Gel blearily opens her eyes, still half-asleep. Can't go back to sleep. Morning drills are a must. She rolls off her bed and approaches the door to her room.

Or, rather, where she thought it was. She walks into her closet door, eliciting a small yelp of shock. She backs up and looks around, confused. ...where am I? Oh, right, journal. Duh. She grumbles quietly, heading over to her bed and pulling a black journal from under her pillow. She flips through it, frowning softly. ...so I'm living here? That's interesting.

She puts on a fluffy blue robe and leaves her room, carefully walking down the stairs with her journal in magical tow. She enters the kitchen, getting herself a glass of apple juice and sitting at the table. She sips her beverage as she reads, smiling softly at the entries.

A short time later, the sound of a high pitched alarm clock can be heard from upstairs, followed by a thump and hoofsteps. Rhino slowly makes his way downstairs, his eyes half open and his mane going every direction. He walks past the mare in the kitchen and to the fridge, rustling around in it a moment before coming out with a gallon of milk. He pours himself a glass and takes one sip before he notices the other pony in the room. A moment passes as he stares at her before speaking. "...Good morning..."

She giggles, shaking her head. "Good morning..." She glances down at her book before looking back up to him once more. "...Rhino. Sleep well?"

He grunts an affirmative as he takes another drink. He rolls his eyes around in his head as he starts to properly wake up. It finally occurs to him exactly what he is seeing. "Nice robe."

She stands and does a little twirl, smiling playfully. "Thanks! I had somepony make it in Manehattan!" Need to make a note of that aspect of my disguise. She picks up a pencil and scribbles a note in the journal, nodding satisfactorily. She turns back to him and sits down, tilting her head a bit. "...Just how awake are you, Mister Rhino?"

He stiffles a yawn. "Enough to know I'd rather not be. It just takes me a bit, I'll slowly get more coherent."

She thinks for a bit, thinking about how, in her training, she was told most ponies were truthful when tired. And loopy at times, but that's besides the point. Gel swishes her drink about, trying to figure out the best way to phrase her thought. "...So...would you wake up easier...if I said there's a changeling behind you?"

He shrugs as he takes another drink. "Adrenaline at the prospect of stranger in my house would probably do the trick. Beyond that, it would be a very interesting morning."

She blinks at this, a small frown on her lips. ...I have no idea how to take that. Will have to ask him at another time. She shakes her head, returning her attention to her book. "...Well...what if your marefriend walked in...w-wearing only a see-through nightie?" She can't help but blush brightly at her own question, embarrassed it even pass over her lips.

The stallion hums in thought. "I would assume that would definitely wake me up. Never having it actually happen makes it hard to judge though." He takes another sip before he shakes his head and looks at her curiously. "You certainly are one for hypotheticals this morning. Is that what the book is for?"

"What book?" She glances at her journal. Her expression is blank for a few moments before it hits her. Gel squeaks, her face lighting up like a firefly. "N-no! I-it's my memory journal!" She holds it close to her chest, almost appearing to shrink in on herself. "...I-I just...l-like asking questions..."

"Well, since I answered a few of yours, how about you answer some of mine. What's a memory journal?" He turns to the fridge before looking back at her over his shoulder. "Also, do you want breakfast?"

The disguised changeling gulps softly, looking down at her little black book. "...W-well...every night, before I go to sleep...I-I write down the events of the day..." She sheepishly smiles, her ears flattening against her head. "...I-I have some...m-memory issues..."

Rhino averts his gaze. "Oh... well, if it's a sensitive subject, I'll drop it."

"...T-thank you..." She gently sips her juice, inwardly sighing in relief. Thank goodness. I don't think I could explain it, even if I wanted to. She glances out a window before turning back to him. "...as for breakfast...I-I already have all I want..." She swishes her drink a bit, smiling softly.

"Alright then." The stallion whips up a light toast breakfast. As he sits down to eat it, he keeps glancing back to Gel, but turns back to his food soon after.

She finishes her drink and puts the glass down, looking expectantly at him. "...May I help you with something, Mister Rhino?" She smiles softly, trying to diffuse any tension that might be in the air.

He twitches slightly at being called 'Mister'. "Well, first of all, please don't call me Mister. It's not my title, and I feel it's too formal for housemates. Just Rhino is fine. As for helping me with something..." He looks away as he clears his throat. "It's nothing really, I'm just not used to having company for breakfast... so I'm afraid I'm a bit prone to awkward silences." He sheepishly chuckles.

Gel blinks at this, surprised. "...Oh...um..." She rubs the back of her neck. Come on! You can think of something to break this silence! "...so...h-how did you do that thing yesterday?" She pulls up her book, briefly skimming the page. "...w-where you glided across the ground?" ...is that seriously the best I can do?

"You want the short and sweet answer, the long-winded explanation, or the cop-out excuse?" He says this with a completely straight face.

She stares blankly for a few moments. "...I don't have to go to work until noon...so the answer I'll probably understand the best...t-that's not the cop-out answer, please?" She sheepishly smiles at him. If the cop-out answer is "magic", I will scream.

He leans backwards as he puts his hooves behind his head. "Well, without going into too much detail: It's a spell I designed to manipulate surface tension. I just reduce it enough to where it's like gliding on air." He pauses a moment. "Just to let you know though, the cop-out excuse was going to be 'magic'. Still true, but not helpful at all."

Her eye twitches slightly. "...Please excuse me, Rhino." She stands up and marches out of the kitchen. Entering the den, she grabs a pillow and, placing it over her face, screams until she runs out of breath. She pulls it away, panting quietly. "...T-there...I feel better now..." She glances around, confused. "...Hey...where's my memory journal?"

Rhino was curious as to why the mare had left the room, but soon shrugs it off and stands up from the table. As he does so, he notices her memory journal sitting on the table, open to the latest page. He walks over to it and grabs it in his aura. "Oh, I guess she forgot it." He snaps it shut and levitates it next to him as he puts his dishes in the sink and walks out after her. "Angel? You forgot your book."

Gel blushes brightly, taking her book back. "...T-thank you...and..." She giggles, smiling softly. "...thank you for not reading it..." There's no way anyone could read that fast. My secret's safe...for now, at least. She sits down on the couch, pulling out a separate leaf of paper, carefully reading it once more.

He tilts his head in curiosity at the new paper, but decides not to ask. He heads upstairs and starts to get ready for work.

She nods quietly to herself before putting the page back in the book. She looks into the distance, getting lost in her thoughts. Before I go to work, I should at least check on one of the Elements. Don't know who, yet, but I'm certain that I'll know them when I see them. She bites her lip, her brow furrowing slightly. ...I also need to find a source of food...lust is fine for sustaining, but... She shakes her head, clearing her thoughts. Don't think about it. Just...don't.

Rhino comes down after about fifteen minutes, looking much better than before. His mane is combed, his fur is fluffy, and he seems ready to take on the day. His saddlebags levitate over and plop down on his back as he looks to the still robe-clad mare. "I'm going to head to work now. You can use the spare key on top of the fridge as your personal one. Anything you wanted to say or ask before I leave?"

She stares at him, a large blush on her face. "...S-sorry...c-could you please repeat the question?" She averts her eyes, embarrassed. Too close. I need to stay focused!

He repeats himself, making sure his words are understandable. "Is there anything you wanted to say or ask before I leave?"

"...N-not really...w-well, there is one thing I wanted to ask..." She turns to him, sheepishly smiling. "...D-do you know where the library is, Rhino?" Might as well have something to entertain myself when I can't look for the Elements.

He nods, pointing at the door. "Just turn right and head down the street, in about 10 minutes, look for the huge tree with doors and windows smack in the middle of town. You can't miss it." He turns back to her. "Oh umm, also I have a favor to ask, please respect my privacy and stay out of my room, okay? Nothing personal, I just like my private space."

Gel nods, slightly disappointed. Darn it. I guess I can't go in. Sometimes it sucks to be a nymph of my word. "Don't worry, Rhino. I won't go in your room." She stands up and moves over to him, giving him a one-legged hug. "...you have a good day...okay?"

He once again freezes at the contact. The recovery is quicker this time though, after which he awkwardly pats her on the back. "Erm... you too..." He has a small blush as he pulls away and walks out the front door.

She sits down on the couch once more, smiling brightly. This is perfect! I think he's starting to warm up to me! She stays there for a moment in silence before she bows her head, groaning softly. "...who am I kidding...I just made him feel awkward around me..."

"Hey, that's no reason to be sad. You just need to keep trying. He's probably still getting used to you."

Gel shrieks, clutching her robe closer to her body and staring at the pony that suddenly appeared next to her. "W-what are you...h-how are you...w-when did you..." She gulps quietly, holding a shaky hoof out to the pony. She pokes her gently, quickly pulling her hoof back as the mare giggles in response. Nope, not dreaming. Nor am I crazy...at least, I don't think I am. Best to greet her, I guess? "...um...h-hi?"

The pink mare smiles widely. "Hi! I'm Pinkie Pie! What's your name?"

“...I-I'm G-" She quickly covers her mouth, eyes wide in shock. "A-Angel! M-my name is Angelic Grace! B-but please, call me Angel!" She averts her eyes, embarrassed. What the heck, Gel? You almost made a rookie mistake! She inwardly sighs. Guess that's one more detail to add to my disguise...

"That's a pretty name, it's nice to meet you!" Pinkie suddenly pulls out a clipboard and pink pen out of her mane. "Now, you're new in town, so I have a couple of questions for you."

"...Thanks...and sure...but..." She tilts her head, confused. "...w-where did you get those from? H-how did those fit in your mane?"

The pink mare only smiles. "Like you said, I got them from my mane. I got them to fit in there because I had to, my tail was full."

Gel opens her mouth to question this statement, but realizes she might not get a straightforward answer. She sighs, motioning with a hoof. "...Ask away, Miss Pie...I'll answer what I can..."

Pinkie nods once. "Good! Now, usually my policy is to spring ponies surprise parties when they move into town, but due to a recent series of ones that were a bit grumpy about it, I've started asking in advance. So, do you, or do you not want a party to celebrate coming into town?"

Gel blinks, completely baffled, now. "...H-how did you know I was new in town? I-I just moved in yesterday...and...a party?" ...this pony is excitable...wait... Her pupils shrink as the pieces start to fall into place. ...pink pony...party throwing...unexplainable behavior...this is Pinkie Pie...the Element of Laughter! She scratches her head, frowning slightly. ...I didn't expect to find the first one this soon, though...

The party pony giggles. "My Pinkie sense told me there was a new pony in town. I would have gotten to you yesterday, but Sugarcube Corner was packed, so I had to stay and help. Now, party or no party?"

She bites her lip, thinking a bit. ...A party seems like a place I could find the other Elements...especially if this one is throwing it... She smiles softly, nodding. "...Sure...a party sounds nice..." She glances to the door before she continues. "...I-I don't dance, though...f-four left hooves..." She nervously giggles, blushing softly.

"Woo!" Pinkie does a quick backflip, landing comfortably on the couch, clipboard still in her hooves. "I'm sure you'll love the party I'll put together! Three follow-up questions though: Do you want it at home or at Sugarcube Corner? What is the approximate size? And lastly, alcoholic or non-alcoholic?"

Gel tilts her head, confused. "...um...Sugarcube Corner...a-anyone who can attend...and...non-alcoholic, I think? I-I'm not sure if I'm old enough to drink..." She picks up her journal, scanning each entry carefully. What’s my age, again?

Pinkie makes three quick checks on her clipboard before stowing it back in her mane and pulling out a cupcake with an envelope stuck in the frosting. "Okie Dokie Lokie! Here's your complementary cupcake and the invitation to your party!" She springs off the couch and proceeds to bounce out the door as she calls back. "Don't be late~!"

Gel sits quietly, stunned into silence. "...This cupcake's frosting is perfectly done...how does that work? For that matter, how did she get in here?" She takes a bite of the dessert, smiling softly. "Who cares? Free cupcake."

***

Gel, still disguised as Angel and wearing a simple blue sundress, trots down the street, frowning slightly. A huge tree with doors? He's surely pulling my leg. There's no way such a building- She faces forward and freezes, eyes wide in shock. "...exists?"

Said unlikely building is looming before her. The large oak, showing clear signs of habitation through doors, windows, even lights and balconies, is in the center of a clearing in town. A sign sitting on the front lawn declares it to be Golden Oaks Library.

"...I guess it does...huh..." Tentatively, she steps up to the front door, knocking. ...wait, why am I knocking? It's a public library, isn't it? She sighs, resigning herself to waiting for someone to answer.

Before long, a young voice can be heard calling through the door. "Coming!" The door opens to reveal a small purple reptile. "Can I help you?"

Gel stares down at him in stunned silence. After about ten seconds, she finds the willpower to speak. "...A-are you a...d-dragon?"

He sighs as if this isn't the first time that question has come up. "Yes, I am a dragon."

She slowly breaks into a smile, giggling a bit. "That's so amazing! I-I never met a dragon before!" She crouches down, her face now at the same height as his. "I didn't know they were so...c-cute..." Ponyville has a dragon. This could mean trouble...

He blinks in surprise. "Really? Most ponies freak out, in the bad way, when they realize I'm a dragon. Thanks!"

A feminine voice from further in calls out. "Spike, why are you just standing there with the door open?"

He calls back over his scaly shoulder. "Sorry Twilight!" He moves out of the way so Gel can come in.

The disguised changeling steps in and glances around, curious. Twilight? As in, the faithful student of Celestia, and the Element of Magic? Interesting... She looks at Spike and, unable to help herself, scoops him up, hugging him happily. "So cute!"

Spike smiles happily at the hug, even as a polite cough comes from the lavender mare that has just entered the room.

Gel squeaks softly, gingerly putting Spike back down and turning towards the unicorn. "...H-hi...m-my name is Angelic Grace...b-but you can call me Angel...a-are you the head librarian?"

The other mare smiles. "Well, I'm the only librarian, so I suppose that would be correct. My name is Twilight Sparkle. So, was there a reason you came to library Angel? Besides to hug baby dragons of course."

She glances at the dragon next to her before leaning closer to the lavender mare, whispering to her. "...M-Miss Sparkle...d-do you have any...r-romance novels?" Her cheeks are flushed with color, so embarrassed to be asking for that kind of book from a library. "...a-and hugging Spike was just a happy bonus..." She giggles softly, a small smile on her face.

Twilight giggles as well. "It's fine, he's really warm to hug isn't he?" She clears her throat before motioning for Spike to leave them to their business. He does so, and she leans in to Angel. "Just to be clear, are you looking for romance novels or... 'adult' romance novels?"

She blushes a bit more, squirming slightly. "...T-the second one...i-if you don't mind..." The price I pay for my guilty pleasures...

The librarian nods understandingly. "I thought so, follow me." She leads the white mare over to the door to the basement and heads down the stairs. About halfway down the staircase, there is a small landing with another door. Twilight's horn flares into life as a series of clicks go off inside the door. Finally, it swings open and the lavender unicorn motions inside. "I have to keep these separate since foals can walk into the main area any time they want. Just help yourself like you normally do at the library and shut the door when you're done, it'll lock on it's own when there isn't anypony inside it. I'll be waiting upstairs."

Gel shifts through the books, her mind drifting elsewhere as she does so. Twilight seems like a decent pony. I don't see how she could ever pose a problem for our troops on her own. Maybe -

She stops, her eyes landing on a book. Not just any book though; this one had a title that caught her attention. ...“What Is Love”...is that...a book about changelings? In the adult romance novels? She carefully picks it up and flips through it, frowning slightly at the words. This pony doesn't know anything about changelings. And why are we the antagonists? She puts a hoof on her chin, thinking a bit. ...oh, right. We tried to invade their capital. They can really hold a grudge...

She sighs, grabbing the book and another couple of cross-species stories. I have a kink. Everypony does. She pauses halfway up the stairs, confused. ...Why am I trying to validate my preferences to myself? She shakes her head, continuing her ascension. I'm too used to the hive mind...

She returns to the library lobby to find Spike on a ladder, dusting the tomes on the upper shelves. Twilight is off to one side behind the one desk in the room, looking over what appear to be multitudes of lists. She looks up as she hears the basement door open. "Oh, did you find what you were looking for?"

"...um...y-yes..." Gel quickly rushes over, not wanting the baby dragon to see what she was checking out. She holds the novels out to the librarian, blushing brightly. "...t-these books, please..."

Like a machine, Twilight opens each book, scribbles quickly on the card inside, snaps the book shut, and scratches down a note in her records. It's all over so quickly, there was virtually no way Twilight knew what books the mare had checked out. Considering the contents, that's probably the exact reason she did it that way. The librarian slides the stack of books back over to the disguised changeling. "Here you go, the maximum length of time you can hold onto these without renewal is two months, after that the fees will start to pile up." Twilight lets out a large smile. "And thank you for having an interest in reading."

"...n-no problem..." She carefully slides them into her saddlebags, not wanting anyone to see them. "...t-thank you for your help...and I hope you have a nice day..." She turns and, glancing at the clock, squeaks in shock. How long was I down there?! I need to get ready for work! She rushes out the door, barely avoiding the ladder that held Spike. “Sorry!” She makes a beeline for the house.