“Ow!” Spirit yelped as he rolled out of bed. “Grrr, whoever invented gravity was an idiot.” he grumbled, picking himself off the ground. “Huh?” Spirit grunted as he heard the clattering of pans from outside the room. “Must be Kalinka,” he said to himself as he started to climb back into bed. “It’s way too early to be up,” he said, looking out the window at Celestia’s rising sun.
The sound of glass shattering and a loud swear stopped him in place. "I better check it out," Spirit mumbled as he walked out the bedroom. "Kalinka, what are you doing-WOAH!" he exclaimed at the sight before him. The blue walls of the kitchen were covered in batter and strawberry juice. Dishes and other utensils were also scattered around the room. In the middle of the storm-tossed kitchen stood Kalinka, wearing a food covered apron.
“Hey Spirit,” Kalinka said with a weak smile. “I didn’t expect you to be up yet.”
“Well I didn’t expect to fall off my bed,” Spirit said, rubbing his eyes. “You usually catch me. What are you doing anyways?”
“Well, you do have a lot to do today, so I thought you’d enjoy something to eat,” she said as she moved towards the fridge, pulling out two smoothies. “I asked Pinkie how to make these. I took me all night, but I think I got it right!” she said, setting the drinks on the kitchen table.
“I-is that Strawberry Oat!?” Spirit exclaimed, his mouth already drooling.
“Calm down ya joker, or else we’re gonna be six feet underwater!” she said with a smile on her face. “This was the only thing you’d order when we went on our scouting missions. I still don’t know how you can stomach eating only this.” she questioned as Spirit sat down.
“It just tastes good, that’s all.” Spirit said, slurping down the smoothie.
Kalinka sat down and sighed. “I’ll have to take your word,” she said, resting her head on a hoof. “If there’s one thing I miss when I was still a pegasus, it’s being able to enjoy food.”
“Here,” Spirit said, sliding the other smoothie to the female Changeling.
“No thanks,” Kalinka said, sliding it back to the young hybrid. “Besides, I made it for you.”
“I want you to have it,” Spirit urged, giving it back to Kalinka.
“Spirit, you know food doesn’t do anything for me. Not anymore. I want you to enjoy it,” she said as she started to hand it back to Spirit.
“I’d enjoy it more if you’d drink it.”
Kalinka froze.
“I know food doesn’t do anything for you, but wouldn’t it feel nice to at least pretend you were a pony again?” Spirit said, staring at his own smoothie. “Besides, it always feels better when you eat with family.”
Kalinka watched the young hybrid resume drinking his smoothie before staring at the one in front of her. ‘Family, huh?’ she thought to herself, slowly raising the glass to her mouth. ‘You joker.’
“Aw, isn’t that sweet?” Yin said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
‘And it begins...’ Spirit groaned.
***
“Coming~” Rarity sang as she opened the door of her boutique. “Oh Spirit! I’m so glad you could make it darling!” she greeted the young hybrid.
“Hey Rarity,” Spirit grinned, rubbing the back of his head. “I hope you don’t mind but I brought a friend,” he said as Kalinka appeared in front of him.
“Hello, you must be Rarity. My name is Kalinka, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” Kalinka said, bowing slightly.
“T-the pleasure’s all mine,” Rarity said after recovering from her initial shock, bowing back. “Please, come in,” she said as stepped out of the doorway. “Take a seat, I’ll get us some tea.” she said as she walked to the kitchen.
“Thanks Rarity,” the Changelings said in unison as they walked into the boutique. “Wow, this place looks much bigger on the inside.” Kalinka said.
“And smells better, too.” Spirit added as they sat down on a nearby sofa. “Note to self: make house smell like this.”
***
“So,” Rarity said as she set the tea set on the table. “Why did you bring your friend?”
“Well, you see,” Spirit started. “I don’t know much about fashion. So I brought Kalinka since she knows more about fashion than I do.”
“Only because I wasn’t the one stuffing my face with Strawberry Oat smoothies when we were sent on scouting missions,” Kalinka said, sitting next to the now-blushing Changeling. “Though I don’t know anymore than you.”
“These ‘scouting missions’ you’re talking about,” Rarity began, sitting opposite from Kalinka. “May I ask what they were?”
Kalinka smiled. “I don’t mind at all. We were scouts for the Hive; a scout’s job is to locate areas filled with love.”
“To be honest, this isn’t my first time in Equestria,” Spirit added. “Before I got exiled, I’d already been to places like Saddle Arabia and Manehattan.”
“Hey, remember all the fun we had in Manehattan?” Kalinka grinned.
“You mean you had fun. I was the one who got mugged repeatedly.” Spirit mumbled, taking a drink from his cup.
“You two seem very close. How long have you two known each other?” Rarity inquired, sipping some tea.
“Well, I’ve known this joker here for ever since he was born,” Kalinka said, gently nudging the hybrid. “That was fourteen years ago.”
“Would you consider yourselves an item?”
Spirit suddenly dropped his cup as he broke into a harsh coughing session.
“Spirit? Are you okay?” Rarity asked as Kalinka turned away, a blush creeping onto her face.
“W-where d-did that come from!?” Spirit said between coughs. “That was totally left field!”
“My apologies, I shouldn’t ask about other ponies’...Changelings’ love life.” Rarity said.
“Maybe we should change the subject…” Kalinka said, her face cooling down.
“Quite,” Rarity agreed, clearing her throat. “Spirit, I did ask you to come over to my house to help me with something. Before we get started, I need some things. Could you be a dear and get them for me?” she said, pulling out a piece of paper and handing it to the Changeling.
“Okay,” Spirit said, taking the slip of paper. “Wait, what about bits?” he asked.
“Oh, don’t worry about that darling. Just tell them that it’s for Rarity,” She said, batting a hoof at the Changeling.
“If you say so,” Spirit said as he started to move.
“Wait one second,” Rarity said, stopping the Changeling. “Sweetie Belle!” she called.
“Yes Rarity?” a squeaky voice replied from upstairs.
“Can you be a dear and come down here for a moment? I have a favor to ask you.”
The sound of small hooves hitting wood was heard for a few second before a small white filly appeared on the stairs.
“What is it, Rari-Hey! Is that the ‘False Hero’ everypony had been talking about?” Sweetie Belle said, noticing the blue-eyed creature on the sofa.
“Sweetie Belle!” Rarity snapped at the filly. “Apologize now!”
Kalinka turned to Spirit, a confused look on her face. “‘False Hero’?” she said.
“It’s Rainbow Dash’s ‘nickname’ for me.” Spirit grumbled.
“And a fitting one at that.” Yin said.
‘Not in the mood, Yin!’ Spirit internally yelled.
“I’m sorry mister.” Sweetie Belle said as she stared at the polished wood floor.
“My name’s Free Spirit, and it’s okay. I’m kinda use to being insulted.” he said, a weak grin on his face.
“Moving right along,” Rarity said. “Sweetie Belle, I want you to assist Spirit in getting the items on the list he has. Can you do that?”
“Yes ma’am!” Sweetie Belle said, giving a salute.
“Well then, let’s get going,” Spirit said as Sweetie Belle raced down the remaining stairs.
“Oh, and Spirit?” Rarity said as the Changeling opened the door.
“Hmm?” he said, turning around.
“Do keep an eye Sweetie Belle for me.”
“Will do!” Spirit assured as the pair walked out the door, closing it behind them.
“Now that’s their gone, let’s focus on you,” Rarity said to Kalinka after a few seconds had passed.
“Me?” Kalinka said, pointing at herself.
“Yes you,” Rarity said, cleaning up Spirit’s mess. “It’s clear as day that you like Spirit. How he doesn’t see it is beyond me.”
“...Okay, ya got me,” Kalinka said solemnly. “I do like him. A lot.”
“If you don’t mind me asking, why don’t you tell him how you feel?” Rarity asked, sitting next to Kalinka. Kalinka looked away as she slowly curled up on the sofa.
“I’m kinda afraid of what he’ll say. And besides,” Kalinka said, tightening into a ball. “I’m an adult and he’s got one more year until he’s also an adult,” Kalinka looked up at Rarity, her green eyes brimming with tears. “I’m in love with a minor. Changelings are forbidden to have relationships with immature Changelings.”
Rarity watched the sobbing Changeling sitting in front of her before gently rubbing her hoof on her shoulder. “My my, you do seem quite troubled over this,” she cooed. “But I think I see a small loophole.”
“What’s that?” Kalinka said through her tears.
“Spirit’s only half Changeling, correct?”
“Y-yeah, so?” Kalinka said, the gears in her head slowly turning. A small ding went off in her head as her eyes widened. “Wait, I think I know what you’re getting at! Spirit’s also half pony!”
“Are there any Changeling laws that prohibit relationships with ponies?” Rarity asked.
“Not really,” Kalinka said, shaking her head as she wiped her eyes. “It’s mostly frowned upon, but there isn’t a written law about it.”
“So technically, you can have a relationship with Spirit,” Rarity said. “And the legal age when a pony can have a relationship in Equestria is thirteen.”
“Rarity, you’re a genius!” Kalinka exclaimed, sweeping the white mare into a sudden embrace.
“It’s quite alright,” Rarity said, returning the hug. “Come with me. Let’s make you nice dress,” she said as she walked towards the stairs.
“A dress? Why?” Kalinka asked.
“Why for the Grand Galloping Gala, my dear,” Rarity said with a smile.
“Wait,” Kalinka said as she got off the sofa. “If you can make me a dress, then why did you send Spirit to get some materials?”
Rarity turned around and smiled. “I wanted a chance to get to know you better, darling. It’s why I asked Spirit to come over. I had a hunch he would bring you along.”
Kalinka watched the white mare disappear up the steps before shaking her head. “Clever girl,” she grinned as she followed the unicorn upstairs.
*Meanwhile*
“Okay, let’s go over the list one more time,” Spirit said, taking a look at the sheet of paper. “Three spools of red silk?”
“Check!” Sweetie Belle said, digging the item out of the basket.
“Five stainless steel needles?”
“Check!”
“One bag of sapphire gems?”
“Um...check!”
“Okay, that’s everything!” Spirit said, returning the list to hammerspace. “Let’s get going!”
***
“Rarity, we’re back!” the pair said in unison as they opened the door.
“Rarity?” Spirit said, looking around the living room for the white mare. “Kalinka?”
“We’re upstairs, Spirit. Give us a moment,” Kalinka replied, the sound of hoofsteps quickly following.
“Hey Rarity, we got what you wanted,” Spirit said, levitating the basket next to her.
“Thank you, Spirit.” Rarity said, wrapping the basket in her own magic.
“Huh?” Spirit said, taking a close look at Changeling next to her. “Hey Kalinka, have you been crying?”
“What makes you say that?” Kalinka asked nervously.
“Well, your eyes are puffy,” Spirit pointed out. “Did something happen while I was gone?”
“Nothing at all,” Rarity interuppted , briefly glancing at Kalinka. “She was telling me a funny story about your scouting days and started laughing.”
“Really?” Spirit said.
“Spirit, would I lie to you?” Kalinka asked sincerely.
“...”
“Spirit.”
“I guess not,” Spirit said slowly. “Anyways, we should get going. It’s almost time to see Twilight,” he said, glancing at a nearby clock.
“Okay,” Kalinka said, turning to Rarity. “Thanks, Rarity. I really mean it.”
“It’s no problem, darling. Feel free to come over anytime.” Rarity said, giving the Changeling a brief hug.
“I’ll keep it in mind,” she said as she walked to the door with Spirit. “See ya later, Rarity!” she said, closing the door behind her.
Rarity sighed as she turned to face the white filly in front of her. “You were very helpful today, Sweetie Belle,” Rarity said, rubbing the filly on the shoulder.
“Does this mean I can go play with Scootaloo and Applebloom?” Sweetie Belle said, eyes wide.
“No, you’re still grounded.”
“Darn.”