CHAPTER TWO
Rarity stared in utter shock at the creature in the tub. It looks harmless enough. Actually, it looks... frightened. She began to feel a bit sorry for the Changeling.
"Um..."Rarity was still hesitant, "Do you... Do you have a name?"
The small Changeling stared fearfully up at Rarity. "M-my n-name is Em-mer-rald..."
"So um... Emerald, why are you here in Ponyville?" Rarity was still wary, not quite sure what to expect from the young Changeling.
"I left the hive. I don't want to be around other Changelings, they just make fun of me, even the ones I thought were my friends..." she trailed off.
Rarity pitied the creature. Even if it was a Changeling, it was still only a child. “I suppose you could stay here—” she paused. “But just for tonight,” she added hastily.
Emerald widened her cerulean eyes. “Y-you really mean it?”
Rarity gave what she hoped to be a warm smile. “Yes, I really do. The conditions are still the same, you sleep in my room. Except…” She paused. “Except you can only come out if I say so.”
Emerald nodded. “Okay, I guess that’s fair, I mean you probably don’t want to be caught housing a Changeling after what happened at that wedding in Canter… Canter... Well, whatever it was called.”
Rarity thought back to the wedding and shuddered. “Canterlot. And yes, you’re right about that, but don’t get any ideas. Just because I’m letting you stay for tonight doesn't mean I trust you.” She made sure she was making her point clear.
“I-I know Miss...”
“Rarity. My name is Rarity. And personally, I’d rather not be called ‘Miss’, it makes me feel old,” Rarity said. Then she stuck her head out of the bathroom to check the hall. “Okay,” she said, turning back to Emerald. “Let’s get you to my room before Sweetie Belle gets up to get her nightly drink,” she said, levitating Emerald out of the tub. “I mean seriously, why doesn't she take a drink before she gets in bed so she doesn't have to get back up?” she murmured, half to herself.
Emerald pondered this as she followed Rarity into another room. “Maybe she just isn't thirsty before bed,” she fathomed.
“Huh?” Rarity was confused for a moment. “Oh, you mean Sweetie Belle! Well, that’s one presumption, but in my opinion, she just wants an excuse to get back out of bed.”
Emerald watched in silence as Rarity dumped a bunch of magazines out of a wicker basket and set it down near her own bed. She wanted to follow Rarity when she left the room, but didn't. Rarity soon re-entered the bedroom with a blanket and what looked like one of the pillows from the couch downstairs.
“There, you can sleep here, and in the morning, once it’s safe, you can leave to go…wherever it is your going,” Rarity said, getting into her own bed.
“Thank you, I’m glad I could stay here,” Emerald replied.
Rarity didn't answer, but listened as Emerald’s breathing evened as she fell asleep.