The next day is absolutely perfect. There is hardly a cloud in the sky, but there was no need for a breeze with how cool the temperature is. Everypony who can is out enjoying the nice weather.

Silk flies through the Ponyville skies, looking around. After receiving a curious letter from the male changeling living in Rhino's home, she had opted to grant his request and meet above the range of the towers. With a curious attitude, she had set off for the appointment, only to soon realize that she wasn't quite sure where in the skies to find him. Luckily they are clear enough today for her to see almost anything around her as she cruises.

It is this assumption that causes her to crash headlong into what appears to be thin air.

She reels back as she shakes her head to recover from the soft crash. "What was that?"

There's the sound of muffled hoofsteps and a hole appears in the sky. There, grinning cheekily at her, is the same brown pegasus she met the other day. "Hey, there. I heard you knock." He chuckles before stepping to the side, gesturing with a hoof. "Would you like to come in? It's really quite comfortable."

Her mouth falls open as she flies around, only seeing the entrance to the hole from that one angle, almost like a two dimensional opening in the sky. "How are you... What?"

"Neat, huh?" He scoops up a bit of the wall's material, presenting the light-blue fluff to her. "It's a cloud painted to match the sky! It took a while, but I really couldn't stand being cooped up in Doc's house all day. I know better than to just sit out in the open, though."

She takes the cloud and rolls it in her hooves. "Painted cloud..." She remembers his offer and flies inside, placing the cloud back knot the rest of the mass and staring as it almost seems to disappear in front of her eyes. "Wow..."

He smirks, smoothing the entrance back up and secluding them from prying eyes. He turns to look at her, a small smile on his lips. "I'm glad you liked that." He clears his throat and offers her a hoof. "My name is Flick. Of course, you likely know that, already, from my letter. May I ask your name, Miss?"

She smiles at his politeness. "Silk. Silk Tease." She shakes the offered hoof.

He chuckles, letting the hoof lower to the cloud-floor. "A beautiful name for a beautiful mare." He playfully winks before turning to a medium-sized basket on one side of the 'room'.

She laughs. "Well, I would say the same but since I've only seen this illusion of yours, I'll just say you have a nice name too."

He pauses with a hoof on the lid of the basket, turning to her with a curious expression. "Would you like to see my real self?"

She tilts her head as she smiles. "Well, I think it would be a good thing to see that, yes."

He nods and, with a swift burst of gold fire, turns into his goldenrod form. "Not much to look at, I'm afraid. Just your regular yellow changeling."

She observes his slender form. "Considering Gel is blue and every other changeling I'he heard of was charcoal, being yellow does make you stand out. I think it works for you though."

He laughs, shaking his head. "You're too kind!" He playfully bumps her shoulder with a hoof before pulling a plate of apple dumplings out of the basket behind him. "Hungry?"

"Oh, umm, sure." She takes a dumpling with a wing, still curious about the whole thing, but warming up the the friendly drone.

"I hope you like it." He shrugs, taking one as well. "I'd take credit for it, but I feel my sis would find out and beat me senseless." He chuckles, shaking his head. "Sorry, you probably didn't want to hear that, did you? I tend to ramble when I'm in the company of a beautiful mare, and I'm doing it again aren't I?" He nervously laughs, rubbing the back of his neck.

Her eyes narrow, but her smile is still genuine as she takes a bite. "It's delicious, and I do appreciate the intent, even if you didn't make them yourself. I assume your sister is that... other changeling?"

"If you mean the mute one, then yes." He shrugs, sitting down on the floor. "Luster has a...bit of a painful past. She doesn't like to talk about how she lost her voice due to that." He pauses to eat a little before gesturing to the mare. "So, Silk, I invited you here to answer any questions you may have about my sis and I. I know Gel didn't exactly cover that, last week."

"Oh, is that all?" She raises an eyebrow but shrugs it off. "I suppose I could come up with some... but it's not like a mare exactly has a list of questions to ask a species she knows nothing about."

Flick chuckles. "I figured that would be the case, and I don't mind if you just want to chat, instead."

She nods, munching on the dumpling a little more. "So... how are Gel and Rhino? The two seemed so exhausted before I left last week."

He waves a hoof nonchalantly. "Oh, they've been getting along swimmingly. They let a few more ponies know that she's one of us, they got engaged a little after you left, Friday, and Gel made a little playground in the backyard for their pets."

Silk almost chokes on her dumpling. She pounds her chest with a hoof as she coughs a few times before gasping out. "They got engaged!?"

"Yes, they did. Why did that stick out to you?" He smirks playfully, bumping her side. "Are you jealous of them?"

She has a slight blush as she pushes him. "Well, she is my best friend and that's a huge thing! I mean as for everything else I figured they might tell a few more ponies and the fact that she built a tiny playground is adorable, but I didn't expect him to pop the question right after I left!"

He laughs, holding up a hoof. "Whatever you say, Silk. I won't judge. Though I'm a little curious." He stretches his wings out, antsy, and lets one calmly drape over her back. "Are you blushing because you had a crush on Gel or a crush on Doc?"

She looks down and digs lightly into the cloud with a hoof. "Rhino..."

"Hey, now, I said I won't judge." Flick uses his other wing tip to tilt her head up so she's looking at him. He smiles warmly at her. "Everyone has a crush at some point in their life. Some linger on it longer than others." He chuckles, pulling the wing tip away. "It shows strength of character to be able to give that up for your best friend. Don't you agree?"

"Yes..." She looks at him curiously. "You wouldn't happen to be one of those artists that's always spouting wise saying, would you? Or is this something that just happens occasionally?"

He laughs, shaking his head. "Nah, I just have my moments." He rubs his neck. "So, you have any hobbies, Silk?"

She smiles. "Well, though it may be usually associated with those above my age group, I enjoy knitting and needlework."

Flick smirks, eyes narrowing slightly. "Yes, I could see why a young mare like you likes stuff like that." He pauses and holds up a hoof, embarrassed. "That last part came out wrong. Sorry."

She tilts her head. "In what way? I've heard a few jokes but that one I don't understand."

He sighs, shaking his head. "I meant to say that I see why you're concerned with letting others know about that."

She waves him off as she grabs another dumpling. "Oh, I'm not concerned. I'll tell anypony who asks. After all, I just have to show them the uniform designs that I gussied up a bit at the maid cafe and it shuts their mouths pretty quickly."

His ears twitch and he looks at her with great interest. "Maid cafe, you say?" He grins wolfishly. "I'll bet you're the most beautiful one there."

She grabs an approximately newspaper-shaped bit of cloud with a wing and bops him on the nose with it. "No looks like that in this small space, mister!" She smiles regardless. "But thank you, it's nice to know that I can turn heads even as the manager."

He rubs his nose, chuckling softly. "What can I say? You're the most beautiful mare I've met." He clears his throat, gesturing to her with a small smile. "So, have you come up with any questions?"

"Yes." She waves the cloud at his nose. "Are all of you as flirty as you?"

"As a matter of fact, yes. Mostly when they're trying to woo a pony. However..." He gives a little forced laugh, turning away. "...generally, we're a lot more successful. I suppose I just..." He sighs, shaking his head. "Never mind that. Was that a satisfactory answer?"

She nods, putting the newspaper away. "Feel free to keep the compliments coming, by the way. I just wanted to establish that I know you are flirting." She winks. "Though try branching out from just repeatedly saying I'm beautiful."

He chuckles, his chitin turning a shade brighter in his embarrassment. "Well, you can add smart to that list." He looks at her, trying to be serious. "Honestly, though, you really are simply stunning. I've seen hundreds of mares." He takes her hoof with his own, his nervousness showing. "None of them can even compare to you."

She giggles. "Don't beat around the bush, do you?" She laughs a little more before pouting at him. "But are looks really what you care about most?"

"No. I care about personality." He smirks, his eyes narrowing at her. "That's actually why I invited you here - to get to know you better. I'm not the kind of drone who simply falls for any pony that I come across."

She narrows her eyes as well. "Oh? Planning on falling for me, are you?"

"Maybe." The wing on her back playfully strokes her fur. "Or maybe I'm looking for someone to love and love me back." He chuckles, winking at her. "I'm a little jealous of Gel and Doc, too."

She grins even as her eyes are still narrowed. "You're lucky you have your words, otherwise I might take offense to that wing you had on me." She suddenly turns away and walks slowly and gracefully to the other side of the room, keeping her back to him as she speaks. "But perhaps I should set a 'look but don't touch' rule." She turns and winks.

He folds his wings to his side with a bit of difficulty, nodding to her. "I suppose I'll be fine with that." He grins, taking a step forward. "Of course, that implies that I'll be seeing you more often. Is that a correct assumption?"

"I would certainly hope so." She walks back over, a sway in her hips. As she passes him, she extends a wing and brushes it over his back. "This was a lovely lunch." Her wing tucks a small slip of paper underneath his. "Feel free to call on me again." She slips out of the cloud and flies away, swaying on the breeze.

He watches her leave through the hole she made, smiling happily. "Everything went better than expected." He chuckles, putting his disguise back on before leaving the cloud, heading back towards Rhino's house.

***

Later that day, the changelings siblings and three pets are all in the living room. This unlikely grouping was brought about by Rhino and Gel heading out to swim, the stallion having to be only slightly dragged away by his fiancé after he went into worrying-dad mode over the pets being cared for by someone else. The group of five are left staring at the door after the couple has just closed the door behind them.

The drone and nymph look at each other, then down at the pets. Flick chuckles, rubbing the back of his neck. "So, what do you three want to do?"

Mercury crouches down, his tiny teeth bared at the drone. 'You're not Dad.'

The yellow changeling blinks at this, unsure of what to do. His sister, on the other hoof, lays down to get on the fox's level, giving him a kind smile. She gently nuzzles him, trying to show that she doesn't mean any harm.

Selena watches this from her spot next to the squirrel, ready to interfere if the kit lashes out.

The fox almost immediately nuzzles her back, a tiny purr coming from him.

Specter just face palms at this. 'Yeah... Saw that coming.'

The gray feline looks to him, purring softly. 'At least he's not going to hurt them. Mom wouldn't like that.'

Luster smiles a bit more, moving up and gently kissing the fox's forehead. See, Flick? All you needed to do was show them a little kindness.

The drone rolls his eyes, turning away. "I could've sworn that's what I was doing..."

Looking away from Mercury, who is climbing up Luster's long mane, Specter remarks to Selena. 'Speaking of Mom, I found out the other day that she can become around our size. Did you know that?'

The kitten gives him a surprised look. 'No, I didn't. That's interesting to know.' She glances at the changelings, tilting her head to one side. '...do you think they could do that?'

Luster appears to laugh happily, if silently, as the fox reaches the top of her head.

'I have no idea.' He cautiously approaches Flick and sniffs one of his hooves, analyzing the scent.

The kit meanwhile, is happily purring as he buries himself in the purple membranous mane.

The yellow changeling smiles down at the squirrel, standing still for him. "Hey, little buddy. What are you up to?"

As everyone's attention is elsewhere, Selena narrows her eyes, crouching as her eyes focus on the darkest of them.

Specter sniffs the drone, his nose going rapidly. His tail twitches a few times before he nods and places one paw on the muzzle in front of him.

Flick chuckles, enjoying the moment before the feline tackles the pet. He blinks, turning to watch as they roll along the floor.

They come to a stop, the kitten pinning the squirrel down. Selena playfully smiles at him, a twinkle in her eye. 'Surprised?'

He stares up at her, slightly stunned. 'A bit, yes... but in a good way.'

She purrs happily, nuzzling him for a second before letting him go. 'Good.' She turns and walks away, content with herself.

The changelings, meanwhile, stare at this in confusion, entirely unsure of what to make of that situation.

Mercury still contents himself with Luster's lustrous mane while the squirrel calls over to Selena. 'Do I get to know what that was about?'

She looks over her shoulder at him, smiling slyly. 'What? I can't play with my favorite squirrel?'

He tilts his head. 'Dare I ask what game that was?'

'Catch and release.' She nonchalantly licks a paw. 'Is that a problem, Specter?'

'No...' He slowly gets to his paws, a smile on his face. 'But do I get a turn?'

The kitten stops mid-lick, confused. She turns to look at him. 'What do you-'

He pounces on her, just as she had done to him. The three other being in the room rotate their heads to follow the squirrel and kitten as they roll until they stop, him on top this time. He smiles cheekily down at her.

Selena stares up at him in surprise a moment before smiling softly. 'Well played. Now what do you plan to do?' She purrs, eyes narrowing slightly at him.

He falters. 'Umm... I don't know...'

The drone interrupts what the kitten was about to say. "Just nuzzle her already!" He flinches as his sister smacks him in the side. "What?"

Specter gulps before leaning down and rubbing his nose against the kitten's, backing off her quickly afterward.

She rolls over, smiling coyly at the squirrel. 'Why are you nervous? I won't bite.'

He narrows his eyes at her, their audience still silent and attentive. 'Why do I think that's a lie?'

'I don't know.' She gets up and moves forward, quickly closing the distance between them and nuzzling him again. 'Why do you?'

His tail flicks around wildly as he blushes, looking down. 'I don't know... You seem the type I guess?'

She smirks, putting a paw on his cheek. 'Why Specter, are you blushing?' She leans down, whispering in his ear. 'Is there something you want to tell me?'

His whole body freezes except for his tail, which twitches once. Suddenly, he curls up into a tight ball, wrapping his tail around himself afterwards so he is nothing but a ball of fluff.

Selena blinks, looking down at the ball known as Specter. She purrs, putting a paw on him and rolling him a bit. 'Are you sure you want to be a ball around me?'

He doesn't say anything, but the kitten can feel a slight increase in heat coming from him.

She shrugs and pushes him, rolling him along the floor and into the kitchen.

Flick, now a little worried, turns to his sister. "I'm going to go check on them. You alright here?" She nods slowly, trying to not disturb the fox on her head. "Great. Be right back!" He rushes into the kitchen.

He's greeted with the sight of the kitten batting at the black fur ball, mewling pleadingly. 'Please? I just want to play with you...'

The ball tightens and shifts around before a set of golden eyes peer out of it. 'You and your voice that makes me guilty and confused...' He uncurls and slumps on the floor. 'And yet it still feels like a good thing...'

She smiles kindly, gently nuzzling his cheek. 'Cheer up, Specter. I...' She hesitates a moment before shaking her head. '...it hurts me to see you upset.'

He smiles at the nuzzle. 'I know... I think I feel the same when your upset but...' He shakes his head. 'It also makes me feel weird... and confused...'

Selena leans forward and touches noses with him, purring softly. 'We'll figure this out together. Alright?'

'...ok.' He stands up and smiles at her.

Flick coughs, drawing their attention. He smirks, gesturing towards the living room. "You know, you two are missing out on bonding time." He glances over his shoulder before leaning down, a frowning slightly. "Hey, could you possibly help me? Sis is holding the fact she made fast friends with Merc over me. You have no idea what that's like, from her..."

'Yeah... And I'd guess Mercury is milking that for all it's worth.' Still, he tilts his head at the drone, asking him what he means.

He shakes his head. "Trust me, it's better if you don't know."

Specter shrugs as he turns back to Selena. 'Shall we get back in there?'

She nods, smiling softly at him. 'After you.'