//------------------------------//
// Catching Fire 
// Story: Kirin And Changeling: The Firefly 
// by dudenotactive 
//------------------------------//

"So... how was your trip?" Limelight asked. 

The kirin sat at a table for six in the local inn called the Comfy Mud Inn, it was the same inn that Limelight worked in before his theatre career. With him were his friends of course, and an extra. 

First was Quick Fuse who sat just across him, she was a brown coated earth pony with a short yellow mane. She was Limelight's pyrotechnician, she is a maestro with explosives, a talent she received at a young age when she played with fire. Of course, her cutie mark was two sticks of dynamite with lit fuses. If you asked Limelight who Fuse was, he would say that she was the kind of pony you would trust. A generous mare that would never leave a friend hanging. 

Next was Shamrock Clover, he was a red-headed pony with a green coat. And his cutie mark was a three-leaf clover, which doesn't surprise anyone. He was one of Limelight's actors; he had hired him because he needed the job after the Hungry Moth burned down. Though he isn't paid as much as his last job, Clover was just happy to have one. He was kind and caring, honestly, a bit of a pushover sometimes. Nonetheless, he was a valued member of Torch Productions. 

Next to Lime sat Minion who was in her disguise, she was enjoying a cold glass of lemon soda, something she grew to love after trying out several flavors of soda in the past. 

Sitting on the farthest from Limelight was a grey unicorn in a red vest, and a white clean shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. His mane was platinum blonde, which made his emerald eyes pop. His forelegs were wrapped in bandages, for what reason, Limelight could only guess. The unicorn's cutie mark was an odd one, silver chains intertwined around a rusty sword with a golden halo above it. Lime could not come up with a correct answer to what this unicorn's talent is. 

But back to the subject, this unicorn is Limelight's best friend just second to Minion, his name was Stoic. A member of the Institute Of Peace, a group of ponies who dedicated their lives to peace among all races who are united under Equestria's flag. And he was an honest and hard-working stallion that would stop at nothing just to keep the peace, though he is sometimes blunt and would cause some conflict with others unintentionally. 

And finally, the extra who sat between Stoic and Fuse. And this one was something Lime nor Minion had never seen before. 

They were a mare, their coat was a darker shade of grey than Stoic, and their mane was aqua blue. Her eyes were like a cat's, golden orbs that sent shivers down Lime's back. The last thing to point out was that this mare had a pair of bat wings, which creeped Lime just a little. Her cutie mark is simply a symbol that reminded Lime of a blue fireball. And fittingly, her name was Cerulean Comet which explains her mark. One more thing to describe is that she wore a pair of shades to cover her cat-like eyes. 

With the exception of the bat Lime and Minion had just met, these three ponies were their closest friends. Though Minion was reluctant to admit, she was quite fond of these ponies, she just didn't like the rest of the townspeople. 

"It was short, but not boring," Stoic answered. "I had to show up for an important event that needed my and a few others' attention."

"Oh, is this about the weird and long night that happened weeks ago?" Fuse questioned. "Took so long before the sun rose, it started to feel like it was the apocalypse or something."

Comet shifted a bit after Fuse mentioned the incident. It was clear that she was not comfortable with the subject. 

"Yes, it happened during the Summer Sun Celebration. And quite an interesting event it was." Stoic said. "The details are unimportant, just know that it was the day an alicorn princess had returned to rule side by side with princess Celestia. Her name is Luna, and she is the sister of the princess."

"Woah, that's cool!" Shamrock said. 

Minion huffed tiredly. "Great, another alicorn, as if two wasn't enough."

"Don't be like that," Comet finally spoke. "princess Luna will help bring in a new age to Equestria, I'm sure of it."

Minion stared at Comet for a second, then she looked over to Stoic. "And who's this supposed to be again?"

"Cerulean Comet, she will be my new partner as of now because the Institution has started a program. Members of the Institute must accept a bat pony under their wing and help these new members of society to fit in." 

All eyes stared at Stoic, then they moved over to Comet who smiled proudly. 

"I promise that I will do my best to keep the peace!" She saluted everyone. "Oh, you can call me Comet or CC, I'm fine either way!"

"Cheerful, ain't ya." Minion commented. "But I don't think Stoic is the guy you want to be your partner, he's as blunt as a stone mallet."

Fuse chuckled. "Yeah, his social skills need work, if anything, he needs it more than you!"

"Really?" Comet glanced over to Stoic. 

Stoic arched a brow as he listened. "I will let you know that I am suitable for the job. I am a well-respected member of the Institute and have enough skills and knowledge to help Cerulean Comet to fit in. We can start by learning about each other, now I want everyone to tell us what our favorite food is."

"Not this again," Minion pressed a hoof against her face. "I'm getting flashbacks of the time the Hungry Moth burned down."

"Yeah," Fuse agreed. "Can we just do something else? There's plenty of things to help us know each other which I'm sure would help you, CC."

"Thank you," Comet bowed her head. "My kind has been separated from the rest of the world for far too long, and I want all of us ponies to unite under the two crowns!"

"That's great!" Shamrock smiled. "If we're gonna get to know each other, then we should show you around town! We can even take you to the studio!"

"I would love to!"

"Cerulean." Stoic caught Comet's attention. 

"Oh, right..." She sighed. "Sorry, but we will have to put a pin on that, still got some work to do before I'm free."

"That's alright," Said Lime. "We can go around town together once you're ready. There's this cool manticore you can interact with at the farmers market."

"I'm actually curious, why are you wearing shades indoors?" Minion asked. 

"Oh, that's because my eyes are more suited in the dark. All this bright light is blinding to me, I can hardly even look at a lit candle." Comet explained. 

"That is because her species mostly lived deep in caves before princess Luna's return. Her tribe does come out to feed on fruits and other things they can consume. Only at night of course." Stoic explained further.

"Cool... Oh hey, boss!" Limelight greeted the innkeeper as she was passing by. 

"You don't have to call me that anymore Kirin, you don't work here." She smiled warmly before returning to her work. 

"Oh, can we have some of your peach mango pies?" Once the words left Lime's mouth, Comet perked up upon hearing about mangoes. 

"Six peach mango pies coming right up! On the house, Kirin!"

Lime smiled. "You're the best boss!"

"Ponies still call you Kirin I see," Stoic noted. "So, how is your theatre doing anyway?"

"Great! Though we don't exactly charge for entry tickets or anything, we just sell snacks and drinks to earn money!"

Stoic stared blankly. "I believe that is not a healthy business."

Shamrock shrugged his shoulders. "It's alright, Orange and Carrot are nice enough to work the food stand for free and also bring their own produce to sell. Any profit they make during the show is given to the Torch crew. I also kinda get underpaid, I don't mind of course... heh..."

"Yeah, anything to help the team!" Fuse said. 

"But what of the props? Perhaps you craft them yourselves?" Stoic asked. 

Limelight shook his head. "Yes and no, there's this griffon that does all the props for a single bit. She's very cool, I just don't understand why she works for such a low price."

Stoic scowled. "A griffon? Hmm, I must investigate this later."

"From what I read, griffons are a bunch of greedy birds. Don't want to sound one-sided though, it's just what some members of the Institution tell me." Comet said. "If I remember right, the leader of the griffons is paid one bit a year just to keep the alliance between the ponies and griffons."

"That sounds dumb." Minion said truthfully. 

"It is true sadly," Stoic confirmed. "Let us move on, I wish to keep my appetite so let us speak of those avians less."

"Hey Kirin, got some pies ready for everyone!" The innkeeper brought in their order, which the group was happy to receive. 

As Lime passed out the pies to the others, Minion couldn't help but stare at Comet. She wasn't an ordinary pony like Stoic or the others, Comet was part bat, truly an odd one out among the ponies. Her grey coat was not as vibrant as Stoic's, but at least her mane was colorful. Something about Comet that made her pop out in the group, unlike her or Limelight. 

Minion cleared her head of the thoughts and decided to focus more on the pie in front of her. 

It was great to have Stoic back, he was one of Limelight's closest friends. Though he was always asking questions about both Minion's and Lime's race, he was kind enough to keep his research to himself. Stoic would only send reports back to Canterlot with small information he had gathered. It was odd, but his excuse was that it allowed Stoic to stick around more. If his work was done he'd be gone for another mission to create peace in Equestria. And like a good friend, he chose them over his work. And she wouldn't admit it, but Minion appreciated his decision, she grew fond of him over the past months. But unlike Lime, she was still distant with Stoic due to the fact she does not like his species for many reasons. 

As the group enjoyed their pies and drinks, Lime wore a goofy smile on his face. He loves nothing more than to hang out with his closest friends.