5 and a half hours later
It was a long day in the office for her, datelines missed and a few missed appointments had made her day harder than it needed to be, but, she was about ready to go home and finally relax for the weekend. Photo Finish, former fashion photographer, owner and CEO of The Beauty of Form magazine, mother, Princess, and wife to Prince Spike Dragul was looking for some relief from work, she was excited for her date night with her husband as she left her office building when she saw her husband waiting for her with a royal carriage.
"Hey Photo!" Spike said as he came to her and picked her up, "How was work?"
"Tiring dear, I could really use a good hoof massage." she said giving him a peck on the lips that he gladly accepted, she noticed an arm bandand thought to herself, 'That is a weird piece, what is that for?'
"I could do that, but we need to talk, this is kind of a big deal." he said taking her saddle bags.
"What did Frame Rate set on fire now?" she asked as she neared the carriage, but Spike stopped her. "What?"
Spike chuckled nervously, "Well, before you see the inside of the carriage I have to tell you that you look beautiful today and I love you."
Photo thought to herself, 'He's hiding something, what now Spike?' she said, " Thank you and I love you too. Now Spike Dragul, if you do not open the door to this carriage, I will post that picture of you at the Hearts ond Hooves day festival in my magazine."
Spikes heart quickened, he opened the door slowly and braced himself, but there was silence.
Photo was nonplused, flabbergasted, dazed, confused, and any other way you could say the word by what she saw. She ssaw Queen Chrysalis, one of the meanest people on the planet sitting with bags drinking a soda and Princess Celestia making idle chat. She had truly seen everything today, speechless she looked to the chanelings horn and found a ring around her horn and Photo Finish noticed it was the same material of the band on Spikes arm.
Celestia would be the first to speak, "Hello daughter in law would you like to take a step in the carriage, we need to have a talk."
Photo still in shock got in with a nervous and shaking Spike in tow who closed the door as Celestia signaled for it to leave. Photo wanted to say something but couldn't get her mouth to open all she could mutter was, "What?"
"I know you have questions, but you may ask them after Chrysalis has told you why she is here."
All that came out again was, "What?"
Chrysalis took her time as she could feel the awkwardness in the air of the carriage as she adressed the light blue and shade wearing mare, "I know this is going to be a very maddening problem for you, but, you are saving a race, I shall tell you the story I told them." she bagn retelling the story of why she came, repeating the same grief and sadness she spoke in the meeting, even breaking down as she told. Photo felt for her as she heard, shared sympathy for the changeling queen and listened to the raw and pure emotion she poured into every word.
"I couldn't wait, and I chose Spike to be m husband to help me live, I know of your relationship with him and the child you have, I know this is not easy for you and I cant expect it to be."
She was conflicted to say the lease, that was the most genuine emotion she has seen out of anyone, besides a certain few. Though there was doubt in her heart that this could all just be a trick to try for the city of Canterlot again, she had to say something, "I believe that we could work something out." she said. "If only you can gaurantee that there will be no over feeding or trickery within whatever this is."
It was Celestias time to speak as she said, "Yes we thought of that and we have a somewhat solution till a more permanent solution can be made. The ring on Chrysalis horn is enchanted to negate any spells to enchant, over feed, or mesmerize. Also, Spike suggested something, something you and myslf should discuss in private."
"Very well Celestia." Photo said.
"Spike who had been silent the whole trip said, "Thanks so much, I thought you would hate me for what I did." he said reaching to hug her only to be stopped by her hoof.
"Oh do not get comfortable yet, I am still very confused about this, dont expect anything from me soon mister." she said with a serious face.
The carriage stopped and Celestias magic opened the door, Spike who was also carrying Phots saddlebags, took Chrysalis bags and left with Chrysalis in tow. As they left Celestia closed the door and put a sound proof barrier around the carriage, "Now aboout that thing I mentioned earlier."
Photo looked to her and said, "Yes, what is it?"
"Spike loves you, so very much, so he intrusted a matter to you that he would not trust another soul."
"And what would that be?" Photo was genuinely interested.
"Chyrsalis is being put through what Discord was during his rehabilitation, we would like to have her on our side."
"Oh, so where exactly do I come in?"
"Spike wants you to be the judge on her progress, he wants you to determine when we take the spell off of the ring on her horn."
"Oh, that is a big call, but, what if all of this is a trick, I suspect you have your suspicions on the matter."
"Yes, just know that she will be watched 24/7. Though she was just crying a few minutes ago do not let that foool you, she is still an unstable element."
"Ok Celestia." just as she was about to leave she said, "Are still up for playing with Frame Rate tomorrow?"
Celestias serious mood went out the window and she squealed, Yes, I fell like I haven't seen him in forever, I will be by tomorrow at noon." she said with a smile.
"Very well see you then." she smiled as she left the carriage to find her husband and.......wife? fiance? oh she was so done with today.