I was having a wonderful dream of being part of an orgy with multiple copies of Chrysi when the real one decided to wake me up.

Well, not really, I was dreaming about teen angst for whatever reason.

“Ember?” I got a nudge to my side. “You awake yet?” Her response was a mildly irritated grumble.

“Mmrrgh… I am now.” I mumbled. “What is it?” I asked without opening my eyes.

“Well… I… I thought about what you said yesterday… And… I… I’ll talk to my mom.” A ghost of a smile made its home on my face when she said that. “But, you have to be there with me!” She demanded.

“I can do that.” I cracked my eyes open and sat up in our bed. A very nude Chrysi with bed hair and a cutely determined look staring back at me. “Thought you’d want me there as emotional support.” She pouted at that. “But I don’t think it’ll come to that point.” She raised an eyebrow at that, still pouting.

“Why?” She then asked.

“If I know anything about parents, which I did posses while growing up, a mother can be very forgiving of her child.” She ‘hmph’d at that.

“Oh, how would you know?”

“Uuuuh probably because I just said I had parents myself when I was growing up too? And that I was a rebellious teen also? I don’t know, something like that.” I said sarcastically.

“I knew that!” She thumped me on my chest.

“Really? So you like messing with me like that?” I asked wryly.

“N-no! That’s not right!” She stuttered.

“Then what are you doing? You’re sending me pretty mixed messages here.” I said. At this point she was blushing furiously. It’s a wonder how her cheeks didn’t pop from all the blood pooling in them.

Aw fuck… I just HAD to give myself that image… Eh… Not bad compared to other things I've actually seen… yeah…

Anyway, Chrysi decided to get over talking to her mother, basically reconciling at this point, as soon as possible. So as soon as we were ready we headed off to Mirage’s home in the Everfree.

“Ugh… I don't remember the forest being like this!” Chrysi swatted at the vines and low-lying branches obstructing her path. But don’t think I haven’t been a gentleman to my girl this whole time. I was preoccupied dealing with any creatures that decided to come our way.

The fact that she is complaining about the foliage is a testament to the shit I was putting up with in the forest.

… Someone should really burn this place to ashes, so many… dark memories, I would like to not remember anytime soon… Nah… Too many repercussions if I do that.

“Can it Chrysi.” I said. “Be happy that you haven’t seen a timberwolf or a manticore.”

“Yeah, when you’re taking care of that, I can complain about whatever I want.”

... I seriously think me and Chrysi were literally made for each other.

“Hey, Chrysi?” I asked.

“Yeah?”

“I nearly forgot to ask; did you really not have a name when we first met? Or..?” I heard her sigh from behind.

“No, I did have a name before then… I just, I didn’t want to remember what my… mom did to me. Or, did for me, since, you know...” I nodded despite Chrysi being a little too distracted to notice.

“Right. So… what was your name before I gave you a new one?” Chrysi didn’t immediately respond.

“... It was Mimic. My real name was Mimic.” She eventually answered.

“Really? Huh… nice name.” I remarked.

“What?”

“I said that’s nice name. For a changeling, anyway. A name like that really wouldn’t work with a human… or pony now that I think about it.”

“Oh, uhm… Thanks, I guess...”

“I meant it as a compliment… Also, do you think you would want to change your name back to Mimic?” I asked out of the blue.

“I don’t know, why?” She said after some thought.

“Well, I just think… since we’re together, that we could start being, real, with each other; like, we don’t keep anything from each other. Know what I mean? Plus Mimic's a really cute name.”

“Yeah, I know...” There was a long, uncomfortable silence, I think she ignored that last part altogether. “I think… I think that sounds fair… I mean, you have a point; we are together now. But, I just have one question.”

“And what might that be?” I asked.

“Why the tartarus do this in the middle of this goddess-forsaken forest?” She asked in a very irritated tone. I shrug casually without looking back.

“Mostly for privacy. I had a sneaking suspicion that Spark or Max were somehow eavesdropping us before.”

“What? Why would you think that?”

“I based both of their A.I. off my own mind. And I was pretty curious when I was a couple years younger.”

“Ooooooh… Buck...” Since when does she know what A.I. stands for? Much less what it means!? Oh… she probably learned that from Spark or Max.

“Eh, I wouldn’t worry too much about it.” I wave off. “The best they can do with info like that is make it public. It's not that bad right?”

“I guess so… Still, that would be kind of messed up.”

“Yeah, a little.” I said. “But… I trust they wouldn’t do something like that.”

“Max, Ember’ll have our mechanical asses! Get back here!”

“No! Fuck off!’

“Heh, yeah, I hope so.” Chrysi said.

“Yeah… Oh! We’re here.” I said as soon as I saw the cave entrance.

“Oh… Jooooy...” She wheezed and her entire form visibly wilted as she looked at the big, gaping cave mouth.

“Hey, come one. I’m here for you.” I said I as I wrapped her in a comforting embrace. She sighed and relaxed a little, eventually we broke away from each other while Chrysi was staring at the cave with pure determination.

“Let's do this.” She declared right before marching into the cave, me following close behind.

It didn’t take us long for us to see changelings milling about. Though, why there weren’t any at the entrance was a wonder to me. But, anyway, we were getting a lot of odd looks from the changelings. Well, more like Chrysi, or Mimic, maybe, if all goes well between her and her mother.

No words were shared between the two of us as we made to the throne room. Despite changelings who saw us stopped whatever they were doing to stare at Chrysi. They must know who she is; they have too. It just must be her new look that’s causing them to stare like that. But other than the stares, they pretty much left us alone. No doubt they told Mirage of our presence already.

“Here… we are.” Chrysi said when we got to the doors leading to the throne room. She stood for a couple moments, as if debating within herself whether or not this was a bad or a good idea.

Considering the circumstances, that is probably exactly what she’s thinking about. Her standing there for what felt like ages proves that.

“You alright?” I asked while placing a hand on her shoulder. She looked back at me, a grateful curving her luscious lips.

“Y-yeah.” She stuttered. “L-let’s go.” She turned back around and opened the doors with her magic. With me no less than three feet behind her, we walked towards the back of the large chamber. I saw Mirage sitting upon her throne. Her face having a mix of relief, joy, and pain. But not the physical kind.

“H-hi mom.” Chrysi mumbled when we got close enough. Mirage didn’t say anything, she just kept looking down at us. And I honestly couldn’t tell if she was pissed out of her mind, or something else.

At some point, Mirage got up from her throne, walked down the stairs and up to Chrysi, and stood a few feet away from her daughter, not saying a word. There were tears in her eyes, and her face went from that mix of emotions, to pure happiness.

“My child, Mimic, you have finally come home.” She said right before rearing up and wrapping her forelegs around Chrysi's stomach. “I missed you.” She nuzzled into her side and Chrysi hugged back.

“... I… m-missed you t-too, mom.” Chrysi, or rather, Mimic now, sobbed. “It’s g-good to b-be back home too.” She said.

Sensing the atmosphere, I politely made my way out the room as quietly as possible. Kinda difficult to pull off when the big fucking doors squeak like bats fucking in an echoey cave.

“Our princess has returned?” A random changeling asked.

“Yes, but you might want to give them some time.” The changeling nodded understandingly and walked off, probably to spread word. The rest of the changelings within earshot just nodded and returned to their business some sporting smiles, and others shook their heads. As if they had an idea their princess would come back.

I guess they were right...

*Hmmm… What to do… What to do…* I ponder to myself. *Got nothing else planned for today, and I can’t just leave Chrysi… But… she could go back here, and leave me…* I shake my head. *Meh… I’ll just wait here.* And so, I decided to wait right in front the throne room doors while Mirage and Chrysi talk.

“... mber! Hey! Ember! Wake up!”

“Huh?” My eyes open blearily.

“Ember. Have you been standing here this whole time?” Chrysi and Mirage were standing a foot or two away. Chrysi was still human-like. That's good, I think.

“What?” I look around not quite remembering where I was, or what i was doing.

“I think he has dear. How cute.” She said with an amused smile.

“Oh, uh, I fell asleep?”

“Uh, yeah!” Chrysi said. “You fell asleep standing straight up too!”

“Oh, that’s new.” I said. My mind was still a little hazy at that moment. It took her telling me that I fell asleep standing up for me to realize I did that. “Been awhile since I fell asleep like that.” I start the process of popping every possible joint in my body. There were a lot of pops and cracks since I pretty much fell asleep standing the fuck up.

“That does not sound… natural.” Mirage said. “Is that normal? Are you alright?”

“Yes, for humans it is. I'm fine.” I answered. The process of popping my joints ends at my wings, that felt particularly good. “So, what’s up between the two of you? You all good or..?” I asked. The mother-daughter duo look at each other. Chrysi motions for her mother to tell me something. Mirage responded with a scowl and hard look to her and then a glance to me.

“We patched things up and forgave each other.” Chrysi grumbled after a sigh floated past her lips.

“Oh, that's good to hear.” I said. “So I get to call you Mimic now?” I asked with the best winning smile I could muster.

“Mmmrgh, yes. Ember, you can call me that now.” The changeling princess said with an embarrassed look on her face.

“Aww…” Mirage cooed. “You are just the adorable little nymph when you're embarrassed!” She chuckled.

“Moooooooom...” Chrysi, or rather, Mimic now, groaned. “Not in front of hiiiim!”

“Lighten up Mimic.” I chuckled and wrapped an arm around the human changeling. “We’re still dating.” I realized something at that moment, something i should've realized from the get go. I dared to look at Mirage. “If your mother’s ok with it, that is?” The older changeling’s face fell neutral.

“I will be honest, I did not expect for my daughter to fall in love with a being such as yourself. Given that I did not know your kind did exist.” She gestured to me. “And for her to make such a… change to her body.” She spared a glance at Mimic. “But… I had the wonderful opportunity of speaking with you to a such an extent. I have talked to you about sensitive matters, and you have been nothing but respectful, honest -besides you lying blatantly about my daughter’s whereabouts- and ultimately friendly around me and my children.

And while I may not know much about your personal life, you have treated us with nothing but kindness and compassion. And it is because I can sense no malicious intent on within you, builds confidence within myself towards you that you truly are in love with my daughter. And that you will take care of her like the little princess she is.” A cute little blush made its way to Mimic’s cheeks when Mirage said that. “And for this, I not only approve of your relationship, you may also have my blessing.” Wait wha-

No fucking way.

Did she just..?

Did a queen, a queen, just tell me that it's ok to marry her daughter, a princess -a god damn princess-, if I ever chose to?

… Don't I feel special?

“... Really?” I asked in a whisper. “Did you just..?” Mirage tittered.

She tittered.

She, fucking, half giggled.

She kept herself from laughing out loud.

I’ve never seen her do that. It’s always been an amused smile, smirk, or a snicker. I have never seen her supress a giggle. Or any kind of laughter for that matter.

I mean, I know her well enough, she isn’t being snarky or sarcastic -or whatever the hell the proper word is. She genuinely gave me her blessing. To see her so amused at my reaction to that fucking declaration…

God damn… Didn’t think I’d ever see this side of her; I guess you can call it casual. I always thought we’d share an acquaintance relationship, and it wouldn’t go on from that.

But now she considers me family at this point. I could eventually become changeling royalty if me and Mimic don’t break up.

Sure, it’s not like pony royalty, but I can care less about the different species thing. I’ll take what I’m given.

… And I’m getting ahead of myself. Fuck.

“Yes, I suppose I have.” Mirage said. “But I do have one condition I must request of you.”

“Oh?” I raised one of my eyebrows.

“Please,” She said in a pleading tone. “please keep my daughter safe. I don’t know what I would do if anything were to ever happen to her. We know the world isn’t very kind to us changelings.” Mirage said as she put a hoof on Mimic’s leg. That classic, worried mother look creasing her features. I couldn't but feel for the parent, I pretty did the same thing to my parents; dropping off the face of the planet.

With that running around my mind, and with the utmost confidence and sincerity, I said:

“Queen Mirage, you have my word as a veteran, human, and Princess Mimic’s fiance. I will do everything within my power to protect her with everything I possess. Including my life.” As I declared, I subconsciously stood completely straight up. My right arm bent vertically forty-five degrees performing the common United States military salute. And, in the corner of my eye, I saw Mimic blush slightly.

And I saluted indoors… Fuck me. Well, I guess this is a special occasion. If I was british.

“Thank you, Ember. I trust you will stay by your word.” Mirage grinned brilliantly.

“Ugh, mooo~ooom!” Mimic moaned. “I'm not a weak little nymph!”

“I know sweetie.” Mirage giggled. “But you're my little nymph.” She cooed teasingly. Mimic blushed a little more at that.

“Not in front of Ember!” Mimic whined. “We talked about this!”

“Really? I do not remember such a conversation.” Mimic grunted in annoyance and stomped off.

“Aah…” Mirage sighed. “Now that is the Mimic I know.”

“She acts like a little kid a lot, doesn't she?” I asked.

“Mimic is not a goat by any means. But, she still has some maturing to do for a princess her age.”

“... How old is she exactly? She never really told me that.”

“That is something you do not ask a woman.” Mirage scolded playfully. “However, I will make this one exemption, just for you; my daughter is twenty seven years old.”

“Wow, really?” Mirage nodded. “... She really has some growing up to do then.”

Author's Notes:

Eh? See what I did there? Totally original right?