“Perhaps poorly was not the correct word to use. For that, I apologize, Cadence. Still, I think you two have a lot you need to talk about.”
“Luna, why do you believe that I would want to see him again?”
“Because he has something to say, something you should hear. Doesn’t he?” Luna’s eyes bored into the side of my skull as she shown every possible metaphorical spotlight on me.
‘Oh dear.’
“I would like… to apologize.”
“Starting off with lying to me is not a good start.”
“I could hardly say that it’s awkward to see you again–”
“You lied when saying that you want to apologize.”
“Ah… Well… Hmm…”
“Do you know what you did? Do you really understand how much you hurt me? Us?”
“No. I’ve been too busy trying to not die to pay attention to any news.”
Cadence squinted her eyes a bit but continued, “Can you not even stop and think about what you did? You and your army and your Queen showed up out of nowhere and rained fire on Canterlot! Do you know how many ponies were injured? How many will never recover? How many will never move on? Before you came, I was afraid of making a diplomatic incident, of making a fool of myself and Aunt Celestia. Now... “
She brought the sword out from her side and put it between us with a flourish.
“My biggest fear is waking up, back in that disgusting thing you put me in. You took from me something that never can be given back. You made me pick up this thing of pain and hatred, if only to protect myself. I dream, not of using this sword to defeat you, but of the day when I can put it back down. So what would happen if I were to use it right now?”
“I imagine that it would be extremely painful for me and satisfying for you.”
“So why shouldn’t I?”
I opened my mouth, then closed it. Opened it again, only to close it a second time. Finding the right words turned out to be difficult.
“I am… sorry. I did not initially wish the pain and havoc I brought upon your kingdom to happen. I did my duty, and I am sorry to say that I did take pleasure in it. I am sorry you were the victims, and that there were victims at all, but I would do it all again if I had to.”
“Why? Why did you attack us? What reason could there possibly be for all this pain?”
“We were dying. Within months, we would have all starved to death. I made a token effort to look into alternatives, but no results revealed themselves before I became too busy with creating and executing the war plan. I had a duty to my people. It was us, or it was you.”
“A token effort? How much did you really even try?”
“None at all. I put my most trusted friend on the task. I was too busy to do anything myself. I am sorry that it was Equestria that was our target. I am remorseful that we had a target at all. But I cannot be sorry that I carried out my duty and invaded.”
“Was there no future where we lived in harmony? Did you even consider such a future?”
“Queen Chrysalis weighed the military might of our species against the generosity of yours. She decided to not reduce our kind to having the bargaining power of slaves. It is a decision I agreed with, and to an extent still do.”
“Slaves? Slaves?! What on Equus are you talking about? Have we not been kind to our neighbors? Have we not been generous to our friends? We treat others equally. We give love freely, only hoping that it is returned!”
“Were it so easy… Our history has taught us that the Masquerade exists to protect us. There is no cooperation between changelings and ponies. Not now, not ever. The history of other kingdoms shows the same. Is Griffonia not in utter poverty? Are the Emberlands not lawless noling’s land? All around your bastion of stability, might makes right. Equestria sits at the center of the world, enjoying a golden age while the rest of the world dies in the dark. We wanted our place in the sun. And now, I can only hope that we have secured enough food to stave off extinction.”
“We were trying our best to help them out! All of them! Food and relief supplies to Griffonstone. Diplomatic talks with the Dragonlord. Even investment aid to Zebrica! It is their own stubbornness and pride that caused them to turn away our kindness, but we never stopped trying. Your kingdom never asked, only tried to take.”
“No, we didn’t.”
“So that’s it then? You’re only sorry that I was the victim? Or are you really only sorry that you lost? What about us? Do you realize just what would have happened if you had won?”
“You would have lived. A future, a distant one, where we might have worked together in a fashion. That was my plan, though I’m sure Nightmare Moon had her own plans. I don’t know, I don’t have visions of the future. But now? Thousands of my people are dead, dying, or doomed to die. I do not know anymore if we will be here in a hundred years. I fought, and I lost. More than you know, I lost.”
“Just what exactly could you have lost?”
The one thing I did have control over– and Luna did too– was my physical form. I chose how I looked. I absconded my healthy, pre-rebellion look to change into what I looked like after I was plunged into the river. Claw marks, gouged out bites, and of course my missing limb. The change was sudden; I was there healthy, then my body shimmered, and there I was torn.
“My closest friends. My subjects that looked up to me and believed in me. They all believed that I could protect them. That I could end the hunger that haunted us all. That I could bring them a future where they didn’t worry for their own lives every time they made a mistake. Now, they’re all dead, missing, or hiding within the retreating Legions. I lost. Chrysalis lost. Changelings have lost. We’re fighting a losing battle with no way out. The Masquerade Protocol cannot be unbroken. The dead cannot be brought back to life. The rift in the changeling Hive cannot ever be mended. Unless something changes, we’re going to die, either by Daybreaker’s hoof or by the hunger that has hunted us for centuries. I am sorry that you were the victim, but I am not sorry for trying to end the pain. My only regret is failing.”
The sword’s tip lowered but still pointed towards me. Cadence shook her head slowly.
“Shining watched you torture a foal. You didn’t even hesitate. How could you do something like that? How could anypony?”
“Very easily, as it turned out. For better or for worse.”
I walked forward. Cadence raised the sword and it pushed against the chitin on my chest, stopping me.
“You can run me through, right here right now. I don’t know if I would die, but it would hurt.”
“I don’t want to hurt anypony. I just want the misery to end. If you are willing to do such horrible things, just how much effort would you put into doing the right things? The right decision is often the hardest.”
“... Do you know what would have happened to me if I lost? If we lost the war?”
“You did lose.”
“And by a last second fluke I am here before you. This wasn’t something Chrysalis nor I had predicted. Do you want to know what would have happened if I did not escape Canterlot?”
She didn’t move. Her eyes briefly flicked to my missing foreleg.
“The same thing that would have happened if I had won. A fate worse than death. I have not completely escaped that nightmare. If Chrysalis finds out that I am still alive, she would most certainly attempt to drag me back to the Hive in the dead of night. Sharpening her scalpels, she would tell me how it’s all for the greater good. She was planning on mutilating me, on ripping me to pieces. You’re still frustrated and scared from what I did? The damage I’ve done? Go ahead, stab me. You will find the power and control you desperately want. It wouldn’t even be the first time I’ve been tortured.”
The sword clattered to the ground. Cadence started hyperventilating.
“I–I don’t want to torture ponies! I don’t want to be that kind of– of pony! I just want to help others… I just want to be a good princess!”
“And I just want to be a good Prince. How much must I bleed before the pain ends?”
Luna had kept silent the entire conversation. When Cadence started to sob, she rushed over and embraced her. Cadence buried her face into Luna’s neck. I didn’t think ill of Luna for her silence. She had no place in our conversation; interference would have only messed things up.
After a few minutes, Cadence started to quiet down.
“Are you what I am going to become?” Cadence asked. “A ruler who has strayed so far from Harmony that they can’t go back?”
“Glad to see you think I’m beyond redemption.”
“T-That’s not what I–”
“I know. Princess Cadence... I take pleasure in being feared. It’s exhilarating. But I don’t take pleasure in hurting others. I may be the bad guy to you ponies, but to my changelings I am the only one fighting for their rights and for their chance at having the best future possible. Be thankful that things haven’t gotten so bad for Equestria that you don’t have to be me.”
“Do you think that there’s a future where we can work together?”
“I hope there is. That’s why I am here with Luna. She is quite adamant that there is indeed a future for us all. I don’t quite see it myself, but I trust her word. I am sorry that you have suffered, but I cannot undo the past.”
“Would you, if you could?”
“If it meant saving my friends and subjects? Without a doubt.”
“Is there no room in your heart for strangers?”
“... There was no choice but to fight on and hope to find a better solution after it’s all over.”
“There’s always a choice. You just have to believe in yourself and your friends.”
“I tried. I simply ran out of time…”
“Maybe you just didn’t have enough friends? Many hooves make light work.”
I recalled my time in the hive. I smiled as I remembered the First Fang and our time together. Then I remembered who was in the First Fang.
“Or maybe I had too many.”
“That’s not possible.”
“... Someone I trusted betrayed me. Because of him, I led those I was supposed to protect to their deaths.”
“I… I am so sorry to hear that. The more I hear about your side of the story, the more ashamed I am to have never even considered the idea that there was another side to the war.”
“I am sorry that I let my emotions get the best of me… I should not have hurt that foal. I even used them as a shield, I should have never put them in harm’s way. I let frustration guide my decision.”
“You will need to apologize to her, too.”
“In time. I can’t right now. If word gets out about my survival…”
“Your friends will stand with you.”
“Hard to do that when they’re dead.”
“... Then make new ones. Don’t forget who you’ve lost, but don’t be alone in life. Here, I’ll help you out. Would you like to be friends?”
“I… What? What?”
I looked at Luna. She nodded to me.
“Uh… Okay? Yes?”
“Wonderful!” Cadence smiled, but her eyes widened and she turned to look at the mannequin made in my likeness. “Ah, sorry about, uh…”
“It’s alright.”
“It brings relief to my heart to hear that you understand his plight, Cadence.” Luna said.
“What can I say, I’m a sucker for sob stories. I’d like to know what happened to have led to this horribleness.”
“Did we not just discuss that?” I asked.
“No. I mean, I’d like to know what started all this. From the beginning.”
“You’re asking for my life’s story or something?”
“If you’re okay with sharing…”
‘Hmm… If Thorax was here, he’d say to figure out Cadence’s perspective. Learn how she views things in such a positive light, or how she finds the right solution to problems. The good solution. Or that I should put flowers in my hair. It’s Thorax, who knows?’
“In exchange for your story, I will share mine.”
“I would like that. Can we also… start anew?”
I nodded.
“Hello. I am Princess Mi Amore Cadenza. But please, call me Cadence.”
“Hello Cadence. I am Prince Phasmatodea. But please, call me Phasma.”
Cadence smiled.
Luna interrupted us, “I am afraid this exchange will have to wait for another time. The night draws short, and we must return to where we belong. It brings me no small amount of joy to see you two not at each other’s throats. Progress at last! Come Phasma, we shall return another night.”
“Wait!” Cadence called out, “What about Shining?”
Luna frowned, “His proximity to Daybreaker means he is far more liable to let slip information before we are ready. Making you aware of Phasma’s survival is already a concession on his part, I cannot risk Daybreaker knowing.”
“But he needs to know this. He…” She turned to me, “Your fight with Shining did a number on him. He’s hurting, even if he hides it well. Talking with each other will do you both good.”
“Daybreaker finding me is not much better than Chrysalis. As long as he’s Captain of the guard under Daybreaker, Shining Armor must not know that I live.”
Luna nodded.
“I am with Phasma on this one. Furthermore, you must continue acting horror-struck and keep up your combat training. Daybreaker mustn’t know of our activities. I am sorry to place this burden upon your shoulders. We will speak more again soon. Fare thee well, wonderful Cadence.”
“... Night, Luna. You too, Phasma.”
“Uh, yeah. Good night Cadence.”
Luna wrapped a wing around me and then we were gone.
i wounder when candece will be told she hated a 9 month old (i think thats phas age)
Welp at least the apology has been made and been accepted. Here's hoping the two can figure out how to turn the Changelings into Changedlings.
not the april fools yay
Well, that was rather sudden. I wasn't expecting anyone who had lived such a privileged life as Cadence to move past her greatest trauma so quickly.
The conversation was wonderful, Cadance acted just like a pony princess should. Phasma is going to be baffled many times before, not only he figure out, but fully embrace how ponies do things
The power of diplomatic conversation... Now how fucked is everything going to get if we end on such a high note?
10747908
Her ascension is the canon one:
She grew up in an earth pony village and became an alicorn after... something something forgiving a witch. I haven't read the comics, okay? Point is she's redeemed a villain before. This is nothing new, just more extreme.
It'll be interesting to see what exactly Phasma tells Cadence. Just the story of his life- or whether he brings in the (abridged) history of the changelings as context, the destruction of the hives and what caused them and why the Masquerade had to be upheld and why they couldn't just up and ask to be helped. How much of his life, even. Whether he tells her about being a wandering soul, though from what I've seen that wouldn't be as likely to tell as he plays it close to the chest.
If he brings up how everything he did was designed completely to minimize casualties and damage- I could see that going many ways.
Wow, she went from "You should be dead." to "Would you like to be friends?” in one meeting. Phasma must've rolled a 20 on that charisma check.
I'm sorry but why are we not even mentioning to her that that child was an ILLUSION?!?!?
10747953
Cadance got horn by redeeming villain. So quickly overcoming trauma for redeeming another one is plausible.
10747961
That is a good question. Slider? 10747922
10747964
The foal wasn't an illusion. Phasma initially planned on making an illusion of him torturing the foal, but that plan failed (Shining rushed out and was too close) and so he actually hurt her.
10747972
I had to read to fast and didn't get that.
Thanks for info
Well that went about as well as it could have. Phasma's a bit self-righteous and Cadance a bit traumatized, but that's to be expected.
Well, there was no hug but I like how things end up. Phasma is so getting invited to the wedding jeje, yay free wedding cake slice!
"Hello everyling, this is Phasma with another any% forgiveness speedrun, this time we're attempting Cadance on foe-to-friend difficulty."
10748017
"So right here, what we want to do is choose the dialogue option that says that we easily tortured the foal. This causes an underflow error in Cadence's hostility, setting it to the highest value and causes her to want to be friends."
*Gets stabbed*
"... This is just RNG manipulation."
That was unexpectedly easy, too easy even. Cadence quite literally went from learning swordsmanship in preparation to attack Phamsa to wanting to be his friend in what, less than an hour of conversation?
And yet I don't think there is anything wrong with the characterization or conversation per see. Actually, I feel like this is roughly how a canon Cadence would have acted. I guess that after being accustomed to scheming, dark, and sometimes straight-up evil beings such Chrysalis, NMM, and Daybreaker it just feels jarring and offputting to see Phasma have an honest interaction with a normal pony.
10748066
'Uh oh, how badly did I fuck up?'
Fwew! I am so glad to hear that this was done well. Writing canon characters is quite daunting for me.
10747922
I did cadence origin story isn't in it. It was some book novel thingie.
That was two years ago so it might be in there now...
Well, that was...easier than I expected. I have a feeling she might tell Shining though.
how much of that help was drowned out in harmony religous bs? How much help did Equestria cut back when those other beings (whose biology* can vastly differ) failed to convert? How much did you actually do yourself? How much of that did you only hear from Celestia who has kept various status quos for a thousand years?
Do you really know the story or just the narrative others provide?
*Living in an all hjman world we take it slightly for granted that humans act human. Sure, there is a difference between white and black but it exists below the skin too. If we just say they are 1% different then 99% of the time they will think the same. That 1% accounts for different brain chemestry which is why some features/habits remain even when raised culturally the same.
How much bigger difference would we really see in dragons versus ponies? A great deal i wager. Spike's pony upbringing might actually be harmful both physically and psychologically if more science is added...
10748085
Points at how Phasma and Luna behave as if the mechanics behind the movement of astral objects is a more pressing topic for discussion than Daybreaker using political prisoners as food for changeling POWs.
I love the idea of Daybreaker having political prisoners too much for me to let that drop until you address it, you wonderfully wonderful author.
Neat
just found out this was here when I refreshed the page after reading the chapter before this one hehe, and so this went ALLOT smoother than what I thought it would but it went very reasonable, like if you heart two VERY reasonable persons on opposite sides talking or discussing something. I was expecting Cadance to lash at least by instinct on him at first. In regards of the foal thing I thought Phasma never put the child in harms way, just made it look like the foal was in harms way but he seemed careful enough. Maybe I just don't remember some details that puts Phasma in a bad light but honestly I dont think any other changeling would have done it as gentle as him.
.... Not even a little penetration during his time with the Princess of love?
I feel robbed. D:
10748155
Corner... Now.
10748119
I mean, to be fair if the sun and move move differently than how they are supposed to, you would be concerned too.
10748149
Phasma 'fed' on the foal for a moment, long enough for her to cry out in pain and for Shining to cave.
10748155
That's reserved for the Princess of Night.
10747964
Horn. She started out as a pegasus.
10748175
You know, I don't even think you made a mistake. Luna has been pretty solidly characterized as being immensely naive regarding politics. It may also be that on the Equestria of a thousand years ago slighting a royal was a valid cause for imprisonment, (it isn't like lese majeste laws aren't a thing, after all). It's feasible for Luna to think the whole affair is of minor importance.
Phasma meanwhile has no real understanding of Equestria yet, so as far as he knows Daybreaker is doing nothing new.
But to justify it as "Phasma was really concerned about the sun and moon"? C'mon! I mean, yes, we all would be, but that would be Archimedes' "don't disturb my circles" levels of disregarding the current political reality in favour of intellectual concerns and you know it.
And this, ladies and gentlemen, is how you roll a nat 20 for diplomacy.
10747922
There's not much to it. All we have on Cadance's background is barely half a page of text in the Crystal Heart Spell light novel:
“When I was found as a baby Pegasus, in a forest far, far away…” Cadance began the familiar tale. Twilight listened intently as Cadance recounted her path to becoming the great pony leader she was today.
Cadance told her how some Earth Ponies from a nearby village took her in as their own little filly. And as she grew up, the natural love and compassion she had for others filled everypony with warmth and the urge to protect her. Cadance was definitely special.
But all was not well for long.
An evil pony enchantress named Prismia lived alone nearby. She rarely came out of her cottage because she felt nothing but jealousy for the other ponies in the village—the way they loved and took care of one another. And yet, she had nopony who cared for her. Prismia always wore a powerful necklace, which she cared for more than anything else in the world, and it served to amplify the evil and jealousy within her own heart. When Prismia’s bad feelings and the power of the necklace finally overtook her, she cast a spell on the villagers that leeched all the love from their homes. She hoped to capture some of that love for herself. Everypony was distraught and sad.
Cadance decided that she couldn’t let that happen, so she went to see Prismia. Luckily, the enchantress’s powerful necklace also amplified the power of Cadance’s love, and she soon defeated Prismia with her incredible gift of compassion. Once Prismia changed her horrible ways, Cadance was surrounded by magical energy and transported to a strange place—a place that nopony except Princess Celestia had ever been! So when Celestia discovered special little Cadance in that mysterious location, her fate was sealed. The princess brought her back to Canterlot to raise her as her very own royal niece—the special and loving young Princess Cadance.
Princess Cadance’s special talent had always been her amazing ability to spread love wherever she went—settling conflicts and bringing ponies of all kinds together. In her final exam at Celestia’s school of magic, Cadance was even able to make two known rival pony families of Canterlot become best friends for life.
Aaand that's all we have on Cadance's background. Orphan pegasus raised by earth ponies, found, defeated and redeemed and evil witch, became and alicorn and studied how to be a princess.
It's interesting how close the similarities between Prismia and the changelings are. Good grounds for her to accept Phasma's apology, as she's already dealt with a love stealing opponent before.
10748242
Fair points. The first two things (Luna not really understanding modern politics and Phasma already understanding that Daybreaker is bad news) factored in greatly with this, but I wouldn't really say it's ignorance to focus on the whole moving sun-moon thing. It flies in the face of a number of laws of physics, as well as raises concerns for things like what happens if there are no alicorns or unicorns to move them. Plus, there's always future discussions for when they discuss more secretive moves against Daybreaker.
Wouldn't it be concerning if you found out someone who tried to conquer the world has complete control over the moon? What's stopping them from just smashing it into the planet, ending all life? It's the greatest weapon in existence, should they use it.
So you just made a scapegoat from others just to redeem Equestria and make it look better?
Also, Daybreaker's actions in the form of Celestia show that both ponies and royalty aren't incapable of manipulation and agreeing to it.
All we got is a perspective of the pony royalty side, not the ones that were supposed to be helped.
She never said that Equestria didn't want something back, using their monopoly they could give a ridiculous price, like becoming a puppet country or worst.
Yes your "harmony" that will benefit Equestria.
There is no right solutions, but a little better than the other ones.
10748114
Agree
i hope phas finds thorax by accident. he needs some good moral support and freindship injectied into his face
Well that went significantly better than expected
Disappointed that Phas didn’t refer to Cadence as ‘princess of food’ but I can hope
10747898
it would be funny if she started to talk to him like if he was a foal to irritate him XD
She was a babysitter so she knows stuff related to that
Can Luna find Phasma now by triangulating his position, she has her location and Cadence's, or does the dreamscape not parallel with the waking word?
10748308
Are you forgetting about the fact that in cannon ponies have forgiven worse, in a much shorter span of times?
Honestly an empathic race of herd beings would, and will, forgive quickly, especially since: a) luna is with him and b) phasma knows which buttons to push.
10748288
Objection! All the things you point out are true and valid, but only from Phasma's perspective. When Luna mentioned the whole Daybreaker thing they had already finished discussing the sun-moon issue. So by the time the content of changeling POW chow was brought up his concerns had already been addressed. Superficially, yes, but thoroughly enough for him to have no trouble with changing the subject into dream magic.
The problem is that Luna, not Phasma, thought that discussing Daybreaker's latest actions was less important than addressing (what to her was) Phasma's silly disagreement with reality. (Except that, you know, that has a myriad of reasonable explanations and all that...)
But let's assume, for the sake of argument, that the previous wasn't the case. Now, if we construct a hypothetical scenario wherein both issues are raised at the same time and Phasma has sufficient knowledge of Equestria's socio-political culture to understand how problematic Daybreaker's actions are, we could easily conclude at least one thing. That if we were to continue this line of reasoning, in particular, or this debate, in general, we would be expending too much mental effort thinking about this issue.
It really doesn't matter that they ignored it and why as long as it's addressed later on. All I really want is for there to be Equestrian concentration camps, is that too much to ask for?
Liquid pride from me... that Community is amazing
This chapter was brilliant
So mutch pain and so mutch gained by it. Wile i hope this OP soulbreaking life of Phasmodias has hit its lowest point i have faith friendship and Lunas
rumpheart can save the Cuddlebug Prince.Without reforming... That shit is sooo pony its really sad.
Its amazing to know that hope is not lost and there is a light on the other end of the lovetunnel that dont lead into 'the last unicorn'- for Changelings.
10747898
Ouch... Priceless... Wait until Shining learns he get beaten by him... Battle with body and tactics.
He going to need a Senzu Bean to recover from that.
10747901
I want to slap you to the next update for that one... Nice
10747908
To be fair, her trauma is a normal day in Phasmas life
10747912
He would have if he could have... But now he must find a way to make it happen... That guys isnt to envy in that point...
10747921
The most beautyful was ot wasnt politics talk to eatch others but wounded souls bonding together over there pained experiences.
10748398
to be fair that depends on if the Changedlings are skittlebugs or something more tame ala the furry changelings from the "Of The Hive" series only with unique coat and mane combos. The former are terrible eyesores, the latter are kinda what my Changedlings ended up being based off of.
10748293
We know there is at least some form of diplomacy going on between Equestria and the dragons, given how the dragon migration flies straight across the centre of Equestria with no issues or panic. Griffinstone at worst could be called non-interference, but even there we can see that griffons are granted the opportunity to seemingly freely enter Equestria for schooling or trade.
Less so than the changelings. No matter what the agreement is going to be in the end, Equestria is going to be the one investing in a nation that has nothing. That's going to be a pretty big cost for little gain.
10748288
would a reasonal guess as to what is going on with the sun and moon thing is that they are both magical objects and as such are moved by asking them to insted of grabbing and pulling. also an explanation for the stars could be that they arent what we know as stars and are insted magical objects like the sun and moon that have been floting in space for ages.
The scary and kinda unsettling thing i propose for why there arent stars like we are used to (far away suns) could be that there arnt any other suns to show up as stars. while a lazy theory it could be true as since so manny sentient specise came into being on the planet there could be a good chance of one or two gods around the place and maby they think they got it right the first time and dont bother making anything other then the planet
10748404
But I like the skittlebugs. I really like how they turned them into a caterpillar/butterfly metaphor.
Plus, Thorax looks awesome. I can only hope Phasma would be even more so.
10747922
Maybe she can pull that on Daybreaker next? Doubt she get incinderated or get turned to Bugfood for it...
10747928
Both have pros and cons... Im going to love that resolution i hope.
10747953
Sure? Sounds more like persuade than Charm...
10747964
Its bullshit if you ask me. Lazy reason. Twilight is doing that every Tuesday someday
10747972
So Shining is responsible for it as well...
10748016
Hot damn... Wonder what a love overcharged Phasmodias will look like...
10748017
Hot damn! That one hell of a archivment hunt
10748022
Damn... Could have worked
10748066
Agreed... But when become Imortal Alicorns normal pony if you dont mind me asking...
10748085
You did a remarkable job 👍
10748212
what would a horn sprouting sound like? i like the pop sound
10748420
The only Skittlebug colorations I've ever liked have been Ocellus and Pharynx, and I suspect Ocellus is because those are the colors I'd have given Thorax. The butterfly metaphor might have worked if they didn't turned into overly gaudy beetles with far too many clashing glittery colors. Here have my Changedling Harry Potter from one of my stories: images-ext-1.discordapp.net/external/8kWzGQgAJ4luh18aPUd9UNvDxyuxNKO-b1UmosmnpX0/https/i.imgur.com/d5ks3gv.png