//------------------------------//
// Chapter 6 
// Story: Behind Closed Doors 
// by OrphiusOlyandra 
//------------------------------//




Not So Harmonious After All
 
Once again Lady Rainbow Dash, Bearer of Loyalty, has found herself the center of attention. Late last night, she was involved in a bar brawl of 'epic proportions' as she dubbed it alongside Miss Vinyl Scratch, more commonly known as DJ Pon-3. Our experts estimate damages will be close to a thousand bits, and while it is well withing their ability to pay for all damages (though Princess Celestia has personally covered all damages), our main concern lies deeper than that.

Lady Rainbow Dash is the Bearer of Loyalty, one of the six ponies necessary to activate the Elements of Harmony, the weapon that was used to defeat Nightmare Moon and Discord. If one such bearer can willingly cause such disharmony, it is entirely plausible for the disharmony to run deeper. In fact, our specialists in the area of magic and ancient artifacts believes this is exactly the case. Each Element is tied to their respective Bearers and each Element is tied to each other. Therefore, if Lady Dash's behaviour is to continue, there is "little doubt this disharmony will affect the minds of the other Bearers" and as the Elements are fundametally linked to Equestria, it could become "a wide spread problem."

When we approached Princess Celestia for questioning, she gave no comment.








It’s times like this I wish I hadn’t quit drinking. A small, or really freaking huge, dose of liquid courage might help. I’d never thought a hospital looked ominous, let alone the bloody Royal Hospital with its cheery architecture and clean windows, but as I stared at the building I had to fight the urge to turn and fly away.

But I wasn’t a coward, whatever anyone said. I mean, yeah I’ve run before, but never from something stupid and petty like a spat between friends. Or, you know, ex friends.

A couple of ponies on the street around me seemed a little worried that I was just standing and staring, but fuck them. I couldn’t stand there forever though, and eventually I had to enter. The receptionist watched me walk in, and I could swear the Royal Guards at the door were watching me in particular.

“Uh... I’m here to see Rainbow Dash.”

The receptionist politely nodded. “Floor three, room twenty one. The first on the left after the stairs.”

Fuck. She didn’t even have to check her list to see where Dash was. And she didn’t even ask what my relationship to her was, so she probably knew I was coming. Either that, or she was lazy and had a really good memory. I was walking right into one of Luna’s plans, wasn’t I?

“Thanks,” I muttered as I turned to the stairs before I walked up to the third floor.

Room twenty one was right next to the stairs, and it had a big window so everyone in the corridor could look into it. It still wasn’t too late to back out, but... fuck. I wanted to make sure Dash was okay. I know I said I wanted a clean break, but there was still something gnawing at my gut, telling me to check in on Dash. I wasn’t here to start another fight, but I didn’t expect this to go any better. At the very least I could say I’m sorry for the screaming match in the palace yesterday. I’m not exactly a good friend, I never have been, but...

Emotions just suck. They really do. I’m feeling guilty and nervous and worried, and trying to remind myself that it’s not my fault and not my problem. I should just turn around and walk away, right? Right?

Fuck Luna, why’d she have to get involved in my personal life anyway?

With a groan, I stepped into the corridor and looked inside the room. The moment I did, Dash saw me and glared at me, before picking up the book on the bedside table and pretending to read it.

I opened the door, stepped in, and found a seat on the right of her bed. Awkward silence followed as I bumped my fists together, and Dash pretended I wasn’t in the room.

After a moment, I took in a deep breath. “Which bone is it that, you know, got cracked?”

If anything, she buried her muzzle in the book and turned away from me. Or at least she tried to, but with how bandaged up she was and the wince she gave, she was forced to lie back on her back.

“A rib?” I guessed. “More than one?” I shifted in my seat. “That’s... kinda odd. Unless you got bucked side on, or while you were rearing up or something... Most pegasi get wounded in the face or wings... because, you know, they... yeah...” I trailed off. What the fuck was I babbling about junk like that for?

She glared at me from over the top of her book before going back to reading whatever it was she was reading.

I rolled my eyes. “You can stop pretending to read now. I’ve never seen you pick up a book before, and... I kinda want to talk.”

“Shows what you know,” she snapped.

“Sure,” I replied. “Look, Dash, I just want to make sure you’re okay. I’m not here to start a fight or piss you off or anything. Are you gonna be alright?”

Silence.

“Please, Trixie does the silent treatment way better than you.” I stood up and started towards the door. “I’ll just go if you’re gonna be like that.”

“Yeah, whatever. I’ll be fine. Just a scratch. The doctors are just overreacting,” she grumbled.

I paused in the doorway, worry creeping into my gut. Turning to face her, I frowned. “Overreacting, how?”

“You know, the usual. ‘Oh you can’t fly’ and ‘You can’t walk that fast’ and crap like that. I got into worse scraps in Flight School.”

“How did you actually get hurt?” I asked, stepping closer. “It’s just a few cracked ribs, right?”

“Yeah, yeah, whatever.” She waved her hoof and went back to the book. “Like I said, I’ve been through worse.”

I smirked. “It sounds like you got your ass kicked. What happened to all those kung fu lessons?”

“Hey, you should see the other guys.” For the first time in a long time, I saw that trademark Rainbow Dash smirk, and it didn’t piss me off. “And I was drunk at the time. I’d like to see you do better.”

“No. You wouldn’t.” I sat back down, crossing my arms. “Trust me. The last time I was drunk and in a bar fight, I put like, four ponies in hospital and didn’t even get scratched.”

“Suuuuuuuuuuure Miss Hotshot.”

“Hey, ask Luna about it. It’s why she noticed me in the first place.”

“Whatever you say.” Once more with that book, was she actually reading that crap? “So here to mock me or have you actually got something to say?”

“Uh, not really. I just wanted to make sure you’re okay.” I scratched the back of my head. “And... say sorry about that shouting match we had in the palace.”

The book hit the ground as she stared at me. “Wait, wait, wait. Did... did I just hear you correctly? Did you actually apologise? You. Gilda. Apologised. Wow... I... wow...”

“You know what? Fuck you.” I snapped at her only to make her burst out laughing. After a moment, I calmed down and started to feel a bit embarrassed. “It’s not funny. There wasn’t even a damn joke.”

For whatever reason, that just made her laugh harder even as she clutched her side and winced in pain. After a minute or two, she finally calmed down and smiled at me. “Heh, that’s the Gilda apology I was expecting.”

“Whatever.” I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms. “I also wanted to talk to you about this Luna thing. You know, without the yelling and some random bitch trying to be funny.”

“Luna thing? What Luna thing?”

“Dash, please don’t give me that shit.” I glared at her. “You were trying to make me take her bloody job offer. Maybe she put you up to it, maybe you thought you were helping me, either way I seriously want you to cut it out.”

“No idea what you’re talking about,” she said all too innocently.

“Don’t fuck with me Dash!” My fist smashed into my chair. “Don’t you fucking dare!”

“Geez, anger management issues, and I’m being serious, I have no idea what you’re talking about. It’s Twilight with the personal royal mailbox, not me,” she said.

“Sorry,” I muttered. “Every time I think of that bitch I just... Fuck, it makes me want to kill something.” I clenched my fists and let out a deep breath. “Sorry.”

“Seriously, I thought you dealt with all the anger issues. Pretty certain the Flight School people made you or something.” I looked away so that I wouldn’t have to deal with her sympathetic gaze. “You’re not going back to those habits I hope.”

“...For a while I did. Because of Luna I just... fuck. I completely snapped and... it was ugly. I’m a bit better now, but... I’m still having trouble. Trixie’s been helping, a lot, but... I still lose it sometimes when she’s not around.”

“Wait, you mean Tri-” She paused and shook her head. “Whatever helps I suppose.”

I looked her up and down, before I said, “Look, Dash just be straight with me.” I looked right into her eyes. “Is Luna trying to get to me through you?”

“Trust me, I’m not working for Luna or anything. Geez, I’m my own mare you know.”

I just kept staring straight into her eyes. “Please don’t lie to me, Dash.”

“Hey, if you don’t trust me, you can get out,” she snapped.

“Dash, you need to understand where I’m coming from.” I stared into her eyes. “Luna stood by and watched while I was almost brainwashed into becoming a sex slave for the rest of my life. She didn’t do anything while Trixie nearly got killed. I can’t explain to you just how much of me she fucked up and destroyed. Fuck, she damn near broke me, Dash. I almost killed myself because of what happened.” I swallowed, my voice cracking. “If she has anything to do with this, I need to know.”

“That bitch,” growled Dash as she forced herself out of bed, before ripping some crap out of her legs. “Help me out here, we’re paying her a visit.”

I stepped over, and helped take her weight. “No, Dash.” I started to move her back to the bed. “I’m not trying to start a fight with her, though fuck knows I want her dead, and you’re not in any shape to be out of bed.”

“Fuck that, I’m giving her a piece of my mind whether you’re helping or not.” She shrugged me off and caught herself just before collapsing completely on the ground.

“Fuck.” I cursed and stepped over to lift her back up. “Seriously, Dash, you can barely walk five feet. I mean, the palace is just up the street, but I doubt you can even make it to the stairs. Just lie back down, and I’ll call a doc up with some painkillers or something.”

“I’ve got enough painkillers through my system that I’d consider fucking Discord,” she muttered under her breath.

I set her back down in the bed, and reattached the cords she’d ripped out. I’m pretty sure they went back in the right place. “So, you swear that Luna hasn’t been putting you up to this?”

“Nuh ah.” She went to rip them out again, but I grabbed her hoof. “Come on G, let me do something stupid for once.”

“Stupid was what put you here.”

“Nah, that was some idiot who couldn’t take ‘No’ for an answer,” she said as she struggled against me, but she was too weak to do anything.

“Stop fighting, Dash. I’ll use the crazy patient straps if I have to.”

“Bet you’d love that,” she muttered under her breath.

I sat back down in the chair next to her, and watched to make sure she wouldn’t try to stand up again. “Anyway, if Luna wasn’t putting you up to it, what were you trying to do by pissing me off like that?”

“Sorry, Pinkie Promised.” The way she said it made it sound as though that explained everything.

“What does that mean?”

“If I tell, I die. Horribly. Tragically. And very definitely not awesomely or epically.”

I blinked at her. “...What? How does that make sense? Did you sign a contract with a draconequus or something?”

“Eh, something like that.” Dash waved her hoof as though it wasn’t a big deal. “Just trust me on this will you?”

“Trust you on what?” I frowned. “Are you still trying to convince me to take that job?”

“Don’t get why you don’t want it, but considering you hate Luna that much, I can’t blame you. I mean, come on! First captain of the Lunar Guard, or whatever she wants to call it? So awesome, maybe she’ll bring back the Shadowbolts. Damn! Imagine how epic that’d be.”

“I just can’t, Dash.” I frowned. “If I get involved with her again, who knows what I’ll be dragged into. And if I get involved in something heavy, then Trix will too, and she could get hurt or actually die this time. I mean, Celestia hates my guts and wants me dead, Luna seems to think I’m her friend or some shit, and if I take that job then I’m practically gonna be the face for race relations, and I definitely don’t want that kind of attention. I’m not like you, Dash. I don’t have an ego that needs constant feeding.”

“Hey! My ego does not need constant feeding and you make it sound like a bad thing.”

“That’s because it is a bad thing.”

“I doubt Celestia wants you dead, and even if she did, you’d think being a big deal would stop her from doing anything. I mean, seriously? You think Celestia would just stage an accident or something? If you really think that, there’s something wrong with your head.”

I snorted. “Call me crazy if you want, but I wouldn’t have survived this long if I was as stupid and trusting as most ponies are. Celestia’s got a dark side, just like any other ruler.”

“Suuuuuuuuure, whatever you say, you crazy gryph.”

I rolled my eyes. “Dash, do yourself a favour and never get into politics. You’d be eaten alive.”

“As if you’d do any better. At least I’d make things interesting for once. And, you know, do some good with my power.”

I didn’t answer her, just shook my head and chuckled as I sat back in my chair. “So, are we good? I mean, I know we’re not back to being like we were, but... I dunno. Are you still pissed at me?”

“...Sure, whatever.”

“Ugh, mares are so bloody complicated,” I muttered and rubbed at my eyes. “I don’t know if that means you’re angry and just keeping a lid on it, or you’re not angry, or just don’t want me to know you’re still angry, or a freaking billion other things.”

“You’re an idiot, you know that?”

“Yeah, I’ve been told.”

“Well you are. Now get me out of this stinking bed. I swear I’m about to go insane if I stay here for one more second.” As if to emphasise her point, her wings twitched.

“Have the doctors cleared you to go?” I asked. “No? Then I’m not helping you out of that bed.”

“You’re meant to be my friend!”

I rolled my eyes. “If not helping you hurt yourself makes me a bad friend, then I’ll happily be a bad friend. If that filly...” I snapped my claws. “What’s her name... Uh... Shutterfly? Whatever. If she was in your situation, would you help her out of bed?”

“It’s Fluttershy,” snapped Dash. “And that’s not the point!”

“It is, and you know it. The rules don’t change for you, Dash.”

“Well they should,” she said. “Well if you don’t help me now, I’ll just sneak out later.”

“I’m nocturnal, dude. I can wait here all night to stop y-”

“I’m sure your marefriend would just love that.”

I paused for thought, before I shrugged. I held out one hand. “Trixie gets pissed at me, she gives me the silent treatment for a few days, gets over it, I make her dinner, and we’re all good again.” I held out my other claw. “You leave this bed, trip on some stairs, your ribs puncture your lungs and my only friend’s dead.” I balanced the two out on an invisible scale. “Really not much of a contest.”

“Seriously? Get a social life. Or will Trixie whip you for that?”

“Trixie actually told me to go and ‘make some friends’,” I rolled my eyes.

“Oh dear Celestia’s royal plot, don’t let Twilight hear you say that.”

“Twilight?” I searched my memory. “Uh... magic, right? Celestia’s student?”

“Resident egghead, geek extraordinaire, could lecture a room of politicians to death,” finished Dash.

“I seriously don’t get your new friends. How could you of all ponies be friends with someone like that? Let alone Shutte-”

“Fluttershy.”

“Right, Fluttershy. I can barely talk to her without getting so frustrated I could scream. Not to mention that shrieking Pink Horror.”

“Hey, Pinkie’s cool and Fluttershy could kick your ass.” She folded her hooves and glared at me. “I don’t mock your marefriend and you don’t mock my friends. Got that?”

“Alright, alright.” I held out my claws calmingly. “I’m just saying is all. Also, there’s no way in Tartarus Shutterfly could beat anyone in a fight. I’ve never seen a more delicate mare in my life.”

“She beat up a full grown dragon.”

I snorted out a chuckle. “Uh huh.”

“Totally serious, Pinkie Promise. You know that dragon that threatened to blanket Equestria in smoke?”

“Nope. I wasn’t in Equestria for a few months after we had that fight in Ponyville. Must have happened while I was gone.” 

“Well whatever, getting him to move out was all Fluttershy.”

“I doubt that. You probably weren’t even there when that dragon got told to piss off. That’s an issue for the military, or the Princesses, or some negotiators. Not Celestia’s own personal and irreplaceable super-weapons.”

“Nah, we got that job. Totally nailed it and it was all Fluttershy. You should have seen it. Totally. Awesome.”

“Sure,” I sat back in my chair, folding my arms behind my head. “Any other monsters you and your friends want to steal credit for beating?”





Why was I back here? Seriously, by all accounts I should be somewhere in the middle of nowhere, doing who knows what. Sure, I’d end up being hunted down like some piece of food, but at least I wouldn’t be here. So what in the bloody world was I doing? I could still escape, there was still the chance for me to run away right now and to never look back. Vinyl and Octy would wonder what happened to me and where I had gone, but at least they’d no longer be in danger. It was only a matter of time before Chrysalis decided they were a detriment and removed them from the picture. The longer I was here, the more danger they were in.

How long had I been standing here with a hoof raised? An hour? Two? Did it matter? Maybe some pony had called the guards and told them there was a crazy pony in the building and they needed to be locked in a mental institute somewhere. It was a pipe dream, but one worth dreaming.

Also, it was so bloody weird to no longer have pervy thoughts floating around in my head. I swear, Vinyl is the worst influence ever and no one should ever feed on her. Ever. Feeding on that prick Blueblood would be better.

A knocking sound echoed through the hall.

Was that me? Did I just knock? Fuck! Alright, stay calm, deep breaths. I can still run away. In fact, there’s a window right there! I’ll just change to a pegasus and jump out. Kinda silly, but it works. Okay, let’s go!

Um... legs? Please move. Why aren’t you moving? Come on, move!

The locks on the door clicked, and the door swung open. Vinyl stood there and asked, “Hey, is that you? If not, then who are you and what do you want?”

“Nope, not me.Totally not me.Just a random stranger, sorry for the bother, later.” I turned to walk away, but she bit my tail and dragged me back inside.

“Great, I was just about to come find you.” She slammed the door shut behind us and looked at me, running a hoof through her mane. “Alright, so Octy’s taking this... not as badly as she could have,” she rubbed her jaw, “only got slapped once. Anyway, I’ve calmed her down, and she’s sitting in there with some coffee and wants to talk to you. Just talk. If you can convince her that you’re, you know, a pony, then you can stay. Just don’t disguise yourself as me, her, or anypony she knows. And don’t flirt with her. Or stare at her. Or make any sudden movements. Or touch her drink. Or her. Actually, just stay on the other side of the room from her. And for Celestia’s sake, whatever you do, do not under any circumstances-”

“Vinyl?” Octavia called out. “Is that her?”

“Yeah! Be there in a sec,” Vinyl turned back to me and jabbed a hoof into my chest. “Don’t mess this up. I was up all night trying to convince her that this isn’t treason or something.”

“How’d you manage that?” I whispered back.

“I have absolutely no idea.” She trotted back down the corridor, and pushed open the door. I followed her inside, and Vinyl stood between me and her. “Octy, meet my changeling roommate. My changeling roommate, meet Octy.” She elbowed me and hissed, “Say hi.”

“Um... hi?” I smiled weakly.

Octavia looked tired, and frazzled as she answered. “Uh... hello.”

“See?” Vinyl said, nervously glancing between us. “There’s no need for this to be a big deal. Uh... why don’t you show Octy what you really look like?”

“Wha-what?” I glanced between the two of them before gulping and dropping the disguise.

Octavia flinched back, and watched me warily. After a second she said, “So... uh... I’m sorry, I don’t know if you’re male or female.” She frowned, shuddered, and looked away. “Could uh... she? Put her disguise back on?”

Vinyl nodded and looked at me expectantly.

“Gladly.” I tossed on my spare unicorn disguise that wasn’t based on anypony. “Better?”

Octavia didn’t seem any more relaxed, but she nodded. “I’m sorry, um, I still haven’t caught your name. Ms...?”

“SC0619.” 

Octavia blinked. “I beg your pardon?”

“Yeah, you find that weird, but that’s my name and I’m sticking to it.”

“Uh...” Octavia glanced at the real unicorn. “Vinyl, are all changelings named like that?”

“How should I know?” Vinyl shrugged. “I never can never remember her name anyway.”

“Zero.Zero-six-one-nine. With SC in front obviously,” I muttered with a glare. “You don’t hear me calling you... er... Inzyl or something.”

“But that’s because Vinyl is an actual word,” Octavia pointed out with a frown. “Sorry, but it could take a while before we can remember a sequence of random numbers.”

“Hey, they’re not random numbers! That’s like saying your name is made up of random letters. So not cool.”

“Hey, chill.” Vinyl nudged me with her hoof, before turning to Octavia. “I’ve always just called her ‘dude’ or ‘bro’ or ‘hey you’ if she’s in a crowd.” She shrugged.

“That seems... slightly derogatory...” Octavia answered.

“Hey, if she wants a real name she can just pick one.”

“I have a real name,” I said. “I just told you what it was.”

“Eh,” Vinyl tossed her hoof in the air. “It’s more like a serial number, you know? You’re hatchling number three billion and five, so we’ll just call you three billion and five.”

“Please, if that was the case I’d be something like three billion five hundred thousand something or rather. And come on, since when can you use a number as a pick up line? You can’t. My name? Total chick magic. Or male magnet. Whatever.”

Octavia threw up in her mouth.

Vinyl ignored that and turned to face me. “Even if it is your name, CS619-”

“Zero! There’s a zero there.” I threw both hooves into the air. “I remember your names fine.”

“Fine. CS6190 is a bit of a mouthful anyway. Are you sure we can’t shorten it to like, CS or something?”

“It’s SC. As in Scout. Scout zero-six-one-nine,” I grumbled. “And can we stop talking about my name? It’s a perfectly fine name!”

“How about we shorten it just that, then? Scout. We’ll call you Scout.” Vinyl grinned, and turned to Octy. “That works, right? I always wanted to name my pet something like that.”

“I’m not a pet! And I have a name, just fucking use it!” I snapped.

“Woah, woah, woah.” Vinyl held her hooves out and reared back. “Just chill, dude. I’m just trying to help Octy get a handle on this, and think of you as something other than another mindless drone in an endless swarm. Names help with that. First you name it, then you start getting attached to it.”

“I have a name though,” I mumbled.

Vinyl opened her mouth again, but Octavia interrupted her. “It’s fine, Vinyl. We can talk about this later.” She turned to face me. “So, SC0619, I have to ask what are you doing living with Vinyl? Are you only here to...” she gulped, “Feed off us?”

“Nah, feeding off Vinyl leaves me in this really weird ‘I wanna go after anything that moves’ type of state, and that’s a lot less fun than it sounds. I’m just here to hang around, nothing really that serious. Plus, playing at her gigs gives enough emotion for me to last a couple of days.” I shrugged and tried to give her a reassuring smile. “I’m not a spy or anything you know.”

“Well, how can we be certain of that?” Octavia frowned. “For all Vinyl knows, you’re not even the original changeling she made this agreement with. If you can take any form, there’s no reason you couldn’t have replaced the real SC0619 and she never noticed.”

“Hey, we’re closer than that,” Vinyl muttered and turned to me. “We’re friends. Right, SC...9? 6...? 2...0?”

Head meet table. Hard.Repeatedly.

“Hey, it’s not my fault you have a stupid name,” Vinyl pouted.

“My name is not stupid,” I said under my breath, though I wasn’t even sure why I bothered.

“For that matter, how am I supposed to tell the difference between you and Vinyl if you’re disguised as her?”

“Um... I don’t know her eye color?” I said. “So I just guessed and went with blue, unless that’s her actual color.”

Vinyl grinned. “Nope. Not blue.”

“Yes, but she could be just saying that.” Octavia replied. “I know your eye color, why wouldn’t she?”

“Because you’re special to me?” Vinyl smiled and nuzzled her. 

Octavia returned the nuzzle, but didn’t seem quite satisfied with that system. “Yes, but she could have pried your eyes open while you were asleep. Or she could just watch you until you open them in the morning.”

“Because I’m such a stalker right?” I rolled my eyes. 

“All I’m saying is that it’s a system prone to flaws and exploitation.” Octavia turned to face Vinyl. “Maybe if you tell me something about yourself that she doesn’t know? That way I can use that if it might not be the real you? Something like, what’s your favorite color, or who was your first kiss?”

“Right...” Vinyl glanced at me and shrugged. “Uh... how about the name of my first time?”

“Spitfire,” I said without missing a beat.

Octavia blinked in shock, and frowned in disapproval.

Vinyl didn’t seem to notice. “Oh... the only stallion I ever screwed?”

“Firestreak.”

“Vinyl...” Octavia growled in warning.

She didn’t seem to notice. “How many ponies I’ve laid?”

“Thirty-two...?”

Octavia’s eyes bugged. “Vinyl?” She choked.

“Damn it...” Vinyl frowned. “Alright, just wait, I’ll get this-”

“No you won’t!” Octavia snapped with a stomp of her hoof. “Thirty two? Really?”

Vinyl shrugged.

“How about my birthday, then?” Octavia suggested.

“Um...” I glanced over at Vinyl. “That’s a hard one. Twentieth next month right?”

“Nah, Octy’s birthday’s near the start of the year, right?” Vinyl glanced at her.

Octavia frowned. “I can’t believe your insect roommate remember my birthday, and you don’t.”

“Uh...” Vinyl shifted from left to right. “Uh... she read my mind, and erased it from my memory! Changelings can totally do that!”

“Yes, changelings can so totally do that,” I said flatly with an eye roll.

“Vinyl...” Octavia warned.

“Alright, fine!” Vinyl snapped. “Everypony just gang up on me, why don’t you? How about where Octy and I first met? Where we first kissed? Where our first date was? The first night that we did it? Any of those?!”

“Whoa!” I scrambled back and held out my hooves. “Geez, sorry, I don’t know alright?”

Octavia held put a hoof on Vinyl’s shoulder. “Vinyl, calm down. I just want to be safe-”

“She’s my friend, Octy.” Vinyl shrugged the hoof off and rounded on her. “I’m not going to kick her out of my apartment for no reason. I share things with her, a lot of things, because that’s what friends do! She’s not going to try to replace me, and she’s never ever going to touch you because she knows what you mean to me. She’s not some spy, she doesn’t do any sneaky subterfuge stuff, and I really hate the fact that you think you need some stupid code word or question just to tell us apart!”

“Vinyl, I-”

“No!” Vinyl stomped her hoof. “I’m going for a walk, and when I come back I want you two to get along without me!” And with that, she stalked out of the room and the door slammed shut behind her. A moment later, it opened again and she shouted to us. “And notice how I left you alone in a room with her? That’s because I trust her, damn it! And you should too!” Then the door slammed again, and I was left alone with Octavia.

“So...” I clapped my hooves together.

“...” Octavia didn’t seem to have anything to say either. “Would... you... like some tea?”

“Green tea?” I asked.

“Umm... I think we have some. I’ll just check...” Octavia trotted out of the room, and I heard the sound of water being poured into a jug. “Yes. Apparently we do have a few bags of green tea.”

“Sweet!” I slipped off the couch and trotted into the kitchen. “You would not believe how hard it is to get green tea in the hive. I love this stuff. Need some help?”

“Um... No, I’m fine in here,” she pushed the kettle onto the stove. “Would you like some sugar or milk?”

“Neither, I prefer my green tea nice and strong. Changelings don’t really have taste buds. We only eat or drink to be polite or if we really, really, really like the texture.”

Octavia nodded. “That’s... interesting.” A frown touched her muzzle, and she looked me in the eye. “Wait, was it you who took me to that gryphon restaurant the other night?”

“Um...” I coughed and smiled sheepishly. “Vinyl’s going to kill me.”

Octavia’s eyes widened. “I was positively drunk! And you called me a racist! When I woke up I couldn’t believe Vinyl had done that to me. The only reason I didn’t mention it to her was I was so embarrassed about it, and I was surprised when she didn’t even bring it up.”

“Heh, yeah, you got totally trashed.” I grinned at her before sighing. “And yeah, you were totally being racist. I swear by Celestia, I don’t get how Vinyl can hang out with you when you go full ‘ponies are better’ mode.”

Octavia blinked, and scowled. “I am not a racist.”

“What was it you said?” I cleared my throat and mimicked her voice, “‘I’m sorry, but how can you know how to cook if you don’t even eat the stuff’ or something like that. I don’t know, but it was racist.”

“It wasn’t,” she growled, turning away to take the kettle of the stove and pour a two cups of tea. “It was a perfectly reasonable question to ask.”

“Sure,” I said as I levitated the cups to the table. “And thanks, you do not know how much I love this.”

“You’re welcome.” She sat down across from me, her eyes narrowing again. “Was it you that got involved in that fight with Rainbow Dash as well?”

“No...?” I smiled innocently as I sipped on the tea, a moan escaping as I felt that smooth drink going down my throat. “Oh Celestia’s flank I’ve missed this.”

Octavia blinked in surprise before shaking her head and looking away. “I knew it was too good to be true. I should have suspected Vinyl was interested in flying mares after I found that issue of Air Illustrated in her room. I didn’t think she’d start a fight though, I’ve never known her to be violent.”

“What?” I tilted my head to the side in confusion. “Okay, I’m going to be serious for once, but Vinyl loves you and she’s not interested in anyone other than you. I mean, the one time I was around when you two were together, the love overflow was enough that I didn’t need to feed for a week.”

Octavia blushed at that, and smiled into her tea. “Really?”

“Yes. Next time when you two are alone and she’s trying to be romantic, take off her glasses. You ponies have that cheesy saying about eyes and souls or love or something, and if it’s true, you’ll see it without a doubt.” Throwing my head back, I drank the rest of my tea as though it was a shot of alcohol. “More please.”

Octavia stood up, and brought the kettle over, still smiling. She tipped some into my cup, before a frown touched her lips. “But then why does she insist on making those lewd suggestions at her ‘gigs’ about female nightkin, gryphons, and zebras?”

I coughed and looked away, sipping on some tea in the hopes of hiding my expression.

“That was you?!” Octavia sounded incredulous. “I was worried that she thought I was becoming boring and was trying to give me hints.” She shook her head and took a sip of her own tea. “Why would you even say those things?”

“If you hadn’t noticed, I’m into the whole equality thing. It’s kinda a big deal for us and plus, nightkin and gryphons are hot!” I grinned at her, hoping to make her squirm, but she merely rolled her eyes.

“I for one, don’t see the appeal. Nightkin have those ghastly teeth and wings. And those eyes,” she shuddered. “They’re simply not natural. And they’re far too similar to those old horror stories, Curse and such.”

“Those teeth are awesome.” I held my forehooves up in front of my face, pretending they were teeth. “I mean, just imagine the bites and nibbles those could give. So awesome.”

Octavia shook her head, but seemed amused. “And gryphons don’t even have... compatible anatomy. I mean, how would you kiss a beak? And those talons, they couldn’t touch you... there without tearing something.”

“You’d be surprised,” I singsonged.

Octavia looked green again. “You didn’t... did you?”

“A mare never kisses and tells,” I said as I drank some more tea before adding as she took a sip from her own cup, “Totally did.”

Octavia coughed and banged a hoof against her chest. “That’s... positively ghastly. I didn’t know gryphons even accepted homosexual or interspecies... canoodling.”

“First of all, it was a guy. Secondly, Gilda has a marefriend and currently she’s the face of gryphon relations.”

Octavia blinked at me, before shaking her head and frowning. “I was under the impression Gilda didn’t represent gryphons very well at all. According to all the newspapers, she’s something of an exception when compared to their females, and quite the brute too. Just the other day she was photographed choking some poor reporter.”

“Any other high profile gryphons you can name?” I countered.

“Um... their former king?” Octavia shrugged. “But no, none spring to mind.”

“Exactly. Gilda, for all her faults, is the face of gryphon relations.” I leaned back in my chair. “She’s kind of a big deal.”

“They should probably pick a better spokes-pony then,” Octavia replied before adding, “Or spokes-gryphon. This whole anypony versus anyone business is so trivial and needlessly politically correct. Was it you or Vinyl that corrected Luna over that at the meeting?”

“Duh, who else?” I grinned at her and jabbed a hoof at myself. “I’m just awesome like that.”

“Honestly, it’s the pettiest thing in the world for you to take a stand on.” Octavia rolled her eyes. “Even with the new wave of refugees, gryphons barely represent four percent of the population.”

“Doesn’t make them any less important,” I replied.

“I would argue that it does. The needs of our nation are important than theirs. We need to consider our requirements first, before we can really set about giving aid to them.”

“Raaaaaacist,” I sang. “Equestria has more than enough to give aid to them ten times over before even feeling the dent.”

“I am not racist!” Octavia huffed. “I resent that. Yes, we have the means to provide for them, for now, but what if their civil war drags out? What if they become dependent on us? How long can Equestria sustain a population that’s not offering us anything in return? If we simply give it to them now, they’ll expect the same in future. Give an inch and they’ll take a mile, as my father always said.” 

“Raaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaacist,” I said again. “Just listen to yourself for once.”

“I raise valid points, not blind prejudice!” she snapped back at me. “Gryphons and ponies are vastly different, and there are issues that need to be addressed. Not just the obvious ones like their carnivorous nature or misogyny, but other ones like their military culture and predatory instincts. How will that fit in our society, regardless of their race? It would be like taking a pony from before the tribes unified and throwing them into modern society and expecting nothing wrong to come of it. Things are different in Equestria than they are in the Kingdom.”

“Valid points does not make you not racist.” I paused. “That sounded better in my head, but anyways! You could at least give them the chance.”

“How am I denying them a chance? I just suggest caution over blind acceptance.”

“Suuuuure you were.” 

Octavia rolled her eyes. “You’re trying to paint me as a bigot, when you’re not even thinking about actually countering my arguments. At least I’m putting a degree of thought into the topic.”

“Meh, I’m a scout not a thinker. They point me in a direction and I go, not that hard to understand,” I said with a shrug.

“So... you still work for your uh, hive?”

“When you’ve got an evil overlord who knows everything everyone is doingand can track you down whenever she wants to , it’s kinda hard to get away. Don’t tempt me though, it’d be nice to get away from that old hag.” I looked at her nervously. “Just... er... don’t go telling her I said that. If she asks, she doesn’t look a year over twenty-one.”

Octavia stared at me, a worried frown appearing. “Is Vinyl in danger because of you?”

“Don’t be silly, she’s not interested in Vinyl or you or any of your friends or family. You’re... inconsequential...” I shrugged. “Personally, I think she’s finally cracked.”

“That’s not comforting.” Octavia put her tea down and looking suspicious. “What are you doing here? Why did you ever approach Vinyl in the first place?”

“You’re gonna have to ask Vinyl that one, I’m afraid. As for why I’m here, well, I’d love to tell you, but I don’t know.” I took another drink of the tea and stuck my tongue out at how cold it was. “I forgot how bad this tastes cold.”

“What if your queen decides that she doesn’t need Vinyl at all? What’s to stop her ordering you to do away with me and Vinyl entirely and replace the both of us with infiltrators?”

“What’s to stop Celestia from bringing down the sun and killing every pony?”

“That’s irrelevant, Celestia would never do that. It’s simply not in her nature.”

“Well then, there’s your answer.”

“You’re telling me your queen isn’t ruthless and calculating? Even if you would refuse such orders, what’s to stop her having you replaced?”

“My irresistible wit and charm of course. Tell me, have you seen a more handsome changeling than moi?” I said as I ran a hoof through my luxurious mane.

“You’re dodging the question, and that’s not even what you really look like. For all I know, as far as changeling’s go, you could be considered hideous. But then, I suppose as far as changelings are concerned, appearance would be a relative issue...” Octavia frowned at me again. “Are you even truly female?”

“Eh, gender doesn’t mean much since we can, you know, change. I mean, hello! It’s in our name. Changelings. It really comes down to what we want to be, and me? I prefer being female. I just love the way a mare can make a stallion’s eyes pop out and how a simple flick of the rump can knock out an entire battalion.”

Octavia blinked in surprise. “So... you prefer to be a mare, but aren’t really worried about it?”

“It? Is this some sort of code phrase or something? I swear, you ponies spend too much time making up these little innuendos or whatever full of winks and argh. Can’t you just have a proper conversation for once?”

“I’m just trying to get a handle on your personality. If you’re female but prefer mares as sexual partners, that says things about you.”

“Technically I prefer males, Vinyl just messes up my orientation. I swear, that mare has a libido so high it’s like comparing an alicorn to a unicorn foal in magic. How do you even keep up with her?”

“With tight restraint.” Octavia answered.

My mouth opened then closed then opened again as I stared at her in shock. Was she joking? She was joking right? She had to be joking.

“Oh, not like that,” Octavia waved a hoof. “What I mean is I make her earn it, and make it worthwhile for her. I make her exercise restraint and approach me on my terms. And... it helps if I keep an open mind with her. She does have quite the broad... appetite.”

“Don’t remind me. I still have nightmares over some of the things she has going through her head.” I whimpered and cradled my head. “There are some things that simply aren’t meant to be seen.”

Octavia frowned at me. “Do you mean that thing she likes with th-”

“I don’t want to know!” My ears flattened against my skull.

“Oh, it’s not that bad.” Octavia waved a hoof. “I don’t really enjoy it too much, but if she en-”

“Lalalalalalalalalalala, can’t hear you!”

Octavia just rolled her eyes. “Don’t be so obtuse.”

“Don’t know, don’t care. I’ve finally got her out of my system thank you very much, I don’t need to be corrupted again.”

“So... does feeding on ponies always have that effect on you? If you feed on... a cow for example, do you develop a craving for bull? Or is Vinyl just... extreme?”

“Vinyl’s extreme, but any emotion will affect us. It’s not really common knowledge, so don’t spread that around, but if I feed on someone really angry I’ll end up more irritable and if I feed on someone really, really, really, happy I’ll end up feeling as though everything is great.” I rubbed the back of my neck. “It’s part of why we tend to feed on the same people every time since it helps us... adjust.”

“So, have you fed on me?” Octavia asked, sounding fascinated.

“Nope. Vinyl would kill me if I did that.”

“Oh. Right...” Octavia chuckled. “I was just slightly curious about what I’d... taste like.”

“You’re not extreme enough to get a strong reaction, which makes you the ideal... er...” I tried to find a non-predatory word for it, but it was impossible. After all, she was food. “Um... ideal pony.”

Octavia blinked. “I don’t know if I should be flattered, or get annoyed about essentially being described as dull.”

“Flattered. Flattery is good, great even!” A nervous chuckle escaped. “And it’s called being balanced.”

“Uh huh,” she answered dryly. After another second she asked, “I’m sorry, I’m just rather curious about... the emotion feeding thing. I’m not even sure I understand how you could get energy from love. Who’s the most ‘extreme’ pony you’ve fed on?”

“Vinyl.”

“Really?” Octavia chuckled. “I always knew she was bad, but not that bad. Honestly, she’s only so much more active than I am in regards to that.”

“She’s insane.”

“Yes. Yes she is.” Octavia smiled and stood up. “I honestly wonder what she sees in me at times. I’m far from her usual field of interest, raving and partying and energy drinks and cheap one night stands and bad decisions.” She rolled her eyes. “I don’t even see the appeal in a hangover and sexual diseases.”

A smile touched my lips. “I could tell you, but that’d ruin the d’awwwwww factor.”

She stepped back to the table and filled the pot with more boiling water. “So, do changelings ever settle down? What if you fall in love with another changeling? Could you feed off each other indefinitely?”

“Er... ask me once I fall in love?” I chuckled nervously.

“Isn’t that the sort of thing you should think about beforehand? It could be a bit of an issue at the time.”

“It’s... er... something we’re not allowed to talk about. Ever.”

“Oh...” Octavia poured me another cup of tea and sat down again. “Why not?”

The cup was immediately snatched up as I nursed it in my hooves. “I dunno. No one talks about it and it’s a kinda big secret that we prefer to keep on the hush hush.”

“So... do changeling have many taboo topics? It sounds like you lead a rather dreary and tightly controlled existence.”

“Well when every single other species wants to kill you, it’s necessary.”

“Well, it’s not exactly like your kind has a history of being the victim, and your method of survival is rather sinister and invasive.”

“We’re shape shifters by nature. Tell me, could you ever trust a shape shifter? Love one? There’d always be that nugget of doubt in the back of your mind that maybe they’re taking another shape and cheating on you.” A sigh escaped as I swirled my green tea. “At our core we are liars, spies, constant change.”

“...Rather sad when you think of it like that.”

“Welcome to my life.” I raised my glass in a mock toast. “I mean, no matter what we do, when something goes wrong, it’s our fault. And then you have ponies for next door neighbors where everything goes right and, well, is it a surprise we lashed out. Sorry about that by the way.”

Octavia sighed, and stood up. “Couldn’t you have just been a mindless insect? It would have been much easier to tell Vinyl to get rid of you. Now you’re making me empathetic.”

“Heh, sorry, it’s what we do. Emotional manipulators and leeches you know, probably understand emotion better than anyone.” Standing up, I passed the cup back to her. “I think it’s about time I left anyways.”

“Why?” She frowned at me. “I thought the whole point of this was to convince me you should stay? Which you’ve more or less done, by the way.”

“Yeah... well...” As much as I hated to admit it, dealing with Vinyl got me too sympathetic to begin with and now I was connecting to Octy. If that happened... “I need to do some stuff.”

“If you leave now, Vinyl will think I made you leave. If you have to go, fine, but at least wait until you can explain things to her. She’s your friend, you owe her at least that much.”

That made me pause at the door. As much as I hated it, I could feel the emotions warring inside me, causing me to grit my teeth. I wanted to stay, I wanted to stay so badly, more than I had ever wanted anything else in the world, but I could also feel the hivemind. It buzzed inside my head, nudging me on, drawing me away. I had a job, a purpose and I needed to do that.

“It’s ultimately your choice if you want to leave or not, but you can’t simply walk out of her life like that and expect her to just be fine. You’re Vinyl’s friend, serial number for a name or no. It simply wouldn’t be fair on her.”

Fuck.

My hoof dropped away from the door handle and I turned back to Octy. “You know what, an hour or two wouldn’t hurt.” But even as I said that, I could feel the pressure in the back of my mind increasing.





I was actually still in a good mood when I got back to my apartment. I’d almost forgotten just how damn funny Dash could be. I turned the key in the lock and stepped inside.

The last few hours were just like back in flight school, me and her up all night, talking non-stop about stupid shit that meant nothing. She bragged about things that totally never happened, and I pretended I believed her. It was a total nostalgia trip for me. The only way it could have been better was if I wasn’t morning already.

I closed the door behind me, and yawned as I towards the bedroom. I couldn’t help but feel I’d forgotten something, though. Whatever. It was probably nothing.

“Hey, Trix, I’m back! You here?” I called out.

The bedroom door slammed open and there stood a very pissed off and very red eyed mare. “And just where have you been?”

Ah. I think I remembered what I’d forgotten.

“Uh... the hospital?” I answered hesitantly. Oh crap. I’d forgotten to tell her I was going there, and then I spent all night out and she didn’t even know where I was. I was so dead. Uh... quick! Distract her! “Hey! It turns out there’s this community meeting thing at the palace tonight that I figured we should go to.”

“Gilda,” she growled, “give me one good reason to not kill you right now.”

“... Uh...” That’s a really good question. Think me, think. “I... made a friend! Yeah, I made a friend like you wanted me to!”

“Oh really? A friend you say?” If anything, her tone made me even more nervous. “Tell me about this ‘friend’ of yours.”

“Alright, well... I didn’t really make a friend, I got back in touch with Dash, and spent the day talking with her at hospital. But that counts, right? That fixes up that issue you had with me being too lonely, right?”

Her eyes narrowed, but she didn’t say anything.

“And... Uh... Anyway, I’ve been up all day and night, so I’m feeling pretty damn tired.” I moved to step around her. “So... uh... you know, I’ll just get some sleep and everything’s fine.”

A hoof was suddenly in my way as she glared at me and I realized that she didn’t have her hat or cape on. “Do you have any idea how worried I was? I came this close to calling the Guard to go looking for you!”

“...Sorry, but... I can take care of myself, right? What’s the worst that could have happened?”

The glare I received was straight from the gates of Tartarus, a special order just for me.

“Hey! Calm down, it’s not that big of a deal, Trix. I’m fine.” I put my claw on her shoulder only for her to shrug it off. “Hey, that’s not fair! I know I should have warned you where I was, but I can take care of myself, and you know I wouldn’t do anything stupid or dangerous.”

“Trixie isn’t so certain about that last one,” she snapped.

“Hey, you’re the one who picked a fight with the city guard last week,” I pointed out.

“You’re the one who sees a shrink every week.” As soon as those words left her lips, her face fell. “Sorry...”

My eye twitched a little bit. You try killing your brother for the sake of someone you love and come out the other end peachy keen. I didn’t actually say that. I wanted to, but I stamped it down before I even took breath to answer.

I stared at her for a moment, before I shook my head and pushed past her. “Whatever. I’m tired, I want to sleep.”

“You don’t just walk away from the Great and Powerful Trixie! Don’t you dare!”

“Don’t I dare?” I turned around and snapped at her. “‘Don’t I dare’? I repeated as I stepped towards her. “Gee Trix, that sounded a whole fucking lot like a threat. So that’s it? You’re threatening me now? As if the emotional blackmail wasn’t already enough, or the mandatory visits to a psychiatrist that you helped sign me up for! What are you gonna do now, huh? Get me committed to the goddess damn loony bin this time?!”

I noticed Trixie was shrinking back from me, and I was practically roaring in her face. My wings were flared, my crown feathers were standing up, and I realised I was crouched low so my face was directly in hers. Also the ‘ready to tackle’ position, another part of me noted.

“N-No. Sorry. I’ll just go an-and do, um... cook dinner!” She quickly backed out of the room and scrambled towards the kitchen.

“W-wait, Trix!” I stood up and followed after her. “Shit, shit, shit, I didn’t- I wasn’t trying to- I mean, fuck! I’m sorry! I didn’t even notice what I was doing!” I said as I followed after her.

As if that makes it any better.

Shut up!

“It’s fine! It’s perfectly fine! T-Trixie will cook dinner, it’ll be ready in a minute.” She ran around the kitchen, throwing all sorts of stuff in a pot and dicing food faster than I’ve ever seen her move. There was a flash of light and a beer bottle was in my face. “J-Just sit down and enjoy your drink, the food will be out shortly.”

“Trix, I’m sorry.” I repeated as I grabbed the beer and put it down on the counter. “I didn’t even realise I was... Fuck, I swear to Celestia I’d never hurt you.” I stepped closer to Trixie, and asked, “Are you okay? I-I- shit... I was just tired and angry. That’s it. Tired and angry and... Look, you were right to be worried about me. I shouldn’t have spent so long with Dash and not let you know where I was. That was my bad.”

She shrunk away as she filled the pot with water and put it on the stove, still muttering under her breath, but it was impossible it make out the words. Her breaths were coming short and sharp, and I froze as I realised she was hyperventilating.

“Trixie?”

She didn’t respond to me, she just kept cooking frantically and breathing hard.

I stepped forward, and wrapped my arms around her. I pulled her close to my chest, wrapped my wings around her body, and stared into her eyes. “Trix, you’re scaring me.”

She froze. Her entire body stiffened and for a second, I thought I had completely broken her. Then a small sob escaped and she wrapped both hooves around my body, hugging back tightly as she cried for the first time.

I hugged her tighter and stroked the back of her mane. “I’m sorry, Trix. I’m really bloody sorry.” Fuck me, I can’t believe I’d rattled her so badly like that. Damn me. Somebody should just freaking stab me. Holy fuck, I can’t believe I did that. Acid churned in my gut, and I felt sick to my stomach. Did I really just snap at Trixie like that because she was worried about me?

Yes, you really did. Classy move, Gilda.

“I-I... Are you okay, Trix?”

She nodded mutely into my shoulder and squeezed me tighter. Every fiber of her being was trembling in my arms, but she slowly settled down until she just rested against me. We just stood there for a couple of seconds, not saying or doing anything as I awkwardly brushed her mane.

“S-Sorry,” whispered Trixie, finally breaking the silence.

“No, it’s fine. I’m the one who... Fuck, I don’t even know what came over me. I’m just... shit, are you okay?” I frowned as I thought back on what I knew of Trixie. Please tell me I didn’t just make her flashback to getting beaten by her mother or something.

Probably.

I swallowed.

“Y-Yeah.” She touched a hoof to my cheek and I instinctively leaned in, nuzzling it lightly. “You’re not like her. You love me... right?”

That was out loud? Shit.

“Yes. I love you and I’d never hurt you. I couldn’t live with myself if I ever... I can’t believe I just...” I shook my head, and hugged her tighter. “I’m sorry.”

“It was Trixie’s fault, she shouldn’t have said anything, she should have just let you sleep,” she said before mumbling under her breath, “It’s always Trixie’s fault.”

“No, it wasn’t your fault at all. I had no good reason to snap, and you were right to worry about me.” Fuck, maybe that shrink has a point.

You think?

“J-Just hold me.” She looked up at me with those large, innocent eyes of her. “Please.”

I nodded, and If I hugged her any tighter it would have hurt her. But I would never let myself hurt her. If I ever caught myself doing that again I’d... I’d...

Leave her? Yeah, because that went so great the first time she thought you’d abandoned her.

“Shut up.” I froze as I realised I’d muttered that out loud.

“Gilda?” Trixie looked up at me confusedly.

“Just... talking to myself?” Apparently? I shook my head. “Sorry, I’m tired and I think I’m starting to go crazy... Or, you know, more crazy.” I tried to smile at her, making it clear that was a joke.

Instead she just frowned. “Are you alright?”

“Well, I just screamed at you a few minutes ago for practically no reason, and I’m seeing a shrink once a week, so... not really?” I chuckled and rubbed the back of my neck.

Both hooves were suddenly around my neck and I found myself on the receiving end yet again. “Trixie is always here for you. I’m always here for you.”

“I know, and it’s nothing. I’m just tired I guess...”

“Trixie is still sorry.” She nudged me gently towards the bedroom. “Go sleep.”

I nodded and turned away. ”Right. Wake me at five this afternoon, will you? There’s another one of those community meeting things that Dash talked me into going.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. Don’t ask me how, but she can be really damn convincing.”

“Well I’m proud of you.” A light kissed was placed on my cheek. “Now go sleep. Trixie will join you in a couple of minutes.”

“Thanks Trix.” I said to her as I padded toward the bedroom before I paused and turned around. “Wait, you’ll be going to bed too?” I frowned and glanced at the clock. “But... it’s only like, ten in the morning for you.”

“Trixie stayed up all night waiting for a certain someone to come back.” She gave me a pointed look.

“Oh... right, sorry.”

Just keep apologising, because that’ll make everything better.

Shut up.

With a sigh, I jumped onto the bed and rolled into a more comfy sleeping position. I was more tired than I thought, because even though I hadn’t had a shower yet, and Trixie wasn’t next to me, I was out like a light in barely a minute.