Nurse Redheart must nurse a changeling filly back to heath.
Nurse Redheart had a stressful job, mostly due to her self isolation from most of the staff. She's one of the best surgeons in equestria, but will she be able to fix the heart of a injured changeling filly. She soon finds the some wounds can't be seen, but must be felt... Kinda like internal bleeding.
It was a snowy night in Ponyvill. Redheart exited the operating room and walked to the near by sink calmly. She slowly pressed the soap dispenser as the door opened behind her. Two of the interns that helped her during the surgery walked in and proceed to take of there gloves and started to wash there hooves.
"Amazing work in there Red." The closest mare said with a smile. " You might even get that promotion if you keep working at it." She added.
"The mares and I are going out to the club tonight, you wanna tag along Red?" The other nurse chimed in cheerfully.
"No I think I'm just gonna go get some groceries and head home, maybe order a pizza." Redheart said."Common, it's about time you got yourself out there since-" The closest nurse stopped talking as her peer nudged her shoulder.
"What she means is, he would want you to move on, rather then becoming a hermit" the mare said nervously. The mare smiled as if to make her case more persuasive. Redheart didn't even respond as she left the bathroom and walked the lonely street she had chosen for herself.
Redheart arrived at her apartment at the stroke of midnight, she came barring two bags of groceries. She walked to her small kitchen. Thou it was small it had all the luxury of an ordinary kitchen an oven, coffee maker and microwave were just to name a few. She glanced over to the window and to her surprise the pie that she had sat on the window sill to cool off had disappeared. She sighed as she sat the groceries down and locked the window shut.
Redheart proceeded to unload her groceries but as she looked down onto the ground she noticed the strangest thing. A trail of crumbs and bits of Apple pie where scattered across the ground. Redhearts mind suddenly went to the worst case scenario. Somepony must have broken into her apartment, ate her pie and was now waiting for her to arrive home, so they could knock her out and steal her organs for the black market.
Redheart grabbed the nearest kitchen knife and hesitantly followed the trail of crumbs which continued down the hall to her bedroom. The door to her room was cracked slightly open and noise could be heard from in the hall. It sounded as if a wild animal had been savagely devouring something in her room.
In one swift motion Redheart kicked the door open and lifted the blade up retry to attack. What she saw made her scream in absolute horror. A live changeling with its muzzle down licking the pie tin clean. The changeling looked small, in fact it was the smallest one she had ever seen. She barely had time to react before the changeling vanished under the bed.
Nurse Redheart ran out of the room in the hopes of escaping the monsters evil grasp. She ran to her bathroom and quickly locked the door and looked for ways to escape. She soon realized she had trapped herself. She held the knife and waited for her impending doom.
An hour passed, and nothing, then another. Redheart started contemplating her situation. She thought about why a changeling would have broken into her home. It might have just been hungry, if so it might have already left. It didn't try to attack her ether, could it have been afraid. Redheart slowly and carefully opened the bathroom door and walked to her bedroom once more. On the ground near the pie tin she saw a small puddle of a liquid she had seen frequently, blood. What ever was under her bed was injured.
If She could lure the changeling out she could get a visual of what type of injures it had sustain. Redheart walked back to her kitchen and opened a tin of cookies she had bought at Sugar Cube Corner. She placed a cookie at the edge of under the bed and waited. Eventually a shaky hoof reached out from the darkness and snatched the cookie.
"It's okay, I won't hurt you." Redheart said calmly as she put another cookie down a bit farther out. The changeling responded by reaching for the cookie but not leaving the safety of under the bed. "Come on out." She said backing away to give him space. The small changeling crawled shamefully out from under the bed towards the cookie. Redheart saw bruises across its body with some cuts. The creature looked desperately malnourished and in need of another cookie which Redheart was happy to give it.
Then the realization suddenly hit her like a subway train."You're just a child." Redheart said in shock. It looked up at her with hungry eyes. It's legs where so skinny it could barely support itself and due to that reason it wobbled a bit. The creature made a wiper looking at the cookies. "Please stay put, I'll be right back. Here just take these." She gently put the cookies down on the ground. The filly waited until Redheart had left the room to approach the bag. By the time Redheart returned with her first aid kit the filly was already helping itself to the plentiful stash of cookies.
"Can you understand me?" She asked as she approached it. The changeling looked up at her with crumbs along it's tiny face and gave a small nod. Redheart wasn't actually expecting for that response.
"Okay uh, could you hop up onto the bed real quick, I'm just going to patch you up if that's okay." Redheart said as she tried to walk around the changeling. It only stared at her with a terrified glare. "I'm not going to hurt you, I'm a nurse see." Redheart said pointing to her red cross cutie Mark. The convinced filly walked timidly to the bed and looked up at the steep jump. Redheart noticed it's predicament and gently picked up the little menace. She was surprise of how soft the creatures insect-like skin was. She laid the creature down and opened her supplies.
Redheart took peroxide and dabbed it onto a small rag. "This is only going to sting for a second." She said as she pressed the rag down onto one of the large cuts. The creature suddenly yelped in pain and tried desperately to fly away. Redheart held the changeling down forcefully as she tore the gauze with her teeth and started to rap the wounds tightly.
"See that wasn't so bad." She said with a chuckle as she let go of her patient. She was startled that it didn't run or fly away the moment she let up. In fact it stayed motionless. Her surprised face slowly turned to worry. "You okay." She said taping the changling's face. It gave no response but wheezy breathing. The poor thing must have passed out from the pain, from its condition she had to wonder how it was still breathing.
What could have hurt this creature so bad that it would go so far as to steal pie from her window. She exampled the bruises that where practically covering the patint's body. Redheart put her hoof on his forehead and felt that it was freezing cold. By experience she knew that wasn't good.
Redheart left her alone and returned with spare blankets from the closet. Redheart quickly wrapped her until he was bundled up like a newborn foal .(while wrapping her Redheart found out its a her gender) She smiled as the filly curled up to the blankets weakly.
"Aw you're kinda cute. I wonder if your parents are looking for yo-" She was interrupted by her pagers familiar buzzing. She brought it up and saw it was an emergency. "Dammit, I have to go, just rest, Please don't get up, just here." She walked over to her fatback television set and turned it on. "See it' the news, fillies like the news right?" Said Redheart while rushing to get her makeup from the nightstand. She saw the news had a graphic of a changeling up and stumbled across the room to change the channel. She turned it to an educational channel then rushed out of the room. The tiny changeling groaned faintly in response to her slamming the door.
By the time Redheart arrived at the clinic luna's moon was already leaving the sky. She ran to the changeling station and put on her gloves and mask. One of the interns from earlier looked at her surprised of how lively her movements where. "Whoa Red slow down. Me and Twist already patched her up. What's gotten into you?" The intern questioned. "I was kinda in the middle of something." Redheart said slightly annoyed by her energetic assistant. "Oh my Celestia where you with somepony." She asked in disbelief.
Redheart looked at herself in the mirror. "Yah, I guess I was."
Nurse Redheart had lived by three strict rules. The first was to never to drink alone. The second was to never, under any circumstances lose the patient and the third and most important of all, Tip the pizza delivery pony.
Redheart was on her way home after informing her friends she needed a sick day. She opened the door to her apartment and walked hesitantly to her door and knocked lightly. There was no response but silence from the other side.
She slowly opened the door and saw the blankets on the bed had been moved and where now tucked unfashionable under the bed. Redheart looked confused at where the changeling and gone until she heard the faint wheezing sound of the filly from under the bed. She keeled down and peeking her head under the bed and saw the most adorable sight of all of her life. There before her laid the sleeping filly in a blanket cocoon with its tiny head barely visible amid the blankets. Redheart couldn't help but giggle as the changeling yawned and cuddled up to the fluffy blanket.
"Come on out we need to get you some food kid" Redheart said while tugging the blanket slightly to awaken the filly. The moment the child's eyes opened it let out a loud hiss as if it where being threatened. Redheart quickly jumped back and tried to catch her breath. The changelings sky blue eyes where visible from under the bed as it halted it's hissing.
"Don't scare me like that kid. I'm just trying to help you." Redheart said trying to regain her poise. She watched as the changeling backed until he was touching the wall furthest away from Redheart. "I just need a moment to check your bandages and maybe I could get you some food." Redheart said to the flustered filly. "You're gonna hurt me again!" The changeling said with a high pitched feminine voice. Although she tried to shout it the voice was quite weak yet emotionally desperate.
"Hurt you? I'm not gonna hit you dear I'm her to help you feel better. I didn't get my cutie mark for hitting fillies. I'm not gonna do anything that would hurt you, I just want to make you feel better." Redheart said trying to calm the frantic filly. Redheart's face had an honest look that the filly believe was genuinely authentic.
Slowly the fragile filly came out of under the bed with a wobbly walk. She looked as if she was treading extremely thin ice. Redheart put her hoof out to attempt to comfort the shell shocked changeling.
"I'm sorry!" The filly yelped as it lifted its hoofs to brace for a hit. Redheart simply glared at the flinching filly, she noticed subtle yet distinct bruises oh her checks. The filly opened her eyes hesitantly as if worried if it would be sruck while letting its guard down. "There's nothing to be sorry for, I understand you're still a bit frightened. If you want I could just bring you some food." Redheart spoke worried of the filliy's response.
"Come on, I ordered some pizza that we can split, hope you like olives." Redheart had mumbled the last part to herself. Redheart left her room with the twitchy changeling at following close behind. Redheart saw how the filly limped slightly with every step. They abruptly stopped reaching the small living room area of the appartment.
"The place is still a mess, but the DVD player works in here. You can have the couch guess... I'm sorry I didn't get your name." Redheart said with a friendly smile. The filly looked up and made a wide assortment of clicking and hissing sounds. "Oh, that's nice, do you mind if I just call you-" Redheart stopped as she heard the door bell go off. "Pizza is here one sec." Redheart left the filly to fend for himself in the cluttered room. The small foreigner could only see eye level to the coffee table. She tried to hop onto the couch but found her wounds where more of a problem that she had expected. Every time the filly extended its hoof she was shocked by a dull but painfully sting. Finding that the little changeling had been defeated by the plush throne she laid down and released a pitiful whimpered.
"Hey need help there?" Redheart said while entering the room holding the pizza box. The changeling nearly yelled in surprise not expecting her return would be so sudden. Redheart gently lifted the filly onto the tattered blue couch. "So as I was saying." Redheart said as she set the pizza down onto the coffee table. "Pizza." The filly said. Redheart looked up at the filly with slight confusion. "Wait, do you want me to call you pizza or do you want a slice? Or both?" She said with a chuckle.
"Both please." The filly said with a quite voice. Redheart looked confused for a moment then simply shrugged. "Okay, would you mind if I call you Olive Pizza." Redheart said as she walked to the kitchen. "Okay." Olive said meekly. She was intrigued by the delicious smell emitting from the cardboard box on the table. 'Is this the pizza she mentioned earlier?' Olive thought to herself quietly.
Redheart returned with two paper plates and a pizza cuter. She proceeded to open the pizza box and cut her and the filly a slice of the delicious cheesy mess. She walked over to the kitchen and set Olive's pizza on the arm of the couch. "Do you want something to drink, water, a soda maybe?" Redheart asked. The little filly looked astonished that she would just offer resources so, nonchalantly. "W- what's soda?" Olive stuttered out of nervousness. "Soda it is." She said happily as she walked off to the kitchen.
Olive was quite puzzled at the triangular mass of bread and cheese that had been set forth for her. she slowly and casually brought the plate closer to her. Once close enough she lifted the slice and opened her mouth reveling her tiny razer sharp fangs. She quickly got to work devouring despite the fact that the pizza slice still being searing hot.
Redheart returned with two cans of store-brand soda. She put the soda down next to Olive and went to cut her another slice. "Wow you're really hungry. When was the last time you've ate, Olive?" Redheart said with a chuckle as she cut a larger slice.
Olive looked at the strange metallic cylinder that her captor called 'soda'. She sniffed it curiously to no avail. She was on the brink of being angered to the point of frustration. With one quick snatch she sunk her fangs into the can. The built up pressure released and the contents of the can sprayed out onto Olive's face and the couch. The substance was sweet and sticky much like a more liquefied version of honey.
"Oh shit!" Redheart exclaimed running over to Olive with a roll of paper towels. Olive was already in the process of licking up the forming puddle on the couch when Redheart picked her up. Olive gave a little hiss as Redheart put her on the ground and commenced cleaning. "How was there this much soda in that can!?" Redheart yelled in disbelief. On an off note the industrialization of magic was once of the inactivation leading to condensed beverage containers.
Redheart looked down at Olive and saw she had gotten her bandages drenched in the light brown liquid. Redheart ran to the bathroom and retrieved a towel. When she returned Olive had dragged her slice of pizza off the coffee table and had started eating it off the ground. Redheart quickly snatched the filly up with the towel and tried her best to not to scold the filly.
Redheart sighed in frustration. "I guess you're gonna need a bath."
"It doesn't hurt, I promise." Redheart said over the running bathtub. Olive stood petrified at the end of the hallway. "There's nothing to be scared of its just a running water." Redheart said leaning out from the small bathroom. Olive gave Redheart a stubborn shake of her head in response. What ever was in that room, Olive wanted nothing to do with it.
Redheart let out a frustrated groan. "Can you please just get over here!" Redheart shouted in her angry nurse tone. When Redheart leaned out to the hall again she was astonished to see Olive sheepishly walking with her head low to the ground. Redheart suddenly felt bombarded by feelings of guilt. "Hey, I'm sorry for yelling at you like that." Redheart said stuttering a bit. Olive only gave a whimper in response.
Olive looked up at the porcine wall in front of her. Redheart picked up a small pare of scissors and slowly cut the bandages covering her patients abdomen. The wounds looked like they where healing slowly. A few of the gashes looked as if they would leave deep marks, but other then that Redheart expected a full recovery. Redheart discarded the soda drenched bandages in the bathroom trash bin.
Redheart stopped the water and lifted Olive up gently. The weight of the filly surprised Redheart. It felt as if she was lifting a small pillow. Olive had a very worried face that made Redheart feel even more guilty. She slowly lowered Olive into the knee high chilly water.
Olive quickly maneuvered out of Redheart's grasp and made numerous hissing and squeaks while trying to escape the tub. She flapped her tiny wings at a attempt to keep them out of the water to no avail. "Stop being so dramatic your making a mess." Redheart said over the hissing filly. That was easy for her to say being on the dry side of the situation. Olive screeched as she frantically tried to get out of the water.
"Hey stop it!" Redheart shouted again. Olive halted her movements almost instantly. Redheart started to wash the filly's back with a damp rag. She was startled by the amount of dry blood that had been hidden under the bandages. It took a bit of effort to remove. "I'm sorry miss." Olive spoke with a shy and quite voice. Olive looked as if she had kicked a bee hive and was waiting for the eventual consequences.
"My Names nurse Redheart, you can call me Red if you want." Redheart said while cleaning the changelings ears and face. Olive shivered and looked as if she was going to try to bolt out of the tub. "I know it can be hard out on the streets. I can't even imagine what you've been through." Redheart said raging out the rag and going back to cleaning Olive's wounds.
Redheart slowly put the rag down. "Do you have any stories you mind sharing?" Redheart said with a chuckle as she drained the tub. Olive looked up at Redheart with a tears in her eyes. "Hey it's okay if you don't want to talk about it." Redheart scoped up Olive with a fluffy blue towel. Redheart looked over at the ruined couch. That was a mess that could wait for tomorrow.
"Guess you're sleeping with me tonight little Olive." Redheart said holding the shivering changeling. Redheart walked to her small room and gently set Olive down on the foot of the bed. Olive felt content on staying in the warm comfy towel. Redheart smiled at the sight of Olive's tiny yawn.
Redheart got into bed slowly and took off her nurse hat and put it to rest next to the lamp on her night table. She laid back into the bed comforter and sighed in relief. This was no ordinary patient. The sleeping filly at the foot of her bed was traumatized, all Redheart could do now was attempt to keep the filly from falling apart.
Redheart sighed once again as she turned off the lamp. Moments later Redheart fell asleep and the room fell silent excluding the insect like breathing of Olive. Dreams where never to Redheart's liking, it was like watching a horror movie she had already seen the ending of. The night brought memories of a different time, a different life.
At the age of eighteen Redheart had already acquired her snow white nurse hat. Yet at the time she was in a very unusual, line of work. The details of which she had been instructed to never to tell another living soul. But this didn't mean she couldn't reminisce. The dream always started off the same...
Redheart used a box cutter to open a large bag of cubed ice. Once a sufficient gash was made and she pored the cubes out into the bathtub. Redheart dipped her hoof into the water to make sure the temperature was decent for her victim. Redheart walked out of the room and dragged a stallion nearly twice her size into the motel bathroom.
Redheart had been specify rough with getting him in the tub due to his sleazy nature earlier that night. She retrieved her ice chest from under the bed and returned to the unconscious stallion. She opened the chest and took out her supplies for the medical venture she was about to embark on. She did not enjoy her work but to this day it was her highest paying job.
Redheart's constantly kept tabs on her patients vitals. Thou the business was degrading she felt pride in never letting her patients die in such horrible conditions. But there was something else, something Redheart would never admit. Deep down Redheart felt as if she enjoyed the act of surgery. The way her scalpel would slice through the flesh as if it where a hot knife through butter was extremely satisfying.
Her blade work was so sought after in Manehattan that she had earned the street name Red Fox. She slowly leaned in as she made the first cut. The blood trickled into the ice water and stained her hooves a dark shade of red. As soon as it started it was over and Redheart zipped the precious organ up in a small plastic bag. Redheart proceeded to stitch the wounds up quickly as not to be caught by any room service that could stumble in. She gently put the stolen cargo in her ice chest and closed the lid tight. As she left the motel room she made sure the do not disturb card was secured on the door handle.
Redheart slowly awoke to the tugging of her arm. Redheart yawned and staggered to sit up in bed. She turned on her light and was shocked to find that Olive had disappeared from the foot of her bed. Redheart was about to get up but she was stopped by the sound of Olive's cute snoring.
Redheart looked down to see Olive had cuddled up to her side and was snuggling her arm with a death grip. Redheart saw small tears on the fillies cheeks. "You okay Pizza?" She said with a whisper as she wiggled her arm gently. Olive responded with a whimper as she tightened her hug on Redheart arm.
Redheart gave a small but noticeable smile. She looked over to the clock at her bedside and saw it was nearly one thirty in the morning. Redheart knew she would have to be in scrubs within the hour, but she decided that the best course of action was to take a moment to let Olive and herself distress from the previous day.
Olive looked desperate to keep a grip on Redhearts arm. It was almost if she dreaded the very thought of being left alone. Redheart sighed happily. "I guess I can take another day off." She said to herself as she reached for the lamp. She found that as she pulled her arm away to reach for the lamp Olive would respond by subconsciously tugging her arm back into her grasp. Redheart saw she was caught in quite the predicament.
She grasped a nearby pillow and gradually pulled her arm out of Olive's hug. As she pulled her arm back she replaced it with the throw pillow. Olive felt no noticeable change and hugged the pillow with the same nimble force as before. Redheart smiled as she turned the lamp off.
Redheart was awakened seconds later by a mumbling voice. Olive had started shaking violently as she griped the pillow tightly. Redheart quickly turned on the light and sat up in the bed. "Olive? Olive are you okay dear?!" Redheart said to the rambling filly. Redheart saw that tiny tears had started flowing down the filly's face. Olive kept her eyes closed tight. "She can't breath! No stop!" Olive shouted with her crackly voice.
Redheart swiftly picked up filly and hugged her tight. "Hey, Shhh it's okay. It's okay everything is fine, just clam down. I'm here Olive. Everything is gonna be okay." Redheart said as she wore a worried expression. Olive nuzzled close to Redheart as she sobbed. Redheart petted the shaking filly's mane as she tried to calm her. "I'm here Olive." She repeated as she cradled Olive close.
In all her life Nurse Redheart had never found a more elaborate maze then the Ponyvill supermarket. Aisles where as far as the eye can see. She embarked on her quest with her saddlebag slung onto her back. Nurse Redheart expertly piloted her shopping cart past freezer and entered the filly care section. Once there she looked around for anything that she could use to help Olive cope with healing. While walking pass the cradles a bright covered book caught her eye. The title read "The beginners guide to being a mother." Redheart thought this book must be purely for laughs but after a few pages she found it was surprisingly quite informative. At the price of fifteen bits it was too good of a deal for Redheart to pass up.
"Hey Red!" Redheart let out a yelp of shock and quickly turned to see the thrilled light green unicorn behind her. "Why do you keep sneaking up on me Twist. This is like the forth time this week." Redheart managed to say as she tried to catch her breath.
"I was getting some supplies for the clinic. I'm so glad to see that you're feeling better!" Licorice Twist said with ecstatic joy. Redheart suddenly remembered that this whole time her coworkers thought she had left due to a medical emergency. "Oh, yah I'm feeling just peachy." Redheart said with a hint of sarcasm.
Twist lunged forward without warning and gave Redheart a tight hug. Redheart quickly and swiftly shoved Twist away. "I don't need comforting Twist, and honestly I wouldn't want any coming from your loud mouth!" Redheart snapped at Licorice Twist. Once Redheart had processed what she had said Twist had already taken offence.
"I'm sorry Twist, I'm just really stressed out with being sick and all." Redheart said putting her hoof on Twist's shoulder. "No I'm sorry, I'm a terrible nurse assistant." Twist said while lowering her head in sorrow. Redheart should of known that Twist would be devastated, the poor mare idolized her at work. This situation was quickly spiraling out of Redheart's control. "You're a perfect assistant, Doctor Sprinkles is always telling you." Redheart said trying to cheer up the usually happy unicorn.
"Come on let's walk and you can catch me up about what happened at work while I was gone." Redheart said with a smile.
MEANWHILE BACK AT REDHEART'S APARTMENT
Olive's eyes slowly fluttered open. She felt as if she could lay in the sleepy cocoon of blankets forever. The filly soon felt a sharp familiar pain emitting from her tummy, she needed food. Olive let out a weak roar to call the nurse. She sounded off another roar this time more wheezing.
Olive soon came to the realization that she'd have to find her own food. She struggled to find good footing on the cloud like surface of her sanctuary. Every step she took made the old mattress's springs creek loudly. Olive let out a little giggle as she jumped a little making the bed screech in response.
Olive bounced to the edge of the bed and carefully navigated her way to the carpeted ground. Her fear had now been replaced with the confidence of a brave explorer. And being in foreign territory meant there was plenty of uncharted areas to explore. She let out a squeak of joy as she ran to the huge door that led out of this chamber. She gave it a brute head butt. The door didn't budge but Olive was knocked back from her attempt of freedom.
Olive rubbed her bruised head and looked up at the incredibly tall door. The golden ball like handle glimmered in the early morning's light. Olive knew that the nurse had used said device to make the door open before. She tried to jump for the handle but saw it was far too high to even graze with her hoof. Olive needed to find something to stand on if she wanted to escape.
Olive scanned the room and found another door that was ajar. She walked over to the other door this time finding she didn't have the energy anymore to frolic about. As she got closer she saw that the room on the other side of the door was pitch black. Like a brave adventure she pushed the door open, ready for anything to attack. Instead she was greeted by a unorganized mound of clothes and a small tower of shoe boxes.
Olive removed a few boxes and saw the shine of something metallic under some shirts. She got to work excavating the object. The back of the closet was far to dark to make out what the object was supposed to be. Olive pushed the metal heap out of the closet with surprising ease. Once the object was in full view Olive froze in pure shock. The helmet of a royal guard lied on the carpet before her.
The somber feeling of betrayal overflowed Olive. How could she fall for such a deceitful trap. Of course the nurse didn't want to help her. The nurse only wished to keep her here as a novelty, a prisoner of war perhaps. Then the thought popped into Olive's head, what if her captor returns. The feeling of betrayal soon turned to dread as she imagined the furious nurse storming into the room. Olive's efforts of escape had been sparked this time of fear and not of hunger. What ever insidious plans the nurse had in store for her, she wanted no part of.
Olive dragged the helmet over to the door and timidly climbed atop of it. She jumped and got a good grip on the handle. Unfortunately at this point she didn't know how to operate the device. She simply dangled on the door with a death grip on the handle. Felling her grasp slipping she desperately tried to reach the golden ball with her other hand. Sadly she lost her grip and fell, but the friction of her hoof was enough to turn the handle and open the door.
She quickly dragged the helmet through the hall pass the porcelain bathing chamber. She was nearing the end of the hall when the click of Redheart's keys echoed through the house. Olive looked absolutely terrified and attempted to hide behind the helmet to braces for the oncoming storm.
"See yah latter twist." Redheart said waving goodbye to her assistant. She opened the door and entered the apartment with a two heavy bags. Redheart stopped at the end of the hallway looking at the frightened Olive in complete confusion.
"Olive, are you okay? Why did you drag this helmet out?" She asked setting down the bags and walking over to the small filly. "I'm sorry I didn't know you where a guard! Please I don't what to die!" She screamed frantically backing away from Redheart. Olive was trembling in fear at this point of the confrontation. This was one of the rare occasions in which Redheart had no way of avoiding the truth.
"Olive, I'm not a guard, and that's not my helmet." Redheart stuttered out. Olive still looked frighted. "You're, not a guard?" Olive said in a shaky tone. "No Olive, I just dated one." She responded somberly. "Don't be so frightened, I told you I would never hurt you." Redheart said with a tender smile. Olive ran and hugged Redhearts leg tightly.
"Please don't leave again." Olive whimpered with tears in her eyes. Redheart gently picked up the filly and hugged her tight. "Hey, I'm not going anywhere. I just wanted to pick up some things to make this place more homie for you." Redheart said petting Olive's mane while holding her close.
"How about we fix up your front room and I'll order some cheap take out food?" Redheart asked patting the filly's back to comfort her. "Whats 'take out'?" Olive asked wiping her tears away. "Oh trust me if you liked pizza you'll love take out food." Redheart said with a chuckle.
"Come on I got a little surprise for you." Redheart said walking to the front room with Olive. She saw the large stain on the couch had left a nasty stain. Redheart let out a sigh as she flipped the stained cushion over. "Good as new." She said while setting down Olive on the couch. "I'll be right back with your surprise." Redheart said leaving the room in a hurry. Olive said in silence and suspense.
"Close your eyes, hey no peaking!" Redheart said as she entered with a large bag. Olive shut her eyes tight for few moments. Suddenly a thick fluffy blanket was draped over her. Olive opened her eyes and saw the bright red blanket almost covered the whole couch. Redheart also pulled a tiny gray pillow out of her shopping bag which she gently laid next to Olive. "Does it feel nice?" Redheart said with a smile. Olive nodded and cuddled the silky soft pillow. "Its very comfy, Just a little cold." Olive said sleepily.
"Well you'll love this then." Redheart said as she adjusted a small knob. Suddenly waves of warmth emitted out from the blanket. This foreign world never stopped surprising Olive. "This is your blanket now, same goes for the couch. I'll by a little step for you to get up here on your own." Redheart said as Olive gradually fell asleep. Redheart cracked a smile as she saw Olive drool a bit onto the pillow as she slept. At the price of fifteen bits it was too good of a deal for Redheart to pass up.
Redheart never was the dating type of pony. Lucky for her life had a way of doing the work for her. Shortly after Redheart essentially 'killed the Red Fox' by retiring the 'business' she had entered a world of petty theft. It was on one night in particular that Redheart had her lovestruck heart stolen.
Redheart soon found out that living on the streets wasn't as bad as the allies. She wore a thin tattered green jacket as she huddled close to a large dumpster. It was the only way to hide from the frigid wind that howled between the brick walls of the ally. She shivered violently almost enough to make the dumpster shake along with her.
"Hey is this the one boss was lookin' for?" A menacing voice towered over Redheart. She opened her eyes and weakly tried to stand up. Suddenly a harsh shove sent Redheart heralding into the side of the dumpster. Two stallions stood before her in silver royal guard armor. "Yah this is the Fox, look at her she can barely stand." One of the sleazy guards said with a chuckle.
Redheart held her now bruised arm and wimpered silently. "You really think you can hide from the boss that easy!" The guard shouted as he shoved Redheart to the ground. Redheart said nothing as she staggered back up. "The boss wanted a heart. If you perform surgery or not he's still getting from you." He said in a cold tone as he drawled his short sword. Redheart's eyes widened, they where going to take her heart. The other guard which escaped Redheart's sight suddenly grabbed her arms and held them back forceful.
"Get the hell off me!" Redheart shouted as she tried to escape. She looked up and made eye contact with the approaching guard holding razor sharp sword. "Please just let me go I won't tell anyone! I beg of you not to do this!" She said with a shaky voice as tear drops accumulated on her jacket . The guard held his hoof over her mouth as she let out a loud scream. She frantically kicked the knife welding guard away. The worst part of the whole ordeal is that Redheart knew the ponies on the nearby street must have heard her screams and are now choosing to do nothing to help her.
"End of the line Fox." The guard said as he raised the blade high in the air. Redheart quickly shut her eyes tight and attempted to brace for the first cut.
"Hey?! Hey what the hell are you doing over there!" A young stallion's voice shouted from the other side of the ally. The two guards turned there heads along with Redheart in shock. There at the end of the dirty ally stood a tall guard in shining golden armor.
"This here is none of your business rookie! It be best if you get moving!" The sleazy guard shouted intimidating. Redheart's terror filled eyes meet the armored guard's pitiful gaze. To this day she never understood why he would say those two letters."No!" The stallion said silently to himself. "No!" He shouted this time louder.
"No? Kid you have no idea who you're fucking with here!" The blade wielding guard threatened. "Well it looks like two dirtbags are torturing a defenseless mare!" The towering guard shouted as he walked over.
"You two better scram before I decide call the caption down here!" He said in a cold confident tone. The two guards looked at each other for a moment tell one nodded and Redheart was released. She fell to the cold ground and found that the willpower to stand was simply nonexistent.
"Come on let's get outta here. This Bitch ain't worth our time." The guard said as he put his clean sword back into its sheath. As the two guards left Redheart laid in silence on the frigid pavement of the ally. She knew they'd just come again, or worst they'd find another innocent pony to pay her tab.
"Are you okay ma'am?" The kind voice of her savior asked. Redheart let out a weak groan with her face still on the pavement. She slowly lifted her head and saw a extended hoof. Redheart grasped it and managed to stand up and regain her former poise. "You look a bit shaken up, do you want some coffee ma'am?" He said helping Redheart walk out from the ally. Redheart coughed clearing her throat. "I'm sorry, I'd love to but I don't have any bits for coffee." She said in a sheepish tone.
"Hey don't worry about it, I'm buying." He said with a chuckle. In Redheart's current state her hair was devilishly unkempt along with the tattered green jacket she was in no shape to go out. "I'm sorry I didn't get your name." She said shyly. "Its Stanley." He said quickly as if he tried to hide what he said. "Wait Stanley, what kinda name is that?" Redheart said in confusion. He chuckled. "There's actually a funny story behind it." He said as they walked out into the bright busling streets of Manehattan.
Redheart slowly awoke on the tattered blue couch in her living room. She yawned and looked over at Olive who was sound asleep cuddling her pillow while wrapped in her electric blanket. Redheart picked up the leftover takeout food that had been left out on the coffee table. She put the leftovers in the fridge and started a pot of coffee.
Redheart walked to the hall and picked up the old golden helmet that Olive had dragged out unceremoniously. It was quite heavy, maybe symbolizing the burden of a guard's duties. Redheart tried with all her might to forget about that heroic stallion. Remembering him just caused to much pain. She placed the helmet gently in the corner of the closet and stacked a few shoe boxes to cover it from view like she had done before. She closed the closet and kept her hoof on the handle for a moment before letting go.
"Olive the toasters not gonna hurt you!" Redheart shouted in frustration as Olive stood in the doorway to the kitchen cloaked in the red heating blanket she had dragged in from the living room.
The mechanical menace roared as the captive slices of bread shot out. "It's angry!" Olive shouted with a voice crack. Redheart sighed as she took the toast out and put it on a plate with cheese covered scrambled eggs. She sluggishly walked over to the outlet and unplugged the toaster. "See it's dead. Now come eat breakfast." Redheart said as she put the plate down on the table and pulled out a set for Olive.
Olive reluctantly moved forward letting the electric blanket leave her. Olive shivered violently felling the cold air of the kitchen encompass her. Seeing her condition Redheart gave a worried glance. "Let me help you up there" Redheart said lifting the filly up to the table chair. As Redheart Sat Olive down she saw the small filly couldn't get to her food due to the height of the table.
"One sec kiddo." Redheart left the kitchen and retrieve a stack of bulky medical journals which gave Olive the elevation to reach her food. The moment the enticing smell hit the mini changeling's nose she lunged forward and got to work devouring her meal.
"Whoa slow down there you might choke." Redheart said with a chuckle. Olive slowed dramatically as she kept her eye on Redheart who was pouring herself a mug of well deserved coffee. Olive also shifted her glance to the chrome monster on the counter top. For the first time in a long while the small apartment was peaceful.
"Hey I've been meaning to ask you, can you change into a pony like those changelings at Canterlot." Redheart said after sipping her coffee. Olive looked up from eating. "What do you mean at Canterlot?" She said sheepishly. Redheart's stomach suddenly knotted up as she realized that the filly had no idea of the failed invasion. Redheart looked at Olive who in return gave her a curious gaze.
"Uh... Some bad changelings, they tried to attack Canterlot." Redheart muttered under her breath while rubbing her neck. Olives expression changed to worried. "What happened?" Olive's question only made Redheart feel worse for barring such bad news. "Well, it's complicated. For now just focus on getting healthy." Redheart said looking out the frosted window. Olive's concern didn't leave her face.
"But can you disguised?" Redheart asked struggling to get off the topic of the invasion. "No, I don't know how to." Olive said looking down in sorrow. Redheart walked over and patted the downtrodden filly on the back. That guide for mothers would come in handy at this moment. In hindsight Redheart should of bought it instead of the electric blanket.
Redheart looked down at the medical books Olive was sitting on and a brilliant idea shot into her mind. The local library must have a few books on changelings. Once Olive was finished Redheart helped her back to the couch and wrapped her up into a little cocoon with the red blanket. Redheart noticed that Olive seemed happiest when in her safe sanctuary of wool. Redheart wondered if it might of reminded the tiny changeling of her old home. Olive yawn briefly showing her tiny barbed fangs.
"Olive, I'm gonna go out to get some books. Are you going to be okay if I leave you alone for a few minutes." Redheart said petting the filly's insect like mane. Redheart found it odd how Olive felt like she was at a constant state of hypothermia. The tiny filly only made a faint groan as she snuggled up in her prized blanket. Redheart smiled and patted her on the head.
"Just don't open the door for any pony, okay." Redheart said before leaving the living room. The sleeping filly gave no response. Redheart smiled as she left the small apartment.
Redheart arrived at the library at sunrise. She knocked on the door and waited in the frigid air. After a few minutes she knocked again. Another few minutes passed and Redheart felt genuine concern for the librarian's safety. When she leaned in to knock again the door flew open. Twilight rubbed her red eyes while still in her pajamas. She held a large mug of coffee with steam still hovering above the surface of the liquid.
"Redheart? What are you doing out at this hour?" Twilight asked still groggy. "I need a few books." Redheart said with a shaky tone due to the cold. Twilight invited Redheart in and pored her a cup of coffee.
"I need a book about taking care of fillies." Redheart said before taking a sip of the expertly brewed coffee."What, are you lookin' to adopt?" Twilight asked with a sleepy chuckle. Redheart felt a bead of sweat accumulate on her forehead. "Uh, no. Just helping out a friend." Redheart said smiling nervously.
"And could you throw in a book about changelings." Redheart said with a bit of renewed confidence. Twilight's eyes seemed a bit more alert at the mention of the spices. The evil creatures that had enslaved her brother Shinning Armor, and wished to do the same with the rest of the Equestria. "You have quite the taste in books Miss Redheart" Twilight said sipping her coffee.
Redheart turned and looked up the towering shelfs of the oak tree library. Redheart felt that if a library of this scale was in Manhattan when she was a filly her life might of turned out differently. Suddently a jolt of magic hit her from behind. It wasn't enough to knock her off her feet but it was sufficiently disorienting. Redheart staggered forward and caught herself from falling by holding on to a bookshelf. She turned to see Twilight's expression change form a prideful 'gotcha' to crippling embarrassment.
"Oh my god I'm so sorry Redheart!" She said as she rushed over helping her up. Twilight helped Redheart to set on a leather couch. "I'm so sorry I thought you where a changeling spy!" She tried to explain to a dazed Redheart. Redheart's head felt like she had just spun in a wheely chair and fell off a two story building.
"You know what, I'll just go to, half priced strolls." Redheart managed to slur her words out. "No it's fine I'll get you your books just try not to fall asleep." Twilight said before rushing off. Redheart rubbed her forehead still feeling the pain of the magic coursing through her. She knew the librarian was paranoid but never thought she would be so. A few minutes later Twilight returned with a two books.
"You're in luck, a mare just turned in this one." Twilight said handing her a small novel sized book. 'How to be the #1 mom' the title read. Redheart sighed and handed it back to Twilight. "I'm looking for more first aid type books." Redheart said. Twilight nodded and quickly disappeared into the depths of the library again.
Redheart was baffled at how quickly the book smart mare returned. "Okay I got a 'Anatomy and Physiology of Fillies' and 'The Study of Changelings and dark magic'" The purple unicorn said tring to catch her breath. Redheart staggered up in her wobbly hooves. "Yah that'll be fine." Redheart said picking up the books. Twilight put the mother friendly book on top of Redheart's stack. "I think you'll need it. It has a lot of steps to comfort fillies who've been in traumatic incidents." Twilight said in a understanding tone. Redheart nodded and embarked out the door and into the frigid streets.
By the time Redheart arrived back at the apartment it had started lightly snowing. She opened the door and walked to the cramped living room. To her surprise Olive had not moved an inch from her resting spot. Redheart sat next to the slumbering filly and was extra careful not to wake her.
"Guess it's time to hit the books" Redheart whispered to herself as she cracked open the study of changelings book. In the first few pages it was clear the author had some biases against the race of tunnel dwelling creatures. The book referred to them as 'savages' on multiple occasions. But there where important nuggets of information scattered about the chapters.
The book stated that changelings are extremely susceptible to the cold and therefore are more likely to attack ponies during the summer or spring. If a changeling where to leave the hive during the winter they would surely freeze to death. Redheart looked over to Olive who was burrowed into her comfy blanket.
The book went on to say that the creatures where far less likely to be agitated when in the dark or dimly lit areas. Redheart looked around and saw the living room had only a old lamp and no natural light for the filly. Redheart decided to stop reading the book once it descended into the 'toxic ideology of changeling society'. She put down the book on the coffee table and sighed. If she wanted to help Olive blend in she would have to find some less broad books. Or read more of the slander filled book that Twilight had given her.
Redheart reached for the anatomy book but stopped when she see saw the mothering guide. She shrugged and picked it up while leaning back into the couch. "Who buys this stuff?" She questioned herself quietly as she opened the guide. The title of the first chapter was almost to much for Redheart to handle. It read 'losing the weight'. Redheart giggled to her self as she flipped through the book. The second chapter caught her eye in a completely professional way. 'Adopting'. As Redheart read the chapter she felt that it applied to her situation so accurately.
"Creating a bond of trust is instrumental in a healthy family. When adopting you should make the filly feel as comfortable as possible. Don't be afraid to nurture them, and be understanding if they wish to keep distance." Redheart read to herself quietly. Deep in thought Redheart didn't hear Olive's yawn.
Olive crawled a bit deeper the blankets in her half asleep state. Olive found her eyelids where just to heavy to open and choose to pilot blind. Though sleepy Olive could feel a source of food was close. The tried filly crawled under the blanket and snuggled up to the radiating source of the love. Redheart jumped in surprise when she saw the sleepy filly curl up in her lap. Redheart sat the book down on the arm of the couch and cradled Olive close. Her condition seem to have dramatically improve since when she had first found her. Redheart felt Olive's tiny ice cold head nuzzle close to her.
Redheart took a moment to reflect on her situation. Olive Pizza would not survive on her own, even an orphanage wouldn't take her in. If perhaps she raised Olive as her own. 'No' Redheart thought bring her thoughts to a halt. Being a mother is a monumental task to take on at her age. Hell she avoided taking care of fillies at the clinic.
A tiny cat like yawn broke Redheart's train of thought. Olive eyes where barely open as she cuddled up into Redheart's warm embrace. Redheart could vaguely hear the filly say something. Redheart shrugged and continued to cradle Olive gently. The room was so quite Redheart could hear the small breaths of the filly and the chiddering of her wings.
"Mommy." Olive mumbled quietly as she slowly drifted asleep. Redheart's face turned a strawberry shade of red as she looked down. She was shocked due to the usually sheepish nature filly.
Redheart realized she had already made her choice the second she stitched up Olive's wounds. The poor filly looked up to her as a protector, a paladin in shining armor. Redheart understood how cold the streets could be, especially for a filly. Redheart snuggled Olive close to her and whispered. "Mommy is here dear." Redheart smiled lightly as she spoke. "I'm always gonna be here dear." Redheart said as the snow continued falling outside.
