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// Carapace Diem 
// Story: A Canterlot Gala 
// by Gold Meddle 
//------------------------------//

After wiping her hooves, Chrysalis began looking for her last mark. "Isn't this a surprise," she found her almost immediately. "Miss Twilight, what are you doing all alone?"

Twilight rubbed one foreleg against the other. "Remember those secrets you told me to share with the princess? It seems like a few of them were better left unshared."

Chrysalis bit back a smirk. "I'm sorry to hear that, it's a shame how some ponies are stuck in their old ways."

"Of course she's traditional! I just...I thought she'd understand."

"She's no stranger to hurting those close to her."

Twilight put her hoof down. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"I shouldn't say," Chrysalis looked side to side. "This sort of gossip spreads like wildfire."

"I can keep a secret. Is there a private place we can discuss this?"

"My quarters, perchance?"

Twilight's cheeks reddened, but her eyes were filled with resolve. "Lead the way!" she squeaked out.

==========

Chrysalis closed the door behind Twilight. "Apologies for the mess, my servants have been swamped with Gala duties."

"It's no problem. If I may ask, what'll you do after tonight, once you get settled in?"

Chrysalis allowed herself a grin. "I've got big plans. After tonight, I'll take on Canterlot. I'll have every pony's love!"

"You must have a great PR campaign planned."

Chrysalis threw a hoof in the direction of a wall-mounted map. "And from Canterlot, the rest of Equestria!"

As Twilight turned to look at the map, Chrysalis prepared to strike. Victory was so close, she could almost feel it.

A bead of sweat formed on her brow. "Does victory usually feel this hot?"

Twilight turned back to her. "What was tha--Princess!"

Whipping her head back with an audible crack, Chrysalis saw Celestia standing in the doorway. "May I ask what you're doing?"

"I was merely comforting the star pupil you so heartlessly spurned," admonished Chrysalis.

"Like a moth to a light," she smirked, "or, rather, a Twi-light."

She froze. "You couldn't possibly..."

Narrowing her eyes, Twilight inspected one of the many bags scattered around the room. "Why is this one empty?"

"Perhaps it's a spare?" Celestia closed in on Chrysalis. "Say, Blueblood, why do you have so many pieces of luggage in the first place?"

Chrysalis did all she could to hold back a hiss. "That's...none of your business."

Twilight's magic glow surrounded one of the other bags. "You wouldn't mind if we looked in a few, right?"

"N--No! Cease! I have a righ--"

Chrysalis's protests were silenced by the zipper's high-pitched shriek.

Celestia let out the breath she was holding.

So did Twilight, in the form of a sigh. "Still looks more comfortable than economy class."