//------------------------------// // Held by Listener (Dawww) // Story: Tainted Love: A Twysalis Prompt Tag Collab // by Foals Errand //------------------------------// by Listener Chrysalis wandered around the castle, looking in the many rooms she knew Twilight Sparkle would generally be found in. As much as she would be loath to admit it, she had come to expect the time she spent with the strange purple mare. But, she would never admit it to anyone, of course. The studious unicorn had set up times in which she would sit down with the changeling queen to ask her questions about her society. At first, she had only put up with it because of the stupid treaty she had signed. Today, though, Twilight Sparkle had not showed up. So, it was up to her to go find Twilight. Chrysalis rolled her eyes, peering into yet another room to find nobody present besides one of the cleaning staff, who peered at her for only a moment before going back to work. She sighed. After about a month of her being at the Canterlot castle, she no longer had the ‘scare factor’ she once had. Shaking her head, she tried to think. “If I were that purple mare, where would I be?” She asked herself, rolling her eyes as the answer struck her. “The library.” She muttered. “I can’t believe I didn’t check there.” Quickly working her way along the castle, making sure to avoid Shining Armor’s route, she made it to the library in almost no time at all. Opening the door, she sighed as she took in the vastness of the library. The place was simply huge. “Why do I even bother?” She muttered to herself. Truth be told, she didn’t know why she did. She sighed again, starting to search the book stacks for her. ------ After about a ten minute search, the changeling smiled as she finally found what she thought was Twilight’s doing. To describe it, the best way she could would be to call it a ‘book fort’. She walked up. “Twilight Sparkle, may I ask why you weren’t in the sitting room?” She asked, to the book fort. Twilight was in there, she could sense. But she also sensed... sadness? “Twilight Sparkle, what is wrong?” She asked, sitting down next to the book fort, talking to it. No reply came from the fort. Chrysalis sighed again. “Twilight Sparkle, I know you are in there, and that you are distressed.” She said, trying logic. No response to that either. “Twilight, I will take that book fort down around you if you don’t answer.” She threatened playfully, hoping for a response one last time. She waited for a moment, and was about to start removing books before a quiet reply came from within. “Please don’t.” “Why not, Twilight? This is most unlike you.” Chrysalis said. It was quiet for a moment or two, before she heard a soft sigh. “I know...” She said, slowly pushing her way out of the book fort until it was just her head poking out. “Hey Chrysalis.” She said, forcing a smile. “What are you doing here?” She asked innocently. “I came here searching for you.” She explained, looking down at her. “And, what is the matter, Twilight?” “Nothing, Chrysalis.” Twilight said smoothly, looking away. “I just lost track of time.” Chrysalis shook her head. “If there is one thing you should’ve learned by now is you can’t lie to me, emotion wise. You are distressed.” Twilight started to shake her head, before stopping and sighing. “Yeah... I know.” She admitted. Chrysalis smiled. “Indeed. Now, what is worrying you.” She asked again. Twilight sighed, lowering her head and lying down slightly. “I’m not quite sure how I can put it into words.” “Try me.” She sighed, remaining silent for a few minutes, before speaking up again. “I had an... argument with Princess Celestia.” She said, sighing. Chrysalis moved closer, awkwardly putting a hoof on Twilight’s back, trying to comfort her. “I’m sure it’s not that bad. I mean, surely she’ll forgive you?” Chrysalis said, unsure if what she was doing was good. It wasn’t often she had to give comfort. Twilight flinched slightly, but relaxed. “I don’t know... This time the fight was... different. We’ve never fought, and this was... she just seemed disappointed.” “What were you two discussing whenever... this occurred?” She asked, trying to be helpful. Twilight paused. “I don’t know.” She said slowly. “Twilight, you know that you can’t lie to me. I can sense your emotions playing about like a little musical.” She sighed again. “We were discussing... you.” She admitted, turning away again. Chrysalis started before regaining her composure. “Oh? And how did that turn to this?” Twilight remained silent as Chrysalis just remained there, trying to put pieces together as she waited for Twilight to answer. Then, she paused, a familiar emotion coming from an unfamiliar place. “Twilight Sparkle. Are you...” She said, trying to say it in a non-accusing way as she drew her hoof back. “Are you in love with me?” She asked, in slight disbelief. Twilight stilled, before letting out a shaky breath as she nodded slowly, starting to crawl back into the fort as she simultaneously blushed and started to cry a little bit, stress and tension finally getting to her as she felt the dam break. Chrysalis froze mentally for a moment as she was suddenly confronted with two things. One; Twilight Sparkle was in love with her. Two; Said Twilight Sparkle was currently experiencing an emotional breakdown. Seeing no other option in sight, and with such little time to think about it, Chrysalis reached down and grabbed Twilight softly, simply pulling the unicorn out from her book fort and holding her softly, much as she would a distressed changeling foal. She had no idea how long she spent there, simply holding the unicorn, letting the tears go on their own course. Twilight, after a few minutes, turned and hugged Chrysalis, crying on her shoulder. But still Chrysalis stayed there, simply holding her, rubbing her back. She may be inexperienced in the ways of providing comfort, but she knew what to do in this situation. After a while, the crying slowly stopped as Twilight rubbed her eyes, sniffling a bit as she was able to talk. “I’m sorry that you had to see that, Chrysalis...” Twilight said, softly. Chrysalis was faced with a choice. And she knew which one she was going to make. She slowly nuzzled Twilight. “It is alright, Twilight Sparkle. I, of all creatures, should know how much crying can help.” She said. Twilight started at the touch, before looking at her. “Y-Yeah...” She said. “Now, I believe you said that you love me, Twilight Sparkle?” She said slowly, smiling softly. Twilight looked away, blushing. Chrysalis smiled, still holding the mare in a hug. “I believe... Twilight Sparkle, that I am okay with that.” She said, nuzzling again. Twilight held her breath, suddenly turning her head to look at the changeling queen, who had an uncharacteristic smile on her face. “Chrysalis?” She asked, uncertain. “Oh, hush. I believe, as you ponies would put it, ruining the moment.” Chrysalis said, hugging Twilight. Twilight smiled, tears afresh in her eyes as she simply leaned against Chrysalis, her head on her shoulder and the changeling leaned back against the bookcases, simply and tenderly, holding Twilight. And in that moment, everything was okay. And tomorrow was a problem for tomorrow.