Chapter two: My new home.
As Star Chaser traveled with his unusual passenger on his back, he wondered at how to explain who he has with him to his wife.
They came across what looked like a city in the sky. Star Chaser flew down closer to it. As he did, another flying pony he knew well came up to them. This was a young stallion a little younger looking than Chaser. An orange pony with a dark brown main that came about. The two landed to talk.
The young changeling felt nervous. Another one! I hope this one is not mean.
The orange pegasus came in closer. "Hi Star Chaser. Nice to see you are back. Looking forward to getting home to your wife and foal? I must say I am envious. Can't wait myself to have one of my own. You know the pretty and nice young mare I have been seeing for a while now? Perhaps she will be the one. Yes, I think she will."
Star Chaser gave him a smirk. "Yes Kicker, I know you have been seeing Misty. She is not exactly who I thought you would end up with. Perhaps she will indeed be the one though, she is nice like you said. But not near as outgoing. Don't let her tie you down."
Cloud Kicker with a smirk of his own responded. "You know, that sounds tempting. If she is up for it. I would not mind being tied down for a bit. Could be fun!"
Chaser chuckled a little. "Leave it to you to twist that one around. I was just saying that she seems way more stalled than you. That's all."
Before Star Chaser could say more Kicker got curious about what Chaser has with him. "Say, What you got on your back there? Not seen anything like it! Bringing it home are yeh? Does not seem like the sort of thing I would bring home to a wife and kid."
Then Kicker gave a little nudge on Chaser's shoulder. "Not to say there isn't much I wouldn't do," he finished saying with a wink.
Star Chaser gave another chuckle while trying to keep his passenger on his back. "No I guess not. As for who I got, I don't know."
Kicker laughed hard, and startled the little changeling. "Don't know what you got ah? So what you plan to do with it?"
The little changeling clung on to Chaser more. She didn't like being referred to as an it. She was afraid of what this new pony must think of her. This is reminding her all the more that she is no longer among her own kind.
Star Chaser gave him a hard look. "I plan on taking her, home with me, and decide there what to do next. She is not an it. And she needed help. She has been out all alone, and was almost taken by a wyvern. So I plan on keeping her till I know what to do about her, and possibly find out more on what she is."
Kicker felt embarrassed, and scuffed at the cloud under their hooves. "Look, I'm sorry. Didn't mean to make fun of her or anything. You know me, I jest, but I don't mean to be cruel."
He changed his tune to something more cheery. "Well, I got to be off. Got a date to keep. Literally. I wish you luck at home. Bringing her home with you, not sure what Stella will have to say about that, seeing that she has a new foal to look after. She might freak out at seeing what you got. I am sure Misty would."
Kicker stood in thought of her. "Though I am finding her to be more, and more adventurous, the more I see of her. She was adventurous enough to come to me at first. That was a surprise. But her eyes, and face. That, that pouty face she makes. I didn't see that coming. She is too adorable when she does that. I... I got to be going. I wish you luck with Stella."
Then Kicker rolled his eyes. "Yea, me wishing you luck. The guy with more than most already. Still, you are going to need all you got for this, my friend."
This bit of news frightened the young changeling. Chaser has more at home? The other one, Kicker said she might freak out. I do not like this. I hope Star Chaser does not have to get rid of me. I do not want to be here alone. Where would I go?
Star Chaser sighed, feeling Kicker is correct. Stella might not like this at all. And he knew it. "I know. But I couldn't just leave her alone out there. Look, can you keep this between us? For now, the fewer that know about her the better, I think."
Cloud Kicker nodded. He had no problem with such a request, mostly one from a close friend of his. "OK. I will not tell a soul. But let me know what you do find out when you do. Okay?"
Star Chaser felt pleased Kicker is willing to keep this quiet. He figured that Kicker would, he knew him well enough to think so. "I think I can do that. Not sure what I will find out though, or when. I got to go too. See you around Kicker."
The young changeling felt a little better about the other pony. He did seem friendly. She reminded herself that she has a lot to learn about them. She felt not all of them are as bad as she was lead to believe.
She hoped that things will continue to go as well at his home, or better than things have gone so far. The thought of seeing the other two makes her nervous though.
The two departed as Star Chaser moved more swiftly trying to avoid any other ponies along the way home. Not wanting to bump into another one.
~~~~~~
Wile Chaser is out, Stella and Fluttershy waited at home. Stella watched with amusement as Fluttershy, a very meek looking young foal, played with a big stuffed bunny. The bunny is bigger than her. Twice her size. Stella moved the bunny about in a game of tag with it. She could move it about much faster than Fluttershy could move. So Stella kept it at a pace that Fluttershy could have some fun with.
With a bound Fluttershy leaped out at the bunny. She landed on the soft fluffy thing with a giggling fit. And shouted out a near incomprehensible babble. "Got ye-ya!"
She squealed in delight as her mother in turn chased her about with it. Stella gave her a slight bump with the bunny that made Fluttershy topple over. She rolled around a bit as she regained her footing. She continued to giggle as she did so.
The cloud flooring made for a safe and soft surface for her to play on. Falling down on it was as much fun for her as tackling the fluffy big bunny, or being bumped by it. Stella had no worry that Fluttershy would get hurt by this kind of rough play. So she did not mind playing a little rough with her among such a safe environment, despite how small and young Fluttershy is.
It would help her to get strong having such physical play. And it would make her sleep better getting some exhaustive activity in.
Stella felt she was having as much fun as her little one. It reminded her of when she was little. It was nice to have such care free fun again. And her little foal gave her all the excuse to do so.
It took her mind for a time off being an adult. Though she knew having Fluttershy was not going to be all fun and games. It was a great responsibility.
Though for now much of the hard parts of being a parent was yet to come. Fluttershy is of yet too small to cause much trouble. Her little bundle is everything she hoped having a foal would be like. She revelled at enjoying her time with her newborn filly, and taking care of her as a mother should.
A knock at the door got both of their attention. Then the door opened as Star Chaser stood at the entrance. He at first looked concerned about something to Stella, but shortly started smiling at the sight he beheld.
He could already see that Stella and Fluttershy is awake and out on the floor having fun together.
Though his happy thoughts were hampered by thoughts of the other little one he brought with him. He thought at what Cloud Kicker had said to him. Telling his wife what he brought home is not going to be easy, especially seeing that he himself did not know what he has.
Stella smiled up to Chaser while still on the floor with Fluttershy. She chimed, "Oh' you are just in time."
Chaser still felt pleased at what he saw. "I can see that. I get to see my little one up and playing." He took a few steps in, and without turning around he closed the door with a back leg. "I am so glad to be back home. And do I have a story to tell you."
At this Stella sat up more, and to give him her full attention. "Well, come on over and tell us about it." She set the bunny aside as Fluttershy pounced on it again.
Chaser walked over and sat down in front of her and Fluttershy. "Honey. I got someone for you to see. But please don't be upset. I had a good reason for bringing her home with me."
Stella perked up a bit to his news of him having someone with him, and so did Fluttershy. Stella raised an eye. "Don't tell me you brought home a stray pet. I don't like the idea of some weird wild animal around Fluttershy."
Chaser shook his head. "She is no animal, though I must admit, I don't quite know what she is."
Stella felt confused at him not knowing what he has. "Not an animal? OK, Bring her out, Let's see what you got."
Chaser knelt down and asked his rider to hop off. "You can get off now. I won't let anything happen to you."
His words to whatever he was talking to made Stella all the more curious. She also had just noticed the odd little dark gray legs partly draped around the back of his neck that was partly obscured by his main.
She felt surprised she had not noticed them till now. She figured whatever it is, is trying to hide, for some reason.
The little changeling moved to Chaser's right side and slid down off his back onto the floor. She got a good look at the other two ponies, but her eyes locked onto the little yellow and pink foal, laying on top of a big stuffed bunny.
The yellow foal is smiling at her. The changeling felt she looked friendly and happy enough.
The thing that grabbed Fluttershy's attention the most is the blue eyes. She never saw any with eyes like those. To her they have a pleasant white glow in them. Fluttershy liked them.
The changeling felt pleased and happy herself that one of them seemed to like her. This did not last long.
A moment after Stella saw what she felt was the most unusual thing slide off Chasers back. Stella quickly grabbed a hold of Fluttershy and pulled Fluttershy closer to herself, to protect her little foal. "What in Equestria is that thing!?" Stella shouted while pointing at the changeling foal. All while holding Fluttershy huddled beneath her chest.
Stella's outburst and quick move to grab Fluttershy, frightened the young changeling, as well as Fluttershy. The young changeling felt trapped with nowhere to go. The only place she felt safe now, is right next to Chaser. She huddled herself next to Chaser while shaking.
Fluttershy wondered why her mom was so upset, this made Fluttershy momentarily afraid of this newcomer. Not knowing why her mother is upset, and wondering if she should be as well.
Though as she continued to look, all she saw was a scared little foal like herself. Though not entirely like herself. She could not see the need to be afraid of her. Fluttershy relaxed a bit. She did her best to remain quiet, and see what happens.
Chaser rubbed a hoof to the the back of this shaking little figure next to him. He decided to talk to her. "It's OK. Nothing is going to happen to you. Stella is just a little upset, is all." He did what he could to reassure her that everything would be fine. He felt he would make sure of it.
Stella gave another outburst. "A little upset! We have our little Fluttershy to look after, and you bring something like that home! What is wrong with you!? I mean just look at those fangs! Look at her! She is like some kind of bug! How do you know that thing is even safe? Get rid of it!"
Chaser pulled the little shaking bundle beside him to in front of him, and held her just as Stella was holding Fluttershy. Partly to make a point. He wanted Stella to see what he has as something that needed to be protected, not something to be afraid of. He said with defiant conviction. "No."
Stella got more upset about not doing as she asked. "What do you mean no! We can't have something like that here. What if it hurts Fluttershy? How can you be sure that thing will not go after her when we are not looking? I mean just look at it. It might bite her or something."
At this, despite her being afraid of Stella, the little changeling felt offended that Stella thought of her as a bug, and that she might bite. She has no intentions of biting anyone. She wished to be back home.
Chaser did his best to remain calm. He did not wish to get into a shouting match with her. The two little ones he could tell is both both nervous. He could see Fluttershy did not look all to happy with Stella shouting.
He could perfectly understand Stella's concern though. He just wish he could get her to calm down enough to listen to him, and get a good look at what it is he does have.
So he did just that. He pushed the little one out away from him a bit, but still kept her close. "Yes, just look at her. Get a good look. I know she is unusual. But look at her. She is not a thing. She is some kind of little foal just like our little Fluttershy. Well, not just like her. But she is scared, and alone. She was just attacked by a wyvern. And I think she is lost without a home. She needs us. I know what she looks like, but she is not dangerous, I am sure if it. She is just some kind of odd little filly. That is all."
Stella considered his request. She looked down at the unusual thing in their home. She looked at it real good. It was shaking. It looked sad.
She gave herself a moment to consider what exactly it is she is looking at. It looks scared, just as chaser said she is.
Stella calmed down some with a sigh. "OK. I see it, I mean her. So what now?"
Chaser wished he had a good answer. "I don't really know. For now I intend to keep her here. I had a talk with her."
Stella quickly asked, "She can talk?"
Chaser nodded. "Yes she can. She did not tell me much as I expected, but from what I can tell she might be in some kind of trouble, or she might be some kind of runaway.
"I told her I would help her to find her home, but she told me no. I can't say I understand why she would say no, but I am worried about her. She does not seem to want to go back home. At least I don't think so. Why else would she refuse, or be out alone as she was, unless she ran away?
“I think something might have happened to her where she came from, and she is possibly scared to return now."
Stella looked back down at the little odd gray filly with fangs, and full deep blue eyes. The eyes alone was making Stella feel a little more at ease with this thing before her. She could not help but feel this thing could still be dangerous. She decided to try and talk to her. "Why don't you want to go home? Who, and what are you? Can you tell me that? Do you have a name?"
Stella observed her further and saw the little one was still shaking, and not talking. She knew it was her fault.
Fluttershy felt better that her mom was no longer yelling. She wished to play with her potential new friend. But for now her mom held her put.
After a moment of silence the little changeling felt she should say something. She did not like the still-silence, anymore then the earlier yelling. She first looked back to Fluttershy who was smiling at her again. This made her feel better.
She looked back up to Stella and saw she was no longer upset. She spoke quietly to Stella with but a squeak of a voice. "I do not know where home is. I am lost. It is not safe for you at home."
She pointed up to Chaser. "He was nice, So I came here." After she finished, she put her hoof down.
She looked to Stella to see Stella's response to what she said. She still felt nervous about Stella, and hoped what she said would be enough.
The voice sounded so small and meek, as unusual as it is. A near vibrating eco to it. Stella felt this little things voice was just as odd as she looked. It was shaky and filled with stuttering fear as well. Stella could not see how this thing could be a threat. Not something this scared of her, and so young as she seemed.
It is a strange little thing indeed, but child like as well. Nothing like some dangerous wild animal like I first thought.
Stella now saw it as the lost little foal that Chaser saw her as. But also smart for something that looked so young. Stella's heart melted, and now felt sorry for her, rather than afraid of her possibly hurting Fluttershy. Stella also felt sorry for yelling, and scaring her.
But Stella is still a little concerned, mostly on what the gray foal said about it not being safe at home. Stella talked to the little figure with a much more calm and friendly voice. She spoke to her as if she was talking down to the young scared filly she seemed to be.
"I think I understand little one. I am sorry I made such a fuss about you being here. But who and what are you? Can you please tell us that? If you are going to stay here, I think we should know who it is we are keeping with us, if you can tell us that. Can you at least give me a name?"
The little changeling felt the other two has a right to some answers, though she was not sure what further she should tell them. "Sorry. No name." was all she could think to say at the moment.
At this both Stella and Chaser felt some frustration. They were not angry at her. Just, they truly had no idea what they had before them, and what she had to say is not much to go on.
Chaser needed to ask, "Why do you say it is not safe for us at home? Are you afraid of going back? Are your people dangerous to us? Did they hurt you? Will they hurt us if they come looking for you? Do you understand what I am asking? I wish to help if I can. I don't wish to bring you back if they hurt you."
These questions quickly concerned the little changeling. She was getting nervous again and did not like these questions. She felt again she should say something. She did not wish them to get mad at her for not talking. "I do not know. Hmmm... Yes, I think."
Stella was getting upset by this lack of straight answers, but still asked calmly as not to frighten her again. She knew it was just a foal she is dealing with. "Well, which is it? What is it you are not telling us? Do you not want us to know? We can't help you, unless you tell us what happened to you."
The little changeling is still not sure how to answer. Her mind raced trying to think. She felt this is more than she could handle, or would wish to think about. She wished they stop asking so many question.
Her thoughts turned to her clan. She was not sure if any of her others have gone out looking for her.
Now that she thought of it, she felt that the others just might be out looking for her now. It is just the sort of thing she felt they would do. They might even be upset at being unable to find her.
If they did find her here, she thinks they might indeed hurt these ponies. She saw her clan is territorial, and can be aggressive to outsiders, as she saw once before.
Now she wished she was left right where she was found. She realized that she just was not thinking of them possibly looking here. She got upset with herself at possibly putting these ponies in danger as they thought she might have.
She looked for a moment at each of them. She felt even more lost, and felt all the more that she should not have come here.
Even so, she is now still in the same fix. She can't have the nice pony Chaser bring her back, for the same reason she could not have him help her find them before. Her clan could be out looking, and might find them together if he tried to drop her off where he found her.
She hung her head low and felt even more sad.
This Stella and Chaser saw. They both were not sure if she was going to give them an answer, or could give one. They gave her more time to think, as they waited patiently.
Fluttershy felt sorry for the way this new guest looked. She hoped this newcomer would get better. She continued to wait and see what would happen next.
The little changeling felt bad for doing something she thought was foolish, something foolish right from the start.
She looked back up at Stella and decided she should tell them more. She felt they deserved to know. "I am sorry. I am bad to come here. I did not run away. I got lost. My clan do not like you. They may hurt you. I thought it okay to come here. Chaser said it be safe. Now, I do not know what to do." She hung her head again feeling bad about all of this. She truly did not mean for all of this to happen the way it did.
Aside from the shock of hearing her say so much for one that looked so young, what she had to say was troubling to both Stella and Chaser.
The blood seemed to just drain from both to this revelation. Chaser's jaw went slack and he shook his head very slowly. "I had no idea, I thought she was just a runaway and did not wish to go back home. I thought they might have done something to her."
Stella turned to Chaser with as much shock to her system. "Oh' my gosh, what are we going to do!? This makes us practically foal nappers."
The young changeling felt on the verge of crying. This was a new sensation to her. She didn't know she could feel so bad about a mistake. "I am sorry. Is all my fault!"
She went back to shaking again. Though not in fear of the ponies around her, but from not knowing what to do about what she felt she had done, and done to them. She did not know how to fix this.
Stella felt sorry for this little foal before her. She looked back down to her. "Please, calm yourself. You're just a little foal. This was too big of a decision for you to make on your own. I am not angry with you. But we do have a decision to now make."
Stella leaned down to her and talked softly. "You told us you did not run away, but you just got lost. That is understandable. It happens. You also told us that we can't help you to find home because you feel we might get hurt if we are found out there by your clan. Is this right?
The changeling nodded her head. As far as she knew, this is the truth.
Stella continued. "And you can't go looking on your own. It is not safe for you out there either, as you found out."
None of this made the changeling feel any better.
Stella sat up again. "It is good you came here with Chaser."
At this the changeling brightened some, but felt confused. How Is this good?
Stella leaned down to her more. "We have little choice but to keep you for now. We never saw anything like you before. I doubt your clan will come looking for you here, because we never saw anything like you, ever. And we can't just send you out and hope that they do find you, before something else does again."
The little changeling kept her attention on Stella as Stella talked, while still filled with much regret. But a hint of hope as well.
Stella could see this. Stella spoke to her again but more softly. "I don't want you to blame yourself for this. You are still so young. If we can't safely take you home, the least we can do is look after you. Would you like that? Would you be okay with staying here instead of going home? I am sure you must want to go home though."
The little changeling shook her head. She wanted to go home, but also wanted to stay for different reasons. She just did not know what to decide.
Stella asked, "So would you like to stay here with us? You can if you wish. I... I would like it if you stayed." Stella finished saying that with a warm smile.
The little changeling choked back some of her fear and regret. She continued to look at the mare asking her to stay. She looked much more kind at the moment. The little changeling was filling with more hope that everything could be fine if she did stay. Her eyes widened as she asked, "You do that? You let me stay? The clan, what I told you. You not scared?"
Stella gave a sigh. "I must admit that does concern me. I would be lying if I said that did not worry me at all. But you let us worry about that."
She marveled, as Chaser did with how well their little guest could talk, and reason. To them she was not like a little foal with how she talked anymore.
Chaser felt this had become a bigger issue than he thought it would be. Though he realized he did not know what to expect when he took her.
He also felt Stella was right. This was much too big of an issue for this little guest he brought home to blame herself for, or be responsible for any outcome of them deciding to keep her.
He felt he should tell her so. "Look little one. I brought you here, to protect you. I said I would take care of you, and I will. I told you so knowing that I might be taking a risk by taking you. I thought you might be in trouble, and that this trouble might follow us here if I did take you. My decision has not changed."
He pat her on the back lightly. "What you have told us does not change a thing. I still do intend to take care of you knowing that there might be in danger for doing so, whatever that danger might be. You need not blame yourself for what I already decided to do for you. You are much too young to have thought this through well enough on your own. You're too young to be responsible for any of this. Do you understand?"
The little changeling gave a nod.
Chaser gave a nod of his own. "Good. Now that is settled."
Chaser had a thought about the possibility of any in her clan showing up to claim her. He wished to know her side of this possible situation. "I would like to know, if any in your clan did come for you, would you want to go with them?"
The changeling knew her answer fast. "Yes! I do."
Chaser did not need to know why, the answer was obvious, they are her family. The only others she has ever possibly have known. She did not fear them, herself. Only what they might do with him, and or any other ponies.
He knew the choice he should make and told her. "I understand. If any do show up to claim you, I will let them just take you. No questions asked. And hope they will just come and go peacefully."
The changeling felt good about this. She felt if any did come, they may do as he wishes. Just take her back home peacefully.
Chaser felt okay with this plan. They would keep her, so long as she is not found by them. But he would not try to keep her from them either if they did find her. He felt she did belong with them, if she did wish to be with them again. To him it was only right, that she be with them again if possible.
Stella had a thought. "We have been going about this without any proper introductions. We still don't know who she is. That is, she does not have a name, as she said. I think I will start with telling her mine. At least by that, she can get to know us a little better.
Stella turned her attention to their guest. "My name is Stella. My little quiet yellow foal I have been holding is Fluttershy. And my husband who you already know is Star Chaser."
Chaser thought for a moment. "Perhaps we can give her a name. We will for the most part be adopting her, unofficially that is. So we might as well give her a name too."
Stella felt this should be done, she should have a name, and they could be the ones to give it. "Yes. I think that would be proper as well. Now to think of a name..."
Everyone sat in silence for a bit, till Fluttershy spoke up. "Boo I zz!" This she blurted out much too quickly to have been said well, while pointing at their guest.
Stella thought. "Blue Eyes? I do believe."
Everyone there looked at Fluttershy. The changeling spoke, "We all have blue eyes. We all look the same too."
Fluttershy sat and thought about that for a moment. She thought that was neat. Another thought came to mind, something she had been wanting to do since she first saw this newcomer. "Play?"
Stella and Chaser thought on what their guest said as well. The very idea they all possibly look the same. The ponies, themselves all looked different to each other. Some more different than others. So this news, is as unusual to them, as their guest looked.
The changeling thought on Fluttershy's previous statement, while considering her question about playing. "I like that. Blue Eyes. Is nice." She smiled after saying so, and for Fluttershy wishing to play with her.
Stella did not think the name Blue Eyes would be fitting. She hoped that this little guest did not wish to settle on this name. So she asked. "You sure about this?"
The changeling looked confused. "Sure about playing?"
Stella felt her confusion a little amusing. She corrected her question, so as to not confuse her again. "The name. You wish to be called Blue Eyes?"
The changeling hinted at the realization of the answer. "Oh'" She paused for a moment. "I do not know." She thought for a bit more. "No," she said in a low tone.
Stella thought this was funny. "I didn't think so. Now let's think of a more proper name."
Stella moved to let Fluttershy out of her grasp and let her go fee. "Fluttershy you can play with her right here, while your father and I think of a name for her." After Stella let go, Fluttershy went over to this unusual new guest.
Fluttershy asked again, "Play?"
The changeling did not know if she should. "I do not know." She looked up at Stella. "Can we?"
Stella gave it some thought, then gave a nod. "It's OK. I said you could," She finished saying with a smile.
Stella still marveled at just how well this new little guest could talk and reason, for one so young. She seem to be at the least two or more years ahead of Fluttershy, who could talk, but vary little.
To Stella Fluttershy only though of simple things one of her age might concern herself with. Playing and eating were the two big ones for her. Stella thought the guest concerned herself with much more.
I wonder if this has anything to do with what she is. Is she that much older than Fluttershy? Does she only look as small and young? That could be. She might be much older, but only look young. Maybe her kind is just really small and young looking. She did say they all look the same. No she must be still quite young, a foal, I am sure of it.
Fluttershy stood there for a bit with a big smile on her face. She suddenly reached right out and taped the guest on the shoulder. "Tag!" Fluttershy quickly raced off, giggling as she did.
The changeling sat for a moment in thinking about that. Then she hopped to her hoofs and chased after Fluttershy.
Both Stella and Chaser watched with amusement as the two little ones raced around in play.
Stella moved over beside Chaser. Stella whispered to him, "You know, I think we can make this work. I am still worried. Not about her, but the others. What should we do about them? We still don't know much about them."
Chaser thought for a moment. "I think we try and keep this quiet. I will see what I can find out about our guest, but as I told Cloud Kicker when he saw me with her, I think it is best that no others know about her yet. But If they come for her, her clan, they can have her. She is theirs after all."
Stella looked to him in surprise. "Kicker knows? Your friend Kicker?"
Chaser knew of Stella's concern, and that she didn't approve of him all too much. Kicker had for himself a reputation for being a prankster. One who took things he did, a little overboard. Not everyone liked him or trusted him. That is, those that did not know him best.
Chaser wished to ease her concern. "I think it will be okay if he knows."
Chaser though back on the previous subject. "As for our new guest, in time her clan might just think something wild did take her. She did wander off after all, and something wild almost did take her." So he felt they may stop searching after a day or two. "And they are not likely to search here. We never saw anything like her. And not likely ever to. But of that, I am still not sure. Not until I know more on who and what they are."
He thought more about them, and what that clan might be thinking at losing one of their young. "I don't like the idea of keeping her from them, but she thinks it is a bad idea for us to go looking for them. I wish I knew why she thinks they don't like us. I am sure they don't. I just wish I knew why they don't"
He sighed at the thought of not knowing. It was frustrating not to have any good answers. He felt they should go with what their little guest has said so far. "If she is worried about something like that, as young as she is, I think we should be as well. She knows far more about them then we do. And for right now, I am going with what she is saying. Finding them, for us is bad. Even if it is not so for her."
Chaser continued to watch the two foals at play. He observed their guest's movements. She has both speed and agility, as though she has been playing like this for a long time. She looked practically aggressive in both her attempts to evade and to tag back. Se looked determined as if this was no game to her. Fluttershy was out matched.
He then thought of what it would be like being surrounded by a bunch of adults like her. This thought made him shiver, and Stella felt that. He voiced his concern to her.
"Also your first reaction to her I think tells the story some. A much larger group of adults more like her does seem dangerous. Just look at her go. I don't like the idea of finding myself surrounded by a bunch of, whatever she is, and try to hope for the best. Not while I have both you and Fluttershy to consider. I don't want to leave Fluttershy fatherless, or you without a husband while having to raise her alone. And I personally don't have a death wish either, if it came to that."
Stella shook her head. She felt it was not up to them to deal with such a situation, she did not like the idea of having to face adults of whatever their guest is either. Not if they did come for their little guest.
She also felt they can't just keep her a secret from the other ponies here either. "We can't keep something like this a secret though. Not for long. Other ponies will find out. And it is not right to keep her locked up here without ever letting her out. Perhaps we can send her to the authorities. Let someone else find out where she belongs."
Chaser sighed. "Your right. But I don't like the idea of sending her away. Besides, we both sort of promised her we would take care of her. What kind of ponies would we be if we broke such a promise? Even to her? It would be betrayal of her trust in us.
“That is not something I wish to do, or live with, even if it was just her. She may not be a pony like us, not really, but that does not matter to me. It would haunt me to think I could have done better by her if something bad was to happen to her."
He continued to watch the two at their game of tag. He observed that even though their guest seems good at this game, and shows determination to win, she is also being just as gentle with Fluttershy as she is being aggressive in her movements. There was a better word he had in mind, nimble.
She seems to be intentionally careful not to hurt Fluttershy, even though it now looks like she possibly could, if she wished to. Much as Stella first thought she could, and might have if left alone with Fluttershy, or too close.
Chaser consider his first thoughts of her. She looked like just a scared little foal before, but look at her now. Her clan might indeed be dangerous to us if she is this skilled at her age. She plays to win, almost as if told to. However I also see a level of affection and kind-concern for others in her, even as she plays.
Despite how she is moving, she will not hurt Fluttershy. She will not let herself, she is being that careful. This would not likely be unless her clan is like this as well. She could be a dangerous brute in time, if she wished to be. I can see that. But her kindness controls her more. She is a good pony, or whatever. And she deserves to have a good home. A home that would help nurture that inner kindness I see she seems to have.
The little changeling bounded about as Fluttershy chased after her. For Fluttershy, chasing the big bunny her mother was playing with before, was soft, safe, and fun. But playing with this new friend, as Fluttershy saw her as, was exciting to Fluttershy. Stella had to hold the bunny close by for Fluttershy to chase it. This new chase went all over the room, and was much more fun. She did not feel afraid of her new friend. She was having too much fun to care about such a thing.
She did notice that it is hard to tag her friend. Challenging was the word she might have used, a little to the point of frustrating.
The changeling was quickly getting exhausted at going all out. Her paced slowed to the point both were chasing each other, back and forth, about evenly now.
Chaser and Stella saw the change in pace to this game of tag the two foals were playing.
Chaser reinforced his decision to keep her. "I have already made her my responsibility. I am not letting her down and turning her over to others she does not know. I just can't do that. I intend to keep her. We still have to come up with a name."
Chaser groaned while thinking of the situation more. "I must admit, the idea of giving her to the authorities is sounding better all the time, as the right thing to do. I just don't want to give up on her. Not yet. What ever she is, she is still just a little foal, one who now needs us."
Stella had to ask, "What are you thinking? Why not just give her to them? I am sure someone else could handle this better than us? Don't you think? I like her too, but we never dealt with anything like this before. This is more than looking after some lost foal. This is a cultural issue as well, now that I think of it."
Chaser shrugged. "That may be, but look at her. She is so young looking, even if she is different. She deserves a good home, not some orphanage, or some other confusion to deal with herself. Besides Fluttershy seems to like her. Do you really wish to send her away now?"
He put a hoof around Stella's back. "Didn't you see how scared she was earlier, even with just us questioning her? Could you imagine what it would be like for her to deal with interrogators trying to get info out of her. She would likely freak, and or completely clam up. This may only make them angry with her, or at the least, very annoyed. I don't see it going well."
He gave Stella a little squeeze. "I don't want to put her through all that. No. We are keeping her. Somehow. We might bring her to some authorities when she is older and can possibly handle it. Just, maybe. Till then, I am sticking with my promise to her, to take care of her for now. Not give her up to someone else. She is looking happy now while playing with Fluttershy, and I wish to keep her that way. I wish to keep them both that way."
Stella grimaced. She felt he was right. Not that the authorities would treat her poorly. She thought Chaser was being a little ridiculous with that, or just trying to make excuses to keep her here. But Stella did agree that their guest is happy here for the moment. They possibly could just keep her.
As she looked at the two at play she wished to keep Fluttershy happy with this new friend she has made as well. "Well, if that is what you want. We still need to know how we are going to get away with keeping her.
“She is a little foal like you said, and not a pet. So, we can't keep her like one. Or entirely out of the public eye. If the authorities do find out about her, and I am sure they will. We might not have a choice after, but to give her up to them."
Chaser nodded, while rubbing Stella's back. "I know. I know! I just wish I knew what to do about that. I just don't know yet. I don't want her taken from us, and we can't exactly hide her away either like you said.
“If she is found out by the authorities, we might have to fight to keep her. And I will. We will have to prove we can take care of her. That is after they decide if they are going to try and return her from where she came, or not. She might indeed be better off back with her own though, if that was to happen. That is the sad thing about all of this."
As the two thought more, they also continued to watch the little ones at their game of tag. The two little ones raced about more as exhaustion was setting into both of them. The game turned into a back and forth tagging that did not leave the other much time to take off running.
It got to the point where the two sat in front of the other just tagging each other quickly. The two started to mimic each other as if they were tagging a mirror of themselves on the hoof. What started out as a game of tag now looked more like a fast paced game of patty cake. The two giggled as they did this, just having fun with it.
As this continued the new excitement the two felt at trying to tap each other on the hoof quickly, as they sat, drove the changeling to feel odd. Her horn started to glow.
Both Stella and Chaser noticed this. They stared at each other then back at the scene in front of them. Both not sure what was going to happen.
The two sat in surprise over what they saw next. A green whirl of magic engulfed their guest playing with Fluttershy.
The moment the whirl of magic was gone what sat in her place is an identical copy of Fluttershy. To them it truly looked as if Fluttershy sat with herself in front of a mirror. Only there was no mirror.
The only difference between them is that Fluttershy is in a diaper, and this new Fluttershy isn't. But that is not what shocked everyone there who looked at her. The change itself was.
Fluttershy got startled and jumped back. Fluttershy corrected her wording as she blurted out again, "Blue Eyes!" Fluttershy ran over to Stella. "Mom!"
Fluttershy now was worried as if she possibly did something to her new friend that she didn't know she could do. She worried even more if her friend did this to herself, and wonder why.
The new Fluttershy stood up and looked over to the three looking right at her. She didn't know what was going on. She asked quickly in her confusion, "What I do?"
The new Fluttershy and the rest noticed that her voice had changed. She now sounded exactly like Fluttershy.
She felt different all over as well. Her whole body didn't feel right. This prompted her to look at herself and saw she was of the same color as Fluttershy. She has the same mane, tail, and wings. She looked up and saw her horn was gone. She saw that she did a completely full transformation. The first she ever did. She did not know she could do this yet. This is neat! I am a true changeling now.
She got even more excited, and started to giggle to herself at having done this. "I did it, my first change!"
She had no idea what changing would feel like, but now she does. She forgot the other three were still looking right at her in disbelief.
Chaser was the first to speak. "Your first change? So, this is something you were expecting to do at some time? Do all of your kind do this as well?"
The new Fluttershy looked over to him with a smile. "Yes, and more!" She was so excited about her first change she forgot to be worried about anything they might find out about her.
Chaser hit himself on the side of his head with a hoof. "I get it! Your horn. I thought because you have wings and a horn that you might be some kind of alicorn. A kind we never saw before. That must, be it then.
“You had me worried for a moment. Well, if you are some kind of alicorn, changing your looks would be only one of many things one could expect you could do with such magic. And seeing that you are so young, a spontaneous burst of magic is not so unusual either. But this was unexpected just the same."
The new Fluttershy looked confused. "Al-a-corn? I do not know."
Stella breathed a sigh of relief after seeing this unexpected change, while coming to grips with what Chaser suggested about the little one possibly being just an unusual alicorn.
It did make a lot of sense to her now. She had not thought of it till just now. "OK. So we have some sort of foal alicorn, from a race of unusual alicorns. That is if they are all the same as she said."
She thought of this for a moment more. Then instantly got worried again. Only now even more so than before. "Oh' my gosh!" We have a foal alicorn from a race of alicorns!"
She turned to Chaser quickly, grabbed him by the shoulders and shook him. Stating frantically, "We have a foal alicorn from a race of alicorns! This is not good!"
Chaser looked to her wide eyed at understanding what she was getting at. "No! This is not good!"
The new Fluttershy asked with concern, "Not good!? Did I do bad again?"
Stella shook her head to this new Fluttershy, "No, you did nothing wrong. You startled us, but that is not what concerns us. You see, alicorns are among some of the most powerful of all ponies. We only know of two. And those two rule over the rest of us. We can't protect ourselves from even one if we had to, never-mind a whole race of them. Now I fully understand why you had so much concern for us going looking for them if these alicorns don't like other ponies."
The new Fluttershy stated, "No, they don't. And... You are not, what I been told."
Chaser had to ask, "What have you been told?"
The new Fluttershy thought for a moment before answering. "You are mean. You do not help good. You do for yourself. You are bad to each other. You not care for others."
Chaser and Stella understood what she was likely talking about. Ponies can be competitive, and some can be quite self centered, or even mean to others carelessly, as she must have been told, they reasoned. She was not entirely wrong. But this is hardly the truth of them all, or even most, they thought.
Chaser felt he should tell her so. "Some of what you have been told is true, with a few of us. Some of us can be unkind to one another, but only some of us. We do like competition, but mostly for fun, much like your little game of tag."
He thought as to how she played with Fluttershy, and how careful she was with her. "Some do go too far in them, and some do get hurt because of it. But most ponies are like us here. We do care for one another, possibly not as well as we could, or even should, but we do care on how well others are doing. We are willing to help those in need, when we can. As you can see we are willing to do for you."
Chaser was starting to feel shaky as to what this new Fluttershy said in the past and what she said now. So this is what I have taken her from. No wonder she was afraid I might get hurt by them. If she can speak this well, be as coordinated as she is, and change form while this young, they might be very powerful, smart, and indeed do great harm to all of us if they wished.
Chaser continued to worry. This is so much more serious than I thought. Yes, as alicorns they could do a lot of damage, and none of us might be able to stop them. I am in way over my head. Not just her.
But she is right, if her clan does feel this way about us, none of us, not even the authorities can just take her to them and hope for the best. Even if other ponies go looking for her clan, for her sake.
All of this just might even start a war, if not handled right. I can't let that happen. I can't let anyone find out about her. But how? I am still back at where I started, only the stakes are much higher than I ever thought. This concerns all of us, not just her, or my family. What do I do!?
The new Fluttershy could see the concern dripping off Chaser. She could tell he was in a state of worry like she once was when she first came here. She wondered if she could do anything about this, herself. Can I help?
She looked at herself, and it gave her an idea. It took no effort to stay this way. I like looking like Fluttershy. But that would look odd to others they know, to see two of us. I am sure of it. They all look different, unlike me and my clan. I should not stay this way. But if I did look like them, like I do now, my clan would never find me. These nice ponies would be safe then, I think.
She thought she might give her idea a try. She looked at the three of them. She tried to repeat what she did when she accidentally changed into Fluttershy. She gave her idea a go. In another green swirling flash she changed again. Only now she looked red like Chaser, but kept the same pink mane and tail of Fluttershy. She also had the same green eyes of Stella.
So now she looked a little like all three of them. She was also feeling extra drained and tired, from the game of tag and changing twice.
The other three took stock of this new look of hers. Chaser shouted, "I don't care how young you are, that is brilliant!" He had a moment of concern again. "They, the others, your clan, can they tell who you are if you look like that?"
She shook her head, "No." They all noticed that her voice had changed again as well. Her voice was slightly deeper than Fluttershy's but not by much.
Stella had her own concerns. "How long can you stay that way?"
The new little red pegasus foal took a moment to answer as she thought about how she felt, and thought of what little she did know about the changelings abilities to change. She did not feel any strain from keeping her form, as tired as she is. She did not know how long. But she felt with all things considered, she should be able to stay this way with no trouble.
She was not sure how to tell Stella this. Such concept of time was not something she thought about much. She did her best to answer. "I not change again. If I not want to." she said while a little worried if what she said was true. She did not wish to lie to them if she was wrong.
Stella felt sorry to ask, but felt she must, "Then do you mind keeping that form? It would help if you did. It would help us a lot."
The new red pegasus foal filly nodded. "Yes," She felt a little better.
Stella breathed a sigh of relief, and so did Chaser.
Chaser felt grateful for what she has done. He can tell she is thinking of them. He felt he should tell her so. "What you are doing for us is very thoughtful little one. Thank you. I am very grateful you are willing to do this for us.
“I hope you still understand I don't feel good about keeping you from your clan. Not if you wish to be with them. I can see you do understand how important it is for me to keep my family safe though. That includes you as well. I want nothing bad to happen to you either. That is why I intend to take care of you from now on, so long as you are with us."
Chaser added, "Well now that we are making you part of this family, we not only need to give you a name, but a backstory as to who you are, and why you are with us. Ponies will ask."
Stella nodded in agreement. "Yes, and the sooner the better."
She looked back over to the new red pegasus. "I must admit you are incredibly smart for someone so young. You are helping us a lot with that trick of yours. And it was very smart of you to think of it. And very thoughtful of you to think of us and our safety. Both in telling us it is possibly not safe to look for your kind, and now in making this change for us. I am very, very grateful for that as well.
“And I must admit, this is not something many would think of, never mind one of your age. I am glad to have you here with us, so we at least got a chance to know someone like you. You are one special little filly."
The little red pegasus was beaming with pride do to the praise.
The look of their now red colored guest gave Chaser a though. She looks like one of us now. Heck she still looks exactly like Fluttershy. Her form did not change, only her body color. She looks like she could blend in as one of the family, not just some foal we found. She looks as if she could be one of our own, actually. A real twin sister to Fluttershy to be precise.
This made Chaser come up with an idea of his own. He was hatching a plan as he thought about the possibilities, and how to make it work.
Once he felt he had it, he confessed his plan to Stella. "Honey, It's a long shot, but I think I have a way of telling and convincing others that she is ours."
Stella looked to him with confusion. "What! How? It's been over two months since Fluttershy and I got home from the maternity ward. Most anyone we know, knows we only had one foal."
Chaser nodded in agreement, but he was thinking of one thing Stella might have overlooked. "Yes, but the one who helped with the delivery was the only other with us then during the delivery. Only Patience would know how many we really had. She has been a friend of the family for years, and my friend for much longer. If I talk to her, I might, just might, be able to have her tell another story."
Stella glared at him. She felt he has one crazy plan. She also felt he spent too much time with Kicker. One that gave him enough odd ideas as it was. "And what story would that be?"
Chaser sighed. He did not know how she would take this, but he did feel it was a good plan, or at the least the best he got. "That we had two fillies, but one we thought was stillborn, and didn't make it."
Stella was wondering where he was going with this. She was already not not liking what he told her so far.
Chaser continued as he saw her still questioning this. "Patience could say she checked her over better and found her alive, even after we had left, she kept this to herself. After finding this out about our presumed lost foal, she wished to nurse her back to full health on her own. To make sure our other little one was going to live, as weak as she was, before telling us about it.
“She wanted to be sure herself before getting our hopes up that she would make a full recovery and be able to live. So we would not have known about her being alive till today. After Patience just now telling us about it."
Chaser has his front hooves out in a giving gesture, after giving that bit of revelation of an idea. As if to say, and there you have it.
Stella got frantic. "What! That is crazy talk. It's been much too long for something like that. We can't ask her to say something like that either!" Stella knew he had one crazy plan in mind, but not this crazy.
Chaser looked to her with worry, and felt defeated that she didn't just go for it. "Why not? It would be perfect. And she would officially be ours. No pony would question it. Patience would be held under confidentiality. She does not have to say it didn't happen. Not if this info was agreed upon by all of us, to be kept between us. It is part of her profession to keep such secrets, it is for the protection of any family she deals with. Namely us, as well."
Chaser was looking practically pleading now. "Patience has always been good to us, I think she might do it if we come clean with her about the entire situation.
“If we are going to ask her to lie for us, we might as well let her in on what it is she will be asked to lie about. Please say you will do this. It is a good plan. I am sure it will work if we get her in on it. It might be, the only way."
Sella shook her head. She was not happy at all with his suggestion. But as it was, she couldn't think of anything better, at the moment. "I don't like this idea. Not one bit. But, if she does say yes, then... I just have to say, this crazy scheme of yours better work or we will have two other ponies that will know of our guest."
Chaser was visibly relieved by Stella relenting.
Stella felt all this foolishness was too much. As she thought of it more she thought it is worth a shot. This situation was thrust upon them the moment Chaser found this little lost foal. And she felt they needed to do something now. She pointed to Chaser. "You go ask Patience to come over. And tell her to come alone. But not until after we give our new member to our family a name. Depending on what Patience says, I will go with this plan of yours. We also have Kicker to deal with after as well. You told me that he knows of her too."
Chaser gave a slight chuckle then rolled his eyes. "Cloud Kicker, again! He won't be a problem I tell you. If anything he will just get a big laugh out of this as he already has. The guy is just a big joker, but he is trustworthy.
“He will go along with this if I ask him too. He would like to be in on something like this anyway. It would be fun for him, and would be just like him to keep this kind of secret for us."
Stella shrugged. She felt Chaser knew Kicker better than she did. Chaser did hang out with him at times, even after Stella and Chaser got married. "If you're sure about it."
Chaser shook his head some. "I am not sure about any of this. It is all a long shot. But it's what I got. Now for a name."
Stella surprised herself, as she thought of one. "Hows about Triumph? We could say we called her that after finding out she lived, even after us giving up hope that she wouldn't, in all this time."
Chaser brightened as she said this. He knew Stella could be more than reasonable at times. Even imaginative as well. He loved her for that, and more. "Oh' Honey I could just kiss you!"
And at that, he did. He leaned in, held her by her cheeks, and gently pulled her head in closer to his own. Then kissed her.
The young red pony, felt that same strong feeling that she liked before, but now it is coming from both of them. Much of her sadness and worry melted away as she took in what was going on.
She felt stronger by this as well. The earlier draw on her from her past two changes and game of tag no longer burdened her. She liked this, she liked this a lot.
Chaser smiled to Stella affectionately. "I love you so much Stella. I am glad you are willing to go along with this. And Triumph sounds like a fine name."
He now turned to the new red foal sitting in front of them who held a grin. "What do you think of it? Wish to be named Triumph?"
At this point she didn't care. She saw that they are happy with it, and she did not wish to argue.
After she gave it some thought, She felt she did like it. She was not sure if it was a fitting name, do to all the trouble she caused them so far, but she did like it.
It sounded bold and strong, like a survivor. And if that is how they wished to see her as, a survivor, then she felt she could be happy with that. She gave him a nod with a big, big smile to show her approval.
Chaser nodded, feeling she is going to be okay with this. "Well, that is settled then too. I should not waste time. I should head out to get Patience. We need to get everything with her settled quickly before anything else can happen. I can't believe we are doing this. Your right Stella, this is crazy. All of it. But sometimes crazy works. And I hope it does this time."
Chaser got up and headed for the door. As he opened the door, Stella called out to him. "Good luck!"
Chaser turned and grimaced. He knew they all needed much more than luck on their side at the moment. "Save it. We will both need it more when I get her here." He then continued out the door and closed it.
Stella brought her attention back to Triumph. "Well, little one, it looks like we now wait."
The little red foal Triumph felt concerned, and confused, yet something about all of this felt good too. She asked, "I am to be family?"
Stella nodded. She placed a hoof under the little red foal's chin. "That's the idea. If all goes well, you will be known after as my and Chaser's daughter. I will be your new mom. Chaser will be your new dad. Lastly, you and Fluttershy will be sisters from now on.
Stella removed her hoof as she let Triumph think, and have time for all this to sink in.
Triumph sat in awe from all this going on. It was a little more than she thought she could take for one moment.I have been so wrong about them!
She looked around at the other two, then to the floor. Her breathing got heavy. I... I don't know at all what to think. I am a changeling not a pony.
Stella could see Triumph is looking visibly upset. She wished to know what she is thinking.
Part of what Triumph is thinking pleased her. They will have me as one of them, and I would like to be, but...
Her breathing got heavier. Do I let them? Do I have a choice?
Her breathing got even more heavy, as heavy as the weight of the situation she felt sitting on her, the more she thought about it.
The situation felt quite final. A new life away from her clan. She did not know if she could do this, but the situation gave her few to no other options.
Can I even live as one of them, as a pony? I am not a pony! Can I do this!? Can I even pretend to be one of them? Can I really make this work? She was starting to panic.
Both Fluttershy and Stella could see Triumph's state change to something that worried both of them. Fluttershy looked up to her mom. "Mom, She OK?"
Stella gave Fluttershy a little squeeze. "I don't know sweetie." She turned her attention back up to Triumph. "Triumph, what's wrong honey? Please, you can tell me."
Triumph looked back up to Stella, in her panicked state. "How do I be a pony!?"
Stella took a chance to reached out to her. She leaned forward and put her hooves around her, then she pulled her in close to herself, and next to Fluttershy.
She let Triumph lean her head against her chest. With both foals in her grip, she carefully stroked Triumph's back with a hoof. "It'll be OK. Chaser and I will do everything we can for you. You are not alone. I promise"
Triumph looked up to Stella as Stella talked.
"I know you are not used to being around us. You must feel us as odd to you, as how I first felt about you when I first saw you. It's going to be hard to live another life with others you don't know. We will try to make this as easy for you as possible."
Stella paused for a moment. She talked more softly now. "But you know, you have shown so much courage in coming here as you did. You are smart for your age as well. That is for as young as you seem. You know, I don't even know how old you are."
Triumph knew what Stella is getting at. She wished to say something about it, she knew it has been on their minds. "I was told, I am less than a year."
Stella looked at her in awe, and with a gasp. Oh' My gosh!
Stella forgot to say calm. "You are less than a year old?!"
She caught herself. She did not wish Triumph to think she was upset by this news. She went back to talking softly again. "Well, you do speak very very well for your age."
Stella gathered her thoughts on this entire situation. She is very smart for her age, as I keep saying to myself.
But How? She can even reason we should not go looking for her kind in fear we might get hurt by them. It is sad to see one so young have so much concern, about so much as she does.
This is not the sort of thinking I would expect for one less than a year old. Someone of four, or five, maybe. At the very least.
This is remarkable. Maybe this might have something to do with her being like an alicorn, perhaps. I wish I knew.
She seems to have what it takes to pretend to be a pony if she wishes too. She will just need some guidance. We can give her that.
After she had a moment, Stella continued to talk to her. "I do believe that if you stay strong you will find your new given name will suit you perfectly. You will triumph as a pony, and we will help you along the way so you can. You will find it not so bad to be a pony like us.
“And in time, if you wish to find your own kind again, to be with them, we will not stop you. You can do whatever you wish."
Stella thought about that right after, knowing Triumph's ability to change form. "I just hope that if you one day do go, that you don't forget us."
Stella noticed as she held her that Triumph felt like a normal winged pony.
She took a moment to stroke across the top of her head, partly out of curiosity. Everything felt normal. She felt exactly the same as holding Fluttershy, And the horn was gone. It was not an illusion. It was a true full transformation copy, Stella knew only a strong magic could do that.
She was expecting that Triumph only looked like a pony now, but would still be something else to the touch. This was not so.
Stella also realized she would not have known what she normally felt like. Only Chaser was the one to touch her before her change into this red pony foal, and Fluttershy while playing tag with her.
Stella wondered how far this transformation went. She wondered if Triumph is a real pony now, or if she is still part of whatever she is. Stella knew Triumph could still change again, even if she didn’t seem to have her horn anymore.
She now wished to have suggested that Chaser ask Patience to bring what she needed for a small examination.
Though giving it another thought she knew that such a thing might be too much for this young foal trying her best to fit in. The sort of thing Chaser was trying to avoid putting Triumph though by keeping her, and not taking her to the authorities.
Perhaps such an examination could wait till much later, once Triumph gets more settled in. It so far had been a big day for her. Though it has been a big day for each of us, and the day is far from over.
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