Changes

listen as you read : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9XMd2eAy_4

You walked down the road, feeling in a particularly good mood. It was only two days in the week or so break you had and you had done nothing but hung out with Reid. You decided you were due for a long walk, so you woke up around six and, making sure not to wake Reid, headed out the door. It was a bit chilly outside and so you were wearing a pair of jeans, an orange T-shirt, your usual sneakers, and a red hoodie.

Most of the neighborhoods -no pun intended- residents were asleep at this time, though there was usually a couple of shop owners out here preparing for the days transactions. The town was quiet and empty this morning though. You didn't really notice it at first, but after a couple of minutes of walking you realized that there wasn't a pony out here. Not even any animals. Nothing.

You felt a chill in your spine and worried that something may have happened. You looked into the windows of some shops and found that they were dark inside. Sure this was normal at this time in the morning, but still.... You walk up and down the street, looking for any signs of life. You walk up to the door of the quill and sofa shop. The owner's name was Davenport and he was a cool dude. He was the first friend you made in Ponyville and had showed you around during your vacation. You knocked on the door. It was locked. You pushed on it a little and felt that it was secured with a heavy bolt.

"Davenport," You said quietly, Not wanting to wake anybody up, "You there?"

You listened and didn't hear anything, so you knocked again, a bit harder this time. "Davenport, are you alright?" You said in a whisper-yell.

"Go away." You heard from the other side of the door. Not too close to the door, but at least within a few feet. *But then again, we aren't the best at estimating, are we?* True, but you were sure of this one.

"Davenport, it's me. Pierce." You heard a bit of movement from behind the door as you said this.

You heard hesitation in Davenport's voice, "Wait there."

You listened as footsteps neared the door and as the bolt on the door was quickly unfastened. "Get in here, quick!"

You were grabbed and quickly pulled into the house before you could make any movements. The door was quickly locked behind you as you took in the image of the usually welcoming shop. The windows were barred, the doors were barricaded (with the exception of the one you entered through, of course.) and food cans were piled as high as your waist all around the building.

"What's all this stuff for?" You asked, confused.

"Estrous, of course." Davenport replied.

"What is an Estrous?" You asked, still confused.

"You don't know? Do changelings not have this?" Davenport asked.

You think for a second. "Nope. What is it? And why does it mean you have to hide out?"

Davenport sighed, pressing a hoof against his face. "Estrous is a time of year where every female is suddenly overcome by the need to.... uhm, how can I explain this?" Davenport thought for a minute and then his face lit up. "Every female's reproductive systems go into overdrive."

"So you are hiding... from horny girls?" You ask, just as confused as you were before the explaination.

"Sort of, yes. They will practically tear apart any male they can get a hold of. Imagine being raped, for about a week, by one hundred girls who are extremely aggressive. Sure, it could be fun for about an hour. But one: you will be hurt. Badly. They will bite, smack, and punch you the entire time. And two: this is non-stop for a week." Davenport said this very seriously.

"Yeah, I can see how that could be bad." You reply. "But, I shouldn't be worried, right? I'm a changeling, not a pony."

Davenport looked at you seriously. "They won't pick and choose. Not even my mom would be able to leave me alone once Estrous hits. I don't think your race will be too problematic for them."

"Hey, if they are so man-hungry, then where are they?" You ask, realizing that there wasn't a single female in town.

"They realize what a problem they are, so they run to the forest before it hits. But trust me, they will be in town in a matter of minutes. We have maybe forty minutes before they get here."

You freeze, remembering your friend at home. "Shit. Reid is at home. Asleep. With the entrances un-blocked. I need to get home!"

You rush towards the door, but Davenport stops you before you can make it out. "Are you sure you want to do this? They will be here soon and you won't be safe out there. They can smell you, and will hunt you down, along with Reid." He points to the door, "Once you leave I won't open the door for you. I'm sorry, but I can't take that chance."

"It's okay. I understand." You say, walking to the door. "See you in a week." You open the door and step outside. The door closes behind you as you listen and smell. Taking in the surrounding world around you.

Your ears catch a faint sound. The sound of hundreds of hooves rushing towards the town. You could tell by the faintness that they were still a good ways away, but you needed to hurry. They would be here soon.