Ask the Swapped Ponies!

Round Seventeen: Upon Her Seventh Birthday

Spoilers Up To Chapter 21

Question 1:FanOfMostEverything Asks:

Dear Lyra:

How many languages do you speak, and where did you learn them?

LYRA

I’m proficient in four languages.  Bitalian, Prench, Neighponese, and the language you and I are speaking now.  I learned Bitalian and Prench during my teenage years, at school; the Neighponese is self-taught.  I keep myself fluent in the other languages by reading many foreign books, watching many foreign movies, and keeping a fair number of foreign friends.

Question 2: SpinelStride Asks:

Dear Princess Celestia,

Before Luna's return, who would have taken power if you'd for some reason been incapacitated?

PRINCESS CELESTIA

In case such a thing happened, power would’ve passed to my most trusted Grand Vizier; Sinister Serpent.  

She points a hoof over at a tall, thin, sly, devious, untrustworthy, snake of a pony.  He’s dressed all in villainous black, with a twisted mustache and beard.  Jafar in pony form.

But then Princess Celestia steps in front of her Grand Vizier, laughing.

PRINCESS CELESTIA

Ha ha ha!  I’m sorry, that was just a joke of mine.  In truth, the next-in-line for power would’ve been Princess Cadence.  In the event of my incapacitation or worse, Sinister Serpent would’ve automatically been demoted to a janitorial position at a military outpost we have at the heart of the South Pole.

Sinister Serpent glowers at the Princess of the Sun.  

Question 3: SpinelStride Asks:

Dear Discord,

If you'd engineered the Swap, which five individuals would have exchanged destinies?

DISCORD

Too fun!  Let me see... Princess Celestia would swap with Zecora, because I'd LOVE to see her rhyme and live by herself in the middle of the Everfree!  Then Zecora would swap with  Princess Cadence, because I’d love to see how she'd take to being put in charge of the Crystal Empire.  And then I’d swap Cadence into Rainbow Dash’s role... because I’d LOVE to see the look on Lero’s face, having the Princess of Love, herself, think he was the greatest thing alive with Y chromosomes!  Then I’d have Rainbow Dash swap into Princess Celestia’s role... just because I’d want to see whether or not our favorite masseur would run out to Canterlot and try to win the heart of Rainbow Dash the Sun Princess, the same way I’ve watched him enamor himself to Rainbow Dash the Animal Caretaker!

Unexpectedly, a soft, admiring smile winds up his face.

DISCORD

Because if he somehow managed that trick... in spite of all the astronomical odds against him, if he got hooked up to a Sun Princess... ooh-hoo-hoo!  Wouldn’t HE be set for life!  

Suddenly, a winged telephone flies up and rings in his ear.  He picks up the receiver.

DISCORD

(into phone)

What’s that?  You say that that’s FOUR individuals, not five?  Okay, okay... hmm... then how about this: me and Shining Armor swap with each other?  One, because I think I’d make a GREAT ruler, Two, because I actually think Zecora's kind of cute!  Three, because the idea of being Swapped appeals to my chaotic side!  And Four... because I think Shining Armor has all the makings of a great Chaos God!  

Then he hears a response from the phone.

DISCORD

What’s that?  “Now it’s SIX instead of five?”  Well, you’re just never happy, are you?!

And he hangs up in a huff.

Question 4: Zer0prototype Asks:

Dear Lyra:

What was Old Lyra like?

LYRA


“Old Lyra” was a stupid, angry punk whose life was going nowhere.  Wasting her talents, wasting what money she had... just wasting away in general.  Especially spiritually.  

Lyra picks up her harp and begins to play a harsh tune in a minor key, speaking over the sound of her music.  

LYRA

Old Lyra was a rebel without a cause, who set herself against the whole wide world.  She was short-tempered, thin-skinned, and always spoiling for a fight.  In bars constantly, in jail constantly, in fights constantly, in bad relationships constantly.  Hurting others and getting hurt.  Constantly.

Her music switches to a sweet, tranquil-sounding tune in a major key.

LYRA


But then eventually came a day where she realized what the real problem was.  It wasn’t the world.  It wasn’t society.  It wasn’t ‘The Establishment.‘  It was HERSELF.  That was when things first began to change.

She stops playing, setting down her harp altogether.

LYRA

There’s a part of me that’ll always miss being her.

Question 5: SpinelStride Asks:

Dear Rainbow Dash's Soul Hidden Inside Rarity,

So is it giving you a new perspective, riding along while Rarity happily goes at it with Twilight and Lyra? Both as a new experience for a bent pony, and as a pegasus getting to be on the inside of a unicorn's carnal techniques?

Rainbow Dash is flying through the air, late at night.  

INNER RAINBOW DASH

You bet your dock it’s given me new perspective!   Now, don’t get me wrong.  I’m sorry to say, there’s a speed junkie part of me that’ll ALWAYS be sore that I’ll never be able to join the Wonderbolts, as a unicorn.  That I’ll never be able to feel the air catch in my feathers.  

Landing on the sands of her beach, she climbs into a hammock.  Tiki torches, nearby, provide light.  

INNER RAINBOW DASH

But you want to know something?  Unicorn magic plus straightness make for a pretty SWEET consolation prize!  I mean, even outside the bedroom, it’s awesome for us to be able to summon clouds and shoot fire!  Not to mention, we at least have a way of being able to fly.  But INSIDE the bedroom... oh, ho, ho!  We love being able to use the empathy spell on Twilight just like Twilight always did on us... Lyra and Lero, too!  And telekinesis is just a joy... endless possibilities!  

She lifts a coconut shell up to her lips and drinks an icy-cold tropical cocktail out of it through a drinking straw.

INNER RAINBOW DASH

But now let’s talk about the straightness.  When you’re a bent mare, you’re always a little bit looked down upon and pitied for favoring one gender but not the other.  And while we usually like to stand out from the crowd, it feel so good, so NORMAL to walk down the street, spot another mare and feel a brief flutter of attraction.  

Then suddenly her face goes hard.

INNER RAINBOW DASH

Not that we’d EVER act on it!  Not with a stranger!  Not with anypony outside our herd, never ever, ever, ever, ever!  

Then she turns emotional eyes upwards toward the heavens.  The stars all form constellations of Lero, Lyra, and Twilight Sparkle.  

INNER RAINBOW DASH

Lero... Lyra... Twilight... they all came to accept us for what we’ve become.  No, not just accept... they’ve come to love us and fully embrace us in every way!  I thought Lero... I was prepared for Lero to never... never again... but he DID, and...

She swallows, wiping a happy tear from her eyes.

INNER RAINBOW DASH

We love them all with all our heart, and we’ll stay loyal and true to them forever.

Then she looks back towards the readers, swaying back and forth gently on her hammock.  

INNER RAINBOW DASH

Though, for the immediate time being, we intend to make good use of our straightness by paying special attention to Lyra, (but don’t think for a second we’re forgetting Twilight or Lero!)   She’s been so patient and kind and understanding about my old bent pegasus self... now that’s she’s come to love us, I want to pay her back for all her goodness.  Especially over the next week or two.    

Question 6: SpinelStride Asks:

Dear Whatever Part Of Rarity Was Awake Enough To Defend Her Fashionista Honor When Lero Pretended To Talk About Dreams A While Back,

So just how are you taking the change in your relationship with Twilight, too? You've been friends, and now she knows you're amazing in the sack. Even if you don't join the herd, think you might try to (openly and above-board, of course) have some friends-with-benefits followups with Twilight and/or Lyra after the Swap ends, even if your restored self is once again not into humans?

Rarity lays on her, way late at night.  Lero, Twilight, and Lyra are all in bed with her.  Suddenly, her eyes snap open.  We will be referring to her as ‘INNER RARITY.’  She glances around at everything; her own body, the room, the others sleeping next to her...

INNER RARITY

(shaky, amazed voice)

I... I did it!  

She clambers out of bed and heads into the bathroom, staring at herself in the mirror.   It should definitely be noted that she is a BLANK FLANK.  

INNER RARITY

I can’t believe it worked!  I saved up my strength... I fought my way through... and I’m back again...  AAHH!!!

She gives a sharp cry of pain as her Rainbow Mark slowly fades back into being.

INNER RARITY

No!  NO!

She races out the bedroom.  The noise of her hooves on the floor rouses Lero from sleep.

Now, Rarity’s in the kitchen, throwing open the refrigerator.

INNER RARITY

Gotta stay awake... can’t let myself get dragged back down!  Would caffeine help?!

She pulls out a can of soda.  For a second, she grimaces in distaste at the carbonated drink, then chugs it down.  

INNER RARITY

No good, no effect whatsoever!

Then, on the kitchen table, she spots some of Twilight’s research books.   Desperately, she tries flipping through the pages.

INNER RARITY

Ungghh... I don’t even know where to begin to look!  

LERO

Rarity?

Rarity looks towards the door, where Lero stands.  The human gapes at the Rainbow Mark, which is faded, but coming in stronger.  

INNER RARITY

Lero!  Help me!

He runs over to their side.

LERO

Of course!  Of course I’m going to help you!  What’s wrong?!

INNER RARITY

The clouds!  All the clouds shooting their rainbow-colored lightning bolts... I was able to push through them, but now they’re chasing after me, Lero, they’re closing in on me!  They’ll corral me back to the deepest portents of my own mind...

Not knowing what else to do, Lero throws his arms around the white unicorn.

LERO

It’s okay, Rarity!  I’m here!  Just be strong, we can get through this!

INNER RARITY

Oh, Lero, so much has happened, and there’s so much I have to say about the time I’ve spent being part of this herd... and the way I really feel about y....

Her body collapses but Lero already has his arms around the unicorn, preventing a bad fall.  He watches her flank; the Rainbow Mark returns completely.  Rarity’s head lifts.

RARITY

(her Swapped self again)

Oh!  Oh, my!  What has happened?  It’s late, isn’t it?  

LERO

Do you... remember anything, Rarity?

RARITY

(blinks)

It’s very fuzzy.  I remember getting up from bed and looking at myself in the mirror.  I remember going downstairs and drinking a soda, then skimming through some books, and then saying some things to you, though I can’t remember what.

She looks behind her.  The fridge’s door is still opened, and an empty soda can rolls on the floor.

RARITY

Oh my stars... it really happened, didn’t it?  So am I a sleepwalker then?  

LERO

I don’t know.

RARITY

Well, I ought to schedule an appointment with a doctor and have myself looked at.  In the meantime, I ought to get to bed.  There’s heavy winds scheduled early tomorrow.

She kisses Lero’s lips.

RARITY

Sorry for worrying you, my sweet prince.

And she trots away, returning back to bed.  

Question 7: FanOfMostEverything Asks:

Dear Twilight,

What are your thoughts on the "mind beach"?

TWILIGHT SPARKLE

Well, it’s given me much food for thought, to be sure!  The scholar in me is fascinated!

She pulls over a blackboard.  We see that Twilight has several sticks of colored chalk with her; and she proceeds to draw.

TWILIGHT SPARKLE

Now, on one hoof, I don’t pretend to have enough knowledge of a soul’s inner works to adequately map out a soul, the way neurosurgeons can map out a physical brain.  So bear with me for this simplistic representation.  

She finishes drawing quickly.  The finished outline has a slightly-disquieting resemblance to a diagram of the human urinary system:

At the top-left of the blackboard floats a blue-colored ‘kidney’ which Twilight has labeled: RAINBOW DASH.  

At the top-right of the blackboard floats a white-colored ‘kidney’ which Twilight has labeled: RARITY.

At the bottom-center of the blackboard is a blueish-white ‘bladder’ which Twilight has labeled: SWAPPED RARITY.

Connecting the ‘bladder’ to both ‘kidneys’ are two... uh... ‘ureters.‘  A blue one connects the bladder to the Rainbow Dash kidney while a white one leads to the Rarity kidney.

Twilight points a stick at the blueish-white bladder.  

TWILIGHT SPARKLE

Now, as we all already know, that the soul of “Swapped Rarity,” “Rarity The Weathermare,” however you wish to refer to her, is a composite of both Rainbow Dash’s and Rarity’s souls.  But now I learn that’s NOT the whole story!

Twilight’s stick moves to the Rainbow Dash kidney.

TWILIGHT SPARKLE

Somewhere, floating in the depths of my Swapped herdmate’s psyche, there exists a part which is pure, unalloyed, unadulterated RAINBOW DASH.  Who apparently dwells upon a metaphysical beach... and alternates between referring to herself in the first person plural and first person singular.

She then points her stick at the Rarity kidney.

TWILIGHT SPARKLE

I could be wrong, but it is my belief that in some OTHER part of her psyche, there must also exist a pure portion of RARITY.  Rarity the Fashionista.

Twilight then points at both ureters, trailing down into where they open up in the bladder.

TWILIGHT SPARKLE

My working theory is that both the Rarity half and the Dash half are constantly channeling their personalities into this... ‘mixing-zone,’ where they are blended together in a sort of soul emulsion, creating the persona of ‘Swapped Rarity!’

She beams, very proud of herself.

TWILIGHT SPARKLE

Now,  while the scholar of me is fascinated, the inquirer in me is overflowing with questions.  Like... why a beach?  As much as Rainbow Dash loved flying around the great outdoors, I don’t remember her having a special fondness for beaches.  Are they ALL living in beaches?  Or does it vary?  Like... a castle for Rarity, a mountaintop for Applejack, a desert for Fluttershy, a swamp for Pinkie Pie...?  

She shakes her head.

TWILIGHT SPARKLE

And how self-aware is Rainbow Dash?  Does she know she’s swapped...?  Is she comfortable in that existence?  Does she feel any resentment towards Rarity?

(softer)

Or me, for that matter?

(normal voice)

To what extent is she aware of the outside world?  Does she even miss the other half of her original soul?  How does she interact with the ‘Rarity’ half, if at all?  Does she ever get lonely on that beach, or feel trapped?  Does she eat well?  Like... I don’t know, are there metaphysical coconut trees on that metaphysical beach to provide her sustenance?  

She shrugs her shoulder.

TWILIGHT SPARKLE

Finally, there’s the herd-sister in me.  That part of me, well, I’ll put it this way.  From now on, whenever I make love to Rarity, I’m going to make sure she casts the empathy spell on me, every time.  In the hopes that one day, it might go wrong in just the right way.  Then I, too, can stand on that beach and see Rainbow Dash... my dear pegasus.  See love in her eyes for me again.  And then I can spend one precious, priceless minute, hugging her, and feeling her hug me back with her wings, and we can tell each other how much we love each other.

Question 8: Warpd Asks:

Dear Mike,

So how many times has Celestia given this incomplete spell to be completed?

Mike Teavee pulls clothes out of his dryer and begins to fold them.

MIKE TEAVEE

I’ll put it this way: when Twilight Sparkle tried the spell, it was the SECOND time in recorded history that it was ever cast.   The first time was done by Starswirl... and at the time, the poor guy was ignorant of the fact that it WAS incomplete.  So then... why Twilight Sparkle?  Why assign HER and not the hundreds of scholars and students that preceded her from Sunset Shimmer on down?

Then Mike takes the wet clothes out of his washing machine and puts them in his dryer.

MIKE TEAVEE

Two reasons.  First, between Nightmare Moon, Discord, Queen Chrysalis and King Sombra... not to mention the deep bonds of friendship she’d formed with her fellow Element Bearers, Twilight Sparkle distinguished herself with honors.  The other... (and perhaps MORE important reason) was Discord.  While Princess Celestia DID have other accomplished and truehearted students in the past... the one thing she DIDN’T have, until now, was Discord as an ally.

Finally, Mike adds a load of towels into his washing machine.

MIKE TEAVEE

For all the misery Twilight Sparkle and her herd have had to suffer through the course of this story... it would’ve gone a THOUSAND times worse, if not for the Bewitchment which Discord provided.  This is why Celestia bided her time until now.  

Mike pours in a small bit of laundry detergent and activates the washing machine.  

Question 9: Warpd Asks:

Dear Rarity:

So how did it go when you and Lero first hit upon the idea of having a herd?

Rarity turns the faucet on her bathtub.  

RARITY

Oh, it went well!  From the moment he accepted my rose, it was clear that both of us intended to share a lifelong commitment to one another.  But of course, then came the dilemma of his monogamous upbringing versus my polygamous one.  

While the bathtub is still filling, Rarity pours in some liquid soap, so the bathwater gets all bubbly.  

RARITY

But in the end, Lero was a gracious gentlestallion.  He left the decision of whether we’d go beyond a herd of two up to me.  He said, “If you’d prefer to share, if herds are the cultural norm here, I can change.”  Such sweetness.  Such trust...

The bathtub’s full.  She shuts the water off and climbs inside.  

RARITY

Of course, you all know what I picked.  What can I say?  There are some ponies who love to spit in the face of tradition, especially when it comes to love.  Not me though!   I’m a strict traditionalist, and a diehard devotee of the storybook romance.  A group of mares, as much in love with each other as the stallion they all share and protect!  There couldn’t be a finer family unit!  

WARPD

When he accepted who was the first you had in mind?

RARITY

Twilight Sparkle.  Absolutely no question.  She’s always been so lovable.  How absolutely lucky I was that she was as interested in me as I was in her!  

WARPD

So how was your first heat with Lero as your boyfriend, before and after Twilight told you about the chromosome differences.

RARITY

Wait, wait... what?  That never happened!  Twilight never needed to tell me that there’s a chromosome difference between Lero and myself!  That was blindingly obvious!  After all, I learned all about chromosomes back as a schoolgirl!  

She starts to laugh.

RARITY

I mean, what kind of uneducated rube would you have to be to look between an ungulate like myself and a primate like Lero and wonder: same number of chromosomes?!  Ah ha ha ha!  

She dunks her head into the soapy water, and resurfaces, wet-maned.  

RARITY

Regardless, my first heat with Lero was MAGICAL.

Question 10: Ghrathryn Asks:

Dear Honeydew:

You know, Honeydew, I'm curious, you've got a family that has most of  the common pony types (earth and air) yet you're more bigoted against non-ponies than most anyone else.

Honeydew squints.  

HONEYDEW

I feel like there’s some great irony or contradiction you’re attempting to point out.  But of course, you’re just a dumb monkey, so I couldn’t understand your completely dumb monkey gibberish.  

GHRATHRYN

What is it about humans and dragons in particular that rubs your fur the wrong way?

HONEYDEW

Well, as far as that dragon-servant goes... nothing!  Nothing whatsoever!  Oh, except for the minor matter that he’ll grow up to be a HUGE FIRE-BREATHING TOWN-DESTROYING MONSTER!!!   It’s already happened once!  The monster revealed his true nature on his birthday, one time!  Oh, Princess Celestia’s ‘official reports’ say it was some other dragon... but I know the truth!  I know that coloration of those scales!  That thing needs to be put down!  

She walks over, pulling a book from her library.  

HONEYDEW

As for the human... well, let’s just say I’ve never been a fan of interspecies relationships to begin with.  But monkeys are just nasty, FILTHY creatures, through and through!   I’ve been called an ignorant bigot, but I actually READ UP on these things!

She shows the cover of the book she’s pulled out:  PRIMATES: THE SCUM OF THE JUNGLE.  

HONEYDEW

And the fact that he’s sentient or sapient... or whatever the term is... that changes nothing!  Imagine a sentient alien came to your world, except this alien had evolved from DUNG BEETLES!   Does the idea of a manure-muncher getting jiggy with your females fill your heart with love and acceptance?  Do you feel respect for the girl who gave herself to the manure-muncher?  I didn’t THINK so!

GHRATHRYN

I'm also curious as to how you'd react if you ended up with a thestrel in the family...

HONEYDEW

Oooh, a thestral would actually be COOL!

GHRATHRYN

...or worse a changeling...

HONEYDEW

A changeling?  Ha!  Good thing I’m a martial artist!  If I discovered a member of my family was a changeling, I’d take great pride in trampling the parasitic identity thief to death under my own hooves!   Vampiric emotion eaters... the Mayor would give me a medal for my bravery!

GHRATHRYN

...or a lothryn (the horse/wolf equivalent on Harrenthias. Big four-footed reptile like creatures with warm blood and a tendency to bond with either their pack or the Franthryn that raises them)...

Honeydew quirks her head at Ghrathryn.  

HONEYDEW

Are you... suffering from some kind of severe science fiction obsession?  Or is this just flat-out dementia?  Because last I checked, I live in Equestria, not this ‘Harrenthias’ place.  Either way, I now find you twenty times more repulsive to be around.

GHRATHRYN

Would you treat them as badly as you do Lero and Spike or would you see them as family?

HONEYDEW

Well, the ‘lothryn’ thing you describe, I’d probably cage it and charge money for ponies to gawk at it!

GHRATHRYN

Actually the last goes for your sisters as well.

HONEYDEW

(coldly)

I’m not interested in discussing my sisters.

GHRATHRYN

I'm also curious as to whether you've ever thought about what it would be like to be the one female of your kind on a completely different world? Say you three, separately, end up on one version or another of Earth where you're the only talking pony in a good few hundred miles and while many are able to look at you as at least 'intelligent' but there's one family that picks on you because you're different and you're not able to do much against them for fear of getting hurt or killed (yes I know humans are physically weaker, but we have plenty of choices of tool or weapon, some of which can kill beyond normal line of sight).

Honeydew barks out laughter.

HONEYDEW

Ha!  Trying to play that tired old ‘what-if-his-horseshoe-was-on-your-hoof’ card, huh?  Not gonna fly with me!  I’ve read up on bonobos, and I guarantee you, that’s what the bearded biped  is at heart: a bonobo!  A sex fiend!  I’d sooner DIE -- I’d sooner drown myself, or run into the forest and get eaten by a wild animal, than have to live amongst a whole PLANET dominated by bonobos!  Owing my life to them, dependent on their mercy as all of them -- young, old, male and female -- bump and grind their filthy monkey bodies on me, day and night!

She thinks a bit.

HONEYDEW

Though come to think of it, I’m pretty sure that if you asked Honeybee, she MIGHT cooperate with the apes.  She’s a survivalist.  Honeysuckle... could go either way with her.  

Question 11: BadWolf9510 States:

Chun an Ridire,

Chaos den sórt sin i do theach, ridire daor! Ní mór tighearna choinneáil ar a chuid seirbhíseach i sheiceáil. Ach ní raibh mé ag teacht chun labhairt ar nithe den sórt sin. Is é an ghealach nua buailte linn. Tar go dtí an bhforaois.

Ní mór dúinn freastal anois, ridire.

Lero enters the clearing in front of the tree. The area seems more... alive? There is energy here. It is alien but so very familiar to him.  The fairy ring which Lero created the last time he was here pulses with power: rock and flower alike.  

A voice calls out. It is everywhere but no where. It is a single mouth that speaks but carries a cacaphony of a choir with it, terrible but harmonious at the same time.

HER LADYSHIP’S MESSENGER

(just a voice)

So you came, knight.  To be honest, we weren't sure if you would show at all.  But then again, you mortals were always soft-hearted.

LERO

At least I have a heart!  I left Her Ladyship's service before mine turned as cold and ashen as hers.  Speaking of which, how fares the goodly Lady?

HER LADYSHIP’S MESSENGER

Well enough. Her wrath scoured much of the realm after you disappeared. Your betrayal left a sour taste in her mouth, and many a servant scourged in the search to find you.  But she is willing to put it behind her.  You were her favorite, after all, an it does break her poor heart to see your plight.

LERO

(smiles)

In spite of everything, there still remains a small soft spot in my heart for her.  

(turns serious)  

Now… to business.  I understand that I *will* definitely be having a daughter?  My own seed, planted within my future wives?

HER LADYSHIP’S MESSENGER

The oracles looked into their still waters and it is true.  The warrior shall bear your first and the scholar shall bare the second.  It will be difficult for them both... but you *will* be a father in these lands.

LERO

(aside, to himself)  

She'll do it… Twilight will actually figure out how... oh my dear girls… and Rarity…

(refocuses himself, addresses the Messenger)  

This is… good news.  And I further understand that, in exchange for the Cure which my scholar seeks… I am to supply you with this child of mine?  Is this correct?

HER LADYSHIP’S MESSENGER

Yes. The lady shall require a child from your family, one that can serve her.  Additionally, the Lady will leave you and your herd in peace. She will no longer pursue you.

Lero licks his lips.  

LERO

May I humbly suggest a slight… renegotiation?  In place of my future daughter, what if I were to offer Her Ladyship a prize she would surely find to be of equal, nay, GREATER value?

The Messenger gives a slight chuckle.

HER LADYSHIP’S MESSENGER

And what would that be? What could you offer her?

Lero kneels in a knightly way.

LERO

Myself.  My sword and my fealty would be hers once more.  I would be her Knight once more.  Instead of surrendering my daughter to Her Ladyship upon her seventh birthday, as originally promised… I offer myself, on the same day.  Messenger, I humbly beseech you ask your Lady if my offer meets with her favor.

Lero becomes aware that he is no longer alone in the grove. He looks up and sees a new being in front of him.

The creature is a head taller than him, thinly built, but with signs of wiry muscle beneath yellowed skin.  He is bare chested but covered in tattoos that ripple and shift before him.

The creature has no eyes.  His head is bare of any hair, instead sporting a pair of brown horns to swoop back then upwards.  A pair of black wings spread out from behind him.

When he speaks, a set of sharp teeth is revealed behind his cracked lips.

HER LADYSHIP’S MESSENGER

You would do this thing? Give up your freedom for the sake of a child that does not yet exist?

LERO

I would be naught but the most craven of cowards to do otherwise.

The Messenger’s  wings flare upwards and eight golden eyes open along them. They all focus on Lero.

HER LADYSHIP’S MESSENGER

...ha... ha ha ha! HAHAHAHA!!  Just when I think I have you mortals finally understood, you continue to amaze me!

Lero merely glares coldly at the messenger.

HER LADYSHIP’S MESSENGER

Very well, knight. I shall deliver your terms to the Lady.  But know this: if you agree to this, there shall be no going back. You are bound by your word and Wyrd in this bargain.  Should you break your oath... every one of the Courts shall hunt you and your kin.  It will be war that likes this world have never known.

LERO

I understand.  I eagerly await Her Ladyship's response.  

HER LADYSHIP’S MESSENGER

As do I, knight.

With a mocking bow, the Messenger steps backward into the fairy ring, disappearing.