying. I can if that was the expectation." 

[DwhitetheGamer 867]

@@Illiad Easle, 

 

Copper nodded in understanding.  "Sorry.  I'll ask next time."  He looked at the counter.  "Should be about time."

 

Sure enough, Mr. and Mrs. Cake returned to the counter with two Strawberry shakes.  "That will be six bits, sirs." Mrs. Cake said.

 

Copper walked up and exchanged the six bits for his shake, the spoon with him as usual.  Mr. Cake said to Midnight, "Would you like a straw or a spoon, sir?  We would prefer the spoon for the cashews, but the cashews are small enough for the straws."

[Illiad Easle 3,135]

@@DwhitetheGamer,

 

Midnight contemplated for a bit, "Both if that wouldn't be too much trouble."

 

He was still unclear about the whole payment arrangement, mostly the question of whether it was 6 for both or if the shakes were 6 bits each. "Is it 6 for both or six each?" He thought it best to ask in this case. He'd hate to break some unknown cultural law. 

[DwhitetheGamer 867]

@@Illiad Easle, 

 

Mr. Cake nodded and retrieved both a spoon and a straw, putting the straw in first and leaving the spoon out for Midnight to retrieve.  He then said to Midnight, "Together, they're six bits.  I know it doesn't sound like much, but we like to keep our prices as low as possible.  Enjoy your shake, Midnight."

 

Copper then motioned for Midnight to join him at the table he sat on, if he had turned around.