Why Humans Shouldn't be Allowed in Equestria

We traveled back to central Canterlot with the sounds of a riot fading in the distance. Wonder what conditions the bodies were going to be in. If what little I'd heard and seen was true, they'd probably be hung from the ceiling by their own whips. The guards didn't accost us on the way back, but the addition to our group got some unusual looks. Didn't know exactly what Granite Wall had told them. Maybe they thought we were capturing the changelings with a turncoat since they were spread out on watch after so many monsters and emergencies and... Man, a lot of crazy stuff happened here over the past few years. Anyway, we made it to the royal castle. The guards waved us in after seeing the papers, and we found ourselves in a massive antechamber.

We had a small questionnaire about why we were here. Probably to give the regents a sense of what to pull up for precedence or such. Also probably not often that 'national security' gets checked with legitimate intent. It got us into the short line. Other ponies gave us curious looks, and the new hive-member nasty looks. There's rules about discussing cases in line, especially when it deals with potential security. We moved up two places just from ponies ranting at the little changeling. I felt sorry for the kid. Well, technically a kid by human rules. Then I remembered that Aranea was about the same age. That means... that isn't right...

“Next!”

That snapped me out of it. We weren't up next, there being another in front, but anything to break that line of thought. I looked at the paperwork we had. Citizenship forms, just like Aranea and myself would have had to fill if we hadn't gotten around the system . It was all filled out already, right down to putting 'changeling' in the free space under 'species'. Most forms like these can be approved at Canterlot's other civil offices, but nonstandard changes require more. Even that wouldn't be enough to need an audience, but changelings are still technically labeled as an enemy. There wasn't really anyone else labeled as any enemy, so this was unprecedented. We knew that Luna would have to question her before everything was approved. Plus she still needed a name.

“Next!”

Now we were getting somewhere. The massive doors to the royal sisters' audience hall opened before us. We three entered together, paperwork in hand, to the twin dais where the solar and lunar diarchs sat. Celestia started with the standard-issue proclamation.

“Welcome, good ponies, to... Pardon me. Welcome to the royal courts. What business do you bring?”

Luna snickered a bit. “It has become good to see you, queen Aranea and Nohbodi. What news do you bring?”

We stepped up and gave the obligatory bow. The little one needed to be pulled from the floor, visibly shaking in anticipation of some vile outcome. I put a hand on her shoulder. She looked up at me, slightly – though far from completely – calmed by the gesture.

Aranea started while I held on to the little one. “Greetings, princesses Luna and Celestia. As per our agreement, we have discovered a changeling surviving in Canterlot. There was one other, but... we were too late to save them...”

Luna was downcast. “That is unfortunate to hear. Where did you locate this one?”

“In the poor district. She was surviving in a bordello. One with a cruel madame who beat both her and her other employees.”

“Such actions are deplorable! Justice will be administered at once!”

I looked up from the little one. “That won't be necessary.”

Luna was surprised at that. “Will not be necessary? Why would you not wish retribution for these actions?”

“Because they've already been dealt justice. Mostly at the hands of her former workers. Don't recall the official name of it, but there's a defense based on reacting to extreme situations with needed violence. Trust me that it applies here.”

“Hmm. Of course, I must investigate further regardless, to ensure justice is done, and unnecessary cruelty avoided.”

“Of course. They should answer everything easily enough. In fact, I think a couple followed us. They must've been in another line. You really should get some security in that quarter. I'm used to some nasty stuff happening, but here it seems different. Don't see as much of it.”

“We will take your suggestion into consideration, in light of this recent development regarding it's condition. Now, come forward, miss...”

She crept forward with all the grace of the Cowardly Lion in the hall of Oz. “G-Greetings your m-majesty...”

“There is no need for fear here. Now what is your name?”

“I-I don't have one, your majesty...”

“Well, a name will be required for citizenship. First we must question you. Do you understand?”

She was petrified. “Y-Yes your majesty...”

“Queen Aranea, Nohbodi, please retire to the royal parlor.” She pointed a hoof to a side door. “We must have privacy for this interrogation.” Like she wasn't scared enough without hearing 'interrogation'.

We both bowed. “Please, your majesty, do not be too severe with her. She is still quite scared and unsure of what is to come. We both understand the implications of this.” A very shrewd move overall.

Luna mulled over the idea. She saw through the emotional plea, but Aranea was right, so it ended with the same answer. “That will likewise be taken into consideration. We will summon you when the process is complete.”

We exited to the room. It was a spacious, well-appointed place, fitting for the palace. We sat down in chairs facing each other, a small table with ladyfingers and tea waiting for the patrons. We each took a teacup and filled the other's. Sitting there, we thought on things that had happened. Of course, the age issue came back. She was basically three, and that's if I rounded up. At least, if she was hatched for the invasion she'd be somewhere around there. I hung my head, intensely bothered by the idea.

“Are you alright Nohbodi? Do you worry of how the regents will treat the changeling?”

“No. Like you told her, Luna knows what it's like. She'll be good to her with the questions.”

“Then what is the issue? Do you require aid?”

No use putting it off, this'll take a while anyway. “Aranea, I know this is rude, at least on Earth but... how old are you?”

“Why? Is age a problem for humans? What do you surmise my age is?”

“Well, if you were hatched for the invasion, that would make you two or three. In humans, two or three is a baby. The idea came earlier and it... kind of bothers me. I mean, I'm in my early thirties. A slight difference is one thing, but I don't know what to think about that. I know that changelings age differently from humans, it's just the idea is stuck in my head.”

Aranea got nervous. “According to the Equestrian calendar, that is correct. I am sorry if this is a problem. Will it be a large problem? Will it affect our... love? I know that this is a strange concept, but I am learning! Please do not leave me!” She was freaking out at the possibility of losing me. Did she love me back, or was I food to her? No, she wouldn't. She finally understood the idea of love – real love, not what changelings were used to getting for mere sustenance. She could feel how the idea was tearing at me from my emotional reaction to the idea. She practically jumped from the chair and into my lap, holding on for dear life and raining kisses on me. Not like her to take the 'offensive' like this. I couldn't make myself return them at the moment. I knew that things were different, I just had to find a way to rationalize it, to get my head to accept it.

“J-Just tell me how changelings age. Sorry, but I have to know.”

The little one currently being grilled by the monarchs would have a hard time matching the terrified look of Aranea. She feared her answer would have terrible consequences. “We... we do not age as ponies do. I do not know the scale of which humans age. Changelings are hatched fully-formed. We do not have a 'baby' stage of life. Will that suffice? Is it alright?”

I grabbed her by the shoulders. She froze. I pulled her in and gave her a long, passionate kiss. “It's hard to understand, like how what I said about love earlier was hard for you to understand. But I'll find a way to deal with it.” Part of me was still creeped out as all hell. But I knew this was different. I'll accept it eventually, but something that's hard-coded into my mind takes a while to change. We returned to our seats, somewhat uncomfortably, to wait the rest of the questioning in the other room.

“Queen Aranea and Nohbodi, you are required in the royal audience chamber” Some pony announced. Probably the majordomo or such. We quickly entered and awaited the verdict.

Luna noticed our concerned expressions. “Do not worry. All went according to our collective beliefs on the subject.” Part of it was that, while part of it was our earlier talk. I'm still weirded out by the idea. “Under cross-examination, this individual has proven themselves fit for citizenship in Equestria.” We finally remembered to breathe. “The paperwork is filled out to satisfaction, and effective immediately this changeling is an official citizen of our nation, with all rights and responsibilities contained therein. Due to the unusual circumstances surrounding this situation, we still require a name to officiate the declaration.”

The little one looked at us, then the princesses. I now know that she's an adult, but until there's a name I just can't think of anything else to call her. We waited for her decision.

“I-I don't know...”

“Perhaps I can assist.” I didn't see Aranea actually do anything, except stand still and look at her. Her eyes widened for a moment, and she smiled for the first time. She faced the princesses.

“Butterfly.”