As I stepped out of the forest and made my way back to Swift's place, I was still in disbelief that I even considered holding information from Mother, even though I know Swiftriff has nothing of importance pertaining to the mission at hand. I'm usually thorough with everything, keeping every detail in order and keeping her well informed. I rubbed my temples in disbelief, reconsidering that maybe I should have told her. I was so deep in thought that the trip to Swift's house seemed really short as I found myself at his place and opened the door to find nopony in the house.

"I guess Swift hasn't came back yet from his job. Good, maybe this will give me time to think." I conversed to myself as I looked around, seeing the house kept up, but it looked really dusty. It gave me an idea as I went to my room, made the clothes disappear to expose my bare naked body before slipping on my large shirt that Swift gave me, went out to look for a duster and began dusting the place.

"This is actually not that bad, it's distracting and helps me think about things a bit more clearly. Hehe, strange. I feel like a housewife, as if I'd ever be something of the sort. I am a proud and powerful member of the Changeling Hive, a well respected General and daughter of the Queen. As if I would be conformed to that of a housewife for a silly red pegasus." I then stopped for a moment, staring at a distance before a heavy blush enveloped my face as I realized what I was just saying before covering my face in my hands.

"WHY WOULD I THINK OF SOMETHING LIKE THAT?! It's one thing to think you like somepony, but being someponies WIFE?!" I blurted in disbelief, unable to contain the incredible blush increasing from my cheeks. Just then I felt someponies arms wrap around me as I jumped and gripped the ponies arm, feeling a soft fur in my grasp as I looked down, seeing it's red hue as I turned to meet a pair of hazel eyes staring at me with care as I was frozen in place, my heart pounding immensely as the pony spoke with a calm, but soothing voice.

"Hey there Clear, everything alright?" Swift asked me as I was at a loss for words. Feeling his soft, but firm arms holding me, feeling a sense of security, safe in his grasp as his warmth only further heated my body. I blinked a couple times, hoping to break from his gaze but to no avail as I only gained the capability to speak once again.

"H-hey Swift, sorry I'm...I"m fine. H-how was work?" I asked nervously, my mind going back to thinking like a wife as I mentally slapped myself, thinking "That's exactly what a wife would act like. WHY AM I DOING THIS TO MYSELF?!" He grinned softly before nuzzling his cheek against mine as he held me from behind. I couldn't help but inhale from the soft caress of his cheeks. This feeling was so incredible, and it was just a simple hug. How is he doing this?

"Work went very well, I'm just glad I can come back home just in time to spend some time with you." I couldn't contain my blush from his sweet reply. Was he really that eager to come back to see me? No no no, it's not me, it's...oh my Queen, why me? I could feel this immense love inside of him as his heart was pounding against my back, it had a sweet beat unlike any I've ever witnessed before. I wanted to take it for myself right then and there, but I felt so weak in his arms, I didn't want to move. I just wanted to remain there and just melt in his embrace.

"So Clear, I have a special surprise for you but I was wondering if you were free tomorrow by chance?" He asked me with a whisper in my ears, sending a shiver up my spine as my body tensed up and smiled as I looked at him.

"Yeah, I"m free tomorrow. What did you have in mind?" I asked with a coo, finding myself nuzzling into him as he replied.

"Well, if I told you then it wouldn't be a surprise now, would it?" He replied teasingly. I gave him the best pouty lips I could muster as he looked at me with adoring eyes.

"Awww babe, don't give me that look." he said sweetly as I rubbed my head against him some more before I froze in place and shifted my eyes up to look at him.

"Swift?" His body shook for a moment as I could feel his chest tense up, his heart beating quicker and his breathing becoming a bit heavier as I continued, "Did...you just call me babe?" I could see his face burning with embarrassment as he gave a goofy smile, looking away for a moment before looking back at me and responds awkwardly.

"Well...yea? S-sorry Clear it just...kinda slipped out ya know." He was just so cute when he get's flustered like that. Normally something like that was displeasing but hearing it from him...it felt right and I couldn't stop my smile from surfacing as I kissed him on the cheek and whispered in his ears.

"I don't mind, so long as you feel confident you can...woo me over on our date." I cooed at him before leaving his embrace, walking by him as my tail slides up and grace under his chin, making my way to the hallway.

"I'm going to take a shower for a bit." I mentioned as I make my way down before a thought came up in my mind as I turned around, sticking my head out to see him and added, "No peeking." I couldn't help but giggle as he was shouting something as I made my way to my room to get some clothes he let me borrow before making my way to the bathroom.

The day went by pleasantly afterwards, he cooked us a meal, I got to hear him play his guitar and it sounded actually pretty cool listening to him, I couldn't contain myself from just gawking at him as he was getting so into it as his mane was flicking about so freely when he bops his head to the music. It was simply hypnotic to me and exhilarating. But the day went by and came to an end as Swift and I made our separate ways to our rooms, bidding each other goodnight as I went to my room and jumped on the bed with the biggest smile on my muzzle, knowing that tomorrow is the beginning of another day. Sleep soon took hold as I was curious on what Swift had in store for me tomorrow as I nuzzled into my pillow and was lulled to sleep.

Feeling satisfied from my deep slumber, I awoke the next morning with a beaming smile on my face. My eyes twitched open, peaking around my room and raising upright with a relieving stretch. I was then welcomed by the aromatic scent of breakfast being made just outside my room. I gave a smile as I got out of bed, hearing a subtle sound of Swift singing on the other side of the wall. "This stallion, he's really cute in a silly kind of way, making us breakfast before he shows me this surprise, and yesterday he was pretty daring. Holding me and nuzzling up to me like I was already his, but...I didn't mind it, I just let him take me in and...it felt amazing. It felt nurturing and satisfying, like...like this is what love is. Do I love him? I mean...I'll admit he's cute and all and maaaybe I like him but...maybe it's too soon to be feeling those things. I despise ponies for the way they treated us before in the past but...this stallion, he's different."

I shook my head, breaking my train of thought as the smell of food became even stronger as I made my way out the door and out to the dining table.

"Good morning Swift." I greeted as Swift turned around to face me.

"Hey, morning Cl..." he stopped mid-sentence as he just gawked at me, his eyes growing large with a look between astonishment and disbelief. I chuckled from his expression as I shifted my body with a shrug of my shoulders as I called out.

"Hehe, what's the matter Swift? You act like you've never seen a girl before." In a blinding speed, he quickly snapped his eyes away and looked around frantically before grabbing a towel and approaching me with it. I only looked at him puzzled, but still smiling as I asked.

"What are you doing?" He only responded by wrapping the towel around my chest, as I looked down to realize that I didn't have my shirt on and was completely exposed in front of him. My eyes opened wide with burning cheeks as it now dawned upon me that Swift was staring...at my breasts. The next thing I knew, Swift gave me a concerned look as he saw the shocked expression on my face before he took off his shirt and slipped it onto me. His shirt barely containing my large breasts as it bulged out in a pair of large mounds, lifting the shirt up to expose my cream-colored belly. I looked up at Swift with a blush decorating my cheeks, my hands resting on my knees as Swift looked me up and down and smiled before tapping my nose, gaining my attention with a blink of surprise as I smiled and flicked his nose. We chuckled as he rubbed my arm comfortingly.

"Sorry you had to see me like that Swift, must have been embarrassing huh?" I apologized as Swift gave me a smirk.

"Well I thought at first you were trying to tease me until I saw that look on your face. But I should be apologizing for staring like that, but can't be helped when you have a beautiful mare standing in front of you like that." He teased with his tongue out as I gasped and smacked him in the arm.

"You pervert." I chuckled out as he rubbed his arms with a grin before serving us a plate of food. He carried both of our plates in his hands as I took one from him and leaned in to where our faces were inches apart.

"I got that. Thank you master chef." I thanked in a cute fashion before I turned, my tail rubbing up from his legs, along his bare chest as I bit my lower lips and trailed off his chin as I strut my way to the table and sat down. I looked over to see him getting flustered but feeling quite 'eager' as he was...pointing at me ferociously. He must have realized it a bit late as he saw my gaze looking down at him as he covered himself with his hand, or as much as he could before rushing his way to the table. I swear though I've never seen anything like that in my life, it looked a lot bigger then I would have imagined, almost made me hungry before stuffing food in my face.

"Scho Shwift...~gulp~ What do you have in mind for us today?" I asked curiously, gaining His attention as he focused on me.

"Well, today I was just thinking about taking you out to get you something nice. I figured since you didn't seem to have brought some clothes with you so..." Swift explained, making me smile as I had an idea on what he had in mind for me.

"Swift, are you trying to take me out to go shopping for clothes?" I asked, earning a nod before I smirked and leaned closer with my chin resting on the back of my hands, "Or are you trying to cop a peek for when I'm trying some clothes on?" I teased to Swift, but he gave me a sly smile as he leaned in.

"Don't tempt me hun, I might take you up on that." He teased back as I blushed and covered my face.

"Don't do that Swift, you're better when you're sweet to me." I blurted out.

"Awww, I do try my best." He commented while gazing at me sweetly before he seemed to have something on his mind, "Hey Clear, does it make you uncomfortable when I uh...called you babe last night?" I sat there with food in my mouth, trying to remember what he meant before I blushed and looked away.

"Well, no. It wasn't bad or anything. In fact, I...kinda liked it." I muttered back as he had this astounded look on his face before pressing on curiously.

"So, you don't mind if I...called you that huh?" Swift asked. It was really cute seeing him act like this, it was almost colt-like but still adorable, seeing him nervous over a pet name. Though I've heard some guys call me that for ill reasons, but when Swift calls me that it doesn't sound demeaning or flirtatious, but rather like a title or he's acknowledging me as something special to him. It's different in a nice way I suppose. With that in mind, I tilt my head with my cheek resting on the back of my hands as I answered.

"I don't mind at all. I think it's really sweet you see me like that." He smiled looking away as I heard him muttering something, sounding something like, "Of course I do." But I wanted to be sure as I beckoned him.

"Hmm? Did you say something Swifty?" He looked back at me, shaking his head with a smile.

"Nah it's nothing babe." After hearing him call me that, I was screaming internally, just the way he calls me that just fuels me with satisfaction. We finished up our meals shortly after as he told me to get dressed so we can go out together. I went straight to my room, took off Swift's shirt and used my magic to make my outfit reappear. Stepping out of the room, I took his hand as we rushed out of the house to start our little adventure.

We were walking down the road, passing a library and making our way to the fountain as I looked over at Swift smiling eagerly. Whatever the surprise is, he seems pretty anxious to show me it. I found myself bumping into him as our shoulders rub against each other as I asked him.

"So Swift, where are you taking me?" He only looked at me without losing that smile on his face as he wrapped an arm around me, rubbing my arm in a friendly manner as he replied.

"I can't tell you yet babe. But you'll have an idea when we get there." I leaned my head on his shoulder with a pout as I begged.

"Awww come on Swifty, tell me. Please~" He looked at me in the eyes for a brief moment before looking away, before I saw his eyes shifting back and forth from my gaze to the path ahead as he sighs.

"Alright fine, we're going to the Carousel Boutique to get you the surprise." I refrained from giving a shocked expression when I heard him, taking us over to the same place where the Changeling Scouts were attacked. Though this may serve as an advantage to better understand what led them there to begin with as we continued our way down until we came across a rather sizable two-story establishment, befitting to appear as a carousel-themed home with pony-figures dressed in different clothing poised at the window for display.

"Here we are, the Carousel Boutique." Swift announced, breaking me from my thought as I turned to him with an innocent smile, nuzzling into his shoulder.

"It looks...pretty nice." I complemented as Swift blinked, took a moment to look around.

"Yea, I suppose so. It has it's features, but the ponyquins kinda make it seem uneasy. Like can you imagine living in a place and lets say those things came to life, that would be spooky." He shared before giving me a wicked grin as I smacked his arm.

"Don't try to scare me, I'm a tough mare who can handle a little plastic figurine." I stated before he gave me a sly smirk.

"Oh really?" He started as he reached for my arm and gave them a squeeze, feeling my muscles as I chuckled and flexed for him. "Hey check you out, miss macho mare." Feeling amused from his playfulness, I turned my head to the side with a smug manner.

"That's right, bow down and worship my superiority." I boasted, preaching for all to know and hear before my eyes bulged in a fit of laughter. I was holding on to my sides with Swift's hands under mine, his fingers ravaging my sides and leaving me in a laughing fit from his tickles.

"Hahaha Swift please...STOOOP! Haha, no more!" I pleaded as I was thrashing around, my body held close to his as he tickled me.

"Who's superior now. Say mercy and I'll stop." He chanted while tickling me as I tried my best to resist, to not give in before it became much as I pleaded.

"Okay mercy, MERCY! Hahaha, please no more Swift." he shortly relieved me from his onslaught, held me in his arms with me catching my breath and relaxing.

"You okay babe?" He asked kindly as I took another breath with a melting sensation from him addressing me as I looked up at him.

"Yea, I'm okay. Let's go ahead and go inside now."

We stepped inside of the Carousel Boutique as the bell welcomed our entry with a chime, followed by a sing song voice chanting.

"Coming~" We waited by the entrance as a white mare appeared from the other end of the shop dressed in a business attire and brimming with a welcoming smile. I then recognized her as being one of the Elements that I was tasked to find and remove, and here she was standing before me. She looked to be an easy target to dispatch of but yet if I acted now, then it would surely blow my cover and I cannot have that.

I looked over at Swift as he seemed to be waving at the white mare as I turned my attention back as the white mare greeted us.

"Welcome to the Carousel Boutique, where everything is chic, unique, and magnifique. Have you come here for the dresses?" Rarity inquired. As I watched her approaching us with a sway to her hips, already I felt this trigger of dislike towards her. Her pompous attitude, her high-class taste, and those demanding eyes, it all didn't settle well with me one bit as I tried so hard not to rip her apart right there. I tried to force a smile as best as I could as she began examining me from head to hoof, increasing my discomfort before she circled around me as she looked at Swift with a beaming smile.

"You chose some very marvelous options for the young mare, and you said this is for a special occasion?" Rarity commented. I looked at Swift questioningly though assumed that this has something to do with the surprise he has in store as he noticed my puzzled gaze and rubbed the back of his head in response.

"Hehe yea, but I couldn't decide which one she'd like the most so...I thought it'd be better if she picked out the dress instead." I was growing more surprised as I looked around the establishment to see all the different colors of clothing before I felt a small hand on my shoulder, gaining my attention and meeting a pair of sapphire blue eyes.

"Come darling, let us show you to your new attires and see which one that you like." Rarity beckoned as she guides us down the room and towards the back, but along the way I noticed a midnight blue dress that caught my eye, gleaming in a dazzling sparkle before I was urged onward, seeing the dress going further as I turned back ahead a bit disappointed before entering a room with a rack of clothes and a changing room. I looked around to find a clearing with three mirrors positioned to capture all sides of the model.

As I stood at the center of the room, Rarity brought forth the cart of clothing as Rarity used her magic to levitate three different dresses up in front of me.

"These are the dresses that was selected that were believed to suit your taste, if you like them, then please take them into the dressing room and try them on and let us know what you think darling." Rarity said as I looked at the three different dresses before me and took them all in my hand, forcing a smile once more as I gritted.

"Thank you miss." I then quickly made my way into the dressing room, closing the door behind me and sighing in relief. Finally away from the annoyance before looking at the dresses in curiosity and hanging them on the wall, preparing to try one on as I contemplated. Seeing a red dress, I used my magic to rid of my attire save from my undergarments before wearing the dress as I glimmered with a satin red silk. "So the scouts must have came here with knowledge of this being the resident of one of the Elements. But if I remember right, the creature known as 'Vincent' is in a herd with this Element so if I were to act now, it could jeopardize my mission,and may be risky as well. So I believe it is best if I somehow took her by surprise, where I know the moment is perfect, fitting for a covert operation. Of course, I could do it now and be rid of her but..." I cracked the door open to find Swift there, and Rarity seemed to have disappeared. But seeing Swift's smile, I felt something heavy inside of me as I grabbed my chest and moved back inside.

"Not in front of him. He's...an exception I suppose, and it wouldn't be fair for all his kindness and hospitality. So I must be patient and bid time until the moment is perfect." I then opened the door to show him one of the dresses that I've selected as his mouth hung open with a captivated smile upon seeing me. Receiving wonderful comments and compliments from him as this became ongoing with the other two dresses before he reached back and showed me the blue dress that I wanted earlier before I looked at him.

"Hehe um Swift, what is this?" I asked wondrously, feigning ignorance as Swift tilt with an obvious awareness and answered.

"This...is your new dress. Sorry but as you were showing us your new dresses, you didn't look completely satisfied with them and I saw your expression from earlier when I notice your gaze was tended to this dress so...here you go" He stated happily as I reached out and took the dress from his hand before I was making my way back to the changing room, changing into my new blue dress with eagerness and looked in the mirror only to internally scream out before coming out and receiving notification of others liking the way it looks on me.

I couldn't help but feel thankful for the surprise that I have received as I gave Swift a hug and was also admiring my new outfit, now looking forward to what our date may have in store for us both.

"Thank you Swift. You're a sweet Stallion to me." he gripped me more firmly in our embrace as I said that and responded.

"Anything for you Clear." After our little tender moment, we went to the register to check out and left the boutique as I was planning for what is to come ahead, only to find myself wondering what the date will be like for us both.