What happened yesterday?
Short&Hoofy
I told you. There's nothing to worry about. I'm perfectly fine.
PaintDrop
Please don't be like that. You're my friend, one of my best friends. I've told you things that I haven't shared with anypony, even RRBB, so don't shut me out.
You weren't fine. You could barely walk, and I know biology well enough to tell that you should be five times stronger than me. You were dizzy, shaking, most of the time you leaned on me as we walked. Don't tell me that's normal.
Short&Hoofy
Silver, please. I won't tell RRBB. I won't tell anypony.
Short&Hoofy
You will. Because you're my friend you will.
PaintDrop
It has something to do with your coltfriend, doesn't it? The time you disappeared, this time... he's doing something to you and you're too stubborn to say anything! I asked nurse Redheart about your condition. She told me that after you arrived at the hospital you were extremely weak. However, at the same time you you weren't hungry or thirsty. You were like that yesterday as well.
Short&Hoofy
Short, you don't know what you're talking about. I was just a bit tired and that coincided with my visit. Maybe I was a bit over anxious. It's not like I see my coltfriend very often. Must I remind you what state you were in when you were crying over RRBB? :/
PaintDrop
Please don't make me do this.
Short&Hoofy
If you tell anypony about this you'll lose me as a friend. I promise you that.
PaintDrop
At least then I'd know you're safe. If something happens to you I'll lose you as a friend anyway and so will everypony else! So, please tell me!
Short&Hoofy
Is it so important that you know? I'm telling you I'm fine.
PaintDrop
It's you're fine it doesn't matter if I tell everypony about it, does it?
Short&Hoofy
I always knew you were strong. You seem soft and squishy but you have the bite of a timberwolf.
PaintDrop
Sometimes the quiet ones really are strong. Please? Is it your coltfriend?
Short&Hoofy
It is. If I tell you it ends there, okay? You'll delete everything we talked about and tell no one, right?
PaintDrop
Unless your health gets worse.
Short&Hoofy
Yes, it's my coltfriend. Maybe I should start by saying he isn't my coltfriend. He's a few years older than me and...he's not a pony at all. He's a changeling.
PaintDrop
That's why you've been so secretive? I mean I know changelings aren't accepted everywhere, but ponies are okay with them now. They come to Ponyville all the time. My sis even told me there might be a few joining school next year.
Short&Hoofy
Don't believe everything you hear. Changelings are far from trusted, but even if they are, Vertex isn't a standard changeling. He's not colorful like Thorax.
PaintDrop
Stars, Silver! Are you crazy?
Short&Hoofy
He's not like Chrysalis! He's nothing like her. He's just...
Look everything I told you about him is true. I just didn't mention a few things, and yes this is a pretty big thing, but I didn't want you to react the way you did. That's why I kept the secret. If others knew they'd capture him, or at the very least stop me from seeing him "for my own good".
He's just a sweet changeling, Short, a really sweet and sensitive changeling. Why can't he be my coltfriend?
When I ran off from home I was so mad at everything I wasn't thinking straight. I had had enough of the love drama going on: you, RRBB, YouKnowWho, Max... everypony seemed to come to me for advice and at one point I snapped. I just wanted to hide somewhere and never see anypony again. So I went to my secret spot, then galloped on, I didn't care about anything, and that's why I came across Vertex. He was just sitting there at the edge of a pond, staring at something in the distance. The moment he heated me glanced at me for one second then jumped into the pond and disappeared.
PaintDrop
That doesn't make it sound any better. :( You know they feed on emotions? Is that what happened to you?
Short&Hoofy
No. Well, yes, but it's different. When I saw him he was, I don't know how to describe it. He was different. I mean he wasn't like Chrysalis' changelings and definitely not like the ones that visit. He was just... something in between, with a long black mane and dark wings.
I waited at the pond for him to come out. When he didn't I started thinking about things. Mostly how everypony around me had found their significant other, but me. It seems absurd now, but I was so bitter about it. Before I know it the moon came up. I sort of got freaked out a bit. It was the first time I had run away from home during the night and. So I was hesitating between heading home and staying the night there, when he came out from the water. We just started at each other for a while, then I offered to watch the moon with him.
I didn't even think it would work. I just didn't want anyone to see me in my pathetic state. He swam out and sat next to me. Then I moved closer.
PaintDrop
You were gone for three days. Everypony was worried something had happened. RRBB was terrified.
Short&Hoofy
I didn't mean to be out that long. I told myself I'd return in the morning. Then when it became morning I said I could spend a few more hours with him, then it became dark again...
He could feel my emotions, you know. And I'm not talking only about love. He could tell I was hungry without asking. He brought me things to eat—fruit, berries, nuts. They were nice. He was always silent. The first few days he didn't say a word. I used him as an emotional bin; I uncorked by bitterness, and anger, and resentment. Not at once, just a few sentences at a time.
On the first day he told me a bit about himself a well. Mostly about the moon, the trees, how he thought of the world. He had just become a guard drone when Chrysalis was chased out, so he felt confused, abandoned. Just like those goth colts in romance stories, only not a batpony. He also told me I tasted nice.
PaintDrop
It would have been better if you had come across a batpony. I'm afraid he's just using you. I've read more than enough romance stories, but I don't believe in the idea of a romantic changeling.
Short&Hoofy
Thorax was at first. Can't Vertex be the same?
Also, he was not the one who made me pass out. I did that. On the third day I knew I should go home. He told me ponies were searching for me (and I knew I'd be in trouble). So I decided to do one final stupid thing before going home. After all, what could one more idiotic thing do? I was in deep trouble anyway.
As I was saying goodbye I kissed him.
PaintDrop
Silver... that's... I know how strongly one must fight to find love, but kissing a changeling, and such a changeling. It's dangerous.
Short&Hoofy
I said it was stupid. It felt like galloping into a stone wall without warning. I felt the warmth draining out of me, and I let it. So terrifying and magnificent at the same time. Next thing I knew I was in hospital.
PaintDrop
...I should be the last person giving advice, but even I know such a relationship can't be good.
Short&Hoofy
I know what I'm doing. Trust me. I was fine yesterday, right? Nothing bad will happen. Of course, convincing others might be a bit difficult. Just look at how much you freaked out, and as you said yourself you understand where I'm coming from. If RRBB or Twilight find out they'll go...I'm not sure there's a word strong enough.
Please let's keep this between us? If at any point my health gets worse or I end up in trouble you can do as you see fit. It's not the ideal solution for me, but it will have to do. Remember I was there when you needed me.
PaintDrop
Alright. Please take care, though. I'll think of something to tell RRBB.
Short&Hoofy
Thanks. I'm off to sleep.
PaintDrop
Night.
Short&Hoofy