Starlight and Chrysalis walked away from the cafe in a daze. It was Chrysalis who spoke first.
"Did you...?"
"No."
"So. Uh."
"I didn't even remember it was Hearts and Hooves day, I swear!"
"But Trixie wouldn't have had a chance to—"
"I know! Maybe the cafe people just assumed, since we came in together?"
They continued on in silence for a few moments, still processing what had just happened. Starlight finally spoke up again.
"The cake was nice, at least."
"I hate sweets."
"Oh. Uh... sorry."
Chrysalis shrugged.
"It was still nice to be showered in attention. Felt like being queen again, for a moment."
There was an undercurrent of sadness in Chrysalis' voice that stabbed at Starlight. She knew exactly what it meant to lose a position of authority and be cast out. Even the misplaced attention of a 'new lovers special' at the cafe would be a welcome respite from months or years in hiding.
The sensation gnawed at Starlight until she started speaking without thinking.
"I know the plan was to just... get coffee, get food, and then try to hunt down whatever bonded us, or at least head our separate ways, but, you don't have to leave if you don't want to."
Chrysalis looked over at her with a raised eyebrow.
"What are you saying?"
"I mean... if you want to stick around, use one of the guest beds in the castle, I, uh... I'd be fine with it. Pretty sure I could convince Twilight."
"You do realize I still intend to get my revenge for—"
"I don't want you living out in the woods."
Chrysalis grimaced and looked away at that. Starlight, for her part, had alarm bells and 'YOU ARE BEING AN IDIOT' alerts going off in her head, but ignored all of it.
"When we first met, I offered to help you. That offer hasn't changed. I never wanted any of that for you. The suffering and all. I wanted to help you skip it. And I'd still like to help."
Chrysalis whirled on her to object, but Starlight jammed her hoof in Chrysalis' mouth before she could speak.
"I know you don't want my pity. It's not pity. I just don't want you sleeping in the woods. Period. You have a warm bed if you want it. Decent food, a shower, maybe some people to actually talk to. I'm saying these things are available. Take them if you want them. Don't read anything into it."
Starlight looked away and began trotting off towards the castle again, growling to herself and trying desperately to shut up the 'She's going to destroy everything' voice in her head.
After half a minute, Chrysalis had caught up to her. The two walked in silence for a time, and Starlight knew that Chrysalis had to be trying to rationalize her decision. When they neared the castle, Chrysalis finally began to speak.
"I have decided to take what you offer, pony. If you rightly recognize what I am owed—"
"Stop. I don't owe you anything. I just don't want to see you hurting when I can do something about it. I know it's hard for you to accept help from someone else, but look at this way; you're down on your luck. Someone has decided to help out. Just don't think of it more than that. This isn't about your failures or successes; it's not like being a great leader could prevent an earthquake from tearing your home apart. Bad things happen. Adapt."
Chrysalis glared at her through most of her speech, but chewed it over in silence. After another minute, she finally nodded.
"Fine. I... hm. Thank you, Starlight."
"... Thank you for accepting."
"Did it really bother you so much to think of me in distress?"
"Well... I can't say I gave you no reason for revenge. I had a hoof in putting you where you are now. I just wanted my friends back; I never intended to hurt anypony. It just... well, I seem to hurt others a lot without meaning to. Something I'm working on."
"And it's been on your mind since."
"Of course! I wondered where you were, what you were doing, whether or not you had even survived on your own... that was the one relieving aspect of us suddenly being bonded. At least I knew you weren't in dire straits."
Chrysalis thought back to some of her more harrowing days in the Everfree Forest. "It certainly wasn't easy getting by."
Starlight, for her part, thought of days spent evading authorities, spying on Twilight, and living on scraps. "Yeah... I can imagine."
The two of them proceeded into the castle, and took seats in the foyer near a fireplace. Chrysalis seemed contemplative a while before speaking back up.
"You wanted revenge on Twilight Sparkle. What changed?"
Starlight groaned, rubbing her head.
"I guess she did the same thing for me I'm trying to do for you. She gave me a shot at something better. I know saying that makes it sound like I want to 'reform' you or whatever—"
Chrysalis waved a hoof dismissively. "No, I understand. Your behavior has made it clear to me what your thinking is on this."
Starlight paused at that, totally uncertain of how to process Chrysalis being understanding.
"Oh. Uhh... good. Good."
"Don't be so surprised. I know when somepony's trying to manipulate me; this whole time, you've been trying to cut away deception, not engage in it."
"... so... you're saying you trust me."
Chrysalis leaned back in her chair with a huff.
"Don't get too excited. But... I suppose the term fits. If I did not trust you, I'd hardly agree to stay here, where you could ambush me at any time."
Starlight considered that. It was true that keeping Chrysalis here was a risk... but it was also a risk to Chrysalis. Arguably even moreso; it would be doubly difficult to scheme or put plans into motion under Twilight's own roof.
"I hadn't even thought about—"
"I know. That's why I'll stay. I—"
Just then, a door to the foyer opened, and Twilight Sparkle trotted inside. She glanced between Starlight and Chrysalis, and smiled broadly at the both of them.
"Hey, Starlight! Who's your new friend?"
Chrysalis did her best to smile, thought it looked distinctly uneasy.
"Hi. I'm Crissy. I'm a friend of Starlight's."
Internally, Starlight applauded Chrysalis' infiltration skills. They avoided so much awkward.
Twilight trotted up, still smiling broadly. "Oh, great! I'm really glad to hear Starlight's made some new friends. I haven't seen you around town; be careful, Pinkie will definitely want to throw you a party when she sees you."
Chrysalis fidgeted in place, nervously glancing between Starlight and Twilight. "Uh... thanks for the warning. I'll keep that in mind."
Twilight nodded, and then looked to Starlight. "Starlight? We've got some school business to chat about, could you come with me real quick? It's a private thing, but don't worry, I'll give her back soon, Crissy."
Starlight followed Twilight out of the room. As she did so, she heard Chrysalis mutter, 'Honestly, how do you put up with that constant niceness?'
Starlight gave a light snort of amusement. As soon as they were out of earshot, Twilight turned to Starlight.
"Tell me honestly; is Chrysalis forcing you to do anything?"
Starlight balked slightly. "How...?"
"I run a school partially populated by changelings. Some of whom are mischievous. And I've had to deal with Chrysalis several times, now. She isn't even in an impressive disguise! She actually almost looks exactly like herself!"
Starlight just nodded.
"So. Is she?"
"No."
Twilight looked Starlight over carefully. "You're being unusually... terse. Can she hear us?"
Starlight considered that, and shook her head, pointing at her own mouth with a hoof.
"Oh, she can just hear you! That's why you borrowed Clover's Tome of Really Annoying Hexes last night! Can you also hear her?"
Starlight rolled her eyes and nodded. Twilight just snickered.
"Well, that's quite a predicament. So, if she's not forcing you to do anything, are you two really trying to be friends?"
Starlight contemplated that for a bit, and nodded. Twilight actually stood up on her hind hooves and clapped them together, much to Starlight's surprise.
"Oh, Starlight! That's so great! Your first nemesis-turned-friend! I'm so proud of you!"
Twilight swept Starlight into a big hug. The entire situation just caused Starlight to blush scarlet. Twilight, meanwhile, ranted on.
"And with Chrysalis! Talk about a tough nut to crack!"
Starlight chewed her lip over, considered that Chrysalis would be able to hear her, and phrased her question carefully.
"Twilight, would you be alright with her staying here? I offered her a room if she wanted one."
Twilight withdrew from the hug and looked Starlight over, eyes still beaming with pride.
"I mean, it's dangerous, but if that's what you think is best, sure! I trust you. And I'll keep an eye on her, too, so you won't regret it. Good luck, Starlight!"
"Thanks, Twilight. Really."
Twilight just nodded, clopped her hooves together excitedly again, and ran off.
And this is why she's the friendship teacher. I did not call that at ALL.