>"... and that's why we consider ourselves the descendants of the Great Serpent."
"I've never heard that story told in that way before."
>"Of course not. This is our myths, not those of the alicorns."
>Stone walls, so cold in the daylight yet given life by orange flame, surrounded the royal couple, as they lay talking in the belly of a forgotten fortification
>The half-dead light of the last quarter moon did it's best to keep the room lit, but it was helped in it's seemingly impossible task by a stout regiment of lit candles
>Organic beams, walls and patches, the telltale sign of Changeling assimilation, stood alien against the traditional stone, both mending and changing the belly of the lost stone beast
>And amongst the candles and the moon, the stone and the flesh, lay Pony prince and Changeling queen
>Lovers
"Chrysalis... I need to speak with you about something."
>Shining Armour's voice was calm
>"Oh, is it something serious?"
>Her faint smile didn't die, as if she expected his question to be just another triviality
"It is. It's something I feel we should have talked about... perhaps in an earlier stage in our relationship."
>His eyes set fas upon his Queen of Hearts, his twice-bride
>"I'm not sure I understand what you're saying."
>She did her best to avoid sounding concerned
"I think you do. It's something that I never really got out of..."
>He paused again, as is he expected someone else to finish his sentence
"Out of my last marriage. But I feel ready for it now. I think this is something we both really want, and feel ready for."
>Chrysalis stared at him for a moment, as if she had been bound to some vow of silence
>Could he really be meaning...?
>He had to, it was the only logical grand step in their relationship which required such an introduction
>For someone so used to feeling the emotions of those around her, the deep well that was just now opening up inside her felt alien yet... so beautiful
>"I think I know what you mean... I just never assumed you would be the one to ask ME..."
>Her eyes vibrantly green and life-giving, were growing moist, though this time it was joy, not some shade of pain, that clouded her mind
>How long had she not wanted this?
>How long had she not waited, daring not to bring her innermost wish to light?
>But now it was happening
>He was going to ask her the big question, and she would accept, bringing her foremost fantasy into reality
>To hear the gentle tapping of small chitinous hooves upon the stone and flesh floor
>To sing ancient hymns into the ears of a young heir
>Children
>Her own children, forged by her love... and his
>His voice softly raised again, providing a temporary pause in her cascade of emotions
"Chrysalis, I..."
>"OH SWEET SERPENT YES."
"I think we should merge our finances."