>When 7 rolls around, you force yourself to focus on something
>Namely following the map to the dining room
>It's pretty simple, but there were so many places to turn that you end up having to backtrack a bit
>You still manage to arrive in time, it seems
>You enter into a large room with sunlight coming in through a sizable opening in the ceiling
>In front of you is an enormously long table, with changelings along all the rows, and Chrysalis sits at a throne-like chair on the far end
>One seat is open, and it is three down from the queen's end on the right, directly across from Wesley
>You would wonder if she did it on purpose
>But you're currently distracted by all the stares you are getting.
>Their faces aren't very expressive, but you could still understand the apprehension and slight fear
>It hangs over the room as a deafening silence
>For seconds that seemed like hours, you stand there, unsure if you can ease them
>Then Wesley waves at you, pointing to your seat
>You smile
>That seems to do the trick, as a few sighs of relief spread across the room
>You make it to your seat, and Chrysalis stands to make an announcement
Tonight, we have a guest. This creature has vanquished a hydra with nothing more than a metal bat
>Hushed whispers spread through the table, and you start to feel uncomfortable again
>Some were even throwing glances when they thought you weren't looking
>It's unnerving
He is to be treated like your siblings
>She says, practically glaring down her subjects into silence
>The effect is immediate
With that done, dinner is served
>Just as she sits down, trays of food covered in a green aura float down in front of everyone
>And with that, the feast begins
>Everyone starts talking to each other, and the whole situation feels great
>Queen Chrysalis is looking at you like she's waiting for something
>You smile, and take your own portion of food
>Some steak, mashed potatoes, what seems to be stuffing, and more
>All of it is delicious
>You haven;t had a meal like this in
>...
>Years
>Damn, has it really been that long?
>Well, being just above poverty didn't leave much room for eating out
>So you end up trying to savor every bite
---
>Despite the quantity of food, dinner winds down
>You didn't really join any conversations, but neither you, nor anyone else seems to mind
>When the last of the food is eaten up, the trays and plates leave the same way they came- up and out a door to the side
>Chrysalis gives her subjects a dismissive wave of her hoof, and everyone gets up and starts leaving the room
>You give her a questioning look
>She nods
Stay
>She says low enough for only you to hear
>You nod, and lean back in your chair, content from the full course meal
>Soon, the room is empty
>Chrysalis gets up from her seat and comes towards you
Follow me
>That tone isn't a suggestion, so you stand up and walk with her out of the dining room, and down the long, twisty paths you came through
>Eventually she leads you into a courtyard of sorts, lit only by the light of the moon
>It's a square clearing surrounded by stone archways. on the top of these archways, guards were posted
>As she Chrysalis leads you further into the square, you notice something
>A small crater of sorts near the middle of the field
>She notices that it catches your eye
This is where you crashed into my kingdom
>She motions towards the sky
My subjects come through here when they need to report
>You look to where she is pointing and can see a trio of changelings coming
>As they come closer, you realize that they are escorting someone else
>A pony
>...
>Pegasus
>...
>And unicorn?
>Whoever it was, something important was happening
Who is that?
>She grimaces a little bit
That, is Princess Mi Amore Cadenza of the crystal empire
>A princess?
>Why would a princess be coming in place of her king and queen?
>You would ask why, but Chrysalis looks like she doesn't know either
>So you two stand straight in wait