Is That a Threat? I Like to Think of it as an Invitation.
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Is That a Threat? I Like to Think of it as an Invitation.
I got a blackmail letter earlier today. Somepony in this town knows I’m a changeling, and they want me to meet them at one of the houses in town. So now I’m trudging out in the snow, in the middle of the night, wrapped up in my disguise and a scarf to keep warm. I hope that house is heated, at least…
Wow. That’s a surprisingly nice house. Not the noble’s; their house is down the street. But this house is surprisingly cozy-looking. It’s hard not to feel a bit nervous as I walk up the stairs. This pony’s dangerous, after all; if they found out somehow, they must be either very smart, or very powerful. Hesitantly, I knock on the door.
The pony that comes to the door is a tired-looking, somewhat portly mare. Fat’s a strong word, but she’s… Well-built. Heavyset. Okay, she’s kind of fat. Not grotesquely so, at least. Chubby? Her mane’s tied up in a messy bun; it’s a warm cream colour, and her fur’s a golden brown. If I wasn’t terrified that she’d let my secret out to the town, I’d say she looks sort of comfy. Oh, she’s speaking, I should pay attention.
“Oh, good, you’re here. Come inside,” She requests softly as she steps aside to let me in.
I step inside, taking in the warmth of her home as she closes the door behind me. “Err… I got your letter,” I express hesitantly.
She nods. “I’m sorry for the tone,” She admits, “I wanted your attention, not your fear. Do you want some tea?” She asked.
Okay, now I’m just confused. She’s treating me like a wanted guest. “I’d… Yes, I would, actually. It’s quite cold outside,” I admit, shaking myself off as I remove my scarf.
She leads me deeper into the home, and gestures for me to take a seat at the table. The cushions are nice, the house is warm. It’s a relaxing environment, despite the tension nagging at the back of my mind.
“You don’t have to stay disguised, you know. I’ve seen you changing before,” She says, putting a fresh kettle of water on.
I tense. “How… When did you see?” I ask, trying to call her bluff.
“Last night, when the detective visited you. I saw you shift just before they arrived,” She says.
I freeze as my eyes widen. I did have to shift just before they arrived; they caught me off-guard. I guess she does really know. With a sigh, I let my disguise drop, letting myself shift back to my original shape; a black-hulled changeling, like many others. I’m a bit taller than her, but much thinner; thinner than average, by all accounts. It’s hard not to feel ashamed… I’m a spy who’s been caught.
She pours two cups of hot water and puts a teabag in each. I don’t think the water was even fully boiling, but I’ll hold my tongue. She brings them to the table, and I light my horn to take one.
“Now,” She begins, “I know what changelings are capable of. I want your help with something,” She explained.
“My help?” I question, “What do you need my help with?”
“As you may have noticed, I rarely sleep,” She begins, “I’m an insomniac.”
I pause for a moment. Why would an insomniac want my help? I’d better just listen.
“I know changelings can perform hypnosis,” She expresses, swirling her half-steeped tea.
I start to put two and two together. “You’re using your knowledge of me as leverage… To get me to help you sleep?” I ask.
She smiles a little and nods. “Exactly,” She replies.
I can’t tell whether to admire this mare’s gall or storm out and just let whatever happens, happen. “You’d honestly trussst me, knowing I’m a changeling, with putting you to sssleep, and not hurting you once you’re incapacitated?” I question, squinting a bit as I finally take a sip of my tea. The warmth is welcome.
“I’ve seen how you act. Changeling or not, you’re not much of a fighter,” She says, smiling a little.
I sigh. “Guilty asss charged,” I admit, lowering my head a little, “I’m not one for violenccce…”
“So, will you help me?” She asks.
I nod a little. “I… Sure. Ssso long as you don’t out me to the othersss,” I express.
“Of course. It’s a fair exchange,” Her smile widens, “I’m Melange.”
“Torik,” I reply simply, still unsure about everything.
I can’t think of much to say as we drink our tea, and before I know it, Melange is leading me to her bedroom. It’s nicely decorated, and the bed has a bunch of blankets. It looks comfy; comfier than any bed I’ve ever slept in. She peels back the covers and climbs up into bed, and I follow her.
“Alright, what do you need?” She asks.
“Jussst eye contact, and your attention,” I explain.
She shuffles a bit and puts her hooves on my shoulders. It feels oddly intimate, but I keep my mind off of that thought.
“Now, I’m going to make some suggessstions to you as I cast the spell… You need to lisssten to them, and take them to heart,” I elaborate, setting my own hooves on her side to hold her steady.
Melange nods. “Alright. Suggest away,” She invites.
A faint green glint manifests over my eyes as I start casting the spell, a similar glint reflecting in her irises. It’s a good start. “Now…” I begin in a slow, eased voice, “It’s getting quite late. Everypony in town is all sssnug and asssleep…”
She nods a little, slowly. She’s very suggestible, it seems.
“You should let your body relax… Releassse the tension on your frame,” I continue, watching as she slumps. Her eyelids droop. “That’sss it… Calm, even breathsss. Let all the ssstressss away…” I push further.
Her breaths are slow, audible through her mouth. I can feel the exhaustion in her… How long has it been since she last slept?
“Now, close your eyesss,” I continue lowly, “You’re feeling very sssleepy…” She lets her eyes close and slumps forward against me, her legs loosely wrapped around my shoulders.
“Uh-huh…” Melange murmurs into my shoulder, “Sleepy…”
“Let my voiccce guide you to sssleep…” I trail off, letting her rest against me.
Surprisingly, she starts to snore. I’ve never really done this before; has it always been this easy?
Either way, I did my job, I think. She’s asleep now, so I guess I just… Leave? She kind of has a good grip on me; I think I’d have to wake her up to peel her off me. I sigh a bit, shifting so we’re both laying down. It’s a little awkward; I can feel her softly snoring against my shoulder.
Hesitantly, I use my magic to draw the covers up over us, letting her get comfy. She seems quite nice… I’m sure she’ll understand.
…I sort of like this. She’s soft, and warm. The bed is only slightly less so. I’m not used to comfort like this, but this I could get used to. I feel my own eyes starting to close. It doesn’t take me long; I’m not used to non-changing magic, and that tired me out a bit. I just resign myself to my fate, wrap my front legs around her gently, and let myself drift off. The morning should be an experience.