Future Progressive: The Speedfics and Drabbles of Present Perfect

by PresentPerfect

A Very Nasty Habit

"My Queen," the thin voice wailed, "this habit is unbecoming of one of your station. Not to mention it's not good for--"

A blast of green energy lifted the hapless changeling into the air and slammed him against the wall. Chrysalis took a long drag on her cigarette and blew the smoke into his face.

"When one is fated not to die of natural causes, Councillor," she rasped, "one eventually finds that the only pleasures in life are the deadliest. Now get out."

The Councillor, though rubbing his neck in pain from the sheer force his sovereign had exerted upon it, nevertheless pressed his attack. "My Queen, I only care for your health and safety. Such an extensive life as yours should be lived in the peak of health, lest you should spend your days in suffering."

Chrysalis sighed, and a thick cloud of smoke accompanied it. "Very well, Councillor. I appreciate your care for my person. But frankly, it's far too late for me to quit."

The Councillor spent a long moment in confused silence. "But... My Queen, I thought that you had only picked up the habit recently!"

Chuckling, Chrysalis shook her head. "I smoke in proportion to my mood, Councillor. After that disgusting display in Canterlot--" she wrinkled her nose in speaking the word-- "I've been ever so slightly on edge." She glanced askance at her retainer. "Surely you've noticed."

The Councillor swallowed. "M-my only concern is for your well-being, Highness."

The end of the cigarette flared red for a moment, then Chrysalis let a long, dual stream of smoke out her nostrils.

"Mmm, I'll accept that lack of answer," she mused. "The fact is, my dear overconcerned Councillor, that this very nasty habit of mine is linked to, shall we say, certain outward characteristics of mine."

Silence served for a cue to continue.

"You see these?" She waved her foreleg at him, and he nodded. "Any idea where they come from?"

The Councillor looked truly stumped. "I assumed they were a natural part of our bodies, Mistress."

Chrysalis sighed, blowing a smoke ring. "Only on account of your bodies being linked to mine. And when the side-effects of smoking grow too great..." She closed her eyes, chuckling. "Well, let's say I've had a few surgeries."

The Councillor gasped. "You mean..."

"Changelings didn't always have holes in their legs, no."

The Councillor's face grew pale. "I... I feel I must lie down now, Your Highness." His voice was high and strained. "Please do consider my request to think about your health. Please?"

As he left the chamber, Chrysalis laughed softly and took another drag at her cigarette.

Author's Note:

I wrote this at Canterlot Gardens in Strongsville, Ohio, after seeing a Chrysalis cosplayer smoking in the parking lot. kits made the comment that that was where the holes came from, and then this happened. Sorry.

Comments

[kits]

Specifically that the holes were where the cancer was cut out

[Filler]

Legs <--> Lungs aren't a very strong connection in my opinion, but very nice nonetheless.

[PresentPerfect]

1366986
YES WE KNOW THIS

1369013
horsebugs <--> shape changing isn't a very strong connection either. It's [Random]. :B

[Admiral Biscuit]

When she blows smoke out of her superfluous holes, that's when she's gone too far.

orig07.deviantart.net/501e/f/2012/115/8/a/mlp__cheese_and_cotton_candy_by_kanatyanka-d4xjii2.jpg