Three hours into the train ride that had been terrible. Chrysalis had gotten almost to the point of losing her cool and snapping at Twilight because of her incessant stream of questions. Applejack constantly kept her eye on Highness as Bolt Shield sat there uncomfortable. She wanted to just have nothing but quiet but that wasn't going to happen. Pinkie Pie was constantly talking about something, Chrysalis had tuned her out an hour in only once and awhile acknowledging her with a nod or a smile. Twilight had begun to read a book about Changelings done by Starswirl the Bearded. She had heard of him but didn't care much more then that. This had seemed to calm down before Applejack looked at Bolt and began to size him up.
“So...Bolt.” she began and Bolt looked at her stiffly as Highness looked at her as she faced the window.
“Yes?” he said inquisitively.
“So you are an overprotective younger brother of your sister right.” she said squinting her eyes in uncertainty.
“Yes, Highness and I are family through marriage. I have been with her for many years.” he elaborated on the made up lie Chrysalis had begun.
“Yea so where are your parents?” she probed.
“Dead.” he said simply which caused her to stop cold for a moment.
“I can understand where you're commin from sugarcube. Mah parents also have passed on.” she said in a moment of surprising revealing. Bolt had lost his parents in a conflict with a skirmish with griffins that much Chrysalis had known. But the Changelings were one large family so losing your birth parents was a sad occasion but able to be bared through because of the support of others.
“I'm sorry to hear that.” Bolt said seemingly to sofen to her. He smiled and looked at Highness then back to Applejack. Highness looked out the window at the passing foliage and countryside.
“But then that is what makes you an element is it not? You do your best and may be a little rough around the edges...but that's because you have to look after your family.” Bolt said seemingly out of nowhere. Highness looked at him and smirked and refocused on the outside of the train.
“Yea thats exactly right.” Applejack said as she was about to say something else Pinkie Pie bounced over. Causing Highness and Bolt to look at her.
“Applejack I need you for something!” Then she looked at Highness Heartstrings.
“Can I borrow your assistant?” she asked. Highness Heartstrings looked at Boren who shook his head vehemently. Highness looked at Pinkie with a smirk.
“Please don't mind me go ahead.” she said and Pinkie grabbed Boren before he could say anything in his own.
“Come on Spike!” She said and Spike grumbled as he followed them as she led them into the next cart and out of sight. Highness wondered what she could be doing but she dismissed it. She instead refocused her attention to Bolt and how he had began to confide in Applejack.
“So Applejack huh?” She said with amused smile. Rarity's ears perked up as she began to listen in.
“You like her?” She said
“It's not like I don't like her.” he said stoically.
“No need to be so stiff Bolt” she said emphasising his name.
“You would have a better time courting an apple tree darling.” Rarity chimed in causing both to look at her. Twilights eyes blinked as she looked up oblivious to the conversation up till now.
“Wait what?” Twilight asked before Rarity hopped down from her seat and found the spot next to Bolt.
“I was just saying when it comes to things like love and relationships with a stallion Applejack is hopeless.” She said with a wave of her hoof.
“Oh gossip is it?” Highness said as she slightly fixed her gaze on the white unicorn.
“Oh yes, I've tried but she is just completely oblivious.” She said.
“And what about you Rarity, Twilight…” she said looking at both of them as she said their names then turned her gaze to Fluttershy.
“Fluttershy.” She finished with a sultry tone.
“Oh um..I...I don't know.” Fluttershy said before Rarity cut in.
“I know my way around relationships.” Rarity said with some pride with almost made Highness burst into laughter.
“Truly?” Highness said letting out a hit of sarcasm that caused Rarity to frown. Twilight looked at Rarity perplexed.
“I thought your only thing was for Prince Blueblood.” She said causing Rarity to flush in anger at the mere mention of his name.
“That primp Prince is all about himself!” She exclaimed.
“What about you Twilight.” Highness asked Twilight reddened slightly but shook her head.
“I'm to busy with the princesses studies and foiling problems that arise from all over Equestria.” she explained.
“I guessed as much, Fluttershy?” Highness's turned her attention to her as Fluttershy made an effort to hide her face in her mane.
“Oh um I….” She mumbled.
“I wonder how you are able to have a conversation with Discord…” Highness said and all of them besides Bolt looked at her slack jawed and shocked. Fluttershy was the first comment quickly.
“How do you know Discord?” She asked. Well she couldn't say because they were old Frenemies.
“He mentioned you is all.” Highness said
“When did he meet you and why?” She asked suddenly more boldened. Chrysalis could taste it, the bloom of budding affection that was in the early stages of something more. Highness Heartstrings smiled and shrugged.
“Not to long ago and who knows why.” She said with a mischievous smile. Fluttershy found her seat again and looked like she was blushing deep in thought. Rarity looked at Highness frowning.
“What do you do again dear?” She asked.
“I am a relationship counselor, some say a love therapist.” She said with a chuckle. Twilight looked up at her.
“Do you know anything about Changelings?” She asked suddenly and Bolt looked at Twilight suddenly suspicious before Highness answered.
“I've heard of them and find them a fascinating species, considering they live off of love.” She said with a nonchalant gesture of her hoof.
“What is your take on them?” Twilight asked.
“Misunderstood.” She said immediately which caught Twilight by surprise.
“How do you believe that dear?” Rarity asked with a quizzical look. Bolt looked at his queen unsure.
“We don't know why they attacked, it could be because of loathing; yes, maybe initially could be because of this but more importantly their food source is love so where do you think love is most abundant? Would you not want the best for your subjects?” Highness said.
“Their “queen” impersonated my brothers wife and nearly took over Canterlot so you should see why I'm skeptical.” Twilight said with a half lidded expression.
“Besides they are hideous to look at.” Rarity said with disgust look at Twilight who looked at her friend agreeing with a grossed out face. That caused the hair on the back of Highnesses neck rise as her eyes flash emerald green with cat like irises before returning to normal. Bolts eyes were the size of pinpricks darting between the two ponies and his Queen who was clearly livid. Highness was about to speak before she was cut off.
“I don't think that's fair. Highness Heartstrings is right we don't know what could be controlling her actions.” Fluttershy interjected causing everypony to look at her and she suddenly closed in on herself.
“You..know...if..it's..ok ..to think like that.” She said quietly. Highness reigned in her emotions before finding her civil voice.
“Fluttershy, I am glad that at least somepony is not so closed minded about other species. I'm sure the griffins also have a colorful past but you don't treat them any different.” Highness said. Twilight looked slightly guilty then as she thought a moment her eyes widened and she looked at Highness with an apology.
“Since you are so good at being neutral how about you accompany us to see the Changeling prisoner. I'm betting you could learn something about love from it.” Twilight said. Highness was speechless for a moment, she had her way in.
“I-I am speechless. I would love to help you. My appointment isn't for a while anyway.” Highness Heartstrings said with a smile. She looked at Fluttershy who looked up at her with a small smile and a nod. Highness returned her smile, maybe she was a good ally to have, she understood why Discord liked her.
Just then Pinkie burst in with Applejack, Rainbow, Spike and Boren. Boren was in a dress and spike was in a tux. Highness was about to ask.
“Don't! Ask!” He said angrily as Rainbow laughed so hard falling over at the look on their faces.
“Twilight are we having a party when we get to the Crystal Empire?” Pinkie asked with a smile. Twilight frowned and shook her head unsure where she was going with this.
“No I don't think so why?” Twilight inquired.
“Well there's a large group of ponies waiting for us as the station.” She said and Highness looked out the window at the beautiful Empire and sure enough the platform was guarded by several guard ponies with Shining Armor and Princess Cadence standing there waiting for the train. Her heart nearly stopped. ‘Oh buck me.’ She thought.