Of Men and Insects

by VeganSpyro97


Chapter 10: A Song in the Night


​ Six​ ​mares​ ​and​ ​a​ ​dragon​ ​stared​ ​at​ ​Fluttershy’s​ ​toilet,​ ​each​ ​with​ ​their​ ​own​ ​varying​ ​reactions, while​ ​Allan​ ​sat​ ​like​ ​a​ ​scolded​ ​dog​ ​in​ ​the​ ​corner, feeling​ ​humiliated​ ​by​ ​his​ ​traitorous​ ​body,​ ​and​ ​even more​ ​embarrassed​ ​that​ ​Twilight​ ​was​ ​already​ ​gathering​ ​samples​ ​for​ ​her​ ​to​ ​work​ ​with.
Pinkie​ ​was​ ​looking​ ​at​ ​one​ ​of​ ​the​ ​globs​ ​of​ ​glowing​ ​goo​ ​that​ ​Twilight​ ​had​ ​put​ ​in​ ​a​ ​bag​ ​already, batting​ ​it​ ​with​ ​her​ ​hoof​ ​like​ ​a​ ​cat​ ​with​ ​a​ ​ball​ ​of​ ​yarn.​ ​Rainbow​ ​looked​ ​disgusted,​ ​and​ ​Rarity​ ​seemed​ ​to be​ ​doing​ ​her​ ​best​ ​impression​ ​of​ ​one​ ​of​ ​her​ ​boutique’s​ ​ponyquinnes.​ ​Twilight​ ​was ecstatic,​ ​being​ ​able to​ ​investigate​ ​something​ ​new​ ​and​ ​almost​ ​completely​ ​unknown,​ ​while​ ​Applejack​ ​seemed​ ​curious. Fluttershy​ ​did​ ​very​ ​little,​ ​and​ ​her​ ​reaction​ ​to​ ​the​ ​potentially​ ​busted​ ​toilet​ ​was​ ​met​ ​with​ ​only​ ​slightly forced​ ​kindness.
“So​ ​you​ ​said​ ​you​ ​haven’t​ ​needed​ ​to​ ​go​ ​to​ ​the​ ​bathroom​ ​once​ ​since​ ​you​ ​got​ ​here?”​ ​Twilight asked​ ​Allan,​ ​voice​ ​afire​ ​with​ ​curiosity,​ ​and​ ​her​ ​happy​ ​eyes​ ​boring​ ​into​ ​his​ ​own​ ​from​ ​across​ ​the​ ​room.
“And​ ​it​ ​came​ ​out​ ​exactly​ ​like​ ​this?”
“Um…​ ​yeah.​ ​Just​ ​like​ ​that.”
“And​ ​you​ ​can​ ​sense​ ​emotions​ ​in​ ​it?”
“...Yeah…”
“How​ ​long​ ​beforehoof​ ​did​ ​you​ ​start​ ​feeling​ ​the​ ​need​ ​to​ ​do​ ​this?”
“Um,​ ​not​ ​until​ ​a​ ​few​ ​minutes​ ​before.​ ​Prior​ ​to​ ​that,​ ​I​ ​just​ ​felt…..bloated.”
“This​ ​is​ ​so​ ​fascinating!”​ ​Twilight​ ​exclaimed,​ ​letting​ ​out​ ​a​ ​little​ ​squee.​ ​The​ ​sound​ ​was​ ​one​ ​that made​ ​Allan​ ​nearly​ ​die​ ​of​ ​cute​ ​every​ ​time​ ​he​ ​heard​ ​it,​ ​especially​ ​when​ ​he​ ​saw​ ​the​ ​adorable expressions​ ​that​ ​accompanied​ ​the​ ​sound.​ ​“I​ ​get​ ​to​ ​study​ ​a​ ​species​ ​we​ ​know​ ​so​ ​little​ ​about!​ ​This​ ​is​ ​the best​ ​day​ ​ever!”
Allan​ ​scowled​ ​at​ ​that,​ ​but​ ​managed​ ​to​ ​hide​ ​it​ ​by​ ​turning​ ​his​ ​head​ ​away​ ​from​ ​the​ ​Princess. The​ ​Pink​ ​terror​ ​managed​ ​to​ ​notice​ ​it​ ​anyway.
Now,​ ​Pinkie​ ​Pie​ ​is​ ​well​ ​known​ ​as​ ​the​ ​mare​ ​who​ ​frequently​ ​ignores​ ​reality,​ ​pulling​ ​hats​ ​out​ ​of bunnies​ ​and​ ​literally​ ​falling​ ​into​ ​pieces​ ​and​ ​putting​ ​herself​ ​back​ ​together​ ​again​ ​on​ ​a​ ​whim.​ ​And​ ​all​ ​of that​ ​energy​ ​and​ ​reality​ ​breaking​ ​absurdity​ ​is​ ​primed​ ​to​ ​go​ ​off​ ​at​ ​any​ ​moment,​ ​especially​ ​when​ ​Pinkie Pie​ ​sees​ ​someone​ ​looking​ ​down.
Allan​ ​really​ ​should​ ​have​ ​seen​ ​it​ ​coming,​ ​but​ ​he​ ​didn’t.​ ​He​ ​missed​ ​the​ ​warning​ ​signs.
“Hey!​ ​I​ ​know​ ​just​ ​how​ ​to​ ​cheer​ ​you​ ​up!”​ ​Pinkie​ ​said​ ​with​ ​a​ ​grin.​ ​“A​ ​PARTY!”
Before​ ​anyone​ ​could​ ​see​ ​what​ ​she​ ​did,​ ​the​ ​pink​ ​pony’s​ ​short​ ​forelegs​ ​suddenly​ ​stretched​ ​so far​ ​that​ ​they​ ​hit​ ​the​ ​wall,​ ​then​ ​inexplicably​ ​pulled​ ​that​ ​wall,​ ​and​ ​the​ ​entire​ ​room,​ ​away,​ ​depositing the​ ​eight​ ​of​ ​them​ ​slap​ ​bang​ ​in​ ​the​ ​middle​ ​of​ ​an​ ​energetic​ ​party,​ ​with​ ​half​ ​of​ ​ponyville​ ​crowding​ ​into the​ ​building​ ​known​ ​as​ ​Sugarcube​ ​Corner.​ ​The​ ​other​ ​ponies,​ ​each​ ​having​ ​lived​ ​with​ ​Pinkie​ ​for​ ​years, knew​ ​not​ ​to​ ​question​ ​or​ ​protest​ ​over​ ​the​ ​sudden​ ​change​ ​of​ ​scenery.​ ​Even​ ​Twilight,​ ​who​ ​ravenously tore​ ​apart​ ​things​ ​using​ ​logic​ ​and​ ​science,​ ​merely​ ​sighed,​ ​put​ ​her​ ​samples​ ​away,​ ​and​ ​trotted​ ​off​ ​to socialize.
Allan​ ​did​ ​not​ ​share​ ​that​ ​experience,​ ​instead​ ​trying​ ​understand​ ​how​ ​the​ ​laws​ ​of​ ​reality​ ​had just​ ​been​ ​so​ ​thoroughly​ ​violated.
“Wait-wha-hu​ ​wuh?”​ ​Allan​ ​exclaimed​ ​pointing​ ​back​ ​to​ ​where​ ​the​ ​room​ ​in​ ​Fluttershy’s​ ​had been​ ​just​ ​seconds​ ​before,​ ​waving​ ​his​ ​hooves​ ​back​ ​and​ ​forth,​ ​pointing​ ​alternately​ ​at​ ​the​ ​now​ ​vanished bathroom.​ ​“What​ ​the​ ​he​ ​-”
Pinkie​ ​cut​ ​him​ ​off​ ​before​ ​he​ ​could​ ​say​ ​the​ ​word​ ​“hell”,​ ​her​ ​hoof​ ​jamming​ ​into​ ​his​ ​muzzle. “No​ ​swearing​ ​Allan!​ ​The​ ​author​ ​doesn’t​ ​like​ ​it.”​ ​she​ ​said,​ ​before​ ​waving​ ​at​ ​a​ ​blank​ ​wall,​ ​a happy​ ​smile​ ​on​ ​her​ ​face.
Allan​ ​fell​ ​silent,​ ​his​ ​face​ ​flat​ ​and​ ​devoid​ ​of​ ​expression.​ ​“Whut?”
“Nevermind!”​ ​Pinkie​ ​grinned,​ ​as​ ​if​ ​she​ ​hadn’t​ ​just​ ​said​ ​something​ ​totally​ ​nuts.​ ​“This​ ​party​ ​is for​ ​you!​ ​Enjoy​ ​yourself!”
Despite​ ​the​ ​sudden​ ​arrival​ ​of​ ​a​ ​changeling,​ ​nopony​ ​seemed​ ​to​ ​have​ ​noticed,​ ​so​ ​Allan​ ​quickly shifted,​ ​adopting​ ​his​ ​pony​ ​guise​ ​with​ ​more​ ​than​ ​a​ ​little​ ​relief.​ ​He​ ​was​ ​just​ ​glad​ ​he​ ​hadn’t​ ​been​ ​spotted by​ ​anyone.​ ​He​ ​hadn’t​ ​met​ ​any​ ​of​ ​the​ ​other​ ​ponies​ ​in​ ​town​ ​except​ ​for​ ​the​ ​Apples,​ ​Sweetie​ ​Belle, Scootaloo​ ​and​ ​Spoiled​ ​Rich,​ ​so​ ​he​ ​was​ ​once​ ​again​ ​amid​ ​a​ ​sea​ ​of​ ​strangers.​ ​It​ ​wasn’t​ ​a​ ​very​ ​nice feeling.
Still,​ ​parties​ ​were​ ​a​ ​great​ ​place​ ​to​ ​try​ ​and​ ​branch​ ​out​ ​and​ ​meet​ ​new​ ​people-​ ​err,​ ​ponies,​ ​so Allan​ ​guessed​ ​he​ ​should​ ​at​ ​least​ ​try,​ ​despite​ ​how​ ​overwhelmed​ ​merely​ ​being​ ​in​ ​one​ ​made​ ​him​ ​feel. He​ ​owed​ ​Pinkie​ ​Pie’s​ ​efforts​ ​at​ ​least​ ​that​ ​much,​ ​and​ ​close​ ​contact​ ​with​ ​her​ ​had​ ​left​ ​him​ ​buzzing​ ​with positive​ ​vibes,​ ​so​ ​it​ ​was​ ​worth​ ​a​ ​go​ ​or​ ​two.​ ​All​ ​he​ ​needed​ ​to​ ​do​ ​was​ ​find​ ​somepony​ ​that​ ​was​ ​open and​ ​inviting.​ ​He​ ​started​ ​walking​ ​through​ ​the​ ​room,​ ​past​ ​where​ ​Pinkie​ ​Pie​ ​was​ ​both​ ​juggling​ ​and eating​ ​cupcakes,​ ​much​ ​to​ ​Applejack​ ​and​ ​Rainbow’s​ ​amusement.
With​ ​spotlights​ ​for​ ​eyes,​ ​Allan​ ​sorted​ ​through​ ​the​ ​groups​ ​of​ ​ponies,​ ​his​ ​gaze​ ​finally​ ​settling​ ​on a​ ​pair​ ​of​ ​mares​ ​standing​ ​together,​ ​a​ ​mint​ ​green​ ​unicorn​ ​and​ ​a​ ​beige​ ​earth​ ​pony.​ ​They​ ​seemed​ ​nice enough.
“Um,​ ​hi!”​ ​He​ ​started​ ​off,​ ​trying​ ​to​ ​sound​ ​relaxed,​ ​and​ ​not​ ​quite​ ​managing​ ​it.​ ​“I’m​ ​Allan.​ ​What are​ ​your​ ​names?”
The​ ​beige​ ​mare​ ​looked​ ​at​ ​him​ ​with​ ​a​ ​slightly​ ​reserved​ ​expression,​ ​while​ ​the​ ​minty​ ​unicorn gave​ ​him​ ​a​ ​bright​ ​grin.​ ​“Hi!​ ​My​ ​names​ ​Lyra!”​ The​ ​joyful​ ​Unicorn​ ​chirped.​ ​“And​ ​this​ ​is​ ​my​ ​often grumpy​ ​roommate​ ​Bon​ ​Bon!​ ​Say​ ​hi,​ ​Bonnie!”
The​ ​calmer​ ​mare​ ​gave​ ​him​ ​a​ ​smile​ ​of​ ​her​ ​own,​ ​one​ ​that​ ​spoke​ ​volumes​ ​of​ ​both​ ​the​ ​mares patience​ ​and​ ​self​ ​control.​ ​“Hi.​ ​I’m​ ​Bon​ ​Bon.​ ​I​ ​own​ ​a​ ​candy​ ​store​ ​here​ ​in​ ​town.​ ​You​ ​need​ ​anything,​ ​you just​ ​ask,​ ​hon.”​ ​She​ ​extended​ ​a​ ​hoof​ ​in​ ​greeting,​ ​only​ ​for​ ​Lyra​ ​to​ ​jump​ ​at​ ​her.
“Urgh!​ ​Bonnie!​ ​I​ ​thought​ ​we​ ​agreed!​ ​No​ ​more​ ​business​ ​stuff​ ​when​ ​we​ ​go​ ​out!”​ ​Lyra​ ​pouted, making​ ​her​ ​eyes​ ​both​ ​big,​ ​and​ ​angry.​ ​Bon​ ​Bon​ ​casually​ ​brushed​ ​her​ ​off​ ​with​ ​a​ ​hoof,​ ​a​ ​playful​ ​smirk​ ​on her​ ​muzzle.
“Later​ ​Ly.​ ​Can’t​ ​you​ ​see​ ​this​ ​nice​ ​young​ ​stallion​ ​wants​ ​to​ ​talk,​ ​not​ ​listen​ ​to​ ​us​ ​argue?”​ ​At​ ​the words​ ​young​ ​stallion,​ ​she​ ​gave​ ​him​ ​a​ ​look​ ​that​ ​made​ ​him​ ​feel​ ​a​ ​little​ ​uncomfortable.​ ​Lyra​ ​just groaned,​ ​slapping​ ​a​ ​hoof​ ​over​ ​her​ ​face.
“So,​ ​where​ ​are​ ​you​ ​from...​ ​Allan?”​ ​The​ ​changeling​ ​was​ ​surprised​ ​that​ ​she​ ​was​ ​only acknowledging​ ​the​ ​strange​ ​name,​ ​and​ ​not​ ​calling​ ​him​ ​out​ ​on​ ​it. Of​ ​course,​ ​saying​ ​that​ ​he​ ​was​ ​from​ ​another​ ​world​ ​was​ ​a​ ​definite​ ​no,​ ​or​ ​else​ ​he​ ​risked​ ​his nightmarish​ ​fantasies​ ​of​ ​the​ ​potential​ ​consequences​ ​coming​ ​true,​ ​though​ ​being​ ​chased​ ​with pitchforks​ ​and​ ​torches​ ​was​ ​rather​ ​cliché,​ ​as​ ​was​ ​winding​ ​up​ ​in​ ​a​ ​mental​ ​ward.
Instead,​ ​Allan​ ​went​ ​for​ ​a​ ​logical​ ​explanation.​ ​“From​ ​a​ ​farm​ ​out​ ​near…”​ ​He​ ​paused,​ ​just​ ​for​ ​a second,​ ​trying​ ​to​ ​find​ ​a​ ​suitable​ ​place​ ​name​ ​that​ ​he​ ​knew.​ ​He​ ​recalled​ ​a​ ​town​ ​that​ ​actually​ ​fitted​ ​with his​ ​accent,​ ​and​ ​quickly​ ​repeated​ ​the​ ​name.​ ​“Trottingham.”​ ​From​ ​what​ ​he​ ​knew​ ​of​ ​the​ ​place,​ ​he​ ​knew it​ ​was​ ​far​ ​removed​ ​from​ ​here,​ ​having​ ​been​ ​built​ ​on​ ​an​ ​island​ ​out​ ​in​ ​the​ ​strait​ ​that​ ​separated Equestria​ ​from​ ​Griffonstone.​ ​​
Hopefully,​ ​she​ ​wouldn’t​ ​pick​ ​up​ ​on​ ​his​ ​bullshit.
“Huh.”​ ​Bon​ ​Bon​ ​said,​ ​as​ ​Lyra​ ​continued​ ​to​ ​grump.​ ​“Do​ ​you​ ​know​ ​Time​ ​Turner?​ ​He’s​ ​the stallion​ ​over​ ​there​ ​with​ ​the​ ​spiky​ ​mane​ ​and​ ​the​ ​hourglass​ ​cutie​ ​mark.​ ​He’s​ ​from​ ​Trottingham​ ​too.”
Allan​ ​had​ ​deliberately​ ​said​ ​farm​ ​outside​ ​of​ ​Trottingham​ ​for​ ​a​ ​reason.​ ​“No,​ ​sorry,​ ​I​ ​don’t.​ ​I didn’t​ ​go​ ​into​ ​town​ ​much,​ ​so​ ​I​ ​barely​ ​knew​ ​anypony.”​ ​Allan​ ​thanked​ ​himself​ ​for​ ​not​ ​slipping​ ​up​ ​and saying​ ​“Anyone”.​ ​That​ ​could​ ​give​ ​him​ ​away.​ ​“About​ ​the​ ​only​ ​pony​ ​I​ ​knew​ ​was​ ​an​ ​old​ ​mare​ ​who​ ​sold flowers​ ​on​ ​the​ ​street.”​ ​Every​ ​city​ ​had​ ​someone​ ​like​ ​that,​ ​selling​ ​knick​ ​knacks​ ​from​ ​a​ ​street​ ​corner,​ ​so it​ ​was​ ​a​ ​safe​ ​bet​ ​to​ ​go​ ​with.
“Oh.​ ​Was​ ​the​ ​old​ ​mare​ ​nice?”
“She​ ​was​ ​okay.​ ​She​ ​could​ ​be​ ​crabby​ ​at​ ​times,​ ​but​ ​that​ ​was​ ​just​ ​old​ ​age,​ ​I​ ​think.”​ ​Allan​ ​reveled in​ ​the​ ​yarn​ ​he​ ​was​ ​telling,​ ​threading​ ​together​ ​a​ ​story​ ​from​ ​nothing​ ​like​ ​that.​ ​Even​ ​better,​ ​the​ ​mare was​ ​buying​ ​it!​ ​It​ ​was​ ​like​ ​the​ ​old​ ​adventures​ ​he​ ​would​ ​come​ ​up​ ​with​ ​with​ ​his​ ​friends,​ ​but​ ​even​ ​more than​ ​that….​ ​It​ ​felt​ ​nice.​ ​He​ ​was​ ​just​ ​talking,​ ​bonding.​ ​Like​ ​he​ ​was​ ​normal.
“So​ ​what​ ​did​ ​you​ ​farm?”​ ​Allan​ ​was​ ​glad​ ​she’d​ ​asked​ ​that.​ ​He’d​ ​read​ ​up​ ​about​ ​so much​ ​already​ ​that​ ​he​ ​knew​ ​that​ ​Trottingham​ ​and​ ​Griffonstone​ ​had​ ​a​ ​trade​ ​agreement​ ​which​ ​involved the​ ​rearing​ ​and​ ​selling​ ​of​ ​various​ ​animals​ ​to​ ​the​ ​carnivorous​ ​Griffons.
“Actually,​ ​it​ ​was​ ​what’s​ ​called​ ​a​ ​fish​ ​farm.​ ​We​ ​breed​ ​and​ ​sell​ ​fish​ ​to​ ​the​ ​Griffons.​ ​It’s,​ ​uh,​ ​quite lucrative.”​ ​On​ ​a​ ​small​ ​Island,​ ​that​ ​sounded​ ​plausible.​ ​“I​ ​never​ ​found​ ​it​ ​all​ ​that​ ​great,​ ​and…”​ ​He​ ​looked down​ ​to​ ​his​ ​bare​ ​flank.​ ​“I​ ​never​ ​found​ ​anything​ ​worth​ ​doing​ ​for​ ​the​ ​rest​ ​of​ ​my​ ​life​ ​there.”
Bon​ ​Bon’s​ ​eyes​ ​widened,​ ​finally​ ​noticing​ ​the​ ​missing​ ​mark.​ ​​ ​A​ ​stallion​ ​of​ ​his​ ​age​ ​should​ ​have one​ ​by​ ​now.
“You​ ​don’t​ ​have​ ​a-”​ ​A​ ​beeping​ ​sound​ ​from​ ​a​ ​pair​ ​of​ ​saddlebags​ ​leaning​ ​up​ ​against​ ​the​ ​wall drew​ ​her​ ​attention,​ ​and​ ​she​ ​​ ​apologized.​ ​“Sorry,​ ​but​ ​that​ ​could​ ​be​ ​important.”
Allan​ ​shrugged.​ ​He​ ​was​ ​used​ ​to​ ​that​ ​sort​ ​of​ ​thing​ ​back​ ​home,​ ​so​ ​he​ ​just​ ​assumed​ ​that​ ​ponies had​ ​some​ ​sort​ ​of​ ​messaging​ ​system​ ​too.​ ​Perhaps​ ​some​ ​sort​ ​of​ ​enchantment​ ​on​ ​a​ ​pair​ ​of​ ​objects? That​ ​might​ ​explain​ ​it,​ ​though​ ​it​ ​wouldn’t​ ​account​ ​for​ ​the​ ​stare​ ​he​ ​was​ ​getting​ ​from​ ​Bon​ ​Bon​ ​as​ ​she looked​ ​between​ ​him​ ​and​ ​whatever​ ​it​ ​was​ ​she​ ​was​ ​holding.
He​ ​instead​ ​decided​ ​to​ ​talk​ ​to​ ​Lyra.​ ​“Hey,​ ​it’s​ ​fine​ ​you​ ​know,​ ​her​ ​talking​ ​about​ ​business​ ​I​ ​mean. i’m​ ​just​ ​happy​ ​somepony​ ​is​ ​talking​ ​to​ ​me​ ​at​ ​all.”
That​ ​seemed​ ​to​ ​cheer​ ​her​ ​back​ ​up​ ​a​ ​bit,​ ​so​ ​Allan​ ​felt​ ​a​ ​little​ ​pleased.​ ​“So,​ ​what​ ​do​ ​you​ ​do Lyra?”
“Oh,​ ​I’m​ ​a​ ​musician!”​ ​She​ ​grinned​ ​at​ ​him,​ ​a​ ​mad​ ​gleam​ ​in​ ​her​ ​eyes.​ ​“I​ ​specialize​ ​in​ ​stringed instruments,​ ​but​ ​the​ ​Lyre’s​ ​always​ ​gonna​ ​be​ ​my​ ​baby!”
“That’s​ ​cool!”​ ​Allan​ ​exclaimed,​ ​this​ ​time​ ​in​ ​all​ ​honesty.​ ​“I​ ​always​ ​wanted​ ​to​ ​learn​ ​how​ ​to​ ​play the​ ​guitar,​ ​but​ ​my​ ​parents​ ​said​ ​lessons​ ​would​ ​be​ ​too​ ​expensive.”
“Really?​ ​That’s​ ​rude​ ​of​ ​them.”​ ​Lyra​ ​said,​ ​indignantly.​ ​“Most​ ​artists​ ​don’t​ ​ask​ ​for​ ​that​ ​much.” Bon​ ​Bon’s​ ​flat​ ​expression​ ​behind​ ​Lyra​ ​said​ ​otherwise.​ ​“I​ ​know!​ ​How​ ​about​ ​I​ ​teach​ ​you?”
Allan​ ​felt​ ​his​ ​heart​ ​leap.​ ​“Really!​ ​I’d​ ​love​ ​to​ ​learn!”
“Great!​ ​How’s​ ​every​ ​Saturday​ ​for​ ​you?”
“Oh….​ ​um,​ ​actually,​ ​I’d​ ​have​ ​to​ ​ask​ ​about​ ​that,​ ​but​ ​I’ll​ ​let​ ​you​ ​know​ ​when​ ​I​ ​have found​ ​out,​ ​okay?”
“Okay!”​ ​Lyra​ ​squealed​ ​happily,​ ​bounding​ ​in​ ​place​ ​as​ ​Bon​ ​Bon​ ​rejoined​ ​them.​ ​“Oooh!​ ​I’m already​ ​so​ ​excited!”
“Really?”​ ​Bon​ ​Bon​ ​feigned​ ​surprise.​ ​“I​ ​couldn’t​ ​tell.”​ ​She​ ​turned​ ​her​ ​bright​ ​blue​ ​eyes​ ​to​ ​Allan, though​ ​they​ ​weren’t​ ​quite​ ​as​ ​friendly​ ​as​ ​before.​ ​Her​ ​tone​ ​of​ ​voice​ ​was​ ​unchanged,​ ​but​ ​Allan​ ​could taste​ ​the​ ​foulness​ ​of​ ​distrust​ ​in​ ​the​ ​air​ ​about​ ​her,​ ​coupled​ ​with​ ​suspicion.​ ​“Just​ ​swing​ ​on​ ​by​ ​my​ ​sweet shop​ ​when​ ​your​ ​lessons​ ​start.​ ​Lyra’s​ ​been​ ​wanting​ ​to​ ​teach​ ​somepony​ ​to​ ​play​ ​lately,​ ​so​ ​I’m​ ​gonna make​ ​something​ ​as​ ​thanks​ ​for​ ​making​ ​her​ ​happy.”
Although​ ​Allan​ ​could​ ​sense​ ​some​ ​hidden​ ​intent​ ​behind​ ​those​ ​words,​ ​he​ ​didn’t​ ​let​ ​his​ ​mask slip.​ ​“Are​ ​you​ ​sure?​ ​I​ ​wouldn’t​ ​want​ ​you​ ​do​ ​t hat.​ ​I​ ​already​ ​feel​ ​like​ ​I’m​ ​imposing​ ​on​ ​this​ ​town enough!”
“No​ ​no.”​ ​Bon​ ​Bon​ ​smiled,​ ​though​ ​her​ ​eyes​ ​still​ ​retained​ ​that​ ​distrust.​ ​“It’s​ ​on​ ​the​ ​house. Every​ ​new​ ​pony​ ​gets​ ​a​ ​welcome​ ​gift.”
“Just​ ​like​ ​Pinkie’s​ ​parties,​ ​I​ ​take​ ​it?”​ ​Allan​ ​smirked.​ ​“Everypony​ ​gets​ ​one,​ ​whether​ ​they​ ​want to,​ ​or​ ​not.”
Bon​ ​Bon’s​ ​eyes​ ​narrowed​ ​slightly​ ​at​ ​that.​ ​Perhaps​ ​that​ ​was​ ​the​ ​wrong​ ​thing​ ​to​ ​say?​ ​He refrained​ ​from​ ​explaining​ ​what​ ​he​ ​meant​ ​because​ ​in​ ​every​ ​movie,​ ​Tv​ ​show,​ ​game​ ​and​ ​book​ ​he’d​ ​ever seen,​ ​explanations​ ​always​ ​sounded​ ​like​ ​justifications,​ ​backtracking,​ ​or​ ​excuses.​ ​There​ ​was​ ​no​ ​sense​ ​in digging​ ​a​ ​deeper​ ​grave​ ​for​ ​himself.
“So….”​ ​Allan​ ​started.​ ​“What​ ​do​ ​you​ ​guys​ ​do​ ​for​ ​fun​ ​around​ ​here?”
The​ ​two​ ​grinned​ ​at​ ​one​ ​another.​ ​“Well,​ ​the​ ​fun​ ​usually​ ​​ ​comes​ ​in​ ​the​ ​form​ ​of​ ​big​ ​monsters​ ​or catastrophe’s​ ​every​ ​other​ ​week.​ ​You’re​ ​gonna​ ​have​ ​a​ ​lot​ ​of​ ​fun​ ​here.”
As​ ​bad​ ​as​ ​the​ ​stories​ ​his​ ​friends​ ​had​ ​told​ ​him​ ​had​ ​been,​ ​the​ ​notion​ ​of​ ​frequent,​ ​destructive events​ ​had​ ​his​ ​ears​ ​folding​ ​back​ ​in​ ​dread.​ ​Ponyville​ ​was​ ​that​ ​bad? Nah,​ ​it​ ​couldn’t​ ​be,​ ​or​ ​Fluttershy​ ​wouldn’t​ ​live​ ​here.​ ​If​ ​Fluttershy​ ​could​ ​live​ ​here,​ ​so​ ​could Allan​ ​Ryder!
The​ ​disguised​ ​Changeling​ ​grinned.​ ​“I​ ​think​ ​I’ll​ ​be​ ​fine.​ ​I’m​ ​friends​ ​with​ ​the​ ​elements…” Rainbow​ ​Dash​ ​wasn’t​ ​exactly​ ​a​ ​friend​ ​yet….​ ​“Most​ ​of​ ​them,​ ​at​ ​least.”
The​ ​two​ ​mares​ ​laughed.​ ​“Then​ ​you’d​ ​better​ ​get​ ​used​ ​to​ ​weirdness​ ​danger.​ ​Most​ ​of​ ​anything that​ ​happens​ ​around​ ​here​ ​happens​ ​to​ ​them.”
Oh,​ ​like​ ​weird​ ​and​ ​dangerous​ ​were​ ​unknowns​ ​to​ ​Allan.​ ​The​ ​stallion​ ​held​ ​back​ ​a​ ​chuckle. “Well,​ ​looks​ ​like​ ​I’m​ ​in​ ​for​ ​a​ ​ride​ ​then!”

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As​ ​parties​ ​went,​ ​Allan​ ​had​ ​to​ ​admit​ ​that​ ​the​ ​party​ ​he​ ​had​ ​broken​ ​the​ ​laws​ ​of​ ​physics​ ​to​ ​get​ ​to wasn’t​ ​all​ ​that​ ​bad.​ ​The​ ​food​ ​was​ ​great,​ ​the​ ​company,​ ​consisting​ ​of​ ​ponies​ ​and​ ​a​ ​single​ ​zebra​ ​who Twilight​ ​and​ ​Fluttershy​ ​introduced​ ​as​ ​Zecora,​ ​was​ ​pretty​ ​relaxed,​ ​and​ ​interesting.​ Zecora​ ​​ ​was​ ​nice, though​ ​she​ ​tended​ ​towards​ ​lyrical,​ ​rhyming​ ​speech​ ​more​ ​often​ ​than​ ​not.​ ​If​ ​anything,​ ​it​ ​was something​ ​that​ ​made​ ​her​ ​all​ ​the​ ​more​ ​unique​ ​and​ ​memorable.​ ​She​ ​had​ ​the​ ​air​ ​of​ ​one​ ​who​ ​has acquired​ ​wisdom,​ ​calm​ ​and​ ​content​ ​with​ ​herself​ ​and​ ​the​ ​world​ ​around​ ​her.​ ​She​ ​was​ ​also​ ​something of​ ​a​ ​kindred​ ​spirit,​ ​being​ ​an​ ​outsider​ ​among​ ​ponies.
With​ ​the​ ​intent​ ​of​ ​socializing,​ ​Allan​ ​acted​ ​as​ ​a​ ​satellite​ ​to​ ​the​ ​many​ ​planets.​ ​Each​ ​one​ ​was​ ​a group​ ​or​ ​pair,​ ​and​ ​the​ ​more​ ​Allan​ ​talked​ ​to,​ ​the​ ​more​ ​he​ ​understood​ ​about​ ​the​ ​unique​ ​culture​ ​of Ponyville.​ ​The​ ​tolerance​ ​and​ ​acceptance​ ​they​ ​all​ ​displayed​ ​allowed​ ​them​ ​to​ ​take​ ​chances​ ​and​ ​form relationships​ ​with​ ​one​ ​another,​ ​even​ ​when​ ​they​ ​seemed​ ​to​ ​be​ ​polar​ ​opposites.​ ​The​ ​duo​ ​of​ ​Vinyl​ ​and Octavia,​ ​a​ ​DJ​ ​and​ ​Cellist​ respectively,​ ​proved​ ​that​ ​immediately.
The​ ​two​ ​were​ ​amicable,​ ​but​ ​Allan​ ​could​ ​tell​ ​that​ ​they​ ​frequently​ ​annoyed​ ​one​ ​another. Despite​ ​that,​ ​their​ ​friendship​ ​seemed​ ​just​ ​as​ ​strong​ ​as​ ​the​ ​bond​ ​between​ ​Twilight​ ​and​ ​her​ ​friends. Lyra​ ​and​ ​Bon​ ​Bon​ ​were​ ​another​ ​example,​ ​with​ ​the​ ​excitable​ ​lyrist​ ​and​ ​the​ ​calm​ ​candy​ ​maker​ ​being friends​ ​that​ ​one​ ​wouldn’t​ ​usually​ ​expect. Allan​ ​smiled​ ​as​ ​he​ ​watched​ ​Vinyl,​ ​Octavia,​ ​Lyra,​ ​and,​ ​surprisingly,​ ​Rarity​ ​Big​ ​Mac,​ ​Fluttershy and​ ​Applejack,​ ​alongside​ ​two​ ​additional​ ​mares​ ​and​ ​a​ ​stallion,​ ​excitedly​ ​talking​ ​about​ ​something, occasionally​ ​glancing​ ​Alan's​ ​way.​ ​ Twilight​ ​and​ ​Spike​ ​had​ ​retreated​ ​to​ ​a​ ​corner​ ​with​ ​the​ ​bags​ ​of changeling​ ​goo​ ​they​ ​had​ ​salvaged​ ​from​ ​Fluttershy’s​ ​toilet,​ ​the​ ​Princess’s​ ​intrigued​ ​gaze​ ​piqued​ ​the stallion’s​ ​interest,​ ​and​ ​he​ ​trotted​ ​over.
“Hello​ ​Princess.”​ ​He​ ​called​ ​in​ ​greeting.​ ​She​ ​looked​ ​up​ ​to​ ​him​ ​with​ ​a​ ​smile.
“Hi​ ​Allan.​ ​You​ ​don’t​ ​need​ ​to​ ​call​ ​me​ ​that,​ ​you​ ​know.”
“I​ ​….​ ​Know.​ ​I​ ​just​ ​feel​ ​better​ ​knowing​ ​I’m​ ​not​ ​being​ ​disrespectful.”​ ​Allan​ ​winced​ ​as​ ​Twilight laughed.
“If​ ​anything,​ ​you​ ​not​ ​calling​ ​me​ ​Twilight​ ​more​ ​uncomfortable​ ​than​ ​not​ ​calling​ ​me​ ​Princess.”
Allan​ ​blanched,​ ​ears​ ​lowering.​ ​“Oh…​ ​I’m​ ​sorry,​ ​uh,​ ​Twilight…”
“It’s​ ​fine,​ ​just,​ ​try​ ​to​ ​stick​ ​to​ ​calling​ ​me​ ​Twilight,​ ​please.”​ ​The​ ​Princess​ ​smoothed​ ​her​ ​mane with​ ​a​ ​hoof,​ ​still​ ​taking​ ​notes​ ​with​ ​a​ ​quill​ ​held​ ​in​ ​her​ ​with​ ​her​ ​magic.​ ​“So,​ ​you​ ​wanted​ ​to​ ​talk​ ​to​ ​me?”
Oh,​ ​yeah,​ ​he​ ​had!​ ​“Yes.​ ​Yes​ ​I​ ​did!​ ​​ ​I​ ​wanted​ ​to​ ​ask​ ​what​ ​you’ve​ ​found​ ​out​ ​about​ ​my….​ ​Uh, stuff.”
“Your….”​ ​She​ ​hoisted​ ​the​ ​bag​ ​up.​ ​“Stuff?”
“Yeah…”​ ​Allan​ ​rubbed​ ​a​ ​hoof​ ​on​ ​the​ ​back​ ​of​ ​his​ ​neck.​ ​“That.”
“Well,​ ​this…​ ​stuff​ ​of​ ​yours,​ ​as​ ​far​ ​as​ ​I​ ​can​ ​tell,​ ​holds​ ​quite​ ​some​ ​potential,​ ​but​ ​I​ ​can’t​ ​tell​ ​how much​ ​yet.”
“Oh….​ ​okay.”​ ​That​ ​was,​ ​awkward,​ ​to​ ​say​ ​the​ ​least.​ ​Allan​ ​chewed​ ​his​ ​lip,​ ​and​ ​Twilight​ ​rubbed her​ ​left​ ​hoof​ ​with​ ​her​ ​right,​ ​glancing​ ​off​ ​to​ ​the​ ​side.​ ​“I’m​ ​gonna​ ​leave​ ​you​ ​alone​ ​forever​ ​now.”
Twilight​ ​watched​ ​as​ ​the​ ​stallion​ ​moved​ ​off,​ ​her​ ​violet​ ​gaze​ ​full​ ​of​ ​concern.
“Twilight?”​ ​Spike​ ​piped​ ​up,​ ​having​ ​watched​ ​the​ ​exchange​ ​without​ ​saying​ ​a​ ​word.​ ​“What​ ​was that​ ​about?”
“I’m…​ ​not​ ​sure.”

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Allan​ ​found​ ​the​ ​bakery​ ​door​ ​and​ ​slipped​ ​out,​ ​relishing​ ​the​ ​cool​ ​air​ ​of​ ​the​ ​waning​ ​day​ ​as Celestia​ ​lowered​ ​the​ ​sun​ ​from​ ​the​ ​sky.​ ​Allan​ ​watched​ ​as​ ​the​ ​moon​ ​rose,​ ​wondering​ ​how​ ​Luna​ ​was doing.​ ​She’d​ ​seemed​ ​nice,​ ​and…​ ​a​ ​little​ ​sad. Well,​ ​Allan​ ​wasn’t​ ​feeling​ ​quite​ ​so​ ​great​ ​himself.​ ​He’d​ ​refrained​ ​from​ ​eating​ ​during​ ​the​ ​party, even​ ​emotions.​ ​It​ ​always​ ​felt​ ​so​ ​wrong,​ ​even​ ​when​ ​it​ ​tasted​ ​good,​ ​like​ ​when​ ​you​ ​knew​ ​that​ ​the cookie​ ​you​ ​just​ ​had​ ​was​ ​someone​ ​else’s.​ ​Not​ ​eating​ ​had​ ​left​ ​him​ ​hungry,​ ​which,​ ​as​ ​it​ ​would​ ​anyone, and​ ​that​ ​was​ ​making​ ​him​ ​irritable​ ​and​ ​quite​ ​pensive. He​ ​stood​ ​in​ ​the​ ​street​ ​for​ ​a​ ​little​ ​while.​ ​There​ ​was​ ​no​ ​particular​ ​reason​ ​for​ ​him​ ​to​ ​do​ ​it,​ ​but he​ ​felt​ ​better​ ​with​ ​the​ ​cool​ ​evening​ ​breeze​ ​ruffling​ ​through​ ​his​ ​hair,​ ​even​ ​if​ ​this​ ​body​ ​was​ ​just​ ​some disguise.​ ​As​ ​the​ ​moon​ ​rose,​ ​Allan​ ​trotted​ ​off​ ​a​ ​bit,​ ​trying​ ​to​ ​find​ ​some​ ​out​ ​of​ ​the​ ​way​ ​spot​ ​for​ ​him​ ​to vent.​ ​The​ ​young​ ​changeling​ ​made​ ​his​ ​way​ ​quietly,​ ​before​ ​coming​ ​to​ ​a​ ​stop​ ​at​ ​the​ ​Ponyville​ ​Public Park.
There​ ​was​ ​a​ ​long,​ ​winding​ ​pathway​ ​running​ ​through​ ​it’s​ ​center,​ ​dotted​ ​with​ ​the​ ​occasional tree​ ​or​ ​bush,​ ​some​ ​backing​ ​park​ ​benches​ ​or​ ​carved​ ​statues.​ ​The​ ​light​ ​of​ ​the​ ​swiftly​ ​rising​ ​moon bathed​ ​all​ ​of​ ​it​ ​in​ ​pale,​ ​silvery​ ​light​ ​that​ ​cast​ ​deep​ ​shadows.​ ​Not​ ​a​ ​cloud​ ​could​ ​be​ ​seen​ ​in​ ​the​ ​sky. All​ ​in​ ​all,​ ​it​ ​was​ ​a​ ​beautiful​ ​night,​ ​coloured​ ​in​ ​bright​ ​whites,​ ​deep,​ ​navy​ ​blues,​ ​rich​ ​purples, formless​ ​blacks​ ​and​ ​the​ ​ever​ ​present​ ​silver.​ ​Contrast​ ​that​ ​with​ ​the​ ​deep​ ​brown​ ​of​ ​his​ ​disguises​ ​fur coat,​ ​and​ ​Allan​ ​felt​ ​he​ ​looked….​ ​Kind​ ​of​ ​gross.​ ​Everything​ ​shone,​ ​glowing​ ​in​ ​their​ ​subtle​ ​beauty,​ ​while he​ ​remained​ ​the​ ​colour​ ​of​ ​mud.
His​ ​mind​ ​began​ ​to​ ​drift,​ ​going​ ​back​ ​where​ ​he​ ​could​ ​not.​ ​He​ ​pictured​ ​home,​ ​the​ ​familiar​ ​door frame​ ​and​ ​his​ ​father​ ​waving​ ​to​ ​him​ ​from​ ​the​ ​lounge​ ​window.​ ​He​ ​saw​ ​Katie​ ​coming​ ​over​ ​to​ ​visit,​ ​gifts in​ ​hand​ ​for​ ​her​ ​younger​ ​brother,​ ​a​ ​celebration​ ​of​ ​his​ ​high​ ​school​ ​graduation.​ ​He​ ​saw​ ​Anna,​ ​sitting beside​ ​him,​ ​game​ ​controller​ ​in​ ​hand,​ ​thrashing​ ​the​ ​pants​ ​off​ ​of​ ​him​ ​in​ ​Mario​ ​Kart.​ ​He​ ​saw​ ​his​ ​mom, holding​ ​her​ ​wounded​ ​son​ ​in​ ​a​ ​hospital​ ​gown,​ ​unaware​ ​of​ ​the​ ​monster​ ​in​ ​her​ ​arms.​ ​He​ ​saw​ ​Anna, tears​ ​in​ ​her​ ​eyes​ ​as​ ​Chrysalis​ ​cruelly​ ​broke​ ​up​ ​with​ ​her,​ ​for​ ​her​ ​own​ ​amusement.​ ​He​ ​saw​ ​his​ ​father,​ ​a vacant​ ​expression​ ​on​ ​his​ ​face​ ​as​ ​Chrysalis​ ​tortured​ ​him​ ​with​ ​his​ ​own​ ​memories.​ ​He​ ​saw​ ​his hometown,​ ​suppressed​ ​by​ ​the​ ​bug​ ​queen​ ​and​ ​her​ ​growing​ ​armies,​ ​a​ ​tall,​ ​spiralling,​ ​black​ ​tower reaching​ ​up​ ​from​ ​the​ ​city​ ​center,​ ​a​ ​laughing​ ​Chrysalis​ ​perched​ ​atop​ ​the​ ​throne​ ​built​ ​into​ ​it’s​ ​peak.​ ​He saw…..
“Oh,​ ​Allan….”​ ​Fluttershy’s​ ​quiet​ ​voice​ ​startled​ ​him,​ ​and​ ​he​ ​jerked​ ​back​ ​in​ ​surprise.​ ​He​ ​pivoted on​ ​the​ ​spot,​ ​and​ ​the​ ​familiar,​ ​long​ ​pink​ ​mane,​ ​baby​ ​blue​ ​eyes​ ​and​ ​soft​ ​yellow​ ​coat​ ​swam​ ​into​ ​focus.
“Flutters!​ ​I,​ ​​ ​uh…​ ​I​ ​was​ ​just…”
“Crying?”​ ​She​ ​asked,​ ​reaching​ ​out​ ​a​ ​hoof,​ ​to​ ​touch​ ​the​ ​tear​ ​​ ​that​ ​shone​ ​like​ ​crystal​ ​in​ ​the moonlight.​ ​She​ ​brushed​ ​the​ ​tear​ ​away,​ ​her​ ​hoof​ ​gentle​ ​and​ ​her​ ​coat​ ​soft.​ ​“Why​ ​were​ ​you​ ​crying?”
Like​ ​a​ ​child,​ ​his​ ​first​ ​instinct​ ​was​ ​to​ ​protect​ ​himself,​ ​and​ ​he​ ​moved​ ​his​ ​head​ ​away,​ ​eyes narrowing,​ ​as​ ​he​ ​tried​ ​to​ ​keep​ ​more​ ​tears​ ​from​ ​spilling​ ​out.​ ​“I​ ​wasn’t.”​ ​He​ ​snapped.
Fluttershy​ ​wasn’t​ ​convinced,​ ​and​ ​her​ ​hoof​ ​reached​ ​out​ ​again,​ ​this​ ​time​ ​to​ ​settle​ ​on​ ​his shoulder.​ ​Allan​ ​stiffened​ ​at​ ​the​ ​touch.​ ​It​ ​was​ ​a​ ​painless​ ​agony,​ ​that​ ​most​ ​gentle​ ​of​ ​physical​ ​contacts, but​ ​the​ ​barriers​ ​he​ ​kept​ ​desperately​ ​throwing​ ​up​ ​crumbled​ ​like​ ​stale​ ​bread,​ ​leaving​ ​him​ ​vulnerable. He​ ​didn’t​ ​want​ ​to​ ​feel​ ​vulnerable.
“It’s​ ​okay.​ ​You​ ​can​ ​tell​ ​me​ ​what’s​ ​wrong.​ ​I​ ​won’t​ ​tell​ ​anypony.”​ ​Her​ ​voice​ ​was​ ​a​ ​balm​ ​for​ ​him, gentle​ ​and​ ​soothing.​ ​Perhaps…​ ​perhaps​ ​he​ ​could​ ​tell​ ​her….
“I-I…..I…..”​ ​He​ ​struggled​ ​to​ ​even​ ​speak,​ ​tears​ ​of​ ​frustration​ ​​ ​and​ ​self​ ​doubt​ ​trying​ ​to​ ​escape the​ ​confines​ ​of​ ​his​ ​eyelids.​ ​He​ ​gulped,​ ​taking​ ​a​ ​deep​ ​breath.​ ​“I’m​ ​scared.”
“Why?​ ​What​ ​are​ ​you​ ​scared​ ​of?”
“Everything!”​ ​The​ ​dam​ ​burst.​ ​The​ ​words​ ​began​ ​to​ ​tumble​ ​out.​ ​“I’m​ ​scared​ ​for​ ​my​ ​family!​ ​My world!​ ​I’m​ ​scared​ ​of​ ​never​ ​seeing​ ​them​ ​again!​ ​I’m​ ​scared​ ​of​ ​just​ ​about​ ​everypony​ ​I​ ​meet​ ​finding​ ​out the​ ​truth!​ ​I’m​ ​scared​ ​that​ ​your​ ​Princess​ ​Celestia​ ​will​ ​despise​ ​me​ ​for​ ​being​ ​human!​ ​I’m​ ​scared​ ​all​ ​the time!​ ​And​ ​it​ ​never​ ​stops!​ ​I’m​ ​scared​ ​of​ ​sneezing​ ​because​ ​I​ ​might​ ​accidentally​ ​blow​ ​myself​ ​up!​ ​I’m scared​ ​my​ ​wings​ ​will​ ​give​ ​out​ ​the​ ​next​ ​time​ ​I​ ​fly!​ ​I’m​ ​scared​ ​of​ ​everything!”​ ​Tears​ ​flowed​ ​freely,​ ​and his​ ​voice​ ​turned​ ​raw.​ ​“And​ ​worst​ ​of​ ​all,​ ​I’m​ ​not​ ​even​ ​in​ ​a​ ​body​ ​I​ ​recognize​ ​as​ ​my​ ​own!​ ​I​ ​look​ ​in​ ​the mirror,​ ​and​ ​all​ ​I​ ​see​ ​is​ ​a​ ​GOD​ ​DAMNED​ ​FREAK!”
Fluttershy​ ​looked​ ​stunned.​ ​The​ ​creature​ ​before​ ​her​ ​was​ ​a​ ​broken​ ​thing.​ ​While​ ​he​ ​had managed​ ​to​ ​keep​ ​an​ ​air​ ​of​ ​calm​ ​about​ ​him,​ ​it​ ​was​ ​all​ ​a​ ​hoax,​ ​more​ ​to​ ​keep​ ​him​ ​from​ ​breaking​ ​than​ ​to keep​ ​anypony​ ​from​ ​seeing​ ​through​ ​the​ ​deception.​ ​The​ ​pain​ ​in​ ​his​ ​voice​ ​was​ ​something​ ​that Fluttershy​ ​had​ ​rarely​ ​heard,​ ​and​ ​it​ ​was​ ​one​ ​of​ ​the​ ​saddest​ ​things​ ​she​ ​would​ ​ever​ ​bear​ ​witness​ ​to.
“I’m​ ​a​ ​freak…”​ ​He​ ​murmured​ ​under​ ​his​ ​breath.
Fluttershy’s​ ​heart​ ​broke​ ​to​ ​see​ ​fresh​ ​tears​ ​start​ ​snaking​ ​down​ ​his​ ​face.​ ​She​ ​did​ ​not​ ​know​ ​why, but​ ​she​ ​reached​ ​out​ ​with​ ​caring​ ​hooves​ ​and​ ​raised​ ​his​ ​muzzle​ ​up​ ​to​ ​look​ ​him​ ​in​ ​the​ ​eyes. “Listen​ ​to​ ​me.”​ ​She​ ​spoke​ ​with​ ​a​ ​firmness​ ​rarely​ ​heard,​ ​her​ ​eyes​ ​glued​ ​to​ ​his.​ ​“You.​ ​Are.​ ​Not.
A.​ ​Freak."
“But​ ​I-”
“No​ ​buts!”​ ​Fluttershy’s​ ​voice​ ​never​ ​rose,​ ​but​ ​somehow,​ ​he​ ​couldn’t​ ​hear​ ​any​thing ​else,​ ​and​ ​those blue​ ​eyes​ ​were​ ​all​ ​he​ ​could​ ​see.​ ​“Listen​ ​to​ ​me!​ ​You​ ​are​ ​not​ ​a​ ​freak!​ ​You​ ​are​ ​one​ ​of​ ​the​ ​nicest​ ​ponies… um,​ ​changelings-​ ​that​ ​I’ve​ ​ever​ ​met!​ ​Yes!​ ​You’re​ ​a​ ​long​ ​way​ ​from​ ​home,​ ​but​ ​you​ ​have​ ​friends​ ​here! Friends​ ​who​ ​are​ ​trying​ ​to​ ​find​ ​a​ ​way​ ​to​ ​get​ ​you​ ​home​ ​or​ ​at​ ​the​ ​very​ ​least,​ ​give​ ​you​ ​a​ ​life​ ​here!”
The response of his​ ​tearful​ ​eyes​ ​told​ ​her​ ​everything.​ ​He​ ​wanted​ ​to​ ​go​ ​home.​ ​He​ ​wanted​ ​to​ ​know​ ​his​ ​family was​ ​safe.
Fluttershy​ ​did​ ​not​ ​know​ ​what​ ​else​ ​to.​ ​She​ ​threw​ ​her​ ​forelgs​ ​around​ ​him.​ ​She​ ​hugged​ ​him​ ​tight, afraid​ ​that​ ​he​ ​would​ ​shatter​ ​if​ ​she​ ​let​ ​go.​ ​A​ ​sob​ ​escaped​ ​him,​ ​his​ ​shoulders​ ​shaking. His forelegs slowly rose up to wrap around her waist, returning the hug.

*********************

Not​ ​so​ ​far​ ​away,​ ​two​ ​pairs​ ​of​ ​eyes​ ​watched​ ​the​ ​two​ ​figures​ ​perched​ ​atop​ ​a​ ​hill,​ ​framed​ ​by pale​ ​moonlight.​ ​The​ ​two​ ​were​ ​close​ ​enough​ ​to​ ​hear​ ​every​ ​word,​ ​and​ ​one​ ​mare​ ​nodded​ ​in confirmation​ ​of​ ​her​ ​suspicions.
“I​ ​knew​ ​it!​ ​He​ ​really​ ​is​ ​a​ ​changeling!”​ ​Bon​ ​Bon,​ ​or,​ ​rather,​ ​the​ ​mare​ ​known​ ​by​ ​that​ ​name, exclaimed​ ​in​ ​hushed,​ ​hissing​ ​tones.​ ​Lyra​ ​yawned,​ ​putting​ ​a​ ​hoof​ ​to​ ​her​ ​mouth​ ​to​ ​mask​ ​the​ ​sound.
“Bon​ ​Bon,​ ​cool​ ​it​ ​down.​ ​Let’s​ ​not​ ​go​ ​chasing​ ​after​ ​monsters​ ​where​ ​there​ ​are​ ​none.​ ​He’s​ ​not done​ ​anything​ ​wrong,​ ​except​ ​maybe​ ​lie​ ​a​ ​little.​ ​Plus,​ ​the​ ​elements​ ​seem​ ​to​ ​trust​ ​him.”
Bon​ ​Bon,​ ​or,​ ​Sweetie​ ​Drops,​ ​depending​ ​on​ ​who​ ​you​ ​asked,​ ​shot​ ​her​ ​friend​ ​a​ ​sharp​ ​look.​ ​“Just because​ ​they​ ​seem​ ​to​ ​trust​ ​him​ ​doesn’t​ ​mean​ ​squat!​ ​He​ ​could​ ​have​ ​hypnotised​ ​them!”
“I​ ​doubt​ ​it.”​ ​Lyra​ ​snorted.​ ​“I’ve​ ​been​ ​hypnotized​ ​before,​ ​and​ ​trust​ ​me,​ ​you​ ​don’t​ ​act​ ​normal.”
Bon​ ​Bon​ ​ignored​ ​her,​ ​instead​ ​peering​ ​out​ ​to​ ​the​ ​pair​ ​still​ ​sat​ ​on​ ​the​ ​hill.​ ​“Allan”,​ ​if​ ​that​ ​even was​ ​his​ ​real​ ​name,​ ​had​ ​pulled​ ​apart​ ​from Fluttershy,​ ​and​ ​was​ ​rubbing​ ​his​ ​eyes​ ​with​ ​a​ ​fetlock.​ ​The mare​ ​beside​ ​him​ ​seemed​ ​a​ ​little​ ​withdrawn,​ ​not​ ​saying​ ​a​ ​word​ ​and​ ​glancing​ ​at​ ​Allan​ ​in​ ​a​ ​look​ ​not​ ​all that​ ​dissimilar​ ​from​ ​curiosity.
From​ ​this​ ​distance,​ ​it​ ​was​ ​hard​ ​to​ ​tell,​ ​but​ ​Fluttershy​ ​was​ ​definitely​ ​interested​ ​in​ ​something about​ ​him,​ ​but​ ​her​ ​natural​ ​reservations​ ​held​ ​her​ ​back.​ ​Allan​ ​finished​ ​drying​ ​his​ ​tears​ ​and​ ​gave Fluttershy​ ​a​ ​thankful​ ​smile.​ ​The​ ​two​ ​began​ ​to​ ​talk​ ​aloud​ ​again,​ ​and​ ​Special​ ​Agent​ ​Sweetie​ ​Drops made​ ​sure​ ​she​ ​heard​ ​all​ ​of​ ​it.

********************

“Why​ ​do​ ​you​ ​think​ ​you’re​ ​a​ ​freak,​ ​Allan?”​ ​Fluttershy’s​ ​soft​ ​voice​ ​kept​ ​him​ ​from​ ​returning​ ​to the​ ​hysteria​ ​of​ ​before.
He​ ​breathed​ ​in,​ ​held​ ​that​ ​breath​ ​for​ ​a​ ​few​ ​moments,​ ​then​ ​breathed​ ​out.​ ​“Fluttershy….​ ​Look at​ ​me.​ ​Really​ ​look​ ​at​ ​me.​ ​What​ ​do​ ​you​ ​see?”
“You​ ​know​ ​what?​ ​I​ ​see…​ ​somepony​ ​with...​ ​“​ ​She​ ​pointed​ ​at​ ​his​ ​face.​ ​“Two​ ​eyes….​ ​A​ ​mouth…. Two​ ​ears….and​ ​a​ ​nose,​ ​ah.”​ ​She​ ​booped​ ​his​ ​nose​ ​with​ ​a​ ​hoof.​ ​“Found​ ​it.”​ ​She​ ​offered​ ​a​ ​sweet​ ​smile, only​ ​for​ ​it​ ​to​ ​reverse​ ​when​ ​he​ ​spoke​ ​next.
“Flutters.​ ​That​ ​doesn’t​ ​help.”​ ​He​ ​said,​ ​moving​ ​away​ ​from​ ​her.​ ​“Yes,​ ​I​ ​got​ ​lucky.​ ​I​ ​still​ ​have eyes,​ ​and​ ​ears…​ ​but​ ​they’re​ ​not​ ​mine.​ ​I​ ​spent​ ​all​ ​my​ ​life​ ​with​ ​fingers,​ ​and​ ​toes,​ ​and​ ​feet!​ ​And​ ​small, round​ ​ears!​ ​And​ ​no​ ​tail!”
Fluttershy​ ​listened,​ ​letting​ ​him​ ​explain​ ​the​ ​reality​ ​of​ ​his​ ​fears​ ​without​ ​interruption.
“I​ ​feel​ ​useless,​ ​all​ ​the​ ​time,​ ​and…..”​ ​Blue​ ​fire​ ​enveloped​ ​him,​ ​revealing​ ​the​ ​changeling beneath​ ​the​ ​pony​ ​stallion​ ​he​ ​had​ ​pretended​ ​to​ ​be.​ ​His​ ​chitin​ ​glistened​ ​in​ ​the​ ​moonlight,​ ​and​ ​his​ ​blue eyes​ ​glowed​ ​softly​ ​in​ ​the​ ​shadows​ ​of​ ​his​ ​face.​ ​Their​ ​cool​ ​light​ ​was​ ​hypnotic,​ ​though​ ​Fluttershy​ ​was​ ​far more​ ​interested​ ​in​ ​hearing​ ​what​ ​more​ ​he​ ​needed​ ​to​ ​say.​ ​“I​ ​feel​ ​like​ ​I​ ​don’t​ ​belong​ ​anywhere anymore.”​ ​He​ ​hung​ ​his​ ​head​ ​sadly.​ ​“I’m​ ​a​ ​weird​ ​ex-human​ ​mutant​ ​bug-horse,​ ​and​ ​every​ ​day​ ​that​ ​goes by,​ ​I​ ​feel​ ​like​ ​my​ ​chances​ ​of​ ​getting​ ​home​ ​a​ ​growing​ ​slimmer​ ​and​ ​slimmer.”
“Twilight​ ​is​ ​trying-”
“I​ ​know​ ​she​ ​is,​ ​but​ ​it’s​ ​already​ ​been​ ​two​ ​weeks,​ ​and​ ​neither​ ​she​ ​or​ ​King​ ​Thorax​ ​have​ ​found anything​ ​that​ ​gets​ ​me​ ​closer​ ​to​ ​going​ ​home.”​Allan​ ​cut​ ​Fluttershy​ ​off,​ ​but​ ​he​ ​wasn’t​ ​snappy​ ​or waspish​ ​in​ ​his​ ​tone.​ ​“That​ ​doesn’t​ ​bode​ ​all​ ​that​ ​well,​ ​especially​ ​since​ ​Earth​ ​is​ ​at​ ​the​ ​mercy​ ​of​ ​that…”
The​ ​stallion​ ​was​ ​about​ ​to​ ​swear,​ ​but​ ​he​ ​cut​ ​himself​ ​short​ ​when​ ​he​ ​remembered​ ​who​ ​he​ ​was​ ​talking to.​ ​He​ ​sighed,​ ​looking​ ​out​ ​toward​ ​the​ ​moon.​ ​​ ​“I​ ​just​ ​want​ ​my​ ​family​ ​to​ ​be​ ​safe,​ ​and​ ​for​ ​me​ ​to​ ​be​ ​able to​ ​go​ ​home​ ​and​ ​see​ ​them​ ​all​ ​again,​ ​even​ ​it​ ​was​ ​just​ ​once.’’
Fluttershy’s​ ​ears​ ​lowered.​ ​The​ ​idea​ ​of​ ​never​ ​seeing​ ​your​ ​family​ ​again​ ​was​ ​an​ ​idea​ ​she’d​ ​never wanted​ ​to​ ​give​ ​much​ ​thought,​ ​precisely​ ​because​ ​it​ ​was​ ​so​ ​heart​ ​wrenching.​ ​She​ ​had​ ​to​ ​get​ ​him​ ​to stop​ ​thinking​ ​that​ ​things​ ​were​ ​so​ ​bad….​ ​But​ ​how?
The​ ​hug​ ​had​ ​been​ ​a​ ​good​ ​way​ ​to​ ​get​ ​him​ ​to​ ​open​ ​up,​ ​but​ ​now​ ​he​ ​needed​ ​something​ ​more.
Fluttershy​ ​thought​ ​long​ ​and​ ​hard.​ ​He​ ​needed​ ​someone​ ​he​ ​could​ ​trust.​ ​That​ ​required​ ​trust​ ​in return,​ ​and​ ​while​ ​her​ ​friends​ ​were​ ​welcoming,​ ​they​ ​hadn’t​ ​quite​ ​come​ ​to​ ​trust​ ​him​ ​yet.​ ​Not​ ​fully, anyway.​ ​Allan​ ​had​ ​told​ ​them​ ​so​ ​much​ ​about​ ​his​ ​world,​ ​and​ ​he​ ​had​ ​just​ ​shared​ ​his​ ​fears​ ​with​ ​her.
Someone​ ​to​ ​trust.​ ​And​ ​be​ ​trusted​ ​by.
Fluttershy​ ​knew​ ​what​ ​she​ ​was​ ​about​ ​to​ ​do​ ​was​ ​crazy.​ ​She’s​ ​never​ ​sung​ ​for​ ​anypony​ ​besides her​ ​friends​ ​and​ ​her​ ​animals​ ​before,​ ​but​ ​if​ ​she​ ​showed​ ​him​ ​she​​ ​trusted​ ​him…
“Um….​ ​I​ ​wanna​ ​share​ ​something​ ​with​ ​you….”​ ​She​ ​murmured,​ ​catching​ ​his​ ​attention.​ ​“I…​ ​I’ve never​ ​told​ ​anypony​ ​but​ ​my​ ​friends​ ​and​ ​my​ animals,​ ​but….I​ ​love​ ​to​ ​sing….”
The​ ​changeling​ ​stallion​ ​looked​ ​confused​ ​“Um…​ ​okay….?”
She​ ​winced.​ ​His​ ​drawn​ ​out​ ​pronunciation​ ​of​ ​the​ ​word​ ​making​ ​her​ ​afraid​ ​he’d​ ​laugh​ ​at​ ​her, but​ ​she​ ​had​ ​to​ ​try.
Raising​ ​her​ ​eyes​ ​up,​ ​looking​ ​at​ ​the​ ​large,​ ​pale​ ​moon​ ​hanging​ ​in​ ​the​ ​sky,​ ​she​ ​opened​ ​her mouth,​ ​and​ ​began​ ​to​ ​sing.​ ​At​ ​first,​ ​she​ ​did​ ​not​ ​say​ ​anything,​ ​just​ ​letting​ ​her​ ​voice​ ​fill​ ​the​ ​night.​ ​The notes​ ​were​ ​long,​ ​and​ ​bright. Then,​ ​words​ ​began​ ​to​ ​come​ ​to​ ​her.

“Today’s​ ​a​ ​memory,
In​ ​tomorrow’s​ ​melody.
The​ ​moon​ ​above​ ​is​ ​shining​ ​bright,
A​ ​pure​ ​and​ ​silver​ ​light.

​ ​Here​ ​we​ ​stand,​ ​just​ ​you​ ​and​ ​I,
There’s​ ​a​ ​life​ ​here​ ​for​ ​you,​ ​if​ ​you​ ​want​ ​to​ ​try.
Just​ ​you​ ​and​ ​I,​ ​here,​ ​if​ ​you​ ​want​ ​to​ ​try.

I​ ​know​ ​you​ ​feel​ ​heartache,
And​ ​you​ ​fear​ ​that​ ​you​ ​might​ ​break.
But​ ​take​ ​my​ ​hoof​ ​and​ ​hold​ ​it​ ​tight.
I​ ​promise​ ​that​ ​you’ll​ ​be​ ​alright.

Here​ ​we​ ​stand,​ ​just​ ​you​ ​and​ ​I
Saying​ ​there’s​ ​no​ ​hope​ ​is​ ​just​ ​a​ ​lie,
Just​ ​you​ ​and​ ​I,​ ​here,​ ​if​ ​you​ ​want​ ​to​ ​try.

You​ ​can​ ​tell​ ​me,​ ​you​ ​can​ ​trust​ ​me,
I​ ​promise​ ​that​ ​it’s​ ​true.
We​ ​can​ ​stand​ ​here,​ ​me​ ​and​ ​you,
Until​ ​the​ ​light​ ​of​ ​dawn​ ​breaks​ ​through,
We​ ​can​ ​stand​ ​here,​ ​just​ ​you​ ​and​ ​me​ ​and​ ​you.
We​ ​can​ ​stand​ ​here,​ ​just​ ​me​ ​and​ ​you……”

She​ ​kept​ ​her​ ​eyes​ ​closed,​ ​not​ ​wanting​ ​to​ ​see​ ​his​ ​face​ ​break​ ​into​ ​laughter,​ ​​ ​or​ ​for​ ​him​ ​to​ ​say she​ ​was​ ​being​ ​silly.​ ​She​ ​heard​ ​nothing,​ ​and​ ​so​ ​risked​ ​opening​ ​an​ ​eye.​ ​He​ ​was​ ​still​ ​sat​ ​there,​ ​his​ ​eyes wide​ ​and​ ​mouth​ ​opened​ ​in​ ​slack​ ​jawed​ ​disbelief.​ ​Her​ ​large​ ​eyes​ ​lingered​ ​on​ ​his,​ ​before​ ​she​ ​let​ ​her mane​ ​fall​ ​limply​ ​back​ ​over​ ​them​ ​to​ ​cover​ ​them​ ​up.
Before​ ​the​ ​last​ ​strands​ ​of​ ​her​ ​mane​ ​could​ ​fall​ ​into​ ​place,​ ​Allan​ ​spoke.
“You​ ​make​ ​me​ ​feel​ ​better,​ ​you​ ​know.”​ ​Her​ ​head​ ​shot​ ​up,​ ​cheeks​ ​slightly​ ​flushed.​ ​“When​ ​we hang​ ​out…​ ​none​ ​of​ ​it​ ​seems​ ​quite​ ​so​ ​bad.”​ ​A​ ​lasting​ ​smile​ ​finally​ ​made​ ​it’s​ ​way​ ​onto​ ​his​ ​face.​ ​“I’m glad​ ​we’re​ ​friends.”
Fluttershy​ ​nearly​ ​squealed​ ​in​ ​joy.​ ​She’d​ ​done​ ​it!​ ​“I’m​ ​glad​ ​too.​ ​You​ ​don’t​ ​deserve​ ​being​ ​given a​ ​hard​ ​time​ ​for​ ​being​ ​a​ ​changeling.”
“Thank​ ​you.​ ​You’re​ ​really​ ​good​ ​at​ ​singing,​ ​you​ ​know.”
Fluttershy​ ​blushed,​ ​not​ ​used​ ​to​ ​hearing​ ​compliments.​ ​“T-thank​ ​you….​ ​Um,​ ​do​ ​you​ ​sing?”
“Me?​ ​Sing?​ ​Um….”​ ​Allan​ ​wasn’t​ ​too​ ​confident​ ​in​ ​his​ ​singing​ ​voice.​ ​He’d​ ​only​ ​ever​ ​sung​ ​when he​ ​was​ ​alone,​ ​and​ ​always​ ​with​ ​a​ ​song​ ​accompanying​ ​him.​ ​Singing​ ​alone?​ ​Oof..​ ​Well,​ ​Fluttershy​ ​had done​ ​it,​ ​so​ ​why​ ​not​ ​him?
He​ ​thought​ ​back​ ​over​ ​the​ ​songs​ ​he​ ​knew.​ ​Most​ ​of​ ​them​ ​were​ ​rock​ ​songs,​ ​or​ ​were….​ ​A​ ​little vulgar​ ​or​ ​rude.​ ​What​ ​nicer​ ​songs​ ​did​ ​he​ ​even​ ​know?​ ​Um….oh…..yeah.​ ​That​ ​would​ ​do​ ​nicely.

“You​ ​and​ ​I​ ​must​ ​make​ ​a​ ​pact….
We​ ​must​ ​bring​ ​salvation​ ​back….
Where​ ​there​ ​is​ ​looove,
I’ll​ ​be​ ​there…”

Fluttershy​ ​leaned​ ​forward,​ ​ears​ ​tuned​ ​in​ ​to​ ​him​ ​now.​ ​His​ ​voice​ ​was​ ​youthful,​ ​and​ ​made​ ​for more​ ​than​ ​decent​ ​singing.

“I’ll​ ​reach​ ​out​ ​my​ ​hand​ ​to​ ​you,
I’ll​ ​have​ ​faith​ ​in​ ​all​ ​you​ ​dooo…
Just​ ​call​ ​my​ ​name,
and​ ​I’ll​ ​be​ ​there…”

Fluttershy​ ​listened​ ​to​ ​him.​ ​​ ​She​ ​really​ ​listened.​ ​His​ ​voice​ ​was​ ​haunted​ ​still,​ ​by​ ​the​ ​things​ ​that had​ ​happened,​ ​but​ ​that​ ​note​ ​it​ ​let​ ​him​ ​reach​ ​was​ ​perfect.

“Oooh​ ​woah,​ ​I’ll​ ​be​ ​there,​ ​to​ ​comfort​ ​you,
I’ll​ ​build​ ​my​ ​world​ ​of​ ​dreams​ ​around​ ​you,
I’m​ ​so​ ​glad​ ​that​ ​I​ ​found​ ​you,​ ​yeah.
I’ll​ ​be​ ​there,​ ​with​ ​a​ ​love​ ​so​ ​strong.
I’ll​ ​be​ ​your​ ​strength,
You​ ​know​ ​I​ ​keep,​ ​holding​ ​ooooon.”

Fluttershy​ ​felt​ ​a​ ​familiar​ ​tingle,​ ​the​ ​same​ ​one​ ​she​ ​felt​ ​whenever​ ​she​ ​and​ ​her​ ​friends​ ​sang together,​ ​having​ ​never​ ​rehearsed​ ​a​ ​song.​ ​She​ ​opened​ ​her​ ​mouth​ ​and​ ​began​ ​to​ ​sing.

“Let​ ​me​ ​fill​ ​your​ ​heart​ ​with​ ​joy​ ​and​ ​laughter!
Togetherness,​ ​well​ ​it’s​ ​all​ ​I’m​ ​after,
Just​ ​call​ ​my​ ​name,​ ​and​ ​I’ll​ ​be​ ​there!”

Allan​ ​looked​ ​at​ ​her​ ​in​ ​shocked​ ​awe,​ ​but​ ​he​ ​kept​ ​singing.

“I’ll​ ​be​ ​there​ ​to​ ​protect​ ​you,​ ​yeah,
With​ ​an​ ​unselfish​ ​love​ ​that​ ​respects​ ​you,
Just​ ​call​ ​my​ ​name,​ ​and​ ​I’ll​ ​be​ ​there.”

Fluttershy​ ​tuned​ ​in​ ​again,​ ​so​ ​that​ ​both​ ​of​ ​their​ ​voices​ ​were​ ​joined​ ​in​ ​song.

“I’ll​ ​be​ ​there,​ ​to​ ​comfort​ ​you,
I’ll​ ​build​ ​my​ ​world​ ​of​ ​dreams​ ​around​ ​you,
I’m​ ​so​ ​glad​ ​that​ ​I​ ​found​ ​you,​ ​yeah.
I’ll​ ​be​ ​there,​ ​with​ ​a​ ​love​ ​so​ ​strong,
I’ll​ ​be​ ​your​ ​strength,​ ​I​ ​know​ ​you​ ​keep​ ​holding​ ​oooon.”

Allan​ ​stopped​ ​singing,​ ​letting​ ​Fluttershy​ ​sing​ ​the​ ​next​ ​verse​ ​alone.

“If​ ​you​ ​should​ ​ever​ ​find​ ​someone​ ​new…
I​ ​know​ ​she​ ​better​ ​be​ ​good​ ​to​ ​you….
But​ ​if​ ​she​ ​doesn’t,​ ​I’ll​ ​be​ ​there.”

Allan​ ​began​ ​to​ ​sing​ ​again.​ ​The​ ​two​ ​were​ ​standing​ ​with​ ​their​ ​backs​ ​together​ ​now,​ ​raised​ ​up​ ​on their​ ​back​ ​hooves,​ ​wings​ ​splayed​ ​out​ ​wide.

“You​ ​and​ ​I​ ​must​ ​make​ ​a​ ​pact,
We​ ​must​ ​bring​ ​salvation​ ​back…
Where​ ​there​ ​is​ ​love…
I’ll​ ​be​ ​there.”

Although​ ​the​ ​song​ ​wasn’t​ ​done,​ ​the​ ​two​ ​dropped​ ​back​ ​onto​ ​their​ ​hooves,​ ​smiling​ ​happily​ ​at one​ ​another.
“I...uh,​ ​thanks.”​ ​Allan​ ​said.​ ​“That​ ​was​ ​nice…​ ​How​ ​did​ ​you​ ​know​ ​the​ ​words?”
Fluttershy​ ​wasn’t​ ​entirely​ ​sure​ ​herself.​ ​Twilight​ ​had​ ​explained​ ​it​ ​once,​ ​and​ ​the​ ​magical​ ​theory had​ ​gone​ ​right​ ​over​ ​her​ ​head.​ ​What​ ​little​ ​she​ ​did​ ​understand​ ​seemed​ ​to​ ​say​ ​that​ ​ponies​ ​and​ ​other equines​ ​possessed​ ​a​ ​shared​ ​lyrical​ ​understanding​ ​that​ ​allowed​ ​them​ ​to​ ​spontaneously​ ​sing,​ ​taking subconscious​ ​cues​ ​that​ ​told​ ​them​ ​what​ ​words,​ ​notes​ ​or​ ​beats​ ​came​ ​next.
“It’s​ ​a​ ​pretty​ ​long​ ​explanation...”​ ​Fluttershy​ ​cautioned.
Allan​ ​just​ ​shrugged​ ​his​ ​shoulders.​ ​“Hey,​ ​I’ve​ ​got​ ​time.”​ ​He​ ​folded​ ​his​ ​legs​ ​and​ ​laid​ ​down​ ​in front​ ​of​ ​her. For​ ​some​ ​reason,​ ​that​ ​made​ ​her​ ​happy.
*****************

“Did​ ​Fluttershy​ ​just​ ​sing?​ ​Twice?”​ ​Bon​ ​Bon​ ​exclaimed,​ ​her​ ​eyes​ ​wide.
“She’s​ ​got​ ​such​ ​a​ ​lovely​ ​voice!”​ ​Lyra​ ​crowed​ ​as​ ​she​ ​bounced​ ​around​ ​the​ ​inside​ ​of​ ​the​ ​thicket they​ ​were​ ​in.​ ​​ ​“Oh,​ ​I​ ​wanna​ ​have​ ​her​ ​sing​ ​along​ ​with​ ​my​ ​lyre​ ​now!”
“Cut​ ​it​ ​out!​ ​You’ll​ ​give​ ​us​ ​away!”

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Twilight​ ​and​ ​the​ ​girls​ ​stood​ ​in​ ​awe,​ ​having​ ​hidden​ ​in​ ​some​ ​nearby​ ​trees​ ​so​ ​they​ ​could​ ​keep​ ​an eye​ ​on​ ​Allan​ ​and​ ​Fluttershy.
“Ah​ ​ain’t​ ​never​ ​heard​ ​that​ ​outta​ ​her​ ​before…”​ ​Applejack​ ​murmured,​ ​eyes​ ​wide​ ​and​ ​stetson​ ​in her​ ​hoof.​ ​“Ah​ ​dare​ ​say​ ​that​ ​was​ ​as​ ​good​ ​as​ ​Ra​ ​Ra!”
“And​ ​he​ ​wasn’t​ ​bad​ ​either!”​ ​Rarity​ ​crooned,​ ​the​ ​idea​ ​of​ ​somehow​ ​getting​ ​those​ ​two​ ​together already​ ​​ ​making​ ​her​ ​excited.​ ​“Did​ ​you​ ​hear​ ​that​ ​voice?”
“That​ ​was​ ​super​ ​duper​ ​good!”​ ​Pinkie​ ​squealed,​ ​as​ ​quietly​ as​ ​Pinkie​ ​could.​ ​“They​ ​were​ ​so great​ ​together!”
Rainbow​ ​had​ ​her​ ​eyes​ ​down,​ ​and​ ​said​ ​nothing,​ ​and​ ​Twilight​ ​was​ ​lost​ ​for​ ​words.

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