A Changeling hopes to start a quiet life, but when is life ever quiet
Hey guys If you really want to see this story, I'm actually turning it into a comic so check it out. http://aroseamongthornsmlp.tumblr.com/ Duchess Rose, a changeling hoping to live among ponies in peace, moves to a small village, looking for a quiet life. Never had she expected to find love as well.
Darkness, and a pounding headache was all I knew for a moment. Slowly the Darkness gave way to green, a sickly green that seemed to bounce all around me. The headache wasn't retreating as the darkness had, if anything it was getting worse. Reaching a hoof up I rubbed at what felt like the source of the pain. It too subsided after a minute of massaging the spot below my horn.
Standing up on shaky hooves, I took in my surroundings. I was in some kind of cave, the wall seemed to glow that sickly color. Looking up all I could see was darkness, not even a pin prick of light. Moving closer to the wall, searching for some kind of exit. Making my way slowly moving along the wall, not missing anything.
I had make it about halfway around the room when my ears perked up. I could have sworn I had heard something behind me. Peeking over my shoulder, hoping to see what it was before it knew I had seen it. There was nothing there, I was alone in this room, pit, cell... Trying to swallow, I hadn't noticed but my mouth had gone dry and my heart was beating a mile a minute. Trapped... I was trapped and there was no way for me to escape. Shaking, trying to calm myself, the headache was back and with it laughter.
My head shot up; I wasn't laughing and I was alone. The laugh which had started as a cruel chuckle was now loud and maniacal. It bounced around the room, and didn't seem to have a source. My panic was quickly replaced by anger.
"What's so funny"
I yelled my voice bounces around mingling with the laughter for a moment.
"Still afraid of small dark places." A soft voice replied. "Ironic, don't you think seeing as it's your home."
"Who are you, Where are you hiding you coward?!?" my anger was reaching it's boiling point.
"Tisk tisk, is that anyway for you to talk to your Queen?" The voice becoming distorted the longer it spoke.
My blood had gone from boiling with rage to frozen in fear. "I- I have no Queen!!" Returning to the wall to continue the search for a way out, but the wall was gone, what stood before me was a living Nightmare, green mane, thin wings that danced with an unnatural light and fangs that would put a manticore to shame. Queen Chrysalis, towering above me with murder in her eyes.
"Oh you don't mean that my little changeling, I will always be your Queen"... she advanced toward me, her voiced sounded hurt but her eyes still danced with glee. "And there is nothing you can do about it!!" The queen lunged at me her fangs gleaming, a look of pure joy as she closed in to end my life. I tried to dough her attack but...
CRASH!!!
I hit the floor hard, my lower half still tangled in the sheets. Groaning as I worked to release myself, I assess the damage nothing broken at least although I felt sorry for whoever had the room below me. Morning sun shown cheerfully through the shear curtains of my hotel room. Making my way to the small bathroom, I flipped on the light. A changeling starred back at me, teal mane, that frankly resembled a rat's nest at the moment, and rosey eyes. Grimacing at the state of my mane I pick up a brush to begin the work of detangling the mess.
I somehow transform what was on my head into something resembling a mane, glancing down I thank Celestia that I had thought to sleep with at least my tail in a braid. Turning back to the mirror I smile at my reflection. For a changeling I had to say I was pretty cute. My smile fades a little, I just wish ponies didn't run when they saw me like this.
Sighing, I relax, calling upon my magic as I concentrate on the form I wanted. A flash of green flames later and a unicorn mare had taken my place. Soft pale green fur, and a pale rose colored mane. I thought this form went well with my eyes. I always liked my eyes, they are the window to the soul after all. I couldn't keep my natural eyes of course but the color could at least stay the same. Gathering my freshly brushed mane, I clipped it into place, while using my magic to undo my tail. The smile had returned as I turned around making sure I was presentable. Flipping off the lights as I made my way downstairs humming too myself.
The hotel's lobby was bright and sunny, any pony couldn't help but feel happy once they walked in.
"Good morning Ms Duchess Rose."
A young stallion waved at her from the checkin desk, the last few weeks I've been here he had developed a small crush on me. The little affection he gave off was a nice snack. His name escaped me at the moment, he however has the habit of forgetting his name tag. Offering a wave back I make my way over to the breakfast table. Two pieces of toast in hoof along with a borrowed newspaper, and I made my way to an empty table near a window. The early morning hustle and bustle of Canterlot was starting up.
Okay today is the day I finally find a permit job. Flipping open the paper to the classifieds and skimming through. A small ad near the center fold caught my eye.
HELP WANTED Full time wait staff/bar-tender needed Please apply in person Room and board included
It just seemed too good to be true, but there it was in black and white. I had been learning a few things here and there, thanks to the manager letting me work for my room in the hotel's bar. This was a chance at a real life, one that was mine, not just one stolen from somepony else. Reining in my excitement I turned my attention back to the ad. Neighagra Falls didn't seem all that far away, maybe half a day train trip away.
Now I just need to get there before somepony else filled the position. Finishing my toast I headed back up to my room and packed my few belongings. Casting what had been m home one final look before pulling the door closed. Back in the lobby I was able to check out quickly and made my way toward the door. I felt slightly guilty for causing the slight sadness I sensed from the young stallion. However it was short lived, once out in the sun my mood only improved.
Canterlot train station was a large building in the shadow of the royal palace. I climbed the steps slowly to the large bronze doors, my heart beat slightly increasing in tempo as the number of ponies around me increased.
I didn’t fear that my disguise would fail; no... I feared their reaction, the screams of a mare as my “strange” appearance is processed with in her mind. The shouting of stallions and the crying of foals soon would follow. The thundering sound of armored hooves and the bellows of guards as I’m surrounded. All of this... because I am me.
Shaking my head to free my mind of those thoughts, and steadying myself for the task at hoof. ‘Get through the door, buy a ticket, and then a nice quiet train ride to my nice new life.’ Taking a deep breathe I push open the door.
The interior of the train station was packed with ponies, ponies sitting, ponies walking back and forth, ponies working. It kind of reminded me of the hive in a way. However I didn’t want to to be reminded of that place. True I had some nice memories but I wouldn’t have left if those outweighed the bad.
Raising up to my full height, scanning over the heads of the sea of ponies, searching for the ticket booth. I spotted it; across the building. Letting out an exasperated sigh I began the dance of weaving through the river of busy ponies.
Fighting the current I was finally able to make it to the ticket booth. A lavender mare sat behind the counter, her green and teal mane pulled up into pigtails. An issue of CosmoMare hovered in the air before her, blocking me from her view. “Umm excuse me…” The mare, barely out of her teens, looked around her magazine. Noticing me she quickly put it down, smiling as me as she did. “Yes ma’am, how can I help you?”
Seeing her warm smile, sent a pang of guilt through me. I hated lying to ponies I meet by being in this form, but knowing that if she saw my true self, that smile wouldn't be there. “Ma’am are you alright?” The young mare’s voice brought me back to the here and now. Quickly I returned the smile. “Yes I’m fine, Thank you. Could I get a one way ticket to Neighagra Falls please?” “Of course ma’am.”
Five minutes later, I had my ticket in hoof and making my way to tunnel 5 for my train. The mare from the ticket booth said that not many go to my home to be this time of year. She said something about it being the tourist off season. I have no idea what a tourist was so I simply nodded and thanked her as she hoofed over my ticket and pointed me in the right direction.
I sat down on a bench not too far from the tracks. Glancing up at a large clock that hung over the entrance, I could tell it was a little past noon. According to my ticket, I was going to be waiting for at least an hour, and that was if the train was on time. I had no idea what would cause a train to be late, but I heard several of my fellow train goers make comments on the subject as I passed. Ponies were strange things at times.
As the minutes ticed by, a few more ponies joined me in the tunnel. I noticed a janitor glancing my way every now and again as he swept up lose bits of trash. He seemed to be looking at me as if he saw something off; but couldn't figure out what exactly it was. The stallion looked away once he saw that I had seen him, choosing instead to focus his attention on a fleeing gum wrapper.
I looked over myself trying to see what might be wrong with my illusion. I didn’t see anything wrong, my coat covered me, my wings weren’t showing. Looking back up, I spotted a bathroom not far from my bench. I slowly got onto to hooves and made my way over. Nopony seemed to be inside as I entered. Turning my attention to the mirror I inspected my descies more thoroughly. My eyes looked like pony eyes, my horn looked like a unicorn’s horn. That’s when it clicked. Cutiemark; I never figured out a cutiemark to go with this disguise. That’s why that stallion was giving me a weird look, a full grown mare without her cutiemark. ‘Where was my brain, what was I thinking?!?!’
Trying to calm my breathing; it wasn't so bad, all I needed to do was think of one. I was going for a job for bartending, but I want my mark for my new self to be classier than a shot glass. Thinking for a moment a smile slowly crossed my muzzle. Drawing upon my magic, I focused it on the design in my head. A flash of light later and a pink teacup with steam curling into a heart appeared on my flank. A quick twirl and I was satisfied with the new addition to my look. Smiling to myself as I heading back to my bench.
My timing couldn’t have been more perfect, seeing as I exited the bathroom my trained pulled into the station. Doubling checking that I had my ticket and that my bag was latched closed, I made my way to the open doors of the last cart. Tossing my saddlebags into the overhead storage as I made myself comfortable next to the window.
A few more passengers trickled onto the train, but none chose my cart. I was looking forward to having the cart to myself, but my fantasy was shattered when a shadow crossed over me. Looking up… my jaw hit the floor. A minotaur was packing a suitcase and backpack into the overhead storage across the aisle from me. I was able to compose myself, as it...he settled into his seat.
The train lunged forward as it pulled out of the station, catching me off guard. My squeak of surprise as I partly slide off the seat got the minotaur’s attention. I heard a soft chuckle as I clambered back onto the seat. Shooting a glare his way, he ducked behind a book. Turning my attention back to the window, the mountain city was slowly giving way to soft rolling hills and forests. The sun was shining bright over the bright oranges and yellows of autumn. I couldn’t ask for a better day to be the first for my new life, a life that was going to be truly mine.
