Chapter 5:
The events over the next hour were uneventful with everyone completing their errands. Ocean Blue and her Guard escort were able to procure everything on the list and had all items delivered to the castle until it was confirmed where Ocean Blue would be staying on a permanent basis. Several of the merchants were fairly surprised when they saw an otherwise "normal" looking unicorn being escorted by a Royal guard and then more surprised to learn that everything this pony was purchasing was being paid for by the royal account. Several were tempted to inquire further upon the matter but all decided it was best not to if the princesses were involved.
"That was the last item on the list Miss Ocean Blue. Everything will be delivered to your home in Ponyville at a later time." the guard said.
"Thank you very much for all of your assistance." Ocean Blue said softly.
"You are very welcome Miss Ocean Blue." The guard replied.
The two of them then proceeded to the Café to meet up with the other girls. When they arrived, the others had already arrived and were sitting together at a large round table with one extra space reserved for her. She and the guard walked up to the table and were greeted with warm smiles.
"Hi Ocean Blue, ya'all find everything you needed?" Apple Jack inquired.
"Oh yes, and it will all be sent to Ponyville shortly." Ocean Blue Replied.
"I think we can handle everything on our own form here on in, you can head back to the castle." Twilight said to the guard to dismiss him.
The guard nodded and proceeded to leave the café without further ado. Ocean Blue then proceeded to take a seat in the spot reserved for her between Twilight and Pinkie Pie.
Luckily for Ocean Blue, the girls had already ordered their food and it was just arriving as she was starting to look through the menu. Since Ocean Blue was not used to eating actual food, and even when she did it was usually just simple selections of fruit and vegetables, she was very nervous about what to order. She looked around the table to see what the others had ordered and it all looked simply mouthwatering to her. She decided she liked what Rarity had ordered. It was a somewhat extravagant dish composed of daisies, lilies, other flowers Ocean Blue was unfamiliar with, grains and a plethora of fruits most of which Ocean Blue was also unfamiliar with. It was all organized in a fancy swirling manner creating a cone of food with the different layers of the cone made of the different types of food.
When the waitress arrived to take Ocean's order she said. "I would like what she is having." As she pointed to Rarity.
"Oh marvelous choice dear, it is only the best dish to order when in Canterlot, it is just not the same back in Ponyville." Rarity replied.
The girls all talked a little more while eating. Ocean Blue still worked to avoid answering any questions about where she was from but did answer questions from Twilight about the kinds of spells she knew causing Twilight to squeal in delight as she was realizing the high levels of difficulty the spells were at. Finally Twilight could practice magic with someone at her same level and perhaps share some spells between them.
The dish Ocean Blue ate was nothing short of miraculous to the changeling. The flavors and the aromas were just beyond what she had ever thought was possible from food. As she thought to herself she now believed why the changelings never ate anything beyond simple fruits and vegetables when they had to. If they all knew of such deliciousness they would not want to attack ponies for their love and she had an idea that was her mother's intentions.
They all remained in the café for another hour or so until with was time to head back to Ponyville. They all headed towards the train station having had all their luggage brought to the station by servants of the castle. Ocean Blue had never been on a train before and was both excited and terrified as the same time. This fear grew when the train made its initial lurch as it left the station. The sensation in the changeling's gut caused by the lurch only added to the fear and anxiety she was already feeling. This caused her to front right hoof to accidentally change back to its original form with its black hard shelled exterior and holes in the hoof. Ocean Blue quickly noticed the issue and returned the hoof back to its "pony" form. Twilight was just turning her head to look over out the windows on Ocean Blue's side of the train when she could have sworn she saw something. If she did not know better she saw a changeling's hoof right where Ocean blue was sitting and could have sworn she saw the green glow from the disguise being replaced.
Twilight stared at Ocean for a little while longer thinking about how she still had that feeling in her own gut about this pony. She thought about how the Princesses were treating her and acting around her, the entire situation just not sitting right. And now she sees what she now knew with every fiber of her being as a changeling leg. Twilight was prepared to say something when Pinkie Pie moved from her seat and sat down next to Ocean Blue.
"So what kind of cake do you like? Oh! What is your favorite color? Do you like punch? Or apple sider?" Pinkie began to ask.
Twilight pushed the thought aside and continued enjoying the train ride back home while Ocean Blue answered all of Pinkie Pie's questions to the best of her abilities.
The rest of the train ride was otherwise uneventful with Pinkie now knowing everything she needed to throw Ocean Blue a proper "Welcome to Ponyville" party. Twilight's mind was preoccupied from talking with the other girls reflecting on the beauty and wonder of the wedding between her Brother and Cadence and how silly Twilight had been in the beginning worrying about her BBBFF not properly telling her about the wedding.
When the train arrived in Ponyville, the lurch and shudder of the train as it came to a stop still gave Ocean Blue an unsettling feeling in her stomach and it seemed that Fluttershy noticed this as she was passing down the aisle.
"Is someone a little motion sick?" she asked in a tender and kind voice.
"I am guess so; my stomach does not feel good." Ocean Blue replied.
"Maybe it was all of that food you stuffed into yourself; I don't think I have ever seen anyone enjoy their food as much as you did back at the café." Rainbow Dash said jokingly.
Ocean Blue blushed a little at this while Rainbow Dash continued her way to the front of the train. Fluttershy remained by Ocean Blue to make sure she was OK.
"Thanks for helping me." Ocean Blue said.
"Of course, that is what friends do." Fluttershy responded.
That made Ocean Blue very happy to hear that she actually has a real friend.
"Um… could you… could you possibly help me find the hotel I was going to be staying at? If it t is no problem." Ocean Blue said in nearly a mirror image of how Fluttershy herself usually acts.
"I would love to. Come, let's get our things and we will be on our way." Fluttershy replied.