"You know..." Fire Paradox whipped her spaded tail to and fro, leering at him in that queer way she had. "You have enough symbols down to cast no small selection of other spells. Why aren't you?"
"I am focused on the task." Blueblood inclined his head faintly. "Why should I?"
"Practice?" She started. "Knowing each symbol is all well and good, but if you can't sling them together properly, what makes you think you'll just hop right into the big complicated mess you have your eyes on." She brought her tail around, the spade just under his chin. "Doesn't sound smart to me."
He swatted her tail away with a quick motion of a hoof. "You do have a point there. What spell do you suggest?"
"Well, since you asked me." She rolled onto her back, hooves pedaling in the air. "Why not take your form for a test run?"
"Pardon?" He raised a brow high. "I'm not ready to try that spell yet."
"Of course you aren't, my dear little student," she sang, a mocking edge to her melodic chorus. "But you can do other things. The lesson begins now." A scroll manifested in a brilliant flare of heat and brimstone. Burning into the page, magic letters and symbols began to appear. "Here is a spell. I know it, but can you do it? Don't disappoint me." She willed the paper against his chest. "Read, learn, cast."
His horn began to glow as he took control over the page, raising it to easier reading. "I do recognize these characters," he mused. "You needn't be so terse."
"Did you want me to be more soft? Tough. You want to learn this, now, you get to thank me for holding your little hoofies over the fire." Her body shimmered with a wave of heat. "Or are you happy with getting there in a decade or two?"
A decade? He frowned at the thought. "Is that how long it would take to reach as far as I have?"
"Twilight Sparkle," simmered Fire with a grin. "She's a prodigy, one of the best in the land. You hate her, but you can't argue that much, can you?"
"Hate is unseemly," he huffed, a hoof at his chest. "I do think she's an upstart, but to say I 'hate' her is a bit much, don't you think?"
"That was a lot of not arguing the point." She leaned forward. "It still took her a decade at Celestia's school. I'm pushing you, oh yes. Pushing you hard. You think it's rough? Too bad. You're on the accelerated course. Now read the scroll and cast the spell and stop wasting both of our time." She rolled a hoof that was waggling in the air. "Chop chop. You know all the symbols."
With quiet grumbling, he got to reading the scroll, his horn glimmering as he tried each symbol after the other, one at a time. Her eyes were on him, watching. She wasn't wrong, he did recognize each symbol, and he could play each one on the flute of his horn.
All that remained was to actually play the song of the spell. He took a slow measured breath, ready to give it a try.
"Before you do that," cut in Fire Paradox, cutting off his attempt. "Imagine Lady Belle. Hold her image in your mind."
"What a curious thing to do," he grunted, but since she had been brought up, Lady Blue Belle was in his head. He played the song.
"Faster," she barked. "Faster, and you tripped over the fifth note," she chastised. "Again."
He took a slow breath, calming himself and starting from the top of the page, working down through the melody of magic, faster as he went from symbol to symbol. He could feel the magic flowing more powerfully. Something was happening. He was casting a spell, a real spell!
"Ugh, again," she suddenly cut in. "You got distracted. Keep your mind on your goal."
"A goal you haven't told me," he huffed. Still, he had the vision of his female self, and he tried to keep that upfront and center, starting over with a determined look. Running all the faster down the page, he played a song for the universe. And the universe listened. "There, I did it that time." But his voice wasn't right. "What?" he asked with a softer female tone. He crossed his eyes and saw his snout was rounded and slighter.
He hurried to his bedroom mirror in a scramble to see Lady Blue Belle gazing back at him. "You said I didn't have the expertise! But I've... done it."
"You are still a stallion," noted Fire with a smirk. "This is an illusion. Go on, touch yourself."
"How uncouth..." Still, she reached up a hoof and felt around her snout. Under the vision of a mare, she could feel that stallion's face there. An illusion... "A cunning disguise," she whispered, turning to Fire. "Well, how do I look?"
"Not bad." She shrugged softly. "Not my favored type, but not bad. Well, go on. Feel that little tickle in your horn? You have to keep that up, or the illusion will be gone. This is practice too. What is a spellcaster that can't cast any spell that needs concentration?"
"A poor one," Belle easily agreed. "Alright, but, wait. How long am I to hold this?"
"All. Day." She rolled upright and sat on her haunches. "Go on, get. Let the world behold your splendor, and don't let the spell go."
"I am woefully unprepared," she cried. "No announcements have been made. Nopony is expecting this."
"Sucks to be them." She half lidded her eyes, gazing at him. "If it helps, just forget about Prince Blueblood, you're just a passing mare. See how life is a little from the other side. Maybe then you can make up your mind." She huffed out at the last part, rolling her eyes. "That'd be nice."
"Just a passing mare..." She raised a hoof, only to lower it. "Yes... that could work. I don't have any critical appointments today." She hurried towards her wardrobe. "Will clothes work?" he mused as he looked over the selection. "Or will this illusion conceal whatever I wear?"
"It's your spell," she reminded. "Be dressed however you want, stupid."
"No need to be insulting." She snorted softly even as she tried imagining Lady Belle dressed in something befitting a Lady. His vision became obscured as something lacy got in the way. "Oh, oh dear. Yes! It's working! Your techniques are quite rough, but I can't argue the results." She turned in place, trying to look at herself. "I'm ready to see the day!"
"Then go see it." She pointed out the door. "I'll be here when you're done, but the sun better be set if you're not looking the part."
"All day," she repeated, mentally touching that itch, considering it. "You've put a challenge on me, but I won't retreat." With her held held high, Lady Belle strode free of her room to face a world that only knew her as a stallion.
"Are you lost, Madame?" A guard was looking at Belle curiously.
"Hm?" What silly guard was this, that didn't recognize him! But he was not a he. He was a she, Lady Belle. And nopony knew her. She calmed as she remembered. "Actually, if you could direct me to the exit? I appear to have gotten turned around."
"Of course. Follow me." He began to lead the way, tail swaying in tune to his steps. He didn't suspect a thing!
Belle trotted after him with a little smile, feeling more confident in her spell.
Soon she was in front of the palace instead of inside it. "Thank you, Good Sir."
"Quite welcome." The guard saluted, then moved to return to whatever duties he had.
There was a pony she recognized. Gentle was approaching. Oh, right. They were to have tea... How to... "Lady Mare," she called. "Have you a moment?"
"Lady?" Gentle blushed. "You must have me confused for somepony else."
"Oh, no, I feel certain you are precisely the pony I saught." She closed in with her friend. "Lord Blueblood is indisposed at the moment."
"Oh, dear." Gentle shook her head slowly. "The work of a royal stallion is never done."
"Precisely so." Even if her work, at the moment, was holding that spell while talking and walking and doing other things. "I'm..." What was she? A mare dressed as she was couldn't just... "--his sister."
"He has a sister?" she blurted with obvious surprise. "Oh! Hello." She dipped her head. "A pleasure to make your acquaintance."
"Here I am," she confirmed with a smile. "He wouldn't stop talking about you, so I had to see for myself. You're just as lovely as he said."
Her blush only grew worse, spreading down her neck. "You're flattering me, m'lady."
"Come now." She waved it off. "We're both ladies. You can call me Blue Belle, or just Belle. You've been such a friend to my brother, I feel we're already close."
"If... you insist, Belle? That's a nice name." She nodded softly. "Blueblood and Blue Belle? Lovely." She turned away from the castle, eyes on Belle. "I should head back."
"Don't be in such a hurry." Belle almost went in for a touching of barrels, but remembered at the last moment that contact would ruin the illusion instantly. A mare was not as large as she was, under the illusion. Gentle would probably notice that. "Let's do as ladies do on a nice sunny day."
"Well... if I'm not bothering?"
"You're not! You're just as shy as he said. Dear, I promise. I came here because I wanted to, not out of obligation. Come, let's use the day wisely."
Gentle's expression began to relax. "If you're sure, then, yes, let's." She considered a moment. "Twinkeshine's going to give a demonstration of a song she's working on for the choir. That should be lovely."
Belle knew Twinkleshine, common blood, but Canterlot born and raised. Student of Celestia's school, though she had largely abandoned spellcraft to instead become a choir member. A member of Twilight Sparkle's class. Oh yes, she made it her business to know ponies around Canterlot. "That should be lovely," she echoed back at Gentle. "Let's go and hear what she's come up with.
The two trotted side by side, though not touching. Belle made sure of that. The tickle had become something of a mild ache by the time they arrived. "The whole day," she sighed quietly to herself, imagining how much worse it'd get by the time the sun was ready to set. Still, she wouldn't give up. "Ah, is that her?"
"There she is," eagerly agreed Gentle, leading the way towards a crowd of ponies.
A crowd was dangerous. If she pushed into it, her bigger masculine form would be felt and noticed rather quickly. "Let's not push and shove, unseemly." Her eyes slid left and right. "There." A table with an umbrella, at an eatery closeby. "Let's sit there, get a spot to eat and enjoy ourselves."
"What a marvelous idea." She was redirected, no longer eager to push into the crowd. "I don't mean to... Nevermind, I can just not eat."
Belle raised a brow at the curiously aborted request. "Was this not in your budget?" Common ponies had those for such little trifles. What a difficult life they led... "This will be my treat," she sang, ears twitching. She had such a nice voice as a mare. "Order whatever picks your fancy, and if I see your eyes wandering towards the price, I will be cross."
"Oh dear." Gentle stepped up onto one of the seats and sank down onto her haunches. "A little snack, perhaps." With a glowing horn, she reached for the menu.
"A little water to start you two lovely ladies." A waiter had arrived, pouring them both from a floating jug. "If I may suggest, the red rose wine is exquisite today and goes well with our appetizer."
Gentle shook her head and looked away, unwilling to order wine from such a fancy place. Lady Belle had no such reservations. "That sounds delightful. A cup for us both, and leave the bottle behind." She inclined her head faintly. "And that appetizer, is it a sampling?"
"Indeed," crooned the waiter, looking proud. "A selection of things to tease the taste buds and get you ready for a meal worth waiting for."
"Then we will have one of those." Lady Belle gestured at the table in front of her. Her hoof, extending a bit further than the image, knocked into the glass vase. She quickly caught it, and it began to glow, the waiter fixing its position without a word. "Thank you."
"I'll be right back." And off he went to get them started.
Gentle swatted the air at her. "I didn't order one," she complained.
"But you wanted to try it. I saw it in your eyes. I told you, this is my treat. Sit back and let me spoil you a little. You deserve it."
Her blush returned, but she didn't argue that further. "Why did you order the entire bottle?"
"An old habit," she confessed. "I'd rather have it available if I want it. If I don't, well, no harm."
"No harm?!" she blurted before sinking in her chair, avoiding the judging eyes. "You pay for the entire bottle whether you drink it or not."
"Consider it a charitable donation to the eatery," argued Belle with a soft smile. "I know I can be a difficult customer at times. I have very specific demands and insist on royal attention. So, if I buy a little much wine, is that truly unfair?"
"Well, I suppose." A plate slid between them. "Oh, the appetizers." Wine was poured into fresh glasses for them next to the water. "Thank you."
"Thank you," echoed Lady Belle, imitating without thinking of it. "Let's consider our main course."
"Oh! Are we really doing an entire meal?"
"Whyever not?" Belle peered at the uncertain mare. "I am treating you to a fine time. Oh, I think the singing is about to start."
A clearing of the throat echoed out over the crowd as Twinkleshine took her place before a microphone that amplified her. "Thank you all for coming! This is just a test run. Wow, I really didn't expect this many ponies! I'll do my best, promise." She pumped a hoof then moved it to her chest, taking a deep breath.
The singing began, Twinkleshine's voice a clear bell of perfect tones that rang out across the crowd. The crowd began to sway in tune, clearly enjoying the performance being given.
Belle nodded softly. "An acceptable performance, with good company and..." She paused to sip from her floating goblet of wine. "Mmm, just as good as he promised. I had wondered if he was playing it up."
Gentle looked away from Twinkleshine towards Belle as she sipped, and her eyes widened a little. "Um..."
What had she seen? Belle peered over her shoulder, setting the glass down. There was nothing odd behind her. "Is something wrong?"
"You..." She frowned a little. "I must be seeing things."
"I would hope you are hearing things, and tasting things," suggested Lady Belle with a smile. "Go on." Her glowing horn gently lifted a small snack to try. "We are here to enjoy ourselves."
"Tasting things, of course." Her own horn glowed as she began to try the different appetizers with happy little noises. "These are good! Almost as nice as when Blueblood took me to his functions, almost... Not quite." She smiled a little awkwardly. "I feel odd, noting the difference."
"It means you're gaining refinement of the palate, something to be proud of," argued Belle. "Good on you. To be able to properly judge a meal is a skill most ponies never have."
Things calmed then, the two eating and listening. Sipping fine wine, and letting the day slip gently, without any friction to spoil it.
At least until Gentle reached across the table. Belle withdrew sharply. "Pardon?"
"I'm sorry... it's just..." She brought both of her hooves together, worrying them in a fidget. "Every time you eat..."
Then it hit her. Her face was not where the false image was. She had been feeding an invisible mouth that entire time. Her deception, laid bare. Panic began to course through her. "Just a little trick," she squeaked out.
She inclined her head left and right before she sat back. "I have decided on an entree."
"Oh?" Belle let out a soft sigh. The danger was passing. She just had to keep the magic going. "Please, do share."
"Your favorite." Gentle smiled a little, tapping something on the menu.
Belle read it upside down, one of the little skills she had picked up. That was one of her favorites!
But that was Prince Blueblood's favored meal, not Lady Belle, who Gentle was just meeting.
Was that a test? Was she seen through? It could be either. "My... brother adores it, and I'm partial to it as well," she allowed with a smile she hoped was genuine. "Do you like it?"
"It's delightful," she agreed easily, raising a hoof to wave at the passing waiter. She had soon ordered their proper meal. "Dinner and a show. This has been quite a nice day."
"Oh, yes, quite," Lady Belle agreed with a soft nod. "In good company."
"Good company," Gentle echoed back.
"I should... powder my nose." Belle stepped down carefully and trotted off to the restrooms. There were two of them. One was for mares, the other, stallions. A mare had no business in a stallion's stall, and a stallion in a mare's? Both were entirely uncouth. Reason enough to throw the offending pony away to somewhere dark. Which did she select?
She could let go of the spell, trot into the stallion's stalls, get a moment of relaxation in more than one way. But then, when and where would she re-assume her mare identity? No, that wouldn't do. She would have to remain as she was, a mare. A lady! And ladies... went to the mare's room. Decided, she walked forward, willing the door open.
In pony society, the differences in stalls were far more subtle than human models. There were more mirrors in the mare's side, but the same number of stalls. Ponies went standing up, sure, but that still needed a stall to do it in, whatever their gender. That was also a relief. She strode past the other mares, not meeting their eyes, darting into the first available stall and closing the door.
She had made it! She was in! She slid the lock shut and relaxed. Ah, sweet relief. Her horn's ache had progressed a little, but she held it firm. She would remain a lady until the sun had set, as commanded. She would not fail that test! She cleaned herself up and stepped free of the stall.
"I think she's way in over her head."
The mares there were prettying themselves and gossiping about something. Belle ignored them, walking past towards freedom from places she did not... belong? Well, she hadn't seen anything untoward, and she would not bother anypony. No harm had been done.
She stepped up onto her chair, looking across to Gentle. "Did I miss anything?"
"They're getting the choir." She pointed out over the crowd. "Seems it's such a hit they couldn't help themselves."
"How lovely." She lifted her wine glass for a sip. "The food is on the way?"
"But not here yet," agreed Gentle. "You know, I've heard of it before... but... usually... there's some difference."
"Difference in what?" She cocked a brow at Gentle with naked confusion. "Are they mistreating you? I will not stand for it."
"Not that," Gentle hurriedly got out. "The wait staff has been delightful. It's just... Even with twins, cutie marks usually vary, a little." She held up two hooves. "Even if it's just the color of the same thing."
"Cutie marks?" What was she going on about? She glanced back at her own cutie mark. Oh... Belle and Blueblood did not differ a bit in one specific area. They both had a nice big compass rose adorning them, unchanged in even the slightest. "Fancy that," she got out with a nervous little laugh.
"Be truthful with me." She sipped from her own glass of wine. "Am I speaking to Lady Belle, or is this Lord Blueblood?"
She couldn't fight the blush storming in her face. "Well, you see..."
"Answer enough." She inclined her head. "Do I scare you so?"
Belle blinked. "Hm? Scare?"
"You are assuming I can't be allowed to know. Or that I just would never figure it out." She looked away. "This does dash some... thoughts... but..."
"You do not scare me." Belle clopped a hoof on the table, even if it was a bit off sync with where her hoof appeared to be and actually was.
"But I must... Or you would have told me. I'm sorry."
"What are you sorry for?" Belle demanded. "You're telling me I've done wrong."
"Only because I scared you." She inclined her head faintly. "I'm just another set of judging eyes, ready to cast unkind words on you."
"No... not that." Belle reached halfway across the table. "You are a friend, I'm sorry for not saying that earlier and more often. You ask for nothing, and put up with my strangeness... I'm going through... things... If that bothers you, well, I understand."
"Do you like what you see?" she asked, rubbing her cheek awkwardly. "In the mirror?"
"I..." He thought to the reflection of Blue Belle gazing right back. "I really do," she admitted in a small voice. "What do you think?"
She smirked. "Not the sort of pony I hold secret wishes would sweep me off my hooves... but a lovely mare, perhaps." she glanced away and back.
"You wanted that?" stuttered out Belle, darkening a little.
"I am a mare... You... are, were? a prince. I am not immune to your charms..." She shook her head firmly. "I would never had acted on it. I respect you. You wanted to not be chased, so I wouldn't have."
"I believe you," she admitted, sagging in place. A plate slid between them as the appetizers were whisked away. A huge plate of steaming goodness awaited them. Belle inclined her head, considering it. "You saw right through me."
"Your trick is not perfect, m'.... Which would you want me to call you?"
"Today, I am a lady." She gestured at her own chest. "Until dear Auntie allows the sun to set." That was the goal given. "I did not mean to take advantage of you?"
Gentle suddenly burst into titters. "I do wish more ponies 'took advantage' of me by treating me to a lovely day out." Music began to rise, the entire chorus singing as one. "Lovely..." She tilted her floating cup towards Belle. "For now, let's eat and enjoy the rest of the day. Tomorrow, we should talk, really talk. I want to know where we stand."
"Really talk," echoed Belle, and things grew quiet between them. Surrounded by the voices of the ponies singing their songs, they filled themselves pleasantly.
Blueblood's deception had been seen through, but he hadn't been turned away. He was still a she, until the sun set. Even if her horn was starting to really sting. Hardly a way to live, she decided, but it was a taste.
And she rather liked the morsel she had sampled.