“So what do you think of the entire matter?” The new ambassador asked as he turned to me. Soft music played in the background. A small plate of finger food floated before me in my magic and I looked up at the minotaur. His horns were a bit smaller than average, but that might simply be an illusion because he was also a head taller than any other minotaur I had seen and his coat was a grayish black.
“As you understand, I’m going to have to stand behind Equestria,” I told him with a smile, “And usually that implies agreeing with Princess Celestia and my wife.”
Ambassador Dorwall smiled at that, “More than understandable,” he agreed with a nod, “But surely you have some opinion about the region in question?”
A small patch of worthless grassland at the border between Equestria and the Minotaur Empire that’s been contested for hundreds of years.
“My personal opinion,” I told him, “Is that I really couldn’t care less about that worthless patch of grassland.”
He actually blinked in surprise before looking amused, “Really?”
“There is a reason I’m not much of an ambassador,” I told him with a smile, “I know it’s important to both Equestria and your nation, but personally I don’t really care. I would much prefer a peaceful resolution to the entire matter and I’m sure we’ll be able to find one. Because seriously, we both have more stretches of open grassland than we know what to do with, no use fighting over yet another patch.”
Picking up a cucumber thing from my plate, I popped it into my mouth.
“I would prefer the same,” He agreed. “But the Naravel region is a part of the Empire.”
I just shrugged my wings. Really didn’t much care either way, just that if they did start to cause trouble, I’ll help Celestia kick their tails up between their horns. I really rather wouldn’t need to, but I would if I had to.
“But,” he continued and smiled, “This is not the venue for this kind of conversation. My apologies, Prince Page. This was meant to be a welcome reception in my honor and here I go talking politics.”
“No worries at all, I assume that-”
A voice interrupted me from the door and the sound of a staff hitting the floor as the earth pony there spoke up, “Introducing Queen Chrysalis and Princess Skitter of the Changelings!”
Excuse me, but fucking what?
Both of them walked inside, side by side as the entire room turned to look towards them.
I mean, they were always invited as close allies to Equestria to these kinds of things but none of them had ever accepted before.
They both crossed the room, moving through the crowd to talk quietly to Celestia for a moment before I turned back to the minotaur, “If you would excuse me, Ambassador,” I said before making my way over towards Chrysalis and Skitter as they broke off from Celestia.
...Oh dear, I really would rather talk with Chrysalis than with the ambassador. That didn’t say much for his odds, now did it?
“Queen Chrysalis,” I said and spread my wings slightly, giving them a tiny bow, “Princess Skitter.”
“Prince Blank Page,” Chrysalis answered with a slight bow of her own, Skitter bowing deeper next to her.
“I can’t say I expected either of you,” I admitted, keeping my voice low.
Chrysalis looked down at me, “We were invited, my little predator,” she answered quietly, “So we are here… supporting our allies.”
“And by all right,” I admitted, “Just… unexpected.”
Chrysalis looked around before her eyes found the ambassador, “If you excuse me,” she said and moved past me, leaving me with Skitter.
I glanced after her before moving closer to Skitter, “...Should I be worried?”
“No, sir,” she said softly, “Mother decided that it is time that we are seen to publicly support our pony allies.”
Mhmm. What’s she up to?
I glanced after her for a second before I mentally shrugged. Whatever she was up to, I’m sure if it was something I needed to know, Skitter would let me know eventually… assuming she knew anyway.
“Want some introductions?” I asked, looking at Skitter after a second.
“I think I should catch up to Mother,” Skitter answered, seeming a bit reluctant.
“Better get going then,” I told her with a smile, “I’m here if you need to escape at some point. Just signal me or something.”
Skitter smiled and then quickly moved to follow her mother. I let her go and gave Celestia a nod before crossing the room again to find Sunset studying the food laid out for the reception,
“Find anything good?” I asked as I moved up next to her, “Because I sure did, you look amazing.”
Sunset actually blushed slightly, “I have used this dress before, you didn’t give me much warning, you know. Didn’t expect to see Chrysalis and Skitter here.”
“Don’t think anypony did,” I agreed and glanced in their direction, trying not to notice the slightly wary look some ponies shot at me when they thought I didn’t notice.
It was the first time I had been out in real public like this. It was to be expected.
Really, I would have expected "those" looks to be too busy with Chrysalis to spare any for the batticorn. You know, because at least Page was expected to be there, while Chrysalis' invitations are pure formality.
improving the hive's odds of prosperity
Surprised Page didn’t blanch at being called “Prince”
Chrysalis is definitely up to something.
One hour later...
“Word is you are declaring war on the Minotaurs.”
“That is true, my little predator.”
“Dare I ask; why?”
“He smelled.”
“We all knew that.”
“I told him as such and he got all pissy.”
“...great first diplomatic meeting, what have you planned for the next one? Genocide?”
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"I never did like those chimeras"
HOURS EARLIER...PRINCESS CADANCE STARING INTO HER CRYSTAL BALL...
Princess Cadance: I got your invitation. While face-to-face would have been preferred, this form of communication was the best at short notice.
Queen Chrysalis: It's not a problem. The matter is...somewhat urgent.
Princess Cadance: ...so you want to buck him?
Queen Chrysalis: Y-y-you fool! You make it sound like I care for Prince Page or something! This is all about strengthening the hive thru his bloodline. Whether the union is with me...or my daughter...or both...doesn't matter as long as we can prevent any new hives from trying to claim my little predator!
Princess Cadance: *gasps* More possible ships?! ...but my work keeps me busy as it is right now...
Queen Chrysalis: FOCUS!
Princess Cadance: Oh yes yes...in that case, I think it is time for you to show Page some appreciation. Less tsundere more proactive! Do something that relay to Page that you are listening to him and you both have similar goals.
Queen Chrysalis: What is a Tsundere? Well...he did say something about strong bonds as allies...WAIT! There's a minotaur reception tonight! What if Skitter and I go and make connections?! It'll be done right in front of him! It's perfect!
Princess Cadance: Go for it Chrysalis! I believe in you! My charts shows you and daughter have the most potential currently!
Queen Chrysalis: Thank yo---wait what do you mean "charts" and "currently"?! Who else is my rival?!
Princess Cadance: Uhhhh...oh no! I'm in a tunnel! *Cadance breaks crystal ball*
Princess Cadance: Oh dear...My hubby gonna be mad at me for breaking another one...
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“This is great! Thanks for the advice.”
“Your welcome.”
“....”
“....”
“Virgin!”
“Harpy!”
“Ahh that’s better.”
“Much better, bye!”
Page is no Changeling yet behave like one of Chrysalis hive members. Also to see her hive has Equestria support is a huge 'dont fuck with my hive' warning sighn
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LOL I kid you not...I thought about adding insults but the scene was too long as it was so I edited the hostility out...
Thank you for adding it back in~!
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Happy to be of service
Thanks for the interesting chapter! I look forward to updating!
maybe chrissy starts to get it that the food ALSO has diplomatic weight behind it
Exactly what you told her to.
Like Skitter said, supporting her allies.
Probably to access the other countries to take down/ “talk” to the other Queens.
By talk, I mean... a little bit of stabby, little bit of ShootyMcMagicBlast.
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I like your style
But no... Page just played with her Larve and feed em first grade loves, as if they are his... Chrysalis first Step to conquer Blanks heart since he just stormed hers un intencialy
He's a horrible states pony and his remark would ordinarily come back to haunt him. The correct answer would have been: "Forgive me, but I love Equestria so much that I am unwilling to part with even the smallest part of it. As for the Minotaur Empire's claims, should we surrender that patch of grassland, what will they claim next? Will they claim the very sun in the sky because it crosses Minotaur lands, or do they consider the sun a breach of their sovereignty? If the latter, I'm sure that Princess Celestia can arrange that their sovereignty no longer be breached by the sun."
I did not know chrysalis knew the art of being fashionably late
My new catch phrase
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We’re talking about Chrysalis here. Of corse she would know…
Snuggelbugs and Batpone, cute on their own. United?
Absolutely adorable! I take one eatch or my snuggeling pile ♡
Page has become more than food harvesting grounds and political ally, pretty sure he showed himself to be part of the Hive ♡