{"id":33698,"date":"2023-03-03T12:14:02","date_gmt":"2023-03-03T18:14:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/?p=33698"},"modified":"2023-03-03T12:14:02","modified_gmt":"2023-03-03T18:14:02","slug":"chapter-2-royalty","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/2023\/03\/03\/chapter-2-royalty\/","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 2: Royalty"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cYou’re saying I’m not good enough!\u201d Tabby’s voice rose shrilly at the clinic one morning, on an unusual day on which Tabby had beat Strawberry to work.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo! I’m just saying, you have too much work as it is and it would be beneficial to have another pony around to help,\u201d Thomas attempted to soothe her ruffled feathers. \u201cWith Elaine joining the practice in May, we\u2019ll be taking on more clients, and another set of hooves wouldn\u2019t be a bad idea.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHmph!\u201d said Tabby, still cross.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWith a larger staff, we could look at expanding into grooming services, maybe even boarding,\u201d Thomas went on.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe,\u201d said Tabby, forelegs crossed. \u201cBut I have a say in who it is. I\u2019m not going to work with just anyone.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Before they could continue, the back door swung open, and Strawberry ran in, waving a newspaper.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTabby, Thomas! Isn’t it so exciting about the royal twins!\u201d the receptionist trilled. \u201cA prince! We have a <\/span>prince<\/span><\/i> now!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRoyal twins were born?\u201d Tabby said, looking incredulous as she took the paper from Strawberry.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLike in Roseland? I didn\u2019t know any of the royals were expecting,\u201d Thomas said; though, admittedly, he didn\u2019t really follow the lives of royalty across the sea.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tabby, ignoring Thomas, tossed the paper aside and grimaced. \u201cI don\u2019t know why you\u2019re so excited,\u201d she complained. \u201cIt will just mean higher taxes for all of us.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy is that?\u201d Thomas asked, failing to see how foreign royalty would directly impact local taxes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, the town pays for their upbringing,\u201d Tabby said matter-of-factly. \u201cIt’s supposed to be made up for in tourism dollars or something; but really, it just means there are higher taxes and more entitled brats running amok in town.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think I\u2019m missing something,\u201d mused Thomas.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, don\u2019t you know about<\/span> the custom<\/span><\/i>?\u201d asked Strawberry. Both mares pinned him with a piercing glance.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I guess not,\u201d admitted Thomas. Despite having lived in Misty Hollow for over a year now, he still found himself learning about local customs that were foreign to him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPrince and Princess are titles handed out at the town level to those born here with the \u2018mark of royalty\u2019,\u201d said Tabby with an eye roll.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe mark of royalty?\u201d Thomas repeated.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSparkly hair!\u201d Strawberry clarified.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh… I see,\u201d Thomas said, frowning. The unusual biological feature of hair made up of tinsel-like fibers seemed an arbitrary trait to assign prestige to, but what did he know? \u201cI thought when ponies talked about princesses, it was along the lines of a county fair queen.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been quite some time since we\u2019ve had a new royal–why, there hasn\u2019t been one since Athena,\u201d Strawberry said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAhh,\u201d said Thomas, recalling the silver-maned pegasus. Tabby gave him a sharp look. \u201cI was just thinking,\u201d he continued, \u201cthat the attention has probably affected her haughty demeanor.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, and it was no small factor in the election of her mother to local politics,\u201d Tabby said. \u201cMayor Ainsworth\u2019s always milked her daughter\u2019s royalty for all its worth to increase public opinion of her.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo these twins–their parents aren\u2019t royalty?\u201d Thomas asked, wrapping his head around the concept.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNope, they’re plain ole\u2026\u201d Tabby picked the paper back up to consult. \u201c…Melonball and Springtime.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe could go to the hospital over lunch break and see them,\u201d Strawberry put forth hopefully. \u201cIt says there are public viewings.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou’re a sentimental goose,\u201d said Tabby, without animosity, \u201cbut fine, I’ll tag along.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

How had she gotten here? Springtime considered, looking over the flowers, balloons, and cards that filled the maternity suite to bursting.<\/span><\/p>\n

It had been her sister, who had dearly wanted Springtime to see little Honoria\u2019s dance recital. Springtime\u2019s niece was a little brat, but she knew she would never hear the end of it from her younger sibling if she didn\u2019t come. So, despite being eight months pregnant, she and her husband had hopped on the bus and made the trip from Hayton to Misty Hollow.<\/span><\/p>\n

But during the recital, pains had started that could not be ignored, and Springtime had ended up that night at Misty Hollow General Hospital to deliver the foals.<\/span><\/p>\n

Springtime had envisioned the happy scene often enough, the foals being placed in her forelegs. In the reality of it, she had feared there was something wrong at first, hearing hushed voices whispering. Then she was dimly aware of various attendants taking out phones to snap pictures, which seemed unprofessional, but she had other things to focus on.<\/span><\/p>\n

The beaming nurse presented her with the first, a little filly–and not long after, the second one, a colt. A boy and a girl, a perfect set, with complementing blue and green colors. And the <\/span>sparkle<\/span><\/i>! Springtime marveled at the tinsel-like threads shot through their manes and tails.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou have a little prince and princess,\u201d the nurse observed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a momentous occasion!\u201d someone else enthused, pumping Melonball\u2019s hoof enthusiastically.<\/span><\/p>\n

Well, yes, for the parents, Springtime concurred; but this sort of thing–delivering foals–happened all the time.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere hasn\u2019t been a new birth in nearly thirty years! <\/span>Babies<\/span><\/i>!\u201d The awe and wonder continued in the rapidly-growing crowd around the hospital bed.<\/span><\/p>\n

That seemed a little unlikely, Springtime thought, frowning. Misty Hollow was a growing community.<\/span><\/p>\n

Eventually, the truth of the situation came out–in this jurisdiction, sparkly hair was held in high regard, and those born with such a mark were given titles and a prestigious place in society. Springtime forced back a laugh–what a fanciful custom! That was all well and good, but she and her husband weren\u2019t from Misty Hollow, only visiting.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, you\u2019ll stay! You <\/span>have<\/span><\/i> to!\u201d the nurse said emphatically as Springtime had tried to explain this.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEnough about that–she needs to rest,\u201d the doctor had admonished, and some of the flurry subsided, for which Springtime was grateful.<\/span><\/p>\n

But by early morning, the local news station and paper had stopped by for photos. Springtime found herself wishing that her foals had not been born <\/span>quite<\/span><\/i> so special, as they were absent for another feeding.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNurse, the foals must be returned to me,\u201d said the perturbed mother. \u201cWe agreed to a few photos, but it\u2019s been over an hour.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo sorry,\u201d said the frazzled nurse who was in attendance. \u201cYes. of course. Just a moment.\u201d She scurried off.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry,\u201d said another nurse, bustling over to Springtime\u2019s side to check her blood pressure. \u201cWe fed them bottles.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOf what–<\/span>formula<\/span><\/i>?! They\u2019re exclusively on uddermilk!\u201d Springtime shouted. Stress and hormones seemed to be contributing to short-temperedness. This outburst sent the nurses running, and the babies were always returned to their mother for feedings after that.<\/span><\/p>\n

The foals\u2019 father, Melonball, was ostensibly keeping an eye on things; but it seemed that he had had his head turned by the locals\u2019 enthusiasm, and embraced the idea of royal offspring.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI do hope you\u2019ll consider our offer,\u201d said Mayor Ainsworth at the conclusion of her pitch–the dignitary had wasted no time in making contact with the couple. \u201cWe would love to have your family here with us in Misty Hollow.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll be in touch,\u201d said Melonball with an enthusiastic hoofshake before the mayor exited the room.<\/span><\/p>\n

Springtime merely rolled her eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDid you hear all that, babe? They\u2019re royalty! They\u2019ll be famous!\u201d Melonball was ecstatic.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt doesn\u2019t really mean anything,\u201d Springtime protested.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe knew they\u2019d be something special, didn\u2019t we?\u201d Melonball beamed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd they would be, regardless of whether their hair sparkles or not!\u201d Springtime scoffed. \u201cAs it is, I\u2019ve hardly seen them–they\u2019re constantly being pulled for news crews to take photos!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut Mayor Ainsworth said–we\u2019ll have to get the details in writing, but if it\u2019s true–\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re not seriously thinking about moving here, are you?\u201d Springtime asked, looking at him incredulously.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, why not?\u201d Melonball asked nonchalantly. \u201cI can do my job from anywhere, and with the payments we\u2019ll get from living in Misty Hollow, you won\u2019t have to work!\u201d He talked quickly, the gears clearly turning in his head.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere must be a catch,\u201d Springtime protested. \u201cThey can\u2019t seriously be offering to pay us for the next eighteen years because our offspring have sparkly hair.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou heard the mayor,\u201d Melonball insisted. \u201cIt\u2019s worth it for the tourism dollars, and ponies will lose their minds over royal twins!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo this will be the rest of our lives,\u201d Springtime snapped, \u201cseparated from our offspring by camera crews?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt won\u2019t be like this all the time,\u201d Melonball said, attempting a soothing tone that only rankled Springtime\u2019s nerves more. \u201cThey\u2019ll make a few appearances at community events, but otherwise life will be normal. It\u2019ll be fun!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, it sounds as if you\u2019ve made up your mind already,\u201d Springtime said, her forelegs crossed. \u201cWhy couldn\u2019t they have been born in Hayton?! They would have been normal. Now, they’ll be hounded the rest of their lives.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re tired,\u201d Melonball realized, kissing her placatingly. \u201cWe\u2019ll talk more about it later.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHmph!\u201d said Springtime with a reluctant smile.<\/span><\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

It was a madhouse, Tabby and Strawberry found, realizing that they weren\u2019t the only ones with the idea to visit the hospital. Word was spreading far and wide, and everyone in town (and beyond) was eager for a peek at the new royal twins.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tabby and Strawberry fought their way through the crowd to the viewing window, where two baskets were placed side-by-side, each with a sleeping baby pony. Someone had already seen to it that they were each issued a wand (uncharged with magic at this time) that would serve as a teether until the age of responsible magic use had been reached. The princess was issued a conical damsel hat, and the prince a crown, as were the customary adornments.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAww,\u201d said Strawberry, gazing at the newborns rapturously. \u201cLook at their little hooves!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve gone all mushy,\u201d Tabby said chidingly, ushering her friend along in the flow of traffic. \u201cI wonder if they\u2019ve been issued their Fuzziwug servants yet.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI wonder how the parents are bearing up,\u201d Strawberry said. \u201cThis is a big day for them!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThey seem to have left their offspring to the vultures,\u201d Tabby said with a significant look at the bustling crowd snapping pictures.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe we should get out of the way,\u201d Strawberry said, perhaps coming to regret her voyeurism.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Tabby agreed, leading the way.<\/span><\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

Springtime switched off the TV, having had about enough episodes of Incognito Boss (which appeared to be the only programming available) to last a lifetime. She sat, appreciating the momentary silence. But soon enough, there were hoofsteps in the hall, and the new mother braced herself for another visit from a doctor or nurse or chaplain or any of the other countless ponies in the hospital who wanted to check on her well-being.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTabby, I don’t think we’re supposed to be here,\u201d she heard a mare\u2019s voice say beyond the door.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I wasn’t going the other way, past Toby!\u201d said another voice in an agitated manner. \u201cGah! There he is!\u201d The door to Springtime\u2019s suite swung open, and Springtime looked curiously at the two mares who burst in.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOMG, I am so sorry,\u201d said the pink unicorn apologetically, facing the mare in the hospital bed. \u201cIt’s just that I\u2019m trying to avoid running into my ex-boyfriend.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh,\u201d said Springtime, a bemused look on her face. She had to admit, she found these mares much more diverting than most of the hospital staff, all of whom were wearing on her nerves.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe’s coming this way,\u201d the white mare with red hair noted, peering out the window in the door.<\/span><\/p>\n

Thinking quickly, Springtime suggested, \u201cThe shower stall,\u201d and gestured at the walled-off area. Without a second thought, the pink unicorn dove into the alcove, dragging her friend with her.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHello, Springtime,\u201d greeted Dr. Collins, entering the room moments later. \u201cHow are you feeling?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI thought motherhood might include being more with my foals,\u201d Springtime griped.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh course,\u201d the doctor said soothingly. \u201cWe\u2019ll see if we can\u2019t get them back in here. Everyone is very excited,\u201d he added, apologetically.<\/span><\/p>\n

Some matters of health were discussed; and, satisfied, Dr. Collins went on his way.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe coast is clear,\u201d Springtime said, raising her voice for the benefit of the intruders.<\/span><\/p>\n

The other two mares crept out of hiding and stood sheepishly before Springtime.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo, that\u2019s your ex? He\u2019s cute,\u201d Springtime said, breaking the silence. The prospect of gossiping about stallions seemed a welcome respite from arguing about royalty and feeding times. \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong with him?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSomeone better came along,\u201d said the pink unicorn with a cheeky grin.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re so sorry about this intrusion,\u201d the other mare said, looking abashed. \u201cSo, you’re the twins’ mother?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, as much as they’ll allow it,\u201d Springtime said, frowning. \u201cWould you believe, they are being fed <\/span>formula<\/span><\/i>?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, that’s no way to build an immune system,\u201d said the unicorn, shaking her head.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know, that’s what I’m saying!\u201d Springtime said, sensing a sympathetic listener at hoof. \u201cAnd taking them away to put on display!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI agree! Taking a newborn away from its mother is reprehensible,\u201d the unicorn agreed. \u201cI don\u2019t know why it\u2019s even a thing.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Springtime looked at her curiously, assuming she spoke from some experience. \u201cHow old are yours?\u201d she asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMine?\u201d The unicorn looked taken aback. \u201cOh, I’m not a parent, but I’m in healthcare,\u201d she explained. \u201cVeterinary medicine.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIs there a clinic here in town?\u201d Springtime asked. \u201cI hear we might be moving here.\u201d She smiled wanly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy, yes! Here’s our card,\u201d said the unicorn, nudging her friend, who in turn dug in her purse. \u201cI\u2019m Tabby; this is Strawberry. We both work there.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI’ll keep that in mind,\u201d Springtime promised, accepting the business card.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, we’ll get out of your way now,\u201d Strawberry spoke-up. \u201cS-Sorry again for the intrusion. Your babies are adorable, by the way.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, yeah. Congratulations,\u201d said Tabby as an afterthought.<\/span><\/p>\n

The two mares scurried out of the room, and Springtime was left in solitude.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u201cYou’re saying I’m not good enough!\u201d Tabby’s voice rose shrilly at the clinic one morning, on an unusual day on which Tabby had…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1071],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-33698","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-writing"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33698","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=33698"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33698\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":33699,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33698\/revisions\/33699"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=33698"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=33698"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=33698"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}