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2960 15.93 KB 233
2960 15.93 KB 233
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Chrysalis Domination
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GRENADIERAPPLE
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Posted on Apr 8th, 2014
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Copied on Apr 9th, 2014
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>your name is Anonymous
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>not that anyone seems to call you that anymore
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>the yellow pegasus on your chest, as well as the white unicorn you're using as a pillow, refer to you as "Master"
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>you stroke Fluttershy's pink mane idly, her warm hug and the rise and fall of Rarity's breathing setting you at ease
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>your ruler, Nightmare Moon, seems to delight in picking the most insulting pet name she can find for you
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>you find that a little sweet, in its own twisted way
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>she calls you "ogre" the way you might've called your Labrador "doofus" before you got pulled to Equestria
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>you accrued another name from the creature down in the dungeon earlier today
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>for some reason "prey" didn't resonate with you as much
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>maybe it was the way that the insectoid alicorn had hissed it
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>maybe it was the predatory gleam in her green eyes, or the way her tongue had run over her fangs afterwards
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>all you know is, you weren't a fan
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>the day hadn't gone how you were expecting it to, at all
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>which was a shame, it had started off so well...
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>you'd woken up to Rainbow Dash's stray feathers tickling your nose
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>her wings were splayed out across the bed, as was her habit while she was asleep
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>she hadn't moved from your embrace though, she was still wrapped in your arms, snug against your body
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>clearing your throat gently, she lifted her head up, wings folding back to her side on instinct as she rapidly blinked the sleep away
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>you released her from your hug and she hopped off the bed
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>reluctantly, but she knew the rules by now
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>you gave her a passive wave and she trotted silently back to her room, peeking in to see if Octavia was up yet
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>a quick freshening up later, and you stood in front of the full-length mirror, dressed in your work armor
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>stepping out into the castle proper, you made for the main entrance, eager to get morning rounds over with
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>instead, a guard stood at curt attention outside your door
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>he saluted and passed you a scroll marked with a crescent moon insignia
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>orders from the top
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>"Report immediately to the Southern Dungeon. Ascertain the threat and possible benefits of the prisoner to the Crown. Exercise caution in speaking to them. Do not fail me. ~NMM"
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>you weren't sure why she always ended her written orders to you like that
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>maybe it was just how she was familiar with you, like "Sleep well, I'll probably kill you in the morning"
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>so down to the dungeons you went
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>there were just a pair of guards waiting for you at the door
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"Just the two of you? There are supposed to be minimum two guards for each prisoner,"
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>you start to brush past them
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>"Sir, yes sir. We were stationed here to guard the prisoner."
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>Huh... just the one? Surely there was space for one more in the main dungeon, odd that they had this one secluded
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>Anyway, you pushed open the door, the guards following close behind as you made your way down the corridor
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>a passive glance or two at the cells told you this part of the castle hadn't been used in months
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>Through the next door, though, was quite a different sight
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>hanging by her forehooves, a spanner bar holding her hind legs apart
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>ring around her neck
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>you'd never seen a pony quite like this before
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>you marched up to her, though your guards hung back by the entrance
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>you brought one hand up to her body, running it over the black armor-like skin on her flank and feeling her softer middle... thorax, you supposed?
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>you quickly withdrew it as her head snapped up, reaching for your dagger as the changeling queen hissed
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>her eyes met yours and you felt the familiar tingle of magic slipping over you instead of into you
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>the two of you stared for a few seconds as she recast the spell with the same effect
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>holy shit she was really going to go for a third try
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>the effort actually made you laugh, reaching forward and slapping her before she could muster up another bolt of magic
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"Whatever that was, quit it."
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>there's no malice in the words, you just honestly hated wasting time which is what all magic was to you
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"Now. You ever been captured before? Got a rough idea of how this goes?"
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>she glowers at you but stays silent
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>you count off on your fingers
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"Name, species, position, do you know why you're here, what makes you think you're a match for the Lunar Empire, etc. etc.?"
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>the black bug-queen just glares at you
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>you smile back smugly
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>this goes on for a bit, until it's obvious she's not going to say anything
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"...O... kay then. Guards, how long has she been here?"
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>"Ah... five day, sire."
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>you glance back at the prisoner as you make for the door
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"Alright, well, I'm sure you'll be hungry enough to talk in another five. See you then!"
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>you actually have the door open and one foot out of it before you hear her mutter
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>"Chrysalis. My name is Queen Chrysalis of the Verdant Hive."
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>well, you smile
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>that's better
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>you stay where you are, not bothering to turn around as you talk to her
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"Aaand?"
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>she pauses for another second
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>"I am the Changeling Queen, ruler of my brood of drones."
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>you spin on your heel, striding back to her with the same casual demeanor
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>dangling the reward of food over prisoners' heads was never your favorite method of coercion, but it was damned effective
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"Well, Chrysalis, it is just a delight to meet you."
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>you'd need a mop if there was any more sarcasm dripping off the word "delight"
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"My name's Anonymous, and I'll be your interrogator for today. So, what brings you to the scenic Canterlot Dungeons?"
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>Chrysalis rattles one of her chains experimentally, but it's still holding fast
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>you grab an emptied rations barrel and pull it over so you can sit on it
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>"I came to this land seeking to end what you now threaten me with: starvation."
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>well
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>no wonder your starvation bluff worked so well
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>normally pones at least put on a show of strength for a day or two before they started begging for you to come back
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"And you thought you'd come to Canterlot for that? Not that you wouldn't have been caught eventually, but why not go to Ponyville or Appeloosa, someplace with, I don't know,"
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>you pretend to cast out for the word
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"a, farm?"
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>to your surprise, this time she's the one that laughs
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>"You think I didn't try? The width and breadth of the land is covered with despair; the only place with even a morsel of love to sate my hunger was here."
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>what?
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>you decide to try and interpret that statement while she's answering more questions
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"Whatever. So where's the rest of the hive? No soldiers dumb enough to follow you in here?"
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>she looks a bit shaken at that
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>but she regains her composure quickly
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>"What few drones were not wiped out by the famine were too weak to disguise for long. I may have failed to fetch them food, but I will not let them be harmed due to my mistake. They are hidden; you will not find them."
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>you'd almost forgotten what a ruler who takes responsibility for their mistakes sounds like
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"I think you're confusing me with some other interrogator."
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>you hop off the barrel and pace back and forth in front of her
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>it made you feel like a supervillain when you got to do this, but you have too much fun with it to care
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"See, I'm not here to bludgeon you half to death and maybe pick up some answers along the way."
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>she watches your walk with a dubious glare
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>she's probably used to being on the other side of this
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"I'm just here to collect some information, make a few notes, and report back to the Boss Mare."
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>you jab a thumb at the ceiling
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"You work with me, prove to me that you're worth keeping around, I'll figure out a use for you and we'll come to an agreement. Or..."
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>you draw the thumb across your neck, then point it at the guards on the other side of the door
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"You fight me, and the only use I'll find for you is target practice for the guards after pulling your wings off."
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>another noncommittal shrug before reclaiming your seat on the barrel
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>her face has lost a little bit of its color
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>which is impressive given that it's pitch black
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"So. First deal. Tell me where your drones are, and the orders will be to capture instead of kill-on-sight."
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>she bites her tongue, mulling over her options
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>"You will honor your word?"
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>if this were another common pony she wouldn't have the luxury of your patience
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>but you can accept a little hesitation for her to decide the fate of her people
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"A man is nothing without his word. Don't lie to me, and I won't be made a liar."
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>she sighs, obviously not persuaded by that alone
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>then again, what choice does she have?
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>"...the caves near Trotston, about three miles south. Tell them their queen's black chitin has been broken, they should come quietly."
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>you nod, keeping your face neutral
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>the guards probably wouldn't have thought to check there for another month
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>thank the Moon for cooperative prisoners
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"Good choice. I'll send the guards out to fetch them in a moment."
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>you kick at the food barrel you're sitting on a couple times
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>it lets out a hollow thump
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"First, though, let's talk about getting you some food."
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>you lean forward expectantly, hands on your knees
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>this was what you actually enjoyed about dealing with prisoners: getting to know their ins and outs, what they liked and what they did
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"Tell me, Chrysalis... what would you say your special talent is?"
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>she gives you a blank stare before her lips curl into a devilish smile
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>if she wasn't restrained five ways from Sunday, it might've concerned you
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>"Why Anonymous, don't you know? I am a changeling. We all share a common talent."
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>there's a flash of green as fire licks up her body, engulfing her
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>you never really considered spontaneous combustion to be a "talent"
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>when the flames subside, however, you're looking at a near-perfect copy of Nightmare Moon, hanging where the changeling was chained
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>you very nearly started looking for the keys when your boss's voice bellowed to be released at once
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>the only thing that stops you is the eyes
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>you normally feel your chest tighten when you meet Nightmare Moon's gaze
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>but the pone chained up in front of you has those same green eyes as before
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>you pause, then put the key back in its place and give her a slow clap
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"Bra-fucking-vo! Guess I should've known from a name like 'changeling', but still, well done. I think that's worth a meal."
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>she lets out a little huff, obviously disappointed that you saw through her
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>still, the promise of food does seem to placate her a bit
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>you stride over to the door, leaning out of it to talk to the guard
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"You. Send a platoon to the Shimmering Caves outside Trotston, tell them to bring harnesses. Capture ONLY. If I hear someone 'accidentally' offs a prisoner, I'll see to it they 'slip' into a knife wound or two. Oh, and bring our guest some..."
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>you look over your shoulder, curious
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"Carrots? Apples?"
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>for a starving pone who's being offered food, Chrysalis sure has a weird way of showing appreciation
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>she's glowering at you, like you just made a joke at her expense
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"Uh... meat?"
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>she scowls harder
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>you turn back to the guard
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"Eh... have Octavia bring me a dignitary's sample and send that platoon out."
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>the door closes with a click and you turn around, confused
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"...What? That was the deal, talent show for some food. In case you forgot,"
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you reach up and rattle a chain for emphasis
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"you're a PRISONER."
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>whatever rapport you'd built up had apparently just gone out the window
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>she lets out an almost-feral hiss of rage
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>"Betrayer! Liar! You promise me food and offer me dirt and flesh! What of your word?!"
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>you frown
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>reaching up and over, you give an overhead chain a tug
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>the ring around her neck tightens as you hold it for a few seconds, her hooves thrashing in their bonds
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>when the anger in her eyes gives way to panic, you let go
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>and then give it one more tug, as she's breathing in, just for a second
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"First, another reminder: you're the prisoner. That crown counts for fuck-all down here. Show respect."
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>she only coughs in response, still staring daggers at you
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"Second: If you don't like the food I offer, you can go right back to fucking starving."
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>you wag a finger at her like you would a dog who crapped on the carpet
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"Third: you ever accuse me of breaking my word when I haven't again, I'll have you playing Cassandra in the middle of Canterlot Square, telling ponies all the tales they won't believe about how cruel I am to you."
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>you don't particularly care that she has no clue what you're talking about
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>she engages you in another staring contest
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>makes it almost a minute this time
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>"...I cannot sustain myself on crops or grains, meat or water. I devour love. All else to me is as ash and seawater is to you."
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>Octavia pushes the door open as she finishes speaking, bearing a tray of meats, cheeses, fruits, veggies, and breads
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"Well then, I hope you enjoy the finest ash and clearest seawater Canterlot Castle has to offer,"
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>you sneer
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>Octavia just stares at you, stoic as ever
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>your shoulders slump as you turn to her, happy to see your favorite maid
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>"I brought the food you requested, Master. I took the liberty of preparing an array of drinks, as well. Will this be sufficient, or do you require more?"
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>you give her a smile, though it feels like it takes a lot more effort than usual
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"No, as usual you've been a great help. I think this is all I need at the moment, go practice that Adagio for tonight."
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>Octavia's reserved, grateful smile drops so fast you have to pause and wonder if there was some way your order could be construed as an insult
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>you turn around just in time to see a sickly green light arcing off of Chrysalis' horn
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>she licks her lips as it fades away, the moment cut short
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>"Mmm. Now that was a nice snack,"
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>she smiles to herself, oblivious to everything else
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>you're actually stunned for a moment
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>you grab an apple from the tray and cross the room in four steps
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>pinching her cheeks, you open her jaw by force and stuff as much of the apple in as she can fit into her mouth
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>actually a bit more than she can fit, really
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"Chew it."
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>your voice is like ice
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>she doesn't even hesitate, choking as she tries to bite off a chunk
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>you push more in as soon as she has the first bite off
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>and more
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>and more
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>you make her chew the whole thing, core, stem and all
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"Swallow it."
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>her eyes are beginning to water now
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>you just hold your fingers over her nose and push her mouth closed with both hands, staring in her eyes the whole time
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>she gulps, the apple forming a visible lump as it travels down her throat
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>you reach behind you for the next piece of food
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>a tomato
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>down the hatch
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>after the fourth piece of food, you turn back to Octavia, who is back to her stoic stare
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"Did I not say to practice that Adagio?"
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>she nods once and takes off, moving at a quicker gait than usual
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>you reach over and grab one more piece of food
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>a raw filet of fish
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>you roll it up and push it unceremoniously down the changeling's throat, not even letting her chew it
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>she gags a few times on the meat as she gulps it down, but manages to finally get it past her esophagus
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>you step back, still fuming, and survey her
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>tears are running down her cheeks, but she's quiet other than the occasional cough
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"...If you're as starved as you say you are, I suppose I can see why you would think that was a good idea."
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>she opens her mouth to speak, whimpering
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>"Please, I needed-- it was so delectable... Without love I'll shrivel up and blow away! I'll make it up--"
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>your hand lands on half of a cantaloupe
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>her mouth closes so fast her teeth clack
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"Let me reassure you, it was not."
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>you shout for the guards, and they come running
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>you gesture to the plate full of food, including a raw steak, a decadent treacle, a pineapple, and some plums, among others
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"I will be back after my rounds. She can eat it in any order she wants."
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>you stare into her eyes, so there is no mistake
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"If I find one rind, one pit, one crumb uneaten, I'll pull her wings off myself."
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>you turn to the door and storm out, slamming the door open
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>just before you close it again, you clear your face, look back, and with the most saccharine-sweet smile you can manage, give her a thumbs up
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"Enjoy your lunch!"
by SiM-Orphans
by SiM-Orphans
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