“Are you sure you’re going to be alright watching Nina tonight?”
“This isn’t my first rodeo Mr. Schwartz,” I nod and list off their usual schedule for their daughter, “Make sure she gets her homework done before any free time; dinner by 6:30 pm, money for pizza is by the fridge; in bed by 9 o’clock, her choice of bedtime story.”
Mrs. Schwartz nodded. “Thank you again so much for covering us on such short notice.”
I wave her off. “Hey, you’re my favorite family. Nina’s such a darling little girl.” Really I say that of all the families and children I babysit for, but it’s a ‘First Among Equals’ thing, I swear.
Mr. Schwartz called out to the back yard. “Nina, mommy and daddy are leaving, come say goodbye.”
“Coming!” Nina ran into the kitchen, wearing a black wig with a purple highlight in it. Her eyes lit up when she saw me. “Oh my gosh, you’re here.” She latched onto me and we hugged.
“Right, right kiddo, you’re parents have to do something tonight but I’m going to be watching you tonight,” I release her from the hug and nod to her parents. “Why don’t you go say bye to them.”
She practically hopped over to her parents and gave them the biggest hug she could, with a kiss complete with a fake ‘mwah’. “Bye mommy, bye daddy.”
“Bye honey, we’ll be back after you’re asleep so behave yourself.”
With that, and some more reluctant goodbyes, Nina’s parents left. She waved to them as they pulled out of the driveway and drove off. Once they were out of sight, I nudged her. “So, let’s go get that homework of your’s done and then we can watch some cartoons?”
To Nina’s credit, she is a really smart cookie. Certainly a better student than I was at her age. I knew enough that she was quirky, and didnt think twice when she insisted on keeping her wig on .Thankfully I had the advantage of several years on her, so I didnt have to embarrass myself when she asked for help with her math and science. Reading along with her for English was fun too.
Unfortunately by the time we got done the sun was setting early, so there wasn’t much time for playing outside. She had other plans though. She tugged me over to the living room and sat my rear down. “I found this show I love,” she said as she flicked through Netflix. So long as it wasn’t ‘Super Sex Doom Goresplosion’ or something like that she was allowed to watch it, which was fine by me. “It’s all about ponies! There’s a character in there I think you’d like.”
I already had an inkling what she was going to show me, but I let her surprise me. As I guessed it was the most recent incarnation of My Little Pony. “Oh hey,” I said as the theme song started, “I remember this show from when I was your age. Or at least another version of it.”
As the episode started I finally recognized Nina’s current hairstyle, belonging to the main character Twilight Sparkle. Then came another pink pony, who Nina pointed out to me. “That’s Cadance, that’s you. She’s the best babysitter and so are you.”
“But Nina, I’m not a pony,” I giggle, “nice rhyme though, did you just come up with that?”
She sticks her tongue out at me. “Maybe. But could we maybe, sorta do the dance they do?” She fast forwards to a part of the episode where Twilight Sparkle and Cadance greet each other with a simple song and dance.
I tousle her hair. “Sure thing, but you’re going to have to walk me through it.”
She pulled me to my feet with youthful exuberance. “Okay just do after me.” “Sunshine sunshine,” she bounced on her legs and I followed behind. “Ladybugs awake, “she covered her eyes with her hands, though I didn't so I could watch. “Clap your hooves,” this part I remembered, it was a patty-cake sort of deal. “And give a little shake,” we both turned around and shook our butts. “See, you got it! Now let’s see if you can do it from the top.”
Simple enough, and I did the dance again for her to satisfy her. Of course bouncing around was just too much fun and we both broke out into giggles. Soon enough she was satisfied and we sat down to watch the rest of the episode. It was short and pleasant enough, I couldn’t really follow most of it but I don’t think there was anything objectionable to it.
By the time the credits rolled around it felt like I sat on something, maybe a throw pillow that got bunched up. Nina got up to grab herself her one soda for the day while I tried to dig whatever I was sitting on out. I stood up, but there was nothing there. “Huh,” I reached down between the cushions to see if it slid even further down. A lock of pink hair fell over my eyes and I brushed it aside. “Nina, you got wig for me?”
Nina’s voice echoed from the nearby kitchen. “What wig?” She walked in and gasped, dropping her can of soda. “Y-your,” she stuttered, quickly picking the can back up.
I pushed by her, grabbing some paper towels. “Ach, let’s get this cleaned up before we slip on it.”
“B-but,” Nina continued to stutter.
I waved her off, kneeling to soak up the liquid. “It’s no biggie, just got to get this cleaned up.” The wig fell into my eyes again and I grabbed it to take it off. A sharp tug told me it was no wig. “What the heck?” I fell onto my rear, another pang of discomfort running down my spine. I reached into my pants and pulled out a long curly tail the same colors as my ‘wig’.
Nina rushed over. “I dunno what’s happening? Why are you turning into Cadance?” She gave me what little support I could as I stood up, socks hanging off my feet oddly. I took a step and the muted ‘clop’ told me I needed to look at my feet next.
Shock kept my voice even. “Nina, I think I want to lie down on the couch now, could you help me?” To her credit, she did help me to the couch without complaint and even got me some pillows before taking up a place hovering over my face, twirling my new hair around her finger. “Thank you. Could you help me some more? Can you help me get my socks off?”
Nina made a disgusted face. “Fine, but you owe me.” She bounced over to me feet, and tugged off my socks. As I suspected, they were horse-like hooves, and a fine pink fuzz grew up my legs. A similar fuzz creeped out from under my sleeves. Nina rubbed what used to be my ankle. “It’s like velvet.” She was quiet for a few moments. “Does it hurt?”
I let out a sigh, rubbing my temples. I could feel the fuzz creeping up my face, which was quickly pushing out. A horn poked through my fingers. “No, Nina, I don’t feel a thing. But it feels so odd.”
My ears flicked as Nina padded on over. “Aw, you’re turning into the pony? I want to be the pony!” Her voice was thick with disappointment.
I smiled at that. “Well, I don’t think your parents would be too happy with that.” She poked my nose, and I instinctively scrunched up. “What is it?”
“I want to do the dance again.”
I look at her, ears perking up. “What? Again? So soon?”
She shrugs. “Well, I want to do it again, especially with Princess Cadance.”
“I’m not,” I start, but her she puts on eyes that would make a puppy give in. “Alright,” I swing my legs over and stand up with surprising ease, “how does it go again? ‘Sunshine Sunshine’’...