//------------------------------// // Five Days // Story: Two-Sided Prequel II: Who You Work For // by FerociousCreation //------------------------------// Who you Work for Ch. 15 “R-really?” Coco said in question. “You don't need me to make any more dresses?” Queen Chrysalis nodded, still wearing her smile. Looking around, Coco noticed everychangeling's expression. The tailors' expressions were surprised due to the fact that their queen looked so pleased. Fang on the other hoof, looked sad. “So... does that mean I no longer work for you?” “No,” Queen Chrysalis replied as her smile went away. Upon hearing her statement, the tailors looked at each other in confusion as Fang cracked a happy grin. Thinking hard, the pony creased her brow and puckered her lips, trying to think. “Why do you still need me to work for you?” “I'll explain that later.” Chrysalis looked slightly nervous and looked around, avoiding eye contact with her friend. Coco shook her head. “No, you need to tell me now.” Slightly irritated, the queen scowled at the pony. “No, I will explain later!” “But as the pony you commissioned, I need to know why I am still working for you if I am no longer tailoring anything else.” A small smile crawled onto Coco's face. “Be honest with me. And I am sure that anything you say here will not be spoken to anychangeling.” Looking at the changelings, Coco said aloud, “RIGHT EVERYCHANGELING?” “Oh yes.” “Of course.” “Anything for my queen.” “My lips are sealed.” All eyes were on Chrysalis. For once in her life, she didn't want all the attention drawn to her. Must this pony always be so convincing? Sighing, the queen spoke, “I wish for you to continue working for me just for a little longer.” A question came to Coco's mind. “But what do you mean by that? If I am not making any more dresses, what are you going to do about your other gatherers?” “Let me answer your question with another.” “Okay...” Coco did not know where the queen was going with the conversation. “Do you know when the Grand Galloping Gala is?” Shaking her head, the pony replied, “No.” “Five days.” Coco's eyebrows raised in shock. In five days?! I didn't even know that it was so soon! “Based on your expression, I can assume you are surprised. Let me tell you something, my friend: I have twenty gatherers attending me to the Grand Galloping Gala. You have only completed one outfit for one gatherer. If you want to kill yourself with an overload of work, then I want you to make nineteen original creations. eleven dresses, nine outfits. You have five days to get everything finished.” Realizing the workload Coco has to do in order to please the queen's demands, she thought long and hard before replying. “If you no longer need me to make any more designs for your gatherers, how else are you going to get what you need?” “Simple: you and I will go to Canterlot and purchase outfits there.” “You and I?” In her peripheral, Coco noticed the changelings were just as confused as she was. “Wait a second...” The mare was very interested in Queen Chrysalis' statement. “If you want to buy clothing at Canterlot, why didn't you do that instead of highering me? I mean, I do appreciate the work that you have provided me. However, why have me instead of a cheaper alternative?” Chrysalis gave Coco a sinister smile. “You'll see...” Intimidated, the pony lowered her head and her ears retreated. Quickly, the queen's attitude changed. Letting out a chuckle and pushing her friend with a nudge, Chrysalis said, “It's nothing to worry about.” Playing along, Coco sarcastically replied, “Alright, I won't worry. After all, you have never proven me wrong.” The queen felt that her friend's comment was a quip. “What's that supposed to mean?” she leered. With a smug grin, Coco answered, “Oh, it's nothing to worry about.” Chrysalis suddenly burst into laughter. “HAHAHA!” she roared. “You are funny!” Coco also began to laugh along with the queen. As Fang spectated everything from a distance, he was happy to see his friend and queen get along. I'm glad Queen Chrysalis is going to have Coco around a bit longer. Coming up from behind Coco, the changeling approached the two mares, his eyes on the queen. “My queen, forgive me for interrupting your time with your friend-” “Speak,” Chrysalis ordered, not giving Fang the chance to apologize properly. “R-right. When do you plan to go to Canterlot, and who will be accompanying you two?” “Tomorrow; or rather, later today, since it is early in the morning.” Looking down at her friend, Chrysalis scratched her chin. “Who should we bring along, Coco?” “W-what? Why are you asking me?” In an instant, all eyes were on her. The sudden attention that fell upon the pony made her uncomfortable. “I am asking you because you are very wordy with your consistent question bombardment.” “I don't ask that many-” “I wasn't finished,” Chrysalis said calmly. It surprised Coco that the leader kept her cool when the pony began to make her input. Usually, Chrysalis would shout and get in her face when she tried to say something that would upset mostly anypony or changeling. Continuing her statement, Chrysalis continued, “I know you like to ask questions. So, if there is anychangeling, in particular, you would like to bring along so you can talk their ears out, go ahead and suggest. Otherwise, I will choose.” Even though Coco didn't like how her friend was wording it, she couldn't disagree that she did ask a lot of questions. Not to say that asking questions was a bad thing, but Chrysalis was making it out to seem that way. Hmm... who would I choose. Looking at Fang, he gave her a smile. I would obviously want Fang to come along. He is a nice changeling and I am sure he would love to come along as well. But who else... who else. Then she knew who to choose. “I would like for Fang and Sea More to accompany us to Canterlot.”