Walking into the ballroom there's a lot emotions in the room mostly negative some positive. All nobles are looking at us, they all go into bow. They all rise at Celestia say so.
Blue Blood gives me a smile. "Sister join me and my friends after you're done with your greetings." I give a smile and a nod, looking up to Celestia she gives me a motherly smile her emotion shining through. Suddenly a squeal gets my attention and the words that follow makes me concerned. 'Did that mare just say she wants to hug me until I turn blue. Is she lusting for me or is it something else?' I ignore it as I see Celestia giggle at the words.

Starting to do my duty I walk around and greet the nobles and make pleasantries. Some just greet me, others are more keen to learn more about me, few are actually friendly and I keep in mind who they are for future allies. Everything is going how I planned until I meet the biggest ass I have seen so far.

A Stallion in a blue suit with a yellow flower in his pocket walks up to me and gives me a mock bow. "I'm Sparkling Glimmer your highness the elder of house Glimmer, I see you take well to your part as a pony royal. Even with your upbringing."

'sigh, another I'm to good for all of you and I will show it type of pony. Just keep smiling no matter want he says and give the jab back.'
"Ah Sparkling Glimmer it's nice to meet you. Thanks for the compliment, well not every pony can become a leader through being a Salt Lick. I'm right Sir Glimmer." His face turn of dark crimson I can feel his wish to hit me through his emotions. I keep smiling with innocent as if I haven't just told every pony that he only became head of the family through have sex with the former head.

Through gritted teeth in a low growl. "I see you're not like your adoptive mother. Is this way of speaking what your bio-mother teached you." 'You're still going after my origins. A weak card to play against me, at least his not using I'm older that you, so I'm right/you shall respect me card.'
"Well I do come from a group of creatures that are unfriendly with other kingdoms, but we all have nobles that don't know when they meet there match." Turning my head I lock eyes with Light Spark. She's dressed in a lovely light pink dress with white and gold embroidery making forms of flowers and on her hem is the family crest, a shield with six four-pointed stars.

"You look beautiful today miss Light Spark, like a flower plucked from the royal garden from a far away magical place." Her cheeks turn pink at my words. She gives me a smile and a quick bow. "It's an honor to meet your highness, I do say your dress looks good on you." My smile becomes true one. "Why thanks you, I was worried that it wouldn't be a good match. But I'm happy you think it looks nice on me." I speak as her family elder is trying to get me attention as I ignore him.

Me and Light Spark continue to speak as if her elder is not there, I can see she's worried that something will happen and gives glances to her Elder. 'Seems the elder is an ass to his own family. Good I can use this.' "Miss Spark it was fun speaking with you, but I have more ponies to greet. But may we meet again later without you're shadow so we can relax." I say as I give her a warm smile.

"Y-yes princess it would be an honor." Spark gives me a bow as I leave their company, as I walk way I can hear elder Glimmer hissing a whisper argument with miss Spark.

I greet and speak with more guests, that's when I meet a stallion and two mares speaking. As they notice me they all give me a quick bow. "Greetings your highness." 'Why do the unicorn mare have such strong emotions. The all of them don't dislike me, but this mare it's like she's in another league.' I give them a smile. "It's an nice to meet you all sir and ladies." The stallion gives me a honest smile. "I'm Soft Silk, it's nice to finally meet you your highness. You don't need to call me sir, Silk is just fine."

"Thank you Silk, it's nice to meet you as well you don't seem to be like the other Canterlot nobles, no offence most of them show some level of dislike towards me." He chuckle and shake his head. "My parents are true Canterlot nobles, but they raised me to make my own decision on creature I meet." I nod in agreement. "I like the sound of that, are you living in Canterlot?"

He shake his head. "I'm afraid not I live in Manehattan with my wife and son, we're the third generation." He leans in and whisper. "Between you and me Canterlot nobles are to stuck up to see what's good for them and are to stuck in their old ways." As he lean back I give him a giggle. "It's so true, they're a bit stiff, they could learn from you." Nodding he reply. "I hear you, if you ever get tired of the politics here in Canterlot you are always welcome to visit my family." I give him a nod. "Are the rest of the family still in Manehattan?" He gives me a sad smile. "Yes, my wife is at home looking after my business and my son couldn't leave school, I wanted him to come so he could learn about Canterlot nobles."

I can feel his sadness, it's so strong. "Are you okay Silk, it seems to be more than just this. Not that I want to pry, but sometimes you need help or somepony to listen when you're down." He's taken aback with my statement, he almost loses him self to the emotions.
Shaking his head. "I should be fine, it's just some bad things have happened one after another." he reply with regret.
I put my hoof on his shoulder. "If you need some rest I can give you a guest room, and I listen to your problems later, if you're okay with it." He gives me a weak nod, I wave over an waiter. "Can you prepare a room for sir Soft Silk here and let him rest and give him everything he needs." The waiter gives me a nod. "Yes your highness, come this way sir Soft Silk."

I watches as Soft Silk leaves and I turn to the two mare, they have been there watching the all that happened. They're looking at me the theastral gives me a understanding smile, the unicorn a proud smile on her muzzle. "Sorry about that my ladies, sometimes you need to help somepony." The theastral is quick to reply. "You don't need to worry, I'm proud that you saw that Soft Silk needed to rest. I'm Night Wind your highness and this is Candy Warp." She points at her companion.

I stare at them. 'Wait, wait are we not suppose to meet tomorrow, why are they here? Did Celestia do this to throw me off, this is just like her.' I searches for Celestia, she's speaking with some nobles not looking my way, turning back I stare into the empty space between them. A hoof under my chin takes me back to reality as a light push closes my mouth, that's been hanging open.

With a giggle Candy Warp drops her hoof. "Your highness I didn't know you be this cute. I just want to hug you silly." 'Now I know why she show all these emotions, she's going to become my family. Night Wind is not showing her emotions, it might be because of her training.' Shaking my head I respond. "It's nice to see you two, but is there a reason why both are here." I motion them to get closer, as they lean in I whisper. "Did Celestia put you up to this? This is something I can see her do." The stand up look at each other, shake there head and gives off a giggle. "No she didn't put us up to it. My wife here couldn't sit still and wait for tomorrow" Night Wind explain while giving Candy Warp light poke with her wing.
"Yes and I was right to do this visit. We got to learn so much about you." she sing out in a sing song voice.

We speak a bit to each other, I learned some about them. The been foal hood friends and started dating in their late twenties, they married three years ago their late thirties. Both of them had their ups and down as they mostly focused on career.
Night Wind in her service to ESS and was traveling all over, she finally got put on a desk job after she got hurt on one of her mission. Candy Warp has been working on her candy and snacks all her life, finding ways to combine tastes and textures, she been around to find new flavors. Now she owns chains of stores all over Equestira. She ask me what my favorite candy is, it toke my by surprise so I just blurted out "Salt licorice and white chocolate." Her eyes widen at this so she grabs Night Wind and start dragging her out of the ballroom speaking so quickly I only catch. "I need to test this now." as they disappears.

I continue to walk around talking with noble, joining Blue Blood and her friends for a short time they're the problem with how Blue Blood is. These children are imitate their parents thinking. I tell Blue Blood as such before I leave them.

I take some food and drinks, walking out on a balcony connected to the ballroom I release a tired sigh as I puts down my plate on the railing. Enjoying the scenery of the night sky in it's dark blue colors, star shining brightly and in all it's glory the moon with it's mark 'The mare in the moon.' Eating some of the food it taste great, the portions are to small. 'Well they're Hors d'oeuvre.' I send some time out here in my own thoughts, then it hits me. It's quiet, I scan the area to see I'm alone the doors to the ballroom closed. As I start to walk towards the doors a two waiters walks out from the shadows to cut me off.

One of the waiter takes a few steps before the other, his eyes lock onto mine, his gives a flash of green. I freezes in place, my eyes narrowing. The waiter closest to me speaks out. "Princess Tec'ondra daughter of queen Tek'nistar from the Everfree hive, I'm here to speak with you about your choices that have lead you so far." I give a slow nod as he continue. "You have left your hive and been living with the prey, explain yourself."

I look around it seems that they have put up an barrier so no one is going to disturb us, letting out a sigh and locking eyes with him I give my answer. "My hive was infested with a corrupting agent that toke out the hive, I survived by being in a pod in the queens quarters, when I awaken. I used my knowledge to leave the hive, barely making it out." I stop and scan the face of this changeling.

"As I got out I was in a wounded state and was captured by the ponies, I lived in a cell for unknown time and made a deal with these ponies for my own survival." I hope he can't read my lies. The two changeling in disguise only stand there as statues only blinking occasionally, giving me no hint if I failed to fool them or not.

The interrogator is about to give me another question when his eyes changes to that of a queens, green slitted eyes and a dominating voice cut the air. "So your the daughter of Tek'nistar. You look young, but I see you used that to your advantage. Good, good I'm worried that you have exposed our kind far to much young one." I glare at the changeling as I remain quiet, all she dose is laugh. "Calm yourself young-ling, I'm not here to punish you only to give you a warning as your one my friends children." I only glare at the changeling, it gives me a smirk. "Where's my manners. I'm Chrysalis queen of the changelings." Bowing I give her my first reply. "It's an honor to meet you queen Chrysalis of the changelings." I stayed bowed as I hear her humming in approval. "Good young-ling you should know your place. I'm going to keep an eye on you, if you endanger our kin I will personally cut your throat and watch as your life leaves you. Do you understand." She threatens me, I give a quick reply. "Yes queen Chrysalis."

As sound return to ears I rises from the bow and look around the waiters/changelings are gone. 'Fuck, fuck it. It seems that I need to be extra careful now.' I walk in and see most of the guests have left the party, Celestia spots me and walks over to me with worry on her face. "Are you okay Tec, you seem to have something on your mind."
I nod with a sad smile. "I have a problem I will tell you later, when we're in privet." She nuzzles me, the warmth spreading in my cheek making me feel safe, she stops and straighten. "Okay my sunshine. We will speak about it later."

Rest of the party continue without accident. Later in Celestias bedroom we sits and talk about the day and I tell her what happened on the balcony, she almost burst into flames as I tell her what Chrysalis told me, but she keep herself calm only to pull me into a hug. The warmth and love spreading through my body making me sleepy. I let it take me, ending another day in this world.

Badlands hive Chrysalis throne room.

On the dark throne sits queen Chrysalis a neutral expression on her face, thinking about the talk she had with the young changeling princess. 'There was something weird about that changeling, not only her colors but her calm it's unnatural.

She snarls out a command over the hive mind. "Drone Cloak scout out Everfree hive and do it with carefully, if you find what destroyed the hive contain it and bring it to one of the other hives. Let's say queen Ne'eras hive in the north." A quick answer comes over the hive mind. "Yes my queen."
Chrysalis leans back on her throne thinking of what ways she can take out the other hives in Equestria.

Author's Note

In this chapter we will have more of a social feel for Tec.

Thanks for reading.