The next arranged meeting between Chrysalis and Moore was scheduled for the following week, where he’d be giving another report on his progress with the companies she’d entrusted him to watch over. Chrysalis had checked the rest of the schedule for that day, and saw along with it, she had a meeting with investors, some new and some old. It was obvious to her they wanted to discuss her acquisition of Frostfire Industries. As a result, the CEO had poured over documents she had forwarded to her by Moondancer pertaining to the acquisition and her future plans for it.

There was a good amount of information to sort through, she found. Frostfire’s work involved a great deal of managing contracts and supplies of steel and metals to companies all across Equestria: from construction contracts to even some military contracts in supplying key materials for the safekeeping of the country and its soldiers. The vast amount of connections Frostfire had to Equestria’s infrastructure impressed the Changeling CEO; it explained just how Moore had managed to ward off her buyout attempts in the past, since some of these contracts had a high price tag associated with them.

Hearing a knock at her office’s door drew Chrysalis from her thoughts, making her look up at the interruption. “Come in.” she called, watching as the door opened and revealed Moore, garbed in a grey suit jacket with a white shirt beneath, a regular formal uniform matching his darker grey pants and black shoes. “Moore. You’re early.”

“Punctuality and preparedness are the two good traits of a leader, Chrysalis.” he replied, walking over and coming to a stop in front of her desk. “Especially with what’s on your schedule today, it’d hardly be fitting to just assume you have everything under control.”

“Moore, you may not realize it, but I’m someone who always has a plan. If I don’t believe I can control something or someone, then it’s either brushed aside, or crushed beneath my heel.” she answered. Her gaze returned to where she’d left off on the documents she’d been reading over while she spoke. “So you heard that I’m meeting with some of Frostfire’s investors today?”

“Yes. It may not be owned by me anymore, but the people who chose to put their faith in Frostfire did so while it was under my banner. With you in control now, I imagine some would raise questions on your intentions. It might be best to have me accompany you at this meeting to dissuade-”

“No.” The sharp rebuke from Chrysalis cut off Moore’s words, making him frown and look down at the still reading woman.

“Excuse me?”

“Moore, I do not need you to hold my hand while I discuss matters with your investors. Technically my investors now, really.” she replied, setting the documents down and looking up at him. “I have been studying how your company works, how it's performed, where it was lacking and failed before. I imagine I can handle a few nosy worms looking to see if the apples they’ve dug into are still good.”

“They’re not worms. They’re Equestrians looking to ensure their money is being well-spent, and not wasted,” he insisted, “See, look at you. Your attitude approaching this is going to make them feel like sheep about to be sheared. You could at least stand to show them some respect.”

Chrysalis scoffed, shaking her head. “Moore, please. This is hardly my first encounter discussing investments with new clientele. I know how to be professional and courteous. But I know at the heart of things, they’re trying to decide if they can be convinced to let go of their money. And I’m the best there is, so of course they should.” she explained before sliding her chair back and stepping out from behind the desk. Her open-toed heels clacked on the floor as she walked, long legs exposed up to the knee-length black skirt she had on. Chrysalis’ top was a similar dark jacket of the same material as her skirt, the top few buttons undone to show a peek of the white top she had underneath the jacket, allowing her bare sternum to show.

“But I understand; you want to make sure your little darlings are looked after.” she continued, folding her arms under her chest and gesturing with her hand at him as she spoke, “But having you present would be rather unprofessional. They need to see that they come to me now for business, not you. You have your own responsibilities to see to, after all, not just Frostfire anymore.”

Moore placed his hands in his pockets, his frown remaining on his face as he watched the Changeling walk. “I would still want to make sure you’re not going to bully them into emptying their pockets for you. New owner or not, those people came to me and established a working relationship with me before you came along. If they’re going to be made to work with you, you can’t bark at them and expect them to heel just because.”

Chrysalis sighed and came to a stop in front of Moore. “Look, Moore. I understand, really. I have investments in my companies that I care about as well. Some of them have been a part of my team since I first started in this line of work. Your dedication isn’t without merit.” she said. “I also realize, of late, you haven’t exactly witnessed me at work. But, I’d like to prove you wrong, Moore. And this is the perfect opportunity to demonstrate.”

“So you’re going to let me attend the meeting?” He asked, raising an eyebrow at her.

“Not quite. As it turns out, a couple of the investors who requested the meeting can’t attend in person, due to external events. So they are calling in through the phones so they can be a part of things. I’m willing to allow you to listen in to the meeting from outside it. It’s a compromise, but the only one I’m willing to offer you. This way you can hear for yourself if I truly am the ‘Cold Queen’ everyone considers me to be.” she offered.

Chrysalis waited as Moore mulled over the idea. She knew it wouldn’t be entirely enough to satisfy him, but well enough to tide him over for the other plan she had in mind. If Moore was going to see the full extent of her ability as a leader, he had to give a bit of ground to her of his own accord. It meant him surrendering that small piece of control, and giving it to her of his free will. It was a small first step, but one Chrysalis knew would aid her in the long-term as a foothold.

“...Alright. We’ll try it your way.” he accepted, nodding at her. “And if I decide I dislike your approach?”

“I can assure you that won’t even be a possibility, Moore.” Chrysalis assured, grinning at his willingness to cooperate. “Now, please. I have an hour until the meeting is scheduled to begin, and I wish to finish reviewing what Moondancer gave to me.” She added, turning away to go back to her desk. “We’ll be in Meeting Room 12A. You can use 12B’s phone to listen in, since they run on the same network line.”

Moore nodded at her dismissal, straightening his jacket before turning away. “I’ll be listening the entire time. So try to keep that temper under control, would you?” he said before exiting the room, leaving the Changeling to watch him depart. Once he was gone, she shook her head at her advisor’s stubborn beliefs.

“I’m sure you’ll listen, Moore. And as you do, you’ll see why everyone considers me the best.” she told herself before picking up her next stack of papers, containing profiles she had written up on each member attending the meeting so she knew who to expect and how they might respond to her. Seeing one name on the list made her pause for a moment, before a grin crossed her lips.

“So they sent the Royal Army’s best captain to negotiate? How amusing.”

By the time the hour had almost passed, Chrysalis was making her way to the conference room, a manilla folder tucked under her arm. She strode towards the room with her head held high, confidence in every paced step. A few touch-ups in private added to her professional appearance: her long curtain of hair had been pulled back into a professional ponytail, forming one long strand that fell to the middle of her back as it extended from the tidy bun at the back of her head. Her jacket top had been buttoned up, allowing for no exposure of her skin beneath her clothing. A brief stop in her private restroom had seen to a touchup of her makeup and lipstick, assuring her there were no possible blemishes or marks on her appearance she could’ve missed that morning.

Passing by 12B, she spared a glance aside and saw it was occupied by just one person. Moore was seated at the side of the table, watching out towards the office. He turned his gaze towards her, and affixed her with a firm stare. The phone was next to him, waiting to be used by the advisor. Chrysalis just smiled, his challenging look being met by her confident stare before she turned away and zeroed in on 12A. With no hesitation, she opened the door and walked into the room.

The conference rooms that dotted the building mirrored each other in their basic structure. An elongated oval-shaped brown table was fixed in the center of the room, with enough seats to fit ten people total. There was four on the right and left sides, and one at the top and opposite end of the table. 12A was a windowed room, allowing for a view of the city beyond the office’s walls and letting plenty of sunlight in to brighten the room’s interior. To the immediate right of the door from where she entered, a long dry-erase board was attached to the wall, clean and bare of any marks while several markers sat on the board’s ledge ready to be used. A simple water cooler was parked in one corner of the room, open for anyone desiring a brief drink to quench their thirst.

For today’s meeting, by a quick headcount, Chrysalis saw there were seven of Frostfire’s investors present. Most of them were new faces, being clients whom she had never met or had reason to meet until this point. At the end of the table, however, was a familiar face. The navy blue suit he wore was enough to make him stand out from the rest of the gathered meeting’s suits of grey and black, but just as distinctive was the tidy, combed mop of dark blue hair atop his head. Hands clasped together in front of him, Shining Armor sat poised and calm, looking every part the professional soldier Chrysalis knew he was.

“Good afternoon, gentlemen, ladies. Captain Armor; always a pleasure to see the Royal Guard’s best.” The CEO greeted.

“Miss Chrysalis.” Shining replied, nodding at her in kind. “I’m sure you’ve been doing well. Your enterprises have been topping headlines for the past few weeks now.”

“Business is good, Captain, as it always should be. It’s also why all of you are here as well. I am sure there are many questions, and I am not one to sit idle.” Chrysalis said before taking her seat at the head of the table, placing her folder in front of her. She gave a nod at the phone in the middle of the table, untouched by any of the other persons in the room. “I trust our long-distance attendees can hear us all clearly?”

“Yes Miss Chrysalis. We can hear you loud and clear in Manehattan.” A female voice spoke through.

“Same for Las Pegasus. We’re set up here.” A nasal male voice piped up from the intercom.

“Very good.” Chrysalis remarked, letting a small smile play upon her lips. She noticed that along with the two lights signalling the long distance lines were operating, a third light towards the bottom of the interface was lit up as well. It told her Moore was listening, no doubt vigilant for any slip-ups on her behalf. She was going to enjoy proving him wrong. “Now, before we begin, I wanted to clear the air concerning matters of the competition between Frostfire and my own enterprises. Something I imagine is a pressing concern for many of you.”

This got the gathered room’s attention, Chrysalis continuing to smile as she let her gaze work its way around the room while speaking. “The competition between Frostfire and myself was one of a demanding marketplace; I don’t hold any sort of regret, nor of unfulfilled vengeance to be acted upon the company or its members. Many thin-skinned business owners would think the best route would be to simply sell their rival’s assets and profit from the money made. But this route is not how we at Onyx Enterprises work.”

Seeing none of them looking to interrupt, Chrysalis continued. “You see, ladies and gentlemen, we are not the vicious, terrifying company that others pass stories about in the cafeteria or in private. We are a progressive, forward moving business. Each of the companies under my banner is one that strives for the improvement of Equestria’s society as a whole. That is in fact, part of why we chose the name Onyx. That particular stone has a history of protection, of use by many of our ancient cultures for aiding others and making a foundation to grow from and to reinforce other structures.”

Chrysalis crossed a leg over the other, unseen beneath the table as she kept herself comfortable. “Acquiring Frostfire Industries is just another way we are working to protect and help you, the Equestrians who live and thrive in this world. It is not my wish to dismantle everything and let it all fall to ruin; there’s certainly no profit to be made from that. Instead, I intend to reshape and redirect Frostfire’s energies to work for both my goals, and that of Equestria’s benefit.”

A few of the attending businessmen and women looked somewhat appeased by her explanation, while some still sat on the fence. Shining Armor cleared his throat, drawing attention to him and away from the Changeling.

“That’s all good and well. But as nice as the sales pitch sounds, Chrysalis, we want to know details of just what you plan to do.” Shining explained, drawing a nod from two of the men to his left. “Frostfire had standing contracts with many businesses, including the Royal Guard. With the changing of leadership, plans can sometimes be shifted, or halted entirely depending on the true intention of said leadership. So what exactly then, are your goals involving Frostfire?”

The firm stance Shining held would’ve given lesser Equestrians pause; it was why he was known as one of the best Captains in the Guard itself. He commanded authority and wielded it with both experience and precision. Chrysalis respected that in him; no doubt it worked well in getting mischievous or lazy soldiers up and at attention when he demanded it. But she was not someone to be pushed aside or commanded. It was her who sat at the helm of this ship.

“That is easy to answer, Captain Armor. There are many goals I have, with Frostfire playing its part to bring them about. But let’s not dance around the issue: I know that the Royal Guard relies on Frostfire’s resources in providing materials for its soldiers: weaponry, armor, so on. It’s hardly a surprise to me in this day and age that your superiors would want to be reassured they’re not going to be lacking in inventory, should the need arise. We have weathered many a crisis: invasions, terrorist activities, natural disasters. The Royal Guard will not be lacking in any such resources anytime soon to answer the call to protect and serve. However, keeping everyone’s situation in the same frameworks with no changes is not my intention either.”

“...How do you mean?” Shining questioned.

The Changeling smiled. Her bait had been laid, and now it was time to walk him and the rest into it.

“While many of you here have come to secure your standings with Frostfire, and by extension myself, this new joining of businesses does not come without a shift in perspective. Many of your enterprises, such as Miss Bolt’s construction company, or Mister Glider’s automotive plants,” she gestured to each of the attending persons as she spoke, “have had a singular focus towards often single-minded ends. It is my wish to evolve these ends into a more unified, stronger goal that would benefit all of us.” Chrysalis opened her folder before her, pulling out a printed sheet she’d brought for this meeting.

“For example: the sheer quantity of metals Frostfire provides for Miss Bolt’s company. Can we really say that every scrap of metal provided to you is used efficiently and without waste? What do you suppose is your total amount truly used, Miss Bolt?”

The white-haired woman to Chrysalis’ right in the middle of the table gave a small jump at being directly addressed, and straightened her glasses before answering. She was a little on the frail side, her wings matching her small stature while folded on her back. “I would say almost all is used to the best of our ability, Miss Chrysalis. We are not a company to waste materials.”

“You say that, Miss Bolt, and yet my research has uncovered a stark difference in facts. At last count, your company reported an approximate 35% of the steel you requested was left unused, stored away or sold off to secondary companies for extra profits.” Chrysalis pointed out, making the investor frown at being called out. “Now, now. You’re not the only one who orders more than they can chew.” Chrysalis assured, tilting her head in Glider’s direction.

“I do not waste metal, ma’am, if that is your implication.” Glider said, sitting up in his seat at the implied accusation. The unicorn horn atop his forehead gave a slight glow as he levitated a styrofoam cup with water in it towards himself. His green eyes wavered in their stare as Chrysalis’ own laid their gaze upon him.

“It hardly is. However, you have been facing a difficult time of late in turning profits for your dealerships. Your factories are pushing out more cars than your dealerships can sell.” She explained, the pointed accusation making Glider twitch in his seat. “One can hardly establish themselves as succeeding with warehouses full of unsold goods.”

Having nothing to add to contest her points, both investors looked away from the CEO and to the table. Chrysalis knew her words might sound harsh, but the research rang true: neither were being fully efficient to keep up with their competition.

“Then what are you implying, miss Chrysalis? Are you going to deny us our metal because we are not meeting your expectations of success, even though you yourself are profiting?” Miss Bolt spoke up, her wings giving a small flutter behind her.

“Not at all.” The answer made everyone in the room stare as Chrysalis smiled. “Rather instead, your shipments of metal are going to be remeasured and taken stock of. You see, my goal is not to shut you all down purely for being wasteful. You haven’t been doing so intentionally. Instead, I’m going to help you improve. To show that you investing with Frostfire, with myself, does and will work to benefit you and your workers’ futures.”

Chrysalis pulled out another paper from her folder, and placed it before another investor to her right, a younger man wearing a grey suit with straw-colored blonde hair. After passing him the sheet, Chrysalis stood from her seat and walked to the board behind her. Plucking up the first marker she found, the Changeling began to draw out on the board as she spoke.

“It is rarely a headline in today’s day, but the state of our infrastructure is downright atrocious. Roads are unkept and mismanaged, making travel difficult. Streets and sidewalks needing maintenance are ignored, allowing for an ever-rising increase in structure risk above and below them. Even some of our archaic buildings, ones we consider to be historically significant, are facing the risk of damage and even collapse. It is not here in Canterlot that this alone is a problem, but in cities all over Equestria. From here to across the land and back, multiple towns and cities are in dire need of aid to insure they have proper means of travel that is both safe and reasonable.”

Chrysalis didn’t need to look over her shoulder to know they were watching her; were she not in business mode, she might’ve humored the thought that a few of the men may have been watching her rear in the tight skirt she was wearing that day. ‘Every bit helps to keep my clients’ attention’, she reasoned.

“What needs to change is obvious; we, as a collective whole of businesses and enterprises, need to make a joint effort to amend this issue. As things stand, Frostfire’s steel has been of main employ for the Royal Guard, and a few other entities. My plan, however, encompasses us all to work together. To start with,” she paused to step to the side, allowing all in the room to see the board, “we at Frostfire will reduce the costs of our steel shipments to you, to balance with the reduced intake you’ll be receiving. This way, we both have less expenses. From there, we as a whole can send a portion of steel to the Royal Guard each, ensuring we have a steady clientele in case of surplus steel from your own productions.”

“And what is the Royal Guard going to do with all this excess material? We don’t have ongoing drives or needs for that much surplus.” Shining questioned from his seat.

“The Royal Guard, perhaps. The Engineers Corps is another matter entirely.” Chrysalis clarified. “The Engineer Corps’ responsibility is to attend to Equestria’s infrastructure and safety, particularly with constructs. I am quite sure they can make use of this surplus to begin projects on rebuilding and repairing our weathered roads and buildings, starting in Canterlot and working our way out to the other locations in need.”

“But who will provide the materials? You need more than steel to build buildings and roads.” The Captain fired back. “You need iron for the steel, asphalt and concrete for the roads, and so on. Where is that going to come from?”

Chrysalis smiled and tapped the board, the marker placed under where she’d illustrated Frostfire Steel. “As it turns out, Captain Armor, obtaining the iron is part of our steel manufacturing process. Along with that, we have vast access to quarries where we can gather the sand, stone, and gravel needed to further develop the roads, at least concerning concrete. Asphalt can easily be acquired and provided also. The Engineer Corps will be able to acquire that directly from us, along with our steel they obtain from you. This way, everyone is provided with the materials they need for their business, along with contributing to the development of Equestria’s infrastructure. The flow of wealth goes into supporting our society, and gives each of us a greater standing as a whole.”

Chrysalis popped the cap of the marker pen back onto the tool, and set it on the ledge once more before returning to the table to seat herself again. “This is why you need to remain as investors with Frostfire, and with me, ladies and gentlemen. The only way our businesses will succeed is by looking forward to what the future will demand of us. I can provide the guide to seeing that future come to pass; you can come with us and relish in the success of being a part of that effort.”

The room’s members shared looks with one another in quiet contemplation, while Chrysalis waited. She didn’t need to lift a finger more to convince most of these peons to follow her plan. If anything gets the attention of an investor, it's being given the chance for recognition, that spotlight of attention on their wealth and fixed place in society’s standings. It would invite more to approach them as well, boosting their business and herself by extension.

“If we did agree to such an idea, we would need further meetings to hammer out the details. Establish the needs of the work versus the supplies we have access to.” Shining spoke from his seat, looking over the paperwork that had been passed around while Chrysalis had been talking. “We can’t commit to anything right at this instance.”

“Of course. And we would be more than welcome to discuss such ideas, should your superiors accept the proposal. I’m sure they’d be interested in the boost to their public image, in the face of so many harrowing disasters of recent years.” Chrysalis assured. Looking to the phone in the middle of the table, she spoke up. “Las Pegasus? Manehattan? Have you thoughts on the matter?”

“Las Pegasus is definitely interested, Miss Chrysalis.” The nasal voice on the other end answered.

“The same for Manehattan. Stars know we need to redo some of these older roads before the next Tirek comes along.” The representative replied.

“Splendid.” Chrysalis said, bridging her hands together, and peering over again at Shining Armor. He looked a little less firm in the face of the building support for Chrysalis’ plan. “You will all come to see, in due time, that investing with Onyx Enterprises will be one of the best decisions you’ve made. Now, were there any other questions on other matters? Concerns?”

By the time the meeting was concluded, another half hour had passed, filled with only small trifles of questions that Chrysalis was all too ready for. The concerns over budgets, further company plans, all held little import to the CEO personally. Her main hook had already been planted in each of their minds; she was certain in the next few weeks’ time there would be plenty of new revenue coming to her company.

She stood outside the door to the meeting room, watching as the various attendees left and giving parting words of farewell. The final one was Shining Armor, who closed the door behind him. Looking at Chrysalis, he stared into her eyes before looking aside. “Did you really have to pin me that way, Chrysalis? Ganging the other businesses up to try and coerce me into a decision?”

“Come now, Shining. I forced nothing like that.” she insisted, folding her arms over her chest as she smiled at him, “Besides, you did your job well. Everyone knows the Royal Guard doesn’t fool around with their money spending. All you have to do is report things to your superiors now.”

“Oh, they’ll have fun with this one. Always good to tell the heads to open their wallets wider.” Shining countered, running a hand through his hair before continuing. “If I’m not careful, you’ll talk them into ditching their budgets directly into your pocket.”

“Not an unwelcome decision. It’d be going to a good place.” She replied. A glance to her left showed that 12B had its door open, Moore standing inside. He was watching her and Shining talk, no doubt he had words to say concerning the meeting he listened in on. “I’ll let you go now, Shining. Tell Cadance hello for me.”

Shining snorted at this but nodded. “Oh, she’ll love hearing I had a meeting with you. Goodbye, Chrysalis.” He said before walking away, the changeling watching him depart before turning and walking into 12B. Seeing Moore’s expression made the CEO almost laugh. He seemed torn between a frown and a surprised expression as he leaned against the table, one hand in his pocket while the other braced him on the table.

“Don’t worry Moore. That’s the look every other superior I had had on their face when I took their spot in the corporate ladder.” She remarked, snapping him out of his silence so he would speak up.

“First of all, I still disagree with your methods. What that was in there wasn’t a reassurance of investment, but a double-play of negotiation and coercion.” He said. “Had you misspoke or pushed too hard, you’d have lost their investments and their contracts.”

“And yet, I didn’t. It was almost as if I knew how to handle myself.” Chrysalis retorted, walking past him to the nearby water cooler to get a drink. “Imagine that, Moore: someone who knows the job better than you do. Shocking realization, I know.”

Moore huffed at this, and moved away from the table. “Even if you did handle them well, I still don’t get why you would enact such a dramatic shift in the process. When I negotiated those contracts, it left everyone happy as they got their resources and we got our profits. It was good quality steel too, so no one was coming back at us with calls of shoddy work.”

“If you can think a few steps ahead, Moore, perhaps you’d grasp what I just enacted in that meeting. But don’t worry; I’ll walk you through it. A professional demonstration.” She said. Drinking down the water in her plastic cup, she set the now empty cup on the table in the space between her and Moore, next to the manilla folder she’d brought with her. He looked on as she spoke.

“Your method was solid for the time you designed it, a time when simple contracts allowed every business to breathe easier. But my approach meets the demands of our modern time. Competition, fluctuations in the state of our economy, all accounted for and planned out. I’m sure you were surprised when I told them I would be willing to reduce the costs they’d be paying us for our steel.”

“I was considering interrupting then, yes.” Moore said.

“Be glad you didn’t. You see, I have a good awareness of supply vs. demand, Moore. We’ve been doing our fair share to supply, but the demand has been trying to trickle down, meaning your investors were aiming to withhold their finances and cost us money. So, the first step is altering supply. I lower the amounts I give out, to spare us costs and to keep them using our materials. The next step, takes a little time and patience.” She explained. “Are you aware that Glider’s car company, for instance, faces a typical increase in the required metals needed to meet the rise in demands for new cars?”

“I didn’t, no. It can’t be much, surely?” Moore questioned. Chrysalis grinned.

“At first glance, it isn’t. But they have managed such demands thus far because they had the surplus metals, from us, to balance that growth. The same for Bolt’s construction, when they have to make renovations or build new buildings. If I take away that cushion from them, they are left with only one recourse: they must buy more directly from us. It will be in their contracts, in the fine print. It secures not only their continued use of our materials, but a consistent, gradual growth in the amount they pay us for what they need. Then, comes the infrastructure project.”

“Yeah, about that. Since when are you someone who looks after society’s roads and buildings? What kind of game are you playing at?” Moore’s questions only made Chrysalis’ grin grow as she got up from the table, walking away towards one of the windows.

“The kind of game that makes you see why I’m the best. You see, there is a genuine need for Equestrian society to see some means of restoration. For the sun’s sake, the interstate has cracks and bumps for miles, let alone the support columns for any of our bridges, sewer lines, whatever else. Someone has to do something. But that doesn’t mean I can’t take advantage with my philanthropy.” The changeling said. “It’s just a matter of moving the pieces to the right spots on the board.”

Moore listened as Chrysalis continued. “First, control the supply and demand of steel between ourselves and companies like Glider’s and Bolt’s, as well as the Royal Guard. Then, convince the associated companies to commit a humanitarian effort towards ‘rebuilding Equestria’. The Engineer’s Corps will take up the case, since it will be coming from the Royal Guard themselves. The demand for steel goes up, along with other resources—resources you’ve been neglecting in your quarries that we have an abundance of now. So instead of dumping said resources, those too will be purchased off of us for use by the Corps to renovate roads and society’s structures. Everywhere people will go, everywhere they walk, everywhere they travel, they’ll know: it was my steel, my company, my name they have to thank.” Chrysalis looked at Moore over her shoulder. “They’ll come to us with open hands, and open checkbooks. And when the dust settles, it will be Onyx Enterprises that will be in everyone’s minds and on their tongues, and their money in our pockets.”

Moore was left to stare at Chrysalis by the time she’d finished speaking. Taking his silence as a cue, Chrysalis returned to the table, plucked up the empty plastic cup, and refilled it with water, this time bringing it to him.

“That...but that’s…” he tried to say, but the words appeared to fail him.

“Devious? Clever? I’ll take both.” Chrysalis replied. She slipped the cup into his grasp, making him snap from his stupor to look at it, then back to her. “You’d do well to remember today, the next time you think to question my decisions. It’ll be your reminder of why I’m at the top, and you’re my consultant.” She checked the time, and reached up behind her head to undo the bun keeping her hair up, allowing it to fall down her back unhindered. “Since the day’s still young, I’ve still got some energy in me. So if you’ll excuse me, I’ll be going to the gym on the 3rd floor. If you need me, that’s where I’ll be.”

As Chrysalis exited the room, she left the door open behind her, a deliberate action as she used her magic to enhance her hearing briefly. Over the small flicks of chatter she could hear from the other cubicles and little clicks and whirs one would hear on a busy floor, she could make out the shuffle of papers from the office she’d just exited. Moore’s mumblings may have been private to him, but she could hear him loud and clear as a satisfied smile crossed her green lips.

“...Dammit. I underestimated her.”

‘Phase one complete.’ Chrysalis told herself, withdrawing her magic and making for the elevator to head for the gymnasium. Moore had only just begun to see what she could do, and all she needed was that first hole in the armor he just gave her.

Author's Note

Chrysalis demonstrates her business skills, leaving Moore disarmed at her masterful negotiation tactics. It goes to show that when you run an empire, only the best can do it! Tune in next week for the next chapter, where things take an interesting turn! Will it be for better or worse? You'll have to read to find out!