//------------------------------// // Diplomacy by bobananaville // Story: Tainted Love: A Twysalis Prompt Tag Collab // by Foals Errand //------------------------------// It was a radical idea. Completely contrary to what they believed - completely contrary to everything they’d learned in the centuries leading up to this. It was such a strange idea that she almost passed it over for aggressive tactics instead. “Our people are starving. There is no love for us in the badlands, and wearing masks amongst your kind can only last us so long before it backfires. We implore you; please allow us legal refuge in Equestria.” It would fail. Chrysalis just knew it. Her forefathers had tried it generations ago, and they’d been slaughtered. Stories in Changeling Literature almost universally discouraged trusting anything other than fellow changelings, and even the most radical pieces of literature only showed specific individuals as having worth. Even if it was possible, years of conditioning, conscious and otherwise - not to mention her species’ reputation (which was not quite undeserved), would hinder her attempts at diplomacy. Even now, the solar princess glowered at the queen. “I’ve had many dealings with you… Changelings. They’ve tended to be unpleasant for all involved.” Still, the alicorn had a somewhat thoughtful expression - she was undoubtedly sincerely considering it. Princess Luna, on the other hoof, seemed to have many more misgivings about the whole ordeal. “What couldst thou provide such that we may trust you?” Greed? No, the Equestrian Princesses were anything but greedy. They was looking for collateral of some sort. But what could she provide? “Would information suffice?” A third voice chimed in. “I can’t believe we’re even considering this,” Cadance said bitterly (insofar as serenity could be described as bitter) “Changelings have done nothing but destroy livelihoods, Celestia. They were some of Sombra’s most trusted minions!” “I don’t think it’s fair to blame her for that, Cadance,” came a fourth voice - one that came from that strange lavender unicorn standing next to the Princess of Love. What was her name? “There’s nothing to suggest that changelings all act as a unified whole - and even if they did, Sombra’s conquest was over one thousand years ago. Hardly representative of modern changelings.” “Do not discount evidence from the past, Twilight Sparkle,” said Luna. “While what you say is true, ‘tis also true that changelings have consistently used backhanded tactics and done things that hurt not only Equestria, but life in general. Trusting her based on her word after centuries of distrust is simply not smart. What is this information that would make us trust you, queen of Changelings?” Celestia’s silence made Chrysalis uncomfortable, but she replied. “Us changelings unconsciously manipulate the emotions of those close to us, such that positive emotions are maximized without having any noticeable effects.” The temperature of the room seemed to drop five degrees. Once the princess of love found her voice, she broke the silence with a simple “What?” “Very useful information,” the lunar princess said, her voice laden with newfound loathing, “but I hardly see how making us trust you less could somehow makest thou more trustworthy.” Even Celestia, in her serene state, frowned. “Yes, I’m not particularly happy with this revelation, either. Earnest though you may be, I can’t say I wish for your kind to be in Equestria.” Chrysalis was almost in tears. Diplomacy had failed, and she’d removed a significant changeling advantage from their arsenal for nothing! Cadance’s voice was panicked. “How many ponies have been affected? How many relationships swayed in their favor? We can’t let these things stay here! We have to drive them out!” “We are in agreement,” Luna said, nodding. “Twilight, thou art the bearer of magic. Could you formulate a spell that reveals the - Twilight?” This ‘Twilight’ trotted over to Chrysalis’ spot and stood next to her, defying the princesses. “I’m sorry, Princesses, but I just can’t agree with you.” The unicorn nodded respectfully at them. “The queen - what’s your name?” “Chrysalis,” was the confused reply. “Chrysalis made a huge risk in doing this. She’s so desperate to keep her people alive that she’s willing to try diplomacy - something which is, apparently, unheard of. It’s against their norm. And she’s shown us how much she trusts us by backing herself into a corner - by giving us information that puts her at a disadvantage. There is no way she could benefit from doing this more than she could from staying in the shadows unless she genuinely wishes for peace between our species. “We’re playing the prisoner’s dilemma, but we already know that she’s picked Ally. Are we really going to betray her trust? Are we really so heartless that we’d ignore the pleas of the desperate?” Perhaps it was premature - one unicorn probably didn’t hold much sway over three princesses, and she hadn’t even seen their reactions - but the existence of hope was so foreign to her, and to finally see its beauty was too much. Chrysalis cried.