I get that, but I'm just one changeling! *Amethyst smiles.* "With one of the purest hearts I've ever seen. You're definitely worthy to be one of us, Asphodel. Please hear me out, it does not have to be a burden."

It sure feels like it! You're asking me to change the world! *Amethyst shakes her head.* "No. I stopped partway, too. We are asking you to do what feels right. To feel love, to give it back, and to spread it. Something is out of balance, dearie. We're trying to tip it back."

Hmph. *Asphodel thinks.* And if I screw up? I'm not perfect. I'm going to hurt someone at some point.

"Even Rosedust has things she regrets, dearie. She won't tell me what, but I feel it in her heart. What matters is if you try to make amends, and learn from your mistakes."

I'm not going to leave the Queen. *Amethyst nods.* "I imagine she feels exponentially more pain than we have ever felt. You may be the only one who could help heal her emotional wounds. Helping us does not mean abandoning her."

I'm not exactly thrilled to find any more of these springs, either. This is a lot to put on my shoulders!

"Don't worry, dearie. All of us have fallen short in some way. Each of us makes our mark, and the ones who come after us continue our work. Big changes take generations. It took a long time for your Queen to be so hurt. It will take longer to see her overcome it."

"Meanwhile, the ponies have their own things to change. Perhaps that is why your pony friend was led to bring you to us. Perhaps ponies cannot change without changeling help."

*Asphodel sighs.* I'm going to have to think about this for a long time. I don't have the capacity to deal with this. I want to go home and curl up with the pony who loves me.

*Amethyst smiles, and walks forwards.* "Then perhaps I have done all I can do. It is in your hooves now, Asphodel. It has been a pleasure meeting you. May Majesty light your path." *Amethyst wraps her forelegs around Asphodel in a warm embrace.* WAIT I WASN'T READY NOOOOooooo

*Asphodel is overwhelmed by a motherly love both foreign and familiar. Her world turns white, and she slips away from herself for a brief while.*

*When Asphodel awakes, she is in a clearing on a stone slab covered in moss. The remnants of a chimney and a woodburning stove are nearby. She feels well-rested, and at peace. The forest around her is calm.* *She sighs loudly and stands.*

*After trying to get her bearings, she feels compelled to follow the remnants of a path out of the clearing. As she nears the edge, she swears she hears a whisper and turns towards it.*

*She spies a hollow tree, and upon closer investigation finds a cloak hanging within.* Really? *She takes it out. She's seen these before. Roseluck wears one within the forest. It's lightweight, soft, and seems somehow eager to be worn.*

*She slips it on, and as she clasps she notices that instead of the rose crest emblem she's seen before, this robe's clasp bears a mark featuring a familiar crown surrounded by diamonds.* ...I suppose this is mine?

*As the cloak settles on her body, she feels warm and comfortable, as if she is where she belongs. She shivers at this unfamiliar feeling, then moves on with a sense of urgency.*

*She feels guided by something else as she maneuvers her way through the trees. Paths seem to open up for her, and there are more songbirds than she's used to.*

*Many hours later, she stops when she hears the whispers again. There's another hollow tree.* Right. These don't leave the forest, can they? Miss Roseluck was always clear about that. *She carefully hangs her cloak and continues onwards.*

((Thus ends this adventure. I hope you enjoyed it. I spent a long time away, and needed something to show me if I still had stories to tell. Enjoy some credits music while we wait for Asphodel's next interactions! youtube.com/watch?v=qzFAYV… ))

((I'm still trying to figure out if she continues here or picks up on her account at the other place. It depends on what other people are doing! I have a lot of memories here, and going somewhere else is scary.))