The door slammed open as I trudged my way into the farmhouse with a haggard look on my face. I didn't even make it three steps in before Applejack came out of the kitchen to greet me.

“Aaron, yer finally home! How'd the talks go?”

I walked over to the only human sized chair in the living room and sank down into it and sighed, “When I decided to head off Chrysalis' plans by trying to make peace, I didn't expect that I'd actually be involved in the peace talks themselves.”

“What, did you expect me to deal with the Princesses by myself? I eat love and Celestia's preaching on friendship still nearly gave me diabetes.”

I groaned as Chrysalis sauntered through the doorway, a smug grin plastered on her face.

“Though I admit Luna provided a pleasant counterpoint to her sister. It was so refreshing to see a pony who doesn't just blindly hoof out their trust.”

“I guarantee that Celestia was just as wary as her sister, and I know that you know it.”

“Yes but Luna was so much more straightforward about it, not even I can enjoy political subterfuge.”

“Ah-hem.”

Chrysalis and I turned from our conversation to Applejack, who was giving us both a flat look.

“Thank you. Now,” Applejack turned to Chrysalis, “Chrysalis, right? No disrespect, but what are ya doin' in mah house?”

I grinned, “Yes oh great changeling queen, please tell Applejack why you're here.”

Chrysalis rolled her eyes, “As part of our treaty, I have to stay in Ponyville with you and the rest of the elements nearby so I can learn about 'pony values'. Apparently the fact that I didn't actually invade doesn't mean I don't have to pay some sort of reparation, and this is what your princesses wanted.”

Applejack blinked, “But aren't you a queen? Shouldn't you be taken care o' yer people?”

I piped up, “That would matter, if Blueblood hadn't forced her to reveal that she and all of her people are linked telepathically.”

Chrysalis' expression suddenly shifted into a snarl, “If that pompous brat of a prince hadn't tried to extort one of my drones for 'services' while threatening to sabotage the peace talks if she reported him then I wouldn't have had to.”

I held my hands up, “Hey, he got what was coming to him, I was just saying that your busting down the door and running through the castle chasing him while shooting bolts of magic did raise some very difficult questions, which lead to you having to reveal that you can communicate with your people from pretty much anywhere.”

Chrysalis grinned sadistically, “Got what was coming to him indeed.”

Applejack shook her head, “Ah don' wanna know. Anyway, if you have to stay here, then where are ya stayin?”

Chrysalis' gaze turned sultry, “Well, I could always sleep in-”

I shot up, “Nope, no, no way. Applejack, show her to the hotel, put her up in a guest room, I don't care, I am not dealing with any more of that, no thank you.”

With that I hurried up to my room, the sound of Chrysalis' cackling only fading away after I slammed the door shut. With a sigh I flopped down onto my bed and brought my hands up to my face. It had been nearly three weeks after the Gala, and for some reason the Princesses had decided that since I was the one who brought the changelings to their attention, I should be part of the peace talks. At first I was fine with it, I had always been fond of the changelings, and had even admired Chrysalis herself. Not to mention I got an opportunity to spend more time getting to know the Princesses behind their royal masks, a privilege I was grateful for.

Unfortunately about halfway through the talks Chrysalis decided to try taking human form for...some reason. She never did explain why. Either way though, she apparently teamed up with Luna to figure out just what exactly human women looked like through watching my dreams.

I'd had a long talk with Luna about privacy after that, but I don't think she heard any of it over her own laughter.

Long story short, when Chrysalis showed up in a human/changeling hybridized form wearing a business suit my reaction didn't go unnoticed. For nearly five minutes I couldn't make any noise more complicated than 'urk', and to make it worse Chrysalis was able to taste where my emotions went after that. Ever since then Chrysalis took every opportunity she got to tease me, either verbally or by surprising me with her human form.

It had been a long week after that, and the train ride back was even worse, and with her living in Ponyville for the foreseeable future, it didn't look like things were going to get any better any time soon.

With a groan I got up and walked over to my desk. The top of the desk was covered in papers covered in formulae, blueprints, and a nearly completed device that I'd been working on for a while. There were only a few things left to do on it, but before I could get to that my attention was caught by a note left on top of everything else. I picked it up and quickly read through it.

Dear Aaron,

My class is going on a field trip to Canterlot. Maybe I'll see you, but in case I don't and you get back from whatever talks you're busy with before I get back my homework's on my bed.

Thanks,

Applebloom

I put the letter down and shook my head, if nothing else at least all of the practice drawing transmutation circles had done wonders for her penmanship. Penponyship? Whatever, the point was that she was writing better, though the hoofmounted pencil holder that I had made her probably also helped.

Wait.

Did she say a trip to Canterlot?

"FUC-"

Applejack stared at Chrysalis as her cackling finally died down, her eyes completely flat.

“Ya done?”

Chrysalis released one last chortle before responding, “For now. So where am I sleeping?”

Applejack frowned, “Now hold on a minute, what do ya mean, 'where am I sleepin''? Ah never agreed to let ya stay here, and even if Ah did, Ah'd still need Granny an Mac's opinion before Ah could commit to anythin'.”

Chrysalis sneered at Applejack, “Well pardner I'm a Queen, so I think I get to sleep where I want, and I want to stay here. Be glad that I don't demand room service to.”

Applejack snorted, “Queen or not, that don't give you the right ta' just waltz inta mah home and make demands, especially iffin yer gonna give me lip. Speakin' a lip, what was that just now with Aaron? And speakin' o' him, how come ya weren't givin' him this high and mighty act?”

Chrysalis looked at Applejack for a moment before responding, “Let me put it in a way you can understand. Imagine my people are one of your precious orchards. Now imagine that you've been in a drought for more than a decade, and that you've only barely been able to get enough water to barely keep your trees alive because as far as all the ponies with water are concerned, you're a monster. Next imagine that someone comes along who single hoofedly ends your drought by bringing you before the biggest sources of water in the world, and convincing them to work with you.

“Aaron is that someone, and those trees are my subjects. He's earned my respect. Your Princesses have earned my respect through their actions these past weeks, you and the rest of your kind have not. Give me a reason to respect you, and I'll stop giving you 'lip', and as for what just happened, that's my own business.”

Applejack narrowed her eyes, “Now you listen here-”

“FUCK!”

Chrysalis and Applejack both jumped and turned to face the stairs, where it sounded like Aaron was trying to peel paint by force of vulgarity alone.

Applejack sighed, a large amount of the tension gone, “Look, if the rest o' my family's fine with it, you can stay for one night, but after that you need to figure something else out, but, if you don't drop the attitude, Ah'm tossin' you out tonight, and I'll strong-hoof Aaron inta helpin' to do it.”

Chrysalis didn't turn away from the stairs, but she did look at Applejack out of the corner of her eye, “So you have some steel after all. Fine, I'll try and 'reign it in' for a night, but don't expect me to be friendly.”

Applejack rolled her eyes as she turned around and made her way to the kitchen, “Ah don't think you'll have to worry about anyone wantin' that from you.”

Author's Note

New chapter!
As always, please feel free to comment.