//------------------------------// // Spice of Life (Guest) // Story: Tales from Tinies. // by MrAquino //------------------------------// Saffron Masala wandered the streets of Canterlot at night. The Tasty Treat was closed until the following morning, and she enjoyed the free time to herself. Her thoughts were elsewhere, as she thought about just how much life has changed in the past months. The restaurant she and her father own was saved by two ponies, Pinkie Pie and Rarity, along with many other customers in Canterlot. It’s hard to imagine how a pony like that even became a food critic anyway. Being from a far region of Equestria had also brought many changes. The biggest being, she and her father encountered, were the small creatures that ponies affectionately refer to as tinies. They heard the story about how they started to arrive and that more afterwards, how they originally got along okay with their new giant neighbors, and then how tasty they are, which more or less made it a lot harder to get along with their giant neighbors. “I’m just glad to know that most ponies aren’t actually hurting them.” She said to herself as she continued down the abandoned street. She, nor her father, have ever tried a human. In fact, Coriander Cumin forbade the eating of tinies within the premises of the restaurant, giving the tinies a sort of safe haven they could go to and relax for a moment, and even enjoy some of the cuisine. However, Saffron herself can’t help but be curious; after all, all the ponies in Canterlot, let alone anywhere else, have all practically gone crazy over this new diet craze. There is even a real fancy restaurant down the street from there own that features tinies as the main courses of their meals. Interestingly enough, the restaurant has stayed strictly to the laws regarding the tinies. However, there are still the back alley and “underground” trades going on in the shadows. Essentially, there are groups of ponies, and even tinies, that go around capturing and enslaving tinies, selling them as slaves to other ponies willing to pay the price for a tiny servant. The worst part is that the tinies that are usually caught by these groups are the many now orphaned tiny children left stranded, and alone, by the magic bringing them to Equestria. Luckily, the Princesses are absolutely outraged at the practice and have devoted a lot of time and resources to stopping the groups, even though Luna goes on her nightly hunts for said children. Thankfully, on the other hoof, many ponies have been sheltering, and even adopting the children that are either now separated from their parents, or that were orphans in the first place. If the child’s parents are found, they too would end up living with the pony family, if the child’s parents aren’t found, or the child is an orphan, then at least they are now living with a loving pony family, that only occasionally take advantage of the tastiness factor. As she approached another alleyway, a couple young tinies came running out before stopping in front of her frozen in fear. From somewhere in the alleyway, the clopping of hooves can be heard, along with the laughter of the small group slowly getting closer. “Nah, it’s best to let them wear themselves out, they can’t get far, and it’s easier to catch them that way.” From the pitch of the voice, Saffron identified its owner as a stallion. “I wonder how much they’ll fetch us?” This one, a mare answerd. Tiny snatchers! No wonder these two are so afraid! “Shh! You idiots!” The third voice, another mare starts before fading into likely a whisper. Saffron quickly snatched the two children with her magic and took off. She tucked the two children into her shirt, next to her chest, preventing the glow of her magic from being a beacon for the snatchers, and to muffle the children if they scream. Behind her, the snatchers changed their pace into a full gallop, realizing somepony heard and decided to take their quarry. She ducked into another alley and rushed deep within, slowing down to quiet her steps. She found a few crates, barrels, and boxes. Hiding behind them, she curled her forelegs around the front her neckerchief and hugged it gently, muffling, and hopefully, comforting the two children in the portion of her shirt underneath it. The two pressed up against her chest didn't struggle, either out of fear, or perhaps realizing that her intent is to help them. She waited, peering through a small space in between a couple crates and listened intently for the three snatchers. She heard them pass by the alley, complaining about how the two got away. Saffron continued to wait until they pass out of earshot. Carefully, she took out the two children and examines them more closely. One a tween, tall and gangly boy, no older than fourteen, in a red t-shirt and a pair of blue shorts. The other was a rather short a young girl, only about ten and wore a long, blue-green dress. Both of them look up at her in fear, and she can hear both of them letting out little fear filled squeaks. “Shh. Don’t worry you two. You’re safe now, the tiny snatchers seem to have gone down another road. I’m Saffron Masala, what are your names?” “I-I-I’m K-K-Kelly…” The girl answered shakily. “I’m T-TJ.” The boy managed to say. “Well Kelly, TJ, don’t worry any more. You’re safe with me.” Saffron continues. “How about I take you two home and get you some food? Does that sound nice?” They stood frozen, but warily nodded their heads "Don’t worry, my father forbids ponies from eating tinies at our restaurant. You two will be quite safe there. You can even stay with me in my room.” She pulled open her shirt and starts placing them back within. “Wait, please, Miss! It’s really cramped in there!” TJ called out. She pulled them out “Well, I really don’t have anywhere else to put you two, without the two of you falling off.” Saffron replies. “Unless, you two are fine, um, in here?” She asks, pointing to her mouth with a hoof. The two looked at each other, then back to Saffron, and then back to each other. They both swallowed nervously before looking back to Saffron again. "Y-you won't eat us... right?" Kelly asked Saffron wasn't sure how to answer that. She had heard of ponies that have eaten so many tinies that, eventually, they can refuse the urge to swallow them. But she was new, and lying wasn't her forte. "Uh... I... can't promise on that... but don’t worry, I’ll be very careful.” Saffron replied before slowly lifting the two and turning her hooves, letting them slide into her mouth. They both whimpered as they landed. She carefully moved the two along her tongue, keeping herself from letting them know how much she was enjoying their taste. While they were, well, tasty, if she were able to, she'd probably make them a bit spicier, for her taste. After a moment, she swallowed the two, feeling their descent the entire time, and both entering her stomach. They both looked around their new place, and hugged each other. “Are you two okay in there?” Saffron asked gently, the place shaking around them as she rubbed her belly. “U-um, y-yeah…” TJ replied. “B-big.” Kelly managed to muster. Saffron giggled a bit. “Not that big Kelly, I’m a trim mare. Now you two get some sleep, and I’ll wake you when we get home.” Saffron began to head home, focusing on the feelings coming from within her stomach. She felt the two slowly settle down, and eventually sleep among the sounds of her heartbeat, breath, and, of course, the gurgling of her stomach. “So this is how it feels to adopt tiny children, it’s very nice.” ___ The group of tiny snatchers continued looking around in Canterlot. They’ve searched just about everywhere in a two mile radius. “Those kids couldn’t have got this far!” The stallion says slightly peeved. “I can’t believe we lost them!” The first mare yells out in frustration. “Just think how the boss will react!” The second mare yelled out in fear. “You three won’t have to worry about your boss anymore, what you should worry about…” A third mare’s voice sounds out. The three turn around and find themselves gazing up at none other than Nightmare Moon. “IS ME!!” She yelled and snatched all of them within her magic grasp. She shrunk the three down to tiny size. They all struggled and looked at her in complete terror “Let’s see how you like it!” She said with a sneer before flicking the three terrified ponies into her mouth. They stood up on her tongue and looked around the surprisingly lit interior of her mouth, screaming in terror at the sight of her sharp teeth. Those screams become cries, muffled on the outside, as a sudden gulp lead them deeper. With a splat they land in her stomach. They stood up and bunched together, fearfully gazing around their new abode, as it starts to contract and churn. The place became cramped as Nightmare Moon let out a satisfying belch. Should I tell them that they’ll be unharmed? Nah. I’ll let them figure that out. Luna should be proud for my first day.