Another week and a half passes and the weekend welcomes all those who appreciate it. Saturday morning creeps by as the sun works its way through the tiniest gap between the shade and the border of the window in the couple's room. With both of their housemates gone for their own reasons this morning, the nymph and stallion have blissfully slept in, the pets only too happy to follow their example. The solitary strip of sunlight, as is customary of it's kind, manages to find it's way right onto the eyelids of the green stallion.
His brain starting to warm up as the light disturbs his sleep, Rhino entertains a brief wisp of thought as to how the light always manages to find him despite his best efforts to make the room completely sealed off from it when he wants it that way. His mouth and eyes twitch as he lets out a brief noise of discomfort. He purposefully shifts lower on his pillow to dodge the beam of light. However, what his not-yet-fully-functioning brain did not take into account, was that as the biggest thing in the bed and what most of the inhabitants of it, including Gel, we sleeping on in some way, his shifting doesn't usually tend to go without notice.
The nymph mumbles, wrapping her hooves around his head and hugging him closer. This presses his snout against her chest, and his horn bops her nose. She squeaks in surprise, eyes snapping open. "...oh..." She blushes brightly, realizing what just happened.
He snuggles closer to her, still in denial about having to wake up. He nuzzles her chest as he wraps his arm firmly around her.
She sees this and smirks playfully. She sticks out her tongue, giving his horn a single, long lick.
His eyes shoot open as his whole body shivers, his fur sticking up on end. "Woah..."
She giggles, stroking his cheek with a hoof. "Good morning, sleepy head." She gives him another lick, this time circling the blunt tip of it. "Are you excited for the weekend?"
He shivers again as he looks up at her. "You know I always enjoy weekends... but I think you've got the 'excited' part covered already." He sticks out his tongue playfully.
Gel smiles, leaning down and kissing him gently. "...good to know...because I wanted to try something out..." She blushes softly, glancing over her shoulder at the book on her nightstand.
Rhino gently levitates Mercury and Specter off him and to the foot of the bed so he doesn't squish them. He rolls over to see what she is looking at. "Is that another one of your romance books?"
She shakes her head. "...not exactly..." She picks it up and turns it towards him, showing off the cover - 'Preening for Non-Pegasi: Couple's Edition'.
It takes him a moment, but he remembers her birthday. "Ah, right. Silk's present to you. I take it you skimmed it or something?"
"...I did...and...I want to try it out..." She sheepishly smiles, embarrassed. "...would you like to give it a try?"
He sits up and stretches his forelegs upward until he hears a slight crack that causes him to sigh contently. "Ok... I have to admit, I'm interested. Mom, always did her own preening and I never understood why she didn't ask for help."
"Maybe she didn't want to bother your dad?" She steps off the bed and turns into a navy pegasus mare, a virtual pony version of herself. She looks at him, tilting her head to one side. "Or maybe she was worried your dad wouldn't do that well. A pony's wings are a sensitive part of their body, after all." She flexes her wings, letting herself get a feel for the feathered appendages.
"I actually meant during the times I lived with her and she and dad were divorced, but it's not important." He looks her over and nods approvingly. "So... what does it say?"
She pushes the book closer to him on the bed, smiling coyly. "Why don't you have a peek, love?" Her ear twitches and she glances over to see the pets exit the room. "...I'll go feed the pets while you do..." She walks out of the room, leaving him alone with the book.
He tilts his head to the side but shrugs and cracks open the book, starting to read.
She returns shortly after, closing the door behind her and slowly approaching the bed. She gives him a lidded gaze as she climbs onto the mattress, her hindlegs hanging off the edge. "So, is it a good read?"
He nods as he shuts the book. "A bit, had to skip to the actual instructions and they treat it almost like a massage really... Though they do provide many suggestions that don't seem to have much practical purpose... I feel like I missed some context..."
She shrugs before resting her head on her forehooves, smiling sweetly at him. "I'm sure you'll do fine." She extends her wings slightly, laying them on the bed. "Ready to get started?"
He nods and thinks a moment. "Ok it suggested two particular positions as staples. One was both of us sitting, with me behind you and yours wings flared outward in the air. The other was with you laying flat and your stomach with wings spread, as I'm over you. Which one do you want to do?"
She giggles, flapping her wings. "Considering I'm already laying down, could we do the second one?"
He smiles. "Ok then..." He stand over her and settles himself to one side of her, just behind her left wing. He peers at her wing quizzically and asks with teasing suspicion in his voice. "Did you purposefully mess up some feathers so I would have something to do?"
She looks over at him, a flat look on her face. "Selena decided to help us out. She leaped onto my back and ruffled my feathers..." She shrugs and closes her eyes, feeling that was enough explanation.
"I'll be sure to thank her later then..." He recalls that the book explained he is basically just realigning feathers and taking out any loose ones. With the mental image of how the wings should look, he begins from the innermost feathers near the base. He decides to not do the suggested extra movements until he sees he can do the basics. Using a combination of his lips, teeth, and tongue, his slowly works each feather into place, making minute adjustments as he goes.
A pleasant tingle travels up her spine, and she has to fight back a tiny shiver. She can feel each little movement due to the sensitivity of her wings.
As he eventually moves up her wing, he has to start working his tongue between feathers so that he can set them individually. A slightly dirty part of his mind brings to light the only other times his tongue has had to wriggle around like this. He places a hoof gently on the base of her wing to keep it steady, as the book suggested.
She quietly coos, her wing twitching underneath his hoof. ...his tongue is...moving just like when he... She bites her lip, the thought making her aroused.
Poomf.
Rhino rears back a bit as his nose is suddenly buried into her wings as it pops up to a 45 degree angle, despite him trying to hold it down. He huffs a small bit of feather fluff from his nose as he looks toward her head to see if she'll give an explanation.
She blushes brightly, her wings sticking out rigidly. "...s-sorry...it felt really good..."
"Well, I must be doing something right, then." He pokes her stiff wing with a chuckle before getting back to work. The book said to try rubbing their wing base if their wings stiffened, so he does. He continues rubbing the base with a hoof as he comes across a patch with scattered loose feathers. Gripping the base with his teeth, he neatly pulls them out one by one, hoping that they are coming out clean enough to not hurt her much.
She flinches and sighs at each one, feeling some relief when they're gone. She eventually relaxes enough that she can let her wings lay flat again. You know, we may have to do some more bonding after all this...if you know what I mean... She giggles, playfully sticking her tongue out at him.
Someone's feeling frisky... He continues along her wing. Feeling he's got the basics down well enough, he begins applying the... supplemental actions the book suggested. The thing he tries first is a gentle nipping along the edge of the wing as he finishes a spot, before moving to the next one.
She coos softly, feeling a jolt of pleasure strike her like lightning. Careful, love... She trails her tail along his belly. ...I've not even begun being frisky...
Well, maybe that's a good thing, considering I still have an entire wing left... unless I decide to double-check my work of course. He nips out a few more feathers as he nears the end of the wing, taking one hoof and massaging the base in the motions suggested by the book.
Her body goes limp, her tongue lolling out as the sensations overwhelm her mind. So good... Trying to keep herself aware, she lets her horn reappear, the curved arcane appendage lighting up. One of the free feathers floats up and starts tickling her stallion's side.
He snickers and slowly starts to laugh despite his best efforts as he finishes up her left wing, his rapid breath going straight to the skin beneath the feathers due to how close his face is to her. H-hey, what's the big idea? He leans up, still laughing, as he finishes her wing.
She breathes heavily, trying to calm herself down. "...n-not my best idea..." She leans over and gently kisses him. "...s-sorry, love...I-I was starting to lose my mind..." She blushes, her tail tucking between her legs. "...and my control..."
He just raises an eyebrow at her as he smiles and stands up so he can move to her other wing. "That good huh?"
She nods, glancing underneath him. "...you seem to have enjoyed yourself, too..." She giggles softly, playfully shaking her head.
He takes a step over her as he responds coyly. "I have no idea what you're talking about..." He settles down differently than when he was dealing with her left wing by folding his hind legs on either side of her so that he rests on her back just above her hips. This way, he can reach either of her wings if he needs to, and he won't have to move again. He leans over her right wing but doesn't bring his mouth to it as he starts rubbing over particular pressure points the book suggested around the base of her wing.
She moans sweetly, her head falling onto the comforter as her eyes flutter closed. She bites her lip, purposely teasing him by muffling her sounds.
His tail swishes as he listens to her. Trying to keep his mind focused, he half lays over her back as he begins to preen the feathers on her wing, nuzzling them apart before putting them in place. He keeps one slowly slowly rubbing up and down her back exactly between her wings.
She coos softly once more before her tail moves up and gently tugs his tail. She smirks slightly as she goes silent, knowing that her noises are what he enjoys the most and wanting to see his reaction if he doesn't get that.
His tail reflexively tugs back at hers while he looks upward at the sudden lack of noise. He narrows his eyes as he loosens his neck before diving into the preening at double his previous speed, switching to nibbling from the base to the very tip of her wing every few seconds, determined to get a noise out of her.
She struggles to stay quiet but it quickly overwhelms her. She squeals in ecstasy as he nears the end of her wing, her body shivering underneath him. She covers her mouth with a hoof, hoping that he didn't hear it.
His perked ears deny her hopes though, as they had picked up her small noise. That and her silence afterward only convince Rhino to try and force noises out of her. After nibbling the tip of her wing when he reaches half done with her feathers, he suddenly leans down and wriggles his tongue down in the plumage and slowly draws his tongue across the skin below.
She tenses up, shocked at the sudden motion. She looks over at him with hazy eyes, stubbornly refusing to make a noise. W-what are you doing? W-won't that undo your work?
First off, I'm going with the grain, secondly, it's in the part I haven't done yet. He slowly licks toward the edge of her wing again.
She barely stifles her moan with her hoof, her wing twitching underneath his tongue. She scrunches her face up, her horn lighting up once more, using feathers to his horn and tickling it as a way to make it harder for him.
Not to be inhibited, he lights up his own horn and fights her magic so the feathers stop bothering him. He continues preening her now, despite both of their attempts to tease the other. He still keeps her on edge through as his hoof plays around the base and he leans over to nip the tip of her wing at random times.
She is nearing her limit, but she's not about to simply give up. She grits her teeth and in one last attempt, she brings her tail around his waist and wraps it around what she knows is still there, stroking it firmly with her silky strands, even as she keeps her feather attack up.
He stops what he is doing as he looks at her face. Hey now, no direct touching, I'm just giving you a massage after all. Shame on you, cheating like that.
She breathes deeply, her heart about to pound out of her chest. S-sorry...I-I almost...l-lost it...
He smiles cheekily as he leans down to nip the tip her her ear before returning to her wings. But I am glad you're enjoying it. Although I'm telling you now, I will get you to make more sounds before I'm done.
...you really like hearing them that much? She giggles softly, winking playfully at him. I'm not one to back down from a challenge, love...so you'll have to bring your best.
Well, I've only got half a wing left, so we shall see. He moves back to fixing her feathers, putting special emphasis with his tongue by slowly wiggling it between her feathers and using it to place them before circling the flesh around her with it. His hoof pokes the sensitive spots on the base.
She bites her lip, pressing her back against his stomach. And what does the winner receive? Her preened wing slowly rises due to her idle thoughts, her other staying flat by the weight of his hoof and mouth.
I guess we'll see... He raises up his mouth and nibbles the tip of her wing as his hoof traces the edge of it.
She covers her mouth, squeezing her eyes shut as she tries to focus on anything other than the pleasant sensations going through her body. She is determined to win this contest, since he's won the other one. She trembles beneath him, certain that he'll be done soon enough. The only question is how soon...
He starts back on her feathers, nipping out the loose ones and straightening the others. He actually moves both his hooves to her wing bases and works both at the same time as he approaches the final feathers.
She tenses underneath him, holding her breath as the anticipation fills her. Almost there...
He goes agonizingly slow for the last few feathers, taking his time and constantly adjusting them with his tongue to prolong the experience.
She's breathing softly, forcing herself to stay calm and quiet in spite of the immense amount of pleasure swimming in her mind. His going slower, oddly enough, actually helps to clear her mind a bit.
Of course, going slow was a strategy, one that he finishes as he completes the final feather. As soon as his mouth releases the feather, he suddenly swings his head around and clamps his mouth gently around the base of her wing and swirls his tongue around his quickly, darting it every which way.
She squeals in ecstasy, caught off-guard by his sudden movement. With his mouth no longer holding her wing down, it springs up and smacks the side of his face on accident.
He lets go at the impact, but doesn't do more to comment on it than grunt. Instead, he smiles as he leans down on her back and nips her ear once before whispering into it. "There's one of those sounds I love..."
She pants softly, feeling a little lightheaded. "...g-glad you enjoy them...b-but I still won..." She sluggishly pumps a hoof into the air, decidedly tired after resisting so long, yet energized by her victory. "Go me..."
He grabs onto her ear and hangs onto it as he speaks around it. "Awww... all tired out?"
She smirks, tightening her tail around the spot it's been resting this whole time. "...not tired enough...to miss out on my prize..." She giggles, slowly stroking him. "...you won't deny me what I won, will you?"
He just leans down and nibbles her neck. "And what exactly did you have in mind for a prize?"
She coos softly, teasing him for a moment before responding. "I suppose asking you to give me a hard rutting is out of the question?"
His tail flicks down to tease the area under hers. "Now what makes you think that?"
She gives him a lidded gaze, continuing to stroke him. "Because I want you to pound my tight little holes...all three of them..." She leans back and nibbles along his jawline. "...I want to feel your love as you make me feel like a mare...and while I'm in this form..."
His head rears back as he gives her a surprised look. "I... don't think I've ever heard you talk that dirty before..."
She pants softly, squeezing her tail tightly around him. "I've never talked dirty. Then again, I've never denied myself release, either." She leans close and touches noses with him. "You were that good, love...but now I want more." She gives him a tiny lick before facing forward, letting go of him while she does so. "Mind humoring my simple request?"
He starts to shift position. "Well, you did 'win' after all."
***
A bit later that morning than they originally planned before certain activities delayed them, Rhino and Gel are out picking up a few groceries they are running low on. They wave goodbye to Big Mac after getting some apple juice from him and Manila, who was keeping him company. Turning forward, they notice the square is not nearly as crowded as it usually is on a Saturday.
Rhino is the first to comment on this. "Where is everypony?"
Gel glances around, curious about this. "...is there something we missed? Some major event outside of town?"
The stallions thinks as they walk. "Not that I know of... but you know how I let the less well known events slip my mind."
"Yes, and I normally pick those up..." She sighs shaking her head. "I don't know, maybe-" She stops mid-sentence and in the middle of the road, staring down one of the side roads with a stunned look on her face.
Rhino follows her gaze and sees exactly where everypony is. All of them are apparently crowded around something, but the crowd is too thick to tell what. The babble of their combined voices can be heard from here.
"Hold on tight." The nymph wraps all four of her hooves around his body and flies off, bringing him above the crowd to see just what this is all about. "There. Better va-" She cuts herself off with a squeal, seeing just who it is. Oh my goodness, I can't believe it!
Below them, within the center of the dense crowd but still given a respectful radius of space, is none other than Princess Luna herself. The dark blue alicorn has a small smile on as she tries to address the multitude of voices directed at her.
In a flash, Gel has placed Rhino down and landed next to him in the open area, staring up at Luna in awe. "Princess Luna! It's an honor to meet you!" She falters slightly. "And...actually have a chance to talk, I mean." She sheepishly giggles, rubbing the back of her neck. "S-sorry, I'm a little nervous. You're my favorite princess, after all!"
The Princess of the Night's eyes light up. "Ah, just the changeling I wanted to speak to." Her eyes dart to the crowd as she clears her throat and speaks with what one might describe as a half-Royal Canterlot Voice. "Subjects!" The crowd instantly quiets down. "We, ahem, I appreciate the attention you have given, but I must be off on royal business. Please return to your normal day." She quiets her voice to a whisper as she speaks quickly to Gel while spreading her wings. "Quick, grab thy stallion and let us be off!"
She nods and does as told, not wanting to disappoint her. She grabs Rhino securely and they both take to the skies, much to the displeasure of the majority of the ponies below them.
They arrive back at the house, Gel setting down Rhino as Luna looks around and sighs in relief at the lack of townsfolk. She turns to Gel. "We, er, I do adore my subjects, but their presence does make conversation difficult sometimes."
She giggles, waving a hoof at this. "Completely understandable, princess." She steps a bit closer, pulling a small book out of her bag. "May I have your hoofprint, please? I-I know it's a strange request, but I like collecting them..." She blushes softly, holding up the book with shaky hooves, open to a blank page across from Spitfire's.
The alicorn looks surprised at this, looking between the nymph and book before laughing a little. "Certainly." She puts her hoofprint on the desired page. "It reminds me of when young Pipsqueak asked me to do the same thing. I am still unused to such...adoring subjects."
Gel squeals happily before putting the book away and clearing her throat, quite embarrassed. "I-I see. Well, you'll always have someone who adores you, in my opinion." She goes quiet a moment before tentatively holding up a hoof. "...you can dream-walk, right? D-do you visit specific ponies' dreams?"
Luna shuffles her wings before replying with a smile. "We-I don't usually plan on which dreams I enter. I patrol the realm of dreams and occasionally pop in on dreams that interest me or require my attention, usually those of children or troubled minds. Still, I find that visiting normal dreams keeps my senses sharp to sense what is abnormal."
"...and...have you ever visited my dreams?" She positively glows from her blush as she says this, knowing what she might've seen.
The princess sees the nymph's blush and connects the dots. She shakes her head. "Nay, i do not intrude upon such private dreams, luckily they can be felt before one enters them, so unless a dream goes that way while I am inside, I can avoid them and respect my subjects' privacy." She tilts her head as she looks at Gel intently. "Also, I notice that thou and thy stallion tend to have lucid dreams, which are another type i tend to avoid. The dream-realm being my domain, I have certain amounts of control, but when that starts fighting a lucid dreamer's natural all encompassing control, it has been known to cause mental fatigue as the two try to fight the other. You would be surprised the amount of force it takes sometimes to even maintain my form in such dreams."
The changeling blinks dumbly at this, trying to wrap her mind around it. "...um...while I can recite that to you verbatim...I don't really know what you mean...does the fight for control really cause that much trouble?" She scratches her head, frowning slightly. "That's upsetting...I wanted to chat with you more often..." She blinks, holding up a hoof. "What about Luster? Or Flick?"
Luna answers and explains. "I have observed the dreams of your male companion, but not yet of the female. I did not make myself known though, so I believe he is unaware I was there. As for your request, as I said, I usually do not enter lucid dreams, but then, I have never really been spoken to about being invited into a dream. This could perhaps be done, though I wish thou to know that I cannot promise when this will happen since my duties do override any personal bias I may have for the dreams I visit." She smiles. "I believe I shall see if I can though. The combined dreams of you and your..." she looks at Rhino, "slightly petrified stallion, are very rare."
"Yea, it's unique, I think..." She glances at him, starting to get worried. "...love? Are you okay?"
Rhino eyes are a bit glassy as he moves his hooves so that they dig into the dirt. His voice is quiet as he answers. "Yeah, you know... just... not fond of heights... remember?"
She rolls her eyes, gently draping a wing over his back. "Rhino, I'd never let you fall. You have nothing to worry about..." She gently nuzzles him. "...but, if it'll make you feel better, I won't carry you like that, anymore."
He relaxes a bit at her touch. "It's fine, just... warn me next time."
"I can do that..." She glances at the princess, curiosity on her face. "...you said you were looking for me. May I ask why, now that he's responsive?"
Luna nods as she looks toward the front door, since they've just been standing on the lawn. "Yes, it involves your other two housemates as well. Do you know if they are home?"
"I believe Flick is out with Silk...Luster should be home, though." She walks inside, intent on finding her friend. Glad he's not here. Wouldn't want him hitting on the princess, would we?
Rhino follows, heading into the kitchen to drop off the groceries. I think Silk would have a word with him if she found out about that. I'm pretty sure I saw a dirty look she gave him the last time he flirted with Mane.
So she does have feelings for him! She giggles, shaking her head. When will she just go out on a date with him? They've been hanging out for weeks, now... She heads up the stairs, trying to find their wayward friend.
At the same moment, a certain indigo changeling steps in the back door, glancing around curiously. Hello? Anyone home?
Rhino hears Luster's mental call and quickly calls back. We're here Luster, and we have a special guest that had something to say to us, you included. He pokes his head back in the living room where Luna is standing and looking around. "Do you need anything, Princess?"
She shakes her head. "No thank you. I appreciate th offer, regardless."
Who is this guest? She rounds the corner and sees the princess standing in the middle of the living room. Oh. She taps her hoof against the floor to catch her attention and waves, smiling kindly.
Luna smiles at the purple changeling. "Ah, you are... Luster, yes? Twilight informed us your condition so that there were no, as she put it, awkward moments. Tis good to see you and the rest of our subject changelings are well."
She bows respectfully, reaching her mind out to the guest. I wish you would've told me one of the princesses was coming over. I'd have at least put a hat on.
Rhino comes out of the kitchen and looks at the nymph questioningly, answering just as Luna is added to the mental conversation. You wear hats?
Luna, thinking the question is directed at her, raises an eyebrow. When did we start talking of headwear?
My apologies. That was directed towards me. She lights her horn up and pulls the emergency metal from underneath the couch and, forming it into a fedora, puts it on her head. Better. Back on the previous subject, I'm honored to meet you and know that you visited us.
The dark alicorn nods appreciatively. I thank thee, and admire thy mastery over metal.
Meanwhile, Rhino's horn lights up as he starts to bring his own fedora down from upstairs. Far be it from me to miss an opportunity to wear this.
His hat comes down the stairs, but in the teeth of a certain changeling, as well as his magical aura. Get back here! Where are y- She stops when she realizes she's in the living room, and at the stares she's receiving. "...um...hi?"
Rhino just shakes his head and chuckles as he takes his hat from her and places the fedora on his head. "Sorry, love. Luster decided to make it a hat meeting. Didn't mean to have you chase it down the stairs."
Luna, meanwhile, has actually covered her mouth with one hoof as she tries to hide her snickers at how Gel looked.
She rubs the back of her neck, embarrassed. "...I-I see...sadly, I don't have a hat, at the moment..." She squeaks as a metal colander is placed on her head. "...why do I have a strainer on my head?"
Luster shrugs, smirking playfully. I felt you needed something silly to help you feel more at ease.
The princess is positively giggling behind her hoof before she manages to calm herself and say with a straight face. "Good thing i already have my crown to satisfy the hat requirement."
Gel takes the metal bowl off her head, revealing her horn is glowing bright blue. "Absolutely." She floats a folded piece of paper, wearing it as a hat instead. "So, since as many of us are here as possible at the moment, may we ask what this is about?"
Luna straightens up as she remembers why she even came to town today. "Ah yes, to business then. As you know, the official announcement of the intention to allow changelings to become official citizens of Equestria with all rights associated with that, was announced a few days ago."
The changelings nod but Luster is the one to reply. Is there an issue with that, your highness? Or is this more about taking tests to become citizens?
The princess thinks before going on. "I suppose it is an issue, but not as you might think. You three, that is, you two and your male changeling friend, are currently the only actual full changeling citizens thanks to your pony character witnesses as well as those forms that were given to you by Twilight Sparkle. Incidentally, those forms have been filed and approved so things went smoothly there. Now, as you might recall, the process is not quite so simple for any other changelings who wish to come forth. Chrysalis, is essentially under a non-standard combination of house arrest and parole due to her previous crimes. Any other changelings who wish to become citizens must do certain things: freely admit if they were part of the Canterlot invasion force, come forward as themselves and not under disguise, any character witnesses must be proven free of mind alteration, official paperwork, trial periods, and so on and so forth with all that was listed during the press conference. Now, here is where we arrive at the issue I have come to bring before you."
Gel is dumbfounded. "...what could we possibly do? What do you even need?"
A way to let them know. The indigo changeling tilts her head to one side. That's what you need - someone needs to let the hive know about the announcement. They're secluded, after all...am I right?
Luna nods. "Correct. While announcing all these policies to our ponies is well and good, it does not do any good if the changelings it is intended for never hear it or get an inaccurate version. We have also, out of respect, not asked any of you the location of your hives as we do not want them to be public knowledge until an official peace treaty is put forward and approved. To both these ends, one key element is needed: a changeling ambassador." She looks seriously at both Gel and Luster. "We wanted to extend the offer to our three changelings that we already know can be trusted."
The navy nymph frowns softly. "...I'd like to help, but...I don't want to leave my love again...and no ponies are allowed there, unless the Queen says so..."
The hive mind is extremely cluttered, so my thoughts won't be easily heard. Luster points to her throat. Other options for me aren't viable. And my brother doesn't want to leave Ponyville, at the moment. He's been trying to win the heart of a mare for almost a month, now.
The alicorn's wings ruffle. "I see... the travel between the hives and the office in Canterlot would likely not be agreeable as well, given your reasons. Very well, I respect your decisions. Perhaps you know of some other viable candidates for the position? Your input would be most welcome."
The two think for a moment before turning to each other, nodding in agreement. Port.
Luna tilts her head to one side slightly. "Pardon?"
Gel smiles brightly, gesturing to her stallion. "A changeling that Rhino fought a while back. He respects anyone that can beat him in what he calls a duel."
The alicorn turns to Rhino. "Do you have anything to add to this?"
"Well..." he begins, "Port did seem to have a mostly logical and objective based mind. He also seemed to be used to working at a desk and with paperwork and as far as I could tell, may have actually enjoyed it, judging from his office I saw." He looks to the nymphs for confirmation.
Luster nods. That is quite accurate. Port loves paperwork, but, for the life of me, I have no idea why.
Luna nods approvingly. "He sounds good so far... How do you feel he would do as a politician? Knowing how his people think and being able to represent them?"
"I believe he'd be a trustworthy politician." She shrugs slightly. "He doesn't seem to be the kind to lie on purpose, and he's never been overly ambitious...if anything, he's overly humble. Follows any instructions he's given by a superior...which, I suppose, would be the Queen, now."
Luna's smile only gets bigger. "Excellent... Now, finally, would he be willing to spend part of his time in Canterlot, working from there, and does he know how to contact the entirety of the changeling population for announcements such as this one?"
He's the General, now. The nymph waves a hoof. He'll find a way. He has to, to prove himself. And I'm sure he wouldn't mind, if it'd save the Queen some trouble.
The alicorn nods. "Perfect. Do you have some way to contact him to let him know of this offer?"
Gel nods. "...there is one way...but I don't know if she'll be cooperative, as she is..."
Luna immediately understands. "Ah, I see. Well, so far she hasn't been troublesome in her time here, and furthering her subjects well-being is a good motivator. I shall see what we can do. Well, this seems to have turned out rather well." She looks at the clock. "Did any of you have anything you wanted to ask before I start seeing to contacting our potential ambassador?"
Luster smirks slightly. My brother would have several, which makes me glad he's not here. Personally, I'd just like to know how you first reacted to reading Twilight's letter weeks ago.
"Honestly?" he asks. "Both my sister and I were very surprised. Of course we had always hoped to eventually find the changelings and negotiate peace, but to have them approach us was not quite expected. We were also glad Sparkle handled the situation as well as she did, considering how fervently she was about putting up her detection system at one point."
They decide to stay quiet about this for now. "...um...I can't think of anything...but you're welcome to visit our dreams...when they're safe, I mean..." She blushes softly, averting her gaze.
Luna laughs lightly. "I shall try, Gel. Farewell, all of you." She turns to leave before something occurs to her and she turns back. "Out of curiosity, you haven't had any trouble with how ponies have treated you because of the fact that you are changelings, have you?"
The nymph blinks, confused by this question. "...not that I've noticed...why?"
"Just curious." She continues. "Ponyville I didn't see having too much trouble, but a portion of the elite in Canterlot were quite... vocal in their opposition to changelings being allowed to live among them. We are doing our best to deal with them so that changelings will have nothing to fear."
Gel flinches, worried about the ponies there. "I see...I suppose I'd have to be in disguise to visit, then?"
Luna hesitates to answer. "You by no means have to disguise yourself, you are free to be yourself after all. However, given the attitudes of some there, as well as a few comments from Sparkle on how protective your fiance can be of you..." she pointedly looks at how Rhino puts a foreleg around Gel at this statement, "it may make your journey smoother if you disguise yourself. Much like how some celebrities take to wearing cloaks."
"Then that's what I'll do." She nods decisively, heading up the stairs. "I hope I have some clothes that still fit Angel..."
The princess looks to the two remaining subjects in the room. "Well, as I said before, I must be off to see Chrysalis. Good day." She lets herself out and takes off as soon as she is clear.
Luster watches her leave before turning to Rhino with a wry smile. I can honestly say this was a first for me. I didn't expect a princess to be so nice. She giggles in their minds. It was a pleasant surprise.
That it was... He chuckles. And then you went and made it better by breaking the tension with hats.
The nymph shrugs, laying down on the couch. As my brother would say, it's the least I could do.
He nods. Still, thank you. Let me know if you ever need my help with something, okay?
She smirks, taking off her hat and holding it to her chest. Thank you, Rhino. I'll keep that in mind.
***
Later that day, all the inhabitants of the house are accounted for. Gel is relaxing on the couch while Rhino is chopping up carrots for dinner as Luster and Flick play cards at the kitchen table. Rhino ears flick as a sudden loud knocking comes from the front door.
"I'll get it!" Gel stretches and gets up, heading over to the door. She opens it with a kind smile, tilting her head to one side. "May I help you?"
The grey earth pony stallion at the door snorts as soon as he sees who answered the door. His white mane hangs down over one eye as he narrows the other at Gel. "Your act won't work on me, changeling!"
Her smile drops, shifting into a look of confusion. "I-I'm sorry?"
The pony's voice raises as he continues. "I had heard you lived in this neighborhood. Good thing I took the liberty of going around and warning the neighbors about the threat you and your kind pose. Yet here you are, the threat itself!"
Meanwhile, in the kitchen, the raised voice has caught Rhino's ears and all his movement stops as he listens.
She backs away slowly, unnerved by this pony. "I-I assure you, I'm not a threat. P-please calm down..."
"I will not be taken in by your lies!" He only seems to be starting. "You may have others fooled, but I will never trust a monster like you!"
At the word 'monster', red starts trickling into Rhino's stripes and soon completely overwhelms the blue as he shifts his magical grip on the knife.
Luster, seeing this, quickly grabs the handle in her teeth, trying to keep him from attacking the pony. Flick, on the other hoof, peeks through the doorway at the stranger.
Gel is shaking at this point, tears welling in her eyes as she shrinks in on herself. "...I-I'm not a monster...p-please...I-I just want to live with my love in peace..."
The pony snorts again. "As if parasites like you could feel anything! I know what happened at Canterlot: how your queen controlled the captain of the guard. The only reason you can stay now is because you've decided to abandon your usual ways of abducting innocent ponies and replacing them for your needs, is because now you've decided to do the worse thing by just controlling ponies into thinking they care for you!"
Tugging harshly on the knife, Rhino's eyes are blazing as he starts to head towards the living room.
She stares in horror, shaking her head. "I-I'd never do that! I-" She squeaks when someone leaps in front of her. She stares up at her friend, seeing her with her staff over her shoulder and a scowl on her face.
I do believe you were about to leave. She taps the floor with her pole, eyes narrowing slightly. But first, I believe an apology to Gel is in order.
Meanwhile, Flick has taken up the mantle of holding Rhino back, covering the stallion's ears to keep him from hearing anything else and keeping a firm grip on the knife handle with this teeth, attempting to hold his horn to keep him from using his magic.
The stallion doesn't hear Luster, but he does feel her attempts to access his mind. He flinches and backs off a few steps but smiles grimly. "Hah, I knew it! Even now you try to silence me by warping my mind! You're all the same, all of you! Nothing but insects that think of ponies as a food source! You should just leave our town before you are run out of it!"
Unfortunately for Flick, the stallion's volume is such that Rhino can still clearly hear him. The unicorn has really stopped caring about the knife while he works against the yellow changeling's hold as he slowly but surely steps toward the living room, intent on the pony at the door.
Luster, sick of this stallion's attitude, lights up her horn. Her emergency metal comes out from underneath the couch, floating above her head and morphing into words. 'I'm mute, you prick. I was trying to form a line of communication.' She turns and places a reassuring hoof on her friend's back. 'And if we didn't respect ponies, do you think we'd be taking this ill-informed verbal abuse?'
He scuffs the ground aggressively. "A likely excuse. The only reason you haven't responded to my claims is that you know as soon as ponies see you attacking me, they'll realize the truth!"
Rhino has found a rhythm of moving now. He plants one hoof and then drags all his weight toward it. He finally gets a step out of the kitchen as he slowly slides in, seeing what the pony at the door looks like, and only furthering his efforts because of it. Fortunately, the stallion at the door is too focused on the two changelings before him to notice the unicorn with thoughts of wringing his neck.
The indigo nymph's ear twitches and a wry smile forms on her lips. 'Attacking you? We'd never do that. Rhino, on the other hoof,' she glances over her shoulder, 'would be tearing you a new one if my brother wasn't holding him back.'
The stallion looks around the two nymphs to finally see the livid unicorn edging his way towards him. He actually seems a bit unnerved about this as he takes a step back. "A-another lie. You just want him to attack me because two ponies fighting wouldn't raise suspicion for you..." He blanches and takes another step back as Rhino's horn lights up while he drags Flick across the floor. Luckily, the drone lightly twangs the horn to disrupt Rhino's magic, but this doesn't stop the green stallion from getting closer and closer.
'Trust me, while some changelings might enjoy that,' she shrugs shaking her head, 'we don't. And Gel here doesn't want her love to get in trouble. Isn't that right?' She turns to her friend but finds her over next to the stallion.
The navy nymph gently touches noses with him, despite the fact she's still shaking. "P-please love, calm down...i-it hurts me to see you like this...h-he isn't hurting anyone..."
Rhino actually stops moving for a moment to gently bring a hoof to Gel's face before pulling it back to show her the tear on it. His voice is low and growling. "This says otherwise..." He looks straight into the other stallion's eyes with his intentions very clear on his face.
The grey pony's shakes slightly as he backs off. "Fine, I'll leave. Don't think this has changed anything though. You're still parasites, and I'll find some way to make sure everyone else knows it." He runs off quickly with one backwards glance to the angry unicorn.
The group stares at the door for a moment before Luster closes it, breathing an inaudible sigh of relief. Thank goodness he's gone. I was worried something terrible would happen...
Gel puts a hoof on his chest, shaking her head. "It's not worth it, love...if you hurt him, it'll only give those like him more reason to despise us..."
He stops and seems to relax slightly but still mutters. "Not if they don't find him..."
That would be even worse. Luster shakes her head, frowning slightly. They'd assume we had something to do with it, considering he's been going around to houses all morning.
He says nothing, but still glares at the door as he tries to calm down.
Gel gently nuzzles him, smiling softly. "...it'll be fine, love...I'm still here, with you..."
Rhino's stripe fades back to blue as he lets out a breath before nuzzling her back. "I just want to keep it that way..."
She looks at her friends, smirking slightly. "I think we've got that covered. I'm not going anywhere."
Luster taps her hoof against the floor, catching their attention. Not to ruin this moment, but I'm kind of hungry...and didn't you have a pot of water on the stove before all this?
The stallion starts heading back toward the kitchen. "Ah right, I've got stew to make!"
The others follow him, hoping to enjoy some of the meal before something else happens.