Difficulties and Surprises
Pony and Prejudice
I never considered myself brave. But love will make you do foolish things.
Like stare down a princess, for instance.
It didn’t help matters that it was the younger one. The darker one. The one who preferred the nighttime. The one who, if stories were to be believed, had a temper. Why did I have to face her, and not her much-beloved older sister? They never explained that.
In the end, it didn’t matter. After some painfully formulaic introductions, she got straight to the point.
“Why?” she asked.
I could have said something about justice, and the rule of law, and defending the weak. I could have spoken of the bonds of friendship and the fight against bigotry. But I was in no mood to attempt to build a gleaming tower of moral righteousness.
“Because I love her,” I answered simply.
In an instant, her face shifted from a displeased frown to a snarl, as if I had just hurled an expletive at her. She stomped a hoof with such force that a spiderweb of cracks formed in the stone below it. I flinched, and retreated a few steps. Like I said, I wasn’t brave.
“You nearly killed two of my loyal subjects!” she all-but roared, her voice amply filling the spacious chamber as it reverberated from the walls and columns. And inside my skull.
“I was protecting her.” It was so odd. I knew that I should be shouting in protest, or sobbing out an apology, or mired in terrified silence, but it was as if I had no control over my own tone. Through the storm of emotion raging in my head, I spoke confidently, calmly. “They were going to hurt her. I couldn’t let that happen.”
I’m really not brave.
“And what will happen next time?” she demanded. “Would you become a killer to ‘protect’ that creature?”
I wanted to scream out my anger. No... not anger. Fear. Or maybe frustration. I just wanted to scream.
“Yes, I would,” came the perfectly serene answer.
She turned around, leaving me with a very unflattering view of her flank. I found the view of the ground just in front of my hooves to be far preferable. I heard her mutter a few words in some ancient tongue, which were, I was fairly certain, curses. I couldn’t be sure whether they were generic, or directed at me specifically. Probably the latter.
“I would like to cast a spell,” she said, having suddenly turned back to me and regained a degree of calm. “I wish to know if she has used some kind of mind control on you. If you will allow it, it should be a simple matter for me to make that determination.”
I looked up uncertainly. She must’ve sensed my apprehension.
“I will not tamper with your emotions or your thoughts,” she assured me. “This spell is... purely diagnostic. You have my word.”
I believed her. I nodded.
I didn’t feel anything. My vision was tinged with a light fog for a few seconds, but nothing else happened. It made sense, in a strange way. Lights, noises, and heat are sure signs of wasted magical potential. The most effective and potent magic does not rely on an abundance of energy, but on efficiency. The princess was being frighteningly efficient with her magic.
And just like that, it was over. I could see disappointment in the pair of cerulean eyes staring at me.
“Nothing,” she informed me dryly. “It would seem that your foolishness is entirely of your own making.”
I waited for her to say something else. She didn’t. I again found myself wishing for her sister. She might have understood. Too bad for me.
“So,” I said slowly, “what happens now? What’s my punishment?”
She snorted, and looked at me as if I were the splattered remains of a rotten fruit upon an expensive carpet.
“And what exactly am I to punish you for?” she asked disdainfully. “You acted in the defense of an innocent. The law is with you.”
“B– but...” I sputtered. Consciously, I had been at a loss for words from the very start, but some part inside me had taken over the responsibility for speaking. That part was quiet now, suddenly leaving me struggling just to make coherent syllables. “I thought... I was...”
“Under arrest?” she offered. “No. Legally, you did nothing wrong. You were summoned here because I wished to ascertain the danger you and...”
I expected her to say that word. ‘It.’ The implicit judgement that the subject was a thing; not a living, breathing creature.
“...you and she pose to others.”
“She isn’t– we aren’t dangerous!” I protested, clueless as to why I suddenly had my voice again. “We just want to live our lives in peace.”
“And how’s that working out for you?” she asked through half-lidded eyes. Coming out of her mouth, the unexpectedly casual phrase sounded far more like an insult than it would otherwise.
“We didn’t do anything wrong. We didn’t provoke them. They attacked her! You just said the law is on our side.”
She sighed. “My duty is to protect my subjects. All my subjects. There are concerns that go beyond the mere letter of the law. Is it right for an individual to pursue their desires when the result is social disorder and discord? Can I truly justify protecting your rights, even if it might mean violence and death for others?”
“Maybe,” I answered. I had never said something so utterly stupid in my life. I expected to be yelled at; the chances of my eardrums surviving the event not particularly high.
Instead, I felt myself being dissected by her sight.
Slowly, she nodded. “Maybe.” I had the distinct impression that she wasn’t speaking to me any more. “I have always believed that the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. Heavens know that I am not perfect. I have fallen short of my own standards more than once – this I am sure you know. But as romantic the idea of individual rights is, it is merely a means to an end. The happiness of one at the cost of social unrest is not a justified trade. In my judgement, the needs of the many must always take precedence. To put it simply, I am a utilitarian.”
I never liked philosophy, but I understood what she was saying. She was saying our love, our happiness, cost too much. Society was more important.
It was heartless, and I knew it was wrong. Still, I wasn’t about to argue ethical theory with my princess.
“And yet...” she continued slowly, “perhaps this is not a matter of pitting the individual against society, but in finding out what it is that society truly needs. Peace...” She paused for a moment. “...or enlightenment.”
Now I was confused.
“Bigotry,” she stated flatly. “Xenophobia. Racism. They are social ills – and that term is far more apt than most realise. These things are diseases, as harmful to society as cancer is to the individual. And, likewise, their treatment is not always pleasant.” She cocked an eyebrow as she studied me. It was as if I was inspiring some idea within her.
I didn’t like it.
“Dragonfly Dreams.”
I gaped, and it was likely that my jaw was hanging limply, marking me as the stupefied idiot that I was at that instant. I hadn’t expected to hear those words. I was constantly fighting against the word ‘it’, happy when I heard ‘she’, but...
“It is a beautiful name,” she confirmed what I had known for so long. “You truly love her, then?”
I closed my eyes, the answer already on my lips when she interrupted.
“Look at me,” she commanded, and there was no disobeying her. “Do you love her, knowing full well who and what she is? Do you love Dragonfly Dreams?”
“Yes, I do,” I answered with a certainty that I reserved only for the most undeniable of truths. “And I know she loves me. How can that be wrong?”
She ignored my question. “Then you think that it is possible for her to–” She halted for an instant. “...that it is possible for a changeling to love a pony? Truly, completely, and selflessly?”
I felt tears welling up in my eyes. Why was it only happening now? Why did this question hurt me more than any other?
“I know it is,” I said, and once again stared down my princess. “Do you really think that a changeling can’t love?!”
She glared right back at me. It wasn’t as if I could actually intimidate her. “I think...” She paused again, and her expression softened. “I think any sentient creature is capable of love.”
Once again, I was speechless. That seemed to happen whenever I agreed with her.
She drew out a long sigh. “The law makes no distinction between ponies, changelings, griffons, dragons, or any other being. So long as both you and Dragonfly Dreams obey the law, you will enjoy its protection. Those who would harm you will be punished – including those two ruffians who attacked her yesterday. I will see to it myself.
“As for your little interspecies romance... personally I would advise that you not flaunt it. As Princess, however...” A tiny smirk crept onto her lips. “...I hope you do. Bigotry deserves no less than to be brutally called out and beaten down at every opportunity. It is the way by which society grows and improves.”
Well, this was a surprise.
“You may go,” she said with harsh formality. Which she then immediately broke with a warm smile. “And give Dreams my regards. After all... she gave up all she had to live here. She is one of my subjects now.”
My brain took some time to refocus on reality. The walk from the throne room to the outside never made it into my memory. The next thing I was aware of was the the sound of birds chirping and the early morning sunlight painting a golden hue upon the verdant surroundings.
And the face of my brother.
“Hey,” he greeted with a smile that I didn’t trust in the slightest.
“Hey, Wind Gust.” I answered, resisting with all my effort the urge to call him by his full, proper, and embarrassing name. “Were you waiting for me?”
“Yeah,” he said, still smiling, “I can see things went well in there. Listen, I need to talk to you about something.”
“About her?”
“Yeah.” His smile faded, but only just a little.
“I’m pretty sure you already told me everything, and I’m not in the mood to be insulted over my choice–”
“No, no,” he interjected. “Actually, I wanted to apologise for earlier.”
I looked him over skeptically. Something was definitely up.
He draped his wing over my back. A brotherly gesture of affection. There was no way it was real. “I’m sorry for calling you an idiot. And a disgrace. And a pervert. And a whackjob. And...” He rubbed his chin. “Well, I didn’t keep a list, so let’s just say I’m sorry for all the nasty things I called you.”
“‘Race traitor’.” I reminded him.
“Oh yeah.” He chuckled and rubbed the back of his head. “I guess that one was pretty bad, even by my standards. But, hey, that’s why I’m here. Let bygones be bygones. And just so we’re clear, I totally respect your right to make own choices about your life.”
“Uh-huh.” I wasn’t sure how it was possible to make that sound sarcastic, but somehow I managed.
“I’m being totally serious. If you really want to spend the rest of your life with it, that’s your decision.”
I shot him a glare that I hoped would cause him to burst into flames. No such luck.
“Right, I meant ‘her’,” he quickly corrected himself. “If you want to spend the rest of your life with her, it’s your choice.”
I stopped trying to set him on fire. Now, I just wanted to singe him a little bit. He was always proud of his tail for some reason, even though it wasn’t anything special. It seemed as good a target as any.
He flashed another smile, this one intended to look concerned. “I’m just worried about you. You know, as your big brother.”
There it was. He probably thought he was being original, but I’d heard it all before. “Don’t you dare say that she’s just using me!” I spoke up before he could start.
“Actually,” he countered wryly, “I was just wondering... if maybe your reason for being with it– with her, is that you’re the user.”
I blinked. “You can’t be serious.”
“Look, it’s not hard to understand. You probably know about this, but there’s this place... A group of changelings set up this brothel somewhere where ponies can have sex with them. The changelings get love to eat in exchange for allowing the ponies to screw them while pretending they’re somepony else. And it works! But it’s not like either side cares about the other. Using somepony doesn’t have to involve hiding your true species. It’s just about convincing them to give you what you want. So, now I’m thinking... are you just using her that way?”
I stared at him. There was that urge to immolate coming up again.
“It’s fine if you are,” he added. “I mean, I’m not one to judge. It’s just that you shouldn’t fool yourself into thinking this is something it isn’t.”
“August Winds,” I started, and was glad when he reacted just as I’d hoped – namely, as if I had just smashed his face with a brick. “I’m with Dreams because she is smart, kind, loyal, and beautiful. She makes me happy, and she makes me want to make her happy. I love her for who she is, not because she has some ability to satisfy my base desires. I’m not using her, and she’s not using me. And if I ever hear you talk that way about us again, I’ll personally tell Celestia who stole her cake that time, along with your address in case she wants to pay you a visit!”
His expression became a mix of fury and indignation, as well as just a tiny bit of fear. Perfect. “You wouldn’t dare.”
“Try me,” I responded, putting a wicked grin on my own face.
For a moment, it seemed as if it might come to blows. I’m not brave, but fighting my brother was something I could gladly look forward to. Partly because I would probably come out on top. Partly because I had a lot of frustration I needed to let out, even after yesterday. But mostly because it would be fun. With him, it was always fun; even those times I lost.
He didn’t go for it, though. His head cocked to the side. “You’re really serious about this, aren’t you?”
“So you finally figured it out, huh?” I quipped. “It only took, what, a year? I’m dead serious about this, Gust.”
He exhaled something that was halfway between a sigh and a grumble. “Fine. As long as you’re happy... I guess we’re cool.” He put on yet another smile, but this was a small, gentle one. A real one.
I mirrored it, and nodded. “Yeah, we’re cool.”
“I really did mean that apology, you know. I never should’ve called you those things.”
I could only nod again.
“And, look, if you’re really doing this, you should properly introduce me to her. To your girlfriend.”
What was he talking about? “What are you talking about?” I asked. “You already met Dreams.”
“Yeah, but we kinda got off on the wrong hoof.” That was certainly true. He had called her a ‘soul-sucking devil spawn’. That fight had been extra fun for me. “I figure, if she’s up for it, we could start over. You know, try again? Clean slate and all that?”
Well, this was a surprise.
I nodded a third time. “I’ll talk to her about it.”
“Great.” He rubbed my head in that horribly irritating way that big brothers are known for.
I cringed, but couldn’t hold in my grin.
“I’ll catch you later!” he called out as he lifted himself to the air.
“See ya!” I called out toward his rapidly-vanishing silhouette. “...August.” He couldn’t hear me, but I snickered anyway.
I was left feeling pretty good, but that was about to change.
I trotted over to the restaurant. It was called ‘The Dragon’s Pouch’. I had spent some time thinking about the meaning of that phrase, but I had concluded the founder was probably just drunk to high heaven when he thought it up. The place served some spicy dishes, which could sort of explain the ‘Dragon’ part, but the ‘Pouch’ could never make any sense. Dragons didn’t have pouches.
They were all on the patio outside, sitting around a table. Waiting for me. She, and my five friends. I had been feeling pretty good, but now I was in bliss. It was a simple, ordinary moment – just me and my girlfriend meeting up with friends for breakfast – but it was absolutely perfect. They had been worried about me, but with a smile and a wink I let them know my meeting with the princess had gone well.
I gazed lovingly at her; a lavender-coloured pegasus, with a raven-black mane and tail. I remembered when she had tried green, and we had both agreed how horrible her green hair was. The black seemed way more natural for her. Of course, I knew I would love her no matter what she looked like. I took a seat beside her, and kissed her openly. My friends didn’t flinch or look away. Not a single smile faded. Robin whispered something to Silver and giggled, but I knew it wasn’t at my expense.
I can’t say that I accomplished very much in my life. I’m not very brave or strong or smart. But one thing I did do well, one thing I would always be proud of, was my choice in friends. When I first told them about me and Dragonfly Dreams, a few of them had been offended.
They had been offended that I hadn’t told them sooner. Because I had actually doubted that they would support and accept us. I had had to apologise for that. It had been the most enjoyable apology I had ever given.
“Well, I’m starved!” Dreams said, eliciting laughter from the rest of the group. Changelings didn’t need material food; they could survive entirely on love – and couldn’t survive without it. Still, they could eat and enjoy various equine food products. I was happy that even though Dreams’ body was, internally, different from mine and my friends’, we could all enjoy this time with each other. After all, they were now her friends, too.
We ate breakfast together. Fried eggs with toast for me, pancakes for her, and various other foodstuffs for the rest. I told them about what had happened with the princess, and about my chat with Wind Gust.
“No offense, but that guy was always a bit of a jerk,” Robin told me. “How can you tell he’s serious?”
“First of all, Wind Gust is not a bit of a jerk,” I countered, “He’s a massive jerk. But we grew up together, and I know he’s not all bad, and more importantly, I can tell what he’s about. He means it.” I turned to Dreams. “Of course, you don’t have to do this if you don’t want to,” I assured her.
“I wouldn’t,” Robin offered.
“No, it’s fine,” Dreams said. “I can tell he’s got some good in him. He hides it, but it comes out sometimes. Like that time after the party, when he protected me.”
I raised an eyebrow. I wasn’t the only one. “Wait, you mean after Sparks’ party? What happened? Why am I only hearing about this now?”
She chuckled. “Well, it was the usual story. I was getting hassled by a bunch of creeps, but then Gust came in and told everyling to buzz off and stayed by my side until I got home.”
I couldn’t help but smile at her use of the word. Changelings used words like ‘everyling’ and ‘anyling’ while ponies said ‘everypony’ and ‘anypony’. I had given up on trying to change her speech, especially since she made it clear that she didn’t want to hide her true nature. I secretly found her native phrasing to be cute, and a part of me would be sad if it ever disappeared completely.
Then the true meaning of what she had just said hit me. My brother had stood up for her?
“That dirtbag actually helped you?” I asked in disbelief.
“He did,” she confirmed. “Of course then he just took the opportunity to insult me some more, but it was better coming from him than from a whole crowd. I think... he knew what he was doing.”
I didn’t know what to say. I made a mental note to beat the tar out of Gust at some point. Then thank him.
We finished our breakfast and made plans to have the whole group meet up on the weekend, and parted. Dreams went home with me. We both worked odd schedules, so we had the rest of the day to ourselves.
My thoughts turned to more intimate themes.
I was still a bit wound up. I hadn’t had that fight with Gust, but there was another way I knew of to relieve tension. I waited until we were inside to broach the subject.
“Hey, D, I was thinking... since we have the rest of the day, and you know–”
“You wanna do it?” she anticipated.
I sighed. “It’s that obvious?”
She giggled, and the voice was like tinkling of bells inside my head. “It’s obvious enough to me.” She kissed me. “I love you,” she whispered softly.
I looked into her eyes. They were the same colour as mine. Appearances meant nothing, and I knew our eyes weren’t the same, of course, but still...
Identical colour. Maybe it did mean something. Fate, maybe. Even though I never believed in that stuff.
I knew in that moment that I would do anything for her. She had left behind her own home to be with me, and I was always ready to do the same. She knew it. If my earlier meeting with the princess had not gone so well, we both might have been out on the road right now, searching for that magical place where a changeling and a pony could live together without fear. But we had been lucky. We had a chance to make it work right here.
I kissed her back, and we both opened up to allow each to truly taste the other. Our first couple of kisses had certainly been awkward, but, like the rest of our relationship, the thrill of discovery backed by the security of trust had allowed us to figure things out.
She purred into my mouth as her tongue slid effortlessly and fearlessly over the sharp points of my fangs. My wings buzzed in a low drone, responding of their own accord to the electricity coursing through my body. My horn lit up instinctively and I took in the love she offered to me. It was sweet and pure; refreshing and satiating at the same time.
Though I had been told that a pony’s love would, in time, always grow stale and bitter, reality had continued to prove those words false. Her love tasted better every day. A small tinge of regret touched my mind as I remembered that she would never be able to taste my own feelings for her in the same way, but I quickly pushed that thought aside.
It didn’t matter. I loved her back, and I would spend every day making sure she knew that I did. No matter how hard things got for us, no matter the words of princesses or even our queen, we had each other. That would always be enough. She was my best friend. My only lover. My whole life.
My little pony.
