//------------------------------// // Chapter 6: Golden Days Pt 2 (Melony's POV) // Story: A Disguise for Love // by BrightMind //------------------------------// It was 7 years ago. I had just finished basic training and I was planted in Canterlot as a spy. After a few trades in the black market, I was able to put together a very realistic ID without raising suspicion. I was born with the name "Melony", and really liked it, so I saw no reason to change it, since it didn't deviate too far from a normal pony name. I found a job at a Café and even made a friend. Her name was Sky Beam. She let me live with her in her apartment, until her boyfriend proposed that is. By then however, I had made enough bits to sustain a living in a smaller apartment. I actually started to enjoy my new lifestyle, but I didn't want to admit it. A changeling wishing to be a pony would be like a unicorn wishing to be an earth pony. But, I couldn't help it, things were much more colorful and happy here! It was only natural to enjoy myself while I wait for the attack. One day, I decided on spending some leisure time at the café I worked at while doing a favor for Sky Beam (She still owes me one, by the way). I know it wasn't exactly normal to see a pony getting a cup of coffee late in the day, but I just really liked the way it tastes. Besides, caffeine doesn't effect changelings the same way it does for ponies, so why not? A little while into the evening, I had gotten that familiar feeling that I was being watched. As a spy I get this feeling often, but this time it was stronger than ever! I looked up from my cup only to catch the gaze of a white pegasus stallion. Being a creature that feeds off of love, I can sense emotional abnormalities; so I could feel his heartbeat speed up. He didn't know it yet, but he had fallen in love with me. In his sub-conscious mind, he was making the most adorable compliments about me. I thought it was cute how he felt about me. He loved my mane, my smooth coat, and he adored the way my eyes sparkled as I looked at him. He didn't even know he was thinking these things, but I did. I felt the blood quickly rush to my cheeks as I smiled at him. It was flattering, really. Being quite an ugly creature even to my own kind, I don't necessarily get such kind words. So even if it was indirect, receiving such a sweet compliment was something new to me. And I liked it. I looked at him again after a moment of thought and we once again met gazes. I received another sub-limitable compliment that softened my heart a little. This continued a few more times that night and with each new gaze came a new adoration. Each gaze drew me in a little closer. The moment he stopped trying was the same moment I could not look away. Despite popular beliefs, changeling were not heartless, we just didn't feel emotions quite as often, or as strongly. We tend to be more desensitized to feelings. Was this "love" that I was feeling? My heart was running a mile a minute as my tail began to swish back and forth uncontrollably. This feeling felt so nice, like being tightly wrapped up in a nice, warm blanket. I didn't want to let go of it yet. I decided to use a spell that all changelings know. One used to scan his thoughts and feelings. This tells me of all the ponies and things that he loves. I did it mainly to make sure he wasn't already with anypony else, but in the process I found his favorite milkshake flavor. We didn't sell this specific flavor of milkshake here; and I was surprised. it seemed pretty tasty. I had called over one of my co-workers and convinced her to make it. She was a little confused at first, but she didn't mind nor question my logic or methods, thankfully. When he received it, he seemed to be surprised. But I could tell he was satisfied with my gift. By now I could feel the hot blush on my cheeks, but I didn't care. Something about his relaxed and satisfied gaze was so cute! The waitress returned with his order, it looked like muffins... my favorite! He must have known too, because the minute he got them, he sent them my way. I was so excited to try a bite, but before I could, I caught a whiff of one of them, and immediately felt sick. Blueberry Mango; my two least favorite ingredients. I knew only one mare who liked these, Sky Beam. Not even the stallion who created liked them. I asked the waitress for a paper bag to instead save them for Sky later; I was sure she would appreciate it. After that, I decided to greet him before heading out. He seemed a little shady at first, only seeming interested in hearing about Sky Beam. The whole time, he was scribbling something in his notebook under the table. But he ended up being very sweet and charming. Turns out, he was a private investigator looking for information on Sky Beam, but that's all he ever told me after that night. His name was Spy Glass, but I decided to call him Sid (a silly but adorable story). The minute we stopped talking, there was silence. It wasn't really awkward, it was actually quite comfortable. We spent a quite moment lost in each other's eyes. I understood the emotion he was giving off; I knew it well. But I couldn't quite tell what I was feeling. My heart sped up, and my hooves were tingly. At first, it scared me... but I kind of liked this feeling. I liked being close to this stallion, not because I was hungry, but because I liked the feeling he gave me. For the first time in my life, I knew what I wanted was not to please the queen, but instead to here with him. I wanted him to hold me, I wanted to love him... I wanted to kiss him... I couldn't help myself. I've never kissed anyone before and this was the first time I've ever wanted to. To this day, I still don't know if I was acting on instinct or was just simply trying to prove to myself that I can make my own decisions. But, I'll save you the details, I ended up on the table with my lips on his... and it was perfect! I will always treasure that moment. The rest was history. We ended up married and I loved him like nothing else before! I never went back to the hive and I never dropped my disguise as this pony, for fear of losing Sid. Without the information I gathered over the years the hive failed their invasion. Thankfully, Sid wasn't home at that time. By the time the invasion started, I was a few months pregnant. When the changelings where defeated, I was thrown against the wall so hard, I thought the baby might have been hurt. Luckily, both I and the baby made it out completely unharmed and still concealed. As time went on, it became harder and harder for me to keep my secret. I wanted so badly to be myself around him. I loved him and he deserved to know who I truly was. But I was still too afraid. I was afraid he would leave me, or worse, have me locked up. I didn't want to believe he would, but my fear always got the better of me until that one day I finally overcame it. A horrible mistake made in my naivety. I'll save you the depressing details: the exact thing that I feared came to pass. I got out of there before anything could happen to me. But I didn't leave empty-hooved... I couldn't. Not after all those years I had given him. I had to take something to remember him goodbye. So, I took his favorite Sherlock Hooves novel. It still had his scent on it and I couldn't leave it behind. That's the only thing I took when I left that night. I just hope that he misses me as much as I miss him!