//------------------------------// // Tough Talk // Story: Cupid Chrysalis // by Nightmare Darkness //------------------------------// Chrysalis woke up and her eyes shot open as a small body was pressed up against her. That's right Diamond had stayed her bed. She heard a soft knock at her door as Boren walked in. "Is she still asleep" he asked softly. "What is it." She said evenly. Boren smiled despite the shortness of his queens temper. "Twilight is organizing a search for her." He said pointing a claw to her. Chrysalis waved her hoof and dismissed it. "She is safe send for her and bring her parents." She said and as she said so Diamond tensed. Boren turned and left the room. "Come now Diamond. I know you're awake." She said as Diamond looked up at her. Her black eye looked worse than it did last night since it had time to mature. She lifted her hoof under her chin to appraise the damage. "You will live. Don't worry." Chrysalis said evenly. "My dad is going to be mad I stayed away all night." She said shaking slightly. "Don't worry about your parents. I want you to go with Twilight and get something to eat while I have a civil chat with your parents." She said calmly. Chrysalis stood up and stretched her stiff legs. Her mane was messy and mangled making Diamond laugh. Chrysalis looked down at her and glared making her go quiet. "Smart. Come, we must get ready for the day. One must look their best." Diamond smiled and hopped down from the bed trotting after her. After brushing her mane and cleaning the mud from Diamonds tiara. They considered themselves in the mirror and were satisfied with their looks. Chrysalis used a spell she knew to cover up the black eye as best she could you could still see it but it was far less noticeable. As they walked downstairs Diamond Tiara trailed behind her as heated voices could be heard from her living room office. Twilight was trying to calm them but by the sounds of it she was doing a terrible job. "Please Filthy Rich, Sparkling Gem I don't know why Highness Heartstrings has asked us to come but maybe she's seen Diamond Tiara." Twilight said hopefully. "Ah yes this Highness Heartstrings who moved in not to long ago claiming to be a counsellor. I do not have time to have idol chat with some pony when my little filly could be out there all alone." Filthy Rich said hostily. "Oh she is quite safe. No thanks to your own actions no doubt." Chrysalis said walking into the room. "Excuse me! How rude are you to...to!" He was about to go onto a rant but she raised her hoof decisively making him stop as Diamond walked out from behind her. "Diamond dear where have you been we have been so worried!" Sparkling Gem said woefully brimming with tears. She went and hugged her. "I'm sorry mom." She said as she looked up at her father who scowled then smiled looking up at Chrysalis. "You dare foulnap my daughter!" He accused. There was a lot of things chrysalis can endure. Being talked down to was not one of them. "You silence your muzzle you cur!" Everypony looked at her surprised. "I gave this filly shelter when she was alone and afraid no thanks to your own hooves." She growled. She called herself then looked to Twilight. "I would like it if Twilight took responsibilities for Diamond Tiara this morning while I have a civil conversation regarding the precarious situation you as parents find yourself in." She said coldly. "But..I." Twilight was about to say but a stern glare at her from Highness understood she had no say. Twilight approached Diamond and Filthy rich and Sparkling Gem began to follow after them. "I didn't give you two permission to leave." She said coldly making them stop suddenly as Twilight and Diamond left the home. "Take a seat...I insist" she commanded. Both ponies looked at each other and made their way taking a seat on her sofa as she took her place across from them. "I have no idea why you have us sitting here when our daughter." Filthy Rich began but she raised her eyebrow as if to say 'i gave you permission to speak? I didn't think i did.' silencing him. "Now I am going to be so bold as to say your relationship is strained correct." She said removing the edge from her voice. Sparkling Gem eyes darted around and Filthy crossed his forehooves. Chrysalis simply waited till Sparkling Gem flooded forth. "He never let's me do anything! All I do is cook and clean and be the housewife. I can't stand being cooped up. I want to go out but he's always working..." "Its not my fault that I have to put food on the table! You and Diamond both get angry with me for not being around enough but I'm home every night I don't get you!" He rebuddled angrily. "Well if you spent more time with our daughter she wouldn't be so angry and bitter all the time! You know how many calls I receive because she and her friend silver spoon about bullying! 5...5 calls in the last two weeks!" She exclaimed. Filthy Rich grumbled and lashed out again. "Well if she's causing problems its because her mother is not teaching her properly!" He finished lifting his hoof and bringing it down on Chrysalis's coffee table making Sparkling Gem flinch. Chrysalis surveyed the situation and cleared her throat getting their attention. "I see you both have deep rooting feelings and I can see the reasoning of both of you but the fact you're so hostile towards one another you both forget that Diamond Tiara is hearing every word...she is most likely lashing out to get attention as its typical of a young filly. Both of you are in deep right now and I suggest you don't see each other for a short period. You two need to clear the air." She said lifting a clipboard and began to write notes and lowered them to look over it at them. "If you two don't love each other I wish not to get involved when it comes to taking Diamond Tiara away. But if she is bruised and beaten I will take steps to remove her from your abusive custody." She said frowning. Filthy Rich looked at Chrysalis with a look of shock and seething anger. "What gives you the right to just barge into our affairs!" He exclaimed. Chrysalis fully lowered her clipboard and stood up glaring at him. "The fact you beat your daughter is one...and I'm sorry to say if you kept that up no amount of money you make will save you from the law of the equestrian government..." She growled making Filthy Rich gulp and humble himself. "Now where you each stay while during this period?" She said sitting down. Sparkling Gem looked to him and then her. "I can stay with my mother and father. They are in a place by the river..." She said quietly. Filthy Rich's eyes went wide as sparkling gem stood up with wet eyes. "Good and after a month I hope you two can begin to date again." They looked at her surprised. "Do you think I'm telling you its over? I can't say that...you both loved each other once upon a time you both simply have gotten lost and need to find your bearings. It's sometimes easier when you are by yourselves. I will put you both down for one on one sessions with me weekly. If you don't come that's up to you but I'm here to help fix your relationship as well as help you be better parents to a special young filly. She idolizes you Filthy Rich..." She smiled warmly and turned to Sparkling Gem. "She loves you both very much and I want to see you both get along not because of her but because you want to. A house full of love is a far better than one clouded by resentment and anger." She said sighing. Filthy Rich stood up and faced Sparkling Gem as his eyes misted over and he embraced her. "I'm sorry..." "Me too.." Sparkling agreed. "Diamond can stay with Sparkling Gem for the first week and then she can go with Filthy Rich the next and so on. This is only temporary unless you both desire something else." She said standing. "Boren!" He sauntered out of the kitchen looking at her. "Yes Highness?" He asked "Get them in the schedule for weekly sessions." She ordered and he nodded. "Please come this way." And the two ponies left as Boren put them into the book and like clockwork Twilight knocked and opened the door Diamond Tiara beside her. Sparkling Gem smiled as Diamond approached. "How was Breakfast hun?" She asked. "Oh it was good. Twilight Sparkle knows a lot...about like everything but boys..." She said matter of factly. Filthy Rich chuckled as Twilight blushed with embarrassment. Filthy Rich lowered himself to Diamond Tiara who looked at him with a hint of fear. Filthy's look spoke volumes of guilt. "Honey I'm sorry. Can you forgive me for being such a dolt?" He said meekly. Diamond smiled weakly and nuzzled her father. "Ill forgive you only if you spent time with me more." She said. He smiled . "Deal." He said. When they finally left Chrysalis began to go through the letters from her changeling's in trottingham, Vanhoover, las Pegasus, manehatten and several others all seemed to be going smoothly with not many problems mainly with finding places to stay. But with letters with gold and orders they were easily rectified. As anything her day was stressful but she finished it with a great relief. Then as she was about to head to bed a knock on her door stopped her. "Oh for the love of darkness..." She walked up and opened the door and standing there was the oddest sight. "Can I help you....rainbow dash." She asked. "Ah no just was wondering if you have time to talk about you know...aww never mind!" She said shrilly and like a kid refusing to eat Brussels sprouts and taking off leaving a trail of rainbow behind her. But a single fluttering photo drifting in the air behind her floated to the ground and catching with her magic it was a photo of her with a blue Stallion smiling sitting at a table Rainbow beside him. A name tag in front of him said Soarin. Chrysalis smiled looking up after Rainbow. "So the tomboy has a crush..."