//------------------------------// // Heart To Fries To Heart // Story: Fortunate Misfortune // by OutOfTheBlue //------------------------------// Recently I have managed to perform medical examinations on several changelings in the hive. Their chitin, unlike pony skin, is very thick and resilient. It has the elasticity of rubber or latex and the durability of griffonian leather. Although, unexpectedly, it doesn’t feel like the shell of an insect. Instead it is smooth and warm, despite their more insectile appearance denoting a cold blooded nature. I’ve also discovered that, when disguised, changelings not only look like a pony, but also completely change the placement of not only their organs, but also their bone structure. Also, whereas their blood is green and bioluminescent naturally, when in disguise their blood will become red like a pony’s unless removed from their body for more than a couple minutes. This explains why nopony discovers them, even when they get injured. Their anatomy perfectly mimics that of a pony’s, even the blood. — excerpt from Among the Shapeless by Wanderlust. Work today was going much smoother than yesterday. Mostly due to the sign, I think. Carrot Top had put a sign on the counter (which I could not read because I cannot read) and ponies would look at it, shiver, and then pick up some flowers. They then would give me bits and leave. Carrot Top had given me a plan to follow and I was following it to perfection. Stand behind the counter and say “Hello there.” Well... that’s what she’d said, she had also given me more instructions written down for later because she needed to get to her stand. But I literally did not have to talk or look at any of the pony that came to the store other than to say “Hello there!” and that was nice. *ring* I looked over as another pony entered the store. “Hello there.” It was the pony from the hospital. I... do not remember her name. “Good morning! Oh, you’re... Broken Mirror? Right?” I nodded. “So you work here now?” I nodded. “That’s nice. But where are the Flower Mares?” “Canterlot.” She frowned. “Why are they there?” “Wedding.” She smiled. “Oh how nice! I’m happy for them. Anyway....” She glanced at the sign and smirked. “Carrot. Anyway, I’m glad you’re doing well. I’ll grab some petunias and get out of your mane. Have a good lunch break!” Now it was my turn to frown. “Lunch break? What’s a lunch break?” She blinked in surprise before giving me a skeptical look. “You’re kidding, right?” I shrank back a little bit. I must not arouse suspicion! Why was I still asking questions! Stupid curiosity! What should I do! She shook her head and laughed. “Wow, I heard you were a bit odd, but this I did not expect.” My ears flattened and I looked down. “Sorry.” “Oh! No I wasn’t trying to... I’m so sorry, that came out wrong. Let me buy you lunch to make it up to you.” “Uh... okay?” She smiled. “Great! Let’s go! I only have so long before I need to get back to the hospital.” I decided the pony thing to do would be to follow so I simply nodded and followed after her. Before we left she gave me an expecting look. “Aren’t you going to close the store?” “Oh! Yes! I will certainly do that!” She smirked. “Liar. You have no idea what I’m talking about.” My eyes widened and I nervously backed away. How did she know!? She saw right through my deception! “Oh please, you’re an open book. It’s pretty obvious you talk all weird and stiffly when you’re lying.” I hung my head in disappointment. A changeling that can’t even lie right. No wonder Her Majesty left me. I am an embarrassment to my kind. The mare placed her hoof on my shoulder and said, “Don’t feel bad. It’s not a bad thing you can’t lie. If anything it’s good because it proves you aren’t used to lying to ponies. I just wouldn’t go playing poker with Big Mac if I were you.” She gave me a smile before flipping a white thing on the door of the store and gesturing for me to follow. “Now then, where should we go for lunch?” I shrugged. “I don’t really know my way around here so how should I know?” “Well, do you want anything in particular for lunch?” I stared blankly at her. I mean, want something to eat? You just ate what was provided. “Uh... I’ll take that as a no. I guess I’ll choose.” I trotted absently along beside her as we made our way down the street. Many ponies waved to her... or me I guess. I’m not exactly sure how you tell. Eventually she stopped at a small building with heavenly smells wafting out the door. “This look good to you?” I simply nodded. Words did not describe how good the smell was. I had truly never smelled something quiet like it before. She giggled, “I’ll take that as a yes.” “Yeah. It smells amazing.” “You bet it does. This place has the best hay fries in town. Uh... just don’t tell anypony I was eating junk food. I’m technically on a diet plan with my fellow nurses. Whoever loses buys the rest ice cream sundaes.... I’m now realizing how backwards that is.” I slowly turned to give her a confused look. She blushed and shrugged. “Sorry, I’m babbling, aren’t I?” “I... don’t know.” A pony escorted us to a table outside the building and left us with two odd books filled with pictures and words. Nurse mare sighed and shook her head. “Being a nurse really kills your social life. I’m so busy all the time I almost never get the chance to just... hang out. I guess that’s why I was so eager to invite you to lunch with me! Well, that and nopony really knows much about you.” “Uhhu.” “So... tell me about yourself. Where are you from?” My eyes widened as everything came to a screeching halt. I had to be cautious. One wrong answer could spell disaster for me! “Uhhh... I’m from... not... here.” She snorted, “No duh, smart alek. I meant more like what town you’re from.” “Uuuuh....” I swept my eyes across my surroundings as sweat beaded my forehead. Stupid pony body with its stupid sweat. My eyes locked onto the dirt road. “Dirt. I’m from the town called Dirt.” She raised an eyebrow as I met her eyes. “Dirt? You’re from... Dirt.” I did my best to smile and look natural. “Mirror, Mirror, Mirror... what did I already tell you?” I looked anywhere but her face. “Uh... this place has good fries?” “Mirror, you stink at lying.” I felt the wind leave me immediately, as well as all hope. I was doomed. She would find out and then I was doomed. “Mirror, you don’t have to lie to ponies. If you don’t want to tell somepony something just say so. I mean, yeah I’m really curious now, but I can also tell that’s a sore spot with you.” I looked up, confused to my core, when she laughed. “And it’s not like I expect you to spill your deepest, darkest secrets with me. I mean, we’re just now becoming friends. Also... you don’t even remember my name.” “...Sorry.” She smiled and shrugged. “It’s fine. And... it’s Redheart by the way.” “Sorry... Redheart.” She rolled her eyes. “Oh sheesh, they were right. You and Fluttershy are scary similar. Whatever, just don’t be afraid to stand up for yourself. Nopony in Ponyville has the right to demand personal knowledge you aren’t willing to share. We only want to be your friends. Maybe you could try trusting us enough to let us. If you want to that is.” I felt my spirits rise at that. Friends. They all... just wanted to be friends. Maybe... maybe I can give that a try. Maybe... I can trust them just a teeny bit. I mean, it can’t hurt can it? “May I take your order?” We both jumped as the pony from before appeared at our table. Redheart let out a shaky breath. “Celestia... don’t scare me like that.” He rubbed the back of his head awkwardly and blushed. “Sorry... I’m new.” Redheart waved it off, “It’s fine. I’ll have the signature fries please.” I looked from the pony to my book. “Uh... I’ll have that too.” He nodded and trotted off. I looked at Redheart and nervously asked, “So... did you really mean that? We’re... friends?” “Well... I want to be. A certain party pony always talks about how everypony in town is her friend, so why can’t the same be true for all of us.” The stallion came back and placed baskets of steaming deliciousness before us before walking away again. I almost fainted when I tasted the greasy glory as it glided down my gullet. This was... good. I liked this... ‘friend’ thing. *splash* I yelped in surprise as icy water began to run down my back. “Oh my Celestia! I’m so sorry! I’ll go get some towels.” The fry stallion ran off leaving my soaked and Redheart devolving into a laughing fit. She gasped and said, “I-I’m sorry for laughing! It’s just... how does this stuff happen to you every day!” I gave a small smile as an ice cube fell from my head. “I’m just special I guess.”