//------------------------------// // Confessing Changelings // Story: Clothes make the Mare // by Applefai //------------------------------// Rarity stands there shocked as she sees Applejack standing before her. "A-Applejack, what brings you here?" Rarity asked as Applejack dug into her saddlebag. "This fell out of yer bag at the farm," Applejack said as she pulled out Rarity's notebook. Rarity's eyes widened with fear as she took it back. "Thank you, I thought I'd lost it somewhere else," Rarity replied as she tried to rush the conversation.  "May I come in, Rarity?" Applejack asked, her voice heavy and serious. Rarity darted her eyes, trying to think of a reason to decline. "I would love to have you, darling, but I must get to work on Sapphire Shore's dress," Rarity replied as she tried to shut the door. "Please, Rare, it's important," Applejack said while taking off her hat. Rarity sighed as she widened the door. "Come in," she said. Applejack made her way into Rarity's house and waited for her to close the door. "I wanted to talk to you about what you asked me at the farm, I didn't mean to make ya cry like that," Applejack said as Rarity looked at her. "It's fine, Aj, I was just asking if it were possible so I could comfort Sweetie Belle, but I know that it might not be," Rarity replied, anger starting to creep into her voice. Applejack looked down as she sighed. "I think you're not just askin' for Sweetie Belle's sake," Applejack replied, causing Rarity to get nervous "W-what makes you say that?" Rarity asked, her eyes darting left and right.  "Rarity, are you a changeling?" Applejack asked as Rarity's eyes widened. "Heaven's no, what makes you ask that?" Rarity asked as she chuckled, hoping Applejack would buy it. Applejack looked at Rarity and raised an eyebrow. Rarity, you should know by now you can't lie to me," Applejack said as Rarity sighed. "Fine. I'm just lucky Sweetie is at a sleepover," she said as she enveloped herself in green fire and dropped her disguise. "How did you know?" She asked. "When you ran off crying and accidentally dropped your notebook, it fell open and I saw what you had written," Applejack said as she looked down. "YOU READ MY PRIVATE THOUGHTS?!!" Rarity yelled out, offended that one of her closest friends would do such a thing.  "I'm sorry, Rarity, but let me explain," Applejack said. "You explained enough, you think us changelings are just as you put it " yellow bellies, I want you out of my…." As Rarity was talking, Applejack enveloped herself in green fire revealing herself as a changeling too. Rarity's mouth stood agape as Applejack looked at her with tears in her eyes. "I thought I was the only one," Applejack said as her friend found herself at a loss for words. Rarity shook off her shock. "Y-you're a changeling too?" She asked as Applejack nodded. "I am, and I do think ponies can become friends with us," Applejack replied as she looked down. "But why were you so harsh when I asked you if changelings could be befriended?" Rarity asked. "Because I hate that I have to hide just so I don't scare anypony, that I have to keep this secret from mah own family that took me in so many years ago," Applejack said as she began to cry. Rarity levitated a tissue over to Applejack so she could wipe her tears. "That's why I was asking, I too hate to be in a disguise all the time," Rarity said as Applejack took the tissue and blew her nose. "Judging by what you have written down, it seems the negatives outweigh the positives," Applejack said as Rarity sat next to her. "Unfortunately yes, there are valid reasons, but it's just mostly out of fear that nopony wants to think about the possibility of becoming friends with changelings," Rarity said as she put a hoof on Applejack's shoulder. "Yeah," Applejack replied. "The only pony that seems really keen on the idea is Pinkie Pie," Applejack said. "Yeah," Rarity replied as she started to giggle. "Can you believe she thinks we can actually use love as an ingredient in cooking or baking?" Rarity asked, making Applejack smile. "Yeah, I would say that's just Pinkie being Pinkie if she wasn't right," Applejack replied, causing Rarity to drop her jaw in shock again. "You mean it's true?" Rarity asked, surprised that changelings could use their love as an ingredient. "Oh yes, we can literally infuse the love we gather and infuse it into any edible or craft, like your sewing," Applejack replied as Rarity fell silent in thought. "You really didn't know?" Applejack asked as Rarity sheepishly grinned. "I just thought it was skill," Rarity replied. "It still is, but with added flare so to speak," Applejack reassured her as she smiled. Rarity sighed as she looked down. "So what do you think we should do?" Rarity asked, scared knowing that she may already know the answer. "I think we should remain hidden, at least for a while, with Chrysalis still out there, ponies are fearful of us, the fact that we can bear elements of harmony might be enough to persuade them, but fear is an ugly disease, and equal in power to love," Applejack said as Rarity nodded. "I was afraid you were going to say that, but I agree with you," Rarity replied as she looked at her notes. "I would put those somewhere safe so nopony can see them," Applejack said as Rarity looked at her. "I'll do just that," Rarity replied. Rarity started to tear up again, Applejack seeing this came up and hugged her. "I know you wanted to come out, I do too, but now is not the right time, but at least we have each other now," Applejack said as Rarity smiled. "I guess that's true, hiding this secret will be a lot easier now," Rarity replied as Applejack continued to hug her. Breaking the hug, Applejack put on her disguise again. "I hate to go, but I gotta get back to the farm, gotta get up early, but if you ever need to talk, just let me know," Applejack said as Rarity nodded and put on her disguise. "I will, darling, be safe going back," Rarity replied as she escorted Applejack out the door. Once Applejack left, Rarity went upstairs and sat her notebook down on the table, after debating on what to do she opened a little safe she had hidden under her desk, after putting in the code she opened the safe and put her notebook inside before sealing it shut with a smile on her face.