Short Hand: Celestia's Plan 2 · 11:15pm Apr 8th, 2021
Shepherd returns to his home, a great deal on his mind as he ponders the Princess's offer. His lusts aside, having a child is a big responsibility. Sure, he wants to be a father. He's always wanted to be a father.
But in a very real way, becoming a father here will mean that he's given up all hope of ever returning home to Earth. Because he couldn't just abandon his children or their mother. He'd choose them over ever going home to his planet.
Which meant that he'd go native and have to live in a world of crazy magic ponies, griffins, dragons and other monsters for the rest of his life, without the many creature comforts of his more technologically advanced civilization. Without his family on Earth.
As he walked into the living room, these thoughts weighed heavily on him.
Twilight: "Shepherd?"
Oh God. More weight. He gave Twilight a smile.
Shepherd: "Uh, hey Twilight. Doing well?"
Twilight: "Yes... I heard you went to see the Princess. Is... Is everything all right? Have they found a way home for you?"
She looked like she was trying to be optimistic but he could tell she hated the idea of him being gone. It was an odd feeling, that people... Ponies... Wanted him around for him. Not just because he was some fantastically strange one of a kind alien, but for him.
Shepherd: "Oh, no... It's uh... Different."
Twilight: "Well! Sit down, tell me about it. I want to try and help you."
Shepherd: "It's... A bit personal..."
Twilight: "Please?"
Shepherd: "... Pinkie Promise you won't freak out."
Twilight: "I-"
Shepherd: "Promise!"
Twilight sighs, but does so. Shepherd then sits on his couch with her.
Shepherd: "So... Apparently the nobles in Canterlot are concerned about me dying. Being the last human and all."
Twilight: "Only human. We don't know if you're the last."
Shepherd: "Well, they want me to fix that. To have children."
Twilight: "... Oh... Um... I see. Have they uh... Selected a potential wife for you then?"
Shepherd: "... Not precisely them, no."
Twilight: "Oh! W-Well, ahem. I am perfectly willing to fulfill that role, if you want! I mean, it's your choice! But I... I would put my heart and soul and mind into being the best wife and mother for you and our family I could."
Shepherd: holds her hooves "I know Twilight. You'd be a wonderful wife and a great mother... Provided your husband plowed you enough to not spazz out all the time."
Twilight: blush "First, thank you! Second, I do not spazz out. And third... Um... I mean, I'm sure you as my husband would take care of that-"
Shepherd: "Princess Celestia has offered me a... Wife, already. Or at least, someone willing to bare my children."
Twilight immediately freezes... But remembering her promise, she keeps her calm.
Twilight: "... Oh?"
Shepherd: "Yes."
Twilight: "... I-I see... Um... Who is it? If... You could tell me?"
Shepherd: "She offered herself."
Twilight: "She what?!"
Shepherd: "Twilight? The promise?"
Twilight: "R-R-Right! Right! Um... So... You would be-?"
Shepherd: "Father of her children. Anything else? I can't say."
Twilight: "... I... I see. And um... What did you say?"
Shepherd: "I said I would think on it. I haven't decided yet. It's... A very big decision to make, don't you agree? And I get it Twilight: You'd be happy to jump right in, but think, all right?"
Twilight: "All right."
Shepherd: "Yes, I care for you very deeply. You care for me very deeply. Sometimes terrifyingly."
Twilight: blush "I'm sorry! I don't... The rules for courtship and dealing with these feelings are so complicated and I just... I work myself up."
Shepherd: "I know. You do screw up. But you know you screw up, and you try to do better-"
Twilight: "I do! But only with your help, Shepherd! I mean... Part of why I might be so crazy over you is because you push back. You aren't intimidated by my status or my intelligence, you speak your mind and you do things your way! You make mistakes too, and admit them. And together, we become better because of those differences! My mother once told me that the ideal mate is somepony who challenges you to grow and become a better pony! You've helped me become a hero and a better leader and princess and friend."
Shepherd: "To be fair, so have the rest of your friends."
Twilight: "Yes, but with you it's... Different."
Shepherd: "... Yes. I suppose it is... But there's a big difference between dating and then jumping into marriage. Lots of people on my planet leaped into marriage and were utterly miserable. So don't just leap into this, okay? I'm not."
Twilight: shakes her head "I'm actually impressed. The Princess has had so many suitors who were kings, emperors, generals-The best of the best from across the world! And she never offered to have any of their children!" She smiles at him "You're really special, you know that?"
Shepherd: "Or I just give really good back massages."
Twilight: blush "Shepherd!"
Shepherd: "It was a joke! A joke! But yeah..." sigh "I just pray this doesn't get out and turn into an utter catastrophe like every other damn thing we try to do around here."
Twilight: "It'll be all right Shepherd. Only you, me, and Princess Celestia know about this."
Shepherd: "So far..."
Is this a preview a possible chapter
I hope one day you work all of your short story into the main story somehow someway
You two just had to go and jinx it, didn’t you...
5493270
I've been wondering that about a lot of his blogs.
5493270
Yes, eventually. I just have so many ideas that it's hard to write them all out properly.
Oh no.
... I don't really have anything witty to say about this one. It's a heartfelt scene that reflects on the emotional weight of the decision. Nice work.
That some serious thinking feels there. Shoots Twilight up the courting list right behind Fluttershy in my mind. Good job.
5493292
I can understand I have trouble when writting my story
5493283
To be fair, Twilight was the one who jinxed it. Shepherd just pointed out the obvious problem.
Wait, wasn't he already forced into a harem/group relationship or did they get rid of that? I was under the impression that he never had q choice.
(Que the paparazzi! ... Or some kind of noble/aristocratic backstabbing. Why must the nobility be so insufferable in practically every universe? Fancy Pants is the only one I've seen of them who I've actually liked!)