//------------------------------//
// Gaskin 
// Story: Love from a Changeling 
// by KatonaIzuboriFIM 
//------------------------------//

That morning I woke up to a tapping at the door. I stood and blinked in the sudden light. 

"Good morning?" Another apple through the slot was my reply. My face fell and I frowned with annoyance. I bent down and ate the apple in two quick chomps. I then walked back to the door and knocked on it with my hoof.

"Oi! Gaskin! Open up I wanna talk to ya!" I said angrily. I was tired of being cooped up in here. I needed to run, stretch out my legs, something! The slot opened and his eyes peered in at me. 

"Yes?" He said, obviously annoyed with me. I waved at him.

"Can I please go for a walk or something? I'm feeling cramped in here." He looked me up and down. 

"If you're thirsty I'll let you walk over to the watering trough here. But any funny business, I'll shoot you on the spot." I nodded excitedly and he opened the door. I walked outside and took a fresh gulp of air, but then choked on the fumes coming from the other cells. 

"Oh dear Celestia! What is that stench?!" Gaskin laughed, leading me to the trough. The water wasn't very clean, but it was better than nothing. I gulped down the water and then stretched, Gaskin looking at me the whole time. 

"So... how's life treating ya?" I asked, taking another drink. He laughed quietly. 

"As it would to any warden of a prison. Crappy food, threats of banishment, horrid stenches and awful hatred coming from everypony here..." I nodded.

"I understand. Must be hard. But why would somepony hate such a kind warden?" He smiled and I swore I saw him blush a little. He nodded back to the cell. 

"Thanks for the talk, but I must ask you to come back into the cell. If Queen Chrysalis finds out I let you out she'd freak." I nodded, walking back into the cell. 

"Thanks Gaskin. Oh I almost forgot!" I held out my hoof, smiling. He looked confused, but put his hoof out too. 

"The names Pastern. Nice to meet you!" I said, closing the door to my cell happily. Gaskin tilted his head, but then quickly shook it and fluttered away.