Lollipop Luxury kept her gaze attentive and curious she trotted down the dimly lit back alleyways of Canterlot. She had no issues with getting her hooves dirty or her mane mussed, despite what some may think at first glance, but her trek down the alley wasn’t a regular occurrence at all. She had wanted to take a shortcut back home but, alas, she had taken one wrong turn and had gotten quite lost.
 
“Gosh, Lollipop, you’re going to get yourself in trouble one of these days.” She murmured to herself, glancing around at her surroundings. A trash can there, a bag of garbage there, maybe this was the right way? Yeah, maybe! She picked up her pace and turned a blind corner, then—
 
“AGH!” She collided with a small form, sending each of them stumbling backwards. There was a sudden stuttering flash of blue light and, when Lollipop managed blink away the remnants of the flash from her eyes, she gawked.
 
In front of her was a small creature, its eyes wide and fearful, insectoid wings shot out stiffly by its sides. A changeling?
 
“Oh my goodness,” Lollipop shook her head and took a step back, then a small step forward. “Are you alright? I didn’t see you, I should have been looking where I was going!” She moved a bit closer to the changeling and charged her horn, then let it sputter out as she noticed the tension within the changeling’s body. “Did I startle you?”
 
The creature’s eyes flicked from side to side, seemingly searching for a way out. “I—” Its voice was rough, rasping from deep within its throat. “Please don’t—” It cut itself off and took a step back.
 
“Don’t what? Are you alright?” Lollipop lowered herself down a bit to examine the changeling’s body from a few paces away, making sure there weren’t any bruises or marks. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t expect to see anyone here. I’m a bit lost, you see.” She smiled guiltily, comforted that there didn’t look to be any injuries from their collision.
 
“Lost?”
 
“Yes, I don’t normally go in the alleys. I was looking for a shortcut, but it clearly didn’t work.”
 
The creature didn’t say anything for a moment, its pupilless eyes staring warily at the pony standing before him. “Do you need help?” It asked in its raspy voice, retracting its wings back under its chitinous shell.
 
“Oh, goodness, would you help? I would be so grateful.”
 
The changeling paused, thought about it (never taking its eyes off of Lollipop), and then slowly nodded. The movement was jerky and awkward. “Where are you going?”
 
“To be quite honest, I’d love to just find a main road, I could work out the directions home from there.” Lollipop smiled, her shoulders slumping a bit with relief.
 
The changeling nodded again and cautiously turned around to lead the mare down the alleyway. She followed without hesitation, a pleased spring in her step. “I’m Lollipop, what’s your name?” She queried. The changeling’s gait faltered.
 
“…Alveolus.”
 
“Oh wow, that’s such a lovely name! Alveolus…Yeah, it really glides off the tongue. Do you live in Canterlot, or are you visiting?”
 
The changeling ducked its head, the chitin shell on its back raising ever so slightly in case it needed its wings. “I live here.”
 
“Right, I should have known that, since you know your way around. I’m from here too, though I’m clearly not as well versed in the area as you are.” Lollipop glanced around at the alleyways they passed, trying to figure out how Alveolus knew which ones were the right to take.
 
They feel into silence, the only sound being their hooves clopping on the hard ground.
 
Lollipop wasn’t too sure what to say, nor was she sure that conversation was entirely necessary, but she still wanted to learn more about her new acquaintance. “I’ve never met a changeling before. Er—Sorry, was that rude?”
 
“No.”
 
“Thank goodness! Yeah, I’ve lived in Canterlot most of my life, so I haven’t gotten to know many non-pony creatures. Do you go to the festivals here?”
 
“No.”
 
“Oh, I see. I’ve never gone either, not really. I’m usually tagging along with my moms, so I can’t really wander off and meet new creatures. I’m so glad I’ve met you though, it was meant to be!”
 
Alveolus snuck a quick glance at her, one that Lollipop pretended not to notice (after all, it was clear the changeling wasn’t the most extroverted creature, so she didn’t want to scare it off). They continued walking, taking a turn here or there, until Alveolus stopped in its tracks. “Here.”
 
“Hm?”
 
“The main road. It’s up ahead. You should be by the downtown square if you keep going straight.”
 
“Oh! Thank you! You’re a life saver, Alveolus, thank you so much.” She smiled gratefully at it, making eye contact despite not knowing whether the changeling was returning it. The pupilless eyes confused her to some extent. “The next festival coming up, will you be going?”
 
“No.”
 
“Oh. Well, if you change your mind, come find me! I won’t be able to visit for too long, but I’d love to see you again, Alveolus.”
 
It opened its mouth and closed it again, then blinked. “…?” It cocked its head to one side, one eye squinting in confusion.
 
“Only if you’d like to, of course.” Lollipop corrected, her face flushing a light pink at her overeager comment. “Just ask around for Fleur de Lis, I’ll most likely be with her. Thank you again, you really saved me!” She flashed Alveolus a bright smile, then ducked her head in a farewell and continued trotting down the alleyway towards the main road.
 
Alveolus stared after her, expression unreadable. Was this pony really this unaware, or did she truly have no issue with speaking to him?
 

 

 
I love them sOOOO MUCH!!!!! ;w; Little babies are a perfect pair.
 
 
Alveolus is the child of Shining Armor and Chrysalis, while Lollipop Luxury is the daughter of Fleur de Lis and Cadance.