//------------------------------//
// Café Conversation 
// Story: Wedding of Deception 
// by Shadowed Rainbow 
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Both Chrysalis and Metamorphosis very quickly realized the café outing was a very bad idea.  But there was no way either of them were going to show it for risk of blowing their cover.  

"So," the mare who appeared to be Cadance said as she put her hooves on the table.  "Tell me, dear, how have things been for you?" 

The changeling king told himself to be calm and informal, trying not to slip into his usual commanding demeanor.  This isn't a combat meeting, this is a casual conversation with my supposed-to-be-fiancé.  He forced his facial expression into as kind a smile as he could, a gesture that he hadn't harbored toward anyone in a long time.  "Very well, Cadance—" 

"What about that threat that was made to the city?". 'Cadance's' eyes looked unusually intrigued, briefly harboring a glint of irritation that was so quick it was almost unnoticeable.  "Any news on that?"  Her gaze became soft, almost flirtatious.  This better be the right course of action.  "You are the Captain of the Guard, after all, my dearest Shining."

'Dearest Shining'?  Chrysalis had to resist the temptation to facehoof the moment the words left her mouth.  That had been a bit too much of a flirtatious demeanor, likely overstepping the boundaries.  What if Cadance didn't speak in that flirty sort of tone to her lover?  What if he'd notice something was up?  After all, as much as she hated to admit it, she had next to no idea how Cadance normally acted.  She just had to hope that she was good at sensing Shining's emotions and what would be the proper way to respond.

Not to mention the fact that I couldn't feel love energy from him is a bit... unsettling, she thought, trying to prevent her puzzled emotions from manifesting on her face.  Does he really love her after all?

Much to her relief, however, her date didn't seem to notice anything different about his bride-to-be, so she assured herself that the turn of phrase had been the correct one to use.  Makes things easier for me.

"From what we can tell, the perimeter is secure," Metamorphosis affirmed with his head held in what seemed to be a position that was both gentle and authoritative. As long as no one in my squadron is incompetent and ruins it.

"Seems like somepony has his mind on his job today," joked a voice, causing the two seated imposters to glance at the speaker.  He was a pale blue unicorn who had arrived with drinks for the pair, his golden eyes harboring a humored twinkle.  "Work must be really getting to you, huh?" 

"Uh, yeah," Metamorphosis mumbled.

"Well, I'm sure a little lunch will cheer you up," the waiter said kindly.  "What do you two want?"

"Just a plain sandwich and hay fries for me, thanks," Chrysalis said quickly.  Metamorphosis affirmed his agreement.

"Coming right up!" the waiter said as he left, glancing at the pair to be wed.

An expression of puzzlement crossed Chrysalis's face as well.  If this stallion's reaction was anything to go by, this wasn't a normal day-to-day manner for Shining.  She decided to play along and run with it.  "Are you sure you're alright, dear?  You seem off today." 

Metamorphosis resisted the urge to slap his hoof to his forehead in suppressed frustration.  Oh Circe, this is awkward.  He hated feeling awkward, any kind of awkward, whether playing it cool or nervous babbling.  Though he hated to admit it, he had come close to having moments like those, long ago, in his younger years.  But those were behind him, and he wanted them to stay that way.  Even so, he reluctantly knew that he had to bring some of those old mannerisms to the surface.  It seemed the kind of thing that Shining Armor would do.

Chrysalis, though she was attempting to hide it, had her own struggles.  This sappy lovey-dovey stuff was almost nauseating to her.  Her somewhat domineering persona was difficult to be rid of—she hadn't been associated with that sort of casual romantic stuff for years.  Back when romance had actually been an active aspect of her life...

The memories she did have—the later ones, especially—were too painful to look back on.  And now they were being brought to the surface again, and she had to act the part.  For several days.  Circe's wings this would be a long week. 

Breaking out of their thoughts, the two noticed that their waiter was glancing at them with a curious expression, clearly seeing the internal dilemma on their faces.  "Are you two alright?"

"Could you stop eavesdropping on us, please?" Chrysalis snapped a little more harshly than she meant to as she gave the waiter an irritated glare with her bright pink eyes.  "My fiancé and I are trying to have a decent conversation!" 

"O-Of course, I'm sorry."  The waiter hurriedly lay their drinks on the table and backed off, nearly galloping to the next table without looking back.

The pair looked at each other with slight unease.

Metamorphosis frowned, easily noting the alicorn's irritation.  "Are you alright?"

Chrysalis finally took a deep, calming breath.  "It's the wedding," she quickly said, figuring that to be safe-enough answer.  "This needs to be perfect, and so many things could go wrong."  It was only directly afterward that she realized she had expressed exactly what she herself thought, just not about what Shining would suspect.

"Don't worry," Metamorphosis said, placing his hooves on hers and gave her a gentle grin.  "A few more days and everything will go fine."

It'd better.  Both changelings were thinking the very same thing.

Chrysalis cleared her throat.  "You seem, um, irritated as well, dear," she said, genuinely curious.  "What's wrong?"

"The threat that's been made against Canterlot."  Metamorphosis was relieved that he could come up with an answer so quickly, one that was true.  

"So it really is getting to you," Chrysalis said, with a tone that clearly said "I knew it."

"I just want the wedding to go perfectly, just like you."

Chrysalis decided to have fun with this turn of phrase, letting a bit of the mannerisms of her younger days show.  "Oh, you're saying I'm perfect?". She smiled.  "I never realized you felt so highly of me!"

An unwilling blush crossed Metamorphosis's face.  Oh Circe, am I blushing?  I'm blushing?!  No, snap out of that... "That's not what I meant," Metamorphosis replied.  His eyes suddenly widened at his possible mistake as his hooves hooked around hers.  Mistake after mistake, this wasn't like him.  "I mean, well, you're wonderful, but, no... nopony's perfect."

The changeling king scolded himself to no end as he realized he had been one second away from saying "no changeling's perfect".

"True," Chrysalis agreed, not seeming to notice her date's near slip-up.  "No one's perfect."

When the waiter brought them their meals (leaving quickly, much to the two's relief), the two of them ate in silence for a time, occasionally stealing glances at one another.  Trying not to show it, they were both perplexed, confused...

And, though they didn't want to admit it, a little sad.  

Stupid memories...