//------------------------------// // Chapter 6 // Story: Idol Daydreams // by Caffeinated Pinkie //------------------------------// “Hey, Idol,” Shining began, “why are your eyes blue and why is your coat all black and shiny today?” Topaz’s home held a rather unusual amalgamation of creatures that night. From changelings to bat ponies to princesses to Topaz, all sat around a long wooden table in the dining room. All present crowded around the center of the table so as to mitigate the deceptive length of it. On one side, Shining Armor and Princess Cadance sat. They both had decadent salads of greens, purples, pinks, and blacks. More of an art piece than a dish, it was a near shame when Cadance decided her own deserved death. Across the narrow divide was Topaz Showers and Idol Hooves. Mothchaser had an empty seat between her and Idol, at his fervent request. Viridian Virga was to the right of Topaz. While the two meat eaters at the table did, in fact, eat meat mixed into their salads, Viridian and Topaz dined on hearty pastas and bolognese, respectively. Why they were eating together was anyone’s guess. Most likely, it was due to the fact that Mothchaser had decided to invite herself into Idol’s house using a copy of his house key she had forged. When Mothchaser did it, it’s endearing, not creepy. Everypony else just let themselves in through the unlocked door. Topaz decided it was better for her sanity to let it slide and just pretend the dinner was planned for. Most strange of all, however, was that Idol Hooves was not disguised as Idol Hooves. Since the moment he entered the hall, only black chitin and blue eyes could be seen. For some reason, nopony had as of yet paid this any mind. Well, except for Shining Armor. At his words, every creature in the room ceased munching, deciding instead to stare blankly at the both of them. Idol and Shining, too, stared each other down. That was, until Idol broke the silence with: “Topaz hits me.” Unsurprisingly, Topaz broke down into a coughing fit, thumping a hoof on the table. Eventually getting her lungs under control, she turned to Idol with an angry glare. “Oh my Faust, Idol!” “That seems legit,” Shining nodded. Mothchaser took the opportunity to disregard the theoretical pillow between her and Idol and began breathing heavily on his neck. Cadance nodded as well. “We all sort of suspected.” “I hate you all,” was Topaz’s response as her glare transferred to everyone who had spoken. Shining shrugged. “I mean, what kind of mare is into bugs?” Topaz screamed aloud and threw her hooves in Idol’s direction, her bolognese forgotten. “He’s a bug!” Cadance leaned over the table to reach Idol, knocking her salad onto the floor as she did so. She covered Idol’s very prominent earfins. “Rude.” She quickly retreated back to her side of the pond. Mothchaser, having almost licked Idol’s neck, leaned somehow even closer and licked her lips. “I can hit you too, if you’d like that,” she whispered. Idol stood stock still. “I now feel very uncomfortable,” he intoned. “Honestly, Topaz, I thought I raised you better than that,” Viridian said, shaking her head, “Idol is such a perfect and normal gentlecolt.” “The most normal, in fact,” Idol easily agreed. Topaz said nothing as she began removing each piece of his armor, humming all the while. Shining nodded again. “The most normal. Ever. Of all time.” Idol’s helmet was the first thing to come off, followed shortly by his greaves. Cadance looked thoughtfully at the changeling. “I dare say Idol is the mirror image of what every stallion in Canterlot aspires to be.” As soon as the last piece of Idol’s armor was removed, it was as if everyone in the room saw his true form for the first time. Gasping dramatically, Veridian stared in horror. “Oh Celestia, Topaz!” she exclaimed, “what did you do to the poor stallion?” Idol hung his head in faux sadness and sniffled pitifully. “She takes my armor off first, so that I may feel her administrations more thoroughly.” Topaz slumped to the floor as her plan horribly backfired. “Seriously, I hate you all.” “She hits hard enough to crack my chitin regardless,” Idol continued, unabated. “Oh, your poor skin and fur!” Again, Cadance reached across the table and knocked her salad to the floor. Pulling Idol into a bear hug, she dragged his body across the wooden surface and rubbed his back. “Yes,” Idol replied, allowing himself to be marehandled, “those are things that I have.” Topaz practically sank into the floor as she began mumbling to herself. “No wonder nopony but Idol could tell you were kidnapped; you’re all idiots.” Shining tapped his chin thoughtfully. “You know, these injuries would explain a lot of strange behavior. Not understanding common phrases, jumping off bridges, eating meat…” He trailed off. Cadance hummed her agreement. “...shape-shifting.” Topaz screamed and slammed her face onto the floor.