//------------------------------// // Chapter 2 // Story: Unchanging Love // by Azure Notion //------------------------------// “Welcome to the Sweet Roast Cafe! What can I get for you?” Sweet Leaf asked for what seemed like the hundredth time that day. She stood behind the counter, the purple apron that matched her eyes tied around her chest and barrel. Her smile was only half forced. The amount of customers since this morning hadn’t seemed to lull much from breakfast to lunch. What a wonderful time to run the shop alone. “Yeah, I’ll have an iced caramel macchiato, double shot,” the stuffy earth pony stallion said quickly, “and can you make it quick? My lunch is over in ten minutes.” She didn’t need her emotive senses to tell her that the stallion in front of her wasn’t in the mood for pleasantries. Though, being nice generally got her more repeat customers and far better tasting emotions. “I’ll do what I can, sir. We’re a little busy, as you can see. That’ll be four bits.” The light blue stallion produced the amount requested and set them on the counter. “Thank you.” Sweet swept the bits into her hoof with a wing and put them in the register. “Can I have a name for the order?” she asked, grabbing a cup from the stack and a marker from her pen cup. She began writing his drink’s details on the side with her mouth. “High Marks. And if you can bump my order up to the front, I’ll throw in a little tip.” Sweet Leaf wrote his name above his order name and dropped the marker into her hoof. “I apologize, sir, this is a first come, first serve cafe and you still have a couple orders in front of you.” “Excuse me? I’m a busy stallion. I said I’d pay you for an expedited service.” High Marks put his hoof on the counter with a little more force than necessary. Sweet simply looked at him with a practiced, neutral expression. “I’m sorry, that’s not how this shop works and the longer you keep me from the station, the longer it’s going to take me to get your drink.” “This is unacceptable. If you think I’m ever going to recommend your cafe, you’re obviously delusional.” He turned and trotted off to an empty table, throwing what Sweet Leaf could only think of as a temper tantrum. She may not have experienced one while growing up in the hive, but she had seen enough foals with their parents since she and Fine Roast had opened the shop two years ago. The next pony in line, a pegasus stallion, walked up in place of her last rather rude customer, interrupting her musing. Sweet eyed him and took in his greasy, slicked back mane and the rather lascivious look in his eyes. She hoped he wasn’t the kind of stallion she thought he was. “I apologize, I’ll be with you in a few minutes.” Sweet turned around and headed to her espresso station. As she was gathering the ingredients for the first drink, a shiver ran up her spine as she could practically feel the waiting stallion’s eyes glued to her rump. She could taste the lust pouring out of him, like the grease that hung in the air around a hayburger joint. Most changelings didn’t particularly care for the flavor of lust on its own. It was certainly a form of sustenance, Though far less so than love. It was a wonderful additive when combined with love, but rather off-putting by itself. Sweet Leaf liked to compare the taste to eating straight ketchup versus ketchup on a hayburger. She quickly worked through the next two drinks, before calling out the names on each cup. She sighed as she finally came to High Marks’s order. In short time, she finished the stallion’s drink and walked over to the serving counter with his caramel macchiato. “High Marks?” she called out and set the paper cup on the counter. A short moment later, the stallion in question trotted up. “Here’s your drink, sir.” The earth pony snatched the drink off the counter, glaring at the barista. “I hope you’re pleased with yourself. You’ve made me late for work.” “I apologize, sir, but this is the lunch rush and as such the wait times are—” “I don’t care! I expected quality service and what I received was nothing short of a disgrace! You will not see me again.” High Marks stomped off towards the entrance, slamming the door open and walking out. The mare behind the facade of Sweet Leaf closed her eyes for just a moment and took a deep breath, trying to clear her mind off of his sickening negative emotions. She released the breath and, after a short moment, walked back to the customers at the cash register, the disguised mare once more fully in place. Had any other changelings been present, she would have denied the tiny dip of her smile as she spotted the rather scummy-looking stallion. “Good afternoon, sir, welcome to the Sweet Roast Cafe. What can I get for you?” she asked. It felt like her smile only half fit her face. “Mmmm… I think I’ll take a coffee, dark and a pair of glazed sticky buns,” he said as his gaze roamed to every part of her body, except her eyes. He spent a good long stare at her flank. She wanted to believe he was simply staring at her cutie mark. “Of course, sir.” She stepped over to the pastry display counter, opening the door and grabbing a pair of tongs with her teeth. “Oh no, not those buns. I was thinking maybe you could… mmm, take a little break?” he half asked, his voice low in what he probably thought was a sexy tone. “Maybe we could get to know each other a little better in the back?” She put the tongs back in their holder and closed the door. She really could use some more of those calming breaths right about now. He didn’t even have the courtesy of subtlety. It was times like these that she wished she could use her magic to do unspeakable things to ponies like him. Giving a snort under her breath, she stepped back in front of the counter proper. “I’m sorry, sir, this isn’t that kind of establishment. If you’d like something to drink or eat, I’d be glad to serve you. Otherwise, I’d kindly ask you to leave.” “Come on, don’t be like that, honey. I’m just lookin’ to get us a little something we’d both enjoy.” He threw her a smile that was likely intended to be seductive, but only made her want to strangle him more. “I’m afraid I’m not interested. I’m a married—” she paused, spotting a rather familiar cream colored pony watching from near the front entrance. He had on traveling saddlebags that were stuffed to the brim. He must have just arrived. She couldn’t help but smile a little. Oh my Queen, what perfect timing, Sweet Leaf thought, clearing her throat. “I’m a married mare, sir.” He made a show of looking across the counter. “I don’t see nopony else here and nopony but us has to know, babe.” He put his hooves up on the counter and leaning forward, unaware of the pony walking closer. “I know you’ll love it. Come on, let’s go take a step in the back.” “I’d rather advise against that,” said the stallion from a few paces behind him. She watched as he looked over his shoulder at the newcomer. “Yeah, well, that’s none of your business. Why don’t ya wait your turn, huh, Poindexter?” The offending stallion turned back to face Sweet Leaf. “Sorry, babe, some stallions, am I right?” “I think you misunderstand me,” he interrupted again, drawing closer to the Sweet Leaf’s would-be customer. “I also think you should stop bothering her and consider leaving.” “Oh yeah?” Any trace of a smile on the lurid stallion’s face vanished. He turned around, with flared wings, and Sweet Leaf couldn’t help but grin. “And who do you think you are butting into somepony else’s business?” He smiled and looked straight at their customer. “Hi. My name’s Fine Roast, co-owner of the Sweet Roast Cafe,” he said sweetly, before dropping his smile, “and her husband.” Sweet Leaf was cleaning up outside. She gathered empty cups, wiped down tables, and closed the table parasols. She quietly sang a song from a musical that she and Roast had gone to to see a couple weeks back. Changelings in the hive could only indulge in frivolous things such as drama and music through written media, but the first time Firefly had seen a musical, she’d been hooked. She found she loved singing and her sources and friends over the years had told her on numerous occasions that she was quite good at it. She gathered all the refuse left over from the day and put it in the trash can. Pausing her singing, she pulled the bag out of the can, replaced it, and took the trash through the cafe to the dumpster around back. She resumed her singing, coming across a darker portion of the song. She really wished she could sing that particular part in her undisguised form. In her opinion, a changeling’s natural two tone voice would have complemented the verses perfectly. Her brain halted as she realized she’d never actually tried singing in her natural form. Maybe one day she could try. She shrugged and soon found herself finished with all the outside chores. Sweet Leaf came back through the front entrance, finally closing and locking it after a long, busy day. She let out a long sigh and looked over to the counter where Fine Roast was finishing wiping down the equipment. If he hadn’t arrived back home from the convention when he did, she imagined her day would have been far more taxing. It had been a very busy day, but what bad luck it was that she got two very grating customers in a row. She wasn’t unused to them, but she’d normally only get a few per week. Though, it had been particularly amusing watching the stallion’s face drop as he sputtered out some excuse before being personally escorted out of the cafe by Roast. She strolled up next to Fine Roast, and nuzzled against his cheek. The feeling and smell of his coat and dark brown mane filled her senses. Sweet Leaf smiled at the instant flush of love from him. “That was the perfect time to come back, when you did. The look on that creep’s face was wonderful.” She pushed her own faux cutie mark against his coffee cup and beans on his flanks. He nuzzled her in return. “Sometimes I can’t believe that ponies like that exist. I’m glad I left the convention when I did and arrived here at the best possible moment.” “Mmm,” she hummed and pulled back. Off to the side, she put away some coffee containers in their cabinets, “you are back a little earlier than I expected, though.” Roast hummed in the affirmative. “The convention ended last night and there weren’t any distributors left that I cared to have lunch with today,” he explained while wiping down a steam wand. “I didn’t have anything else to do, so I took the earliest train. I didn’t want to leave you to handle the shop alone longer than I had to.” “I can handle myself. You know that,” she said calmly, without any hint of offense. “I do know,” he replied, as calm as her, “but I’ve also worked the counter alone and I know how hectic it can get.” He set the rag down on the counter and faced her. She felt a hoof set down on her withers and she turned her head to him. He continued, “Just because you can do something doesn’t mean it’s enjoyable. One pony working a two pony job is hard, no matter how you look at it. I love you too much to leave you with that burden for too long.” Sweet Leaf smiled warmly and put on her emotionally touched eyes. “I love you too, sweetie.” She turned fully and reached around his neck as she pulled him into a deep hug. It was times like these that she almost felt like she could drop her disguise and truly return his affections. She quickly caught herself before she went down that path, for it led to nothing but heartache and long, hungry nights trying to find a new source. She was there to take emotions, not feel them. For the hive and queen, she reminded herself. After a short while longer, she released her beloved once she felt his burst of love return to its normal trickle. “Come on. Let’s finish this. I think we can splurge a little and have a nice dinner out.” She walked over and picked up Fine Roast’s rag, holding it out for him. “And I want to hear all about what kind of deals you got for us this last week. “And maybe,” she added, “we can have some… fun tonight?” Her husband and lover hummed, then chuckled and bumped her hips against his. “I think I can get behind that.” “So he just played it off like it was a feature?” Sweet interrupted her husband’s story. “Mmhm!” Roast took another bite of his meal. “Even though it nearly blew hot steam in his face?” “Yep!” he said through the food in his mouth before swallowing. “According to him, it was a great feature to have on a cold winter day.” The couple laughed together at the absurdity. Sweet Leaf tried to conceal her mirth and food behind a hoof. Her companion felt no such reservations, nor was he caught in the middle of chewing. They had decided on one of their go-to restaurants, The Hay House. The place was decorated with generic paintings and standard, slightly-fancier-than-normal tables and chairs. While it was simple, and perhaps a little boring, the meals served were quite delicious and well overly-portioned. A couple of the employees had said that most of their menu items were fit for horses. With the number of times the two had come away with leftovers, she was inclined to agree. “I can’t imagine that he ended up selling much of anything after that,” Sweet Leaf said once they’d settled down from their short bout of amusement. Roast shook his head. “Nope. With that and the guy’s previous two blunders, most that hadn’t already lost interest left his demonstration. I didn’t stick around to see if anyone actually got suckered in, but not a lot of others did either.” “I probably would have called convention staff on the guy.” Sweet wiped her mouth with a napkin. “He was obviously a fraud.” “Eh, maybe. Or maybe he was having a bad day.” He shrugged. “A really bad day.” They fell into a comfortable silence as they enjoyed their meals. Sweet Leaf was glad to have Roast back. Not only for his companionship, but also because she’d been getting a little famished with only the appreciation for her coffee from her customers. They helped a little, but it was nothing like direct love. Thankfully, she was nowhere near having to dip into her reserves. Each one of the crystals was enough to keep three changelings back at the hive away from the brink of starving for one week. Or one week for a cover-blown changeling on the run. Rather, normal love crystals would do that. Hers were special and she still found that a little disconcerting. “Have you been keeping up with the papers lately?” Fine Roast asked, breaking her out of her thoughts. “I’ve read a little bit, but the cafe has been taking up most of my time,” Sweet Leaf said. “Why, did something happen?” “Yesterday a huge pink bubble shield was put up around Canterlot.” Roast took his water glass in his hoof. “Apparently there was a threat made against the city itself.” Firefly felt like somepony had run an ice cube up her spine. She wanted to believe it wasn’t possible, but the wedding was only four days away and it still hadn’t been announced yet. There was little chance it had to do with anything else. She could only hold belief that her queen and those with her were careful and smart enough, even with how quickly they put the plan together. She didn’t want to think about what would happen to her or Roast if the Canterlot infiltration was discovered. The mare behind Sweet Leaf quickly reinforced her facade, forcing herself to keep the panic off her face and out of her voice. As normally as she could, she asked, “Do they know what the threat is about?” “I don’t think so.” Roast shook his head. It helped settle her worry, but only a little. “The paper stated the threat was made by an anonymous party and it was very vague in detail. An interview with the guard captain said that they believed the tip and threat to be credible, but wouldn’t go into detail of it nor why they decided to use such drastic measures.” “How strange,” Firefly said, unable to keep a slight lilt out of her voice. She mentally cursed herself and quickly strangled any outward signs of distress with the training and experience she’d earned over the years. She hoped it was enough. “I hope they’re able to deal with the threat or see it turn out false. I can’t imagine that would be a comfortable situation for the guards or the citizens.” “Mmm,” Roast hummed, looking at her for a moment before smiling. “Regardless, this night is supposed to be about having a good time.” He reached over and put a hoof on hers. “Let’s leave the dreary news for another night, shall we?” Sweet Leaf was happy for the topic change, especially because she didn’t have to find a way to do it herself. Though, it was suspiciously quick. Perhaps he sensed her distress? She desperately hoped the complex flavors coming off him were anything but that. Once suspicion set in, it was like an uphill battle against the wind to deflect and destroy it. She mentally pushed her disguise back to the forefront of her mind, the actor becoming the role once again. “Of course. There’s still a lot of fun to be had tonight,” Sweet Leaf said, forcing a sultry tone into her voice. “Especially when we get home.” Her lover chuckled, giving her his best set of bedroom eyes. “And you can only imagine the things I’m going to do to you.” “Oh I can imagine…” she bantered back, able to put the worry in the back of her mind and focus on giving her stallion a wonderful night. Firefly lay in bed, staring at the ceiling as sweat dried on her disguise’s coat. Fine Roast lay next to her, breathing soft and slow. She did her absolute best to be an active participant in their love making, but her mind kept drifting to the news he’d revealed to her. She shouldn’t be this concerned over something so utterly out of her control. She needed to trust in her queen and believe that she could handle whatever Canterlot could throw at her. It wasn’t that she doubted the queen’s ability, but sometimes things couldn’t be avoided. It felt like everything was changing so fast. One week she and the other collectors were going about their lives, the next they find out the queen is planning on taking over Equestria. She couldn’t help but be concerned that their plans might implode on themselves. She closed her eyes and turned on her side, away from Roast. She tried again to convince herself that it was illogical to let it affect her this much. Having to abandon her source and find a new one was not on her list of desirable activities. It wasn’t as if she hadn’t done it once before, it would merely become much harder if Equestria began to actively root out changelings. Firefly thought of the sleeping stallion behind her. She tried to imagine him scowling at her, casting her out of his life as she was bound and helpless, her disguise ripped from her form. The thought made her stomach turn. She shut her eyes tight, trying to force the thoughts out and replace them with good ones. Roast really was a great stallion, pony standards or not. He was fun, charming, caring, supporting, and would do nearly anything to see Sweet Leaf smile. A small grin formed on her face. Her face relaxed and eyes opened as Firefly recalled their times together. Laughing and teasing and playing as she helped him come up with new drink flavors. Her supporting and listening to him when he’d had a bad day. Playing in the rain after an unscheduled downpour interrupted their afternoon stroll. Lying together in bed, holding him gently as he read a book. Her smile quickly soured. Those times were Sweet Leaf’s, not Firefly’s. She had to remind herself that it was Sweet Leaf that loved Fine Roast. It was Sweet Leaf’s emotions that Roast comforted. It was the beautiful yellow mare with an orange sunset mane that the cream colored stallion loved. A changeling shouldn’t even care what happens to her source. She could always find another. It was merely an inconvenience. The words felt hollow as they echoed through her mind. Firefly steeled herself, shoving any feelings Firefly had toward Fine Roast away and out of her mind. She was a collector, a good one at that, and collectors did not mix their feelings with their role’s. She would not make that mistake. Quietly drawing a deep breath, she held it for a few seconds before releasing it, willing herself to calm down. She took another. Inhale, she told herself. Hold. Exhale. Inhale. Hold— She paused, still holding her breath as the sheets behind her rustled. She slowly, silently let out her breath, trying her best to appear asleep. Firefly, no, Sweet Leaf felt hooves wrap around her as she cursed his clinginess for once. She just had to play the sleeping wife and he’d go back to sleep. She waited as he settled in, his snout lightly nuzzling her neck. The mare mentally sighed as he finished settling in and resigned herself to simply fall asleep. “I know you’re still awake.” Her stallion lightly rubbed her side. She hated how observant he was sometimes. She decided to try playing it off. “Hmm?” she asked, adding sleepiness to her voice. “What was that honey?” “I know you heard me.” Roast nuzzled further into her neck. “What’s bothering you, sweetheart? You don’t need to bottle it up.” Sweet Leaf let out a sigh. She’d have to step lightly and deflect. “It’s nothing really. Just a little stress from the last couple days.” “Do you want to talk about it?” He pulled his muzzle out of her mane and put his head next to hers. She knew he wouldn’t give up. He got rather protective of his mare when something was disturbing her. She’d used it to her advantage more than once, drawing concern and love from him. This time will be no different. Use it as an opportunity, she instructed herself. “I guess I feel a little… anxious.” She pressed her body further into his embrace. “There’s been a few stallions like the one today,” she lied as she smoothly slipped back into her role. “It’s like they just saw a weak little mare, waiting to be taken, like I was an object to use and throw away. It felt so degrading.” “Mmm. I hate that I have to share the same gender with them, but unfortunately there will always be ponies like that.” He ran his hoof up and down her side. “I know it’s easy for me to say, but don’t let it get to you. They’re not worth the time it takes to think about them.” Sweet Leaf pursed her lips in the dark. “I know. It’s hard sometimes though.” “Plus, you have me to chase them away. They’re not getting anywhere near my mare while I’m around.” He gave her a gentle squeeze, eking out a couple giggles from her. “Thank you, sweetie. You’ll always be my love.” “And you mine.” A companionable silence fell over the couple. The issue had been diverted, she got a little extra love, and Roast’s comforting and caring nature was satisfied. It was easy to take her mind off her troubles when he was holding her like that. “But that’s not all, is it?” Or it would have been, if he wasn’t so nosy and loving. “What do you mean?” Sweet asked, adding a touch of confusion to her question. “Well, you’re still a little tense,” he replied. She cursed herself at focusing too much on her vocal responses. “And tonight at dinner, you seemed a little distressed.” Firefly had to be careful with her words. She hesitated for a couple seconds before deciding the truth sprinkled with a few falsities would be the best approach. She wiggled out of his embrace and turned around to look him in his concerned eyes. “The news about Canterlot was a little shocking to me,” she started again. “The last time there was a threat in Canterlot, our lives, days, nights, and even our literal houses were turned upside down. What if this is something like that or even worse?” “I’d like to say that’s silly, but with what’s been happening over the past couple years, I don’t feel like that’s quite valid anymore.” Roast gave his wife a loving smile and she felt his hoof cup her cheek. “Whatever comes, if anything comes, we’ll face it together at that time. There’s no need to worry yourself sick over things out of your control.” “It doesn’t make me feel any less helpless,” she added with more sincerity than he knew. Firefly allowed herself a small amount of comfort as she rubbed her cheek into his hoof. Fine Roast leaned in close, whispering, “It’ll be okay, my love. Have faith in our princesses and know I’ll be here to hold you if times get tough.” She smiled and met him halfway with a deep kiss. He responded in kind, his curiosity seemingly sated. Sweet Leaf broke the kiss and leaned her forehead against his. “Thank you, Roast. And I will be here for you, through thick and thin.” Deep in her heart, Firefly felt a stab of guilt at the falsity of her words. She beat it down with her well versed mantra, For the Hive.