> If you give Derpy a muffin > by TheLoveless > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > If you give Derpy a muffin > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Years had passed since the attempted conquest of Queen Chrysalis, and the Changelings, as grotesque as they may seem, have finally become members of society. Although hated by practically every one, they still roam the world of Equestria, unashamed of their unique talent, and hole-filled structures. All but one: a changeling who had made her way into society as her new self, a dark pink mare with an icy mane, jagged and short. No pony looked like her, and no one would know either way. Every day she worked at a bakery, getting paid for doing almost nothing. Every day new faces came in, ponies, griffons, a changeling on the rare occasion, and even a crystal pony or two. No one ever bothered to stay and chat, or even say hello, they just came in, and left minutes later. Only one pony stayed, and she just ate muffins like there was no tomorrow, always there at the end of every month. "Excuse me, miss. We’re going to be closing soon. Is there anything I can get you?" Once again, she had to ask the same question at the end of the day at the end of every month. "Oh, hi, Iris! Can I get another muffin?" Her tongue was hanging out, covered in bread crumbs and blue stain. For a moment, she didn't acknowledge the request, but for once she had been called by her real name, not "Waitress", or "Ma'am", but Iris. "Of course, I'll get you one, on me." Happiness overcame her for once in her sad life, and as a result, she decided to buy two muffins. Once she had come back to the table where the mare resided, she witnessed a table getting licked, and unnaturally moving eyes. "Here you are" she said cheerily as she scooted one of the two breakfast pastries across to the grey mare. Derpy was too captivated by the table to notice the muffin or even Iris for that matter. Feeling bold, Iris spoke up. "Um, what’s your name? I see you so often, but I never get to ask." Her voice lowered as her fear of being denied an answer set in. "My name is Derpy Hooves! Thank you for the muffin!!!" Perhaps she did notice it. Within seconds, the muffin and its wrapper had been devoured, and swallowed whole. As anypony, or changeling would expect, she couldn't resist just having one. "Can I have another, please?" Iris looked at the muffin she was holding and pushed it to Derpy, not being a fan of sweets, or baked goods. "Here, you can have this one." Without a second of hesitation, Derpy ate the second muffin, remembering to chew this second time, and to not swallow the wrapper. "Ms. Hooves, you really like muffins, don't you?" "Can I be your friend?" Derpy didn't even bother answering the pink mare. The obvious answer would have been a yes. A smile arose on her face as her eyes realigned, "Can I be your friend? Please?" Taken aback by the question, Iris had to think about it, not knowing what to do, what would happen if Derpy found out she was a changeling. More questions arose than answers, and all the answers just brought with them new questions. Derpy could see her stress, and Iris had to ponder on what to say next. After a minute passed closing she finally answered the question, "Ms. Hoov- Derpy, I'd like to be your friend but..." Derpy lunged at Iris, hugging her with such intensity it felt unnatural, "Please!!!!" She didn't want to pass up the chance to make her first friend from her new life. But what if she hates me? What if she told everypony who I really am? Oh, wait. I have nothing to lose anymore, do I? "Derpy, can I tell you something, and you promise not to be scared or tell anyone?" Derpy gave her strongest nod she could manage and stuck out her tongue. "Okay, Derpy. The reason I can't be friends with you is… because I’m-" She couldn't press on without getting the truth out, and it was Derpy's cute smile that spurred her to go on. "I'm a changeling." Derpy sucked her tongue back into her mouth, and stared aimlessly around. "Is that the only reason? I don't mind." She was still too happy for her own good. "I have plenty of friends who are changelings, and they’re all so nice and sweet." Derpy clearly didn't wasn't going to to lose another potential friend. Shocked by the response, and the fact Derpy actually befriended changelings, she had made up her mind. "Okay Derpy, I will be your friend, and you can be my first." She hugged Derpy back who had been hanging onto her for some time now. "I’m glad I met you, Ms. Hooves." "Why are you glad? Don’t the other ponies talk with you?" Derpy's smile dropped, and her grasp weakened. "So I’m your first friend?" A discerning nod comforted the questions, "Yes, you're my first friend. No other pony even called me by my name." The truth had set in once more, "For two whole years, I have never been called my name, or even made a friend." Derpy once again tightened her grip, and squeezed her new changeling friend, "Well people are mean! You're too kind to not get called something!!!" She gripped the mare once more, and forced her into reverting to her original form, "I'm sorry." She had once again seen the monster she was born as, "It’s okay, I needed a reminder, and I forgot who I was." Upon looking into the polished glass of the window, she realized her eyes where teal. Had she never noticed? "Ms. Hooves, do people act like you’re not like them? Not normal?" Derpy continued her hug on the black, blue eyed changeling, "They treat me like that, but I know I’m not normal." A tear entered her eye, "I'm not normal, because I’m better." Tears began to pour out onto Iris's lap, encouraging her to return the hug she got a while ago. She did, and Derpy had one last remark to say before having to hide her tears. "I'm special just like you." 10 minutes past closing, and time to leave the building once again. "Derpy... you aren't special," she looked up and realized they both had started to cry, "You, Derpy, are one of a kind." Two arms reached around the gray mare and her golden hair, "you will always be the only you in this world."