//------------------------------// // I will need.. Your Seed, by Tonight: 2 // Story: Divided Loyalties.. // by Ponyess //------------------------------// ”How are you feeling, my Dear?” I inquired; as I set hoof just outside of Ponyville, on the main road. “Shockingly well, thank you for asking!” Chrysalis responded, before she had the time to think or look down. “Then we could as well enjoy the day, together. Let me treat you to a meal!” I prompted, casting a loving glance at the mare on my right. “A meal sounds good, if it is on you; I would be grateful since I don’t have a single bit!” she responded, now looking down at her fully equine hooves. “I was expecting as much, Midnight Stars. Your boots do put a special highlight twist to your looks!” I confessed. “Thank you, dearest, you make me feel so welcome here!” she conceded; as if it had never occurred to her that a Changeling could have been welcome in Ponyville, the heart of friendship. I casually transformed back to my regular, well-known Earth Pony form, while barely missing a bounce on my way towards the small village. “Midnight Stars?” she inquired in a curious; yet amused voice, before she realized what I had actually just told her. “Yes, that is your name; my dear. Since you are no stranger to the art of Masquerades, and its deepest implications; this would be perfectly you!” I pointed out, matter of fact; while still maintaining the exuberant spirit and loving tone to my voice. “Why, thank you; my dear Pinkie. I seem to have underestimated you, grossly; you truly do know my heart deeper than I dared to let any other in!” she conceded. “Scary, isn’t it!” I prompted. “To have another Pony knowing more than you are comfortable in sharing, certainly. How ever do you manage to know me so well; or any other Pony, for that matter?” she inquired, with a shiver of uncertainty. “Obvious, my dear Midnight. I know every Pony in Ponyville intimately, and most other Pony, Donkey, Mule or Zebra currently living in Equestria. And I never forget a single detail. Ever!” I explained; as if it had been as rudimentary, and obvious as I had let on. “If you can smile for me, I will love you to the end of time, and a few days after that!” I offered, generously. “Since it is you, loving me; I would have more problems holding the smile back, even when you don’t see it. Assuming there is truly a moment you don’t know of it!” she pointed out. “As I mentioned on our way into town, there is a table with our name on it in a fine restaurant!” I prompted, matter of fact; as sure as if I had in fact booked the table, at least a month in advance. “I take it, a waiter is expecting you; at the restaurant you had in mind!” she responded; no trace of amusement on her voice, while all traces of her previous mood had been scattered before the four winds. Of course, I know that it is natural for Ponies to react on my presence in this manner. She may have been hatched a Changeling, but why is that changing anything in this case. Friends are friends, and love is love; there is no reasoning around the fact, laid flat before you. A tall, white Stallion with an exceptionally tall horn is standing just inside; waiting for the next Pony to enter the establishment. Naturally, the Unicorn did recognize me, as I came trotting down the road, with a companion in tow. To him, there was no mistaking this pink mare; even when he did not recognize her companion. “Greetings, Pinkie Pie; it is an honour to welcome you and your companion to our most esteemed restaurant!” he proclaimed; just as we got close enough, for him to pronounce his invitation in a polite, and unobtrusive voice. “Thank you, Mr. Stylish; I believe there is a table for two waiting for me; with the menu, of course!” I responded, in a high class style I recall since last I had been to a Star Restaurant. “For you, MS Pie; I would have been prepared to clear the table at your arrival; but alas, that is thankfully not required today!” Mr. Stylish prompted. “That pleases me immensely, and I am exceedingly happy to know that you were not required to clear a table for me, today!” I prompted; beaming a bright smile in his face, indicating what I felt. “Right this way, MS Pie!” he prompted, while we followed him to a small table for two Ponies. “Thank you, Mr. Stylish!” I responded, following him to the table. “Have a seat, please; MS Pie!” he extended. “The tea of the house, please; for two, of course!” I ordered. “Two tea of the house; coming right up!” he responded, and trotted off in a measured, gentlestallion-like gait. “How? How did you do that? He clearly is upper crust!” Midnight prompted. “He is. So, I may not be a Princess; but I am intimately associated with all four currently living Alicorns of Equestria. Most Ponies doesn’t know who, or what I am; to them, I am simply Pinkie Pie, and Earth Pony. Yet, here; I am also the one who maintains the joy of Ponyville!” I suggested. “Thought as much. I do know the three first, but I have a good idea as to whom you refer to as the fourth. I imagine she must be mighty popular amongst the Ponies around here!” she responded, with a sly grin spreading out over her face. “I know. But alas, our tea is here!” I prompted. “The cluster of stars, for the element of magic? You did mention her before!” she suggested, tentatively. “That is her. Now, if you try the tea; it is sublime!” I added. “You do know your teas, my dear; I have to compliment you once again!” she put forth. “I do, but I have the best of teachers to my right and left. Aside from high Royalties, I have a sense for what Ponies does enjoy, and my sense does serve me well; you know!” I clarified. “There is a shill of recognition, when you put it like that. Yet, I don’t enjoy my tea cold!” she put forth, taking a new sip on her tea. Naturally, I can see the green light, firmly holding her cup. Personally, I was prone to go with unorthodox measures and applied my mane on the issue of holding the cup for me. “That, isn’t typical Earth Pony manner. Yet, it is less conspicuous, than any other convenience at your disposal?” Midnight prompted, with an uncertain grin. “No, it certainly is not; but I am the most atypical there is; of just about anything!” I whispered between sips. “If there had not been a stigma to it, I would have insisted on abnormal, but I guess I could settle for ingenius?” she tempted as suggestion. “I am such an eye-soar, my friends only see an Earth Pony, but with a bright pink coat and mane; defying anything and everything there is; in the name of fun and games. Little by little; they are bending to my will and point of view, even if I have to confess, it is an uphill battle with no end in sight. I can dig like a Diamond Dog, bust rocks, fly and levitate, aside from all the other things I do!” I merely rambled on. “An eye-soar, and unsafe at any speed?” she merely teased. “Unsafe while still, and still unsafe, when I outrace Dashie?” I pondered, with a giggle to my voice. “If you by Dashie are referring to that Rainbow Dash, that is an accomplishment. “I help my friends; but I love to throw parties, and prank the Ponies!” I put forth. “Let us have a rump in the hay; I know you need something to take the crushing weight off of your shoulders!” I prompted, as the sun was slowly sliding down towards the horizon. “Depending on who is on top; I fear you would be the greater weight, and pressure!” she teased. “We have everything we need, right here. I know you can perform, if and when you choose to; if you are in the mood, of course!” I offered. “I could, which is suggesting you are about to tease me in a manner that will make me take the offer?” she conceded. “If that makes you feel better? Otherwise, I am prepared to resort to more physical means of temptation or subjugation. Whichever works for you!” I promised. “Why does this scare me more; than any beast, or army I have ever faced before? Yet, I am tempted to see, just what you could do in order to seduce me!” she promised; in a tentatively positive tone, I had not yet heard coming over her lips. “Because you haven’t faced any Pony, on an equal level; prepared to touch you on an intimate, and personal level!” I merely added. “I guess that is more scary; than most everything there is!” she conceded. “The question remains, however; who is starting on top, and who is waiting her turn?” I prompted, straightforward. ---- --- ---