I locked my front door as soon as I entered, smiling. I actually surprised myself by being in a good mood. Usually, I would have considered this day spoiled since I had to visit dear old mother. Nevermind the fact that she was also sending me to risk my life to stop a killer who, apparently, had it out for changelings. However, with just a few words, I was able to secure a small date with Shaun. Caught him by surprise too, if I judged his near silence when I left him to be indicative.

Plans for my investigation were, thankfully, put on hold. Instead, I concentrated on my current strategy for grooming Shaun into a viable asset. I ran a few scenarios in my head, trying to see how things would branch out from here. I had to admit, I was taking a somewhat huge risk by accelerating my plans. Normally, I’d have taken a few more days of talking, gauging, before calling for a date. After all, tipping your hoof too early was the difference between making a short-term asset and an invested one. And I was definitely aiming for the latter.

However, there were a few things working in my favor with my current gambit. First, there was no doubt in my mind he was attracted to me. It could have been because I looked like somepony he knew, and had most likely been intimate with. While normally I’d be wary of that, the second point made me sure what I did was a good move: we clicked. For some odd reason, we’ve thoroughly enjoyed each other’s company. Even with the limited time we spent together, I felt something—a connection, if I have to be cliché—that made us comfortable with each other.

There were also advantages to going with this route. He was relatively new in Equestria. Not new enough to be culture-shocked or a little leery of being intimate with a pony, but just enough to be a blank slate. Judging by the positive response to his upcoming novel, he would soon attract other mares to his attention. He was already friendly with his publisher (and I was still unsure if he was intimate with her; I’d have to subtly ask about that), and the less competition I had, the easier it would be to obtain him.

Then there was also the fact that I needed energy for this investigation I found myself undertaking. If things went well tonight, I could start my first step toward making Shaun ours, while enjoying a little splurge feeding for myself. There was, literally, no downside to my current direction. Unless it spectacularly failed, of course. Bad luck sometimes found a way.

Then again, I was a changeling infiltrator. I made my own luck.

I left the file in my room. There was no safer place for it. After that, I grabbed a few small blank spellgems and made my way out, meeting Gentle Rock as he came out of his apartment for his daily walk. We made small talk as I accompanied him out the building, and once he left, I made my way towards Embarr Corner, the restaurant I told Shaun to meet me at a few hours from now. Making my way to the rear entrance, I knocked on the door, waited for a few minutes before someone asked, “Password?”

“It’s Lumi,” I replied.

“Sorry, that’s not the pass—”

“Wasp, open the door.”

There was a slight creak as the metallic door opened, revealing Wasp, a light-grey unicorn with curly black-striped yellow hair. Her horn glowed slightly, a scowl in her face. I just gave her a winning smile.

“You know, Lumi,” the unicorn began, the glow of her horn subsiding, “I could argue that you ignoring my password system is an abuse of my Independent status.”

“Please,” I replied, “you only use the password system to know if whoever you're dealing with is either new, or someone who skimped on you. I’m neither.”

“I recall such a moment a year ago, when you left my restaurant without any payment.”

“Okay, I’d never skimp on you without valid reasons,” I amended. “Besides, I paid you double when everything got settled. So, can we get down to business, or do I have to pull out embarrassing stories of your first year here?”

Wasp rolled her eyes. “Sure, whatever. Come on.” She then motioned me to follow. As we entered her kitchen, my eyes wandered, assessing where the exits were, just in case anything went wrong. While Wasp rarely changed anything in her place, thus keeping evacuation points somewhat constant, it didn’t hurt to make sure. True to form, the familiar sights of metallic sinks with shining gold accents greeted me. The white tiled walls were patterned with a simple design of colorful flowers. The plates were stacked up straight, along with bowls and glasses.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Wasp cleaned the place herself, this being her pride and joy.

She led me to a counter, which had a notepad and one of those human pens that were slowly replacing quills as instruments of writing. It was also near where the numerous iceboxes were placed against the wall, though I was surprised to see three new fridges.

“They are actually cheaper in the long-run,” Wasp said, seeing me look at her new acquisitions. “They maintain constant temperature, keeping a lot of my easily spoiled food fresh. I’m also investing on those new fridges specific for cakes and pastries.”

Squashing the jealousy of not having those things in my own poor kitchen, I magically took out a bag of bits from my slim rucksack and placed it in the counter.

“I need a table reservation with the usual,” I began.

“I’m guessing it’s for today’s dinner?” Wasp asked. When I nodded, her horn glowed, and the notepad and pen began to float in the air, the latter writing on the former. “I’ll reserve a table. One asset, right?”

“Yeah,” I replied. “But no flower sandwiches. He likely won’t eat those. Do you have omnivore options?”

“Ooh, having a griffin, are we?” Wasp smiled. “I’ll get you a private room, away from the other ponies. No sex, though. I just had it cleaned.”

I snorted. “I’d rather take a bed than your floor, thank you very much. And for your information, my asset is not a griffin.”

Wasp blinked. “Oh-kay. Young dragon? Minotaur?”

“Human,” I replied with a small smile. Wasp whistled, impressed.

“Very rare,” she said. “Luckily, humans can eat almost anything. We have the usual game meats and pork. I’ll add a few bottles of apple cider as well.”

“Less pork, or at least the less fatty cuts,” I said, remembering Shaun’s thinness. If he wasn’t used to fatty foods, a sudden increased intake would upset his stomach, and that would kill the mood, booster or not. Speaking of which… “Also, the booster needs to be diluted to quarter of standard strength. I have no idea if he has taken a booster before, and I’d rather not disrupt his next day too much because of a bad reaction.”

After a few more pen strokes, Wasp nodded in understanding. “It’ll be ready and to specification.”

“Thanks, Wasp,” I said. With the transaction done, there wasn’t really anything else for me here. Giving her one last nod, I was about to turn when she called back my attention.

“Lumi.”

“Yes?” I asked, half-turning to her. She gave me a nervous look.

“Lumi, you’ve heard about what’s happening in Star Tracks, right?” she asked. When I nodded, she swallowed, as if afraid to speak the next part. “Are you going to lock down your Cluster activity here?”

“I’m… working on something,” I replied. “Everything will be business as usual, so don’t worry about that. I may not have a lot of guards to spare, but considering the distance, I doubt we’d get into the same situation as Dodge Junction or Star Tracks. However, I am going to ask you and the other Independents to keep your eyes and ears open.”

“You can count on us,” Wasp replied with a small smile and nod. “Okay. I’ll set everything up for your date.”

“Thanks.” And with that, I left.

There wasn’t really much to do after that. I spent the next few hours having my spellgems recharged with the essential spells for any infiltrator going to another city. Gypsy always called them the quick-and-dirty—spells that are considered too unrefined for combat, but respond immediately when activated.

Disorienters and Jumper spells were the staple. After all, you really didn’t need a lot of power to keep yourself alive, just enough to get you away in a fashion that will leave your enemies confused, dazed, and lost.

“Never fight a losing battle,” Gypsy once taught me.

Wise words.

Coming home again, I placed the recharged gems into placeholders outside my rucksack and grabbed a few spare waterbags. You never knew when you’d be stranded in a place without water, and instead of spending energy to make some using the air, this nifty little tool would help you with all your water needs.

I had just finished packing when I heard knocking on my door. I blinked. For a wild moment, I thought it was Shaun, but immediately dismissed it. I was pretty careful in my movements, making sure I wasn’t followed. Going to the door, I looked through the peephole and saw Silverfly waiting beyond. She was nervous, shifting slightly and biting her lower lip. I found that a bit adorable.

“Shift is done?” I asked after I opened the door.

“Y-yeah,” she replied. I motioned her to come inside, and she followed. Once we both settled in the living room, she continued, “So… about earlier.”

I looked at her, which seemed to make her quiet. When she didn’t continue, I shrugged asked, “What have you learned today?”

Silverfly blinked slowly. “Seriously?”

“What?”

“You’ve been called by the Queen, to the Hive Cluster,” she began, “and all you can ask is what I learned today?”

“You are studying to be an infiltrator,” I countered. “And I find your training is more important than whatever business the Queen has with me. Now… what have you learned today?”

Silverfly looked rebellious, but didn’t pursue the subject. She began to enumerate what she’d learned, which was basically about more mares trying to find out more about Shaun. The fact that she memorized the commonly asked questions had me more amused than the questions themselves, which were also amusing on their own—especially when one asked whether Shaun was just a stallion impersonating a human for more attention.

“It’s not funny,” Silverfly muttered, unamused by my chuckling. “It’s bad enough that I had survive questions from overzealous fans of what’s-her-face, now I’m getting more questions about a human I know nothing about.”

“You’ve met him twice,” I said, smiling. “Interrupted my intelligence gathering, I believe.”

“You’re not going to let that go, are you?”

“Well, as long as you don’t interrupt me tonight, I’ll probably forget about it for a few months, maybe a year,” I replied.

Silverfly blinked, looking at me. I could almost imagine miniature changeling drones circling around in her head, trying to understand everything I just said. I waited patiently for her catch on. I wasn’t disappointed.

“What’s happening tonight?” Silverfly asked, a few seconds later.

“I’m taking Shaun out for a date,” I replied. “I don’t know if you’re completely aware of the situation, but I’m going to be absent from Keeper’s Tomes for a few days, investigating the changeling deaths.”

“Deaths?” Silverfly asked, apprehensive. “There’s more than one?”

“Yeah,” I replied. “Star Tracks’ Cluster discovered one of their own dead, but responded faster than the ones in Dodge Junction. The Queen is asking me to investigate, hopefully stop it from happening again.”

Silverfly frowned. “Why should we be concerned with the problems of other Clusters? Or the Queen? They didn’t do anything to help when we starved.”

“Not completely true, Silverfly,” I countered. “Remember that the Star Tracks Cluster generously gave us the last batch of Love from an invested asset. And while the Queen and I are having some problems, we came to an agreement that allowed me to secure a few infiltrators that will make our lives easier.”

“Okay,” she muttered, doubt in her voice. Thankfully, she changed the subject. “So, a date with this human writer that likes changing his name, eh?”

“Yup,” I replied, smiling. “Normally, I’d wait a few more weeks, but with my impending absence, I think you’re ready.”

“Ready for what?” Silverfly asked.

“To learn how to feed.”

Silverfly blinked, her mouth opened in shock before she quickly closed it. Her wings fluttered slightly, with a smile beginning to tug on both sides of her lips. If it wasn’t obvious enough, she began radiating happiness.

“You’d… teach me how to feed?” she asked, almost breathless.

I smirked slightly. “I don’t think Shaun is ready for that yet. After all, feeding is all about enjoyment. Pointing out what to do during the act tends to reduce said enjoyment.”

Silverfly scowled. “You know what I mean.”

“Fine, yes,” I replied.

Her happiness burst out, almost forgoing the usual slow and steady buildup. She tried to hide it, but in the end, her emotions overwhelmed her. I couldn’t blame her. While, physically, she was of age, the first feeding would always be, mentally, the first step into adulthood. In a way, it was the most special moment of any changeling growing up. Offering her a chance to observe and learn from my feeding was a close second.

Parents would tell stories of their firsts, making their stories sound special and something to be proud of. Even Mother—before she deemed me useless—regaled me with her first feeding, calling it her First Conquest, where she drove her asset to the brink of insanity.

Yeah. Honestly, I always felt that they were tall stories. My first feeding wasn’t anything particularly special. Looking back, I always recalled the many mistakes I made, and half-wondered how I even got Peach Heart to my bed. Nevermind the fact that I stumbled a lot during the feeding itself, which had me apologising to the earth pony mare.

Thankfully, Peach was understanding, and even taught me a thing or two.

Maybe if I had younglings, I’d fascinate them with a well-made story, maybe include bursts of magical explosions. Though I think I’d rather teach them to make their first better than mine, memorable even. Looking at Silverfly, I realized who I could practise on.

“We’re going to treat this as a small asset acquisition operation,” I declared, making her sit straighter, shivering slightly. I smiled at her nervousness. “It won’t be any different from what you’re used to. You will observe and note everything—how I talk to an asset, how they respond, that kind of thing.

“I will tell you now that feeding from an asset, and how much energy you can obtain from them, is all about how well you prepare them before the act. Focus on my body language and movements. See how he reacts to them.”

Silverfly kept nodding, as if she were writing everything in her head.

“Also,” I added, “and this is going to be new for you—I want you to follow us as discreetly as you can. How you do that, I leave to you. Use your surroundings. Blend in the environment. I’m going to convince Shaun to bring me to his apartment, and I want you to make note where it is and any weak points where we can infiltrate. If you’re up to it, check on his neighbors as well, in case of any competition.”

“Uh, wow…” Silverfly muttered. “This is considered to be a small operation?”

“Normally, it would be a three-changeling team,” I amended, “and you’d usually have a companion which you could split assignments with. However, it’s not unusual that you’ll find yourself short of partners. It happened to me countless times.” I looked at her. “I’m not expecting you to complete all the tasks given, but I’d be pleasantly surprised if you did. However, do not overextend yourself. I want you to focus on blending in with the crowd, to not call attention to yourself. Can you do that?”

Silverfly nodded vigorously.

“Good,” I replied, magically taking my bitbag from my rucksack, opening it, and giving her some bits. “I’ll give you this much to buy what you think you’ll need for the operation. Spend it wisely.”

The young changeling hid the money on her own bitbag. She seemed to breathe fast, making kneading motions with her forelegs. However, her eyes were determined.

“When do we start?” she asked softly.

Author's Notes:

Well, this took a while.

Usual thanks to coandco, shira, Permanent Temporary, Ponyboy245, TownCrier, Jack-Pony, and Denim_Blue. An additional thanks to Southpaw for the final look

Next chapter is pretty much the clop chapter, but that's found in the very end. I noticed that a on this story, I don't isolate the clop parts, but try and incorporate that in the story proper. I don't know if that's good or bad. I know some of you are far more interested in the story itself, and probably hate the cloppy parts. Some want more cloppy parts than story. Then there's my target audience that like it like this.

Granted, the last part might just be me and my delusions. However, enjoy the chapter.