//------------------------------// // An Understanding // Story: Embers of Passion // by Bakmah Genesis //------------------------------// Chrysalis found herself sitting down with the four Alicorns back down at the crystal table in that the mane six normally sat around. Twilight had a stack of parchment almost a foot thick in front of her, a little overkill in her opinion. Celestia glanced at the documents before clearing her throat. “So all agreed that you will stay with Twilight for the first few months of our new… relationship so you can get accustomed to how we do things and so you are exposed to a smaller group of ponies before we try and release you in the streets of Canterlot. For obvious reasons, we want the public to warm up to you first.” “Your announcement will be held next week at the castle.” chimed in Luna. “You are required to attend as a speaker. We recommend you prepare a speech to try and calm the minds of the public of your presence. We also are allowing you to go back to your hive and break the news to them yourself, but under the supervision of one of us.” “We want to wait until things have calmed before you bring the other changelings to Equestria.” said Cadence. “If we immediately bring an entire race into Equestria we would have a witch hunt on our hands. People against our movement would immediately seek them out.” “You are requested to keep your shape shifting to a minimum.” said Twilight. The mare didn’t seem to be making eye contact, but rather eye contact with the wall behind her. “Only shapeshift in emergency situations, to try and maintain trust with the public. How you get your love is up to you as long as it is within reason.” “I see… “ Chrysalis eyeballed the stack of paperwork before turning her gave back to the others at the table. “I don’t hold any actual power aside from making sure my changelings don’t go on a murderous spree?” “For now, yes. If we gave you any actual power, the public would be in outrage due to previous actions made by you.” Celestia pointed to the stack that Twilight brought. “All the paperwork states is what we said and that you are a speaker of the changelings. Your rank of Queen will need to be removed to prevent you being of higher power. Princess will be your current title.” “Nothing ideal but I will accept.” said Chrysalis. The next hour was Twilight officially reading off the documents and Chrysalis becoming rather annoyed by the number of signature points on the document. Finally, the stack was finished, legally binding her to Equestria. After goodbyes were said, Twilight and Chrysalis found themselves alone in the main hall. Neither spoke a word, standing there at the door, occasionally kicking a hoof. Finally, with a sigh, Chrysalis spoke. “So, since we have nothing better to do, is there anything you would like to know about changelings?” As she expected, Twilight’s eyes perked up, gaining that eager glint in her. Chrysalis could only chuckle as she moved over the table, Twilight already summoning a stack of parchment. “Ask away.” “Exactly how does your transformation work? Is it a spell or rather something you are born with?” Chrysalis thought for a minute, breaking down the process in her head before answering. “Kinda both really.” said the former Queen. “By imaging what we want we can change our appearance. I could fill in the holes in my hooves, make my horn straight, etc. But if it was much more, like changing height or gender, I need to use magic to make the change. So when transforming into another pony, it is a two part process. It’s normally easier for us to make our own pony that doesn’t require any drastic changes.” “But what about objects? Is that possible?” “It is, I can change color of it, but the general shape requires magic. It’s a lot more taxing to pull off, and we can’t maintain a transformation when exhausted.” Twilight nodded, her pen scribbling faster than one would think possible. “So how similar is you culture compared to that of a bug, if you don’t mind me asking?” Chrysalis chuckled. “Less than you think. Aside from our appearance, hive like nature, and parasitic dependence on love, we are like other ponies. Except, we are forced to live in caves and makeshift homes to stay hidden. Cultures are similar, desires, mating, etc. We are very ugly ponies, basically.” “So how does your hive like mind work then? I don’t hear you making chittering noises, nor do you have antennae.” “Telepathy. We convey emotions, thoughts, and ideas to each other in brief telepathic communication. Either to a specific changeling, or to multiple. It is how we can make orders without shouting it over a chaotic battlefield, making orders easier to be heard and followed.” “Are all changelings taught how to transform into other ponies and steal love?” “Are all predators taught how to hunt to gather food for themselves? It is the same concept. Love does not give us calories to function, but rather nutrition to keep healthy. It provides a nutrition that we require, but ponies can live without. We need to teach our young how to get it themselves, so they can keep themselves strong.” “Okay, was I the only one being spied on?” Twilight set down her pen, eyeing Chrysalis. The changeling raised and eyebrow, sighing. “No. I have kept a rather specific detail on each of the Princesses. Hobbies, patterns, likes, dislikes, plans, daily business, etc. I can even tell you that Celestia has recently been seeing a doctor due to high blood pressure and has been told to cancel a week worth of court to relax. Other countries do the same, it is not a new thing, just one we don’t like to think about.” “Wait, you mean everything about us? How is that possible? We would have noticed sooner or later!” “Considering I have a changeling that has seen your brother and sister do so very uncouth things in the bedroom personally, I’d say unlikely.” Chrysalis laughed as Twilight turned red. “Changelings are natural spies. We can blend into our environment and gather whatever information we seek. Our victim will not know until it is too late.” Twilight was quiet for a moment, mulling over what she learned. “Okay, what do you know?” Chrysalis grinned. This was a good time for gossip. “Alright. Princess Celestia is a sucker for cake. She eats one with each meal, a slice larger than most would eat. Due to her addiction, she has been super conscious about it going to her flank and I can tell you that it has definitely grown. Luna on the opposite hand is a hardcore gamer. Video Games have basically been her addiction and favorite thing about this time period since she has returned. Now, do you want some dirt about your siblings over in the Crystal Empire?” Twilight, who had been quietly taking the knowledge sheepishly nodded. Chrysalis chuckled. “Cadence isn’t the Princess of Love for her big heart alone. While it is her main expertise, lust is another thing she excels at, and your brother is all for it. The two have a VERY open relationship.” Chrysalis couldn’t help but chuckle as Twilight turned away blushing. They were quiet for a while, just sitting at the table. Chrysalis let out a content sigh. “I never really got to have this sort of freedom. I always had to stay in character, not give in to self-indulgence while in disguise. I never really got to speak my mind as myself, just as someone who is expected to reply in a certain way to not blow my cover.” “Don’t you talk with other changeling’s about these things?” asked Twilight, finally coming down from her embarrassment. “Hardly.” huffed the former Queen. “As their Queen, they have enormous amounts of respect, and in some ways fear, of me. It's like Princess Celestia. If you haven’t been around her personally for enough time, you are afraid of her because you only know her as a ruler, not as a pony. It’s why most ponies are baffled at the informality you two share.” “Because most people are afraid of her.” said Twilight catching on. Chrysalis nodded. “If you ignored the fact I invaded Canterlot, looked past our obvious differences, and just brought it down to another royal being, I am terrifying to the normal pony due to my rank alone. So me having a casual conversation is impossible. If you ask Celestia, Luna, or your sister, they’ll say the same.” “I see. Even a few other ponies have started to become wary of me, just because I’m a princess now.” said Twilight, she had a look on her face of bitter acceptance. “Becoming a princess is a great honor, but it holds severe consequence. That is the double edge on becoming such a massive public figure, one any leader of any country would sympathize with.”