>You pace Chrysalis’ room.
>Being alone lets you think.
>And you’ve been thinking harder than usual.
>Are your only means of getting out of here waiting for outside help?
>And even if that does happen…
>You clearly remember Chrysalis’ prank.
>Fucking hell, that shit was terrible.
>But you can’t get out of here on your own.
>You’re still confined to this single chamber.
>And if you ever get out, it’s a goddamn maze outside.
>A huge one.
>Stuffed with guards.
>But then again, you’ve been feeling a little confused about Chrysalis too.
>While she was one hell of a cruel captor in the beginning, she’s been getting…
>Lenient? Something like that.
>Although it’s kind of ruined by how she reminds you you’re her personal property.
>Ugh.
>Moving back and forth in the chamber, you look at the lone door.
>A pretty ordinary-looking one, it’s a little amusing that’s what’s keeping you trapped here.
>You walk over to it and give it a good look-over.
>Wooden, un-adorned by-
>No, that’s not true. There are actually some decorations.
>Shallow lines carved into the surface in a quaint pattern.
>Rather like the stuff on the bookshelf, really.
>But the door otherwise looks solid.
>Grasping the brass handle, cold to the touch…
>… the door opens with a gentle push.
>…
>What?
>You automatically take a step back while your heart skips a beat.
>What?!
>The door in front of you is slightly ajar.
>The door is FUCKING UNLOCKED!
>What the flying fuck, Chrysalis?!
>You never locked the damn thing?!
>Here you had always assumed that whenever she left, she’d lock the door behind her!
>But… jesus christ!
>You stare at it.
>You can actually waltz right out of here?
>No, of course you can’t.
>Or sort of.
>Once outside of this room, then what?
>Maze and all that.
>The best thing you can really do against the Queen is run around and get lost.
>Then she’ll have to wonder what’s become of you and spend some time finding you again.
>It doesn’t seem like much, honestly.
>You start to calm down and think properly.
>This is still an opportunity, isn’t it?
>But how could you be NOT stupid about it?
>It seems Chrysalis never expected you to try anything.
>And, well, until now she was right.
>The biggest problem is how the place would be easy for you to get lost in.
>It’s big and it’s unknown.
>… Well, maybe one of those issues could be fixed.
>You could explore?
>It feels risky, though.
>Exploring a labyrinth might as well be asking to get lost.
>But what if you were careful?
>You step closer to the door.
>Being ajar, it looks so damn inviting.
>There are no sounds coming from the other side.
>Too curious, you slowly push it open.
>It creaks softly which makes you nervous.
>But is there anyone nearby?
>Opening, the door reveals…
>Nothing.
>There are no guards ready to pounce you for attempting to escape.
>Just the dark stone walls of the corridor.
>Holy fuck, Chrysalis…
>Babble about having a super-precious prisoner, and then leave absolutely nothing to keep him imprisoned.
>… Wait.
>This feels TOO stupid.
>You stop, leaving the door open without stepping through.
>Did she plan for a scenario like this?
>Another ‘game’ like last time?
>Goddammit, she could have, couldn’t she?
>But…
>Then what?
>Do you stay in her room?
>Waiting for whatever for who knows how long?
>It somehow seems wasteful.
>The door is open to you and might not stay that.
>You need to make use of this.
>But obviously not by immediately trying to find a way out of her fortress and getting lost.
>… Rather, one step at a time.
>You could do some reconnaissance.
>Take a look at what’s close by, avoiding getting lost, and get to know the place little by little.
>It could work, right?
>You still hesitate.
>You worry.
>It’s a chance and a risk.
>But you’re not totally sure about what else you could do.
>Or what better, anyway.
>Sticking you head out the door, you look around.
>Nope, it’s pretty damn empty.
>Like a haunted castle.
>How nice.
>You pull yourself together and step out of Chrysalis’ chamber.
>The crimson carpet that runs through all corridors muffle your footsteps.
>Good, because they’d probably echo pretty badly throughout the emptiness.
>You look left and right.
>The corridor runs across Chrysalis’ room’s entrance, so there are two ways to go.
>You remember when “Twilight” lead you to the right.
>You look in that direction.
>It’s a long, long way with no doors in the walls before it turns, making it impossible to see further.
>You don’t really remember where exactly you went.
>It was so damn complicated.
>And you had other things on your mind than your exact location.
>To the left, the narrow corridor makes a turn sooner.
>Hm…
>Alright, might as well give it a try.
>You take a few steps.
>And then look back.
>No, the door is still there.
>Actually being outside Chrysalis’ room, and without her permission, makes you feel a little over-worried.
>Or just plain paranoid.
>You look around again.
>The silent hollowness seems to be pressing down on you.
>The walls are tall and hard, and look strangely soulless from their grey hue.
>… No, stop that crap.
>You’re just anxious. The world isn’t going to eat you or something.
>You start walking.
>And listening. Intently.
>It’d suck if you ran into a patrol.
>Turning the corner, you see the corridor split into two ahead.
>And there’s a door right in the center.
>You peek back around the corner to check on Chrysalis’ door.
>It’s visible.
>Goody.
>Skipping ahead, you quietly but quickly approach the door.
>Throwing a quick glance in each direction at the split, you see no changelings wandering around.
>The door, however, emits faint noise.
>You lean against it, carefully, and listen more closely.
>Muffled talk from several voices.
>There are changelings in there.
>Knowing that you are now very, very close to changelings who would probably attack and subdue you for straying makes your heart quicken its pace.
>Okay, don’t open that door.
>Actually, better get the hell away from it.
>You imagine a random changeling suddenly open it to leave, only to see you standing there like an idiotic escapee.
>You move left and try to find a good balance between moving fast and moving quietly.
>A stairwell appears ahead.
>It spirals both down and up.
>Making a quick decision, you go down.
>Definitely down.
>Your feet echo rather noisily against the stony steps.
>But you get to the lower level without any changelings appearing.
>And once again you are left with a choice.
>Left and right, the corridor split in a perfect 90 degrees angle by the stairwell.
>Hm…
>No, wait, rewind!
>You go back up the stairwell, trace your path back to the noisy door and further, coming around the corner where you can see Chrysalis’ door.
>Yes, it’s still there.
>Thank goodness. You’re not lost.
>Back again, then.
>Entering the lower level for the second time, you look at your options.
>Eeny, meeny, miny, moe...
>You start walking right.
>Quietly. This place is still pretty ominous.
>Especially since you don’t want to be seen.
>Or heard.
>Or anything, really.
>Sneaking on, a door appears in the left wall.
>As ordinary as any other door that hasn’t been Chrysalis’.
>You look at it for a moment.
>Then your hand slowly grasps the cold handle.
>Turning it gently it-
>It’s locked.
>Huh. A little disappointing.
>You move on.
>You reach a T-junction and ponder for a moment.
>… and hear the door open behind you.
>Jesusfuckingniggeranus!
>Nearly panicking, you start sprinting to the left without looking back.
>You hear a changeling’s “Huh?” behind you before the clopping noise of running hooves.
>Oh god fucking DAMMIT!
>Fueled by adrenaline, you rush forward without considering any particular destination.
>You run down the winding corridors while feeling as light as a feather.
>And never being rid of the sound of pursuit.
>You burst through a random door, cross some kind of hall, and burst through another door back into the network of corridors.
>Your pursuer stubbornly follows.
>You don’t even know if there’s more than one but you don’t really care either.
>Swiftly going through another door, you quickly shut it behind you.
>Spotting a table, you waste no time dragging it in front of the door and blocking it.
>The changeling(s) immediately hammers against the barred entrance to no avail.
>You stay tense while a few moments of useless door-beating go by.
>Then everything goes quiet.
>You stay alert, though, for a little while longer.
>Okay. Things seem to be okay.
>Time to take a few deep breaths and calm down.
>… And you’re lost as fuck now, aren’t you?
>You rest your face in your hands while thinking about what just happened.
>Oooooh shit.
>You’re going to need to be one lucky motherfucker if you’re going to find your way back now.
>Shit shit shit shit shit.
>What shouldn’t have happened went and happened.
>Of course it happened.
>Fate is a goddamn asshole!
>You look around.
>Well, you’re in some sort of…
>There’s a lot of junk here.
>Some sort of storage, maybe.
>Old furniture everywhere.
>Stools, bookshelves, tables and whatnot, all covered with dust.
>But more importantly, it’s a dead end.
>The changelings pursuing you probably know this and went to get some help, being aware that you can’t escape through some other exit.
>So you have to take the chance to leave.
>You sigh at your predicament and grab the table blocking your path.
>It’s not very wide, pretty low, like pony furniture, solid and remarkably heavy.
>Actually kind of good for blocking the door.
>Moving it out of the way again is a little frustrating, though.
>Because you realize all that running was rather exhausting.
>Peeking out the door, you see no changelings.
>Which is lucky. They didn’t leave anyone behind to wait for you to come out.
>Alrighty. Close the door behind you and get the hell away from here.
>You sneak-run down the corridor and try to remember where you came from.
>Oh boy…
>Gonna have to make a few wild guesses here and there.
>You’re so screwed.
>You move through corridor after corridor, trying to remember all the paths you rushed through.
>It feels clumsy, desperate, and doomed to be fruitless.
>… but you still have to at least TRY!
>If only these corridors didn’t all look the same!
>And their super-complicated system…
>Goddammit, it’s like trying to find your way through a freakin’ ant hive!
>Your path ends at a stairwell.
>And you sigh.
>You don’t remember running down any stairs during your chase.
>So here’s evidence #1 of You Blew It.
>Well, turn around and try again.
>Damn it.
>You walk back the way you came and ponder at every turn.
>The corridors always seem to branch out into even more corridors.
>And the walls are littered with door leading into unknown regions of Chrysalis’… place.
>You need to spend a fuckload of time here in order to learn how to navigate through all this.
>Turning a corner, you-
>You IMMEDIATELY step back!
>Two changelings, a patrol, are standing with their backs (or butts) turned toward you.
>They don’t seem to hear you coming.
>You hide behind the corner wall and try to calm your suddenly wild heart.
>Jesus fuck, that was close!
>Peeking carefully around the corner, you get a better look at them.
>Two stallions looking around.
>There’s no idle chatter, and they’re staying in their spot.
>Right. Of course you didn’t hear them.
>As one of them turns around you pull your head back.
>Okay, that way’s not an option.
>You move back the way you came one more time.
>Traversing more confusing corridors (more carefully), you start feeling pretty frustrated.
>Well, MORE frustrated.
>Finding your way back is basically out of the question by now.
>That guard, or THOSE, that chased you earlier has probably passed on that you’re not where you’re supposed to be.
>Hell, maybe that one patrol was put there to look you for you.
>And, as complex as this place is, you’re pretty sure you can’t hide forever.
>You turn another corner, carefully looking before walking ahead.
>Nothing. You walk ahead.
>At T-junctions you pick what your gut tells you.
>At crossroads you do the same.
>Not that your gut is actually telling you much, but you have no real sense of direction here.
>… Walking is becoming tiresome.
>You’re not sure how long you’ve been wandering either.
>Has Chrysalis come back to her chamber yet?
>Maybe she threw a small tantrum at your absence and then organized a search.
>Posting guards at key locations while leading a group personally.
>The corridor goes on for a while, stretching ahead.
>Hm…
>Would she really be like that?
>Or maybe she’d be more like ‘oh dear, I forgot to lock the door’ and fetch a few minions to go look for you.
>You feel a gentle breeze caress your face.
>Wait, what?
>Pulling yourself out of your speculation-filled thoughts you look at what’s ahead of you.
>A long corridor. No surprise there.
>But there’s also light.
>One side of the wall further ahead is glowing.
>That’s… weird.
>You walk faster.
>There are openings in the wall.
>Tall, narrow arcs, rather like strange doorways, standing closely together.
>They are letting in a fiery light which colours the opposite wall.
>The soft wind grows stronger when you approach.
>Fresh, cool, very enticing air.
>You reach the arcs and look through them.
>You a landscape. Trees and plains spread out before you with mountains littering the far distance.
>The sun is burning brightly as it descends below the horizon, covering everything in a golden glow and creating long shadows.
>You step out on a wide balcony.
>The wind blows strongly here and the view is downright spectacular. Walking to the thick, stony balustrade, you puts your hands on it and lean forward to see what’s down below.
>It’s a long, long way down.
>The structure of Chrysalis’ city spreads out below like an infinitely complicated fortress.
>With the wind tugging at you, you feel a certain uneasiness in the pit of your stomach and your legs suddenly feel strangely unstable.
>You take a step back.
>Looking up, it’s much the same.
>Other balconies protrude here and there as the mountain-like structure ascends towards the sky.
>You feel kind of small.
>Re-settling your eyes on the horizon, you watch the sun slowly descend.
>Like back home, it burns like a ball of bright flame now instead of the “lamp” it is during daytime.
>It grants the entire landscape a shade of gold and creates innumerable thick shadows.
>The wind gently grips you without forcing you with it.
>The cool air is refreshing and pleasant to breathe.
>… You start to feel rather relaxed.
>Then you notice something moving above you.
>You look up to check.
>A bird?
>Yes. Several, actually.
>A large swan followed by white doves.
>… No.
>They’re coming closer.
>Those aren’t birds.
>Celestia circles closer, followed by two royal pegasi guards, before landing gracefully on the balcony.
>Folding her wings, she gives you a warm smile while her guards stay quiet behind her.
>This feels reeeeeeeally familiar.
>”Good evening.”
>You just look at her.
>She tilts her head at you, still smiling gently.
>”Something wrong? Haven’t you missed me?”
>Her voice is so damn soothing.
“Maybe a little.”
>You’ll admit, yeah, Celestia would be very welcome company by now.
>The REAL Celestia, that is.
>The one in front of you giggles.
>It’s the same pleasant sound you’ve heard before back in Canterlot.
>”I’m glad. You should know, I’m quite happy I found you here.”
>She steps closer.
>You feel the urge to step back but control yourself and don’t.
>”You’ve been away from me for so long. How have you been?”
>Uh?
>Well, you CAN enlighten her on what you’ve thought of it.
“Not particularly well.”
>”Oh?”
>You spot a glint of amusement in her friendly eyes.
“This is Chrysalis we’re talking about, isn’t it? Her imprisonment isn’t easy.”
>”So, my dire enemy has indeed treated you poorly?”
“To say the least. Being in her care isn’t much unlike being in a small cage.”
>Given the size of this place, you still think it’s ridiculous how she acts like you could escape unless she keeps you on a very short leash.
>Literally, as it was in the beginning.
>Perhaps you could try being harder.
“I rather hate her sometimes.”
>Celestia’s smile fades a little.
>The glint in her eyes vanish.
>She’s quiet for a moment.
>”… I’m not prone to hate myself. I love many things and adore the world.”
“Even changelings?”
>You cross your arms.
>This could be interesting.
>She gives you a reassuring look.
>”Yes. For all her hostile intentions, the Queen meant to feed her people. She is not heartless.”
>You raise an eyebrow.
>She’s getting defensive?
“I haven’t seen much kindness from her. Her heart must be small.”
>”Haven’t you?”
>Actually you kind of have. On occasion.
>But for the conversation’s sake…
“No. I haven’t. She’s cruel and indifferent towards my well-being. As a matter of fact, I suspect she takes pleasure in my misery.”
>Wonder what she’ll make of that.
>Celestia’s silent.
>She looks like she’s contemplating what you just said.
>”I… didn’t expect that.”
“I meant it when I said I rather hate her sometimes.”
>For the sake of driving it home.
>Celestia’s remarkably statuesque but for her ever-moving mane, which flows around her head and down her neck.
>”So, do you look forward to coming back to Canterlot?”
>Her expression is one of calmness, although you detect a hint of dissatisfaction.
>A bit of her true nature always shines through her many masks.
>The question is pretty easy to answer.
“Well, yeah.”
>She smiles.
>”I suppose that’s easy to understand.”
>Good. It was driven home.
“Would you have thought otherwise?”
>Seems like you can get to make a few questions yourself now.
>Her smile turns strangely cheeky.
>”Perhaps. Considering who you are, you must’ve received some unusual treatment.”
>’Who’?
>More like ‘what’.
>You only shrug.
>Although you have absolutely no doubt that you had received just that.
“Whatever her intentions, I haven’t been having a very good time.”
>”A pity.”
>Celestia looks towards the sunset.
>You follow her example.
>The sun’s getting really low on the horizon now.
>Looking back to Celest-
>You see Luna in front of you.
>Huh.
>”Chrysalis is cruel, I hear.”
>This is an unexpected twist in the conversation.
“Yeah…”
>What the hell is going to happen now?
>The dark mare with the star-speckled mane just smiles.
>”It is quite admirable you managed to withstand her manipulations for so long, brave one.”
>Well, it’s not like she mind-raped you like she did with Shining Armour.
“It’s not hard when she’s being a dick all the time.”
>Luna blinks.
>Oh, right.
“I mean she’s being evil.”
>She frowns briefly before speaking.
>”I see. She must, of course, answer for her crimes.”
“I hope it’ll involve dungeons.”
>She gives you a questioning look.
>You think you spot a hint of amusement in her features, though.
>”I’m well aware of what you’ve been doing in the dungeons.”
>… Oh boy.
“And what have you heard?”
>You smile.
>This could be fun.
>”Taking advantage of a defenseless prisoner is frowned upon.”
>Defenseless prisoner your as-
>No, wait. She was actually secured pretty well.
“I thought you’d come up with something about fraternization, though.”
>But maybe you shouldn’t be that surprised to hear something perverted.
>Luna frowns.
>”It is not something I’ve ‘come up with’!”
>You roll your eyes at her.
>She sighs deeply.
>Green energy suddenly envelops her for a single moment.
>And Chrysalis takes her place.
>”You’re no fun.”
>She turns around to the two guards behind her, still disguised as pegasi.
>One is watching the sunset and the other’s in the middle of yawning.
>”You two.”
>The Queen gives them a hard look when she gets their attention.
>They immediately drop the disguises and stand at attention.
>”You can leave.”
>They exchange a single glance before walking back inside the building.
>Turning around, she gives you a strange look.
>”Just how vile do you think I am?”
>You think for a moment.
“What do you mean?”
>She steps closer to you.
>And looks very, very displeased.
>You take a step back while feeling decidedly uncomfortable.
>”I have not treated you the way you say I have.”
>Oh. That.
>Right. You laid it on thick.
“You haven’t been all that pleasant either.”
>She grunts angrily.
>”What am I supposed to do? Give you a fancy room, personal servants, and luxurious food?”
>Well, that doesn’t sound bad.
”Maybe?”
>She looks at you like she just discovered total retardation.
>”I’ve been TRYING to be nice!”
>…
>Oh?
“Is that so?”
>Well, you have been having the feeling.
>She’s been generous on a few occasions.
>But hearing her say it…
>Her expression turns panicky for a moment.
>Probably regretting blurting that out.
“You have a long way to go if that’s your impression of ‘nice’.”
>Then it turns annoyed.
>”I’m not some simple pony mare who will eagerly dote on you.”
>You guess that’s true.
“Alright. I figured I was just your prisoner and property anyway.”
>You place an elbow on the balustrade and lean against it to relax.
“So why the attempt?”
>Chrysalis gives you a rather suspicious look.
>”You ARE my prisoner.”
>A wolfish grin creeps its way onto her face.
>You ignore it this time.
“Uh-huh. But apparently you also want to be nice?”
>The grin goes away as she seems to mull it over.
>”… Well, I suppose I do.”
>It sounds like a casual confession.
“So you’re not a heartless wretch? Interesting.”
>She narrows her eyes at you.
>But then her lips form into an amused smile.
>”Of course not. I’m a being centered on love and affection. How could I not have the greatest heart of all?”
”Pretty sure that’s Cadance. You’re more of a parasite.”
>Don’t try to brag, Chrysalis.
>But she only laughs.
>That chuckle of hers that doesn’t sound all that evil.
>”I can always imitate her.”
>In a green flash, the pink princess of the Crystal Empire takes Chrysalis’ place.
>”Perhaps now I can make you feel loved?”
>She winks.
>You roll your eyes.
“No innuendos, please.”
>”Should I be more direct?”
“You’d just start hitting on me.”
>You give her a teasing smile.
>The disguised Chrysalis gives you a sly look.
>”Well, who wouldn’t want such a… large, strong male?”
>You can’t resist grinning.
>This was becoming pretty silly.
>And a bit funny.
”Oh yeah. You should know how many mares I slept with back in Canterlot.”
>Her face suddenly lights up big time.
>”Oh my! Really?!”
>That eager smile…
“No, wait, that was just a joke!”
>She blinks.
>”… Oh.”
>And looks disappointed.
”Chrysalis, seriously, is this all you ever think of?”
>She snorts, acting insulted.
>”Of course not.”
”I guess invasions could be another thing.”
>You do kind of wonder if she’s planning another one soon.
>She warps out of her disguise, returning to her more monstrous self.
>The cool wind grabs the no-longer-magical strands of her original mane, waving them around.
>Much like a velvet curtain in an open window.
>She taps her chin with a hoof.
>”Hm… I do need revenge…”
>Oh god, you didn’t mean to give her ideas!
“Hang on! There’s no need for that already.”
>She gives you a knowing smile.
>”Oh no, I’m not going to make any plans right now.”
>She then tilts her head.
>”And you’d worry about your dear pony friends, wouldn’t you?”
>Well…
>Yeah, you would.
>Of course you would.
“That’s a rather redundant question.”
>You have no doubt that she’d be an unpleasant conqueror.
>Her expression turns into a very satisfied smirk.
>”A good enough answer. Maybe I’ll be nice to you.”
>Is that so?
“You do need some practice with that.”
>Her smirk vanishes.
>She then sighs.
>”It’s difficult to deal with you sometimes.”
>This makes you frown a bit.
>That was a little strange to hear.
”Says the queen who caught and imprisoned me.”
>She rolls her eyes.
>”Not like that. Yes, I could always throw you into some hole and leave you to rot…”
>Her eyes send you a very meaningful look.
>”… but I’d rather not.”
>…
“… That’s very nice of you.”
>”Thank you.”
>In the following moment of silence, you look towards the setting sun.
>Chrysalis’ last statement made you just a little bit uneasy.
>The sun’s gone below the horizon, leaving some blazing twilight behind.
>It IS getting pretty dark now.
>Chrysalis doesn’t seem to mind that, though.
>You assume it’s because of those neat pupils of hers. She practically has cat-eyes.
>”Listen…”
>You look back to her.
“What?”
>She doesn’t speak at first.
>Seems to think.
>Is she going to make some sort of speech?
>You wait.
>”You’re right in saying I haven’t been gentle with you.”
>No shit, Sherlock.
>”You were my prisoner, of course. It was only fitting.”
>You cross your arms again and give her an unimpressed look.
>She seems to notice.
>”Don’t look at me like that. Prisoners are prisoners.”
>You raise an eyebrow.
>That might be true, but that doesn’t mean you’re going to be totally okay and happy with being treated little different from a dog.
>Chrysalis looks back at you with a stern look.
>You keep up your eye-contact for a few silent moments.
>”… I’m going to change some things.”
>That makes you blink.
>Chrysalis’ stern expression softens.
>”I suppose there’s no danger in letting you wander as you like.”
>Well, that’s about goddamn time.
“Took you long enough to realize.”
>She grins at you.
>Not the wolfish, malicious kind of grin. But more out of plain amusement.
>”Yes, you’ve been wanting some more space for some time now.”
>Then she ponders.
>”Took you quite some time to go out the door, however.”
>Wait, what?
“What?”
>She looks at you with a small smile across her lips.
>”The door. My door. I’ve left it unlocked ever since I allowed you to be left without your collar.”
>Her smile grows.
>It was a goddamn trick after all!
“And why the heck did you do that?”
>”I thought it might be fun. You often sound like you’d like to get away. And yet you complain that this place is of an unfathomable size for you.”
 “You toyed with me again.”
>“Yes.”
>Hag.
>You’re not very happy with hearing this.
>Although it also sounds like you’ve been acting less desperately than she expected.
 “So… You’re not just here to drag me back to your room?”
>Her chuckle is soft and brief.
>”No, I’m not.”
>Then she quickly looks towards the sun.
>Or where the sun was.
>The twilight is fading too.
>”Or should I? We usually sleep soon.”
>You could probably use the help to find your way back to your bed.
“I guess I wouldn’t mind if you guided me.”
>She snickers at that.
>Not entirely surprising.
>”Very well.”
>Then she looks serious again.
>”But before we go, let’s finish this.”
“Uh, okay.”
>She must mean the conversation.
>”For all the…”
>She pauses.
>Thinking.
>”Your time here has been bothersome, right?”
“Yeah.”
>She nods understandingly.
>”I’m sorry.”
>...
>You frown.
>Did she just…?
>Her?!
”Uh…”
>Her head tilts while she looks at you with annoyance.
>”Don’t act so shocked. I’m perfectly capable of regretting my actions.”
“I’m still a little unsure if I heard you right.”
>She rolls her eyes.
>”And I’m sure you did. Don’t pretend to be foolish, I know you’re not.”
“But you’re still going to apologise after all this time?”
>”Yes.”
>Her tone is simple and straight-forward.
>This still seems weird.
”After all the weird shit you’ve done?”
>She doesn’t answer.
>Her face says ‘duh’, though.
“Keeping me chained up to the wall, never even letting me leave your room, even playing around with me by pretending to be the Elements…”
>You want to be sure of what it is she wants.
>You don’t really trust her.
>She sighs.
>Or growls.
>It’s a strange mix, but her anger is obvious.
>”Stop repeating your question. What else am I supposed to do with you?”
>She shakes her head, apparently clearing her thoughts.
>”I brought you here because you amused me. Do you understand that, ape? And you’ve done that marvelously.”
>She pauses.
>Looks at you like you pose some kind of risk.
>You feel a little confused.
>”What is a queen supposed to do when her prisoner, her pet, her property, seems to become more than just a funny little thing?”
>You give her a veeeery suspicious look.
>She does she mean…
“… Are you in love with me?”
>The look on her face is blank.
>Then it explodes as he burst into a wild fit of laughter.
>Okay, apparently your guess was wrong.
>Chrysalis keeps laughing loudly.
>Given your position on a balcony, you wouldn’t be surprised if her laughter can be heard far faaar away.
>It takes a few moments before it dies down to a soft chuckle.
“You done?”
>She clears her throat and her fit finally stops entirely.
>Although she still smiles.
>”You have a rather generous view of yourself if you think you’ve won the heart of a queen.”
“And you have a rather generous view of yourself if you think a queen is worth that much to me.”
>Come on, that crap just BEGGED for a rebuttal.
>But she only chuckles again.
>”Did any ponies ever tell you that you have a sharp tongue?”
>You shrug.
>It’s possible but you don’t really remember.
>”Oh well. But I suppose it’s fine.”
>She gives you a suggestive look.
>”I like it.”
>Okay...
“But you don’t really like me.”
>You get a cheeky smile from her.
>”I didn’t say that.”
>Huh? So…
>”Let me spell it out for you.”
>She starts walking towards you.
>Very slowly.
>”No, I don’t love you. An amusing fantasy for you, I’m sure, and I guess you may indulge in it whenever you find the time, if you so please.”
>She snickers at that.
>”… But I do appreciate you.”
>She’s getting very close, and in the near-darkness of the approaching night her green eyes seem to glow.
>No, scratch that. They really glow.
>Magic.
>… or maybe just changeling biology?
>”You are still so very interesting.”
>Unique alien. Right.
>”Do you know how many creatures have cowered in my mere presence? Where-ever I go, I inspire fear in both males and females.”
>You notice how she doesn’t sound entirely unhappy with this.
>Her eyes travel down and back up your frame.
>”And then there’s you.”
>… Oh?
>You hold back a laugh.
>Either you have a surprisingly good pokerface or Chrysalis is an idiot.
>She’s perfectly capable of freaking you the fuck out when she really wants to.
“What about me?”
>She smiles with obvious amusement.
>”I have yet to hear you beg for your life. Or soil yourself.”
“You have yet to threaten to kill me.”
>”Perhaps. I take it you’d be surprised with the sort of courage some creatures apparently lack, then.”
>Now you just make everyone sound like pussies, Chrysalis.
>Although…
“You ARE pretty horrific.”
>She chuckles like she heard a funny joke.
>And then a devilish grin, showing off those sharp fangs of hers, spreads across her face.
>”I know.”
>… Okey-dokey, then.
>You freaky monster.
>Seriously, shit like this makes the hair on your neck stand on end.
“Stuff like this makes it a bit difficult to believe you when you say things like you being sorry about anything.”
>Her grin shrinks to a small smile.
>”I suppose I can see that.”
>Her eyebrows furrow a bit, making her look a little irritated.
>”I’ll admit this is a little awkward for me.”
>Considering who she is, you find that believable.
>”But I will from now on give you… more of what you wanted.”
“Like freedom?”
>”Of course not. Don’t be silly.”
>Well, it was worth a try.
>”But you may be right about me having been, well, let’s say ‘harsh’.”
“And you seriously regret this?”
>She still doesn’t seem all that regretful to you.
>”In a way.”
>You raise an eyebrow.
>In a way?
>She manages to read the question written on your face.
>”As long as you’re here, you’re mine. And mine alone. But I do feel you’re worth something.”
“What exactly is that supposed to mean?”
>”You’re not a worthless thing. I should appreciate you.”
>She smiles in a rather suggestive way.
“You already said that.”
>”Of course. It’s what I’m trying to tell you.”
>Does this mean better times are ahead?
>Or will she just start acting even scarier around you?
“So… what, exactly?”
>She looks surprisingly serious while apparently considering.
>”… I guess I’ll try to be nicer.”
“I’m not really sure what your definition of ‘nice’ is.”
>She snorts.
>Like she held back a burst of laughter.
>”Still so suspicious of me? Here I am, trying to soothe you and show my goodwill.”
“Yeah, and that could mean you’re trying to mess with me.”
>She smiles.
>Wolfishly.
>”Oh no, I would never do that.”
“You would totally do that. And enjoy it.”
>”Alright, maybe. But, as I’ve said, I’ll make some changes.”
“And that’s where I get suspicious.”
>Her expression loses some of its amusement and gains annoyance.
”Hey, you’re the one who’s always telling me I’m just property.”
>She sighs. Remarkably deeply.
>”This is going nowhere. Is it really that hard to believe I can be good to you?”
“Kind of.”
>More annoyance.
>“Why? I’ve been good to you before.”
“Relatively. Along with bad.”
>”Perhaps you should focus on the bright side of things, then.”
“Around you, that’d just be putting myself at risk.”
>”I’m not looking for weaknesses to exploit.”
“You still have an unpleasant taste in amusement.”
>”Maybe you’re too fun to leave alone.”
“Then you’re just terrible.”
>She goes quiet.
>Looking annoyed again.
>”You just won’t trust me, will you?”
“No.”
>There’s a small satisfaction in how it seems to bother her.
“Come on, you can’t be surprised with this. Why the hell would I EVER trust you when you suddenly start babbling about being nice?”
>That makes another question pop into your head.
“No, wait. Why do you care?”
>She fucking owns you.
>Literally.
>She doesn’t need your consent for anything.
>Chrysalis studies you for a moment.
>Her eyes lock onto you while she considers her response.
>“I’ve started thinking it would be better if I could avoid you… disliking me.”
>You…
>You look at her.
>Stare, really.
>Hearing that was pretty surprising.
>And interesting.
”Okay…”
>This was about that appreciation stuff?
>Hm…
>Opportunities.
”There needs to be some serious changes if you want me to be happy around here.”
>Her eyes narrow.
>”Don’t let it go to your head.”
“You still want to make a good impression on me, don’t you?”
>You wonder how far you can take this.
>She must be willing to bend to at least some of your wishes.
>”In a way, maybe. As I’ve said, I plan on changing my ways. For your sake.”
>She smiles in a decidedly foreboding manner.
>”Doesn’t that make you happy?”
>Yeah…
>Maybe not quite.
“I don’t know…”
>In the darkness of the rapidly approaching night, Chrysalis’ dark body is getting difficult to see clearly.
>Her mane and tail still drift around gently in the cool breeze.
>A breeze that’s becoming chilly.
>Her near-black body is beginning to meld into the growing shadows and dark surroundings.
>But those green eyes keep glowing eerily, black pupils wide from the lack of light, always focused on you.
>All in all, the Changeling Queen looks ominous as hell.
>She laughs softly.
>”A pity. It seems I must work hard to undo your suspicion.”
“Kinda.”
>Is she planning something now?
>It sounds like she actually intends to do something.
>Chrysalis’ expression becomes more serious.
>”I was hoping this wouldn’t be all we’d come to.”
“You’re surprised?”
>”… No, not quite. You’re as stubborn as always.”
>She sounds irritated, although her mouth curves slightly into a smile.
“Prevents me from being manipulated too much, I think.”
>You give her a cheeky smile.
>She raises an eyebrow.
>”It could also blind you to certain opportunities.”
”From you?”
>”Of course.”
“You’re too evil for that.”
>”I’m the queen of my people and I’m fond of my own.”
>Hm…
>You do seem to recall something about her invasion being for the sake of her changelings.
“You invaded my home, though.”
>She grins in that wolfish way.
>”In your current position you might as well consider yourself my subject.”
“How could I ever do that?”
>”Why not?”
“Don’t make me recite all these obvious things again.”
>She just looks at you.
>It looks like she needs something more.
>Either she’s thick-headed or her reasoning is all kinds of screwed up.
“Chrysalis, you done all sorts of bad things, okay? Not to mention…”
>You gesture at her with your hands.
>Sort of hoping she gets it.
>She just keeps looking at you.
“You’re freakin’ SCARY.”
>Not just the way she looks, but also the way she acts.
>Her habits and behaviour.
>… You’re not really sure if admitting this was a good idea.
>But since she’s feeling generous, it might result in something well enough.
>Her eyes go wide.
>And then her smile follows.
>Uh oh.
>”Ooooh…”
>She steps close.
>Very, very close.
>Completely disregarding personal space, she studies your face.
>”Is that so? I strike fear into this creature’s heart?”
>She looks infinitely amused.
>”It’s so difficult to tell.”
>… Okay…
>Cool? It seems you have a respectably pokerface.
“You enjoy it when ponies are afraid.”
>It’s pretty obvious.
>She steps back and grins.
>”Yes. I do. I enjoy it when my enemies fear me.”
>Bingo.
“So we’re enemies.”
>You smile a little.
>It feels like you caught her in something.
>… Probably how she’s been talking about appreciating you, and now this.
>Her grins goes away.
>She looks at you for a moment.
>”… No.”
>No?
>That makes you a little curious.
“And what’s that supposed to mean?”
>She smiles again.
>Less wickedly this time.
>”I said you might as well consider yourself my subject.”
>Yeah, right.
”I’d just be your slave, wouldn’t I?”
>”Would that be so bad?”
>The look she gives you…
>Seductive.
“Yes.”
>You’re not falling for that crap, of course.
>A wind sweeps over the two of you, making Chrysalis’ mane and tail billow and you shudder.
>The cold is starting to seriously nag.
“Anyway, can we go somewhere else?”
>Chrysalis smiles.
>Out of amusement, you can tell.
>”Very well. I’m guessing you’d like to return to my chamber?”
>Well, why not?
>It’s late.
“Sure.”
>She starts walking back inside her fortress.
>You follow her.
>Into a pitch black corridor.
“Uh…”
>REALLY pitch black.
>”Yes? Oh…”
>A green light flickers into being at the tip of Chrysalis’ grotesque horn.
>”Better?”
“Yeah.”
>Fucking changelings and their fucking nightvision.
>Your footsteps, along with Chrysalis’ hoofsteps, seem to echo a bit more than usual.
>The corridor is honestly kind of creepy in the weak, coloured light.
>You can only see a few feet ahead, and the darkness is otherwise all-consuming.
>Chrysalis, of course, seems as calm and not-giving-a-damn as ever.
>… Her presence is actually a bit reassuring.
>With Chrysalis in the lead, you walk for a while in silence at a slow, and pretty relaxed, pace.
>Turn a few corners and walk around like she knows the place as well as the back of her… hoof.
>You feel like there’s something you might want to get off your chest, though.
“You’ve been pretty weird today.”
>She doesn’t look back at you as she walks on.
>”Maybe.”
>Not an entirely satisfactory answer.
“Why do you want me to like you?”
>”We’ve already had a lengthy conversation that resulted in very little.”
>You can’t see her face when she’s ahead of you.
>But her voice sounds either tired or annoyed.
>”… but it was interesting to hear you’re not entirely fearless.”
>That didn’t sound so annoyed.
“I don’t think you’re stupid enough to have actually believed the opposite up until now.”
>”Possibly. But you can be amusingly difficult to discern.”
>You imagine she’s smiling now.
>That malevolent smile she shows whenever she’s ‘amused’.
>”You’re an amusing male. This is why I don’t want your hatred.”
>What?
>”If you can listen earnestly and not wrap my explanation in your suspicions, I’ll put it simply.”
>Uh…
>”I plan on keeping you for a long time. Therefore, I want you to be able to stay for a long time.”
“Okay…”
>That sounded a bit worse than what she had been talking about on the balcony.
>”I’ve had prisoners before. But not always for amusement. Past conflicts, for the most part.“
>Hearing that doesn’t actually surprise you.
>”They would occasionally break down and die from poor care.”
>…
>”This mostly happened when I was younger, mind you.”
“Thank goodness.”
>You can hear her chuckle softly.
>”But please try not to be overly frustrated and stressed. I’d be sad if you broke down as well.”
>Well…
>If she ever manages to kill you or turn you mad, at least she’ll be sad.