No Strings Attached

“This is excellent pie, remind me to give the cook a raise Sparkling.” Doflamingo said as he lifted another forkful up to his mouth.

“Give cook a raise…” murmured Sparkling to herself as she wrote the Emperor’s decision down on some parchment. Sparkling had already eaten, Doflamingo having gone back for seconds while Reflection sat to the side of Doflamingo, the changeling declining any solid sustenance. Reflection had spent the entire dinner fidgeting with her front hooves as she stared at the table, Doflamingo seemingly too caught up in his food to notice that anything was amiss, however he was glancing at Reflection while eating, having an idea of what was on the changeling’s mind.

Both of the mares had removed their clothes; however Doflamingo decided to change into the newer set of casual clothing that pretty much looked identical to his original clothes claiming that the familiarity really was improving his mood. The Tailor had offered to make a lot more extra clothing for him, an offer that Doflamingo graciously accepted.

Doflamingo finished his pie, pushing his plate away from him as he rubbed his stomach and leaned back in his chair, a content smile on his face. Reflection noticed this and decided that know would be an idea time to talk with Doflamingo about her feelings.

“Um, Doflamingo, could I talk to you about something?”

The human turned his head to face Reflection, a warm smile on his face as he gazed at the face of the changeling.

“Go right ahead Reflection, you’ve been quiet all night so I’m glad that you wish to talk,” Doflamingo leaned forward as he placed his arms on the table.

“Well, you see Doflamingo,” Reflection started, the changeling shooting a glance at Sparkling, the white mare giving her a smile of encouragement. Reflection turned back towards Doflamingo. “You’ve been really good to me and all of us changelings despite how I first treated you and I would like to thank you for that.”

“No thanks are needed.” Doflamingo replied. “Every single changeling has proved with their actions that I made the right decision and I know I speak for the Crystal ponies as well when I say that we’re all overjoyed to have you living amongst us.”

Reflection smiled at his words, before she left her chair and walked over to where Doflamingo was sitting. The changeling embraced the surprised Emperor before she continued.

“Thanks,” she mumbled before looking up at him, a blush on her face “but I wanted to also say something else.”

Doflamingo smiled down at her, his grin a mask to hide his feelings on what was about to come next.

“What is it?” he asked through the forced smile.

“Doflamingo,” Reflection said as she grasped him with her hooves, “I just wanted to say to say that I think that I… that I lov-“

“Emperor Doflamingo, there is an Equestrian messenger requesting an audience immediately!”

Everyone in the room turned to look at the interrupter, the guardmare saluting as she spoke.

Doflamingo sighed. He had thought about what to do when this time came and he decided to go for the other approach he was thinking of instead of going with his first option.

“Thank you soldier, but please inform the messenger to wait a moment. I have to settle things here.” Doflamingo replied.

“As you command Lord!” the mare turning and heading back towards the throne room. Doflamingo gave Reflection his attention once again.

“All right Reflection, please continue what you were going to say to me.”

Doflamingo smiled as the changeling struggled to find the words to say before blurting it all out in a rush.

“IthinkI’minlovewithyouDoflamingo!!!” yelled out the blushing Changeling.

Doflamingo’s smile lowered as he sighed internally. ‘It’s just as I thought. While it’s true a little companionship would be nice since I don’t have anyone of my own species to be with, but is it really all right to do this? If any of these ponies knew what I’ve done in the past, they would see me as a greater monster than Sombra and what then?’ He sighed aloud, Reflection glancing up at him with fear and despair in her eyes while Sparkling looked between the two, afraid that Doflamingo would reject Reflection’s feelings.

“If that is how you feel, then I have to first ask why exactly do you love me? Depending on your reasoning I’ll give you an answer.” Reflection struggled with herself for a moment before sighing and looking up at Doflamingo.

“I’m sorry Doflamingo.” Reflection said softly as she looked into the Emperor’s eyes, or rather his sunglasses. “No matter what you say or do I can’t help it, I’m in love with you. You always seek to help me better myself and always treat me like an equal, even though you rule an entire Empire. Sparkling told me what you did before you arrived here and I can’t believe it. Sure you killed Sombra but from what the Crystal ponies told me you had no choice. I can’t believe that you kill as part of your old life because you’re much too nice to everyone around you.”

“You never pushed me away and you always made time for me, not just me either. Whenever you walk in the city you always talk to everyone like they’re friends and not like they’re your subjects. You make it seem like I can talk to you about any problems I have, no matter how small and I care immensely about you, more than anyone else I’ve ever met. When we first came to the city you took us in, gave us food and shelter while striving to help us fit in with your subjects, all you asked for in return was for us to treat you like they did.”

Reflection paused as she looked at her hole-riddled legs, the ebony limbs wet with tears.

“Look at me; I’m a creature that survives by hiding what I look like, my normal form hideous to most of those in this world. You look past that; you look past my furless shell and my jagged horn. You look over what I did in the past, how I treated you when we first met and you look past my stupid actions.”

She tore her vision away from her fore-legs, looking back up at Doflamingo.

“You treat me like family but I want to be more than family. I don’t mind if you can’t go on dates, if you can’t take me to fancy clubs or if you can’t shower me with attention. I know that you will love me even if you can’t show it in those ways and I just want things to work between us so badly that I’ll put up with anything to try to make it happen. Please, all I ask is that you give me a chance, one chance to prove that I’m not just a parasite incapable of love. Please.”

Reflection finished her plea by lunging forward and hugging Doflamingo, the changeling burying her face into his chest. Doflamingo contemplated everything that Reflection had just told her while Sparkling had tears in her eyes after Reflection finished her little speech. He had faced many problems in his violent life time, Doflamingo usually dealing with them with a combination of violence and comedic wit, while mostly forcing his enemies to kill each other but none of that would help him in this situation at all. He had immensely under-estimated the extent of Reflection’s devotion and he was now paying the price. As heartless and cruel as he could often be the changeling’s passionate plea really did a number on his opinions regarding his feelings for her.

Doflamingo sighed. “Do you two know anything about me?” the sudden question catching both mares off guard as they shook their heads at him. “Good, because if you did know about my past, you would see that I am a greater monster than Sombra could ever hope to be. I have done many terrible things to my own kind and I eventually paid the price for it.” Doflamingo stared up at the ceiling while the two mares stared at him curiously.

“Reflection, people see you as a monster because of your appearance.” Reflection winced, hurt at suddenly being called a monster by the Emperor while Sparkling glared at him. “However, I am a true monster who kills and ruins lives with a smile on my face.” He smiled widely, recalling the feelings of elation and excitement of seeing others suffer. His demeanor had clearly shown on his face as now Reflection and Sparkling were looking at him terrified until Doflamingo’s smile turned into a slight frown as he stared at Reflection.

“Are you willing to be together with a monster such as myself?”

Doflamingo waited for Reflection’s reply and was pleasantly surprised when the changeling nodded her head.

“I don’t care about any of that Doflamingo. The you that I’ve gotten to know is the one I fell in love with. You told me once that you wanted to change yourself and be a better person and I think you are truly making good on that promise.”

Doflamingo stared at Reflection while she and Sparkling smiled. Suddenly, the Emperor laughed loudly, startling the two mares.

“Fufufufufufu!! You’re quite determined aren’t you?” Doflamingo smiled widely at Reflection who only nodded her head in reply.

“Well then, don’t regret your decision later on. You’re going to be stuck with me for a while and It’s not like there’s anything wrong with trying to find love right?”

The hope in Reflection’s eyes made them sparkle while Sparkling was staring in excitement and anticipation at what the Emperor would say next.

He suddenly began to stroke her back with a free hand, the changeling staring up at him with large hope-filled eyes, Reflection’s lime irises like duel green rings. He thought about the consequences if he gave in to her desires, all of the political ramifications that would result from such an affair. After a few minutes of thought, Reflection maintaining her stare all the while as she patiently awaited his answer Doflamingo took a breath.

“Screw it, we might as well give it a shot, after all you only live once.”

Reflection let out a high-pitched squeal as she hugged Doflamingo tighter, no-doubt heard by the entire palace, possibly even the whole city.

“Thank you, I promise that it will work out!”

She leaned up and gave Doflamingo a peck on the cheek.

“This is the happiest day of my life, I love you and nothing will ever change that!”

Reflection snuggled deep into Doflamingo, holding onto him like a filly would hold onto a stuffed animal. She closed her eyes, losing herself to the warm body that she rested against, the joy-filled changeling suddenly being held by a pair of hands and set her down on to the floor.

“I think you’ve scared the poor Equestrian messenger waiting for me with that squeal Reflection. Probably thinks my palace is haunted now.” Doflamingo chuckled while Reflection blushed as Sparkling was giggling at what the Emperor said.

“Well, we’ll have to continue this later. I have to see what this Equestrian has to say. Would you two care to join me?” Both mares turned toward each other to share a look before shaking their heads. Doflamingo smiled and chuckled as he got up from his seat and proceeded to head towards the throne room.

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Swift Current was shuffling nervously on the spot, his golden armor clinking as he moved from hoof to hoof.  He had been warned by Captain Armor that the Crystal Empire was… thorough when it came to matters of security but he had not expected this.

The Pegasus messenger had been stripped of his only weapons, a pair of blades designed to fit on wings as soon as he had entered the Empire, the Crystal guards taking no chances. There were currently no-less than fifteen guards surrounding him, a circle of diamond tipped spears pointing at him. He gulped as he tried to keep his nerves under control, small beads of sweat starting to form on his brow.  Swift tried to focus on the apparel of the surrounding guards in an effort to keep his attention away from the sharp spear-points.

The armor that the Crystal guards were wearing covered almost their entire bodies, unlike Equestrian armor which was focused primarily around freedom of movement. Instead of metal the protection that the Crystal ponies sported seemed to be made from a hard crystal, the covering somehow dull unlike normal gems. Each pony had a faceplate that appeared to hinge at the top, resulting in only the guard’s eyes, nostrils and mouth being visible.

Set in the breastplate of each guard was a gem; different colors although blue seemed to be the most prevalent. Further down the guards’ legs were protected by crystal greaves, the material matching the rest of their armor. As he went over his observations Swift came to the conclusion that the Crystal Guard was well-equipped and trained, making them a dangerous threat if Equestria did end up in hostilities against the returned nation. He doubted that they had a larger number of soldiers; Equestria fielding a regular force of one-thousand Royal Guard at all times not counting the Lunar guard or reserves.

“Ah! So this is the messenger from Equestria then?”

Swift broke out of his musings and looked towards the voice, the human Emperor stopping just outside his circle of guards.

“Stand down all of you, let the poor Equestrian have some breathing space.”

The surrounding guards all lowered their weapons and back up a few paces, all of the ponies watching Swift diligently from their new positions. Swift was impressed with the Crystal guards’ reaction times and the lack of protest they gave, Captain Armor had been accurate with his description of the Crystal Ponies’ loyalty to the bipedal Emperor. He hoped that the Captain’s opinion of the Emperor’s temperament was just as correct, Swift bowing before the tall creature.

“Greetings Emperor Doflamingo, I am Corporal Swift Current and I have been sent here to deliver an invitation from Her Royal Highness Princess Celestia formally inviting you to the glorious Capitol of Equestria, Canterlot. The Princess wishes for you and any advisors you see fit to bring to conduct discussions with her and her court regarding the solution to the changeling problem facing Equestria.” Swift Current took a breath, the Emperor looking down at the guard with a bemused expression.

“The Princess will provide you and your entourage with accommodation and meals in the hopes that stable diplomatic ties can be forged between your great nation and ours. The proposed solution regarding the changelings will be first-and-foremost on the agenda, followed by talks of possible trade agreements. The Princess extends her gratitude and hopes that you will accept this most generous invitation that will surely benefit both nations.”

Swift finished the pre-planned speech with a flourish of his snow-white wing before looking up expectantly at the Emperor.

“No.”

Swift stumbled at the unexpected reply, the stallion giving the Emperor a confused look.

“May I ask why Emperor, it is a sincere offer-“

“My decision does not reflect any notions of suspicion or maliciousness towards your nation Corporal Current,” Swift noticed that the Emperor’s mouth twitched a bit when the human addressed him. “My refusal is based upon multiple factors.” Emperor Doflamingo sat down on his throne, gazing at the equestrian from behind his sunglasses.

“I decline your Princess’s invitation because I have an Empire to rule, plain and simple. I can’t go gallivanting off to play diplomat in another country while my own is in dire need of stability. The former ruler, a complete dick I might add,” Doflamingo said as he kicked the skinned King in the head with a boot “decided that civil development was completely un-needed and as such I’ve got far too much to do.”

“I see Sir, I’m sorry for wasting your time” Swift began, the Pegasus turning towards the exit.

“Hold on a second.” the Emperor’s voice called out, Swift stopping to face Chalmers. “While I am unable to visit your capitol, maybe your Princess and her advisors would be willing to visit here instead. She can judge my character and the happiness of my subjects with her own eyes at the same time, does that sound reasonable?”

“It is not my place to make such decisions Sir, I will however endeavor to inform the Princess of your counter-offer.”

“Great, let her know that she can drop by anytime” the Emperor replied before turning to a guard standing beside the throne. “Sergeant, if you and a squad would please escort the good Corporal here to the exit after returning anything that was confiscated, thank you.”

The guard nodded, several more joining him as the Equestrian was escorted outside of the palace. Doflamingo leaned back in the throne, the room empty save for two guards and himself. He hummed while he tapped his fingers together, trying to decide on a course of action regarding Reflection’s obvious infatuation with him. He knew all of the problems that would arise once it became public that they were seeing each other. It would reflect badly on himself and his empire by extension because he was together with a changeling. However, he didn’t want to break Reflection’s heart to pieces and he had already told her he would give her a chance, no doubt Sparkling and Reflection were talking about the very subject in an excited manner, like all females tend to do about such things.

He sighed as he got up from his throne and walked back into the dining room, the guards not following him after he told them he would be retiring for the night. When he arrived back at the dining room, he didn’t find Reflection or Sparkling anywhere and chuckled to himself. He had an idea where Reflection would be and he was sure Sparkling retired for the night so it was with much amusement that Doflamingo ascended the stairs towards his royal bedchambers to get some sleep. To his complete lack of surprise, he found Reflection sleeping soundly in his bed, obviously waiting for him to join her. He didn’t realize his little talk with the Equestrian took so long, but decided that Reflection was so full of excitement at being given a chance to date him that she collapsed from exhaustion like a child who had a sugar rush and crash.

Doflamingo crawled into his bed and settled into his covers when Reflection suddenly grabbed him and hugged him tightly like a stuffed animal. Her contented sigh and smile put a similar smile on his own face. He knew he couldn’t end the relationship between Reflection and himself, but if she knew what he did in his past life, she might want to break up with him immediately. If not, then at least he had found a companion that was as loyal to him as any other member of his old family. Doflamingo closed his eyes, with his shades still on his face, and began to drift off to sleep. After all, he was about to get a lot more busy with the things he had to do in the near future.