Don't Start a Band (Las Pegasus, ATTN: Icy)

[IceStorm]

~~~Ice Storm~~~

 

 

 

 

Ice listened as Kahz spoke about Chrysalis and how she knew that underneath everything, she was far more dangerous than the princesses were and that in of it self was why she had agreed to meet with them. He had to agree that anypony approaching with peace and reformation in mind was either uninformed, or had delusions of an outcome that just isn't possible. His own views about reformation seemed to mirror that. The way he worded it, everything made sense and she could see his perspective. 

 

"There is a big difference in trying to establish a peace using existing cultures and trying to instill peace by indoctrinating the culture into your own. The relationship that Thorax and Twilight have works for them, but I know that such doctrines don't work for all parties. An alliance with Chrysalis is a lot like an alliance with Whitescar. Peace can be attained, but they are war like entities. When that's all you know, it's hard to change from that. So help them with what they know and build the relationship to lay the foundation in the future for when they're might not be a war to fight. At that point you've fought together, bled together, died together. Those are the relationships that are the strongest.

 

Those are the friendships that ponies fight for, because when that comradery is threatened, the response is far greater because now your not only trying to protect your nation, but the ones that you've forged a bond with while fighting. Friendship is magic, and magic is power, but there is so much more to true friendship than everything being in harmony. It's the trifles and the strife that makes friendship powerful, and when friendship is the fuel for protecting something, you can draw upon thaums of power. The biggest thing about true friendship though, is that inorder to be a true friend, you have to be accepting of the way things are. Saying I'll be you're friend as long as you do this... That's not what friendship is about," Ice spoke.

[Blueblood]

G-chord I, G-chord VII, G-chord V, back to I.  Satisfied with the tuning, the changeling shifted key to C, going through the same progression.  "So... using the heat of battle to forge bonds, that's your plan?"  Kahz looked at her, curiously.  "It... sounds reasonable enough.  But those are the most vulnerable to betrayal; it cuts all the deepest, and is almost irreparable under those conditions.  Not that I think Her Majesty would... but I've never seen her be alright with sharing power, however much she could get for herself by doing so.  It's one of the things that worries me, to be honest."

 

Nodding, he set the guitar aside, yawning and stretching.  Icy would hear a few cracks, but that didn't seem to bother Kahz.  "Ooh, I might need a nap after the trip, I just can never manage to sleep on trains.  Don't know what it is, just can't.  You mind if I take forty winks or so while you call up the rest of the band for a reunion?"

[IceStorm]

~~~Ice Storm~~~

 

 

 

Ice nodded when Kahz said that the battlefield bonds were the most dangerous because betrayal was easy, and more often than not when the betrayal happened, it was irreparable. "I'm aware of that which is why I hope that they would be engaging in social activities outside of battle. Chrysalis may not be one to share power, but she does seem to be the one to respect the power of others. As long as I'm clearly more powerful than my enemies I doubt I have anything to worry about," Ice said watching him yawn and setting his guitar aside.

 

She nodded once more when he said that he needed some winks after the ride there while she got the rest of the band together. "That's fine, take as long as you need. I'm sure that's not a short trip for you. I'll have the rest of them here within the week. Is there anything else you need?"

[Blueblood]

Kahz could take comfort that Icy was taking his thoughts seriously, along with his needs.  As loyal as he was to Chrysalis, that hadn't always been a guarantee with her.  The changeling flopped back down on the bed, mind clear and ready to rest.  "Thanks, boss.  I'll be fine.  We'll be up on stage practicing in... no.... time...."  Fatigue hit him hard, turning him out like a light.  What dreams would filter through were pleasant ones, of a future of music, bright lights, and the love of crowds.  Perhaps even more than that...?

 

 

It felt, somehow, like a blink of an eye, though a quick glance at the clock showed a couple of hours had passed, taking with it the memory of a face he saw in a dream.  He'd seen it before, but whose was it?  Someone dear?  A favored disguise of a hivemate?

Clattering outside the door scattered even these thoughts.  The band had arrived.  "Showtime..."  He muttered to himself, casting off blankets and casting on disguise.  Time to take the guitar and hit the stage!

 

~Some Time Later~

 

One happy reunion and a round of drinks later, to be specific...

 

Kahz had to admire the crew Icy had put together.  They were unfazed by his unusual physique, and might well have been equally unfazed by his undisguised self, though he wasn't in a mood to push it right now.  They didn't have to spend more than two minutes checking the mikes and speakers before the opening tones of the keyboard and Kahz's first chords on the guitar were lighting up the stage... for all the, what, three ponies in it two days before their first scheduled show?

 

Nevermind, gave them chance to practice.

 

"I'll take the blame for you for taking one,

Too many chances for getting over us,

But what you were to them, that work is done,

After all we didn't get it's all for the best, And-

 

What a pity, right, what pity, right?

You finally got your trophy for now for losing the game of-

Life will find a way, life will find a way,

Way to go for cutting losses before you cut me off.

 

It's time we let you down,

A High Horse is a long fall,

Heavy lies the-

Crown the true Queen when she's coming on the scene.

 

But you couldn't see her coming with the lights on,

And when the sun dawns,

We'll leave you raining on your own parade!

Gung-ho you let your guard down,

You're nothing but a write-out,

We'll leave you raining on your parade!"

 

For all his professed loyalty, Kahz still had... issues to work out with his queen.  But one unfamiliar with 'Heart Sight's' true nature and story might merely think the punk-rock opener an opine on a past, unhappy relationship...

[Dubstep]

Yù Xīn let out a wistful sigh as she strolled her way through the streets of Las Pegasus. The mare had decided to at long last take another, she felt, well deserved vacation. Work itself wasn't stressful per se, the creatures that came to her for therapy were usually all quite nice. The day job was fine...it was the 'night shift' that was killer. Much to her chagrin she had begun to get used to her work with WRAITH...the pay was pretty good though she did have to admit. The qilin glanced down with a smile at a couple of absolutely gorgeous jeweled bands she'd manage to acquire thanks to the...let's call it supplemental income. Some of her repeat customers were...well, not repeating nearly as much anymore, one has to get bits somewhere when nightmares fade and diets work out you know.

 

One thing that Yù tried to never do was gamble. It was a terrible habit that she knew full well was either running or ruining the lives of some of her patients. Which sure, was a shame, but it also meant they ran up rather hefty bills that took time to pay off. It was a waste of money is what it was. Casinos themselves, however, were interesting. Buffets, enticing lights, music...sometimes other entertainment. It was fascinating to see, even if just to catch a glimpse into the psyche of the ponies that found the thrill of gambling to be such a siren song. It helped her understand them better, for weal or for woe. This fact, coupled with the mistake of deciding to skip out on breakfast at her hotel room this morning, is what compelled Yù to stroll her way into the establishment. And while the prospect of an evening buffet is what originally drew the mare in, the sound of music pouring through the casino drew her attention a touch more than the tone of a grumbling stomach.

 

Something about that voice sounded familiar. But she couldn't quite put her hoof on it...Which was passing strange. Beyond clients and some of those she was forced to work under, she hadn't committed many voices to memory per se. Normally Yù would shrug this off, go find something to eat, maybe something stiff to drink and call it a day. Something was nagging at her though to go and check out what was going down.

 

And boy was she glad she had.

 

Up on stage stood one of the few familiar faces that still brought a genuine smile to hers. 'What are the odds? she'd think to herself as she mad the rest of her way in, taking a seat at one of the unoccupied tables, leaning on a hoof with that smile glued to her face as she listened to the disguised changeling sing. The mare had been certain that karma only wanted to turn around and bite her in the flank, but she must at least be doing something right to be here, right now. She had been certain that the fluttering feelings in her stomach had all been part of the act she always put on for any new handsome face too. So she has been known to be wrong before...

[IceStorm]

~~~Ice Storm~~~

 

 

 

 

It had been a few days since Ice had checked up on her musical guests. The internal affairs of running the casino had consumed a good amount of her time, but she had put some of her best on making sure that everything was ready and prepared for the upcoming shows that Kahz and the band would be doing. Still, it would be unprofessional to not make an appearance and see how the preparations were coming along. If anything needed to be fixed, it was imperative that it be done right away.

 

When she got to the auditorium that they were in, she came in through the back, and instantly she was greeted with the sounds of guitar and vocals being sounded through a mostly empty theater. One a few were present at the moment, and those were other band members and the sound crew. She made her way from behind the stage around the soundboards. She could tell from the choice of lyrics that there was a deeper meaning behind it. Lyrics about unhappy or dangerous relationships usually did. Only when the music faded, did she start to speak. "Interesting Choice of Lyrics. They convey quite a story," she started with a smile before stepping out a bit more. "How does everything sound?" she asked before spotting a Qilin in the audience section at one of the tables. She seemed to be smiling happily at Kahz. "Must carry pretty well. Seems you've already attracted a fan," Ice smiled.

[Blueblood]

As small as the audience was, Kahz could still feel their appreciation for the music, the love and assorted emotions conveyed like a mass offering towards a ceremonial priest.  That was how music all began, wasn't it?  He remembered something along those lines from one of his 'intel-gathering' trips from around the world; that rhythm and melody were originally created as sacraments to move the spirits.  Whether they could move the spirits in the land or rivers, they certainly could move the spirits in the ponies and others in the audience.  In fact, as the song wound down, Kahz could have sworn there was something more potent than usual in the air tonight.

 

"Oh, hey boss!"  He called out to Icy, shaking few drops of sweat from 'Heart Sight's' mane.  Given that changelings didn't have sweat glands, this was a feat of glamour that the little bug was particularly proud of.  "Yeah, just thinking of a... mare I knew once."  The mic was still picking him up, both of them, actually, so that Yù Xīn would know that she was being discussed.  Following Icy's hoof, his eyes grew wide and his face split in a grin.  Turning back to his band, he waved, "Hey guys, take five, alright?  Got a little lady I want to have a word with."

 

Exuding all the confidence and charm of his assumed form of a rock star, he strode down the stage right to where the Qilin sat, leaning against the chair.  "Well well, of all the casinos of the all the towns in the world, you just came into this one.  It's enough to make a guy believe in fate, or some higher power."  He gave a little laugh, shaking off the swagger for a more genuine look.  "Seriously, though, how you doing?  Lost touch with ya since you last graced the island."

[Dubstep]

"You know? It's funny. I was just about to say the same sort of thing." Yù was used to keeping her cool on the outside from just about anyone. That happy little smile never leaving her lips as she sat back up properly. But if somepony happened to be good at feeling emotions or something, she'd be an open book with every page reading of her elation. "It's been far too long! I've been doing...well enough. Better now though to be sure." the mare would offer Kahz a wink. "Work has been a little slower these past few...days? Weeks? A lot of the days just tend to bleed together after a little while." When Canterlot wasn't dealing with some wild out there non-sense from Ponyville or the rest of Equestria, the city was frankly a little dull, and it wasn't like she could particularly spice things up there without potentially raising a fuss as well.

 

Yù would casually motion at the seat that Kahz leaned against cheerfully "If you're not terribly busy I'd love if you'd like to sit a while with me. Of course if your hooves are full, I don't mind a bit waiting til after the show. I won't even beg for the Backstage Pass treatment." she would add with a playful wag of her brow and a giggle. "But I wouldn't say no either. How have you been though? Waxing poetic for a moment, life's been a bit less vibrant since parting."

[Blueblood]

Kahz couldn't help the perpetually amused smile from lingering about his face; it was just adorable the way that Yù was trying to hide her inner elation from somepony she knew was a changeling.  He did have to break his expression, though, when she casually motioned for him to sit beside her.  Clicking his tongue with regret, he took his hoof off the seat.  "I've got to finish out the set, but I would love to see you backstage to catch up.  Gotta say, I'm glad to get out to this place place myself.  Island life's great, but I was getting real tired of mambo and calypso, I'll tell ya!"  And with a laugh and a wink, he turned around to trot back up on stage, resuming his guitar by the mic.

 

"Alright guys,"  He called back to the band.  "Slight change of lineup, we've got a special guest in the seats, so let's bring out, hm, number twenty-three?"  Seeing nods of agreement, he turned back to the mic.  "This one's for Yù!"

 

After a bit of amp noise while he shifted keys, he kicked into a galloping rift, with the drums coming up in support him as he launched into the first verse:

 

"I'm back on solid land, and everything seems the same,

But I found something out just now, that changed this little colt's brain,

A small piece of advice that took too many years in the make,

And I will break it for you now, please learn from my mistake.

Please learn from my mistake!

 

Let's dance through our divisions,

And celebrate the ironies!

Everything is going wrong,

But we're so hap-py!

Let's dance through our divisions,

And raise our glass to the ceiling!

Cause this could all go so wrong,

But we're still hap-py!

And we're so hap-py!

 

So if you're ever feeling down, make your face and take a taxi,

To the darker side of town, that's where we'll meet,

And I will wait for you and lead you to the dance floor,

Up to the DJ's booth; you'll know what to ask for,

Know what to ask for!

 

We'll dance through our divisions,

And celebrate the ironies!

Everything is going wrong,

But we're so hap-py!

Well dance through our divisions,

And raise our hooves to the ceiling!

Cause this could all go so wrong,

But we're still hap-py!

And we're so hap-py!

 

And if the love tears us apart,

I've found the cure for a broken heart,

Let it tear us apart...

Let the love tear us apart,

I've got the cure for a broken heart,

If it tears us apart...

Tears us apart-

 

We'll dance through our divisions,

And celebrate the ironies!

Everything is going wrong,

But we're so hap-py!

Well dance through our divisions,

And raise our hooves to the ceiling!

Cause this could all go so wrong,

But we're still hap-py!

And we're so hap-py!

But we're still hap-py!

And we're so hap-py!"

Spoiler

 

A bright and upbeat tune, for all the darkness that might lurk in the lyrics.  But it was not a darkness to be fled, but to face, and overcome with a song in one's heart.  Kahz didn't yet know the full story behind Yù, but he knew enough that there was something that she felt she could not reveal, could not face.  At least, not face alone.  Encouragement would mean no more than cotton candy if it didn't acknowledge that, and Kahz liked to think of himself as at least a little more artistically nourishing than that!

 

Once the song and set were done, 'Heart Sight' bowed and thanked the audience for being beautiful (one member in particular, of course), and retired back stage, to await his visitor.

 

 

[Dubstep]

Yù playfully smiled and nodded in understanding. "Take your time, I'm happy to get to hear you sing. And perhaps later, we can tango~" she'd add with a giggle, settling back in. She hated to see him leave, but what a joy it was to watch him go. It was funny. For all the things in this world that made the mare want to take, he was one of the few that made her want to give. Not just gifts of course, but that too. Something she never felt she'd give to anypony. What a strange, terrifying, wonderful feeling it was to want to give somepony your heart. But could she go through with it? Could she risk the one thing that had been hers and hers alone?

 

And then, she heard her name.

 

Had her eyes not already been locked to the stage, the mare would have whipped her head up in surprise. A bright blush now stained her cheeks. She nearly wanted to cry. What little filly growing up never dreamed of someone dedicating a song to her? It was such a silly, sappy, beautiful sort of thing. One Yù never imagined in a million years would happen to her for real! She wanted to laugh at herself for being so flustered by this. But no, this was her moment now, no one else's. She let those happy tears slip on by as she leaned on her hooves, listening to the changeling...heh. Sing his heart out. The risk was well worth it.

 

Once the band's set had finished — and ample time had been given for Kahz to retire backstage — Yù would rise up to her hooves and wipe the remains of those tears from the corners of her eyes, fix a few runaway strands of her mane, and make her way backstage to gently rap-tap-tap 'Heart Sight's' door.

[Blueblood]

It was but a moment for Kahz to dispel the "sweat" from his performance, as illusory perspiration needed no towel to wipe off.  But the adrenaline that was running through his ichor was real enough; there was nothing that could electrify a performance quite like there being a little somepony special to sing to in the crowd.  He knew it, he knew the audience could feel it for the last number, and he knew especially that the particular qilin could feel it...

 

Relationships were an odd thing among Chrysalis' hive; they happened, but they weren't quite what a pony would call romantic.  More like a partnership for tasks, combined with an after-hours friendship.   Actual love wasn't generated between them, at least not until Thorax's reformation.  But while changelings couldn't make the genuine article, they would often still go through the motions and rituals of romance, as those narratives were what allowed them to survive.  It was all a bit cognitively weird when one analyzed it from the outside, but the upshot of it was that Kahz could take in love, but he could only act as if he were giving it away.  Yet, even what amounted to serious play-acting seemed to increase the net amount of love, from Yu's desire to reciprocate.  

 

*We make better therapists than we do lovers.  We know how to get others to love us, even if they have not been the loving sort.*  It was a strange realization Kahz had, right before he heard the knock on the door.  Still having the thought clouding his mind, he parted the skies on his smile as he opened the door to admit the jade qilin.  "Yu!  Come in, come in, we've a lot of catching up to do, I bet."  He escorted her inside, making sure to lock the door to give them both a bit of privacy.  In that secure seclusion, he felt comfortable enough to drop his disguise.  Running a perforated hoof through brown pseudo-mane, he sighed.  "Hope you don't mind, it's always a bit of an effort to keep it up and going, but I just feel more comfortable with it in public, you know?  The boss can say what she wants about ponies being accepting here, they're just not at their ease with a black bug in front of them."

[Dubstep]

"Quite a bit! It's been far far too long for my liking." Yù would say with a smile as she stepped her way in, taking a seat as she waved her hoof. "I don't mind even a little bit, the guise is handsome but I like the real you better." perhaps a funny sentiment coming from someone who often hid her own self from nearly anyone, but it didn't mean that it was any less true. "I've learned in my line of work that many ponies can be judgemental of what they perceive as different or what they don't understand even if it's subconscious. It can be so ingrained into generations that they never even know until they're confronted about it." the qilin gave a little knowing nod and a chuckle as she settled in. "To a much less degree than I'm sure you've had to deal with, I've gotten had a few strange looks since moving to Canterlot."

 

It was never anything terrible, gawking, questioning if her horns or scales were real, if her mom or dad was a dragon. All harmless if a bit on the busybody side of thing, it was hardly their business after all, but she could only imagine the things that Changelings had to deal with. Especially given certain prior events. Ponies can also be quite slow trusting at times, but her mind was digressing, there were better things at hoof. "How have you been lately? I must say I've missed you quite a bit, so I'm elated that we've finally had the chance to get together again." Yù was a smart mare, she always did her research. She hadn't met any changelings (that she was aware of) before Kahz. And given those butterflies in her stomach the first time they had met well. She did quite a bit of reading to make sure she wasn't under some magical wiles. She wasn't. She knew better now. Distance made the heart grow fonder. But...Were her feeling truly reciprocated or a facsimile? That she didn't know. 'But...' she thought. 'It doesn't really matter, does it? For once I feel happy, why let a detail I don't know stop that. The illusion that it could be could crash down around me any moment. So why not savor it, put it on the line, and hope for the best?'


((I am SO sorry for the terrible delay. Writer's anxiety has been kicking my ass hard))

[Blueblood]

There were comfortable couches in the green room, and even a small fridge with cold drinks.  Kahz was certainly inclined to take full advantage of the hospitality shown after a set like that, and what was the value of hospitality if it were not shared?  "You want some water or grape juice?  I don't have anything else in the fridge; if you want a snack we can go out for something later."   He cracked open a bottle, chugging the dark purple liquid for a few seconds before pulling back with a sigh.  A smiling one, though, as his looks were complimented.  Or, perhaps, his genuineness.  "Thanks.  My whole life has depended on being both the center of attention, and having no attention at all in alternating periods of time.  Nice to know the years have not dulled my charismatic touch!"  He gave a wink to the qilin, settling back on the couch.

 

"Eh, life's been good, all things considered.  I don't know if you heard about the hot new inter-dimensional island resort that's been getting all the buzz lately?  Well, that's the Queen's latest love-farm.  Turns out, when take some trouble to make your resource gathering schemes non-hostile, ponies will practically pay you for the privilege of being harvested.  They feel good, and those good feels feed us.  Nice, but honestly, a little dull.  It's practically all calypso, all the time.  Not my style, you know?  So, her Majesty's loaning me out.  Kind of as a goodwill ambassador, though to be fair, I don't know if either word is yet part of her vocabulary."

[Dubstep]

"Some juice sounds lovely, thank you." Yù would reply with a smile and a nod of her head. "And I'd certainly not mind a dinner date later." she added with a wink, listening to Kahz as he spoke. Truth be told he could be saying nothing at all and the mare would still be happy to listen. The mention of the resort really caught her ear though, perking up she'd smile and tilt her head just a touch. "Oh! Is this the same resort I visited on our last meeting? I remember it being quite the relaxing time." Yù chuckled softly. 'How about that.' she thought to herself. 'That does make a good deal of sense, I suppose.' the qilin didn't particularly know enough about Queen Chrysalis other than hearsay, most of it not good. But the resort was rather relaxing, lovely even. So perhaps she had turned over a new leaf? And if someone so supposedly evil could do so, perhaps there was hope for her yet.
 

"Well, for what it's worth, I think you're doing a wonderful job. I had no idea you were such a talented singer either! A fine way to get a nice snack from fawning groupies, present company included~" Yù playfully teased, tittering softly. It was part joke, but she knew well enough it wasn't entirely a falsehood. "I've always thought singing would be a fun little side thing, if I ever had the time to take part in it. Once upon a time before things got more...complicated...I would occasionally find my way to a karaoke machine for a song or two if you can believe it."

[Blueblood]

"Oh?"  Kahz raised a ridged brow of chitin as Yù practically acceded to an implied dinner date request, and grinned.  "In that case, I know a lovely little buffet a little off the main strip.  More for the locals than for the tourists, you never struck me as the sort that liked to get crowded around."  He nodded at her recollection of the island.  "Same one!  Sorry we never got the chance to really catch up in private, but you caught me while I was on duty, as it were.  One disadvantage of harvesting at scale is that it lacks the-"  He scooted a little closer.  "Personal touch."

 

He managed to sustain a leer for about a second before he cracked up laughing at himself.  "Hah, listen to me go, for all the world as if I were Luxuria, or any one of our skilled seducers.  I always thought I could take a crack at it if it weren't for..." He gestured down at his disfigurements.  "Changeling glamour can only cover so much, and charisma can overpower first impressions en masse.  But going one on one that long... honestly, if I got anyone to fall for me despite my looks, I don't think I could bring myself to betray them.  It would be too real, you know?"

 

Thoughts of karaoke were helpful in banishing the heavier ponderings, and Kahz grasped at them with delight.  "Oh, I'd like to hear you!  There's quite a few karaoke bars around, actually, if you'd like to swing around after dinner.  sound good?"

[Dubstep]

Taking a sip of her juice Yù "Oh that entirely depends on the reason for the crowd!" the mare would say with a soft chuckle. It was true, they didn't get to spend terribly much time together on the island, but she certainly understood the work before pleasure ethos. Not that she always subscribed to said ethos, but she understood it.
 

Smiling fondly when Kahz scooted closer, the smile didn't fade a bit until the changeling commented about things beyond his control. With a little sigh, Yù would place a hoof gently on Kahz's. "Mmm. Perhaps then I've been a touch too coy. Truth be told I haven't actually tried to flirt with anyone since I was a little girl." shaking her head and waving a free hoof she would continue "So I'll try to be a bit more blunt. Kahz I do like you. For who you are, who you really are. Not some fanciful glamour or changeling magic — though you are quite good at those glamours, mmm — but the real you." she glanced down, cheeks blushing bright red. There were so few she felt that her emotions could be real around...
 

May as well take this shot, she figured. Nothing to lose and everything to gain!...Well. Okay, there were a few things to lose. Hope mainly, but details. "I find you attractive Kahz. No ifs or buts or stipulations. And while I understand if business or...other matters see you decline, I would love if we could consider our little excursion a date. the mare's fond smile found Kahz's eyes again at last, deep blush still staining her cheeks, but ancestors she was trying to not look like a twitterpated schoolfilly. "A date date." she added for clarification.

[Blueblood]

Kahz's chitinous hoof was cool to the touch, at first, but it quickly received the heat from Yù's own hoof.  The changeling twitched, as if it felt somehow different from how he expected it to, but didn't shy away.  His compound eyes darted to hears, searching for confirmation of the meaning he could hear implied with her words.  Was that- was she really...?  Unconciously, his tongue darted out to taste the air.  Yup, unless his natural-born abilities had suddenly failed him, there was some genuine feeling there!

 

"Oh! Ha, heheha, Ah!"  His face split into a grin, then let out a laugh of surprise and delight.   "Yù, I'd be a damn fool to decline an offer like that from a pretty mare like you!"  His wings have a little happy buzz, and his carapace even chirped!  "Oh, goodness, I'm not very subtle about how I feel, am I?  Some infiltrator I make."  He chuckled again, a fizzy feeling of happiness quite unlike anything else bubbling up inside him.  Not even the warm, nourishing tides of a crowd's love for a musician felt like this!  "For what its worth... I feel the same about you, and I would love to make tonight's little excursion a date."  The words were probably a little redundant at this point, but important, all the same.

[Dubstep]

Yes? It was a yes? The mare wasn't sure whether to be surprised or not, but she did know that she was relieved. Nay, elated enough. Forget trying to not look too excited, she was! Yù clapped her hooves and smiled in delight. "Words can't well describe how happy that makes me Kahz. Thank you." the qilin smiled fondly at her date for the evening. Ahh, even just thinking about it made her feel down right bubbly. "To tell the truth I'd been thinking of how to bring the topic up for quite a while now. I'm glad I finally worked up the courage."

 

Taking another long drink of grape juice the mare let out another happy little sigh. "Now the truly hard part." she'd begin with a jesting tone. "Deciding on just where we'd like to go. Given that it's my first in Las Pegasus, I'm more than happy to let the dashing gentlecolt decide where we'll dine~"

[Blueblood]

Chuckling and chirping, Kahz replied, "I learned very early in life that it is simply amazing what you can accomplish if you simply dare to do it.  Especially back in the hive, where we were so routine and regimented, if anyling saw you doing something, they assumed by default that you should be doing it.  And that they should help you if you ask."  He chuckled, thinking back to the memories.  "I might not have survived nymphood otherwise, but being the guy who knew everyling and could get you help on the down low in a pinch was as essential as my charm in convincing the Hive I deserved my rations.  It was hard, but I can't deny it was fun in a way.  I dunno, maybe I'm a little crazy like that."

 

Thinking on the itinerary, Kahz pulled out a map of the city, made for tourists, and fixed it on the wall.  "Well, I'm feeling particularly adventurous, so why don't we go with the spirit of the city,"  He pulled out a dart, "And leave it to chance?"  Turning around, he tossed the dart over his shoulder, looking at where it stuck... two inches wide of the map.  "Huh.  That's ominous."  His smile now somewhat sheepish, he turned back to Yù.  "Ah... Let's just go for a sushi buffet, shall we?"

[Dubstep]

Truly it was like a great weight had been lifted off the mare's shoulders. Yù never realized just how much the fear and doubt had been weighing her down. Perhaps even more so than some less savoury business. That however would be a bridge to cross another time, likely with much more care and planning. For now she would let her heart swim about in that ocean of feel good. Something she'd been needing for a good long while if that cozy feeling in her heart was any indication.
 

The qilin watched with a bemused smile as Kahz sat about fetching a map and affixing it to the wall. That was certainly one way to cut out the difficulty of choice. Let fate decide! Or well, in this particular instance, a dart. Yù was rather excited to see just where it would la-...Oh. Well, at least it was still in the wall! Bright sides! The mare chuckled and smiled brightly at Kahz. "Sushi sounds delightful." rising up to her hooves and stepping her way over to Kahz's side, Yù Xīn would place a gentle kiss to the changeling's cheek. "And by the way, I like a little crazy." she'd say with a wink before making her way towards the door. "Should we give your boss the heads up before we go anywhere? I wouldn't want to get either of us in trouble for me stealing her star!~"

[Blueblood]

Kahz would not only chirp, but outright squeak at the kiss.  Ponies didn't often realize how much emotional potency lay behind small gestures, but if affection ran so deep in you to cause you to do little things with barely a conscious thought- well, it was often a course in a delightful meal!  Not that he and Yù were quite at that level, but if the potential wasn't there, he'd tear off and eat his carapace.  Before molting season.

"Well, that's good to know, because that's what you're getting!"  He chuckled, bringing up a random hygeine product and writing, "OUT TO DINNER" on the dressing-room mirror.  "That should be notice enough.  Shall we be going?"  Normally when leaving the building, staff and performers had their own special exit out the back, so as not to run into customers.  But Kahz was not the sort of changeling to hide the fact that he was going on a date with the prettiest Qilin in Las Pegasus.  He took the *other*  elevator, the one that led into the gaming lounge.  The Ice aesthetic blended the light blues with purple furnishing, as patrons sipped perpetually chilled cocktails, watching the crystal die tumble down the craps tables, or slid the cards across a shining baccarat table.  Yù's changeling date would flash a grin to catch the winks of some regular patrons, as he strolled with her out the door.

 

"Do you play the tables much, by the way?  The emotions that surge in there are their own special kind of intense, though you do have to be a little careful.  If a pony's affection is addictive, it has an... off flavor.  Too much of it can give a changeling food poisoning.  Not fatally, it just gives you perpetual dispepsia.  Poor Queen Chrysalis suffered for years after that whole... Canterlot incident.  Honestly, she was a bit clumsy with how she hooked the captain, it was practically drugging him."

[Dubstep]

"Ahh, sometimes the simplest solution is the most effective I suppose!" Yù said with a little titter after Kahz had scribbled his going out message. "Let us shall!" with a playful bow, the mare would follow her date along back into the casino proper. Words couldn't well express how Yù Xīn felt right now, she practically felt like a new mare. So long as no one pinched her, she'd be fine. Because if it was a dream she didn't want it to end. Especially since it was only beginning!

 

As the two made their way through the gaming lounge, Yù allowed herself a few moments to more properly take in the surroundings. It really was a fitting theme given the owner and she had to give credit where credit was due, it can be hard to theme something and not make it heavy hoofed, but it seemed like Ice Storm and whoever helped get the place built had a knack for that delicate balance.

 

"Hm? Ah, no I can't say I have." the qilin replied. "Not for fear of getting addicted, mind. But some of my clients in the past have come in trying to break their own. I worry that if I took up gambling it may make it difficult to help with that. Though, I suppose on the other hoof it could also give perspective into what makes it addictive in the first place." she pondered on this for a moment. Perhaps sometime she'd give it a bit of a shot. "I can't actually say I'm terribly familiar with the incident though. I moved to Canterlot sometime after all of that, so I've only heard bits and pieces in passing."

[Blueblood]

Kahz had to restrain himself from ruining his appetite by gorging on Yù Xīn's happiness, but he allowed himself an appetizer as they strolled down the blue-ice tiled rooms, out to the lobby doors that perpetually sent out an inviting breeze into the Las Pegasus heat.  "Understandable, I wouldn't say it was necessary myself; I mean, it's not as if you're trying to impersonate them.  It's probably better to let them try and explain what compels them, rather than having something in your head already that fills in the gaps.  If you're looking for a shortcut to having to listen to other ponies, you're probably not really increasing your empathy."  As to Canterlot... his last words on the subject were, "The Queen wasn't in the habit of listening.  A strategic error, for an infiltrator.  The more you listen, the less you need to talk, so that eliminates the possibility of mistakes both ways."  He laughed.  "Of course, I always talked a little too much to make for a really good infiltrator."

[Dubstep]

"A wise thought." Yù would say with an understanding nod of her head. "Sometimes immersing yourself in a situation can afford you a better understanding of someone's plight. But so too can it lead to a biased miscolouring of how it affects them." Despite the qilin's at time unscrupulous nature to certain things, she was still a therapist and did her best to understand and help her patients. She'd be out of a job otherwise and that was no good!

 

Nodding once more as Kahz concluded about Canterlot, hummed softly. "Mmm, well for what it's worth, I love to hear you talk." she'd answer with a wink and a playful nudge to the changeling's side. "Besides that, a open smile can pry more secrets than a hidden scowl, no?"

[Blueblood]

"Ahah, that it does!"  He leaned in for a quick nuzzle in response to the nudge, before stopping on the street corner to hail a taxi.  The place he had in mind was a little off the main strip, and he wasn't inclined to make his date walk in the heat for that long.  Plus, of course, he himself didn't appreciate the reminder of his 'badland days.'  A cab is never long to come in Los Pegasus, fortunately, so he was soon opening the door for Yu.  "It's just a short jaunt, but the heat's pretty terrible till the sun goes down."

 

The ride was taken in comfort to a nice little place that had a fairly impressive set of Torii gates at the entrance, possibly a little sacrilegious, but nopony ever accused this city of being overly respectful.  Whatever the local's attitude to shrines may be, though, sushi they took seriously, and Kahz knew this to be one of the better places in town.  "Ever been here before?  I have once or twice.  Good stuff, and from what I could tell from the emotional landscape, rather better than many here are used to.  Pleasant surprise is never absent from the air."