Wings of Dawn

*knock knock knock*

Spike slowly lowered his comic book and glared at the door, a low snort emerging from his nostrils along with a small puff of flame, before he looked up to the second floor. When he didn’t hear Twilight respond, he let out a breath of relief. She was still sleeping. Still, this was the second visitor today. The first was still skulking around in the study, doing Celestia knows what. Spike found it odd that she’d all but kicked him out, but he supposed she had her reasons. She probably didn’t want him seeing whatever it was she was writing.

After all, from what Celestia had told him and Twilight, she was a spy back in her home world.

Spike almost laughed at the sheer absurdity of all of this. It was like he was living out one of his comics! There was an actual, honest to harmony alien in their home. And a spy nonetheless. Sure, she didn’t exactly strike him as a spy, but maybe that’s because the only spies he knew about were from the Swift Lightstep: Agent of the Crown novels Rarity would always…

*knock knock knock*

Snapping back to the present, Spike remembered that there was somepony waiting outside. Rising from his cushion with a grumble, he headed to the door. With his luck, I’d be Shining with an entire continent of royal guards ready to stampede in and set up a defense perimeter around his sister.

“All right, all right, what is it?” Spike groused as he opened the door, his irritation slightly evaporating when he saw the three ponies standing by the entry: Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, and Rarity

“Oh, hi girls.” Spike said as re regarded them. “What’re you doing here this early?”

There was a moment of silence between them as the girls looked at each other.

“We came to check on Twilight.” Rarity said somberly.

“We heard about what happened last night.” Rainbow growled, “…about the changeling.”

“We wanted to make sure Twilight was okay and safe, Spike.” Pinkie said with little of her usual cheer.

“Can we come in?” Rarity asked, “We’re worried about the poor dear.”

Spike glanced back into the treebrary.

‘Twilight’s still sleeping, but they’re worried. I should probably let them in, but make sure they stay quiet.’

“Okay, but keep it down. Twilight’s still sleeping.” Spike said as he ushered the girls in.

“What exactly happened Spike?” Pinkie asked as she and the others made their way into the tree. “I got a twitch in my back leg and a itch in my ear, which means that somepony I know is sad and afraid. Then I heard from Roseluck that there was a changeling, and it tried to take Twilight.”

“Yea, kinda.” Spike admitted. “We were just getting back from the party, when Rainbow showed up…”

“What? But I wasn’t anywhere near here. I was flying Shy home.” Rainbow said.

“Yea, but we didn’t know that at the time. The fake Rainbow convinced me to go inside so she could talk to Twilight about ‘mare stuff’, whatever that means.” Spike growled, “Next thing I know, Twilight’s screaming her head off, and I come running out to find a dead changeling next to her.”

“How dreadful.” Rarity gasped. “Do you… do you know how it… died?”

“Sorta. I didn’t see it happen,” Spike said as he shook his head back and forth, shuddering as his mind went back to it. “But I did see the results. Thing’s head looked like someone threw a spear through it. Just… ruined. Eye popped like a water balloon… blood everywhere, including on Twilight…”

“Gracious / Holy Sun! / *gasp*”

“Yea. Pretty much.” Spike said, “After I managed to get her inside and cleaned up, I sent a letter to the princess to tell her what happened. Twilight didn’t fall asleep until around three in the morning, and didn’t really look like she was resting well until two hours later. I think she was having nightmares.”

“And… how is she now?” Rarity asked.

“Sleeping. I think princess Luna helped with the nightmares, but she’s had a very rough night.” Spike said as he looked back towards Twilight’s room. “If you want to wait for her to wake up, that’s fine. Just try to keep it down. She needs her rest.”

There was a murmur of agreement between the three mares.

“Ahem.”

All four heads turned towards the noise, their eyes falling onto the form of the foreign pegasus they’d all met last night at AJ’s, who was currently holding a sheet of parchment paper in her mouth, looking a bit confused.

“What’s she doing here?” Rainbow hissed.

*Minutes earlier, in the study*

Dawn Wings relaxed as she dropped the quill into its holder and shifted her foreleg back to its equine state. With a proud smile, she stared at the stack of papers before her. Superimposition encryption was tricky, but worth it in the end. Now she just needed to get Tlectalae to send it to the princesses, and she could get on with her investigation.

After all, she kinda doubted her tutor was going to be up anytime soon.

As she trotted to the door, she froze; there were new voices in the library. Familiar voices: Tlectalae, Shásháme Utala, and two others: the white and purple unicorn she recalled was named Ielilana and her former tag partner Crayons, or Pleai Calethata.

‘Why are they here?… Well, they’re probably coming to check on Vinemana after hearing about the tick.’ She thought as a sigh escaped her throat ‘Great, now I can’t just head out there and grab Tlectalae. Nothing is ever easy, is it?’

Looking at the stack of parchment, she hastily concocted a plan. Snatching up one of the mouth pens, she scrawled a sheet of “mouth writing practice”. Grasping the paper in her lips, she made her to the door, pushing it open and stepping out into the main library.

Once out into the main room, none of the ponies or Tlectalae noticed her as she made her entrance. Clearing her throat to draw their attention, she put on her best confused expression.

“Chaet metheco li nacta?” Pleai hissed, her tone and posture shifting to slightly hostile. Dawn Wings kept her confused expression on as she regarded the pegasus.

“Vishicta amalete na amemathi co daethe.” Tlectalea replied, holding up his hands in a placating gesture. “Tsica agaeti ma chete. Ereithale tae malemata lotame cho tamatala. ”

Cocking her head, Dawn Wings continued to feign ignorance for a moment longer. Then, with a noncommittal shrug, she walked up to the others, lowered her head and presented Tlectalae with the paper. Thankfully, he appeared to catch on, and began to look the thing over.

While she was waiting for him to finish his inspection, Dawn Wings looked at the others, making sure to look like she had no idea why everyone was so tense. Of the three, Pleai the most openly on edge, while Ielilana’s disposition seemed more nervous than tense, while Shâshâme’s glowing, sunny disposition from last night was only slightly muted. They were all on edge, but not liable to lash out.

A soft tap on her foreleg drew Dawn Wings’ attention to Tlectalae, who held up the paper, pointed at it, shook his head, and then pointed back to the study. Pretending to deflate a little, Dawn Wings turned and began to head back to the other room, Tlectalae right behind her.

Dawn Wings could hear the three mares start to whisper as she left, but she paid it no mind. Let them gossip. It wasn’t like she could actually do anything about it.

Once in the study, Dawn Wings’ face quickly morphed back into her usual neutral, cold scowl. Looking over her shoulder, she grumbled a bit, then turned back to Tlectalae, her expression relaxing as she tapped out the code for: Important, location information, changelings.

Tlectalae nodded, and held up his hands, indicating that he wanted her to give it to him. Dawn Wings smiled a little, before jerking her head in the direction of the desk, trotting over and indicating the stack of papers. She couldn’t help but chuckle a bit at the wide-eyed look on his face as he scampered over and picked up one of the papers. The incredulous expression on his face was just priceless.

The paper he held only had a few small, precise lines on it, each one random and meaningless. Of course, they would have no meaning on their own; the pages had to be merged in a certain order to make any sort of sense. Only after the lines were combined correctly did they produce a meaningful image. And the only way to know the order they went in was to use the cypher; a cypher she’d created with the princesses before she had left Canterlot.

Regarding Tlectalae, she ran her hoof up the side of the stack, careful not to cause it to fall over, and tapped out the code for: Important, threat assessment, changelings. With a shrug, he gestured for her to step back, before inhaling deeply, his chest inflating like a balloon, then exhaling to unleash a stream of green fire.

Even knowing that he was going to do it, Dawn Wings still found the idea of magickal object transport via fire odd. Still, she’d been assured by Celestia that this was the fastest and most secure way to get her reports directly to the princesses.

Report sent, Dawn Wings nodded to Tlectalae, giving him a small smile as thanks. Lifting her hoof, she pointed to herself, then towards the outside, to her eyes, then tapped out four-four. Tlectalae nodded in return, giving her a thumbs up and a cheeky grin. Clearly, the little lizard was enjoying this.

In return, Dawn Wings gave a quick salute. Rolling his eyes, Tlectalae hopped down from the chair and began to head towards the door.

*****

“I don’t like this.” Rainbow growled. “First she shows up, then a changeling impersonates me to get at Twilight. And now, she’s in Twilight’s home, early in the morning.”

“But Dashie, Spike told us that she’s here to learn how to speak Equish from Twilight.” Pinkie replied. “What does that have to do with changelings?”

“Maybe she's one of them.” Rainbow said, glaring at the door.

“Rainbow Dash, I understand you’re upset, but it’s one things to be suspicious,” Rarity said, “and another thing entirely to make baseless accusations. Remember what happened with Zecora?”

Rainbow huffed and fixed Rarity with a glare.

“Look, all I’m saying it's a really odd coincidence that right after she arrives, we end up with a dead changeling.” Rainbow said, “Right after her welcome to Ponyville party. It seems like far too much of a coincidence.”

“I get where you’re coming from, darling, but consider: she doesn’t speak Equish.” Rarity countered, “Why would Chrysalis send a changeling that doesn’t speak our language?”

“She could be faking it.” Rainbow said as she sat on her haunches and crossed her forelegs.

“I don’t think so Dashie. She was, like, super sad last night watching everyone.” Pinkie interjected, “I mean, sure she could be acting, but I know sad, and she was sad. It wasn’t the ‘I just read a really upsetting story’ or ‘my favorite candy got canceled’ or ‘they’re out of brownies at Sugar Cube Corner’ sad. This felt like ‘I’m lonely and left out’ sad. I could see it written on her face like a cutie mark on a flank. Maybe she needs another party… or some cupcakes… or maybe a hug. Does she like hugs? Hmm, hugs are wonderful…”

The others tuned Pinkie out as she began to ramble.

“I think what Pinkie is saying,” Rarity continued, “is that while a little caution is okay, darling, don’t just assume. She very well may be innocent in all this, and the changeling just took an opportunity when it saw it.”

“Fine.” Rainbow huffed, “But I’m keeping an eye on her.”

“If that’s what you want, go ahead.” Rarity replied, “Just don’t go overboard.”

Rainbow was about to reply, but stopped when she heard a creak from above. All three mares immediately turned their heads to see the disheveled and exhausted form of Twilight Sparkle standing at the head of the stairs, looking down at them with trepidation. No, not at them. At Rainbow.

“Twilight, darling, we heard about last night.” Rarity said as she made her way to the base of the stairs, “Are you okay? Do you need anything?”

Twilight didn’t reply, but continued to stare at Rainbow, like she was seeing a ghost.

“Twilight…” Rainbow whimpered.

“Is it really you Rainbow?” Twilight muttered. “Are you really Rainbow Dash?”

The words, spoken in a soft whisper, hit Rainbow in the face like the paw of an ursa major.

“Yes. Yes, it's me Twilight. I swear!” Rainbow said, her voice pained.

Slowly, Twilight trotted down from the second floor and made her way towards Rarity, Pinkie and Rainbow.

“Do you still have that ruby you got three days ago?” Twilight said, her eyes suspicious.

“Ruby?” Rainbow said, “I didn’t get any ruby… wait, are you talking about the thing with the bird? Yea, I’ve got it. Just not on me. And it was quartz, not ruby.”

Twilight all but lauched herself forward and threw her forelegs around Rainbow Dash, before breaking down into a nearly hysterical, sobbing mess as she hugged her friend so tight it was almost painful.

“It is you.” Twilight sobbed, her voice overflowing with relief ash she held onto her friend, afraid that if she let go, the pegasus might disapear. “Thank Celestia. Rainbow, I saw you die last night. I know now it was a changeling, but I saw you die. Right in front of me. I saw you die…”

Rainbow slowly returned the hug, her heart breaking as Twilight sobbed into her shoulder.

“Its alright Twilight. I’m okay.” Rainbow said as she held her distraught friend. “I’m okay.”

“Twilight, dear,” Rarity said as she approached the other unicorn and gently pressed her side against Twilight's and nuzzled her on the back of the neck. “do you want to talk about it. I understand that this is probably still raw, but we’re here for you if you need anything.”

“Abso-positively-lootly.” Pinkie said, her voice more subdued than usual. “How about some breakfast? I can whip you up a batch of my special “super happy make your tummy and your heart smile” waffles. Or a batch of “cheer me up and lift my spirits” stuffed crepes. Does that sound good?”

Twilight let go of Rainbow and turned to Pinkie, pulling her into a much gentler but no less relieved hug.

“Yes Pinkie.” Twilight said with a sniffle and a small smile. “That sounds good. Just make whatever you want to. I know I’ll love it.”

“Righty-o.” Pinkie chirped, her hair regaining a bit of its spring. “I’ll get started right away.”

Twilight released the pink pony, who vanished into the kitchen. Twilight smiled after her, before taking a quick look around the room, noticing the suspicious absence of one important member of the household.

“Girls, have you seen Spike?” Twilight asked, her eyes becoming frantic.

“Yes. He’s in the study with … Dawn Wings, was it?” Rarity said. “She was here when we arrived. I think Spike said something about her being here for her Equish lessons.”

“Oh shoot. I forgot about that. I need to get her lesson plan ready.” Twilight said as she began to head towards her desk, only to be stopped by Rainbow.

“Uh-uh Twi. You’re going to take the day off.” The pegasus said firmly, pausing for a moment when she noticed Twilight flinch as she got close. “I don’t care what her deal is, you’re exhausted and upset. You need to rest.”

“Quite so, Twilight.” Rarity chimed in. “I’m sure she’ll underst… well, she might not understand, but that’s only because we can’t explain it to her.”

“But…” Twilight began, but closed her mouth and looked behind Rarity as she saw the door to the study open. Standing there was Dawn Wings, along with Spike.

The pegasus’s expression was mildly frustrated as she grumbled something in that horrifying language of her’s, her head down as she walked out of the room just behind Spike. Lifting her head, she looked at Twilight, her expression shifting from recognition and highly subdued enthusiasm to concerned confusion. Walking up, Dawn Wings looked her over and cocked her head to the side, taking in Twilight’s disheveled and exhausted appearance.

Lifting her right hoof, she pointed at Twilight, made a couple of swipes across her neck, then made the sleep gesture, as if she was asking Twilight if she’d slept.

Twilight shook her head no.

Pointing to the easel that Twilight had used for their lessons yesterday, Dawn Wings cocked her head to the side, silently asking if there were any lessons today?

Twilight shook her head with an exhausted sigh, her expression remorseful. Dawn Wings looked disappointed for a moment, before concern replaced it. Trotting past Twilight, Rainbow and Rarity, she sat down at one of the desks.

“What’s she doing?” Rainbow asked Rarity, whom only shrugged in response.

Grabbing a mouth pen, Dawn Wings quickly wrote something on a loose sheet of parchment. Fanning the paper with her wings, she picked it up and brought it over to Twilight, holding it in her mouth.

On the surface, there was a crude drawing of Dawn Wings next to a single dot. Below, two dots, with the image of a sun, Dawn Wings cutie mark over Golden Oaks Library with an arrow leading away from it and to a picture of an apple tree. Below that was three dots with a crude moon. And finally, a set of four dots with a Sun, and the same images of the library, apple tree, and Dawn Wings’ cutie mark, only this time, the cutie mark was over the apple tree, and pointed towards the Golden Oak.

Looking at the paper, Twilight understood. Lighting up her horn, she summoned an illusion to animate the sequence of events that Dawn Wings had drawn, with a little clock indicating the passing of night and day.

Dawn Wings nodded; she’d come back tomorrow for her lessons.

Looking at the other mares in the room, then at Spike, Dawn Wings expression remained concerned, as if she was trying to figure out what was going on. Eventually, she simply shrugged, looked at Twilight, pointed at her, then made the sleep gesture.

Twilight smiled a little, then nodded, a gesture that Dawn Wings mirrored. With little fanfare, the pegasus headed towards the door.

“Hey Rainbow.” Twilight said as she turned to the blue pegasus. “Would you go with her. I doubt AJ’s heard about what happened.”

“Are you sure Twi?” Rainbow replied, sensing that Twilight was finding it hard to be around her from the way the unicorn shied away from her whenever she got close.

“Positive. I’d rather her hear it from one of us that through the gossip mill. We need to be ready in case they try something again.” Twilight said, not looking at Rainbow as she said it.

Rainbow looked like she was about to protest, but stopped, and with a sigh, nodded.

“Okay Twi. Stay safe.” She said before giving the unicorn a hug, and tried to ignore the subtle reluctance when Twilight let her go.

“Don’t worry, darling. Pinkie, Spike and I will make sure of it.” Rarity said.

“Pinkie Promise!” Pinkie called from the kitchen.

“You can count on us.” Spike said as he thumped his chest.

“Okay. I’ll see you soon.” Rainbow said as she headed out the door.

*****

Dawn Wings smiled a little as she spread her wings and prepared to take off. After heading back to the apple farm, she planned to slip towards the Everfree and shed this irritating pony form. She had work to do, and she wanted to get back to it.

“Ceae! Leta cho mathela!”

Forcing down a sigh, Dawn Wings turned back to see Pleai trotting up to her. Now that she wasn’t attempting to play a part to get her report sent off, her expression reverted to her usual stony deadpan as she regarded the other pegasus.

‘What does she want?’ Dawn Wings thought as she stared Pleai.

“Vis alocata tae Laecha Techusho Yaetaca.” She said as she approached, before indicating the direction of the farm. “Cocho enae lithca Maeitechusho.”

Dawn Wings regarded her for a moment.

“I can't understand a fucking thing you’re saying Crayons.” Dawn Wings replied, her eyes narrowing with irritation.

Much to her surprise, Pleai didn’t recoil from hearing English, but did pin her ears back slightly.

‘Not bad Crayons.’ Dawn Wings thought as she regarded the polychromatic mare. ‘I knew you were braver than most of your kind.’

Shrugging, Dawn Wings crouched down and took to the air, heading back towards the apple farm. To her irritation, Pleai took off and began to follow her, even pulling ahead as though trying to race her. Dawn Wings simply gave the other pegasus a sidelong glance and rolled her eyes with a frown. She knew from her game of tag with the mare that there was no way she’d out fly her in a straight up contest of speed, even with her gifts. And there was no reason to burn the spiritual power to do so. So she kept at a steady, unhurried pace.

Glancing at her flying companion, Dawn Wings noticed that she was clearly itching to go faster. Huffing, Dawn Wings waved her hoof to draw Pleai’s attention, then flicked it ahead of them, trying to indicate that she could go ahead if she wanted. Pleai regarded her for a moment, then, looking ahead, took off at high speed. Dawn Wings shook her head as the younger mare flew away.

‘So impatient.’ Was all she could think as she continued on her way. At best, she’d arrive maybe 2 minutes before Dawn Wings would.

Dawn Wings considered flying off, but Pleai was going to be expecting her to arrive after her, and it wouldn’t do to just not show up. Not when she needed to be seen arriving at the orchard after "saying" it was where she was going.

Sending out a threat detection pulse, Dawn Wings was pleased to note that the number of threats she felt wasn’t any larger than the night before. That either meant that the ticks hadn’t had time to bring in anymore of their kind, or they were keeping hidden.

Either way, it suited her fine.

Spotting the orchard and house, Dawn Wings landed outside and headed towards the front door. Might as well go in and see the ponies for a bit, before heading back out and getting to work.

*****

“Yo! AJ! You around?” Rainbow called into the house.

“Lansakes Rainbow Dash, yah don’t gotta shout like that. Ahm’ in the kitchen with Bloom an’ Granny.” Applejack called back.

Rainbow made her way into the farm house, where she found three of the Apples around the kitchen table, a massive plate of apple fritters between them. Trotting up, Rainbow Dash snatched one of the fritters and downed it.

“No, by all means, help yourself.” Applejack snarked.

“Thank you.” Rainbow said as she chewed and took a seat.

“So, what brings yah out here so early? Yah’re not usually up an’ about till later.” Applejack said as she regarded the pegasus.

“We’ve got a problem AJ.” Rainbow began, only to hear the front door open moments later and the sound of hooves on the hardwood floor.

“What sorta problem.” Apple Bloom asked, her eyes curious.

The visitor had apparently heard her, and began to make their way to the kitchen. Moments later, Dawn Wings walked through the doorway, and stared at the assembled ponies.

“Hey Dawn Wings!” Apple Bloom chirped happily, gesturing for the pegasus to come over, then pointed at the large plate on the table. “Ah made sure to save ya’ some fritters, if yer hungry.”

Dawn Wings regarded the filly for a moment, before her stony expression relaxed a little and she trotted over to take a seat next to the little redhead. Reaching out with her mouth, she snatched a fritter and, pinning it between her hooves, she began to slowly eat. Noticing the odd looks she was getting, she raised her head and looked around at each of the other mares in the room, a confused look on her face as if to ask “what?”

Her eyes never leaving her guest, Applejack reached out with her hoof, gently picked up a fritter with the frog of her hoof, brought it to her mouth, and took a bite.

Dawn Wings’ eyes widened as she appeared to comprehend her faux pas. Bowing her head slightly, she muttered a hasty set of strange sounding words, most likely an apology. Apple Bloom patted her on the leg, smiling at her and trying to let her know it was alright.

“So… anyhow.” Rainbow said as Dawn Wings continued to eat her fritter, an embarrassed look on her face. “Have you heard about what happened last night after the party?”

“Nope, can’t say ah have.” Applejack said as she continued to eat her fritter.

“Did somethin’ happen?” Apple Bloom said, as she looked at Rainbow Dash.

“Yea.” Dash said, “AJ… last night a changeling tried to snatch Twilight.”

“What!” AJ, Bloom and Granny all exclaimed, startling Dawn Wings into nearly dropping her fritter. The red pegasus looked around at the others in the room, clearly confused and startled as to where their outburst came from.

“What happened? Is she okay?” AJ demanded as she grabbed Rainbow’s shoulders.

“Physically, she’s just sleep deprived. But mentally, that’s a different story.” Rainbow said, before grabbing a fritter and tearing into it. “The changeling… it disguised itself as me to get close to her. But before it could lead her off, something killed it. Right in front of Twilight. She has no idea what did it either.”

“Oh sweet Celestia!” Applejack gasped.

“That’s awful!” Apple Bloom cried.

“Ah swear, you youngins and ahll the crazyness yah’re mixed up in.” Granny said as she shook her head.

“AJ, I know how this is going to sound, but do you know if Dawn Wings was here all last night?” Rainbow asked, not noticing the quick glance she got from the mare in question at hearing her name.

“Ah’m pretty sure. She had her window closed when I helped Pinkie take the food scraps to the compost heap, an’ the thing don’t open except from the inside.” Applejack said. “Why?”

“Just covering our bases.” Rainbow sighed, “It just feels odd that she shows up, only for a changling to make a play at Twilight the same day.”

“But, that don’ mean ah thing.” Apple Bloom protested.

“I know it's a stretch kiddo, but I had to be…” Rainbow began, before the sound of a loud, sad sigh cut her off. Looking up at Dawn Wings, she saw the mare stand up and turn to leave, a sad, lonely expression on her face. She didn’t even look back as she made her way out of the kitchen. Moments later, they heard the front door open and softly close.

“What the hay was that all about?” Rainbow said.

“Ah think ah know.” Apple Bloom said as she looked at Dash and her kin. “Ah saw her this mornin’, an’ she looked super sad an’ lonely. Ah think she’s home sick or somethin’. Ah guess us talkin’ in front of er’ made her feel left out.”

Getting up from her seat, Apple Bloom scurried to the door.

“Ah’m goin’ to go see if she’s ahlright. Be back in two shakes.”

Then the filly was gone, leaving the three older mares behind.

*****

Apple Bloom opened the front door, and saw Dawn Wings walking away, her neck slumped.

“Wait!” Apple Bloom called out, and ran up to the pegasus. Dawn Wings stopped and turned, only to have the filly look at her with a regretful expression, before putting a comforting hoof on the mare’s left foreleg.

Sighing, Dawn Wings regarded the filly for a moment, before giving her a sad smile, and shaking her head. Pointing to herself, she then pointed to the sky and stretched out her wings. Removing her hoof from Dawn Wings’ leg, Apple Bloom nodded, and took a step back, before Dawn Wings crouched down and launched herself into the air, taking off towards the Everfree.

Apple Bloom regarded her for a moment, before sighing and heading back to the house.

‘Ah guess she jus’ wants to be alone fer now.’ The filly thought as she pushed the front door open and made her way back to the kitchen.

*****

Dawn Wings pushed down a growl of frustration as she flew.

‘Fuck you Crayons.’ She thought. ‘I know you didn’t mean to, but dammit, you just had to remind me that I still can’t hold a fucking conversation.’

As she neared the Everfree, the corax looked up into the sky, at the ground and all around herself, before diving into through the canopy of the trees. Now assured that she wasn’t going to be spotted, she willed the change and shifted back to her natural, corvis form. Landing on a branch, she sighed happily. It felt good to be back in her proper skin again. She was pissed at Pleai, but she wasn’t going to hold a grudge. It wasn’t the pony’s fault.

Not directly or intentionally anyway.

Besides, she had far more important things to worry about now. After all, she had ticks to track down.