Thorax was eating a sandwich when one of his changelings flew in with a giggle in her throat. Before he could ask what was so funny, a bunch of photographs were pushed into his face. Flicking through them, a frown grew onto his face and he asked out loud while holding the pictures above his head, “Okay, who’s impersonating my brother in these pictures?”

“It is your brother,” the nymph who had brought the pictures in said with a giggle.

Thorax blinked a few times before calmly saying, “Okay I see. Excuse me while I go laugh my head off.”

“... I still love the hive, but I am so going to short-sheet all your beds when you least expect it,” Pharynx said as he suddenly appeared behind Thorax, giving the pictures a dirty look.

Turning around in surprise, Thorax blinked and tapped his hooves nervously, replying, “When did you learn how to do that?”

Pharynx countered with a grin. “That’s for me to know and you to wonder about.”

Thorax leaned into his brother and told him, “Just as it will be for me to make copies of these pictures and you to wonder where they are.”

Pharynx blinked in surprise at what Thorax had just said before replying, “I am both angry and proud of you at the same time.” Then he grinned. “And speaking of people I’m angry with… once they catch her, wanna see me give Chrysalis a wedgie?”

“Um, she doesn’t wear clothes,” Thorax told him.

“I’m still capable of doing it to her,” Pharynx said smugly.

Thorax stared, a variety of expressions racing across his face. “...I don’t know how that’s possible, and I am both intrigued and terrified by the thought that you can pull it off.”

A smug grin on his face, Pharynx leaned in to whisper, “Never underestimate me, little brother. I earned these skills.”

“That, I don’t doubt at all,” Thorax said with a sigh. Then he quirked his head. “Don’t they still need you back at the Crystal Empire?”

“I can always spare a few minutes to visit with you, little brother.” Pharynx gave him another grin, then blinked out of existence.

Shaking his head for a moment to clear it, Thorax looked at the spot where Pharynx had stood for a moment then sighed. “Note to self, learn how to teleport,” he said aloud. “I have a feeling it’s a skill I’m going to need in the future.”