“You told her to do what?”
Chrysalis couldn’t believe it, staring at Nigel while he fidgeted with his fingers.
“I told her to… order all of the melons in the stores to be destroyed.”
She sucked in air though her teeth, using a foreleg to rub her eyes. Taking a few moments to regather her thoughts, Chrysalis struggled to remain calm and silently reminded herself that they were starting anew. ‘We’re not fighting anymore, don’t start another. He was probably still suffering the effects, he didn’t mean it.’ Opening her eyes again, she forced a smile and looked back at him.
“It’s… fine, a few melons aren’t a huge loss when we don’t have any prisoners to feed.” Another calming breath out, before she continued. “Speaking of food, do you want me to arrange something to be brought up to you? We have a large amount of different things and although changelings naturally aren’t the best cooks, we can toast bread and heat water.”
“It’s fine,” he brushed away. “Thanks for the offer though.” Both didn’t really know what else to say, Chrysalis starting to get uncomfortable before he spoke again. “Although, and I know this is a big ask considering, but do you happen to have some sort of shower or bathing facilities? Having spent more than a few years in this suit, I’d like to take it off and have a good scrub.” He looked down at himself as he said that, and Chrysalis smiled to herself.
She had a solution in mind.
“There is a communal bath area in the lower regions of the hive,” she replied nonchalantly, taking great amusement in the way his eyes widened slightly. “It’s built upon some natural hot springs, so the water is always warm and fresh. All in the hive have access to it, but I’ll make sure that you can have access to the nobility-only area.” She pressed forwards with the finisher. “It’s semi-private, closing you off from the majority of the hive.”
A second passed before a rushed chuckle was given in response. “Oh, thanks for that offer then. You know, suddenly I think we should focus on finishing that Q and A session I spoiled.”
She continued to smile, he wasn’t getting away that easily.
“Oh, the questions can wait. Besides, I’d hate to be preventing you from enjoying a nice and relaxing bath after all you’ve gone through.” Moving closer, she nodded her head and placed a foreleg over her heart. “I swear, I’ll try my hardest to discourage any of the other nobles from attending at the same time.”
Finally he seemed to give in, pinching the bridge of his nose and glancing at her. “Fine, I’ll take a short, private bath, and then we’ll reorganise the question meeting. Deal?”
“Deal,” she agreed. “I’ll ask Chatter to show you to the bathing area, I have some things I need to do in the upper areas. When you are done, we’ll talk in my chambers regarding what we want to do for the future.” With that, she turned and began to trot out of the room.
“Wait,” he said, giving her pause. “How will I find my way back?”
Her smirk widened, although it was unseen to him.
“Oh, don’t worry about that,” she reassured and resumed her trotting. “I’m sure someone will help you with that.”
Chalmers watched Chrysalis leave, the Queen definitely up to something. Despite being a shape shifter, she was remarkably prone to displaying her emotions. Then again, from what he remembered that wasn’t exactly a rare occurrence among changelings and ponies. Still, he had nothing better to do and she had made the baths sound appealing.
He wasn’t much of a modest man, but he was still concerned about putting the full majesty (at least in his opinion) of his naked body on display in front of so many of his descendants. At least Chrysalis had promised him the relative seclusion of the noble area, but somehow he doubted it was all going to be that simple.
“Come on, get it together,” he muttered to himself, swinging his legs over the side of the makeshift bunk and getting to his feet. “It’s only a bath, and you’ll be under water the entire time.” Looking back, such modesty was ridiculous considering the complete lack of clothing the changelings wore, but at the current time he wasn’t thinking all too logically.
Stepping out of the unremarkable room, he almost bumped into Chatter who was striving to quickly enter the same room. Both halted just before impact, Chatter’s wings giving a brief buzz of alarm before he held a foreleg over his chest and breathed deeply. “Sorry about that.” He relaxed and gestured down the corridor. “Mother told me to show you to the bathing area, are you ready to go?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be,” Nigel responded, wiping his nose and clutching his helmet under his arm. “Into the valley of Death, rode the six hundred.”
Chatter looked up. “What?”
“Nothing,” he answered, moving forwards so as to prompt his guide to move. “I just have a feeling that I’m walking into some kind of trap.”
‘Wonderful, bloody wonderful.’
Unfortunately for Nigel, the bathing area was busy and bustling. Two large pools were full of changelings, the creatures conversing and laughing while they all enjoyed to warn water that bubbled up from the multiple spots around the area. Around the edges sat changelings with their hind legs in the water and even a few lounging on benches formed of the same hardened substance that the rest of the hive was made of.
All in all, it looked to Nigel almost like a resort pool on a vacation world, the air filled with the sound of splashing and joy.
In short, he stood out like a sore thumb.
Chatter did his best to lead him towards the other side of the area as quickly as possible, but it was nigh on impossible for Nigel to escape notice. The laughter and play didn’t die out completely, but a majority paused or slowed to stare at him when he went past, whispers and murmurs dogging his heels before Chatter ushered him through a low door and into a separate room.
This one was smaller but also more ornately decorated, and more importantly it was currently deserted. Nigel uttered a quick thanks under his breath while giving the room a look over, the noise from the main public area mostly cut off.
Light cascaded down from the bio-light torches mounted high on the walls, reflecting off the sparkling water while it made its journey towards a drainage grate at the very end. It was more like a wide stream than a pool, a single bubbling fountain at one end the obvious entry point for the water. The liquid was constantly flowing, the crystal-clearness an obvious indication of its cleanliness.
A towel rack, constructed from what appeared to be a rod of gold, jutted out from the left wall. A number of white, fluffy towels were draped over it, Nigel recalling that the public area had seemed devoid of such a luxury. The only other standout was a number of glass water jugs sitting on a tray, flanked on all sides by fine drinking glasses.
“So there are towels and drinking water if you need them,” Chatter informed, pointing a hoof to the features while he listed them off. “A small toilet over there,” the hoof pointed to an inconspicuous door to the right. “And there’s a nurse stationed in the public area at all times, in case of an emergency.” The last feature, three more plain doors sitting at the far end, caused a moment of hesitation from his guide. “Those three rooms are… well, for ‘private encounters’.”
Chatter appeared to be finished, so Nigel gave him a quick pat on the head. “Ah, good work Chatter. Thanks for showing me around, I guess I’ll settle in.” Thankfully Chatter took the hint without further prompting, bowing slightly before retreating back out of the door.
“It was no problem, have a nice bath.”
“Thanks,” Nigel finished, waiting until Chatter had left completely. There was no door to close the room off from the public area, so he just picked an out-of-sight corner and began to remove his armour.
First he placed his helmet on the ground, then began the procedure to remove the main part. Thankfully it was all automated and simple, most of the armour withdrawing into the breastplate with small bursts of light. The main piece was removed, followed by the gauntlets and then lastly the boots. That left him in his plain grey uniform jumpsuit, a quick sniff under the arm confirming his decision to bath.
“Urgh, Orthodox’s room smells cleaner.”
Now that was a sign that something was wrong.
With a final glance around, he slipped out of the clothing and removed the final piece of protection. The plain white underwear hit the floor, Nigel not daring to test the item and instead he bundled up the clothes for transport. Tossing them into the pool, he watched them group up near the exit grill and he let the water do its job.
With the makeshift laundry done, he neatly stacked his armour in arms reach before sliding into the pool.
‘Actually, this might not have been such a bad idea,’ he smiled, the water the perfect temperature. He slid down to the bottom, the pool deep enough for him to sit with his shoulders and head above the water. Leaning back against the smooth wall, he let his muscles relax and tried to put the faint noise of the public area behind him out of his mind.
The flowing water was amazingly calming, and combined with the warmth of the natural spring it was slowly lulling him to sleep, despite his already lengthy rest. Resisting the temptation, knowing that if he did sleep then it was likely he would miss the meeting, he instead laid his head back and was content in having a nice solitary soak.
He was so relaxed that he didn’t even hear the approaching trots, and it was only when something poked the back of his head that he realised he was no longer alone. Opening his eyes and simultaneously covering himself under the water with his hands, he looked up to find mischievous lime eyes looking back down at him.
“Enjoying the bath I see,” Chrysalis said with a smirk, eyeing him like a cat watching an oblivious and juicy bird.
“My Queen.”
“Yes, yes,” Chrysalis huffed impatiently in response to the drone, before continuing to stalk through the baths towards her target.
The nobles-only section.
Anticipation was building up, Chrysalis pleased that her plan had worked so incredibly well. She would surprise Nigel in the bathhouse, refuse to leave, and then the rest would be incredibly simple. He would have no choice but to stay there with her, and in turn that would mean she would have him all to herself for a decent amount of time.
Unfortunately, upon drawing closer to the doorway, there appeared to be a kink in her plans. Four changelings, female drones from what she was able to tell, were huddled along the sides of the doorway she intended to go through. Chrysalis scowled but restrained herself from rushing over to chase them off, not wishing to dash her plans of surprising Chalmers.
“Is he doing anything now?” one of the drones whispered to another while trying to jostle for a better observational position.
“No,” the one at the front returned. “He’s still just sitting there. You can’t see anything interesting at all.”
“He’s got nice and big shoulders though, that’s got to count for something,” the third drone chimed in quietly with her eyes locked squarely on the sight they were focused on. “It’s not every day that something as different as that comes in and takes a bath.”
“Patience girls, he’ll have to move soon,” the forth advised with a hushed murmur. “Then we’ll see just how he’s managed to snare the Queen.”
Chrysalis had heard enough, moving behind them with a frown while other changelings watched from the pools.
“I don’t think so.”
The four almost jumped out of their chitin at the directed thought, the drones turning around to see her glaring at them. Quickly they dispersed, bowing and uttering hurried apologies which Chrysalis dismissed. She gave a pointed glance around the large area for good measure, the other changelings wisely adverting their gazes and returning to their previous activities. Slowly the laughter and general din of enjoyment returned, but was noticeably more subdued.
It bothered her not, Chrysalis focused on her task. Peeking into the doorway, she grinned when she spotted the sole occupant of the room. Chalmers’ back was towards her, and he seemed to not have noticed the shooing of his previous observers.
‘Good,’ Chrysalis thought with a silent snicker. ‘Time for phase two.’
Carefully she entered the room and approached her target, keeping her hoof falls as silent as she could. The bubbling fountain concealed most of the noise she made, and it didn’t take her long before she was standing over him and looking down. Using the moment to give him a quick appraisal, see came away liking what she saw. There were of course a few oddities, but overall she was confident that she was making a good choice. Finishing her visual examination, she decided that she needed some questions answered. A prod to the back of Nigel’s head provoked a reaction, his eyes widening once they looked into hers.
“Enjoying the bath I see,” she greeted while raising her eyes. Chrysalis held back snickers while he scrambled to cover himself up, the precaution far too late.
“Chrysalis, damn it,” Nigel frowned, evidently annoyed enough to not use her nickname. “I thought you promised me privacy.”
“Not quite,” she returned playfully, trotting down along the left side of the pool. “I promised that I’d try and keep nobles away. As Queen, I am not a noble but a royal so I did fulfil my promise.”
“More like you filled your want for a peepshow,” he muttered, something she dismissed with a laugh.
“Oh, hush. It’s only me.” She poked the clothes at the exit grill with a hoof, wrinkling her nose at the smell. It had been decided to not tell him about his other watches, Chrysalis sparing a glance back towards the doorway to make sure they hadn’t returned. “In case you haven’t noticed, we don’t really care too much about modesty here.”
“They take after their mother in that regard.” Another verbal jab at her, Nigel watching her warily. “I can’t help but assume that you planned this.”
“Why, me?” Chrysalis smiled with mock surprise, a hoof going over her heart. “I never would dare to think of such a scheme. Besides…” trotting to the middle, she stayed far enough away to not panic him too much. Slowly she slipped into the water, eyeing him all the while.
“What could I possibly have to gain?”
His reply didn’t even get a chance to be heard when she dunked her head under the water, before resurfacing to fuss over her mane. He continued to stare at her, although her tactic of keeping a modest distance was paying off. Nigel was slowly relaxing, Chrysalis gloating internally. ‘I knew cornering him here was a good idea.’ Still, going slow was the key, the crux of her strategy. Engaging in small talk was a good idea, and then she could move in for the metaphorical kill.
“So, how are you finding the Hive?” she asked, straightening the strains of hair out. “It’s been standing for hundreds of years, when we started it was just a series of caves.”
He seemed momentarily confused, but recovered to answer.
“Oh, it seems nice enough.” While keeping his eyes on her, he cautiously removed one hand from the water and patted the side of the pool. “I’m interested in this black stuff though, you’ve seem to have constructed almost everything out of it.”
She glanced at him, grinning and awaiting his reaction. “Why, that’s dried phlegm. It’s a waste-product from feeding off emotions, used to build and can also be used to form a very sticky adhesive. It starts off bright green and then hardens after an hour unless more is applied, but it’s perfectly sterile.”
The reaction was fairly muted, Nigel even keeping his hand on the wall. “So it’s pretty much dried changeling spit, cool.” Chrysalis raised an eye at that, most other beings saw the practice as disgusting and vulgar.
“You don’t find it filthy?”
“Please,” he scoffed. “It’s nothing compared to some of the places I’ve had to stay in. You should have seen some of the cheap hotel rooms I’ve had to put up with, dried spit is a step up.” He patted the side again. “Still, I don’t really get how emotions can create a waste.”
“It’s not really known why,” she replied, taking the opportunity to shift a little closer. “The scholars have far more pressing matters to concern themselves with.” The conversation was working, he wasn’t even paying attention to her movements. “Have you talked to any more of my subjects since we last spoke?”
“No, just Chatter.” She took the opportunity to draw closer still, Nigel glancing back out of the doorway. “I did see a lot out there, although I wasn’t exactly in the mood to talk…”He noticed her proximity, Chrysalis smiling innocently. “Chrissy, you’re ah, a little close don’t you think?” He slowly began to return his hand to the water, Chrysalis acting fast.
“Actually, I was going to ask you a favour,” she reassured, although he didn’t seem to relax at all. Shifting in the water so her back was towards him, she nodded her head down towards her tail. “Do you mind getting my tail for me? I always find it so hard to reach.”
She grinned when he paused. “I guess I can do that, but no funny business.”
“I promise to behave,” she lied, but he bought it and continued to reach for the strands. The feeling of victory spread through her when the hand clasped around the teal hairs, it would surely not be long before she could have him doing anything she wanted.
“What exactly am I supposed to do?” he questioned, Chrysalis waving a hoof in dismissal.
“Just run them through and make sure it’s all clean. It shouldn’t be too difficult, I bath daily and the Hive is very clean.”
He did as instructed, Chrysalis relaxing as the hand did its work. To maintain the cover she had built, she continued to focus on her mane while enjoying the pampering.
Over the next few minutes, the tension once again bled away and left them both relaxed. The noise from the public area died out as the night approached, most changelings returning to their duties or preparing for sleep which left only a few in the bathing area. Figuring that the time was just right, Chrysalis pulled her tail away and turned to face him with a warm smile.
It was time to pounce.
“I really did miss you,” she began, running a fore hoof around in the water. Despite her plan, the confession was genuine. “I always remembered the good times that we had, and even though I have taken a number of consorts over the years, it never measured up to the experience of just being near you back then. I’m glad that you’re a little more… subdued this time around, but it’s not really the same.” At this, she made her move. Sliding up next to him, her side made contact with his. He froze when she pressed up against him, although she made sure to hold off on hoof contact for the time being.
“Chrissy-“
“I mean it,” she continued, cutting off his protest. “I know you want to give it time, but I…” she hesitated, preparing for the finisher. Focusing, she widened her eyes and even managed to get a tear going. It was a dirty move, exploiting his concern for her, but she was going all out on this. “I really am relieved that you’re back here with me, and even with our ‘fresh start’ we can’t ignore what we knew about each other before. Please, I just want us to be closer.”
She waited while he stared and thought, subtly putting a foreleg around his shoulders and touching her right hind leg to his left. She threw in a sniffle for good measure, and it proved to be the final nail.
“Okay, okay,” he sighed. “If you want to, fine. I guess I do owe you after that whole incident with Platinum.”
Chrysalis scowled at that particular memory, but it lifted when a hand patted her on the back. Buoyed by his apparent agreement, she went and sealed it. Quickly embracing him, she closed her eyes and smiled to herself.
Victory.
“Well, that was certainly fast,” he commented, prompting her to laugh before drawing back and facing him with a wicked grin.
“I know you love it,” she teased. “I can just taste your lust already.” Glancing down into the water, she looked back up with a smirk. “Although that’s not really needed considering I can feel it instead.”
“Hilarious,” he stated flatly, before a small smile of his own came into life. “Get it? That was about as fake as your crying before.”
“Ouch,” she winced, but his smile still remained. “I’m a really bad crier?”
“It needs improvement,” Nigel suggested, before tapping his fingers on her back. “So, you seem fairly keen.”
“I’ve been waiting for centuries,” she countered. “Of course I am.” To emphasise the point, she leaned in and caught him off-guard with a kiss. “So why bother waiting?”
“Here? Now?”
“Of course,” she pressed. “It’s quiet and romantic, so why don’t we make use of the provided facilities?”
He glanced towards the three doors leading to the private rooms. “Those? I’d rather take my chances being seen.”
“They’re cleaned every hour,” Chrysalis explained with a roll of her eyes, before she shrugged. “But, if you insist then I don’t mind.”
He seemed to wrestle with the idea, before leaning in towards her. Her heart racing, she did likewise and prepared to receive his kiss, no doubt only the beginning of the experience she was most looking forward to.
‘Finally, after all of these years…’
Unfortunately, it was not to be.
“Are you sure we’re allowed in there? We’re only drones.”
“Me and Cupid bring drones and soldiers into here all the time, and I know that Keith does the same almost every day.”
“Holey is right, relax will you? Us two are nobles and no-one will be even using it- oh.”
Chrysalis, her wonderful kiss interrupted, glared at the four changelings that had entered the noble-only bathing area. She recognised two, Cupid and Holey, but the male drones that each were leading were less identifiable. Showing the reactions best suited to the situation, the drones immediately bowed and began hurriedly uttering apologies and excuses, while Cupid and Holey recovered from the shock to glare back.
“Oh, it’s you two,” Chrysalis growled, Cupid and Holey constantly misbehaving no matter what threats she used. Chrysalis shifted in Nigel’s arms, the human grimacing with his eyes closed while she adjusted her position to subconsciously mark him as hers. “Not only are you breaking the rule about ‘nobles-only’, you’re also interrupting my private time with your ancestor.”
Holey recovered first.
“Ew!” she replied with her tongue out. “That’s… urgh!”
“Pfft,” Cupid shrugged off, moving to the far end and submerging in the water. “Whatever. Drone, come on. You might as well have a bath before we get messy again.”
“Such disrespect,” Chrysalis muttered dangerously, while the poor drone addressed was torn between listening to her and listening to Cupid.
“Of course they’re fucking teenagers,” she heard Nigel murmur even softer, before the human put on a smile and faced Cupid. “Now, Cupid I believe it was. As you can probably tell, at the moment Chrysalis and I were kind of hoping for some privacy.”
The reasonable request was met with a blank stare from Cupid; Holey sliding into the water beside her while the two drones remained on the side of the pool.
“Maybe we should go,” Holey whispered to Cupid, Chrysalis still able to hear.
“No,” Cupid refused loudly, continuing to glare. “We have every right to be here, Chrysalis needs to deal with it.”
Chrysalis was not impressed. “That’s Queen Chrysalis to you, Brat.”
“Some Queen,” a smirk accompanied the response. “How’d the invasion go again?”
Leaving Nigel, Chrysalis moved through the water towards Cupid and leaned in close. “I can see why you’re asking, considering you were too cowardly to participate.”
No-one except the drones noticed Nigel carefully leave the pool, the two common changelings politely averting their gazes while he proceeded to wrap a towel around his waist and then headed for his armour.
“Maybe I just knew that you’d mess it up.” Fangs were bared, Holey wisely putting distance between the two. Sitting up, Chrysalis used her height to glare downwards at the offending Cupid.
“Unlikely, you were probably too busy harrying drones like a pony mare in heat to even notice what was going on.” She narrowed her eyes. “In violation of the breeding guidelines I set out for you as well, it’s a miracle that you haven’t already had nymphs. You’re a rotten influence for Holey, and for the rest of the Hive.”
“’Breeding guidelines?’ ‘Rotten influence?’” Cupid laughed without humour. “Coming from the Queen that’s currently trying to screw a non-changeling?” The level of spite increased. “Then again, I shouldn’t be surprised. An old hag like yo-“
An ear-splitting bang echoed out around the area, everyone covering their ears and wincing at the sound. Chrysalis whipped around to find the source, her heart racing from the surprise interruption. Searching, she removed her hooves from her ears and stared at Nigel, the other changelings following suit.
Chalmers was currently standing near the pile of armour, a white towel around his waist the sole covering that he wore. In his hand was a bulky metal object, black in colouration with white markings on either side. What seemed to be the end of it was a barrel, pointing down at a smoking hole in the floor, and Chrysalis realised that it was a form of ranged weapon. Nigel’s face was impassive, and after glancing at all of them he looked towards the two drones.
“Sorry for this, guys, but I’m going to have to ask you to leave while I have a talk with these three.”
“N-no problem, sir,” one hurried out, before he and his fellow gladly vacated the room. Nigel waited until they were well and truly gone, before looking back at Cupid and her.
“Now, Chrissy and Cupid,” he began softly. “We have to work out these family issues of ours, okay? An understanding family is a happy family.” He began to slowly twirl the weapon he held, Cupid’s eyes still locked on the hole the size of a hoof that it had caused. “So, to help us resolve this issue, we’re going to try something I saw on an old Terran show once. We all say what we want out of this situation and then find a way that makes everyone happy, I’ll go first.”
He cleared his throat. “I wish for me and Chrysalis to be able to have some private time to ourselves. I also wish for you, Cupid, to treat her with more respect. She is both your Queen and matriarch, and has worked hard to allow you the privilege of your position. Chrysalis, I also want you to try and patch things up with Cupid, we’re all adults and there is no need for screaming insults at each other regarding the sharing of a bathing room. Holey,” Nigel glanced at the confused changeling. “Find a new role model, for your sake.” Turning back, he raised an eye. “Chrysalis, would you like to go next?”
She didn’t know what to do or say. Out of all the times for him to have one of his brief bursts of ‘seriousness’, now was not ideal. Adding in the fact that he was waving around a loaded weapon, it wasn’t looking good. Deciding that appeasement was the best route, she tried to keep it civil.
Tried.
“I also want us to spend some time in private,” she began. “We were here first. I also want my insolent nobles to learn their place, and to pay proper respect to their Queen.” Cupid glared while Holey continued to stare at the hole in the floor, but they didn’t object.
“That’s good,” Nigel encouraged. “A bit confrontational, but good. Now, Cupid,” he smiled wider, but Chrysalis could tell that it was forced. “Your turn.”
“This is so stupid,” Cupid muttered. “Do you think this will seriously solve anything?”
Nigel chuckled, the barrel of the weapon moving towards to point towards Cupid. All three changelings leaned back, Chrysalis’ eyes widening.
‘Wait, surely he isn’t going to actually…’
“Ah, a good question! To be honest, I don’t really know, but it worked in TV. Still, it can’t hurt to give it a shot, can it sweetie?”
“Sweetie? Why you-“ Cupid paused, her eyes darting over towards the hole in the floor before back to the gun-toting human. “I-I mean, of course not.” Cupid’s smile was almost as forced, but her flimsy efforts were rewarded when Nigel lowered the gun. Chrysalis relaxed, but still decided that returning to her spot at the opposite side of the pool was a good idea. She’d learnt to not trust Chalmers when he had a weapon.
“Great, my usual methods of problem solving are…” he laughed warmly. “Well, ‘homicidal’ doesn’t really work in this situation, but you get the point. So, do you think you could share your problems?”
“Fine,” Cupid finally gave in. “I want to be able to use this bathing area like it’s intended, without Chrysalis kicking out the males I bring in, just so she can hog the room for herself and you. Chrysalis has her own bathing room in her chambers, so I want you two to just go there instead of…” Cupid shuddered. “Staying here and doing all that weird interspecies stuff.”
“Wait,” Nigel’s attention turned onto Chrysalis. “You have your own bathing pool? Why didn’t you say so?”
She gave him a blank stare. “What would you have said if I had sent you there instead of here?”
“Point.” Nigel turned back to Cupid. “And you also raised good points.” His attention switched to Holey. “Your turn.”
Holey gulped, shrinking back under the attention. Tapping her forehooves together, she glanced to Cupid. “I uh… agree with Cupid.”
Chrysalis watched Nigel stare at the nervous noble for a few moments, before he nodded. “Okay, that’s fine. So, to sum up,” he walked over towards her, Chrysalis looking up with confusion when a hand was placed on her shoulder. “The issue of the pool and usage is gone, myself and Chrysalis shall instead retire to her chambers and resume our bath there. You two can then be free to be left to your own business. Chrysalis will attempt to be less controlling, and in return you’ll show her a little bit more respect, deal?”
“Nigel,” she whispered. “Less controlling? Do you have any idea-“
“Just go along with it and we’ll talk about it soon,” he replied back. Chrysalis grudgingly accepted it, frowning while she hushed and allowed him to continue with his strange scheme.
“What makes you think that you can just start running things around here?” Cupid, evidently having recovered some of her notorious temper, glared at the smiling human with her forelegs crossed.
“Well, I was around Chrysalis before she even turned into a Queen, so I know a decent amount about how to deal with young changelings. That, and,” he idly tapped the weapon he held against his towelled waist. “I happen to be the one holding the gun.”
Chrysalis sighed, finally decided that she had to do something to prevent him from doing something rash. Rising up from the pool, she reminded herself that he wouldn’t ever shoot a changeling, no matter how rude.
Probably.
“It’s fine,” she reassured, getting out of the pool and making sure to keep a hoof on the arm holding the gun. “I’m sure everyone will do their best to keep their side of the bargains. Come now, we will resume our conversation in my chambers away from any further… distractions.” With that, she focused on levitating the pieces of his armour up into the air. After a careful moment of thinking she also took him by surprise, snatching the weapon out of his hand and adding it to the pile.
“Hey!”
She brushed off Nigel’s complaints, beginning to trot for the exit with his things in tow and thus forcing him to follow. “No, I won’t have you waving that thing around inside the hive. Now be a good human and stop complaining.”
“… You know I can just make more, right?”
“That’s another thing,” she continued, nearing the exit of the public bathing area. “No building towers of doom unless I say so. That goes the same for death-towers, death-robots, flying things that drop explosions, and certainly no ‘missiles’.”
“Spoilsport,” he muttered under his breath, but that was all he said. Chrysalis couldn’t help but smile at the response, knowing that it was unlikely for him to listen to her. Still, the fact that it was just like old times more than made up for it, and not even finding the two drones from before waiting outside of the bathing area didn’t kill her mood.
“Drones,” she greeted while pausing, the smile drooping slightly. “Waiting for something?”
They immediately bowed, one raising his head. “O-oh, Your Highness, we were just…”
“Cease the excuses,” she instructed, beginning to trot again. “I am no longer concerned with whatever happens within that pool or surrounding rooms. I trust you can make the right choice for yourselves.”
Her grin increased when, after a brief moment of whispering, both drones hurried away from the door and back down the corridor leading to the sleeping areas.
“See?” she glanced back to Nigel with pride. “Most of them obey me without question.”
“Stupid Chrysalis, stupid human.” Holey watched while Cupid splashed a hoof down into the water, her fellow not taking the news well. The two drones they had brought in with the intention of a little responsibility-free fun had disappeared, no doubt shooed off by the Queen or intimidated by her weapon-waving male-friend. There was little she could do but shift on her fore hooves, stand on the side of the pool, and attempt to calm Cupid down.
“We could always find them, or choose two new ones,” she offered meekly, Cupid pausing to stare at her.
“What, and have Her Royal Whine-ess and her pet brute chase them away as well? You heard her, none of that unless it’s with someone preapproved with the right standing. I’d rather spend some more time choosing who I want rather than just getting laden down with some noble’s nymphs for months.” Cupid scowled again. “Hey, at least I’m screwing around with changelings, not some two-legger who thinks he owns the place because Chrysalis tried to jump him decades ago.”
Holey winced at the reminder, but still did what she could. “To be far, she still wants that, and he did try and stop you two from fighting.”
“He waved a weapon at me!” Cupid countered.
“I know,” she replied. “But Cupid…” she stopped herself from saying ‘you kind of deserved it’ in time. “He and Chrysalis did leave, so we’re back to where we started. Let’s just find those drones again, and forget about the Queen and Nigel.”
Cupid huffed and turned her head away, Holey preparing for more objections. None came, however Cupid grinned and moved over towards the very end of the pool.
“Cupid?”
“Looks like they left something behind,” the other noble gloated, lifting up the clothing that had been pressed up against the exit grill. “It sure be a shame if Mr Sheathless didn’t have anything to cover himself with.”
Holey wasn’t a huge fan of that plan. “I don’t think that he’d appreciate-.” It was too late, and she was only able to watch while Cupid stuffed the clothes forcefully through the grill. The articles of clothing were carried into the blackness by the water, no doubt gone for good.
“Tough luck,” Cupid grinned evilly. “Now, that sure helped a lot. Let’s go and find those drones.”
“I really think that you should be a little more careful with that, do you know what would happen if those reactors go off?”
Chrysalis glanced over towards the armour dumped at the foot of her lavish four-poster bed, before focusing back on Nigel. He was standing in the doorway with a displeased look, so she sought to pacify him before moving forwards.
“I put it down gently, you worry far too much.” She smiled, one particular memory coming to the forefront of her mind. “After all, I seem to recall one time where you set yourself on fire and flew into a castle wall.” That elicited a head shake, but she could spot a small grin.
“Of course you remember that incident,” he muttered, Chrysalis sprawling herself across her quilted bed with a laugh.
“Why wouldn’t I? One does not easily forget the image of a flaming space-human smashing into a stone wall before combating a pony princess and setting a city on fire.” Another chuckle. “Ah, I was so worried back then, and I remember that fight we had after.”
He quickly contributed with his own shaky laugh. “Yeah, it seems sort of silly know that we look back at it.”
‘Really? He thinks that I’m just going to let it go?’ It wasn’t really venomous, more mischievous than anything. She could remember the aftereffects of the fight, and the apology he had made after said aftereffects had remained as one of the most enjoyable moments of life that she had experienced. Seeing it as a way to once again guilt-trip Chalmers to do her bidding, she narrowed her eyes at him and feigned hurt.
“Don’t think that I’ve forgotten about your drunken romp with Platinum.”
That got a satisfying reaction, Nigel’s eyes widening and his laughs dying out. Chrysalis kept up with the look, having to hide her smirk at the way he immediately began to form excuses.
“Look, Chrissy, I was drunk, I wasn’t really thinking, and you have to admit that it wasn’t really cheating because we weren’t actually together.” He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Okay, what do I have to do to try and stop that particular memory from popping up again?” She could tell that he already knew, and her unsubtle licking of her fangs was a signal that was as plain as day.
“Well,” she smirked. “The first thing is the towel. It needs to go. I somehow get the impression that its transfer to the floor will help to get my mind off of your past transgressions.”
He was slow to react, so she decided to hurry things along. Her horn glowed green and her eyes narrowed, Chrysalis tugging forcefully at the white towel that hide her prize. It was flung over towards the other side of the room once free, her grin increasing while she beckoned with fore hoof.
“My, that is certainly starting to cloud my memory, but we need to take a few more steps. Come, your Queen desires what she is due.” Behind her smirk, her anticipation was reaching its peak. Finally, once the final piece fell into place, he would be powerless to resist her.
There were, however, some issues.
“I’m not too sure I’m into this whole ‘what she is due’ thing,” he protested, but she could tell that it was a mere token resistance. After all, he made no attempt to reclothe himself nor leave, so she pressed on with the play.
“There is a law in my hive that applies to this situation,” she continued, running a hoof through her mane. “It states that any human once known, who enters the hive and takes the Queen by surprise, is required to obey her every wish.” She turned and shifted to rest on her stomach, putting on her best and most genuine seductive charm. “And do you know what that wish is?”
“Let me guess…”
‘Finally, a smile!’ she thought, grinning at the revelation. Her tail swished uncontrollably, her limbs twitching as she patiently resisted the urge to pounce on him and make him hers. While the wordplay was entertainment unto itself, she was more than ready for the main event. Then, her eyes narrowed in realisation, staring at Chalmers accusingly. ‘That bastard, he’s deliberately using this to draw it out and tease me!’
Nigel kept on going, rubbing his chin and muttering to himself. Out of patience, and a little irritated that he had turned her tactic against her, she gave up on waiting. Leaping from the bed with the aid of her wings and pushing him down with her magic at the same time, Chrysalis caught him unawares. Both crashed down onto the smooth floor with a thud, Chrysalis pinning him down and staring deep into his eyes.
“Fool,” she chided, voice dripping with glee. “You’re under my total control now.”
Her eyes widened when a hand shot up and snaked around her side, body quivering when the hand found the soft spot between her wings. ‘Gah, I… I forgot about those fingers…’
“Total control, huh?” he chortled back, miming a tweak of a moustache while he continued to bring her down to her knees with his fingers alone. “You forget, Queen Chrysalis, that I once was the most feared creature in these lands. You may have grown, but I remember all of your weaknesses like it was just yesterday.”
With that, the second hand went to her head, Chrysalis flopping down with a satisfied groan when the scratching behind the ears commenced. “Fiend… you’ll pay for this, ngh!” A chuckle was the only reply, but honestly she was fine with it. Granted, it was a less carnal reaction than she had been hoping for, but it had been so long since she’d felt that wonderful scratching so there were no complaints.
“Oh… e-excuse me.”
The scratching stopped immediately, Chrysalis opening her eyes and glaring at the interrupter. Nigel also looked behind them, his smile wavering but still there.
“Why, Reflection, this… this isn’t what it looks like.”
Chrysalis huffed at his rushed excuse, knowing it was exactly what it looked like. Reflection at least had the common sense to advert her gaze, the noble looking just as uncomfortable as Nigel was. Still, Reflection had trotted in on them and spoiled the moment, so no amount of common politeness would save her from retribution.
“And just why did you enter my chambers without permission?” The opening question was quickly followed up. “Did you not think to at least knock?”
In reply, Reflection gave a pointed glance to the door-less entry way before looking away again. “There is no door, and I bring important news. I was leaving the feeding areas when a soldier-“
“What is more important than letting me enjoy some private time after a long wait?” Chrysalis fumed, although the effect was no doubt lessened thanks to the naked human pinned under her. “I swear, if this is another status report on the melon situation…” The outcome was left to the imagination, Reflection gulping before answering.
“Well, My Queen, there are some… bat-ponies at the front door, wondering if we could spare some water.”
That stumped her.
“…Bat-ponies?” she repeated, before snarling. “Are they some of the accursed Lunar Guard!?”
“Bat-ponies?” Nigel mumbled from underneath her, Chrysalis sure that there was a trace of wonder in his words.
“No, they claim to be a diplomatic party traveling through after a visit to the West. Apparently their guide deserted them and took all of their supplies. They are carrying no weapons apart from some short swords, and they are only six in number.”
“Why should we help them?” Chrysalis snorted. “Their kind is just as bad as those Equestrians.”
Reflection shifted on her hooves. “They did ask nicely and did everything that the soldiers asked them to. We have no shortage of water, and their leader offers what silver they have along with some love that we can drain if absolutely necessary.”
“Ha!” Chrysalis shook with laughter. “They wish to barter? No, order the soldiers to capture them and cocoon them in the storage areas. Six is just too good to pass up.”
“But-“
“No buts, Reflection. Do as I say as I am your Queen!”
Reflection made to leave, but Nigel shifted before she could. “Hang on Reflection, wait one second.” Chrysalis rolled her eyes while Reflection paused, figuring that Nigel would try to mess it up. “I thought you said that you had a decent supply of love?”
“We do,” she almost snapped, eager to resume the prior activities. “But more is always welcome, we have to take it when we can.”
“But Chrysalis,” he whined. “They’re bat-ponies, they sound amazing!”
“They’re not amazing,” she confirmed, harsher than intended.
“But Chrysalis,” Nigel repeated before dropping into a whisper. “Bat-ponies. Bat. Ponies. I bet they have large bat ears, make ‘eek’ sounds, have… bat wings, breath underwater, and-“
“Enough!”
Her shout was so loud that Reflection jolted, Nigel staring up at her with…
‘Is that a smile!? Why that-!’
“Fine,” she seethed, fighting to hold back the torrent of abuse that she was wanting to throw out. “We’ll go and see the bat-ponies. However, I will decide what to do with them, so don’t try and sway me. We will also spend alone time together when we are done, with no further interruptions.”
“I promise,” he nodded. “Although remember our discussion about being nicer?”
“I do, nicer to changelings.” With that, she rose up and hurriedly moved towards Reflection, who once again adverted her gaze.
“Hang on, she heard from behind her. “I’ll get my towel.”
“This is a terrible idea, no offense. They’re changelings, they’ll just imprison us and feed off us for years.”
“Relax Belfry, just remember that you’re my aid and we’ll be fine.” Beams didn’t really believe her own reassurance; the fact that they were surrounded by scowling changelings was not a comforting one. Still, between certainly dying of dehydration or possibly being captured by changelings, she’d take the latter option happily.
“But Beams, you offered them a chance to drain love, what if they… you know, think that means something different?”
Beams didn’t get it. “What?”
“Well,” Belfry continued with an even quieter whisper. “We’re two mares, the other four are back at the dune, everyone knows that changelings are evil…”
It was then that she understood what Belfry was worried about. Quickly she gave the surrounding changelings soldiers a much more panicked look.
If it was true, then death by dehydration no longer seemed to be the worst option.
Standing outside of the hive on the sand, with only the moonlight and fires illuminating the shiny chitin of the creatures surrounding them, it was far too late to back out. The other three watching from the dune would be swarmed if the plan failed.
“S-surely not,” she replied, more to herself than to Belfry. “We’re more than capable of taking them down if they try anything.” Belfry’s stare was not one of confidence, Beams gulping before continuing. “Besides, we said that we’re diplomats and that stopped them from attacking us right away. This Queen Chrysalis will probably know how to properly treat foreign dignitaries, apparently all royalty like that sort of stuff.”
“I doubt she’s like most royalty, I’ve heard that she’s a massive bi-“
Belfry was unable to finish, another surge of changelings exiting the castle-hive. This time the Queen was among them, the tall bug-horse searching around before a changeling soldier by her side whispered and pointed towards them. A glare was sent their way, but Beams and Belfry were too busy staring dumbfounded at the figure following behind Chrysalis.
It must have been the human, but… something just wasn’t right.
Maybe it was the fact that he was a darkish-peach instead of black, the grotesque cutie-mark on his chest, or it may have been the towel wrapped around his waist.
Beams didn’t even risk asking why or what, instead she shut her open mouth and tried to smile. Bowing when Chrysalis approached, Beams had to smack Belfry in the foreleg to get her to follow suite. While it left a bitter taste in her mouth to show respect to the creature that had invaded her beloved Princess’ country, the survival of her squad and the success of the mission hung in the balance.
“So,” the changeling queen began with a sneer. “You think you have something that I want? Me? Wanting something from some bat-pony lost in the desert?”
Beams had to resist going for the knife hidden under her wing and shanking the rude royal right then and there.
Instead, she maintained the forced smile and channelled her hidden diplomat. “Oh, I’m terribly sorry for the interruption, Your Royal Highness, but I have come here with a plea.” Chrysalis’ raised eye prompted her to go on. “We were on our way back from a meeting with the… Zebras, and our guide left us in the desert. He stole all of our supplies, including our water, so we humbly request a small amount of water if you have some to spare.” She winced internally, not wishing to have to say the next part. “If needed, I am willing to offer… I am willing to offer up my love, free for you to drain at ease.”
She remained with her head bowed, hoping that the answer would be favourable. She could feel Chrysalis staring at her, the chattering of the surrounding changelings the only sounds. Then, her risky plan took the worse route possible.
“Why?” Chrysalis’ response was heavy with venom. “Why should I accept your pitiful offer when I can just have you and all of your group hung from the roof and drained when I please?” The sneer grew more vile. “Or, alternatively I can throw you all to the drones. Bat-ponies would go down well with them, I believe.”
Beam’s heart froze at the threats, her head snapping up. She almost began to plead for the safety of her fellows, before Chrysalis jolted and widened her eyes. Looking past the Queen, she could see a skin-covered arm leading towards the royal changelings’ hindquarters.
“Nigel,” Chrysalis stated emotionlessly. “Remove that hand from my rump, now.”
“So now you want it gone?” the human replied, raising his eye. All of a sudden, a small smack sounded out and Chrysalis flushed a shade of green. “How about this? I’ll let go when you lighten up a bit.”
“You expect me to just give them what they ask and let them go?”
“The Queen is right,” a changeling with a large, but sealed, crack on her side spoke up from the other side of the human. “They could be spies, Equestrians sent to watch us.”
The human chuckled. “I doubt it. Look at them, they’re-“
“Yes, they’re bat-ponies,” Chrysalis growled with an eye roll.
“Completely adorable bat-ponies,” he continued, Beams frozen while his gaze turned to her. “Look at them, with those fluffy ears and little fangs. You know, you should at least try and make an effort to be nice to them, they’re diplomats. Maybe we could make a treaty or…” Her confusion only grew when the human hummed in thought, gazing at Chrysalis intently.
“I will do as I please,” the Queen snapped. “And stop talking about them that way.”
“Tsk, someone’s jealous.”
“I’m not jealous! I’m just tired of this incident!”
“Really now?”
Beams was lost, unable to fully process what was happening. This surprisingly jolly and seemingly light-hearted creature was supposed to be one of Equestria’s dangerous enemies? So far the only danger he presented seemed to be towards Chrysalis’ image of a heartless monster, the Queen curiously refraining from forcing him to stop.
“Look,” Chrysalis huffed. “If I give them water and leave them be, you’ll let this entire ‘bat-pony’ nonsense drop?”
“I promise, as long as I can pet one of them before they leave.”
‘…What?’
The Queen sighed, before glancing towards the changeling with the scar. “Reflection, inform the Stores that we require six individual containers of water from the springs.” The addressed changeling quickly bowed before following the command, the human giving it a smile while Chrysalis focused back on them. “As for you, volunteer one of your party to be… petted, while the water is arranged. As soon as it arrives you are to leave and never return.”
“But-“ Beams began, but Chrysalis’ temper flared again.
“No compromises, accept it or leave it!”
Knowing just who was going to be the pony who’d have to suffer at the hands of the human, Beams hung her head. “Okay, we accept. I’ll… I’ll volunteer myself for,” she shuddered. “The petting.”
“Ser- I mean Diplomat Beams,” Belfry said with a whisper. “Surely you’re not-“
“I am,” Beams replied, trotting forwards with the gait of a mare resigned to her fate. She moved in front of the human, sat down, lowered her head, and then closed her eyes to wait. “Please, just make it quick,” she addressed to the creature.
“Not a chance,” he replied with glee, Queen Chrysalis sighing once more and Beams shivering when a warm hand made contact with her head.
“What are they doing to Beams?”
Dream didn’t know what to tell Bites, utterly stumped as well.
Their position on the dune was being watched by the changelings, but the creatures had neglected to send soldiers up to capture them. It afforded a good view of the area and the scene playing out below.
A few minutes ago, the changeling Queen and the human had exited the hive. At first the Queen had been livid, but had seemed to have calmed down once the human had begun to speak to Beams. Now, Beams was sitting with her head bowed, the biped ruffling her mane and flicking her ears like he…
‘He’s never seen a nocturne before,’ Dream realised. Looking more closely, she could see a smile on his face so it was obviously an enjoyable experience for him. Judging from the pleasantly surprised look on Beam’s, the attentions apparently weren’t too brutal. It was undoubtedly a confusing situation, watching her Sergeant-Major being petted by a biped while surrounded by curious changelings, but at least Beams seemed to have a good hold on the situation.
“Don’t worry, Sergeant,” she told Bites while continuing to stare with improved hope. “Beams looks like she’s got everything under control.”
‘Wow, I can tell why the changeling Queen is keeping him around.’ Beams rolled her head, letting the fingers scratch behind her right ear this time. She could feel Belfry’s eyes staring at her, but the humiliation wasn’t as bad as she had thought it would be. Still ,her military mind made a note that the human obviously had a weakness for nocturnes, and that nocturnes were potentially vulnerable to the insidious tactic of ear-scratching.
At the moment, it didn’t really bother her.
“Typical,” Chrysalis muttered. “Just when things are getting interesting, some bat-ponies come along and ruin it.”
Beams didn’t want to think about what Chrysalis meant by ‘getting interesting’.
“Chrissy, relax,” the human named Nigel reassured, before pulling away his hand. Beams was slightly annoyed at the ceasing of the rub and scratch, but it was balanced out by the worry that she was getting too lax around the enemy. “I’ve thought of a great plan, and Ms…”
“Beams,” she answered after a pause, not liking where it was going. “High Beams.”
“Ms Beams here is going to help us.” The human began to pace, nodding to himself as he did so. “You see, Chrysalis, the one thing we don’t need at the current time is more enemies. Thus, when a lost diplomatic party is at our doorstep we should make all efforts to help them out. As such, in return for our assistance with their survival, I’m sure that Ms Beams and her party would be more than happy for me to tag along so I can conduct a diplomatic visit to their homeland. Any legitimate diplomat would leap at the chance. ”
Beams was gobsmacked, her plan back-firing even worse than she had feared. She was positive that the last sentence was loaded with an underlying threat, the human still smiling but there was the glint of a predator eyeing its prey in his eye. To refuse would likely end with their capture and imprisonment, while if she agreed it would mean that she would be bringing a dangerous creature into the heart of her home city.
‘Think Beams, think!’ she panicked. ‘It’s a lose-lose situation, but if you lose now…’
“No,” Chrysalis said while turning to face the human. “You are not going with them.” The Queen didn’t appear to be as confident as before.
“Don’t you remember the last time that you did that? You ended up betrayed and imprisoned, don’t be a fool and repeat those same mistakes.” The cold voice dropped to a barely-audible whisper. “Please?”
Was this it, a chance to avoid the messy situation?
Unfortunately, no it was not.
“I can understand your concern,” he replied, hand going to Chrysalis’ shoulder. “So, would it be better if you came along as well?”
“I don’t think-“
“Come on, some time away from the hive could be good for you. Your advisors and generals can look after it for a few short weeks, surely?”
“I’m more worried about the nobles,” Chrysalis muttered.
“Then bring them along as well, or at least the worst ones.”
‘What? No! This is getting worse all of the time!’
“We can’t,” the Queen protested. “Almost all of them are bad, you remember Cupid and Holey. They’re rebellious, loose, rude, disrespectful…”
“Things that we can fix with a family trip to the city of the bat-ponies. Who knows, maybe they also just need to get out of the hive for a while?”
The human placed his other hand on Chrysalis’ free shoulder, rubbing them around. “Come on, it’ll be a nice trip and we can all catch up.”
Chrysalis still didn’t seem convinced. “It will be romantic,” he said in sing-song, Chrysalis rolling her eyes.
“Doubtful, I get the feeling that you just want to go and see more bat-ponies.”
Beams tried hard not to gallop away in fright, the human placing a hand over is bare chest. “Why, whatever made you think that?”
“Because I know you, and that’s exactly like something you’d do.” Chrysalis narrowed her eyes. “I thought you promised to drop the bat-pony issue if I gave them water, and we still haven’t taken Equestria.”
“I’m a pathological liar,” was his excuse. “But, I’ll make a deal. If you come with me on this trip, when we get back I’ll build a nice new shiny base of operations and prepare to fight Equestria.”
‘Oh no,’ Beams thought with wide eyes. ‘This is bad, this is very bad!’
Chrysalis bit her lip. “Will I get Celestia’s throne?”
“You can have both,” the human promised.
“Fine,” Chrysalis nodded. “But you’ll regret bringing the nobles along.”
“I can handle a few nobles.” The focus of attention was once again turned on the two nocturnes. “So, Ms Beams.”
She didn’t know what to do, her heart racing with panic. “Yes?”
The human grinned merrily. “I assume everything we’ve discussed is fine with you?”
Bites watched with worry as his Sergeant Major climbed back up the dune with Belfry trailing behind. Changelings watched their every move, but judging from the black contains on Belfry’s back the plan had ended with surprising success. His hoof bumped the large crossbow buried in the sand, all of their large weapons and armour buried in case the changelings searched them.
The look on Beams’ face when she crested the dune, however, cast doubt upon the positive outcome.
“What’s wrong?” Dreams questioned while Beams and Belfry sat down. “You got the water, so it worked right?”
“Not quite,” Belfry huffed. “There are… complications.”
Bites tilted his head. “But they were convinced that you were just diplomats, otherwise they wouldn’t have let you go.”
Belfry and Beams shared a look, before Beams tapped her forehooves together and cleared her throat.
“Uh, well, about that… you see, our plan may have worked a little too well…”
“Your plan is stupid, just like the last time you tried to make friends with ponies.”
“Thanks for the vote of confidence,” Nigel replied dryly, shifting through his armour pile while Chrysalis stood behind him and complained.
“It’s not like you haven’t been telling me that since we left the bat-ponies. Besides, Sombra was pretty much loyal to the end.” He scowled, not finding what he was after. “Also, have you seen my clothes?”
“Well, I’m saying its stupid because it is, and no,” Chrysalis answered. “They’re probably still in the bathing area.”
“Perfect.” He ran a hand through his hair and stood up. “I’ll be back, I’m just going to duck down and-“
“No.”
A powerful force grabbed his arm, and he found himself pulled towards the large bed. Glancing first at the green magic-covered arm, and then to the rapidly oncoming bed, he tried to resist but had no luck. “Chrysalis, sto-“ He was cut off when he made contact with the side of the mattress, Chrysalis forcing him up and spreadeagling him on his back. Thankfully his towel had managed to stay on, but judging from the look in her eyes he doubted that would last.
‘She’s certainly much more assertive,’ he mused, testing the magic binding his limbs to each corner.
“No,” she repeated, although this time her fangs flashed in a weary smile. “I’ve had a terrible day, with all of these interruptions, so now I’m going to do what I should have done earlier.” Continuing to hold him down, she slowly climbed up onto the bed. The springs squeaked as Chrysalis stood over him, the Queen licking her fangs almost maliciously.
He once again tried his magical binds, with no success. “You’ve certainly gotten stronger.”
“Yes, well,” she lent down to whisper in his ear. “I’ve finally started to be personally fed again, and I intend to get a decent feed tonight. I believe that this helpless morsel should do quite fittingly.” As if to highlight her point, she gave his ear a nibble.
Breaking the bonds didn’t work, so he instead opted for a different route. “Now?” he questioned, Chrysalis ignoring him while continuing to nip his ear. “It’s a little late and I’m fairly tired. How about tomorrow?”
“Tired?” she mocked, moving down to his shoulders. “Your absence has made you weak; I am not tired in the slightest. What next, a headache?” Alternating between nuzzling and playfully nipping, he could tell that she was enjoying this immensely. “Besides, tomorrow is when you promised those bat-ponies that we’d travel with them to their capitol, so I must use all of the time that we have.”
“Ah, but when we get to their city- ouch! Easy with those fangs there.” Looking to the side at the sharp pain, he watched as Chrysalis sheepishly pulled away. Two bleeding holes in his shoulder showed where her fangs had sunk in, Chrysalis staring at them before looking towards him with worry.
“I’m sorry!” she apologised, sinking down onto her knees atop of him. “I didn’t mean to go through the skin, it’s not as hard as chitin.” Carefully she levitated a corner of the green bedsheet over to dab at the wound, Nigel shaking his head.
“It’s fine, mistakes happen in situations like this,” he reassured her. “But do you mind letting one of my arms go?” With a fizzle, the magic holding down his right shoulder disappeared, leaving him free to pat her on the back. “I appreciate the play and all, but maybe be a little more careful.”
“Fine,” she agreed, before glancing towards the marks again. “Are you okay to continue?”
“Give it a minute so I don’t bleed everywhere on your bed,” The pats turned into a rub, and it wasn’t long before he had once again found his way to the middle of her back. Her wings began to buzz and she started to settle down, sprawled out on him with her head resting on the unbitten shoulder.
“That’s,” she let out a yawn. “A fair point, but don’t think this means that you’ve once again won.”
“Perish the thought,” he snorted. “What, and have you lose in this struggle of life and death?” No answer came, Chrysalis having shut her eyes. He poked her with his free hand and got no response, the changeling out like a light. “Not tired, huh?” he muttered, pushing her gently so she rolled off to rest against his left side. Unfortunately for him, even though she slumbered he was still pinned with her horn glowing a steady green. After a final effort in breaking his other limbs free, he gave up and resigned himself to his fate for the night.
“Night Chrissy,” Chalmers sighed, Chrysalis starting to snore in response. He rolled his eyes and tried to block out the sound, before he became aware of an itch on the bottom of his right foot.
“Wonderful,” he muttered. “This is going to be an absolutely smashing night.”