iridescentfrontiers | It's not just the push that matters; it's what you push them towards

Twilight Sparkle

(While she may not be the first outsider turned changeling, Xion still needed that much more support to help her along her time in Equestria. Not only did she have to go through the standard ritual of getting acquainted with an equine body after being humanoid all her life, but she also had to learn about something even Twilight barely had enough information about. Unfortunately, the only one who knew everything about changelings was Chrysalis and she...well, she and Equestria aren't quite on good terms. However, that won't stop Twilight from trying her damnedest to keep the girl moving alongside the other outsiders. She may not know much, but she felt she knew enough to at least get Xion started.)

It's definitely important that you understand the differences between a changeling and a pony, but it's also important that you understand the similarities between them, too. They're capable of magic, just like us unicorns, but they're also capable of flight, like the pegasi. We all both have four legs and four hooves to stand on and we share the same world. To my knowledge, the only differences are the ability to change your form and the different food source, but don't worry; it'll all come natural to you as long as you don't force it.

...But it would definitely help master walking as soon as possible.

Queen Chrysalis

(Of course, things aren't quite as nice with the changeling queen. After all, she did have to pull the new changeling aside and far, far away from Ponyville. Chrysalis couldn't let anyone catch on to her charade...not unless she wanted them to know what she had planned...and she wanted to make sure Xion knew the plan. The rather intimidating looking queen specialized in pouncing on weaknesses and manipulating others and she would make sure the girl wasn't spared from either of them. However, she saw it fit to teach the girl one very important factoid:)

While you may not be one of my original changelings, do keep in mind that you're still my changeling and you will be as such as long as you're here...but you shouldn't view that as such a horrid fate; compared to how those ponies will react to your presence, you should really be expressing gratitude...changelings and ponies are meant to never get along. They will fear you and shun you...but as a changeling, you'll always have a place in my hive.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Oh! I definitely won't do that! Maybe if I ask lots of people to help... Do you think they would? That way I don't think I'd take too much from any one pony at a time...

I know they would. If anything, ponies are very understanding towards each others' problems...so long as you're honest, I think they'll be happy to have you in town.

In fact, they might think it interesting to live with a changeling!

You think so? I don't want to be a burden to anyone. If you're sure it won't be a problem, I'll try asking ponies if they want to help.

Uhm. How do I feed on emotions anyways? [million dollar question, right here.]

(Ah yes, the grand question to top them all.)

I'm...not entirely sure about that. From what I've seen of it, it involves using your magic to form a one-way connection with another...but I really don't know the specifics. You also have to be in close range to do it.

I'm sure you'll figure it out soon enough, but I do have to ask: have you ever used magic before?

Oh yes! I've used magic before quite a few times. For fighting, though. I don't know if that matters.

[Not to mention it'd only ever been elemental magic. Nothing she really considers all that impressive.]

I know a few high level spells, like Curega, if that means anything...

Sounds like a healing spell to me. Still, even if it was just combative or supportive, magic is magic. That means you're familiar with it and don't need to be taught about it.

What you'll need to learn, however, is how to channel your magic through your horn.

(The unicorn taps her own horn.)

I may not be too familiar with a changeling's potency for magic, but I know they at least have some. Try channeling magic to your horn; don't worry about using it yet, just focus on your horn.

That's no problem. I've channeled magic through something else before... Uhm...

[Give her a few seconds though, she has to try and... well, feel it is the best word. Xion make a slight face for a moment, but her horn definitely glows.

And Twilight will be hit by a warm, comforting green light. Curega, and if she has any wounds, or is feeling a little tired, it'll definitely make a big difference.]

Is that good?

(Feeling is the best way to go about it. Twilight can talk and talk and talk, but the best way she'll learn is actually trying it.

Thankfully, it seems as though Xion gets the hang of it very quickly, casting a healing spell right away. It's a soothing spell, one that betters Twilight's already good mood.)

Excellent work, Xion; I knew you could do it!

Now, the next part is a little trickier. It involves the same method of targeting another, but establishing that link I mentioned before. I'll let you use me to practice your first time trying it. Just take your time, stay calm and let it come naturally.

Ah, sure...

[Naturally, huh? Well, she' not about to ask if Twilight is sure, because she wouldn't have offered if she wasn't.

It's a little more complicated than simply finding food an eating it, and she has no idea how to do something like this to begin with anyways, unlike when she cast magic.

Which means it definitely takes longer, but eventually she finds it. Or at least she thinks she does, anyways. It's a good thing instinct is a powerful thing, even in the wrong body. Being a Nobody to begin with, however... When she first feels (and boy, does she feel strongly when it happens) the little... Is it a change of power? Xion doesn't really have any words to describe it, but she knows she likes it, inasmuch as she can like something.

But with Twilights' emotions, she's positive there's definitely some type of tangible feeling, all her own. It makes her dig in a little deeper, absorb a little more. It's definitely good, and makes her feel good on top of it.]

(Admittedly, it does feel a little weird at first, letting herself be drained by a changeling...but it's for someone who needs it, right? Poor girl's stuck feeding like this as long as she's here and that's as much a problem for her as it is other ponies. At the very least, she figured out how to do it quickly, so there's hope in that!

...But after a while, Twilight starts to feel the effects of the feeding. It started off as something unnoticeable, but she felt herself getting exhausted, weakened as Xion continues. She rests a hoof on her forehead in a vain effort to dull the headache.)

O-Okay, Xion...I think you got it figured out now...

[It's- well, needless to say it's pretty euphoric for Xion. Almost so that she doesn't really hear Twilight speak up, forces the unicorn to give her more before she finally comes back to her senses, stopping what she's doing rather quick.

She'd probably feel bad.

If she had the heart for it.]

Ah.. Sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you. Do you want me to cast Curega again?

(At least she stopped it of her own volition. That's a step forward since that means she doesn't have to force Xion to stop. Twilight shakes her head.)

No no, it's fine. I just...I might need to rest my head for a little while, that's all.

I'm glad you figured out how to feed, at least.

Well... as long as I didn't really seriously hurt you... It felt really good though. I can't normally experience emotions because of what I am, but... Well, through you I could.

[She knows that Twilight doesn't know much about Changelings, but it's still more that Xion herself does, even though she happens to be one right now. So anything she can maybe help the pony with might be her only way of helping her for all she's done.]

I see...I don't know think changelings normally feel emotion, but if it's possible through feeding, then maybe there's something more to it than just looking for sustenance.

(She jots a few notes down on the nearest scroll.)

It must be confusing to think about, if you've never felt them before. How come emotions aren't normal for you?

Back home, I'm whats called a "Nobody". We don't have hearts to feel emotions with because they were taken from us by monsters.

That sounds horrible...but how can anyone live without a heart? It's kind of essential for survival.

(Except she's thinking of a literal heart and not the magical metaphorical heart Xion's canon often goes on and on about.)

It's not just the push that matters; it's what you push them towards

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