Skitter looked… sad. Her wings were flat against her back and she was laying on the resin covered floor, looking at her forehooves.
“We knew it was the likely outcome, Skitter,” I said gently as I settled down next to her.
“...I know, sir…” she answered and sighed, “I had just hoped she would listen.”
“There are other hives,” I reassured her, “We can try at more of them later. If we can convince even one of them, it should be easier with the next one.”
“Maybe.”
“Skitter,” I said and leaned my side against her, “It’s not always going to work.”
She scraped a hoof against the resin, “I suppose.”
“You know that, right?”
Skitter sighed softly, “I had hoped she would see it, I really had. It’s obvious, isn’t it?” she asked and looked at me.
“Maybe not from the outside,” I sighed, “And I’m not sure me being there actually helped in this case. Maybe it made things worse.”
Skitter made an angry buzzing sound, baring her fangs, “You didn’t deserve to be called that!”
“Relax,” I told her firmly, “Skitter, I don’t mind. I understand how it can look like that from her point of view. But if other ‘lings in other Hives view me like that, me being on these is not helping. It’s making things worse.”
Skitter kind of drooped a bit but she nodded, “...Yes, sir.”
I leaned against her side, focusing on my love for Luna. For Sunset. For Twilight. Skitters wings made a small buzzing sound.
I smiled and pulled away to look at her with a small smile, “Skitter, the best way to show people that you’re right and they are wrong is to do things your way and let them watch things work out for you. You have told them what they need to know, if they don’t want to listen, it’s not your fault.”
Skitter frowned slightly but nodded.
Sigh. I suppose this was something she was just going to need to work through. I wasn’t even sure what I could do to make her feel better here.
“I…” Skitter started before she sighed, “The worst thing will be returning to the hive and telling my mother that she was right.”
I shook my head, “She was absolutely not right,” I corrected her, “We just have not succeeded yet. Just because the first one didn’t work, doesn't mean the next one or the one after that will.”
Skitter hesitated, “You think it might work better on the next one?”
“We now know that having me there might be a bad idea,” I said and poked her with my wing, “Not saying ‘go alone’, I’m saying bring Royal Guards and maybe some mages for extra protection.”
“Yes sir.”
I smiled at her and then sat up, “Get some rest, okay? It’s been a long day.”
Skitter nodded, “Sweet dreams, sir.”
“You too,” I said and walked off. Before I had even left the room, Skitter was in a pile of drones. I couldn’t help but smile at the sight. Changelings was completely the wrong name for them, cuddle bugs is a much better name.
Maybe I should suggest a name change, it’d be good PR if nothing else.
The door closed behind me and I blinked at Amber, finding the changeling standing there waiting, “You sure you don’t want to join?” I asked with a smile.
Amber buzzed her wings and stood a bit straighter with a small smile, “Not my duty, sir.”
I smiled at her before I frowned and glanced towards the room I just left, “Wait, is cuddling Skitter their duty?”
“Their purpose to the Hive is to assist the Princess,” Amber said as she walked up next to me, “My purpose is to protect you. Before, my purpose was to gather love for the Hive.”
I looked at her, “I know you’re not a pony, Amber, so I’m not sure this will even apply, but… what do you want to do? You say guarding me is your purpose, but what do you want to do? Doesn't it ever get boring following me around?”
Amber looked at me in slight confusion, “How do you mean, sir?”
“If you could pick anything in the world, gather love, explore the world, learn a craft, become an actor, what would you like to do?” I asked as we moved along the passage.
“Protect you, sir,” Amber answered, looking at me like it was completely obvious.
I gathered her into a hug with my wing, giving her a small kiss on the temple, “Amber, I don’t know if I’ll ever understand ‘lings completely, but I do know what when ponies finally get used to you guys being around, you’ll never be lacking for love.”
Ambers wings buzzed softly beneath mine, “Thank you, sir. But most ponies, even in Canterlot, are still somewhat nervous around us.”
Letting go, I smiled at her, “They just need to get to know you, that’s all.”
And maybe the ones that lived the invasion to die of old age, but details.
“What about Nocturnis?” I asked with a small frown.
“It’s better, but not enough ponies for the entire hive.”
“That’ll change.”