We Are Each Other

The next day, Shieldwall was a little later than normal collecting Chrysalis from her room so she could tidy up the mess that Celestia had promised she would leave for her. When she entered as ‘Bedpan’, she found that her Mistress’s room was empty, and she was confronted by the usual mess of an unmade bed, a hundred books scattered everywhere, and a dirty tea set left at the desk.

“A maid's work is never done...” Chrysalis muttered to herself and, this time when she got to work, she did it perfectly, paying particular attention to the books and the bedsheets. She had learnt her lesson from the day before.

When Chrysalis left Celestia’s suite, she was met by Shieldwall. “The Princess has requested that you be in your room at one p.m., Bedpan.”

“Thank you, Shieldwall,” she hugged her good friend tightly, “You have a good day.”

“It has started well,” the guard grinned as he was hugged. He leant into it and gave her an affectionate nuzzle, “Really enjoyed the down day yesterday. Picnic in the gardens!”

Standing back and admiring her friend’s beaming face, Chrysalis smirked, “Impending fatherhood agrees with you, Shieldwall.”

Shieldwall didn’t even try to hide the wide smile he wore on his face. “I haven't officially proposed yet. We have talked about our future, though.”

And just like that, Chrysalis’s eyes wide as dinnerplates, “I want an invite to the wedding when she says yes!”

“Oh, I'm sure you'll get that, Bedpan,” he grinned and indulged in another hug, “Enjoy the rest of your morning.”

“I'm sure I will, my friend,” buoyed by the news that Shieldwall had told her, Chrysalis skipped all the way to her room, and she tried valiantly to pass the time with her growing collection of Vanity Mare issues she had saved over the months.

At ten minutes to one in the afternoon, there came a polite knock on Chrysalis’s door, a knock that she knew did not belong to Shieldwall. That meant… “I'm here to escort Miss Wayfair to her one o'clock appointment,” Bulwark’s deep masculine tone announced.

“One moment, please!” Chrysalis concentrated and, after summoning the green magical flames, she assumed the form of Wayfair that Celestia had chosen for her. It was strange, when she looked in the mirror, to see a purple unicorn looking back at her instead of a green earth pony. Making sure the look was perfect, she opened the door.

“Follow me, please.”

“Right you are, mate,” Chrysalis, as ‘Wayfair’, said in her very best Trottingham accent, “Where are we going?”

“To your appointment,” Bulwark responded cryptically as he led the unicorn through a couple of unfamiliar halls to a room that Chrysalis had not been in before and he opened the door so she could enter. Although she couldn’t be sure, she was certain there was a mischievous smile on the guard’s face.

The room that ‘Wayfair’ found herself in looked like a fully equipped tailor’s shop, and she was positive she had stepped through a portal by crossing the threshold, but to where she couldn’t be sure. However, when she saw the white unicorn waiting in the room, where she was, was not a concern any longer.

“Hello and welcome,” the unicorn lowered her red rimmed glasses and studied the mare that entered her shop, “You must be Wayfair. Of course you are, you were expected. Please stand here,” she indicated a spot in front of her, “So I can get your measurements.”

Waiting for the newcomer to move to the slightly raised platform, the designer spoke up again, “My name is Rarity, and I was so pleasantly surprised when I received a missive from Princess Celestia to come here early to design two dresses. I do so love the opportunity to design for royalty. The Princess came in early today and I was filled with joy! Then she became a pegasus named Sunny Day. Oh well, I will not throw away an opportunity! Um,” Rarity finally paused for breath in her long monolog and she leant in conspiratorially, “Are you by chance, really Princess Luna?”

“U-Um...I-I um...th-that is to say, um...” Chrysalis spluttered, quite flustered not only by the unexpected portal journey but also by the unicorn and by the question, and she was wholly unsure how to react to all three.

“Darling,” Rarity laid a comforting hoof on the foundering mare’s foreleg, “It’s okay if you are, you don't have to say. I was just wondering if Princess Celestia was going out with Princess Luna in disguise to see the city without the scraping and bowing, or…” she lowered her voice, “Maybe the Princess has found somepony that has caught her eye!”

“We-Well,” Chrysalis struggled to compose herself as Rarity winked and went about collecting her measurements, “I can honestly say I'm not a Princess, but I am one who has caught her highness's eye, hence the disguise. This isn't really me, and I can't reveal that to you, I'm afraid.”

“Oh my!” Rarity paused and there were stars shining in her eyes, “Now that is some gossip I'll just have to dig into when I can. You are a statuesque beauty tough. I wish I could do something Neighponese, but the Princess requested neo-classical for herself and you. I hope you're okay with that. I do think yellow will bring out your pelt nicely and of course purple trim to complement the yellow in your mane, and just a hint of orange for that beautiful silvery white. Yes, I see it now, exceptionally good, you will need to be back here at five for the final fitting!. Have a lovely day, I do need to get to work.”

“Oh my, ma'am, you are quite the whirlwind!” Chrysalis looked on, blushing at Rarity in action, “You have everything you need to craft an outfit from just this one meeting? Now I know why you're in Vanity Mare so much!”

At the mention of Vanity Mare, Rarity froze, “Which issue? That latest one was just horrid! You make a simple hat as a joke and then it becomes the 'must have'. I was so embarrassed by that. The issue with my opening in Manehatten, now that was on to be proud of!”

“Yes, it featured the opening of Rarity for You, that's one of my favourite issues!”

“Oh yes, well, there were some things that came up, and...” Rarity caught herself before she could get too much into the discussion, “Oh my, darling. I really need to get to these two dresses, or I'd love to stay and chat. Maybe you could come to Ponyville, and we can have some tea?” she giggled, “Or, if it’s late enough some wine and a chat about fashion?”

“I believe I'd really like that, thank you for the invitation, ma'am,” ‘Wayfair’ stretched her legs now the tape measure was put away, “If that's everything then, I'll see you at five.”

Rarity had already turned back to her work, “Ta ta for now, darling. Five o'clock sharp!”

“Yes...ta ta...” still a little stunned by her lightning fast experience, Chrysalis stepped back out of the room and she was back into Canterlot palace. There were no guards, as they figured she could find her way back on her own. Smiling, she walked back to her room, in a bit of a daze.

Bulwark was standing beside Chrysalis’s room, at attention at his guard post when ‘Wayfair’ trotted around the corner. A wide grin was plastered all over his muzzle. “I see you survived the firestorm,” he snickered openly.

Smirking, Chrysalis bowed her head, “You could have warned me what I was going into.”

“Where's the fun in that?” responded the snickering guardspony.

“I'll remember that, Bulwark,” Chrysalis fired back, “When you want ideas where to take your coltfriend on your next date.”

“Too late for that!” Bulwark laughed, “You gave me good advice already.”

Chrysalis giggled on the way into her room, “This isn't over!”

~ ~ ~

At ten minutes to five that afternoon, there came Bulwark’s knock on Chrysalis’s door. “Reminder of your five o'clock appointment, Wayfair. Do you need an escort,” he asked when the purple unicorn emerged from the room, “Or are you good?”

Chrysalis shook her head and winked, “I know the way to the firestorm now, thank you.”

Smirking at his earlier private joke, Bulwark nodded but remained at his post. In the hall by the door that Chrysalis had used earlier, Sunny Day was stood waiting for her mare. “Well, hiya there. Right on time, don't ya know?”

“Well alright,” ‘Wayfair’ drawled, “I like to be punctual when a lady's waiting for me,” after giving her a welcoming nuzzle, Sunny Day walked through the portal door, but she left it open for her companion, who took a very deep breath and walked through the door.

“Welcome ladies!” Rarity greeted the two ponies like she was greeting her two best friends, “As you can see, your dresses are on the ponykins.” Sunny Day’s outfit was a black dress with chromatic accents and some gold trim. Wayfair’s was yellow with purple accents and gold trim. They were almost identical, but for the wing holes for Sunny Day’s wings. “Sunny Day, over there please and Wayfair over there.” Rarity directed them, “I just need you to try them on for the final fit.”

“Yes ma'am,” Chrysalis was only too happy to stand where she was directed. In position, Rarity did quick work with her magic to put the dresses on the two mares. She then had Sunny Day walk around and move her wings to make sure nothing bound them, and she had Wayfair do the same with walking around. There were no need for adjustments as she had got it right the first time.

“These are marvellous, Rarity!” Sunny Day exclaimed happily, “I think we can wear them out of here now.”

“These are absolutely amazing!” Chrysalis squeed in sheer delight, “I can't believe I'm wearing a genuine Rarity creation!” after all those months reading Vanity Mare, she’d never dreamed she actually be wearing something that could grace the cover designed by a pony who had graced the cover.

“Oh, pish posh darling, only my best for my clients!” Rarity positively beamed at the praise she was receiving.

“If any should ask,” Sunny Day said, “I'll be sure to let them know who created these masterpieces.” At that, Rarity’s smile went up to an eleven.

“Oh, absolutely, so will I!” ‘Wayfair’ added, making Rarity’s smile reach such a degree that her face was practically split in two. Then, Sunny Day walked out of the room and Chrysalis followed her out, all smiles a mile wide.

“She did a nice job hiding your teats from casual view,” there was a playful giggle in ‘Sunny Day’s’ voice, “But I know what angle to look to get a good view.”

“It's amazing!” ‘Wayfair’ added a purposeful jiggle to her step as she walked to make her teats bounce alluringly for her partner.

“She was quicker than I thought with these dresses,” the pegasus commented, “I have dinner reservations at seven that a 'friend' of mine made for us.”

“Alright then, love, I can't wait!”

Since she was leading the way through the hallways, and Chrysalis was walking behind her, the changeling couldn’t see the disguised alicorn close her eyes when she heard the ‘love’ comment, but there was a definite stutter in the emotions she sensed from her. Catching up with her, Chrysalis asked in a quiet voice, “I'm sorry. Would you like me to dial back my Trottingham?”

‘Sunny Day’ shook her head. “It's not you,” she responded slowly, “It's me. I'm trying to work this slowly. I want to have a good time with this whole night ahead of us, for both of us. My mind struggles with the smallest things that you can't be aware of, because I'm not telling you about them.”

“That's fair, and I understand,” still, Chrysalis was determined to dial it back just a little bit, “I want us to have a good time too.”

“The carriage will pick us up at the front gate at six fifteen,” ‘Sunny Day’ continued like there had been no interruption, “I hear the royal gardens are nice in the late afternoon. Care to visit them with me?”

“I'd love to, Sunny!” ‘Wayfair’ smiled broadly, “Sounds like fun, as long as we don't go in the maze. I have no internal compass at all.”

‘Sunny Day’ giggled on the way out of the palace, “I know the one who designed it so we should be fine.”

At the entrance, a stern looking guard stepped in front of them, “May I help you?”

It was ‘Sunny Day’ who spoke to the guard, “We are going to look at the gardens, I'm Sunny Day and this is Wayfair.”

When the guard checked his list, and after he had read it, the poor stallion’s eyes almost popped out of his head. “O-Of co-course ma’am…I-I’m sorry ma’am, forgive me, ma’am!”

Both the alicorn and the changeling giggled at the unfortunate guard’s peril, and they were still laughing when they walked into the gardens proper. “I'm not joking, Sunny, I really have no sense of direction. I only know my hooves from my heiny because they're attached to me.”

‘Sunny Day’ smiled, “I'm not going to use our first date to abandoned you in a maze. We can do that another day.”

‘Wayfair’ giggled, “Don't tease, I swear you'd have to send a search party in after me!”

“So, Fair,” ‘Sunny Day’ started breezily, “Luna told me of a conversation you had in the dining hall. Is there a type of food you like the taste of or don't like the taste of?”

“Well,” ‘Wayfair’ replied after a moment’s thought, “I'm not a fan of limes. But, I must admit I love the breakfast pancakes and scrambled eggs. The few times I've seen the Princess, it was at breakfast.”

“The place we are going to is Prench,” the pegasus commented as they walked across the well-kept grass towards the statues, “But with that information, I think you'll be safe.”

“Oooh Prench,” ‘Wayfair’ was genuinely excited, “I've never tried that before!”

“In that case, I'll not tease you about snails as the joke would be lost,” ‘Sunny Day’ then stopped at a statue. It was of a laughing draconequus, “This could have been your fate after the invasion,” while it was the pegasus that spoke, it was Celestia’s voice that came from her mouth, “Instead of expulsion.”

“A statue?” Chrysalis looked up at the statue with a mix of awe, wonder and more than a little revulsion crossing her face, “You'd turn me to stone? I thought only cockatrices could do that?”

“That's not the real Discord,” Celestia’s voice gave way to ‘Sunny Day’ once more as she explained, “When he was reformed by the Element of Kindness, the garden staff said he was missed by the pigeons. So they had a replica made.”

Chrysalis still shuddered, imagining all the ramifications of what Celestia was saying. “I'll say this for you equines, you are creative in your punishments…”

‘Sunny Day’ nodded, “I'll try to be more creative in mine, too,” she said with a most salacious wink.

And just like that, Chrysalis went from thinking about being petrified to being spanked and whipped, and a huge blush crept over her face all the way up to her ears, “I'm sure you will, Sunny. So, what things do you like, besides Prench food?”

“Classical music, opera, which you will experience after dinner,” Celestia replied, and then a wistful smile crossed her face, “Las Pegasus, the adventure rides, I am a bit of an adrenalin junkie. To shed the trappings of royalty that have trapped me in its grasp. Times like this, when I can be Sunny Day.”

“You make it sound like you're a prisoner in your own palace.”

‘Sunny Day’ wore the same stunned look that Celestia felt. Chrysalis had hit the nail on the head. “For a thousand years I was alone, a prisoner to expectations. Even now, with Luna's return, those chains are as heavy today as they ever were.”

“I get it,” ‘Wayfair smiled sympathetically, and she placed a hoof on the white pegasus’s shoulder, “Nopony ever sees you as anything other than the perfect Princess.”

Instead of removing the unicorn’s hoof, ‘Sunny Day’ just levelled her gaze on ‘Wayfair’. “Sometimes, it is hard to change minds that have set in stone what they think of a pony.”

Slowly, what she had heard sunk into Chrysalis’s brain and she blinked once then twice. “Amen to that. I suppose all one can do is change, and keep on showing they've changed,” she smiled warmly, “Would you please show me these other statues?”

“Of course, I’d be happy to.” ‘Sunny Day’ returned not just the smile, but the gesture with her hoof, “Of course your guide knew the pony before they became stone memories.”

~ ~ ~

At five minutes past six in the evening, ‘Sunny Day’ paused in the conversation she was having with her lover and she looked up to the sky like some alarm that only she could hear had gone off. “Pardon me while I set the sun,” she said as she transformed back into Celestia with her dress floating next to her. She lit her horn and the sun started its slow descent towards the horizon.

Watching with wide eyes, Chrysalis clapped her hooves as the Princess returned to being the pegasus, complete with the dress which flowed over her flanks, “If you'll pardon me for saying, that was bucking awesome!”

“Well, aren't you just the sweetest thing?” ‘Sunny Day’ beamed. She, and Celestia, was not above flattery, especially when it was genuine, “Come on, we gotta get moving to catch our ride.”

“Oh, right you are,” ‘Wayfair’ blushed as she caught up with her partner, because something crossed her mind, something she had always wanted to know. “If you don't mind me asking, what does it feel like when you do that? Can you feel the sun?”

Solemnly, the other mare nodded her head, “I am the sun, and the sun is me.”

“Wow...” ‘Wayfair’ exhaled slowly, “It's really a part of you?”

“In truth it is a part of Luna too,” explained the white pegasus, “It just is a spoiled child for her, as her moon is for me.”

As they walked together side by side through the gardens towards the main entrance to the palace, the disguised changeling shook her head in wonderment. “I can't begin to comprehend all that…it’s just so…vast!”

“I can't imagine a hive mind,” ‘Sunny Day’ shot her companion a sideways look in the growing gloom of the early evening, “If I could hear all these pony's thoughts all the time, I would commit mass murder.”

“How best to describe it?” Chrysalis wondered as she walked, then an analogy came to her, “The television I have in my room now, when it's not tuned to a station, it's static, white noise. But when you tune into a channel, it's clear. That's what it was like. There was a low-level static that was always there, and I could concentrate on a drone, any drone, anywhere, and it would be like I was seeing through its eyes like I was where it was.”

When they got to the carriage that was to take them to the restaurant, ‘Sunny Day’ held the door open so that ‘Wayfair’ could enter ahead of her, then she followed her inside. “Your drones were obedient,” she mused, “My ponies are the exact opposite of obedient.”

“They were obedient because the hive mind made them so,” Chrysalis explained simply, “My will, my single guiding will, was everywhere. Months ago, when you severed the link, I thought I'd go insane. My head has never been quiet in five hundred years.”

‘Sunny Day’s’ expression turned grim. “What is done is done.”

“And I don't miss it!” Chrysalis added quickly before she scooted over in the carriage and she tentatively nuzzled the pegasus’s cheek, “The past is what was. I'm focusing on what is, now.”

Almost straight away, ‘Sunny Day’ relaxed, “As am I,” she said quietly, holding ‘Wayfair’s’ hoof. “Our cover story for the restaurant and opera is we are visiting dignitaries for our respective cities. Trottingham for you and Whinnyapolis for me. That’s how we have the Princess table and box.”

Gratefully, Chrysalis held and then she squeezed Celestia’s hoof. She was so into it that she didn’t even see the disguises any longer. She laid her head on the white mare’s shoulder, “Trottingham dignitary. Got it. Hey, can I ask you something?”

“You can ask Sunny anything, but I'd be cautious about asking my alias something.”

“Well, I was watching the television in my room a couple of days ago, the fashion channel, and there was an advertisement, for Las Pegasus.” Chrysalis explained what she had seen, “I've honestly never seen anything like it! What's a 'rollercoaster'? It looked terrifying!”

‘Sunny Day’ laughed out loud, “In due time, you will see that horror. I guess you could compare it to being tossed from the city, with less injury,” she giggled, “Celestia wants to go there, maybe you will be able to go with her.”

“I'd love to!” Chrysalis and Wayfair had twinkles in their eyes at the prospect of that, “This thing, it went up, and down, down and around, and even a full loop!” as she mimed all these actions with her hoof, the pegasus nodded and was content to just listen to ‘Wayfair’ go on about it. “It was so exciting!” she gushed five minutes, “And I've never seen so many lights! On all the buildings...” she blushed, “Sorry, I'm babbling…”

‘Sunny Day’ squeezed the hoof she held, “It's okay. It’s nice to hear somepony talk about something with excitement instead of complaint for once.”

“It's hard to complain when you see all these wondrous things!” Chrysalis returned the squeeze and she added an affectionate nuzzle to Celestia's neck, “And when you know you can experience these things.”

A few moments later, and the carriage came to a stop in front of Les Règles du Soleil, one of Canterlot’s upmarket restaurants that not everypony got access to, thanks in no small part to Zesty Gourmand’s numerous recommendations, “We’re here.”

“After you, my lady,” ‘Wayfair’ smiled as a door stallion came and opened the carriage door.

Smiling broadly, ‘Sunny Day’ exited the carriage and she waited for her companion to join her on the sidewalk before she walked up to the steps, where a Maître D’ was ready to intercept them. “May I help you ladies?”

‘Sunny Day’ quickly spoke up for the two of them, “Table for Sunny Day and Wayfair, please sir.”

The Maître D’ checked his list and he saw their names were indeed on the list and he offered the mares a polite bow, “Of course, I do hope our fair city has made your negotiations easier,” he then motioned with a hoof for a stallion behind him, “Escort these ladies to the Princess Table.”

The summoned stallion bowed graciously to the two mares, “This way please.”

“Wow...look at this place, I love it!” the disguised changeling stared open mouthed at the very, very upmarket décor of the restaurant, from the imported wallpaper to the columns and the gilded artificial flowers, it was a vision!

‘Sunny Day’ smiled as she walked side by side with her partner to their table. “This is the oldest continuing restaurant in Canterlot. Probably one of the oldest in Equestria. Celestia dedicated it over eight hundred years ago.”

“No way...really? It's that old?” ‘Wayfair’ giggled, “I hope that eight hundred years doesn't extend to the fridge…”

“Ah, the good old days of hauling ice down from the peak to the city.”

“You know,” Chrysalis spoke up, looking everywhere around the restaurant at once, taking in all the details she could, “This is quite different to the restaurant Octavia took me to yesterday.”

“I'm sure it is,” ‘Sunny Day’ had the ghost of a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth, “In truth earth ponies prefer a far less fancy fare to unicorns or even pegasi.”

“I believe it was called The Hayburger,” explained the disguised Chrysalis with a grin, “And she promised me a 'happy' burger,” she made the air quotes with her hooves, “I'm sorry to say she lied. It didn't taste happy at all.”

‘Sunny Day’ had to cover her mouth to keep from laughing out loud. “Yes, I'm not sure what happy tastes like, but the eating is supposed to make you happy.” She was giggling about that when the waiter appeared, then, after informing him they’d be eating the same thing, she ordered Tarte au Roquefort et à l’oignon carmélite to start, followed by Ratatouille and Cerises Clafoutis to end the meal. She then ordered a bottle of rustic Shiraz to drink. Once the waiter had taken the order and departed, she asked, “Do you speak Prench?”

Chrysalis caught the laugh in Celestia's eyes, and she joined in with a bright little laugh of her own. “I can, I've been exposed to the language.”

“No teasing you about snails then,” ‘Sunny Day’ huffed good naturedly.

“I'm sure there are a thousand ways you could tease me if you want to,” Chrysalis giggled as she wiggled her eyebrows suggestively.

“Well, those ways will require testing!” ‘Sunny Day’ replied just as the wine arrived at their table. The white pegasus took a sample and, after it met with her approval, she nodded, and it was poured for them both. “I would describe this as peppery,” she commented, “But I’m not sure how that would translate to you.”

‘Wayfair’ helped herself to a small taste of the wine and her hesitancy was quickly replaced with a wide smile, “It tastes of pride, and accomplishment…” she paused and blushed, “And there was a peppery tint, too.”

‘Sunny Day’ could only laugh along with ‘Wayfair's’ proclamation. Then, the first course arrived and conversation ground to a halt while the two mares ate. While Celestia certainly enjoyed her food, Chrysalis was moved to tears by the extreme quality of the course once they were done. “Th-That...was beautiful!”

“I’m pleased,” Celestia wore a genuine smile that shone like her sun from the pegasus’s muzzle. “This place has good memories for me. They are old fashioned in their thinking, perhaps, but I can only blame the one it is named after for that. Still, the portions are the right size to please.”

“This is the best food I have ever tasted,” Chrysalis was in a form of heaven she had never known before, “There's so much emotion in every ingredient…it’s…completely new to me!”

“I'm sure Celestia will send a nice letter tomorrow,” ‘Sunny Day’ winked at her partner, “All about how the visiting delegates were immensely pleased by the food and service. Are you ready for the opera?”

“I am very much ready, Sunny. Opera is the classical type of music Octavia performs, right?”

“Sort of,” ‘Sunny Day’ conceded, “The music is background to the singing. Still, it’s very moving, so if you like Tavi's music, you'll enjoy the opera.” As they walked together outside the restaurant, they saw that the same carriage was waiting for them.

“I do so enjoy her music,” ‘Wayfair’ had a happy dreamy look on her face, “The way she plays...it's magical.”

“In that case I’ll need to take you to one of her concerts. Somewhere outside of Canterlot.”

“Believe me, I can't wait!” ‘Wayfair’ snuggled up to the white pegasus when they sat together in the carriage. The changeling could sense the tension that Celestia had on the brief ride to the restaurant was completely absent on the way to the opera. She could feel the happy in her partner and she liked it, it felt good so, she was content to sit in a wonderfully comfortable silence with her, the two mares snuggling and holding hooves.

They arrived a little early at the Royal Opera house, where they saw a line of ponies mingling outside on the sidewalk enjoying the pleasant evening. Sunny Day, with Wayfair in tow, bypassed them all and walked to the closed door where she showed her tickets to the doorstallion and they were let in.

Once inside, she naturally knew the way to the Royal Box. As she led the way inside the box, she said to an attendant, “Tenuta di Renieri Principe please,” in the box were eight seating pads, and the couple chose two in the middle. “This is one of the pleasures I love that Luna finds...sleep inducing.”

When ‘Sunny Day’ giggled, ‘Wayfair’ joined in with her bright giggles, “Even though she is with Octavia?” she asked as the disguised alicorn sat next to her, remarkably close on her left side.

As soon as she sat down, ‘Sunny Day’ wrapped her right wing around ‘Wayfair’, hugging her close. “There is a difference to listening to the music Tavi plays and listening to Tavi play. Octavia has learned to tolerate, and even enjoy the music Lulu likes.”

“And what's that?” Chrysalis asked, the mare only too happy to snuggle under the warm feathery blanket.

“Fast beats,” Celestia said with a laugh in her voice, “Loud instruments, and unintelligible words.”

“So...noise then?” The doors must have opened then, Chrysalis assumed, as the ponies that were waiting outside began to enter the theatre. Some of the other boxes now had ponies in them, which she noticed her companion was ignoring. But ‘Wayfair’ could tell they were trying to guess who was in the Royal Box. “It seems we have something of an audience.”

‘Sunny Day’ shrugged uncaringly, “I don't have to be polite, even though there are a few there that Celestia would enjoy conversing with after the opera. The rest of them are a reason Celestia would like a vacation.”

“I think I recognise a few of them, nobles from the court, right?” she asked, and she saw the pegasus nod in affirmation, “Ones that keep bothering you over the smallest thing?”

“So small one might say it is nothing.”

A naughty, mischievous thought occurred to Chrysalis at that moment, “Imagine the talk in the newspapers tomorrow if we kissed right now…”

As soon as she said that though, ‘Sunny Day’ flinched and tensed up on the seating pad. “’Wayfair’,” she said in a very strained voice, “I'm really trying here. Please, don't take away what I have so far. You have my wing. You hold my hoof. Don't...just don’t…please?”

Immediately, Chrysalis sensed that the tension that had gone had now returned. Internally, the changeling was kicking herself for her blunder, innocent though the idea had been. “Hmmmm your wing does feel so nice…” she purred in an effort to change the subject and, when she nuzzled her and held her hoof, Celestia did not push her away. “So, what's the opera about?”

“It’s in Istallion,” explained ‘Sunny Day’, who had again started to relax, “Not that you need to know the language to fully understand what’s happening. Tosca, it’s about love and betrayal when the Prench invaded Istalliona.”

“Ooooh,” Chrysalis smiled, and she hunkered deep into the pegasus’s side to watch the show, “I'm so looking forward to experiencing this!” Fortunately, while she didn’t understand the language, her companion was on hoof and she helpfully highlighted the star, a mare named Tosca in the play, and her lover, Cassenovilla, and the other male lead, who was Scarpia.

In the third act, Celestia went on to mention that Scarpia told Tosca that the guards would not have working weapons. When Cassenovilla fell and the guards left, Tosca would rush out only to find that the weapons worked and Cassenovilla was dead.

Chrysalis watched and listened with rapt attention, as Celestia narrated for her that at the end, Scarpia was ready to take Tosca for himself, and when they embraced, Tosca stabbed him to death. She then fled Istalliona using the letter of passage that Scarpia promised her.

“I do like the plays with a strong mare lead,” Celestia said with a degree of satisfaction when it was over.

“That was amazing...I have no words!” Chrysalis whimpered at her date’s side. Not only was she in tears, she was visibly moved by the performance. It wasn’t just the performance that was affecting her. The changeling had sensed thousands of powerful overlapping emotions from the audience as well as the stage.

Oddly, Celestia herself remained barely moved by the play, other than to feel a sense of satisfaction when the heroine had killed the protagonist at the end. Chrysalis on the other hoof could barely move from the sensory barrage she had endured. “I...” she gasped, “I need a moment...” she was physically shaking under the pegasus's wing, “O-Oh my...so much...feelings!”

‘Sunny Day’ responded to her lover’s distress by pulling ‘Wayfair’ in tighter to her body, “Operas are about emotions and evoking them,” she whispered into her ear.

“N-Not just the opera,” Chrysalis whimpered as she nestled deep under the wing for comfort, “Th-The audience too...so intense!”

“Then the actors did their profession justice,” Celestia smiled warmly, “I try to see a play as often as I can. I can't even get Lulu to come to the more warlike ones.”

“Please...please I beg you, bring me to more of these…”

While she had been comforting her overloaded lover, ‘Sunny Day’ noticed that some of the other boxes had not emptied, their occupants obviously waiting on them and what they were doing. “I think we have waited enough. Stay with me, as I'm leaving out the stage entrance.”

“I-I'm with you…” ‘Wayfair’ asserted as she got up very slowly and, on shaking hooves, she walked carefully, allowing herself to be led along.

Now they were moving, ‘Sunny Day’ made a beeline to the back passages avoiding nearly all the patrons on the way. A stallion did try to intercept them, but he was stopped by a stage pony from entering the back area. Outside, the carriage awaited them. Inside, Celestia was frowning. “Sunny Day is becoming too recognizable. When I do use her, it’s like today, to have some fun and anonymity.”

Chrysalis, who had by then recovered from the experience in the theatre, nuzzled the pegasus’s cheek, “I can see the appeal of Sunny Day.”

“How long can you remain as Wayfair?”

“As long as is required,” answered Chrysalis after a moment’s thought, “I was in my other form earlier today in my room.”

“Good, because Sunny Day would like Wayfair to spend the night with her.”

“In that case, Wayfair would love to accept the gracious offer, and spend the night with you.”

“Thank you, I-I'm…I’m trying, Chrysalis,” Celestia sighed and she nuzzled the unicorn, “I really am. I need to get to a point where what I did with you last week won't be detrimental to both of us. I still have a strong desire to beat your ass, but only for myself with no thought to you. I…I really need you to hold me tonight.”

“I can do that,” Chrysalis returned the affectionate nuzzle, “I'd love to hold you, and nestle into those beautiful wings of yours, ‘Sunny’,”

“I would like that too, so very much.” Moments later and the carriage stopped and let the two mares out inside the palace’s main gate. The guards that were on duty did not slow the pair down as they walked inside. ‘Sunny Day’ led the way straight to her rooms.

When they were in the room and the doors were shut, Chrysalis lit her horn and the unicorn’s body was surrounded in a green glow. “I’m just locking ‘Wayfair's’ form for while I sleep,” she explained to Celestia’s questioning look.

Nodding, ‘Sunny Day’ flapped her wings and hovered into her bed. “If you want my wings around you, you'll have to be the little spoon.”

“Little spoon coming in!” Chrysalis hopped onto the bed and she curled up, her back to the pegasus. She noted, as she got comfortable, that the underlying tension that had been there since she had offered the kiss now drained away completely.

Within a minute though, the door opened, and Luna put her head through. “Tia, I was told you...” she saw that her sister was in bed with her lover and she bowed her head. “My apologies. Nothing that can't wait until breakfast. Good night.”

When Luna took her leave and closed the door behind her, Chrysalis noted – and it was worthy of note – that the tension in Celestia that had ebbed away stayed away during the unexpected interruption. ‘Sunny Day’ gently kissed the back of the unicorn’s head. “Good night, ‘Wayfair’.”

“Mmm…” while Chrysalis did note it, she decided not to make a big thing of it, “Good night, ‘Sunny’.”