The talk was not very long... the ponies grasped the concept of twisting everything to their advantage quickly; 'it's only cheating if the other side does it', after all. That and, while there was no definite spell to do as she had suggested, they had enough information to at least attempt to make one.

If things ever got too bad, Forest could always tell them that clouds were made of water, thus technically made of fuel and an oxidant. Alchemy (soooo convenient; where was magic back on Earth?) plus deconstruction of clouds plus a spark equaled a big fireball.

They were offered to stay a day - actually, that had been on the invite, but Forest had been too out of it to process everything correctly. Still, princess Celestia even gave her a little gift, as an apology for the scare - something to purchase... her... foal's magic sets and some books.

It still felt a little degrading, since this was education that, for ponies, was often dealt with by the parents at a young age. For changelings it varied wildly, depending on where they lived; it could be in a hive (and differences from hive to hive could be just as great as between countries), deep-cover changelings, or even independently-living changelings like she pretended to be; there were rumors of one hive being more of a community effort - a magic kindergarten kind of deal. Sure, there was something like that in Equestria, but pony foals already knew some before entering.

Well, magical education in Chrysalis's hive was also a community effort, if looked in a certain light and squinted...

The skills the group had were very useful, true, but Forest wouldn't have minded trading any one of them for some magic. Take seduction! She didn't need that one!

One of the females was the social one - the gossip-weaver, the mare of the whisper campaign, the one that had an ear to the crowd and gathered and managed the information. Dang good singer, too. She kept in mind public opinion and such... as well as -ugh- seduction.

On both genders.

As both genders.

Not... that bad, since there was much more to seduction than sexual intimacy; the mind-games could be subtle and platonic, no more intimate than simply trying to get an acquaintance to try something outside of their comfort zone - 'establishing a rapport with discretely-placed personnel is a possibility' and that was when the original drifted for a second, but the changeling got that she could make a stranger turn into a friend and accept their oddities if she did things right. It was just that the thought of a roll in the hay to get information or favors felt weird, and 'things to try in bed' was a rather long list that the original had paid a little more attention than Forest thought comfortable. Back in NY, Forest had taken disguises that meant that he/she had to act... well, a little like that, too, but nothing ever happened; even when actually needing to get something from them with or without offing them, Forest would prefer to intoxicate and sweet-talk whoever couldn't be consumed (safely or at all) and those that had to be gotten alone. Plus a little poison or sedatives never hurt a mission; soft, smoky tones and tracing a finger with a 'barely-there' touch, a soft smile, leading the way, closing the door, locking it, stinger to the neck. Booze and the prospect of getting some were just as good as the deed, then add a little chemical incentive to get the filthy pigs and their screwed-up attitudes to sing or willingly walk to their end.

Right, that was why Forest didn't like it! The pigs! And that included a surprising amount of women...

'Must be because it was the men who had to shoulder the bad rep as one, instead of individually as women do.'

Well, Equestria seemed 'cleaner' on all accounts, including that. Empathy, so it wasn't like she could be oblivious to wandering eyes, even if she tried (it would take too much effort at her current level of control of her empathic ability). The cultural differences regarding sex were actually pretty interesting, or so Forest thought. She could even feel pretty without having to worry (too much) about ponies with lame pick-up lines or getting ogled in a way that made her feel unclean (fu-freaking hell, even that time she fell into the NY sewers wasn't as bad as that one group of Blackwatch soldiers). It was... nice; yes, it felt nice to be admired for her physique and respected as a mare at the same time.

'Huh, would you look at that.'

Being a changeling might have just murdered what little there was left of Forest's gender identity; who, as a Blacklight being, already considered it optional; who, as a human (man, obviously) would not have minded... say, a shirt with Rainbow Dash on it, or maybe one with princess Luna.

Pony clothing?

...

Nah, it'd never catch on - outside of the little girls demographic.

One thing came up after the issue of her magical education, that being her regular education. Thankfully, changelings had to infiltrate pony settlements, so that meant that they had to pass for them... which meant that they had to know things a run-of-the-mill pony would. She had to 'work on her history', due to the backstory she had made for herself (most of it true, as all good lies) saying that Chrysalis was telling the 'true stories'.

That is, making Celestia seem... pretty messed up, actually. Some sort of greedy racis-speciesist nut-job that only desired to increase her own country's coffers at the expense of the others - a sentiment that the griffins shared, at least in part. Or so Chrysalis said; though it was a bit easier to believe, given that the tension with the griffins had to start from something.

Still, her math was 'good'. The blue female, having a more active lifestyle than the others, was supposed to take jobs that would play to her abilities and let her pass her physical training as something normal - more specifically, weather, with all of its diagrams and instruments; she knew a bit about numbers in addition to ways to break somepony's legs with a hoof tied to her back...

'Chrysalis might not want them to question her, but she honestly wants to keep her changelings safe. It was an education, at least.'

Of course, that was not as impressive once Forest took into account the things she got back on Earth... well, she had to tone down the skillsets anyways... aww man, did that mean she'd have to take tests and all that? Yes, according to princess Celestia; if she wanted all of the papers she'd need, she would have to have work for them. She wouldn't need them if she were not planning on owning a food business (which had to submit to careful regulations), which would not be necessary if the good long-distance travel models of airships weren't so f-freaking expensive. She'd have to upgrade her small business idea into a full-blown restaurant for that one.

Proof of her education was not too bothersome an issue, given that she would need to learn everything she could about a whole new world anyways. No, the problem would be that she'd have to make it seem like she was studying at a pace like that of a pony (eidetic memory was an excellent excuse to quicken things a little). She could get away with Twilight overseeing her magical education, while she 'studied' everything else on her own with the occasional check-up; she probably wouldn't need too much time, not needing sleep and all, but she had to pretend she had to; she would appear like a super pony (which she didn't want) if she could flawlessly juggle magic, studying, her food stand plans, sleeping...

Forest realized she might be trying to bite more than she could chew. Forest the changeling, anyways.

Bah, she didn't have a deadline, in any case; she also couldn't just up and leave while the political situation was like that, not without looking suspicious.

Or without trying to get a piece of the action for herself... perhaps even some spoils.

*****

The door closed.

"That was... enlightening." Luna said, turning to her sister.

"Indeed. At first, I worried that Forest would be a danger to others... now I wonder how is it that she isn't."

"I should have known you would notice as well." Luna's eyes wandered back to the place the fake unicorn had taken.

"I believe that even Spike noticed; no matter how she tried to avoid the topic, it was clear she witnessed whatever ill fate befell her parents... perhaps only narrowly avoiding it herself." Celestia held back a shiver, though whenever it was of sympathy and grief, or rage at whatever place that could leave a filly to suffer like so, she couldn't say.

"I do not think it was disease... not unless it was a cruel one, be it agonizingly slow or painful. While it might explain her health-conscious ways, her gestures and displeasure when the topic turned to the involvement of innocents in the recent conflicts make me think of something... sudden." Luna sighed, trying not to think of how old Forest must have been at the time of her loss to be so numb to it. "Speculation will do us little good..."

"Making friends can change everything; that worked with Twilight, and I have faith it shall work on her." Celestia glanced towards the newest picture of her student collection. Twilight and company, cheering around a slightly-dazed Luna wearing flower necklaces; Forest was also dealing with a light confusion, but it was clear that the emotions in the air were soothing her after their horrendous first meeting.

"I can see why you are proud to be her teacher."

Celestia... laughed. Not her usual refined giggles - those were for 'polite' company. Not her regular laugh - that was for relaxed environments. No, this was the sort of nervous laugh ponies let out when they saw something amazing beyond all expectations, leaving them otherwise numb to whatever it was that they just witnessed.

"..." Luna couldn't quite understand the sounds Celestia was making, though she could see that her lips tried to make them into words anyways.

"I did not tell her to stop reading books merely because I wanted her to make friends." Celestia finally said, eyes distant and disbelief clear in her voice. "When I met her, there was no doubt in my heart that she would be the Element of Magic. She truly understands pride and... but I... I never... you are here." She whispered, smiling yet shocked beyond belief.

Luna tilted her head.

"I expected her to hide, to keep safe so that she would organize some sort of effort against Nightmare Moon, that the Elements would take longer to gravitate towards one another!" Only ingrained habits prevented Celestia's foreleg from going to her forehead in disbelief. "You returned to me in a single night..."

Celestia choked back a sob and Luna quickly comforted her.

"I am back, sister." She said, while Celestia rubbed the tears out of her eyes.

"I know! I know. I'm fine. You're fine. Everything is just fine. You are here, right?" She laughed weakly, giving a shaky smile at her sister. The dam broke and she swept Luna into a tight hug. "I'm sorry!"

Luna simply held her and whispered soothing things, reassuring her sister as she, too, teared up.

*****

Things were... straining.

Yes, Canterlot was rather beautiful - the classical architecture and towering structures certainly gave it a regal air, and with the ponies coming and going it made for a rather interesting atmosphere, but...

In one shop, the owner hit her with a miscast color-change spell. What was he doing was anypo- anyone's guess, but at least he threw in a book on magic as an apology. At least the princess had given her good directions so she wouldn't get lost.

Then another one was working on a spell to make a cloud of something for an alchemy experiment or the like, accidentally filling the whole place. Good thing it had been a simple test using water, or else getting surrounded by vapors would have been a lot more worrisome. Well, after telling him about the dangers of a dust explosion he was appropriately chastised by his own mind, and offered a small discount.

And the air? Yuck! The city was slightly chillier, and the mountain winds were blowing; ponies wore more, lazed less, and most tried desperately to 'fit in'. All those hoity-toity ponies with their ridiculous pride - their noses were so high into the air, they would drown with a light rain...

Disgusting. Really, repressed feelings on one or two ponies was nothing; the whole crowd, however? It was like being covered in changeling slime - the less sticky variations, thankfully.

All that money and influence and they didn't even smile while taking a stroll; they were holding way too tightly to their aloof demeanor. She didn't see the 'elite' or the 'greatest in Equestria'. They were the saddest in Equestria.

Granted, that observation about the smiles was the pot calling the kettle black, but the difference was that Forest simply didn't feel like it, instead of suppressing it like they did. Even if Forest had somehow managed to land herself in a position of nobility, she would rather stick to a character than some ridiculous 'ideal' that had to be upheld at all times - seriously, it would be boring. Nobles don't get wasted with friends, they are 'too refined' for that. She wouldn't find a noble munching donuts at Sugar Cube Corner - Unthinkable! Inconceivable!

Even Twilight, who was mostly unrestrained in her actions and uncaring of public opinion, seemed to have fallen prey to a variation. Do this, because you are princess Celestia's student; there is no time for that, because you are princess Celestia's student. She was getting better, apparently.

Although... that gray unicorn really did seem to love the olive mare next to him, regardless of how much disdain he was projecting to his surroundings, and for her part she was discreetly whispering something that made him feel- nope not going there better pay attention to something else.

It was a trend. Upper-crust pony displaying typical snob behavior on the outside, yet held a soft spot for - say - their spouse or foal. It prevented the city from smelling too much like rancid feelings and rotten attitudes.

One thing DID seem to go right, though; if she used her magic as she would her tendrils, she could have many of them out! It was oddly natural of her to think of a half-dozen tentacles coming from her back to hold her bags, even if Blacklight was unnatural as all get out. Floating all of her things made her care less about not having hands anymore. Yes, it wasn't the same as a normal levitation spell, and she had to bear the weight of what she was lifting, but she was unnaturally strong and could always spare more tendrils to act as supports - well, not always, since the six she already had took a little more concentration than expected, but it could work.

Another thing that happened was that she found a very peculiar ingredient, and the earlier discount meant she had enough bits to spare to get it - it was little jar of something her father used for his personal tomato soup recipe; feeling sick with an upset stomach? Soup. Exams went well? Soup. Simply had a bad day? Soup.

Oh Forest simply loved that thing... and now she could make her own! It was... nice.

With a sandwich for an A in math, or a squeezed lemon or lime for an upset tummy... Yeah. It felt nice! Ah, she really liked tomatoes.

Hmm, maybe she did feel like smiling a little.

Right now, she wanted to sate her curiosity. 'Predictions and Prophecies', that was the book that Twilight said had the warning of Nightmare Moon's return.

Fortunetelling back on Earth was nothing more than just psychological shots in the dark and statements vague enough that they applied to like ninety percent of the population; telling the guy what they want, what they expect, a vague warning, or even simply planting an idea that the other person would make true on his or her own.

Twilight had warned her; authentic Seers were... not entirely 'here', although some of them could fake it 'enough'. Even then, they could make passing remarks and hit the nail on the head every single time, yet somehow be impossibly wrong in any attempts to make a prediction. Their methods could be replicated, but it was such a fickle, tricky affair that even learning was frustrating without the ability...

All in all, it was hit-and-miss over getting something at all, much less something actually useful or relevant. Save for one or two things that supposedly always said something relevant, but most of the time wound up saying either things that the teller already knows, or things without a clear meaning.

Normally, Forest wouldn't bother with such a snipe hunt - way too many things left to chance - however, something was a little different than usual.

Forest had something more than just a cover story. That mask of hers was so much more - it needed to be seen, felt, believed in ways beyond the ability that petty lies, illusions and smokescreens had. It had to be lived. Forest the unicorn was like a smooth blend of Rarity and Rainbow Dash - proper and refined, concerned for her appearance but in that athletic sense; not content with staying still, nor too bothered by the opinions of others, always reaching for something better; lithe yet tough, svelte and attractive yet with the undercurrent of something sharp hidden just beneath. Forest the changeling was slightly less focused on her looks and more on her skills, and cautious around public opinion; she was more ambitious, adventurous, even, and was not afraid to work as hard as possible to get what she wanted; still slim, being the same base body, yet undeniably tougher still, and quite obviously the source of the predatorial feeling.

Both had been born of and from Forest; much of her real self (as real as a Blacklight being could be) had gone into them, with just a few things built over so that they would fit in this world of magic and friendship... oddly enough, they were fuller persons than their original (again, as original she could be while being Blacklight).

Forest was certain that looking around to get her fortune told was not something she'd have done back in New York, even if there had been magic and the possibility of it being authentic; Forest Benedict Riddle, however, being the weary-yet-curious changeling she was, would want so, so it would be done.

Changelings were supposed to be more in touch with their emotions, even more so than ponies, and so some of their desires could burn stronger than 'normal'. Forest wanted it, so fu-fu- wait, breathe deeply... Fuck it it shall be done!

If Forest wanted to explore what it felt like to be.. to be desired... alright, that one would have to wait a little. None of them felt like knowing more right then, not until things settled somewhat. If she was going to travel the world, she had to make peace with the idea that she'd receive pick-up lines more than once, and she could not freak out at or threaten to geld every single person that tried; one of the guys she had consumed liked to seduce tourists and bed them, just for the hell of it.

She couldn't take too long, however, Twilight wanted her to meet her family, then go have dinner somewhere nice.

She just knew it would be awkward.

Author's Note

Relevant. I don't know how, but it's relevant.

Also, Forest is using her magic tendrils similar to this Lyra's magic hands.