"Queen". It's a funny title, isn't it? On the surface, it seems to mean one thing; in practice, it can mean many. This is the story of my relationship with that title - and the one who bore it.
A good Queen's job is never easy; if the world doesn't challenge them, they'll challenge themselves. Luckily, they have others that they can rely on to aid them.
But that can be hard to do, especially in times like these. The Cultural Exchange Treaty has thrown Changeling Hive Chrysalis into a radical state of change, and no one is sure how things will turn out.
But I am sure of this: I care, and I'll do whatever it takes to help her.
Changeling Hive Chrysalis: An underground cavern city, carved and tunneled beneath a mountain, and filled with the eponymous changelings.
To most of the ponies of the nearby kingdom of Equestria, it was imagined to be a dark, slimy, cramped, frightening place, filled with the hissing and buzzing of strange bug-like pony creatures, no doubt communicating messages of malice and ill-intent with hivemind-like regularity.
It was a depiction that most changelings, as they milled about their daily business in the hive, would have found either insulting or comically inaccurate. The city was, in actuality, primarily a single huge, well-lit cavern, with various small communities – called clusters – staged across it, burrowed into walls, seated on plateaus, or simply laid out across the cavern floor. The most notable noises in the hive were much like any city; conversation, movement, the occasional loud oddity, or the sound of water coming from the giant waterfall in the center; aside from said waterfall, however, the reader may rest assured that the hive is in fact quite dry.
Indeed, the common understanding of changeling society was quite flawed, though this was hardly a concern to most changelings. In fact, until recently, it was preferred this way; changelings disguised themselves as loved ones, and fed off of the love one felt for the disguise, after all. If they were discovered, it served a changeling best if they were thought of as frightening monsters, whose home must surely be such a terrifying place that discovering it would be the worst nightmare one could dream of. It made escape easier, and pursuit less likely.
But right now, one of those 'monsters' was sitting at a table in a little cafe, rubbing a hoof to one of his temples and glaring at some papers in front of him, as though his silver eyes could light them on fire through aggravation alone. To this particular changeling, correcting the image that other nations had of the changeling hive was the second-most important thing on his mind.
Right behind the divine cup of coffee that was placed directly in front of him by a cute green-eyed changeling.
“Zoli-Nyry,” he said, breathing in the subtle mix of spices, and glancing from the artistic little foam pattern up to her, “are you quite certain you aren't transforming your eye color?”
Nyry looked faintly confused, quirking her head to the side with a somewhat expectant grin. “No, my eyes are really green... why?”
“Oh, it's just that I thought they might be orange.”
“You thought I might be a Maker? Why?”
“Because I'm pretty sure only an artist could make something like this...”
Nyry chuckled as she rolled her eyes – more noticeable for the neck and facial movements than the eyes on a changeling, which have solid eyes with no visible markings – and turned to walk away, as Nihkel grinned and sipped his coffee. He was always on his best behavior at work, and so he took what chances he could to goof off.
Of course, as he quickly remembered with a frown, he still had work to do, even if he wasn't in the office at the moment. Looking down at his work thus-far, he shook his head and sighed.
“What I have here just won't do...”
“Is something troubling you, son?”
Nihkel glanced up, into a pair of solid violet eyes, framed by an old changeling's face, creased with years of worry and compassion.
“Ah! Ah, Lilo-Krennet, I didn't see you there, I'm sorry!”
Nihkel quickly jumped up, bowing his head to the elderly Speaker, which caused his green mane to briefly fall over his eyes. Realizing his faux pas, his crooked horn briefly lit with a green aura, and a flash of green flame passed over his body, transforming his hair into a small, jagged strip along the back of his neck and leaving his black head bare.
Krennet shook his head with a smirk, raising an eyebrow at the younger changeling's antics. “You needn't stand on ceremony, Ezuo-Nihkel.”
“Uh... Oh. Are you sure? I mean, this is still technically the Spire...”
“That may be, but you are not on-duty, and I'd like to think that this place serves as a little relaxed bastion of informality in this stuffy tower. May I?”
Krennet had gently pulled back a seat, motioning towards it and waiting for a response. Nihkel sighed in relief, dispelling his disguise and flopping back into his chair as he set his hair back into its usual somewhat-messy pattern, and motioned for Krennet to sit. While changelings were expected to maintain the traditional, and virtually indistinguishable, appearance in the Spire – and Soldiers were expected to maintain it everywhere – Nihkel appreciated opportunities to change it up.
“I like to think so, too, but I'd hardly want to seem disrespectful – especially right now.”
Krennet raised an eyebrow as he gently lowered himself into the seat, some tension visibly going out of his aching joints as he relaxed.
“Things certainly have seemed tense, lately. I haven't been around the Spire so much for a few months; is something wrong?”
“Not exactly. Just... well, I work under Iqqel, you know?”
Krennet furrowed his brow in confusion.
“I know Iqqel, but I don't really see how that relates. Is she difficult to work for?”
“Oh, no! Not at all, usually. No, it's just that she works really closely with Queen Chrysalis, and, well... I'm sure you've heard about how stressed she's been, lately.”
“Ah, yes. Ever since the treaty.”
“Right! Yeah, Iqqel's been on a hair-trigger ever since it was signed. She's usually so calm and collected, but lately... well, let's just say she's still meticulous in her planning, but she's a bit more exacting of those working under her right now.”
Krennet found a sly grin forming as he listened.
“Having trouble keeping up with her, are you?”
“Well, yeah! I'm not ashamed to admit that. Anyling would have trouble keeping up with Iqqel these days. She's been like a machine.”
Nihkel shook his head with a smirk, looking around the room, and absently grumbled, “I bet she'd have a cutie mark for working obsessively if she were a pony.”
“A... what? Sorry?”
“Oh, er... sorry. It's something they've had me studying. I'm writing this pamphlet to attract Equestrian tourists to the hive, and I've been reading up on Equestria as a result.”
“Tourists, you say? That's...”
Krennet began laughing quietly; while his voice was normally so soft as to sound quietly androgynous and gentle, his laugh was a deep thing, which rose into a sort of steady rumbling noise. Nihkel, for his part, simply seemed confused.
“Is something, er, what's so funny?”
“Oh, just the idea of the hive attracting tourists. Things have changed quite a lot, haven't they?”
Nihkel leaned back in his chair, letting out some tension he didn't even know he was holding as he shook his head, looking up and around at nothing in particular.
“Tell me about it! It was only a couple of years ago that we tried to invade Equestria! Now, instead of focusing on their military strengths and weaknesses, we're... analyzing how big their populations are! Trying to find ways to lure in tourists! I mean, I've been asked to go to an Equestrian musical concert so I can start taking notes on how our musical traditions differ!”
“Almost seems like a strange joke, doesn't it?”
“Yes, it does! I mean, I'm not one to question the Queen – it's just hard to adjust to, is all.”
Krennet gave a satisfied smirk, looking over towards the waitress and waving her down.
“I'm sure it is.”
“Forgive me for saying, but... you're quite old. Shouldn't all of this be even harder for you to adjust to?”
Krennet gave a gentle shrug as the waitress came around.
“The hive is ever-changing. As you get older, you get used to it.”
Nihkel paused to carefully consider Krennet's words as the older changeling placed an order with the waitress. As she walked away, Nihkel leaned in.
“You've seen a lot... do you think you could help me with this?”
Nihkel slid the papers forward. Krennet took some time to read over them, barely pausing to nod at the waitress when his coffee was set down.
“'The reader may rest assured that the hive is in fact quite dry'... Well, it does seem to focus on common misconceptions ponies might have. I suppose that's a start, but there might be differences you haven't even anticipated.”
Nihkel frowned, considering.
“How could I deal with that?”
“Maybe interview some Infiltrators who have spent time in Equestria... or, if you can, interview an actual pony here in the hive.”
“That would be hard, given that none have visited; the Cultural Exchange Treaty has been strictly one-sided, so far.”
Krennet frowned, shaking his head.
“No wonder they've asked you to write this, then. I can see how that would be very stressful and embarrassing for the Queen.”
“Yeah, no kidding. Thing is, the ponies still view us as monsters... and a few of us still want it that way. I'm not sure how to make our home sound inviting.”
“Well, focus on some differences, rather than similarities. For instance, you mentioned... 'cutie marks', was it? What are those?”
“Er... well, odd naming aside, it's a sort of... symbol, or brand, that appears on the flanks of a pony as they reach maturity. It symbolizes their special talent.”
Krennet's violet eyes lit up in comprehension, a smile forming.
“Ah, so it's like their Caste, then!”
“Sort of, I suppose. It's individual to every pony, though; it isn't like there's a big group of ponies who are simply good at fighting who form the Warrior Caste, like here.”
“Ah. That is strange... and aren't there three breeds of pony, too?”
“Four, if you count the princesses. Some have horns, some have wings, some have neither, and only the princesses are lucky enough to be like us.”
Nihkel gave a self-satisfied grin as he buzzed his buglike wings and lit his crooked horn. Krennet snorted in amusement.
“I'd hardly say they're like us, all things considered, but perhaps that's something you can use. I would guess a lot of ponies who lack them might wonder what it's like to have horns, or wings. A society that has both must seem fascinating to them.”
“Hey, that's a good idea! It makes us sound...”
“Exotic?”
“Yeah! And I guess that's a good thing, huh?”
Krennet nodded gently, taking a sip of his coffee. Nihkel smiled, putting a hoof on his chin and considering the possibilities.
“Thank you, Krennet. I had thought to avoid the differences, but focusing on making them sound appealing seems like a much wiser strategy. Heh, are you sure you weren't meant to be a Thinker?”
Krennet grinned, throwing his hooves up in mock surrender.
“Hey, now. You already knew all of the information, you just needed help saying it. What else would a Speaker be good for, after all?”
They both shared a laugh at that; it was rare that the role of Speaker was interpreted so literally.
“I suppose you've got me there. I guess it would probably seem odd to an outsider that Iqqel has a Thinker doing this sort of thing.”
“Most of the high-ranking staff in the Spire are Thinkers, these days. In fact, Iqqel's sort of famous amongst our Caste for being the exception.”
“Oh, right. It can be easy to forget that she's a Speaker, sometimes. I mean, she clearly has a talent for words, but...”
“You're not the first to think so. Many were surprised to see her emerge from her Ceremony of Names as a Speaker.”
“Oh? Did you know her, back then?”
Krennet nodded, a wistful smile appearing as his eyes became unfocused, looking into some far-off memory.
“She was already well-known, even before her Ceremony. She was... focused. Brilliant, without a doubt. My only concern was how much she kept to herself.”
Nihkel tapped a hoof thoughtfully to his chin, again considering the words of the older changeling.
“She generally seems so... in control. It never really occurred to me to think that way of her. Though, she did seem pretty upset about Cheery showing up.”
“Cheery... Yes, I can imagine how that might upset Iqqel, especially given her... origin.”
Nihkel leaned forward conspiratorially, speaking in excited tones.
“Oh, you're in the loop, huh? Yeah, Iqqel was talking about how irresponsible that was of the Queen. I've never seen her openly criticize Chrysalis like that before! But, I mean, on the day that the Equestrian ambassador showed up? What was she thinking?!”
Krennet looked shocked for a second, before slowly replying, “Ah... irresponsible. Yes, I suppose it was, given that Twilight Sparkle of all ponies showed up as the ambassador.”
Nihkel, oblivious to the momentary lapse in conversation, pressed on, “Right, Twilight! A master of magic, the Princesses' personal student... what a nightmare! I mean, I heard she 'studied friendship' or some such nonsense, but apparently she had a direct hoof in foiling the invasion! Not exactly the kind of pony you want here on a diplomatic mission while performing magical experiments Equestria would consider illegal.”
Krennet looked off at the floor to the side, unfocused as his mind processed other things.
“A cloning spell gone awry. You know, our Queen always was so gifted with magic... it's strange she would make that kind of mistake.”
Nihkel waved a hoof dismissively, continuing his hushed tones, “Everyling makes a mistake now and again. And now we have this... hyperactive orange-maned Chrysalis near-look-alike running around in the hive, throwing parties and all, and noling even knows how we're supposed to treat her! Like, is she another Queen? A high-ranking Speaker? A foreign dignitary? What's the protocol, here?”
Krennet looked back over to his companion, a wry grin forming.
“You're still so young, Nihkel, trying to categorize everything in terms of what you're already familiar with. Perhaps, if you aren't sure how to deal with her, she's something new. Just like this peace with Equestria; sometimes, you just have to accept change. I knew when I saw our Queen's eyes turn black at her Ceremony that the hive would never be the same.”
Nihkel paled, staring at the older changeling, before mumbling, “You mean you... you were at Chrysalis' Ceremony?”
Krennet nodded, leaning back in his chair, looking thoughtful.
“We thought it best, at the time, for her Confessor to be someone she recognized.”
“'We?'”
Krennet gently smiled as he clarified, “The Queen and I.”
“-It was just so wonderful! I mean, some of the ponies were really nervous or suspicious, but the royal escorts were really professional and everything was so INTERESTING!”
Unlike here, which is just so boring. After all, it's filled with people like Y- “I'm glad to hear you enjoyed your trip so much. Thank you for your report, I believe your friends are waiting in reception.”
“Oh, I can't wait to tell them all about it!”
I can't wait for you to leave me in peace. Ugh, I really need to curb all these negative thoughts while I'm on debriefing... Everyone just says the same things, though...
“...I can't wait to go back!...”
“...It was just so much BIGGER than the hive!...”
“...So much more advanced magic and technology...”
“...Huge metropolitan cities!...”
I don't know how much more of this I can stand. What's that old pony phrase for this? The “grass is always greener on the other side”? If I have to listen to one more fawning report about how great Equestria is... no. I'm going to keep my cool, and stay professional. They're enjoying themselves; who am I to take that from them?
Maybe it will be easier to bare if I just try to tune it all out. I need to go over the latest luminite harvest reports anyway...
-
Wait... what did they just say? Focus, try to play it back...
“I... I felt really uncomfortable because of that...”
That's all I've got. I've just been saying “mm-hmm” this whole time... - “I'm sorry, I think I got distracted. Why were you so uncomfortable?”
“Oh, uh, sorry, I said, 'The ponies really didn't seem to understand the idea that I didn't have a gender preference'....”
Ahh, right... most of the changelings interested in Equestrian culture are the ones that adopted a gender, like me. But now that the exchange program has been going for so long, I guess some of the more 'traditional' changelings are heading over there...
“They kept asking how I could not have a gender... and I just couldn't make them understand how I don't feel it's really that important.”
Finally, a chance to remind someone that the hive understands!- “I'm sorry you had that experience, Lullun. Just remember that you're always among friends here. Should I cancel your plans to depart back for Equestria in two months' time?”
“Oh, no... I did make some friends there, and I promised them I would visit again soon... besides, it wasn't so bad. I think ponies just need to warm up to the idea, is... all...”
They're staring at me. Oh, my smile must be looking a little crooked... here, just fake a sneeze-
- “W-Achoo! Sorry about that!”
“Oh, no problem.”
That was close. Keep it together; it's not their fault that you're aggravated. At least they have such a soft voice...
“Oh, uh, where is Cheery? I promised her I'd bring something back, and...”
Keep it together. Keep it together. - “She's, ah, hosting a small 'welcome back' party for the cultural exchangelings”- that pun is so awful- “over in Cluster Whitefalls.”
“Oh, thank you. I'll be sure to head right over there. Is that, um... all you needed?”
That and a long nap- “Yes, thank you. Have fun at the party.”
Even I can hear how mechanical I sound at this point. Ugh, only two more...
-
Finally done with those 'reports'. This walk back will give me time to think.
I remember when debriefing used to be the term for Infiltrators coming back bearing important intel for the hive, not... tourists coming back with their insipid stories of how much 'better' Equestria is than here!
Hmph... maybe Chrysalis ought to find someone else to-- no! She trusted me with this! She must have felt it was important... right? She wouldn't give me some task this dull if she didn't want to make sure someone else didn't... ah, who am I kidding. She's been so distracted lately, it's a wonder she gave me anything to do at all.
Almost all of them ask after Cheery as soon as they get back, anyway... maybe she should do it-- oh, I'm back. I should go report to Chrysalis.
-
“Iqqel, welcome back. How did the debriefing go?”
She looks so tired... - “It went well, my Queen. The changelings are learning much from Equestria, and it seems they are enjoying themselves...”
I can see the hurt in her eyes when this comes up... I even know what she's going to say next.
“They prefer their time in Equestria to their time in the hive, don't they?”
I wish I could soften the blow somehow - “Some of them, my Queen, but the novelty has yet to wear off, and-”
“I think we're well past the point of it just being a 'novelty', Iqqel! Some of my subjects have even sought citizenship in Equestria! This isn't just some passing phase, my... I'm sorry.”
I can feel my heartbeat in my ears! She's been on such a hair-trigger lately, and she's terrifying when she gets angry!
“Iqqel, I didn't mean to... to lash out at you. I've just been under a lot of pressure lately.”
I must have let my nerves show on my face. Straighten up, your Queen needs you! - “It's perfectly alright, my Queen. I've been on-edge myself, lately. There are many changes ongoing in the hive, but I'm sure things will work out. Your wisdom and strength guide us, my Queen.”
She always perks up when I praise her leadership, so why does she look so sad?
“... No... requests for an audience with me, I'm guessing?”
Oh, no. Not this... I can't even keep my ears straightened. She can see on my face what my answer will be... - “W-well, that privilege was originally for Infiltrators, my Queen... I think that many changelings may be embarrassed to try to invoke it with you...”
“Do you think my subjects are... afraid to speak with me? Because of my recent behavior?”
Maybe - “No! No. It's just, a lot is changing, and our rules and customs aren't caught up yet, and you know Cheery decided to throw that big party, so I think maybe there was an assumption...”
It kills me when she sighs like that. “Thank you, Iqqel, that will be all for today.” I don't want that to be all for today! You need a lot more than just some... some court scribe running around confirming what you already know! You need to talk to someone!
Ugh. I need to get myself cleaned up and get to work. I'm almost late... can't go giving the wrong impression, can I?
That was so embarrassing. I'm the Queen's right hand! Her assistant! I can't afford to get so... emotional about things.
Wash the face. Dry the face. Put on the glasses.
Her assistant... at least, I WAS her assistant. She has another assistant now, doesn't she? Why did she think she needed one?
Clean the wings. Polish the carapace.
Was I... inadequate? I've always done everything I could for her. If she needed more, why didn't she just ask?
Brush the teeth. Buff the fangs.
She must know that I'd do whatever she asked of me... does she not want me to take care of things? Am I so... undesirable, that I wasn't even fit to serve her?!
That it made more sense to make some kind of magical construct to do it for her?!
… I want to take care of whatever she needs. I just want to be the one she can rely on...
Wash the face. Again.
-
Okay, I need to pick up the pace. I'm a little late, but I think I look presentable... or at least, no one will be able to see exactly what's going on.
Keep the posture refined.
As long as I keep putting on airs, it should just look like I've been sleeping poorly. That's close enough.
Open the door. Get inside, greet the guard.
“Iqqel! Good morni- oh, hey, are you alright?”
- “Of course. I'm just in a hurry, since I'm late.”
“You look-”
- “Like I haven't gotten enough sleep?”
“Uh, yeah. Lots of paperwork?”
Nod in an exasperated way. Smile a little.
“We've all been there. Hey, I'll ask Zoli-Nyry to send up some tea. It's a little early, but it should help perk you up, yeah?”
Looks like he bought it - “That sounds great. Thanks, Zirrum. I really appreciate it. Things have been so busy lately, you know?”
Okay, now I just have to exchange some pleasantries and get up to the office. Heh... I wonder if ponies are as easy as changelings? Everyone else seems to rely on trying to read emotions, but that's so easy to trick.
Everyone is different. All you have to do is claim a different reason for feeling the same thing, if you don't want to mask your emotions all the time. 'I feel emotionally exhausted' becomes 'I didn't get enough sleep'.
Finally here. Quickly scan over the exchange reports, then get to the important work.
Infiltrators think that they're the slickest around, blending in with ponies, but I can slip right around Infiltrators! Who else can- Huh, it looks like there's almost no one going on the next exchange trip. Been a while since we had an enrollment dropoff- where was I?
Ah, it doesn't matter. I should focus on my work. Chrysalis needs me, even if she doesn't seem to realize that right now... Ack! Stop thinking like that!
Chrysalis didn't mean to replace me with Cheery! She just thinks she needs to handle everything herself! She just tries to take everything on herself, that's all.
Dry off glasses. Finish the stupid report.
There's never anything- wait. Wait. WHAT?!
- “SomePONY is coming to the HIVE?!”
-
There it is. Plain as day. A pony is on their way here on the exchange train. Where did I hear this name before? I need to look that up later, but there's so little time! They'll be here later today, why didn't I- “Nihkel! Ezuo-Nihkel, get in here this instant!”
Suddenly, I really do appreciate that tea. This is going to be a long day, I can tell.
Neutral expression. Be professional.
“Ah, uh... yes, mistress Iqqel?”
- “There's a pony. On her way here. RIGHT NOW.”
More neutral!
“Ah, er, yes, we just got the memo this morni-”
- “WHY was I not informed of this as SOON as I got in?!”
Great. Now it's obvious something is upsetting me; good job, idiot.
“Errr... noling knew you were here yet. It's so unusual for you to be late, and then you didn't say a word when you got in...”
That's what I get for coming in distracted - “I see. I am sorry for my outburst. I'm just a little -” * SIP * “- tired this morning. So much work lately, you know.”
“Of course, of course. We-”
- “Why did we only find out about this today? There's so little time to prepare! Exchanges are supposed to be scheduled at least a week in advance!”
“Ah... yes, well, it seems that this 'Pinkie Pie' boarded the train on impulse...”
It's going to be a long day. I can tell.
-
Okay! Just go in there, tell her what's going on, and that you will take care of it! No problem! This is a good thing! She needs some good news!
Dangit, I wish I would stop shaking. I don't care if our schedule got messed up, my whole job is improvising when things go wrong!
I'm just nervous...
Take off the glasses. Open the door. Walk inside.
Oh.. she's lying on that couch again. That's never good. Come on! A good subject should never fear her Queen!
“Ah, hello, Iqqel. It's unusual for you to come up here unannounced... is something... wrong?”
She's looking at me oddly. I think my smile looks too forced - “Great news, my Queen! Today the Hive shall greet our first Equestrian exchange pony!”
“W... what?! Why was I not informed?!”
Quick, don't let this turn bad! - “The pony in question was apparently very impulsive, my Queen, and jumped on the train at the last minute, but don't worry! I've already set preparations in motion, and I'll-”
“This is terrible! I'm not ready to receive any guests!” - That's definitely true... you look a fright... what am I thinking?!
Facehoof. Breathe.
“I.. I should give a speech! I should rally the changelings, we need to give the best impression, I-”
- “I'll take care of it! Don't worry, just let me handle it!”
I... cut her off. I haven't done that since before... since we were nymphs. She looks shocked - “What I mean is, er, my Queen, I don't want you to be unduly burdened by our paperwork errors, or this change in schedule. I'm sure the Hive won't fail to impress, and just in case, I've already sent word to the Caste leaders. We'll make sure this pony has nothing but amazing stories to tell when they return home!”
There. I think that sounded sincere and confident. She's... she's smiling?
“Iqqel, I should have known you could handle this. You always handle surprises so well. I... thank you, Iqqel. I'm relieved knowing you're on it.”
Oh wow, did it just get a lot hotter in here? My hooves sure are interesting- “aheheheh, er, you're welc- er, my pleasure to serve, my Queen.”
I don't think she noticed... she seems so distant these days... - “I know you hate giving speeches...”
“What?”
Oh, crud! I didn't mean to say that out loud!
“What do you mean I hate giving speeches? I... I love addressing my subjects!”
- “My Queen... I know how nervous it always makes you. You don't want to let anyone down. Because you care!”
She looks... ashamed? - “It's noble of you to put so much effort into your work! I know that you find giving speeches hard, you've always preferred working on research or designs, so I'm really proud of you for going through with it when you do!”
“...”
Well... that got awkward - “...”
“... Thank you, Iqqel.”
Eyes forward!
- “My pleasure to serve, my Queen. I will take care of things for now, and I'll try to find a good opportunity for you to come and speak with your subjects. Maybe the exchange pony will wish to meet you!”
-
- “Nihkel, is everyone informed?”
“Yes, mistress.”
- “Excellent. And what time will the train arrive?”
“Any time within the next ten minutes, mistress.”
Just barely in time - “Thank you, Nihkel. I will handle things from here. You may return to the Spire.”
“Thank you, mistress.”
Alright. All of the caste leaders are aware of the arrival of a pony in the hive today. The Warriors are always at the ready for inspections, so I should probably take the pony to the Kekay cluster first, to give the others time to pre-
“IQQEL! Iqqel Iqqel Iqqeeeeee~l!”
What the?! - “Hey! Get off of me!”
“Oh, Lili-Iqqel, I barely see you anymore! How are you doing?!”
Better before you started jumping all around me, you airheaded mockery of what I hold dear! - “Cheery. I am well. Why are you-”
“That's great! Are you here to greet Pinkie too?!”
She already knows. How does she- “How do you already know about that? We only just got word!”
Did she have a hoof in this? I'll kill her!
“The guardling who delivered the news is a friend of mine! Pinkie was invited to one of my parties by another friend of mine!”
Ugh, -ling this and -ling that... so unprofessional - “I... see. Cheery, you understand that this is important to the Hive, right?”
“Of COURSE it is! Pinkie is Equestria's premier party pony from what I hear, and now she's going to be RIGHT HERE IN HIVE CHRYSALIS! Ooooh this is going to be so much fun! We can have a party competition!”
Party pony, huh? Maybe it isn't so bad if she meets Cheery, if I can get her to show the pony around - “A competition? I hope you do your best to win, then. The hive's pride is at stake!” - As though Hive Chrysalis needs to pride itself on something as trivial as parties... but whatever it takes to impress this pony. We need more ponies to show an interest in the hive!
“Hah, don't be silly! You can't WIN a party contest! Or is it that everyone wins?”
What. - “What.”
“Oooh! Oooh! There's the train! I should go up and – erk!”
- “Listen. Cheery. I know it's hard to pay attention to stuff like this, but, please listen, okay?”
“Mmmph hmmph!”
- “Good. I want to make sure this 'Pinkie' has a great time, but it's also important that she sees what the Hive has to offer, and brings back word of it, okay?”
“Mmph!”
This is so much nicer than actually having to speak with her - “So while you're partying with her, I need you to make sure she eventually gets around to seeing all the Clusters and meeting the Castes, okay? Except maybe the Feeders.”
“Oooh! That's a great idea! We can have a different party for every cluster! Iqqy, you're a genius! Ooh, train's here, see you!”
Iqqy?! - “That's not what I.. don't call me... ARGH!”
I heard Iqqel groan in frustration as I zipped away towards the reception platform.
I wish I wasn't such a nuisance to her... I just get so nervous when she's around! I feel like everything I do just makes her angry at me...
I slowed down to a trot as I thought over our conversation.
Did I really suggest we party our way through the Hive? That's so absurd! Parties take a lot of preparation and planning, and the mess and chaos it would create would be all kinds of trouble!
I tried to shake my head of these thoughts as I drew near my destination. I stood on the thin wooden elevated platform for disembarking passengers as the train started coming in to a halt. It wasn't much, but the Hive had made it and laid these tracks for the Exchange Program train in just a few short weeks – a testament to our organizational and labor skills.
I felt a momentary surge of pride before I reflexively smacked a hoof into my face
Party contest?! I was repeating that rubbish Piri-Knuth told me!
I thought back to a brief rant the young female Feeder had treated me to on Pinkie Pie and her love of partying, which had briefly mentioned something called “party contests” and the vagaries of victory therein.
I was just trying to seem enthusiastic and energetic... I didn't want Iqqel to be upset because I invited Pinkie – I didn't expect her to come so soon! I acted so stupid... what must Iqqel think now?
I found myself biting my lower lip – an old habit of Chrysalis' I seemed to have inherited – as tears came unbidden to my eyes.
Not helping! Crying isn't going to solve anything! Queens don't cry!
I was just in the middle of wiping my face off with a hoof when I realized the train had stopped, and the doors were opening. The nervous energy that had made me so erratic since learning that Pinkie would be arriving that day started rising again as I watched changelings flood off of the colorful metal machine.
But all that came off of the train were changelings.
Where is Pinkie?! Is something wrong?!
I watched in horror as the train doors closed, no pink pony in sight. I was about to rush to the conductor to plead for an explanation, when a sudden explosion from behind me nearly caused me to jump out of my skin.
“SURPRIIIIISE, CHANGELINGS! YOUR HIVE HAS BEEN INFILTRATED BY NONE OTHER THAN SUPER SPY, PINKIE PIE! Hey that rhymed!”
I whirled on the spot to face the source of the shout, seeing a giggling pink pony taking off a fake changeling head.
“No fair! That's a completely convincing changeling costume!”
“Oooh, alliteration! Goodcomeback!”
The giggling intensified as the pink pony stripped out of the rest of the costume. Something about her attitude made me relax, and forget about all the little nagging worries I had. I found myself giggling as she tripped over the last leg of her suit.
“If you want to make infiltrator-class, Pinkie” – I snickered – “You're going to have to get better at changing your disguises!”
Pinkie shook the last leg of the costume off and started bouncing up and down excitedly.
“Iiinfiltrator class? That sounds like fun! Would I, like, dress up as a changeling, but then dress up as Pinkie Pie and then dress up like a changeling, so that later in the day I could take off the changeling costume-and-then-I-would-take-off-the-Pinkie-costumeandthenyouwouldthinkIwasachangelingbutI-”
I found myself bouncing up and down with her, listening to her rant as it quickly became all but incoherent.
“-and then just before I leave I'll yell 'SURPRIIIISE' again and I'll take off the Princess Celestia costume and everybuggy will be like –” she took a massive inward gasp of air, which I figured she needed anyway – “SO YOU MEAN WE DIDN'T HAVE TO WORRY THIS WHOLE TIME?!”
“That sounds HILARIOUS!”
“Really? I should do that!... oh, but I guess I can't, now.”
Pinkie looked downcast, and I found myself scrambling to cheer her up.
“That's fine! We'll have lots and LOTS of fun anyway! There's so much for you to see and I've been looking forward to meeting you SO MUCH!”
“Really?! Oooh! Oooh! I get to be an important pony! I can act all-” and she stood up on her hind legs, thrusting her nose in the air and haughtily crossing her forelegs high on her chest.
I found myself giggling uncontrollably, and somewhere in the back of my mind I realized that the area had been saturated in love energy at some point. Pinkie seemed just as susceptible as I was, though, as she started giggling uncontrollably as well, and soon we were both bouncing up and down in cadence with one another.
It honestly kept up like that for a while before I decided to just start bouncing towards the warrior cluster Kekay, where I figured Iqqel would want us to head.
I stared at the letter in dismay. This was such awful news!
This is awful news! I've only been here a week, and I already have to go?! I was having so much fun!
“Pinkie? Is something wrong?”
I looked up from the letter at Cheery, who had concern written all over her face.
Whoa, she looks so much more intense like this. She's usually so bubbly! Heehee, that's a funny way to describe someone!
“Oh, it's just... oh, right...”
I had forgotten about the letter... it's just so hard to be depressed around Cheery!
“Pinkie? Is someone hurt? O-or...”
“No, it's not that! It's just that I have to LEEEEAAVE!”
I rushed over to Cheery and gave her a hug, squeezing back some tears in my eyes.
“I mean, I'm happy to go see my pony pals again, but I've got so many buggy buddies here, too! I wanted to hang out here a bit more and see more of the Hive!”
Cheery seemed kind of stiff when I squeezed her, like she had been frozen solid. She was normally so cuddly when I huggled her, it felt weird for her to be so still!
“Ch... Cheery? You alright? I know it's really sad I have to go and all...”
“Er... I'm alright! I just don't want to see you go yet! I know we had a whole week, but it just flew past so quickly, and there's so much more I had wanted to do!”
“Oooh, I know! I know! It really flew past even for me, and I'm used to time flying!”
We stood there in silence for a few moments. The past week had been a blur, meeting so many new faces (well, really all the faces looked kind of the same to me, but the idea is that they were new people!) and seeing so many new places! (Hey, that rhymed)! We had gone to all of the 'primary clusters', whatever that meant and a lot of changelings had been so happy to meet me! I thought back over a few of the encounters of the past week...
~~~
“...So you see, the Maker Caste is full of brilliant, proud artists who-”
“HEY! Pinkie! Come check out the cool floating water thingy!”
Naro-Takumi glanced over his shoulder at Cheery, buzzing his wings in irritation at the interruption.
“Oooh! That looks neat!”
Before I knew it, I was bouncing towards Cheery, and once I caught up with her we were bouncing together in a big circle around some kind of art.
“It's like a... a...”
“A big, glowing... water...”
“Pretzel! It's like a big glowing water pretzel!”
“It's called a luminite hydrocircuit!” Takumi called out in frustration as he caught up to us.
The luminy hydrowhatsit suddenly sparked and twisted into a new shape, taking on different hues at different points. Both Cheery and I froze to stare at it.
“Whoooooaaa... that's really neat!”
I felt Cheery close my hanging jaw about the same time I closed hers.
Takumi snorted proudly, strutting haughtily in front of it.
“Yes, this is one the Makers Caste's most impressive showcases! The knot folds itself into non-trivial distinct shapes without ever self-intersecting!”
Takumi was obviously getting really worked up, standing on his hind legs and buzzing his wings for balance as he pointed to the cool thingy. I found myself bouncing up and down as he raised his voice and Cheery started buzzing her wings in excitement!
Oooh, I get the feeling something REALLY COOL is going to happen!
“As a result, this amazing work of art can show every system compatible with a given knot in VIRTUALLY! NO! TIME! AT! ALL!”
Takumi was slightly airborne at this point. Cheery and I kept watching him expectantly, as he lowered to the ground, panting.
“Err... sorry, I seem to have gotten a little over-excited.”
“You mean that's IT?! I thought something cool was going to happen!”
Takumi got a devious look in his eyes. I mean, more devious than changelings normally look. Er, wait, I mean-
“You want something COOL, eh? Try THIS!”
Takumi's horn took on a dull aura, and then winked out. There was a beat where nothing happened, but he was smiling deviously, so I stood there tense as a spring, waiting for the delivery! And let me tell you, when a changeling smiles deviously, it looks REALLY devious!
… They have fangs! It looks cool!
Suddenly, the water pretzel started folding itself into ALL KINDS of stuff REALLY fast! There was a lot of crackling and water was splashing out but then flying back in and it was just SOOOO cool!
“Aaaah that's so great that's so great Takumi that'ssogreatEEEEEyouguysaresocool!”
Takumi staggered. I might have hugged him a little too hard, but it was just so cool and I just had to share the excitement with somebuggy! I felt Cheery's hooves wrap around me from behind as she buzzed into the air, taking me off of Takumi, who staggered around a bit.
“Ooh, he looks really dizzy!”
“Hah! I think you got him tipsy on love and excitement, Pinkie!”
“I am NOT tipssshy!... I... I need a minute...”
“Oh, that's right! Buggies can feed off of energy! I had forgotten about that! Wait.. what's keeping YOU from getting 'tipsy', then, Cheery?”
We wobbled around in the air drunkenly a bit. I started giggling in response.
I wonder if that just makes it worse? Oooh, but this is so funny!
“Just kidding!” Cheery landed us immediately, “I still have perfectly precise poise!”
Cheery lifted her right front hoof and rear left hoof away from her and stood in a haughty pose, her eyes closed and nose in the air.
I started giggling uncontrollably.
“Oooh! Nice - heehee! - alliteration! But how - hee! - did you keep from getting dizzy?”
I realized that my giggles might have actually been hiccups.
Cheery examined her outstretched hoof with an air of indifference. “Oh, that? I am immune to such petty concerns, of course, being a Queen.” With that, she thrust her nose up in the air. She cracked an eye open to take a look at me, a little grin forming, and we both burst out laughing.
~~~
… Cheery had managed to make everything SO FUN! I didn't want to leave, I felt like I was really making an important friend!
“Cheery! You should go back to Equestria with me! I'm sure whatever Twilight needs me back for, it won't take too long, and you can meet all my other friends!”
Cheery looked downtrodden, “I can't, Pinkie... the Hive needs me here! I can't just take off on the exchange program!”
“B... but...,” I could feel myself pouting. Cheery's ears flattened when she saw it.
“Aww, Pinkie, I'm sorry! It's just I have things I have to do here!” She leaned in closer, more conspiratorial, “I mean, do you remember that letter I sent you?”
“The one inviting me here? Of course! 'Dear Pinkie Pie'-”
“Think about the later part. After 'keep quiet about this'.”
I thought back to the letter. I had been so excited to receive an invitation to come visit my buggy buddies in their own Hive, I could only barely finish the letter! I only opened it when the train was getting ready to leave, so I had to really hurry to get there in time!
What did it say again? 'Keep quiet about this, but privately, I also really wanted your help organizing a big, important party'! Oh my gosh!
Oh my gosh!
“Oh my gosh!”
I sat there dumbfounded for a second.
“THAT was the super ultra exciting thing that I was forgetting! You need me to-mph!”
“Shh! It's a secret to everyling!”
Everyling? That sounds silly! Everybuggy sounds so much more like 'everypony'!
Cheery took her hoof out of my mouth and glanced around. I leaned up to her ear and whispered, “So what kind of party IS it?”
Cheery glanced around nervously, before leaning down to me and replying, “It's for Chrysalis! It's her FIRST EVER birthday party!”
At that news I just OH MY GOSH!
OH MY GOSH!
“OH MY... errr...,” I tried to look around indifferently. Once I was sure no one was watching, “GOSH! Oooh that's super nice of you!”
Cheery smiled bashfully, a blush forming. I didn't know buggies could blush! It looks super cute on them!
“Oh Cheery, that is such a super duper great idea! I definitely need to help you with that, but... I also need to go back...” We both sat there, thinking for a moment.
“A-ha! Now you HAVE to come with me!”
“Wah... what?!”
“I can show you ALL ABOUT-” a glance around, leaning in to whisper, “-parties, back with my friends in Ponyville! We party all the time! You can plan the party while we're over there!”
Cheery considered this, rubbing her chin with a hoof. She looked reeaaaally nervous, which made sense when she said, “I... guess that means I have to go ask Chrysalis for permission to go on the exchange...”
We both looked away nervously for a minute. I finally made up my mind, and thunked one hoof into the other, before grabbing Cheery and leaping up onto my rear hooves.
“... And that is why there is a prefix before a name, denoting the caste and gender of the individual!”
“Ooooh!”
Chrysalis is so good at this. She always complains about losing time from her research, but she always seems to enjoy herself so much. She puts so much attitude into teaching, even the most basic knowledge seems impressive. The nymphs are completely captivated...
“Queen Chryzz... Chyrss-issss..”
“Yes, child?”
There's that smile! She's so warm to the nymphs... I wish she did this more than twice a month! Our Queen is a natural teacher...
And it makes her happy, when nothing else seems to anymore...
“Why izzz... isshh the c-caasshte c-c...”
Aww, the poor kid's got a buzz slur. They seem pretty nervous speaking to-
Oh, Chrysalis, that's so sweet!
“Hey, now. There's no need to be nervous! Take your time.”
They seem to be calming down. I don't think I've ever seen her voluntarily be affectionate with anyone before... except...
Stay professional. Stop that buzzing.
“why izz the cazzzte cluzzter f-for... for workerzzz called shhh.... sh... Saray then?”
“You mean, why is that the same as the name for gender-neutral workers?”
Aww, they're so eager. It's adorable. Ugh, I'm turning into a sap watching this.
“You're a smart one! Always watch out for little details, like that one. The workers – all of the castes, actually – have many clusters, but each one has an original cluster. The very first! And that cluster has the original name for the caste's members.”
I see she's back in lecturing mode at the front of the class.
“So, say it with me, class! What is the original cluster – and the gender-neutral prefix – for warriors?”
“Kekay!”
“Feeders?” “Piray!”
“Thinkers?” “Ezay!”
“Tenders!” “Zolay!”
Aww, she's getting into it. I remember doing this chant as a nymph.
“Workers!” “Saray!”
"Makers!" "Naray!"
“And Speakers!” “Lilay!”
“That's right! You're all so sharp and focused!”
When she buzzes her wings like that, she almost reminds me of Cheery. Just a little, though!
“Yeah! You're all going to go far, kids!”
What the... speak of the... what is Cheery doing here?! And is that Pinkie outside the door?! This is highly irregular!
“Cheery. What a pleasure. What brings you here?”
Chrysalis is taking the surprise well. She's giving that smile... you would only know it's not genuine if you had seen what she really looks like when she's happy. This is her 'I'm not allowed to bare my teeth at you' smile...
“Eheheh... I don't mean to interrupt, but I have to ask you something important! It's kind of time-sensitive. Can I borrow you for juuuuuust a minute?”
“Tch... alright. I'll be right back, kids~!”
Follow them outside.
Ugh, what kind of mess is it now? Did some idiot think Cheery had Chrysalis' authority and ask her permission for something important, again? I know she gets around the Hive more, but it's still ridiculous they would think that... have they MET her?!
“Alright, Cheery. What is this about?”
“W-well... I was... That is...”
“Spit it out! I need to get back to my duties.”
Chrysalis, you're a little bit more scary than you realize...
“Right! So, I was guiding Pinkie and showing her a good time, as instructed!”
“... And?”
“Aaaand she kinda-sorta invited me to go to Ponyville with her on the exchange and I was really REALLY hoping you would say I could so please please please say yes?”
What. No. Of course Chrysalis isn't going to agree to such a selfish, stupid request!
“... Why do you want to go to Equestria?”
“Er... Well! We have subjects there right now!”
“Hmm...”
“They should be shown how the Hive is still, you know... there. For them. With them. Even out in Equestria. And really someone should check up on them, right?”
“A fair point, but you have more important duties here in the Hive.”
“It won't be for long! Just a week! Long enough to pay a visit to our subjects, and maybe give a good impression of our culture to the ponies!”
“... Fine. Do whatever you want, I guess. I need to go back to the classroom.”
“Oh, thank you! Thank you! I'll do my absolute best! I should go tell Pinkie!... Where did she get to? Pinkie?”
Chrysalis looks so defeated... what's wrong?
Start walking back with her.
- “... My Queen? Is everything okay?”
“Hm? Yes, Lili-Iqqel. Things are fine.”
That fake grin doesn't fool me!
“It seemed a reasonable argument to me, my Queen. We do need to get more positive tourism if this Exchange program is going to benefit the Hive... is something amiss?”
“No, Iqqel. Things are fine.”
Now she's growling again... Why can't she ever open up about anything?
That was close! It's a good thing I had other reasons for wanting to visit Equestria, or she might have said no!
Or worse, figured out that I want to throw her a party...
I ran around the school a bit in search of Pinkie, before I realized she might still be at the school. I ran back to where I started only to see her come bouncing out of the front door towards me.
“Heya Cheery!”
“Pinkie! What were you doing in there? You didn't cause any trouble, did you?”
Pinkie looked at me with a little shock.
“Of course not! I was entertaining the kiddies while you were outside!”
“Er... right. Nevermind. Chrysalis wasn't upset you were there?”
“She just told me to get out and go find you!”
Phew. That could have gone a lot worse!
“... Soooo?”
Pinkie interrupted my thoughts by leaning in to my face, all expectation. For a moment, I didn't even know what she was asking about.
“Oh! Right! She said I can go!”
“REALLY?! That's so great! I was really worried she wouldn't, and then you would be all sad and then this all wouldn'tworkoutbutitdid that's GREAT! So are you ready to go?!”
“Ah, er... yes. I don't really have much of anything to pack. The train will take off in about an hour.”
“Oh, that's perfect! You can show me around this spot while we wait, then! I've been suuuper curious about it, but I didn't want to ask because you seemed like you had a plan, and I didn't want to mess that up!”
Well, she wasn't supposed to realize we were going on a guided tour... I guess I'm not very good at subterfuge.
“What, Whitefalls? There's not a lot to show you, honestly. We've been kind of orbiting it this entire time, because all of the original clusters were built near it. It's sort of a... caste neutral ground, I guess. A no-ling's land.”
“But there are buggies living here, too!”
“Well... yes. I mean, the school is here! Every caste has at least one teacher here.”
“Oo! That makes sense. But there seem to be an awful lot of houses for that! And I see a lot of buggies with different eye colors wandering around!”
Pinkie had taken to bouncing through the town, and I was cantering alongside her. Whitefalls really was a very nice, quaint community. Chrysalis, I remembered, had always enjoyed it for its serenity and its general apolitical atmosphere. I liked denser clusters, with more 'lings wandering around for me to interact with, but Whitefalls was still a nice place.
“Well, a lot of inter-caste married couples live here, since it's close to the primary clusters and is caste-neutral!”
“Aww! That's so sweet! It's like a little accepting community for everybuggy! Oooh! It's just like Ponyville!”
Pinkie was smiling really broadly, now, looking around. I wondered if ponies were really supposed to smile like that on a normal basis. It looked kind of manic.
“You've mentioned Ponyville before. What's it like?”
“That's where I live! I'm friends with everypony and everybuggy there! Ponyville has a lot of unicorns, pegasi and earth ponies, and it's a nice quiet little community!”
“Ah... I see the relation to Whitefalls, then.”
Everybuggy? The changelings on the exchange program are supposed to be staying in Canterlot and Manehattan. Hmm... I guess I'll just wait and see.
“Oooh! That's what I saw from the clusters! That's so cool!”
We had come to the massive underground waterfall that gave Whitefalls its name.
“Ah, yes. The Whitefalls proper. This is where the Hive gets most of its water, which is why the original clusters were formed here.”
I wonder if Chrysalis is okay... she seemed so grumpy earlier...
I showed Pinkie around Whitefalls a bit more, though there wasn't much else of note to talk about. I hadn't taken her here on tour because I figured it wouldn't be interesting, but she seemed to like it better than any other cluster we had seen.
Maybe she and Chrysalis had something in common that I didn't get.
“Hey, Cheery?”
I started. Pinkie had suddenly stopped bouncing, and her voice sounded different.
“W-... yes? What?”
“You seem so sad. What's the matter?”
“Oh... I'm not sad! I just have a lot on my mind, you know?”
Queens don't get sad, anyway. Except for when their subjects come to harm!
“Aww. Hey, I know you might have a lot of things to worry about, but remember, you're going to Equestria! We're going to do all KINDS of fun things together, and if you have ANY problems at all my others friends and I can help you!”
Her friends would help me just because she asked them to?
“Thanks, Pinkie. I'm sure it will be really great!”
Pinkie suddenly zipped in front of me, standing on her hind legs to press her muzzle into mine so that our eyes nearly touched. I froze up in surprise.
“You're saying that, but you're not feeeeeling it! Come on, Cheery! You're going to have a blast!”
“Pinkie, I appreciate-”
Trying to back up wasn't proving effective. She was just awkwardly walking forward on two hooves to stay with me.
“Nope!”
“But-”
“Nuh-uh!”
I found myself giggling a little, with Pinkie soon following suit. My laughter soon gave way, though, as I thought of what I had gotten myself into.
Can I really expect that a changeling 'Queen' would ever be welcome in Equestrian lands...?
“Cheery! Stop with the sad faces, remember; you're Going to Equestriaaa~!”
Pinkie had broken into singsong, a wild smile on her face as she reared on two legs and swung her forehoof in a wide arc to accentuate her point.
“I know, I just-” “Going to Equestriaaa~!”
I giggled, and snorted in a most un-Queen-like manner. “Pinkie, I realize I'm going to Equestria-”
“No, no! It's Going to Equestriaaa~!”
“Heeheehee, fine! I realize I'm Going to Equestriaaa~!”
“Do you really, though, Cheery?”
And suddenly I found myself thinking about it. Not like I had before, worrying about what kinds of bad things might happen, but really thinking about Equestria, or perhaps thinking about Equestriaaa~, as Pinkie had put it.
I closed my eyes, and I started thinking back to Chrysalis' memories of the land; while she may have had other things to focus on during her time there, she had paid close attention to the land, the society, and the culture of the ponies she had infiltrated.
I found myself reinterpreting those memories with new-found wonder and excitement, and as images of that lovely place crossed my mind, I started to hear music. A soft, playful flute tune, teasing at my senses.
I took my first deep breath of that imagined fresh air, and I opened my eyes. My imagination had replaced the familiar visage of Whitefalls with a beautiful green land, where ponies grazed and played.
~ (I took a pause) “In Equestria~!” I heard myself sing, the soft flute accenting my words.
“Oh, in Equestria, I will see”
“The sun! And the day! The foals at play;”
“Rolling hills, and a deep blue sky! Water mills and apple pie!”
“So many things quite new to me! It's my privilege to go and see!”
~
“Oh, I'm going to Equestriaaa~!”
Pinkie, who had been watching with what I can best call nervous excited energy, suddenly joined in, singing at the same time but in a slightly lower, more accented harmony to mine;
“I'll see new sights and make new friends!” “You'll see new sights and make new friends!”
“I'll wish this trip would never end!” “I'll wish this trip would never end!”
“Oh, I'm going to Equestriaaa~!” “Oh, I'm going to Equestriaaa~!”
“Going to Equestria, with Pinkieee~!” “Going to Equestria, with Cheeryy~!”
~ “In Equestria~!” “In Equestria~!”
“Oh, in Equestria, I will see” “Oh, in Equestria, I will see”
“The moon! And the night! And the stars so bright;” “The moon! And the night! And the stars so bright;”
“Cobbled roads and warm street lights! Sailing boats and cool moonlight!” “Cobbled roads and warm street lights! Sailing boats and cool moonlight!”
“Such amazing things to feel!” “Such amazing things to feel!”
“Who could believe Equestria is real?” “Who could believe Equestria is real? I can! Heehee!”
~
“But of the ponies, I have some worries”
“Talk to Pinkie, and they'll be gone in a hurry!”
“You accept me, to my surprise”
“Everypony will, once they give you a try!”
“But will I seem a monster to their eyeees~” “No way! You're a friend of Pinkie Pie's!”
~
I dropped out of my singing voice for a few moments, though the flute was still playing.
“Really Pinkie? You mean that?”
“Absotively! Everypony'll love having you around!”
“I meant, you... I'm your friend?”
Pinkie just gave me a big hug, and then broke away, both of us grinning like goofy foals.
“Don't you forget it, Cheery!”
I found myself relaxing, and as my gaze drifted upwards a bit, lost in thought, I heard the music swell, a violin coming in to accompany the flute. I lost myself on the current of that music for a few moments, like a leaf on the water.
As the music came back down, I surprised myself by moving to sing again.
~
“Brilliant rainbows and thundering storms!”
“Cabins and fires, to keep warm!”
“Towering mountains and wide valleys!”
“Looming buildings and narrow alleys!”
“A mysterious land of splendor!”
“It IS a place of so many wonders!”
“The thought of going with you brings me a smile,”
“And that makes me happy, all worth the while!”
~
“Oh, we're going to Equestriaaa~!” “Oh, we're going to Equestriaaa~!”
“We'll see the sights and meet with friends!” “We'll see the sights and meet with friends!”
“In our hearts, it'll never end!” “In our hearts, it'll never end!”
“Oh, we're going to Equestriaaa~!” “Oh, we're going to Equestriaaa~!”
“Going to Equestria, together!” “Going to Equestria, together!”
~
Queens probably aren't supposed to skip to the train station like little nymphs, huh?
I had been watching my traveling companion pretty closely since the train started moving. It was REALLY tough to stay quiet, but she had been so fixated on the scenery going by that I figured she wanted to be left alone for a while.
This must all be so new and exciting to Cheery! It's just like when I first got to the Hive, except in reverse!
But I noticed now that she had stopped watching what was going by, and had leaned back, staring out of the window without really looking at it. It's funny how ponies (and changelings!) don't close their eyes but they're not really using them, either, sometimes!
“Cheery?”
“Hmm..? Yes?”
“Whatcha thinkin' about?”
“Oh... I guess I zoned out. I was just going over... er, I was just thinking about Chrysalis.”
“Chrysalis? What about her? Oh! Were you thinking it's weird she's named Chrysalis but the Hive is Hive Chrysalis? Because I thought that was kind of confusing!”
“No, I... I'm just worrying about her, is all.”
“You're worried about miss queen meanie extraordinaire?”
I was shocked! I was incredulous! It's like being incredible, except you think what the other person said is incredible!
Like, hard to believe incredible, not super-duper fantastic incredible.
“Queen meanie...?”
“Yeah! Chrysalis is a big 'ol meaniepants, and she calls herself a queen! I once thought somepony else might go by that name, but it turned out they didn't, so-”
“Don't call Chryssi mean!”
Cheery suddenly seemed really upset, though I had no idea why. She was giving me this intense, pleading look, and it took me a second to figure out what it was.
“Pinkie, please don't think that way about Chryssi!”
It was anguish. When you see two of your friends fighting...
I didn't even speak. I had a big apologetic frowny face on, but I'm no good with words when I do something wrong. What's the point of saying, 'I'm sorry', when you do something like that?
It won't make it hurt less. I opened my mouth to say... something, but I couldn't. I couldn't believe I had just stepped all over Cheery's feelings like that! I was still reeling from realizing how bad it was.
I just got up and walked over to her, quietly and slowly, and nuzzled her as gently as I could. It was my way of saying, “I'm sorry” and “I want you to feel better”, all in one. I finally did manage to say something.
“I won't say stuff like that again. I didn't know you two were friends, and I didn't think about her feelings, either.”
Cheery quietly nuzzled back. I felt her calm down after a minute.
There's a broad range to bringing a smile to someone's face, you know? When someone's sad, they don't want to party or jump around. Ponies and buggies... people need to know that everything is okay, before they try to smile.
I can understand. Smiling is what you do when something is good. If you smile all the time, even when things aren't good, then your smiles lose any meaning.
And then you don't have any smiles at all.
“Pinkie... thank you. I know Chryssi has been bad to ponies. I know about the... invasion, and all. But she's not really so bad. She's... I know you won't believe me, but...”
“I'll believe you. I'm your friend! And if you say that Chryssi – hee, I like that name, it makes her seem nicer – isn't so bad, then I'll give her another chance! Everyp... everybody makes mistakes!”
Cheery chuckled lightly. I live for that feeling of cheering someone up. Sorry, when things are sad I get contemplative, y'know?
“She's not so bad, she's... she's stressed. She works a lot, and the Hive has a lot of expectations for her, and she has a lot of expectations for herself...”
“Oh, I get it. It's complicated, right? Like, somepony or somebuggy doesn't want to be all bad, but then they're told 'you've got to be tough because reasons' and then they're all torn between how they want to be...”
“And how everyone else wants them to be.”
We sat there, quietly. We were still touching, a little, and I think that made Cheery relax.
“Hey, Pinkie? How do you get your mane to stay all poofy like that?”
“Ooh! I'll show you!”
-
We had decided to style each others' manes. I had tried a dozen times to style Cheery's, but her hair is all weird and silky and it kept fighting to go back the way it was and it was really hard to get it to POOF like my hair. We settled on giving her a rough-and-tumble sort of look, and it kinda reminded me of Dashie, though I didn't say so.
Now she was styling my mane, which I thought would be super hard, but Cheery apparently REALLY likes manes, so she was actually doing a great job.
I wonder if she doesn't get a chance to ever play with manes at the hive! That would-
“Pinkie... can you keep a secret?”
“Can I! Why, I'm the bestest secretest secret keeper in-”
“Hold still!”
“Oh, right. Yeah! I take keeping secrets super-duper important! After all, losing a friend's trust-”
“-is the... fastest way to lose a friend-” ~ “forever” “FOR, EV, ERRR!” ~ “Wow, Cheery! You already knew my secret-keeping mantra! You must be a super duper secret keeper too!”
“Confidant. Er.. not really... that was odd...”
“What was odd?”
“Nothing. I just feel a little strange. Pinkie, I have a secret to tell you, but you absotively...”
“posolutely must not EVER tell ANYpony, right? Or anybuggy. Or any dragon. Or-”
“Anyone at all.”
“Right! Wait, it's not going to be something that hurts my friends, is it?”
“... No, but they'll be really upset if they find out.”
“Well, as long as it's not something that hurts my friends, go for it!”
“Pinkie... I'm not a real person.”
“Oooh! You mean you're just a figment of my imagination?! That would explain-”
“No, no! I mean... I'm a clone. I'm a magical cl-”
“OH! I know all about magical clones! Ever since I madeabunchofclonesandeveryonewaslike-”
“Pinkie, this is serious! The law strictly... forbids... did you say you made magical clones?”
“Yeah! It was really weird! But then they all had to go away...”
Oh NO!
“Cheery, you're not going to have to go away, are you?!”
Cheery paused in doing my hair. That's never good!
“I don't know. Maybe. Not if no one finds out! That's why it's so important!”
“Ooh! I won't tell anyone, Cheery! And I won't let anyone send you away! They can't! You're my bestest bugbuddy ever!”
“Thank you, Pinkie... that means a lot to me. If I ever do get... sent away, I'll be really glad to have met you! You're just... the best.”
I just sat in silence for a while. The thought of Cheery getting sent away was so sad I felt like I might deflate like a popped balloon. It was even worse that she seemed almost okay with it!
Nobody should be okay with that! Nobody!
Who would have the right to send her away anyway, huh?! Like my old granny pie used to say, 'That's just not acceptable!'
“Pinkie, calm down! Don't worry on my account. You said all your friends are great, right? I'm sure things will be just fine!”
“Oh... sorry. I guess changelings can feel stuff like that, huh?”
“I'm actually a little unclear on that... changelings can kind of vaguely 'communicate' with each other with emotions, but we usually rely on body language and buzz our wings to show our feelings. You're the only pony I've ever met, but... I can definitely tell when you're sad.”
“I'll try not to be sad, then! I want you-”
“If you're sad, Pinkie, you can come to me. Don't just hide it.”
“Hey! I was going to say that!”
We both giggled again, and she resumed doing my hair.
“... Pinkie, how did you know how to sing along with my song back at the Hive?”
“I dunno! It was weird, like you were singing the stuff before you were singing it, or like I had heard the lyrics before! I just kind of went with it!”
“Wow. I didn't know ponies could do that. Maybe you're part changeling, Pinkie!”
“Oo! Does that mean that I get a pair of cool fangs?! Because I have a fake pair but it'sjustnotthesame-”
We spent the rest of that train ride goofing off like that. Clone or not, Cheery was every bit as real to me as I was, and I wanted her to know it!
