>You stroll across grass.
>Thick, soft, and very very green.
>Rarity is waiting ahead, busy setting up a little tea party.
>Fluttershy is... somewhere.
>Probably mingling with the animals.
>The fashionista is currently setting up little plates and tea cups on a large carpet.
>Having a picnic in the castle gardens seems a little silly, even if the place IS very spacious.
>Then again, it’ll be relaxing.
>You join Rarity, who greets you with a smile, and help her arrange the last things.
>She’s very specific about how it all needs to be.
>Once it’s a quaint scene for three picnicking people/ponies, Rarity sits down and looks around.
>Luckily, it doesn’t take long for Fluttershy to show up.
>Her mood seems poor as she approaches.
>Rarity sighs.
>”Fluttershy, I know the animals here are… reluctant to be your friends.
>That surprises you.
“Really?”
>Fluttershy usually seems to have an uncanny ability for getting along with animals.
>Rarity looks at you in surprise.
>”Yes. Haven’t you heard about the time we were at the Grand Galloping Gala?”
“Only that you destroyed it.”
>’Destroyed’ might be an exaggeration.
>But you remember the rather amusing tale very well.
>Rarity looks away.
>”Yes, well…”
>Her cheeks redden and her tone gains a note of embarrassment.
>”… I, uh, suppose you could describe it like that.”
>Fluttershy sits down by the plate and teacup prepared for her.
>Rarity immediately starts pouring tea for everybody, making the tea pot hover around in her blue magic.
>The quiet yellow pegasus keeps looking sulky with regarding her tea.
>But Rarity just rolls her eyes.
>”Darling, don’t be like that. You can’t be friends with all of them in an instant.”
>Patience isn’t her strong point?
“She’s not good at taking her time?”
>The white unicorn smiles at you.
>”When you have a talent like hers, rejection isn’t something she has much experience with.”
>Fluttershy looks up, her eyes flickering between you and Rarity.
>She seems to regain some composure and picks up her teacup with her hooves, gently blowing on the hot liquid.
>You follow her example.
>The cup is pretty small in your human hands.
>And then something hits you.
“What are the others doing?”
>It’s seems a little strange that only Rarity and Fluttershy invited you here.
>Rarity takes a sip of her tea before looking at you.
>”Twilight is doing some...”
>She waves a hoof around.
>”… you know, organizing and preparing. Her specialty.”
>Fluttershy nods.
“With the rest?”
>”Yes.”
>So, changeling stuff.
>Of course.
>”We, however…”
>Rarity snatches your attention again.
>”… thought it might be better to spend some time with you.”
>Fluttershy sips her own cup of tea very carefully.
>And then smiles at you.
>That’s a little heart-warming.
>Rarity starts distributing sandwiches.
>You open yours to check its content.
>It seems to be salad and vegetables instead of hay.
>Thank god.
>The two mares giggle at you.
>”Don’t worry, darling. We learned a long time ago that you’re no pony.”
>You snicker at her little joke.
>Then go ahead and take a bite of your sandwich.
>Yep, it’s edible.
>You munch for a moment before noticing both Rarity and Fluttershy looking past you.
>Looking over your shoulder, you see what got their attention.
>A tall, slender (almost lanky) unicorn is walking towards you, coming from the castle.
>Her coat is as pristinely white as Celestia’s, her mane looks like polished silver, and her large eyes are a pale, icy blue.
>She approaches with a friendly, eager smile.
>You look back at Rarity and Fluttershy.
>They shrug.
>The unknown unicorn stops a few feet from your party.
>She seems to hesitate.
>”… Well, hello.”
>She keeps smiling as if excited.
>Rarity gets up and walks over to the new guest.
>Standing in front of her, the difference in height between the two unicorns is almost comical.
>”Hello, dear. I’m Rarity. Who might you be?”
>Rarity’s politeness makes the newcomer relax a bit more.
>”My name is Silver Song. And no need to be so formal, I know very well who you all are.”
>She looks past Rarity at Fluttershy and yourself.
>You give Silver Song a polite smile and a wave.
>Fame does seem appropriate for saviours of Equestria and aliens.
>Rarity blinks.
>”Oh. Well, I suppose that shouldn’t be such a surprise.”
>She looks away with a rather proud expression and flicks her stylish mane with a hoof.
>Show-off.
>Silver Song points with a hoof at Fluttershy.
>”You must be Fluttershy.”
>Fluttershy smiles shyly.
>”… Yes.”
>Silver Song’s pointing hoof moves in your direction.
>”And you…”
>She stops pointing and walks past Rarity, coming closer to you.
>You stand up so she doesn’t tower over you.
>She extends her hoof in greeting.
>You politely take it and shake.
>And then, for a single moment, you could swear her eyes were green and cat-like.
>You take the hint.
>Somehow you’re not all that surprised.
>”It’s so nice to finally meet you in person!”
>She smiles almost giddily.
>”I knew you were here in the castle, but I haven’t had the chance until now.”
“It’s nice to meet you too.”
>You’re not as unnerved as you think you should be.
>Maybe you’re getting used to her now?
>It would be about time, perhaps.
>Fluttershy stays back and quietly eats her sandwich while watching.
>’Silver Song’ looks around at the three picnickers.
>”Oh, wait, I’m sorry. I don’t even know if it was proper of me to barge into your gathering like this.”
>Rarity trots over to her spot and sits down.
>”Nonsense. You’re perfectly welcome. We don’t mind having a guest like yourself here.”
>With her magic, the generous mare offers her plate and sandwich to said guest.
>Silver Song looks at it in surprise before accepting it with her own green magic.
>”Oh. Thank you.”
>You watch as she looks at the food for a moment.
>With a little hesitation she lifts the sandwich from the plate and takes a bite.
>Chews slowly.
>Swallows hard.
>It’s pretty obvious she doesn’t like it.
>But she smiles politely at your two friends who seem not to notice her displeasure.
>”So, tell me…”
>Rarity strikes up a conversation, and Silver Song puts the plate down and sits within your little group.
>You let it happen. Intervening seems like a bad idea.
>”What does a mare such as yourself do around here?”
>Silver Song tilts her and takes on a pretty serious expression.
>”Well, I haven’t been able to do much lately. What with the extra security and whatnot in the castle.”
>That makes Rarity groan dramatically.
>”Oh yes! That’s most definitely troublesome. Twilight and the princesses have been working themselves silly these last few days.”
>Silver Song giggles.
>”Indeed. I can’t even leave the castle. Poor me, what am I supposed to do holed up here?”
>”Well, what is it that you do?”
>”Oh. Uhm…”
>She swings her head, making her dazzling mane swivel and glitter in the sunlight.
>”Well, I don’t mean to brag, but I’m quite a singer.”
>”Noooo…!”
>Rarity almost gasps and her face lights up in a big smile.
>”Really? You’re a performer?”
>”Oh yes. I entertain great crowds during the galas.”
>Silver Song’s smile is almost smug.
>Then she notices both Rarity’s and Fluttershy’s blank looks.
>Her smiles shrinks.
>Rarity eyes her up and down quickly.
>”You’re quite an outstanding mare, but I don’t remember seeing you.”
>You think you can detect a slight hint of panic in the self-proclaimed singer’s face.
>”Yes, well, I haven’t always managed to be present at all of them.”
>”Oh, I see.”
>Rarity looks towards Fluttershy.
>”I know my friend Fluttershy and I can look like quite refined mares, but sadly we haven’t attended many galas. It’s a pity to have missed you.”
>Silver Song’s expression brightens at that.
>”Oh, don’t be so sad. You’re friends with the princesses, aren’t you? I’m sure you’ll get to attend many more galas.”
>The fashionista tilts her head with a playfully thoughtful look.
>”Well, perhaps.”
>Silver Song’s blue eyes scan Rarity briefly.
>”You know…”
>Rarity’s deeper blue eyes meet hers.
>”You do in fact seem like quite the refined mare.”
>That makes Rarity giggle.
>”Well, yes, I do, don’t I?”
>”Oh yes! I’m particularly impressed with your mane.”
>Her pale eyes run down Rarity’s intricate purple curls.
>The designer
>”Oh no, don’t be! Your own is simply stunning!”
>That you can agree with.
>The mane that springs from your guest’s head runs down her neck and the side of her face like silvery velvet.
>Not very humble.
>”Oh thank you! I’m rather proud of it.”
>The singer winks.
>”However, what about… him?”
>Silver Song’s gaze settles on you.
>Rarity’s does the same.
>Huh?
>Silver Song looks at Rarity again, whose hoof comes up to her chin in thought.
>”Well… Yes, he could use some… improvement.”
>Your resist frowning.
“Why do I suddenly matter?”
>You’re not striving to be ‘refined’!
>”Darling, please. You’re much too casual. It would be easy for you to do better than this.”
>So?
“And what if I like being this way?”
>Silver Song smiles.
>Cheekily.
>”What if you were invited to a gala?”
“We’re not at a gala now.”
>”It’s only a matter of time, I’m sure.”
>Looking a bit more serious, she seems to study your features.
>”You know, I really think you could do something with that mane of yours…”
>You just raise an eyebrow.
>This talk doesn’t seem very serious.
>”Don’t pick on him!”
>Suddenly Fluttershy stands up.
>”He’s just fine!”
>She trots over to you.
>”He’s nice and kind and looks good and nothing needs to be changed!”
>The yellow pegasus glares at Silver Song.
>Well then…
“… thanks.”
>Rarity blinks.
>”Fluttershy, calm down. We were just having a little fun.”
>Fluttershy stiffens.
>”Oh. Uh, I’m sorry…”
>Aaaand she’s back to being shy.
>You give her a friendly pat on the head.
>The fashionable unicorn then looks you over.
>”I think I’ll still make something for you one day.”
>Well, generosity is her thing.
“That could be okay for special occasions.”
>She does have a good hang of what’s in style here.
>Then Silver Song stands up.
>”Maybe it’s time for me to leave.”
>Rarity looks up, seeming a little surprised.
>”Oh? Well, okay then.”
>She stands up herself and faces the visitor properly.
>”It was a pleasure to meet you, Silver Song.”
>Silver Song smiles politely.
>”Likewise. But before I go, I’d like to ask… one teeny tiny thing.”
>Her eyes slowly drift towards you.
>Uh oh.
>”Can I steal your friend away for a moment?”
>Yep, uh oh.
>Fluttershy and Rarity exchange a look.
>”We’d honestly rather you didn’t.”
>That seems to take Silver Song by surprise.
>”Really? Then how about him? Doesn’t he have a say?”
>She looks at you.
>You sense an intent in her eyes.
>Oh, goddammit…
“I guess I’m fine with it.”
>Her face erupts into a big smile.
>”Wonderful! And don’t worry, I won’t keep him long. I’m just, let’s say, a fan.”
>With that she trots away.
>You assume you’re supposed to follow.
>You shrug at Rarity and Fluttershy, who look at you solemnly, before following the tall unicorn.
>Walking across bare grass, the two of you walk into another section of the great garden.
>She’s humming a simple melody while walking ahead of you.
>After a while she stops and turns around.
>Her expression turns into a grin that’s eerily familiar.
>”Well, that was fun.”
“How?”
>”Oh, like you don’t know. They utterly fell for my disguise.”
>The singer’s smooth voice laughs wickedly.
>You sigh.
“You’re playing dangerously.”
>The disguised Chrysalis rolls her eyes.
>”Oh please…”
“A singer at galas? Really?”
>”I CAN sing! Maybe I’ll do it for you someday.”
“Sure, but don’t try to show off when you’re supposed to lay low.”
>Idiot.
>The changeling pauses.
>Then tilts her head as she starts to smirk.
>”Are you worried about me?”
>You frown at her.
“Don’t try to flatter yourself.”
>Are you?
>Maybe a little.
>But you’d prefer not to admit that to her.
>Chrysalis giggles.
>”Alright, I’ll try to contain myself. But I’m sure there’s no reason for you to be concerned.”
>You’re still not at ease.
>Which is annoying in more ways than one.
“Just don’t be stupid.”
>That sounded sappy.
“… and don’t come running to me if they find out who you are.”
>”Awww…”
>She grins and steps closer.
>”But you’re my one ally in this place.”
>Pffft!
“You didn’t give me much of a choice.”
>”Well, maybe not. But now that we’re on the same side we don’t have to be so hostile with each other.”
>She winks a blue eye.
“Whatever.”
>Wanna-be succubus.
>She just seems to scrutinize you with a smile.
>You raise an eyebrow in response.
>She then sighs.
>”It might be time to return to your pony friends.”
>She walks around and past you, towards the spot where the picnic is held.
>”Can’t have them think I kidnapped you.”
>You follow.