Bonus Chapter 3 - Pegasi, Bugs, and Violets, oh my!
“Dammit Devoted! Fly faster!” Daring screamed at her changeling guard. “It’s getting closer!!”
“I’m flying as fast as I can!” Devoted said as he trailed behind her. “I also have to try and scare this thing off! We can’t let it get too close to a Hive!”
The giant Star Scorpio was gaining on them, its massive stinger striking the ground as it narrowly missed Daring by inches. She shrieked, tumbling through the air before she managed to right herself.
“Dammit!” Devoted said as he dodged another strike. “Okay, I think I know a spell that should work! If it doesn’t, keep bucking running!” With that, he charged up as much magic as he could, converting his raw emotions into magical energy before firing a beam at the Scorpio.
The beast took the blast right in the face, causing it to crash into a nearby cliffwall. This prey was more trouble than it was worth and it turned around, skulking off to find something easier to hunt.
“Ohmigosh,” Daring panted. “That was… I thought that they only came out at night?”
“They’re supposed to,” Devoted said, panting as well. “Some of them don’t, though, and sometimes they might be restless.” Then Daring noticed a hole in Devoted’s chitin. One that was oozing slightly.
“Uhh, is that hole normal?” she asked dubiously. Devoted looked at it before his eyes widened.
“Oh buck,” he said. “It must have gotten me.”
“Okay, um, okay!’ Daring looked at him. “We should head back, get you to a hospital.”
“There’s...one in every Hive,” he said. “And we’re close to the Violet one anyways. Let’s just...get there…” He was starting to wobble a bit now. There was no way he’d make it. The monster must have had poison…
She blushed furiously and put a hoof against him. “Hold on,” she said as she positioned herself under him and lifted. He was… a lot lighter than he looked actually. She held his hooves around her neck and took to the skies, trying not to jostle him around too much.
She just hoped she could make it in time. She was no Rainbow Dash, but she might as well have been with the speed she flew…
A short time later, Daring paced around the small waiting room, hoping that she’d hear news about Devoted. An Orange nymph eventually came out and looked at her.
“Are you the one that brought Devoted Cause here?” she asked the mare. Daring turned and looked at her, nodding her head.
“Is he okay?” she asked. “Please tell me he’s going to be alright!”
“He’ll be fine with rest,” the nymph said with a nod. “You were lucky you got him here when you did. A minute later, and the poison would have progressed too far.”
Daring breathed a long held sigh of relief. “That’s good,” she said softly. “Um, is it okay if I see him?”
“He’s not conscious right now,” the nymph said. “His body is still processing the cure and recovering from the poison. He should wake up in about eight hours, and it’ll be another eight before we’ll feel safe taking him off the antidote.”
“So not until tomorrow,” Daring sighed again. “Well, do you have a spare bed I could borrow then?” She really didn't want to walk around this place without her bodyguard.
“I’m sorry, but no,” the nymph said with a shake of her head. “All ours are filled up at the moment. If there was a bed free, I would offer it to you, but we’re full up for the time being.”
“Well… the floor looks… comfy?” Daring smiled sheepishly, and looked at the nurse’s deadpan expression. “Yeah, guess I’d be in the way there…” She looked outside and gulped. Well, guess she had no choice.
Who knows, maybe Crit and Scope were just exaggerating. Yeah, that was probably it. No need to worry!
“Well, I’ll go and find someplace to stay. Should he wake up before I come back, please tell him I’ll see him soon okay?”
“I can do that,” the nymph said with a nod. “Take care out there.”
Daring nodded and opened the door to the Violet Hive. Well, she had her whip, and… well she could always fly away. They seemed to be slower than a pegasus.
“Here goes…” she muttered and headed out.
“Hey pretty mare, you looking for a good time?” a Violet drone asked Daring as she passed by. “I’m always up for showing a pretty pony around~”
She yelped and ran further down the tunnel, seriously? Not even five bucking minutes? Five minutes and somepony was hitting on her?
“Why do I get the feeling that Crit and Scope were underestimating this place?” she groaned as she came out into the central hub.
Well hey, it’s not like the only pony in the Hive would draw any attention right?
“Dat flank!” she heard from her right.
“I know!” was the reply.
“Sweet Celestia kill me now,” she sighed, her face seemingly taking a permanent pink hue as she ducked into one of the stores to look around. She really wished she’d had her cloak and sunhat now, rather than this form-fitting khaki vest. “Maybe I’ll find something interesting in here…”
She did find a book she liked. Using her crystal to check the title, it was one on how a Hive was constructed. Oohhh~
But as she took it to the counter, and she rummaged around in her bag.
“...Of course I forgot my purse,” she muttered. Then an idea formed and she looked at the shopkeep. “Um, I don’t suppose you sell those emotion-crystal-things?”
“I have a few empty ones,” he said, pulling five out and dropping them on the counter. “If you can fill these, you can have one and I’ll consider your book paid for.”
“I think I can do that,” she nodded. “Um, you might feel a bit of a rush, so you might wanna brace yourself.”
The shopkeeper arched an eyebrow before stepping back a little and waiting for whatever this pony would do. She closed her eyes and focused. Devoted said that she could emit certain emotions if her thoughts were strong enough. She knew they liked love, so she focused on something she loved. Like writing her adventures, seeing the smiles of her fans… She removed the necklace as the emotions begun to pour forth.
A certain blue-eyed stallion…
That got a much larger rush as the flood the gem held back spilled forth. There were five pinpoints of light as the crystals on the counter filled up, and the stockpile the shopkeeper was holding below the counter also started filling up as well.
This mare had just made sure he wasn’t going to starve today. The torrent was still coming, and he did his best to soak up the emotions she was letting loose.
She saw the gems shining brightly and quickly slipped the pendant back on, the dull glow sealing off the output of emotional energy.
“Um, is that enough?” she asked.
“Yes, you’ve done me quite a service,” the shopkeeper said, before pushing the lot of crystals towards her. “Take them and your book, it’s fine.”
“What, wait, really?” she asked. “I mean, it’s a bit much don’t you think?”
“I had more empty ones under the counter,” the shopkeeper said before smiling. “Had. They’re all filled now. It’s the least I could do for what you’ve done.”
“Oh... well, I didn’t mean...” Well, she certainly wasn’t about to look a gift horse in the mouth and nodded, putting the book and crystals in her bag. “Thanks a bunch.” At least now she had something to use to pay for a room and some food as well.
“Well hello there,” a smooth voice spoke up from behind her. “What’s a pretty mare like you doing in a Hive like this?” She yelped and turned, to see a Violet drone looking at her.
Seriously. Again?
“Shopping,” she replied and tried to brush past him. “Please excuse me.”
“I can think of something I’d like for you to check out,” he said with a lascivious smirk.
Her blush brightened and she frowned. “Sorry, I’m not interested in small purchases.”
“Shot down!” the shopkeeper said. Okay, so Daring might have smirked a little over her victory. She didn’t even know where that line came from, it just popped into her head. She pushed past the stunned drone and out into the market.
“Phew… Now if I can find a hotel, I can get out of this nuthouse…” Her stomach gave a loud growl and she sighed. “Of course…”
“Psst!” she heard off from her side. She looked around and saw a Yellow Changeling looking at her.
“Urgh! It’s bad enough that all these Violets are trying to hit on me,” she muttered and turned to walk away from him.
“I know,” he said simply. “I get enough as it is. I figured you could do with a little help.”
“Waitwhat?” she turned and looked at him. Yellow was… bravery? She couldn’t remember. Just that all the crazy happened in their Hive. “What do you want exactly, and I swear if you say me in bed I’ll—”
“I just want to help,” he said, before pointing at her neck. “I saw that before you went in. Which means you’re new to the whole Violet Hive thing, and probably could do without all the attention you’re getting. Truth is, so could I. If we at least travelled together, we’d attract far less attention.”
Daring’s wings gave a slight twitch, a small tic she had when she didn’t completely trust somepony. Still… it was better than dealing with a Hive of perverts.
“Alright, but I’ve got my eye on you…? Uh, what was your name again?”
“Oh, sorry for not introducing myself,” the drone said. “I’m...you’re going to laugh at what my name means in Pony, I just know it.” And now he was looking actually embarrassed.
“It can’t be that bad,” she replied. “Trust me, I’ve heard a lot of names.”
The drone sighed before looking at her. “Lucky Bastard.”
“Huh, so you’re lucky then?” she asked. “Or lucky at getting lucky~” She clapped a hoof to her mouth and gasped. “Oooohmigosh! I did not mean that!”
“It’s the first,” the drone said. “Things that routinely wiped out platoons of my fellow soldiers, I would survive. After it happened for the fifth time against a Tatzlwurm, the name just stuck. On the upside, I’ve learned a lot of what not to do in a fight.”
“Not get in one in the first place?” Daring said as they started walking. “My friend and I got attacked by a Scorpio on the way over from the Blue Hive.” Oh, she should mention that to a guard or something right? In case it was still around.
“Yup, that was platoon wipe number three for me,” the drone said as he followed along with her. “I learned to never go into combat without a full charge of emotions from that one. My beam was the only thing to drive it off. Five of my fellows survived, and we were all reassigned.”
Geez, how dangerous was it around here? And how many Changelings did they lose on a regular basis?
“You uh, seem rather relaxed about that though,” she replied softly, hoping she hadn’t offended him.
“I’m just happy any of us survived that one,” the drone said with a sigh. “The Yellow Hive isn’t known for it’s high survival rate. Then again, maybe if they didn’t actively go after every monster...still, somebuggy has to try and make it safer around here. If not us, who?”
“Well,” Daring thought about it. “Have you ever tried asking Equestria for help? Or the Griffons? I’m sure Princess Celestia and especially Princess Twilight would help out however they could.”
“Think about it,” the drone said. “If you drive the monsters from our Lands...where will they go?”
“Equestria,” she said, knowing it was the closest. “But, we have our own, when they’re not locked up in Tartarus or the Everfree Forest.”
“Maybe you should mention it to the Nobles when you can,” the drone said. “By the way, where were we going?”
“Well, I wouldn’t mind a bite to eat,” she replied. “Oh! My name is Daring Do, by the way.” She held out a hoof.
“Just call me Lucky,” he said as he shook her hoof. “Okay, nearest restaurant is this-a-way,” he said, before leading her down another street.
Lucky was quite a nice stallion, and she noticed that not a single Violet had approached since she started walking with him.
“So… do Violets not like Yellows or something?” she asked.
“No, they just figure you’re taken already,” the drone replied.
That caused her to pause and blush a deep crimson. “But...but we’re not... “ She swooned and promptly fell backwards, her twitching ear the only sign she was still alive. Lucky paused before doubling back and putting her on his back, before continuing on to the restaurant. With any luck, she’d wake up before it was time to eat.
By the time she awoke, she groaned and looked around.
Why was she at a table?
Why was a Yellow Changeling sitting across from her?
Why was he eating a breadstick?
“....what?” she groaned and rubbed her head. “I think… where the hell am I?”
“Nearest restaurant,” the drone said as he kept munching the breadstick. “You passed out and I carried you here. Your pasta in red sauce should be out shortly.”
She stared at him, before a serious case of the giggles broke out as the mare doubled over, her cute giggles erupting into full-blown laughter.
“Aaaand I missed something,” the drone said.
She was laughing so hard that she couldn’t breathe, but after a few moments, she calmed down enough to speak.
“Hahehehe! Ah.. hee, I’m sorry,” she giggled, wiping some tears from her eyes. “It’s just… heh… a girl faints, and what do you do? You take her out to dinner and buy her a meal.”
“You said you wanted something to eat,” the drone said with a shrug. “I was just doing my best to help.”
“I know, and thanks,” she said as she took a few deep breaths. “I just found it funny is all. And, I guess I’m worried about my friend. So sorry for that.”
“Eh, it’s fine,” Lucky said. “It’s better than the nymphs here cooing adorably when I try to return fire. I can take laughter.”
“Heh, I suppose.” She looked back towards the shop, well, in the direction she assumed it was. “I wonder if I should apologise to that stallion from earlier. I didn’t mean to insult him like that. It just… slipped out.”
“Sometimes they need a more forceful ‘no’ to shut them down,” the drone said. “It’ll be fine.” Just then a green drone walked over and delivered two bowls of pasta to Lucky and Daring.
“Oh, thank you,” Daring nodded and fished around in her bag until she pulled out one of the five brightly glowing pink crystals. “Will this be enough to cover the food?”
“I already paid,” Lucky said as he picked up a fork with his magic. “Though, thank you for trying.”
“What, but you carried me here,” she said. And now she realised he could just have easily dragged her into a dark alley and…
Okay! Totally derailing that train of thought.
“Well, I insist on paying for the drinks then,” Daring nodded.
“Covered as well,” the drone said with a small smirk. “What sort of coltfriend would I be if I made you pay?” Though he did cough a little around the word, the message was clear as to what sort of image he was trying to project.
She just blushed again and lowered her head. “Yeah… okay, sure…” Gods above this was embarrassing. Lucky just ate his pasta and raised an eyebrow at the mare.
Food. Yeah, food was good. She just focused on eating that and nothing else! Definitely not the charming and surprisingly handsome changeling opposite her…
Suffocating herself with this pasta seemed like a good idea now…
“Whoa, slow down,” Lucky said. “The idea is to eat it, not inhale it.”
Daring just grumbled as she ate her food. She solely and utterly blamed Scope and Critical for this. Ohh, the letter she was going to send them!
“Look, I promise you, I’m just looking out for the both of us,” Lucky said. “There was a...study, done by the Oranges recently. And once the Violets heard about it…”
“Study?” she perked up, looking at him expectantly. Now he had her attention.
“Yeah, they were looking to see which, out of all the colors, would be the most...productive. And the Violets lost. Apparently though they are the Hive of Lust, they’re second place when it comes to...foaling.” Lucky was now a nice shade of red in his cheeks. “Yellows won. And once the nymphs here heard about it...suddenly I’m a hot topic.”
Daring couldn’t help it. She poked out her tongue cheekily and smiled. “Just your luck huh?”
“Yeah, but I’m still getting used to the whole equality movement myself,” Lucky moaned. “It’s...weird being allowed to say no to a nymph. Plus I’ve…” Here he looked away and mumbled something.
“Hmm, what was that?” Daring was eating and figured she misheard. Lucky sighed before speaking up.
“There wasn’t time to try anything with any of the nymphs in my squads,” the drone said. “And once I got my name, none of them wanted anything to do with me. They think I’m either incredibly unlucky, or my luck is the only reason I’m alive, not my skill.”
“Ouch,” Daring winced and looked apologetic. “Sorry, well… if it’s any consolation. I’m in the same boat, floating down the River Loneliness.”
“Yeah, well, we can be lonely together,” the drone said, before chuckling. “I mean, unless you wanted to attend the night’s party.”
“Well, I came here for Devoted’s sake, and nearly got him killed in the process.” Daring sighed and stared at her half-eaten food. “Some friend I turned out to be. All I wanted was to give him some time off from foalsitting me in this Celestia-forsaken place!” She was stressed, annoyed and most of all, feeling guilty as buck about the whole thing. “And now I’m on some date with a stallion I barely know, and I feel bad that I’m enjoying myself while he’s suffering.”
“I’m sorry for him,” Lucky said. “But at least the Oranges have had the antidote to almost every poisonous creature in the Lands for centuries now. He’ll make it. Short of a detached limb, those ‘lings can fix anything.” Then he processed the other half of her words and blushed. “And...thanks for at least...seeing it as a date…”
Now it was the pegasi’s turn to blush as she realised what she’d said in the spur of the moment. “W-Well,” she started, rationalising more to herself than anypony else. “You brought me here. Wined and dined me. We’re having a pleasant conversation. So.. doesn’t that quantify? I’ve never… been on one before…”
Lucky got his blush under control before he tried a bold move. One that, if it were a combat situation, would either end wonderfully or terribly. “You know what you need?” he asked. “You need to unwind and relax. I’d say the party tonight would be the perfect chance to do so.”
“I don’t know…” Daring nibbled on her cooling food. Sure, she’d gone to after parties and premiers and the like. As well as that cutesy one a crazy pink mare in Ponyville threw for her. But, she had the distinct feeling that a party here wasn’t anything like the high-class events she was used to.
“C’mon, you know you want to see what it’s like,” the drone said. “Sakes, I’ve been avoiding going to one myself because I’d end up going alone and I’d rather avoid the nymphs. But if we went to one together instead of sat it out, and left before things got too...steamy, then we’d at least have a good time.”
Honestly, she could use a drink after today. And, she could always scope the place out for Devoted. She was just going to let him go on his own while she stayed at a hotel or something…
“Fine… alright. Just, lemme get a hotel room first so I can put some of my things away.”
“I’ll go with you, just so I know where it is,” Lucky said. “We kinda need to keep playing the role, but we can ask for one with two beds.”
“Cute as you are, I dunno if I’ll share a room with you,” she replied. “I highly doubt a hotel manager will spread the word.” She got up and adjusted her hat. “Well, shall we?”
“Yup,” Lucky said as he got up as well. “I actually know of a hotel nearby, I’ll lead you there.”
Daring nodded and followed the stallion. Well, at least this visit wasn’t turning out too badly…
Daring’s eye twitched as she looked at the room. Particularly the mirrored ceiling above the only bed and the plethora of red and violet silk that adorned the bedroom. A bathroom was off to one side, which the glass doors allowed a perfect line of view into the shower, and a familiar-looking book lay on the nightstand.
“The… the hell is this?” she said in a slow and scarily calm tone.
“Probably their most popular room,” Lucky said from just outside the door. “Especially on nights like this one. He probably expects you to bring some lucky stallion or drone back here…”
“Nopony will ever find the body,” Daring whispered as she turned and started heading for the front desk.
“Ooooor, you could stay with me,” the drone said. “Got their last room with two beds just in case you changed your mind.”
“I feel all sorts of violated in a room like this,” she replied. “You know what, bunking with you is a far better idea.” She turned and pointed a hoof at him. “Just don’t get any funny ideas.”
“I’ll be on my best behavior,” he said with an upraised hoof. “C’mon, my room is this way.” He led her just a short ways away, and opened the door to reveal a standard two-bedroom apartment. “Choose whatever bed you want,” he said.
Well this was far more normal. She picked the bed furthest away from the window and placed her bags on it, tilting her head until her neck gave a satisfying crack. “Ahh, much better,” she sighed as she took off her hat and jacket as well before stretching her wings.
“Yup, just don’t remove your accessories and if you’ve got a camera, bring it,” the drone said. “The pictures might be one of the few ways you’ll have to remember tonight.”
“I don’t plan on getting drunk,” Daring laughed, but took her emptier bag regardless. “Unless you want me to take photos of you making a foal of yourself? I could even do a book on it~”
“You say that now,” Lucky said. “But I haven’t told you the best part about tonight yet.”
“Best part?” she asked, a little hesitant now.
“Once a month, the Violets throw a party like this. They don’t tax their breweries, and for good reason. Tonight, all across the Hive, the liquor is free.”
Daring blinked as she considered the ramifications of that. An entire Hive of perverts and no limit or cost on alcohol. She promptly turned and sat on her bed, pulling out the book she bought earlier.
“No way, and no how, are you getting me to go anywhere near the exit of this building.” She nodded adamantly.
Outside the club, a scowling pegasus stood next to the Yellow drone.
“Just know that no matter what happens tonight, I bucking hate you,” she grumbled.
“I’m pretty sure you’d hate yourself more if you didn’t see this,” Lucky said. “I’m just lucky I overheard this earlier today, otherwise there would have been no moving you.”
“You’re just lucky you know the Noble and that I want to speak with them. Then I’m gone,” Daring said as she stepped up to the door where two very large drones stood.
“We’re here for the party,” Lucky said, and they gave them both the once over before one of them stood to one side. The other cleared his throat.
“Any trouble, and we will toss you out, understood?” he said, clearly trying to intimidate them.
“Got it,” Lucky replied. Daring stifled a snort of amusement. They reminded her of the goons she wrote about in her books. It was absolutely adorable.
Inside, it was a typical club scene that one would expect from Las Pegasus, just...adapted to the Changeling Hive. There was even a stage and a pole.
“Huh? It looks… surprisingly pony-like in here,” Daring noted as she wrote it down and snapped a quick photo for reference. “I was expecting something… I dunno, more exotic I guess.”
“Yeah, the Queen made this place after her niece wrote about the success she was having,” Lucky said. “Said she wanted to honor her family, even if they weren’t here anymore. C’mon, let’s grab a table.”
Daring nodded as they found a corner booth that could offer some privacy if needed. It was fairly close to the bar as well, so no need to travel through a horde of pony… changelings to get a drink.
“Well, it seems pretty quiet here so far,” Daring nodded. “I wonder if it’ll get busier than this.”
“We got here really early,” the drone pointed out. “The party is supposed to start just when the sun goes down. So...half an hour or so. I’m guessing that’s when the show starts as well.”
“Hello!” a Violet nymph said. “Hi, and welcome to Darlings’, you can call me Sweetie, I’ll be your waitress tonight!”
Daring nodded. “I’m Daring, this is Lucky. Think you could start us off with water for now?”
“Not a problem, I’ll be right back with that,” the nymph said before walking back to the bar. Not a minute later, she was putting two glasses of water in front of her customers. “Anything else I can getcha? Appetizers?”
“We just ate, so we’re fine thanks,” Daring said and looked at Lucky. “Unless you want some?”
“I’m good for now,” the drone said with a nod. “Though thank you for offering.”
“Not a problem!” the nymph said. “I’ll be back after the party starts, so if you have anything you want to try then, I’ll take your order then.”
Daring nodded as the nymph left. She and Lucky shared some idle conversation as the club slowly filled and after about half an hour, it was getting pretty packed. The lights dimmed as a few spotlights shone on the stage.
“Hmm? Now what?” Daring asked as she peered over the wall of the booth.
“Nymphs and drones and ponies, please look to the stage and get ready to welcome the leader of the hive...Queen Soft-as-Silk!” an announcer said as the curtain pulled back to reveal a Violet Noble nymph. Said nymph walked forward a few paces before smiling at the crowd.
“As is tradition,” she said in a, what else, silky smooth voice. “I am here to start our monthly party to all things worth celebrating. But first, a moment of silence for those that we have lost in our constant efforts to tame the wilderness around us.”
Silence fell in the club for about thirty seconds, and then the nymph nodded. “Thank you. As we honor the fallen, we drink to tomorrow and a dream we constantly strive for. A day when we can walk the surface freely. And today, I have something special for you all.”
The crowd murmured at that. Something special? The queen smiled at them before the barkeeper levitated a barrel up from behind the bar to rest with the rest.
“My niece in Equestria says she has a drink for us to try, so at this bar tonight, I offer you the fine drink she brewed us and offers us. Mood-Setter, she calls it. I ask you all to test her contribution to our traditions.”
The queen took a step backwards and bowed. “And with that, I declare this party on!” The last part was nearly roared, and the patrons joined her in that, before they all rushed the bar trying to get their free drinks. And try out this new one.
“Hmm, that drink sounds familiar somehow,” Daring mused. “And what did she mean by ‘walk around freely’? Haven’t you guys heard?”
“She’s talking about how we can’t always count on the surface and it’s creatures to allow us to get between Hives easily,” Lucky pointed out. “Don’t you have a friend in the hospital?”
“Oh, I thought she might have meant Equestria,” Daring replied. “You know, I’m surprised that you guys just don’t build tunnels that connect them.”
“The Hives don’t always get along,” Lucky muttered. “It’s been a hundred years since the last inter-Hive war. But tensions are still high after that equality measure passed. Maybe if we make it another hundred, they’ll consider it.”
“Ah,” Daring nodded and drained her water before waving Sweetie over. “Well, I’m sure you’ll get there.”
“Hi again!” the nymph said as she bounced over. “So do you guys wanna try any of our drinks tonight?”
“I’ll try this Mood Setter,” Lucky said. “If a relative of the Queen made it, it should be good.”
“That’s a popular line of thinking tonight,” the nymph giggled before looking at Daring. “And you?”
Daring thought it over. “Well, you only live once. Why not.”
“Two Mood Setters? Alrighty, but it might take me a minute, that drink’s pretty popular right about now.” With that, Sweetie was gone again. And then silence descended in the club as a tall figure made her way over to Daring’s table. One they’d just seen on stage.
“Well hello there, honored guest,” the Noble nymph purred as she drew closer to them. “Could you introduce me to your...companion? He’s not who I was expecting…”
“Ah, hello Your Majesty,” Daring said and bowed her head respectfully, the silver key clinking against her amulet. “And, yes, this is Lucky. He was kind enough to help me out while my friend recovers in your hospital.” Not to mention he’s been the only one so far that hasn’t hit on her.
“I see, how unfortunate that your guide got injured. He’ll recover, yes?” the nymph asked of Daring.
“Well, the nurse said he should be awake by tomorrow. I’m just glad he fended off the Star Beast when he did…”
“What one was it?” the queen asked idly. “We have more than a few that might have been responsible...though I think I might know.”
“A Scorpio, I believe that’s what Devoted Cause called it,” Daring said with a soft sigh. “It was bigger than a house, and meaner than a Hydra in Heat.”
“I thought so,” the queen said with a nod. “The guard reported that a very angry Scorpio actually left our territory as they were mustering up a defense force to deal with it. I apologize for the lack of response on my part. Rest assured, I will be informing my guards why speed is needed once tomorrow comes.”
“Well, he’s going to be fine, so there’s that,” Daring nodded and licked her lips. The Queen was rather imposing for some reason. She seemed soft-spoken and polite, but her eyes held a dangerous glint to them. Yearling was rather good at reading ponies, and something told her to be careful around this mare.
“There is a reason why the King assigned him to you,” the Queen said with a nod. “Do take care with him, won’t you? He’s one of the best guards.” With that, the Violet Noble nodded once more and walked off into the night, to enjoy the sensations of her Hive tonight.
“Well, I’m gonna say it for you,” Lucky said once she was gone. “She’s bucking terrifying up close.”
“So I’m not the only one,” Daring muttered, trying to calm her racing heart, her gem glowing to contain the fear she’d felt. “Yeah… could really use that drink right about now…”
“Hiya!” Sweetie said as she appeared with their drinks in her magical grasp. “I got your drinks done in the lull, so I figured I’d come over when you weren’t busy anymore!”
“Thanks,” Daring said, taking the drink with a shaky hoof and knocking the entire thing back with a single gulp. Ooh, fruity~
“I’ll have another” she said, not noticing the gem around her neck glowing a little brighter.
“Not a problem, we’ve got plenty,” Sweetie said as she looked at Lucky, who’d mimicked her actions and sighed.
“Yeah, I could do with another myself,” the drone said. “Meeting the Queen...is something else.”
“Two more, coming right up!” the nymph said before trotting off.
“Uh, Daring, your necklace is sorta...glowing,” the drone said once the nymph was gone. “You doing okay?”
“Huh?” she looked down at it and tilted her head. “I dunno, it seems to do that every now and then. Maybe it needs to cool down.” Without any deeper thoughts, she slipped it off of her neck and set it on the table, the glow dying off...And unleashing her pent-up emotions all over the place. The Changelings there sighed as the nova was unleashed, drinking their fill of the mare’s emotions before they went back to just drinking.
“Wow,” Lucky said. “That thing is the reason I couldn’t really feel your emotions?”
“Yeah, Princess Twilight did some magicky stuff with it,” she replied, her emotions an interesting blend of happiness and satisfaction, with some underlying tones of lust and fear. She felt… weirdly placid for some reason. Meeting that Queen really threw her out of whack.
“You shouldn’t wear it so much, you might wear it out,” the drone pointed out. “Maybe take it off at night or something?”
“I do, but it seemed to overload pretty quick this time,” Daring said as she rolled the jewel around in her hooves. It was a little warm to the touch. “I don’t think I could handle meeting more than one of your Royals at a time.”
“Not all of them are like that,” the drone defended himself. Just then, Sweetie returned with their drinks.
“And here you two are, two more Mood Setters!” the nymph chirped.
“Thanks Sweets,” Daring said with a small giggle as she sipped at the drink. “Mm, this is pretty tasty~”
“Yeah, this stuff is pretty good,” the drone said as he nursed his, sipping it occasionally.
“Thanks!” the nymph said. “I’m gonna pop over to some other tables then, you two flag me down if you need anything else, okay?”
Daring sipped her drink and giggled as she ran a wingtip along the nymphs flank. “Sure thing cutie~” The nymph just giggled and skipped off, leaving Daring alone with Lucky.
“Somepony’s frisky,” the drone pointed out.
“What? I’m just being friendly,” Daring replied and sipped at this delicious drink. Some music started and she grinned. “We should totally dance!” She downed the rest of her drink and grabbed his hoof. “Come on, let’s par-tay!!”
Lucky followed suit and followed her onto the dance floor, now that he was fortified with liquid courage. Not like he needed it in the first place, but it was the thought that counted.
Turns out that Daring was actually a rather good dancer, and now that she wasn’t weighed down by her bags and jacket, she was a surprisingly slim mare. She had muscle in all the right places as she shook that tight flank on the dance floor, giggling and smiling. Lucky did his best to restrain himself, but he couldn’t help but get a little close to the mare and bump flanks with her, to test the waters.
Hey, making stupid, yet right moves, was his modus operandi at this point.
She just smiled and bumped his back, before she flew into the air and pulled off some nice pegasi moves, using her wings like fans as she slowly twisted and turned. Lucky followed her into the air and did his best to dance with her like his kind did, darting around her and trying to stay in her line of sight as his hooves…
Well, his hooves might have strayed a little, but nothing perverse or obscene took place. He did want to see how firm that flank was, after all.
Ohh, it was nice and tight. Though she did give him a playful slap with one of her hooves before grinning and pulling away. He chittered a little and stayed a respectful distance away from her, sufficiently chastised for his actions, but still wanting to touch her more.
Her rose-coloured eyes were intoxicating, and he could feel her Lust grow, now uninhibited by the amulet, left forgotten on the table. She flew past him, swiveling to return his gesture as he felt her hooves glide across his flank. She then gave him a flick with her tail and glided back to the booth. Lucky flitted back into his seat, and now that one aerial dance had taken place, the club buzzed into activity as more started happening as well.
Meanwhile, the drone was being bold. “Uh...Daring...I wanna ask you a question and not have you hate me for it,” he said. “Can I...kiss you?”
She paused, not having heard him properly over the loud music. “What?”
“Can I kiss you?” he asked louder. She blinked and tilted her head. He wanted to what? She grabbed her glass and went to drink from it, only to find it empty.
“Um, why?” she asked.
“Cause, you’re the first pretty mare to actually show an interest in me, and I’ve...never kissed anybuggy or anypony before. I’d like to kiss somepony that I like…” The drone’s sentence trailed off before he sighed. “Yeah, that sounds like a dumb reason-” He was silenced as Daring placed her lips lightly against his for a second, before she pulled back and blushed brightly.
“...Y’know, I kinda liked it,” he said, licking his lips.
“That…” she stammered as she realised what she just did. “That was… my first…”
“Mine too,” the drone said. “Though...I wouldn’t be adverse to more…”
Daring considered it as she slipped her pendant back on. It wouldn’t do to lose something so shiny. And when it fell around her neck and glowed, she blinked as she was brought back to a sense of clarity and she realised what she’d done, her face erupted into a blush and she hid under the table, too embarrassed to come back up. That was, until Lucky pulled her into the booth seat right next to him and gently pecked her cheek, not willing to stop his affections or leave her under there for very long.
“B-B-But… we… we barely know… one another,” she blushed harder, trying to put a little space between them.
“True, but I’m willing to find out anything you’re willing to share,” the drone muttered into her ear. Daring let out a small noise, kind of like a balloon deflating before she grabbed the rest of his drink and downed it, trying to calm herself down a little…
“Sweetie, two more,” the drone said to the passing waitress, who merely nodded and winked at them. “So why don’t you tell me a bit about yourself,” Lucky said to Daring, scooting a little closer so their hooves were touching. She seemed to flinch a little as her gem glowed again, but she didn’t move away.
“W-Well, for one… my name isn’t Daring,” she said with a soft sigh. “It’s Yearling. Daring is just a character I write about… and she’s everything I’m not.”
“It’s good to have goals to aim for,” the drone said. “Lets you know that there’s more to do in the world yet.”
“It’s hardly a goal,” Yearling scoffed and sighed. “Daring is brave, resourceful and amazing… I’m… well, not. Daring can do anything she sets her mind to. I have trouble deciding what to have for breakfast in the morning…”
“Nopony is perfect,” the drone pointed out. “Just because you’re not exactly the pony you write about, doesn’t make you any less amazing. I’m sure you’ve done plenty of things that others wouldn’t. Like coming to the Lands!”
“Only because I seem to be crazy,” she said softly. “I’ve seemed to have caused nothing but trouble since I got here. I’ve been given gifts and boons I don’t deserve. I nearly got my friend killed, your Nobles scare the bucking hay out of me and now I have you here wasting your time with me when you could be out with any other mare, nymph… whatever.”
“I hardly think of it as a waste, I’m keeping you from being hit on by all the other ‘lings,” the drone protested. “And the fact that both of you managed to get away from a Scorpio is amazing. The Queen scared me as well, you know. All in all, you sound like a perfectly reasonable pony. Not some sort of sad-sack that needs to feel sorry for herself.”
“I’m not feeling sorry for myself,” Yearling replied curtly. “I’m perfectly happy with myself, I’m one of the most famous authors in Equestria, I have countless adoring fans, more than half would give their legs to be in your position right now.” She snorted and gave a small nod. “You should feel honoured.”
“Sitting next to a pretty pony? A’course I do,” the drone said as he pecked her cheek with another kiss. That was about when Sweetie came back with their third round, before giving them a knowing smile and walking off to see to her other guests.
“What was she looking so smug about?” Yearling muttered as she sipped her drink. “And stop kissing me without permission.”
“Only if you admit there’s a chance I’d get it if I asked,” the drone said as he started in on his drink.
“Get what?” Yearling replied, nursing her glass close.
“Permission,” the drone explained. “Otherwise, the feeling of kissing you is too good to just pass up.”
She just snorted and sipped her drink again, her face red. “You're just as incorrigible as the purple ones.”
“Nah, they want to buck you,” Lucky said. “I just wanna kiss you...and don’t think I didn’t feel those hooves on my chitin when we were on the dancefloor, miss Yearling.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she replied, folding her forelegs and pouting. Her mind buzzed and she had the feeling that she might have had too much to drink.
“Admit it, you touched my flank,” the drone said. “S’okay, I sorta touched yours first.”
“Wait, youdidwhatnow?” She said in a loud whisper and blushed a deep crimson. “I knew it. You are a pervert.”
“Nah, it just looked too fine to not touch,” the drone said. “But I promise to get your permission before I do anything. Fer example...may I kiss you again?”
Her blush seemed to be permanent by this point, she sighed and turned her head, presenting her cheek to him.
“That wasn’t a yes,” he observed before he drank a bit more of his drink.
“Rrr, alright, fine,” she replied in a slightly irritable tone. “Do whatever you want.”
“Be careful what you wish for~” Lucky said before kissing her again. She just frowned and sipped at her drink once more.
“I think I’ll switch to water now,” she replied. “S’getting hard to think…”
“Yeah, that’s probably a good idea,” the drone agreed. “I dunno what this drink is made of, but it’s good and easy to get lost in.”
Yearling nodded and ran a hoof through her mane. She was getting a little warm now. Probably from all the… ohsweetcelestia! She pointed at two Changelings doing… something nearby.
“W-w-w-what are they doing. In public!”
“Wow, guess this stuff really works!” Lucky said. “Yeah, more often than not, that happens at these parties. I was gonna suggest we go back soon to avoid it, but I guess it happened a bit sooner than I thought it would. I’m all for going back to the hotel if you are...” He turned to look at Yearling, only to see the pegasus mare running out of the door, a small spinning crystal on the table as a tip for Sweetie.
“Welp, guess I better go as well,” the drone said. “If only to make sure she makes it back there.” With that, he was off after his temporary roommate.
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Uh oh, mood setter. Who knows what'll happen next?
:^)
The Violet Hive musk have an aura of Lust just perveating the entire place, huh?
ha ha that last part was funny hope devted get ok
Haha this is a funny chapter. Ah Mode Setter what a fun drink to have on hand. Can't wait for more.
If not for the amulet, I feel Yearling would have done a few things she would never, ever live down when she became coherent again.
At the very least, I'd imagine her waking up with Lucky and at least one extra nymph in bed. She'd probably blush herself a permanent red.
If her emotion limiting pendant is glowing warm after just one Mood Setter, at the rate things are going, somewhjere around Midnight theres going to be a whole lot of fireowrks that make the earth move?
7195629 Get something like that within 5 miles of Midnight and it would explode. I think the only reason the changelings have lasted so long is due to the Violets existence, if they came anywhere NEAR her without Lust based changelings being a thing at all then they probably would explode from sheer shock as well.
7195445
Wow, A+ for that typo right there... super appropriate.
7195792
Not a typo. c:
I just realized something. Midnight must either be the perfect mare for the Violet hive to feed off, or the one they avoid like the plague. Especially before Ledger. After all, wearing a club of violets out has to be some sort of record.
Now I am wondering if next chapter will land here on in the cloptional section. Either way will be good, honestly. Daring and Lucky could at least get some cuddles together.
Go Lucky!
Uh oh, three mood setters.
My shipping senses feel weird.
My head's just....ugh. Shipping overkill.
Last chapter, I sorta felt like shipping Daring and Devoted.
Now, I ship Daring and Lucky.
Drinking moodsetter's be like..
7196426 You remember how Ledger's Mother have 6 (or is it 7?) husbands? Well, I ship Daring with both of them.
ok I am thinking daring best keep running till she hits the equestrian boarder.
she will be ok but I am betting there will be cuddles involved.
Poor Devoted, let's see what shenanigans cook up...
The Mood Setters. OOOHHHHH BOY!
ooh, she implied he has a small penis! nice one!
After all, she isn't Minuette. . .
I think we can all guess which niece he's talking about
She even named it after her
Daring Do was so close losing her V-Card...
Guess Twilight necklace also protects from outside interference of emotion manipulation like the 'Mood setter'