CH.4 The Exam
Two hours. It was two hours later when Octavia finished venting, in a productive way, on Twilight. It had left the purple mare shell shocked, to say the least. Vinyl, Moon Dancer, and I spent the time finding the herb the white unicorn had ate. Turned out it had two forms, and Vinyl was one lucky girl that Zecora didn’t leave more out.
“It says here that if you eat only the one stem, like I did, you’ll sound like a random animal for a full day.” Vinyl read aloud with the odd squeak. “You’ll gain the gift of understanding the last animal you heard, up to two if you’re lucky. Any more than one herb, and you become addicted to the herb with life complicating problems.” She gulped as the list must have been really bad. “The good news is I don’t need the herb again for life.”
“I’d like you to be there for Octavia’s exam, Vinyl.” Moon Dancer said as she held up a hoof. “I can’t scan her and keep watch for anypony trying to sneak a look in the shop at the same time. Plus, I could try and learn what the herb did to you, but I’m not getting my hopes up about it.”
I thought about it before I nudged Vinyl. <Go for it. At least this way it’s something to keep Twilight busy, and away from learning about the biped spell.>
“Alright, only because you have a plan and make a good point.” Vinyl sighed. “But not a word to Twilight about where you got the idea. The last thing I need is her trying to test the herb on me for some stupid reason.” She added with a shiver.
I rolled my eyes as Octavia rejoined us. “Well, shall we be going now? I think Twilight has had more than enough.” The grey mare said as she left Twilight doing a good impersonation of a fish. “We still have to get a bed for Athena.”
“She can use the spare bedroom, and the bed was put in yesterday morning.” Vinyl countered. “We just need bed sheets.”
“Oh, yes. I forgot we had done that.” Octavia said as I tilted my head. “We planned on one of us using the spare room, so as not to bother the other if they were asleep.” She explained, and I figured that was a good enough reason.
Moon Dancer walked around Vinyl and gave me a pat on the back. “Sounds like you have everything you need to live well with them. Vinyl, Octavia, and Athena, I’ll see you three in a few days.” She said as she went to Twilight. “I’ll deal with Twilight once her brain catches up to her.”
We left the library to get the bed sheets, some food, and spend the rest of the day just relaxing at Octavia and Vinyl’s home. Their home looked just like it did in “Slice of Life”, but it was bigger, with the living room being the only room divided in half like the front of the house. The rest of the house comprised of a large dining room, kitchen with an island that had a stove top, three bedrooms, two full baths, and a bunker of a basement. Yeah, it was still a one story, but it was built big.
I also learned that Vinyl is good with electronics, and made the stove top on that island in the kitchen. She got her money from her family that works on, and makes various appliances. Made it easier for me to understand how she could have a club, and have extra money handy.
During the two days leading up to Octavia's exam, I learned how to read and write Equish, while the mares got ready for their upcoming tour. I also helped with the cooking by shifting to my biped form. Vinyl wasn’t much of a cook in truth as she burnt cold milk. I found it better not to ask, for I feared the answer.
I was in the living room as both mares played a duet that could only be from a movie. It was a well balanced piece of both classic and modern music. It helped me relax as I finished writing out my name in Equish. Ponies really did write in a fancy kind of line style, but it did have real words in it. The bell for the door rang and I went to answer it as the girls finished their melody.
I opened the door to see Moon Dancer and Rarity on the other side. I had bumped into the fashion pony the day before while returning the herb book with Vinyl.
We had just left the library, when the fashion unicorn was heading home after gathering gemstones outside of town. She gushed over my fur, and had even pointed out it needed some brushing. I hadn’t even thought about it since I landed on Equis, so I asked Vinyl if we could get me a brush. Rarity picked up on our little talk as we walked with her for a bit. She didn’t ask for details, but did want to know if Vinyl understood me. I got the feeling that she hoped for another pony to help her with talking with the vaporeon that lived with her.
Rarity had found a stone that I felt like it was calling to me. I couldn’t stop pawing at the stone in the hope to understand what it was. I could just make out a white, grey, and black double helix inside the stone under the clouded crystal. Vinyl translated for me when I asked if Rarity could make it into a collar for me. She promised to make the collar if we helped her with some light shopping. Fair warning, Rarity’s idea of ‘light’ would fill a truck bed.
<<Hello, Moon Dancer. You too, Rarity. How are you two today?> I said, happy to see the two mares.
“Hello, Athena. May we come in?” Moony asked as Octy and Vinyl joined me at the door. “Oh! Never mind, I see you two are ready to get started.”
“Heck, yeah!” Vinyl said with a huge grin on her face. Now that she wasn’t squeaking anymore, I could place her voice. She sounded just like the Youtuber, nowacking. “We’re ready to get this test done.”
“Did you get the saddle bags ready?” Octavia asked the DJ. Vinyl floated the bags over and set them on both herself and Octy. “Perfect! Let’s be off then.”
Rarity was looking me over as the door was locked. “I hope the collar will be to your liking, dear. It still amazes me how beautiful you are, and you haven’t been brushed yet.” She just couldn’t understand how my fur looked.
Truth was I had just brushed that morning, and it was the oddest feeling to me. <I’m just that good looking is all, Rarity. I do get brushed too, but this is how my fur looks.> I said with a hint of pride in my voice. <It’s still a new feeling to me, but I have found it relaxing.>
“It sounds like she’s very happy here.” Moon Dancer said as she took the lead. “Thank you for letting us have the use your shop, Rarity. It will help us out a lot with this little exam.”
“Not a problem at all, darling. But, I do have to ask why you wanted me to have all the windows covered?” Rarity asked, which got a sigh of relief from Octavia. “Is it something really good?” She asked as she got a grin that screamed trouble.
“We’re going to have to make you Pinkie Promise not to tell, aren’t we?” Vinyl asked with a deadpan look and tone to match. “Gossip spreading about this is not going to do anypony any favors. Or anyone, for that matter.”
Rarity gave a weak chuckle. “That shouldn’t be needed, I think.” She looked at Vinyl and caved under the DJ’s glare. “Fine, but once we get to my shop. You’re in luck as Sweetie is out with her friends somewhere with Villhiem.” Rarity looked happy about that. “The mayor dropped all charges against them for helping put the fire out.”
<Good for them, and their families.> I said with Vinyl translating for me. <However, that also means we have to worry about them showing up during the exam. > I noted Moon Dancer using her magic on Vinyl as she translated. <Hoping for a hint already, Moon Dancer? I don’t think that’s going to work for something like this.>
The nerdy mare sighed. “I hate to say it, but you’re right. I would need to have somepony eat the herb to see it in action. However, I’m not going to risk another’s health for the sake of research.” Moon Dancer stated before she grinned. “I did at least pick up on something that could help, but it’ll take me months to get it working. So, I’ll just make a note and hoof it off to Twilight.” She said as she pulled a note pad from her saddle bag and wrote down her findings. “It’ll still take months before it can be used, but it is better than nothing.”
“It would be nice to understand what Lulu is saying.” Rarity said with a smirk. “I’m sure she’s slipped a few of her own dress ideas into my drawings. She has some lovely ideas that I’d just love to work on with her.”
<I just hope she takes seeing me better than Rose Luck did.> I muttered as the scene of said mare fainting as I walked by replayed in my mind. <I swear that mare and her two friends need help. I’m worried about going by their flower shop, and having the guard on my tail when they faint.>
“Yeah, not the best impression to make with everyone is it?” Vinyl asked as she chuckled. “Then again, they over react to just about anything.”
<Let’s just make sure to stay clear of them for a bit.> I said as we entered the town square, and got greeted by the guard. It was a squad of four with two unicorns, an earth pony, and a pegasus. I gave them a nod as we went by, which they returned. <I still think they don’t worry about me because I’m with someone when in town.>
Moon Dancer waited for Vinyl to translate. “I made sure to tell them about you, so we didn’t have you ran out of town.” She said. “Things are still a little stressed after the fire, and no one's found out who had actually summoned the fire elemental yet.”
I sighed as the girls talked more among themselves about something else. I quickly grew bored, and started to look around. Something had my horn pulse as I spotted a pony in the shadows of an ally. I couldn’t see what said pony looked like, not with the black coat and hat used to cover their body. The glint of blue from the eyes under the hat brim told me one thing, that wasn’t a pony. Before I could warn the others the pony ducked back into the ally.
“What do you think Athena?” Rarity asked, but I didn’t respond. “Athena?” She gently tapped my shoulder, which snapped me out of my shock.
<Wh-what?> I asked still shocked. Was that a Changeling I had just seen? What was one doing in town?!
“I asked if you wanted the collar to match you horn and claws.” Rarity said. “Are you okay, darling? You look a little bit spooked.”
<I’ll let you know when I have it figured out.> I said with Vinyl’s help. <Let’s just worry about getting this exam done.> I didn’t want to worry them with what I saw. I wasn't even sure if I actually saw what I thought I saw.
Rarity shared a worried look with Moon Dancer and Octavia as we neared the fashion pony’s shop and home. It looked as much like a carousel, as it did in the show, but the colors were not as bright as I expected. It was still a good eye catcher if you needed a land mark though. Rarity opened the door and we hurried inside.
My jaw dropped seeing the many dresses, outfits, and other clothes that filled the shop. For some reason, I felt like I needed to get one, which was probably the effect Rarity wanted. Something blue moved at the edge of my vision, and I turned to see what. I was nose to nose with a Vaporeon.
<Hello?> I said as I pulled me head back some. She kept looking at me like she was sizing me up for something. <I’m Athena, and you would be?> I asked about to sit down.
<Please, stay standing for a bit, darling.> The Vaporeon said and I complied. <I’m Lulu, and it’s nice to meet you. Am I right in guessing the collar she’s been working on is for you?> Lulu asked. After I gave her a nod, she grinned. <You don’t have any idea how lucky you are that stone is an Absolite she found. I am sorry to say there is no Keystone to go with it.>
Vinyl groaned as she caught bits and pieces when Lulu talked. “Damn it. It’s like static or something when any of the Eevee pack talks. I’m blaming Discord for this!” She huffed, which got a raised eyebrow from Lulu. “I ate something at Zecora’s and could understand Athena after.” The DJ explained to Lulu.
<Oh! Well that must be nice for you.> Lulu said as she gave me a flat glare.
“Now, now you needn’t be like that, Vinyl.” Rarity said using her magic to put a heavy cloth over the door and windows. “It's not like it's any of their faults the herb you ate works that way. Lulu, could you get the collar for Athena please? Moon Dancer needs to finish setting her scanner device up, and I need to make sure we are not bothered.”
Moon Dancer worked on the scanner device as she placed six panels around the dressing stand that had three mirrors. She was muttering again about something related to Twilight. I found that she muttered a lot when it came to Twilight and equipment. I got the feeling she nearly trashed any, if not all, equipment was because she rushed the results. That might have been way the main computer part of the scanner was buzzing loudly before Moony gently tapped the top of it.
Lulu returned with my collar as Rarity did from the kitchen. “There! The place is locked up tight, and every window is…What?” Rarity said as I waved my paws at her.
<Don’t say another word, or you’ll jinx it!> I said. <Haven’t you learned by now saying things like that make it happen?!>
Vinyl translated as she nodded her head. “We tested it to prove her wrong, but… Let’s just say it back fired.”
“Oh dear, I see your point, now that I think about it.” Rarity said as she took the collar from Lulu with her magic. “Now, let us see how this looks on you, Athena.” She held up the collar to let me get a good look at it.
I grinned, seeing the stone set in the middle of the collar, made of silver and black cloth. On the left side of the stone was a crescent moon that had a few blue stars next to it. <I love it! May I try it on, please?>
The girls watched as Rarity put the collar on me and smiled. “I was worried it wouldn’t look good, but it’s perfect on you, darling.”
<The night theme works so well with your white fur.> Lulu said as she pawed at my ruff. <I was worried this might cover it as well. Glad to see I was wrong.> She had gotten on her hind legs to look at the Absolite. <I thought I saw it glow for a moment, but it must have been a trick of the light. Still, be careful, as we don’t know if you can even use it without a Keystone.>
<Got it, Lulu.> I said as I gave her a hug. <Now, to the main event we came here to do.> I grinned at Octavia as she sighed. < But first, we need to get that Pinkie Promise out of the way. Lulu, I’m sorry, but you have to do this as well, please.> Vinyl translated for me.
Vinyl translated for Rarity, and the mare nodded. “Alright. Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.” The fashion pony said, as did Lulu, as Moon Dancer had Octavia stand between the scanner panels. “Now, just what is this all about?” Rarity inquired.
“Scanner is running, and now all that is left is to start.” Moony said, floating a bottle over the grey mare. “Everypony else stand back. It should only take a little to trigger the change.” We all moved back as she turned the bottle, and dumped the small amount of Poison Joke pollen on Octavia. “Here we go.” Moon Dancer whispered as she cast a scanning spell of her own to get as much information as she could.
Octavia grunted as she slowly shift forms to her biped body again. We watched in awe as the grey mare stood on her hind legs, fore hooves turned to hands, and torso took on a more human form. I gulped as her breasts formed, since her fur didn’t get as thick as I had hoped. All her bits showed, even with how thick her fur was now. The mare stood a stunning six foot tall as the scanner went nuts with data. Octavia stretched her limbs out some as she got a feel for her biped body again.
“That would be what this is about, Rarity.” Vinyl said as Octavia did a few of the stretches I used when I was in my biped form. “This is also the same form she had when kicking the tail of a timberwolf alpha. That’s when we met Athena. Octy has all her pony strength, plus the leverage with her body to throw rocks the size of a normal pony. How cool is that?”
Rarity just stared at Octavia in shock, seeing the musical mare's new form. “Th-that is… I don’t… Wow.” She stammered.
“It is very different, isn’t it?” Octavia said as she stepped down from the dressing stand. Her hooves made a soft tapping sound that pulled me from my shock. I was at a loss for words from just how she looked. “All that working out and running really does show in this form too.”
“You have no idea.” I thought before I shook my head, and then shook Rarity with my paws. <Hey! Measure her now, dream about it later!> I must have pulled Lulu from her own shocked state since she yelped.
Rarity snapped out of it. “O-oh, yes. Yes, I need to get her measurements done, don’t I?” She said as she got out her measuring tapes, and a book on Minotaur measurement system. “A good thing I thought ahead while at the store. This is the latest copy on Minotaur fashion designs.”
I sighed as Rarity got to work on measuring Octavia, and Moon Dancer making a copy of her finding from her scanning spell. It was clear how much it mattered to them on getting the information right. It turned out Octy was six foot tall, with a pair of D-cup breasts, and a slight hour glass figure that balanced her toned body. If her fur was thinner you could have seen the light muscle build she had.
Lulu seemed the most lost at what had happened. She turned to me. <That is one of the most incredible things I’ve seen! Don’t tell me she wants to keep that form?!>
<In a way, yes, but more like switch between the two.> I said calmly. <I’ll explain later to the whole pack, but just know I’m here to help protect you all. Though you don’t seem to need it as most of you have evolved already.>
<True, I do feel better knowing we have an early warning system now.> Lulu teased as we watched Rarity talk with Octavia and Vinyl about underwear for the grey mare. <You were human before, weren’t you, darling?> The Vaporeon asked.
<Yup, but again, I’d like to talk with everyone at once, and bring you up to speed on everything. In return, I need to know how much things have changed with the timeline.> I said to the wide eyed water fox. <Yeah, there is a lot to go over. Like Moon Dancer wasn’t even shown till season five.>
<I’ll see what I can do, and please, no more surprises. I don’t think I can deal with them at the moment.> Lulu said as she did look a little pale. <Just tell me one thing, since you kind of know already, when did the CMC get their cutie marks?>
I paused for a moment to make sure I said it right, as this was a huge hint to me that things had taken a huge shift. <Also season five, after helping Diamond Tiara stand up to her mother. I’ll give the details when meeting the pack.>
“So, can you really make it work?” Octavia asked Moon Dancer, which pulled Lulu and I from our talk. “You just need something to anchor it to, and to store the clothing? Like what?”
“That’s the easy part of this whole project.” Moony said as she smiled. “Some simple ear rings-, like the little stud like ones,- could be used for the whole thing. All you would have to do is think of the change, and it will happen!” She cheered. “I’ll have to test all this first, on myself, to be safe.”
“Mind backing up there, Moony?” Vinyl asked. “Did you just say, “Test it on yourself”? You sure that’s a good idea?”
“I’m not going to risk anypony else with this.” Moon Dancer stated with a stomp of her hoof. “It is for the safety of you both I do this. Besides, it is the only way to keep Twilight from knowing.”
<Well, this just got good.> I said with a chuckle. <How long before she has it ready?> I asked with Vinyl translating for me.
Moon Dance looked away as she rubbed her neck. “That’s the part I’m not sure about, but the moment I have it, I’ll bring it right over!”
“Let me know, too.” Rarity said as she held up the book with her magic. “That way I can make sure they are clothed for the adventures ahead. Oh, think of all the new dresses I can make around their stunning new forms!”
“Yeah, let’s just keep it simple for now. Okay?” Vinyl asked as she gave Rarity a pat on the shoulder. “I don’t think the town is ready for this just yet.” She pointed out as she tried to pull the fashion pony back to earth. “Just think about it for a moment will you?”
Rarity looked sheepish at Vinyl’s point. “Fair enough, dear. I need to get something for making Octavia’s clothes anyway, so it’ll have to wait. I have to get one of those Minotaur manikins to make the clothes to nearly the right size.” She looked at the grey biped mare. “I’m sorry to say, but I’ll need you to change like this again to make sure the fit is right.”
Moon Dancer grinned. “I should have the spell ready before then.” She chuckled softly. “I might even get a few laughs in messing with Twilight, while I’m at it.” Her chuckle turned into evil laughter as the idea of a prank formed in her mind.
“And that would be my queue to take a bath.” Octavia said as she got the cure from Vinyl’s saddle bag. “Would you mind if I use that hot tube you got, Rarity? I don’t think I’ll fit in the normal bath or shower.”