Nymph awoke with a soft whine. There was a stiff blanket laid over her, and she was laying on a strange bed.
"M-Murky? Honey?" She whimpered nervously. Nymph looked around the room. It was surprisingly warm and homey.
She watched as a gray and blue mare walked into the room… She remembered this mare. She threw lightning from her hooves. Very scary.
"Ah… Good morning, sweetheart," The mare greeted gently, "How are you feeling?"
Nymph instinctively slid under the covers a bit, trying to hide herself.
"It's alright," The mare cooed gently, rubbing Nymph's head, "I won't hurt you, okay? I promise."
Nymph flinched at the touch, but relaxed at how gentle it was. For all Nymph knew, she had died and…
"Is this heaven?" Nymph asked softly, "A-am I dead?"
The mare chuckled softly, "No, dear. You just got beaten up by that big, mean worm," She expressed, "You're in the hospital."
Nymph's eyes widened, "Wh-where's Murky? Where's Honey?" She chirped.
The mare smiled warmly at Nymph, "They're resting and spending some time with their mothers," She answered gently.
Nymph looked down, frowning lightly. "Oh," She replied dejectedly.
"Do you need anything, little one? Are you hungry, thirsty…?" The mare asked gently.
Nymph looked up at the mare, "If this isn't heaven, who are you?" She asked abruptly, ignoring the question.
The mare gently rubbed her head, "I'm Bottled Lightning, sweetheart," She introduced gently, "You're Nymph, right?"
Nymph squeaked a little at hearing her name. "H-how do you know my name?" She whimpered.
"Murky told me… She was very worried about you," Bottle replied gently.
Nymph closed her eyes, allowing her mind to catch up with all this information. The gentle rubbing of her head relaxed her… Maybe this mare wasn't so scary. She was kind and spoke softly.
Bottled Lightning smiled. "You were very brave, fighting that worm," She said gently, "Your mother would be very proud."
"I-I don't have a mother, miss," Nymph admitted quietly.
Bottle flinched. "Ah… I'm sorry, sweetheart…" She replied gently.
"It's okay," Nymph replied softly.
The room fell silent, Bottle continuing to rub Nymph's head gently.
Nymph whined gently as she felt Bottle's hoof pull away. "C-can you not stop?" Nymph requested softly.
Bottle gave a small smile, "Hah… I suppose I can stay a few more minutes," She decided, returning her hoof to Nymph's head.
Nymph nuzzled lightly into the hoof. "Thank you, miss…" She murmured softly.
Bottle smiled gently.
Nymph whined softly as the hoof was pulled away, looking up at Bottle. "C-can I come with you?" She asked softly as Bottle walked to the door.
Bottle smiled gently, "Alright, sweetheart," She replied, gently walking over and helping Nymph out of the bed.
Nymph's wings flared and her horn briefly glowed its warm green as she stretched, taking a deep breath.
Bottle smiled as she led Nymph out into the waiting room.
Angel's Kiss was sitting in the room. "Oh, there you are," She said, voice gentle.
Nymph poked her head out from behind Bottle, looking at Angel with wide, curious eyes.
Angel hopped down onto the floor, smiling gently, "Oh, hey kiddo," She greeted gently, "You're awake now, huh?"
Nymph nodded. "I-I am," She replied gently.
"This is Angel's Kiss," Bottle introduced gently, "Angel, this is Nymph."
Angel gently paced forward, "It's okay, Nymph," Angel promised, "You're safe in town, okay? Bottle and I won't let anyone lay a hoof on you."
Nymph simply nodded. "O-okay," She stammered weakly, allowing herself to trust the two mares.
Tincture sat on the couch, sighing deeply. She couldn't forgive herself. Her filly had run away from school, and had gotten all beaten up out in the woods.
Hazy looked at her. "I don't like that look," She said, sitting next to Tincture, "What's on your mind, hun?" She asked gently.
"I need to protect her," Tincture said, "I shouldn't have ever let her leave the house, I should've just had her stay home, and I could have taught her, and-" She flinched as Hazy hugged her.
"Hey. I thought we were doing better than that," Hazy cooed gently, "She's gone to school for over a month… She has a friend, she's happy. Kids'll do stupid things, hun. You make sure you're there to take care of them, but you can't just lock 'em up when something goes wrong," Hazy expressed.
Tincture bit her lip. "It-" Her voice caught in her throat, "It doesn't matter now. She's home, snug in her bed, resting up after a quick bath," She reasoned, speaking quickly.
Hazy sighed softly, pushing Tincture over. Tincture yipped as she was laid back on the couch, blushing as she felt Hazy crawl on top of her. Hazy gently laid on top of her, nuzzling her head into the crook of Tincture's neck.
"H-Hazy…?" Tincture stammered.
Hazy smiled a bit, "There's the Tincture I know and love. Meek, a little unsteady… Cuddly…" She said gently.
Tincture blushed a bit, her front legs wrapping around Hazy. "You… You like it when I'm meek?" She asked softly.
Hazy nodded, "It's better than you acting big an’ haughty," She commented.
Tincture blinked a little. "Is… Is that what I sound like?" She asked, suddenly very self-conscious.
"You're just… A bit smothering, when it comes to Murky, that's all," Hazy said gently, "Being a mom isn't just protecting her… She needs a chance to mess up and learn from the consequences."
Tincture sighed a little. "I guess…" She replied softly, hugging Hazy a little tighter.
Hazy smiled a little. "Tincture… You've never had a kiss, have you?" She asked gently.
Tincture looked away. "I… I haven't," She conceded.
Hazy pushed herself up, looking down at Tincture, who blushed. Hazy just smiled, leaning forward, connecting her lips with Tincture's.
Tincture's eyes went wide. She didn't fight it, but she didn't embrace it either.
Hazy gently pulled away with a soft mwah~ and returned to her snuggly position on Tincture's chest.
Tincture blinked, staring at the ceiling blankly.
Hazy giggled. "You're cute when you try to process things like this," She expressed softly.
Tincture sighed softly. "You're not going to stop teasing me until I calm down, are you?" She asked.
Hazy smirked, "Not a chance," She chuckled.
Tincture smiled slightly, "If I'm 'big and haughty', you're stubborn to match," She joked.
Hazy sighed softly and nuzzled into Tincture gently, "I'll give you that, hun," She snorted.
The two mares looked up as Angel came through the door. The pegasus blushed slightly. "Uh… Put a pin in it, you two, we've got a filly in tow," Angel commented.
Hazy slid off of Tincture with a light huff. The two mares shared a brief look, but watched as Angel pushed the door fully open to allow Bottle and Nymph inside.
Hazy gently paced over, smiling warmly at the filly, "Hey hun," She greeted warmly, "You feeling better?"
Nymph nodded, "Mhm," She replied quietly. She watched as Tincture approached her, squeaking as she got pulled into a hug.
"Thank you," Tincture murmured gently, "I-If it weren't for you, my daughter wouldn't be home, sleeping soundly in her bed. I don't know what anyone else told you, but you're welcome in our home any time," She expressed.
Nymph blinked, nestling into Tincture's embrace. The changeling felt the intensity in Tincture's words, despite the quiet tone. "Y-you're welcome… Can I see Murky?" Nymph asked softly.
Tincture smiled gently, "She's sleeping right now. You can stay here until she wakes up," She said softly.
"O-okay…" Nymph replied gently.
The door was closed, and Nymph watched as the mares walked to assorted chairs and couches.
Bottle gently patted the seat next to her, "Come have a seat by the fire, dear. I know you were chilly outside," She says warmly.
Nymph plodded over and jumped up on the couch, sitting a bit close to Bottle. The warmth of the fire was nice, and the familial love that radiated throughout the group put the changeling at ease.
Nymph blinked, "Wh-why are you all so nice to me?" She asked, voice slightly distressed.
Bottle smiled gently, rubbing the changeling's back, "Well… You did bring two fillies home out of the kindness of your own heart," Bottle reasoned, "Besides, it wouldn't do us well to treat a filly poorly."
"B-but you know I'm a changeling; you all saw me transform," Nymph retorted.
"So?" Angel replied, "Why does it matter if you're a changeling?" She asked.
Nymph hesitated. "B-because I'm a monster…" She whined gently.
All four adults shook their heads. "Just being a changeling doesn't make you a monster," Bottle said gently.
Nymph nodded a little, conceding defeat. She didn't feel like arguing with a room full of adults.
There was a knock at the door. Angel flew up and opened it.
Nymph recognized Tinned Syrup's voice, "Is Nymph here?" The mare asked.
Angel smiled, "Yup! Cozy on the couch; come on in," She said, opening the door.
Tinned and Honey Syrup would walk in.
Honey trotted over and hugged Nymph closely. Nymph nuzzled against her.
"See? We told you you wouldn't be alone after you helped us get home," Honey said gently.
Nymph nodded, "You were right," She replied quietly.
Tinned Syrup walked over, hugging Nymph, though a bit more hesitantly than her daughter had. She had seen what the faux-alicorn could become. …Even if it did contribute directly to her daughter's rescue.
"Thank you," Tinned said gently, "If there's anything I can do for you, please tell me," She expressed.
Nymph nodded a little, feeling a bit flustered from the attention.
Tincture's ears perked up as she heard her door open. "Good morning…" Murky murmured gently, rubbing her eyes as she paced into the living room.
Tincture smiled warmly at her, "Did you have a good nap, little one?" She asked gently.
Murky nodded. "I did, mom," She replied softly, walking over to the couch where Bottle, Nymph, and Murky were sitting.
Murky hugged Nymph tightly.
"Honey already said 'I told you so'," Nymph remarked quietly.
The room lit up with soft laughter and giggles.
Murky blinked, "Did you decide if you wanted to stay?" She asked, "You said you'd think about it."
Nymph bit her lip and looked up at Bottle.
Bottle smiled, "Of course she can, Murky. As long as she wants," She promises gently.
Tincture and Bottled Lightning looked at the schoolyard.
"C'mon, Nymph!" Honey called with a giggle, "We can show you some of the stuff Murky's drawn!"
Murky smiled at Nymph, the two fillies following the excitable pegasus.
Tincture sighed softly and looked at Tinned Syrup, "Please do keep a careful eye on them, won't you?" She requested.
Tinned Syrup, smiling and hugging both of the other mares, "I'll be sure to watch them closely. You two go about your jobs now, okay? As one of the teachers here, they're my problem now," She chuckles.
Bottled Lightning smiled warmly at Tinned, "Thank you. We'll be sure to come by at the end of the school day," She expressed warmly.
Tincture nodded and stood up, "Thank you, Tinned… Please give Ms. Writ my apologies for my outburst the other day," She requested.
Tinned Syrup chuckled. "I will, don't worry," She said gently, leaning forward and lightly pecking Tincture's cheek.
Tincture blushed faintly, and Bottle laughed a bit as she turned to leave.
Tincture followed after Bottle, huffing flusteredly.
"Two in two days, huh? Someone's popular," Bottle quipped.
Tincture's face lit up with a blush, "H-how do you know about…?" She trailed off.
Tincture smiled smugly, "Angel told me how she found you and Hazy last night," She teased with a wink.
Tincture just grumbled, "Nothing is sacred in that house."
Bottle chuckled, "Have a good day at work, okay?" She said, slyly kissing Tincture's cheek before running off.
Tincture froze, before just laughing to herself. This had been one hell of a morning. "...Is that just a cultural tick in this town I am only now learning about?" She murmurs softly as she walks to her cart.