That actually isn't as much of a problem as you might think. [She's kind of thrown by the thought of either of the Princesses having children, but since he can't see her expression there's no hint of that in the message.] You see, the princesses are, if not immortal, then at least ageless. They've both been around for over a thousand years, and they seem fully likely to keep going for... I have no idea how long.
Well, yes, if you packed everyone in like that I'm sure you could fit in a comparatively small area, but people need space... Some more than others.
Epidemiology isn't my specialty, but I can think of a few particularly virulent strains. One of the most interesting, and horrible, is the Cutie Pox, a virus that once wiped out an entire settlement. I don't think I've explained the concept of "Cutie Marks" to you yet, so for a bit of grounding, Cutie Marks are a symbol that shows up on a pony's flank when they discover their lifelong special talent. It's a representation of what that pony is destined for in their life, though in this context "destiny" is something you pursue rather than something you're forced into.
The Cutie Pox twisted this concept, inflicting multiple Cutie Marks on the ponies it infected, and forcing them to carry out actions based on those marks. The longer the disease, the more marks, and the more those ponies had to try to accomplish at once simply because they were physically compelled to do so. In the end, untreated victims died of simple exhaustion.
[His explanation of just the simple, clinical figures makes Twilight's face actually contort into an expression of utmost horror. That many murders? In one region? And many of them unsolved? What is wrong with Spencer's world?] That's... you say my world sounds like a fairy tale. To me, yours sounds like a horror story. I'm not saying there aren't ponies who wouldn't commit murder, or that it hasn't happened, but to the best of my knowledge there hasn't been a case of that where the perpetrator wasn't caught in... centuries! And the sheer numbers are much lower, as well. Then again, that could be due to the circumstances of our respective homes. Maybe if your world were more like Equestria, the people there would be... oh, but that's assuming they all take those actions because of circumstances that made them what they are. I suppose that's a dangerous assumption to make. [Even if she's not sure if she wants to consider the alternatives...]
The last great attack on Equestria was made by one single being. A creature with a disgusting sense of humor, no morals or restraint to speak of, a direct loathing of the very concept of harmony, and enough power to warp the very fabric of reality around him on a whim. His name is Discord, and he's the only living creature I can genuinely say I hate.
[Text] Ignore you? Perish the thought.
Well, yes, if you packed everyone in like that I'm sure you could fit in a comparatively small area, but people need space... Some more than others.
Epidemiology isn't my specialty, but I can think of a few particularly virulent strains. One of the most interesting, and horrible, is the Cutie Pox, a virus that once wiped out an entire settlement. I don't think I've explained the concept of "Cutie Marks" to you yet, so for a bit of grounding, Cutie Marks are a symbol that shows up on a pony's flank when they discover their lifelong special talent. It's a representation of what that pony is destined for in their life, though in this context "destiny" is something you pursue rather than something you're forced into.
The Cutie Pox twisted this concept, inflicting multiple Cutie Marks on the ponies it infected, and forcing them to carry out actions based on those marks. The longer the disease, the more marks, and the more those ponies had to try to accomplish at once simply because they were physically compelled to do so. In the end, untreated victims died of simple exhaustion.
[His explanation of just the simple, clinical figures makes Twilight's face actually contort into an expression of utmost horror. That many murders? In one region? And many of them unsolved? What is wrong with Spencer's world?] That's... you say my world sounds like a fairy tale. To me, yours sounds like a horror story. I'm not saying there aren't ponies who wouldn't commit murder, or that it hasn't happened, but to the best of my knowledge there hasn't been a case of that where the perpetrator wasn't caught in... centuries! And the sheer numbers are much lower, as well. Then again, that could be due to the circumstances of our respective homes. Maybe if your world were more like Equestria, the people there would be... oh, but that's assuming they all take those actions because of circumstances that made them what they are. I suppose that's a dangerous assumption to make. [Even if she's not sure if she wants to consider the alternatives...]
The last great attack on Equestria was made by one single being. A creature with a disgusting sense of humor, no morals or restraint to speak of, a direct loathing of the very concept of harmony, and enough power to warp the very fabric of reality around him on a whim. His name is Discord, and he's the only living creature I can genuinely say I hate.