Coagulation

Lazuli slowly stepped into her bedroom, a heavy sigh rolling past her lips. Her hooves gently clanked against the ground with every step she took – the braces on them were hardly even necessary anymore, but she wore them just for stability.

“Long day?” Fizzlepop’s voice greeted her, and a smile crossed the Dracony’s tired face.

“You could say that, yeah.” Lazuli nodded, stretching her body out and sighing. While not too much had changed about her, the difference was more than visible.

Her body was back to being toned and slim, but it also looked to be a bit stiffer than usual. She wore a pair of glasses on the bridge of her nose that were only really needed for reading, and her mane was tied up in a tight bun.

“What’s wrong, Laz?” Fizzle walked up to her. The unicorn had changed, too. Her mane remained in its fiery mohawk shape, but her face was just a bit…rounder, one could describe it as.

“Oh, nothing.” Lazuli sighed and sat down on her bed, slowly unhooking her braces and letting them sit there on the floor as she stretched her legs out. “Just…another day behind the desk, I guess.”

“Well at least you’re not out bucking apples with me.” Fizzlepop giggled, lying back down on her bed and crossing one front hoof over the other. “Makes my muscles sore.”

“I guess so.” The Dracony nodded, smiling at her friend. “Hey, how’s Applejack anyway? I haven’t seen her in a few days.”

“She’s great! Just been busy, is all. Harvest season and whatnot. Farm needs her full attention and all.”

Lazuli nodded and ran a hoof through her mane, which still had a bit of its bangs hanging out in front. After stretching her hind legs a bit, she shakily stood up and sighed. Her walk was mostly normal, just a bit shaky. Her wings, the poor majestic things, had been broken so many times that they just couldn’t set right anymore. They mostly remained at her sides, and certainly weren’t functional for fighting.

“And what’re you doing, hmm?” Fizzle tilted her head gently.

The Dracony paused, slowly opening the closet with her tail. “I just…want to look at something.”

Fizzlepop shrugged and rolled onto her side, letting her sore muscles rest while Lazuli dug a dusty box out of the closet. Her tail slowly pulled the lid open, and she took out a slip of paper that was sitting on top of a mass of black fabric.

Dear Lazuli,

You have done Equestria a service. Your past crimes have perhaps been heinous, but what you have done and been through is more than enough in the way of punishment. You need not worry about repercussions.

We understand if you still hold some level of resentment towards us. We would be foolish to believe that you have none. But even so, we would like to make one thing official.

Your life may begin anew, Lazuli. We hope you enjoy it, and spend it well. Your past crimes mean nothing. As far as we are concerned, you are simply another Dracony living in Equestria.

Oh, and don’t worry about Sanctuary. None of our guards will fall for his tricks. You can rest assured that he and his little ‘church’ will be dealt with.

Yours Truly,

Princess Celestia and Princess Luna.

Lazuli hadn’t realized how long she had been staring at the paper until she felt Fizzle tap her on the shoulder. “Hey. Equestria to Laz.”

“Huh? Oh.” She cleared her throat and sat up, folding the letter.

“You’re still reading that?” Fizzle frowned. “You know you’re supposed to let go of the past, not keep reminding yourself of it, right?”

“I know, it’s just…” She placed the letter back in the box, and slowly shut the lid. “It makes me really happy to read it.”

Fizzlepop sighed and rested her head on Lazuli’s shoulder, snorting. “You know you shouldn’t keep reading it.”

“Last time, I promise.” Lazuli slid the box into the closet and pushed the door shut. “Kay?”

“Hrmph, you’re lying, I can tell.”

“Hush.”

“Your cheeks get red when you lie.”

“Your horn crackles when you do it.”

Fizzle snickered and gave Lazuli’s cheek a gentle nuzzle. “Come on. You need some rest. Being the mayor’s secretary must be hard work, right?”

“Not as hard as apple farming, I bet.”

“Pfft.” Fizzle started dragging Lazuli backwards. “You knooooow you need your rest.”

“I’m not that old, Fizzle. Give me some slack.”

“You just turned thirty-six, I now have the duty of keeping you healthy.” Fizzle said in a silly voice that was obviously in jest.

“Well you’re thirty-two, I could say the same for you!” Lazuli gave the unicorn’s nose a bop with her tail. “And don’t keep talking about my age, you butt.”

The purple mare rolled her eyes. “But for real, you need some rest. We’re going to the party in a few hours, remember?”

“Ah…right. Forgot about that.” Lazuli flopped back on her bed, stretching out. “What’s it for, again?”

“Eh, just another Pinkie party. I’m not complaining.”

“I still can’t believe she’s still doing them. You’d think a mare would get bored of doing the same thing every day, you know?”

“She likes it, so does everyone else. How can we say anything?”

Lazuli settled back in her bed, head pressed against her pillow. “Hey…jokes aside, can I ask you something Fizzle?”

“Sure.”

“Do you ever just…I dunno…remember that one blizzard?”

“Laz…”

“No, just…please.”

“Of course I remember it. But that was a year ago, Lazuli. You’re not supposed to-…”

“I know, I know. But…”

The Dracony rolled onto her side to face Fizzle. “That blizzard, or…I guess the day after it…that was when I realized that you were a real friend to me.”

“…I know. Me too.”

“And…” Lazuli sighed. “Gods, I know I shouldn’t be talking about it, but…I just…really appreciate you being around, Fizzle. And…I appreciate you staying around.”

“I’d never up and leave, Laz.”

“I know. And I lov-…appreciate you for it.”

“…what was that first bit?”

Lazuli’s eyes darted to the floor. “I…it just slipped out. Sorry.”

“Laz, we’ve been friends for two years. You can say anything to me and it won’t make me mad.”

“Well…what else can I say? Love. That’s what I was going to say. Love.”

“So…is that in a friendly way? Because I love you too, Laz.”

“…I don’t know if it was just a friendly way, but…probably.”

Fizzle slowly stood up, trotting over to Lazuli’s bed and letting her nose nuzzle against the Dracony’s cheek. “Listen, Lazuli. I’ve known you for almost two years now, and I’ve loved you in a friendly way that whole time. And maybe it is a bit more than that – I dunno either. But how about we just let it go where it goes, okay? Nothing hidden between us? I’d hate to have this become a problem after so long.”

“…yeah. I think that works just fine.”

Fizzlepop planted a gentle kiss on Lazuli’s cheek. “Now get some real rest, okay? We’ve got a party to go to, and I’ll make you have fun.”

“Noooooooo…” Lazuli whined and dramatically put a hoof on her forehead. “Fun huuuurts.”

“Oh, hush.” Fizzlepop nudged her face again, then trotted back to her bed. “Or I’ll throw a ball of yarn all the way there to make you go.”

“Wwaaaaahhh.” Lazuli flailed her hooves in the air, then let herself flop limply. “I’m kidding. I’ll have fun, don’t worry.”

“Good.” Fizzle rolled onto her side and snuggled into the covers.

Lazuli allowed herself to lie there in silence for a few seconds, before bundling up the covers next to her and hugging them tight. A year or two ago, she would have been crying as she did this – but now, a delicate smile traced across her lips, and her expression was purely relaxed.