I love the changelings! love me some good ol' fashioned bug horses. have some ageing hcs!

Newborn
Reffered to as either "hatchlings" or "larvae"
Cannot give out love just yet, can only absorb it until they get older — hence their dark appearance
Spotted (and adorable)
"Speak" in a combonation of baby noises and insect clicks

Child
Beans
Can give love and change because of it, usually around 2 or 3 years of age
Hardened spot on their back is where their wings/shell will develop
Finally got legs and are a hassle to keep up with because they won't stop running and crawling onto everything

Teenager
Have shell and wings already but the process was really itchy
Start to get traits that make each one stand out individually — spiked horns, shell patterning, gradients on the upper torso, etc.
Get tough little shoulder plates
Go through very awkward growth spurts, please don't question why they've been eating nothing but baked goods for the past 5 days they're baked with love okay

Adult
Got their Shit Together™
Live as a communal, productive member of the hive as one of 4 major occupations: Guard (goes on patrols), Nurser (takes care of babies), Matinence (makes sure hive is clean/sturdy), or Harvester (grows non-love food)
Slightly smaller than the average pony
Fangs are mostly for show or self-defense. Diet outside of love is largely vegetarian.

hooray i finished this! :V also if ur curious about the claws, they're my headcanon for changeling hooves. kind of a deer/insect claw thing going on