Lovequest - Chapter 2

>Most summer afternoons, you’d be out in the woods, hanging out around Ponyville, or spending time in the library.
>And what you don’t do on ANY afternoon is hang out with a ditzy little changeling who can’t do exactly what her species is supposed to do.
>After locking all doors and windows and closing your blinds, you command the little bug to sit on your couch, which she gleefully does so.
>”Okay, so I was thinkin’ we should,-“
“Hold on, I never said I’d do it.”
>”Aah! W-what?! Why would you string me along like that!? I thought you’d help me!”
“Stop that for a second, okay? Look, I need a few answers before I even consider anything.”
>”Okay! Whaddya do you want to know? Also, do you have some food?”
“I… eugh, yeah. I have a few cupcakes sitting on the counter. Don’t finish them, they’re a gift from a friend and I’d like the last one.”
>”Are they made with love?! I like love!”
“Did you… listen to anything I told you last night?”
>”Nof ‘eally” She somehow already got the cupcakes…
“Well, that’s just wonderful… er, what’s your name?”
>”Name?”
“Name. As in what other changelings call you.”
>”They call me a changeling because that’s what I am!”
“I mean you. Individually, what do they call you?”
>”… They don’t.”
“Don’t what?”
>”Do that. I don’t have a name in the hive. I make one up or take the name of a pony I’m shape shifting into, but I don’t keep one. Why?”
“Because I should at least call you something other than ‘The Changeling Who Broke Into my House’.”

>”Ayeah! That name is way too long. How abbbboouuutt…” She thinks real hard for the first time in probably ever before raising the last cupcake to her maw.
“Didn’t I tell you to save the last cupcake for m-“
>”That’s it!”
“What?”
>She swallows the cupcake whole with and ‘Oumph!’
>”Call me that! Cupcake! It’s cute and sweet and adorable… Just like me!”
>You give her a look of disbelief and do your best to stop your lips from curling.
“That’s fine… snort… Cupcake. So can you give me a legitimate reason for helping you? A swarm of changelings are dangerous. I know what happened to Canterlot.”
>”What happened to where?”
“The… big city where like, a million changelings attacked.”
>”A million? Oooooh, it must have been a different hive.”
“Hive? That doesn’t make me feel better.”
>”It’s only a small little hive in the dark forest! We’ve been coming to this little settlement for ages!”
”Everfree forest?”
>”I dunno.”
“Right, you wouldn’t know that…”
>“So… love when?”
“Heh, not going to buy… wait, I already made that joke. Hrm. Anyway, why should I get wrapped up in your inability to get ponies to fall in love with you?”
>”Wow! You’re a jerk!”
“That doesn’t answer my question.”
>”Because… because I can… help… yooouu?”
“With what?”
>”With falling in love! Yeah, changelings are experts!”

“… Allow me to exercise my morbid curiosity. How exactly would you go about that?”
>”Since you don’t want to fall in love with me for SOME reason, maybe we could tag team this. You know, get me some, get you some. Love. Lots of it. All over the place.”
“I’m still lost on how you would be able to catch anyone’s interest.”
>”Oh, oh! I can change into a pretty pony! See, a lot of changelings shape shift into a completely original design of themselves instead of stealing an identity, to avoid rousing suspicious. We call those forms, ‘Ohhseez’ in your tongue. Wanna see mine? It’s soooooo pretty!”
“Sure.”
>”Okay, okay! Stand back!”
>She gets up to her hooves and prances around a little before taking a deep breath and engulfing herself in green flame.
>You expect something that isn’t quite what she promised, but you weren’t ready for what you saw when the fire faded.
“N-no…”
>Blue and purples should never clash like that.
>”Aren’t I great?”
>Her tail looks like a bumblebee…
“Stop… please.”
>Horn and wings… mechanical wings!
“Change back! Now, please!”
>”But-“
“That is not how a pretty pony is supposed to look like!”
>”F-fine!”
>She quickly changes back and plops back down on the couch.
>”You could at least give constructive criticism!”
“Fine. Don’t ever do that again.”
>”… Hmph!”
“So are you done?”
>”No! Because I have one more thing to use against you!”
“How malicious of you.”
>She closes her eyes and looks away before extending her little bug wings and fluttering over to you. She lands next to you, perhaps a little too close for comfort.
>”You’re looooonelyyyyyy.”

“Excuse me?”
>”You reek of isolation and loneliness. You have a big hole in your heart that you need filled. No close friends. No family. No one to… love.”
“I like my isolation. It’s peaceful. And I have friends.”
>”Mmmhm.”
“Seriously, the quiet is nice. Sure, I’d like to have my family with me, but I can’t do much about that.”
>”I can help you start a family, you know. Find a nice mare.”
“Stop. No.”
>”Stallion. Whatever you’re into.”
“I think we’re done here.”
>”What?!”
“Out.”
>”No!”
>You grab her around her belly and lift her off the couch.
>”Lemme go! Let’s work this out!”
>She struggles in your grip, wiggling her body and flittering her wings in an attempt to loosen your grip.
>You place your hand on your door knob before she screams, “WAIT!”
“… What?”
>”I can’t go out there like this…”
>You roll your eyes.
“Fine. Change.”
>She inhales and ignites in flame.
>Then she becomes the horrible abomination of a pony again.
“Not that one.”
>She quickly changes into the blue mare once again.
“Good.”
>”Now, I have a new idea. We can-HEY!”
>Not wanting to listen to another word, you open the door and toss her out.
>The process of her begging and poor reverse psychology began again, and failed just as it did before.
>Luckily enough, it seems she was chased away by a few ponies.
>”Is that Trixie?!”
>”Yeah! What is she doing back here?”
>”Get her!”
>Huh. Weird.

>With the changeling away, things quickly settled back to normal. The day goes on with no more disturbances, thanks to double checking the locks on everything.
>You half-expected to be woken up in the middle of the night, but instead it was your alarm that did it at the appropriate time. Things have fallen into place, as they should. The changeling hardly crosses your mind that morning.
>Leaving shortly before waking up, you arrive at work only a minute before you’re supposed to clock in.
>Thus begins the daily grind.
>You work at a local bakery. No, not Sugarcube corner. Big Town Bakery. Some sort of ‘mom and pop’ chain that originated in Canterlot. They expected to come into town and dominate Sugarcube corner, but the place barely scrapes by. If the prices weren’t dirt cheap, it wouldn’t even be here.
>Only two others work there. The manager who never shows his face and actually helps, and the counter mare, Sweetcheeks. An awfully cute mare with a blonde coat and a glorious reddish-orange mane. There’s a little pudge on her, but not much. It’s like, more to love. She had an uncanny knowledge of baked goods, but no clue on how to do the baking. That was your job. The two of you make quite a team, but are rather useless if someone is taking the day off.
>This particular day is slower than normal, so all the baked goods you made this morning have to be disposed of at the end of the day. No charity, no personal meals. Company policy. Very strict.
>The days ends as it normally does. Just as the sun sets, you and Sweetcheeks are set loose out the back door. She lights up a smoke as you say your good nights.
>After the full day of work, you fall into a routine of doing some reading, cleaning up around the house, and going to bed.

>The next day, the process repeats. It’s a little busier, but nothing worth noting.
>Once again, you and Sweetcheeks go through the motions to get the day out of the way.
>And at the very end, she lights up a smoke as you depart.
>Same stuff day in, day out.
>The walk home is a treat though. The cool summer nights are always something you enjoy. And in a few days, you’re getting out of town again to enjoy it in the woods. No changelings this time. Hopefully.
>Despite your wishes, you had to head indoors for the night.
>The next day, the process repeats.
>You get to work and… Oh! The manager is here today. What a surprise.
>”Anonymous! You’re a minute late.”
>According to the clock, you’re three minutes early.
“Sorry, sir.”
>”Hmph… no matter. I have something for you to do today.”
“And what’s that?”
>He turns back towards the kitchen and yells out,
>”KID! GET OUT HERE!”
>A moment later some adolescent colt sporting the same colors as Sweetcheeks trots out of the kitchen. His jaw is square, similar to Mr. Cake. Long lost brothers or something.
>”Howdy there, mister! Name’s Luster. You must be Anonymous. Ms. Sweetcheeks told me all about ya!”
“She did? What’s she say? Good things, I hope.”
>”You know Sweetcheeks?”
>A bead of sweat rolls down the stallion’s forehead as he glances around the room.
>”I never seen him in my life.” Right on cue, Sweetcheeks enters the room.
>”I… er… I’m just nervous! S-sorry… heh. Yeah. S-so where do I start?”
>A grin spreads across the manager’s face.
>”Hah, some motivation! Finally! Maybe it would rub off on these two.”
>Both you and Sweetcheeks pass glares at Luster.”
>”Start back in the kitchen with Anony-“
>”WITH ANONYMOUS?!”
>”… Yes. With Anonymous. Sweetcheeks will be up front. If you have any questions, ask her.”
>Thanks for the vote of confidence. Ass.
>”Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a very important meeting with… someone. Goodbye!”

>Minutes later, you get setup with the rookie in the kitchen. He stands ready and looking eager to aid you in any way possible.
“Alright, Luster.”
>”That’s my name!”
“… First we’re going to start with,”
>”Cupcakes?”
“N-“
>Luster has started rapidly winking and leaning closer to you.
“… God damnit.”
>”Nooooo, guess again.”
“Cupcake?”
>”Uh huh.”
“The… you know?”
>”Changeling. We’re called changelings, remember?”
“Heeeey, hey hey. Don’t say that out loud.”
>”Oops! Hehehe…”
>Worried of what could happen if ponies were to find out about Cupcake, you glance around the kitchen to ensure no one is eavesdropping before walking towards the front room door.
>Poking your head out, all you see is Sweetcheeks attempting to entertain herself by the register with a loose bit, spinning it beneath her hoof while she rests her head on the other.
>Her ear flicks before she turns her head in your direction.
>”Anon? Somthin’ wrong? New guy giving you trouble?”
“Er… no! I just… just thought I heard something. Everything okay out here?”
>”Mmmhm.”
“Great! … I’m gonna go back, now.”
>”Right.”
“Bye.”
>”Bye?”
>You slowly and awkwardly creep your head back into the kitchen, making sure no one is secretly following you in.
>As the door latches shut, Cupcake speaks up again.
>”Wow! You have no idea how to talk to mares!”
>Cupcake’s volume causes you to jump in surprise and panic before shortly bearing down upon her and  getting ready to make a point.
>But nothing comes to mind, so you’re left standing there oddly shaking a finger in front of her face while your face twitches in frustration. Not anger comes though.
>You let out a sigh and release the tension.
“Look, just do what I tell you and we can get through this day. If anyone finds out you’re a changeling, you’re probably dead. If they find out I’ve been harboring one, I might be dead too.”
>”Gasp!”
“Don’t give me that. I’m serious.”
>”Hehehe, I’m only teasing. C’mon, it’s time to make some love.”
“Sourdough bread.”
>”Sourdough bread. That was my second guess.”

>Much to your surprise, Cupcakes is able to focus for some time. Aside from a few discussions about love and her indecisiveness on her name (Love Muffin. Nah.) the rest of the day went smoothly. Having an extra pair of hands… er, hooves didn’t hurt.
>Regardless, the day didn’t end up being too different. You and now ‘Love Muffin’ made several confectionaries during the say, probably sold a quarter of them, and dumped out the rest. Love Muffin snuck a couple or maybe ten donuts into her uniform, but you’re not going to tell on her.
>On your way out, Sweetcheeks was once again having a smoke behind the building.
>With Love Muffin in tow, you say your goodnights and part ways.
>Or, you would if she weren’t tugging on your shirt.
“Uh… Luster?”
>”Hey. Psst, go love at her.”
“Okay, I think you’re intentionally using that word wrong.”
>A smarmy grin spreads across Love Muffin’s face.
“Oh, you are just horrible. Come on, I’m not going to annoy her.”
>”You want me to follow you?”
“Don’t make this weird.”
>”Awww.” She rears up and wraps her forelegs around your waist. You immediately push her off.
“Hey! The only thing weirder than being hugged by a changeling is being hugged by a stallion I just met.”
>”Do not hide the love from me, Anonymous! I will squeeeeeeeze it out if I have to.”
 “Enough messing around. It’s getting late and I’m starving.”
>”I have-“
“And I don’t want shirt donuts.”

>You avoid the normal enjoyment you get from the nice walks home, only because it was utterly destroyed by Love Muffin. As she enters your home, she immediately changes back into her normal self, slips out of her clothes as donuts drop everywhere and flitters onto the couch to find a comfortable position.
>”Aaah, Anonymous, you’re the best!”
“Yeah, I know… Look, this is kinda weird… Having something like you in my place.”
>”Rude! Wouldn’t it be the same if you were sleeping in another pony’s house?”
“A little. But, you plan on sticking around, don’t you?”
>”Maaaaybe.”
“Wonderful. I… admit I don’t exactly want to toss you out on the street if that’s the case. I need some time to think, but you can stay for the night.”
>Love Muffin gasps in surprise.
>”You DO like me!”
“I don’t hate you, if that counts. Now, eat your cholesterol rich food, I’m going to make myself a real meal.”
>”I will! And, Anonymous?”
“Mmhm?”
>”I want a new name.”
>You fail to suppress a groan of annoyance.
>”Fine. Love Muffin and Cupcake are both terrible. Last one, though.”
>A malicious smirk spreads across her maw.
>”Sweetcheeks.”
“… Don’t toy with me, Love Muff-“
>”Sweetcheeks.”
>You elicit a small growl at her stubbornness.
>”Yoooou said this was my last one. Can’t change it anymore, so ha! Aaaaand, I see the way you smile when she enters the room. Your heart flutters just a tiny bit. I almost fear the love that would radiate off you if the two of you actually got to know each other.”
“… Fine, but that means you have to do something for me.”
>”Name it, cutie.”
“You’re not to work with me again and you will completely drop the Luster persona.”
>”Hah, I have a million Ohhseez! A million and one! Luster is my LEAST favorite! Consider it a double-deal.”
“Excellent. After work tomorrow, I’ll figure out what to do with you. Until then, make yourself comfortable.”
>”Aaaa! I love you, best buddy Anonymous!”
>Regret. REGRET.