Even Changelings Wear Masks

Spike yawned as sleeps grip loosened and let him back into the world of the living.  He squinted as the light from the sun spilled into the room and blinded him momentarily.  After awhile, he stretched and succeeded and popping a few joints in his spine, causing him to sigh in relief.

The sound of two ponies snoring lightly in their sleep reached his ears.  He smiled lightly as he knew Twilight was sti-.  Wait, two?

Spike looked over to Twilight's bed and froze as he not only saw it occupied by two figures, but one was the changeling queen Chrysalis.  She was nuzzled up with Twilight, a small smile on her face as of she was having pleasant dreams.  Twilight was similar and seemed to be the smaller spoon of the two.  Chrysalis yawned slightly, her fangs just barely scraping across Twilight's neck, causing her to shiver.

"What the fuck is this?!"  The two mares yelped and jumped up into the air, Chrysalis' mouth snapping shut and cutting Twilight's neck slightly.  The two came back down and searched for the noise.  Twilight gasped slightly as the pain from the cut came to her.

"Shit, your fangs got me." said Twilight as she placed her hoof on the wound.

"Crap, sorry.  I wasn't aware you were that close." said Chrysalis, scratching behind her own neck.  Twilight shook her head.

"It's okay, but if this happens every time you sleep with me because of a nightmare, you will sleep on the guest room."

"I said I was sorry."

"I'm aware you did.  I'm just sa-"

"Can someone tell me why there is a fucking changeling queen in our house?!" Shouted Spike a second time.  The two ponies just realized they had a guest and looked down.  Their bodies were tangled together and they were suprisingly close to each other.  The two turned a bright crimson and moved away from the other.

"I need to get the others." he said,backing up before running full force out of the door.  Twilight tried to stop him with her magic but cried out in pain as her wound sizzled.

"Why does this hurt so bad?!" Cried out Twilight.  Chrysalis grabbed onto Twilight and tilted her head to give her view of the wound.  There was a small sheen of clear liquid on it the smelled acrid.  Chrysalis ran her tongue over her fangs and sighed.

"I probably cleaned my fangs last night and the acid hasn't exactly cleared off yet.  Either because I have so much crap on them or because my natural acid is diluted." said Chrysalis as she inspected the incision.

"Well, what do we do?" Asked Twilight, worried.  Chrysalis chuckled.

"Well, it's not ideal, but I have to remove as you would venom."  Twilight's eyes widened.

"So if they come before you finish..."

"It will look like I'm sucking your blood?  Yes." said Chrysalis as she moved Twilight's hair out of the way.

"Vampire changelings?" Asked Twilight with a smirk.

"I vill suck your blood!  Bleh bleh!" Said Chrysalis mockingly.  The two laughed, sharing their own mirth for the first time.  Chrysalis soon calmed down before slowly latching onto Twilight's neck.

Twilight gasped as the changelings cool lips touched her neck but relaxed as she felt the acid slowly leave her system and return to its rightful owner.  It was a slow process, more likely due to it not staying in one area when it was dispersed.

Chrysalis came up every once and awhile to breath, small bits of blood from the wound sticking to her muzzle.  Twilight was sure of the others came in Chrysalis wouldn't last more than a second before being attacked.  She was starting to look like the part of vampire changeling.

"I'm almost done.  Just a few more bits." said Chrysalis a few minutes later. She slowly went towards Twilight's neck as to not injure her.  Her hooves were on Twilight's shoulder and head to give her more view of the wound.  Her mouth was less than half an inch when the door was kicked open.

Twilight and Chrysalis were frozen in place as five mares and one drake stood in the rooms doorway, staring at them.  Chrysalis slowly and carefully pulled back from Twilight.

"Listen, Twilight was accidently injected with acid.  I need to remove the rest of it now before it gets too deep for me to extract." said Chrysalis slowly.  The rainbow maned one that named herself as Rainbow Dash at the wedding squinted and flew in her face.

"Oh yeah, and why should we trust you?" Asked the Pegasus.  On cue, the acid shifted, causing Twilight to cry out in pain and the wound to sizzle.  Chrysalis waved a hoof at Twilight.  Rainbow huffed.

"Fine, but I'm getting the rest out." said the Pegasus, she went to lean forward but Chrysalis stopped her.

"Do that and I would end up kissing you so you still have a tongue.  It acid, not venom." said the changeling.  Rainbow went to talk back but stopped.  She huffed again and sat back.  Chrysalis nodded and slowly leaned back to the wound.  Like before, Twilight gasped at the coolness of the Changelings lips, causing the others to tense.

As she suckled, Chrysalis lit her horn and levitated bandages from the bathroom.  She removed her lips and gave it a quick look over.  After seeing there was no more acid, she started to wrap the wound carefully.  She wrapped it around twice before cutting it off and fastening it with a bobby pin.  She smiled as she finished.

"There you go.  Vampire Chrysalis has saved you."  Twilight laughed.

"Are you going to keep using that nickname for yourself?" Asked the lavender mare, adjusting the front of the bandages.  Chrysalis smirked.

"Maybe.  I was one for a few seco-". She was cut off by a blue blur tackling her to the ground.  The orange mare named Applejack pulled Twilight away from Chrysalis.

"It's okay, Twi.  We got ya." said AJ, pulling her away.  Chrysalis grunted as a hoof contacted with her stomach.

"What are you doing to Twilight?" Asked Rainbow, keeping her pinned.  Chrysalis gagged, her stomach wanting to vomit but it had nothing to vomit.  She took numerous deep breaths before shaking her head.

"I....did...nothing." said the changeling in-between breaths.  Rainbow growled and raised her hoof.

"Stop lying!"  Rainbow brought her hoof down, though it never made its target.  Rainbow's hoof was held in a lavender aura.  She turned and found the others lifted in the air by the same aura with Twilight glaring at her.  She yelped as she was lifted into the air and pulled away from Chrysalis.

"You alright?" Asked Twilight as Chrysalis struggled to stand.

"I have no clue.  I want to puke but I can't.  It's extremely painful." said Chrysalis, wincing as her stomach convulsed on empty space again.  Twilight sighed.

"I have a theory on how to feed you but it will have to wait."  Twilight looked up at her friends who were looking down confused at her.  She sighed and shook her head.

"Chrysalis did not intentionally hurt me or does she have intention to.  She is only her because she needs somewhere while she rebuilds.  And no, Dash, I'm not under a mind control spell."  Rainbow Dash closed her mouth and crossed her hooves.

"I still say its possible." mumbled the Pegasus.

"Rainbow, Chrysalis is hungry enough that she can't puke because there is nothing to puke out.  She can't just use magic like that on whim." said Twilight.

"So are we just to believe she won't back stab us?" Asked Rainbow, glaring at the changeling who finally recovered.

"I did what I had to keep a race from dying.  Obviously, I failed.  When I left there was nothing I could do.  By the time I get enough to feed them, I will be the only changeling left alive.  Thus, I'm trying to rebuild." said Chrysalis, sitting back down on the bed.

"Well, how long were you trying to rebuild?" Asked Rarity.  Chrysalis scratched the back of her neck.

"Um, I was going to start today.  I was trying to find somewhere to stay and Twilight figured me out right away." said Chrysalis, blushing very slightly.

"Why didn't you ever tell us you could see changelings, Twi?  That's so awesome!" Exclaimed Dash.

"Because the less ponies that know the better." said Twilight as she slowly set them down.  "Now please don't attack each other."

"No promises."  grunted Rainbow Dash as she settled on the ground.

"I can't do anything." said Chrysalis with a shrug.  Twilight sighed and rubbed her temples.

"Okay, let's get some breakfast before we head out.  Can you eat pony food?" Asked Twilight.

"It sustains me and gives me little energy, but yes.  I can eat pony food." said Chrysalis with a nod.

"Alright.  We will eat then head out and find you a job and home."

~~~~~~

An hour later found the seven mares walking out into the town of Ponyville.  Spike stayed behind to watch the library but voiced his disagreement on letting Rarity within the reach of the changeling.  Chrysalis found it sweet since she could taste the love in his voice even though others couldn't sense it.

"So, what exactly are you good at?" Asked Twilight, turning to the disguised mare.  True Hearts put a hoof on her chin in thought before cursing.

"Shit, I forgot my ponysa." said Chrysalis.  Twilight stared in belief.

"How could you simply forget something like that?" Asked Twilight.  Chrysalis thought back to last night.  They talked, Twilight went to bed, she laid there for a few hours sorting through feelings she discarded back at the wedding.....oh.

"I'm not exactly sure." said Chrysalis, blushing like mad.  Rarity caught the blush and hummed thoughtfully.  She resolved to ask Chrysalis some questions later even if it would be ones to cause that blush to return with a vengeance.

"So how do we find Miss Forgetful a job if she doesn't know her own talent?" Asked Rainbow Dash, crossing her hooves.  The seven of them thought on the issue, trying to figure out the best place for a mare around her discription.  Chrysalis looked around the area of town they were in to try and find a proper work place.  One building, however, stood out and caused her to smile.

"What about the Orphanage?" Asked Chrysalis, grinning.  They looked over to the gaze and read the sign stating that it needed a new head.

"It makes sense.  True Hearts is caring and loving and what other place but an Orphange where she could take care of orphans who have nowhere to go but there." said Twilight with a smile.

"Don't you need certain paperwork to be able to work at an Orphange?" Asked Rainbow.   Chrysalis coughed and suddenly was holding a bundle of papers in her hoof, seemingly coming out of the ground in a green flame.

"The joys of being able to manipulate and deceive." said Chrysalis with a small smile.

"Let's just hope those papers last long enough not to get you caught." said Twilight, examine them.  She handed them back and turned to the others.  "Me and Chrysalis can handle this.  We will meet you later if you want.  It will still be awhile before she will start working." said Twilight.  The other elements nodded before leaving.  The two left turned and looked up at the three story building with a sign in the front lawn saying 'Ponyville Orphanage'  Chrysalis smiled softly.  She never had her own children and always adored foals.  In a way, she will now have a whole house of them.

The two entered the building to find it rather peaceful for the morning.  The two walked further in, trying to depict where exactly the current head was.  There was a door to their left that led to an empty room and a stairway on their right leading up to the next floor and more than likely the third as well.  Straight across from the door was a pair of double doors where they could only guess was the dining room.

"Twilight?  What are you doing here?"  The two turned to see an orange filly walk down the stairs.  Twilight smiled and waved while Chrysalis froze as she recognized the filly.  If she remembered, she was one of the three flower girls and was sobbing in the corner during the attack.  Chrysalis wanted nothing more than to apologize, but she couldn't risk her disguise so she just smiled and waved as well.

"Good Morning, Scootaloo.  Still waiting?" Asked Twilight.  Scootaloo shrugged.

"Yeah.  Being flightless doesn't help but at least Rainbow Dash is helping.  Oh, do you know if she is free?" Asked the filly, getting excited at the mention of the cyan Pegasus.  Chrysalis could feel the adore the filly had for the elder Pegasus.

"I believe she does.  Before you go, do you know where we can find the head of the Orphanage?" Asked Twilight.  Scootaloo nodded and motioned for them to follow.  The filly led the two through the double doors that actually led into a play area.  There were three doors, one on each wall.  One led to what appeared to be the dining room by the looks of the table, one emitted the delicious smell of breakfast, meaning that it was the kitchen, and finally one off to the right that was slightly ajar.

"She is in here.  Speak clearly, she has bad hearing." said Scootaloo as she led them to the right door.  After making sure the two knew where to go, Scootaloo ran off to find Rainbow Dash, for what reasons, Chrysalis knew not.  Twilight raised her hoof and knocked.

"Come in." called a rough female voice from the otherside of the door.  The two mares entered to find a pink wrinkled earth pony mare with a gray mane filling out paperwork at a mahogany desk in the center of the room.  The mare looked up and smiled.

"Good morning, you two.  Adopting or here to apply for head of the house?" Asked the mare.

"I'm here to apply." said Chrysalis.  The mare nodded and searched through her drawers.  She grunted slightly as she straightened back out, a small pile of files in her teeth.  She set them on the table and pushed them forward for Chrysalis to examine.

"My name is Blossom, by the way." said the mare as Chrysalis took the paperwork in her rose aura.  Chrysalis extended a red hoof.

"True Hearts." said Chrysalis with a smile.  Blossom leaned forward and shook her hoof.

"You know, you are lucky." said Blossom as Chrysalis filled out the correct information, putting down the library as current residence since she had nowhere else to live.  Chrysalis looked up at the mare.

"Oh?  How so?" Asked Chrysalis.

"Well, Miss True, you have been the only one to apply in the last month that I've had that up.  Not many ponies are as considerate." said Blossom sadly.  Chrysalis shook her head.

"Well at least I have the heart enough." said Chrysalis with a smile.  Meanwhile, Twilight was taking in the changeling's words.  So far, Chrysalis has been proving most of her theories on changelings wrong.  She meant those words.  Chrysalis seemed warm and kind compared to the Chrysalis she met at the wedding.  It caused her to smile at the disguised changeling.

Blossom took back the pile of papers and examined them.  She flipped through a few before asking for Chrysalis' legal documents.  Another few minutes went by when Blossom set down the documents and smiled up at Chrysalis.

"Well Miss True, all seems in order.  What time can you start moving into the head of house quarters?" Asked Blossom with a smile.

"Right away.  I don't have much for possessions, anyways." said Chrysalis.  Blossom nodded and walked around the desk.

"Well, why don't we tour the building then I will leave you to pack.  You can start tomorrow.  Oh, and don't worry about taking days off or this taking up most of your time, there is plenty of staff to take up for you."

~~~~~~

"Well, that went well.  Two birds with one stone." said Twilight as the two left the orphanage.

"True, but what about belongings?  I have none.  All I have is myself.  She said there was a couch and a bed, but that's it." said Chrysalis.  Twilight put a hoof to her chin.

"Well, we can shop now if you want for food.  You feed on more than love and I doubt you will be drowning in it." said Twilight, directing them towards the market.  Chrysalis shrugged.

"Sure, I guess.  I already have quills and paper in the office but I'm going to need a personal supply.  I also need saddle bags." said Chrysalis, making a mental check list.  "And finally, reading material."  Twilight's ears perked up at this.

"You love to read?" Asked Twilight.  Chrysalis nodded.

"Yup.  As well as write.  Changelings have an instinctive imagination, thus our ability to create a ponysa on the spot if we need to.  It can also be used as a hobby for more refined arts." said the changeling.  Twilight chuckled.

"Only if I was taking notes.  It would be nice to know so much about changelings." She said with a small smile.  Chrysalis smirked.

"Maybe one night I can stop by the library and you can examine me any way you desire." said Chrysalis with half lidded eyes.  Twilight blushed and looked away.

"Note to self.  Changelings are skilled at seduction and are very....tempting." muttered the mare.  Chrysalis heard this and chuckled slightly.  She just found this mares gender of choice.

"Relax, I was joking.  I will never do anything unless you want me to.  Wether it be dating or throwing you onto the nearest bed and ravaging you through the night." said Chrysalis.

"I'm not sure if that's helping." said Twilight, looking back over her shoulder.

"Well, it's obvious you are interested in mares so it is always a possibility." said Chrysalis with a shrug.  Twilight sputtered.

"How did you figure that out?" Asked the mare with a blush.

"I know love better than anyone else, well except Cadance, but still.  I was able to tell which gender on the way you react, act, and talk around other mares.  Even your posture helps." explained Chrysalis.  The two were now entering the market.  Twilight steered them to one of the stalls.

"You seem more relaxed and calm around mares as well as a bit flustered and shy.  Stallions can hardly get anything out of you." said the changeling with a wave of her hoof.

"You were able to figure out my gender of preference just by watching me?" Asked Twilight.  Chrysalis blushed and turned away.

"Of course.  It wasn't that difficult."  Chrysalis' blush did not go unnoticed by Twilight.  The lavender mare smirked. She might have found the changelings gender of preference as well.

"Well, it seems I'm not the only one who prefers mares." commented Twilight.  Chrysalis' blush deepened.

"I have no clue what you are talking about." said the mare.  Twilight laughed before guiding her to the next stall.  Meanwhile, a pair of green eyes watched from a bush across the square.  They looked down at the ticket to Canterlot held in a purple claw.

"Hold on, Twilight.  I will fix this."