Awaking to the feeling of strong, chitinous hooves wrapped tight around her waist and having to bite her lips to withhold a croon at the teasing sensation of fangs playing upon her coat was hardly new to Sure Stroke. Hardly new, but it never failed to bring a smile to her lips, no matter how tired she was.
It just played into the reason Aspire had to fight her so to get out of his bedpod every morning. No, it wasn’t that she was a whiny, sleepy mare, no matter what he said.
Well, that was a bit of it, yes. Sleep was nice and she did enjoy stealing a few extra minutes of it when possible.
His embrace, however, now that was well worth the extra effort to struggle.
This morning was slightly different, though. Yes, those hooves and fangs and that warm, angular snout nuzzling into the back of her neck were all quite familiar and right, the perfect combination to sate her morning wants. But Sure Stroke knew for certain this bed, soft and warm and lovely though it was, wasn’t hers.
And any pony who could possibly confuse a bed for the all-encompassing warmth and security of a changeling’s bedpod conforming to their body was simply daft. Daft and in need of a friend to steal them from their home for a sleepover, but that was quite beside the point.
The point was that Sure Stroke knew she definitely hadn’t awoken in her own bed or Aspire’s bedpod.
Slowly, her brain began to jar itself free of the blissful entanglements of sleep’s mighty web and Sure Stroke was able to bring herself back to present and remember herself. Her ears twitched slightly.
She wasn’t back home in Respite like she was meant to be. At least, not as Aspire and she intended when planning their trip to see Enticier. Things had changed. That little detour to the Arcadopolis had put them just off schedule enough to miss their trains.
And then, she remembered the little hiveless nymph, Redwood, and his family.
Right. Sure Stroke blinked blearily to try and chase away that lingering vestige of sleep. Smiling to herself, she leaned back against her boyfriend and took a moment’s solace in his embrace. We stayed the night in their penthouse. In their eldest’s room.
Aspire mumbled in his sleep and shifted closer still, pressing his lips just beneath her jawline. The little mare’s eyes fluttered as she let out a happy croon and swished her tail.
Even fast asleep, he found ways to set her heart aflutter.
The lovable pest.
Unfortunately, they would have to get up soon enough as it was so they could make their way to the train station. So, morning cuddles would have to be put on a bit of a hold.
Though, that didn’t necessarily mean she couldn’t let him sleep a little longer either. Celestia knew he could use it, after all the stress he’d put up with dealing with his students and worrying for Enticier.
Sure Stroke, however, needed to get herself moving or she’d fall back into her habits. Which meant it was time to engage in a far more difficult battle than her usual whining pleas for Aspire to let her sleep longer—trying to slip out of his grasp when he was still slumbering.
Telling Maple not to steal an extra plate of pancakes when they visited might’ve even been easier.
Slowly, carefully, Sure Stroke began the arduous process of escaping those strong hooves around her waist. She wriggled and squirmed, mindful to keep her wings tucked tight and prayed the soft caress of her feathers against his carapace didn’t rouse him as she coaxed his hooves apart and slipped free, then slid gracefully off the bed.
Aspire stirred and gave a sleepy moan, turning as he tried to nose against the back of her neck once more, but found the pillow instead. Sure Stroke didn’t dare breathe, her ears splaying as she waited to see if her boyfriend’s eyes might flutter open.
They didn’t. That sleepy, contented smile remained in place.
Perfect.
Sure Stroke released the breath she’d been holding and stood up straight, making as though to turn and beat a hasty retreat from the room before she noticed something strange: a tuft of familiar fiery orange mane and an extra hoof laying upon Aspire’s shoulder.
She blinked. Could it be? No. Certainly not.
Then again … Aspire had been rather different toward him over the past couple years. Especially recently.
Tilting her head, Sure Stroke crept closer and dared to rear up, placing her hoof upon the edge of the bed frame so not to disturb the mattress or the sleeping changelings laid upon it.
Yes. Changelings.
Enticier had indeed slept in bed with them the night before, and there he lay still. His tall, handsome form huddled on his side to face Aspire, a small, respectable distance between the boys despite how he’d apparently shifted to place a hoof upon his longtime friend’s shoulder. A small smile played upon his lips, and every breath came coupled with a soft, rumbling purr from within his chest.
A sight which warmed her heart and forced her to cover her lips to forestall any noises of adoration, but couldn’t possibly contain her smile. Her favorite boys, huddled together like that after all the stress and drama and playing yesterday.
She longed to have Esalen’s camera. Just to commemorate the moment—who could tease them for this? And who would dare disturb such a moment, too?
Certainly not she.
Quiet as Maple sneaking through the halls to awaken her cousin, Sure Stroke exited the room and tugged the door shut behind her. Only once it closed with a muted click of the latch did she allow herself to let out a happy little croon before she swept down the hall with a merry swishing of her long, purple tail, her mind set to see if she might purloin some tea to help wake herself up.
When she reached the kitchen, Sure Stroke was quite surprised to find Cherrywood, awake and milling about the cabinets clad in a sleek pink robe with the golden Heart’s Haven logo stitched over the left side of her breast.
“Ah! You’re awake!” Cherrywood greeted her with a bright smile. “I was afraid I might have to go wake you all, as tired as you were last night, dear.”
Sure Stroke felt her cheeks fill with color. “Was I really that tired?”
“I believe your beau was quite magnanimous in humoring your insistence that he was a sleepy changeling, but yes. Quite so.”
She didn’t need to see that smirk upon her boyfriend’s face to know she’d not hear the end of that one anytime soon. “I don’t suppose I could bother you for tea?” she asked softly.
“Of course.” Cherrywood lit her horn and floated a pair of mugs down off the shelf and set the kettle on the stove.
A few short minutes later, the mares had moved over to sit on the couch, each with a mug of steaming tea in hoof. Just the thing needed to get a mare up and moving, Sure Stroke thought as she took her first sip.
“I hope you enjoyed your visit to Manehattan,” Cherrywood said, idly savoring the scent of her own drink. “As well as your stay last night.”
Sure Stroke smiled over the brim of her mug. “I don’t think we’ve ever had a bad time in Manehattan,” she replied. “And yes, very much so. I can’t thank you enough for having us on such short notice.”
“You’re quite welcome. Of course, the three of you are more than welcome to stay with us the next time you visit. It might be a bit more comfortable for His Highness and Aspire not to need maintaining their disguises at all hours.”
Not a bad point, actually. Sure Stroke considered for a moment or two, how it must tax them to keep that form and concentrate to maintain it, even with that special little evolutionary tick that helped changelings keep it in mind. Come to think of it, would it help them conserve a bit of love if they stayed at a place like this?
She’d have to ask Aspire to confirm that one. Perhaps something for her book.
Sure Stroke froze with her teacup mere inches from her lips. Her book! When was the last time she’d even thought about the silly thing?
Though, considering she’d been preoccupied with her trade with Faith and worrying about Aspire and Enticier, perhaps one could forgive her for letting that fade to the back of her mind. Not to mention that she didn’t even have a mentor to guide her along.
Something to bring up to Breezy when they returned. He had mentioned they were working on getting someone to help, after all.
“I think the boys would be happy to take you up on that,” she said finally. “Thank you for the offer.”
“No trouble at all. Now, then.” Cherry set her mug down upon the table, her eyes flashing with a familiar gleam. That of a changeling eager to poke and prod secrets free from pony lips. “So, since it’s just us girls and we didn’t get to talk about it all that much last night, tell me, dear, what sort of artist are you?”
Color returned to her cheeks, bleeding down to the nape of her neck. “Er. Well, I mostly do sketches and paintings,” Sure Stroke admitted. “I’m trying to get into writing a book, but that’s hit a snag.”
The changeling mare inclined her head. “Ah. I’m afraid I’m not much of a writer myself. If you ever wanted dancing or acting lessons, I’d be happy to help. Lumie as well.” At Sure Stroke’s confused look, she smiled. “Lumie doesn’t talk about it much, but we both do a little voice work on the side. Some of the voices in those games at Arcadopolis, for example.”
Voice work as a changeling? Quite an interesting use of their natural gifts, the same with acting and dancing.
Honestly, though? It made her quite happy to hear. Why shouldn’t they put their natural gifts to use bettering their family and bringing in bits to provide?
“Well,” Sure Stroke said with a smile, “if there’s one thing I can say about Respite, it’s that one doesn’t exactly live there and keep friends with the Caretakers for long without learning quite a bit about their dances and songs.”
“That, I can imagine. I’d love to see them in person, myself, someday.” With a wistful sigh, Cherry took a long sip of her tea. “Someday.”
Her ears flicking, Sure Stroke saw a chance to return the favor and offer a bit of Respite hospitality. “If you ever have time to visit around the Summer or Winter Solstice, you could stay with us and see it. Though, our home isn’t nearly as splendorous as yours.”
The changeling mare chittered. “That would be quite nice. And, please, dear. It’s not been so long since I came from a smaller home that I’ve grown disdainful of anything unlike this.”
“Oh!” Sure Stroke covered her mouth, cursing herself. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to imply it quite like that.”
Cherry reached over and patted her wrist. “Oh, honey, you’re far from the first and you won’t be the last to think I came from money because I married into one of the richest families in Equestria. Quite the contrary, to be honest.”
“I … honestly, I figured—”
“That my family was one famed for producing great artists or dealers? Or perhaps a famed line of dancers and actors?” She shook her head. “Certainly, I do have a few actors in my family whose names you might know here and there, but not in my immediate family. I grew up with four brothers in a rather small apartment out in the Blistering Broncos neighborhood.”
Sure Stroke winced at the name, drawing a nod from her hostess.
“You’re familiar with its reputation, then?”
“I’ve heard things are a bit … rough and tumble, and that the Royal Guards there tend to have to get physical a lot.”
Nodding, Cherry sipped her tea. “You heard right. My brothers ended up joining the Royal Guard specifically so they could try to help keep things in order. Although, two of them were sent to the harbor districts in Baltimare because of some smuggling issues.” She shook her head. “Those four were always in trouble because they’d pick a fight with anyone who picked on me. They brawled such that the sailors by the harbor were impressed, if you’ll believe it.”
Believe it?
After seeing Aspire wrestle for years and knowing how changelings took slights, Sure Stroke could imagine how he or Esalen might react if they caught someone bullying the other. The images she conjured weren’t pretty.
“So, from fighting on the streets to keeping order,” Sure Stroke mused. “I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised. Aspire went from a little punk who caused trouble … to a punk who teaches foals and nymphs.”
“Yes. Funny how growing up a little tends to change that, no?” With a fond smile, Cherry set her mug down once more and flicked her tail. “And me, from the little nymph from Blistering Broncos that Lumie saw only so often at gatherings of the hiveless to the changeling who ensnared his heart.”
Laughing, Sure Stroke leaned forward and propped her chin upon the back of her free hoof. “You’ve got to tell me how you managed it. I can barely keep mine in line as is!”
“Ah!” Cherry’s ears perked up. “Now, that is a tale I’m quite fond of. The long version might be too much, given you’ll need to wake His Highness and Aspire soon, but I’m sure I can keep it nice and short and sweet for you.”
The mares reclined against the cushions, Sure Stroke curious to hear the tale, even if it might be a shorter version. The family interested her. She couldn’t quite put her hoof on why exactly, but something about how they lived, how they could hold onto what made them changelings with tradition and nature and somehow find such success, just called to her like a siren song.
And her hostess knew just which notes to hit.
“As I mentioned a bit ago, Lumie and I knew each other in passing growing up,” Cherry began. “All the hiveless families in the city meet up on shared holidays—the solstices, mostly—either in one of the penthouses Lumie’s family owned or out in the woods. But, to one another at the time, he was the heir to the biggest fortune any hiveless in the city had amassed, and I was just a filly who could paint and sing and dance better than any. So, if we talked, it was usually him asking to commission me or us agreeing to dance together.”
Pausing a moment, she offered a half shrug of her shoulders. “You could honestly say we were quite a far sight from anything like a ‘filly next door’ story!”
Certainly, so. If she grew up in Blistering Broncos, Sure Stroke could hardly imagine many ponies of similar standing to Lumière’s family would want their sons or daughters consorting with one of Cherrywood’s. Especially if her brothers had such a reputation.
“So then,” Sure Stroke mused. “How does a nymph from the roughest, toughest neighborhood in Manehattan catch the eye of the heir to a fortune if not at one of these events?”
“Well, to be fair, I did manage to do that as we got through high school,” Cherry admitted. “But the way I really got to him was when I started dancing in some of the big dance halls and nightclubs around town. Between art and that, that’s actually how I ended up earning so much money myself—a different mare for each club, depending on the clientele.”
The smaller mare nodded. That made a lot of sense. Utilizing her natural gifts to get around any unease an employer had about a mare with multiple jobs, multiple clubs and dance halls in which she performed. Sure Stroke could imagine that got quite draining, though.
Unless …
“You fed passively to keep from wearing out physically.” At Cherry’s nod, her brows shot up and disappeared beneath her bangs. “How did you not just burn out mentally?”
Cherry chittered. “Who ever said I didn’t?” she asked playfully. “I didn’t last too long going full tilt like that, I don’t know if anyone could. But I did it long enough that I could comfortably afford my own place, then started picking out which of my façades was more popular so I could focus on them and increase my asking rates. So, after about … a year or so, I was working some of the higher-end clubs that Lumie frequented. Both sorts.”
“Both?”
Those soft pink eyes sparkled with delight. “Oh, darling, I almost hate shattering the image of me you must have.” Cherry leaned in close, her gaze never leaving Sure Stroke’s eyes. “I danced at some after dark clubs in my younger years. If you catch my meaning.”
Oh.
Sure Stroke had to fight the urge to hide her burning cheeks beneath her wings. “I-I honestly never would’ve imagined—”
“No one does, dear. Like I said, they all think I grew up in the same circles Lumie did.” With a shrug, Cherry continued on. “Anyway. I was dancing at one of the higher-end after dark clubs—this was after I’d picked up enough clout with one of my old guides—and Lumie came in. Surprising at first to see him there, but he was a healthy young changeling, so why shouldn’t he? Naturally, we could pick out that we were both changelings—”
“Wait, you can do that?”
“Why, yes. To my knowledge, most changelings can tell when a pony isn’t really a pony on sight.”
“Huh. I didn’t know that.” Something else to bother Aspire and Esalen about once we’re home, Esalen noted, filing it away for later. “So … how did that go once you both realized?”
Her host beamed. “Well, he called me over to the bar and bought me a drink, and we got to chatting a bit. When I introduced myself, he remembered me from some of our solstice get-togethers and things just sort of progressed from there. He was certainly interested in my art and dancing, and asked about commissioning me for the former and, well …” Her cheeks flushing just slightly, Cherry reached down and began to play idly with her mug. “Asked if he might interest me in dinner at his younger brother, Déclaration d’Amour’s restaurant—a lovely Prench establishment called Son Premier Amour.”
“I’m not as familiar with the local restaurants, but I’m going to guess Déclaration is to them as Lumière is to condominiums and such?”
“As my in-laws would say, naturellement. And it was already considered the romantic restaurant to eat in those days.” She turned her mug about with the tip of her hoof. “Even if I hadn’t been a Blistering Broncos girl, that would’ve probably had me struggling not to grin, but I managed to so I could play with him a little.”
Sure Stroke waggled her ears. “Oh, Celestia, you made him earn it?”
Cherry’s smile turned decidedly too innocent to be true. Why were changelings so bad at that? Then again, maybe they were actually skilled in it just because they so delighted in bragging about their conquests.
In her experience, both were quite valid.
“I challenged him to play a game,” Cherry replied, purring with glee. “I’d noticed that he showed up at different clubs each week, sometimes on Tuesday but he’d always make it out Friday night from what I’d heard. So, I challenged him to play a special version of hide and seek with me.”
A challenge to play hide and seek with a changeling. And with all the clubs in Manehattan in play. Aspire would’ve been relentless. And he’d have never let her hear the end of it once he won.
Then again, Sure Stroke liked to think she’d be winning out on that one as well.
“So, what sort of game was it?” she asked.
“Just the way two changelings in a big city like this can play. I would choose different disguises, old ones and new, and he’d come and see if he could guess which place I’d be next.” The hiveless changeling cupped her cheeks and sighed. “And when he did, I’d sneak up and give him a kiss on the cheek, then tuck a cherry blossom behind his mane, then give him a hint where I’d be next. Went on for about a month before he actually found me before I noticed him.”
Sure Stroke grinned. “I can imagine he reveled in that.”
“He should. I nearly melted when I heard him purr in my ear that night. Managed to survive that and dinner before I actually did when he took me home.”
Whether she noticed Sure Stroke’s blush or simply didn’t care, the pegasus couldn’t say. But the way she beamed and rubbed her shoulder, her eyes looking across the room at nothing in particular told her there was little intent of teasing.
Just happy memories.
“And I’ve been his ever since,” Cherry finished. “Thirty-four years and twelve nymphs later.”
“That’s … actually really, really romantic. And a really changeling way of courting, honestly. I think I’m a little jealous I didn’t get that myself. The game and courting I mean,” she hastily added when Cherry fixed her with an amused look.
Her hostess patted her wrist. “It was fun, yes. But would you really trade what you enjoyed with yours?”
The look on Aspire’s face when she’d kissed him in the Tunnel of Love two years prior flashed before her eyes and brought a fond smile to her lips.
She shook her head.
Cherry chuckled. “I thought not.” Her eyes flitted to look at something just over Sure Stroke’s shoulder and she smiled and rose. “And speak of the devils and they shall appear! I hope you both slept well.”
Sure Stroke turned to greet the boys, just in time for Aspire to press his nose against hers and purr.
“Slipped out of my hooves awful early,” he rumbled. “Maybe I should’ve wrapped you up instead.”
“When we need to leave for the station?” Enticier quipped tiredly.
“Quiet, you.”
The pegasus arched a brow and bit back an easy shot of her own. She’d press him on that little detail when they were on the train home, safely out of earshot of Enticier or their hosts, so he couldn’t try to wriggle his way out or claim a slight of embarrassment.
My own little way of following your example, Cherry, she mused. Though, you’ll have to excuse me if I don’t take up dancing in after dark clubs.
Why not get just a little creative in how she kept her favorite changeling on the proverbial leash? He certainly was in how he played his own games.
She nuzzled Aspire, then turned to smile back at Cherry once more. “Thank you for the tea and conversation,” she said with a slight bow of her head. “And everything.”
“Of course.” Cherry nodded in kind. “Now, let’s get you three downstairs so we can arrange transportation to the station. Walking with the sort of weather we’ve had of late is a prospect I certainly wouldn’t welcome.”
When Cherrywood had said transportation, Sure Stroke had been expecting that she’d just ask the door stallion to hail one of those taxis pulled by the big burly stallions she’d always seen tromping through the streets. So, when the elevator doors slid open and the hiveless family led she and the boys out through the lobby and the turnstile door to reveal a full-blown white carriage with the Heart’s Haven golden heart emblazoned upon the face of the door, attended by a pair of stallions built like they’d been chiseled out of solid stone. The stateroom treatment from a wealthy family to a prince and his friends—friends whom they thought were quite a bit more.
Sure Stroke really should have known better.
Little Redwood’s family kept their goodbyes nice and brief and respectful, no doubt mindful of their need to get a good move on if they hoped to make it home at any reasonable hour. Though, Redwood, back in his earth pony disguise, did catch Enticier in a tight, lingering hug that made even the disguised prince give a hint of a wince through his laughter before the nymph released his grip and hurried off to school with his friends. A cry that he ought to come back and visit soon sent back over his shoulder.
That had been enough to draw a ripple of chuckles from the adults as Cherry met Sure Stroke’s eye and cast a wink. Her silent message one wishing the smaller mare the best of luck keeping the boys in line.
Filing a note away for later to figure out a gentle way to clarify things without embarrassing Enticier, Sure Stroke said her goodbyes and then ducked into the carriage so they could embark once the Prince of Enchanters got settled into his seat.
That he made certain to leave ample space between himself and Aspire on the seat cushion only served to pique her curiosity. Just what had happened when she’d left the room?
Whatever it was, they spent the short ride over to Manehattan Station in near silence, though the tension and anxiety from the day before was mercifully absent. They would smile and chat here and there, but in a sort of tired, muted manner. With far less teasing and wordplay, more just … two old friends being happy to be in one another’s company, brief awkwardness aside.
Upon their arrival, Enticier made sure to tip the stallions two bits each before he turned and led Aspire and Sure Stroke into the station, all the way up to the ticket counter.
“Welcome to Manehattan Station,” an elderly mare with silvery mane and pale orange coat greeted, her bright green eyes appeared a size or three larger behind a pair of thick, circle-rimmed glasses. “How many and what destination, dears?”
“One for Paradise Station,” Enticier replied, then gestured to Aspire and Sure Stroke. “And then two for Neighagara Junction as well.”
The ticket mare nodded and tapped a couple buttons on her till. “Six bits for Paradise Station, two each for Neighagara Junction,” she announced before the till chimed and displayed the full price.
Aspire gave a dissatisfied grumble as he watched Enticier set ten bits upon the counter and retrieved the tickets that came sliding forth from the dispenser. “I could’ve paid for those you know.”
“I do,” Enticier replied with an amused smile. He floated their tickets over for Sure Stroke, adding, “And I said I’d be paying for them last night, so you knew this was coming. Therefore, O Venerable Smug One—” he reached out and booped Aspire’s nose “—you’ll just have to sit there and deal with it.”
Wrinkling his snout, Aspire fixed him with a mock glare. “I’m standing,” he deadpanned.
“And dealing with it.”
“Pest.”
“Bookworm.”
The old friends held their gazes a moment longer. Then, the corners of Aspire’s mouth twitched, and as Enticier grinned unabashed, he allowed a similar smile to spread across his features.
And when her boyfriend stepped forward and pulled Enticier into a tight embrace, so too did Sure Stroke.
“Stay in touch,” Aspire ordered, his voice soft. “And come visit if you feel lonely or stressed or just want to get away for a bit and hang out with everyone.”
“Seconded,” Sure Stroke chipped in before Enticier could reply.
The Prince of Enchanters closed his eyes and nodded, leaning into the hug. “I will, I promise.” he murmured as he wrapped a hoof around Aspire’s shoulders. “And, likewise, you’re both always welcome in Paradise. I’ll make sure everyone knows you’re off-limits before you arrive.”
The happy couple shared a look and matching smiles. Aspire released his embrace and stepped over to allow himself to be taken under Sure Stroke’s wing again. “Y’know,” he said, “I think we’d both like that a lot, Ent. And I’d definitely be glad to take you up on that.”
“Then we’ll have to make arrangements for our visits.” Enticier stepped over to offer Sure Stroke a loose, but lingering hug. “Take care of him,” he murmured softly. “Please.”
The same message he’d left with her two years prior.
Sure Stroke leaned in and rubbed her cheek against his. “You know I will,” she whispered. Throwing caution to the wind, she turned and planted a chaste kiss upon his cheek.
He started, jolting back to regard her with wide eyes and cheeks flushing rosy pink.
“Think of it as something to tide you over,” she explained, raising her brows to convey her meaning. “And my hope that your days back home will get better from here on.”
That blush tinged the tips of his ears. Enticier bowed his head to hide a smile and stepped back. “Thank you.” The disguised prince rubbed the cheek she’d kissed, his tail twitching. “I, er, I had probably better go to, um … uh …”
Aspire snickered. “Your train?”
“Yes! Train! That!” With a nervous laugh, he gave a little wave and began shuffling backward “Mine is this way, I think yours is on the other end. Safe travels, you two!” he called, before turning and hurrying off into the crowd.
“Wow. There really is a first time for everything.” Shaking his head, Aspire steered Sure Stroke in the opposite direction of their fleeing friend. His smile spread into a toothy grin. “Though, I wonder if I should be jealous of that little kiss there. What do you think, honey?”
Sure Stroke would have cowered and squirmed at that smile two years prior.
In fact, the anticipating shiver it sent down her spine nearly made her do so. His games never failed to put a fluff in her feathers.
However, she’d learned them quite well, and knew just the way to play.
And, here, she knew just the way to put him in much the same place she’d unwittingly put Enticier.
With a smile as sweet as honey fresh from the hive, she leaned up to whisper in his ear, “Only if I should be jealous of how he was cuddling you this morning. And only if you’d like to tell me why you boys made sure to put near a full-pony’s worth of space between the two of you in the carriage.”
Aspire didn’t stop sputtering and blushing to the very nape of his neck until long after their train embarked.
The round belonged to the little pegasus from Cloudsdale.