I woke up next to Luna, last night I had told her about what had happened in Ponyville... except my worries about Chryssi's possible pregnancy... and the dress from Rarity... okay I only told her what had happened in the library and the young filly we met on our way to the train station. Luna was very touched to hear Chrysalis would tell stories to young fillies today and decided to join the event to get to know Chrysalis a bit better.
I used my afternoon to book a table in the 'silver horn' for tomorrow night and to get the dress from Rarity, who made me promise not to look at the dress inside the box she gave me. On my way back I ran into Pinkie Pie again and convinced her to delay the party for a few days by hinting we maybe would have an even bigger reason to celebrate then. She REALLY wanted to know and guessed for about ten minutes until she finally was out of breath and ideas... her second guess had actually been right, but I had a good poker face.
Back in Canterlot I met with Chryssi, she told me about how much fun she had with the young ponies. Luna had been very interested in her stories, and they had talked together for a while after her meeting with young ones was over.
I handed her the box and we planned for tomorrow. We had been really excited and tomorrow couldn't come soon enough.
...
I did wear my favorite (and only) suit, the one I had worn on my first date with Luna. I looked across the table at my marefriend who was in a beautiful black dress with silver moons on it.
I didn't mention the herd proposal when I told her I had booked a table in the 'silver horn', but of course she knew. I felt quite nervous about the situation, the concept of introducing your girlfriend... marefriend to your other marefriend still gave me chills.
I could easily notice when Chryssi entered the restaurant because of all the gasps and whispering. A changeling alone was unusual enough, but a changeling dressed for a herd proposal, with red roses and a golden band around her hoof...
She looked magnificent as she slowly walked towards our table, Rarity's dress was a masterpiece and a beautiful contrast to her skin, she even had bound one of the roses to her horn. As I finally was able to take my eyes of her, I looked for Luna's reaction. I saw Luna was flabbergasted by her sight too and heard a whispered "wow..." from her.
As she arrived at our table, she spoke the traditional words: "May I join your table and maybe someday join your life?"
The restaurant was completely silent everybody seemed to hold their breath.
Luna nodded and answered: "Please join our table and let us see what the future brings."
As soon as Chrysalis sat down two stallions stormed out of the restaurant. I guessed they worked as reporters.
"You look absolute lovely tonight.", Luna addressed Chryssi.
Chrysalis cheeks showed a bit of heat as she answered: "The same goes for you Princess Luna."
"Please, just Luna.", she replied.
"Thank you, Luna... Oh and you look great too Alex."
"Compared to both of you I feel like a rock next to two diamonds, but thanks for the nice words anyway.", I answered with a smile.
The waiter took our orders, and we had a nice chat while we waited for our food to arrive. We talked about things we liked when we were young. Luna surprised me with loving knitting back then. Chrysalis told us about her hunting trips, but she always checked her surroundings and looked to the entrance while she talked. I was worried Luna would disapprove of her hunting tales, but she showed no negative reactions. Both snickered as I told how much of a bookworm I was back in my world. It felt so nice to see the mares I loved being together and having fun. Our food finally arrived, and we enjoyed it too the fullest. I noticed Chryssi was still looking around quite nervous.
"Is everything all right?", I asked her. "You look so tense."
"Everything is fine, thanks. I think I am still nervous to be around ponies without my disguise...", she answered in a happy voice. Then her face got more serious and she got close to me. "You trust me, right?", she whispered.
I just nodded.
"Please remember that...", she whispered again.
"Do you two have secrets?", Luna asked with a bit of a pouty face. I wasn't sure if she was serious.
"I have a special gift for you, Luna.", Chrysalis said to my surprise. "But I have to go outside for a moment to get it."
"That's the kind of secrets you can have anytime. I love surprises.", Luna replied.
"Good, because this will be a big one.", Chryssi said and stood up. "I'm back in a second."
We watched her walk to the exit... as he reached it, she quickly turned around toward a pony sitting close to it, grabbed his head and repeatedly smashed it into the table, blood sprayed over her white dress. Luna's horn lid up but I touched her hoof. The guests jumped from their seats in panic. The pony lost consciousness and his body transformed... to a changeling.
Luna used her Canterlot voice: "EVERYPONY STOP AND CALM DOWN!"
Everybody stopped in their tracks and tried not to move. Luna walked over to Chrysalis. "Explain yourself.", she demanded.
"This is a changeling undercover agent, I think I was his target. It's something I feared from the day my presence here became public. I was suspicious because he wasn't surprised when I entered the restaurant, after this he made little mistakes, we are lucky he is pretty young and inexperienced. "
"He is still breathing.", I said after looking at him.
"Of course, I didn't want to kill him.", Chrysalis said. "I just wanted to knock him out so he could not contact the hive, but we have pretty thick skulls."
"You should have told us before you attacked him.", Luna said with anger in her voice.
"I had sensed a spell he used to listen in on us if I said anything he would have been warned."
"... okay. You're excused.", Luna said. "We should get this blood of your dress, or else Rarity may murder someone."
"Shouldn't this blood be green?", I asked her.
"Only princesses and queens have green blood.", she replied and used her magic to lay the changeling over her back. She addressed the other ponies: "I'm sorry everypony for interrupting your meal, please accept my apologies." She trotted out of the restaurant, Luna and me trailing her.
"We must get him into a cell as quickly as possible.", Chrysalis said and increased the pace.