//------------------------------// // Chapter 9 // Story: Idyllic Interludes // by lollipopchica //------------------------------// “So we’re meeting your sister?” “Yes… There are things that need to be taken care of as far as my mother’s estate is concerned.” The mare had woken up to a telegram requesting her presence at a local hotel. It seemed her sister was in town wanting to settle some old family debts as well as dividing the matriarch’s estate. Chrysalis had not wanted to go alone. “Oh… And you’re sure it’s okay for me to come? I mean it feels like I’m invading…” The two were on their way now. “Nonsense. I trust you…” She stopped walking to look him in the eye. “I need you here with me,” She admitted shyly. “I don’t think I can do this alone anymore.” Eyes that usually held such confidence were tired and vulnerable. The two stared at each other as her words hung in the air between them drawing them closer to the other. Shining Armor wanted to lean in and kiss her, and by the look of anxiousness on her coal colored features he could tell she wanted him to, too. But now was not the time or place. “Okay,” He swallowed willing himself to be the friend she needed and not give into his more ardent desires. Chrysalis gave him a strained smile in response. “And you don’t have to be alone as long as I can help it.” Her disappointment at not being kissed faded away as his words touched her heart. “Okay, let’s go.” The two finally made it to the café of the hotel Chrysalis’ sister stayed in. He immediately picked the older sibling out of the crowd. The two favored greatly. It seemed aloofness ran in the family as the older held herself with a confidence that made him feel self-conscious. “Chrysalis…” Odonata greeted in a voice that wasn’t as rich as her sister’s but was just as entrancing and unique as she stood to greet them. If she looked surprised by her sister’s plus one, she didn’t show it. “Odonata.” Chrysalis returned as they kissed each other’s cheeks out of habit. “You look well.” Odo observed. “So do you.” “This is my friend Shining Armor. I hope you don’t mind.” “Of course not,” Odonata smiled genially at the stallion who returned a timid smile of his own. He sat between the two mares who were seated across from each other. The two favored, but where Chrysalis was all coquettish, there was a refined kind of strength to her sister’s build. She was a bit more masculine but her looks were as classical as ever. Her hair was a much darker hue of teal while her eyes were a clear cool turquoise. “About the funeral, she didn’t want to interrupt your life with it. That’s why you weren’t invited.” Odonata said the words nonchalantly despite their cutting nature. “Excuse me?” Came Chrysalis’ offended tone. “She was my mother, what do you mean she didn’t want to interrupt my life?” Shining Armor just looked between the two hoping that the actress could keep her temper in check. “Now she’s your mother?” Odo rolled her eyes. “That’s rich…” He could see that scathing observation ran in the family as well. “Are you serious?” “Chryssie, you cut us out your life… what were we supposed to think?” “I cut her out?! She disowned me!” “You dropped her name for heaven’s sake.” Their voices rose with each reply and before long both ponies were leaning over the table glaring at the other. Shining Armor loudly cleared his throat prompting both parties to look at him with stony faces before ultimately ignoring him. “Don’t play the hurt family card. If I meant that much to the two of you you could’ve at least tried to contact me!” “She did! She sent you letter after letter and you never once wrote back! You’ve always been your own pony. If the great Chrystal Heart wants something, she goes out of her way to get it! You never did that with us. So we left you be! She thought you’d come around and forgive her but you wouldn’t! And when she finally took matters into her own hooves you turned her away! Yes she made a mistake, but you wouldn’t let her fix it!” Odonata couldn’t help but think how childish the two of them sounded to the wide-eyed stallion sitting between them. Her chest heaved lightly after she’d spoken her piece. It seemed after all these years, her sister still had a knack for getting under her skin. “And what about you? You were supposed to be my big sister.” “Chrystal...” Shining Armor warned her of a potential scene as well as well as trying to calm her behavior. He’d never seen her so wound up before. Chrystal’s response were usually calculated. Today it seemed she was swinging wild. “I was… I am. Dammit Chryssie! We all made mistakes and I’m taking responsibility for my actions. But I’ll be damned if I shoulder all the blame. When you’re ready to meet me halfway, you know where you can find me.” Her sister stood tall as her voice shook with reproach. Odonata knew how her sister ticked and was no longer rising to the bait. “I’m sorry we hurt you, but I lost a mother too and the only thing I want now is my sister.” *-3333-* While the stallion had his own place, it seemed most of his time was spent at Chrystal’s place. As he quietly made his way from the guest room to the kitchen, he looked to the living room to the other sitting and staring at a medium-sized box on her coffee table. “What is it?” He asked more curious than concerned as he grabbed himself a glass of orange juice. The teal haired mare continued to stare at the package in front of her. “My… my sister sent it. It came in the mail this morning.” He swallowed as the words sunk in. The orange juice magically in his grasp remained suspended in the air. “Aren’t you going to open it?” “I don’t know… After that fight that we had I’m not sure I want to.” She chuckled humorlessly. “Your sister made some valid points.” She whipped a glare at him, which he was unfazed by. Shrugging he continued. “You all made mistakes, Chrystal… Maybe it’s time the two of you started looking forward. You’re all the other has now.” She frowned. “What about you?” “Me?” “Do I have you? “Of course. I don’t mind being your knight in shining armor.” He grinned after finally taking a big gulp of orange juice. “Chrysalis…” He tilted his head in confusion as the name came from her mouth. “That’s my birth name. Chrysalis.” He repeated the name tasting the melding of consonants and vowels. “Chrysalis… It suits you.” She took a deep breath and reached for the package with shaky hooves. When she finally opened it her heart broke all over again. The pictures, tickets and clippings… It seemed her mother had kept track of her acting career after all. *-3333-* “So what’s the verdict?” He asked in regards to her and her sister. She eyed him oddly as they continued down the street. “Sorry,” He grinned sheepishly. “I had court this morning….” She nodded with a grin. “Well, we’ve both decided to work on our relationship. She’s moving to Manehattan…” He was genuinely surprised. “And… so am I.” He stopped walking. “What about your work in Las Pegasus?” “What about it? I think this city could benefit from my charm.” Her expression was playful before she sobered. “And maybe we… maybe we could try again.” Her expression was uncharacteristically shy as she stood in front of him. “I thought that with all the time we’ve bee-“ before she could finish her statement he’d cut her off with a play of lips that contoured perfectly to her own. The electricity that ran through her system was an interesting contrast to the light-headedness that made her swoon as she leaned into the stallion greatly accepting his affection. Slowly, the kiss drew to an end and Chrysalis felt her face flush as her mind struggled to concentrate after such an experience. “I thought the stallion was supposed to ask…” He breathed in the space between them after they’d broken a part for air. "O-okay," She stuttered with his logic. This wasn’t her first kiss, but man did it feel like it. He laughed as it was rare to see her so speechless. He continued walking forcing her to keep up. "I'm leaving next week," he said seriously. "Oh." Was that disappointment he heard, he thought with a smile. "Why?" She asked after a while. "They've asked me to help out with a case." She nodded and stared at him with a big grin of her own. "I'll be here waiting for you." *-3333-* Rarity, You’ve been an amazing assistant and an even better friend to me. I know sometimes it may seem like I take you for granted, but I promise I see what you do for me. Enjoy this two week vacation- you’ve more than earned it! Also, expect a raise when you’ve returned. You truly are the best at what you do and I am forever grateful for your talent. -Chrystal So far Mawaii had been amazing. Chrystal had really hooked her up this time putting her in a beautiful hotel with the perfect view of the beach. She even paid for her to bring along her most trusted friends and boyfriend. Now if only Twilight could chill out… “I can’t believe your boss is dating my brother?!” “Honestly, Twilight your brother’s an adult and I think he’s capable of making his own decisions.” “Like the decision he made to join the police force after he promised us he wouldn’t risk his life anymore?” A sigh. Why oh why did she have to mention her boss’ name? “Look, the only thing Chrystal did was hand his application to the Chief of Police, your brother did everything else.” “Why are you defending her?” Twilight exclaimed unbelieving. “Why are you trying to tear her down?” Was Rarity’s amused reply. “You complain about her every time I see you…” Twilight threw her hooves in the air before plopping back down in her lounge. “Even Spike says she’s scary!” “Twilight who doesn’t complain about their boss?” The lavender colored mare opened her mouth. “And you don’t count.” Rarity deadpanned. “You worship yours. She’s ambitious, so what? You are too. Chrystal really isn’t that bad. You’re just upset that he’s with her instead of Cadance, who turned him down by the way.” “Rarity…” “Twilight…” The unicorn groaned in exasperation. “Let it go. I want to enjoy my vacation with my friends not plot against my boss. If I were you, I’d leave it alone before you do something you’ll regret. Besides she paid for everything- including you. Who looks a gift pony in the mouth?” “Here you go, Rare.” Spike had returned with drinks in hand. *-3333-* “Sunstreaker, what are you doing?!” Rainbow Dash groaned as she watched one of her favorites drop down two places. This year’s semi-final’s for the Sugar Bowl cup was hosted by the island of Mawaii. A former champion herself, it was no surprise to anypony that Rainbow Dash was going to be there. Racing had been a challenge the mare had accepted, conquered and moved on from. Despite her current job, she still had great love for the sport and there was no way she wasn’t going to attend and not bring her best friends along for the ride. The group had frontline seats of the action and everypony had been enjoying themselves thus far. “Rainbow Dash… did you know my brother and your ‘client’ are dating?” Until now that is. Rarity and Spike traded glances before rolling their eyes. Twilight could be such a meddler, the duo thought to themselves somewhat annoyed by their friend’s behavior. “Let’s go find Applejack,” Rarity whispered to her beau. “Yea…” The two stood and quietly slipped away confident that they’d find the store owner at the bar. “Yea… yea… You can take him Sunstreaker!”Rainbow Dash screamed only half listening to the other mare. “Go supersonic! It’s one of the best things she could do for herself.” “What do you mean?” Twilight leaned forward with wide eyes. “Now that’s what I’m talking about!” “Rainbow Dash!” Twilight groaned annoyed with the lack of attention to what she thought was a pressing matter. The pegasus groaned in annoyance. “Image-wise, he can only make her look good. Manehattan likes their mares youthful and committed.” Maroon eyes never left the track. “Boring… Plus he’s a better look than those other guys she openly dated. It always ended horribly and publically… Especially that one time with that director who turned out to be a polygamist.” Rainbow Dash made a face at the thought of the arrogant stallion her client had dated earlier on. “What?! So she’s using him?” Twilight shook her head. “Unbelievable…” “Watch out, they’re trying to double team! I wish she’d go public with this one... Twilight? Where’d she- Holy cow!” She exclaimed to the pony beside her. “Did you see that?! Go Sunstreaker!” If Chrystal thought she could get away with using her brother, she had another thing coming. If there was one thing Twilight Sparkle couldn't stand, it was a liar. She remembered when her brother initially told her how vain and arrogant the mare was. Twilight tried to give the mare the benefit of doubt but when her brother joined the city's police force at 'her' urging, she knew the other had way too much power over him. As soon as they got back to the mainland Twilight would be sure to make the other sorry.