Chapter two: My friend
I opened my eyes, confused that I was still alive. After everything the Queen told me, I thought I would die by breaking the connection too fast. As my mind awoke, I recognized that I was laying on the couch in Berryshine's living room, and I had no idea why.
She looked scared... Why am I still here?
Looking around, I found a certain plum coloured mare laying on the ground beside the couch, barely covered by a blanket.
Why is she here at my side?
The next thought was less pleasant.
Did she see me as a changeling?
I inspected my own body quickly, and to my relief I found it white and with feathered wings. As I watched Berryshine sleep, my mind wandered, remembering how close I was to hurting her. If I had kept the connection open for a few more minutes, I could've drained her. Shaking my head, I tried to get up, but my legs weren't responding.
I have enough power to keep my natural form, but not enough to move. How amusing...
I tried it again, the result the same. My gaze fell on the earth pony again, and I knew I had to go.
If I stay, things might get worse. She's so kind to me, I can't do that to her!
After a while of trying to get up, the mare beside me stirred and yawned, slowly opening her eyes. She looked around and stretched her limbs before her gaze met mine.
“Aurora Blue! You're awake! Thank Celestia, I thought I had lost you,” she said, her expression brightening a bit, “What happened last night?”
“I-I'm sorry if I scared you... I was just curious as to who you were and tried to find out why you were just so friendly and kind to me... Then I don't remember anything after I passed out,” I explained, hoping my form stayed that night and she didn't discover the lie.
She laughed, “I'm nothing special, just the average earth pony mare. And yes, you did scared me a bit. Your eyes were gleaming, like they were trying to turn green. It was really weird,” she replied, shuddering.
She saw my eyes change. I hope she blames it on the light or something.
Her smile returned and she stood up, “I'm sure it was nothing, I don't think you wanted to hurt me. Are you hungry? I can make you some delicious soup if you want!”
She really is sweet.
“I would love to eat something, Berryshine. Thank you,” I simply said as I returned the smile.
With a beaming grin, she made her way out of the room, leaving me alone with my mind.
I should at least stay until I get a bit more power. It will all be easier then... I hope. But somehow I feel good with her. Maybe it’s because I’m only used to having other changelings around me?
Shaking my head furiously, I tried to clear my mind.
No, I’m not one of them! I’m different! I’m a pegasus! Well, more or less…
My own thoughts weren't helping much, so I decided to just wait and see what would happen. Berryshine was indeed nice to me, and it seemed that it was just her nature. Then my mind wandered to that picture in her hooves, with the pony that looked almost exactly like me.
Who was that? Is that the reason why she is so nice to me?
Before I could follow this train of thought, the sound of plates and glass was heard out of the kitchen, soon followed by Berryshine coming back, loaded with two plates and two glasses in her muzzle. I stood up and took the plates from her back with my wings, placing them on the table.
She placed the glasses down before smiling thankfully, “Thank you. I hope you like soup with mushrooms, I don't really have much to eat at home. Sorry.”
“That's no problem, I'm sure it will be delicious,” I replied, sitting down while she blushed.
I took a bite, and indeed it was absolutely delicious, causing me to hum loudly and make Berryshine look at me with surprise. I simply smiled and continued to eat as the thought of the picture struck my mind again.
“Berryshine, may I ask you something?”
She nodded eagerly and waited for my question.
“I know it's nothing of my concern, but who is that white mare on the picture? She looks pretty much like me, except the tail and mane,” I managed to bring out before continuing to eat, afraid that I might have gone too far.
She smiled uneasily and sighed, “Well, I trust you, so I will tell you. The mare on the picture is my former marefriend, Snowbreeze. We were together for almost three years before,” she stopped and tried to hold her tears back, “Before she died. She had an unknown disease and the doctors couldn't help her, not even the magic of the best,” then she looked deep into my eyes, “You're asking because you think that I'm only that kind to you because you look like her?” I simply nodded and she continued, “Well, I already thought about that too... and I'm not sure. Maybe, but it's not the same. I really do think that you are a good pony, and I like you for some reason or another,” she ended and blushed deeply.
She lost everything… just like me.
The next thing I did might had counted as dumb, but I did it nonetheless. I stood up and approached her, unfolding my wings and hugging her softly. She seemed to freeze for a second, but then she leaned in, softly resting her head over my shoulder. As we broke and I pulled away, she smiled.
“Friends?” I asked her, her expression brightening up another stage.
“Friends!” she replied and jumped at me, pulling me into a more crushing hug this time.
Friend... my first friend in such a long time.
I was happy, very happy. While the hug continued, I hummed deeply, knowing that I found a safe place and a friend that would be at my side. The thought that it could all go wrong was only at the back of my mind, easily pushed away for now.
***
The next day pulled me to consciousness with some beams of light straight on my muzzle. I blinked sleepily, just to see Berryshine sitting next to me on the couch and a tray of breakfast on the table.
“Wow, you're really awesome! I’ve never had breakfast in bed,” I said, smiling a bit.
She smiled back, nudging me softly, “Hey that's what friends are for. Besides, you seemed a bit weak on your hooves yesterday, so I thought it would be a good idea,” Berryshine blushed a bit before continuing, “Do you have any family you could contact?”
My face froze and I shook my head, “Nopony that is alive anymore...”
Her expression fell, “I'm sorry, I didn't want to-”
I stopped her softly with a hoof, “It's okay, you couldn't have known what. Anything planned today?”
“Well, I have to work today, so you can do what you want. I figured something out if you have or want to stay longer.”
Staying longer? Bad idea... but she is my friend...
You don't have friends.
What? Who are you?
Well, I'm you. Your other half to be exact.
You're my evil part?
No, I'm not the evil part, you should know that. I'm just your other side, and giving you advice. Leave while you still can, you don't know how long you can control your hunger.
I wouldn't ever hurt Berryshine.
How could you know? Heh, you’ve known her for two days and you’re already acting like you’ve been best pals for decades. We both know that it won't work.
Says you.
We say that. You know what the consequence will be if you stay and lose control.
There’s no need for that to come.
There is no way back... It will come, sooner or later, and it will all be your fault...
Okay, stop. That will never happen... I should stop arguing with myself.
A plum hoof snapped me out of the trance, “Hey, Aurora, are you okay?” Berryshine was still beside the couch and looked worriedly at me, “You don't feel well again?”
“I'm fine, really. Just a bit lost in my mind, don't worry,” I quickly said before looking over at the tray, “Mhhh, that looks delicious.”
She looked at me for some time before smiling, “Glad you like it… Aurora.. uhm,” she hesitated and I looked up, “May I ask you something?”
What now?
I was scared that she might have caught on to something after all, but nodded nonetheless.
“Do y-you have anywhere e-else to go? I m-mean… not that I-I want to throw you out, o-or something like that, you know. But I w-won’t stay in your way e-either way,” she stammered out.
“I don’t have anywhere else to go… I’m alone on this world,” I said, suddenly the feeling of being alone in the world present again.
I felt a soft touch on my cheek and looked up, Berryshine’s hoof on my cheek and smiling a bit.
“You’re not alone! Friends, remember? Also, I already thought about that and prepared something,” with that, she went to a small cupboard and opened it, grabbing something in her muzzle.
She turned back and I saw a newspaper, which she laid down in front of me. There was a small add marked in red colour.
Café Berry is in search of a new employee that will take over a few tasks in the business. No experience or qualification is needed, only a good hoof in taking care of the daily customers and a nice and open mind uponst other ponies. If you are interested, please visit us at Café Berry.
I looked to Berryshine, confused, “You own a café?” and she nodded eagerly, “You want me to work at your café? But I don't know anything about such work...”
“Yes, I want you to work at my café. And that's no problem, as you might've read. I’m just looking for somepony that is nice and open, and I think you fit into it,” she replied and smiled.
Open? If only she knew. But with that job, I could stay longer at her side. Besides, maybe I can get fed without danger in that café… no, bad thought!
“Of course, for such a small city I don't have many customers, but it's more than enough for myself and an employee,” she snickered slightly.
I was shocked, “I can't accept any payment, you are already letting me live here, Berry!”
How did I come up with that nickname again?
“How about you just join me at my work today and see if it fits you? Afterwards, I'll let you decide. Deal?” I could almost see the pleading in her eyes.
“Okay, deal. I guess I can give it a try for you, Berry. Count me in, at least for today,” I replied, although my mind reminded me to be careful.
There is no reason to fear it, there is no reason why anything should go wrong, just helping Berry a bit in her café.
I was startled by a loud squeal and the next I felt was that somepony crushed me to the floor in some kind of bear hug.
“Thankyouthankyouthankyou!” came the words from the earth pony, but way too high and fast for me to really understand anything. With a look at the clock on the wall, she gasped, “Oh horseapples! We're late. C'mon Aurora, I was supposed to open the shop eight minutes ago,” she got up and trotted to the door.
I followed her, although I wasn't really sure what the day could bring. It would be my first time actually working, or be in contact with somepony else. Someponies would call it insane, but I already felt like my future with Berryshine as my friend wouldn't be as dark as I thought.