Why Humans Shouldn't be Allowed in Equestria

Yeah, I didn't want to admit it, but I did still care about her. I still cared about all of them, even the con-artists. That's what happens when you wear your heart on your sleeve, when you fall too fast and too hard. Maybe I'm too used to that pain too. Maybe I'm just stupid.

Sangria knew something I didn't. She had Aranea's side of the story. I don't know what it was. Hell, I don't know if changelings can lie to each other, or if a queen can make them believe it. For sure they'd take her word for it, even without literal control. I had to be careful. There was more evidence of what happened, but that doesn't mean it'll change the verdict. The memories were still in my mind, and the care – even love – was still there. I'd listen to her. I had to be analytical about this. I can't let my emotions run things a second time.

I'm not going to be hurt again.

“You're hungry. Is that why you're here, there's not enough left in Ponyville?” Having to be this cold hurt almost as much, it really did. This feeling would fade faster. Probably.

“I have arrived at this location for you, Nohbodi. I am not merely here to feed. Please, allow me to explain the circumstances of my earlier decision.” She shifted to her familiar human form and walked towards me, taking a seat across from us at the table. She reached over and took my hand, gently holding it on the flat plane between us. I didn't stop her. Looks like all their natural forms show that. Guess they hide it when they change, or it'd be a dead giveaway. Seeing a human with those spaces worried me. Having a frame of reference to something I knew better wasn't helping.

“Put on some clothes. Trying to seduce me isn't talking.”

“I... neglected to bring any. This scenario was not accounted for within my plans.”

“Of course it was. That's the best answer to it. I can't lie to you, but you can lie to me.” A pair of tears fell to the table. Her grip on my hand tightened. I wanted to end it here, but I couldn't force myself to. I know the world can be cruel, but she came here for me, whatever the reason behind finding me was. No matter the outcome, I didn't want us to be enemies. I'm not heartless. I took a deep breath. “Listen. Just tell me what you're trying to say, and we can all figure it out from there.”

She looked up with streaks running down her face already. “I sought to find you as soon as I was able. I wish for you to understand why I was forced to say 'no'.”

“Forced? No one was holding a gun to your head.”

“Gun to my head?”

I sighed with annoyance. Now wasn't the time for these kinds of questions. “Earth phrase. No one was threatening you with something serious.”

“In which case, a 'gun to my head' was precisely what I had.”

That was hard to believe. “What do you mean?”

“The hive demanded that I fulfilled my duties first.”

“You said the hive lets changelings do what they want. If Chrysalis could cause all that trouble, it wouldn't have stopped you.”

“If I had not focused on the safety of the hive, we...” She choked a little, and regained composure. “...I would have lost more. There are very few in Equestria. They were all in some degree of danger. You know the condition of Butterfly when she was located. She was not the worst. The imperative for survival is absolute. Chrysalis warped that imperative by creating a hive too significant to feed on it's surroundings. In essence, she 'tricked' the hive into allowing such a dangerous maneuver. The hive has since modified the, definitions, if you will, to prevent a recurrence.” Once I wrapped my head around it, it made sense. “There are a mere ten within Equestrian borders, including myself. Most of my power was expended during the location and healing efforts. They are now safe. With the hive in a stable state, I could seek you out again.”

“So the hive is a divinity to you?

“According to your implied definition, that is correct.”

I had an idea. This would clear the air a lot. “Swear to me. Swear by the hive that you will only speak the truth to me about all this. That if you even try to lie to me it will disown you.” I held up a hand.

She slowly put up the mirroring hand. The very idea of losing the hive was horrifying to her. She shook like a leaf at the very concept. “I... I...” This was big to her. It must have meant more to her than I could've realized. She slowly put her hand down on the table, apart from mine, and hung her head down. “I... cannot. The risk is too great, no matter the reward.”

Sangria looked at me with shock at my demand. She touched my arm. “Please Nohbodi. You do not fully understand what you ask. To lose the connection to the hive is incomprehensible!” Sangria had tears in her eyes from only hearing of it. Aranea was softly sobbing on the table, unable to continue. I sat there, staring into space, thinking about it. This meant more to them than I can conceive of. Changelings were actors, I know. But something like this isn't acting, no matter how good you are.

I had gone too far.

I held Aranea's chin up with a hand, and locked our eyes. “I'm sorry. I didn't know it was that much to you.” I felt like shit, with good reason. Sometimes I forget that we're not only from different worlds. We have different minds. She had to learn to receive honest love. I had to learn about connections like this. “Just... tell me you'll be honest, and I'll believe you.”

The tears ran down my hand as it held her up. “I will tell you only truth.” Tears were welling in my eyes now too.

“Thank you.” We all took a few minutes to recover. When it looked like we were ready to start again “So the Equestria hive is doing well?”

“Yes. There are still some ponies that disagree with the proclamation of the princesses, but the changelings are safe and fed. Most of them are gainfully employed or have significant others.”

“That took a long time.”

“I had to work slowly. Without you, it was difficult to gain the energy required. I could not simply locate and heal my changelings with all my power. If I were to starve myself, it would cause chaos within the hive, and possibly null the efforts of the legislation.”

“So you did need me that much...”

“I did. If I had known your reaction, I would have been able to declare 'yes' at that point. I wanted to, even with the risk, but I could not. Please understand that I could not place the future of my species on one being. I do not know enough to rely solely on you in that degree.” She looked at Sangria. “The Crystal Empire hive is very healthy.”

“Much as I'd like to, I can't claim credit for that. They took care of each other here – there were enough to do that, I mean.”

“You have still done much.” Sangria pointed out. “Numerous changelings are employed by you, as well as supplying enough energy to be shared throughout the hive.” Most of the unicorns working on recipes were actually changelings in disguise.

“It must have taken a considerable amount of time without coupling, Nohbodi. I commend you on your efforts.”

Wait, she didn't know? I thought just touching the hive-mind spread everything around? That means changelings can hide from the queen, maybe even defy her. No, that's pulling too much out of the idea, probably. It means she didn't try to get anything out of them. She really did leave them all free will.

Even if she didn't have it completely herself.

That was worth more than an oath to me. Everything she was saying just had to be true now. Even if I wasn't completely right in my surmisings, it meant that she was playing fair. She was sacrificing to play fair. Looks like I had to do the same. “Um, that's not entirely accurate...”

Aranea let go of my hand. “So... you have found another love? Is it possible for humans to love multiple beings as such?”

Sangria and I turned to each other at the same time. “Is it so difficult for humans to couple? Did our night together constitute more than I had anticipated?”

“No. Yes. Let me explain... If you were waiting for permission to share that kind of thing, do it. It'll make this easier.” Aranea and Sangria locked eyes for a moment. Both displayed surprise at what they learned. After that I went about explaining that, despite many humans being far more prudish than ponies at this subject, we were sometimes impulsive.

“So our coupling was a mistake?”

“I wouldn't call it that. I care about you Sangria, I really do. I acted faster than I should have, but with time...”

“We can both sense the concern and worry, Nohbodi. This is extremely difficult for you to vocalize.”

“You're right. I can't really explain it. You two're understanding more than another human would as it is.” I took one of their hands in each of mine. “I care about both of you, I really do. Aranea, I was wrong about you, and I'm sorry. There isn't really a way to make up for something this big. Sangria, I hope I said it well enough that it wasn't insulting. I didn't try to lead you on. If I were wired to love you both, I would. But it's not the way I am. Don't know what to do now...”

They looked at each other, silently talking. “We understand your position, as much as we are able. You do not need to do anything currently. You have done much for the hive, and we hope you will retain such excellent relations in the future. There is much to be codified yet here, both within the hive and and Crystal Empire.” Aranea rose from the table. There was so much emotion she was nearly whole again. Maybe the other changelings gave her some of their energy while we were talking. Maybe it was all from my disordered mental state. I thought, I knew.

I still loved her.

“Sangria.” I shifted focus as Aranea addressed her. “You have the greatest knowledge of the hive here, as well as the strongest ties to others involved. Will you accept the responsibility of watching over the Crystal Hive in my absence?”

Sangria thought on this for what seemed like a long time. Finally, she responded. “Have the other changelings here been made aware of this intention? We have lived peacefully with free will since our separation. I could not endanger them in this regard any more than you could the hive.”

“We have exchanged willing information with the changelings while I traveled to this location. They have given their assent to the idea of an 'official' liaison.”

“Then I accept.”

They both shifted to changeling, after Sangria put her dress on a chair, and a field of green spanned the horns. Sangria began to grow. After a minute, it ended. The growth wasn't a huge difference, like with Aranea's change. She was slightly taller. Her limbs were longer, and her horn seemed smoother. When it was complete, Aranea took a moment to catch her breath. It must be very intensive to permanently change one like that, even a small change. Some gaps returned, but she was still 'safely full'.

They shifted back to human. Sangria's new body was slightly taller, and simply exuded grace. She was perhaps five foot even now, while her figure filled out more. She was even more striking now. They were both beautiful, in their own way.

More importantly, Aranea had given another that kind of power. Even a minor amount is a big thing when you're from a species that is used to an absolute hierarchy. This was going to be a tremendous change for changelings everywhere, no matter how small it may seem to one used to Earth governments. I didn't get all of it, but I could at least grasp the concept that this meant a lot to them. I ran up to Aranea and hugged her tightly. She really did act like a mother to her people.

Even when it came to letting go.

I loved her all over again.

Fine, I'm still a fool. Aranea looked down at me with a gentle smile. She knew. She gingerly broke off the hug, partially restored already, and returned to changeling, while Sangria put on the now-shorter dress. “I must return to Shining Armor and Cadence shortly. May I visit you again?”

“Gladly.” I still didn't know entirely what to make of what just happened. I know I was wrong about her. But, somehow, I didn't know what to do from here.

Should I try for her all over again?