>I am Ovo Cricket II
>Your cousin failed again this year.
>How dare she. Her hatred for you is going to cause so much more damage if she's not going to tell them
>The tragedy of your host's death wasn't going to be repeated. Not if I could help it.
>After turning off the stove, I get the textbook that my parents and Twilight helped write.
>"Vespiquine anatomy, mating habits, and life cycle"
>With a heavy sigh, and dread building in my gut I make my way down to the den where my daughter and her best friend are waiting
>I really hope their friendship survives this. My little Beryl has a hard enough time making friends as is.
>Earthen's parents were never big fans of you or your kind, but at least they were willing to give you and your family a chance.
>finally I get to the den to see them sitting on the couch across from the loveseat.
>okay, showtime.
>"So where did Lily leave off hmm?"
>Earthen pipes up "We were finding out about how mares have penises."
>Its suddenly a lot warmer in here. Twilight, I forgot how blunt children could be some times.
>"We don't." I open up the textbook to the anatomical diagram and point to the organ in question
>"Its shaped kind of similarly, but they have very different functions."
>I look to the two, and they seem to be following along. Good.
>"In Changelings-"
>" I thought we were talking about the wasp ponies?"
>"Don't worry we are, but i'm drawing a comparison.
>"Oh okay." Earthen was nudged in the chest by Emerald.
>Such an innocent face.
>"As I was saying, Changelings have a very similar reproducition point. The eggs get fertilzed, and then the mare lays the eggs, where they incubate and hatch."
>"But Changeling eggs can survive to maturity outside of a body. Vespiquine eggs can't. They need to be put inside a living host."
>Earthen is looking a little green at the idea.
>"Do you need some water, this is really important for both of you to know, especially if you are going to be friends."
>"It sounds really gross." He murmured.
>Kiddo, you havent seen nothing yet.
>"What happens next?" Emerald asks.
>"Well, the eggs spend about a week developing in the host before hatching into larva, anywhere from one to four eggs per clutch."
>Earthen goes from a sickly green to a pale sheet.
>Emerald gives me a confused look. "I overheard some ponies say it takes three weeks for baby vespids to be born"
>I nod gently.
>"Yes. And this is why it's really important for you kids to know this. Do you want to be a mother some day?"
>Emerald excitedly nods up and down. "Yeah! Some day I'm gonna be just like you!" She beamed at me.
>One can hope.
>"I-If th-they hatch but it ta-takes three weeks for them to b-be born what d-do they eat?" Earthen darted looks between both me and Emerald
>Perhaps it was too much to hope.
>Well the damage is already done, and he still needs to know.
>"The host. The process is painless, but there's no getting around that they die." I say evenly.
>Terror grips this child as he looks at both of us.
>Nature is a cruel mistress, it is rarely fair.
>"Are y-you going to e-eat me?" Earthen asks.
>I shake my head. "No."
>It's clear he doesn't believe me.
>"It's very important that you realize this is where hosting goes. there's no getting around that. Maybe in the future it will be different, but until then you have to be extra sure that if this is what you want before you do anything with my or any Vespid filly. My host didn't understand, and it almost destroyed Equestria as a whole."
>He nodded. "Can- Can I go home?"
>I let out a long sigh. closing my eyes and sitting for a moment.
>"Yes. You know the most important part. If you don't want to stay I won't make you. I will probably come by tonight to talk to your parents, and I will likely be at school teaching your classmates this."
>He nervously got off the couch. and started to walk away, looking at both of us before leaving the room
>I could hear his little hooves thudding on the wooden floors as he took off.
>My little Beryl is looking at me. "Is he not going to be my friend anymore?"
>I shook my head. "Honestly, I don't know. It's up to him. Don't try to force it."
>"Mommy... Am I a monster?" Tears are streaming down her face.
>"No, no Little Beryl. You are only a monster if you choose to be one." I come forward and wrap her in a tight embrace.
>"That's why I'm telling you all this. So you know how not to be a monster okay?"
>"If that day comes when you find your special somepony, and a host, you have to make absolutely sure they know, and they are okay with it. It is very important. Some ponies don't understand, and that's okay. You have a very long life ahead of you and somewhere out there is a Vespid and a host just for you."
>She looks at me, a hopeful expression on her face.
>"It might even be Ear-"
>"No! I don't want to hurt Earthy! He's my friend!"
>I smiled back down at her. "That's fine. You have to be okay with it too. Its a big step and a huge responsibility. One that I hope you won't have to make for a very long time.
>I get up and release the hug. "Now chin up, tonight we're having your favorite, Porkbelly and mushrooms.
>She beams at me before running upstairs to her room.
>I sigh before returning to my work.
>I'm not looking forward to meeting with the soil family tonight, or the Principal tommorrow. Or the class that I'm sure i will have to teach. Again.
>Most beings already hate us. Why do i have to be the one to give everyone the bad news.
>Humming a tune I listen to my daughter playing in her room while I wait. Reminiscing about her host.