//------------------------------// // Half // Story: Two-Sided Prequel II: Who You Work For // by FerociousCreation //------------------------------// It was quiet under the falls, or rather, it would have been quiet if it weren't for the roaring water that fell beside Coco and Fang. Fang looked down at Coco as she rested her forehead on his chest. Her eyes stared down into the water, then toward the falls, trying to see through the blur that the water created as it fell from above, and wondered what the other tailors were doing and where they were. “Fang...?” Coco asked calmly. “Yes?” “Can I sit next to you?” Rather than answering, Fang stood up and went over to the pony. Coco looked up at Fang as the changeling sat right next to her, leaving a few inches of space between them. “I have a better question,” Fang requested. “May I sit next to you?” Smiling, the mare replied, “It's rude to ask somepony to do something for them and then do it without their consent.” “At least I made my- f- friend smile.” I can never get used to calling her my friend... Like a magnet, Coco leaned her head onto Fang's shoulder. “You are too kind.” The changeling looked toward the stone wall so that Coco wouldn't see his awkward grin. Then Fang remembered the reason why he needed to see Coco, aside from checking up on her. Only after a few moments of silence, Fang asked, “Coco, why do you wish to go against Queen Chrysalis' wishes?” Removing her head from the changeling's shoulder, Coco stood up and stared outside of the waterfall, looking toward the starry sky. “Because I have no choice.” “What do you mean?” Fang asked. Coco's eyes drifted toward the changeling. “Because nopony... or... changeling... is answering the questions I ask. I need to force them out.” “You do ask a lot of questions, and-” “And what?” “You- are here to make a dress. Nothing more.” Suddenly, Coco moved a few feet away, she had her flank facing Fang. Fang was dumbstruck at the way Coco was acting. Normally when something was bothering her, she would go to him like a bee attracted to a flower. But now... now she was acting differently. “Am I not your friend?” she calmly asked. “Huh?” Fang replied in a confused tone. Turning around, Coco asked once more, “Am I not... your friend?” The pony's face held a mixed expression of concern and seriousness as she stared into the changeling's eyes. “Of course you are my friend,” Fang replied without hesitation and creased his brow in slight confusion. “Then why are you so hesitant on answering many of my questions?” “There you go with your questions aga-” “Answer my question, please,” Coco begged as her eyes shimmered along with the surface of the water as the light danced upon the small waves. Fang was at a loss. The way Coco stared at him made him freeze. She spoke with compassion and desperation. He could feel how badly she desired an answer. So he gave her what she wanted. “There are secrets that changelings have that I cannot share.” Coco blinked and the shimmer in her eyes were gone. She sat down once more, facing Fang. “I understand, Fang. Forgive me for pestering you...” Again, Coco blinked and the shimmer returned to her eyes. The changeling wanted to approach her but kept his distance. “Can I ask a question, Coco?” “You may,” she said as she looked down at the water. “Do you... trust us?” Looking up, Coco asked, “As in, all the changelings?” “And Queen Chrysalis.” Coco slowly digested the question. She thought about all that has happened in the last few days. Aside from being thrown off a balcony, not much harm has come to her. Fang stood up for her against Suri's sharp insults, Sea More protected her from Scar Splash, Bitter Tongue, along with the other tailors, have at least become her acquaintance, and the children... The children. They stuck in her mind the most. Even though their favorite game was most likely Pummel Pommel, the young changelings were at a young stage of innocence. She remembered how they looked at her with not hatred, but curiosity. Coco also remembered the small, long-braided filly changeling, who asked her a simple and innocent question: “Do you like us? Do you really like changelings?” The look on the little one's face would make a hardhearted stallion give her all the affection in the world as if she was his own. The filly wanted to trust Coco, even though she knew her parents would think otherwise. And of course, Coco said “yes” in response to the little changeling's question. After giving it much thought, Coco answered Fang's question, “Yes, I do trust you and the others.” Taking in a deep breath and then huffing out of his nostrils, Fang then said, “Then I trust you with the secrets I hold.” “You mean-!” “Yes, I will answer your questions.” “Oh, thank you, Fang!” Coco said, overjoyed upon hearing him. Her arms wrapped around the changeling, tightly holding Fang close. “Thank you,” she said again. Fang took a deep breath, and let out a deep sigh, smiling as he exhaled the held in air. “Your welcome.” I swear, if you keep this up, I may never have to feed off of rations again, he thought as he absorbed the affection from the pony. Breaking their embrace, both Coco and Fang moved a few inches away from each other, giving each other space. After a few moments of quietness between the changeling and pony, Fang asked, “So, what would you like to know?” Without hesitation, Coco asked, “So, who's idea was it to look for a tailor to create a dress for Queen Chrysalis?” “Sea More.” “I could have guessed,” she shrugged. “Then why ask the question?” Playfully, Coco pushed Fang's shoulder as the two of them chuckled at his question. “He is a lot more friendly than you.” “I'm sorry, who here has been giving you moral support?” Fang raised his brow. “I'm sorry, who here is giving you love to feed off of?” Coco asked as grinned. Just before Fang turned his head, Coco saw the slightest tint of blush as he pursed his lips in embarrassment. “Anyways, ready for the next question?” “You promise not to embarrass me?” “Of course,” the pony smiled. “Alright.” Removing his flustered expression, Fang looked at Coco and said, “You can ask another.” “Okay. So, was it you, Sea More, or both of you that had a good view about ponies?” “Sea More. I used to hate ponies with a burning passion.” “I could assume why you would have a burning passion, Mr. Inferno Fang.” “I still have more to say,” Fang spoke as he ignored the pony's attempt in humor. Coco silenced herself, ready to listen to the changeling. “Sea More convinced me that ponies fear us because of what we are, but there are others who may accept us. You being in front of me proves to me that there are others who accept us.” “Well, I just came to realize that you and the other changelings are like ponies; trying to live life and move forward through hardship and success.” “Exactly why I trust you.” Fang smiled brightly as he looked at his friend. His large tooth glimmered as his cheeks moved upward. Coco giggled at the sight of Fang's happy grin. Slowly, their smiles slowly faded as the changeling awaited another question to be asked. “Alright, next question: Since you said Sea More is the one who convinced you that there are ponies who will accept you and other changelings, how did he grow to have such a mentality?” This time, Fang was hesitant. “I-I...,” he stuttered. “You can't answer it?” “I can answer the question. However... You must not tell anypony or anychangeling.” Fang's expression spoke for how serious he was. His brow creased downward, not in a display of intimidation, but an earnest gaze. “I promise,” Coco replied, anticipating the changeling's answer, almost holding her breath. “The truth is... Sea More is different from every changeling here at this very hive.” “Why is that?” “He is half pony and half changeling...” Something inside Coco Pommel made her laugh.