"It is understandable," Static said. "His kind and my kind are ancient enemies. How many of our greatest heroes did you humans slay? Vermithrax, Smaug, countless others. Short lived, but so very vain. Convinced that your kind are meant to rule your world. In your avarice, you forgot your place."
Dragon assumes I am a human from Earth, normal. He should find it interesting to note, I am a Cybernetically Enhanced humanoid.
"So a fancy human then," Static said dismissively. "I apologize for my husband," Nova said through gritted teeth. "He's not usually such a rude jackass."
Static sighed. "Very well. I will try to be civil." He withdrew his head and, moments later, reached in holding a canvas bag the size of a full-grown mare, filled with coins and precious gems. He set the bag next to Nova and stuck his head back in. "Now, on to business. Could I perhaps get a hogshead of ale? And a straw, please."
Dusty tilted his head. "Certainly. Though it... may take a while to fill a container that large. Even with magic."
Static laughed. "Time means little to one as old as I. But I suppose you understand what I am speaking of, correct?" The dragon wasn't certain, but he had a hunch that the Alicorn was much older than he seemed.
"Of course." Dusty opened the cellar and pulled out a very convenient, huge tankard with his magic. "I was merely thinking of the other customers is all."
Windsor waddled over and tapped Dusty on the shoulder, offering to fill the enormous mug. Nova regarded the living barstool with interest, then looked at Dusty questioningly. "That's chaos magic. Extremely rare. Where did it come from?"
Dusty nodded to the stool. He then answered Nova, "Your granddaughter, I believe. His name is Win... err... Windsor." Asmo shook his head. "Not a very complicated name, Midget Horse." "I may be a dwarf, but I'm bigger than you in other ways, Asmodeus, do keep that in mind."
Nova's eyes flashed and an unsettlingly calm smile appeared on her face. "Nightshade... has been dabbling in chaos magic. Interesting." "I have heard rumors of Changeling spies in the Crystal Empire," Static said quickly, changing the subject.
Asmo snickered, changing into a copy of Nova. "Haha! We have been discovered! But will it do you any good?" Dusty rolled his eyes.
Before anypony could process what was happening, Nova was out of her seat and holding a dagger to Asmo's throat. "Changeling! Why are you here?!"
Asmo cackled. "Eating your babies!" Dusty conjured up a barrier between the dagger and Asmo's throat. "He's not a changeling, just a generic abominable shapeshifter." "His blood would melt your dagger," Azrael said, "so for that reason alone I suggest not killing him."
Nova grinned as she put her dagger away. "You are unflappable," she said to Asmo. "Not even a flinch." "And you," she said to Dusty, "are quick. I already knew he wasn't a Changeling, by the way. Just thought I'd have a little fun." Static huffed indignantly at Azrael's comment. "I made that dagger myself! Dragon-forged silver! Completely indestructible!" While he was, in his pride, exaggerating the durability of the weapon, it wasn't a gross exaggeration. Metal forged in the magical breath of a dragon was renowned for being nearly unbreakable.
Azrael shrugged. "Color me wrong. Still, I really would not want that on the floor." Dusty nodded. "One's reflexes tend to increase over the years when living in danger." Asmo laughed, turning back to his original self. "And *squee!* self preservation!"
Nova sat back down and took a swig of wine. "But seriously, though. Changeling spies could be bad news. I hope we don't end up with another war on our hooves."
"And their queen very nearly killed our princess!" Nova snapped back. "Changelings are no joke! Remember what they did to Canterlot? How many were killed or injured before it was over? Hundreds? Thousands?"
