Displacement Shock

“How- H-How’d you find the time to do this?!?” I stammer to Twilight with a mixture of hype and shock.

“As I’ve learned from Pinkie, when you’re family, you make the time. I couldn’t just take you outside the castle without getting you looking forward to the rest of the day, could I?”

Well that got the gears turning. “...I don’t know. I may not’ve minded sleeping late, but if I ever did, this would definitely make up for it. Thanks again for doing this, Twilight. No one in here will ever have to wait their turn to play now!” I stop when I have this strange feeling, like… “Wait, aren’t you forgetting someone? I can’t put my hoof on it, but something in the back of my mind is nagging at me about another changeling living here. Ah well, I’m sure it’s nothing.”

I start to head for the main entrance, and while Twilight initially doesn’t follow, like she was asking herself what that was, she does pass by and begins to lead my way. When I do see her, she’s carrying the copies of my DS into a saddle bag.

Ah, what a peaceful afternoon, though I might’ve spoken too soon. Two different ponies enter my place, and the door opens with plenty of space. One is a changeling no younger than eight, to Twilight Sparkle he seems not to relate.

“You know this place, right Aita?”

“Twilight Sparkle, good to see you again. Tell me, have you made a new friend?”

The changeling named Aita waves at me, so I return the gesture for him to see.

“Hi, I’m Aita. Are you Zecora?”

“Why yes I am, little changeling. You can ask me anything.”

“Maybe not him, but more for me. I made new copies of Aita’s games. Do you have anything to remove recorded data? I tested them out earlier and they have Aita’s records on them when they’re also on the original.”

“Ah, machine or not, memory is complex. Perhaps I might have the perfect specs.”

I hurry over to the window, where I begin looking high and low. Eventually I find a memory swab, one that just may do the job. With my hoof I dip it in broth, wetter than most other cloth. The games are held so I wipe then down, so the memory won’t be around.

“There you go, good as new. I hope you have fun, you two.”

“Thanks Zecora. This really helped. Anything extra before we use them?”

“Yes Twilight, just let them dry. You wouldn’t want your machines to fry.”

So Twilight and Aita turn around, and begin heading back into town.

Wow. I don’t know what happened in there, but I sure liked it. I never realized it before Twilight and I went to the hut, but Zecora has a certain rhythm to her movements I wish I could describe. It’s like she’s always in the middle of a song.

“Anything wrong Aita?”

“Actually no… I was pleasantly stunned at how nice Zecora seemed. I don’t know if it was my changeling instincts kicking in, but I was thoroughly enthralled with everything about her; it was like watching a performance. How come I didn’t feel that watching TV?”

Twilight gasps. “That’s because you were actually in her hut, and she gave you vibes you couldn’t have gotten on TV! She sure feels good to be around, doesn’t she?”

“Yeah! Good to her core!”

“Just as long as you have a reason to go, Aita, I’ll happily let you teleport there on your own time.”

Twilight and I stop and take a look at the scenery. There’s a bush to our right that looks like Arnold Shortman’s head for some reason. I guess Fluttershy’s house must be close. This seems to be where I hid all those years ago when I ran away from home.

“You remember this place?”

“Of course I do,” I answer calmly. “This was where you, Spike and Fluttershy found me. All I remember before that was just running away from the guards in Canterlot. I was told I ran away from my old home around the same time. That must’ve been why I was in Canterlot in the first place.”

“Do you ever remember why?”

I shake my head. “Nope. Just that you kept me safe until Mom took me back home.”

“Oh, so as far as you can remember, you’ve always known what you are?”

“Why? Did I not at one point?”

“In my memory, you were scared of that fact. Carina shushed me because I was about to say ‘changeling’ too soon on you.”

“Yeah… I do remember being very sensitive to new facts, especially ones that conflicted with what I knew… But if I can accept that I’m a changeling, and even forget why I couldn’t in the first place, then I think I can listen to whatever there is to know now.”

Twilight hugs me with her wing like she did yesterday. “I’m so glad I took you in, Aita. Your the friendliest, loveliest changeling I could ever ask for.”

I give Twilight a hug back, eyes beginning to water. “Oh… I love you, Twilight.”

“I love you too, Aita… Now, let’s head back into town. I’m sure you could use some dessert after all this.”

About halfway to Sugar Cube Corner, Twilight begins another conversation. “So, what do you think you’ll want as Sugar Cube Corner? Cookie cake? Chocolate fondue?”

“I don’t know… I really see myself just having a good time with you. Put any dessert on my plate and I’ll eat it up.”

“Oh, that’s right. I forgot… so just as long as it’s a labor of love, right?”

I nod. “Yeah. That’s why I liked Greta Scone Corner so much in Las Pegasus. Hopefully the Cakes should have the same idea.”

“Maybe I can see if Pinkie Pie can tell what you would be in the mood for the most… actually, why don’t I order a dozen cupcakes, that way we both co-”

I suddenly stop Twilight when I realize as we approach our destination the lights are off.

“That’s weird. They’re normally open on a Wednesday. Don’t tell me they suddenly started celebrating Flag Day of all holidays.”

“Oh don’t be ridiculous Aita. I don’t think they’re celebrating Flag Day; we have that right before winter starts. Why don’t you take a whiff from in there; I’m sure it’s open.”

I do as Twilight says and… I smell anticipation… excitement. Where’s it all coming from? I don’t see anyone in there. I seriously don’t know what’s going on.