Deep Breath

Headache should have been expected when learning about a new world and it's culture. A different people with different abilities would develop differently, but this is hard for a human to accept. Then again, you are in a hive of magical ponies. After finding a new fertile land to cultivate, ponies have survived and thrived with little internal unrest. Ponies are more likely to have local heroes keep everyone safe while the power of their cutie marks provide for them. They have the power to move earth and sky yet they want not for conquest or power beyond what they can gain naturally. Are ponies so comfortable in their homes of plenty that they truly don't have needs past steam power and basic electricity?

The most closest to home you can find in this world is the little corner that you have sworn to protect. The changelings have little by way of ability without help, and the world they find themselves in does not make anything come easily. Being beside yourself in this moment, you strengthen your determination in defying this world. You are no Mahatma Ghandi, but you will find a way of having the hive be accepted back peacefully. All you have to do is swear off meat after you run out of jerky, discretely replace your leather belt, and god help you if that gun of yours ever fires again.

Chrysalis knocks on the portal into your room.

"Are you fairing well? I sense a lot of stress coming from you."

"Just adjusting to this world. headache is to be expected when everything is different. This world has so many safe places and happy ponies, yet we find ourselves in more danger than we would on my world."

"What sort of danger would we find on your world?"

"Only the predictable; social engineering, general backstabbing, and silver tongued profiteering. Monsters that either convince you they are your friend or try to make you believe that you yourself are the monster." This makes Chrysalis bow her head.

"So not unlike the monsters changelings have come to be."

"No, my queen. Changelings are not monsters." You turn fully towards her and place a caring hand on her shoulder. She leans into it, and you notice her hair. "One moment, my queen." Taking the first step out of your room in two days, you turn and quickly face Gentle who squeaks as she was just about to pass your room.

"Gentle! Good timing. Tell me, do we have a hair brush?"

"Um, Yes sir, there is one we got for our Queen."

"Perfect. can you bring it to me please?"

Despite her bashfulness, you brush Chrysalis's mane.

"A changeling Queen may not need to speak to calm your changelings down, but paying attention to yourself and keeping groomed will help you feel better directly."

"If you insist, Anon, but they are my changelings no more. With you as my Consort, they are your family. They are our changelings." This makes you smile.

"And I will always care for them as my own." After several dozen strokes on this patch of hair, you will be spending the rest of the evening brushing until this long hair is feeling silky smooth and is no longer a ragged mess.

"So what has today's studies given you?"

"I face a people unlike that which I have ever met, powers and strength that dozens of humans can barely hope to accomplish together. Should we show any hostility at all, we could easily be overcome by a tidal wave of pony magic."

"How does that not deter your confidence?"

"Because if they truly are superior, then we do not need to throw a single punch or profanity to achieve peace."

"And you have such words that can turn the tides of fate?"

"Not all of them just yet. No plan survives the battlefield. I still need to think of a few dozen scenarios to be ready." You point to several sheets of paper that you have covered in arrows and symbols that Light has described as arcane manuscripts of ambiguous intent.

"What exactly were you before you came to Equus?"

"In my current job, I was routinely professionally yelled at by customers from all across the country to ensure the service we provide runs smoothly."

"Is that supposed to sound fake?"

"No, but if it does in this world, then that is perhaps for the best. Speaking of, I should probably find a safe way to dispose of the weapon hat I brought to this world with me."

"Having that knife with you would not be good for peace talks indeed."

"No, I mean the more dangerous weapon, the gun."

"What is a gun?"

"A small cannon that this world has no need of. Do you remember hearing a loud boom when Pinkie Pie first came up to me?"

"So that was a gun. Wait, you ran through the forest with us while carrying miniature munitions?"

"Exactly my point. This world's heroes get along against bugbears without the use of lethal force, and my appearance on Equus brought an object of lethal force powerful enough to kill twenty people."

"How do we destroy such a thing?"

"We don't have the ability to do so here since Pinky busted the trigger mechanism. I will need to rely on the resources of the princesses to safely dispose of it with some extra steps. Magic threatens to undo any efforts if I'm not careful enough."

"Do you always have to think so much on everything? it is starting to sound neurotic."

"Hope for the best, and prepare for the worst, my Queen. If even half of my efforts make our changelings safe and happy, and none cause harm, then it will all be worth it."

You spend another hour brushing Chrysalis's hair while explaining the plans that you've tossed aside for making too much risk for your changelings. Against any expectations, your ambition is to make no pony on either side threatened or harmed in this endeavor. Your prisoner is not released until she has a perfectly straight mane befitting a beautiful Queen. You say good night and once again take your rest among the dimmest of crystals. All changelings will be given your love freely.

*****

Chrysalis walks into your room, announcing her presence with a greeting. She stops short after the threshold as you are standing atop your study surface, overlooking maps of individual cities placed across the floor. The maps sat in positions relative to each other and had reports of the alicorn princesses and the elements of harmony pinned under their respective cities of domain.

“Is this preparation for a war campaign?” Chrysalis asks.

“Certainly not, My queen. Merely a way to better grasp what I am envisioning. If this is going to work, our changelings will eventually have to move the hive once we have the proper reserves stored. Depending on what jobs we can employ into, it would be best to move the structure…. here, here, or here.” You place pages of your copy of information on changelings in three specific locations. Each is a similar distance to at least three cities and on what reports say to be relatively flat terrain with proximity to water and plenty of room for infrastructure.

“Valid places, all of them. Does this mean that you have all the negotiations planned out? You had so many variations laid out yesterday.”

“That is correct. All things considered, I believe that I have the best course of action planned out. Regrettably so, including what the changelings should be doing at the time of negotiations.”

“You’re still convinced that all of the others should be in hibernation pods.”

“Yes, my queen. If it were not for Prince Armor and Princess Cadenza’s scorn, I would trust them to not start a fight and find an excuse in your changeling’s reactions. This is the safest course of action.”

“Very well, but from here on, you are only to refer to me as your Queen in a formal setting. Call me ‘Chrysalis’ when it’s just us.”

“Oh, but I was just a civilian until a few days ago. Now, I am a consort and will be acting ambassador to the Alicorns. Can’t I have a little fun with this?”

“If it so suits you so long as you make your true feelings known as always. I prefer it that way.”

“Certainly. Anyways, tomorrow I will prepare for my march on Ponyville. In the meantime, is there anything that you need from me, Chrysalis?”

“As a matter of fact, there is. I have a request to make.” Chrysalis took a step forward, looking away bashfully. “You freely show love to changelings without their disguises. May I know what it feels to be held in private? With all of your attention on me?”

How can you say no to that? You are quite tired and would love the company. A sincere smile overcomes your face and you lay down, arms open and inviting her over. She climbs onto the slab, resting her head on your arm and placing a hoof across your side. You wrap your free arm over her, completing your embrace, and hum in comfort. She offers to change into a softer pony form if you are too uncomfortable, to which you say “Absolutely not. You are perfectly fine just the way you are, and just as snuggly.” Pulling her in closer, you take a deep breath, letting all your muscles relax, and still cling to her. Chrysalis notices that your head is still close to her neck as you snuggle and take that breath.

“Are you sniffing my scent?”

You chuckle. “No. I was just taking a breath to relax. Here, listen.” Rolling onto your back, you guide Chrysalis to lay her head on your chest above your heart, then breathe. Chrysalis listened, tapping your two-step heartbeat with her hoof on the other side of your chest. As you exhale, her taps get slower, and she gradually falls asleep that way. You fall asleep with your arms gently wrapped around her.