Preparations were a whirlwind in the hours leading up to the show. Despite having only a small selection for showing, Rarity was a basketcase. If it were not for Fluttershy’s seeming unfathomable calm, there would have been broken objects scattered all over the dressing room. Since she was no longer expected to model, Fluttershy was focused on keeping Rarity on all four hooves. Upon arrival at the venue, Glow Wings had disappeared to find Spotter Light and the other crew members she had met the night before. Fluttershy had extracted a promise that the changeling would meet them at Zinnia’s dressing room a little while before the show to dress.
Meanwhile, Zinnia was caught up in the maelstrom of excitement. She was in pony form now, practicing her model strut with Rarity and one of the model coaches. Rarity had introduced them upon arrival, and, after hearing that Zinnia was new to modelling, the coach had offered his services in perfecting her walk before the curtains opened and his other clients arrived. Fluttershy hoped that everything went well.
The session was interrupted by yells from outside the dressing room. Fluttershy peeked out to find Glow Wings looking confused. The reason was obvious. Though the flustered changeling was in pony form, her wings looked as they did in her natural form, with their delicate membranes all aglow. Fluttershy pulled the changeling into the dressing room. Ponies outside were already yelling about a changeling and calling security. When a guard arrived and knocked on the door, Rarity answered. Glow Wings was still in her bug-winged pony form and looked terrified. Zinnia had assumed a similar half pony form with her wings similarly visible, though hers were not glowing. Both Fluttershy and Zinnia were attempting to comfort the frightened changeling.
“Ma’am, I received a report of a changeling backstage. Have you seen one?” The guard asked Rarity.
“Of course I have, good sir. I have two of them in my employ tonight.” The unicorn replied. She levitated a few papers off the desk near the door and passed them to the guard. “As you can see, they are here with the permission of Princess Luna. Miss Zinnia is my primary model for the evening and Miss Glow Wings is my stage lighting consultant.”
The guard read over the papers to ascertain their legitimacy, then gave the fashion designer a polite nod. “Very well, miss. I shall notify the other guards of this development. If you would keep these papers and your changeling companions in your company for the rest of the evening, I believe this will all blow over.”
Rarity nodded in agreement and after a few more words, the guard left. The fashion designer turned to the unnerved Glow Wings. “I am so sorry, so sorry! I was just so excited and Light Spotter was showing me all the new lighting colors and I was feeling so good I lost track of time and was running back and I guess I forgot I was in pony form and tried to fly back and then every pony started screaming.” The changeling rambled until Rarity laid a calming hoof on her shoulder.
“Everything is fine. You are allowed to be here and you are with us. Every pony who is in this theater is on pins and needles tonight. If it had not been you, something else would have set them all off. Something always does. I am grateful that you did.”
The changeling looked up from examining her hooves. “Why is that? I just panicked a bunch of fashion models and every other pony back here.”
“Yes, but you did it before the opening reception and the show.” Rarity answered. “You have no idea how rare that is, darling. Usually there is some kind of dramatic breakdown at the opening reception or at the show itself! There is always some pony who pushes herself far beyond her limit. By setting all that emotion loose early, you have defused the tension. By the time the curtain opens tonight, we will be more relaxed and it will all go better , you will see.”
The changeling looked thoughtful. “I suppose you are right. But do you still want me with you at the reception? I mean, I do not know if any of the ponies would be willing to talk to me after they all saw me like this.”
Rarity smiled. “I have an idea. Why not make it look intentional. I love the way your wings were lit up earlier.” She trotted over to the clothing rack. “What if we used that to our advantage? After all, no other designer that I know of has changelings working with her.” She pulled Glow Wings’ dress off the rack. “Instead of going into pegasus form for this dress, why not leave your changeling wings in the open. It will certainly be warm enough in the reception room, and with your wings aglow it would accent the lines of this gown nicely.”
Zinnia stood up and trotted over to the gowns she would be modelling. “Is there any one of these that would work well for me to do the same, Rarity?” She inquired. “I would like to do that too, if possible.”
Rarity sized up the changeling model. “Try the red taffeta, my dear. With your wing color the dark shade would be a nice contrast. Can you light up yours too?”
Zinnia shrugged. “Not as well as Glow can. Mine kind of flickers.”
“Never mind then. A constant light would work better, so we will have to go without."
Rarity helped Zinnia into her creation. “Are you going to want me to wear my natural wings on stage too?” The changeling asked.
“No. This reception will be enough. Most of my wing dresses are designed for pegasi. We are just fortunate that this one also is appealing for changeling wing styles.”
Meanwhile, Fluttershy had convinced Glow Wings to dress in her reception gown. Glow Wings’ wings were not lit any more, as she was too nervous. Fluttershy gave her a quick hug before dressing herself while Rarity did likewise. The four admired the dresses. Zinnia’s was a bright crimson red that was adorned with tiny diamonds that shimmered and caught the natural light like clouds of pollen. Zinnia had her gold wings folded gracefully over her back, where they seemed to hover like a cloud covering the sun. She wore the form of a pale gold pony with an orange mane and tail. Rarity’s dress was a spectacular creation of rich mauve satin adorned with a variety of jewels of various warm colors. In contrast, Fluttershy’s dress was a demure nature-inspired creation of light blue and sage green. Little pink butterflies were embroidered on the green skirt.
All three of them though, were especially admiring the effect of Glow Wing’s dress. The shy changeling’s deep blue gown was adorned with tiny brilliants similar to those on Zinnia’s dress, but the effect of these was more akin to stars in the night sky. The changeling’s sliver wings rested above the whole gown, though they appeared tenser than Zinnias. “Light them up, if you can my dear.” Rarity urged. Glow Wings trembled, then took a deep breath and relaxed. Light began to flow into her wings, creating an effect that looked much like a full moon bathing the land below in light. The little “stars” reflected it beautifully.
“Magnificent!” Rarity crowed. Fluttershy nodded in agreement and Zinnia squealed in delight.
“Oh Glow! That looks amazing! Rarity, you were right about the wings. It looks much better than it did with feathers. We are going to turn such heads tonight!”
Glow Wings gave a little “eep!” of nervousness, but allowed her companions to guide her out of the room toward the pre-show reception.
The four of them walked into a large room to face the appraising glances of the other fashion designers and models. Rarity was in her element here. She led the way into the crowd like the figurehead on the prow of a noble’s sailing ship cutting through the waves. Fluttershy and the changelings followed in her wake. It did not take long for Zinnia to take up the mantle of the excited first-time model and make her own waves in the room full of socialites. Fluttershy stayed with the nervous Glow Wings. Eventually, a pompous looking white unicorn in a suit and his slender pale companion walked over to the pair. “You are friends of Miss Rarity, are you not?” The stallion asked. “I remember meeting you before, at a party last year.”
“That is right. You are Mr. Fancy Pants?”
“Indeed I am.” The stallion replied to Fluttershy’s query. “And this is my wife, Fleur dis Lis. I must say, Miss Rarity has gone in a very different direction with these newest creations. I had heard she had a changeling modelling for her earlier, but I never imagined the effect would be like this! Your friends are simply lovely!”
Glow Wings flushed with embarrassment, but her wings lit up at the complement. Suddenly the room quieted. Striding through the gathering was the princess of the night and her entourage. Princess Luna was walking calmly through the room, though unlike her sister usually did, she made no small talk. The overall effect was of trying to hide a fear of social faux pas with a facade of aloofness. She waved off ponies’ bows. “Let the thought be taken for the deed the rest of the evening. I came here to see ponies in beautiful clothing, not the tops of bowed heads!” As she made her way through the various cliques and crowds, that facade and the nervousness behind it seemed to melt away.
“She is doing well.” Fleur dis Lis murmured to her companions.
Fancy Pants nodded in agreement. “It seems we may not have to do much interference tonight. Good.”
Fluttershy looked puzzled. “What do you mean by ‘interference’? Is Luna doing something wrong?”
“No my dear,” Fleur dis Lis answered sweetly. “Princess Celestia likes to have us at events when Princess Luna is here to keep an eye on her, and to smooth over the social waters, as the case can be. Princess Luna is still getting used to the court and does not deserve to be swarmed over. We simply are here as backup for her and her entourage.”
Fluttershy nodded, remembering how Luna had acted at Nightmare Night the year before. She was distracted by a nudge from Glow Wings. “She is coming this way.” The changeling looked as if she wanted to escape as the princess of the night made her way toward the changeling and the pegasus. Fluttershy reached out a comforting wing as Fleur dis Lis and Fancy Pants moved aside to allow the princess to approach.
“I greet you Fluttershy, and this is Miss Glow Wings?” The princess asked.
“Yes, princess.” The pegasus answered. Luna smiled at Glow Wings.
“I must say, Rarity did a brilliant job with the design of this gown. It is as though it were made to be worn by a changeling. You have such lovely wings; they ornament the dress as the moon ornaments my night sky.”
“Th- Thank you, your majesty.” Glow Wings murmured. Her wings glowed brighter.
Luna continued. “I have heard that you were a great asset to the lighting crew for this fashion show. I look forward to seeing the effect this has on the designers’ work.”
Flushing at the praise, Glow Wings only nodded. Luna returned the gesture, then turned to Fluttershy. “I thank you for your patience these past few days. I have not been able to pay as much attention to our changeling guests as I might have. For now, though, I will go to pay my attentions to Rarity.”
The princess wandered away with her followers, now including Fancy Pants and Fleur dis Lis, in tow. After noticing the princess’s favor with Glow Wings or overhearing the praise, other ponies began to approach, first cautiously, then more actively. With each additional complement, Glow Wings would flash brighter for a moment, creating a pattern of sparkles on the wall behind her that would last a short while before fading. It created an intermittent halo above the group that attracted more attention. Had she been alone, Glow Wings likely would have tried to flee, but Fluttershy’s reassuring presence and wing kept her calm enough to remain in place. As the reception began to come to a close, the pair were joined by Rarity and Zinnia. The former was enthusiastic about the response her changeling models and the designs they wore. The latter was bored and trying not to show it. Together, the four of them headed into the theater. Rarity and Zinnia disappeared backstage as Fluttershy and Glow Wings took a pair of seats where they could see everything without being in any ponies’ way.
“Do… do you think the princess would let me stay here?” Glow Wings asked the pegasus in the silence. “I mean, I would like to work more with Spotter Light and the others up there.” She gestured toward the lighting stand above them. “I mean, he was fine with me being what I am, but after tonight I do not know if the manager of the theater would take me on.”
Fluttershy shrugged. “I do not know either. Why not just sit back and watch the show and enjoy tonight. We can worry about it tomorrow. The offer will still be there, after all.”
The lights dimmed and Glow Wings toned down her wing light as the first designer’s model stepped on stage. Because this was a collage-style show, there were a number of minor designers’ creations being worn in between the major collections. Rarity’s first dress being modeled by Zinnia appeared following the design of a prominent Vanhoofer show pony. Fluttershy’s attention was divided between the catwalk and her companion, who kept looking at the way the lighting style was changed from the obscured light booth. Zinnia pulled off the modelling with aplomb, dramatically posing and using the train of her gown to best advantage. The show went on, with Zinnia stealing the show during her intermittent appearances. Her theatrical flair added even more to the already attractive garments she wore. The event passed as a blur; at the end, Fluttershy and Glow Wings met Zinnia and Rarity back in the Carousel Boutique’s dressing room.
Rarity was on cloud nine. “You were fantastic, my dear, simply fantastic! I have been hearing praise for your performance all evening long! I already have a dozen new orders and will probably see more when the reviews come out tomorrow! Oh this is so exciting! I insist that you two keep in touch with me. We simply must continue this!”
“I can not help but agree,” a voice announced from the doorway. The room’s inhabitants turned to find Princess Luna and Eclipse entering the room. “Miss Rarity, I have been approached by numerous ponies tonight asking about how you obtained permission to have changelings model for you and how others may do the same for other designers. I must say, it is an opportunity that I had not considered before.”
The princess turned to Zinnia. “Miss Zinnia, how did you fare on the catwalk, considering this was your first time modelling?”
Zinnia grinned widely. “Oh princess, I have never felt so energetic before. It is even better than when we were visited by Cookie’s lady friend because all that positive emotion was directed straight at me! It was an absolutely heady experience, as if I drank an entire bottle of sparkling cider at once. If I could, I would love to do it again. Given tonight’s reaction, I could set up shop for myself as a model for designers here and do very well.”
Glow Wings nodded in agreement. “I was feeling it too, at the reception. Not to the same degree, I do not think, but it was enough. And in the lighting stands earlier…” The shyer changeling's face colored. Luna and the other ponies affected not to notice, but Zinnia gave her friend a speculative glance. There was a soft tap at the door. Rarity opened it to find an embarrassed looking stallion standing there with a bouquet of flowers.
“Oh, if you all are busy, I will just come back later.” He muttered, turning away.
“Wait, if you please, sir. Flowers are always welcome.”
The pony cautiously entered the room. He scanned the room’s inhabitants, his eye falling on the changelings. “Glow?” He asked uncertainly. Glow Wings looked up at him. He nervously held out the bouquet of flowers to her. “I just wanted to say that you looked really pretty tonight and that I want to see you again and would you like to go out with me some time?” The words fell from his lips in a waterfall- like rush that caught the ponies in the room by complete surprise.
Glow Wings was the first to respond. Wordlessly, she reached over and took the flowers in hoof, then swept up the stallion in a hug. Her wings were glowing brightly. His nervous expression turned into an enormous smile and flush of happiness. At the sound of the princess clearing her throat, the pair broke off their hug.
“And who is this?”
“Your majesty, this is Spotter Light, He is the lighting manager for the theater here,” Glow Wings stopped to catch her breath, “and I worked with him on some of the lighting effects for the show here tonight. I wanted to ask if I could stay and do more with the lighting here. There is so much I could learn… and he is such a good teacher.”
If Luna noticed the hesitation, she was polite enough to ignore it. “I see. Well, since the two of you seem to have your hooves on the ground here in Canterlot, would you care to stay as residents?”
Both Glow Wings and Zinnia looked at one another and exchanged nods. “Absolutely, your majesty.” Zinnia answered. “But may we stay another night with Rarity and Fluttershy at the palace? I want to see the reviews from the show—and see if we can make arrangements for a place to live. I do not think there are many ponies here who would rent to a pair of changelings right out of the blue.”
Luna nodded in understanding. “Then allow me to offer the hospitality of the palace as my guests in the interim. I would like to learn a bit more about changeling life here in Equestria to see if we can find some better feeding solutions for your kind.”
“I would be happy to tell you what I know.” Zinnia volunteered. Glow Wings was silent; she and Spotter Light appeared to be lost in their own little world again.
“Very well. I shall see you all at dinner tomorrow then. I suspect you have all had a long day and a very long night. I bid you farewell.” The princess swept from the room, leaving behind three stunned ponies and a pair of equally stunned changelings.
“Well then,” Rarity announced, taking charge of the situation, “Let us return to the palace and follow her advice. The reviews will not have hit the presses until dawn at the earliest.” She trotted out of the room, followed by Fluttershy and Zinnia and, a bit further behind, by Spotter Light and Glow Wings. The former three quickly outpaced the other.
“Well, that went swimmingly.” Rarity commented when they were out of earshot. “Frankly, I am amazed that that worked. I had no idea that changelings could inspire that kind of … affection.”
Zinnia chuckled. “What, you thought that we could only steal the love meant for others by wearing pony form? It is easier, I will admit , to do just that, but sometimes we manage to inspire love just by being ourselves.” She glanced back at her friend. “I've never done it myself, of course, but I have been told that that kind of natural love is even better than what we absorb from others. I would not be surprised if by the time Glow catches up with us, she will be lit up enough to be visible at the end of a well-lit Manehattan boulevard. The stuff that Spotter is giving her… that is powerful.”
Fluttershy looked thoughtful. “I just hope he is not just leading her on only to do something awful later.” She murmured softly.
Zinnia snorted. “Not a chance. Even an untaught nymph can tell when emotions are false and to avoid them. It's an instinct thing. Spotter is being totally genuine with Glow. That is the other reason I think this will turn out for the best. She needs someone stable that she can depend on. If Spotter can fill that gap…” She shrugged. The mares walked in silence until they got to the palace. Sure enough, Glow Wings arrived later than the rest, lit up like a showy firework. When the others asked how her time with Spotter Light went, she just smiled.