Shifting Melodies - The Lost Stanzas

“Okay, so, let’s see here,” Ledger mused. “You have two kisses from me, with tongue, to claim, and a massage from Midnight.” He was laying on the bed and looking at the mares. “Whereas I have a hug and some kisses to direct before we can get into anything...strenuous. Why don’t you claim your prizes first? Start us off somewhat nicely.”

Midnight smiled as she hopped up onto the bed, her hooves already kneading at his shoulders and back, firm, but gentle. Scope just stood to one side, wondering just what the evil drone had in store. There’s now way he’d ask for ‘that’ right? Not without consulting both mares first.

“You’re massaging the wrong changeling, love,” Ledger gently reminded Midnight. “Scope won that round. C’mon up here Scopey, get your massage.” The unicorn gently pat at the bed next to him with a hoof.

“T-That’s it?” she blinked, as she climbed up onto the bed. Midnight moved over and begun working on the nymph, already getting some soft sighs from her.

“You also have two kisses with tongue to direct me to give,” Ledger said as the nymph began to get her treatment.

“Hmm, I’ll hang on to those,” she smiled, closing her eyes. “One never knows when that might be useful~”

“True enough, but I’m not so frugal. Midnight, when you’re done massaging her, give her a kiss, and Scope, you get to hug her...and kiss her back.” Ledger may have been acting a little in his own interests, but when else was he gonna see them do something like this?

Scope sighed as Midnight continued, and then her heart raced when Midnight reminded Ledger of something. “If I recall the terms of my raise, you get to decide what kind of kiss I give,” she winked at the stallion. “Better make it good. This is your one chance after all.”

“If you don’t wind up tasting what she had for breakfast, I will be disappointed,” Ledger said, basically telling her to give Scope the full treatment.

“Mmm, I can do that,” Midnight purred. “Do you want her to transform into something? You have that as well.”

“Stop giving the perverted stallion ideas Mistress,” Scope pouted, but then melted under her touch. Dammit, why was she so good at this?

“Her pegasus form,” Ledger said with a smile. “Let’s see how good you are with wings...and how much she likes getting touched when she’s one.”

“Ooh, good choice~” Midnight finished up her massage and rolled the mare over. “Well then Scopey, hop to it.”

Scope sighed and with a flash of blue, she lay there in her Pegasus form, blushing slightly as she crossed her hind legs.

“Aw, so cute...” Midnight smiled.

“Perhaps now she’d be open to one of your kisses,” Ledger suggested with all the subtlety of a brick to the head.

“Like she has a choice,” Midnight said as she stood over the nymph. Scope blushed harder and closed her eyes.

“F-Fine, just hurry up already.”

“So impatient,” Midnight giggled as her muzzle closed the gap, pressing against Scope’s as her tongue parted Scope’s lips, her wingtips gently caressing the Pegasi’s. Ledger just watched, already liking the show.

“Remember to hug her,” Ledger told Scope. “And don’t be afraid to kiss back, it’d get both parts of your earlier dare paid off.”

Scope couldn’t reply, but her hooves wrapped themselves around the Thestrals neck. The batpony hummed as she deepened the kiss, their lips locked together as Scope’s tongue tried to fight back against Midnights. Ledger just watched for the moment when Midnight moved from heated make-outs to Thestral make-outs. He figured Scope might let him know...

Scope arched her back as she felt the that impossibly long tongue fill her mouth. She goaned as she clutched the bat and snorted through her nose, trying to catch her breath. Midnight rolled over as she held the pegasus to her chest, the petite mare kissing her back just as hard. Ledger had to admit, the whole show was...arousing. Best to watch and wait, rather than exert his temporarily-given authority. Besides, they never said when those periods had to start. At the moment, he was simply offering suggestions and using up the dares...

Eventually even Midnight had to come up for air, separating from her little pegasus with a soft sigh. Scope just panted as she gulped down air.

“G-Good gods...you...you always...kiss...like that?”

“Only the ones she really likes,” Ledger said as he made them aware of his presence again. “Enjoy your make-out session that rivaled the sun for hotness, that was totally of your own free will, that I did not have to cash in your hour for?”

“Aw buck,” Scope sighed. She’d almost forgotten about that. And she’d said anything too. Midnight patted her head and kissed her cheek.

“I wouldn’t worry. Ledger would do anything to make you uncomfortable. He knows that Cider and I would be...displeased if he did. Don’t you Ledger?”

“Mmhmm, in fact, while you aren’t allowed to leave the room for the hour, that’s the only other thing I want you to do: make yourself comfortable.” Ledger then drew Midnight close and gave her his best lust-filled gaze. “We, on the other hoof, are going to buck.”

“You...want me to watch you two have sex?” Scope blinked. “Is...that even legal?”

“Voyeurism,” Ledger pointed out, using a term he’d picked up from the Violet Hive during his brief stay there. “Perfectly legal, even a kink to some. Some just like to watch more than they like to partake. But if you’re uncomfortable with the idea…”

“Then you’ll simply find some other way,” Scope sighed. “You know what, go right ahead. I’m almost curious to see if you can perform under pressure.”

“Given how tight Cider is, he does pretty well,” Midnight grinned. “And the pressure when he blows? Oooh boy.”

“Noble mom, Violet dad,” Ledger said as he reformed his fangs and used them to nip at Midnight. “What once was a curiosity about me is now a boon.”

“And you have me to thank for that,” Midnight giggled. “Mmm, that feels nice~” She wrapped her hooves around him, holding his his barrel to hers. Her tail flicked up, lightly smacking the stallions rump. Ledger let out a nicker at that before mocking an attack on Midnight’s neck with his fangs.

“And now the thestral is the one being bitten! Nom nom nom,” he teased.

“Gah!” she squeaked and giggled at the assault. Scope rolled her eyes as she sat on an armchair in the corner of the room.

“What are you, like five?” she teased.

“We have been going out for only so long,” Ledger pointed out. “Plus sex wasn’t exactly a thing I studied. I’ve only recently picked up a book for their pleasure, which remiiiiinds me.” At this, his horn flashed silver before he nodded. “Done. Now where was I?”

“I believe you were molesting my neck,” she replied. “Buuut I think those lips could go a little higher.” She smiled sweetly as she placed a chaste kiss on his lips, even as her leg brushed against his inner thigh.

“Mmm, or lower, depending on what you’re in the mood for,” Ledger suggested before returning the kiss, though holding it a bit longer. One hoof trailed down her neck before it massaged the joint where her wings met her back.

She moaned slightly, her wings spreading out as she leaned in to nibble his neck this time. Her tail flicked from left to right, and Scope had to avoid her gaze. Well, if they took this long, then she could leave before they even did anything really indecent.

“Oh, now I see why you like them so much,” Ledger moaned, before reaching up and pulling the mare down. “Okay, how are we starting tonight? Me on you, you on me? Somepony needs to get somepony else up and running before tonight can take off.”

“Well I happen to know that Cider has been teaching you how to eat out a mare,” she winked, enjoying the blush that brought to his face. “So, let’s see what you’ve learned Ledger?”

“Remember, she also dared to do whatever you want for a whole day,” Scope helpfully called out. Ledger shot the small pegasus a wink before replying to her.

“I’m saving that for later. Much later. Like, trip back home later. Or maybe just Fair later. All I’ll do is make suggestions. Like, perhaps we should put on a show for Scope. And perhaps while I’m tending to you while you ride my face, you can tend to me.” Ledger closed his mouth as silver light filled it before showing off his new/old friend for Midnight. “I’ll make it worth your while~” he sing-songed before showing off the thestral tongue he’d given himself.

“Sold,” Midnight giggled as Scope gaped at him. Was that his-but, it was friggen huge! She gave a painful wince just imagining that monster inside of her.

The Thestral leaned down and her tongue gave a long, painfully slow lick along his shaft. Ledger refrained from bucking, barely, as his tongue gave her lips a similar long lick, ending with him teasing her nub for a fraction of a second.

She held no such restraint as she pressed her moist lips against his muzzle. She used her hooves to rub the base of his shaft and balls as she teased the tip with her tongue.

Scope just blushed at the sight and stared at the wall. He said she had to stay in the room, he didn’t say she had to watch.

Ledger used his long tongue to slowly fill up Midnight’s pussy, sending it around and around her tunnel as he became more focused on her pleasure. If he didn’t, he’d be focused on his, and that’d only end the fun early.

“MMm, ahhh~” Midnight sighed as she all but hugged his cock, rubbing it against her soft furred chest. She looked at Scope and smiled slightly. “You know Scopey, it’s more fun if you watch~”

Scope just huffed. Around that moment, Ledger managed to get a bit of his tongue outside of Midnight’s pussy and began teasing her lips as well as her innards with a tongue not unlike her own. Midnight groaned and gave her hips a buck, all but grinding it against his face as she opened her mouth and devoured his member, her long tongue already going to work, squeezing and licking it.

This time, Ledger did buck, forcing more of himself into her mouth as he bore down on Midnight’s flesh relentlessly. That bit of tongue on the outside had located Midnight’s clit, and with a soft, wet flick, the thestral found herself in a position she’d been in a few nights ago. Ledger reminded her by pulling his tongue out and pushing it back in, tweaking her nub as that long appendage screwed her.

Midnight moaned around his member as she opened the back of her throat and took the whole thing into her mouth, he could feel her breath against his balls. Scope had been stealing the odd peek and her wings were at full spread now. Just how in the hell did that Thestral do that?

The unicorn moaned into Midnight’s folds, close to finishing already. The excitement that this situation brought, coupled with being watched by somepony else...he kept fucking Midnight with his tongue, but decided to nibble a little as well. Just enough to be felt, Ledger used his fangs to stimulate Midnight’s sensitive flesh.

The Thestral groaned around him, her head bobbing up and down before she pulled off with a lewd, wet pop. She smacked her lips a few times and began to stroke his member with her hooves, giving the watching pegasus a wink.

And that gave her an idea.

“Ohh, I bet this really gets you, doesn’t it Ledger? Having little Scopey watch me rub your hard dick. Those bright blue eyes glued to this solid cock of yours~”

Ledger moaned something in reply, sending vibrations into Midnight’s pussy as he kept stimulating her as best as he could. He’d started this, he was gonna finish it!

Then she got another idea as she panted. She was gonna make Ledger paint the ceiling if she could get her to do it. She was close herself, but she smiled at Scope and made a motion with her hoof. Scope blinked and shook her head, but Midnight gave her puppy-dog eyes.

‘Fine, but you owe me,’ Scope rolled her eyes and raised her voice a little, just enough for Ledger to hear her.

“Oh Levvy,” she called out in a husky, sing-song tone. “Why don’t you come for me? Paint that little bat good and proper~”

That did it: The thought that Scope actually enjoyed the show set into motion his orgasm. With a last shred of thought left before he started to oblige the nymph, the unicorn brought his fangs to bear, lightly, on Midnight’s clit. He wasn’t cumming alone if he had anything to say about it!

Midnight moaned in a loud, lewd tone as she drenched his muzzle with her orgasm. She gripped his length with her hooves and hugged it close, rubbing the shaft with a furious pace, her tongue teasing the tip.

And that was when Ledger all but exploded, coating everything on the other end of his dick in seed. There was no more room for rational thought as he just came...and came...and came some more.

Midnight just sighed in content, too busy riding her orgasm to care where he came. It coated her chest, face and mane, some landing in her mouth. Scope just watched with wide eyes, wondering more on where the hell he kept all that. She hadn’t even thought about her hoof, even as it slowly teased her lips.

“Mmm...you should probably shower,” Ledger pointed out once he was done for the time being. “You know how quickly that stuff crusts up.”

“Mmmm, maybe,” Song sighed as she licked some from her hoof. “And while I love this new spell of yours, I do prefer Ledger-flavour occasionally~”

“I’ll be sure to change it for your next time,” Ledger quipped back. “We have a variety of flavors on tap, you must merely exert your imagination and make requests.”

“Oh hah hah,” Midnight snarked as she licked some more from her chest. “Mmm, so is that all dear Ledger?”

“For now, I do have to reload,” Ledger said as he swung the door open with his magic. “Feel free to clean off while I do.”

“Fine, but I won’t be long,” she said, giving her tail a swish as she hopped from the bed and trotted from the room, careful not to drip any onto the floor. Ledger turned and looked at the small pegasus who was pleasuring herself, before smiling and patting the bed.

“I’m not demanding anything more than a hug or some kisses,” he said softly. “But you seem to be enjoying this...so let me show you that I enjoy your company too.”

Scope squeaked when she realised what she was doing. “Ah, but I...dammit.” she stood up and after looking around, she walked over to the bed and sat near Ledger, avoiding the puddle he left there. Ledger pulled Scope close with a hoof and hugged her like that, enjoying the feeling of a warm body next to his in the afterglow. She should allow others to cuddle her more often. It felt good.

She noticed his cock give a little twitch and hummed. “Heh, I wonder what you’re thinking about?”

“Midnight coming back and us cuddling before we get into round two,” Ledger answered honestly. “Though I’m sure you were hoping for an answer like ‘you,’ it isn’t my way to force you into doing anything you don’t want to.”

“Says the guy who burst into my room and claimed that he’d ‘buck me into the mattress’,” she giggled. “Well, whatever. At least you put on a decent show.”

“I was trying to get you to be more open with what you want,” Ledger said, poking her muzzle with a hoof. “It’s okay to want things...as long as you ask for them instead of take them. And I did ask, and I wouldn’t have done anything without asking Midnight and Cider first. Though, they did basically both agree to give you a chance…”

“I figured they would,” Scope replied. “And besides, are you also the one that keeps kissing me without asking? Got any more quotes for me to shoot down in flames?” She reached out without thinking and gave his member a flick with her hoof to punctuate the statement.

“Somepony needs to show you they care,” Ledger said softly, only shuddering slightly at the stimulation. “I’m afraid of what you might do if you thought nopony cared about you, about what happened to you. After hearing about your...past, I decided I would do everything I could to help you defy it.”

“Why?” she asked simply. “It’s not like I’m the only changeling in that situation. The other five that came over with me were all the same, yet they got sent back to the homelands. So...why me?”

“Because you’re here, and you’re trying your hardest to earn that trust we’ve given you instead of take it or force it out of us.” By this point, Ledger had begun to stroke her mane. “I would do everything for those I cared for.”

“You’re such a sap,” Scope said, leaning into the touch a little. “No wonder you left the Hives, you wouldn’t last a day with that marshmallow heart of yours.”

“That, and I read all the Archives I could,” Ledger said with a nod. “Nothing left to learn there. ‘s how I knew so much during that fight.” His hoof accidentally brushed between her wings, and he stiffened once he realized what he’d done. She stiffened and let out a small moan, before clasping a hoof to her mouth.

“I am so sorry-” Ledger started to apologize.

“Do that again,” she murmured. Ledger blinked a few times, but obliged the smaller mare, running his hoof softly down her spine. She moaned and panted softly as her idling hoof resumed its earlier job. Ledger smirked at the sight and began to slowly massage that spot, one hoof rubbing between her wings while the other moved to gently rub at one of them.

She groaned in pleasure as her wings extended slowly, her hoof quickening its pace slightly. Ledger took this chance to go from rubbing between her wings to just rubbing her wings, trying to find what did work and do more of it. He was thankfully a quick learner: he knew he was doing something right when she moaned and went faster.

Her hoof switched from sliding along her slick slit, to teasing the small nub at the top. Her eyes closed as she opened her mouth slightly, panting cutely as she brought herself closer to both Ledger and climax.

Even as his hooves kept rubbing her wings, the unicorn leaned down and softly kissed the pegasus on the top of her head before whispering something for her. “You do still have to do what I say...and I say you should cum, Scopey.” Ledger knew of one nerve-cluster in Pegasi wings that they liked having rubbed...and he exploited that knowledge now.

She opened her mouth again with a loud moan as her hoof dug into her drenched pussy, before she shuddered and came, her legs crossing as her forehooves gripped one of his as she rode the climax out, panting and moaning with each twitch and spasm.

Ledger just let the little mare hold onto him, knowing she’d likely not mention wanting to cuddle after something like that. Didn’t mean he wouldn’t still offer, though. He softly stroked her mane with his free hoof, letting her know he was still here and still cared.

She snuggled closer as her body shook every now and then. Midnight Song had returned a few minutes ago, content with watching the show from the doorway.

“Mm, that looked nice,” she whispered to them.

“Glad you both liked,” Ledger said in a tone that was no louder than hers. “I think she really needed this.”

She looked up at them and smiled lightly. “You still have...a half hour,” she said cheekily.

“And while you did cum, I said earlier to make yourself comfortable and that I wouldn’t push you,” Ledger rebuffed, though he didn’t stop cuddling the smaller mare.

“Well, I’m pretty comfy right here,” she said as Midnight climbed onto the bed, snuggling them from the other side. “Or should I just be me and say, take the bucking hint Ledger.”

“You’re pretty small as you are,” Ledger observed. “I’m not going to hurt you by giving you something like that. Heck, I’m surprised Midnight and Cider can take me. For you it’d be downright impossible.”

“You know,” Scope hummed as she felt something. “Give me like...five minutes and this scene will be complete okay?”

“I can wait five minutes,” Ledger said, kissing Scope’s head before moving his attentions to Midnight and kissing her on the lips. “I’ve got two pretty mares to keep me company after all.”

“Not for long,” Scope sang, eliciting a look of confusion from Midnight.

“Levvy? I think she’s planning something.”

“Yup, my first clue was she was awake,” Ledger snarked. “Well, what’s the plan? Is it you or somepony else?”

He got his answer when the door opened and he heard Cider call out his name.

“In here love!” Scope said, using Ledger’s voice. “And do hurry, I have a surprise for you~”

“Sneaky,” Ledger whispered, before deciding to roll with it for the time being. He’d likely have done the same thing, after all. Scope rolled over him, her tail brushing against his still hard member as she lay against the wall.

“Now, no matter what, I want you both to face that door. Do not look at me okay?”

Ledger smirked as he saw her plan start to form. With a quick motion, he was holding Midnight in front of him to hide his current...state from the farmmare. Anything to help confuse her.

Apple Cider peeked her head around the corner, her curious blue eyes scanning the room. “Uh...what’s goin’ on in here hmm, not that that smell isn’t a dead giveaway.”

“We’re having a party,” Ledger said as he looked at the mare. “Care to join us for round two?”

Cider smiled as she dropped her bags on the floor and stalked closer. “Mmm, ah reckon ah might...” there was a blue flash from behind Ledger and the farmmare paused. “Uh...who the hay is that?”

“Oh, I did say ‘we,’ right?” Ledger said, hoping the slight clue would help her figure out what was going on. He was curious himself, but he had directions to follow.

“Uh...y’all...brought a Griffon to our bed?” A talon squeezed Ledger’s shoulder as the black and white griffoness leaned closer.

‘Am I big enough now?’ she whispered to his ear.

“Why yes, yes you are,” Ledger said with a smirk. “Just think, Cider. Who all else did we bring with us…” The mare paused as she realised who that griffon might be.

“Scopey?” she blinked and the griffon nodded, before leaping across the room and tackling the mare in a hug.

“Ohh, I like this,” she giggled. “Maybe I’ll stay like this for a while. Heart does provide enough love for me to do this in extended periods.”

“And if you asked, I’m certain I could share,” Ledger said as he watched the griffon-on-pony hug. “Enjoying her, there?”

“Well, when the shoe’s on the other hoof, it’s not so bad,” Scope chuckled as she squeezed Cider. The Earth mare squeaked and looked to Ledger and Midnight for help.

“Scope, you had a thing you wanted me to do, I can’t do it if you’re not over here,” Ledger pointed out before looking at Midnight. “I don’t think the bed was rated for Gryphons and others, though. Mind keeping Cider company?”

“I guess so, I’m curious to see what she’ll let you do though. Bare in mind, she has razor-sharp claws now.”

“I trust her,” Ledger said simply, the honesty and loyalty around that statement a virtual cloud to a changeling’s senses.

Cider watched them both and then raised her hooves and gave each changeling a bonk on the head. Scope growled and glared at her. “Ow! What the hell Cider?”

“Yeah, what gives?” Ledger asked as he nursed his own head. “She opens up enough to trust me like this, like I trusted you both like this, and this is how you repay that trust?”

“Ah’m jus’ checkin to see if y’all ain’t gone wonky in the head again,” she sighed. “Ah jus’...didn’t expect to come to-” she motioned at whatever this was. “-this.”

“Tell me, do you see us screwing in our normal forms?” Ledger asked in a deadpan voice. “Because I can tell you, that’s not happening anytime soon.”

“Hey, I can take a normal stallion just fine,” Scope said defensively. “You’re just too damned big.” She suddenly got a wicked idea. “Though...if you prefer a pony...” She shifted again, the the kind magenta eyes of Princess Celestia stared down at him. “I think we can arrange something~”

“Yeah, no, met her, not doing that,” the unicorn said with a shake of his head. “Just wouldn’t feel right. Repaying that kindness like...that.” His mind went on a tangent, and he grinned. “Oh Midnight?~ Toss me my book, will you?~”

“I have a bad feeling about this, and can you please change form Scopey?” Midnight replied as she fished around until she found Ledger’s ledger. “Here.”

Scope returned to her default changeling form as Ledger caught his book. “What are you planning?” Ledger didn’t answer for a minute as he flipped towards the back of the book, reading something and smiling.

“Well there was this one spell that I was trying to adapt from the book I got my other new spell from. The one I’m trying to make will allow me to bend the fabric of space and time to make things larger on the inside.” His horn was glowing silver as he spoke. “The original only has one purpose, though.”

“Do I want to know?” Scope gulped as she backed away slightly.

“Accommodation spell,” Ledger said as the glow split, one beam of light impacting him, the other one striking Scope. “For mares who are just too small or stallions that are just too large, this spell helps them mesh a lot easier and without pain.”

“Do I want to know why you had that exact spell tucked away?” she blinked.

“I just said I was studying it,” Ledger said as he closed his book with a snap. “It helps to have the original copied down, word for word. But I do believe that this will take care of our little ‘issue,’ yes?”

“It still sounds a little convenient,” Scope replied dryly. “But I suppose it does...now, I just have to work up the nerve again to actually do this.”

“Take your time,” Ledger said as he leaned back on the bed, just trying to relax and only too late realizing he was putting on a show. Blushing only a little at the unintended display, he continued. “I’m not going to force you, or go anywhere until you say otherwise.”

“One question then,” Scope asked the trio. “What does that make me if I do this? Am I a member of your little herd? Or just somepony else to fill the bedsheets when you get bored? Can...can you truly love me like you do one another?”

“It’ll take time,” Ledger said after mulling the question over. “Time and a lot of work on both our parts. All relationships do. But if that is what you want...I think we can find ourselves working towards a common goal.”

“The only reason this herd is even a thing, is because ah bucked up in the first place,” Cider said as she sat down on the floor. “Midnight could have just said no, and that would be that. She and Ledger would have been together on their own, and ah’d have had mah farm all to mahself.”

“But, doing that...just didn’t sit right with me,” Midnight followed up. “Yeah, I could have done that. And who knows how that might have turned out. Ledger could have left me for Cider for all I know, or some other random mare. But, fate brought us all together and this is the road it set us on. I believe that you travel a similar path Scopey, and if you wanna walk it with us, then I’d be happy to have you.”

“In short,” Ledger said as he extended a hoof to the smaller ‘ling. “You can take us up on this opportunity, or you can leave. We won’t begrudge you either way...but only one path has you being loved.”

Dammit, ever since she was born, all she was taught was to hate and lie and steal. If someone had something she wanted, take it. If someone was in her way, kill them. Species and gender didn’t matter, anyone else was just there to be used, plain and simple. Why should anyone love something like that? She was little better than the Black that Ledger had burnt to a crisp... A little dark magic would close that gap...

She hadn’t even noticed that she was just standing there crying…

Ledger just used his magic to pull the smaller ‘ling into a hug atop him, holding her close and letting her know he cared. “Forgive me my impudence, but I thought you could do with a little affection,” he murmured into her ear.

“I think you might be right,” she murmured. “Sorry, my mood’s kinda dead now. Can we just hug and call it a draw?”

“If you want,” Ledger agreed. “In fact, why don’t we go to your room and just cuddle? I think Midnight has a few things she wants to discuss with Cider.” The tone he’d used at the end made it clear what sort of ‘conversation’ might be taking place.

“Mmnope,” Midnight replied as she snuggled them. “I’m happy right here. I don’t need sexytimes all the time.”

“Agreed, somepony needs hug and ah’ll be damned if ah don’t provide fer mah family,” Cider grinned as the pair of mares sandwiched the two changeling’s between them. Ledger just leaned down and kissed the smaller ‘ling on the head again.

“Cuddles, then a nap,” Ledger said as he felt like he could do with an hour of rest.

Scope smiled softly, she was happy for another reason as well. She would no longer be ‘Discarded One’. While she had a pony name that she liked, she hated her Changeling one.

“Not anymore,” she whispered. She had a new name in mind. One that made her so happy, for a brief moment, her carapace shone like...crystal.