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// Chapter 18: Tick Tock 
// Story: Of Men and Insects 
// by VeganSpyro97 
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Chapter​ ​18:​ ​Tick​ ​Tock. 
 
The​ ​first​ ​four​ ​weeks​ ​in​ ​Equestria​ ​felt​ ​like​ ​forever.​ ​The​ ​next​ ​two?​ ​They​ ​passed​ ​by​ ​before​ ​I’d even​ ​registered​ ​it.​ ​And​ ​in​ ​that​ ​two​ ​weeks?​ ​I​ ​finished​ ​recovering​ ​from​ ​my​ ​magical​ ​exhaustion,​ ​and​ ​I got​ ​to​ ​go​ ​on​ ​a​ ​second​ ​date​ ​with​ ​Fluttershy,​ ​watching​ ​The​ ​Empire​ ​Strikes​ ​Back,​ ​and​ ​watching​ ​her priceless​ ​reaction​ ​to​ ​the​ ​infamous​ ​“Vader​ ​Reveal”. The​ ​poor​ ​thing​ ​squeaked​ ​out​ ​in​ ​terror​ ​as​ ​Vader​ ​loomed​ ​over​ ​Luke,​ ​with​ ​the​ ​young​ ​jedi clutching​ ​his​ ​severed​ ​hand​ ​uselessly.​ ​When​ ​Luke​ ​and​ ​Vader​ ​started​ ​to​ ​angrily​ ​converse​ ​about​ ​old Ben,​ ​she​ ​practically​ ​yelled​ ​at​ ​Vader​ ​that​ ​he​ ​was​ ​a​ ​liar​ ​and​ ​a​ ​bully.​ ​And​ ​when​ ​the​ ​moment​ ​came? She​ ​went​ ​rigid,​ ​stared​ ​right​ ​at​ ​the​ ​screen​ ​without​ ​moving,​ ​mouth​ ​wide​ ​open​ ​like​ ​fish​ ​out​ ​of​ ​water. Priceless.
Other​ ​than​ ​that,​ ​the​ ​past​ ​two​ ​weeks​ ​were​ ​just…​ ​work.​ ​Work​ ​at​ ​the​ ​farm.​ ​And​ ​the boutique.​ ​Then​ ​come​ ​home.​ ​Check​ ​the​ ​mail.​ ​Check​ ​up​ ​on​ ​Twilight​ ​to​ ​see​ ​if​ ​any​ ​progress​ ​had​ ​been made​ ​with​ ​the​ ​“getting​ ​me​ ​home”​ ​problem.​ ​​ ​Eat​ ​dinner.​ ​Lather,​ ​rinse,​ ​repeat.  Absolutely​ ​nothing​ ​of​ ​any​ ​import​ ​has​ ​changed​ ​since​ ​my​ ​arrival.​ ​Twilight​ ​and​ ​Thorax​ ​know only​ ​superficial​ ​things​ ​about​ ​the​ ​exploration​ ​team​ ​who​ ​studied​ ​the​ ​portal,​ ​the​ ​other​ ​Changelings are​ ​still​ ​waiting​ ​to​ ​be​ ​officially​ ​revealed​ ​to​ ​the​ ​world,​ ​and​ ​nopony​ ​can​ ​even​ ​guess​ ​just​ ​how​ ​bad things​ ​on​ ​Earth​ ​are​ ​becoming​ ​with​ ​Chrysalis​ ​on​ ​the​ ​loose.​ ​And​ ​here​ ​I​ ​am,​ ​sitting​ ​in​ ​a​ ​bathtub​ ​and writing​ ​in​ ​my​ ​diary​ ​like​ ​a​ ​teenage​ ​girl. 
I’m​ ​starting​ ​to​ ​feel​ ​useless​ ​again,​ ​whenever​ ​I’m​ ​alone​ ​like​ ​this.​ ​Even​ ​with​ ​work,​ ​and helping​ ​around​ ​the​ ​cottage,​ ​I​ ​still​ ​feel​ ​like​ ​I’m​ ​just​ ​sitting​ ​around​ ​doing​ ​nothing.​ ​Even​ ​my​ ​lessons can’t​ ​distract​ ​me. 
I​ ​really​ ​need​ ​a​ ​project​ ​or​ ​something,​ ​just​ ​to​ ​work​ ​on.​ ​That​ ​might​ ​help.
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Allan​ ​sat​ ​in​ ​the​ ​living​ ​room,​ ​phone​ ​balanced​ ​on​ ​his​ ​knee.​ ​His​ ​mum​ ​was​ ​cooking​ ​dinner,​ ​a tomato​ ​soup​ ​that​ ​smelled​ ​simply​ ​divine,​ ​thanks​ ​to​ ​the​ ​inclusion​ ​of​ ​basil​ ​and​ ​parsley.​ ​Kate​ ​sat​ ​on​ ​the other​ ​end​ ​of​ ​the​ ​couch​ ​that​ ​they​ ​were​ ​both​ ​occupying,​ ​and​ ​both​ ​were​ ​ignoring​ ​the​ ​large​ ​blue​ ​equine with​ ​a​ ​long,​ ​flowing​ ​mane​ ​that​ ​resembled​ ​the​ ​night​ ​sky,​ ​who​ ​stood​ ​not​ ​far​ ​away.
Luna​ ​watched​ ​the​ ​memory​ ​with​ ​both​ ​interest,​ ​and​ ​remorse.​ ​Allan​ ​frequently​ ​dreamed​ ​of earth,​ ​so​ ​much​ ​so​ ​that​ ​it​ ​was​ ​rare​ ​for​ ​her​ ​to​ ​see​ ​anything​ ​of​ ​Equestria,​ ​other​ ​than​ ​Fluttershy,​ ​in​ ​those dreams.​ ​Alan's​ ​dream​ ​self​ ​looked​ ​through​ ​Luna​ ​to​ ​his​ ​sister,​ ​then,​ ​out​ ​of​ ​nowhere,​ ​launched​ ​himself into​ ​a​ ​hug.​ ​Judging​ ​by​ ​how​ ​much​ ​smaller​ ​he​ ​looked​ ​from​ ​most​ ​of​ ​his​ ​dreams,​ ​Luna​ ​concluded​ ​that she​ ​was​ ​seeing​ ​a​ ​memory​ ​from​ ​his​ ​late​ ​foalhood.
“Attack​ ​hug!”​ ​Allan​ ​cried,​ ​knocking​ ​Katie​ ​off​ ​of​ ​the​ ​sofa,​ ​and​ ​onto​ ​a​ ​conveniently​ ​placed​ ​bean bag​ ​that​ ​cushioned​ ​her​ ​fall.
“Hey,​ ​squirt,​ ​come​ ​on!​ ​You’ll​ ​damage​ ​your​ ​phone!”​ ​Katie​ ​protested,​ ​though,​ ​her​ ​laughter made​ ​it​ ​apparent​ ​how​ ​little​ ​that​ ​actually​ ​mattered​ ​to​ ​her.​ ​“What’s​ ​the​ ​hug​ ​for,​ ​anyway?”
“Hugs​ ​are​ ​nice!”​ ​Allan​ ​chirped​ ​happily.​ ​“And​ ​I​ ​haven’t​ ​given​ ​you​ ​one​ ​recently!”
Perhaps​ ​this​ ​was​ ​a​ ​much​ ​younger​ ​memory​ ​than​ ​Luna​ ​had​ ​initially​ ​thought.
“Aww,​ ​thanks​ ​kiddo!​ ​Tell​ ​you​ ​what,​ ​why​ ​don’t​ ​we​ ​go​ ​give​ ​mummy​ ​and​ ​daddy​ ​hugs​ ​too?”
Allan​ ​nodded​ ​his​ ​head​ ​enthusiastically,​ ​and​ ​the​ ​two​ ​jumped​ ​up,​ ​before​ ​racing​ ​off​ ​to​ ​find​ ​their father.
Luna​ ​chuckled.​ ​“So​ ​sweet….”
The​ ​dream​ ​slowly​ ​faded,​ ​and​ ​Luna​ ​turned​ ​to​ ​walk​ ​away,​ ​until​ ​a​ ​voice​ ​called​ ​out.
“Chryssi!​ ​Time​ ​to​ ​come​ ​inside!”
Luna​ ​froze,​ ​turning​ ​around​ ​to​ ​gaze​ ​at​ ​the​ ​scene​ ​in​ ​front​ ​of​ ​her.
It​ ​was​ ​a​ ​city,​ ​one​ ​with​ ​soaring​ ​spires​ ​and​ ​beautiful​ ​colours,​ ​reds​ ​and​ ​yellows​ ​and​ ​blues​ ​and pinks….but​ ​the​ ​most​ ​bizarre​ ​thing​ ​was​ ​the​ ​ponies.​ ​They​ ​all​ ​had​ ​wings.​ ​And​ ​horns.​ ​Each​ ​and​ ​every pony,​ ​large,​ ​small,​ ​young​ ​and​ ​old,​ ​were​ ​Alicorns.
Luna​ ​and​ ​Celestia​ ​had​ ​lived​ ​for​ ​over​ ​a​ ​thousand​ ​years,​ ​and​ ​never​ ​had​ ​they​ ​seen​ ​anything​ ​like this​ ​place.​ ​The​ ​local​ ​architecture​ ​reminded​ ​the​ ​Night​ ​Princess​ ​of​ ​Canterlot,​ ​with​ ​it’s​ ​high​ ​towers​ ​and domed​ ​roofs.​ ​It​ ​was​ ​like​ ​walking​ ​into​ ​heaven,​ ​only,​ ​this​ ​was​ ​a​ ​memory,​ ​she​ ​could​ ​sense​ ​it.
Her​ ​powers​ ​over​ ​dreams​ ​could​ ​always​ ​tell​ ​the​ ​difference​ ​between​ ​a​ ​dream​ ​and​ ​a​ ​memory, and​ ​this​ ​was​ ​most​ ​certainly​ ​a​ ​memory.​ ​Not​ ​Allan's​ ​though,​ ​surely.​ ​If​ ​the​ ​name​ ​that​ ​was​ ​called​ ​was any​ ​indication…..
“Chryssi!”​ ​The​ ​voice​ ​called​ ​again,​ ​and​ ​Luna​ ​turned​ ​to​ ​it’s​ ​source,​ ​spotting​ ​an​ ​Alicorn​ ​mare, about​ ​her​ ​own​ ​age,​ ​with​ ​a​ ​stormy​ ​grey​ ​coat​ ​and​ ​a​ ​purple​ ​mane​ ​and​ ​tail.​ ​“Come​ ​on​ ​now,​ ​silly​ ​little bug.​ ​Come​ ​back​ ​to​ ​momma!”
Luna​ ​bit​ ​her​ ​tongue,​ ​not​ ​wanting​ ​to​ ​interrupt​ ​the​ ​dream​ ​sequence​ ​by​ ​speaking​ ​aloud.​ ​She prepared​ ​herself​ ​to​ ​see​ ​the​ ​Changeling​ ​she​ ​knew,​ ​but​ ​instead….
A​ ​young​ ​filly,​ ​no​ ​more​ ​than​ ​a​ ​few​ ​years​ ​old,​ ​scampered​ ​out​ ​from​ ​between​ ​a​ ​group​ ​of​ ​adults, who​ ​chuckled​ ​at​ ​her​ ​excitement,​ ​before​ ​sliding​ ​to​ ​a​ ​stop​ ​before​ ​her​ ​mother.​ ​Like​ ​the​ ​older​ ​mare,​ ​the filly​ ​had​ ​a​ ​deep​ ​grey​ ​coat,​ ​but​ ​instead​ ​of​ ​a​ ​purple​ ​mane,​ ​wore​ ​a​ ​messy​ ​mop​ ​of​ ​green​ ​hair​ ​and​ ​a matching​ ​tail.	
“Here​ ​I​ ​am​ ​mommy!”​ ​It​ ​sounded​ ​like​ ​her.​ ​Much​ ​younger,​ ​and​ ​missing​ ​the​ ​rage​ ​and​ ​anger​ ​that Luna​ ​had​ ​borne​ ​witness​ ​to​ ​at​ ​the​ ​changeling​ ​hive,​ ​but​ ​still​ ​her.​ ​“I​ ​heard​ ​you​ ​calling,​ ​so​ ​I​ ​ran​ ​as​ ​fast​ ​as​ ​I could!”
“Yes​ ​sweetie,​ ​I​ ​saw​ ​you​ ​running!​ ​You​ ​were​ ​wonderful!​ ​But​ ​now​ ​it’s​ ​time​ ​for​ ​lunch,​ ​okay?”
“Aww,​ ​but​ ​me​ ​and​ ​Bronzie​ ​were​ ​gonna​ ​go​ ​play​ ​in​ ​the​ ​park….”
“You​ ​can​ ​go​ ​later,​ ​but​ ​you​ ​shouldn’t​ ​miss​ ​lunch,​ ​little​ ​bug.​ ​It’ll​ ​make​ ​you​ ​all​ ​weak​ ​and​ ​you’ll feel​ ​bad.”
“Okay​ ​Mommy!”
“Good​ ​girl.”
An​ ​immense​ ​feeling​ ​of​ ​sadness​ ​and​ ​regret​ ​threatened​ ​to​ ​crush​ ​Luna,​ ​but​ ​it​ ​wasn’t​ ​her​ ​own.​ ​It came​ ​from​ ​somewhere​ ​distant,​ ​far​ ​removed​ ​from​ ​this​ ​dream.​ ​She​ ​could​ ​sense​ ​Allan's​ ​presence, watching​ ​the​ ​dream​ ​unfold​ ​,​ ​completely​ ​unaware​ ​he​ ​was​ ​dreaming,​ ​as​ ​most​ ​were​ ​when​ ​they dreamed.​ ​But​ ​that​ ​other​ ​presence,​ ​the​ ​source​ ​of​ ​the​ ​sadness​ ​and​ ​regret​ ​that​ ​felt​ ​so​ ​very​ ​familiar…
The​ ​dream​ ​suddenly​ ​froze,​ ​and​ ​Luna​ ​realized​ ​that​ ​the​ ​little​ ​filly​ ​was​ ​staring​ ​at​ ​her,​ ​eyes seething,​ ​and​ ​her​ ​young​ ​face​ ​contorted​ ​into​ ​a​ ​snarl.​ ​Before​ ​Luna​ ​could​ ​even​ ​question​ ​what​ ​was happening,​ ​the​ ​fillies​ ​visage​ ​twisted,​ ​and​ ​she​ ​grew​ ​enormous,​ ​wreathed​ ​in​ ​green​ ​flames.​ ​Luna stepped​ ​back,​ ​aghast,​ ​and​ ​she​ ​could​ ​feel​ ​Allan's​ ​mind​ ​do​ ​the​ ​same.
“GET​ ​OUT!!”​​ ​​Chrysalis​ ​screamed,​ ​and​ ​Luna​ ​found​ ​herself​ ​flying​ ​backwards,​ ​smashing through​ ​the​ ​boundaries​ ​of​ ​the​ ​dream,​ ​as​ ​it​ ​ripped​ ​itself​ ​apart.​ ​The​ ​door​ ​through​ ​which​ ​she​ ​would normally​ ​enter​ ​Allan's​ ​mind​ ​shattered,​ ​as​ ​he​ ​was​ ​abruptly​ ​awoken​ ​by​ ​the​ ​shock.
Luna​ ​stood,​ ​eyes​ ​wide,​ ​and​ ​heart​ ​hammering.​ ​What….​ ​What​ ​had​ ​just​ ​happened?
Surely​ ​the​ ​rumored​ ​connection​ ​between​ ​Allan​ ​and​ ​Queen​ ​Chrysalis​ ​was​ ​not​ ​that​ ​strong!
Could​ ​Allan​ ​be​ ​controlled​ ​by​ ​her?​ ​No…​ ​she​ ​had​ ​only​ ​felt​ ​Chrysalis​ ​for​ ​a​ ​moment,​ ​and​ ​the​ ​Queen​ ​had really​ ​not​ ​done​ ​much,​ ​merely​ ​shocked​ ​both​ ​Allan​ ​and​ ​Luna​ ​out​ ​of​ ​the​ ​dream.​ ​It​ ​was​ ​most​ ​likely​ ​the collapse​ ​of​ ​the​ ​dream​ ​that​ ​had​ ​catapulted​ ​Luna​ ​out​ ​of​ ​it.​ ​After​ ​all,​ ​she​ ​was​ ​technically​ ​as​ ​much​ ​of​ ​an invader​ ​as​ ​Chrysalis.​ ​That​ ​still​ ​left​ ​a​ ​few​ ​unanswered​ ​questions.
What​ ​was​ ​that​ ​city?​ ​Where​ ​was​ ​it?​ ​Did​ ​it​ ​even​ ​still​ ​exist,​ ​and​ ​if​ ​not,​ ​then​ ​what​ ​happened​ ​to it?

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Allan​ ​jerked​ ​awake.​ ​The​ ​afterimage​ ​of​ ​Chrysalis​ ​screaming​ ​at​ ​him​ ​to​ ​leave​ ​burned​ ​into​ ​the inside​ ​of​ ​his​ ​eyelids.​ ​His​ ​head​ ​was​ ​pounding,​ ​and​ ​he​ ​felt​ ​nauseous.​ ​The​ ​actual​ ​dream​ ​was​ ​long​ ​gone. He​ ​couldn’t​ ​remember​ ​what​ ​he​ ​had​ ​been​ ​dreaming​ ​about,​ ​but​ ​he​ ​knew​ ​it​ ​was​ ​about​ ​Chrysalis.
The​ ​water​ ​of​ ​his​ ​bath​ ​was​ ​only​ ​lukewarm​ ​now,​ ​with​ ​all​ ​the​ ​suds​ ​long​ ​gone.​ ​His​ ​journal​ ​was carefully​ ​placed​ ​on​ ​a​ ​shelf​ ​nearby,​ ​where​ ​he’d​ ​put​ ​it​ ​before​ ​settling​ ​down​ ​to​ ​relax.
Counting​ ​himself​ ​lucky​ ​that​ ​he​ ​hadn’t​ ​drowned,​ ​Allan​ ​breathed​ ​out​ ​a​ ​sigh​ ​of​ ​relief.​ ​In​ ​the​ ​still soothing​ ​water,​ ​he​ ​could​ ​relax,​ ​but​ ​he​ ​didn’t​ ​intend​ ​on​ ​sleeping​ ​again.​ ​Not​ ​after​ ​that.
Try​ ​though​ ​he​ ​might,​ ​Allan​ ​was​ ​too​ ​highly​ ​strung​ ​after​ ​the​ ​end​ ​of​ ​his​ ​dream​ ​to​ ​relax,​ ​so instead,​ ​he​ ​climbed​ ​out​ ​of​ ​the​ ​bath,​ ​using​ ​his​ ​magic​ ​to​ ​grab​ ​a​ ​towel​ ​off​ ​of​ ​the​ ​rail.​ ​The​ ​tub​ ​had​ ​a showerhead​ ​as​ ​well​ ​as​ ​a​ ​faucet,​ ​but​ ​Allan​ ​had​ ​always​ ​preferred​ ​baths​ ​to​ ​showers,​ ​hence​ ​why​ ​he​ ​had been​ ​relaxing​ ​in​ ​the​ ​water.
Thankful​ ​that​ ​his​ ​magic​ ​made​ ​draining​ ​the​ ​water​ ​easier,​ ​Allan​ ​pulled​ ​the​ ​plug,​ ​and​ ​started​ ​to dry​ ​himself​ ​off. Rigorously​ ​rubbing​ ​his​ ​hard,​ ​chitin​ ​shell,​ ​Allan​ ​buffed​ ​himself​ ​to​ ​a​ ​reasonable​ ​shine.​ ​He’d stirred​ ​up​ ​certain...parts,​ ​which​ ​wasn’t​ ​very​ ​comfortable.​ ​The​ ​air​ ​was​ ​a​ ​little​ ​nippy.
It​ ​took​ ​him​ ​a​ ​little​ ​while,​ ​but​ ​soon,​ ​he​ ​was​ ​finished.​ ​He​ ​jumped​ ​deftly​ ​out​ ​of​ ​the​ ​water, making​ ​only​ ​a​ ​slight​ ​splash,​ ​and​ ​landed​ ​solidly​ ​on​ ​the​ ​bath​ ​mat​ ​placed​ ​down​ ​beside​ ​the​ ​tub.​ ​He shook​ ​himself​ ​off,​ ​though​ ​he​ ​didn’t​ ​need​ ​it. He​ ​trotted​ ​over​ ​to​ ​the​ ​mirror,​ ​staring​ ​at​ ​himself.​ ​This​ ​body​ ​felt​ ​comfortable,​ ​familiar.
Whenever​ ​he​ ​was​ ​spending​ ​time​ ​in​ ​his​ ​“natural”​ ​form,​ ​he​ ​always​ ​felt​ ​safe,​ ​like​ ​this​ ​was​ ​how​ ​he​ ​was supposed​ ​to​ ​be.
He​ ​shifted,​ ​taking​ ​on​ ​his​ ​usual​ ​pony​ ​guise,​ ​the​ ​brown​ ​coated,​ ​blue​ ​maned​ ​earth​ ​pony. This...felt​ ​constricting.​ ​His​ ​wings​ ​were​ ​hidden​ ​by​ ​the​ ​transformation,​ ​unusable,​ ​and​ ​his​ ​horn​ ​was gone​ ​too.​ ​It​ ​didn’t​ ​feel​ ​right.
Grimacing,​ ​he​ ​conjured​ ​up​ ​an​ ​image​ ​of​ ​his​ ​human​ ​self,​ ​and​ ​changed.​ ​He​ ​stared​ ​into​ ​those familiar​ ​eyes,​ ​at​ ​the​ ​shaggy​ ​faux-hawk,​ ​and​ ​the​ ​slight​ ​beard.​ ​It​ ​felt​ ​wrong.​ ​Just​ ​like​ ​the​ ​earth​ ​pony form,​ ​his​ ​missing​ ​wings​ ​and​ ​horn​ ​felt​ ​like​ ​he​ ​was​ ​being​ ​squeezed​ ​into​ ​someone​ ​else’s​ ​body.
Sighing,​ ​Allan​ ​allowed​ ​the​ ​transformation​ ​to​ ​revert,​ ​and​ ​stared​ ​at​ ​the​ ​insectoid​ ​creature before​ ​him.​ ​Comfortable.​ ​Safe.​ ​Familiar.​ ​His​ ​senses​ ​said​ ​these​ ​things,​ ​while​ ​his​ ​mind​ ​told​ ​him something​ ​else.​ ​This​ ​wasn’t​ ​him.​ ​Shouldn’t​ ​be​ ​him…….but​ ​it​ ​was.​ ​That​ ​was​ ​the​ ​point.​ ​He​ ​couldn’t deny​ ​the​ ​truth.​ ​This​ ​was​ ​what​ ​he​ ​was​ ​now,​ ​and​ ​he​ ​couldn’t​ ​change​ ​it.​ ​Even​ ​shifting​ ​couldn’t​ ​relieve that​ ​feeling.
He​ ​turned​ ​away,​ ​unable​ ​to​ ​continue​ ​pondering​ ​on​ ​the​ ​subject.​ ​It​ ​was​ ​time​ ​for​ ​work​ ​anyway.

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Rarity​ ​clucked​ ​her​ ​tongue​ ​as​ ​she​ ​regarded​ ​the​ ​ensemble​ ​Allan​ ​was​ ​modeling​ ​for​ ​her.​ ​He​ ​was currently​ ​standing​ ​in​ ​as​ ​Twilight,​ ​for​ ​whom​ ​Rarity​ ​was​ ​preparing​ ​a​ ​dress,​ ​for​ ​the​ ​upcoming​ ​reveal event.​ ​She​ ​was​ ​so​ ​busy​ ​focusing​ ​on​ ​the​ ​adjustments​ ​she​ ​was​ ​making​ ​to​ ​the​ ​dress​ ​that​ ​she​ ​nearly failed​ ​to​ ​notice​ ​a​ ​bizarre​ ​look​ ​of​ ​surprise,​ ​curiosity,​ ​and​ ​deep​ ​thought.
“Allan?”​ ​She​ ​asked,​ ​removing​ ​some​ ​pins​ ​from​ ​her​ ​mouth​ ​so​ ​that​ ​she​ ​could​ ​speak​ ​more​ ​freely.“Allan,​ ​darling?​ ​What​ ​is​ ​it?”
“Huh?​ ​Oh,​ ​nothing​ ​really.”
“Oh​ ​please,​ ​you​ ​know​ ​I​ ​won’t​ ​be​ ​satisfied​ ​with​ ​an​ ​answer​ ​like​ ​that.”​ ​She​ ​said,​ ​carefully moving​ ​the​ ​dress’​ ​hemline​ ​slightly.​ ​Sticking​ ​in​ ​a​ ​pin​ ​to​ ​hold​ ​it​ ​in​ ​place,​ ​she​ ​leveled​ ​her​ ​best​ ​“tell​ ​me, or​ ​else​ ​face”​ ​at​ ​Allan,​ ​before​ ​he​ ​relented.
“It’s​ ​just...when​ ​I​ ​shapeshift,​ ​it​ ​usually​ ​feels​ ​wrong,​ ​like​ ​I’m​ ​compressing​ ​myself.​ ​As​ ​Twilight though….”​ ​He​ ​paused,​ ​thinking​ ​of​ ​the​ ​best​ ​terms​ ​to​ ​use.​ ​“It​ ​feels​ ​far​ ​less​ ​restricting.​ ​I​ ​think​ ​it’s​ ​the fact​ ​she’s​ ​an​ ​Alicorn.”
“Would​ ​that​ ​have​ ​anything​ ​to​ ​do​ ​with​ ​her​ ​having​ ​wings​ ​and​ ​a​ ​horn,​ ​just​ ​like​ ​you?”
Allan​ ​nodded.​ ​“It​ ​doesn’t​ ​feel​ ​quite​ ​so…well,​ ​bad.”
“I​ ​can​ ​see​ ​why​ ​that​ ​might​ ​be.”​ ​Rarity​ ​nodded,​ ​still​ ​making​ ​minute​ ​corrections.​ ​“As​ ​a​ ​magical creature​ ​harnessing​ ​multiple​ ​sources​ ​of​ ​magic,​ ​you​ ​wouldn’t​ ​have​ ​any​ ​way​ ​to​ ​properly​ ​channel​ ​those abilities​ ​in….say,​ ​an​ ​earth​ ​pony​ ​form.”
“Wow.​ ​Never​ ​took​ ​you​ ​for​ ​a​ ​scientist.​ ​I​ ​thought​ ​that​ ​was​ ​Twilight’s​ ​schtick.”​ ​Allan​ ​teased​ ​with a​ ​grin.
“Oh​ ​hush.”​ ​Rarity​ ​chided,​ ​jabbing​ ​Allan​ ​with​ ​a​ ​needle.​ ​“All​ ​unicorns​ ​are​ ​required​ ​to​ ​learn about​ ​basic​ ​magical​ ​theory.”​ ​She​ ​paused,​ ​stepping​ ​back​ ​to​ ​eye​ ​her​ ​work,​ ​before​ ​nodding,​ ​putting aside​ ​the​ ​remaining​ ​pins,​ ​and​ ​bringing​ ​out​ ​a​ ​needle​ ​and​ ​thread.​ ​“Besides,​ ​hanging​ ​around​ ​Twilight means​ ​you​ ​pick​ ​up​ ​a​ ​thing​ ​or​ ​two.”
Allan​ ​nodded,​ ​sagely.​ ​“Yeah,​ ​just​ ​look​ ​at​ ​me.​ ​A​ ​month​ ​ago,​ ​I​ ​didn’t​ ​even​ ​know​ ​what​ ​magic was​ ​like.​ ​Now,​ ​I​ ​can​ ​levitate​ ​things,​ ​make​ ​my​ ​horn​ ​glow,​ ​and​ ​heat​ ​things​ ​up​ ​or​ ​cool​ ​them​ ​down!​ ​She’s a​ ​pretty​ ​good​ ​teacher.”
“Hard​ ​to​ ​believe​ ​that​ ​she’s​ ​the​ ​same​ ​awkward​ ​student​ ​I​ ​met​ ​during​ ​the​ ​Summer​ ​Sun celebration.​ ​She’s​ ​really​ ​changed​ ​a​ ​great​ ​deal.”
“Social​ ​butterflies.​ ​You​ ​just​ ​can’t​ ​live​ ​with​ ​them,​ ​can​ ​you?”​ ​Allan​ ​laughed.
“No,​ ​I​ ​suppose​ ​not.”​ ​Rarity​ ​agreed,​ ​making​ ​the​ ​adjustments​ ​she’d​ ​made​ ​with​ ​the​ ​pins permanent,​ ​her​ ​needle​ ​and​ ​thread​ ​gracefully​ ​binding​ ​the​ ​fabrics​ ​together.​ ​“Though​ ​you​ ​can’t​ ​live without​ ​them​ ​either.”
Allan​ ​decided​ ​that​ ​he​ ​should​ ​change​ ​the​ ​subject.​ ​“So….be​ ​honest,​ ​as​ ​Ponyville’s​ ​gossip queen….how’s​ ​everypony​ ​taking​ ​to​ ​having​ ​a​ ​changeling​ ​living​ ​among​ ​them?”
Rarity​ ​paused,​ ​looking​ ​up​ ​at​ ​him​ ​with​ ​uncertain​ ​blue​ ​eyes.​ ​“Well….”
“Honesty,​ ​Rares.”​ ​Allan​ ​reminded​ ​her.
She​ ​sighed,​ ​working​ ​her​ ​needle​ ​through​ ​a​ ​thicker​ ​patch​ ​of​ ​fabric.​ ​“For​ ​the​ ​most​ ​part,​ ​ponies are​ ​just​ ​curious.​ ​But….there​ ​are​ ​a​ ​few​ ​members​ ​of​ ​the​ ​community​ ​that​ ​are….concerned.”
“For​ ​their​ ​foals?”​ ​Allan​ ​asked,​ ​recalling​ ​the​ ​stares​ ​he’d​ ​gotten​ ​on​ ​his​ ​way​ ​here.​ ​He’d​ ​seen mares​ ​pull​ ​their​ ​children​ ​away​ ​from​ ​him,​ ​scowling.
“Yes.​ ​There​ ​are​ ​few​ ​mothers​ ​who​ ​are​ ​concerned​ ​for​ ​their​ ​foals​ ​safety.”
Allan​ ​grimaced.​ ​Never​ ​doubt​ ​the​ ​effect​ ​a​ ​group​ ​of​ ​concerned​ ​mothers​ ​can​ ​have.​ ​Legal​ ​citizen and​ ​friend​ ​to​ ​several​ ​important​ ​figures​ ​he​ ​may​ ​be,​ ​but​ ​a​ ​for​ ​a​ ​concerned​ ​mother​ ​there​ ​was​ ​no defense​ ​great​ ​enough​ ​for​ ​their​ ​foals.
“Not​ ​to​ ​worry,​ ​darling.”​ ​Rarity​ ​put​ ​a​ ​​ ​reassuring​ ​hoof​ ​on​ ​Alan's​ ​withers.​ ​“The​ ​reveal​ ​ceremony will​ ​solve​ ​several​ ​of​ ​your​ ​problems.​ ​Ah-​ ​done!”​ ​The​ ​fashion​ ​mare​ ​beamed​ ​at​ ​her​ ​finished​ ​product, before​ ​quickly​ ​slipping​ ​it​ ​off​ ​of​ ​her​ ​live​ ​model,​ ​and​ ​onto​ ​a​ ​pony-quine.​ ​“And​ ​you’ll​ ​have​ ​lots​ ​of​ ​others who​ ​you’ll​ ​be​ ​able​ ​to​ ​relate​ ​to,​ ​not​ ​to​ ​mention​ ​friends​ ​to​ ​support​ ​you.”
Yeah,​ ​that​ ​was​ ​comforting.​ ​“Thanks​ ​Rarity.”
“Think​ ​nothing​ ​of​ ​it,​ ​darling.​ ​Here​ ​you​ ​go!”​ ​She​ ​deposited​ ​Allans​ ​earnings​ ​into​ ​his saddlebags,​ ​which​ ​rested​ ​by​ ​the​ ​door.​ ​“See​ ​you​ ​again...say,​ ​the​ ​day​ ​after​ ​tomorrow?”
“Sure!”​ ​Allan​ ​said,​ ​brightly.​ ​He​ ​nodded​ ​to​ ​her,​ ​and​ ​trotted​ ​outside,​ ​with​ ​Rarity​ ​waving​ ​him​ ​off from​ ​the​ ​front​ ​door.​ ​The​ ​sun​ ​shone​ ​overhead,​ ​the​ ​celestial​ ​body​ ​seeming​ ​to​ ​sing​ ​with​ ​energy​ ​as​ ​it moved​ ​lazily​ ​across​ ​the​ ​sky.​ ​Allan​ ​found​ ​it​ ​amusing​ ​that​ ​it​ ​could​ ​move​ ​mostly​ ​unsupervised​ ​during the​ ​day,​ ​but​ ​that​ ​Celestia​ ​absolutely​ ​had​ ​to​ ​be​ ​there​ ​to​ ​make​ ​it​ ​rise​ ​and​ ​set.​ ​Surely,​ ​with​ ​her​ ​strength, she​ ​could​ ​set​ ​the​ ​sky’s​ ​into​ ​constant​ ​motion​ ​like​ ​back​ ​on​ ​earth,​ ​and​ ​save​ ​herself​ ​the​ ​trouble​ ​of​ ​having to​ ​raise​ ​and​ ​lower​ ​the​ ​huge​ ​ball​ ​of​ ​gas​ ​every​ ​day.
Allan​ ​was​ ​on​ ​his​ ​way​ ​past​ ​the​ ​market​ ​when​ ​he​ ​overheard​ ​a​ ​conversation​ ​pertaining​ ​to​ ​him. He​ ​stopped,​ ​listening​ ​to​ ​the​ ​voices​ ​intently.
“How​ ​do​ ​you​ ​even​ ​stand​ ​him?​ ​He’s​ ​a​ ​changeling,​ ​a​ ​known​ ​enemy​ ​of​ ​Equestria!”​ ​Really?​ ​Even after​ ​a​ ​public​ ​announcement​ ​of​ ​his​ ​citizenship​ ​by​ ​Twilight,​ ​ponies​ ​were​ ​calling​ ​him​ ​an​ ​enemy​ ​of Equestria?​ ​Please!​ ​If​ ​he​ ​wanted​ ​to​ ​hurt​ ​the​ ​ponies​ ​of​ ​Equestria,​ ​he​ ​could​ ​do​ ​it​ ​by​ ​simply​ ​borrowing​ ​a few​ ​faces​ ​and​ ​spreading​ ​lies​ ​and​ ​rumors.​ ​Not​ ​that​ ​he​ ​would,​ ​of​ ​course,​ ​but​ ​it​ ​sounded​ ​like​ ​something Chrysalis​ ​would​ ​have​ ​done​ ​when​ ​she​ ​was​ ​still​ ​the​ ​hive’s​ ​Queen.
“Now,​ ​look​ ​here,​ ​y’all.​ ​I​ ​know​ ​a​ ​good​ ​pony​ ​or​ ​changeling​ ​from​ ​a​ ​bad​ ​one,​ ​and​ ​he​ ​ain’t​ ​one​ ​o’ the​ ​bad​ ​ones.”​ ​Thank​ ​you​ ​Applejack,​ ​for​ ​defending​ ​him.​ ​It​ ​was​ ​greatly​ ​appreciated.​ ​“Besides,​ ​I​ ​didn’t trust​ ​him​ ​at​ ​first​ ​either,​ ​but​ ​I​ ​still​ ​gave​ ​him​ ​a​ ​chance.​ ​Least​ ​y’all​ ​can​ ​do​ ​is​ ​the​ ​same.”​ ​Okay….still​ ​thank you.
“But​ ​what​ ​if​ ​he​ ​brainwashed​ ​you?!”
“Now​ ​y’all​ ​are​ ​just​ ​bein’​ ​plain​ ​ridiculous.​ ​He​ ​couldn’t​ ​try​ ​brainwashing​ ​any​ ​of​ ​us!​ ​He​ ​barely knows​ ​magic​ ​at​ ​all!”
“But​ ​what​ ​if-”
“Now,​ ​that’s​ ​enough,​ ​y’all.​ ​All​ ​ya​ ​gonna​ ​do​ ​is​ ​work​ ​yourself​ ​into​ ​a​ ​tizzy.​ ​Trust​ ​me.​ ​Allan​ ​ain’t​ ​a bad​ ​guy.​ ​Now​ ​git​ ​on​ ​home.”
There​ ​were​ ​some​ ​murmured​ ​complaints,​ ​but​ ​the​ ​ponies​ ​in​ ​question,​ ​a​ ​flowery​ ​looking​ ​trio, walked​ ​off.
Allan​ ​smiled.​ ​Even​ ​if​ ​other​ ​ponies​ ​shunned​ ​him​ ​or​ ​didn’t​ ​trust​ ​him,​ ​there​ ​were​ ​always​ ​going to​ ​be​ ​a​ ​group​ ​of​ ​ponies​ ​in​ ​his​ ​corner.​ ​He​ ​turned​ ​tail​ ​and​ ​trotted​ ​off,​ ​before​ ​deciding​ ​to​ ​pay​ ​Bon​ ​Bon​ ​a visit.​ ​He​ ​was​ ​in​ ​the​ ​mood​ ​for​ ​candy.

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


Trotting​ ​through​ ​town​ ​while​ ​sucking​ ​on​ ​some​ ​love​ ​candy​ ​definitely​ ​improved​ ​his​ ​mood,​ ​but before​ ​long,​ ​Allan​ ​spotted​ ​something​ ​new.
Walking​ ​through​ ​town,​ ​manes​ ​bedraggled,​ ​tails​ ​and​ ​coats​ ​unkempt,​ ​were​ ​an​ ​Alicorn,​ ​and​ ​a Unicorn,​ ​mare​ ​and​ ​stallion​ ​respectively.​ ​They​ ​were​ ​pushing​ ​a​ ​baby​ ​stroller​ ​in​ ​front​ ​of​ ​them. The​ ​unicorn​ ​stallion,​ ​with​ ​a​ ​deep​ ​blue​ ​mane​ ​and​ ​similarly​ ​white​ ​coat​ ​to​ ​Rarity,​ ​was​ ​chuckling a​ ​little.​ ​“Twily’s​ ​gonna​ ​be​ ​so​ ​surprised​ ​to​ ​see​ ​us!​ ​I​ ​can’t​ ​wait​ ​to​ ​see​ ​the​ ​look​ ​on​ ​her​ ​face!”
“She’ll​ ​be​ ​more​ ​than​ ​happy​ ​to​ ​see​ ​little​ ​Flurry​ ​again,​ ​Shining.”​ ​The​ ​Alicorn​ ​said,​ ​her​ ​three toned​ ​mane​ ​and​ ​candy​ ​pink​ ​coat​ ​making​ ​her​ ​a​ ​very,​ ​clearly​ ​feminine​ ​creature.​ ​Being​ ​behind​ ​them, Allan​ ​couldn’t​ ​see​ ​their​ ​eyes​ ​or​ ​faces,​ ​which​ ​annoyed​ ​the​ ​changeling​ ​in​ ​him.​ ​“You​ ​know​ ​how​ ​much she​ ​adores​ ​her​ ​niece!”
Neice?​ ​They​ ​were​ ​related?​ ​Well….​ ​Would​ ​that​ ​make​ ​the​ ​Alicorn​ ​Twilight’s​ ​sister?​ ​Actually, seeing​ ​as​ ​Twilight​ ​was​ ​born​ ​a​ ​unicorn,​ ​it​ ​was​ ​more​ ​likely​ ​that​ ​the​ ​unicorn,​ ​Shining,​ ​was​ ​her​ ​brother.
Huh….these​ ​two​ ​looked​ ​familiar,​ ​but​ ​he​ ​couldn’t​ ​quite​ ​place​ ​them.​ ​Maybe​ ​if​ ​he​ ​saw​ ​their​ ​faces?
“I​ ​always​ ​wonder​ ​why​ ​the​ ​castle​ ​had​ ​to​ ​be​ ​crystal.”​ ​Shining​ ​pondered.​ ​“It​ ​just...doesn’t​ ​fit​ ​in here.”
Alan's​ ​thought’s​ ​exactly.​ ​Sure,​ ​it​ ​was​ ​memorable,​ ​but​ ​it​ ​was​ ​awfully​ ​unsuited​ ​to​ ​be​ ​in Ponyville.
The​ ​two​ ​made​ ​their​ ​way​ ​over​ ​to​ ​the​ ​castle,​ ​stopping​ ​just​ ​before​ ​the​ ​huge​ ​doors​ ​in​ ​order​ ​to wake​ ​up​ ​the​ ​little​ ​one​ ​in​ ​the​ ​stroller.​ ​Allan​ ​stayed​ ​out​ ​of​ ​sight,​ ​not​ ​wanting​ ​to​ ​intrude.​ ​A​ ​few​ ​moments later,​ ​the​ ​doors​ ​swung​ ​open,​ ​and​ ​the​ ​two​ ​were​ ​soon​ ​inside.
“Okay.​ ​I’m​ ​not​ ​intruding​ ​on​ ​private​ ​times.”​ ​Allan​ ​chided​ ​himself.​ ​“I’m​ ​mostly​ ​ignorant​ ​to​ ​pony customs,​ ​but​ ​I’m​ ​not​ ​rude.”
He​ ​turned​ ​aside,​ ​leaving​ ​Twilight​ ​to​ ​whatever​ ​flurry​ ​of​ ​emotions​ ​would​ ​come​ ​of​ ​this​ ​family visit.

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


He​ ​re-entered​ ​the​ ​cottage​ ​some​ ​time​ ​after​ ​he​ ​had​ ​left​ ​that​ ​morning,​ ​and​ ​instantly​ ​felt irritation​ ​hanging​ ​in​ ​the​ ​air.​ ​Eyebrow​ ​raised,​ ​he​ ​trotted​ ​through​ ​into​ ​the​ ​living​ ​room,​ ​only​ ​to​ ​find​ ​that not​ ​only​ ​was​ ​one​ ​irritable​ ​Rainbow​ ​Dash​ ​visiting,​ ​but​ ​so​ ​was​ ​a​ ​stallion​ ​that​ ​Allan​ ​had​ ​only​ ​seen​ ​in photographs.
He​ ​was​ ​a​ ​sea​ ​green​ ​colour,​ ​with​ ​a​ ​blond​ ​mane​ ​done​ ​up​ ​in​ ​a​ ​bizarre​ ​bun.​ ​His​ ​muzzle​ ​was​ ​both angular​ ​and​ ​square,​ ​and​ ​he​ ​was​ ​perched​ ​next​ ​to​ ​Rainbow,​ ​balanced​ ​atop​ ​the​ ​armrest​ ​of​ ​the​ ​chair​ ​the prismatic​ ​mare​ ​was​ ​sitting​ ​on,​ ​reading.
“So,​ ​then,​ ​the​ ​realtor​ ​just​ ​tells​ ​me:​ ​Zephyr,​ ​you’re​ ​a​ ​free​ ​spirit,​ ​and​ ​this​ ​place​ ​is​ ​too​ ​confining for​ ​somepony​ ​like​ ​you.​ ​You​ ​need​ ​to​ ​spread​ ​your​ ​wings​ ​and​ ​fly.”
“It​ ​was​ ​too​ ​expensive,​ ​wasn’t​ ​it?”​ ​Rainbow​ ​asked,​ ​snidely,​ ​not​ ​even​ ​looking​ ​up​ ​from​ ​her book.
Allan​ ​was​ ​about​ ​to​ ​back​ ​out​ ​of​ ​the​ ​room​ ​when​ ​his​ ​presence​ ​was​ ​announced​ ​by​ ​the​ ​devilish little​ ​Angel,​ ​who​ ​bounded​ ​up​ ​from​ ​behind​ ​him​ ​and​ ​gave​ ​him​ ​a​ ​surprisingly​ ​heavy​ ​shove.
Ever​ ​been​ ​given​ ​a​ ​surprise​ ​shove?​ ​Even​ ​as​ ​an​ ​equine,​ ​whose​ ​balance​ ​is​ ​far​ ​greater​ ​than​ ​any human’s,​ ​Allan​ ​still​ ​felt​ ​gravity​ ​act​ ​upon​ ​him,​ ​tugging​ ​him​ ​forward​ ​as​ ​his​ ​legs​ ​tried​ ​to​ ​catch​ ​up​ ​with the​ ​sensations​ ​his​ ​brain​ ​were​ ​giving​ ​him.​ ​The​ ​floor​ ​started​ ​to​ ​rise​ ​up​ ​to​ ​meet​ ​him,​ ​but​ ​a​ ​thought flashed​ ​through​ ​Alan's​ ​mind,​ ​prompting​ ​him​ ​to​ ​shift​ ​into​ ​the​ ​first​ ​pegasus​ ​he​ ​could​ ​think​ ​of,​ ​which was​ ​followed​ ​by​ ​the​ ​familiar​ ​feeling​ ​of​ ​changeling​ ​fire​ ​rushed​ ​over​ ​him,​ ​and​ ​he​ ​spread​ ​his​ ​pegasi wings​ ​out​ ​to​ ​catch​ ​the​ ​air,​ ​keeping​ ​him​ ​upright​ ​for​ ​precious​ ​seconds​ ​longer,​ ​while​ ​his​ ​hooves​ ​met​ ​the floor.
“Whew….”​ ​Allan​ ​breathed​ ​out​ ​a​ ​sigh​ ​of​ ​relief,​ ​only​ ​to​ ​realise​ ​he​ ​was​ ​being​ ​stared​ ​at.​ ​“What?”
The​ ​sea​ ​green​ ​colored​ ​stallion​ ​looked​ ​to​ ​Fluttershy​ ​in​ ​confusion.​ ​“Sis?​ ​Why​ ​are​ ​there​ ​two​ ​of you?”
Two​ ​of…..​ ​?​ ​Allan​ ​looked​ ​himself​ ​over​ ​with​ ​a​ ​groan.​ ​Same​ ​pale​ ​yellow​ ​coat,​ ​same​ ​pink​ ​bangs, excetera,​ ​excetera.​ ​Crap.
“Sorry.”​ ​He​ ​said,​ ​ears​ ​lowering​ ​apologetically.​ ​“That​ ​was​ ​a​ ​total​ ​accident.”​ ​His​ ​ears​ ​went​ ​from splayed​ ​out​ ​to​ ​flat,​ ​and​ ​he​ ​glowered​ ​at​ ​the​ ​little​ ​white​ ​rabbit​ ​who​ ​was​ ​tittering​ ​by​ ​the​ ​door.​ ​“Wasn’t it,​ ​Angel?”
The​ ​bunny​ ​only​ ​laughed​ ​harder,​ ​earning​ ​a​ ​vicious​ ​glare​ ​from​ ​Allan.​ ​“Allan?!”​ ​Fluttershy’s voice​ ​interrupted​ ​his​ ​death​ ​glare,​ ​and​ ​he​ ​gave​ ​her​ ​a​ ​flustered​ ​grin.​ ​“What​ ​are​ ​you​ ​doing​ ​home?”
“Allan?​ ​Home?”​ ​The​ ​stallion​ ​asked.​ ​“Who​ ​even​ ​is​ ​this?”
Allan​ ​transformed​ ​back,​ ​then​ ​watched​ ​with​ ​some​ ​mild​ ​amusement​ ​as​ ​the​ ​stallion​ ​yelped​ ​in surprise​ ​and​ ​fell​ ​backwards​ ​off​ ​of​ ​the​ ​armrest​ ​he​ ​was​ ​sitting​ ​on,​ ​landing​ ​squarely​ ​in​ ​Rainbow​ ​lap. “Hey,​ ​Rainbows.​ ​Sorry​ ​for​ ​dropping​ ​in.”​ ​The​ ​guy​ ​laid​ ​the​ ​charm​ ​on​ ​thick,​ ​while​ ​Rainbow​ ​look of​ ​absolute​ ​disinterest​ ​brought​ ​snickers​ ​up​ ​from​ ​Alan's​ ​chest.​ ​Rainbow​ ​raised​ ​one​ ​hoof,​ ​and​ ​very slowly​ ​and​ ​deliberately,​ ​shoved​ ​him​ ​off​ ​of​ ​her.​ ​The​ ​stallion​ ​landed​ ​in​ ​a​ ​heap,​ ​pout​ ​on​ ​his​ ​muzzle,​ ​until
his​ ​eyes​ ​fixed​ ​on​ ​Allan.
“Whoa,​ ​what​ ​the​ ​hay​ ​are​ ​you?”
“Zephyr​ ​Breeze,​ ​be​ ​nice.”​ ​Flutters​ ​chastised.​ ​“This​ ​is​ ​Allan.​ ​He’s​ ​staying​ ​as​ ​my​ ​guest​ ​at​ ​the moment.”
“Your​ ​guest?”​ ​Zephyr​ ​asked.​ ​“What​ ​for?​ ​Isn’t​ ​the​ ​Ponyville​ ​housing​ ​market​ ​booming​ ​right now?”
Fluttershy​ ​raised​ ​an​ ​eyebrow.
“Okay,​ ​I’ll​ ​be​ ​nice.​ ​And​ ​not​ ​joke.​ ​Or​ ​talk.”
“I​ ​never​ ​said​ ​you​ ​couldn’t​ ​talk.”​ ​Fluttershy​ ​explained.​ ​“Just​ ​to​ ​be​ ​nicer.”
“Yeah,​ ​well….you​ ​got​ ​me​ ​there,​ ​but​ ​you​ ​only​ ​answered​ ​one​ ​of​ ​my​ ​questions.​ ​What​ ​is​ ​he?”
“I’m​ ​a​ ​changeling.”​ ​Allan​ ​said,​ ​going​ ​monotone.​ ​The​ ​amount​ ​of​ ​times​ ​he’d​ ​had​ ​to​ ​explain what​ ​he​ ​was​ ​was​ ​annoying​ ​him.​ ​Tremendously.
Zephyr​ ​went​ ​pale,​ ​before​ ​zipping​ ​over​ ​to​ ​Fluttershy,​ ​picking​ ​her​ ​up​ ​and​ ​hissing​ ​in​ ​her​ ​face.
“You’re​ ​letting​ ​a​ ​Changeling​ ​live​ ​here?​ ​Are​ ​you​ ​crazy​ ​sis?”
“Yes.​ ​I​ ​am.”​ ​Fluttershy​ ​responded​ ​gaily.​ ​“He’s​ ​sweet,​ ​and​ ​gentle,​ ​and​ ​​clean​,​ ​and​ ​he​ ​doesn’t rearrange​ ​my​ ​furniture​ ​without​ ​permission.”​ ​The​ ​last​ ​two​ ​examples​ ​were​ ​said​ ​rather​ ​pointedly, though​ ​she​ ​sounded​ ​far​ ​too​ ​happy​ ​to​ ​properly​ ​pull​ ​it​ ​off​ ​effectively.
“But​ ​he’s​ ​a​ ​changeling!”
“Yes,​ ​and?”​ ​Fluttershy​ ​asked,​ ​freeing​ ​herself​ ​from​ ​his​ ​grip​ ​and​ ​dropping​ ​to​ ​the​ ​floor.​ ​“He’s​ ​not evil,​ ​or​ ​violent.​ ​He​ ​loves​ ​animals,​ ​though​ ​maybe​ ​not​ ​Angel...and​ ​he’s​ ​very​ ​polite.​ ​What​ ​reason​ ​would I​ ​have​ ​to​ ​kick​ ​him​ ​out?”
“But,​ ​you-​ ​I-”
“Zeph.”​ ​The​ ​word​ ​was​ ​short,​ ​and​ ​with​ ​finality.​ ​“Enough.​ ​You’re​ ​being​ ​rude.”
Allan​ ​decided​ ​that​ ​enough​ ​was​ ​enough​ ​with​ ​the slurs, and butted in.
“So,​ ​you’re….Fluttershy’s​ ​brother?”​ ​Allan​ ​​ ​inquired.​ ​Fluttershy​ ​hadn’t​ ​talked​ ​much​ ​about​ ​their family​ ​in​ ​the​ ​time​ ​he’d​ ​known​ ​her,​ ​so​ ​he​ ​had​ ​to​ ​make​ ​do​ ​with​ ​brief​ ​mentions,​ ​and​ ​extrapolation​ ​from the​ ​evidence​ ​around​ ​the​ ​house.
“Yes,​ ​I​ ​am.​ ​Fluttershy​ ​told​ ​you​ ​about​ ​me?”
“Enough​ ​for​ ​me​ ​to​ ​figure​ ​out​ ​that’s​ ​who​ ​you​ ​are.”​ ​Allan​ ​answered​ ​glibly.​ ​He found Zeph's ego to be a touch of annoyance.​ ​Something​ ​about​ ​Zephyr​ ​was​ ​rubbing​ ​him​ ​the​ ​wrong​ ​way, and he was feeling like being cheeky.
“And​ ​you​ ​and​ ​my​ ​sister​ ​are…”
Both​ ​Allan​ ​and​ ​Fluttershy​ ​jumped​ ​to​ ​answer.​ ​“Friends.”​ ​They​ ​said,​ ​far​ ​too​ ​quickly.​ ​“Just friends.”
Rainbow​ ​laughed​ ​under​ ​her​ ​breath,​ ​covering​ ​her​ ​mouth​ ​with​ ​a​ ​wing. 
“Uhuh…..”​ ​Zephyr​ ​didn’t​ ​go​ ​on​ ​any​ ​further,​ ​wisely​ ​choosing​ ​to​ ​leave​ ​the​ ​subject​ ​alone.
“Whatever.​ ​Just​ ​make​ ​sure​ ​you​ ​don’t​ ​hurt​ ​my​ ​sister,​ ​or​ ​else​ ​you’ll​ ​be​ ​dealing​ ​with​ ​me!”
Allan​ ​wasn’t​ ​normally​ ​this easily annoyed,​ ​but​​ ​Zephyr’s pretentiousness​ ​and​ ​overexaggerated​ ​story​ ​irked​ ​him a little,​ ​and​ ​he​ ​decided​ ​he​ ​needed​ ​taking​ ​down​ ​a peg….or​ three.
“Oh​ ​dear!”​ ​Allan​ ​proclaimed,​ ​clapping​ ​his​ ​hooves​ ​to​ ​his​ ​cheeks,​ ​dramatically​ ​rearing​ ​back,​ ​as if​ ​in​ ​fear.​ ​“A​ ​noodle​ ​legged​ ​stallion​ ​hath​ ​offered​ ​threat​ ​of​ ​violence​ ​unto​ ​me​ ​in​ ​defence​ ​of​ ​his​ ​sibling! However​ ​shall​ ​I​ ​defend​ ​myself​ ​from​ ​his​ ​limp​ ​hooves?”
​ ​Rainbow​ ​shoulders​ ​started​ ​to​ ​shake​ ​with​ ​the​ ​tell​ ​tale​ ​sign​ ​of​ ​barely​ ​witheld​ ​laughter.
“Now​ ​that​ ​was​ ​just​ ​mean.”​ ​Zephyr​ ​replied.
“That​ ​wasn’t​ ​mean.”​ ​Allan​ ​grinned,​ ​leaning​ ​forward​ ​and​ ​flaring​ ​his​ ​wings​ ​dramatically. "That was just a little teasing!"
“Allan.”​ ​Fluttershy​ ​demanded​ ​his​ ​attention.​ ​His​ ​head​ ​slowly​ ​pivoted,​ ​his grin turning to face her, becoming slightly less forced.
“Yes?”
“Stop.”​ ​The​ ​word​ ​was​ ​not​ ​a​ ​request,​ ​but​ ​a​ ​command,​ ​and​ ​Allan​ ​could​ ​sense​ ​a​ ​scolding​ ​being held​ ​in​ ​reserve​ ​for​ ​later.​ ​Wincing,​ ​Allan​ ​rocked​ ​back​ ​on​ ​his​ ​hooves.​ ​Never​ ​piss​ ​off​ ​Fluttershy.​ ​That​ ​was rule​ ​numero​ ​uno,​ ​and​ ​he’s​ ​just​ ​come​ ​dangerously​ ​close​ ​to​ ​breaking​ ​it​ ​by​ ​teasing her brother.​ ​Oh well,​ ​time​ ​to​ ​earn​ ​back​ ​some​ ​brownie​ ​points.
“So,​ ​Zephyr.​ ​What​ ​is​ ​it​ ​you​ ​do?​ ​I’m​ ​kinda​ ​doing​ ​two​ ​jobs​ ​to​ ​get​ ​myself​ ​some​ ​cash,​ ​so​ ​I’m curious​ ​what​ ​other​ ​jobs​ ​are​ ​out​ ​there.”
Zephyr​ ​swallowed,​ ​repairing his ego ​somewhat​ ​before​ ​answering.​ ​“I’m-​ ​uh,​ ​I’m​ ​in mane​ ​therapy.”
“Mane​ ​therapy?​ ​So….​ ​like​ ​hairdressing​ ​mixed​ ​with​ ​massages​ ​and​ ​scented​ ​oils?”​ ​That sounded​ ​about​ ​right,​ ​and​ ​the​ ​look​ ​of​ ​disappointment​ ​was​ ​fading​ ​from​ ​Fluttershy’s​ ​eyes.​ ​Phew.
“Kind​ ​of.”​ ​Zephyr​ ​became​ ​more​ ​animated,​ ​now​ ​that​ ​his​ ​passion​ ​was​ ​being​ ​openly​ ​discussed. “I​ ​style​ ​ponies​ ​manes​ ​in​ ​ways​ ​that​ ​help​ ​relieve​ ​the​ ​stress​ ​that​ ​can​ ​get​ ​held​ ​in​ ​the​ ​scalp.​ ​Massages​ ​and oils​ ​are​ ​an​ ​additional​ ​thing​ ​that​ ​ponies​ ​can​ ​ask​ ​for​ ​when​ ​they​ ​want​ ​to​ ​feel​ ​pampered.”
“Sounds​ ​interesting.”​ ​Allan​ ​admitted,​ ​moving​ ​over​ ​to​ ​sit​ ​down​ ​next​ ​to​ ​Fluttershy​ ​on​ ​the couch.​ ​“Not​ ​my​ ​thing,​ ​but​ ​I​ ​can​ ​understand​ ​the​ ​merit.​ ​Every​ ​little​ ​helps,​ ​and​ ​unrelieved​ ​stress​ ​is seriously​ ​bad​ ​for​ ​you.”
“Oh,​ ​I​ ​agree!”​ ​Zephyr​ ​nodded,​ ​his​ ​previous​ ​fear​ ​of​ ​the​ ​changeling​ ​forgotten​ ​now​ ​that​ ​he​ ​had gotten​ ​talking.​ ​“I​ ​feel​ ​better​ ​knowing​ ​I​ ​can​ ​do​ ​at​ ​least​ ​something​ ​to​ ​help​ ​ponies​ ​relax.​ ​Kinda​ ​makes you​ ​feel​ ​like​ ​a​ ​hero.”
Allan​ ​chuckled.​ ​Now​ ​he​ ​understood​ ​Zephyr​ ​a​ ​little​ ​better.​ ​He​ ​was​ ​still​ ​young,​ ​and​ ​determined to​ ​do​ ​great​ ​things.​ ​Like​ ​all​ ​youngsters,​ ​(including​ ​Allan​ ​himself!),​ ​now​ ​that​ ​Zephyr​ ​had​ ​found something​ ​he​ ​was​ ​passionate​ ​about,​ ​he​ ​would​ ​pursue​ ​his​ ​goals​ ​like​ ​a​ ​dog​ ​chasing​ ​cars.​ ​Relentlessly.
That​ ​thought​ ​made​ ​Allan​ ​reflect​ ​inward.​ ​What​ ​was​ ​it​ ​that​ ​he​ ​wanted​ ​to​ ​do?​ ​What​ ​dream​ ​was he​ ​chasing?​ ​He’d​ ​never​ ​really​ ​pursued​ ​his​ ​desires​ ​back​ ​on​ ​earth.​ ​He’d​ ​set​ ​it​ ​all​ ​aside​ ​to​ ​get​ ​himself​ ​a job​ ​and​ ​a​ ​place​ ​to​ ​live.​ ​Hobbies​ ​had​ ​fallen​ ​to​ ​the​ ​wayside,​ ​and​ ​time​ ​with​ ​friends​ ​had​ ​dropped​ ​to​ ​a minimum.​ ​His​ ​life​ ​had...ground​ ​to​ ​a​ ​halt.
So​ ​what​ ​could​ ​he​ ​do​ ​about​ ​it​ ​now?​ ​What​ ​did​ ​he….​ ​Oh,​ ​how​ ​about​ ​that?​ ​He’d​ ​always​ ​enjoyed that,​ ​so​ ​why​ ​not?​ ​He’d​ ​have​ ​to​ ​take​ ​another​ ​trip​ ​into​ ​town….which​ ​could​ ​wait.​ ​He​ ​had​ ​another​ ​Lyra lesson​ ​soon,​ ​so​ ​he​ ​could​ ​combine​ ​the​ ​trips.
Zephyr​ ​had​ ​gone​ ​off​ ​on​ ​a​ ​tangent,​ ​leaving​ ​Allan​ ​free​ ​to​ ​his​ ​thoughts,​ ​so​ ​long​ ​as​ ​he​ ​kept​ ​a wary​ ​ear​ ​out​ ​for​ ​the​ ​end​ ​of​ ​the​ ​endless​ ​explanations​ ​on​ ​just​ ​how​ ​ponies​ ​manes​ ​could​ ​hold​ ​so​ ​much stress.
Allan​ ​raised​ ​an​ ​eyebrow​ ​at​ ​Rainbow’s​ ​‘s​ ​continued​ ​standoffish​ ​behaviour.​ ​Why​ ​was​ ​she​ ​so disinterested​ ​in​ ​him?​ ​Was​ ​it​ ​his​ ​continued​ ​attempts​ ​to​ ​charm​ ​her?​ ​It​ ​didn’t​ ​really​ ​matter​ ​in​ ​the​ ​grand scheme​ ​of​ ​things,​ ​but​ ​Allan​ ​was​ ​curious.​ ​​ ​He’d​ ​have​ ​to​ ​figure​ ​it​ ​out,​ ​or​ ​find​ ​out​ ​at​ ​some​ ​point.
“Well​ ​Zephyr,​ ​are​ ​you​ ​sure​ ​you​ ​don’t​ ​need​ ​somewhere​ ​to​ ​stay?”
“You​ ​mean​ ​it,​ ​sis?”​ ​Zephyr​ ​seemed​ ​ecstatic,​ ​tail​ ​wiggling​ ​and​ ​ears​ ​pointed​ ​straight​ ​up.​ ​Again, he’d​ ​hoisted​ ​her​ ​up​ ​into​ ​the​ ​air​ ​with​ ​his​ ​forelegs,​ ​leaving​ ​her​ ​hanging​ ​there​ ​with​ ​a​ ​look​ ​of​ ​mild annoyance​ ​on​ ​her​ ​face.
“Zephyr.​ ​Put​ ​me​ ​down,​ ​please.”​ ​Fluttershy​ ​didn’t​ ​raise​ ​her​ ​voice,​ ​and​ ​with​ ​a​ ​quick​ ​grin, Zephyr​ ​did​ ​just​ ​that,​ ​lowering​ ​his​ ​sister​ ​gently​ ​back​ ​down.
“You​ ​really​ ​mean​ ​it​ ​though,​ ​sis?”
Fluttershy​ ​smiled.​ ​“Of​ ​course​ ​I​ ​mean​ ​it.​ ​You​ ​can​ ​stay​ ​in​ ​the​ ​spare​ ​room​ ​for​ ​now.​ ​We’ll​ ​have​ ​to rearrange​ ​stuff​ ​for​ ​Allan,​ ​but​ ​I​ ​doubt​ ​he’ll​ ​mind​ ​much…​ ​right?”
That​ ​last​ ​was​ ​directed​ ​at​ ​Allan,​ ​who​ ​raised​ ​an​ ​eyebrow.​ ​“That’ll​ ​take​ ​some​ ​doing.​ ​My​ ​magic​ ​is not​ ​that​ ​strong​ ​yet,​ ​so​ ​it’ll​ ​be​ ​mostly​ ​heavy​ ​lifting.”
“We​ ​could​ ​put​ ​your​ ​stuff​ ​in​ ​my​ ​room,​ ​so​ ​we​ ​don’t​ ​have​ ​to​ ​carry​ ​it​ ​so​ ​far.”​ ​Fluttershy suggested,​ ​a​ ​sly​ ​smile​ ​slowly​ ​spreading​ ​across​ ​her​ ​face.
To​ ​say​ ​the​ ​suggestion​ ​was​ ​a​ ​surprise​ ​was​ ​to​ ​state​ ​the​ ​obvious,​ ​and​ ​to​ ​suggest​ ​that​ ​Fluttershy wasn’t​ ​giving​ ​him​ ​goo​ ​goo​ ​eyes​ ​for​ ​some​ ​reason​ ​was​ ​to​ ​lie.​ ​Like​ ​all​ ​males​ ​his​ ​stature,​ ​when​ ​faced​ ​with a​ ​girl​ ​giving​ ​them​ ​a​ ​look​ ​of​ ​genuine​ ​attraction,​ ​Allan​ ​turned​ ​around​ ​to​ ​check​ ​that​ ​she​ ​wasn’t​ ​staring at​ ​someone​ ​else.​ ​Given​ ​that​ ​the​ ​only​ ​thing​ ​behind​ ​him​ ​was​ ​empty​ ​room,​ ​that​ ​was​ ​not​ ​the​ ​case.
Hoping​ ​against​ ​hope​ ​that​ ​Zephyr​ ​didn’t​ ​catch​ ​on,​ ​Allan​ ​gave​ ​a​ ​sheepish​ ​smile​ ​in​ ​return.


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