The day proceeded normally relatively normally. After dropping the pets off at home once they got off work, Rhino and Gel started around town on some small errands. The only notable thing is that Gel sticks very close close to Rhino the entire day, on the lookout for 273. They approach the last thing on their list, the library.
She turns to him, fluttering her eyes playfully. "Care to join me in the romance section, love?"
He chuckles, flicking her with his tail. "I would love to, if I didn't think all those ideas would be too tempting for you in a small space with me." He winks at her.
She blushes softly, smacking his side with her tail. "In a public place? Scandalous!" She laughs, shaking her head. "Oh, I needed that. Anyways, if you need me, I'll be down in the basement." She heads towards the door, purposely swaying her hips with each step, teasing him.
He smiles with a light blush at the view, following her into the library. He looks around as he walks inside, always interested to see the living live-in tree house. He gaze finds Gel chatting with Twilight and motioning towards the basement. Twilight nods as her horn lights up briefly before giving Gel the go ahead.
She notices him and winks before heading downstairs, leaving the two of them alone.
Twilight tilts her head at Rhino, silently asking if he needs any help. He shakes his head and motions that he is just browsing. She nods and goes to one of the desks to read a bit of her own current literary piece. The library is silent for a few minutes until the door opens, causing both ponies to turn their heads.
In the doorway, stand the familiar and unwelcome, at least in Rhino's eyes, form of 'Cold Snap'. Rhino resists the urge to glare at him and instead forces out a polite greeting. "Ah, hello Mr. Snap. What brings you here?"
The disguised changeling looks around before stepping into the library proper. "Oh, the same thing that brings everypony here I would imagine, just looking for something to read."
Twilight speaks up from her book. "Be sure to let me know if you need anything!"
The pegasus nods as he begins to browse.
Gel's thoughts travel up to Rhino, a bit disgruntled. ...the stories featuring changelings down here are grossly misinformed...we do not lay eggs...or have an ovipositor...
He lets out a mental chuckle. Well, work with what you got and fill in the blanks yourself I guess. His mental tone grows serious. We may have a problem though, the other changeling is here.
Sergeant 273? Her tone is surprised. He must be after that report...what do we do?
I don't know! Is there anything around you can use? Rhino takes his eyes off the sergeant for a moment as Spike comes down the stairs.
The little dragon stops as he sees the two ponies in the library. "Wow, the one day I get to sleep in and we get swarmed!"
The green stallion chuckles as he looks back to keep an eye on 273, but doesn't see him where he left him. He looks around the room quickly but still can't find him. Gel, we have a problem, I lost him. I think he's on his way down to you! Do you want me to come after him?
Yes please...in fact, there might be something you could do...you know that device I told you about? It's in the lab here in the basement...I'll distract this drone in the meanwhile...
Rhino goes over to the dragon. "Spike, I'm just gonna head downstairs to see how Angel's doing. Tell Twilight if she asks alright?" He heads towards the stairs.
Spike smiles as he shakes his head. "Ok bro, but she's not gonna ask." He looks over at the mare who is so engrossed in her book she hasn't lifted her head or said a word in the time that all her customers had vacated the room.
Rhino closes the door to the basement quietly behind him. Ok... I'm on the stairs, has he reached you?
She glances at the door, seeing the figure silhouetted there. ...he's made contact... She forces a smile. "...hello, sergeant...to what do I owe this pleasure?"
The disguised changeling talks to her from the door. "Like I said yesterday ma'am. I do need at least something from your report so I can show command that I am trying to complete my mission."
Rhino quietly makes his way down the stairs, seeing the changeling in front of the door Gel is in. He narrows his eyes before he Blinks and appears further down the stairs, past the two. He looks back from the shadow he appeared in, narrowing his eyes at the other male yet again, before heading down the stairs. Ok, I'm almost at the bottom of the stairs... now what?
Look for a book-sized box with a meter and a large red button. She smiles cordially at the officer, motioning for him to enter. "Come on in, Sergeant. Don't want anypony hearing us, right?"
He nods once, taking the few steps necessary to enter the hall book closet fully. The door swings shut behind him.
In the lab, Rhino is flitting around looking for the contraption she described. The center table is no longer there so he is searching anywhere he can think of. Finally, he finds something that fits her description off to one side of the room, as if it had been put on hold for a time. Green crystal in a dome on top?
That would be it. She taps her chin, looking around the bookcases. "I hid my report around here, somewhere...now if I could only remember where..." Can you try to sneak up on this guy?
Easily. Rhino carefully takes the box in his magic as he approaches the wall opposite the stairs. He looks up before his horn briefly glows and he appears on the ceiling. He quickly and quietly makes his way towards the book closet. I'm close... what's the plan?
Gel subtly lights up her horn, a piece of paper and a quill behind the changeling starting to float. Simple. I give him a report saying that ponies here are stringent about detecting changelings, and that my skill is the only thing keeping me hidden. More than one might be more easily noticed. Then you come in with the device. She looks over at the sergeant just as she finishes the false report. "Oh, there it is!" She walks over, giggling softly. "Isn't it always just the last place you look?"
The drone nods as he takes the paper and stows it under a wing. "If I may speak freely ma'am, it was very difficult to get you alone so we could talk. I'm glad to have something to report."
Rhino crouches on the wall just above the door. Just come in with it? Do I need to press a button or anything?
"I can imagine." She turns to the side, muttering quietly. "...especially since I've been avoiding you..." Twilight did say she turned it off...maybe press the red button? A small wisp of smoke comes out of each of her ears. Sorry in advance, love.
Rhino nods, pressing the red button. A small light comes on the display. He gets down from the wall and opens the door.
The drone turns around and gives the stallion a small glare for his interruption. "What are you doing down here?"
The green stallion smiles as he raises the box while he walks towards the two. "Just wanted to show Angel this contraption I found."
A blaring siren erupts from the box, echoing in the small room. Both stallions cry out in pain as they squeeze theirs eyes shut. Rhino drops the box as he crouches down, covering his ears as best he can. Taking the opportunity, 273 jumps over the stallion and into the stairwell.
No! He's getting away! She rushes to the door but stops at seeing Rhino. She looks at him then at the fleeing changeling, torn. She takes a deep breath and hits the button once more, turning the device off. She helps her stallion to his hooves, frowning softly. ...I'm so sorry, Rhino...I didn't mean for you to get hurt...and now he's getting away...
The stallion groans from the floor, his ears ringing and all sound muffled. The siren had blanked his mind when it went off. He simply lies there for a time as he tries to get any thought to project to her.
Around this time Twilight starts running down the stairs. She sees the mare worrying over the stallion, as well as her device at the base of the stairs where it had bounced. Her eyes widen as she comes to conclusions. "Did... did that stallion run off as soon as the detector started the alarm? Did he hurt your colt friend on the way out?"
Gel looks at her, nodding solemnly. "...h-he did run...b-but it was the alarm that got him..." She gently nudges him, trying to get him to respond. "...I-I just don't know what happened...h-he got close to that device and b-bolted once it went off..."
Twilight's eyes widen as she starts muttering to herself. "But I got the detector working with the sample the princess sent me... if he didn't even stop to help..." Her eyes seem to be threatening to pop out of their sockets as she suddenly turns and dashes up the stairs. "Spike! Did you see where that pony went?!"
On the floor, Rhino has pieced together enough of his mind to try and speak to Gel and he taps his hoof on the ground, trying desperately to hear it. Loud... Love... are you... okay...
I'm fine... She sighs, hugging him close. ...I put a layer of chitin in front of my eardrums...it blocked most of the sound... She gently kisses his nose, whimpering softly. ...oh...why couldn't ponies heal with love, like my kind?
He grunts, but frowns as he can't hear himself do it, which is very disturbing. He works his way up on his hooves, his ears constantly flicking and turning every which way to try and pick up a sound. He grimaces as he rubs one ear. So much ringing... at least we... can still talk... He shakes his head to try and clear the fog in it, but only gives himself a headache. Where did he go...
...I-I don't know...h-he vacated as soon as it went off...but I think we have bigger issues... She glances at the device, nervous. ...according to Twilight...the detector is functioning properly...
Should leave here then... He starts to head for the door, his ears flicking wildly as he looks down and taps his hooves against the floor before sighing. He looks back, waiting for her to follow.
She smiles kindly, walking over and gently entwining her tail in his. Don't worry, Rhino. Your hearing will come back, soon. She nuzzles his cheek as they carefully make their way upstairs. I have to wonder what this means for this town, though...
They make their way into the main library area where Twilight is frantically listing items and Spike is dutifully writing them down. The couple quietly make their way over to the door. Rhino's stance becomes guarded as they get to the portal. He peeks outside first before they proceed. He looks around as they start walking away. You said something about him getting away when the alarm went off... wasn't that the plan though? To drive him away?
I suppose it was, but I have this odd feeling... She shakes her head. ...maybe I'm just being paranoid...
He looks ahead. Maybe... I don't think there was much we could have done that we didn't anyway... you said yourself, they would notice if he didn't come back, like if we captured him...
She sighs, looking up at him. ...you're right...I can't believe I even considered knocking him out... She taps her chin, thinking a bit. ...still...what if something goes wrong? What if they don't fall for my false report?
He sighs, then grunts at how he can't hear the sound. I don't know... I just don't know...
***
The changeling had split the instant the alarm went off, his takeoff and flight afterwards were a little shaky from the hearing damage, but not as severe as Rhino's was. He circles back and observes as the couple leaves the library, noting the stallion standing watch the whole time and covering the mare. He soon lands back in the clearing he had been using as a base.
He lands and ruffles his feathers, shaking loose the 'report' he had been given. He looks it over. "Stringent measures? Not from what I saw..." He looks up as he thinks. "Push a cloud around to a particular point and everypony thinks you're a weather pegasus without so much as a second glance. Why would she give me this?" He thinks back to what he saw, his eyes widening.
He searches through the hive mind as he locates his commander. Sir, I think we have a problem.
Elaborate.
He continues. I believe our agent is compromised, requesting assistance. He projects what he has seen.
...granted.
***
The sound of thumping hooves echoes through the stairwell as Port flies through the hollow center upwards. The tall, lanky orange-tinted drone's mind was buzzing as the report of an exposed high-level changeling passed through the hive mind. While exposures themselves were uncommon, they were generally on low-priority missions, and would do little damage to simply extract the agent. This case of it happening on an important mission was unheard of.
This of course meant that even if they weren't the ones taking action yet, the higher-ups still needed to be informed. Especially since the highest was allowed to slightly distance himself from the hive mind in order to serve their queen more effectively.
This is the only reason Port would actually go in to meet with his superior without being summoned. Being one of the most bureaucratic changelings of this hive meant that he was able to handle most everything on his own when it came up to him in the chain of command. His superior had... other skills.
He reaches the top of the tower and brings his wings in as he lands. The thumping is louder now as he parts the thin membranous door and it seals again behind him. Inside he sees a well-built red-tinted drone, training against a few different punching bags made of various materials. They range from the weak but springy slimeballs to the strong and unyielding chitin pillars.
As the red changeling pauses for a moment, the Lieutenant General clears his throat. "General sir, there is something you should be aware of."
He snorts in annoyance, staring down at his inferior. "Well, Officer Port, it must be important if you felt justified in cutting into my training."
The orange changeling doesn't bat an eye at the attitude. "Well, sir, there's a situation regarding Colonel Gel's assignment."
The normally stoic drone narrows his eyes at this. "The greenhorn in that Special A-Class mission? What happened?"
Port checks his notes, since it helps to have the facts written down when the hive mind can muddle some thoughts. "Intel was difficult to obtain sir, but our agent sent to retrieve her report states some... worrisome things. Firstly, he had difficulty even getting the Colonel alone to retrieve her report, her target was always seen nearby even in the brief times she was alone, and would always check in within five minutes of the agent arriving. Secondly, when the Colonel finally did submit a report, it was barely considered that, and the intel on it was incorrect, as seen by the retriever. Lastly, in the latest encounter, her target used some kind of device that sounded an alarm when it got close to the our agent. Luckily, he was able to escape, but the Colonel was not as fortunate and was seen being escorted home by her target later. He was described as watchful, paranoid, and guarded."
The General scowls, turning to his punching bag of chitin. "That's...unfortunate." He places a hoof on it, considering this information. "The way I see it, there are two explanations for this. One, the target found her out and used a spell to enslave her, make her his little plaything. Two, she fell for the target and is deserting." He turns his gaze to the Lieutenant General. "For her sake, I hope it's the former. Because if she is going AWOL on us..." He punches the pillar, a web of cracks radiating from his forehoof. "...then she will be punished most severely."
Port shows his first emotional response at all by moving his head back marginally from the other changeling direction. "The retrieval agent stated that the target only ever called the Colonel by her cover's name, only ever seems to be seen with her in that form, and the instant the Colonel heard him coming, she changed into it. The Colonel also seemed... oddly calm and bubbly at times despite the seriousness of not turning in a report."
Mimic blinks, surprised. "Is that so?" He taps his chin, silently examining the pillar. "I'm afraid that she truly is under his control." He smacks a hoof on the ground, leveling his gaze at Port. "Gather a group of soldiers and start prepping them. We need to rescue the greenhorn as soon as they are ready."
***
The sun begins to set on yet another day, the colors fading as several families and couples retire to their homes. The couple we are interested in, however, have already been home. Despite one's lack of hearing, they had spent much of the afternoon playing games, entertaining their pets and just enjoying each other's company.
At the moment, they are resting on the couch after their supper, the stallion's head laying upon the changeling's lap. She smiles down on his face, watching his ears as they slowly stop twitching, a single hole-filled hoof tenderly tracing circles on his chest. ...feeling better, Rhino?
His ears twitch as they had been doing all afternoon, though with steadily less frequency. Yes... not back to 100% but definitely better than nothing. A good night's sleep will probably be what it takes to get over this, but I'm not in a rush. He growls lightly from her hoof on his chest. Love what you're doing there, by the way...
She giggles, moving her hoof to his side. How about this? With those words she begins to tickle him, keeping him from squirming away with her other foreleg.
He tries to hold it in, but soon enough he seems to be trying to almost sink into the couch as he laughs. His hind legs kick as he wiggles around, trying and failing to get away from her hooves.
She slowly stops, carefully maneuvering herself to lay next to him. She gently kisses him. So you're ticklish in real life, too... She smirks, touching their noses together. ...good to know...now...what would you like to do? She pulls away and winks, but keeps her belly pressed up against his side.
He thinks for a moment before speaking. "Well, actually I-" He cuts himself off as he realizes that while he can hear himself now, it's all muffled so he can't actually understand himself, which is very distracting. He switches back to their mental speak. Actually, I wanted to talk about something we discussed last night in the dream.
She blinks, tilting her head to one side in confusion. ...did you...want me to imagine myself as a librarian, next time?
His face scrunches up in confusion. What? I don't know what you're referring to, but I was talking about your little swimming inexperience.
She nods, smiling nervously. "...y-yes..." She pauses before thinking her answer at him. ...y-yes, I do...e-even if I'm a little apprehensive... She trembles fitfully, causing her to cover her face with a hoof. ...okay...I-I'm terrified...fire and water don't mix, after all...
He smiles softly as he embraces her. That may be true, but you are a living thing right? You survive on water, and parts of you are made of water. Besides, you never know, you might like it!
Sure, shallow water is fine - it's impossible for me to lose control there! And I get it's a part of life... She peeks at him through a hole. ...but deep water? There's no telling what could be down there...or whether or not I'd sink! She cringes, hugging him tightly. ...thank goodness for showers and waterfalls...
He blows a stream of air out of his mouth. Definitely going to have to start slow... He thinks back to what they spoke about on this subject in the dream. Well, let's not focus on what you don't like about it... what if we got you a nice swimsuit to wear? To take your mind off things?
She huffs, rolling her eyes. I already have one, but it wouldn't help...it's a tacky little thing I got as a gift from someone I don't even know... She rests her head on his shoulder, pouting quietly. ...and we can't get one here...who knows how Miss Rarity would react to a changeling?
He quirks an eyebrow. Yeah... I'm not exactly gung-ho for exposing you to one of Twilight's best friends either, but I think I have an idea that should be simple enough to work. Though i admit, you do have me curious about this one you already have.
She shakes her head. No way are you seeing me in that! It's just embarrassing...and a little tight... She sighs, looking up at him. ...s-so...what's this idea of yours?
He shrugs. Simple, use the reason most mares have for getting slightly small swimsuits. Go in as Angel and say you're getting one for swimsuit season in anticipation of losing some weight. He holds up his hooves. Not that Angel or you are in any way unshapely, this is purely to have an excuse for the size difference between the two. A stray thought comes across. Still curious about your current one...
She squirms, blushing brightly. ...you really want to see me in a bathing suit, don't you? She playfully nips his neck, giggling quietly. "...maybe I'll wear it for you, one of these nights..." She licks where she nibbled on him. ...I suppose I can do that...I'll have you know that both of my forms are fit without being muscular...
Having no idea what she said out loud to him, he simply smiles at what she said in their heads. I never said otherwise, in fact, I think I have mentioned quite a few times my fondness for your looks, among other things. He hums to himself as some ideas occur to him.
Seeing him distracted, she lets her hoof start to trail down his chest, stopping in the middle of his belly to trace tiny circles. ...I think I'll ask about a single piece swimsuit...one that'll cover every inch of my torso...maybe even... She leans close, gently nipping his ear. ...hug a certain area...a light color, so you can see everything I want you to...
He gulps, a little flustered from her tone and actions. T-that... that sounds lovely... His mind starts trying to show him images of her in a swimsuit and he shuts his eyes tightly as he pushes them back. After a moment, he opens his eyes and lets out a breath. There's umm... actually something I wanted to ask you... while we're on this swimming subject...
She rolls on top of him, looking down in curiosity. Oh? What would that be, love? She smiles kindly, pausing her teasing for the time being.
He tries to figure out a way to word what he is wants to say. Well... I know you take showers... but since you don't seem to like deep water... have you ever taken a bath? If not, that might be a way to slowly introduce you to the concept...
She blinks, slowly shaking her head. ...I don't think I ever have...I...suppose it sounds fine... She bites her lip, showing her uncertainty.
He notices this. What's wrong?
She turns away, embarrassed. ...i-it's a silly little thing...
He nuzzles her neck. Hey now, come on, tell me... Please?
She sighs, her ears flattening against her head. ...I don't know how a bath works...
He blinks, a little stunned. Ah... well... I suppose that makes sense... we'll really have to start at the beginning then. It's really not that bad you know... just fill the tub with water at the temperature you want, get in and soak while you clean yourself. It's mostly about relaxing.
She quirks an eyebrow at him. ...Rhino, I play paintball to relax...I don't think what you're imagining will come easy to me... She taps her chin, thinking a bit. ...maybe...you could take it with me?
His face slowly warms up with a blush. U-umm... okay... I guess we can do that... good thing the tub downstairs is extra big...
Why are you bl- Suddenly what she just said hits her, causing her own cheeks to flare up with color. ...o-oh...s-sorry for the...implication...
He fiddles with his hooves. It's fine... umm... should we just... go ahead? The pets are asleep after all...
She quietly yawns, blinking a bit. ...considering what happened today, I'm amazed I'm still awake... She tenderly kisses him, giving him a lidded gaze. ...can we sleep down here, tonight? Maybe try the bath tomorrow?
He gently kisses her back. As you wish... His horn lights up as he brings some blankets over from the closet, casting a glance over to the pets sleeping in a little pile of fur and blankets in the chair. I guess everyone is ready...
His only answer is soft snoring, coming from the changeling on top of him. She nuzzles his chest, squirming slightly in an attempt to get more comfortable.
He simply smiles, enjoying the weight and warmth of her on his chest as he closes his eyes.