//------------------------------//
// A Talk At Dinner 
// Story: The Changeling King 
// by th3l0stch1ld 
//------------------------------//

	Amor followed Celestia and Luna from the balcony.  After they finished speaking with the crowd outside the castle and leaving them slightly confused, they decided it would be best if they left the citizens to think about having a changeling in the city.
“Princess, do you really think they will be as open as you were about having a changeling in the city?”
“They may not be as willing at first, but over time they will grow to become used to you.”
“And did you mean all of that about me being under security?”
“Some of it, but that was mostly to calm them down.  Yes, you are to stay in the castle until further notice.  No, you are not to be under constant watch unless you prove you need otherwise.”
Amor could feel the love and friendship emanating from the princess.  He wasn’t exactly stealing it, considering Celestia knew what he was, who he was, and was giving it to him willingly, so there was no guilt involved.
“Amor, I know you may not eat like the rest of us, but will you join us for dinner?”
“A changeling still eats, they just survive primarily off of love.  And yes, I would love to join you.”
“Good, I will go inform the cook that there will be a third tonight for dinner, you may explore the castle, if you would like.”
With that, Celestia was off, but Luna stayed behind with Amor.
“So, I can trust you are not planning anything?”
“No, princess.  I’m not evil like you may believe.”
Amor felt it.  Luna wasn’t giving off love, more so was she worried.
“If you say so.  My sister seems to trust you, so I guess I trust you too.”
And just like that, Luna was giving off emotions of calmness.
“Follow me, please.  I will lead you to the dining hall.  I hope you have table manners.”
“Princess, a king must keep his table manners.  It would be a disgrace if my soldiers were to see me eat like a pig.  But my magic is still bound.  Would you be able to at least give me back levitation?”
“Alright, I will notify the guard in the dining hall to release some of your magic.”
Luna led Amor to the dining area of the castle.  It was a long room, and, as expected, had a long table in the center.  The table was a fine wood, covered with a silk table cloth, lined with a golden colored fabric.  There were many chairs set around the table, but only three had set spots.  At the far end of the table, was a large chair lined with gold and cushioned.  This likely belonged to one of the princesses, for there was another at the other end.  Amor was so caught up in looking at the table that he didn’t notice the guard walk up to him.
“Princess Luna told me that I am to release a small amount of your magic.  Stand still.”
The guard’s horn began to buzz and hum, and Amor readied himself for the spell.  Shortly after a small zap made contact with the end of his horn.
“Alright, that should do it.  Try it out, make sure it worked.”
Amor looked at the chair at the corner of the table.  It was smaller than the two throne-like chairs at the head of the table, so it would be easier to move.  While he concentrated, his horn began to hum and glowed the normal changeling green.  The chair slid back, and then back in.
“That will do.  Thank you.”
Amor took his seat at the chair he pulled out.  This was the only one set, so it must be where he was expected to sit, and he could already tell which of the princesses was going to sit in the chair closest to him.  Well, I might as well leave a good first impression.  I guess I’ll be civil at dinner.
Minutes later the two princesses took their seats, and as expected Celestia sat closer to Amor.  She probably has more questions to ask me, he thought.  He was right.  Minutes after the two sat down, dinner was served.  It was a normal vegetarian meal, a large salad and some fruit.  Amor waited to eat.  He was hungry, but he didn’t want to look like a pig, so he waited for the princesses to start before taking a bite.  As they ate, Celestia started asking questions about Amor’s cutie mark.
“So, how rare is it to find a changeling with a cutie mark?”
Luna chimed in.  “Changelings don’t usually have cutie marks?”
“No, sister, none of the ones during the attack, not even the queen, had one.”
Amor finished chewing his bite of food and calmly swallowed before he spoke.
“It is supposedly impossible.  In all of history, I am the first and last.”
“I see.  Do you recall how long ago it appeared?”
Amor thought a moment.  “Maybe, ten years?”
“And what were you doing when it appeared?”
That was something Amor had not thought about for some time, but now that it was brought up, he remembered it clearly.
“Well, it all started a while back, before I was the king of the hive.  Chrysalis’s birth parents had passed away in battle, trying to feed the hive.”
“Chrysalis?”
“Yes, you would know her better as the changeling queen.”
“Ah, go on then.”
“Well, I went looking for her after the burial ceremony, and found her mourning over their graves.  She was alone, weeping for her parents.  After I watched her for some time, I approached her, trying to figure out what to say.  I managed to get her to walk away from the graves and we somehow found ourselves curled up under a tree.  She forgot about her pain, forgot her sorrow, her fear, she forgot about being alone.  She found comfort in being with me.  It wasn’t much later when we got up and I got a glimpse at my flank.  We looked at it for a while, waiting for it to fade away, like they usually do.  But it just stayed there.  It wouldn’t disappear.  It took some time, but I grew used to it, at times I forget it’s there.”
“And you have had it ever since?”
“Yes.”
“I see.  This is very interesting.”
Amor continued eating his meal.  His fork would hover down, stab a small pile in the salad, and calmly float back to his mouth.  He finished moments later and calmly sipped at his water, until it was gone.  He then placed his fork on his plate and sat peacefully.
“Amor, you may go, if you would like.”
“No, not yet.  I would much rather be here than sit alone in my room.”
“Very well.”
Celestia and Luna finished not too long later, and Luna stood up.
“We had dinner quite early today, sister.  It is just about time to raise the moon.  Excuse me please.”
And with that, Amor decided to get some rest, so he headed to bed.