I... I think she's crying. By all the Queens, I had no idea it had gotten so bad! She really needs- wait, I wasn't supposed to hear any of this! I've been eavesdropping on my own Queen! I... I should go. I shouldn't be here!
Turn away from the door. Start walking. Quickly.
Could she have been serious? For her to even suggest such a thing as retiring, or giving the kingdom over to Equestria... does she feel so alone right now? So unloved?
Stop.
Wait, what am I doing? Am I being a coward, running away when she needs me? I won't have it!
Start heading back.
I'm going to go in there, and... uh... she probably won't be very happy to see anyone right now...
Keep going.
That doesn't matter! She's upset, she's always been there for everyone else when things were rough – she deserves to know the Hive is still loyal to her.
That I'm still loyal to her!
Knock on the door. Stop shaking so much.
Keep it level, Iqqel. You can handle this. You've seen Chrysalis upset bef-
“Begone! I've NO wish to be disturbed at present!”
What am I even going to say?! - “My Queen?”
“... Iqqel?”
I should get in there now, before she has a chance to recover and send me away.
Push the door open gently. Eyes forward. Face neutral.
Don't even look at the mess. Just look at her. Just look at her.
“Don't come in here! I'm... stop! Stop!”
Keep eyes on her. Walk forward slowly.
Don't even acknowledge the mess. Don't do it, Iqqel. Don't. Even. Notice. It. - “My Queen, I felt I should-”
“G-get out, Iqqel. You can see I'm in no state to... to...”
Don't follow the gesture. Keep eyes on her. No matter how painful it is to see her like this...
-”My Queen, you should know that your subjects are here for you, just as you-”
“I've taken enough from my subjects already... and from you, Iqqel. I-”
- “You aren't alone, Chrysalis! We want to help you! I want to help you. You've... you're...”
She seems a little taken aback by my outburst... - “I know things have been changing a lot lately, and you've been... stressed. About a lot of things. But we're here for you. All of-”
“Stop. Just... please stop. Just... leave me.”
She's... she's crying. Did I.. what should I say? Did I make her more upset? What should I DO?!
Breathe. Think. The stress of it all is getting to her... She should never have been in this position. She never asked for Queenhood! - “Oh, Cecily... what has this all done to you?”
“What... what did you call me?!”
Oh crud. Did I actually... say that out loud?
“That's not my name anymore!”
She's standing up...
Stand firm. Neutral expression.
“I am Chrysalis! I gave up that name long ago! I am the Queen of this Hive! Even... even if I'm a pathetic one, you must still address me as such! Do you understand?!”
She's not so intimidating anymore... now that I know that all of her anger is just fear, and pain. - “Of course, Queen Chrysalis. Forgive me.”
“N-now... you should...”
She looks conflicted. I don't want this situation to get any worse than it has... I've hurt her enough with my carelessness today - “I have taken the liberty of scheduling you for an appearance at the Whitefalls academy to give a lecture on ponies, since they're becoming more relevant in our day-to-day lives.”
“What? But-!”
- “You are expected at 5 PM sharp, my Queen. You still have two hours to prepare. I will tend to your office, so I recommend you focus on cleaning yourself up and readying your notes. Now, if I may be excused, I must go and make arrangements.”
Don't wait for permission. Turn to go. I'm not sure how much longer I can face her right now... I don't want her to think she hurt me.
“Iqqel...”
Pause. Look over shoulder. Dangit, now's not a good time for waterworks. Come on, keep it level, Iqqel!
“I'm... I didn't mean for...”
Is she trying to... apologize?
“I'm sorr-”
-”You need not.”
She looks confused... I guess that came out wrong - “I mean, it's okay. Don't... don't worry.”
Oh yeah, the cracking voice really sells that everything is 'okay', Iqqel.
Walk outside.
“Those glasses... they, ah... they suit you. You should wear them more often.”
Oh... did I forget to take these off, this time? - “Er... Thank you, my Queen. I shall, then.”
Close the door. Breathe.
I felt like my chest was going to explode in there... And now I have to go organize a special seminar down at the Academy with only two hours' notice. Things have been so hard on Chrysalis lately... I hope this at least serves as a distraction. I never thought I'd miss having Cheery around, but she seems to make Chrysalis feel better... if I can keep her in high spirits for the next few days, until Cheery's return, maybe everything will be okay.
-
Okay... Cheery should be getting back soon. I've told the guards to direct her to the reception room... Chrysalis knows that she's getting back today, but I arranged for her to be busy in the meantime. I should have enough time to catch up with Cheery before they speak... I know Chrysalis is looking forward to speaking with Cheery, but I need to make sure Cheery doesn't go and say something that will make her upset again. It's been hard enough keeping her in good spirits these past few days.
Besides, I suppose Cheery has a right to know that her... sister, isn't in the best of moods.
“Mistress?”
Ah, right on schedule - “Yes, Nihkel? Has Cheery arrived in the Spire, or... is something the matter?
He looks pretty nervous... with Nihkel, that's not so unusual, but I have a bad feeling...
“Well, yes, Mistress, Cheery has disembarked, but... well, there was a complication.”
I hate it when people dance around the issue like this! - “Nihkel, is she here in the Spire?”
“Er, yes. She's in the reception hall, along with some, er, guests that she brought with her.”
Oh, great. Ponies. - “Cheery did say she would try to convince some ponies to come see the Hive's culture. I suppose she must have succeeded, then. I can't waste any more time here; please file the rest of my reports away for tomorrow.”
“Uh, right. Yes, Mistress!”
Get up, get out the door. Start heading for the reception hall.
Good to know Cheery pulled that off, at least. More good news for Chrysalis, as long as the ponies in question don't end up annoying her.
Round the corner. Head for the reception hall doors..
Hmm... I'll have to arrange lodgings and entertainment for our guests, somewhere that will keep them interested without- hm? I hear voices...
Stop, perk ears.
“... I still don't think it was a good idea for you to come here, Celestia! It's so risky!”
… Celestia? Did I hear someone say Celestia?
“Twilight, I appreciate your concern, but you didn't seem so nervous when you came here last.”
Twilight... Sparkle?! Celestia and Twilight Sparkle are here in the spire?!
“That was different! My friends were nearby, in case-”
“And I, like a wise pony before me, have brought some friends with me.”
… Apparently, Celestia is incredibly sappy.
“... That's so sappy, Celestia.”
Heh, looks like Twilight and I agree on something OH BY ALL THE QUEENS WHAT ARE THOSE TWO DOING HERE?! WHY would Cheery have... unless something went horribly wrong! I need to make sure Cheery is okay!
Open the doors. Rush in.
I don't see Cheery anywhere, yet - “Cheery, are you-”
“IQQEEEEL~!”
Pinkie's here too?!
Brace for impact.
- “Wha-?! Buh- Pinkie?! Why are you-?!”
Not my most eloquent moment.
“Cheery's told us so much about you! And any friend of Cheery is a friend of mine!”
Of course she did - “URK! - And where is – GRK – Cheery, right now?”
“Pinkie, I think you may be hugging her a bit too tight.”
Was that... Cheery's voice? It sounds different... and nervous. What did I just walk into?
“Oh, whoopsie! I just got so excited, because we didn't really get a chance to talk much the last time I was here, because Cheery and I were-”
She just never stops! At least I'm free now- WHAT IN THE NAME OF THE HIVE HAPPENED TO CHEERY?!
Try not to stare slack-jawed for more than five seconds.
Okay, at least try not to make it more than ten seconds.
“Er... hi, Iqqel! Glad to be back... and stuff.
Face neutral. Steady breathing. Okay. Clearly something has happened... let's see.
Glance around the room. Pinkie stopped talking... and she seems a little nervous. Cheery and Twilight do too, actually... wait, even Celestia looks uncomfortable?!
Walk over to Cheery. Keep the tone polite. - “Cheery. It's good to have you back. What... what happened to you?”
“I... transformed.”
What. Why would she do something like that?! Chrysalis told me how dangerous it was for Cheery to attempt transformation – she could have died!
“Iqqel, please don't get upset! It's okay, I-”
Turn to the ponies - “What did you all do?!”
“Iqqel, don't blame them! I chose to transform! I-”
- “WHY? Why would you do something like that?! Why would you be so reckless?! You know what could have happened! I-”
“Iqqel, please calm down!”
Did those ponies hurt her? Is that why they all look so uneasy?! Cecily's little sister... I won't stand for it! - “This... no! No! Don't try to tell me they had nothing to do with it – I can see it on their faces! And if you all hurt Cheery I swear by the depths I'll-”
“Iqqel, PLEASE stop! Please!”
Look at her.
“... Please.”
I... hurt her, by attacking them? - “Why are you covering for them, Cheery? You're here, in the hive, in your home! You are surrounded by allies, and... and your family! You don't have to-”
“Iqqel!... They're family, too.”
- “... What?!”
Track motion. Celestia's approaching.
“Excuse me, Lili-Iqqel? I believe we have some explaining to do.”
-
“... So see, Iqqel? They didn't mean any harm; I overreacted, and I started the transformation, and if it wasn't for their love I -”
Hug her.
“I... Iqqel? Are you...?”
I can't believe we almost lost her... and for what? Because she doesn't feel appreciated for who she is? Because I was so focused on how she was taking attention away from Cec- Chrysalis, that I didn't think about how she felt?!
“Twilight, Pinkie... I think we had best give them some time alone. We can wait in the other room.”
Mental note: Thank Celestia for that bit of consideration, later.
“I needed to... I needed to be my own mare. I'm not sure what even came over me, Iqqel. I just had to transform.”
- “I'm just glad you're okay! I- I...”
Let go of her. Pull yourself together. - “I'm sorry. I'm a wreck. This week...”
“Iqqel, thank you. It... means a lot to me to know that you care so much.”
Try to realign glasses.
I think I might have tried to swat her hoof away, a week ago. I didn't realize how much I cared... not until I thought somepony had actually hurt her. And if I wasn't aware of it... - “I'm sorry I didn't express it sooner. I'm... I just, I was so-”
Just shut up. Let her hug you.