Castlevania Equestria: Paralogue 2 - Thorn in their Side

Rose does a lazy cat-stretch, her wings rustling as they extend, before going to plop down at her cushion. She doesn't have time to finish stretching before a white bean plops on her back, a little changeling with a dorky grin on her face, pink mane falling into her eyes. She nuzzles a kiss on the babe gently as she lays down, cooing. "Yes hello my love. I know I'm your favorite seat." The cave seemed...rather odd and empty after their time in Canterlot. She had felt...slightly important and...crucial in the world for a while. Having come when there was a threat of a changeling war breaking out, possibly even fighting on Canterlot's side and showing the country that there were changelings that were loyal to them and cared for them...but that had never come to pass. Which was just as well. Despite her promises to the Princes, she was loath put her little ones in harm's way. She watched them now as they tidied up spots in the cave, rubbing her chin before sighing. "Children, gather 'round. Family talk time." "Oh fuck. Not these. I hate these. They're usually boring and a waste of time." Danae's already in a grumpy mood from having to clean, his amber eyes rolling as he tosses a cushion down grumpily, floating over on his wasp wings. "MOM DANNY SAID A BAD WORD can I smack him?" Scienna says as she dives headfirst out of the pantry where she had been sorting old food. She seems to have zero regard for her personal safety. "He did say a bad word, but no. Danae, please, your sister's ears. If you can't watch your language for me, at least respect them." she sighs as she pats Melodi. She's almost glad Melodi can't repeat the words she hears. "Kay...what's the deal...." the variform changeling hovers over, detangling his foot from spare strings of fabric as he goes. "Are you pregnant again?" Scienna slides over with a gasp at the thought, eyes glistening. Rose, however, just shakes her head. "No, that's not it, I decided no more after Melodi, four is enough. No...this was about where we go from here." she pauses a moment, looking at each of their faces. "...are you happy, my children? Are you...alright with...living in a cave in the woods? Did you like the city, the castle, better? I want what is best for you as well, I take your wants and desires seriously. Within reason." she adds the last part as she sees Danae raising a claw and opening his mouth, and it immediately causes him to lower it, grumping. "...why isn't Trish here for this? He's a kid too and this seems like a big decision..." Scienna sure is keen when she wants to be. "I asked him if he could come, but he said he was attending to some sick pony, which is normal for him-he IS a physician..." Rose says sadly. "No...this is a decision we will have to make without him. If we are to move, to go elsewhere, perhaps join a town, or become part of civilization...if that is what you desire, I want to know. I don't want you to feel like I'm keeping you hidden here when we don't necessarily have to be..." she says softly with a smile at them. There's a silence following as each of them thinks about it. Melodi raises a hoof, not...talking, since she can't, but her mouth opens. Rose blushes a little as she chuckles, nuzzling her. "...that's so sweet of you to ask little one. What do I want? I...I am not sure. Part of me has always wanted to look after little ones. Like...a daycare, or orphanage...but that dream will likely never come to pass. Not for our kind..." she flattens her ears as she looks towards the cave entrance, out at the moonlight. "Why shouldn't it though ma." Danae says defensively. "I mean did we even try it? You're the one that dragged us all the way to the damn capital city. We lived there for a while. You really think after that kinda visibility they'd deny us? Why not just try? You said you're not scared of anything." Before Rose can answer, Scienna supplants with a "And if they give us trouble we'll BREAK THEIR KNEECAPS!" always the charmer, that one. "Let's avoid breaking kneecaps...that advice was for me-you all have more to lose..." Rose shakes her head. "Like our mom? Or are you saying you can't handle yourself now?" Danae says. Either he's not getting it or he's goading her... "If there's a thing you want to do, you need to go for it too. I kinda...don't care where we go, really. I like bothering people everywhere. I thought about joining the guard...maybe..if they'll take a changeling..." he says as he scratches his head. "Plus I'd be near Trish...maybe we could hang out..." as much as Danae never talks about it, he admires his older brother and wants to be noticed by him. "But...if you need me to guard the hive..." Rose shakes her head. "If we were to move in to a town, I...want to be able to trust the law enforcement there to protect us like any other citizen. Yes, perhaps it's an extension of faith that my come back to bite us...but I do want to try. You are right, we took a chance with the castle, because I was unafraid..." she trails off, not wanting to mention she might have had other motivation in Maev for going. "I can help! I can uhm...uhhhmmmm..." Scienna wants to help, she does, but...she doesn't really know what she can do to help. She's usually the one getting helped around. "I'm sure there's...washing and....stuff to do?" she says. She really prefers to make herself indispensable, which has let to a rather dutiful lifestyle...it might just be to stave off her own uselessness, but she won't admit that. "There will always be things to do..." Rose nods as she looks at Melodi. "Until this one gets bigger, you would be my only help if Danae goes to Canterlot..." she says with a small boop at the little white bug. She inhales softly, looking at all three of them. "Alright, then...if this is what our hearts are set on...I shall start looking...but I must give you all each things to work on. I know it will be painful, but...here, we had space and freedom to pursue what we want. Now we must think about what might make it hard for us to get along with others..." she looks at Danae. "I know you like looking like the craziest, most amazing ponies possible. But I want you to try to look...suave...and...amiable. Look approachable! Don't make yourself look scary. You don't have to ditch the horns, the claws, the fangs-just make sure that you aren't anything to horrid that you are feared." she says with a grin. "Just a little, maybe." She turns to Scienna, with a soft sigh. "I love your creations, but...most ponies don't appreciate the dead walking about. I know you are capable of other types of magic-your adaptability with magic comes from me. Tap into your power, see what else you can cultivate, perhaps in the realm of the living? Who knows what you might be able to find to help others?" she says encouragingly as Scienna lowers her eyes. She turns to Melodi last, a soft smirk on her lips. "And you...must stop biting holes in things!" she chuckles. Melodi has sharp little fangs, she does. "We each have our jobs and things to work on..." her ears flick as she looks towards the cave entrance again. She swears she feels like something is watching them, but she senses no emotions from around them...so either there's spirits or some nosey woodland creatures...either way she's tired... "...but tommorrow. Now...is sleep."