Chryssy [Filly Chrysalis]

>It’s a quiet day today as you sit in the town square reading a book that Twilight pushed onto you like you’re a part of her book club or something.
>You get it, not everyone in this town reads so she’s excited to have a book buddy but this trashy romance novel hurts to read.
“Galloping abs? I think I’m done for the day,” you mutter as you close the book.
>Already you’re bored as you lean back and survey the town, looking for something or someone to entertain you. Everyone either seems busy or is a complete stranger except for the little filly bouncing over to you.
>“Anon, you look how I feel,” she calls out in a cheery tone.
“Shouldn’t you be in school?”
>“Lunch break and I’m hungry,” she whines.
>“I packed you food-”
“Not that kind of hungry... Here, rub my belly.”
>Chrysalis then dives onto your lap, hooves in the air and flashing you a cheeky little grin.
>You try and keep a straight face but you’re a softie for any and all things cute. With a bright smile rub your hand runs along her hard and cold shell.
>You wouldn’t think she could feel a belly rub but here she is, laying there with closed eyes and a content smile.
>As she lies there, seemingly asleep from the touch, one of her hind legs give an instinctive kick when you brush over a little too close to her sides.
>That’s where a ticklish is that you tend forgot about, so now that you recall you pause the belly rubs for a moment and plot.
>“Anon,” Chrysalis says in a wary tone as her eyes shoot open.
“Yeah Chryssy?”
>Before you can reach out to tickle her, she commando rolls off your lap and onto the floor with a thud.
>She’s instantly on the defensive, keeping a lengthy distance between the two of you just in case you try again.
>So instead you give a smug grin, lean back and open your book back open.
>“Do I have to go back to school?”
>Remaining quiet, you focus on your book because she already knows the answer so you’d rather not feed that craving for attention.
>But Chrysalis is not exactly the type to give up, she taps your leg, dramatically rolls around and calls out for attention.
>“Anoooooonn~! Aaannooooooooon... Anon. Anon. Anon. Anon.”
“Quit it,” you grunt.
>She shuffles in her spot, kicks some dirt and is about to start up with her whining again but Twilight appears almost out of nowhere.
>“Hey Anon, how goes the book?” She says as she takes a seat beside you.
“Honestly Twi? It’s not my kind of book. I tend to go for the fantasy kind of books.”
>You glance over you book to Chrysalis, who is glaring at Twilight as she sits there silently.
>While she’s never been a fan of the book mare, or anyone else really but especially not Twilight, you try and think of a way to get these two closer.
>“That is fantasy.”
“Heh, not THIS kind of fantasy.”
>“Oh, well, I was actually about to-”
>“Go?” Chrysalis interrupts, “Anon and I were talking.”
>You give her a stern look of disapproval but she holds her head high, clearly thinking she’s not in the wrong.
>“Oh… Sorry, I didn’t realise. I’ll come back.”
“Actually rude little Chryssy here is the one who is about to go. Back to school.”
>“But-”
>This time you look at her firmly, trying to look like an actual parent as best you can.
>You’re not about to let her skip school because she’s not interested and on top that, her attitude isn’t helping matters.
>She seems to get the picture right away though, Chrysalis only stomps in protest before quickly before pottering off to school in a foul mood, muttering something under her breath along the way.
>You even see her turn and poke her tongue once she’s a fair distance away as some last little bit of defiance.
>Once she’s gone, you continue to talk to Twilight who drones on and on about the books she’s about to order in and offers to let you have a look if anything might want ordered too.
>With little else to do, you agree to spend most of the afternoon there, cycling through books and occasionally talking to Twilight about whatever she thinks is excited at the time.
>Usually books.

-----

>It’s starting to get late.
>The warm orange glow of the sun can barely be seen from the horizon as the night cloaks the sky.
>Suddenly, the door is violently swung open, breaking your attention from the window and to the tiny changeling is standing there flashing a wide and fanged grin.
>“All the kids have to go home so let’s go play Anon,” she cheers.
“Shh,” you reply before turning your attention to the bookshelves.
>She scurries over and scoffs at you, “Don’t shush me,” she demands as she tugs you pant leg, “now let’s go.”
>You let out a sigh as you still try to search the bookshelf.
> This is about the third time you’ve scanned over the same shelf, looking for a book that Twilight said was here. Yet you can’t see it.
>You’re not sure whether Twilight somehow screwed up in all her incessant ordering or if you’re just blind.
>“Anoooooon, I’m bored.”
>You look down at her as she rolls around on the floor like a toddler having a temper tantrum which has you at a loss.
>You’re not sure how to handle this so you turn back to the books to then notice the book but as you reach out Chrysalis cries out for attention.
>Again!
“Fine,” you groan in defeat, “how about we… play a prank?”
>There’s a warmth in your chest as her mood swiftly changes into a broad, mischevous grin and peppy attitude reminds you of a puppy.
>She’s so easily excitable.
>“What? How? Who? Where? When?”
“I have an idea but first, can you change into Spike?”
>She gives a nod before taking a seat on the spot.
>Then closes her eyes and hums as she tries to focus intently.
>As time passes, Chrysalis’ cheeks begin to change colour.
>You’d guess she’s holding her breath because once she reaches a shade similar to Spike’s, she takes in a deep breath before slumping onto the floor.
>“Nope not that good yet. Think of something else.”
>You bury your face into your hands and suppress a groan.
>Her constant mood swings tend to make you chuckle but it’s more of an annoyed laugh than anything but this time you’re feeling a little at the end of your rope.
>All she wants is to play and get all the attention, and while you understand that she feeds on it, you don’t exactly have the energy to do it 24/7.
>Between a gap in your fingers you can see her, you can see her trying to look up at you with large and pleading puppy eyes.
>You close your eyes and try to stay mad but the image is locked firmly in the mind and so, all of your will to resist fades.
“Chryssy, I’m actually here for something important. I need you to behave and be quiet just for a little while. Then we’ll go play all you want at home, please.”
>“No.”
>Again she stamps her hoof to protest.
>Now you’re actually annoyed. A little twitch in your leg echoes through you as you try to remain calm.
“Don’t tell me no-”
>“No! I want to play now.”
“Go bother someone else if you’re going to be like this,” you reply, rising to tower above her while shouting in an aggressive tone.
>“You know what,” she yells back, “fine!”
>She storms out, slamming the door behind her.
>Twilight pokes her head into the room, looking over for if it’s safe to enter the room.
>“Is everything okay in here?” she asks.
“Yeah, probably just a phase. I think,” you reply flatly as you stare into the book.
>Twilight shrugs then goes back to whatever it was she was up to as you practice some breathing exercises.
>You flick through the pages of this book, stopping randomly to skim the page to see if it’s any good.
>A lot of it seems to be crap you already could guess or just feel good pep talk crap.
>An overwhelming feeling of disappointment weighs you do down, then again, you shouldn’t have expect much out of a how to book on parenting.
>With a hefty sigh, you put the thing back before heading home where you’re guessing Chrysalis will be.
>Probably angry about what just happened.
>And for good reason causing you direct all that disappointment at yourself.

-----

>Once you make it home, you begin searching for the little terror of temper tantrums but to no success.
>Usually she scurries under her bed or in the closet when she’s in a foul mood but this time, she’s nowhere. You can’t seem to find her in any other spot you think of either so she’s clearly outside still.
>Which worries you.
>It’s not that you think the town isn't safe, the ponies here would feel guilty if they swatted a fly but she’s always supposed to be back after sunset just as a general rule.
>You decide to go find her and drag her home if you have to but as you open the door Chrysalis, who had been sitting in front of it probably the entire time you were in, lets out a startling yelp.
“Why aren’t you inside?”
>“It’s still light out. I don’t need to be.”
“Right, well, get in,” you stammer.
>She does as she’s told, slouching on the couch as soon as she’s inside.
>You take a seat on the chair opposite of it while you fumble over when and how to apologise.
>“Chryssy… I’m s… Sorry for snapping earlier.”
>She pauses and thinks, you’re not sure what about.
>Her expression seems blank, not giving you a clue about how she’s feeling or what’s going through her head.
>“Why did you?”
“I’ve just been… Stressed and you misbehaving wasn’t helping.
>“Didn’t think you’d notice, after all, you spent most of the day with the bookworm,” she says in an irritated tone.
“Of course I’d notice. What has Twilight got to do with this?”
>Chrysalis sits there, pouting and refusing to answer so you lean back in silence and wait.
>Patience was never one her virtues, so eventually she let’s out a groan and comes out with the answer.
>“You wouldn’t play with me today because of her. You always give her all the attention.”
“I don’t. But, if it seems like I do it’s because we’re good friends.”
>“Psh, please. Who’s want to be friends with her? She only talks about books and facts she found in the books.”
>You give a low laugh before moving beside her and placing her on your lap.
>Chrysalis lays there as you begin to run your fingers through her long, unkempt mane which is more than a little greasy.
>Strands of it are stuck together and you can feel how oily it is but it straightens and softens itself out as you gently glide your fingers through it.
>You just put up with the grossness of it because you know she’ll never wash her hair, no matter how hard you try.
>But you keep at it, softly splitting them as you continue to glide your fingers through her hair.
>“School sucks,” she mutters with puffy cheeks.
“And why’s that?”
>“Because everyone’s so boring. They all want to do the same thing over and over again.”
>“What about the crusaders? They’re always doing something different.”
>She just groans, like the answer should be obvious to you.
>You pause for a moment, unsure what to say.
>If you were a pony, comforting people wouldn’t be your special talent, normally with friends you’d just offer to take them out somewhere or just shove a grilled cheese sandwich under their nose.
>Which tends to work pretty well as far as you know but you don’t think that’ll work given you’re as close to a parental figure as you could get.
“That’s just their hobby.”
>“Sounds boring.”
“There’s nothing wrong with a hobby.”
>“Are you implying I don’t have a hobby?”
“Do you?”
>“Love is my hobby,” she seems to boasts.
“Food is not a hobby,” you reply with a giggle.
>“Your gut doesn't agree.”
“Speaking of, I need to make dinner,” you remind yourself as you get up and set to work on preparing a meal.

-----

>Shortly after dinner is over, you send Chrysalis to bed and do the same yourself.
>You’re not tired though so you spend who knows how long staring into the dark at the wall.
>Eventually you feel yourself beginning to drift off but then a low whisper startles you.
>“Anon?”
“Chryssy?”
>“I had... I can’t sleep,” she softly calls out from your doorway.
“I'm not pulling that monster shtick again. Falling for it once was bad enough, go back to bed,” you reply, your voice sounding croaky and coarse.
>“... Can I sleep in your bed?”
>Before you answer, you can the shuffling of the blanket by your feet as she worms her way in.
>After the little lump quickly works its way up to you, her head pops out from under the blanket, flashing her bright jade eyes and those pearly white fangs that creep into an uneasy smile.
>Even with it being so dark, her eyes seem to glow as she waits for a reply.
“Alright,” you groan, “Just for tonight though.”
>“Heh, you said that last night too you know,” Chrysalis smugly replies.
>She shoves her way in between your chest and arm before resting her head on your shoulder.
>You can feel her breath on your chest as she tries to go to sleep which is kind of soothing, making it easier for you to do the same.
>“Goodnight Anon,” she says with a content coo.
“Night Chryssy.”

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>The morning comes and so you wake, your eyes slowly drift open to let in the hot glare of sunlight in.
>You raise your hand to shield your eyes as you try to lie there for a while, unable to find the willpower to get up.
>That is until you hear a clatter pots and pans in the kitchen.
>With a heavy sigh, you commando roll out of bed and enter the kitchen to find that Chrysalis has made a mess.
>Pots, pans, utensils and all sorts of food is spread everywhere.
“You want to explain what you’re doing?” You grunt, startling the bug filly.
>“Woah, you look like crap,” she exclaims.
>Looking into the reflection of the oven mirror you can see she’s right.
>Your hair climbs in all sorts of directions to resemble an eldritch horror, suitcases heavily hang under your eyes and you’re only in your briefs.
>The one that has a hole in the side.
“Thanks. Now what are you doing?”
>“Making us breakfast. Well… More like brunch now I guess. You were taking forever to wake up.”
“Could have woken me,” you dryly answer as you pick up some of the pile that still looks clean to put back where it belongs.
>Chrysalis ignores you, humming to herself as she tries to work out what she’s after, even grabbing some things back out after you just put it away.
>“Sit.”
“What?”
>“Sit,” she repeats in bossy tone, “I’m making breakfast for once.”
>Still worn out, you decide to take a seat.
>You ask yourself if she has any taste buds or if her taste palette is even anything like yours.
>You’ve never heard protests about what you've cooked before but considering she is of a different species and gets just about all her sustenance from love, attention, affection and the rest of that girly nonsense; you haven’t got a clue how this will go.

-----

>After thirty or so minutes of mess making, demands for you to stay seated and questions that are cut short as she struggles to make something.
>Anything.
>Bizarre, unintelligible smells and weirdly shaped piles of food make it impossible to work out anything but luckily, she gives up and grabs some chocolate pudding from the fridge.
>“Ta-da,” she says flatly, “Let’s just eat these.”
“Don’t get so down. Nobody can expect you to do something you don’t know how to do,” you tell her, giving your all to be reassuring.
>She just nods as she digs into her pudding. She’s staring into it, almost past it as she eats.
>It’s clear she’s upset and lost in her own thoughts.
>You’ve never been sure how to cheer people up so you try and ponder what to do next as you eat. Then Chrysalis finishes and then looks up to you.
>“Want another? I’ve got a few.”
“Nah, it wouldn’t be a good idea for me to eat more than the one.”
>“Oh... Why?”
“It’s not healthy,” you tell her as you finish, ”And you know what they say, you are what you eat.”
>“Oh-ooo! Does that mean I’m… lovely?” She snickers.
>You chuckle a little, it’s nice to know she’s able to cheer herself up.
“And with that, we’re done,” you say, rising from your seat.
>“What?!”
“We’re going to Twilight’s. Go get ready for the day.”
>“Why?!”
“To hang out. Now get yourself cleaned up.”

-----

>The two of you arrive at Twilight’s door.
>A very moody Chrysalis has refused to look up from the floor and has been grumbling to herself like a gremlin non-stop.
>“Oh hi Anon,” answers Twilight before you can even knock.
“How’d you-”
>“I saw you when I was looking out my balcony. You’re kind of hard to miss.”
>Now Chrysalis’ gaze is very fixed on Twilight.
>She looks like she’s trying to make Twilight’s head explode with only her thoughts or attempting to shoot lasers out of her eyes.
>You feel like you should tell her stop but you also think it’s best not to draw attention to her shenanigans.
>As you debate in your head which to go with, Twilight invites you in which makes your decision for you. Ignoring her.
>“So what brings you two here today?”
“Just wanted to see if you’re up for hanging out.”
>She excitedly claps her hooves together and nods.
>“I’d love--Actually, wait, I’ve got a few things to finish up for the library then I’m free for the day.”
“Okay, well you do your thing.”
>“You sure? I mean, I won’t be long but you don’t have to wait around if you don’t want--”
“Ugh, get a room you two,” interrupts the irritated groan of Chrysalis.
>“Chryssy, don’t be rude.”
>“It’s alright. Anyway, I’ll be just a little while.”
>As Twilight sorts out her business you glance over the book shelves for nothing in particular.
>Chrysalis on the other hand curls up in the centre of the room and waits. It’s obvious she’s not happy about this but you’re not giving her a choice.
>Twilight is probably your best friend so you don’t like that she doesn’t get along with her.
>Besides Twilight seems just fine around her, it’s just Chrysalis with the problem.
>“Can I go?”
“No.”
>She rolls onto her back and spread her hooves out with a bothered whine.
>You ignore her and just browse the library again.
>Eventually, you get bored and get into a talk with Twilight which ends up distracting the both of you.
>Time passes by and it takes a while until you notice.
“Oh, dammit. I actually came here for Chryssy,” you exhale.
>“Is she after a book?”
“No. She’s supposed to be getting to know you.”
>“Oh,” Twilight replies while a little taken aback, “Why?”
“I’m sure you’ve noticed the anger management issues towards you.”
>“heh, she just craves attention.”
“I know, but I figured if she got to know you, she’d be a little less hostile about it. Besides, I want her to get along with my best friend.”
>“Yeah,” she replies in a deflating tone.
>You walk over to Chrysalis who hasn’t moved but is fast asleep.
>Her little chest rises and falls with every breath and a croaky little snore can be heard every so often.
>With a snort of laughter, you kneel down and give her a poke.
>“Ungh,” she grunts as she tries to swat you away.
>Again, you poke and this time she stirs.
>“Why,” she tiredly mutters, “I was having a wonderful nightmare.”
“Enjoying a nightmare?”
>“Nightmares should always be appreciated. They make the waking life all the more appealing,” she grumbles as she rolls onto her feet to stretch.
>A few joints can be heard cracking followed by a pleased wheeze from Chrysalis.
>“That’s an interesting way of looking at them,” Twilight notes.
>“Yes, but I’ll need one doozy of a nightmare for this moment,” she blurts.
>Twilight chuckles but you’re not amused.
>But you’d rather avoid discipline in front of Twilight, you’ll only cause unnecessary embarrassment so instead, you try to start a conversation between the two.
“So Twilight, you know how to cook, right?”
>“Of course. I’ve studied all kinds of cookbooks. I know all sorts of cuisines for gryphons, dragons, ponies, minotaur and so on.”
“Would you mind teaching Chryssy here? Turns out she’s a dreadful cook.”
>Twilight lets out a shocked gasp before harshly criticising you.
>“Anon, don’t be so rude,” states defensively.
“What?”
>“Picking on poor Chryssy like that.”
>Chrysalis perks up from her spot and joins in.
>“Yeah Anon, how could you bully me like that?”
>She feigns sobbing but even when she hangs her head low, you can still see a toothy smirk.
“Oh, come on, I didn’t mean it like that--”
>“Enough Anon,” Twilight interrupts with a stomp of her hoof.
>She gives you a knowing wink while Chrysalis pokes out her tongue with a smug grin as she trots over to Twilight’s side.
>The two then discuss some plans for what to cook before taking off into the kitchen without a word to you.
>You’ll admit you’re glad they’re doing something together but you can’t help but feel bad about it now.

-----

>The rest of the day goes by, it was pretty uneventful by it’s usual standards.
>Twilight and Chrysalis make a mess in the kitchen but it gets cleaned up with the aid of magic.
>Chrysalis eats all her dinner and goes to bed without a fuss which hangs on your mind even as you fall asleep.
>You’ll have to ask Twilight what they did or if she said anything because you’ve never seen the little menace so well behaved.
>“Anon?” Chrysalis whispers.
>You’re still not quite awake so you don’t respond.
>The low dim of sunlight suggests it hasn’t even risen yet so you’re not planning to either.
>There’s a shuffling on the bed as she climbs up and moves closer to your face.
>“Still sleeping?”
>Her voice is barely above a hushed murmur and sounds soothing, innocent almost.
>It’s like you can hear a smile behind her words which fills you with a pleased warmth.
>Then you feel the tingling sensation of magic around your lips as they are suddenly forced open and a rolled pancake is shoved in.
>“Breakfast time,” she cheers as you jolt upright, coughing and spluttering, “Oh yeah, let me whip up some cream for that.”
>She’s out of the room faster than you can unjam the battered disc out of your throat; leaving you confused, out of breath and a little vulnerable from the assault.
>Your mind is still in a daze and half asleep so you look over the pancake to really process what is going on.
>It’s pretty large and one side is all flaky from being burnt but the other is a dark, golden brown.
>Considering the difficulty she had yesterday, you’re pretty proud of her but you’d still bet there’s an egg shell or a spoon inside of it.
>“How does it taste?”
>You take a small bite as Chrysalis leaps onto the bed, a silver bowl full of whipped cream floating beside her.
“Not bad… I like it. Little more practice and you’ll be a regular pancake chef.”
>Her grin hits the brims of her cheeks with pride the moment you compliment her.
>You’ve probably inflated that ego about ten fold with that.
>Even with the menacing little set of teeth, she’s got a cute smile.
>“I’m glad you liked it. I’ve also made other stuff,” she hastily adds, “there’s sandwiches, scrambled eggs, fruit salad, lots more pancakes and even a steak which is a little burnt but I promise is still good.”
“Thanks Chryssy but I’m not sure if I could eat all that,” you answer with a chuckle.
>You take a look at Chrysalis who is eagerly sitting on the end of the bed, smiling so widely at you.
>Her usual greasy and messy mane seems wet and smoothed out.
>It still looks pretty much the same but it has a healthier shine to it.
“Did you bathe?” You ask in disbelief.
>“Yeah,” she gleefully nods.
“What did… Twilight say to you?”
>The smile fades at the mention of the library pony’s name and she gives an irritated grunt.
“What?! I thought you two got along yesterday?”
>“She taught me to cook. That doesn’t stop her being an annoying little attention grabber,” she replies, clicking her tongue in disapproval.
“Heh, and here I thought Twilight somehow knows-”
>You cut yourself off, slumping back into the pillows with a defeated exhale.
>“What?”
>There’s a nervous twitching feeling in your arm as a sense of uselessness spreads in your heart.
>Talking about it might help but you get the feeling you’d be asking the wrong person.
>Even still, you want to tell her. Apologise too but your voice catches.
>Your jaw feels wired shut almost so you close your eyes and focus on dismissing the problem entirely.
>At least... for now. Twilight has to have some answers.
“Nothing.”
>Chrysalis now sits on your chest, looking down at you with a furrowed stare.
>You open your mouth several times to speak but instead only let out a held gasp of air and close it.
>But she doesn’t let it go.
>She sits there, her brows burrowing deeper and glare getting more irked by the second.
“Quit that.”
>“Then answer, what is the matter?”
“I… Don’t know how to be a parent.... I thought--maybe Twilight might be able to help since she cared for Spike all this time.”
>“Oh, that’s all?”
>With her curiosity sated, she lays on your chest.
>Her hooves stretched out to hug you while her face rests over your heart.
“I’m sorry… I just don’t know what I’m supposed to do.”
>“You do alright. Nobody can expect you to do something you don’t know how to do, I mean you may let me get away with a little too much but I’m not complaining,” she responds before rubbing her face across your collar to get more comfortable.
“Really?”
>“Yes. Thank you Anon.”
“You’re welcome,” you reply with a content sigh.
>You place one hand on Chrysalis’ head and begin to pat her.
>Running your fingers through her mane from time to time.
>It still feels wet, she probably has been air drying it but you don’t mind.
>For now, you’re letting the comfort set it.
>As you lie there you can feel a warm vibration, like something is tugging insider your chest that you’ve felt before.
>It’s the feeling of Chryssy feeding off your emotions.
>So, even though you don’t feel like you’re doing well as a parent and the nerves of it all haven’t gone away for a moment, you focus on the way things are right now.
>In the bliss of things, you look down at a very fulfilled filly resting but behind her is a familiar silver bowl sitting upside down on the bed and surrounded by whipped cream.
>You thrust your head back into the pillow with an unhappy cackle as you also remember how much Chryssy said she had been cooking. Which you’ll have to clean up after this.

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