HorseInTheHat

Literally the thing that pulled me into the fandom, I love FoE to death and the worldbuilding of it all is just neat to me.

Her attention would shift towards the Prince, she'd tilt her head and let out a small sigh, shifting around where she stood. The offer was tempting, though the mare was beginning to grow tired. "No I- Ah, I'd suppose I could stay for a little longer. But, the other princess is here too? Seems a little strange, all of the important creatures to the nation in one place." An odd thought, though she was sure the celebration made the temporary risk worth it. She'd go along with their festivities for now, it wouldn't last all night so what's the harm? Erzats would flash a smile as Midnight approached once more, shaking her head "No worries, I promise." A tired look in her eyes as she'd blink, listening to his offer and smirking a little, she wouldn't mind a tour at all. Though as he stepped forth and hugged her the Changeling would stiffen up suddenly as if in shock, she'd remain still for a moment, a brief shudder running through her body as the mare would gently rest one of her hooves around him. Erzats would feel so strange where she stood, she was enjoying this don't get me wrong, though the show of affection, the stallion's sweet words? She didn't know what to think. The Changeling would lean into the hug a little more, before releasing the Thestral and raising her head, chuckling "You really think so? I- I'm.. Look, you tell me whenever you'd like to give me that tour, huh? It's been a long night, but I'm looking forward to seeing you again, Midnight." She tried to act cool, mind racing with the uncertainty of what she should say, or even do! Realizing that her own General and the Pony's own could've witnessed this made the situation worse.

The Changeling mare would have stumbled through the dance well enough, holding onto the Night Guard as she moved along with him, she had.. Some thoughts on being this close to somepony lingered in her mind, and her eyes seemed fixated on Midnight. Though as their dance came to a close Erzats would bow after the Night Guard had done so himself, she'd offer a warm smile, showing off those fangs of hers and offering up some words; "No, thank you Midnight. I er.. Needed a little distraction, but I'm afraid I must head out so I can't steal you for another. This was fun though, perhaps we could meet again sometime?"

She would chuckle "It's a skill. With enough grace I think it could count as a dance?" The Changeling would look at his hoof as it touched hers. Erzats would smile "I've seen so many before; but only recently put what I've observed to use. No worries about the hooves, I'm liable to trip over myself anyways, balance is.. tricky." The changeling would note the discolor on his face, wondering to herself.. Though, she'd move along as they began, resting one of her hooves along his waist, watching her steps to make sure she didn't make a mistake right at the beginning.

Erzats would stand still as he'd place his damaged hoof upon her, she'd sigh and look at it. "It would never be like that- My place is among my kind, but it's.. Fun I guess, feeling like somepony else. See more of these lands, maybe even Griffon or Dragon territory?" She'd muse to herself a little bit, chuckling "I'd have to tell the hive about it, all the weird little things I'd find, people too." Just thinking as Ersatz would look at the sky for a few moments Then the night guard would approach, and the changeling mare wouldn't catch the sound of his hoofsteps, though his voice was caught by her. She'd shift her gaze, getting a bit of a tilt of the head as he introduced himself, wondering if he was going to ask them to stay out of the gardens.. With the question the Lieutenant had posed, she'd look a little confused blinking and looking to Crothor and then back to the Night Guard. "I uh.. Wouldn't mind, I'd suppose. I have a name though, I'm Erzats and it's nice to meet you." Offering her hoof for a bit of a shake. (Sorry if I'm being a bit of a hassle with these response times I don't mean to make the wait an eternity)

The presence would be felt by Erzats, she paid no mind to it, focusing on the General before her. "I'm.. overwhelmed, that whole crowd, those ponies in the Prince's office. It's easy when I look like them, I don't have to worry about them staring." She'd erupt in a flash of green light, herself now appearing as a grey Pegasus mare, featuring the same emerald green eyes that Erzats had. "I wasn't actually feeling too disoriented using our magic, it just feels wrong that I'm more comfortable like this than in my own form." After a brief moment she'd sigh, as quick as she had manifested her disguise she was back to looking like a Changeling again. "I just.. need rest, and I'll stop thinking about it."

Erzats would make hey way back into the garden as she and vesper had found themselves in before, keeping mind not to head further into the gardens, where the statue of their former Queen resided. She'd stretch her wings as she came to a halt, looking back at her General. "So.. what were you wanting to say?" She'd try and ask casually. Seeming more relaxed at the moment, taking a glance around to see if anyone could've been watching them from afar.

The Changeling mare would nod, watching Vesper as he'd walk off, and then start off towards the exit. "I'm fine, really. Just tired is all, our magic does a number on my senses." She'd offer up an excuse, whether it would be believed is uncertain; Though it was something at the least. She'd try not to focus on the crowds around her, or the ponies she'd been talking to previously, making a quick exit and keeping her head down.

Erzats would shake her head, blinking "No it's alright, though I actually wanted to head out for a little if you two wished to stay, get some 'Fresh air', y'know? I'd meet you both back at camp." She was in fact a little over being around ponies, and some rest could likely do the Changeling some good. That lingering dread kept itself known to her from before. "If that's fine, General." She'd add, almost a pleading look in her emerald green eyes, though her expression would remain somewhat neutral, yet I'm sure with his position and care for those serving under him, Crothor might pick up on her mannerisms and sub-par poker face to know she didn't want to stay, or at least undisguised that is.

The Changeling would've followed along a little reluctantly, though she'd tilt her head at his comment about organs, she wasn't sure if he meant the instrument or.. internal organs. She'd make a bit of a face, nodding awkwardly. Yet, she'd go along with the dance rather well if that's what the prince had escorted her for. Erzats would move well enough with the motions with not too much difficulty, worried of all the eyes on them during all of this. As her dance with the Unicorn Prince concluded, she'd offer a bow and a quick word "Thank you, Prince Blueblood." Before making her way back to Crothor and Vesper. The situation still felt horribly odd, though Erzats was easing up to everything.

Of all, Erzats presumed Chrysalis had been around for longer- Since the beginning of time, perhaps. Her knowledge seemed limitless, even though all of her wisdom did her nothing in the end. While keeping track of her subordinates' ages proved difficult.. Since distinguishable features proved far and few between, for the most part. She'd nod slowly, blinking at the Prince's words, chuckling a little herself "Oh- That makes enough sense." Offering a small, fanged smile at the Stallion mentioning it was 'Good to know' her, she figured it might be a little.. Forced, yet the gesture was appreciated. Setting her hoof down and would loosely follow the group, yet kept to the sidelines for now, looking a little awkward as she tried to occupy herself in thought.

"I guess 'Interesting' could be a way to put it.. Come to think of it, hope that duke wasn't.. Too upset, eh? Or the other ponies that we may have.. 'Replaced'" She'd take a glance over to Crothor, chuckling a little to herself. "But- you said a thousand years? Ponies live for that long? Or is that just an expression?" Her expression would brighten up at the thought, in a sense, tilting her head and eagerly awaiting an answer. After a few moments of thinking to herself, she'd offer her hoof a little awkwardly to the Unicorn Prince "My name is Erzats, by the way. If.. Interesting is something that's needed at these parties, I'm sure we could stop by again, or I possibly could. I cannot speak for all of us."

She wasn't sure if the prince was actually offering such a thing, looking to her superior and fellow subordinate. To herself, she didn't mind their relationship much, it wasn't any of her business. Even though she felt strange being around them being affectionate in general, expecting more behavior of that kind from their 'Reformed' counterparts. "I er.. Do you throw these events often, Prince Blueblood?" She'd ask him by name, unaware she never really did have a good chance to introduce herself with how she was acting, looking around before focusing on the Unicorn before her. An attempt to make small talk, as she'd shift on her hooves.

She would nod, looking over at Crothor and Vesper as they spoke. "I understand- It will not be a future issue, General. For what it's worth, I will promise you that." Erzats had begun feeling unwell, after the garden, after all of that really. She'd tilt her head and sigh "Yet, if I wasn't being unreasonable there would not have been a reason to venture away at all." Something was biting at her.. Yet, she tried not to say too much. She'd shift on her hooves, looking away again. "I think I will retire for the night, think some things over, unless if there is anything needed of myself." To which Erzats would spot the Unicorn prince from a corner of her vision, stiffening up for a few moments before easing her posture, blinking and waiting for him to speak, another tilt of the head before she'd respond "You tell me, I've heard.. Many stories of Ponies forgiving those who wronged them, even with.. Well- Yeah.. But I regret providing that outburst in your office. It's been a difficult time. I apologize for the distress I have caused as well as the interruptions." She'd almost trail off as she'd said 'Even with', going to mention before stopping herself, how her queen saw their forgiveness as weakness, the inability to overcome showered in a veil of harmony, and the inability to act. It wasn't something Erzats herself believed fully, yet as she saw more of their kind her perspective shifted more against such a line of thinking.

She was in fact omitting details, Erzats was enjoying a glass of champagne in the crowd, enjoying a little moment away from responsibility, among other things feeling like someone else. The mare would sigh yet again "It's.. easier when they don't know you're a changeling. I hate the looks they give us. Like we're the monsters for what we are, how we survive." Uttering with a more.. somber tone. Yet she'd go quiet again after she spoke, blinking profusely for a few moments. Erzats would keep her distance as the two got close, averting her gaze slightly, pretending to keep watch of their surroundings so she didn't stare during their moment "I apologize, General. I didn't know what I was thinking with that outburst. I hope it didn't ruin our chances with those ponies." She felt obligated to say something. "Sorry as well for.. accidentally leading us into that damn garden. I should've been watching where we were going."

Erzats wouldn't be too shaken up during their walk, just quiet.. she'd rather not try and explain her feelings on the matter. The mare felt obligated to keep it to herself, so many were so happy she was gone.. even if everything felt so aimless. She'd take a moment to even register his question, saying "I was.. talking to the other ponies there, not far. Just making conversation, nothing too important."

The Changeling mare would scrunch her snout, shaking her head "Eh I suppose you have a point.. I wonder if those clouds would even make it from there, how far away even is Cloudsdale? I've only seen Canterlot and.. Ponyville, I believe." She'd racked her mind for a few moments, sighing and looking off wistfully, putting a hoof against the side of her face, rubbing at one of her eyes. With the shift in Vesper's tone, the mare would tilt her head.. looking around for a reason for his sudden reluctance she'd spot it, the stone visage of their Queen. Erzats would blink.. bowing slightly and lowering her head "Oh.. My Queen. It's-" she'd pause, staring up at the statue. Letting out yet another long sigh before nodding "Yeah.. we should regroup." Turning away and following after Vesper to the others. Her feelings on Chrysalis's rumored stone imprisonment were.. complicated, but this is the first time she bore witness to what's become of her.

She would hiss to herself, shaking her head "If they won't willingly offer their assistance, you know just as well as I that our kind can do things that could incentivise them to be more cooperative.. Yet- I shouldn't have been so hasty. This palace just makes me nervous." She'd gesture around them, nowhere specific. Certainly Erzats wasn't thinking too well with her actions, yet the changeling would begin to calm down, pacing back and forth "Everything's so fancy here, these ponies have too much that they don't need, and what do they do with it? Agh I should've stayed back." She'd mumble a little bit, sighing. I'm sure such a duel would've ended in Erzats being a little worse for wear, seeing as the Unicorn has the range advantage with that horn of his. Though she wouldn't be that foolish to choose that kind of a fight.. maybe.

As she was dragged out the changeling would've let out a huff "You can't be serious- hey! Hooves off, Vesper." She'd demand, although her venture out of the room was a definite affair and he'd have no issue moving the rather lithe changeling out of the room. I'm sure she'd get a stern talking to, yet she'd leave with the others without issue, choosing not to argue if she was really in the wrong with the General or her subordinates, however many changeling were moving along with them still or if the others had moved out already. (I think I might've bitten off a little more than I could chew, was expecting to have another day off so I'm sorry about the long waits in-between these posts)

Erzats would nod in acknowledgement to Vesper, eyeing their surroundings. The look on her face reflected thoughts flowing through her mind, yet she would keep pace with her fellows throughout the walk to the office. Possibly catching the look the Prince had given her the mare would blink, then stepping forward towards the desk between the groups. "Such proper channels waste time.. let issues fester and grow into bigger problems. The faster this is resolved the better, Pony." Speaking rather out of turn towards the Prince given his critique of their methods. A little hotheaded, but she couldn't help herself for the moment, letting a personal thought out wouldn't be the end of the world, right? Surely not.. not to a foreign official, nah.

Erzats would fall in line after Crothor and Vesper, watching the ponies ahead of them and looking over her shoulder at the Alicorn princess who chose to bring up the rear. Likely giving the Alicorn mare a bit of a glare, some attempt at being intimidating, she'd suppose. Before seemingly losing her interest in the Alicorn behind them, listening on to Vesper as he explained.. looking between the pony general and her comrade. She'd chuckle "Of course she's scared, you don't think I could tell? Ponies frighten easy, it makes them unpredictable." She'd take note of the regal construction and decor featuring this castle's halls, feeling a sense of disgust welling in her stomach.. the amount of resources and funds poured into this place must've been massive. Erzats tried to keep her head on a swivel, they could be leading them into a trap for all she knew. Eventually, they made their way into Blueblood's office, Erzats decided to remain standing and simply listening as everyone spoke. (Sorry on the delay for this I'm at work rn)

The Changeling known as Erzats would have a bit of a worried look on her face or just about as much as a worried look a changeling could express, offering a small smile to match Vesper's. She'd witnessed the others heading off to retrieve the captured ponies used for this little show, and realized she'd missed their cue. Listening as vesper spoke, keeping her eyes moving and seeking out any potential threat, the amount of ponies in the room bothered her. Idly nodding at the question the changeling next to her had posed and taking a glance over in the direction he had gestured towards. Tilting her head a little and staring for a few moments "I remember hearing about it. Think that'll.. complicate things? You seem pretty relaxed about it, she might try and pull something, maybe we should get closer." Narrowing her eyes somewhat in the direction of this General Aria, and nervously looking over at Princess Luna and Prince Blueblood while her insectoid wings flicked at her sides.

A little late to the finale, one last infiltrator would slip out of the crowd of partygoers with a green flash of magic. Blinking a little as it had emerged, its eyes widened and quickly rushed forth to join the other Changelings, standing guard in case of any unwanted intrusions... Other than themselves, of course. Her name was Erzats, a relatively capable and unreformed drone, who wished to accompany the General on this excursion, seemingly skipping diplomatic channels for a direct audience to address concerns about their homeland. Making her way over to Vesper "I got... distracted, sorry for the delay." knowing it was not a valid excuse, yet it would be the one she provided, surveying the room silently. Trying not to look at their superior in case he noticed her absence in the moments following their introduction.

Would it be acceptable if I just popped in with a post or would you prefer if I waited for any particular moment?