After having dinner over at a burger place, Home Run walked Moonglade over to the carpark, where her aunt was waiting. Moonglade didn’t know what her aunt had been up to, but when she got close enough to the car, she noticed her aunt was already in there, the light on and a magazine in her hands.

I wonder how she followed me. I didn’t even notice her.

“Well, I had a lot of fun today, Home Run.” Moonglade turned around and held Home Run’s striped shirt in both hands. “So I’ll see you again some time?”

“Yeah, I’ll see you, Moonglade.” Home Run wrapped one arm around the girl and gave her a hug, his other hand holding the baseball bat she had gotten for him. “Thanks so much for this bat. I’ll be sure to win the championships for you.”

“I’ll hold you to that…” She smirked, then pulled his head in for a kiss. “See you, Home Run.”

With another wave, the young changeling got into the car and closed the door. After buckling herself in, she waved one last time as Ivory Wings began to leave the carpark, picking up speed after reversing out of the lot.

“Oh, Home Run…” Moonglade hugged her shoulders. He was really such a nice boy and she loved him. She knew that herself. She really liked him. She didn’t know how long a person would usually take to fall in love, but she felt like her heart had already been captured… and that was something her aunt was likely going to talk to her about now. She could smell it in the air when she took a discreet sniff.

“Sweetie.”

Oh, here we go…

“Did you have fun today?”

These words were said with less of their usual enthusiasm and more with an overtone of wariness.

Moonglade nodded and swallowed before answering. “Umm… yes, Aunt Ivory.”

“Good. Now, as it’s the weekend and you won’t be going anywhere tomorrow, I have a tiny favor to ask.”

“Umm, what favor, Aunt Ivory?” Moonglade began unconsciously playing with her fingers.

“I need you to take off your disguise, and have a good long think about what it is you really feel about this boy. Can you do that, please?” Ivory looked back in the rearview mirror with narrowed eyes.

“I-I will, Aunt Ivory.” Moonglade looked away from Ivory’s piercing gaze and blushed. “I-I know… I did it again. I’m sorry, but… I do. I really do like him.”

“That’s why I want you to remove your disguise before thinking about it,” Ivory said patiently. “I believe that a persona carries extra emotional baggage that you in your native form wouldn’t have. Do you understand?”

“I understand.” She nodded. She remembered the last time she had removed her disguise to feel better after her mother had ruined her night with Home Run. However, it hadn’t exactly worked out like her aunt had wanted. Would this?

“I’m concerned about you, sweetie,” Ivory Wings sighed as she stopped at a red light. “If, hypothetically, it turned out you’d actually, actually, fallen in love with the prey, there’s no telling what your mother would do. Don’t you remember what she did to your father?”

“Not in detail…” Moonglade tweaked her fingers together.

“Perhaps it’s better if you don’t…” Ivory muttered. “But the point is, there’s no telling what your mother might do if it turns out you’ve fallen for the food. It’s food, and while it may be fun to act like you like them, you really shouldn’t. So once we get home, take off your disguise and have a good long think about yourself. For your own benefit.”

“I’ll-I’ll see, Aunt Ivory...” Moonglade looked down disappointedly. Her aunt was right of course. Home Run was supposed to just be prey for her. A source of food to bring home for the family, but now, after experiencing friendship and love for herself, it was a lot harder to just treat him as food. “Aunt Ivory… what if… what if father were okay with mother being a changeling? Would he still have to die?”

“Probably,” Ivory shrugged. “With him around there’s no chance you would have bloomed into this fine young lady that you are. You know how your mother is about our little secrets.”

“Silver Platter and the maids are still alive.” Moonglade pointed out. “Mother’s okay with them.”

“Because they’re not authority figures, sweetie. They’re here to serve us, not give us advice,” Ivory chuckled. “Can you imagine Silver Platter giving your mother tips on how to raise you? He wouldn’t last a day.”

“But mother doesn’t take advice from anyone, whoever they are. She doesn’t even listen to some of the things you say.”

“Well… that is true. But that’s just how a queen is. I understand her, because I came very close to becoming a queen myself.” Moonglade’s aunt’s face took on a darker aspect. “I understand what goes through her head, better than anyone else.”

Moonglade nodded and looked out the window just in time to see a man drop his ice cream cone on the ground. She had always wanted a family, like all the families she saw when she got to go out. A father and a mother to spend time with sounded so good. But she only had a mother, and her mother didn’t let her do a whole lot of things, one of them being falling in love. She just couldn’t understand why humans were so mistrusting of other beings.

Then she thought back to the Friendship Games. Everyone was talking about magic like it was an everyday occurrence. Even she couldn’t believe all the magic herself, but the humans did. Would they also talk about changelings like they were normal? Could that actually happen?

“Aunt Ivory, don’t you ever think that humans could be different from the ones you hated so long ago?” Moonglade decided to ask. “Don’t you think they would… uh, could be more acceptable to us now?”

“Nani? Are you serious?” Ivory gave her niece an old-fashioned look. It was practically Neolithic. Then she shook her head and gave a bark of bitter laughter. “Not going to happen, sweetie. Human nature doesn’t just change like that.”

“But you and mother seem to trust the staff back home.”

“Because humans will believe and say anything, as long as there’s something in it for them. Preferably something green that folds.”

“But Home Run’s not like that. I’ve been with him long enough to know he’s not after money or even just because I’m Ebony Wings’ daughter.”

“You don’t know that for sure, sweetie.” Ivory continued down the road, signalling to change lanes. “Humans can be as deceptive as we changelings. I know, maybe not all humans are like that, and there are some who are able to keep a secret, but it’s just a chance we shouldn’t take. It’s too risky. You don’t want to destroy everything your mother worked so hard to build, do you?”

“No, Aunt Ivory…” Moonglade leaned on her knees and arranged her messy hair.

There was really nothing more for her to say. Moonglade wanted to believe that Home Run was one of those that were different, but right now, she had no proof. And what if what Aunt Ivory said really could happen? That a human would easily turn their back on you once they learn what you really are? What if Home Run did that?

Moonglade shook her head. No. Home Run would never. He would never do that to me. He said he loves me… He said he did. And I believe him.

When they finally arrived home, Moonglade made her way up to her room while her aunt went to park the car. Her mother wasn’t in today, busy with filming for that fantasy movie of hers. The sirens, on the other hand, were lazily lounging around the second floor living room, with Aria using the Neighstation, playing her save file of Finest Fantasy. Moonglade figured she had already gotten further than her, so she went on, not wanting to see any spoilers.

“How was your date?” Adagio asked when she spotted the young changeling.

“It was okay,” Moonglade answered half-heartedly. Her mind was still busy thinking about what her aunt had told her and what her mother would think if she had indeed fallen in love with Home Run. “If you’ll excuse me, I need a quick shower.”

Her showering process was the same as it usually was when she was done with her personas. With a solvent she kept in the shower, her dyes were easily washed off, returning the girl to her light charcoal skin and turquoise hair.

The contacts were easy enough to deal with and when she was done, the young princess dried herself off, then waltzed over to her walk-in closet to grab herself some clothes. After some time of inspecting her collection, Chrysidea eventually decided on wearing one of her new shirts. Pulling the purple Discourse shirt from her plastic bag, Chrysidea first slipped on her black bra and panties before putting the shirt on. It was quite form-fitting and also airy and comfortable, which made the girl happy with her purchase.

Giving herself a twirl in front of her mirror and a good look at her bottom, Chrysidea soon left her closet and flopped down on her bed.

“So…” she said out loud for herself. “How much do I still love Home Run? Do I still love Home Run?”

She picked up the black hairband by her bedside and looked at it, turning it around a few times. She looked at Mishter Schniffs, who appeared to be watching her with his big blue eyes. Putting the hairband down, she crawled further on the bed and picked him up.

“Mishter Schniffs…” Chrysidea said with a sigh. “I haven’t talked to you in a while.”

“I don’t hold it against you,” Mishter Schniffs replied. “You’ve been very busy recently, haven’t you?”

“Yeah, with all that Friendship Games stuff?” The young changeling held him up high. “I’ve had a lot on my mind.”

“Mishter Schniffs, I have a problem,” Chrysidea said slowly, looking back at the hairband on her nightstand.

“I know,” the plushie replied.

“I think…” Chrysidea shook her head. “I know I still love Home Run. I feel it, even if it isn’t as strong as it was when I was Moonglade, it’s still there.”

Mishter Schniffs shook his head. “That’s not how it’s supposed to work, you know that.”

“I know…” Chrysidea sighed again and hugged her doll close. “But it happened, okay? I’m not like mother or Aunt Ivory. I can’t just block out my feelings like that. They’ve had the chance to practice over so many years. I’m not even fifty yet.”

“It’s a little unfair for them to expect you to be as good as them,” Mishter Schniffs agreed. “But you have to be as good as that if you’re really going to hunt like they do. You’re after the same kind of prey as your mother and aunt, it only makes sense that you have the same prowess. Otherwise you may as well stay at home for the rest of your life.”

“But Home Run’s…” The young changeling imagined the boy’s face in her mind. “You know how they all reacted to magic like it was normal. Wouldn’t I be the same? Wouldn’t Home Run still love me the way I am?”

Mishter Schniffs’ head fell to the side, like he was thinking. “You’re a far sight different than the pretty magics that were seen at the Friendship Games. Even when Twilight changed, she was still visibly Twilight. You with your disguise off however, are a different story.”

Chrysidea put Mishter Schniffs to her face and groaned. Talking to herself wasn’t helping. She knew what she had to do. She knew she had to stopped treating Home Run like a loved one and more like food, but it was so difficult.

There was a gentle knock on the door.

“Come in,” Chrysidea called. She didn’t have any pants on, but she figured she was covered enough.

The door eased open to reveal the young changeling’s aunt, now wearing an apron and carrying a covered cloche.

“Hey, sweetie,” Ivory Wings said cheerily. Her niece could see that both her fangs were out, though she didn’t seem angry. “I see you did as I asked. Good. Do you feel any different?”

Chrysidea saw no point in lying and decided to go for the truth. “A little, Aunt Ivory.”

“Well, that’s something. Try harder. In the meantime, I wanted your input on these.” Ivory Wings swept the cloche off the platter, revealing a small pile of brightly colored objects. They were small and round, and looked somewhat like a biscuit with cream filling.

“What are those, Aunt Ivory?” Chrysidea sat up and hugged her knees to her chest. “They look delicious.”

“They’re macarons,” Ivory Wings said proudly. “I made them myself just now. Go on, try some.”

The young changeling picked up a blue one and popped it in her mouth, crunching down on it to release the taste from within the meringue. It was really good, but that was expected from her aunt.

“Do you like them? I was planning to have them for my little get-together with that Sunset Shimmer and Twilight Sparkle. Among other things, of course.”

“Yeah…” Chrysidea reached for another one. “Did I tell you? My Twilight changed schools. She’s over there now, at CHS.”

“That wouldn’t be the same Twilight as the one at the Battle of the Bands, now, would it? Adagio was very specific. The one called Princess Twilight is the one I’m inviting.”

Chrysidea remembered the talk they had about her Twilight’s device. That plan had turned up with nothing, but her aunt had mentioned there was a second Twilight back then. She had gone over and asked the sirens about it, but she still didn’t understand most of it.

“So that Twilight’s from the sirens’ world, right? That’s how there are two Twilights? If you’re inviting their Twilight, you’ll have to be quite specific. They might bring the wrong one to your meeting.”

“They had better not…” Ivory’s face flashed with irritation for a split second, then she was back to her usual smiling self, albeit with fangs. “I’ll just have to make it very clear which Twilight they’re to bring. Besides, who could pass up a chance to have a picnic with me?”

“I don’t know, Aunt Ivory. Your food is always amazing.” Chrysidea picked up another macaron and then got up and put her hairband on. She stretched her arms up to loosen herself up. “They might not want to go now though, with exams so close. I’m sure they must all be studying, like I’m supposed to be doing.”

“During Summer Vacation then,” Ivory nodded, picking up a red macaron and examining it carefully before popping it into her mouth. “It’ll be hotter then too, so they’ll drink all the more lemonade.” Ivory’s face twisted into a predatory grin. “Good.”

“Sounds like your plan to help the sirens out is coming together nicely.” Chrysidea walked around her room, her hands behind her back. “Hopefully they’ll go back to the way they were. All their arguments will kill someone someday if they keep it up.”

Ivory eyed her niece’s backside and smirked. “I completely agree, sweetie. I care for them too much to let them kill themselves. Ah, not that I don’t care for you, of course. You’re my favorite little niece, after all.”

“Yeah…” Chrysidea wandered over to her window and looked out. The night sky was dotted with stars tonight. “I wonder what their singing will sound like. With their gems.”

She couldn’t stand the sound of their voices in their current states. Chrysidea was sure someone would call a doctor or something if they kept singing with their broken voices.

Ivory shrugged. “Their singing is melodic and captivating, but it never really worked their magic on us. It’s got something to do with the bond that we have as a species. Never really looked into it too deeply. And as long as they don’t try to take over the world again, I won’t have to worry about their gems breaking again. By the way,” Ivory said, eyeing Chrysidea. “Have you been drinking wine? I found a couple of bottles in the trash just now.”

“What?” The young changeling looked confused. “I’m still underage. And I don’t like the smell.”

“Only teasing you. It’s probably your mother’s empties.”

“Umm, yeah, it should be.” Chrysidea returned to her bed and fell on it with a bounce. “Say, Aunt Ivory, do you think I’ll pass the exams?”

“Why of course I do. Why?”

“I don’t know.” Chrysidea leaned on her side and looked at her aunt. “I have this feelings it’s going to be tough. Like, harder than the tests we’ve had in class so far.”

“Well, I have no doubt you’ll make it, sweetie. You learn fast.” Ivory ran a hand through her niece’s curly hair. “Just make sure you study the subjects you need work on and you’ll do just fine.”

“Right.” The young changeling nodded. “I know I’ll need some work on calculus and home ec.”

“Mayhap you can study with your friends from school. That’s supposed to be beneficial, or at least it was back in the renaissance. Things haven’t changed that much, have they?”

“I don’t know, Aunt Ivory. I haven’t really studied with them before. When I need help, I usually just message Home Run. He’s good with calculus. Do you think I could get him to come over and teach me?”

“You what?” Ivory squinted at her niece. “Even when you’re dressed as Silver Rose? This won’t do at all,” she said, shaking her head.

“But he doesn’t know who it is on the other end,” Chrysidea protested. “He thinks he’s still talking to Moonglade.”

“He might not know, but you do, and that’s the whole problem. Just like how you can’t store raw meat with cooked meat, you can’t go mixing up personas like this! It’s not good for you,” Ivory tapped Chrysidea on the head. “You’d better keep the texting to when you’re in character from now on. Understand?”

The young changeling sighed disappointedly. That was another thing she enjoyed that had to be struck off her list of things she could do.

“Yes, Aunt Ivory…”

“Remember, sweetie. All this is for your own good. We don’t do this because we want to make you suffer, but we do it because we love you. Hmm?” Ivory put her tray down and wrapped an arm around her niece’s shoulders. “It’s for your own good.”

“I-I guess…” she answered, looking down at her feet. It was still disheartening to hear this kind of instruction, especially from her usually agreeable and lenient aunt.

“Well, I’ll let you get ready for bed then,” Ivory got up, but left the tray of macarons on the shelf. “In case you feel like having more later,” she explained. “Good night!”

“Night, Aunt Ivory.” Chrysidea watched her aunt leave.

There was so much more she wanted from life, but unfortunately, she had been born with a half-cursed body that humans didn’t like. Chrysidea closed her eyes and imagined what life as a normal human would be like. She pictured herself going to school. Going to school with Home Run. Hanging out with him everyday after school. She also imagined the next few years go by, going to college with him, then getting married and having a family…

“Ahh, won’t all that be something…” Chrysidea opened her reptilian eyes and frowned at her wall. What she would also give to have her aunt and mother as regular humans. All the things they could do if they were just like everyone else.

Now she wanted to pick up her phone and text Home Run, but stopped her hand just over the device. Right now, she wasn’t Moonglade. She was herself and she promised her aunt she was going to try.

“I’m sorry, Home Run…” she sighed and fell back on her bed. “Oh, why does life have to be like this? Why can’t I just be like everyone else…?”

Chrysidea kicked her legs up in frustration.

“There’s no changing any of that, Dea,” Mishter Schniffs said from beside her. “No use complaining about something that can’t be changed.”

“I could… always run away.” Chrysidea put a finger on her chin and looked out the window.

“You could, but you’ll be hunted down easily,” Schniffs replied. “Your mother won’t take that lightly. There’s no running from her.”

“Yeah…”

In the end, Chrysidea resolved to sitting against her wall, imagining everything she couldn’t be and everything she couldn’t do. It didn’t help in making her feel better, but at least it made her happy for the time being.