Chapter 6 the element of honesty

Gallus stood in line for an open-air restaurant and ponies were lined up something fierce. Fortunately, he had gotten there long before the line got super long.

“Next.” The mare working the counter called prompting Gallus to step up to the counter. “What can I get you sir?”

Gallus poured over the menu, much of it was mundane pony cuisine. He preferred the fish he ate at the school's cafeteria but beggars can't be choosers.

“I'll get a carrot dog with ketchup and a soda please.”

“No problem sir, 3 bits.” Gallus paid the mare. “Feel free to find a place to sit we'll bring your meal out to you.”

Gallus nodded and left the counter. It didn't take long for Gallus to find a table he was comfortable with. The table in question was situated right next to the sign containing the menu. Gallus sat in his chair contemplating everything that had happened. He was still nowhere near finding Wildfire aside from the revelation that she was a kirin and not a unicorn with an unusual horn. The one person he didn't want to discover the truth had found out about it and somehow it turned out ok. Was Smolder the one he truly dreaded finding out about this? What about Sandbar? Nah he'd probably be pretty chill about it and Yona would likely take it all in stride. That left one friend Ocellus. Ocellus... Presumably she'd be the most supportive of all his friends.

After all, she was the kindest creature he'd ever encountered in his life. Gallus sighed, the one friend of his he most enjoyed the company of was ironically the one he spent the least time with. Ocellus was always busy studying and Gallus was equally busy doing the same thing but pretending he was doing 'awesome stuff''. Gallus placed his claw on the table while using the other claw to prop up his head up. No matter how the situation with is body plays out he's going to spend more time with her. Maybe they could study together if he just confesses the truth to her about him faking his disdain for studying. He always does so well in applejack's honesty class but always seems to fall short of being honest with his friends.

“Your carrot dog and soda sir.” a mare broke his chain of thought as she set a carrot dog lathered in ketchup in front of him along with a disposable cup containing a soda.

“Thanks.” Gallus nodded before devoting his attention to his lunch. He munched at his carrot dog, not the best he'd ever eaten, but what can you expect from water park food?

“Your carrotdog and iced tea miss.” The waitress mare said to the customer behind the sign.

“Thank you.” Gallus's eyes went wide, he recognized that voice anywhere. The changeling he was just thinking about was here having lunch directly behind him. Gallus had no idea what to do. Should he say hi? it's not like she'd know. It could just be a regular meeting of friends.

Ocellus sighing and talking to herself broke him from his thoughts. “I really wish every creature didn't run off to do their own thing. I wanted to do something together. Maybe tomorrow we can do something.” Hearing this made Gallus frown. “It's not like I'm completely alone though, Gusty day showed up.”

Gallus knew about this Gusty character, a pegasus stallion that went around boasting about his flight skills. Guilt started to well up in Gallus at hearing that, he abandoned a friend and she sought the company of anypony she recognized. He could hear Ocellus continuing to talk but couldn't quite make out what she said until she said, “I wish I could spend more time with him. He's got a shell harder than a changeling queen but beneath it all I can tell he's a sensitive person who just wants somepony to appreciate him.” Ocellus giggled. “He tells the most hilarious jokes, and is the most graceful flier I've seen. If only he'd just take his studies more seriously he'd be brilliant. Enough is enough, I'm going to spend more time with him. I can feel it. He wants to get closer. Maybe a lot closer if the counselor at our feelings forum is right about the love he's radiating. I feel the same way. One bucking day I'm going to tell him and I'll give him the love he desperately needs.”

The weight of greater guilt crashed down on Gallus upon hearing that. His neglect of his friendship with Ocellus had plunged her into a bond with Gusty day of all ponies. He couldn't comprehend why but this hurt Gallus on a deep level. He wanted to fix this no matter what, he had to show Ocellus he cared about her as a friend.

“Hi Gallus.” Gallus felt his spine lock up at seeing the object of his guilt standing right next to him.

“Hi Ocellus.” Gallus scratched the back of his head.

Ocellus smiled, “are you enjoying the water park?”

“It's been kinda hectic, so maybe.” Gallus thought back to the nightmarish day he was having.

“Maybe you should relax with me in the lazy river.”

Here she was, giving Gallus a chance to redeem himself but he had to find Wildfire, damn the luck of it.

“Sorry Ocellus I have to umm go to the beach I promised Silverstream that I'd build a sandcastle with her. She just wanted me.”

“Oh,” Ocellus frowned. “Hope you two have fun. Maybe I can come join you later. Bye Gallus; I like your new swim trunks by the way. They go well with your fur.”

“Thanks Ocellus, I'll see you later.”

“Yeah.” Ocellus started to walk off

[i] Celestia damn it Gallus tell her the bucking truth. If yall don't I'll fail you forever from your honesty class. Look at how much yall hurt her feelings. [/i] Applejack's voice shot through his head.

“Wait, Ocellus!” Gallus called out.

“What is it Gallus?” Ocellus turned to see Gallus looking desperate.

“I'm sorry Ocellus I lied to you about the sandcastle. I have a confession to make it's a bit awkward.”

Ocellus cocked an eyebrow. “What's wrong Gallus?”

Gallus sighed and pulled off his swim trunks. “See for yourself. Go around back you'll understand.”

Cautiously, Ocellus went behind Gallus before speeding back up front. “Gallus? What happened to your penis.”

“I accidentally drank a kirin's drink, and it did this to me. I've been going all around the park looking for her.”

Ocellus inspected Gallus further. “It seems that it's more than just your penis that changed. The larger behind.” Ocellus stroked Gallus's back. “your silkier fur, not to mention the feathers on your head are longer than I remember.” Gallus stroked his feathery head, and Ocellus was right his feathery accessories were a lot longer than he remembered. “It seems that only your voice has remained unchanged, but who knows how long that'll be the case.”

“Ocellus... I know it's a tall order but can you help me find the kirin who's drink I accidentally took?”

Ocellus smiled, “anything for you Gallus. She's a kirn so I'm sure she'll be easy to find, what's her name?”

“Wildfire,” Gallus replied.

Ocellus brought a hoof to her mouth. “You're looking for her. Gallus, I saw her earlier today when I was getting an inner tube for the pool. She might still be there but I can't be sure.”

Gallus's eyes went wide. If he had just told Ocellus the truth earlier than he could have already found her.

“I'll go check for her there, you should look around the other areas of the park just in case she turns up.”

“Can you give me any more info on her?” Gallus inquired.

Ocellus nodded, “yeah, she had dark red fur and a brown mane what else?” Ocellus scratched her chin. “Oh, she was wearing a weird necklace with an upside-down triangle on it. Crud I forgot to ask, Does anypony else know about this? I'm guessing you bought the swimtrunks to try and hide it from everypony else.”

“As of this moment, everypony except Yona and Sandbar know.”

Ocellus nodded. “Right, good luck Gallus.”

Ocellus started to take off but Gallus stopped her. “Hey I'm sorry for lying to you.”

Ocellus roped Gallus into a hug, “I forgive you Gallus, changing gender so suddenly would be kinda stressful for a non changeling.” Gallus hugged Ocellus back before she flew off. Leaving Gallus to look down at his swim trunks. He never should have tried keeping this from his friends, if he hadn't been so embarrassed he would have already found Wildfire. Gallus swore that if he ran into Yona or Sandbar he'd tell them the truth.

For now though Gallus decided to return to the locker room and put away his swim trunks.