Early the next morning, Moonglade made her way down to the dining room to have breakfast, still dressed in her sleeveless top and shorts she had used to go to sleep, now proudly wearing the new hairband Home Run had gotten for her. The girl walked into the space to discover her aunt standing on the table, barefoot and with a rapier in her hand.

“Uh, Aunt Ivory…?” Moonglade adjusted her spectacles. “What are you doing?”

“Ah, I was wondering when you would show. I was just practicing my fencing forms. I used to be quite good at it in the renaissance period, you know. Maybe I can show you a thing or two.”

“Ooh, that would be nice, yes.” Moonglade nodded. “My school fencing team is really good. I could use your tips. And also… I don’t think mother will like you, um, standing on the table.”

“Well, your mother’s not here, so I don’t have to worry about what she’ll think.” Ivory flapped her hand dismissively. “Parry, thrust, parry, thrust. Simples. Are the sirens up yet?”

“I don’t think they’ll be up anytime soon, Aunt Ivory. You know them more than I do.”

“I guess I’ll keep going then.” Ivory thrusted her sword more. “Would you like some breakfast, sweetie?”

“Actually, yes. I’m starving.”

On cue, a maid emerged from one of the doors and bowed her head. “Good morning, Princess Moonglade. What would you like to have today?”

“I think I’ll go for a some eggs and sausages today, thanks,” Moonglade answered.

“At once, young princess.” And the maid was off, going back through the door she had used.

“Nice isn’t it?” Ivory parried up and down, then slashed right. “To have everything you want right at your fingertips. By the way, the hairband looks lovely on you, dear.”

“That is… rather nice, yes.” Moonglade thought about it. She did have everything she wanted, except for one thing: the courage to do what needed to be done. “Too bad I can’t ask for more courage though…”

“Normally humans turn to alcohol for a bit of liquid courage,” Ivory said, poking at her imaginary opponent in a flurry of stabs. “But I don’t think it would work on you. Plus, you’re not of drinking age.”

“Hmm… I don’t know myself, Aunt Ivory.” Moonglade sat down and watched her aunt’s form and techniques, trying to learn some from watching.

Eventually, Moonglade’s breakfast came through the door on a platter, and she could smell it before she even knew it was coming; it smelt delicious, of course, as was everything that was cooked here in the estate.

“Thank you,” she told the maid before digging in, keeping the plate further away from her aunt’s feet, just in case.

As Ivory watched her niece eat, she tapped the tip of her rapier against her shoulder and pondered, “Maybe I should cook once in a while. I’ve been told I’m rather good at that as well.”

“Oh you are?” She looked up at her aunt. “That’s cool. I never knew that.”

“Someone had to learn to cook for your mother, right? Who knows how long she would’ve lived if she cooked for herself. Which is strange, because cooking is a lot like alchemy, and your mother is excellent at alchemy.”

“Well, I look forward to your cooking, Aunt Ivory!” Moonglade chewed on her meal.

When she was done and had enough of watching her aunt fence atop the dining table, Moonglade went back to her bathroom and had her morning shower before changing out into her usual getup. She didn’t want to take off the hairband, but she decided to in the end, swapping it out for her braids. She hoped Home Run wouldn’t mind her only wearing it at home.

Moonglade first did some of her homework, then swapped over to her violin an hour early to practice before Mrs. Crescendo Melody was to arrive. She liked playing on the violin, but she didn’t like having lessons on it. She wished she could just get better without having to learn it all.

When Mrs. Crescendo did show up, Moonglade found herself learning how to play a new classical song by Strahoofski, which wasn’t difficult, but she did play a few wrong notes at times.

Right after her violin lessons were over, Moonglade quickly changed into her sword fighting gear and tied her hair up into a ponytail before heading downstairs for Ms. Lionstrike’s lessons.

Moonglade had to spar with her teacher today. She was slightly distracted, thinking of her date with Home Run, but she didn’t want to disappoint her mother again, so she still put in a lot of effort to get an opening on Ms. Lionstrike.

When she was done for the day, her teacher congratulated her before leaving, finally giving Moonglade time to go out. After another quick shower and a change back into her regular clothes, Moonglade was ready for her movie date with Home Run.

“I’m going on a date, I’m going on a date,” she sung to herself as she skipped down the stairs.

It was already close to evening by the time she began heading out. The sirens were up and already lounging around the first floor living room, doing nothing in particular.

“Going out, Moony?” Sonata turned around on the sofa. “Have fun!”

“You girls too, huh?” Moonglade smiled. “If you want to use the Neighstation, just go for it. Just don’t save over my progress.”

Skipping along outside, Ivory already had the car running, driving off as soon as Moonglade got inside.

“You must really like this boy, huh?” Ivory asked, keeping her eyes on the road. “Even though you keep saying you’d try harder… Are you, Moonglade?”

The young changeling played with a lock of her curly hair and sighed. “I don’t know, Aunt Ivory. I’ve never felt like this towards anyone before. I’ve never had to pretend I like someone, but, I don’t know… It’s all very confusing right now.”

“I smell your affection for the boy, sweetie.” Ivory looked up at her through the rearview mirror. “Now, I really don’t approve of you being so fond of him, but-”

“But that’s just it, Aunt Ivory,” Moonglade finally decided to come clean. “I think… I think I do like him. I enjoy being around him and he’s really nice to me. You know, for once, I want to know what it’s like. I want to be like a normal girl. I want to get to go out with Home Run because I enjoy it and not because he’s food. Please, Aunt Ivory. Just this once, can I experience it as a human would?”

Ivory Wings looked back at the front of the road, seemingly deep in thought.

“Alright, sweetie,” she said at last. “Your mother isn’t here, so… I think I can turn a blind eye once in a while. You taking a liking to him though, I don’t approve of it in the long run. These humans are just going to break your heart and there’s always the chance they find out what you really are and try to kill you. That must never happen. Not again.”

“I’ll-I’ll continue to do my best, Aunt Ivory.” Moonglade nodded slowly, playing with her seatbelt nervously.

“This is only your third date, but you’ve already come far. So for today, I’ll drop you off and head home. I’ll leave you to your privacy and to experience a real date, how about that?”

“You mean it, Aunt Ivory?” Moonglade leaned over and put a hand on her aunt’s shoulder.

“Anything for my princess.” the older changeling patted her hand. “But remember, our kind must never be revealed, so while I’m giving you more freedom today, don’t let your guard down.”

“I won’t, Aunt Ivory.” Moonglade replied confidently.

She smiled to herself, glad that her aunt understood what she was feeling. But this could only happen once. There was no way her mother was going to approve of this, so she would have to think of Home Run as food again after today. But for now, she was going to live in the moment.

“I’m watching a movie that mother’s acting in, did you know, Aunt Ivory?” Moonglade broke the silence in the car as it sped down a straight road. “Horror of the White River. Did you hear of that one?”

“I saw the original, if I remember, back when it was still black and white.” Ivory said proudly. “Between you and me, I still don’t think your mother is a good actress, but I’ll leave it to the humans to decide that. If they think she’s good, then what am I to do?”

Moonglade giggled in the back as the car pulled up to the theater’s parking lot. Her aunt really was a special person. She was glad she had been found again.

“You have a really good time, alright, sweetie?” Ivory turned around and gave her niece a high five. “Remember, only this one time, do as you will.When you’re done, just give me a call and I’ll come right back to pick you up. Be safe, okay?”

“I will, Aunt Ivory.” Moonglade showed her perfect rows of teeth and got out, waving to her aunt before walking along to the theater.

Oh boy, oh boy! My first time truly alone! Hearing it like that, it didn’t sound very good, but the girl was excited nonetheless. But this is finally my chance to know how a real date is supposed to go down! All on my own. No backup.

The more she thought, the more afraid she became. She really was alone this time. If she needed help, her aunt wasn’t around to provide it. Taking a few deep breaths, Moonglade calmed herself, trying to think positive now. At least she would have Home Run by her side. Knowing him enough, he was going to do a good job of looking after her.

Can’t wait to see you, Home Run.

When she entered the actual building, Moonglade walked down the starry patterned carpet, making her way for the main hall, where all the movie posters and counters were. She soon found Home Run, standing by the side and holding on to a big box of popcorn, looking at a poster of a movie called Live Softly 2.

Quietly approaching him, Moonglade stood behind him and waited, seeing how long he would take to notice her; she had to hold back her laughter as to not give off her position so soon.

When at last Home Run did turn around, he jumped, spilling some popcorn and hitting his back against the poster’s holder.

“Owowowowow…” He rubbed his head. “It’s just you, Moonglade, sorry.”

“Are you okay?” She pulled his head down gently to inspect it. “I’m sorry. I was too quiet, it seems.”

“Nah, don’t worry about it. I get injured quite a bit. This is nothing.” He laughed it off. “Anyway, I got us the tickets and some popcorn. Want some now?”

“Don’t mind if I do.” Moonglade reached in and took some, then put it in her mouth. “Mm, sweet, not bad.”

“Yeah, I figured you’d prefer sweet over salty.” Home Run smiled, then motioned with his head towards the theater hall entrances. “Shall we? The movie starts in six minutes.”

“Alright, let’s go!”

Moonglade walked closely alongside Home Run, wanting to hold his hand, but they were currently full, with one holding the tickets and the other holding the box of popcorn. She only got her chance to do so when the blue haired boy gave the tickets to the attendant, which was the first thing she did when they passed him, going up to one of the halls.

Moonglade had blushed slightly and likely so did Home Run, but she ignored it. She wanted to be with Home Run right now, no matter what.

Entering the dark hall, Moonglade followed Home Run to their seats, with the boy letting her ease her way through the row first, now following behind her. Moonglade found herself beside two boys, likely middle schoolers; one actually reminded her of Sunny Flare, with fairly similar colored hair and skin.

Waiting for the ads to roll, Moonglade took the chance to put both her legs up on the seat and lean over to place her head on Home Run’s shoulder.

“You know, watching movies is nice,” she said, closing her eyes to better enjoy the moment for now. “Whoever came up with these must be quite the genius.”

“Sure was,” Home Run chuckled and ate a handful of popcorn.

“I mean, we have a home theater back at my place, but this theater is way bigger.”

“Oh. You probably own lots of movies that star your mom, huh?” Home Run joked. “What’s it like? To have an acclaimed actress as a mother?”

“Kinda lonely…” Moonglade exhaled and wrapped an arm around one of Home Run’s. “Before my aunt and the sirens, um, and my sister came to live with us, it was just me and her. If she wasn’t around, I really had no one else to spend time with. I’m very happy you’re willing to do that, Home Run.”

“Um, yeah, sure. Anytime…” Home Run grinned, giving her hand a confident grasp.

Moonglade opened her eyes again when the ads began to play, righting her head as well, though she kept her arm around the baseball player’s.

There were ads for shampoo, some kind of vacuum cleaner, and then a series of expensive watches, before the movie trailers began to roll. There was a trailer for The Error in our Suns, starring her mother, who was also narrating most of the trailer. Her voice was higher, more teen-like, but Moonglade could still recognize it as her mother’s voice. She took some small amount of pride in that.

“This one looks good,” she whispered to Home Run. “We should watch it some time.”

“Well, I’m not much for chick flicks.”The boy rubbed his head. “But if you do want to see it, then sure, I can come with you.”

Moonglade grinned happily as the next trailer played, which was for a movie called President Evil: Overmisunderestimation. It was an action film, with the main characters fighting off a horde of zombie-like creatures with heads that opened up like flowers.

“Sick…” Moonglade held tighter to Home Run’s arm.

Keep it together, girl. Your family is a far more horrifying breed of monster than any filmmaker could dream up.

After it was over, the entire theater dimmed, going pitch black for a second, before the screen came on again, showing the logos for the various companies that helped make this movie realized.

The movie started with some pretty ominous music, followed by a man running through the woods, constantly looking back. The music and the environmental quietness was actually quite unsettling for the blonde haired girl; it felt as though she could almost taste the fear emanating right out of the movie screen. Something was chasing the man, and Moonglade could only guess it must be the Horror, mentioned in the movie’s title.

“Wow, already the first scene and it already has me on edge…” Moonglade whispered, shuffling as close as she could to Home Run. Then suddenly something jumped out at the man from off screen, the screams of the creature and man so horrifying that Moonglade screamed, startled by the sudden attack.

Her grip around Home Run’s arm tightened like a vice and Home Run himself jumped in his seat as she did it.

“Sorry!” She blushed, embarrassed she had let out a shriek like that. The two boys beside her started snickering, likely laughing at her.

“Hey, don’t worry.” Home Run put an arm around her to calm her trembling shoulders as the title came up on screen. “It’s a horror movie. You’re meant to get scared.”

“R-Right…” Moonglade felt safer with the boy’s arm around her. It was warm and comfortable. Though, she was irked to know that the two boys were still laughing. They were probably thinking how uncool she was. Well, I have a boyfriend. Sorta. Do you guys have girlfriends? Yeah, I don’t think so.

The rest of the movie continued on with the exploration team, who had come to explore the jungle where the White River lay. Moonglade’s mother was soon introduced, playing the character of Kylie Sails, the main character, River Reed’s wife. Her mother had on a long silver dress that really brought out her curves. She was guessing many men would be coming to watch this movie just to see her body.

Eventually, the creature was revealed, which was some kind of half-man, half-fish creature. It was rather grotesque, but nothing too terrifying. Eventually, it kidnapped Kylie, stealing her away to its underground lair. The expedition, led by River Reed, the main character and portrayed by actor, Boulder, set off to find her, searching down the White River.

Most of the movie wasn’t scary, but when night fell again and the music went back to being ominous, Moonglade found her arms around Home Run’s again, squishing herself against him. The boy didn’t seem to mind. In fact, Moonglade could smell a trail of affection from him and it tasted better than the popcorn.

The expedition crew began dying off one by one as the creature got to them, constantly evading capture in the dark night. Finally discovering the creature’s lair, River Reed was separated from the others, wandering deeper into the cave on his own. Eventually, he found Kylie, chained to the rock wall in the cave, her dress in tatters.

There, he did battle with the creature, resulting in him blasting it into the water with his shotgun, its body sinking down to the dark depths. Saving his wife, he brought her in for a passionate kiss as the scene panned up back to the outside sky, now daytime again.

The movie ended with the remaining expedition members sailing back down the river, only to be followed behind by something in the water.

“My, that was pretty good, actually.” Home Run turned to Moonglade, patting her on the arm. “You okay?”

“Yeah, yeah, I’m fine.” Moonglade held his hand. “It was a bit scary, but you’re here with me, so it wasn’t so bad.”

Moonglade heard a scoffing sound from the kids next to her, followed by a, “Gross, look at them. Girls… ha.”

“Tell me about it,” his friend said. “Except your sister. She’s hot.”

“Yeah, and she talks to her posters too. She’s a real looney.”

Moonglade chose to ignore them and pulled Home Run up. “Come on, let’s go. I’ve want to stretch my legs.”

Unfortunately for her, the two boys got up as well, deciding to head out too.

Ugh… kids. Moonglade thought, tugging on Home Run’s arm.

“Come on, let’s leave this way,” She pulled him over to one of the fire exits.

“Are you sure?” Home Run stammered. “I mean, why not leave with everyone else?”

Moonglade flashed him a closed mouth smile, feeling her fangs start to extend from the affection and concern.

“Oh, come on, it’ll be fine. People are meant to use these doors anyway.”

“If you insist…” Home Run went along with her, pushing open the fire exit door.

They followed a series of tunnels, eventually emerging out in an alley between the cinema and the Canterlot Mall.

“Hey, we’re out.” Home Run smiled, still holding hands with Moonglade. “So you wanted to come out here, um, why? Is your aunt meeting you out here?”

“Because I wanted to get away from those kids,” Moonglade said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. “Come on, we can get a bite to eat at the mall or something.”

“Yeah, I’m kinda hungry.” Home Run patted his stomach. “We could go grab some dinner.”

The pair walked along the alley, aiming for the street, when a shadowy figure detached itself from the wall, blocking their path. He had on an old brown coat, worn with age, and his pants had holes at the knees.

Instinctively, Home Run placed himself in front of Moonglade and kept her close behind him.

“Can we help you?” he asked the man. Moonglade was impressed. He wasn’t the slightest bit afraid. She felt her fingers draw into hooks as she sniffed. Hostility and apprehension.

“Yes, you can.” Without warning, the man drew a long sharp knife from his old ragged coat, pointing its tip at Home Run’s chest. “Wallets and phones. Now. No one needs to get hurt.”

Moonglade eyed the thief closely. His knife was obviously going to be a point to watch, as most of his attacking power would be coming from there. He was a good foot taller than Home Run, but had a bulge in his belly that suggested he was no stranger to alcohol. Leaving Home Run to do what he needed to do, the girl’s eyes darted around the alley, looking for something to use as a weapon.

There. A lead pipe, about half a meter long. Perfect.

“Don’t make me wait.” The man wagged his knife around. “I’m going to count to three and I better see what I want.”

Moonglade felt Home Run tense up, and then he let go of her hand. She watched him, analyzing his stance. He was getting ready to try something.

“One.”

Home Run shuffled his left foot forward by an inch.

“Two.”

“Get ready to run,” Home Run whispered to her, almost inaudible. If not for her more acute hearing, she might not have heard him.

“Three. You asked for this.” The man pulled his knife arm back to strike.

“Wait! There!” Home Run pointed a finger past the mugger’s face. “Cop! Hey, here!”

Moonglade looked and there was none. It was a diversion.

“What?” The man turned around to look, buying it.

Then Home Run left Moonglade, first throwing a hand to the man’s knife arm. He hit the mugger in the wrist and the knife spun away from his grasp.

“Hey!” The mugger yelled and tried to grab for Home Run.

Moonglade watched the boy duck and then try to push him back.

“Go, Moonglade! Get out of here!” Home Run yelled to her, trying to hold the man against the wall.

Moonglade rolled her eyes and bent down to pick up the pipe. It was heavier than it looked, which delighted her. Having trained with a blade most of her life, a blunt instrument would be a new experience for her. Now all she needed was for Home Run to get out of the way…

The man suddenly brought up a knee, hitting Home Run in the gut and making him double over.

“You don’t mess with me, kid!” The mugger punched him in the face on the left, then right, then one more left.

Home Run fell back, landing on the ground, hard, groaning from the pain. Turning, the mugger picked up his knife again, pointing it at Home Run.

“You’re dead, kid. You’re dead.” He raised his weapon.

And then Moonglade, who had been creeping closer and closer during the fight, deflected his knife as it was heading for Home Run and then smashed the lead pipe into the side of the robber’s body, accelerating her arms to speeds beyond human strength. There was an audible crack as the pipe made contact with the man’s ribs. The knife was dropped, and Moonglade kicked it away before slamming the pipe in between the man’s legs.

The robber fell to the ground, his face turning white as he grabbed his crotch. Moonglade took the opportunity to stand over him and start swinging the pipe left and right, bludgeoning the robber while she giggled.

“Who do you think you’re robbing?” Moonglade laughed, smacking the robber in the shoulder with her pipe. “Of all the people you could’ve robbed, you just had to pick me. Just who do you think I am?!”

She continued to swing away happily, until the thief lost consciousness. She then kicked him for good measure and backed away, fingering the lead pipe contentedly.

Only then did she remember Home Run. In the giddiness of being able to finally use her skills with a weapon, she had forgotten all about her date.

Glancing down at the defeated thief, Moonglade turned around to check on Home Run. The boy had marks on his face and a small cut on his right cheek, but he was now standing on his feet, which was good. His mouth and eyes were agape, which was perhaps not so good. Moonglade hefted the pipe and skipped over to Home Run.

“Are-Are you okay, Home Run?” She looked at his feet, slightly afraid that she might’ve done something irreversible in their relationship.

Before she could assess the damage she had done, Home Run reached out his hands and catching ahold of her face, he pulled Moonglade in for a kiss. The young changeling was shocked and surprised at first, not expecting him to react like that, but she soon melted into the kiss, returning it with equal gusto, dropping the lead pipe by her feet. She felt the intense surge of delicious love energy enter her, replenishing the amount she had burned while fighting the thief. Finally, her weeks of work had paid off and her hunt was successful. She had finally found the love she was looking for and it tasted so much better than the one she got from her family.

Eventually, they both pulled away for want of breath.

“So,” Home Run said with a nervous smile. “Do you still want to grab dinner?”