Linger was very familiar with bugs. You didn’t live by a pond and not get acquainted with a numerous amount of insects. Some were more annoying than others. She wasn’t a fan of mosquitoes or the little pond walkers that skittered about on the surface when she went for a swim.But the dragonflies were lovely to watch as they darted so nimbly through the air and the little water beetles were delightful.
And yet as much as she expected to see all manner of creepy crawlies, the giant wasp was definitely new. It had taken up residence in her favourite willow tree and despite Linger giving it the morning to move on, it didn’t seem inclined towards going anywhere.
Life at the pond continued on as usual, though on much higher alert and with most creatures giving the willow tree a wide berth. Everyone knew not to bother a giant wasp.
But as the noon sun turned the swamp into a sweltering mess, Linger was looking towards the cool shade of the willow with a great deal of jealous longing. As she went for yet another swim, she paddled close to the tree, kicking up mud as she crept closer, past the reeds and among the hanging branches.
Yup, the wasp was still there.
Massive black and gold with glowing eyes.
Clearly a creature not to be messed with.
Thinking herself well hidden by the flowing willow branches that dipped into the water, she idly blew bubbles on the rippling surface and watched, waiting, wondering if there was any way to shoo it off.
Maybe if she tossed a rock at it?
Oh that did sound a bit dangerous.
One of the bubbles popped a little too loudly and the wasp turned, unerringly staring in her direction. She felt very seen and Linger immediately dipped her head under the water and pretended she was just a patch of lilies.
With just her nose poking above water, she fancied herself a sneaky caiman.
She enjoyed the idea of being a terrifying predator for a moment before deciding she had waited long enough and surely the wasp would have lost interest. She lifted her head back up, flicking droplets from her ears, and looked up.
At the mare.
Oh.
There was really no mistaking her for anything else.
She had been the wasp and the wasp was her.
The colours were the same, the aura was the same, the eyes were the same. A different body really didn’t make much of a difference at all, apparently. And she was standing on the shore, tall, imposing, looking down at Linger the same way the wasp had, unreadable and penetrating.
Linger gave a startled, ‘eep!’.
An emotion finally revealed itself with the flick of an antenna and the curl of a lip; amusement.
“You may have your tree back now,” said the mare.
Linger blushed deeply. Had she been that obvious? Oh dear.
“Oh, but you’re welcome to stay!” She chimed. “I just wasn’t sure a wasp would enjoy the company so I just waited, very patiently.” She smiled her most winning smile. “It’s a lovely day for a swim, after all!”
“Indeed.” The mare clearly wasn’t buying it. “Well I hope your children are just as patient. It will make them good hunters.” Her head turned slightly, back towards the willow trunk. “There’s a special flower growing. If you eat it, it will cause a great change. Be careful.”
“Oh, sure.” Linger replied and then quickly, because the legendary was already walking away, “Ah, goodbye!”
Swarm hadn’t been out of sight for a second before the Acha doe was trying out a new snack.