"I just don't know what to do about it," I admitted, rubbing my hoof against Ferns head. The timberwolf was laying next to me almost like a pile of branches, enjoying the attention.
Sunset was pressed up to my other side, cuddled up beneath my wing with her head against my neck. By the time I got back to the tower, I had been just about ready to kill somepony by defenestration. Sunset apparently recognized my mood instantly and spent the next hour calming me down to just beneath raging fury.
"I understand it didn't go well," Sunny asked and shifted to touch her horn against mine.
"It was... bad," I sighed and slid my horn against hers for a second before I shook my head, "You remember earth?"
"Yes?" Sunset asked with a frown, “Did spend some time there.”
"How's your human history?" I asked and then looked at her again, "Does, minority in the 1960s sound familiar?"
Sunset cringed, "We... covered some of it in history class and such," she said and frowned, "Really?"
"Well... nopony tried to lynch me," I said mildly and raised my eyebrows, "So that's good I suppose. And nopony outright refused to let me buy their stuff. But getting a job for the day? Nope, wasn't happening."
I think somepony might have actually thrown a bottle after me when I left. I didn’t see it though, just heard the crash. He might have dropped it.
"I'm sorry," Sunset said and sighed, "I had a feeling it could be bad, but still."
"Yeah. And I don't know what to do about it," I said with a frown, scraping my hood against Ferns barch, "Amber?"
"Yes, sir?" Amber asked and poked her head out from behind the closest armchair to look at us.
"...Does ponies treat changelings the same way?" I asked her with a frown.
Amber actually hesitated, "...Some are hesitant or angry if we are in our real forms," she admitted, "If we're as disguised we’re not persecuted… well, usually not. We’re not allowed to fully disguise in public."
"Because they don't realize you're a changeling."
"I don't know, sir."
I growled and bared my fangs.
That's just stupid. Changelings were our allies now! Had been for years! Sure, they had invaded Canterlot, but that was years ago now and ponies had to be used to Changelings by now. They didn't even have the excuse of being unused to bat ponies!
Sunset nuzzled at my neck and I sighed, pulling her closer with my wing, turning my head to nuzzle at her ear,
"I haven't seen you this angry since Tirek," she said quietly.
"I haven't been this angry since Tirek," I snarled softly and flicked my ears, my wings raising, "Nor as disappointed in ponies. I thought I left this kind of shit behind with my old species!"
Sunset nuzzled in beneath my chin, "Calm, Page. For me? Please?" she said softly.
I closed my eyes and took slow, deep breaths. She was right. While fear was the mind-killer, burning red fury was even worse at making you not think. While throwing ponies out of windows might make me feel better, it wouldn't be very constructive to the problem at hoof.
"...Thanks," I finally said and opened my eyes, looking to Sunset, "I'm sorry, Sunny."
She smiled a bit at me, "Don't worry about it, wingboy. I know it's infuriating, it's making me angry too, just hearing about it from you."
Stroking my wing along her back, I nodded, "Yeah, but I still shouldn't be taking it out on you. I'm sorry, none of it is your fault. It's just frustrating and I don't know what I can possibly do to fix it!"
Sunset rolled onto her back and looked up at me, "No ideas?"
"...None right now that doesn't involve ponies and windows," I grumbled and sighed, laying down to rest my head against her chest as she put her forelegs around me, "But I have to do something. I don't know how many thestrals there are, but I know of at least four and even one pony being treated like this is..."
I growled again and Sunset nuzzled at my ear and I settled down again, closing my eyes, trying my best not to hiss.
"We'll figure something out," Sunny said gently, nuzzling at my ear, "I promise we'll figure something out. I'll ask Twi for help, she'll be able to think of something."
If anyone could, it would be the Princess of Friendship, wouldn't it?
I nodded against her soft coat, "Okay,” as Fern set his head down across my back and I reached to rub his back with my wing.
always great to see another chapter by you.
Ponies are unlikely to lynch. Because the tend react through fear rather then hate. Both result in same toxic stew.
Ah yes, pony hypocrisy.
An interesting case where their entire culture is built around the idea friendship and harmony.
But as soon as you throw something even slightly different into the mix and they all become paranoid and hostile.
Proving that their ideals are only aimed at ponies of the three main tribes and anyone even slightly different gets shunned... as always I'm not amused
"Everyone knows the armor is illusion" (But not the pony beneath yes?)
"I made the armor for those that used to be" (roughly, luna)
No names are given, yes, but doing things against a guard is a big no no yes?
You thought?
Dude, if humans could be racist because of a different color, what do you fucking expect to happen in a world with literal differnet species ,especially with ponies that have 5 .....6....7 subspecies ? (do kirins and changelings count too? )
Naive Page, expecting spiecies so similar to humans to be different exactly in these aspects, that he don't like.
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Especially when there are literal different species and subspecies in this world
Well we see racism at it's worst here cause of xenophobia. While in the show you did see elitism at times from nobles and others ponies with a bit of status being dooches. The outright distrust must and need be righted!
While Twilight is the Princess of Friendship, it will still have to be put into law by the Royal Sisters that all the bigotry will not be allowed. Not just for threstals, but changelings too.
I see that Dune reference
media1.tenor.com/images/7c7a8db1bbb397c9b79f77acaa531669/tenor.gif?itemid=11786684
Great chapter!
Guys...I just realized something and I feel stupid now for not noticing it!! We have batponies and changelings being discriminated. Mentions in past chapters about Minotaur and Griffin diplomatic relations. Midnight Sparkle is looking for purpose. And now Page is going to ask the Princess of Friendship for advice.
Guys...Hiver is about to introduce the Friendship School!!
The comment section has already figured out the approach to this. Only execution of this plans with inpunity will do the trick.
Aww, I felt that cuddle.
As much as I feel this is a worthy Crusade I hope it doesn’t consume the entire story.
Come on Cozy Glow! We needs a distraction!
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WINDY! You magnificent bastard!
...no that’s it you’re a magnificent bastard.
Jk
That’s brilliant!
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You don't resolve such problems by decrets forbidding something, it's like making law forbidding poverty. It's only empty gesture, that do nothing and may even make things worse. Such problem are resolved by action and truth.
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Ignorance, prejudice and fear are one thing and are somewhat understandable, but making it illegal to deny work because of being a type of species (in this case threstals and nondisguised changelings) should be enforced to be a way to challenge their perceived notions and shw that what they thought they knew was false from the start. While human nature is not that easy to do, most of the ponies do do the herd mentality when shown the correct course of action, except for those types of ponies more interested in their own status.
I desperately want to seek a conversation between page and those guards. It may even give him some insight on the problem.
Considering she spent time in a world where humans ran the literal spectrum of colors, I'm doubtful the EQG world has anywhere near the parallel you're trying to imply here. It's a very specific era with very specific groups of people with a very specific history, none of which has any hint within which Sunset found herself in.
I understand the whole....moral lesson this arc is pushing with all the subtlety of a train, but perhaps it would be appropriate to be consistent within the setting's lore.
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With such laws there is "little" problem, that always open great can of worms. This problem is: how you will define, where begin bigotry? How would you clearly distinguish between behaviors and actions coming from bigotry and behaviors and actions coming from logical recognizations of true negative traits and actions of individuals or groups? This leave a lot of space for interpretation what may be illigal or not, which must be avoided as it automatically open a lot of space for explotation of this from both sides, which is against nature of proper law, as law should be completly clear.
With such troubles you need to work on source of them. You need to make educational actions on population to remove prejudice AND find (and if they exist, fix them) if there are any true problems in opressed minority, that are fueling this prejudice. Also you need to simply punish obvious breaking of common laws coming from unfriendly actions from both sides.
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Zecora wants to know your location.
Seriously, African equine witch doctor who speaks entirely in rap, and her debut episode is about racism. They probably realized how bad that looked and shied away from it for their humans.
Things to note that deviate this world form the cannon verse at this time.
The Storm kings invasion was stopped before it could even have been a thing. Thus Twilight and friends didn't have to go find the Hippogriffs. Thus she didn't experience what she should have. Thus the school of friend ship may not ever be a thing in this verse. Thus Twilight will not have her conundrum with Nighsay and the Equestrian Education Counsel.
In short, it all lays on Page'es shoulders to get this done an done RIGHT! He's a Prince, even if prince consort, it's bloody time he acts on his ability as royalty to use the one plus side of authoritarian force and "GENTLY", fix an nudge things in the right way. And he has a ton of knowledge from his former life to pull off of while doing so, thus constructive use of anger is a GO!
Ah yes, pony racism. Let's see how this goes.
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Wasn't that skin color bit retconned in this series? At least, I dont recall any mention of crazy color skin during that arc, only hair color.
NO ONE DEALS WITH CHAOS, IT IS HERESY !
I want to see Page confront that solar guard and call him out on his racism
great chapter!!!
keep it up!
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You are correct.
Page needs to practice his cold fury more.
For example: hold a meeting with Guardsman Silver Spear and Silent Cloud and show them the disguise. Clearly and concisely state how VERY disappointed you are and that you WILL be bringing their behavior to Celestia's attention.
Light a fire not only under the guardsmen's hooves but also under Celestia's hooves. Best case scenario is Celestia is ignorant of her guardsmen's actions of which the common Pony sees and emulates.
OBJECTION!
They will ask themself, did Blank Page remember I am a Pegasus and just fly away unharmed... Or... not...
Out group and in group are not just some human thing, it is a reality that affects all beings and for a good reason.
Hiver must've been planning this story arc when he went out of his way to not mention pastel-colored humans in the mirrorverse.
I look forward to the eventual trip through the mirror, to see how similar that world is to ours. Also, bacon.
Only one thing smells like bacon, and that's bacon!
Beggin Strips. Ponies don't know it's not bacon.
It's bacon!!
I made a funny.