Living a lie without lies.

Sunset Heart entered the little store, she was there early, as usual. She said hello to her boss, and started getting ready for work. She had been working here for about two years now, when she was done the interview, her future boss bad closed the door before she could leave, it turns out they had a changeling detector, but instead of sending her to the guards, he had made a deal with her. He knew that changelings could tell if ponies where depressed, happy, angry, sad, in love etc, with that, ability, she could give better service than a normal pony, so she could work there, get paid like any other pony, he wouldn’t turn her in to the guards, if she promised to not hurt anypony. She hadn't really had much of a choice but to accept the offer, which seemed fine to her. The clothing shop didn't open within the next ten minutes, usually she just walked around the store, helping other ponies, taking care of the payment and so on.

“Is something on your mind?’’ A familiar voice asked.

“Um... nothing special.’’ Sunset Heart replied and turned her head towards the brown stallion with a purple mane, also known as her boss.

“Found a new friend at the bar last night?’’ Prized Hue asked.

“Um... yeah, he seems nice, can we talk about something else please?’’ She said, hoping that he would change subject.

“Oh, it looks like somechangeling likes this somepony.’’ Prized Hue teased and chuckled quietly.

“Hey, stop it.’’ Sunset Heart chuckled and looked away.

“What? I just wanna know who the lucky pony is.’’ Prized Hue said and smiled at her.

“Hey, we're just friends.’’ Sunset Heart stated, slightly annoyed by the whole situation.

“Yes, just friends, can you stop now?’’ Sunset Heart pleaded and turned her head towards the stallion.

“Alright alright, I’ll stop.’’ Prized Hue chuckled and rolled his eyes. “Now, why don’t you just go and open the shop? Doesn't hurt opening a little bit earlier than usual, right?’’ He asked and raised an eyebrow.

“Okay then.’’ She said, and started walking towards the door, getting ready for another day at work.

Brave Wing looked at the clock, just a few more minutes, then he could finally head home. It had been a unusual slow day, mostly he had just walked around in circles, maybe help with one small thing every once in a while. As he continued to walk around, his thoughts slowly drifted away towards Sunset Heart, as he did so, a small smile creeped up on his face. Life could change in good ways and in bad ways, and this change was definitely one of the good ones. He had tried to come up with a reason to call her, that didn't involve dancing of course, maybe he could just watch some random movie with her, yeah, that could work. He glanced over at the clock once more, and realized that his shift had ended about five minutes ago.

Sunset Heart crashed on the couch, tired after a long day at work, once again wishing that the love from ponies could replace sleep, which it didn’t. Luckily, she didn’t have to eat, she could taste the food, but that was pretty much it. Maybe she could spend some time on her music, she didn’t really write any songs, or sing, she just played guitar. She went to the living room and took the guitar off the wall and started playing a few simple chords. It took her a while to get the hang of it again, but after about forty minutes she had gotten the hang of it once again. After a while, she could hear the phone ringing. She put down the guitar and went to answer the phone. “Hello?’’

“Um... Hi, remember me? Brave Wing.’’ Brave Wing asked nervously.

“Oh hi Wingy, how are you?’’ Sunset Heart asked cheerfully. I didn't really expect him to call that soon. She thought to herself.

“Oh I’m fine, I was just wondering if... m-maybe you w-wanted to go and watch a m-movie or something?’’ Brave Wing stammered nervously.

“I guess so, do you have any specific movie in mind?’’ She asked.

“Um... not really, I thought I’d let you choose.’’ He chuckled nervously in reply.

“Oh, well in that case, why don’t you come and pick me up at 8 PM tomorrow, does that work for you?’’ She asked thoughtfully.

“Y-yeah, th-that works, see you t-tomorrow then.’’ He stammered in reply.

“Alright, see you Wingy.’’ She said cheerfully and hung up. Yep, I got him riiiiight where I want him. She thought to herself.

Wingy? Really? Brave Wing thought to himself, but he didn't really mind, it could've been worse. At least he would spend another evening with Sunset Heart. He crashed on his bed, and looked up in the ceiling with a big smile on his face. The loneliness he had felt for a long time now, was gone. Replaced with a warm feeling. He closed his eyes and sighed happily. Maybe life isn't so bad after all. He thought to himself. He didn't really care what movie she would choose, sure, maybe he would end up sitting there for two hours watching some random scrap-movie that he wouldn't enjoy at all, but at least he would spend that time with her.

Sunset Heart walked back to the living room and picked up the guitar once again, the past two days had really been a life changer for her, a nice one. She started strumming a few chords on her guitar once again, without any specific song in mind. Since she didn’t need to eat food, she had a bit more free time than other ponies, but sometimes she just felt like taking a snack or something, and not having to spend your money on food helped her save her bits, so she could spend them on other things whenever she felt like it, mostly at a bar or nightclub somewhere. She stopped playing for a second. Didn’t Brave Wing say that he used to play bass, but he had to stop because he didn’t have time to practise anymore? She thought to herself. Maybe we could just spend a afternoon or something just playing a few songs, that would be nice. She thought and let out a soft sigh. But he did let me pick the movie so I might as well do that before I forget about it. She thought to herself and stopped playing, she put the guitar to the side for now and walked over the kitchen and opened the newspaper on the table, she skipped to the movie section and started looking for a suitable movie. A minute later or so she found something that seemed nice for a meetup with her new friend. Well, I guess I'll see you tomorrow then Wingy.

Brave Wing knocked on Sunset Heart’s door, he was a little bit early but he hopped she didn’t mind. Soon he could hear the sound of hoofsteps coming from the house and a moment later Sunset Heart opened the door.

“Hey, you’re early.’’ Sunset Heart said, smiling warmly at him.

“Heh, sorry.’’ He said with a small smile.

“It’s fine, don’t worry about it.’’ She said, still smiling.

“So... do you wanna go and see that movie now or did you plan anything else?’’ He asked.

“Um... I didn’t really plan anything else, so we could just go now, maybe get some better seats or something.’’ She said and walked out of the house, closed and locked the door and started walking, followed by Brave Wing.

Brave Wing glanced over at Sunset Heart, he still couldn’t believe that he was about to go and watch a movie with her, he didn’t even known her for a week, he liked her, not because of how she looked, he liked her for who she was.

“So... how was your day?’’

“Huh? Oh, how my day was... Um... okay I guess, a bit slow tho.’’ He replied with a shrug. “You?’’ He asked shortly after.

“A bit slow, but it could’ve been worse.’’ She replied with a shrug.

“Well, that’s always something, so... which movie did you pick?’’ He said.

“Oh you’ll see, but I’m sure you’ll like it.’’ She replied with a secretive smile.

“Not even a hint?’’ He asked.

’‘Nope, you’ll just have to wait and see.’’ She said.

Not to happy with the answer, Brave Wing continued his walk with Sunset Heart. He looked up in the sky, admiring Luna’s night for a few seconds, silently making a wish upon the stars.

****

“Hey, can I have the popcorn?’’

“Huh? Oh, here you go.’’ Brave Wing said and gave the bag of popcorn to Sunset Heart. To his surprise she had chosen a action movie, he didn’t remember the name, but he liked the movie so far, not moving to fast or to slow. but he still preferred romance/comedy movies, he just liked them better, not really sure why. He took a sip of his drink, and leaned back, and continued to watch the movie.

****

“So, did you enjoy the movie?’’ Sunset Heart asked, as they where trotting down the streets of Canterlot.

“Yeah, it was a good movie, but I never expected that you would choose an action movie.’’ He replied. He was still a bit surprised that she wanted to watch a movie with him, mostly because they met less than a week ago. ’’So... do you wanna take a walk around the park?’’ He asked after a few minutes of walking.

“Nah, I need to get up early tomorrow, work and stuff.’’ She replied.

“Um... okay then.’’ He replied, a little bit disappointed.

“Hey, I have other stuff coming up this weekend, I have a life outside my job you know.’’ She said with a small smile.

“Do you mind if I ask what?’’ He said.

“Oh, just some music stuff.’’ She replied.

“Are you gonna preform at some restaurant or something?’’ He asked.

“Um... yeah, first time I play with audience tho.’’ She replied with a small smile.

“Well, I could only say that I’m happy for you.’’ He said, smiling warmly at her.

She smiled back, she was a bit surprised, when she had met him, he had been lonely and depressed, trying to escape his sorrows in alcohol, but now, she could only feel comforting warmth coming from him, she had really changed this stallions life, it felt good. When she thought about it, a few of the other, food sources, she had found earlier in her life, mostly not any romance related stuff, just becoming their friends actually helped them, but the ones who where lonely, or just sad, where usually the kindest types of ponies she had ever met. Once, she asked one of them why? Or mostly asked her why the fact that she was a changeling bother her. She could still remember the words of the kind cyan coated orange maned pegasus.

“Does it really matter? You became my friend when nopony else would, you were nice, helped me get a new job, and if it weren't for you I wouldn't have a wonderful coltfriend, Smooth Star even called him daddy not to long ago, and she is finally happy again. Just promise me you will keep in touch, okay? Maybe send a letter every now and then, can you do that for me?’’

A small smile spread across Sunset Heart's face, this mare had been one of the kindest souls she had ever met. She still sent her a letter sometimes, this was the only friendship that she hadn't buried from her past.

“Okay, we’re back at your house now.’’

“Huh? Oh, sorry, I must have been lost in thoughts.’’ She said, smiling nervously at Brave Wing.

“It’s okay, anyway, I need to get going now, don’t wanna ruin my sleep pattern to much, goodnight.’’ Brave Wing said.

“Well, goodnight.’’ She said, gave Brave Wing a quick goodbye hug, it took a moment for him to react but after a few seconds he returned the hug. She waved goodbye as he started walking back home. She unlocked the door to her house, opened it and walked inside. She didn’t spend any time on brushing her teeth or anything, she just crashed on her bed, letting out a soft sigh and closed her eyes and slowly started to fall asleep. With her thought on a certain light blue coated pegasus.