548/Celestial Checkup

Celestial Checkup
Date of Scene:	05 September 2014
Location:	Post-Discord Equestria
Synopsis:	Celestia checks in on the proto-Changeling that has made herself a home nearby.
Cast of Characters:	230, 514

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Celestia (230) has posed:
    Organizing the ponies is certainly a busy job! Sometimes busier than others, and Celestia was starting to see why her future self just said screw it and officially became royalty. But now, she has some time to look into some matters that have been bugging her for a while.

    "Calumnia? Are you available for a chat?" Considering Celestia openly admit to considering the Changeling Queen should be killed, the voice is relatively gentle and sweet. The sound of her hooves approaching is now much louder though.

Calumnia (514) has posed:
    Calumnia herself, still dwelling near Celestia and Luna's own homes in the very same tent she had carried from Whit's Tale and presumably longer, looks up from finagling the radio dial to try to recover a music station she was listening to. At the rather iconic voice though - be it ever so gentle - the radio is clicked off.

    "Of course, Celestia." Calumnia responds, though there's a careful tone to her voice. She does sound a bit less... up tight than their previous conversation.

    "I'm honestly surprised it's been this long since we spoke."

Celestia (230) has posed:
    "I did not want to approach again without some evidence." Uh oh, that sounds bad. Still, Celestia trots in without further commentary on evidence. A glance at the radio, then she shakes her head and gets herself comfortable. "I hope I am not intruding."

    It occurs to her that she's sounding a bit aggressive with that, though, and one wing gives a tiny motion. "Relax, I'm just here to talk tonight. I had some time and was curious how you have been managing. We'll cover my concerns later."

Calumnia (514) has posed:
    There's a moment of bundled muscles and tension before a deep breath and slow exhale prepends Calumnia's ears from unfolding. She didn't even realize they had pinned. Evidence? Of /What?!/ The concern is visible in her eyes for a long moment as she relaxes but then... she sakes her head.

    "No. I just sometimes find frequencies that play music but I keep losing the signal. Or they start playing something that sounds..." She folds her ears again, her tongue sticking out. Which actually reveals it's very slightly pointed. Not forked though. "Blegh!"

     Still, the reassurance is welcomed and she settles on her haunches. Her horn comes alight with the dull green and a cushion floats over, offered as a seat. "I see. I'd actually rather face whatever 'concerns' you have first but... I'm getting along well enough. I found a mentor after a few... interesting dead ends. She was dubious at first but I think she appreciates the extra pair of hooves. I also had my first lesson with Twilight awhile back and visited her Equestria. It really is a marvel, in places. If somewhat... concerning, at times. She actually sings rather beautifully."

Celestia (230) has posed:
    Sings? That gets Celestia's attention. "She didn't seem like the type to sing for someone," Celestia murmurs. "But... I suppose if she's teaching you how to read, I can't say much. From what I understand, there are few ponies smarter than Twilight Sparkle, even if this one seems a little off compared to the other." The alicorn takes a seat with a toss of her mane and a quiet sigh.

    "A mentor, you say?" Celestia's ears perk in interest. "Hmmn... well, tell me more of this. I don't suppose you've found any other ponies willing to donate, have you?"

Calumnia (514) has posed:
    "Under Luna's suggestion, I have not asked. She believes doing so would cause... unpleasantness." Calumnia shrugs, wings buzzing a bit in a dull drone. "She's a healer in the south part of town. I actually had gone from healer to healer asking if they would take on an apprentice but most tended to scream for the guard upon noticing me. ... The guardsponies actually started following me around after that and by the time I found a pony that would say yes, they just poked their head in." She actually lets out a warm laugh. "The look on her face was priceless.

    She stands, and walks into the tent, fishing about. "I'm actually making some bits of my own, which is certainly novel. Would you like some tea?"

Celestia (230) has posed:
    "Tea would be wonderful," Celestia admits. "And... that is good. I apologize for putting you off-balance with that question, but Luna's frequent bouts of fatigue are of some concern to me. I do not think it would be wise to rely upon her alone for too long. Especially with no idea of the long-term effects... it could be extremely dangerous in some way we do not yet know."

    This sounds like another 'danger to Equestria' speech, but Celestia sighs as she taps a hoof. "Despite this, perhaps I was a little hasty in my initial judgement. I apologize. I relaly must put Equestria's welfare first, but it should not come with the cost of innocents."

Calumnia (514) has posed:
    That actually makes Cal stop as she's extracting her tea leaves from a pouch, and there's al ong, soft sigh. "I know. I don't like it either but thus far it seems to be stopping at fatigue around the time I feed, and during the next day or two of her recovery."

    There's a soft sigh and Calumnia listens to the apology silently, instead filling a kettle with some water collected from a well earlier, and then sets about dragging out a log for a small fire to boil it at a firepit jsut outside the tent. A spark form her horn and some kindling soon has a little fire going, and the kettle is set into place.

    "I was against feeding on her honestly. Aside from your gift of the radio at least, she was the first pony to really meaningfully show me kindness. I'm not a monster that can't appreciate that." The leaves are added to the kettle of water as it starts to heat. Is it the right way to make tea? She honestly doesn't know, but it's been well enough for her apparently. "Part of the deal we made is that if she ever exhibits any serious side effect, I'm going to stop feeding on her, period."

Celestia (230) has posed:
    Celestia nods her head slowly, "I suppose I can't ask for anything better. Of course, should Luna feel too tired, I would be perfectly willing to take her place." It's a bad idea to feed on ponies, but if Luna volunteered, Celestia was going to back that decision. She may not always agree with her younger sister's decisions, but in this she felt she had to back her up. This especially.

    On to more serious matters. "Have you thought at all of what sort of life you may have here?" She tries to say it gently... not like she's trying to drive out the Changeling. "I'll understand if you need more time. You especially have been through a lot, and it may simply not be the right time to find such a thing. But... how do I say this? ... we still don't know anything about what you can do. Aside from what little Archmagister Twilight has said on the radio."

Calumnia (514) has posed:
    "If that's an offer to share the 'burden' as it were, I'm willing to accept it." Calumnia responds, "After all if I take from two sources, I need less from each."

    The proto-changeling sits across the fire from the Alicorn, listenign with ears perked. "You're correct, I don't know what I can do because doing any of it would impose on the kindness of your sister, or if I obey my promise to her - which I intend to - ponies willingly offering it. As for my life here, I have... a friend. Maybe even, well, friends. Which I list your sister and even Twilight among. That is more than I can claim to have had at any point previously unless you would have me name my creator as a friend."

Celestia (230) has posed:
    A snort of laughter rises from Celestia. "No, I think we can agree he was not." Her eyes take on a stern look for a moment, but then she softens them again. "For now, we will simply ease the burden. Archmagister Twilight's world, and her rule, are needlessly harsh... but if she is helping you, perhaps she can discover something during her time. Perhaps even a safer way for you to feed."

Calumnia (514) has posed:
    "I'll suggest it to her. She already experessed curiosity, I daresay she's just waiting for a good time to start asking questions." Calumnia smiles a little. "Still I certainly don't mind. Harsh as her world is and... whatever her methods, she's been a kinder pony than a lot of the ones I've met here. Even if she does dabble in--" She pauses. "...Things I don't think should be messed with. In any case, would you like me to feed from you now? It'll--"

    TWEEEEET. The kettle whistles, being removed from the heat by a green glow, and a rich minty scent rises from the steam as she pours it into a pair of plain clay cups. "Peppermint." She explains, and after blowing on hers, takes a small sip. "I love mint." She mutters almost dreamily.

Celestia (230) has posed:
    Celestia does help out by letting her own horn glow, offering to 'hold' the kettle for now. "Not what I expected, no. I suppose appearances can be deceiving, hmm? Though I guess you'd know that." It isn't said with any barb to the words, just a polite acknowledgement.

    As the tea is prepped, Celestia addresses the almost-asked question. "Are you hungry now? If you are, there's no reason now wouldn't work. Well... after tea, I should think."

Calumnia (514) has posed:
    There's a soft sigh. "Celestia I can /always/ feed. I have never managed to find a limit to the amount I can eat. However I /am/ below where I stop feeding on Luna. As for hunger, I'm not suffering at the moment, no."

    The kettle is simply placed on the dry ground nearby, in turn offering Celestia a cup of peppermint tea. "That's very true, they can be."

Celestia (230) has posed:
    The cup hovers close for Celestia to sip, while the alicorn considers. "I don't like the sound of that. No limit to feeding..." She shakes her head. "Then again, you have implied that my uneasiness about Twilight is not unfounded either. I suppose there's nothing to be done about your nature for now. Maybe I can find a specialist in the Union to take a look at you sometime, as well. I hear we have a doctor who specializes in magical anatomy and maladies."

    The cup lowers, "As for feeding, I suppose a little nibble after this would give me an idea of what Luna is going through."

Calumnia (514) has posed:
    "Reasonable, and I suppose I'm willing to look into that. Though bear in mind I said I've /found/ no limit. I'm not interested in killing ponies so I don't exaclty go around glutting myself. If you want an estimate of how much I can take, find a large enough batch of volunteers that I wouldn't have to take more than I was comfortable with from each." She takes another long sip of tea, letting out a sigh.

    "She thinks of you, you know."

Celestia (230) has posed:
    "Hmm?" Celestia looks up, startled... then smiles faintly. "Luna? Yes... I know. My sister and I are very close. I wonder sometimes if any power in the world can come between us." Does she KNOW about what happened in other versions of her world? If so, she doesn't hint at it. "Then no limit testing for now, I think. But I /am/ glad to see that you have settled yourself here and you have found something resembling a normal life. You... have, haven't you?"

Calumnia (514) has posed:
    "How would I know, Celestia?" The proto-changeling asks, "I'm actually really bored between lessons since I'm no longer struggling for my survival. It was nice at first but at the moment I'm wondering how ponies stand it..." A shake of the head, and then a long draught of tea. "In any case, overall yes I am happier, if only because I've learned not all ponies are..." She trails off. "As I suspected."

Celestia (230) has posed:
    Celestia shakes her head again. "No, not all are. Our differences give us much of our strength, as does our unity. But this means that sometimes... some do not treat well. I am disappointed that I had to place you under my protection, but I am pleased that some have accepted you." She smiles faintly, thinking of the foal from before.

    "As for what to do... you have time," she points out. "We all have a lot of rebuilding to do, and finding our place in the world."

Calumnia (514) has posed:
    A nod, and then Cal yawns a bit. 'In any case Celestia..." Shee trails off, considering. "Huh. You know I've actually had foals starting to call me Cal when they can't pronounce my whole name. I think it's cute. I'm going to start calling you Tia." She snickers a bit, but without barb. "Anyway, as it's getting late now would probably be a good time. So, just think of somepony you love and I can tap into it."

Celestia (230) has posed:
    Surprisingly, Celestia replies without any hesitation, "Tia is fine for my friends. My sister is the usual one who does so." She steps back, floating the empty cup away with a little toss of her mane. "All right, I'm ready." Celestia, like Luna, has plenty of love for all ponies, though she's probably closest to Luna.

Calumnia (514) has posed:
    Actually, not that Cal says so, Luna's love for her sister is stronger by a fair measure. Still, the proto-changeling reaches out with a hoof and it falls on Celestia's coat. A nearly imperceptible glow of green lights upon the contact point, and Calumnia sits quietly in place for several long moments.

    The sensation isn't akin to fluid being siphoned out, nor magic being pulled away. It's simply... a rather gradual tiring, as from a long day. All at once the flow cuts as the hoof is removed, but the energy doesn't immediately return.

    "And with that, I'm 'full'. I trust it was not too unpleasant?"

Celestia (230) has posed:
    Celestia lifts her head and then shakes it. "Not... too bad, no. I can see how it would become worrying, however." She smiles, "I am glad we could come to an understanding. It appears that even my younger sister still has a few things to teach me." Ah, the wonders of being the younger Celestia.

Calumnia (514) has posed:
    Calumnia smiles gently. "It's easier when it's directed at me honestly. I actually have been needing to take a little /less/ from Luna as time's gone by, because it's easier to feed on her. I imagine because we're becoming close, rather than simply drawing on her love for you." Then another stretch. "In any case, 'Tia', I find it's best to get some sleep following feeding. Seems like the first few hours after are the most tiring."

Celestia (230) has posed:
    "Yes, of course," the Mare of the Sun replies, sighing. "And it would be awkard if I overslept, wouldn't it? We will see how this affects matters." She doesn't seem worried, more curious. "I hope that this can continue, Calumnia. You are not a bad pony. I could get to enjoy your company."

Calumnia (514) has posed:
    A smile, and the proto-changeling circles the fire and nuzzles the white mare in a 'Off with you' manner to the shoulder. "Goodnight, Tia."

Celestia (230) has posed:
    Celestia just laughs, trotting for the tent flap. "All right, all right. Good night, Calumnia. I'll be back sooner rather than later this time. Take care of yourself."