“Cherry Custard! It feels like forever since we last saw each other,” Sweet Leaf exclaimed, moving in to give the crimson mare a hug on the crowded train station platform.

Cherry quickly returned and broke the hug then looked at her friend. “I know, Sweet, but you know how it is. Work keeps us all busy, does it not?”

“That it does. Now, come on, let’s get going.” Sweet Leaf led her earth pony companion out of the train station. “I trust everything is well back at home? Your mother’s upcoming marriage must be taking quite a toll on the family.”

“As much as you could imagine. The preparations have hit a few snags here and there, but it all seems to be coming together,” Cherry said, flipping her long pink hair over her shoulder and shifting her saddlebags to sit comfortably in front of her namesake pie cutie mark. “Speaking of which, I have so much to tell you, is there somewhere quiet we can sit and chat?”

“Ooh I can’t wait to hear all about it!” Sweet Leaf’s wings flared as she giggled, poorly concealing the noise with her hoof. “I have just the place where we can talk. My hubby’s out of town at the Equestrian Coffee Association Convention in Baltimare, and I closed the cafe a little early today.”

“Perfect. Lead the way my dear,” Cherry finished, walking with her escort down the somewhat crowded streets of Hoofington. “How is, erm, Fine Roast, was it? How has he been doing lately?”

“That’s right, and he’s doing very well. We’ve recently expanded our menu thanks to his vigilant and not at all wasteful flavor experimentation,” she replied, adding a hint of sarcasm at the end. “Though it has attracted quite a few new customers so I suppose I can’t complain too much about the gallons of non potable coffee and espresso.” The pair turned off the busy main road and onto a back road.

“Mmm. I wouldn’t know much about that. My family doesn’t have many coffee drinkers.”

“I truly do wish your mother wouldn’t be so stingy with the stuff. It’s quite the delicious concoction if done properly.”

“You know as well as I why Mother isn’t a fan of the drink. It doesn’t do anypony much good if it’s taking resources from our food budget,” Cherry responded, only a little indignant. “Plus, it’s not like our home is quite set up to allow for any appliance, much less a fancy coffee maker.”

“I know, I know.” Sweet Leaf waved the mare off with a hoof. “I suppose I’ve developed a taste for the drink, what with being married to such a skilled barista. And quite the wonderful stallion, too. Never pries too much, shows me love when I want it, gives me space when I need it. Just what you would want in a special somepony.”

“Almost seems too good to be true, what with the way you put it.” Cherry raised an eyebrow at Sweet Leaf. “Are you sure there’s no other motivation behind his actions?”

“If there were, he’s been hiding it since we first met four years ago,” Sweet stated evenly. She had to catch herself as she almost went on the defensive. She had to remember who she was talking to, and coming from Cherry the question wasn’t illegitimate. “He’s been like this since before we even got married.” She led the other mare out onto a busier street, lined with shops and littered with restaurants.

“Mmhm. Sounds like the ideal spouse. Too bad the same can’t be said about you,” Cherry chuckled, nudging the lemon yellow mare in the side.

“Hmph! I’ll have you know I am exactly the ideal wife! And I certainly never do anything behind his back,” Sweet Leaf said haughtily, turning her nose in the air and picking up speed, trotting away from the other pony.

Cherry laughed and quickened her pace to catch up with the yellow mare. “Ha! I’m sure you don’t.” The magenta mare received a hip bump once she caught up, both mares laughing together.

A companionable silence overtook the two as Sweet Leaf continued leading her friend down the road. A few minutes later and the leader of the duo came to a stop.

“Well, here we are!” she said enthusiastically.

In front of them was a two story brick building complete with an overhang. It had a homely patio with several closed white and red parasols which stood above their respective tables. A sign above the door proudly named it the Sweet Roast Cafe.

“Come on inside.” She took out a set of keys from under her wings as she approached the door.

“This is a nice place,” Cherry whistled, her eyes roaming over the decor. “It’s been such a long time since I’ve been here. It feels like it’s changed so much.”

“Oh it definitely has, believe me.” Sweet Leaf unlocked the door and held it open for her guest.

Sweet Leaf followed after her as they entered the building, the cafe mostly unlit. The resident mare turned back around and locked the door ensuring the closed sign was still in place. “Sorry about the lighting. We don’t want anypony to think we’re open.” She turned and trotted to the back room. “Come on upstairs. I’ll make you some coffee and we can talk.”

“That sounds wonderful.” She looked around as they passed through the cafe. “So we’re good? It’s just us?” Cherry asked, accompanying Sweet Leaf through the kitchen and to the stairs.

“Sure is. Roast’s still in Baltimare and I shooed the last customer out a little over an hour ago.” At the top of the stairs, Sweet Leaf turned right down the hallway and entered the building’s private kitchen, heading straight for the espresso machine. “Have a seat at the table and feel free to make yourself at home. All the blinds on this floor are shut and the doors are locked,” she said as she grabbed espresso grounds and milk.

“If you don’t mind, I think I will.” Cherry pulled the saddlebags off her back and set them on the floor near the kitchen entrance.

A green flame quickly overtook her body, from her hooves all the way to the tip of her ears. In place of the dark red mare stood a male changeling with piercing, solid blue eyes, a mane-like frill along his neck, and holes in all his legs. He extended his neck and back, the long thin ears on the side of his head swishing back and forth in the air, then arched his back, filling the room with the sound of buzzing wings as he stretched.

“Ahh! That’s so nice,” the changeling stallion said in a distinctly deeper voice before taking a seat at the kitchen table. “It’s been over a month since I’ve been able to drop my form.”

“Trust me, I know,” Sweet Leaf said honestly and turned around as the machine began to warm up. “Us collectors often have to do it for far longer.”

The same green flames engulfed Sweet Leaf, leaving a female changeling in her place. Her eyes were solid blue, like her guest’s, and in place of her orange mane were frills along her neck, a little longer than his.

“Now then,” she began, facing the other changeling, “my name’s Firefly, but I’m sure you’re fully aware of that. It’s been a while since they sent a Cherry and you’re not one of the usual group. May I have your name?”

“Of course.” He nodded. “My name is Skirrax. I’m afraid most of the experienced and older ’lings have been pulled back just in case there are problems in Canterlot. I’ve only been out of training for about a year now, so I’m more useful doing this.”

“Fairly new to the whole gatherer business then?”

“Quite a bit.” Skirrax nodded again. “I finished my training a couple months ago, just in time to take over for some of the other gatherers. Now, um, if you don’t mind, could we get down to business?”

“I don’t mind at all as long as you don’t mind me continuing with the coffee. Would you like a cup?” she asked.

“Yes please. I’ve never had any and I’ve heard from others that your coffee is some of the best around.”

“Hah! You bet it is!” Firefly laughed. “I’ve spent so long being Sweet Leaf that I’m afraid I’ll never forget how to make espresso.”

“A shame…” he said, shaking his head, a smile on his face before he donned a more serious look. “Anyway, I’ve been instructed to gather all available love from you this month, no reserves to be left behind,” he said as though he were reciting lines.

“Reserve too?” She raised her eye ridges in surprise. Changelings could only hold so much love in their bodies, the rest having to go to waste or be transformed into crystals. Her reserve crystals were the “just in case” crystals, kept for if she had to abandon her source. If she were discovered without those, it would be similar to a pony running off into the wilderness with no rations.

“I’m afraid so,” he confirmed. “With how quickly this plan was put together, it would seem they’re anticipating the best, but preparing for the worst.”

“Really? Have things not been going well then?”

Skirrax shook his head. “As far as I’m aware, little has changed since you collectors here were informed last month.”

“Alright. There were no changes we needed to be aware of?”

“None that impacted you, no. In fact, most of it’s just gossip. In any case,” Skirrax continued, “with the wedding only one week away, our queen has pulled all available fighters in case things don’t go well. Stars forbid it actually happen, but the hive must be ready to fight for Her Majesty should she be discovered.”

“I see. Are there any orders for me?”

“There are. If the wedding succeeds without our queen being discovered, you are to continue as normal and wait for further orders. If the queen is discovered, caution must be used in any outcome. Pay close attention to the news and be prepared to make a quick and quiet exit should there be imminent threats. The queen would rather have the collectors abandon their source than to have a dead or captured collector.”

“Right. Just a moment.” Firefly began foaming the milk, the noise of the steaming wand filling the small kitchen. All that made sense to her. A collector could always find a new source, which was far less costly than risking exposing themselves, being captured, and losing years of valuable experience. She was confident none of that would happen. Her queen was very skilled and Firefly herself was plenty good at blending in. Soon enough the milk was properly foamed and she shut off the steamer wand. “I see. No detaining our source and disappearing then.”

“No. If the changelings are discovered, there is too much risk in bringing a source back to the hive and sending out a cleanup crew.”

Firefly finished pouring the foam into the two cups. She took the cups and set one in front of Skirrax and one in her spot across the table.

“Seems reasonable, I suppose.” She took a seat and raised the cup to her lips, drawing in the warm liquid and swallowing. “We merely wait until further word if worse comes to worst?”

“Our queen was not very forthcoming with recovery details upon failure, but yes, that is the assumption.” He shrugged, lifting his cup with magic. “I overheard that the queen and her advisers will likely provide a more thorough plan should the worst become a possibility.” He brought the cup to his muzzle and inhaled deeply. Seemingly satisfied, he quietly slurped some coffee and hummed at the taste. “This is quite good.”

“Thank you.”

She always loved it when one of her creations was appreciated. She didn’t have a natural talent like ponies did, so she had to develop and nurture her skills from near nothing. Ponies thought her cutie mark, a cup of green tea dripping a single drop, made her perfect for the job.

She’d let them continue believing just that.

Skirrax quietly drank a bit more espresso. “The queen’s advisers also approached me directly after we received our briefs. They wished for me to ask if you had any more information on your unusual love crystals.”

“I’m afraid not.” She shook her head. “I still don’t know why my crystals are so love dense. I’m not receiving any love except from Fine Roast, and the customers certainly don’t provide that much.”

“I see.” He set the cup down. “It’s been well over a year since the queen discovered the unusual density of your crystals. I believe they were hoping for more information from you.”

Firefly shrugged. “I know they’re anxious to know more, for the good of the hive and all, and I wish I could give them more than that.”

“Yeah, it seems like the hive could really benefit from more of them. I’ve even had a couple and I can say they taste a lot better than most.”

“Huh. I wasn’t aware of that,” Firefly said, lightly raising her eye ridges in surprise. “I’ve only ever had to use my own crystals once. They didn’t seem to taste much different than any other.”

“In any case, I’ll pass on what you’ve told me.” He tilted the last bit of espresso into his mouth. “Delicious.” He sat the cup back down on the saucer. “I should get going, you’re the first of five in the city that I need to see today. Do you have the love ready?”

“I do. Just a moment.” She got out of her chair and headed down the hallway to her and Fine Roast’s bedroom. In the closet, she pushed aside her dresses and pried back the floorboards revealing a small burlap sack with the word POTATOES on the side. She pulled the sack out, peering inside to see the eighteen purple love crystals still intact, each half as wide as they were long and almost small enough to fit in Firefly’s hoof.

She wasn’t sure how these crystals were different from other collectors’. They didn’t even look different from any other sources’ crystals. Shrugging, she transferred her four reserve love crystals from a second sack before setting the floorboards and dresses back in place and returning to the kitchen.

“Here you are.” She gave him the bag with her magic. “Eighteen plus four reserve crystals ready to go.”

“Thank you.” He grabbed the sack in his magic and put it into his right saddlebag. “And thank you for the coffee.” He shape-shifted once again to Cherry Custard. “It was good seeing you, Sweet Leaf, we’ll have to do this again soon.”

Shifting back into her pony form, she reached out to give the disguised mare a quick hug. “Definitely. Let me show you out.”

Cherry followed her down the stairs and out the front door, both mares waving goodbye.

Sweet Leaf locked the door and headed back upstairs to the kitchen to clean, singing a happy little tune. As she was wiping down her equipment she considered perhaps opening up the shop for a few evening customers, but decided against it. Times were good, bits were coming in, and she and her husband were happy. Setting the last cup in the rack to dry, she decided this evening was a perfect time to pamper herself at the spa.

Some pony conveniences were just too good to pass up.

“Welcome to the Sweet Roast Cafe! What can I get for you?” Sweet Leaf asked for what seemed like the hundredth time that day. She stood behind the counter, wearing her purple apron that matched her eyes. Her smile was only half forced. The amount of customers since this morning hadn’t seemed to lull much from breakfast to lunch.

“Yeah, I’ll have an iced caramel macchiato, double shot,” the stuffy earth pony stallion said quickly, “and can you make it quick? My lunch is over in ten minutes.” She didn’t need her emotive senses to tell her that the stallion in front of her wasn’t in the mood for pleasantries, but being nice generally got her more repeat customers and far better tasting emotions.

“I’ll do what I can, sir. We’re a little busy, as you can see. That’ll be four bits.”

The light blue stallion produced the amount requested and set them on the counter.

“Thank you.” Sweet took the bits and put them in the register. “Can I have a name for the order?” she asked, grabbing a cup from the stack and a marker from her pen cup. She began writing his drink’s details on the side with her mouth.

“High Marks. And if you can bump my order up to the front, I’ll throw in a little tip.”

Sweet Leaf finished writing his name and dropped the marker in her hoof. “Sorry, sir, this is a first come, first serve cafe and you still have a couple orders in front of you.”

“Excuse me? I’m a busy stallion. I said I’d pay you for an expedited service.” High Marks put his hoof on the counter with a little more force than necessary.

Sweet simply looked at him with a neutral expression. “I’m sorry, that’s not how this shop works and the longer you keep me from the station, the longer it’s going to take me to get your drink.”

“This is unacceptable. If you think I’m ever going to recommend your cafe, you’re obviously delusional.” He turned and trotted off to an empty table, throwing what Sweet Leaf could only think of as a temper tantrum. She may not have experienced one while growing up in the hive, but she had seen enough foals with their parents since she and Fine Roast had opened the shop two years ago.

The next pony in line, a pegasus stallion, walked up in place of her last rather rude customer, interrupting her musing. Sweet eyed him and took in his greasy, slicked back mane and the rather lascivious look in his eyes. She hoped he wasn’t the kind of stallion she thought he was.

“I apologize, I’ll be with you in a few minutes.” Sweet turned around and headed to her espresso station, beginning to prepare the last few customers’ orders. As she was gathering the ingredients for the first drink, a shiver ran up her spine as she could practically feel the waiting stallion’s eyes glued to her rump. She could taste the lust pouring out of him, like the grease that hung in the air around a hayburger joint. Most changelings didn’t particularly care for the flavor of lust, though it was certainly a form of sustenance, if less so than love. As such, it was a wonderful additive when combined with love, but rather off-putting by itself. Sweet Leaf liked to compare the taste to eating straight ketchup versus ketchup on a hayburger.

She quickly worked through the two drinks calling out the names on each cup, before starting High Marks’ order. In short time she finished the pushy stallion’s drink, walking over to the serving counter with his macchiato. “High Marks?” she called out, waiting for a moment before the stallion in question trotted up to the counter. “Here’s your drink, sir.”

The earth pony snatched the drink off the counter, glaring at the barista. “I hope you’re pleased with yourself. You’ve made me late for work.”

“I apologize, sir, but this is the lunch rush and as such the wait times are—”

“I don’t care! I expected quality service and what I received was nothing short of a disgrace! You will not see me again.” High Marks stomped off towards the entrance, slamming the door open and walking out.

The mare behind the facade of Sweet Leaf closed her eyes for just a moment and took a deep breath, trying to clear her mind off of his sickening negative emotions. She released the breath and, after a short moment, walked back to the customers at the cash register, the disguised mare once more fully in place. Spotting the rather scummy looking stallion, she wished she could take a few more moments.

“Good afternoon, sir, welcome to the Sweet Roast Cafe. What can I get for you?” she asked, feeling like her smile only half fit her face.

“Mmmm… I think I’ll take a coffee, dark and a pair of glazed sticky buns,” he said, his eyes roaming all over her body except her eyes. He spent a good long stare at her flank. She wanted to believe he was simply staring at her cutie mark.

“Of course, sir.” She stepped over to the pastry display counter, opening the door and grabbing a pair of tongs with her teeth.

“Oh no, not those buns. I was thinking maybe you could… Mmm, take a little break?” he half asked, his voice low in what he probably thought was a sexy tone. “Maybe we could get to know each other a little better in the back?”

She put the tongs back in their holder and closed the door. She really could use some more of those calming breaths right about now. He didn’t even have the courtesy of subtlety. It was times like these that she wished she could use her magic to do unspeakable things to ponies like him. Giving a snort under her breath, she stepped back in front of the offending stallion.

“I’m sorry, sir, this isn’t that kind of establishment. If you’d like something to drink or eat, I’d be glad to serve you. Otherwise, I’d kindly ask you to leave.”

“Come on, don’t be like that, honey. I’m just lookin’ to get us a little something we’d both enjoy.” He threw a smile that was likely intended to be seductive, but only made her want to strangle him more.

“I’m afraid I’m not interested. I’m a married—” she paused, spotting a rather familiar cream colored pony watching from near the front entrance. He had on traveling saddlebags that were stuffed to the brim. He must have just arrived. She couldn’t help but smile a little. Oh my Queen, what perfect timing, Sweet Leaf thought, clearing her throat. “I’m a married mare, sir.”

He made a show of looking across the counter. “I don’t see nopony else here and nopony but us has to know, babe.” He put his hooves up on the counter and leaning forward, unaware of the pony walking closer. “I know you’ll love it. Come on, let’s go take a step in the back.”

“I’d rather advise against that,” said the stallion from a few paces behind him. She watched as he looked over his shoulder at the newcomer.

“Yeah, well, that’s none of your business. Why don’t ya wait your turn, huh, Poindexter?” The offending stallion turned back to face Sweet Leaf. “Sorry, babe, some stallions, am I right?”

“I think you misunderstand me,” he interrupted again, drawing closer to the Sweet Leaf’s would-be customer. “I also think you should stop bothering her and consider leaving.”

“Oh yeah?” the now thoroughly annoyed pegasus exclaimed, his wings flaring as he turned around to face the pony. “And who do you think you are butting into somepony else’s business?”

He smiled, looking straight at the customer. “Hi. My name’s Fine Roast, co-owner of the Sweet Roast Cafe,” he said sweetly, before dropping his smile and friendly tone, “and her husband.”

Sweet Leaf was cleaning up outside, gathering empty cups, wiping down tables, and closing the table parasols. She quietly sang a song from a musical that she and Roast had gone to to see a couple weeks ago. Changelings back in the hive rarely were able to indulge in frivolous things such as drama and music, but the first time Firefly had heard music, she’d been hooked. She loved singing and her sources and friends over the years had told her on numerous occasions that she was a good singer.

She gathered all the refuse left over from the day and put it in the trash can. Pausing her singing, she pulled the bag out of the can, replaced the bag, and took the trash to the dumpster around back. She resumed her singing, coming across a darker portion of the song. She really wished she could sing that particular part in her undisguised form. In her opinion, a changeling’s natural two tone voice would have complemented the verses perfectly.

Finishing with all the outside chores and her song, Sweet Leaf came back through the front entrance, finally closing and locking it after a long, busy day. She let out a long sigh, looking over to the counter where Fine Roast was finishing cleaning down the equipment. If he hadn’t arrived back home from the convention when he did the day would have been far more taxing. She couldn’t help but continue thinking as she walked back toward the counter.

It had been a very busy day, but what bad luck it was that she got two very grating customers in a row. She wasn’t unused to them, but she’d normally only get a few per week. Though it had been particularly amusing watching the stallion’s face drop as he sputtered out some excuse before being personally escorted out of the cafe by Roast.

She strolled up next to Fine Roast, and nuzzled against his cheek, feeling his coat and dark brown mane. Sweet Leaf smiled at the instant flush of love from him. “It was a perfect time to come back when you did. The look on that creep’s face was wonderful.” She pushed her own tea cup cutie mark against his coffee cup and beans on his flanks.

He nuzzled her in return. “Sometimes I can’t believe that ponies like that exist. I’m glad I left the convention when I did and arrived here at the best possible moment.”

“Mmm,” she hummed, pulling back and moving to put away some coffee containers in their cabinets, “you are back a little earlier than I expected though.”

“The convention ended last night and there weren’t any distributors left that I cared to have lunch with today,” he explained while wiping down a steam wand. “I didn’t have anything else to do, so I took the earliest train. I didn’t want to leave you to handle the shop alone longer than I had to.”

“I can handle myself. You know that,” she said calmly, without any hint of offense.

“I do know,” he replied, as calm as her, “but I’ve also worked the counter alone and I know how hectic it can get.” He set the rag down on the counter and faced her, putting a hoof on her withers. She turned her head and looked him in the eyes.

He continued, “Just because you can do something doesn’t mean it’s enjoyable. One pony working a two pony job is hard, no matter how you look at it. I love you too much to leave you with that burden for too long.”

Sweet Leaf smiled warmly and put on her emotionally touched eyes. “I love you too, sweetie.” She turned fully and reached around his neck, giving him a deep hug which he immediately returned. It was times like these that she almost felt like she could drop her disguise and truly return his affections. She quickly caught herself before she went down that path, for it led to nothing but heartache and long, hungry nights trying to find a new source. She was there to take emotions, not feel them. For the hive and queen, she reminded herself.

After a short while longer, the yellow mare released her beloved once she felt his burst of love return to its normal trickle. “Come on. Let’s finish this. I think we can splurge a little and have a nice dinner out.” She walked over and picked up Fine Roast’s rag, turning and holding it out for him. “And I want to hear all about what kind of deals you got for us this last week.

“And maybe,” she added, “we can have some… fun tonight?”

Her husband and lover hummed and chuckled in approval, bumping her hips with his. “I think I can get behind that.”

“So he just played it off like it was a feature?” Sweet interrupted her husband’s story.

“Mmhm!” Roast took another bite of his meal.

“Even though it nearly blew hot steam in his face?”

“Yep!” he said through the food in his mouth before swallowing. “According to him, it was a great feature to have on a cold winter day.”

The couple laughed together at the absurdity, the mare trying to conceal her mirth and food behind a hoof. Her companion felt no such reservations, nor was he caught in the middle of chewing.

They had decided on one of their go-to restaurants, The Hay House. The place was decorated with generic paintings and standard, slightly-fancier-than-normal tables and chairs. While it was simple and perhaps a little boring the meals served were quite delicious and overly portioned. A couple of the employees had said that most of their menu items were fit for horses. With the number of times the two had come away with leftovers, they were inclined to agree.

“I can’t imagine that he ended up selling much of anything after that,” Sweet Leaf said once they’d settled down from their short bout of amusement.

“Nope. With that and the guy’s previous two blunders, most that hadn’t already lost interest left his demonstration,” Roast replied. “I didn’t stick around to see if anyone actually got suckered in, but not a lot of others did either.”

“I probably would have called convention staff on the guy.” Sweet wiped her mouth with a napkin. “He was obviously a fraud.”

“Eh, maybe. Or maybe he was having a bad day.” He shrugged. “A really bad day.”

They fell into a comfortable silence for a short while, enjoying their meals. Sweet Leaf was glad to have Roast back, not only for his companionship, but also because she’d been getting a little famished with only the appreciation for her coffee from her customers. They helped a little, but it was nothing like direct love.

Each of the crystals was enough to keep three changelings back at the hive away from the brink of starving for one week. Or one week for a cover blown changeling on the run. Rather normal love crystals would do that. Hers were special and she still found that a little disconcerting to this day.

“Have you been keeping up with the papers lately?” Fine Roast asked, breaking her out of her thoughts.

“I’ve read a little bit, but the cafe has been taking up most of my time,” she replied. “Why, did something happen?”

“Yesterday a huge pink bubble shield was put up around Canterlot.” Roast took took his water glass in his hoof. “Apparently there was a threat made against the city itself.”

Sweet Leaf felt like somepony had run an ice cube up her spine. She wanted to believe there was no way, but the wedding was only four days away and it still hadn’t been announced yet. There was little chance it had to do with anything else. She could only hold belief that her queen and those with her were careful and smart enough, even with how quickly they put this invasion plan together. She didn’t want to think about what would happen to her or Roast if the Canterlot infiltration was discovered. The Firefly behind Sweet Leaf quickly reinforced her facade, forcing herself to keep the panic off her face and out of her voice.

“Do they know what the threat is about?” she asked as normally as she could.

“I don’t think so.” Roast shook his head. It helped settle her worry, but only a little. “The paper stated the threat was made by an anonymous party and it was very vague in detail. An interview with the guard captain said that they believed the tip and threat to be credible, but wouldn’t go into detail of the tip or why they decided to use such drastic measures.”

“How strange,” Firefly said, unable to keep a slight lilt out of her voice. She mentally cursed herself and quickly strangled any outward signs of distress with the training and experience she’d earned over the years. She prayed it was enough. “I hope they’re able to quickly deal with the threat or see it turn out false. I can’t imagine that would be a comfortable situation for the guards or the citizens.”

“Mmm,” Roast hummed, looking at her for a moment before smiling. “Regardless, this night is supposed to be about having a good time.” He reached over and put a hoof on hers. “Let’s leave the dreary news for another night, shall we?”

Sweet Leaf was happy for the topic change, especially because she didn’t have to find a way to do it herself. The change was suspiciously quick. Perhaps he sensed her distress? She desperately hoped the complex flavors coming off him were anything but that. Once suspicion set in, it was like an uphill battle against the wind to deflect and destroy it. She mentally pushed her disguise back to the forefront of her mind, the actor becoming the role once again.

“Of course. We still have a lot of fun to be had tonight,” Sweet Leaf said, forcing a sultry tone into her voice. “Especially when we get home.”

Her lover chuckled, giving her his best set of bedroom eyes. “And you can only imagine the things I’m going to do to you.”

“Oh I can imagine…” she bantered back, able to put the worry in the back of her mind and focus on giving her stallion a wonderful night.

Firefly lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, sweat drying on her disguise’s coat from the night’s activities. Fine Roast lay next to her, breathing soft and slow. She did her absolute best to be an active participant in their love making, but her mind kept drifting to the news he’d revealed to her.

She shouldn’t be this concerned over something so utterly out of her control. She needed to trust in her queen and believe that she could handle whatever Canterlot could throw at her. It wasn’t that she doubted her, but sometimes things couldn’t be avoided.

It felt like everything was changing so fast. One week she and the other collectors were going about their lives, the next they find out the queen is planning on taking over Equestria. She couldn’t help but be concerned that their plans might implode on themselves.

She closed her eyes and turned on her side, facing away from Roast. She tried again to convince herself that it was illogical to let it affect her this much. Having to abandon her source and find a new one was not on her list of desirable activities, but it wasn’t as though she hadn’t done it before. Though it would become much harder if Equestria began to actively root out changelings.

Firefly thought of the sleeping stallion behind her. She tried to imagine him scowling at her, casting her out of his life as she was bound and helpless, her disguise ripped from her form. The thought made her stomach turn. She shut her eyes tight, trying to force good thoughts about him into her mind.

Roast really was a great stallion, pony standards or not. He was fun, charming, caring, supporting, and would do nearly anything to see Sweet Leaf smile. A small grin formed on her face, her features relaxing and eyes opening as Firefly recalled their times together. Laughing and teasing and playing as she helped him come up with new drink flavors. Her supporting and listening to him when he’d had a bad day. Playing in the rain after an unscheduled downpour interrupted their afternoon stroll. Lying together in bed, holding him gently as he read a book.

Her smile quickly soured and she mentally berated herself. Those times were Sweet Leaf’s, not Firefly’s. She had to remind herself that it was Sweet Leaf that loved Fine Roast. It was Sweet Leaf’s emotions that Roast comforted. It was the beautiful yellow mare with an orange sunset mane that the cream colored stallion loved. A changeling shouldn’t even care what happens to her source. She could always find another. It was merely an inconvenience.

The words felt hollow as they echoed through her mind.

She steeled herself, shoving any feelings Firefly had toward Fine Roast away and out of her mind. She was a collector, a good one at that, and collectors did not mix their feelings with their role’s. She would not make that mistake again.

Quietly drawing a deep breath, she held it for a few seconds before releasing it, willing herself to calm down. She took another. Inhale, she told herself. Hold. Exhale. Inhale. Hold—

She paused, still holding her breath as the sheets behind her rustled. She slowly, silently let out her breath, trying her best to appear asleep.

Firefly, no, Sweet Leaf felt hooves wrap around her as she cursed his clinginess for once. She just had to play the sleeping wife and he’d go back to sleep. She waited as he settled in, his snout lightly nuzzling her neck. The mare mentally sighed as he finished settling in and resigned herself to simply fall asleep.

“I know you’re still awake.” Her stallion lightly rubbed her side. She hated how observant he was sometimes. She decided to try playing it off.

“Hmm?” she asked, adding sleepiness to her voice. “What was that honey?”

“I know you heard me.” Roast nuzzled further into her neck. “What’s bothering you, sweetheart? You don’t need to bottle it up.”

Sweet Leaf let out a sigh. She’d have to step lightly and deflect. “It’s nothing really. Just a little stress from the last couple days.”

“Do you want to talk about it?” He pulled his muzzle out of her mane and put his head next to hers.

She knew he wouldn’t give up. He got rather protective of his mare when something was disturbing her. She’d used it to her advantage more than once, drawing concern and love from him.

This time will be no different. Use it as an opportunity, she instructed herself.

“I guess I feel a little… anxious.” She pressed her body further into his embrace. “There’s been a few stallions like the one today,” she smoothly lied, slipping fully back into her role. “It’s like they just saw a weak little mare, waiting to be taken, like I was an object to use and throw away. It felt so degrading.”

“Mmm. I hate that I have to share the same gender with them, but unfortunately there will always be ponies like that.” He ran his hoof up and down her side. “I know it’s easy for me to say, but don’t let it get to you. They’re not worth the time it takes to think about them.”

“I know. It’s hard sometimes though.”

“Plus, you have me to chase them away. They’re not getting anywhere near my mare while I’m around.” He gave her a gentle squeeze, eking out a couple giggles from her.

“Thank you, sweetie. You’ll always be my love.”

“And you mine.”

A companionable silence fell over the couple. The issue had been diverted, she got a little extra love, and Roast’s comforting and caring nature was satisfied. It was easy to take her mind off her troubles when he was holding her like that.

“But that’s not all, is it?”

Or it would have been, if he wasn’t so nosy and loving.

“What do you mean?” Sweet asked, adding a touch of confusion to her question.

“Well, you’re still a little tense,” he replied. She cursed herself at focusing too much on her vocal responses. “And tonight at dinner, you seemed a little distressed.”

Firefly had to be careful with her words. She hesitated for a couple seconds before deciding the truth sprinkled with a few falsities would be the best approach. She wiggled out of his embrace, turning around to look him in his concerned eyes, trying to make herself seem more sincere.

“The news about Canterlot was a little shocking to me,” she started again. “The last time there was a threat in Canterlot, our lives, days, nights, and even our literal houses were turned upside down. What if this is something like that or even worse?”

“I’d like to say that’s silly, but with what’s been happening over the past couple years, I don’t feel like that’s quite valid anymore.” Roast gave his wife a loving smile and cupped her cheek in his hoof. “Whatever comes, if anything comes, we’ll face it together at that time. There’s no need to worry yourself sick over things out of your control.”

“It doesn’t make me feel any less helpless,” she added with more sincerity than he knew. Firefly allowed herself a small amount of comfort as she rubbed her cheek into his hoof.

Fine Roast leaned in close, whispering, “It’ll be okay, my love. Have faith in our princesses and know I’ll be here to hold you if times get tough.”

She smiled lovingly and met him halfway with a deep kiss. He responded in kind, his curiosity seemingly sated.

Sweet Leaf broke the kiss and leaned her forehead against his. “Thank you, Roast. And I will be here for you, through thick and thin.” Deep in her heart, Firefly felt a stab of guilt at the falsity of her words.

She beat it down with her well versed mantra, For the Hive.

The sounds of an occasional page turn and the soft breathing of a pony made their way through the otherwise silent room. In the living room in the upstairs apartment of the Sweet Roast Cafe, there was no early afternoon rush of customers making a racket. No voices, no clinking coffee cups, nor any noise of coffee being brewed or milk being steamed resounded through the air. The scene was simply silent and peaceful as the sole occupant continued her reading.

Sweet leaf’s mind was neither silent nor peaceful.

Today was the day. Every newspaper had finally announced the wedding the day after her and Roast’s date and it was all anypony could talk about. While she could neither do nor hear anything about the progress of the wedding, the amount at stake in the day was near unfathomable for not only her, but all changelings. It just so happened to be held on a Sunday, the one day of the week that Sweet Leaf and Fine Roast, the cafe’s two sole employees, took off.

Pages kept turning and eyes kept scanning words, yet she comprehended nothing. What was happening up in Canterlot? Had they said the vows yet? Had her queen managed to keep up her disguise? More questions ran rampant through her muddled mind.

She looked up from her book to the clock for what seemed like the hundredth time that day. She breathed deeply as she saw it was finally one thirty in the afternoon.

Sweet Leaf pushed away the adventure novel, one of her favorites, and closed it, heedless of its page number. She rose from her lying position on the couch and hopped off, bringing the book over to the bookshelf and placing it back in its spot. She and Fine Roast had decided today would be a friends night. Roast would be with his for the night and Sweet would be with hers.

Fine Roast had left earlier to play a few games of bowling before going out and doing whatever it was that Roast and his friends, some stallions and one mare, did come evening time. While friends weren’t really a thing in changeling culture, it was necessary to keep up appearances and avoid unnecessary attention. Most of the changelings in each town tended to congregate together as a group of friends, doing things that pony friends would do. Sweet Leaf, or rather Firefly, rather enjoyed the pony activities that she and her fellow changelings did together in public, but some of the others were fairly against such frivolous games when in the privacy of only changeling company.

Regardless, it was a time collectors found important as it, when amongst themselves in a private place, allowed them to simply shed their disguises and be the changeling they were born as.

Sweet Leaf snorted as she made her way to the bedroom to get ready. Changeling culture was a far cry from pony culture. For hundreds of years, far beyond the memory of any changeling, few of them had luxuries as what was available to ponies. While ponies were able to sleep in soft, warm beds, often changelings had to deal with small cubbies carved out in their hive, multiple changelings huddling together for warmth on cold nights.

Firefly’s reminiscing continued as she donned her saddlebags, designed specifically with her fabricated cutie mark on them. Changelings also didn’t get to have many possessions of their own. Love and food were so often sparse enough that even half rotten fruit and mere greasy lust was appetizing. No changeling could justify spending much time on themselves or their interests when there was such a great deal of work to be done with never enough resources.

Any changeling would consider themselves lucky to have such circumstances as Firefly, if only it weren’t for the constant risk they would be taking to even be here. At any given time, she could make a mistake, shift during the wrong time, or even during her sleep. She could say the wrong thing and arouse suspicion in her husband or even customers. She had to be someone else at all times, never allowing herself the opportunity to mix up her own self nor any of her past roles.

Today was hopeful, but it was also filled with anxiety and a little dread. If her queen could do what she said, soon no changeling would go hungry. Never again would the caretakers have to tell the nymphs that there wasn’t enough food tonight. The results of the wedding would provide the hive with such luxuries that any pony pleasure would seem trivial in comparison.

It’s for the good of the Hive, she thought as she trot down the stairs to the front door. We need the food. We won’t go hungry anymore.

All that had to happen was the enslavement of pony kind.

The walk to her fellow changeling’s house was no longer than ten minutes, but was rarely uneventful on any occasion, and this time was turning out to be no different. Sweet Leaf waved at the third pony who greeted her as they crossed paths.

Being a barista at a rather popular cafe seemed to draw out the friendliness of ponies more than usual. It was a very interesting property of most ponies to live and breathe friendship. If Sweet Leaf was to be entirely honest with herself, she found it rather nice, if sometimes a little exhausting.

“Oh! Sweet Leaf! Dear!” she heard to her right after she’d crossed an intersection. She stopped and looked, finding one of her frequent customers.

“Dusty!” Sweet Leaf exclaimed as she headed over to the outdoor restaurant. Dusty Pail, Sweet Leaf thought on her way. Every morning he orders a caramel mocha and a sugar cookie. “How are you?” she asked as she entered the patio area.

“I’m doing quite well,” Dusty replied. “How are you and Roast doing? I haven’t had the time to stop and chat in a couple weeks.”

“We’re doing great,” Sweet Leaf answered. “Roast just got back from a coffee convention over in Baltimare and the cafe has been keeping us as busy as ever.”

“That’s great.” He smiled at her. “By the way, I wanted to ask you, my wife thinks she left her book at your cafe. You wouldn’t happen to have a lost and found would you?”

“We do.” The barista nodded. “I think we might have picked up a book of sorts. Do you know the title or author?”

Dusty shrugged. “I have no idea other than it’s a fantasy novel about sparkly dragons or some-such.”

“I think we did pick up something like that,” Sweet Leaf said, tapping her chin in thought. “Why don’t you or her stop by later this week and we can take a look.”

“Sure, sounds good,” he replied.

Out of the corner of her eye, Sweet Leaf saw a mare with a familiar button and thread cutie mark walking down the street. “Ooh, sorry to cut it short, Dusty, but I just saw one of the friends I’m having lunch with. I’ll talk to you later!”

“Of course! Have a good day.”

Sweet rushed out of the cafe area, seeing her friend turn a corner. She quickly trotted and turned the corner, seeing she wasn’t too far off. Getting close, she called out to her fellow changeling, “Bobby Pin!”

The light blue unicorn mare stopped and turned around, looking back and forth for the source. She spotted Sweet Leaf and brightened, waving at her. “Hi, Sweet Leaf! How are you?”

“I’m doing well, considering the circumstances.” Sweet Leaf caught up, the two of them walking side by side to their mutual destination. “How have you been settling in?”

“It’s been a huge change.” The unicorn made a large sweeping gesture with her hooves. “It’s not at all like I thought it would be.”

“Oh? You’ve been here four months, is that right?”

“Three months, actually,” Bobby Pin corrected as they turned down another street, “and it’s just so… different from back home. I know what they all said and what we were taught, but it’s such a shock when you actually get here.”

“It really is.” Sweet Leaf nodded. “I remember when I moved out of my parents’ house. I felt so lost,” she said, hoping Bobby would catch the metaphor. “Back then, I didn’t have anyone to turn to, it was just me and a brand new town.”

“That must have been terrifying.” Bobby gave Sweet Leaf a concerned look.

“It definitely wasn’t easy, but it wasn’t as hard as it sounds.” She waved off her friend’s concerns with a hoof. “It took some quick thinking and some bit pinching before I was able to get settled into the place.”

“Still, I can’t imagine what it would have been like all alone without anyone to guide you.”

“I think you’d have been just fine,” Sweet said comfortingly.

They both seemed to decide that silence was to reign for a few moments.

Firefly only partially believed her own statement. She had no idea how Spindle, Bobby Pin’s changeling name, made it through collector training. She was far too timid for this life and she hadn’t yet mastered separating herself from her disguise. If she were to be discovered, Sweet figured the inexperienced changeling had a fifty-fifty chance of completely locking up and making her an easy target, or successfully getting out and finding a new town.

Sweet Leaf broke the silence as they turned down the final street. “Looks like we’re here.”

Two houses down the two mares walked. Surrounding the property, unlike many houses on the street, was a just under pony-height, brown wooden fence. Bobby Pin, who happened to be closer, opened the gate and allowed Sweet Leaf to go in first.

Sweet nodded and continued through the held gate, trotting up to the door and giving it a quick three knocks. Bobby Pin shortly caught up and stood beside the yellow mare, both waiting for their host to answer.

Neither of them had to wait long. The door opened, revealing a tan colored stallion. “Sweet! Bobby! It’s so nice to see you again. Come on in,” the earth pony said, stepping back and waving a hoof for the two to enter the house.

“Long Scroll. It’s been a while,” Bobby said, rubbing her hooves on the doormat as she entered.

“That it has and what a great time to have a nice, friendly get-together! The others are in the living room,” Long Scroll finished, pointing a hoof to the first doorway on the right. “I’ll be in there in a few after I get tea and cookies ready.”

“Thanks, Scroll,” Sweet Leaf said and she and Bobby headed into the living room. Upon entering, she saw a blue pony she didn’t recognize. As she took her seat in one of the two couches, she and the other stallion met eyes.

“Sweet Leaf! Good to see you’re still around.”

“Um, have we met?” Sweet raised an eyebrow.

“Yes, we have as a matter of fact.” A flash of green fire encompassed him and she immediately recognized his new orange pony form.

“Ah, Vibrant Brush.” Sweet looked around the room at the windows. “Has Scroll given the okay?”

Vibrant Brush rolled his eyes and gave a shrug. “It’s just us here. We’ve done this a thousand times. No one’s going to see us.”

Sweet Leaf eyed him for a little longer. Before changing into their normal forms or discussing anything changeling related, the host of the event gave their approval of the security of the area. Vibrant Brush, or Tarsus as was his changeling name, was never much of a stickler for the rules.

“Anyway, had a little incident with the boyfriend. He got a little too inquisitive and found some of my crystals.” Tarsus shifted back into his new pony form. “Currently my previous darling is unconscious, heading to the hive while the cleanup crew is taking our places, getting ready to ‘move’ to Manehatten.” The blue pony made air quotes with his hooves.

“Ah. Sorry to hear that,” Sweet Leaf sympathized.

“Yeah, it must be such a pain having to find a brand new host,” Bobby Pin added.

Sweet Leaf could feel the immediate tension as she saw Bobby receive a subtle glare from the newly minted earth pony. They were all aware of the new changeling’s inexperience. It was common knowledge amongst the five resident changelings of Hoofington that Tarsus was not quite so happy that he had to share a town with such a timid and ignorant changeling.

Everyling has to learn somewhere, Firefly thought, glancing at Bobby Pin.

“Mmmyes, well, I’m now Warm Plate, server at the High Crown restaurant.” He looked at Bobby and clarified. “And it’s source, not host. We’re not lowly parasites after all.”

“Oh. Sorry. I keep getting these terms mixed up.”

“Yes, we know,” Warm Plate deadpanned before clearing his throat. “So, Firefly, how have you been? Still getting plenty from Roast?”

Sweet Leaf glared at him and rolled her eyes, knowing exactly what Tarsus was referring to. “Yes, Mister Plate, Roast is still plenty in love with me.”

Before anyone could say anything else, Long Scroll strolled into the room carrying two trays on his back. “Who wants tea and cookies?” the stallion singsonged. He happily walked over, setting both trays on the coffee table. “Alright, everyone that’s going to be here is here.”

“What about Vexor?” Warm Plate asked.

“He, or rather his female disguise, is busy with her marefriend and couldn’t make it today.” Scroll poured himself a cup of tea. “As such, all the doors are locked and the blinds shut.”

“It’s about time, Skitter.” Tarsus gave an exasperated sigh at Long Scroll, changing into his black changeling form.

“Don’t you ‘Skitter’ me,” Long Scroll scolded, also shifting into her native gender and changeling form while pointing an accusing hoof at Tarsus. “I heard you changing earlier before I gave the okay. This is my house and that means my rules.”

“Yes, Skitter. Sssorry, Ssskitter,” Tarsus said sarcastically with a hiss.

She shot a glare Tarsus’ way. Skitter turned toward Bobby as green flames encompassed the newest of their group.

“So, Bobby, or rather Spindle, how are you settling in with Wavy Palette?” Skitter asked, reaching for her cup of tea.

“We’re doing pretty good. He’s started to get more commiss—”

“Are you really going to drink that?” Tarsus asked Skitter, interrupting Spindle.

Skitter glared once again at Tarsus, tea cup held in front of her mouth. She held the gaze before taking a long draw from her tea, never once breaking eye contact.

“Why yes, I am,” she said after she’d finished her dramatic drink. “I happen to like this aspect of pony culture.” Skitter turned back to Spindle. “Now as you were s—”

“Really?” Tarsus interrupted again. “We aren’t ponies and we aren’t here to be ponies. If I wanted to have a cup, I’d go over to Miss Guzzle’s cafe.” He gestured to Firefly.

“What is wrong with you today, Tarsus?” the barista in question asked, tilting her head and raising an eye ridge.

“It’s like this every time. I come here to be a changeling and to talk like a changeling, not to be some tea drinking pony, gossiping about our high school crushes,” he said rather angrily. “Or have you all forgotten what today is?”

Silence dominated the room for a moment as Tarsus looked at each of the other three changelings in the room.

“No, Tarsus, we haven’t forgotten,” Skitter said firmly, “but not only do we have a few hours, it also helps to keep up with each other’s lives. You know, for our role’s sake?”

“Yeah, I get that,” Tarsus said, “but you all talk like ponies, gossip like them too. You’d almost think you all have become ponies!”

“Perhaps you’re right,” Firefly chimed in, reaching for a plate and placing a cookie on it. “We do talk and behave a bit like ponies. I think you’re exaggerating a bit much, but after being submerged in a culture for so long, one is bound to pick up some of their habits.”

“Maybe I could see that for you or Skitter—” Tarsus gestured to their host “—but Spindle just came from the hive, she shou—”

“Oh come off it!” Firefly interrupted. “She’s new and she just got into the real world. I’m sure you remember it being a lot different from training.” She stared right at the contentious changeling. “She’s learning how we behave at these meetings and is trying to be part of our group.”

“Okay, fine.” Tarsus huffed with finality, crossing his forelegs over his chest and looking away. “Let’s just get on with it.”

“Very well,” Skitter told Tarsus. “We can skip the pleasantries and ‘gossiping’, as you like to call it, for later.” She turned to the other two changelings. “Please, help yourselves to some tea or cookies.”

Spindle got herself some tea and a plate of a couple cookies as Skitter refilled her cup.

“Now then,” their host started, leading the discussion, “today is a very special day, but unfortunately we won’t know the results of it for at least a couple of days, if not more.

“The wedding of our queen is today. From what I’ve been told, if everything goes well, we shouldn’t hear much of anything initially. Queen Chrysalis should have the Princesses of Equestria subdued by the end of the month. By then we should expect to have word about the future of Equestria.”

“I think this whole thing is stupid,” Tarsus commented, still without tea or cookies. “How does she expect to take over the entire country? We don’t have the numbers to enslave all ponies.”

“You know as much as we do, Tarsus,” Firefly said, “and keep in mind, we don’t have all of the information that the changelings do up at the capital or in the hive. We don’t even have part of the information.”

“It still seems unnecessarily risky.”

Though she defended her queen’s actions, Firefly had the same doubts he did, perhaps more so. Drinking a bit more tea, she wondered just what would happen to the ponies. Would they become cocooned or would they be put under the regime of Queen Chrysalis? She had no desire to see the ponies hurt, but changelings were starving every day back in the hive. Something had to happen.

“But, uh, what if things don’t go well?” Spindle asked tentatively.

The other three changelings looked at her for a moment, then looked at each other.

“I suppose we’ll have to deal with that when it comes,” Skitter replied. “We still have a duty to the hive regardless of what happens today. The important part is to act like we know nothing about it. Behave exactly like a pony would.”

The other changelings nodded in agreement.

“I’m sure you all met Skirrax when he picked up your crystals, right?” Firefly received a nod from each. “I asked that question as well. We should receive word from the hive shortly after on what to do should such events occur. So in short, sit tight and wait.”

“So that’s really it, huh?” Tarsus said, much more calmly. “The only thing we can do is wait.”

“There’s not much more to do.” Skitter shrugged, taking a bite of her cookie and washing it down with some tea. “Our roles exist to provide love for the hive unless told otherwise. The Canterlot situation may impact us in the end, but we have no part in the act.”

“Speaking of things we have no part in…” Skitter continued, leaning in and teasingly looking to each changeling for a moment, “I managed to squeeze a little juicy info out of our friend Skirrax.”

“Oh?” Spindle’s ears perked up.

“Mmhm. So, you all know that the queen replaced Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, right?” She received nods from everyling. “Apparently she’s mind controlling Princess Cadenza’s husband-to-be.”

“I can see that,” Firefly said. “With the infiltrators not even finding out about the wedding until around a month and a half ago, I can’t imagine Queen Chrysalis has had much time to impersonate Cadenza properly.”

“Right.” Skitter nodded. “Even she’s not perfect.”

“Do we know what she did with the princess?” Spindle asked.

“Nope. Didn’t think to ask.” Skitter shook her head. “Any of you?”

Noes came from Firefly and Tarsus.

“I didn’t particularly care,” Tarsus said, shrugging. “It wasn’t any of my business and it wouldn’t have helped with our situation anyway.”

“Well, yeah.” Firefly grabbed a cookie, “But it would have at least been a little fun to talk about.” She took a bite out of the unsurprisingly tasty cookie.

“You know you can’t even digest sugar, right?” Tarsus asked, staring at the half eaten dessert.

Firefly raised her eye ridge as she chewed and swallowed. “Well, sure, but it still tastes good.”

Tarsus looked like he was in deep thought, staring at the cookie as though it could answer one of life’s many questions.

“Oh for Chrysalis’ sake!” Skitter exclaimed, using her magic to grab a plate, roughly putting a cookie on it and thrusting it at Tarsus. “Just have one!”

With a frown on his face, the recipient took the plate, lifting the cookie and giving it a sniff before taking a nibble.

“See? Was that really so bad?”

Tarsus chewed his little bite and swallowed. “… No.”

“The ponies really have this figured out, huh?” Firefly asked, taking another bite of her cookie. “Doing things simply because they feel good.”

The tension in the room was broken and the other three changelings began to talk about more mundane topics. Firefly couldn’t help but wonder if these things would be lost if her queen succeeded. Would there be cookies or spas if the ponies were enslaved?

She could only hope as she rejoined the conversation with her fellow changelings.

Sweet Leaf groggily awoke to the sound of Fine Roast’s alarm. She pulled the covers up over her head, hoping the comforter would make the irritating noise disappear. It was made doubly worse by being a Monday.

She hadn’t slept well the past few nights, but last night was quite nearly sleepless. Because Hoofington was nearly half a day’s train ride away from Canterlot, there would likely be no news until at least a day or two after the wedding.

“Come on, sweetheart.” She heard a voice yawn from beyond the veil. “We've got a coffee shop to run.”

The sleep-disturbing noises earned a well intoned grunt followed by a rumbling grumble from beneath the sheets.

“Yeah yeah, sleeping beauty, I’ll be in the shower,” the voice said again. “Try not to hit the snooze button too many times.”

Pony life had made her soft. Back in the hive or out in the wild, searching for a new source, she’d have far more work and little sleep or food as a reward. She idly wondered how that might change in the coming days, weeks, or months, sleepily fantasizing as one is known to do when ignoring their alarm in favor of just five more minutes.

That annoying, irritating, want-to-throw-it-against-the-wall-and-blast-it-with-magic buzzing noise interrupted her almost-dream once again. The tired mare begrudgingly pulled the covers off her head, exposing herself to the cold bedroom air. She reached over on Roast’s side of the bed with her eyes still closed and gave the alarm a swift smack and flipped the switch to turn it off for good. As much as she hated it right now, she needed to get up and check the morning paper, preferably before Roast got to it. If something were to happen, she wanted to be the first of the two to know, for obvious reasons.

Sitting up out of bed and hanging her legs over the edge, she let the covers fall off her disheveled coat. Opening her eyes just enough, she looked at her bedside clock and saw it was only a few minutes after five in the morning. The papercolt would be delivering the Hoofington Herald to their shop in about ten minutes, give or take a few. Sweet Leaf closed her eyes again and took a long, deep breath, doing her best to convince herself that getting up really was the better option.

She opened her eyes, slipped off the bed, and began heading toward the kitchen. She heard the shower in the master bathroom turn on and a frown developed on her face. He had a tendency to spend an extra-long time in the shower, often leaving no hot water left. She’d asked him why, but all she got was a non-committal grunt and something about the hot water feeling too good. Just a thing to live with. Everyone had their quirks. One of his happened to be giving her cold showers.

She snorted, putting it behind her as she did every morning.

Sweet Leaf went through the motions of using their espresso machine, more akin to a zombie than a pony. Barely realizing any time had passed, she heard the espresso machine sputter as it finished her straight dark espresso shot.

Despite living in a coffee shop with a professional espresso machine both in the shop and in their own personal kitchen, nearly none of Roast’s mornings consisted of coffee. She still had no idea how he could live in a coffee shop and not be a morning coffee drinker and caffeine addict. For Sweet Leaf on the other hoof, coffee was a necessity to get started. She quite obviously didn’t use to be this way and she wasn’t sure how that interacted with her changeling biology, but she’d developed a craving for the dark drink in the years she’d been with Roast.

Just as she set the cup on the table, a loud pop caused the poor mare to jump before she realized she’d also put bread in the toaster. With a small huff and a glare, she retrieved the toast, buttered it, and set it on the table next to her espresso.

A quiet slapping sound out the front window caused her ears to perk and her heart to leap into her throat. The arrival of the paper worked better than a triple shot espresso.

She hurried downstairs, dreading what she may or may not find. She unlocked the cafe’s front door and stepped outside. Spotting the newspaper a few strides away, she walked over and picked it up in her hoof. She quickly turned, went back inside and locked the door, heading back upstairs to her table. She needed to stay calm. Being all out of sorts in front of Roast would not be good.

Heart racing, she managed to keep tremors out of her legs as she sat down at the table and took a deep, calming breath. She looked down and reached out to untie the string around the paper. She checked the front page and read the headline.

She raised an eyebrow at the title. She read the story and realized it was news from Saturday, the day before the wedding. Apparently her queen had gotten a little testy with many of the workers and the hastily chosen organizers. Sweet Leaf found it interesting that they were printing two-day-old news on the day after the wedding. She guessed the reports must have been late getting out from Canterlot.

She breathed a sigh of relief that at least nothing bad happened on Saturday.

Sweet Leaf thought back to the previous day. She’d spent a good portion of the time with the other collectors, huddled around in one of their living rooms discussing the wedding. None of them were particularly up for an evening of fun.

Spindle had made the claim that there was no way news was going to get from Canterlot to Hoofington and off the presses by the morning paper. Sweet Leaf supposed she was right. Tarsus made his statement that if everything had gone as planned, there wouldn’t be any interesting news to read. That was the consensus of all changelings present that no news was good news. He was right, but it didn’t help the knot in her gut.

The mare sipped her coffee, ate her toast, and read through some of the newspaper’s articles. Once she was finished reading, she folded up the paper and put it on the table next to Fine Roast’s chair. He always liked to stay up to date on the current times. It certainly made it easier to make small talk with customers.

As she was nearing the end of her toast, the bathroom door opened and out trotted her Roast.

“Hey, sweet cheeks,” he said, clopping up to her and offering a quick kiss.

Sweet Leaf met him halfway, acting as bleary eyed as she normally did in the mornings and ended up kissing his snout instead.

“I guess that works,” he chuckled, trotting off to the fridge. “I love you in the morning.”

“Hey!” she sleepily exclaimed. “Get back here!”

Roast pulled out a bottle of orange juice and some milk, then turned back to the table. “Think you can aim this time, babe?”

She grabbed his face and smooched him hard. “Jerk,” she harrumphed and playfully pushed his face away.

The cream colored stallion chuckled again and set the milk and orange juice on the table, heading to the pantry for cereal. “If that’s what I get when I’m a jerk, maybe I should be one more often.”

“Yeah, see how much you’re going to get in bed if you keep that up,” she teased.

Silence filled the room as Sweet Leaf sipped on her espresso and Fine Roast poured his cereal and looked at the morning paper.

She idly wondered, not for the first time, what life was going to be like after changelings took over Equestria. Would ponies be slaves, forced to love changelings forever? Perhaps they’d all be put in cocoons and have their love drained while dreaming happy dreams. Or maybe the changelings and ponies could form happy, blissful friendships and never want for anything again.

She snorted, In a fairy tale maybe.

“Something funny, dear?” Roast asked.

“Hm?” Sweet looked over at him. “Oh. Just thinking about that front page article.”

“Mhm. I suppose being the bride of a royal wedding must be pretty stressful,” he said, still reading the paper. “Though most weddings are, royal or not. Ours wasn’t anything of the sort.”

“No, it wasn’t.” She nodded. “To be fair, ours was a pretty small affair and we weren’t rushed at all. I imagine they had this scheduled a long while ago, but couldn’t really begin full preparations until they announced it four days ago. There’s no way that wouldn’t be stressful.”

“You’re right, I can’t imagine doing that.” Roast set the paper down and drank the remnants of his milk. “I’m pretty sure that would have driven me insane.”

“You and me both,” she finished with a yawn and a stretch before scooting out of her seat. “Well, I think I’m heading off to the bathroom to get ready for the day.”

“And maybe there’ll be some hot water left…” she mumbled under her breath.

The clamor of half a dozen conversations and cups clinking slowly began to fade from the cafe as the lunch rush neared its end. Sweet Leaf had elected to run the counter for the morning while Fine Roast made the drinks. Mondays were always particularly busy with ponies needing caffeine to help their bodies recover from the weekend of sleeping in.

“Thank you for your order.” Sweet Leaf finished writing the customer’s drink on their cup. “We’ll have it at the serving counter shortly.”

Her husband was loading another portafilter as Sweet walked over and placed an empty cup marked with the customer’s order and name next to two others. “Here you go, Roast. Looks like that’s the last of the rush.”

“Thanks, hun,” he replied, continuing to fill the last three orders. With the order line finished, she decided to take a quick trip around the cafe. She brought a rag and began to collect used cups and wipe down the tables. After making a few trips with no new customers, she decided she’d have time to go outside to clean the tables there.

“Honey? I’ll be outside for a minute,” Sweet called, receiving an affirmative in response.

As she walked out the front entrance she saw there were no customers. Unfortunately, because of the lunch rush, all of the tables were used and hadn’t been cleaned off yet. She went to work, gathering cups and discarding any waste.

As she was cleaning the last table, she saw a familiar light blue unicorn, coming into the shop’s patio, nearly out of breath.

“Bobby Pin? Are you alright?” she asked her disguised friend, concern rushing through her.

“Oh thank goodness, Sweet Leaf. I made my way over as fast as I could.”

Sweet Leaf noticed that her fellow collector had a newspaper in her magic beside her. “Really, Bobby? The news from this morning is hardly anything to rush about.”

“Oh no. This isn’t from this morning. This just came off the press.”

“A midday news story?” she asked, her heart rate rising. “That’s only if something big happened. Bobby, tell me it didn’t…”

Bobby Pin simply nodded her head.

Sweet Leaf extended a wing forward and Bobby Pin floated the paper over. Grasping it with her primary feathers, she held it in front of her and read the top news article.

Her heart dropped into her stomach. “Oh my stars…”

A picture of undisguised changelings below was all she needed to see. The rest of the story told her in excruciating detail exactly how much every changeling’s worst nightmare had just come true. Her queen had been discovered, the army had invaded, and they’d been summarily cast out of Canterlot.

“W-what… what do we do now?” Bobby Pin asked, eyes wide as she fidgeted in place.

The cafe owner took a deep breath, calming herself. She had to be the strong one here. They were both still in disguise, they were undiscovered, and if things went right, none of the collectors here would be discovered.

The disguised changeling in front of her had only been a collector for a few months, straight out of training before that. She was barely out of nymph-hood. She was smart, but those smarts barely extended beyond book smarts.

“We do exactly what we’ve already been doing,” Sweet Leaf said, looking directly into the unicorn’s eyes. “Nothing has changed unless you hear otherwise. Do you understand?”

The panicked mare closed her eyes, visibly steeling herself. A few breaths and she opened her eyes again, doing her best to hide her unease.

“Yes. I understand.”

“Good. Now as a good friend, you’ve come to tell me the troubling news that just struck our nation. You’ve generously given me the newspaper. We’re going to hug, then you’re going to go back to what you were doing before you saw the news,” Sweet Leaf instructed the mare. She extended her hoof and she felt the other mare come into her embrace, a bit too hard for the pegasus to call it an act. Sweet held her friend for a long moment before Bobby Pin pulled away.

“Okay. Okay. I think I’m good. I can do this,” the unicorn said to herself.

“Darn right you can. Now get back out there. You’ve got a life to live.”

“Thank you, Sweet Leaf.” Bobby Pin nodded and turned to leave the cafe.

Sweet Leaf took the newspaper in her wing and finished her cleaning duties outside. She headed back into the cafe proper and walked toward the kitchen.

“Hey, honey, is everything alright with you and Bobby Pin?” Roast asked quietly before she passed into the kitchen.

“We’re okay.” She stopped for a moment. “Do you have a minute?”

“Sure. Let me get this last drink done and I’ll be in there.”

Mugs were placed in the sink for washing later and trash was put into the kitchen’s waste bin. The best thing to do was to tell Roast about this now. Regardless of her actual relation to the events, there was no way a good wife would keep this kind of news from her husband. Sweet Leaf considered herself an excellent wife.

“Alright, that’s the last customer for now. What’s wrong?” Roast asked, walking into the kitchen.

She simply gave him the newspaper. “Take a look.”

He raised an eyebrow and began reading. His eyes widened and head pulled back as his eyes scanned and rescanned the paper. “Oh, Celestia.”

She let him continue reading as she began to wash some of the mugs, setting them out to dry. Both of them were interrupted as the entrance bell rang, signaling a new customer.

“We’ll talk about this later, okay, Sweet?” Fine Roast set the paper aside.

“Of course. We have customers to tend to.”

Both Sweet Leaf and her husband walked out of the kitchen, returning to their duties.

The news caused a boom in after-lunch cafe goers as a great many ponies wanted to talk, chat, and gossip over the “ugly”, “creepy”, or “disgusting” impostors that had nearly taken their nation. It was great for business, but the work hardly kept Firefly’s mind off other subjects with the amount of conversation about the failed invasion. Soon after the release of the local newspaper, other sources began reporting, adding even more details and speculation into the already enormous mess of gossip.

The number of customers had eventually slowed to a trickle. At six in the afternoon Fine Roast only had to shoo two chatty mares out of the cafe for closing time.

After such a busy day, both owners were exhausted and silently began their cleanup routine. As Sweet Leaf began wiping down tables inside she could feel a stew-like stream of emotions emanating from her husband, the most prominent being fatigue. She would need to fulfill the role of a good wife tonight, comforting him as he in turn would no doubt comfort her. Her being Sweet Leaf that is.

Despite the horrible news and revelation of changelings, one small silver lining was the bonding both of them could have over this, enhancing the love she received from him.

“I’ll get outside, honey,” Fine Roast said as Sweet Leaf was clearing refuse off a table.

“Okay. Is the serving area clean?”

“The equipment is, but the counter still needs some work.” Her husband stopped at the door and turned his head to look at her. “I can get it though.”

“Don’t worry about it. I’m almost done here.” Sweet Leaf looked him in the eyes, offering a tired smile.

Fine Roast took a deep breath and exhaled. “Thank you, sweetie.”

The yellow mare nodded. “I love you, Roast.”

“I… love you too,” he replied with a pause and headed out the door.

Sweet Leaf watched him go, curiosity piqued. The news and the day must have hit him hard. Maybe she should pull out all the stops tonight and go for one of her infamous massages. Perhaps that would help alleviate some of his worries.

She went back about her cleaning and soon finished the tables. Just as she was starting on the counter, Fine Roast came back inside with two half full trash bags and locked the front door. He silently carried them through the kitchen and Sweet Leaf heard him exit out the back door.

As Sweet Leaf was working on the last particularly stubborn coffee stain, Fine Roast came back inside and poked his head out the kitchen doorway.

“Sweet? Everything is taken care of outside. I’ll be upstairs.” He disappeared into the kitchen.

“Okay, I’ll be up in a minute.”

Finally, after another long moment of scrubbing, she finished with the stain and made short work cleaning up the rest of the counter. With a huff of finality, the mare walked into the kitchen, wrung out her rag, and put it in the dirty bin.

After ascending the stairs, she saw the kitchen’s light to her right was off, so she turned left and headed to the lit bedroom. Entering the room she saw her spouse lying on his back on top of the covers of their bed, his head tilted back and eyes looking at the ceiling. Walking to the other side of the bed, she climbed on top and put her hooves around his barrel, hugging him tight.

He pulled his foreleg out of her embrace and put it around her, giving her a little squeeze.

“Long day, huh?” she asked, breaking the silence.

“Very long day,” he replied, “and apparently a very eventful yesterday.”

“So it would seem.” She let a pregnant pause fill the room.

“And I suppose your worrying wasn’t for nothing,” he continued after a moment.

“I… I guess you’re right. I don’t even know what to think about it.” Sweet Leaf nuzzled into his cream colored chest.

“It’s crazy. Shapeshifters invading Canterlot. Who would have thought—”

Three loud knocks resounded from the downstairs kitchen.

Both ponies looked at each other with raised eyebrows, neither receiving an answer to their unasked question. Fine Roast sighed.

“Probably one of our friends. I’ll get it.”

Sweet Leaf reluctantly loosened her hug on her stallion and let him go, watching as he disappeared into the hallway. Once she heard him descend the stairs, she quietly crept out of bed, stopping at the top of the stairs as Fine Roast opened the kitchen door.

“Wavy? What’s going on?” She heard her husband ask.

Wavy Palette? she thought as a spike of fear ran through her. What could Bobby Pin’s coltfriend be doing here?

“Hi, Roast, sorry I’m in a rush. Have you or Sweet Leaf seen Bobby?” Wavy asked.

“I know she came by and talked to Sweet around lunch. Why, what’s going on?” Fine Roast asked again.

“I…” Wavy Palette started, his voice cracking, “she’s one of them.”

“Bobby’s one of them?” Fine Roast asked hurriedly. “You mean—?”

“A changeling!” Wavy answered.

“Are you sure? How do you know?”

“It was surreal! I was coming into our room and it was there, just like the pictures. It looked at me and… flash! Changed right into Bobby Pin’s body!” He sounded almost hysterical.

“When, Wave? When did it happen?”

“Just about twenty minutes ago. She stuttered, said something, and bolted past me out the front door,” he spoke frantically. “I was stunned. I didn’t know what to do. I checked with another of her friends before I came here.”

“Do you want to come in? We could figure out what to do and—” Fine Roast asked.

“N-no. No.” Wavy Palette interrupted. “My real marefriend could be somewhere out there, alone and afraid. I read they use their spit to tie up their victims and then suck them dry! I gotta go tell the guards!”

Before Fine Roast could reply, the echoing sound of hooves galloping away sounded before the kitchen door closed. Sweet Leaf decided that was her cue to descend the stairs.

“How much did you hear?” Fine Roast asked as she stepped into the kitchen.

“A good bit of it.” Her breath was shaky and it had nothing to do with acting. “Bobby Pin… I would have never thought she could be one of them. Could this day get any better?”

“I… I’m not sure,” the cream stallion looked contemplatively at the floor.

“Come on. Let’s go back upstairs.”

“Yeah. Sure,” he said, following his wife back up the stairs.

That naive little nymph! Sweet Leaf thought as she turned to their bedroom. What in star’s name happened that made her drop her disguise? Today of all days!

When they entered the bedroom, they both got up onto their sides of the bed and just lay there for a few minutes.

“So, what happens now?” Fine Roast asked.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, what happens now that one of your friends is a changeling? Or at least captured by one?” he asked, turning to face Sweet Leaf. “Do we question all of our friends? Or do we just continue like nothing happened?”

“I think we do the exact same thing we’ve been doing. Open the shop and serve our customers,” Sweet said, still looking at the ceiling. “What can we do otherwise? If we let suspicion take hold of every relationship we have, we’ll just become bitter ponies.”

Fine Roast sighed, rubbing his face with his hoof. “You’re right. I know you’re right. But it’s so easy to just…wonder.”

A series of knocks sounded again downstairs, drawing a low groan from Fine Roast.

“I’ll get it this time, dear.” Sweet Leaf scooted off the bed and headed to the hallway.

“Alright.”

Sweet Leaf stepped onto the first stair when the knocking came again. “I’m coming, hold on!” she said, slightly aggravated.

Stepping into the downstairs kitchen, she arrived at the back door, only to find the worst possible pony.

“Sweet Leaf?” Bobby Pin said in disguise, wearing a frazzled look. “I think I messed up.”

Bobby Pin stood there, her steel-colored mane looking as though she’d been running for an hour. Her eyes were wide and glued to Sweet Leaf as if she could solve her problems. “S… Sweet?”

Sweet Leaf shook herself of her stupor and shoved Bobby Pin outside, following her and closing the door. “What do you think you’re doing here?!” Sweet Leaf said in a hushed voice.

“I-I messed up! Wavy found out,” Bobby Pin replied, trying to keep her voice down, but her panic overriding the attempts. “I-I mean he saw me when I was changing! I didn’t know what to do so I ran.”

“Why were you changing in the first place?!” Sweet Leaf shook her head. “Nevermind that. You thought it would be a good idea to come here?” She didn’t wait for an answer. “Look, there’s no time. Wavy stopped by not five minutes ago. Roast already knows about you!”

Bobby Pin’s eyes widened. “B-but, how—”

“That means you need to get out of here!” Sweet Leaf quietly exclaimed. “You’re about to blow both of our disguises.”

“You’ve done this before though! I need help! Please!”

“Look, your cover’s already worthless. You need a new disguise. But first, Roast is going to be down here any second.” She ruffled her own mane with both hooves, trying to look like she got into a scuffle. “I’m going to run inside and scream for help and you’re going to get out of here. Find a new town. Understand?”

The younger changeling nodded, gulping, “Yeah, I think so. But I need love! I can’t get at mine. C-could I borrow one of your crystals?”

Sweet Leaf shook her head. “There’s no time. You have to get out—”

The sound of the door handle twisting made Sweet Leaf freeze for a split second. Reacting on instinct, she leaped forward, tackling her fellow changeling and rolled over on the ground making it look as though Bobby Pin had been winning the fight.

Both mares looked over as the door opened.

“Sweet are you o—” Fine Roast’s eyes opened wide as he saw the mares on the ground. “What do you think you’re doing?!” The stallion scraped his hoof on the ground, getting ready to charge.

Bobby Pin looked down at Sweet Leaf for a moment. Sweet Leaf gave her friend a pleading look and Bobby jumped off her, bolting down the alley.

Sweet Leaf watched as her husband took a stand between the fleeing mare and his wife.

Fine Roast huffed through his nose and turned around toward Sweet Leaf. “Are you okay?” he asked, helping her up off the ground.

“Um, yes, I think so.” Sweet Leaf wrapped her arms around herself.

Fine Roast looked down the alley once more before walking back to his wife. “What was that?”

“It… she just...dragged me out and closed the door.” She did her best to add shakiness to her voice.

“Come on, let’s go inside.”

“But, don’t you want to go tell someone? The guard?”

“In a little bit. Come on.”

Sweet Leaf was confused, her brows furrowing as she followed him inside to the kitchen. Wavy immediately went to notify the guard. She figured he would want to help add by way of a tip.

“Head back upstairs, Sweet Leaf. I want to get a drink.” Fine Roast waved her towards the stairs.

“Are you sure? I can make you something.”

“No. Just go, please.”

“O-okay.” This time the stammer wasn’t artificial. Sweet Leaf went upstairs, turning left at the top of the stairs to go into their bedroom. She went for his side of the bed, the side closest to the door and sat down.

What is wrong with him? She sensed his emotions were in turmoil when she left him downstairs. She hoped against hope that he was merely in shock.

The disguised changeling involuntarily tensed as she heard him ascend the stairs. She looked towards the door as he reached the second floor, appearing in the doorway, stopping only a short distance into the room.

“Honey? Where’s your drink?” Sweet Leaf asked, even more worried than before.

“I…” Fine Roast started, swallowing hard. “That was your friend, right?”

“Yes,” she answered, “Bobby Pin was my friend.”

“How close were you?”

She searched his eyes for half a second. Where was he going with this? “I, um, we were somewhat close. I met her a couple months ago when she first came in to the cafe, looking lost.”

“She came in earlier today. She’s the one that brought you the newspaper, right?”

She nodded.

“Why would she do that?” he asked, looking her in the eyes. “Why would she bring you of all ponies a newspaper depicting exactly what she was?”

Sweet Leaf started to panic. “Sh-she was just...scared? I mean, I am—was her friend. She needed someone to talk to.”

“Someone she could relate to.”

“What are you implying?” Sweet Leaf stood up, trying to act indignant. She wasn’t sure if she pulled it off.

Fine Roast breathed deep, exhaling. “Sweet Leaf, I know you’re one of them.”

“I-I’m not! How could you think such a—”

“I’ve seen you.”

Sweet Leaf’s world collapsed on itself as she began to panic.

“Y-you couldn’t have. I’ve never, I’m not—”

Fine roast took a step forward. Sweet Leaf tried to take a step back, but her hind leg immediately hit the bed.

“I want to know. Are you my wife? Am I your husband? What were—what are you really after?” Fine Roast took another step.

“I’m not… I don’t want anything. I’m your wife. I just want to love you and be with you.” Real tears began to form in her eyes.

“Please cut the horse apples,” Roast said exasperatedly. “I saw you three years ago and I know what I saw.”

“That wasn’t… I’m not…” She shut her eyes, squeezing the tears out, bracing herself for what she knew she had to do.

Sweet Leaf hated her only option. Her life in Hoofington was looking so bright, but the sun itself burned out in just that instant.

She opened her eyes and shed her disguise, needing her natural strength and a surprise. The changeling charged her shocked husband, shouldering him in the chest and shoving him down and out of the way.

She ran down the hallway, hearing him immediately get up and give chase.

“Stop! Please!”

She let his call go unheeded as she nearly flew down the stairs, towards the back door and fumbled with the lock. She clicked the latch and opened the door only to be caught and dragged back to the middle of the kitchen.

Fine Roast stood over her, attempting to pin down her legs. “Would you stop struggling for just a minute?!”

She refused to answer him as he used his earth pony strength to keep her on the floor, but she wouldn’t let it happen. She couldn’t. He had her pinned down by her forelegs and he was not giving her much room to struggle. She looked down and her heart sank when she saw the only opportunity she had to get out of his grip.

Clenching her eyes, Firefly drew her hind legs in close, hesitating for only a moment before she kicked.

Hard.

Her legs caught him in the stomach, knocking the air out of him. It wasn’t quite enough to get him to release his grip. She hated herself more as she kicked him again and again, his grip finally loosening and allowing her to throw him off. She flipped herself over and ran out the door, disguising herself as Sweet Leaf immediately.

She hurried down the alleyway in the same way Bobby Pin had only minutes ago.

“S-Sweet! Wait, please!” She heard a wheezed call from behind her. She couldn’t help herself as she stopped at the outlet of the alley, looking back at the stallion hobbling towards her, holding his stomach.

“I’m sorry,” Sweet Leaf said sincerely before trotting down the sparsely crowded street, trying to attract as little attention as possible while still reeling emotionally. She could only hope that she kept the panicked look off her face. Ducking down an alley, only a couple blocks from her—no, it wasn’t hers anymore—the cafe. She could barely think through her emotions as she walked behind a dumpster, collapsing against the wall next to it.

No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t keep the tears out of her eyes. She knew this day might come, she knew she might have to leave Fine Roast. She tried to convince herself her tears were for the hive. Her queen had failed. She had failed. Her race had been discovered. Soon enough even disguises wouldn’t help them. The logical side of her brain told her this.

Her heart remained broken without its other half.

The snot and tears barely slowed as she desperately tried to get a hold of herself. It had to be because she let Sweet Leaf infect her. She was a skilled collector. She’d been at this for six years. True collectors wouldn’t let themselves get attached as she had.

Telling herself this didn’t fix her broken heart.

She had to get up. Roast could be looking for her and she hadn’t exactly gone far before she’d fallen apart and she was still in Sweet Leaf’s form.

Sweet Leaf pushed with all her might, but a hiccup sent her sprawling back to her belly. She leaned her head against the cool, brick wall of the alleyway. She sniffled and wiped her eyes with a fetlock before smacking the ground with a hoof. She could and would get a hold of herself. She set her hooves against the ground and strained, pushing hard. it was a little easier this time and she shakily managed herself upright and leaning against the wall.

She wiped her face again and only managed to smear the mucus and wetness around. Huffing at herself, she was determined to put her feelings in a closet to deal with later. Sweet Leaf forced herself from the wall and shook her head. She had to get back into the mindset hammered into her all those years ago.

First thing to do, she thought, get a new disguise.

She wracked her brain, trying to think of something, anything to change into. The only disguise she could think of was her previous role’s. It hadn’t been used in over four years and no one around here would pay it any attention. It was only temporary anyway.

Green fire surrounded the mare as she shifted into an orange unicorn mare with a white mane and tail.

Orange Mint. It’s been a while, she thought.

Breathing deep and exhaling slowly, she opened her eyes. She had to get out of here. Subduing Roast wasn’t an option. Not only was there no point, as Skirrax said before he’d taken her love crystals, but she’d blown that by escaping as fast as she did. Roast had doubtlessly gone to tell the guards. There probably weren’t even any cleanup crews available anyway.

She took her first step towards the alleyway exit before remembering a vital fact, one that Bobby Pin had brought up.

She had no love crystals with her.

In the past week since the collection she’d been able to make three crystals and they were all sitting under the floorboards in her closet. Without them, she’d barely last a week before starving and maybe two before she collapsed. With the discovery of them as a species, she wasn’t sure she could reliably feed off anypony with their suspicions so high. She’d also need the emergency bits she kept next to the crystals.

“Stupid, complacent mare,” the freshly disguised Orange Mint muttered to herself, clenching her eyes. “I knew I should have kept them somewhere else. A bank deposit box even.”

She sighed and prepared herself for a long night out. There was no way she was going to get back in tonight. He’d likely already gone to search for the guards and there might even be patrols around. That could make tonight extra “fun.” Hopefully it wouldn’t.

Using her magic she wiped away the remaining wetness and snot that stayed with her through her transformation. Ready to face the world once more, she set out back the way she entered the alley. Looking both ways, she tried to decide which way she would meander off in.

Her heart gripped her as taking a right would mean walking past the Sweet Roast Cafe.

Just one more time, she convinced herself as she turned toward the cafe. Few ponies were out at this hour with the sun nearly reaching the horizon.

A short moment later and the building came into view.

Her stomach turned over itself as she realized she would never clean those tables again. Orange Mint walked up to one of the tables outside and laid her hoof against it. She shouldn’t be this sentimental. The life of a changeling was exactly that, change. She knew she’d have to leave Roast and the cafe one day.

The orange mare snorted, setting her hoof back on the ground.

I’ve got to stop this. She shook her head. Welcome back to changeling life, you little nymph. Get used to it.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw movement above. Glancing up, she saw the light was on in the upstairs kitchen. Firefly hoped at least Roast would be able to get a decent night’s sleep. She certainly wouldn’t.

Setting out at a quick trot, she began her search for a halfway decent bridge to sleep under for the night.

Morning slowly came after a night of near sleeplessness for Orange Mint. She roused as the sun began its ascent. With a discontented sigh, the white maned mare stretched out on her pile of leaves. As she rose and attempted to make mane and coat presentable, she thought how lucky it was that she’d stumbled across a small wooded area with a little clearing in one of the Hoofington parks.

Mid-grooming, she realized she just couldn’t get her mane proper without a brush. She blinked, realizing how silly she was being. She closed her eyes and changed into an Orange Mint that didn’t look horribly disheveled from a night out under the stars.

Satisfied with her appearance, she headed out of her impromptu bedding. Trotting out of the miniature woods and into the deserted park, she passed a fountain. She stopped to look as the morning light sparkled off the water and the many shiny bits laying at the fountain bed.

Firefly never quite understood what it was with ponies and throwing good money away into fountains. Over the years, she’d seen several foals being given money to make a wish and toss the coins into the water. She’d even seen adults throw bits into the fountain. She stared at the money for a moment longer and then realized these could be useful.

Orange Mint looked left and right and, satisfied with her lack of witnesses and stepped forward into the knee-high water, shivering as the liquid chilled straight through her fur. She repeatedly scooped a few coins, and set them on the fountain edge.

Satisfied with her plundered funds, she quickly counted eleven. A cold Orange Mint stepped out of the fountain and shook as much water off her legs as she could. Without a towel, she’d just have to deal with air drying.

She stared at the damp coins and wondered who they belonged to. Would the ponies who discarded them have thought about how these could have helped a creature like her? Would they have wanted them to?

Firefly snorted and could only imagine the anger they’d have if they knew their money had gone to such a cause.

Worthy or not of their generosity, she gathered the bits up and looked towards the park’s exit.

She steeled herself for what she had to do as she left the park and began her short journey to the cafe. If she knew Roast, he would likely still open the shop, regardless of something such as this happening. Ponies loved their drinks and he loved serving them. She hoped she was right.

Continuing down the streets, she watched as the city began to wake up. Ponies made their way out of their homes to begin the day. Some going to work, others getting their morning breakfast or coffee.

Soon enough the disguised unicorn arrived at the oh-so-familiar street, the one on which the cafe resided. As she got closer, she was relieved to see she was correct. Not only had Fine Roast still opened the cafe, but there were a decent number of patrons. Not so many that it would make it hard to navigate, but an amount that should keep Roast busy enough so she could get into the back unnoticed.

As she approached the building, a wave of realization hit her and her ears went flat against her skull. She’d never seen the cafe from this angle, as a patron, before. It was… disheartening, knowing that she’d never again make another cup of espresso behind the counter. Breathing deep, she opened the door and was immediately hit by the smells and sounds of a coffee shop.

As Orange Mint approached the line in front of the counter, she could pick out the orders of the customers just based on smells. Vanilla latte. Caramel macchiato. Fresh blueberry muffin. Plain old coffee.

The disguised changeling stood in line, everyone oblivious to her true nature. With the news of the wedding, ponies might be more wary, but nopony knew that the orange mare with the white mane and tail was not one of them. She listened as each of the three customers ahead of her gave their orders and, one by one, moved over near the serving counter, waiting for their drinks.

She was next.

“Hello, welcome to the Sweet Roast Cafe,” her ex-source said. “What can I get you?”

“I—” she choked, realizing this was the last time she’d speak to him. She cleared her throat. “Sorry about that. Could I get…” She also realized this was the last of his drinks she’d taste. One last time. “Um, could I get a medium iced Equestriano with a bit of cream, please?”

His eyes widened just a bit. “O-of course,” he stammered.

She realized her mistake and nearly panicked. Why in Equestria had she ordered that?! He knew what her favorite drink was! She felt a flurry of emotions come over him. She watched him eye her for what felt like an eternity, waiting for the accusation. But it never came.

“That… That’ll be three bits please,” Fine Roast said after a short moment, his emotions calming.

Her relief was nearly palpable as she put the bits on the counter and added a fourth bit to the tip jar.

“Thank you, ma’am.” Fine Roast picked up a medium cup and a marker. “May I have a name for the order?”

“Of course.” She managed to keep her voice level. “It’s Orange Mint.”

He wrote her name on the cup and set it and the marker on the counter. “Thank you, Miss Mint. Your order will be ready shortly.”

She walked over to a table near the serving counter and waited for her drink. She couldn’t help but think how lucky she was that he didn’t call her out on her blunder. In fact, she had no idea how she’d gotten away with it. There were few ponies who ordered an Equestriano with cream and fewer still who ordered it iced.

“Roast! How are you doin’, buddy?”

She overheard a familiar gruff voice. It was one of Fine Roast’s stallion friends, Straight Angle.

“Hey, Angle, I’m doing as well as I can be,” Roast said in a surprisingly normal tone, considering what happened just the night before. “Would you like your usual?”

“You know it!” the light blue stallion replied as he looked around. Orange Mint quickly averted her eyes as he looked in her direction. “Hey, where’s the lady friend of yours?”

Mint’s ears perked up at the question. She wanted to know his answer to this as well.

“Oh, I’m afraid she’s out for the moment,” Roast began.

What? I’m out?

“She had a little family issue to deal with and had to leave last night,” the barista finished.

“Ah, that’s not great. Sorry about that,” Straight Angle said, sympathetically. “Any idea when she might be back?”

“I’m not quite sure,” Roast said, shrugging. “It had something to do with her mother, so she could be out a while. I’m hoping she’s not gone too long.”

“Mmm, me too, bud. Say, we should—”

Firefly stopped listening after that. How can he be so nonchalant?! Did I really mean that little to him? And why hasn’t he said anything about, well, me?

Her questions would remain unanswered, it seemed.

She pushed the questions aside and out of her mind. They ultimately wouldn’t matter after she’d gotten what she came for. She observed as Fine Roast made order after order and eventually filled hers.

“Miss Mint? Your order is ready.” Fine Roast set the cup down on the serving counter.

Orange Mint got out of her seat and stepped over to the counter, grabbing the coffee. “Thank you,” she said and headed over to a different table, closer to the doorway of the kitchen on the other side of the cafe.

She took a deep draw from her iced drink, waiting for the opportune moment when she would be unnoticed. Out of the corner of her eye, she observed her once-husband and ex-source. To and fro he went, taking and filling orders.

Eventually, there was enough of a lull in customers that he could make his way to clean tables. He started with the tables inside and then headed outside. Firefly saw her opportunity and pounced, placing her cup in the trash and slipping into the back.

Here we go. One last time, she thought as she crept up the stairs.

Her ears remained pointed behind her for signs that Roast might be headed back inside and in her direction. She only had a few scarce minutes.

At the top of the stairs Orange Mint turned left to the bedroom, pointedly ignoring the hallway pictures she herself had hung. Reaching the open door, she passed through and made a beeline for the closet. She furrowed her brow as all of her clothing was ruffled. Confused, she looked around at the rest of the bedroom.

Her writing stationary had been moved around as had her nightstand. Mission on hold, she walked over to the piece of furniture next to the bed and opened the drawer. All of Sweet Leaf’s things were still there, if shuffled a bit. Closing the drawer, she picked up a piece of amethyst off her nightstand. Sweet Leaf and Fine Roast’s initials surrounded by a heart were carved into it.

Roast had gotten it for her a couple years back for her as their first anniversary present. Her eyes threatened to tear up at the memories. He’d said it matched Sweet Leaf’s eyes. She held the gemstone to her chest and contemplated taking it with her. After a moment of deliberation, Orange Mint set it back on the nightstand.

This wasn’t hers anymore and being sentimental was a pony concept. Changelings couldn’t afford it, despite how much it seemed she was failing at keeping it out of her mind and heart. She took one final look at it and forced herself to get back to her goal.

She began walking over to the closet and froze midway. Hoofsteps downstairs in the kitchen. She cursed her stupid sentimentality. She had to be quick and quiet.

As silently as she could, she tiphoofed over to the closet and pushed aside the clothes and pulled back the floorboards. Her heart began to race and her head shot to the door as she heard hoofsteps coming up the stairs. She looked back at the open floor and her stomach sank like a rock.

The burlap sack was missing.

“H-how…” she whispered to herself. She knew she created three new crystals since Skirrax took her stock and she knew she left them right there!

Using her magic, she quickly put the floorboards back in place and straightened the dresses. With no time left, she turned to the door only to see the earth pony himself.

“Miss Orange?” Fine Roast started, a frown on his face. “Do you realize this is the private portion of the shop and in fact my bedroom?”

“Miss Orange?” Fine Roast repeated as he looked at the intruder of his bedroom.

“Oh, um, I-I’m sorry,” Orange Mint stammered, “I was looking for the restroom and I—”

“The restroom is downstairs, clearly marked.” He then nodded his head at the closet. “And I’m fairly certain you’re not going to find what you’re looking for in there.”

“Oh, my mistake. I just thought—”

“I mean that they’re not there,” he interjected.

“W-what?” she stuttered, caught off guard.

“The purple things. Eggs, crystals, whatever they are. And the bits,” he clarified. “They’re not there.”

Firefly nearly panicked. Those were her lifeblood. Without those her situation could look a lot more bleak.

Orange Mint took a step forward. “Where are they?” she asked harshly.

Roast ignored her question and stood in the doorway. “I was devastated when you left last night. I wasn’t sure what to do. After I… recovered—” she almost held back a wince “—I began to go through your things. I don’t know what I was looking for. Maybe just something to remember you by.

“Then I found them.”

“What… what did you do with them?” she asked, her heart sinking and mouth dry.

“They’re in my desk.”

Her face scrunched in confusion as she peered past him into the hallway. “In your desk?”

Roast moved out of the doorway and into the bedroom, pointing down the hall. “You can have them.”

This is too easy.

“This is a trap isn’t it? You want me to go on a wild chase to try to find them and then they’ll come in and—”

“Sweet Leaf,” he cut her off, “when have I ever done or considered doing something like that to anyone?”

She thought on it for a short moment. “Well, never.”

“Then why would I do that now?”

She stared for a moment, but couldn’t answer him.

“But before you take them, I’d like to make a request.”

She swallowed, expecting the worst. “What do you want?”

“I only want to talk,” he said, breaking eye contact and sitting down. “That’s all I wanted to do last night.”

“Oh,” she voiced quietly.

“But can you do something for me first?” He looked at her again.

“What?”

“Change to yourself. To your normal form.”

She contemplated it. Was it his curiosity, perhaps? Or was this a ruse? Did they just need proof? Something to get her to drop her guard and then the real guards would come and take her away.

Except he’d already said it wasn’t that.

“I can’t,” Orange Mint answered after a moment.

“Why not?”

“What about the shop downstairs? I can’t risk being found out by anypony else. I can barely believe I’m having this conversation with you.”

“It’s safe,” he said. Seeing her confusion he clarified, “I closed the cafe. Told them it was an emergency.”

“But—”

“I haven’t told anypony either,” he stopped her, raising a hoof. “Unless somepony else saw you, I’m the only one that knows.”

She didn’t know whether to believe him or not. Not once since she’d been ousted had he been overtly hostile. She wanted to believe he wouldn’t harm her. She could just walk out. It’s what she was trained to do. Except her training never covered how to handle your source when all of ponykind knew about changelings.

“Alright,” she conceded.

Taking a deep breath, she shed her form consciously for the first time in front of a pony. Green flames surrounded her body, leaving black carapace in place of orange fur.

For a moment he took her in, eyes trailing up and down her black carapace. She looked away, flushed as his eyes roamed her body.

“What did you want to say?” Firefly asked, her two-tone voice filling the room.

“I…” Fine Roast falsely began, seemingly startled. He continued after a moment, “What’s your name? Your changeling name.”

She debated in her head, looking at the floor away from him. Was there any harm in giving him her name? It’s not like he could do anything with it. “It’s… It’s Firefly.”

“Firefly,” he said quietly as if tasting the name. “Firefly. Don’t leave.”

“W-what?” she stuttered, her eyes widening.

“Don’t leave,” he repeated. “I don’t really understand who you are or what you are, but I know that I want my wife.”

“I’m not…” Firefly started, shaking her head. “Sweet Leaf isn’t real. I made her. She was a perfect mate, even tailored you could say. Sweet Leaf was the one that loved you.” She sat down, looking at Fine Roast. “She had to be. There was always the chance I could be discovered and would have to run.”

“But you don’t have to.”

“You’re right. It’s a little late for running.” She nodded somberly. “There’s a response to this kind of situation that they train us for. Technically, running was always a last resort. At this point I’m supposed to do anything I can to ensure that all witnesses of me cannot get word to anyone else about changelings.”

She could sense the spike of fear that ran through him. He was good at keeping it off his face. Trying to be brave.

She sighed. “This is the point where I’m supposed to disable you, put you in a cocoon, and send you off to the hive. I make up some story about how you’re visiting family or something and wait for some changelings from the hive to come replace us and move out of the spotlight, making Sweet Leaf and Fine Roast effectively disappear. A cleanup crew.”

Firefly let silence reign for a moment. This wasn’t in her orders though. It was both a relief and a spike in her heart. He wouldn’t have to be sent to the hive to have love stolen from his unconscious form. But she was still supposed to abandon him.

“But,” she continued, “that can’t happen either.”

“What—What do you mean?”

“It’s too late for that. Equestria’s already aware of us. Ponies are going to be suspicious of everything. If they replaced us, they’d be found out in less than a day. Transporting you in a cocoon would also be very hard to keep under cover.”

“So, that means—” he started, timidly.

“It means you’re safe. Nothing is going to happen to you.”

She could feel the relief flood him. She wished she could say the same.

“But I am no longer safe here.”

If she had been feeding off his relief, she may have gagged as it was immediately washed over with dread.

“But I’m the only one that knows!” he exclaimed, standing up. “We can keep you safe! No one else has to find out!”

“Roast!” she stood as well, meeting his cry. “You don’t even know who I am! You have no idea what I’ve done.”

“I know the only thing I need to right now,” Roast began with determination. “You’re my wife and I am going to stick by her side. Thick and thin.”

“Sweet Leaf is your wife,” Firefly emphasized for the second time, “and she isn’t real. I crafted her, fabricated her, specifically to be someone you would love. Her emotions, if you even want to call them that, are not mine.”

“If we’d met a month ago I’d believe that. Hay, even if it was six months ago.” Roast took a step toward her. “But four years? You mean to tell me that every time you felt sad, every time you felt lonely or scared or unsure, every time you cried, that you faked it?”

“That isn’t the point—”

“That is exactly the point, Firefly,” Roast interrupted, taking another step toward her. “I don’t believe you. And you’re right, I have no idea what you’ve done. I don’t know this other half of you—” he put his hoof up as she tried to interrupt “—and I fully believe that it is in fact another half of your whole. But I don’t believe you could truly be as bad as you want me to believe.”

She looked straight into his eyes. “I could still imprison you, damn the consequences,” she tried to threaten. “I could have you taken back to the hive, put up in a cocoon to have your love drained for the rest of your days.”

“Of course you could,” Roast said, matter-of-factly, taking another step to stand directly in front of her, “but you wouldn’t.”

“You’re an idiot,” Firefly chided softly. “Standing in front of a viper, trying to hide your fear. What makes you think I won’t bite?”

“I’m afraid because I believe you could. I’m standing here because I don’t believe you would. I don’t believe you and my wife are two separate creatures. The experiences we’ve had, the laughter, the sadness, the pain we’ve gone through together, I don’t believe you can be someone for four years and yet claim to be someone completely different underneath.”

She snorted. “Fine, believe what you want. Last night, you said you saw me changing. When was that?”

“Three years ago,” Roast replied, looking away as he recollected. “Just a couple months after we got married.”

“And you didn’t think to tell anyone?”

He shook his head. “It wasn’t that. I was scared at first. I thought everyone would think I was crazy. I went to the library when you were out and looked up anything I could find about a creature like you. I came up empty.”

“So you just let it slide.” Firefly stared at her source incredulously. “If I’d have known I’d married such a reckless stallion, I’d—”

“I wasn’t reckless,” he said quickly, interrupting her. “I watched you closely after that. I tried to find anything that was different, odd, wrong about you.” He paused for a moment. “I kept you in the corner of my eye. I observed your every move. I started imagining you doing… things. Sucking out my blood. Wrapping me in spider silk.

“But after a couple weeks I did notice a change in you.” He looked her in the eyes. “It was me.”

“You?” She tilted her head in confusion.

“For weeks I was paranoid. I was distant and cold to you. I hadn’t even realized and you started suffering for it. You were on edge, scared almost. You tried to get through to me just like you’d done since we’d been together and I pushed you away.

“I realized it was me who was wrong. You hadn’t done a thing differently than you’d done before. So after a lot of hard thought, I forced myself to push aside my worries and accept you for who you were. If you wanted to tell me what you were, you’d do it in your own time.”

“I think I remember that.” Firefly recalled the one time in their relationship when she had to consume some of her emergency love crystals. “There were these few weeks where there was no love at all from you. It was just bitterness, suspicion, and anger. I thought I’d been discovered, that the guard was going to jump out at any time and take me away. I almost called it quits.”

He looked away, embarrassed. “I’m sorry I put you through that.”

She smiled at him. “It was a long time ago. Whatever happened during that time, I’d already forgiven you. You don’t need to feel such shame and self resentment. It doesn’t go well with your love.”

“My love?” He met her eyes, head tilted in confusion. “What do you mean?”

“Us changelings, we’re emotivores. We can taste and consume other creatures’ emotions. I could feel your embarrassment and shame and now your surprise. That was one of the things I always loved about you. You’re never afraid to feel around me.”

He smiled, looking back at her. “I—”

Her smile dropped. “And now I can taste your usual flush of happiness and admiration you get whenever I, or rather Sweet Leaf, would compliment you. And now a little unease and fear, likely about me. About if I’m just manipulating you to feel what’s most beneficial to me. Am I wrong?”

“N-no, but—”

“Because that’s exactly what changelings do.” She looked him in the eyes, seriousness evident on her face. “We give you little nudges in the direction we want you to go, in the way we want you to feel. We push you and shape you and mold you into what we think will give us the best return. The best meal.”

She let him digest that for the first moment of silence they’d had since they started talking. She watched as he looked down at the floor between them, a wide range of emotions running through him.

She looked away.

Firefly wanted to believe that a fairytale could become true, that she and Roast could still live together. But Firefly was never a part of this house and now that Roast knew, there was no way they could go back to being Sweet Leaf and Fine Roast. Roast knew too much about her. His naivety and ignorance would soon run out, and he would see what changelings were truly capable of. Her own feelings couldn’t be taken into account here. The risk was too great.

“But isn’t that what everypony does?” Fine Roast said, looking back at her after a moment.

“What?” she asked, an eye ridge raised. “Manipulate others for their own gain?”

“Everyone does it,” he said again. “A friend compliments another to make them feel better about themselves. In return, over time the friends forge a deeper relationship because of it. Parents rear their foal to ensure they develop, shape, mold into what they think is the most beneficial to them and society.”

“But we’re different, we—”

“A society exists specifically to manipulate its fellow creatures into what is most beneficial to those around them.” He looked her in the eyes. “Despite your intentions, you’ve made me happier than I’d been before I met you. The times we shared, both good and bad, forged our relationship into what it is. I won’t believe the result is bad.”

“You are not wrong, Roast. Mostly. The only thing you’re forgetting is that once you’re of no use to us, we throw you away like spoiled fruit.”

Roast chuckled. “Oh? Is that so?”

“Yes,” she half growled, “did you not hear what I said about cocoons and putting you in them?!”

“I did, Firefly. But I have to ask, if that’s true then why are you still here?”

Firefly opened her mouth, but her voice caught in her throat.

“If you truly throw away your prey, then you should have left already. You shouldn’t have even given me the time of day when I said I wouldn’t stop you. Yet you’re still here.”

I am still here. He’s right. I’m just delaying the inevitable. I can’t live in this fantasy anymore.

“I don’t know…” she whispered.

“Do you want to know what I think?”

She couldn’t respond.

“At the risk of sounding conceited, I think you, Firefly, love me just as Sweet Leaf does.”

“You can’t know that. How do you know I’m not manipulating you still?”

“Several reasons. First, what do animals do when they’re cornered? They lash out. They don’t want to feel whatever pain they believe they are going to be subject to.”

“Good to know I’m just an animal to you…” she mumbled.

He rolled his eyes. “You know what I mean. But with all your lashing, you haven’t managed to hurt me. You could cocoon me, if only to make your escape. I’m sure you could even drain me of love, right here. But you haven’t done anything except talk.”

He waited for a response. After a moment of silence he continued.

“Second, what is it that you have to lose here? Convenience? Perhaps, but I think it’s something greater. It’s this relationship, it’s our friendship, it’s our love. If I truly believe you and Sweet Leaf are not separate beings, but rather one, then I know that you’ve experienced what it’s like to have a companion. A real companion, and losing that would hurt for anyone.”

“Is that all?”

“There’s one more. It’s simple, really.” Roast raised his hoof and put it on the hard carapace of her chest. “I still love you and you can feel that.”

“You don’t know what you’re asking.”

“I do know. I’m asking to be with my wife.”

“It couldn’t work. There are a lot of changelings who hate ponies.” Firefly was unable to meet Roast’s eyes. “There are many whose goal is to steal as much love as possible, even going as far as to suck them dry. There are even changelings who simply replace a pony so they can get love from both the cocooned pony and that pony’s special somepony.”

“And who are you?” he asked softly, setting his hoof back on the ground.

She couldn’t help but look him in the eyes. “I’ve done bad things,” Firefly whispered.

“Is Sweet Leaf back in your hive, being drained of love as you take mine?”

“N-no, I already said she isn’t.” She shook her head. “But I’ve helped capture ponies. I’ve helped put them in cocoons as they were brought to the hive, taken from their homes and families.”

“And why did you do that?” the stallion asked without malice.

“I…” she began, closing her eyes briefly. “Because we needed to. We were—we are starving. We don’t have enough food, not enough love. We never have.”

“Many would do a great deal of things if it meant they wouldn’t have to go hungry.”

The changeling furrowed her brow, looking at him. “You’re acting like the things we’ve—I’ve done are okay, like they’re not a problem.”

Roast shook his head. “That’s not it. Taking a mother or father away from their family is a horrible thing to do.”

Firefly snorted and looked away.

“But, if you had the choice now to tear a family apart or to try to find another way to get love, which would you choose?”

She barely had to think. “I’d search for someone like you who was wanting a companion and find a way to get close to them.”

Not just because the return of love is greater.

“See?” he stated. “This is why I trust you. I believe you did those things because someone in your hive told you to help.”

“Roast! This can’t work! It doesn’t matter why I did those things. One day I could get told to bring you to the hive or move out of Hoofington or something!”

He looked at her for a short moment before a smile grew on his face.

“What? This isn’t a joke, Roast.”

“It isn’t, but do you know what I didn’t hear from you? There was no ‘I don’t want to be here.’”

Firefly simply stared at him for a moment, thinking on her outburst. “This isn’t fair,” she said, sounding more like a pout than she’d intended.

“What isn’t fair? That you get to be happy? The real you, not just your mask? Sometimes life has a way of giving us a bunch of horseapples, but it also has a way of giving good things too.”

He raised his hoof to her warm chitin cheek.

“It gave me you.”

It took all of her willpower not to lean into his hoof. “You’re making this harder than it needs to be.”

Roast set his hoof back down. “I’m pretty sure that’s my line.”

“You don’t understand. It doesn’t matter what I want. The only way this can end is with one or both of us getting hurt. I’d rather… I’d rather that not be you.”

“That’s entirely possible, Firefly,” Roast said somberly, “but we made vows, vows I intend to keep. Through sickness and pain. For better or worse.”

“But you made those with Sweet—”

“I made those with you,” he said firmly, “My wife.”

“But… I-I can’t, we can’t…”

“I made them with you, Firefly,” Fine Roast said softly, gently. “I may not have known your real name at the time, but you’re the mare I’ve loved for the past four years. And before you start, it doesn’t matter right now what you’ve done in the past. We can only deal with one thing at a time and you being here—staying here—and being my wife is what’s important.”

Firefly stared at him for a moment, arguments flowing through her mind, but none seemed good enough to refute him.

“So please, Firefly.” Roast held out his hoof. “Would you please stay with me?”

She looked down at his hoof. She could feel it. He was honest and true about his feelings for her. This wasn’t something she’d expected in all her years. Prior to Fine Roast she wouldn’t even have considered it. To be loved and accepted, not as her role, but as herself.

Slowly, she raised her hoof above Roast’s own. She hesitated, knowing this was a decision she couldn’t go back on. It meant Roast would be hers, Firefly’s, and in return, she would be his. There would be so many troubles they’d have to face. The hive had never seen something like this before. She didn’t know what they would do if they found out.

As she looked him in the eyes she could feel his anxiety, his doubt, and his fear, but she could also feel his love, his happiness, his eagerness, and his want.

She made up her mind and set her holed hoof down onto his whole.

“Y-yes. Yes, I will.”

Roast immediately pulled her into a hug and she felt tears come to her eyes.

My husband. Truly mine.

“Firefly,” Roast managed. “I love you, Firefly. Always.”

Firefly sat at the kitchen table on the second floor of the Sweet Roast Cafe. Across the room, her husband was facing away from her, preparing a couple cups of coffee, one caramel mocha and one iced Equestriano with a dash of cream. She watched as he packed the portafilter, getting ready to brew the shots of espresso.

As Fine Roast turned on the espresso machine, he looked back at her and smiled. She returned her own smile in kind. This type of interaction wasn’t unusual to them, simply enjoying each other’s presence, but it was the first time they’d had it without her disguise.

Not an hour ago they’d been crying together. Him because he didn’t have to lose his wife and her because it was the first time since they’d been married that she’d felt she had a husband and lover. No more lies, no more deceit, no more forcing a rift between Firefly and Sweet Leaf’s emotions.

She had played with fire and it burned her disguise away. Instead of casting her out, he held her close and soothed her wounds.

She still felt it had to be a dream.

Fine Roast finished pouring the cream into her cup and brought both to join her at the table. He set her cup in front of her and sat to her right. Holding his own cup, he blew on the liquid and took a draw of his mocha.

“So,” Roast started lamely, once he'd swallowed his mouthful.

“So,” she repeated.

He sighed. “Where do we go from here? Do we just continue on like nothing happened?”

“I… I don’t think that’s possible.” Firefly looked down at her cold drink. “Not entirely anyway. I don’t know what’s going to happen over the next few weeks and months. I don’t know how bad it was for my hive. I haven’t heard anything from them.”

“Your hive…”

She looked down at her cup and took a deep breath. “Roast… I-I don’t want to abandon my hive. I won’t turn my back on them. They’re my, well, my family.” She closed her eyes, not wanting to see his response.

She felt a hoof take hold of her own. She opened her eyes and looked up at him. Instead of anger and scorn, she felt his love and comfort. She couldn’t help but give a shaky smile.

“Firefly…” Roast said softly, “I would never ask you to leave them.”

“Thank you.” She smiled for a moment, but dropped it as she continued. “But I don’t know what they’re going to ask me—tell me to do. I don’t know what I’d do if they told me to… to bring you.”

“I trust you.” He squeezed her hoof. “And I trust us. We’re going to have to lean on each other. I don’t know what ponies are going to do either. All I know right now is you’re mine and I won’t let them take you from me.”

She squeezed his hoof back. “Right. I won’t let them take you either,” she said with determination.

Silence reigned for a moment as they both pulled their hooves back and drank from their cups.

“Firefly?”

“Hm?”

“What about Bobby Pin?”

The mare furrowed her brow. She hadn’t thought of the timid changeling since the night before. “I… I don’t know. I honestly fear for her. She’s nearly brand new to all this. I don’t know how she’s going to make it.”

“What do you mean?” he asked, concern painting his face.

“When she came by, she asked if she could have some of my love. There wasn’t time and she left without any.” She realized she still hadn’t explained what he found in the closet. “Those ‘purple things,’ as you called them, are love crystals. Those in particular were my emergency rations, you could say, in case something went wrong.”

“Is there anything we can do for her?”

She couldn’t help but smile at his willingness. “Thank you for being you. But no, likely not. If she was smart and did what I said, she’d have left town last night. The only thing we can really focus on right now is ourselves.”

He merely nodded and looked back at his cup.

She wasn’t sure what would happen from here. How would Equestria react to the failed invasion? What would the hive do? How would her crystals—

Her eyes went wide.

“What is it?” Roast asked, voice tinged with concern.

“My crystals,” she said quietly. “I… I can’t tell them.”

“What? What about your crystals? Is something wrong with them?”

“No.” She shook her head and looked him in the eyes. “No, my crystals are, well, special.”

Roast tilted his head in confusion.

“A while ago,” she continued, “over a year now, my queen fed on one of my crystals. It turns out my love is different from other changelings’. It’s really dense and is more ‘nutritious’, I guess you could say.”

“Why’s that?” he asked, genuinely curious. “Do you, erm, collect differently than other changelings?”

She smiled at him. “I didn’t used to think so, until today that is.”

His eyebrows furrowed in further confusion as he looked at his coffee for answers. A moment passed and she answered for him.

“It’s you.”

He looked at her again.

“I mean, you love me. Changeling me, not my pony disguise.”

Recognition lit up in his face as he understood.

She rolled her eyes playfully at him. “Yeah, don’t let all that pride go to your head.” She smiled at him for a moment longer before taking a more serious expression.

“Since then the queen’s been wanting to know why. Hay, I’ve been wanting to know why.” Firefly shook her head. “Now that I know…”

“You’re afraid to tell them,” Roast finished for her.

“I can’t tell them,” she said firmly. “I have no idea what they would do. I can’t imagine the queen would be at all happy with me for falling in love with my source.”

“Source…” her husband began.

“It’s what we call the pony we gather love from.”

“Ah,” he ah’d. “I take it what we have isn’t common?”

Firefly snorted. “Common? This is unprecedented. As far as I know, no pony has ever loved a changeling. And...I’m not really sure a changeling has ever truly loved a pony either.”

“Well, I guess we better keep it under wraps then.”

“For both our sakes.”

A comfortable silence fell between them again and Firefly contemplated their future. As long as the hive didn’t ask her to bring him in, this could work. She was already a skilled actor, she just had a different role to play now, but this time it would be as a duet. She once fooled her love, now they would have to fool her hive too. No big deal, right?

“Hey.” Fine Roast broke her out of her reverie, putting his hoof on hers. “Whatever happens we’ll face it, together. We’re going to be okay.”

“Yeah.” Firefly breathed deep. “Yeah, I think we will.”