The Unknown Foal

“What are these called again?” She asked Spike as savored another mouthful of food. He chucked.

“Crepes, these particular ones are filled with peaches and creme.”

Her eyes glittered with joy. “They are delicious.”

“I agree.” He couldn't help but shake his head at her enthusiasm as she wolfed down the last crepe on her plate. “I’ve eaten here before. It was around two years ago with friends.”

“Well you're off to a great start Mr. Tour Guide.” Her eyes wandered to the surroundings. “I do have a question though, what is with all the decorations?”

He scratch his head spikes. “You really didn't get out much do you?” No response, he looked left to the mare sitting next to him. “Melody?” Her arms rested upon her lap and she was motionless. Her green eyes held a lifeless stare, he wasn't even sure if she was breathing.

“Melody?” Confused he waved his hand in front of her eyes. Worry grew for his companion as she still didn't respond. Minutes passed and still she remained like statue. Fear ran rampant through Spike’s thought. Oh sweet Celestia, is she ok. Is she dead? What do I do? Do I get help? Do I wait? Was it something I did? His rampant train of thought was broken by her gasps for air as she toppled from her chair. He lunged forward catching her before she hit the floor.

Cradled in his arms her right arm hung limp while her left one was covering her left eye as she held her head. "I spaced out again, it happens to me. I'm sorry if I startled you." She groaned.

"Startled!?!" He chuckled nervously. "More like scared the living daylights out of me." Her left hand dropped down to her chest as the two looked each other in the eyes. For a moment they lost themselves in one another, all that matter was the one gazing upon the other. Even time itself seemed to yield for the time being.

"Ummmm." She blushed breaking the silence. "Nice catch by the way." Red faced, he gently placed her back in her seat. They could feel the eyes of those around them burrow into their skin. She was too embarrassed to speak, lucky for her Spike was not.

He glared at the other dinners. "I do believe it is rude to stare." Attention was immediately turned back to their respective plates, not one of them wanted to be on the bad side of a dragon. He turned his attention back to her. He was relieved she was ok but more questions piled up about his mysterious companion. All of that aside he felt happy just to be around her, odd considering the fact he just met her yesterday.

"I think I'm alright now." She said after a few moments, slowly rising from her chair. "Ready to go?" She asked as she exaggerated her reach for her luggage. Like a true gentledrake Spike stepped forward to stop her. "I will get that." He said taking her violin case in one hand and the suitcase in the other. His bag was wrapped up by his prehensile tail and slung over his shoulder.

The jingle of bits to his left informed him he had been had. Receipt in hand she turned to Spike with a trollish grin. "Better luck next time." Spike muttered several obscenities as he followed Melody out the door.

Two walked side by side working there way through the hustle and bustle of the lively area.

"You know I told you I had breakfast covered right?" He grumbled his tail twitched like a cats.

She shrugged not impressed in the slighted by Spike's horrible sportsponyship. "You bought me dinner and you're doing me an invaluable service of being my tour guide. I think we are even." She elegantly tried to changed the subject hoping to appease the peeved dragon. "So where is a good place to stay at?"

He frowned. "Nice try but you're not getting off that easy. When dining with a lady it's proper for the gentlecolt, or in my case drake, to pay."

In the banter she gained about a foot of lead on Spike. "Yeah well I don't care. I'm not much of a lady." His tail skillfully whipped up stealing her fedora. He twirled it on the end of his tail. "You look like a lady to me."

She jumped up reaching desperately for her hat. "No fair, give it back." He giggled as he dangled it just out of her reach. "Come on I haven't brushed my mane yet nor have I showered. I look like trash." She pleaded with puppy dog eyes. He repented returning the hat to her.

"Oh I wouldn't say that. You're quite beautiful. Your viridian eyes really goes well with your mane." He paused. "Not to mention your slender figure is one many mares would kill for."

She pulled her hat over her face to hide her embarrassment. "Anyway, where is a good place to stay."

"Hmmm well I was planning on staying at the palace, so I'm sure I can get you a room as well." She crossed her arms at him with a look of displeasure.

"Yeah right and I'm Princess Celestia, but seriously."

"Oh I happen to know both Cadence and Armor quite well. I'm sure they can spare an extra room for your Majesty." If looks could kill Spike would be dead by Melody's hand.

"Yeah well I'll believe it when I see it." She dismissed his attempts at humor.

He squinted his eyes and with a voice like a spokes pony he said. "Prepare to be amazed."

She wasn't amused by his antics. "Whatever."

"So what happened during breakfast?"

She shrugged. "It's a problem caused by my lineage. Not much I can do about it but live with it."

He paused trying to understand her statement. "What do you mean live with it!?! That's not something you just deal with, you stopped breathing!" She turned to face him.

"And what should I do Spike? It isn't something that can be cured or I would have done something about it. Should I despair? Should I break down over something I can't fix? Or should I enjoy what I can from life while I'm alive?"

He was taken aback by the moment of sadness in her eyes. "The more I learn about you the more questions you bring up you know that?"

"I'm a mystery even to myself."

"You're a pain. Anyway we're here." He motioned to the palace gates.

"You know if they try to arrest us I'm bailing on you." He ignored her walking in the gates, the guards at the post saluted him. She tried to follow but found herself on the wrong end of a spear.

"Ma'am this is a restricted area, I'm going to have to ask you to leave."

"Umm Spike," She called out. "little help here I'm allergic to getting stabbed!"

"Chill guys she's with me." They turned to look at Spike standing behind them.

"Our apologies we were not informed you had a guest." She rushed past there backs in an extreme moment of foalishness tapped them on the back of their helmets.

"Apology accepted." She laughed following Spike up the path to the doors.

"That was stupid you know." He whispered to her. She merely smiled and rolled her eyes. Inside the doors the two were greeted by a gorgeous view of the illustrious grand entrance. Everything from the carved crystal columns to the bouquets and decorations were sparkling. Spike smiled as he watched her wonder. Several servants greeted them, they relieved Spike of the luggage he bore.

"Wait!" She stepped in grabbing her violin case. "Sorry but this stays with me."

"As you wish malady." One servant said before he carted away their things.

She turned to Spike who was chatting with a white stallion. "Spike?" He turned his attention to her.

"Yes?"

"Can I use you room to shower until I get a room?"

"Sure. Oh and Thunder Dance here said he will prepare you a room as well." He turned back to that stallion "Could you show her the way please."

"It would be my pleasure."

Spike shot Melody a quick grin. "Amazed?"

She chuckled. "Yeah."

She thanked Thunder Dance as she closed the door to Spike’s room. Laying her violin case and fedora on the bed, she noticed her suitcase next to Spike’s bag. She opened her suitcase and pulled out a small blue bag. Satisfied, she slipped into the bathroom. She took a towel from the rack, placing it on the shower door. Next she opened the blue bag pouring the contents out upon the sink. A bottle of Shampoo, conditioner, hair brush, toothpaste, and a toothbrush crashed out. They came to rest near the drain. Setting the hairbrush and dental care items in the mirrored cabinet above the sink she levitated the others onto a rack in the shower. A pink glow surround the knob as it turned on. Water cascaded from the head and soon it steamed with promise of a warm caress on her aching body.

She shed her first layer of clothes like an unwanted skin. She undid the strap at her waist holding down her bug-like wings. Undergarments after that, the halfling stepped into the heavenly abyss known as a shower.

She stretched her sore wings, unfurling them one at a time. She didn't like having to hide them, but it was necessary. She began to bathe, the minty scent of her shampoo always tickled her nose. After several minutes, she turned off the water and stepped out. She quickly towel dried her mane, then her tail. She tied the towel around her chest for the mandatory decency, even though she was alone. Next she brushed her teeth followed by that was her mane and tail.

She felt refreshed as she stepped out into the main area of the room again. From her suitcase she pulled a midnight blue blouse. It was buttoned and had holes for her wings. With it she chose a pair of light brown slacks and her black hoodie to cover her wings. She dressed before retrieving her discarded clothes from the bathroom placing them in a bag then in her suitcase. Her thoughts wandered to a certain purple dragon. Her heart raced as his image filled her mind. She hopped on the bed, stretching her arms and legs.

He was quite handsome that she couldn't deny. He was a gentle drake to a fault as well but he was also just getting over his own heartbreak. She felt uneasy, would he even like me if he knew what I was?

Many hated changelings and with good reason. Could she even consider that this was a crush. Its not like she has had any male friends before, so It could be normal to feel this way. Still she couldn't get him out of her mind. He even took precedence over the reason why she was here in the first place, her father.

He to was a mystery, how would he react over her existence. He had more reason than most to hate changelings. The invasion sixteen years ago nearly took everything from him. She hoped he could look past what she was but that was a gamble.

“Well nothing is gonna happen if I don't at least try.” She got off the bed and levitated her hat on to her head. Her violin case followed and she strapped it to her back. Smiling she slid out the door and briskly made her way down the hallway. By memory she found her way back to the main entrance.

"Hello again malady." Thunder Dance called out to her from the front door. "Looking for Master Spike I presume?"

"Um, yes I am."

"Would you like me to show you where?"

"Directions would be fine."

He pointed to the grand staircase to her left. "Up the stairs, at the top make a left. End of the hall will be a set of double doors, that's it."

She bowed. "Thank you very much."

"You are welcome malady." She turned trotting up the stairs. At the top she turned left like Thunder said to, at the end of the hall was the double doors. Two guards stood next to the door motionless and alert.

The one on the left spoke to her as she approached. "Hello ma'am is your name Melody."

"Yes, I'm looking for Spike."

“Right this way.” He said, opening the door on the right side and she entered. The room was beautiful beyond words, a true credit to the designer that worked on it. Like the main entrance it was a mix of crystals but unlike the entrance it had more a Canterlot feel to it. She spied Spike seated at a table on the balcony but he wasn’t alone. Seated with him was a pink mare and white stallion, tea and snacks adorned the table.

She slowly walked forward fighting the urge to run. Any chance to back out was lost when the pink mare spotted her. Spike got up from his seat cleared the gap between them. He grabbed her hand pulling her over to the table.

“Shining, Cadence, this is Melody, the girl I met on the train.”

“Ummmm... hello.” She waved weakly.

“Nice to meet you Melody.” Cadance smiled. She gestured to the table. “Would you like some tea.”
She set her violin down and took a seat, Spike sat down next to her. “No thank you.”

“Spike told us a little bit about you.” He took a sip of his tea. “He mentioned you're looking for your father. I would be glad to offer my assistance in the matter. Anything you can tell me about him?”

She cleared her voice. “First I need you to promise not to freak out.”

“What could be that shocking?” Spike questioned her.

“Please humor me.” She pleaded.

“Any friend of Spike is a friend of mine. You have my word.” Shining said his hand over his heart.

“Mine as well.” Cadance added.

“You can trust me,” Spike smiled. “I’m your tour guide after all.”

Melody took a deep breath. “Alright,” She slide her hoodie off and spread her wings. The only sound heard was crash of Shining’s tea cup hitting the floor. “You are my father Shining Armor.”

“Oh that’s why.” Was all the stunned stallion could say.