//------------------------------// // Second Contact // Story: Forever a Shapeshifter // by MidnightInkpaw //------------------------------// 'The changeling' sat in their cell, waiting for something to happen. It had been around 17 hours since Twilight's visit and she left the changeling in the cell for the next visit. If the changeling were to be honest, they were actually terrified for the next time Twilight visited, maybe even more scared than if Shining Armor were to interrogate them instead. The changeling tilted their head to look at the window, it was the early morning. The changeling sighed. "How long am I gonna be stuck in here?" they whispered to themselves. Its ears perked up at the sound of hoof steps coming closer to its cell door. The changeling got up on all fours immediately but unsteadily. The door creaked open to reveal Twilight. The changeling tensed up as they looked at her expression. It was different than the one she wore yesterday. Instead of the angry and inpatient look, it was a calm and a slightly worried one. The changeling would have been confused if it weren't for the fear and cautiousness in their being. "G-good morning, did you sleep well?" Twilight asked in an awkward but kind voice which caught the changeling off guard. "U-uhh, not really?" The changeling replied more in a question than an answer. This time, Twilight actually listened to their voice without being distracted by her anger, it sounded like Rainbow's voice except it was more discorded and had a little flanging effect to it. "Oh, umm, I guess the cell isn't really too comfortable, is it?" Twilight said. "Yea... I guess." "Maybe I could ask the guards if they could install a mattress to your cell?" "I-it's fine, really. I've gotten used to it by now." "Really? It's been just over a day since you were place in this cell. How could you have you gotten used to it in such a short time?" "I-I don't know. It could be that I c-can-" The changeling started but was interrupted by coughing. It wasn't a good sight for Twilight, the changeling was spluttering out bits of blood each time they coughed. "Are you ok?" Twilight asked frantically. "I-I'm fine. It's n-nothing major." The changeling whispered as the coughs calmed down. "Oh no, was it from yesterday?! I'm so sorry!" Twilight blurted out guiltily. "I told you, it's fine." The changeling spoke but was once again cut off by a series of coughs. "I-I take th-that back-k." Twilight stood on the other end of the room watching with guilt and fear for the changeling. 'What should I do?! I can't take... it to a medical centre and I can't just stand here doing nothing while somepony- somebody's in pain.' Twilight looked back at the creature in the cell, they were curled up using their hooves to block the coughs that came out of its mouth. 'If I could get it to come closer...' Twilight thought before shaking her head. "Uhh, is it alright for you to come a little closer to me?" Twilight asked gaining the changeling's attention. With some hesitation, they began to uncurl itself and got up shakily. Taking small, unsteady steps, they walked up to the cell bars and looked up to the lavender alicorn. As soon as the changeling looked at her, she ignited her horn and focused her magic on the changeling. As they coated in the aura, fear began to take hold of them. They clenched their eyes shut, preparing to feel any sort of pain. Except, it never came. In fact, the pain seemed to have decreased. The changeling opened its eyes to see Twilight looking back at them giving them a kind and gentle smile. The changeling was stumped. "Wha-? Why?" "I'm sorry about yesterday, I really didn't want to hurt you, but I guess that's not an excuse. So, this is the least I could do for you." Twilight spoke in an apologetic and caring tone which made the the changeling smile. "Heh, th-thanks." "You're welcome... uhh. I didn't really get your name." The changeling froze. 'What do I tell her? I don't want to bring up the Rainbow Dash situation.' "Uhh, my name is... err." The changeling stammered. Twilight continued to pay attention, waiting for them to answer. The changeling sighed. "Ok, to be honest, I don't really know..." "Oh, it's fine." Twilight flashed the changeling a small smile as a thought was brought up in her mind. "But I guess I can't keep calling you 'the changeling', can I?" The changeling gave her a confused look. "Huh?" "How about 'Iris'?" "What?" "For your name, since you don't have one." "'Iris?'" The changeling asked more to themselves than to Twilight. After a moment of thought, the changeling smiled. "Hmm, I like the name." Twilight smiled back. The silence remained for a while until a yawn broke the quietness. "Well, I guess I'll hit the hay for now. I didn't get any sleep since yesterday." Iris muttered drowsily. "Yeah, and I need to get back to Celestia. She's gonna wonder about what happened to me." Twilight said while waving her hoof and walking slowly towards the prison door. "Sleep well, Iris." Once Twilight mentioned the name, Iris smiled and let their eyelids droop. Today was definitely better.