This story is a sequel to The Queen and I, Book 2: People and Problems

Chrysalis had always been taught that a leader should push forward; no matter the setback, no matter the defeat, a strong leader rallies their subjects. They do this because their subjects are helpless without them; without guidance and inspiration, society would fail, and it is that threat which motivates a leader to greatness.

What, then, should be done when a society moves on, no longer needing their leader? What should a leader do if they've become more of a burden than a boon to their own people?

Perhaps how they answer that question is the real measure of a leader's worth.

(Part of a larger continuity of stories. Click here for a complete breakdown.)

This story is a sequel to Infusions 2: Tea

Things have been rocky for Astra over the past year; now that it's public that her new spouse is a changeling, that simple fact has come to dominate a great deal of her life, and caused no end of troubles for her. The latest of those troubles may uproot them entirely, but even when such powerful forces tug on a person emotionally, there is a stronger force that can anchor them.

(Fits into a larger continuity of stories. For a complete breakdown, click here.)

This story is a sequel to The Queen and I, Book 1: Ponies and Changelings

(Cover art by Taggerung)

Even a person with perfect judgement could make mistakes if they didn't have enough information. That's the one consolation available when you make a mistake and hurt someone; it doesn't mean you're necessarily a bad person.

If only it were that simple. When people depend on you, when you accept that responsibility, it stops being so easy to just go on with your life when you make a mistake. When you realize that you've hurt someone, or let them down, it tears you up inside.

I'm going to keep moving forward, though. The only way to make things better is to learn from my mistakes, and act on that.

(You may notice an anachronism in this image; I urge you to ignore it, as it is irrelevant to the story)

(Infusions 2: Tea is considered a prologue to this story. This fic is part of a larger continuity of stories; for a complete breakdown, click here.)

This story is a sequel to Harsh Light

Sometimes, even if two people share a language, what they're getting out of a conversation is completely different. What seems like a friendly, idle chat to one may be an important, serious or risky exchange to the other. Two history professors in Canterlot University, professors Cooke and Astra, are about to have such a discussion.

(This story can be read stand-alone, but is also part of a larger continuity of fics. Click here for a full breakdown.)

Things don't always go as we plan them. For one changeling, caught between two nations and two cultures, such a thing could mean having a door slammed in your face - or having one opened.

(This story can be read stand-alone, but is also part of a larger continuity of stories. For a complete breakdown, click here.)

Stargazer, a perfectly normal Canterlot mare, goes to have a perfectly normal chat with Celestia about changelings. Purely for academic reasons, of course. Okay, so most of that was a lie.

But lies are the stock-in-trade of a changeling Infiltrator, and some habits can be hard to kick, so cut her some slack; besides, she just got married, and that can be stressful.

Especially since her new spouse is a pony.

(This story can be read stand-alone, but also serves as a sidestory. Click here for an explanation of how it fits in with other stories.)

Fidanity (fih-DAN-uh-tee); noun, singular; the unique emotion experienced when one approaches someone that they are close to with a topic they believe or hope will be agreed upon, with the concern that if not, one or both parties may feel betrayed.

Etym., Latin fid, from fidei, meaning belonging to trust or faith, + an, from anxi(us), meaning anxious, + ity, anglicized Latin suffix meaning state of. Literally "The state of trust's unease"

Synonyms: fear, doubt, anxiety

Antonyms: confidence, certainty, serenity

(This story works as a stand-alone, but is also part of a larger continuity of stories. For a full explanation of how it fits in with those stories, click here.)

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.

(This story is part of a larger continuity; for a full explanation of how it fits into the larger narrative, click here.)