So they talked. Chrysalis's anger hadn't left her, but she kept herself calm throughout. She still felt that Celestia looked down at her. I felt the same thing, to be honest. Celestia had no reason to view Chrysalis as an equal. She was so much better.
At times, Red or I added our opinions or steered the conversation in the right direction. I made sure that they didn't fight while speaking.
This was incredible. This was really happening. Chrysalis and Celestia had both agreed to the treaty.
Chrysalis elected to shake hands as she had done to me before. These two women both knew that a handshake was binding. At least, it meant that they gave each other their word, which was all that they had at this point.
Chrysalis was a very prideful woman. With this, I really believed that she would stick to her word.
"Thank you, Queen Chrysalis." said Celestia, pulling her hand back.
Chrysalis nodded. "I've given you my word, and I expect you to keep yours."
"Of course. Is there anything else you would like to discuss?"
"Yes, there is."
Celestia was listening closely.
"I've taken your form, Princess Celestia."
"What?"
"I've done it before in order to manipulate your... fiancé. Before... when I was impersonating your niece, the love I felt from Shining Armor was very strong. There was a similar feeling when I impersonated you, even though he knew that it wasn't you. Even now, there's a powerful feeling between the two of you. Speaking... from a more personal level... I am surprised to see you with a companion. I can only congratulate you on this, Princess Celestia."
"Thank you, Queen Chrysalis."
"You two love each other very much. It's given me quite a bit of power. I shouldn't have much of a problem overpowering you again, should the need arise." She chuckled. "Alas, it would seem that our rivalry has been suspended."
She gave off a small, sly smile.
Celestia chuckled. "What will you do now?" she asked her.
"I have a home of my own in this town. No owners, of course. It was an empty house."
Celestia gave her a look. "You're living in an empty house?"
"It is... a strange living arrangement for me."
"What's keeping your prisoners from escaping while you're away?" asked Red.
"They know I'll kick their asses if they try it." she let out.
"Eloquent." said Red.
Chrysalis chuckled. "Yes. I've shielded the house. They couldn't escape even if they tried."
"Alright."
"Where are you getting your food?" I asked her.
"There was food at the house. Many canned meals. It's not how I expected to spend my time, believe me."
"Someone just left it there? Weird..."
Chrysalis nodded. She got up from her chair. "It's getting rather late. It's time for me to take my leave."
Celestia smiled at her. "Goodbye, Queen Chrysalis. It was nice speaking with you."
"Indeed. Goodbye. And to you, Red and Phil, goodbye."
"Goodbye."
"Yeah, see ya."
With that, she turned and left through the doorway, her bear in her arms.
I got up and walked out to the living room after her. She was at the front door. She was hesitating.
"I expected the storm to calm before I had left." she said, looking back at us.
"You're free to stay the night." said Celestia.
I looked back to her. "Celestia, it's crowded here as it is."
"We've had four before."
"I... guess."
"I can't stay, I'm afraid. My spell will fade if I am away overlong."
"Alright, I'll take you home." I said, walking back into the kitchen to get my keys.
I heard a knock coming from the front room. Was that my door? Who's at my door?
"What was that?" I asked, walking through the doorway again.
Chrysalis pointed at the door. "Someone's outside. Shall I let them in?"
More knocking.
"Yeah, go ahead. Probably one of my friends or something."
Chrysalis pulled the door open, then stepped back so she wouldn't get wet.
Sarah? What was she doing here?
"Phil!" she angrily let out. Her eyes wandered to the women in the front room. She paused. "Who... are these? Are you Celestia?" she asked, pointing at Chrysalis.
She shook her head, then pointed at the woman standing next to me.
"Sarah, what are you doing here?" I asked her.
"I... I needed to speak with you!" she said to me.
She was still standing at the door, holding her umbrella.
I sighed. "Come in."
She stepped through and shook her umbrella off outside, then folded it up and closed the door behind her. Chrysalis stepped further back.
"Sarah, you can't just come here expecting to talk. I told you that I'm busy." I said to her.
"This is the Sarah Lockhart from your work?" asked Celestia.
"Who was she again?" asked Red, "I remember you saying something about a Sarah, but I don't remember it all.
"She and Phil went on a date just before I got back. She told her parents that she found herself a boyfriend and they want to meet him."
"Phil, what the heck, man?" asked Red.
Chrysalis chuckled.
"Hey, it's her fault. She's the one that lied to them."
"Phil, I need you to meet them. My father is getting suspicious of me."
Celestia stepped forward and confronted Sarah. "I fail to see how that is his problem, young lady." she said to her. Her voice was filled with power.
Sarah immediately looked to her feet. Celestia stood at least a foot taller than she did. Sarah was intimidated.
"Oh, leave the poor woman alone." said Chrysalis, clearly enjoying this, "You're scaring her, Celestia."
Celestia looked to her, then back at Sarah, who was having trouble speaking.
"You'd better have a good reason for barging into our home like this." said Celestia.
"I... I j-just... I... n-need Phil t-to..."
She was stuttering more than usual. Celestia showed no signs of backing off. Sarah continued to speak. She went slowly, but she finally got her message across.
Celestia took in a breath and let it out slowly. She was already calm, she just needed Sarah to think that she wasn't angry anymore.
"Why is it you need my fiancé for your meeting?"
"F-F-Fiancé?" she asked, shocked.
Celestia stood unfazed.
"I... I don't h-have any... any other f-friends... None th-that can... f-fool my father."
Celestia's stance relaxed. "Why should I let you take him?"
"It... It's not... p-p-permanent... I j-just need him to p-pretend t-to be my b-boyfriend. J-Just for one n-night."
Celestia turned to Red. "Your thoughts?"
"Mine? I, uh... Well, it can't... hurt, can it?"
Celestia found this funny. "I suppose. Phil, what do you think?"
"I said I'd be willing to help if you said it was alright. I wasn't gonna let her push me to help her."
Celestia turned back to her. "I'm not convinced, Sarah."
"Please! I'll do anything!"
"Anything?"
"Yes, anything!"
"Hmm..." Celestia crossed her arms. "I expected to meet you after inviting you to our home. Expecting something from me after coming unannounced like this isn't wise."
"I... I know. I'm s-sorry."
Red had sat down on the couch a while back. She was still listening, she just seemed bored. Chrysalis stood off to the side, watching us. She was amused by all this.
Celestia sighed. Another gesture to calm Sarah down. "Would you like something to eat?"
"I... I..."
"Phil, I'm hungry. Make something for Red and I. Chrysalis, would you like to eat here?"
"I suppose." She was smiling, laughing at us on the inside.
"Sarah, would you like something?" Celestia asked again.
"I... s-suppose..."
"I gotta feed five people?" I asked, a little surprised, "What am I gonna make?"
"Grilled cheese?" asked Celestia, turning to me.
"We don't got enough bread. Cheese though... Mac'n'cheese would work."
"I like mac'n'cheese." said Celestia. She turned back to Sarah. "Is that fine with you?"
She nodded slowly.
"I'm gonna have to make like... three boxes..." I said to myself, turning back to the kitchen. Mac'n'cheese sounded pretty good, actually.
I heard them talking again. Celestia was still questioning Sarah.
How rude of her to just show up like this. I should've just sent her home. Whatever.
Celestia's gonna eat a lot of this. Is three boxes even gonna be enough? It better be, I'm not making more. Unless she asks. I don't have any pans big enough for four boxes anyways, I'd have to split it into two if I did that. Which I could do. Three is fine.
I started cooking. Celestia entered the kitchen not long after.
"How'd it go?" I asked her.
"She's very nervous. She doesn't like being the center of attention out there."
"She's a shy lady." I said, "Obviously not shy enough to be patient, but still shy."
"What did you tell her?" she asked.
"I just said I was busy. I figured since Red was still here, we were still busy. I was gonna ask you about inviting Sarah over after Chrysalis left, though. Red's been nice so far. It shouldn't have been an issue."
Celestia nodded. "It would've made things easier on her. Right now, I don't have too many problems with her meeting. I'm just poking fun at her. How long will this take to make?"
I shrugged. "I dunno."
Celestia smiled at me. "She's a sweet person."
"Yeah, she's nice."
"I can't believe Queen Chrysalis is staying for this."
"Same here. But, having a meal with her should be nice. Even if it's just mac'n'cheese. How much are you gonna eat?"
"I don't know. A lot."
"You eat so much."
"I don't eat that... Alright, yes I do..." She let out a small laugh.
I leaned in towards her and gave her a kiss on the forehead.
"I really enjoyed what we did last night." she softly told me, a smile on her face.
"You're a dirty little Princess, you know that?"
She bashfully looked away.
"When was the last time you had mac'n'cheese?" I asked her.
"I've made it for Red and myself recently."
"Ah. Been a while since I've had it. Noodles are gonna take a while to get soft with how much there is. How's Sarah?"
"She's fine. Nervous, but fine. We've just been talking."
"Alright." I stirred the noodles. "I'll go say hi, I guess."
The two of us walked back out to the front room. Red and Sarah were on the couch. Chrysalis was standing against the wall.
Red was talking to Sarah. As I walked into the room, I caught the end of their conversation.
"So, I am Celestia's sister, and that woman is one of our friends." finished Red, "Oh, welcome back, Phil."
"Hey. Just out here meeting with Sarah?" I asked her.
She shrugged. "More or less."
"Mac'n'cheese for dinner tonight." said Celestia. She seemed to adopt my pronunciation of macaroni and cheese. "Chrysalis, you are, of course, still invited to join us for dinner."
"Thank you." she replied.
"As are you, Sarah."
"Yeah, hope you like cheese." I said.
"Th-Thank you."
"I believe that we should start over." said Celestia, "I'll give you another chance. Please, stand up and introduce yourself again."
"Y-Yes."
Sarah stood up and moved to the side of the couch. "My name is Sarah Lockhart. I w-work with Phil at his job. And... m-my reason for being here is to convince Ph-Phil to... to help me t-trick my parents into thinking I have a boyfriend."
"See, that wasn't so hard. My name is Celestia. I'm Phil's fiancée. I've been living here recently."
"I'm Red. I can't leave or they'll hit me."
"Red, please." said Celestia.
Red chuckled, as did Chrysalis. "I'm sorry. I'm staying here while I'm between houses."
"Your name is... Red?"
"Just call me Red. Everyone does."
"Al-Alright..."
"I'm Chrysalis. I don't live here. You won't likely see me again."
"Oh... Ok... Wh-What's with the teddy bear?"
Chrysalis turned away. She looked almost embarrassed.
"You can put it in the room if you want. Keep it from gettin' dirty." I said to her.
She nodded at me, then disappeared into my bedroom. She closed the door behind her, returning a short while after.
"You met Phil just before Celestia came back?" asked Red.
"Y-Yes. That's what he said, at least."
"Luna showed up right after I took her home." I said, "I told Sarah that Celestia was coming back."
"Why'd you have to take her home?" she asked.
"It started to rain while we were at a coffee shop. My house was pretty close, so I elected to take her home."
"Couldn't you have just split up so you could pick her up without bringing her here?"
I sighed. "Yes, Red. I thought about that when I got here."
She smirked.
"You know Sarah, I gotta say... There are worse times you could've chosen to come over." I said to her.
"What do you mean?"
"We were having an important discussion." said Chrysalis, "Had you interrupted, it would've ended far differently."
"Oh... Wh-What were you discussing? If... you don't mind me asking..."
"Actually, I do mind." she replied, "It's not something I'd like to share."
"Sorry Sarah, gotta keep that one a secret." said Red.
I shrugged. "Gonna check the food." I went out and stirred the noodles as they softened in the water. I returned quickly.
"How old are you, Sarah?" asked Celestia.
"I'm... I'm 22..."
Celestia stared blankly at her for a few moments, then leaned towards me. "Does she look young for 22? I can't tell." she whispered.
"I dunno." I said, shrugging, "Red's 22."
"Oh." She pulled away. "So what do you do for a living, Sarah?"
"I... I used to go to college, but since the move, I've had to suspend my schooling. I'm going to start again soon, though."
"Oh, that's good. What did you study?"
"I'm studying animal anatomy. I'm trying to become a veterinarian."
"My, what a noble goal." said Celestia.
"Thank you."
"How many years have you been studying?"
"Um... F-Five..."
"Five? But you're only 22."
"I... I graduated high school at 16..."
"My goodness... You must be very bright." said Celestia.
"Th-Thank you."
"You remind me of one of my good friends back home. She was certainly an intellectual. Her passion was more for the method than the practice, though. It's certainly not easy to become a veterinarian. Good luck."
"Yeah, good luck, Sarah." said Red.
Chrysalis just kept staring at our group.
"Thank you..."
"Didn't you graduate?" I asked, "Yeah, your résumé said you already had a degree."
"Y-Yes. I'm continuing my education."
"I couldn't imagine putting in all that work." I said, "I got two years of college going for me. That's enough."
"What did you study?" asked Sarah.
"Computers. I'm certified and everything. I can set up networks all day long."
"But you work at McDonalds." said Sarah, "That's such a waste of your potential."
I shrugged. "I had to get a job. They were hiring."
"It's still a waste."
"Yeah, I guess."
"Phil, are you not living up to your full potential?" asked Celestia.
"Hey, I got a job. I can still feed you, so it's fine."
She gave me an exaggeratedly disappointed look, then let out a small laugh.
"Have you ever thought about continuing your education?" asked Sarah.
"I doubt I'd need it. I have some work experience with computers already. The technology improves so quickly. Computer service technicians rely on Google more than anything."
"Oh... Alright... What... about you, Celestia? Have you ever gone to college?"
Celestia chuckled. "I've taken a few courses past high school."
"Like what?"
"I have a degree in law, psychology, chemistry, mathematics..." She paused. "I was a busy woman when I was younger."
"You... Oh my goodness... How... how old are you, Celestia?"
"I'm 27." she said, giving her the answer she gave my family.
Chrysalis chuckled. "Quit lying to the poor girl."
"She... She hasn't been to college?" asked Sarah.
"No, no, she's been to college. She's not 27."
"Chrysalis?" asked Celestia.
"The old hag's in her forties." she said with a laugh.
"Wh-Who are you calling old hag?!" Celestia retorted.
"Oh, so that's why you live with Phil!" exclaimed Red.
"I believe you would be called a... cougar, is it?" said Chrysalis, "That is the term, isn't it, Phil?"
"Uh... Yeah. Woman in her forties with a guy in his twenties. Cougar."
"I am NOT in my forties!" Celestia cried out.
"Oh, I know it's tough, but denial isn't the right way to deal with this." said Chrysalis. She was obviously enjoying this.
Celestia was getting flustered.
I heard sizzling in the kitchen. "Oh, god damn it." I muttered, going back out to the kitchen. The pot was boiling over.
It wasn't ready to drain, yet. I scraped the bottom to unstick any noodles and turned it down a little so it wouldn't boil over so soon.
"Sarah, I'm 27!" I heard Celestia say, "You believe me, right?"
I came back out.
"Uh... I... I-I don't know..."
"Phil, tell her!" she said to me. She had a smile on her face. She was enjoying this banter.
"I don't know what to say here, Celestia."
"Just tell her I'm 27."
"She's 27, Sarah." I said in monotone.
"See?"
"Oh, men will say anything to make their women happy." said Red.
Et tu, Red?
"Stop saying I'm old! I'm only 27!"
"You're older than I am." said Red.
"And me, as well." said Chrysalis.
Celestia looked to her and paused. It seemed that she didn't actually know if that was true.
"I am only 27." said Celestia.
"Y-You look good for a woman in her forties." said Sarah.
"I'm 27!" Celestia shouted.
Sarah stifled a laugh. Red was less courteous and burst out laughing.
"Phiiil!" she complained.
"Alright guys, be nice. She can say she's 27 if she wants."
"I AM 27!" she shouted at me.
I let out a laugh. She calmed down as soon as I did and started giggling.
"So... She's 27?" Sarah asked Red.
She shrugged. "Yeah, as far as I know."
I wrapped my arm around Celestia's shoulders. I leaned in near her ear and whispered, "You're pretty good looking for a cougar."
She playfully pushed me away.
"I'm gonna..." I pointed to the kitchen door.
She nodded.
Not done, yet. Close.
"What do you do for fun then, Sarah?"
"Oh, I study! I-I'm on my computer a lot... as well. I spend time with my friends... when they're... not busy... I don't go out much."
"Oh, that's alright."
"You're friends with Phil, yes?" asked Chrysalis, stepping forward.
We all looked to her.
"Y-Yes, I am." said Sarah.
"Are you... good friends?" she asked.
Sarah was intimidated by Chrysalis. "I-I don't... m-maybe... We just met a f-few weeks ago. We don't speak often... s-so... n-no."
"What's up, Chrysalis?" I asked her.
She looked to me. "I'm just curious."
"Well... alright then..."
"Is the food ready, yet?" she asked.
"Nah, I still gotta drain the water. Actually, I could probably do that now."
I went back out. Finally ready. I turned on hot water in the sink and threw the strainer into it.
Celestia came into the kitchen with me.
"Careful, hot." I said, picking up the pot.
She stayed out of the way as I brought it to the sink and emptied it.
I noticed Chrysalis at the doorway.
I set the pot back onto the stove, lowered the temperature to minimum, threw a heaping spoonful of butter into it, then emptied the noodles back into it.
"Sarah, you're not lactose intolerant, are you?" I called to the front room.
"No! No, I'm not!" she called back.
"Great, cause there's gonna be a lot of cheese in here."
I followed what the boxes said for the other ingredients, then started stirring in extra cheese from the fridge and adding extra milk to keep it from solidifying. The key to making good mac'n'cheese is to not use only American cheese when you add in more.
"Food's ready!" I called out, turning off the stove.
Celestia immediately started to shovel spoonfuls of it into a bowl she had gotten for herself.
"Phil, it's really hot!" she let out, readjusting her hands on the bowl so she wouldn't burn herself.
"Careful, it's hot." I said to her.
Red was next. She got herself a plate. After her, I made Chrysalis a plate of it. Sarah was next. I got her a plate, as well.
"Th-Thank you." she said as she took it.
"Don't worry about it. Not the kinda thing you were expecting when you got here, huh..."
"No, it wasn't. I... I didn't think there would be more... people here."
"This was... what I was trying to avoid. Red was supposed to go home soon, leaving just Celestia here. Actually, Celestia had to go home at the same time as Red. Huh..."
She gave me a surprised look. "She's going home again?"
I shrugged. "She'll be back in a couple of months."
"Phil, are you talking about me?" Celestia asked from the table, "Come sit down."
"Sorry, Celestia!" I replied.
A final bowl of mac'n'cheese went to me. I turned to the table, but realized something.
"Wait, I only have four chairs." I said.
"Hmm? Oh, you're right."
Red, Chrysalis, and Celestia were all sitting in a chair. Sarah and I would have to fight over the last one.
"Guess I'm standing." I said.
"N-No, I can stand." said Sarah, not wanting to be rude.
Celestia pulled out the last chair, then patted the seat, looking at Sarah. "Sit with us, Sarah." she said.
"I-I can..."
"Sarah..." Celestia gave her a look.
"A-Alright..."
"Alright everyone, you got your choice of water, milk, apple juice, or Mountain Dew. I recommend milk."
Everyone agreed with milk. I got out cups for everyone, then retrieved the milk from the fridge.
"What is Mountain Dew?" asked Chrysalis.
"It's a sweet, carbonated, lemon-lime flavored soda." answered Celestia.
"You don't know what Mountain Dew is?" asked Sarah.
"I haven't been here long." she replied.
I distributed cups of milk for everyone and left the gallon on the table.
"Thank you, Phil." Celestia said through a mouthful of food.
This set off a chain reaction leading to the rest of them thanking me.
I noticed that Chrysalis had been staring at her plate.
"This is what you eat?" she asked me, looking up.
"Sometimes." I replied.
She looked to Red, who had been eating it at a very fast rate. "Is it good, Red Sh..." She glanced to Sarah, stopping herself.
"I like it." she replied, "But then again, I really love cheese." She took another bite of it.
"Slow down, you're going to choke." joked Celestia.
Red just kept eating.
"Hey Chrysalis, what do you normally eat?" I asked her.
She looked back up to me. "My meals are varied. I have a wide selection available to me. I don't often eat the same thing."
"Oh. Well, alright. Do you eat meat?"
She shook her head. She grabbed the spoon on her plate and tried a bite of it. She didn't seem to hate it.
"What about you, Red? You don't eat meat, right?"
She looked to me, mouth full. She swallowed. "What? I wasn't paying attention."
"Are you interested in eating meat?"
"Are... Are you coming on to me?" she let out in disgust. She quickly realized her mistake. "Oh! No. No meat."
"Red, what was that?" Celestia asked her.
Red nervously looked down. "Nothing." she quickly answered.
"No, what was that?" she asked again.
"I-It's nothing, Princess. It was nothing." She was toying with her food, steadily looking down at her plate.
Celestia glared at her for a few moments, then took another bite of her food.
"S-So you're all vegetarians?" asked Sarah, changing the subject.
"That's right." said Celestia, "We choose not to eat it because it's not a part of our culture."
"Are you all from the same country?"
Chrysalis shook her head. "I'm not from the same country as them."
"Where are you all from?"
Celestia gave her the same roundabout answer she gave my family.
"Sounds exciting. What about you, Chrysalis?"
"I don't want to say."
"Oh... Alright... Well, that's a v-very unique name. There aren't m-many people around here n-named Chrysalis."
"There aren't many people where I'm from named Sarah."
"I s-suppose... And... And Celestia, your name is rather unique as well."
Celestia shrugged. "I suppose it is."
"It's... It's a Latin word, isn't it?"
"That's right. Do you know the meaning?"
"Y-Yes. In Latin, Celestia means heavenly."
She smiled at Sarah. "That's right. Heavenly, or of the sky." Wikipedia.
Sarah seemed proud of herself. She looked to Red. "And Red... It's... It's a..."
"Color, yes." she said.
"No, not that. Your name is... a nickname, right?"
Red nodded. "Can you guess where it came from?"
"Y-Your hair?"
"Yeah, probably."
"Is... Is your hair naturally red?"
"Yep. From the day I was born."
"It looks nice."
"Well, thank you, Sarah."
"Phil, more!" Celestia called to me, holding up her bowl.
I sighed. "Yep."
I filled her bowl with more and set it back onto the table. We were already low on munitions.
"This is pretty good." she said to me, continuing to eat.
"Did what I could."
"So Sarah..." She swallowed. "If we can get back to the matter at hand... Tell me about your home life."
"I... I live a... nice life. I live with my parents. My father is usually busy with work, b-but my mother is at home all the time to take care of me. My father is... He's a strict man. B-But he's also the one who got me into s-school, so I d-don't complain."
"Don't complain?" asked Celestia.
"I-I mean... H-He always does things with his family in mind."
Celestia paused. "Alright. So what does your father do for a living?"
"H-He doesn't say. He owns a country wide business, so he's always so busy."
"Very impressive... So you come from a wealthy family?"
"W-We're not that wealthy..."
"Oh, there's no need to be modest. I came from a very wealthy family, myself. Red procures and sells gems and jewelry, so she's wealthy as well."
Red gave her a sarcastic, "Oh, ha-ha."
Celestia smirked at her.
"Well... th-then... I suppose... Y-Yes, I come from a wealthy family. M-My father's business is very successful."
Celestia nodded.
"L-Like I said though, he's a busy man."
"What about your mother?"
Sarah's mood seemed to brighten. "My... My mother is a very nice woman. She always spends time with me when I want her too. Whenever I'm feeling down, I can always go to her for support." She let out a nervous chuckle. "She's not... the brightest woman out there... So when she sees me succeed in school, she's so proud of me..."
Celestia smiled. "How nice... So tell me, why did you take the job at McDonalds?"
"M-My father wanted me to get more experience working with people. At least until my next semester starts."
"Hmm..."
"That's smart." I said.
Sarah nodded. "I've also been volunteering at animal shelters and some local veterinarian offices in my spare time."
"My, my, what a busy woman you are..." said Celestia, "And you still get time to yourself?"
"I don't need much time. I enjoy working with animals."
Celestia's smile was very warm right now. She was enjoying this.
"Do you really need more experience? You seem to be great with people, to me."
"I... I've... I've never had an actual job before."
"I suppose."
"I've interned before, but it's all been... on my own... away from anyone else."
"She probably likes us." said Red, "That's why she seems fine to us. Right Sarah?"
"I... M-Maybe..."
"You like us, don't you, Sarah?" asked Celestia.
"Y-Yes..."
"Oh, how wonderful! We like you, too. Isn't that right, girls?" She turned to the others.
"Yeah, I like you, Sarah." said Red.
Chrysalis didn't speak.
Celestia looked to her. "Do you not like her, Chrysalis?"
She sighed in response, then gave us a smile. "I like her."
Celestia smiled. "Good."
"I haven't made any friends here before other than in our little group." said Red.
"I haven't made any friends since I moved here." said Sarah.
"Oh, how awful."
"Didn't you say your friends were all in college?" I asked her.
"They... They were in college. When I was s-still going, that is. It was... a lie..."
"Oh..."
"Well, we can be friends." said Celestia, "For the short time we have left here, at least."
"Phil... did say that you were leaving."
"That's right. I need to go back home every so often. It's a bit of a hassle, but we've been working through it. Right Phil?"
"Yeah, that's right."
"Red and Chrysalis also have to go home."
"Do I really have to go home?" asked Red, "I could just stay here and play video games all day."
"You are not staying here, Red."
"Aw, why not?"
Celestia flicked her eyes to Sarah, then looked back. "We can discuss this later, Red." she said.
"Alright..."
"I assume you'd like me to return as well?" asked Chrysalis.
"Chrysalis, please... Later."
She nodded, a small smile on her face.
"Why are you going back?" asked Sarah, "From what I've heard, you two... r-really... love each other. You're even engaged. You should be spending t-time with each other."
"It's a complicated matter." said Celestia, "I'd love to stay here with him, but right now, I cannot."
"She can't spend too much time with him or her wrinkles will start to show. They take breaks so he won't have the time to notice." Chrysalis let out.
"I AM NOT OLD!" Celestia shouted at her.
"Wow, that was cold, Chrysalis." said Red.
Red held up a fist towards her. Chrysalis eyed it, then looked up to Red's face with a confused look on her own.
"Come on, don't leave me hanging." Red shook her arm to get her point across.
Chrysalis slowly lifted her hand and bumped it against Red's closed fist.
"See, that wasn't so bad." said Red.
Chrysalis chuckled.
Celestia had a small smile on her face. She took in a breath. "What I wanted to happen was for us to meet every other month for the duration of the month. Unfortunately, I can't even get that much."
"How terrible..."
Celestia nodded. "There's business I need to attend to. I'm sorry, but I can't say any more."
"It's alright. I... I'm sorry to say this so s-suddenly... but I need to go home, s-soon. Can... Can Phil help me? Can he... come to d-dinner with me?"
Celestia smiled at Sarah. "You've been very nice to us this evening, not counting your intrusion." She took in a breath. "I'll allow it."
Sarah smiled. "Thank you, Celestia."
"Set up a time with him later." she said.
"Of course, of course."
"However, if I hear that you tried doing anything with my fiancé, I'm going to kill you." She said that with a smile, but I don't doubt that she was serious.
Both Chrysalis and Red were a little surprised by Celestia's words.
"Uh... Y-Yeah... D-Don't worry. I'm n-not gonna do anything... I kn-know that he h-has you, and... and... I'm n-not..." She stopped.
"Very good."
Sarah nervously looked down again.
"Now then, you don't want to worry your parents, do you?"
"No, y-you're right. I should go." She stood up.
"Phil, take her home. Chrysalis, I'd like to ask you to stay just a little while longer."
"Very well."
"G-Goodbye, everyone." Sarah let out.
"Goodbye, Sarah."
"Yeah, bye."
Chrysalis said nothing.
"Alright, let's head out." I said.
My keys were already in my pocket from before. I brought Sarah to my car, grabbing an umbrella on the way out.
When we were on our way to her house, she spoke up again.
"Hey, Phil?"
"What's up?"
"C-Celestia is very pretty."
"Yeah, she looks nice."
"Chrysalis and Red were really p-pretty, too..."
"Yeah."
"They're just... Wow..."
"Yeah..."
"S-So you met her just a few months ago?"
"I met her in the beginning of September. She left during October and came back in the beginning of this month."
"W-We met in the beginning of this month, t-too."
"That's right."
"It... It seemed to me that... you didn't know that she was... coming back. Did you?"
"No, I didn't."
"Oh... S-So..." She stopped.
"So, what?"
"N-Nothing... F-Forget about it."
I couldn't tell what she was going to say. Whatever...
I brought Sarah home as I had done before. This time, I just dropped her off in the driveway. We said goodbye to each other before parting ways.
I left to go back home. The rain wasn't letting up. I still had to take Chrysalis home. I wonder what Celestia needed from her. It was probably so she wouldn't have to walk in the rain.
I walked back into the house.
"Welcome back!" called Red.
I went into the kitchen where they were still sitting.
"So... does... does anyone else think that her father is abusive?" asked Red.
We all looked to her. Celestia spoke first. "It was on my mind, but I do not think he's abusive."
"He may be neglectful." said Chrysalis.
"Maybe." said Celestia, "It would explain why she's so shy."
"It's not any of our business." I said.
Celestia nodded. "Perhaps not. Phil, something else has been brought to my attention. Come, sit."
I got into the empty chair. Celestia was on one side of me, Chrysalis was on the other. Red was in front of me on the other side of the table.
"This is in regards to our return to Equestria." said Celestia. She was addressing all of us. "Chrysalis, you already know the risk, but Red likely does not. So Red, there is a reason for you to return home. There is a certain danger with the connection of our two worlds. Luna and I have noticed that the more ponies that come into this world, the more destabilized it becomes. This destabilization, while currently small and at the large, unnoticeable, can become bigger and more dangerous. While the effects of a larger destabilization are unknown, it grows in direct proportion to the number of beings that move between worlds."
"That sounds... pretty bad."
"It is. Again, these effects are unknown. We don't want to risk anything. Therefore, my sister and I have placed a limit of five beings at most in this world from our own. There are currently six of us."
"Six? Oh right, Chrysalis's men."
Celestia nodded. "I don't want you to think if this as a vacation."
"It's a vacation to you."
"I'm the Princess." she replied.
"Well, when they go home, it will be under five."
"Princess, there are already six from Equestria in this world." said Chrysalis, "The effects are still next to none. If Red wishes to spend time here, there would be no issue."
"Please do not undermine my efforts, Chrysalis. We don't actually know if there are no effects."
Chrysalis stayed silent.
"I trust that you will be returning home when the time comes, Chrysalis?"
"Indeed. My work here has been completed."
"Good. Red, any 'staying to play video games' that you might be doing will require you to stay the entire month."
Red grumbled. "I don't wanna stay for the month."
"Yeah, I don't really want you staying for a month, either." I said to her.
"What? I thought we were friends."
"Oh, shush."
"So... I could stay if I wanted, then?" she asked.
"No." I said to her.
"If he was ok with it, I could stay?" she asked.
Celestia nodded. "Yes."
Red had a thinking look on her face. "Alright."
Celestia turned to Chrysalis again. "You wouldn't ever want to stay here, would you?"
"Perhaps. I suppose we'll see."
Celestia sighed. "I doubt I could stop you, anyways."
Chrysalis chuckled. "This has been an interesting night. I didn't expect our little guest."
"Sarah was a real treat." said Red.
"She was kind." said Celestia.
"She had a cute stutter." said Red.
"Yes, I suppose."
"I noticed that she stuttered less the longer the conversation went on. She was warming up to us. That's why she stuttered a lot when she was speaking to Queen Chrysalis. She was scared of her."
"I'm not scary, am I?"
"You're terrifying." said Red.
She chuckled. "Perhaps you're right."
"Thank you, Queen Chrysalis, for agreeing to speak with me." said Celestia, "Thank you."
Chrysalis nodded. "Of course, Princess Celestia. I suppose it's time I took my leave, then."
Celestia smiled at her. "Goodbye, Queen Chrysalis."
"Goodbye. Phil."
"Ready to take off?" I asked.
She nodded.
"Alright. Be back soon." I told Celestia.
She smiled at me, then waved us goodbye.
Chrysalis and I walked to the car. We shared an umbrella since I wasn't smart enough to get another.
I got in my side first since it was closest. I gave her the umbrella so she could get in her own side.
After we left the driveway, Chrysalis spoke to me.
"Thank you, Phil." she said.
"No problem."
"Not just for the ride home." she said, "Thank you for convincing me to meet your Princess."
"I'm glad things worked out between you two."
"Indeed. I'm glad that I have my bear again."
"That thing was really that important to you, huh?"
"Yes. I don't like that both of the Princesses know about it, but I know that it was unavoidable."
"I guess. Yeah, sorry."
"I expected our meeting to end in disaster."
"You can't say that you expect something to happen if you cause it yourself."
She chuckled. "No, that's not what I meant. You know Phil, there's a reason we have a rivalry. The last time I met her, I attacked her. I expected a trap. I expected hostility from her."
"Celestia ain't so bad once you get to know her."
"It would seem so... Red was as wary of me as I expected. She seemed to calm down once I had received my bear. I suppose I hold no grudge against her."
"That's nice. That's nice..."
She gave off an unexpected laugh. "I didn't expect you to cook for us. It was a nice meal."
"Well, thank you."
When we got to her house, she paused in the car.
"Come in, please. I'd like to discuss something with you."
"Got something private to say?"
She got out. "Come." She closed the door.
I got out as well and followed her to the house. She opened the door. We walked in.
"Where... are your men?" I asked, not seeing them in the front room.
"They've gone home."
"Home? What do you mean, home?"
"Home. They're in Equestria."
I was immediately put on edge. "So... you lied."
"Yes."
"You can send them home?"
"Yes."
"Why would you lie to Celestia?"
"I have my reasons."
"Wh..." I can't push it with her. I need to stay calm... "What did you want to discuss with me?"
She turned to face me. "Tell me, what will you do when I betray your Princess and her treaty?" she asked me.
I looked to her with a surprised look on my face. "Are... Are you serious?"
She smirked. "I know that you love your Princess. I know... that you also love me. It's flattering, really. Unexpected, but flattering."
"I'm starting to not like the idea of staying here." I said to her, taking a step back to the door, staring at her with an angry expression.
"No, no, I understand. I understand. You may leave, if you want. But first, I would like you to listen to my request."
I paused. What did she want?
"Good." She crossed her arms over her chest. "I'm going to tell you a secret. Princess Luna has been researching a way to allow you into Equestria."
"I... W-Wow... Really?"
"This, I imagine, comes as no real shock to you."
"I... suppose not... but... I didn't think that..."
"Unfortunately, she's never going to find her answer. I've pilfered her libraries. Any book that may have the information she needs is gone. I have them. I've been researching the same thing."
"Why would you want to bring someone to Equestria?"
"Not someone. You."
"Why me?"
She stepped towards me. "The love you feel for me is as genuine as the love you feel for your Princess." Another step. She placed her hand on my cheek. I glanced at it. "It's been a... long time since anybody has been in love with me."
Being this close to her was unsettling. Her beautiful face was so close to mine. "I'm feeling very uncomfortable right now, Chrysalis." I said to her, grabbing the wrist near my face and pulling it away.
"Come with me to Equestria." she said to me, "Become mine. With your love, I would be the most powerful being in Equestria. We could rule together as King and Queen."
"No, Chrysalis."
"No?"
I stepped away from her again. "I'm not breaking up with Celestia. Not for you, and not for anyone else." I was ready to run right now.
She crossed her arms. "As I suspected... Very well. Stay here, I have a gift for you."
She disappeared into her bedroom. I thought about leaving as soon as she turned around. Maybe it was curiosity or greed, but I stayed where I was.
She returned with three books in her arms. "Here. Take these to your Princess."
"These... These are..."
"I cannot actually promise that these will allow you to travel to our world, but if you can, it will be within these pages."
My eyes opened wide in shock. "You... had these?"
She nodded, then set them down onto the table in her front room. "Phil... What I said to you today... It was something private. I did not expect you to leave your Princess, nor did I expect you to believe my feelings were genuine. Maybe they were..." She sighed. "I'm lonely, Phil. These past few days that I've spent with you have been nice. I'm sorry to say, we won't be meeting again any time soon."
She raised her hand and opened a portal behind her.
"Are you going?" I asked her.
"I am. Don't worry about any betrayal. I'm not a fool." She paused. "I've enjoyed being your friend for the brief period that I was. Goodbye, Phil."
"Goodbye, Chrysalis." I said to her.
She paused for a few moments. She seemed to be hesitating.
She stepped forward, wrapping her arms around me in a hug. I returned her embrace.
We parted. She took one last look at me, then stepped through the portal. It closed immediately.
I hope she wasn't lying again. She's good at that...
I looked to the books she had given me. Only one thought was going through my mind right now...
I might go to Equestria.