"Cats?"
"They slip"
"Figures... rocs?"
"Give me a headache"
"And foxes make you feel cold, right?" Nanda nodded "So every animal you... enter has some after effect?"
"Yes, things like those always leave some mental contamination"
"And that is...?"
Nanda opened her mouth several times before talking, "Bits and pieces of your mind break if it interacts with any soul but your own. Extreme cases alter memories and intuitive knowledge"
"Ouch"
"Small things repair themselves, but if I stayed in any other body for too long... the very cores would go beyond repair. I'd remember sideways, hear blue, and talk brightly"
"Ouch"
"Yes. My teacher in it was blind and had panic attacks if there was't any light," she shuddered "One of the most important things we are taught is to avoid using our skills, really"
"Huh"
They walked silently for a moment.
"You know, I am curious about something"
"Ask away"
"Didn't necromancers avoid telling what they are? Why did you tell me just like that?"
"In my trade, we study and manipulate souls, and is in our eyes and throats that mind and soul find each other and sparkle what we really are," they started walking again "you have your mother's eyes, and your father's voice. Of course I knew I could trust you"
"And you knew who I was from the get go"
"They promised to send me a message if they made it back" she sighed "How was I supposed to tell you? "Hi. I knew your probably dead parents. Bye"?"
It took Applejack a moment to talk again.
"You are doing it again"
"What?"
"Acting differently. Breaking character. Whatever is that you do. Angry a day, clever the next, emotional the other"
"Well, you..." Nanda paused for a moment "I am well over the hundred. You don't expect someone to stay sane for that long, right?"
"I've met-"
"Immortals? Neither minds or souls are made to last so long, that's what my teachers told me. An immortal's soul is like a home that collapsed until there is no empty space left for it to fall to"
"And you are telling me that'll happen to anyone who lives long enough? Alicorns? Dragons?"
"That takes hundreds of years to happen. And dragon souls are particular, mind you. They shift constantly"
"And you are crazy"
"I don't giggle for no reason anymore, if that's what worries you"
"Great. That puts me at ease. You won't giggle when you start summoning demons or something"
"Demons are inefficient, they spent too long burning things and cackling" Applejack stopped "Devouring some spirit or elemental is more efficient. Have you ever controlled thunder at will?" she turned and noticed Applejack's grimace "I really like controlling thunder at will" she said with a warm smile.
"Ah. Okay. Perfect. A-OK"
"You know, I've always wondered what's the taste of earth pony souls" Nanda walked to her, grinning widely, and pressed their faces together "Will I grow stronger? Younger?" Only a wa-ahaha your face! You should see your face!" she laughed loudly "I had forgotten just how fun it was to do that"
Applejack watched her for a moment, boiling in anger, and headbutted her.
"Point taken"