//------------------------------//
// Anasthetic 
// Story: The Times They Are A Changeling 
// by Super Trampoline 
//------------------------------//

"What does it feel like when I eat your love?"

"Uh, well, sort of pleasant actually."

"Really?"

"Yeah, like, a weird tingly sensation. I don't know, don't you guys like use an anesthetic or something so the victim doesn't feel too much pain?"

"I'm a female."

"I keep telling you, it's a gender-generic phrase."

"Right. Anyway, yeah, when we leach love there is a mild paralyzing agent to make the um, lender more complacent. Or maybe it is an anathetic. I'm not really sure. All the science I don't understand. It's just my job five days a week."

"Did you just..."

"Yes. I learn from the best. But really, I'm pretty clueless on how it all works. The hive wasn't real big on education. That's why I asked."

"Fair enough. So have you ever fainted or felt numb?"

"I can't say I have."

"Um...okay. But you at least sleep, right? I mean, I've seen you sleep!"

"Technically, it's a torpor. But yes."

"Alright, well, you know that peaceful feeling right before you fall asl--er, go into torpor?"

"There is no peace in changeling mindscape, only the tortured hellscape of a thousand anguished sins."

"Wait, what?!"

"Gotcha."

"No fair. I can't tell when you're messing with me."

"Maybe you should learn to read ponies better."

"You want to lend me your emotion-sensing powers?"

"Oh, yeah, sure. I keep them right here in this briefcase."

"Cute. But yeah, it feel like I'm losing energy, but not in a bad way. Usually. Sometimes you drain too much, and then I feel weak and sick."

"Didn't you tell me ponies used to categorize that as 'wasting disease'?"

"Yeah, doctors used to have no clue what was going on. Now we do, looking back. How is it I know more about your history than you do?"

"We literally were just talking about this. I have no formal education. You spent hours learning about changelings because you're a dweeb."

"That's a badge I'm proud to wear."

"And that's why I love you."

"You love me because I'm your lunch."

"True, but I'm trying to go beyond that."

"And that's why I love you."