Thread 25: Stories 106-120

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>42
"Brain"
'???'
~~~~~

>DAMN IT!

"OH WHAT NOW!?"

>What? I just stubbed my hoof.

"Oh... sorry, thought you were- waaaaait a minute!"

>STOP MAKING ME STARE!

"At what!? I don't know what you're staring at!"

>You do so, brain!

"Fine, then I command you to stop staring at it!"

>...IT DIDN'T WORK!

"Make it work!"

>You make it work!

"YOU make it work!"

>YOU!

"YOU!"

>THAT'S IT, EAT HOOF!

"BODY WAIT NO DON'T-"

*CRUNCH!*

"Ooooh, I felt that one... yeeep... forgot some basic math there... maybe a name or two.. Body? You okay?"

>...

"...I'll... I'll start cooking up excuses..."

~~~~~

'Okay, so... explain to me again what happened?'

>It is simple, doctor. I have recently realized my mind magic capabilities may not be overly efficient, so I was simply mind controlling myself and testing various ways to break it's hold.

'...'

>Yes, my self inflicted wound is an excellent way to break even the strongest of holds. It is quite the find, I will be passing this information around. It is damaging, yes, but as a warrior I am more than capable of taking a few hits. That said, doctor, you do not have to worry. This is thankfully one of those things that need only be confirmed once.

'...Okay. Sure. I buy that.'

>I do not see why you would not, but I thank you anyway I suppose. Have a good day......... nice work, brain.

"I hurt."

>All for the good of the hive, Brain.

"I forgot which way was left."

>Hah, yeah... yeah... you're funny.
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Non-canon
>Spike
"Chitania"
'???'
~~~
>Look, The Gun Club is a public organization, and we're always happy to have new members but fighting arts and technologies behind it are a shared hobby we have that brings us together.

"Are you saying I don't like to fight? Those are fighting words! I'll fucking kick your ass here and now!"

>Now I'm not saying that! I'm just- You don't see the club type-

"It's because i'm a changeling, isn't it?! That's racist!"

>No- Look... let's be honest, you're not a sociable sort, why do you REALLY want to join the club?

"... I wanted my own hoverbike..."

>That's to join the A-Team.

"... Where's the sign up booth for the Royal Guard?"

>Uhh-

"Found it on my own!"

Later, when Equestria is being assailed by inter-dimensional invaders...

>Don't you get it, Sunset? There's not scenario here where you come out ahead!

'I have an army!'

>We have a Chitania.

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That buzzing noise always scared her. She never said it out loud, of course. She didn't want her mother to think she was a frightened little grub. But it did. Because when that noise happened... something else was happening. That wasn't surprising...

What was surprising was that this had been going on for weeks now.

“Ma-... My Queen? Why... why are you calling her? Is something wrong?”

Her angry, angry eyes turned. A fierce hiss dripping with venom and irritation drowning out the sound of her horns call. Her skin looked weird in the green light emitted from her horn, coming out a sickly, pale color.

“...Go back to sleep, Arana.”

Her mothers voice was cold, as always. But... but this one was a little too cold. It was too much from what she was used to.

“What's wrong? I can help, mama-”

The Queen snarled, a long chitinous spear lancing just above the smaller Changeling's head and splitting the stone above her head.

“What did I say, child?”

Too overcome by shakes to respond, she instead skittered up the side of the wall and into her webbing nest, pretending to wrap herself up tightly. Seemingly uncaring enough to even double check, the monstrous Queen resumed her magic.

“Come... come on... I know you can hear me... ANSWER!”

The shrill, angry screech split the air, sounding like a demon from the darkest pits of hell.

“She's ignoring me... of course she's ignoring me, because... because her, that other one! She must have convinced her... she must have said I'm too dangerous! That I need to be eliminated! My hive is too strong, too deadly, they will want our power for themselves, but they can't do it with me in the way! They'll be after me soon... soon... soon they'll converge on me... she'll be there too. DAMN! DAMN IT ALL! I can't fight the Titan! Her hive is no issue, but the beast herself is more than my match!... Damn them... DAMN THEM!”

She was working herself into a fever now, just like she always did when she got angry. She normally took it out on some poor creature she found, but it seems she couldn't even bring herself to do that.

“I can't let them have my power... my hive... It has to be..”

She had never been afraid of her mother. Not once in her whole life.

But the look in her eyes, at that moment... changed that.

“On my terms...”

Two days later, her mother would say her last words to Arana, and disappear. She would never see her mother again....

And now she knew why.

“Arana?”

She knew they were worried. Rarity had been prodding at her all day, but she wouldn't come out of her little corner. She was just wrapped up in her little web, not moving.

“Darling, is something the matter? You didn't come out all day...”

“I'm fine.”

The reply did not convince her in the least.

“Arana, come now. As one of those that dragged you from that place, I can't just leave you to sit in your little cubby up there. At least tell me what's wrong.”

It was a long silence that followed that. A silence only broken by a tiny, tiny squeak.

“I'm a jerk.”

False, wide eyelashes fluttered in confused blinks.

“Whatever for, darling?”

“Because she didn't ignore her, a-and I still called her stuff... I didn't... “

A magical force, tiny as a blade, cut through the webbing, allowing the white Alicorn to pull her free. Softly, she brought the tiny shaking bundle before her.

“What do you mean, darling?”

Eight legs curled around her as she floated there, feeling miserable.

“Chitania didn't ignore mama... s-she... she c-couldn't help her. A-a-and I just kept calling her a... a...”

White forelegs were around her in an instant.

“Oh, oh sweetie, I'm so sorry... I thought you knew she had been in the ice for so long.”

“N-noooo... a-and I just kept... I just kept...”

Softly, she began to stroke the poor thing's back.

“Well, if it's any consolation, I don't think she would have been very helpful. She's such a dreadful thing-”

“NO!”

The ringing in her ears from that screech was the least of her worries.

“N-NO! S-s-s-she would have been there! She was always there! M-momma said she wouldn't... she wouldn't! She wouldn't leave her! She was always... she... she... she could've helped her... momma might still be...”

Weary of setting her off again, Rarity decided it was best just to be silent, and hold her.

“I-I-I'm sorry.”

“There is nothing to apologize for. You did not know.”

“I'm sorry... I'm sorry... I didn't mean it...”

“I know, darling, I know.”

“I'm sorry...”

She remained like that for who knows how many hours. Just sitting away, letting eight long legs and four shorter ones grip her with everything they had, just letting her get it all out. All of the bitter feelings at the anger she had felt, all of the things she had said tasting so sour in her mouth, she just let it all out.

What more could Rarity do, but simply be there? To let her say it, help her get through it, and help her move on when she finished?

It wasn't all that much, she admitted...

But she would give it anyway.

For the one who is no longer here to give it to her.

She just hoped... she would be enough.
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>Spike
"42"
'77'
~~~
Spike busts into the Gun Club meeting room

"Yo, kiddo, the hell's up?"

Spike instead dives behind the couch with a panicked yelp

'The devil is wrong with you? This is most unbecoming of a young leader!'

>It's Diamond Tiara!

"Is she still mad about the Gala?"

>No... It's worse than that!

'Did she sell her soul to the forces of darkness?'

>No.

"'What is it?!'"

>She's figured out how to further upgrade her rocket launcher!

'... So this is it?'

"The end of times... 77, it's been an honor."

'As it has been with you.'
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>32
"Reggie"
'Q'
-Guard-

>Ohhhhhh buffalo girls~
Won't'cha come out tonight~?
Come out tonight~?
Come out tonight~?
Buffalo girls won't'cha come out tonight~?
Take it, Reggie!

"*chitter*...*chitter*...*chitter*..."

>Attaboy! Who needs Flim and Flam? I'll have a quartet in no time!

-Can you keep it down in there? We can hear you all the way upstairs.-

>Aw, you're aren't enjoying my little serenade? I guess it's too much to ask for stiff-necked soldier boys to fall for them big bad buffalo ladies.

-...what?-

>I...where was I even going with that one? I lose my train of thought a lot these days. More often than that weird epidemic of derailed and rerailed trains you've been having.

-How'd you find out about that?-

>The dragon complained about it once, apparently not only are the trains not running on time, they're not running to the right destinations.

'...'

>Oh yes, Q, it is a travesty!

-I...look, just keep it down, okay?-

>Or what? You'll kill me?

-What? No!-

>Why not!?

-Because I'd be disobeying orders!-

>You'd be a hero, though, killed one of those gosh darn bugs that made Chitty Chitty Stomp Stomp crush this little burg.

-I don't want to be a hero, not a lot of us do anymore. Not after what happened to the last guy who tried it.-

>Oh please, what happened to him?

-He got eaten by a giant Changeling.-

>...ah...I see...guess I...walked into that one. I'll...I'll try to be more quiet.

-Thank you.-

The guard leaves.

"...?"

'...*tink*.'

"*chitter*!"

>Huh? What? Oh...yes, yes I'm fine...let's, guys, let's try a new song, hey?

"*chitter*"

>No, we are not letting Thorax on drums. Now follow my lead.

>Some drones are born made to raise the flag
>Oh they're righteous and true!
>And when the band plays 'Hail to the Queen'
>Oh they'll point their lasers at you~
>Well it ain't me, it ain't me~
>I ain't no warrior's son~!
>Oh it ain't me, it ain't me~
>I ain't no fortunate one~!
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77 and Cheerilee stood looking out over a pond in Canterlot, the two reminiscing on life. "Beloved, if you do not mind me asking, just how did you become tangled up in the forces of darkness?"

The school teacher sighed and looked out wistfully. "It's a long story, though I suppose not as long as what you've been through."

Cheerilee drew in a cleansing breath to prepare relating her lost tale.

"Cheerylee waited. The lights above her blinked and sparked out of the air. There were demons in the school. She didn’t see them, but had expected them now for years. Her warnings to Cernel Joson were not listenend to and now it was too late. Far too late for now, anyway.
Cheerylee was a teecher for fourteen years. When she was young she watched the fillies and she said to dad “I want to be teach daddy.”
Dad said “No! You will BE KILL BY DEMONS”
There was a time when she believed him. Then as she got oldered she stopped. But now in the schoolhouse school of the MLP she knew there were demons.
“This is Joson” the radio crackered. “You must fight the demons!”
So Cheerylee gotted her palsma rifle and blew up the wall.
“HE GOING TO KILL US” said the demons
“I will shoot at him” said the cyberdemon and he fired the rocket missiles. Cheerylee plasmaed at him and tried to blew him up. But then the ceiling fell and they were trapped and not able to kill.
“No! I must kill the demons” she shouted
The radio said “No, Cheerylee. You are the demons”
And then Cheerylee was a zombie."

The couple slowly turned their heads to the source of the atrociously told story.

"... That's totally how it happened."

They stared harder.

"In my head."

More silence.

"... Fine, Slasherjack, I'll let your marefriend tell the story the right way. But mine was totally badass, you have to admit that, and the twist at the end was artistic genius!"

"I just wonder how to pronounced my name right and somehow got it wrong."

"Her majesty has many talents."
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>42
"Jugglejack"
~~~~~

>...You know, I think we might be missing something.

"Right? Feels like there's always somebody laughing, and I never know why."

>Well, they never do it to my face of course, but I do feel like they talk about me when I'm not around.

"I've heard mentions, but I never paid attention."

>Pity, would love to know what is so funny.

"You and me both, sister. They actually laugh when I'm around, it drives me nuts."

>Yeah... oh, hey, new balls?

"Yeah, Actarius gave them to me! He said he had an uncle that was getting rid of them, so he wanted me to have them."

>That is nice of him... shampoo?

"Oh! Uh, yeah, Actarius said he couldn't afford his favorite shampoo this week, so I went out and juggled on the street for a bit, and ponies threw money in my little cup! Guy loves his hair, so...oh! Hey! You, uh, you missed your blush."

>...No idea what you are referring to.

"Your blush? It's kind of smudged on your cheek."

>Ah. This is actually a powder I use on my hooves to prevent cracking and seal any minor breaks that occur. I must have wiped my cheek.

"...Are you wearing lipstick?"

>NO! It... uh, I mean, I split my lip the other day. This is a medical concoction of my own making designed to help it heal and prevent scars.

"..."

>...It tastes like raspberries.

"...C-.. can I try?"

>...Just a little. But you have to- DON'T EAT IT!

"It does taste like raspberries!"

>...Damn it, gonna be hard to explain that one to Ca-...

"..."

>...To my doctor

"Ohhh... Well, would love to talk, but me and Actarius are gonna go down to the park so he can watch me juggle."

>...You have fun with that.

"I will, thanks! Oh, and I hope your date with Shiny goes well!"

>I AM NOT GOING ON A DATE WE ARE DOING LAST MINUTE TRAINING BECAUSE HE NEEDS TO TRAIN AND IT IS THE LAST MINUTE AND *I WILL PUNCH YOU!*!

"...Bye!"

>GOODBYE HAVE A GOOD DAY!

"..."

>...Way to fucking go, brain... NO IT WAS YOUR FAULT! WASWASWASWASWAS
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>42
"77"
'Spike'
[DT]
{SS}
~~~~

>This is my HOOF BURN!

"Ugh."

'WEEEEAK!'

[Come on, that's just sad.]

{...I think it sounds cool.}

>Well, what's wrong with it? I use my green fire around my hoof, and PUNCH!

"But then it's not burning, the blow would be too quick to do any flame damage."

>...

'On top of that, it will make your hoof more weakened, so you'll just be hurting yourself.'

[And it sounds stupid.]

>...Well, I'm kind of out of options here! My love harness is dangerous to my health if I use it too much, I need something I could use if you know who shows back up.

{You know who?}

[Stompy mcsuperbug.]

{Oh... her toys are awesome.}

[Aren't they?]

"I'm sorry, toys?"

[Oh yeah. I've even got the gryphon armor variant.]

>...That seems like it is in exceedingly poor taste.

{Naahhhh, they give a cut of the proceeds to the families.}

[It's a charity case.]

>...Do we have toys?

[Of course not.]

'Oh, phew. Was worried-'

[My daddy owns you guy's trademarks, but there's no way he'd sell it off now. We'd have to do something really awesome first, our rep took a major hit when we got curbstomped.]

>Ah...

[Yeah, you gotta sell it while it's hot. Like Daddy did with Chitania's trademark! He made loads off that.]

"Oh?"

[Yeah. Lot's of backroom deals... deals which he said I am never to ask about nor observe until I'm over twenty five.]

'Why twenty five?'

{Do not question the brownie maker.}

[She knows what's up.]

>...IGNITION PUNCH!

"Same problems apply."

>YOU SHUT IT!
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>I've even got the gryphon armor variant.
~~~~~

ELSEWHERE!

>GRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!

"...I actually like the colors."

>IDRIS I SWEAR TO THE GREAT HAWK IN THE SKY!
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>Rekulk
"Worker Morlock"
'Warrior Morlock'

Below, far below the surface world, three Morlocks stand at the exit of their race's slowly growing city. One is hitched to a cart leaden down with gems and ores, another -smaller- looks around, brimming with energy, and the final one towers over the other two, a blade made from some kind of tooth hanging at his side.

>Are we readied?

'Yes, Trade-Brother.'

"Very readied, Trade-Brother, very!"

>The suits, you have tried them?

'Yes, Trade-Brother.'

"It fits snug, very snug!"

>Good good. Vekir, be sure to stay close. Grehm, do you have the...goodwill gift the head of metal proposed?

'Yes, Trade-Brother.'

The big one, 'Grehm' takes out a sack and throws it into the cart.

>Good, we have learned muchly from these. Now it is time they were returned. Let us go, the City of White awaits!

The trio make their way into the dark tunnels.

"Trade-Brother, what is the City of White like?"

>It is a beautiful place, little sister, a mighty place where the Pony Princesses rule with wisdom and grace. The brethren of Zhetri Tuuhl live there too, their clever Queen, and the Helm-Headed, and the One-Eye!

"Gaspings!"

>Yes indeed, many gaspings! Their armies are mighty, their wealth endless, and their forgiveness and friendship are legendary! They are shrewd and clever traders, too-

'Food Bags.'

>BE SILENT!

Grehm snickers.

>Hmph...but remember, the land above is peaceful, yet dangerous. The Sky Demon roars across the skies, threatening us with its might, and it is only when we are present before its gentle brother that we are safe to take off our suits.

"Will the Twience Princess really give us new suits, Elder Brother?"

Rekulk smiles as they continue walking.

>Younger Sister, I am sure of it.


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>Spike
"42"
'Various Guards'
~~~
>Alright, to make aiming easier for you guys, I got as bunch of Twilight's old laser pointers for your guns.

'Mine has a smiley face!'

>Oops, lemme change the lens on that one ou-

'NO! IT'S MINE!'

>Uhhh... okay-

"Hey, kiddo, got a moment."

>Sure thing, everyone, safety on and-

'We know how to NOT shoot, Spike. You taught us that much.'

'Heheheh, smiley face.'

>Alright, hold until I give the word. So what can I do for you?

"It's... a big favor, actually, and not one I feel in any position to put you through, but... Seeing as the folks your teaching haven't died yet, would you be willing to teach the changelings?"

>Well sure.

"Just like that?"

>Just like that. I mean as long as they want to. Besides, my problems tend to be more with Chrysalis than any one of you guys. You're family to me, 42.

"Geez... Way to make me feel like an awful bitch for when I flew off the handle and chewed you out."

>Family does that to eachother. You should have heard the chew out Twilight used to give me back before we moved to Ponyville which have led to my lack of a sense of self-worth and willingness to do suicide errands on a moment's notice.

"... What?"

>So when can you bring the hive by?

"... Uhhh.. .Whenever you train your guys next?"

>Perfect, I'll start them on the nerf guns.

Spike heads back to his soldiers and 42 walks away

"That kids got huge issue he needs help with."
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It was raining today.

Of course it was raining. Rain disguised their scent, it created a fine mist for them to slip into at a moment's notice, it made other creatures more prone to hiding away in their homes, safe and warm. For a species who would wish to remain hidden, it was a boon.

It was also a boon disguising, well, other things, but not a one of them would admit to that.

“It's been too long.”

She didn't need to say it, of course. They were all aware that it had been well over the time when most Queens were declared lost. Most were granted a few months, at best, to declare their presence in the living world before they were written off as just another in the long list of 'deceased'.

It had been well over a year now for Chitania.

At last, they decided to stop hoping.

This gathering was little more than one last chance, one last look to their sisters, aunts and cousins to see if any, any at all, had heard even the slightest thing about her. A dead body. An army brought low. A crater the size of a city. Something. Something to tell them just what, exactly, had torn their strongest from them. Not a single one came forward.

If there was any suspicion to each other in their ranks, that one of them had been responsible, none said anything. The idea that one of their own would go after Chitania... of all of them, Chitania, was alien. Perhaps had Titania still been alive, there would be cause for suspicion. But as it stands...

As it stands there were far too many flat, emotionless faces for suspicion. They were masters of hiding how they felt, the very best. But sometimes... sometimes how little shown says it all.

There were no speeches. No reminiscing, though there would have been plenty to shard had they been willing. No mingling or talking or socializing. They simply sat there, gathered together in this hidden place within the forest, in silence. All of them lost in their own thoughts. The silence felt like it lasted a lifetime.

A spark of flame suddenly ignited, and they all flinched.

A green bolt fired suddenly, and without warning, into the air. Yet strangely, there was no fear from the others. No fear of betrayal and subterfuge. Instead...

Another joined it. And another. And another still. With whatever power the could spare, they fired their magic into the air. Perhaps it was the 'rain' within their eyes, perhaps it was the murky sky above, but they would swear... they would swear their magic had made a shape. A shape that held such memories to them. Memories they would hold just like this one right now.

The last last time that shape looked down upon them, and they felt warmth.

Eventually, the clouds began to part, and the rain began to stop.

One by one, they began to file out. Casting one last look at the gathering. The gathering that seemed far too small, now. There were once so many...

But there was no time to wonder, to question. They had hives to return to. They had lives to continue living. They had to keep on surviving. For as long as they could. Even if it meant ignoring the others. Even if it meant... doing it all alone.

Soon, the sun shone down on the empty gap in the forest, not a trace of what had once been there. Not a single trace...

Of what would come to be the final gathering of the Changeling Queens.
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>29
"32"
'???'
~~~~~

>So then I set the whole thing on fire. Was laid up in Zecora's days for two solid risings of stars and moon.

"My word, never took you for the suicidal one."

>You jest, but suicide at this point would only entrench my poor soul further with the phantoms who reside in mine presence.

"You'll forgive me if I seem unsympathetic."

>...Heh, I suppose we both are trapped within cages of our own choices, are we not? Mine of my inability to leave those since past to their fates... and your of your own need for revenge.

*...*

"Q is right, the poetic work doesn't really land when one of us is actually behind bars and starving."

>Oh? Why didn't you say so. Hold on, I have some to spare.

"...Some indeed! My word!"

>Oh, yes. I suppose I get some appreciation from Marey and Zecora. Those two...

"...Yes?"

>Well, I must say, I would not be here without them. They've been... irreplaceable in these trials.

"Hm. They sound nice, you should bring them by sometimes."

>Perhaps I shall. But, alas, though I wish I could stay longer here, I must-GAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHOOOOHFUCKFUCKFUCKFUCKNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

*GETSTHEFUCKOUT!*

"...Well, that was odd."

'Oh, shoot, was that 29? Oh wow, I haven't seen him in forever.'

"Oh? Do you have a history?"

'...You could say that.'

>AHDUNWANNAGOBACKINTHETUBE! AHDUNWANNAGOBAAAAAAAACK!
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>Chitania
"Locustana"
~~~~~

>....I... I just...

"Cool, right? I've got a whole army now!"

>...I just...

"I mean, I know, they're skeletons, but they're really cool skeletons! They tore up this village in under a second!"

>...My head hurts.

"Awww, don't worry Chitty! I don't want to make you obsolete or anything. That said, if you wanted to swear fealty to me, I would totally understand and be accepting, and not ask for too much 'funstuff'."

>... Locustana?

"Yeeeesss? Is the next part asking me what to call you? I was thinking 'general' or 'general consort', depending on how this went."

>...How are you controlling them?

"Silly, I just use my mind control! See?"

>...

"...Huh... why... why aren't they..."

>...

"...Ohhhhh... no brains to... to do the... yeah..."

>...

"...If you could start hitting things now, that would just be spectacular. And if you would not mention this to anyone, that would be even more spectacular."

>...

"...Especially not the consort part. But you know what? We'll work out the particulars in a second becauseholyshitfuckingskeletonsarecomingHITTHEMCHITTYHITTHEMHITTHEM!"

>...Sigh....
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>Chitania
"Vespilla"
'Necrophorus'
~~~~~

>You can't be serious.

"What? She didn't want to ask you herself. She's so shy."

'RIDERIDERIDEIRIDERIDE!'

>...You can't be serious.

"She just wants a little one."

>Do I look like some kind of mount?

'Momma says you need a good mount, does that count?'

"..."

>...

'...Heehee! I rhymed!'

"And mommy is very proud, honey."

>Look, seriously, I'm not letting her ride around on my back.

"You did to Saturnia!"

>While carrying her out of a collapsing tunnel, because she was an idiot. Much like you are being right now. You idiot.

"Pleeeeease?"

'PLEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAASSSSSSSEEEE!?'

>...If I do this, It's never going to end, is it? You'll just keep calling me back.

"No!"

>...

"...Only when she asks."

>No.

'Awwww, meanie!'

"Sweetie, I appreciate your courage, but remember what mommy said?"

'Don't insult the Titan to her face, do it behind her back?'

"...You remember what else she said?"

'Don't tell Chitania you said that?'

"..."

'...Ohhh... should have reminded me of that other one first.'

>The saddest part of my life is that after she ascends, I'm still not going to be rid of both of you headaches. And, seeing how she acts with me, her prospects of finding a mate are fairly scarce... meaning that, very likely, she will be around... forever...

"...Thank Love I won't be around for that."

'HEY!'
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