Imago sat in silence as he and Fluttershy had done so many times before. He couldn't help but notice that this time the silence felt...odd. He was fully aware that his silence towards the kindhearted pony was due to his distrust of her and her silence due to her shyness (and possibly to the mild fear she still had of him). Before, this was perfectly acceptable to him, but for the past three days the silence that came when she sipped her tea, when she stayed indoors just to keep him company, even while he stared at the wall, felt different. The silence that came during the routine that had been repeated every day since he arrived felt...wrong. Scratching the head of Sapphire, the kitten that was kept by his side as his companion and source of love, he knew that he had no reason not to trust her. By Chrysalis' crown, she had even tried to offer her own love to him. She had done so in a hilariously incorrect manner, but still, the kindness of that gesture had not escaped him. He felt like something should be said, if for no other reason than to eliminate the fear she emanated...

"...Fluttershy..." He began. "What do you intend to do with me when my leg heals?" He asked slowly. Fluttershy gave a slight yelp as though she'd forgotten his presence, and looked to him, setting her tea-cup down.

"Intend to do with you?" She parroted, looking at him with a curious glint in her eye. "What do you mean?"

“Once I heal up. I doubt you'll just keep me here." He stopped, looking at the ceiling idly. "So, what do you intend to do with me?"

"I...Well, I don't know, to be honest. I'm certainly not going to turn you in, if you're worried about that." She promised, quite out of the blue. "I know now that you didn't mean to hurt anypony. You or the rest of the changelings, I'm sure." Imago shook his head.

"No, we had no other reason to attack your capital. In fact, many of the soldiers were resistant to the idea." The commander looked to the pony, whose response seemed surprised. "Yes, we do feel fear. Attacking the seat of power of the largest kingdom known to the world? I myself didn't like the idea. We were desperate. And tired...We wanted so much to just stop running and have a home again." The changeling looked sad for a moment, as though thinking.

"Have a home again? What do you mean?" Fluttershy asked, leaning in.

"According to our legends, ages ago, we changelings were ponies, like you. Due to the treachery of a great monster from a neighboring kingdom, our homeland was destroyed and our princess was transformed into a love-devouring monster. Over the years, she led us, wandering the world, searching for a home. When the princess defeated the beast, the queen returned, pleading for help, only to be turned away, accused of being creatures who only preyed on others. Still though, our Queen led us, and for generations, the plan was held to lead her people back to glory..." The male smiled, seeming to lose himself speaking of his people, becoming more relaxed. Maybe it was because he was reciting a legend, a story that had been told to him many times when he was little. "By Tarturus, it's probably half the reason so many agreed to the attack." He chuckled softly.

"O-Oh my, I-I never knew..."

"I wouldn't expect you to." The changeling said with a shrug. The room was silent once more, only now with a much more smothering, depressing atmosphere. The changeling sighed, shaking his head, berating himself for making the situation worse.

"Forgive me, Fluttershy. I-...I'm not what you'd call gifted in small talk. Never was much use for it in training."

"Training? Oh, forgive me, I seem to just be repeating you...I'm not much of a talker either…" Imago chuckled, and motioned towards his prized possession, still in the corner of the room, his commander’s armor and helmet.

"That's alright. I'm used to hearing changelings barely out of nymph-hood parrot anything I tell them. You probably gathered from my armor that I'm not an average Changeling." He smiled, trying to stand up. Fluttershy moved across the room, offering herself as a crutch to help him stand. With her help, he stood proud, announcing. "I am Imago, son of Tarsus, commander of the army of the Magnificent Swarm." Looking down to Fluttershy, he smiled softly, almost sheepishly. Moving back to the couch, where Sapphire sat waiting, he bowed his head. "Thank you, and I'm sorry, just...something my father always taught me. He always said: Imago, remember this: When you speak your name, always speak it with pride, for a name spoken with shame is a name disgraced." Fluttershy couldn't help but notice the soft smile on the Changelings face when he spoke of his father, the soft twinkle of his eye.

"You really love your father…" Fluttershy spoke, smiling in answer. The changeling nodded.

"Mmm, he's why I became a soldier. I still remember how proud the old exuviate was when I told him I'd surpassed him, and again when I made commander."

"You chose to be a fighter? I thought insects were born into roles?" Fluttershy asked, squeaking as she realized how insulting it sounded. "Oh! Sorry! I didn't mea-"

"No, no, I understand. We are insectoid, but not insects. we do choose our jobs, our lives..." He lowered is head softly, his eyes shifting in a manner not unlike nervousness. "O-our mates..." Fluttershy blushed at the word, but cocked her head. "And yes, we have females. Despite being our queen, Chrysalis doesn't birth all of us." He chuckled, before suddenly frowning, looking out the window sadly. Fluttershy watched him, following his gaze, realization sinking in.

"...You're homesick...aren't you?"

"Scared...is the better word. Fluttershy, you must understand. I witnessed my queen, my people, thrown to the four winds, scattered. I was nearly killed from that blast. I'm worried about my friends, my troops. But mostly, I'm worried about my queen." The male looked down, worry deep in his being. Fluttershy looked to him, unsure of how to console him, even as Sapphire rubbed against him.

Suddenly, it came to her! She smiled, closed her eyes to let her fear ebb away, opened her mouth, and sang.

“I want to tell you that everything will be okay,
That everything will eventually turn itself to gold
So keep pushing through it all.
Don't follow, lead the way.
Don't lose yourself or your hope,
Cause life's like a jump rope..."

Imago blinked, hearing the mare's beautiful singing voice. Fluttershy opened her eyes and saw Imago staring at her, mouth agape. Fluttershy looked down, attempting to hide herself and her blush behind her bangs.

"W-What?"