A short white unicorn mare crept out of the trees "It is you!" She exclaimed running towards the alicorn and pulling her hoof into a tight embrace. She had faint freckles and brown stripes all over her body with a curly brown mane.
The mare looked to Chrysalis allowing the changeling a glance at her unnatural eyes. The pupils were star shaped and her iris was a gorgeous golden amber color. Nightmare gave her a nod "I have returned, North Star" She assured.
The mare gave her glare "I should kick your flank back to the moon!" She snarled "How could you just leave! No note! No anything!"
Nightmare looked genuinely nervous "It was a split second decision. I wasn't thinking, Forgive me" She pleaded with North Star.
Chrysalis chuckled at the exchange wiping her tears as they argued back and forth. The two snapped their heads towards her. North Star narrowed her eyes at Nightmare "I don't approve of you bringing your marefriend into my house"
Nightmare and Chrysalis choked on spit as their attention was captured by this bold little mare.
"Marefriend!"
"North Star!"
The two exclaimed at the same time making the mare grin sadistically. "You didn't say no..." She said in a sing-song voice effectively shutting the mares up.
"NO!" They yelled attempting to make up for the lack of disagreement.
The mare chuckled and walked away followed reluctantly by Nightmare and Chrysalis. "You are an interesting filly" The changeling commented making the mare glare a her.
"I'm 26 years old!"
"How was I suppose to know? Not my fault, you're bite-sized"
"TAKE THAT BACK YOU.... YOU...." The mare screamed out in frustration making Chrysalis smirk. Nightmare just shook her head with a slight sliver of amusement gleaming in her eyes "Come on, Chrysalis... Talking about a young mare's height. For shame" She chuckled giving North a sympathetic smile.
The changeling and the unicorn continued their back and forth bickering until they happened upon a small wooden cottage under a tree. "Welcome to my humble abode" North said opening the door.
The house was very warm in the inside much to Chrysalis' tastes as she sat on her couch. Nightmare respectfully took off her metal hoof guards and helmet before joining Chrysalis on the couch.
"So how did you meet?" Chrysalis asked taking in this new side of Nightmare.
"Well... She found me in the Castle of the Two Sisters and let me live here"
"That's it?"
"Pretty much."
Chrysalis fell silent after that. After a few moments of awkward silence, North walked into the room. "Trouble in paradise?" She asked smugly. Nightmare rolled her eyes "Really..."
Chrysalis snickered at her reaction. "You're not that bad, Chrysalis" North said with a smile. Chrysalis smiled back "Neither are you little filly"
Nightmare snorted as North's glare doubled in intensity.
"Anyway, I made food" North grumbled walking into the kitchen and bringing out 3 bowls with her magic. Chrysalis raised the spoon with her magic and brought the contents of the bowl to her lips. Nightmare smiled at her "Delicious as always, North" She praised making the mare blush and look to Chrysalis.
"It's good" Chrysalis praised with a small smile.
North smiled doing a little dance in victory "It's a new recipe of potato stew with daisy leaves and bit of drenched lettuce leaves" She explained.
Nightmare nodded silently thinking about the ingredients "Interesting combination" She whispered. Chrysalis nodded in agreement. "Hey North. What is your special talent" She said looking at her cutie-mark which was just an arrow pointing up.
"I can point anyone in the right direction whether it's an actual direction or just advice. I actually can't control my special talent like most ponies, it just happens at random" She said sheepishly. Chrysalis nodded slowly taking in this information.
"So like when you point them in the right direction.... Wow, your cutie-mark is confusing" Chrysalis stated holding her head. North laughed "I agree. I can tell ponies what direction to go or just how to work out relationship issues. Whatever is plaguing them at the moment" She said getting up and walking to the kitchen to make some tea.
Nightmare finally put down her empty bowl "Her cutie-mark can be a bit iffy" She said with a knowing smile "And just because her cutie-mark points you in that direction doesn't mean it will be what you end out with."
Chrysalis nodded in thought adding that to her mental pile of information. North returned with 3 cups of tea passing them to their respective owners. Nightmare sipped hers silently letting out a small hum of appreciation.
"She seems more like the type to be reading a book while chatting with nobles" Chrysalis whispered to North.
"I mean she was a princess from what I've heard" She whispered back. Nightmare's ears twitched slightly towards them but soon returned to their original positions.
Chrysalis nodded taking the new information into consideration. She really didn't know anything about Nightmare besides her name but it felt as if they've been best friends for months already. 'Friends' the changeling mentally scoffed at the idea 'It would be nice...'. Chrysalis glanced up at the alicorn catching her attention.
"What's wrong?" Nightmare questioned.
Chrysalis shook her head quickly "Just thinking about... Stuff" She muttered.
"I assume that I'm apart of this 'stuff' that you're thinking about"
Chrysalis nodded slowly taking a huge gulp of tea. North looked back and forth between the two and nudged Chrysalis "You won't get anywhere by keeping silent. She's quiet so talk to her." She whispered in her ear. Chrysalis opened her mouth in opposition but closed it as she realized the mare was right.
"I was just wondering if we are friends"
"I'd like to think of you as a companion, yes but that is up to you"
"I... Just realized I don't know much about you"
Nightmare placed her tea cup on the coffee table and looked at her "What do you wish to know" She asked.
Chrysalis began to mentally scream at herself for bringing it up. Her eyes darted around like a cornered animal only to be consoled by a gentle striped hoof on her back. Chrysalis struggled for a conversation topic as her eyes suddenly landed on the tea cup.
"What kind of tea do you like?"
"I prefer tea leaves from a Night Berry tree. They have quite the cooling capabilities similar to mint but a sweet scent and flavor. You?"
"I guess, I would have to say Oolong. I grew up with it but I don't know many other tea types"
North sat awkwardly as they began an intense conversation about Oolong tea. North could only keep up with so much since they were way older but she had her occasional inputs.
After a while, Chrysalis let out a small yawn and rubbed her eyes with a hoof. "I believe it is time for all of us to sleep" Nightmare suggested grabbing the tea cups and setting them in the kitchen with her magic. North stretched as she stood up "I've never had such an intense tea conversation in my life" She groaned.
Nightmare chuckled straightening up the couch before walking outside "I'll be back" She called to North who hummed in response. Chrysalis' ears twitched as the door closed. 'This can be your chance to learn about Nightmare' She thought to herself as she snuck out after her.
The moon was still in the sky beginning to set after a long night. Chrysalis looked all over but found no sign of the familiar black alicorn. The changeling huffed and began walking back when she caught sight of the river and what she found was breathtaking.
Nightmare was absolutely glowing with moonlight as her lavender mane glimmered with dim stars. She was like an elegant black swan as she spread her wings and began preening them. Chrysalis could feel her face heating up at the sight for some reason.
Chrysalis began to step closer and unknowingly startled a bird making the alicorn's sapphire eyes snap towards her.