Chrysalis's eyes lazily opened to the sound of knocking at the door. ‘Another sleepless night another awful day.’ she thought as she lay there motionless.
“Chryssie it’s me, please open up,” Arthemis called through the door. Chrysalis did nothing to respond remaining as still as a corpse. A loud sigh could be heard through the door followed by louder knocks. “Chryssie what have we talked about? You can’t keep doing this to yourself. Have you been writing in your diary? Hasn’t that been helping? Don’t you want to fill out more pages?” She called through the door. Again not even a hint of a response. “Chrysalis please don’t make me get Alexandrae to pull you out of bed again.” She pleaded. Chrysalis groaned at the thought.
Alexandrae was the second oldest of the five of them. During the competition to become Queen it came down between the two of them. Both of them dreamed of becoming Queen since they were small but in the end the hive selected Chrysalis. She thought that Alexandrae would be resentful towards her and was fearful of retaliation. However, Alexandrae was surprisingly happy for Chrysalis and wished her only the best. When asked she responded. "I only want what's best for our people Chrysalis and if that's you then I'll be happy to stand with you."Chrysalis smiled warmly at that memory. It is rare for Queen selections to not end in bloodshed. The idea of harming them made her skin crawl but was ready to act if necessary to be their queen. Thankfully it didn’t come to that and she was grateful for it every day.
Another round of knocking at the door ripped her from her thoughts. “Chrysalis, please,” Arthemis called.
Chrysalis moaned loudly before finally responding. “Okay, okay, no need to disturb Alex I’m getting up!” Reluctantly she rose from her bed and walked over to her wardrobe. She pondered if she was even going to wear anything today. While their chitan skin made clothing unnecessary many Changelings, especially of the upper crust, wore them for pleasure. Chrysalis loved the feeling of her fine silk dresses. However, recently they did not have the same appeal. Chrysalis gave a tired sigh, not wanting to put in the effort today she kept her lovely dresses in their wooden coffin. Opening the door she was met by Arthemis’s arms being thrown around her neck. Chrysalis returned the hug with exhausted fervor like a castaway clinging to driftwood. She buried her her head in her sister's beautiful blue hair taking in her scent.
Despite being the eldest of the five of them Arthemis was one of the shortest of her sisters being only slightly taller than Papilia, the youngest. She had beautiful azure hair with snow-white ends that she y kept in a long ponytail that rested gracefully on her right shoulder. She had a gorgeous maturity about her. Her age wasn’t obvious but she had a sage like demeanor that still beamed with youthfulness. Whenever any of them needed advice or help she was the one they turned to. Pulling away Arthemis gave her a quick lick on the cheek before taking Chrysalis’s arm in her own and leading her to the meeting room.
“So, feeling better?” She asked but Chrysalis gave a barely audible groan. “Come on, cheer up, I know it’s been hard these past weeks, but don’t forget what we’re doing today.” Chrysalis nodded. Today the two of them were going to a nearby orphanage for information on the adoption process. Since her initial dismissal of adoption, she had actually become a little excited at the idea. She came to peace that she would not experience the same motherly moments as Arthemis but she could still watch her own hatchlings grow into fine Changelings. Leading up to the day when one of them(hopefully) took the crown. With proper guidance and without bloodshed like her and her sisters'. A small smile crept to her lips as fantasies played in her mind. “See what did I tell you. You're going to be back to your old, strong, confident you. Did I mention old?” Arthemis teased. with an impish grin.
“Old? You’re one to talk miss wrinkles.” Chrysalis said pinching one of Arthemis’s cheeks. Her smile growing matching her sister's jocular one.
“What wrinkles? If there are any lines on my face, which there aren't, they would be worry lines. Between you and Alex getting in trouble for the first half of my life and my hatchlings for the second. The five of you have permanently ruined my youthful features, I hope you're happy. Oh and look forward to that by the way.” She said pushing her hand away and turning her head in a huff. Chrysalis chuckled and threw her arm around Arthemis’s shoulders.
“I’m only kidding besides I’m not worried as I’m sure mine will be perfect little angels.” She said confidently. Arthemis burst out into rich peals of laughter, clutching her sides. Chrysalis looked at her, annoyed. “And what is so funny?” She asked. It took a while for Arthemis to regain her composure for a response.
“Oh Chryssie, I am looking forward to how quickly they break you sister.” She choked out between laughs. Chrysalis eyes narrowed.
“Well if you are quite done making a fool of yourself shall we meet the others or should I go on ahead?” She asked. Eventually Arthemis regained composure and they proceeded with their journey to the meeting room but not without Arthemis breaking into fits of giggles down the line.
The rest of the royal family was busy dining in the meeting room. It was where changelings met to talk and absorb their love for the day along with eating any other food they may own.
As Chrysalis and Arthemis entered the meeting room the rest of their family had already taken their seats at the table. They first noticed Alexandrae at one end of the table. Alex was the largest of the sisters in both mass and height almost dwarfing Papilia. She currently served as general for the army and her body reinforced her tough position. Large toned muscles, sharp eyes that could pierce metal, calloused skin, and various scars adorning her body made her the classic example of the hardened general. Hard as stone and deadlier than any weapon she brought unparalleled fear to the hive’s enemies. Her troops held nothing but high praise and respect for her as she cared for every single on of them. Her hair was a rich auburn with white streaks that she kept short from her training days.
To the right of her were her other two sisters Papilia and Priamus. Papilia when compared to Alexandrae, was minuscule but she had the biggest heart of them all. She was young, bright eyed and loved the world around her. She was the hives de facto ambassador as it was not hard for most to fall in love with her personality. She always strives to see the best in everything and everyone to the chagrin of her sisters, especially Alexandrae who often criticized her for this. Her hair matched her beautiful free spirit. It was incredibly long reaching all the way down to her lower back and was a brilliant cerulean that shined in the sun.
Priamus, however, is almost Papilia’s exact opposite. She was born during a time when tensions between Changelings and Equestria were high and the two were practically at war with each other. So Priamus grew up with a fear of pretty much anything outside the hive. She was the only one of her sisters that had never ventured far from the hive. The furthest she had gotten was a few miles to see a new nest of Arachnidas that had formed not far from the city. Even then she refused to go unless escorted by a group of highly trained guards lead by Alexandrae. While she was terrified of many things she never let that affect her generosity. Often volunteering in big construction projects around the city including the organization of events. Her hair was a beautiful viridian that was usually kept in a tight bun.
The other seats were occupied by Arthemis’s hatchlings from left to right they were Belus, Exadeus and Proteus. Belus was enjoying her favorite non-changeling dish, applesauce. Since she couldn’t lift utensils yet she would eat it by literally shoving her face into the dish and licking at it. Needless to say cleanup was a hassle. Exadeus when compared to his siblings, was far more reserved and behaved if a little impatient. His wings had started growing in and he loved flying so sitting in the tight confines of the chair was not ideal, but he kept still and waited to be freed. Then there was Proteus, not a terribly naughty hatchling but she was the first one to develop her magical abilities. She loved levitating objects and throwing them. Most of the time tossing her stuffed animals across the room but she also loved throwing them at others. Currently, she was using Alexandrae as target practice scoring a bulls-eye with her stuffed spider. Proteus giggled and threw her six legs in the air clearly enjoying the deepening scowl on her aunt’s face. Alexandrae had to admit one thing, though, she was a hell of a shot.
Arthemis sighed and took away her stuffed phoenix that was locked and loaded for another hit. “Proteus what have I said about throwing things at others.” She chided. Proteus waved her little legs helplessly in the air trying to get back her ammunition but her mother held it high above her head and was more than capable of overpowering the hatchlings magic. Realizing that she could not take it back she fell to her backup plan of getting what she wanted, crying. Her eyes welled up with tears and she began to bawl. Everyone in the roomed cringed at the ear-piercing howls.
“Arthemis it’s quite alright it’s not like she’s hurting me,” Alexandrae said lifting the five other stuffed toys that had already been thrown but those too were confiscated by Arthemis.
“That’s not the point she needs to learn not to do it,” Arthemis replied putting the toys away. Alexandrae sighed and placed her hands around her ears not wishing to hear any more of the crying. “Besides the only reason she is acting like this is because she’s hungry, right Proteus?” She asked lifting the bawling hatchling and cradling her in her arms. “Now hold still and say ahh.” She said but the changeling refused to listen and continued to cry. Arthemis huffed. “Okay then guess were doing it this way,” Arthemis muttered and tickled the hatchlings soft underbelly and try as she might Proteus eventually burst into loud squeaky laughter forgetting why she was so upset. Her fit out of the way she opened her mouth waiting to be fed.
Arthemis swirled her mouth around before planting her mouth over the hatchlings. Arthemis’s throat convulsed regurgitating something into the hatchling. After a few moments, she pulled away a small pink strand of liquid still connecting the two. The hatchling giggled spitting up a bit of pink bile which was quickly cleaned up by her mother. Sufficiently fed Arthemis put her back in the chair and proceeded onto the other two. Back in her chair, Proteus’s mind returned to her confiscated toys looking frantically around for them. Noticing this Alexandrae stealthily took back one of them that had been placed under the table and handed it back to her. Proteus squealed in joy and took the stuffed griffon into her arms. Alexandrae smiled warmly at the hatchling which unfortunately resulted in said griffon being thrown right back at her, another direct hit.
Chrysalis laughed and sat down at her place at the front of the table opening her flaps on her neck and hungrily took in the love around her. She couldn’t quite place it but something in her bones said that today was going to bring something special. First, though she had to meet with the Changeling council. She shuddered at the thought.