//------------------------------// // Chapter 2 // Story: Sweet Hearts and Princesses // by lollipopchica //------------------------------// *-*-*Six Months Later*-*-* Chrysalis was terrified of the expression on her mother's face as the Queen's icy hues regarded her with apathy. There were changelings standing all around watching the spectacle with greedy expressions on their dark features. "Vive alveare, morietur in alveare," their voices sang as Imaga strode forward with the grace of a seasoned predator. Nothing good would come of this… Nothing good at all. Chrysalis awoke in panic. Shooting up into an upright position, her body was still primed for action. Wild eyes tore around the room in search of a threat. Sighing in relief, the Changeling Princess realized nothing was amidst and she was inside her Canterlot apartment far away from her homeland's mountainous terrain. She flopped back down as her thoughts led her down other avenues. It had been six months since she had run away from home and Chrysalis found that she still didn't know what to make of her situation. She couldn't go back until her mother was better… But her mother would never be better if what she spoke was the truth… So what did that mean for her? What would happen to her species? She tried not to think about it as she readied herself for her chores for the day. The apartment she rented was actually more like a duplex where she rented the top floor. When she had first arrived two months ago, she had not a penny to her name. So in exchange for labor, the old mare she rented from discounted her payments. Six months ago Chrysalis would have balked at the idea, but she had learned some things since then. Before living in Canterlot, the changeling mare lived in the White Tail Woods where she learned the true meaning of rustic living. The first few months had been difficult as Chrysalis was used to living a pampered lifestyle. The climate was different and her body was not used to such intensive labor. But the young filly persevered forcing herself to ignore the life and lives she had abandoned in fear and desperation. After a quick shower and teeth brushing, the mare swallowed the occasional bout of embarrassment that surfaced when she thought of her living arrangements. After tying her scarf about her head, a habit she picked up from country living, she was out the door. 'From riches to rags… Oh, how the mighty have fallen.' With a sigh and an inner monologue, the coal colored pony took her time traversing to the bottom of the floor. The only space she shared with her super was the stairwell. After a few dainty knocks, Madame Moonlight Brass came to the door. "You're late…" Tisked the spectacled mare of turquoise and silver in her high pitched baby voice. "But then again that's nothing new." She rolled her mint colored eyes. "And to think that I let you in my home out of the goodness of my weak old heart." Chrysalis pursed her lips as she stared blankly at the older mare. "Any work for me today Mrs. B?" came her bored tone. The widowed Madame Brass could be so melodramatic. "Just what's here on this list," she smiled sweetly as she handed the younger mare a slip of paper with things scribbled on it. "Don't take too long now. I have a guest tonight." "Bonnie-Bell Blue again, Mrs. B?" Chrysalis asked as her harlequin eyes scanned over the list her landlady had just given her. 'Groceries… Laundry… Delia's… Setup an appointment with Doctor Goldbalm… Pick up some gowns from Jewel's… ' "Ah, ah, ah Chrystal. A proper lady never gossips." Chrysalis snorted as Bonnie-Bell was a bigger gossip than anypony she'd ever met. She even said as much as she gave Madame Brass a look. "So long as I'm not the one spreading it." Sang the mare. As a changeling princess she'd never understood other creatures' fascination with gossip. She knew most of the things her mother knew thanks to the hive mind. It wasn't until she denied her connection that she understood the need to know. But even with her newfound sympathy, Bonnie-Blue Bell took it a bit too far. "Whatever you say, Mrs. B." "Cart's around back," she called jovially after Chrystal's exiting form. With that the dark colored mare set off to complete her chore list for the day. It seemed that her landlady mostly had her running errands. The only thing that actually required skill was laundry. First she'd stopped by the local doctor's office to setup a house call. Chrysalis didn't think her landlady really needed a doctor's appointment, but who was she to judge if Goldbalm wanted to make house calls for his 'favorite' patient. After a trip to the pharmacist, she set off to her next destination- a twenty minute trip across the city. When she arrived to the couture boutique she conversed with the owner about her order before being presented with a gown she dropped off last week as well as a new one the Madame had called in. Half an hour later, Chrysalis found herself at an open food mart in the center of town. Anything sweet that didn't involve apples was a win in her book. The dark colored mare remembered her time in the White Tail Woods where apples and oats were a constant when she took on the disguise of old pony's granddaughter who had run away. The very thought of those abominable foods made her blanch. After grabbing groceries for herself and Madame Brass, Chrysalis' last stop was Delia's Sweet Stop. Despite her small cart being loaded down with the Madame's things, she was ecstatic to be at Delia's. "Chrystal!" Delia welcomed with a bright expression on her face as she greeted her regular. Delia was a light amber colored earth pony with a dark chestnut mane and soft smoky blue eyes. "Do you have an order ready for Madame Brass?" "Sure do, Sugah!" The baker disappeared for about five minutes before returning with a package filled with homemade apple fritters. Chrystal made a face as Delia set the box on the counter laughing at her expression. "Anything else, Sug?" "Strawberry lemonade, please. I haven't had a break all morning." "Brass got you working hard I see." "Don't remind me," Chrysalis groaned as she fiddled around with the coin pouch around her neck. "I still have laundry to do when I get back. Also, can I add a piece of cheesecake to that?" After counting out the appropriate amount of bits, she turned them over to the shop owner who had her lemonade ready on the counter. "Sure thing, I'll have Gil bring it out to you. You know I could always use an extra set of hooves if you're interested. Don't think I've ever seen a unicorn do pony work like you." The Changeling Princess chuckled bitterly as she was struck with a bout of irony. "I wouldn't make any money… I'd be too busy eating up your stock." Delia shook her head amused by her patron's words. "Enjoy your drink. I've got some orders to fill. But lemme know if you change your mind about working here." Chrysalis thanked the earth pony and walked to her usual table out on the patio. After taking a seat and a big sip of her beverage, the mare sighed deeply and closed her eyes for a moment. While it was true that changelings did not eat for the same reasons normal ponies did, they did eat even though it was mostly for pleasure. Chrysalis had never been overly fond of pony food but she did have a major sweet tooth. A weakness she exploited every chance she got. Delia's Sweet Stop made the best sweets in Canterlot and it was safe to say that since she'd been in town she frequented the kind pony's shop often. It was the only thing that made her feel better nowadays. And after the nightmare she had this morning, she needed something badly. "Here you are…" Harlequin eyes opened in time to see her waiter off. The slice of cheesecake in front of her made her mouth water. From its creamy body encased in golden graham cracker crust, to its strawberry topped head drizzled with dark chocolate. The green eyed pony was in paradise when the creamy treat touched her tongue. Moaning at the smooth and saccharine taste of her dessert, she didn't care that other ponies were staring at her oddly as they walked by the shop's courtyard. As true of all changelings, Chrysalis had a knack for blending in but the past few months were not about infiltrating some pony's life for love. Instead it was about her creating a new life for herself. Her identity Chrystal Emerald was as close to pony Chrysalis as there was. It was herself in terms of personality and even looks to a certain degree. A charcoal grey unicorn with eyes as green as emeralds. Her hair was a silver color with a teal hue, but she kept it covered with a silver scarf that only allowed a few light colored tresses to fall in her face. Shaking away thoughts that pertained to her predicament, she focused on the task at hand- the simple enjoyment of her treat. Biting her lip as she stared endearingly at the pie, she closed her eyes as she took another bite. "Goût doux comme l'amour," she sighed opening her harlequin eyes. And it was true. Love was a maddening rush of sweetness that flowed through the veins like liquid gold- precious and smooth. It was intoxicating and 'oh so exquisite,' like Delia's pies only to a higher power. Other ponies came and went as the unicorn disguised changeling enjoyed her dessert and before long, Chrysalis had finished the hefty slice of pie. Like most good things, it never lasted long and the young mare was a bit disappointed to see it gone. She was about to leave when another slice of pie was placed before her. Startled, she looked up at the waiter that brought her the extra order. "I didn't order this," she said to a pearl colored unicorn with soft blonde hair. "It's already been paid for," he politely informed her. "By who?" She asked confused, as this disguise had no friends to speak of. "The unicorn there with the purple filly. He said he hopes you enjoy this one as much as the last." Chrysalis turned in the direction the waiter gestured to see a brilliantly white stallion with a cerulean colored mane. His long hair was offset with azure streaks that were the same hue of his eyes. He was handsome, she thought offhandedly as she watched him with the small purple filly. Probably a soldier if his build and cutie mark gave any inclination. Not surprising as Canterlot was crawling with military ponies. What did surprise her, was the intensity of his emotions in regards to the smaller filly beside him who was gesturing wildly as she told him some story. It made her hungry for real sustenance as she unconsciously tugged at her bottom lip with her teeth. As if sensing her stare, the stallion looked up from the young pony he'd been listening to and the soft hint of a smile that was on his muzzle turned into a full-on grin when his bright eyes met hers. The affection he directed at her was pleasant, if a little unsettling. It'd been a while since she'd felt anypony regard her with something pleasant and it showed. Remembering herself, she turned back to the waiter who wore an amused expression on his face. "Can I have this to go?" She asked, her mood waning as self-consciousness took its place. "Sure… Should I box him too?" he chuckled at her behavior. Chrysalis was not amused. "Now, please," She stressed with a glare that made the pony stumble backwards before hastily going about his job. Sighing, she turned back to look in the direction of the stallion and his family. His attention was still on her and that grin of his was so inviting it made her look away as a blush stained her cheeks. It was nice to have somepony notice her for something that was so herself even if it was a little embarrassing. She found she missed those simple acknowledgements. If she were still a princess she wouldn't have waited for him to acknowledge her and it would be him blushing- not the other way around. If she were back home- Chrysalis frowned, she missed her home but she couldn't go back. As soon as she got her box for her pie she left without another glance at the stallion. She had work to do.