You're tired. Trading gifts comes with a price, as you had learned by doing it so eagerly. You felt... drained. You had been stocking up on those virtue powers, only to run through them.

Completely tapped, but happy, you sit back and check out the room. You're not the only one with a similar expression of fatigued satisfaction.

One face sticks out. A lanky 30'sh year old stallion is playing with their hooves and not talking to anyone. They don't look tired like many of the others. It was like they had just not traded at all.

That wouldn't do. You stand up and wander over towards them. "Hey."

They flinch at your word. "Oh, uh... the star of the show." He laughs tensely. "Hi..."

"I'm no big deal." You sit next to the new pony. "Just giving a push. It's everyone else's choice to move or not. You're not. Something wrong, or just hate the idea?"

"The whole thing." He threw a hoof wide and it came down as a hand. He's a human, an unclothed human. "The whole pony thing confuses me. I never got it."

You decide to casually ignore that. He's not making it stranger than it has to be, why should you be the one that starts? Not like everyone there had the magic trick to keep their clothes attached... "Oh, want me to fix that?"

"Fix what?"

You wave over him. "I can make your clothes stick to you, through the changes. It's not a big trick, once you know it."

"That another pony thing?" He sighs with some defeat. "I don't get it..."

"Don't be stuck on one line." You snort softly. "That's a unicorn thing, actually. Not a general 'pony' thing. You were an earth pony, right? I didn't see extra parts."

The stallion shakes his head. "It wasn't always like this. I was just...me. A normal guy, y'know?" He gestures helplessly. "Then one day - bam. Woke up like this. I still don't understand how it happened or why I'm stuck this way."

He looks down at his hooves in confusion. When did he swap back? "The others told me I gotta 'embrace my purpose' - whatever that means. But I don't have a dang purpose! I just own a hardware store. How am I supposed to do magic or save the world or any of that?"

Frustration colors his voice as he runs a hand through his hair. Did he...? "They keep saying if I just try, it'll all make sense. But I have tried...and it never does. I'm no hero or chosen one. I'm Bill. Just Bill, who wants his normal life back. But no one here gets that."

He glances over, embarrassment flickering across his face. "Aw jeez, sorry for dumping on ya. You got everypony all excited with this gifted stuff, and here I am raining on the parade." He manages a weak chuckle. "Don't mind me - party on."

Forget that! You want to know more, and to help. "You have a real gift already. It's impressive."

"What?" He flicks his tail, which he didn't have a moment before. "What gift?"

"That." You point to the tail. "You are damn good at changing, quickly, and over and over. I'd be exhausted trying that so many times like that, and so fast I feel like.... Too fast." You shake your head with an impressed expression. "That's not built in. Pretty sure you're the fastest one in this room."

He glances over his shoulder at the twitching tail. "Oh, really? I thought that was normal..."

You do your best to show your own changing. You can stand up and fall to all fours, but each step is effort, and after a few, you're panting for breath.

"Neat. You really do keep your clothes."

You laugh at that, settling on your haunches. "I was hoping you were watching how fast and easy the changing was."

"I saw that too... Huh... I still don't 'get' the pony thing."

About that... "You didn't get a virtue?" You point a hoof at yourself. "I'm a kindness."

"Hi Kindness, I'm bill." You groan at that tired dad joke. "Seriously, no idea. This just happened to me and nobody was rushing to walk me through it."

"Get out." Imagining entering the world of ponies without a single person to help was daunting, at best. "Well, I'm somebody, and I rushed over to help, so, there's that?"

Bill offers a faint smile at that. "Heh, appreciate it. Sorry if I'm being a drag - just hard wrapping my brain around all this."

He glances around at the other ponies. "They make it look so easy. Then there's me bumbling around, no clue what I'm doing or why I'm stuck with hooves and a tail."

Looking back at you, he adds, "But hey, if you really think there's something special about how I'm flipping back and forth...maybe you're onto something." A spark of curiosity enters his eyes. "Sure would beat feeling totally useless all the time. What do you think that means? Is it some kinda gift?"

Jumping on that opening, you blurt out, "Yes." You clap your hooves. "No idea what virtue that falls under... If we can find yours, then we'll know."

An idea comes to you. "Or... If you're up to being a bit bold about it, you can try pushing it to me and I can try to feel it."

"Does it hurt?" He looks genuinely worried about that.

"I'm tired from giving so many away." You offer a hoof. "But no burn marks or anything. I'm fine, just tired."

"I thought you were Kindness?" You swat at him for the continued joke. "Sorry, sorry. If it doesn't hurt, I can try it..." He presses a hoof to your hoof. "And just... pretend it's... What again?"

"Imagine that gift is like a ball in your arm." Your point with your free hoof at your leg. "And push it down into where our hooves are touching."

It's his first experiment with much of pony anything aside of the shapeshifting. It's not even surprising that the transfer is messy. He used too much internal energy, and it spills out into you with the gift. The energy feels strange. Like you had been offered a thousand exotic flavors of ice cream until then.

And this guy's just offering up pure vanilla. Not a bad flavor, but it's new. When did they come in vanilla?!

He notices the confused expression on your face. "Did I do it wrong?" He looks worried. "Sorry... Um, we can try again?"

"No! No, it worked fine." You feel like you got what he was sending, just with that odd flavor. "I think... You really don't have a virtue."

"Oh." Bill sinks miserably. "So, I'm broken?"

"No, not at all." You pat him on the shoulder. "It means you get, unlike the rest of us, a chance to pick a virtue, I think. You're riding on neutral, waiting to pick a gear."

"Really?" He turns his hoof to look at it as if it had the answer. "So what virtue is that gift then?"

"I don't think it has one either." You snap up onto your feet, not standing, just human, like a snap. "Wow..." That felt odd, but it was a giddy rush of sudden change. "I like it. Thank you for sharing it with me. I feel awful, but I'm tapped. I can't really share a gift back."

Bill waves a hand, looking relieved. "Nah, you've done plenty of sharing. Just glad I could give you something useful after everyone else brought their A-game."

He glances down as his body shifts back to bipedal form. "Still wrapping my brain around this 'no virtue' thing. All the other ponies made their purpose seem so...I dunno, set in stone."

Looking back up at you curiously, he asks, "So if I really can just choose one...how the heck do I pick? They all sound kind of abstract to me. Except yours - helping folks is pretty concrete."

He pauses, brow furrowing. "Oh jeez, that ain't me trying to grab your thing though. You wear kindness really well. Just saying it makes more sense to me than 'laughter' or 'loyalty' or whatevs."

Scratching his head, he adds "I gotta give this more thought. But maybe I can stop beating myself up over it, if it's really okay I don't have a destiny yet."

He offers a lopsided smile. "Seriously, thanks for coming over. First time I've felt even a little hopeful since this whole pony situation started. You're alright!"

You can't help but smile back, buoyed by the progress made with this troubled soul. There is still much uncertainty ahead, but the first seeds of understanding have been planted. By choosing empathy over apathy, you have lit a small candle in a dark place. And Bill sees it - for now, that glimmer of light is enough.

The hour grows late and ponies begin dispersing, laughing and chatting amongst themselves. The day's shared miracles linger in the air, kindling tentative dreams once more. And you know that though the road stretches long, for the first time in a long while, you and your people walk it together side by side.

You head to your car and have company, the same you came with. You meet, hand to hand in a high-five. "Get some cool stuff?" You ask as you settle into your seat.

"That was great." Nick closes his door. "That was fucking great, if you don't mind. Man... Those meetings are a drag half the time, and a waste the other half. I'm actually looking forward to the next one."

The two of you pull out, heading back home. "It really was great... I have the answer, I think. I'm ready to face her."

"Her?"

"The changelings." You grip the wheel a bit tighter. "It's time to face them without looking like I had no idea what I even was. I feel like I have that, so we can move past that."

"Good on you." He swats lightly at your side. "I tell you, it's a bit... odd. I know you do odd stuff at that candy store, but I really don't remember it much. Your friends are odd."

"Very odd," you agree with a soft laugh. "And they need help, and I plan to give it."

"Damn kindess." He doesn't sound upset at it despite his words. "I hope it works. Do they know how lucky they are to have you?"

You color faintly at the praise. "I think... they do. That's why they've been so patient with me getting things straightened out."

You pull into the driveway, minds swirling with possibilities after the momentous gathering. As you walk inside, Nick speaks up again.

"Gotta ask - where'd that amulet come from anyway? I don't remember you having bling before." He chuckles. "Looks good on ya though."

You touch the pendant thoughtfully. In all the excitement, its origins had faded to the background. But now your encounter with Pauline rushes back - the startling transformation glimpse, her cryptic warning.

You relay the tale to Nick, editing certain disturbing portions. His eyebrows rise at mentions of ancient mystical orders and magical artifacts.

"You don't do things by halves, do you?" He shakes his head with an admiring whistle. "Can't say I've ever met a real live witch before. But if that necklace is helping you tap into more pony power, guess the scary meeting paid off."

You nod slowly. "It was unnerving, but she gifted me a piece of our legacy in the end. There is still much we don't understand." You meet his eyes. "But restoring magic and purpose to our people now feels truly possible, not just a fantasy."

"Color me onboard." He grasps your shoulder. "You're charting strange waters, but you've got good instincts. And whatever comes next, you won't face it alone. Just try not to vanish on any more unexpected magical quests, yeah?"

You exchange a smile. "No promises. But I'll always come back with stories to tell."

As you begin preparing a late dinner, your thoughts return to the gathering. For the first time in too long, your disconnected, downhearted people felt like a tribe again. And you realize with quiet awe that in some way, you helped weave that first fragile thread of unity just by sharing yourself...quirks, chaos, questions and all.

What dreams might you continue spinning into being by boldly sharing the fullness of who you are - without fear, without shame, without apology?

This world often punishes those who dare glow brighter. But hiding your light helps no one. There are virtues still to unveil, gifts to exchange, magic to reclaim - and so much more love within to give.

What will you ignite next in those around you by simply embodying the ever-unfolding miracle that you are? The future awaits, bright with promise...

Author's Note

You helped someone, yay! Feel those kindness bits, only bit you have right now.

You were fairly sure it was time to go back to the changelings. Let's march with purpose.

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