Halo: Amicitia Dictata

STRING 01

CELESTIA

“YOU KNOW, I HAVE ALWAYS DISLIKED how easily you can sneak up on me, Luna. And by the way, it is impolite to peek while someone is writing.”

The blue alicorn shifted backwards involuntarily, the heat emanating off of the elder ruler washed over every fiber of her being. “I was not peeking, dear sister; merely observing.”

The Solar Princess looked down at the neatly pressed parchment sitting on the desk in front of her. Each stroke was deliberate and precise; To be expected from a millennia old leader and writer of laws.

Amiciata Dictata Act: Introduction and Overview

I : A citizen of Equis shall be defined as an Equestrian, recognized and accepted by a reasonable laypony as being Equine on the basis of form, behavior, or appearance. Furthermore, no authority; Be it National, or Local, shall be permitted to use any other definition or racial profile to exclude any other Equestrian from that definition.

II: An Equestrian shall not be restricted, selected, or subjected to discrimination on the basis of their race or gender, whether altered or unaltered.

III: An Equestrian shall not be brought into existence with the intent of providing biological material or research data for the use, treatment, or benefit of another.

IV: An Equestrian shall not be subject to any commercial claim, patent, or restriction on the basis of any part of their race or gender, whether altered or unaltered.

V: An Equestrian, regardless of any magical alteration or tampering of their race or introduction of non-Equestrian behavior or traits, shall not cease to be classed as an Equestrian under any circumstances.

VI: No Equestrian shall be subjected to magical alteration or tampering except with their express and informed consent, or, in the case of a pony under the proper age, with the consent of their legal guardian for the sole purpose of correcting a health defect in that foal.

VII: An Equestrian or any other protected races thereof may not be owned by any individual or organization.

VIII: An Equestrian shall not be cloned by artificial or magical means, exceptions can be made if done by accident. See Part V of Section III regarding the discovery of Magical Cloning Pools.

“Ah, fixing the Changeling problem once and for all. I wonder who finally convinced you to -“

“You know who it was Lulu. Sleipnir’s parting gift was some information about Human law and Mason’s origins. The ones that weren’t covered in black ink or embellished by…midnight escapades into Mason’s dreams.”

The lunar princess hoofed the heavily carpeted floor in shame. “I see.”

Celestia offered a small smile in return. “It is alright. What happened, happened in the past. We now have to look to the future.”

The alabaster alicorn looked back to the parchment; Her voice lowering to barely above a whisper. “This law was inspired by a Human law made hundreds of years ago. To prevent atrocities from occurring at the hands of their government. This law however is slightly different in scope. This will prevent us from committing any more grievous injustices to the Changeling race, and in turn, will make for a more peaceful and prosperous future for all under the Equestrian banner.

A small smile flashed beneath teal eyes from the shadows made by candlelight. “That sounds like what you’ll be telling the nobles in parliament when you bring this parchment next week. You know that they just love to hate our new citizens.”

“It is. And I know.”

And I know just who will be by my side when I present it.