Snow gave the spoon in front of him an evil glare, Nurse Lemon Heart had brought him breakfast but was called away before she had a chance to assist him with eating. He had tried to emulate the magic magnetic grip others seemed to possess with no success. His efforts often ended up pushing objects he tried to grab further away. He could grab things if he sandwiched objects between both hooves, but this was slow and required a fair bit of effort.
Letting out a sigh he reached forward and grabbed the spoon between his hooves. Leaning forward he lowered the spoon towards his breakfast, but let out a startled yelp as he lost his balance clipping the edge of the bowl. It flipped twice before landing unceremoniously on top of his head.
He crossed his hooves in frustration as his breakfast dripped down the side of his face. “Stupid hooves.” He grumbled his eyes becoming slightly misty, he wanted his old body back. In his new body he was helpless, dependent on others for help.
The door to his room opened, looking up he saw Pinkie standing in the doorway. She had a hoof in front of her mouth trying her best to stop herself from laughing at his predicament. From what he could tell Pinkie, was not a staff member of the hospital but she still spent a fair amount of her free time with him, keeping him company and patiently teaching him new things about this world. He liked and trusted her to help him out. Seeing her laughing at him though reminded him just how useless he was. His ears flattened against his head and he lowered his head, using his hooves to cover his face in a vain attempt to hide the tears now freely flowing down his face.
Pinkie stopped laughing and she let out a concerned gasp. Quickly she made her way to Snow's side and brought him in for a hug. “I'm sorry I shouldn't have laughed.” She loosened her grip and pulled the bowl off his head. A wash cloth was produced from her mane and she began to clean his fur. Most of his breakfast came out but some of the oatmeal still stubbornly clung to his fur but it wasn’t noticeable and could be dealt with later. “There, now let's get you some breakfast you have a big day ahead of you”
Snow did not understand most of what Pinkie said but he did recognize one word: ‘breakfast’. He gave her a nod and his stomach grumbled eagerly at the thought of actually eating food. Pinkie grabbed him by his scruff and deposited him on her back and made her way out of the room.
“ Sign here and Snow is free to leave.” Said Lemon Heart hoofing Pinkie the discharge forms.
Snow was absently looking around, he knew they were talking about him but due to the language barrier he gave up trying to understand. Pinkie’s muscles tensing under him drew his attention as he wondered what she was nervous about. She grabbed an offered quill with her teeth and lowered her head to a sheet of paper in front of her.
“Perfect.” said Caring Skies who stood next to Pinkie. She and took the form and placed it in a folder. Looking up she noticed the apprehensive look in Pinkie’s eyes. “Remember, if you need anything at all, you let me know. Also don’t forget about Snow’s physical therapy session on monday.”
Pinkie’s muscles relaxed and she nodded, “Thanks, I will.”
Stuffing the folder under a her wing Skies turned her attention to Snow. She gave him a smile then spoke in a soft but cheery tone, “Bye Snow, I’m sure you will love living with Pinkie and the Cakes.”
Snow frowned, ‘bye’ meant he was going to be brought back to his room. He didn’t want to go back to his room yet. It meant long hours of boredom sitting on his bed with nothing to do. Pinkie began to move under him, he opened his mouth to protest but stopped, they were not going in the direction of his room.
Snow squinted as they left the hospital, sunlight reflected off the snow covered the landscape temporarily blinding him. He blinked in surprise once his vision had adjusted, ponies of every size, type and colour walked on the frozen gravel paths between the large wooden buildings around them. He had caught glimpses of the town through the window in his room at the hospital, but at that distance it looked like a quiet relaxing painting when in reality it was anything but.
One side street opened up to a large park where he could see young ponies having a snowball fight in the distance. They laughed as they ducked and dodged the in coming fire from the other team.
In the corner of his vision there was some movement, he narrowed his eyes looking for what may have caught his eye. There almost completely camouflaged against the snow with it’s white fur was a familiar arctic fox. It sat there staring at him intently .
He tapped Pinkie on the shoulder, “Pinkie.” When she turned and looked at him questionably. He pointed towards the fox but it was no longer there. Casting his gaze about he tried to spot it one more. For the briefest of moments he saw a white tail disappear behind one of the buildings.
“We’ll have time to go to the park another day, first I want you to meet some ponies.” Stated Pinkie guessing at what Snow wanted.
She began to walk again but in the wrong direction. He tapped her on the shoulder. “Pinkie, go.” He pointed once more in the direction of the park. He had questions and that fox held the answers but he needed Pinkie’s help if he was to pursue it.
Pinkie shook her head, “No.” She stated firmly as she continued to walk in the opposite direction. “We will go to the park another time.” He crossed his fore-legs in frustration.
Ten minutes of walking later the street opened up. Snow’s frustration had mostly disappeared and he actively looked around as they entered a large public square. Stalls were scattered throughout with vendors hawking their wares. Pinkie happily trotted through the crowd smiling and waving at many a passersby who reciprocated her actions with slightly confused looks when they noticed Snow on her back.
Half way across the square Pinkie looked over her shoulder, “Snow,” she started drawing his attention away from the busy happenings of the town. She pointed, to a building at the far end of the square. It was decorated like the largest gingerbread house he had ever seen. Just looking at it made him hungry. “That’s our home. I know you’ll love it, Mr. and Mrs. Cake are so nice and I’m sure you’ll have a bunch of fun with the twins!” She cheerfully stated while making her way towards door with a bounce in her step.
A bell above the door signalled their arrival as they entered the building. Snow studied the interior which seemed to be a restaurant of some kind. Ponies sat at many of the tables that lined the walls, talking amongst themselves as they enjoyed fresh pastries.
The new arrivals drew the gaze of many within the establishment including large light blue mare who stood behind a counter giving them a warm smile. The attention made him anxious, using Pinkie’s puffy mane he tried in vain to hide himself from view.
“Welcome back Pinkie.” Said the blue mare.
A door behind the counter burst open and lanky yellow stallion stuck his head through. “Did I hear you say Pinkie is back?” His eyes drifted to Pinkie failing to notice Snow on her back, “Oh thank Celestia! We’re swamped and I could really use you in the kitchen.”
“Now Honey,” The blue mare spoke up using a stern voice, “She just brought Soft Snow home. Let her have the day off to get him settled.”
“That’s today!?” The stallion did a double take on Pinkie spotting a white ball of fur sprawled out on her back.
“Yup.” Pinkie joyfully stated. She looked over her shoulder at Snow and grabbed him by the scruff and placed him on the ground in front of her. “Mr., Mrs. Cake, I would like you to meet Soft Snow.”
Mr. Cake lowered himself to Snow’s level. Unsure, Snow scooted backwards planting himself firmly between Pinkie’s legs. “Hello Snow,” started Mr. Cake. Snow tentatively peered out at him, “I'm Carrot Cake.” Mr. Cake motioned to himself.
The large mare came up beside Mr. Cake and pointed to herself. “And I'm Cupcake. We are going to be living together.”
Snow gave them an unsure look, he didn’t understand most of what was said, but it he was certain that these two ponies were introducing themselves. Gaining some confidence he looked up, “Hello.” He timidly greeted back slurring the word slightly.
The bell above the door rang once more and Mrs. Cake looked behind Pinkie and let out a sigh as three ponies walk in. “Pinkie I would love to spend some more time getting to know Snow more, but we really need to get back to work. Why don’t you show him the rest of his new home.”
Pinkie nodded, “Okie dokie.”
Pinkie put Snow on her back and made her way across seating area towards a set of stairs. At the top of the stairs she stopped,“Hmm, what to show first” She tapped her chin with her hoof. “Ah, I know.” They approached the door just a little ways down the hall on the left. Voices could be heard coming from the other side. “This is Pound and Pumpkin's room.” She knocked on the door. The voices quickly quieted to a whisper and the sound of small hooves could be heard rushing towards the door.
The door opened to reveal two small foals. “Aunt Pinkie!” They exclaimed together and rushed forward wrapping themselves around her forelegs. Snow examined them from his perch, one was a tan pegasus colt with a brown mane and tail. The other was a unicorn filly with blond fur and a pumpkin coloured mane with a blue bow in it. Both were just a bit smaller smaller than him.
“Aunty, Aunty, do you want to play with us?” asked Pound excitedly a hopeful grin on his face.
Pinkie shook her head. “Not right now.” The two foals let disappointed awws “But I do want you to meet someone.” She quickly cut in before they could protest further. Reaching behind her she grabbed Snow and set him on the ground in front of the twins.
Pumpkin and Pound looked at each other curious expressions on their faces then made their way towards Snow. “Who's this?” Pound asked while they walked around Snow in a tight circle in opposite directions like wolves circling their prey, making him nervous.
“I would like you meet Soft Snow. Snow,” At the mention of his name he looked up at Pinkie. “I would like you to meet Pound Cake, and Pumpkin Cake.” Pinkie motioned to each foal as she said their name. “Snow will be living with us for a while.”
“So, is he our new older brother?” Pound asked
“How can he be our older brother if Mom and Dad didn’t have kids before us?” Cut in Pumpkin quickly trying to prove her brother wrong.
“I bet they hid him from us.”
“Why would they do that?”
“To surprise us when we got older of course.” Pumpkin rolled her eyes at her brothers hypothesis.
Pinkie’s voice interrupted the twin’s arguing, “No, he is not your brother. He’s...” She tapped her chin trying to think of the best way to explain. “He’s more like your cousin, since I am the one responsible for him.”
Pound and Pumpkin looked at each other then turned to Snow with wide smiles plastered on their faces, “Yay, cousin Snow!” Exclaimed the twins as they rushed Snow piling on top of him in a rough attempt at a hug. Snow’s head popped out from under the pile and he gave Pinkie a pleading look.
Pinkie tried her best to hide her amusement at Snow’s predicament but soon relented came to his rescue and pulled Pound and Pumpkin off of him. Snow promptly crawled under her hooves for protection from the twins, his back legs dragging uselessly behind him. Pound and Pumpkin stopped their cheering and gave Snow a confused look.
“Aunty, is something wrong with Snow? ” Asked Pumpkin concerned.
“Yah, why is he crawling like that?” Pound followed up.
Pinkie sat on haunches with Snow firmly between her forehooves. Looking down she studied him as she tried to think of the best way to explain Snow’s challenges. “I don’t know, no one does.”
“Hasn’t anypony asked Snow what’s wrong?” Pumpkin asked
Pinkie let out a sigh, “I’m sure he would, but he doesn’t speak equestrian”
“How can he be be a pony and not speak equestrian?” Pumpkin asked.
“If he’s not a pony... Then what is he?” Pound asked building on his sister's line of thought. The twins studied Snow then looked at each other in thought. Their eyes widened and they took up aggressive stances in front of Pinkie. “Aunty get away from Snow!” exclaimed Pound.
Pinkie gave the twins a confused look.
“He must be a changeling” Pumpkin followed up.
Pinkie rolled her eyes and let out a sigh, Snow just stared at the display slightly frightened that they were going to attack him. “Snow is not a changeling” she stated firmly.
“Are you sure?”
Pinkie nodded, “Snow just has some challenges that he will need our help facing. Can I count on you to help him?”
The twins relaxed their stance and gave Pinkie a quick nod. “Uh huh”
“Perfect. Now who wants to help show Snow the house?”
“I do!” The twins exclaimed together their faces brightening once more.
“We’ll be the best house guides ever!” exclaimed Pound.
“Let’s go.” said Pumpkin rushing out the room followed promptly by Pound. After a couple of seconds Pumpkin stuck her head back through the door, “Well? you coming?” She impatiently asked. Grabbing Snow, Pinkie lifted him onto her back and followed Pumpkin out of the room.
After supper Pinkie brought Snow into the living room and sat him on the floor and began to rummage through her mane. “Saxophone, nope. Spatula. Bolder…. Bolder!” She pulled out a rock and narrowed her eyes at it, “What are you doing here?”
Snow tilted his head as Pinkie nodded as if listening to the rock. “Maud’s going to a geology conference in Canterlot and is going to be stopping by on her way there!” She exclaimed causing him to flinch in surprise. “Oh this is going to be perfect. Tell Maud I can’t wait to see her.” She opened a window and tossed the rock out.
Turning her attention back to the room scanning it. “Where did I put that list.” She tapped her chin. “Ah ha, I know.” She made her way behind the couch and pulled out a piece of paper.
“Here it is, Dr Bones’ exercise list.”
Pinkie guided Snow through his prescribed exercises. It frustrated Snow to no end, he could feel his rear legs making the motions but he still couldn’t get them to move on his own. He glared at the offending limbs concentrating, willing them to move as Pinkie guided one through a slow rotation. His leg twitched and it was not from Pinkie's movements. Stunned he looked at Pinkie who had stopped and sported an encouraging smile. Concentrating he willed his leg to move one more. It was subtle but his leg gave a small twitch.
“You did It!” Pinkie exclaimed bringing him in for a hug. After a moment She placed him back on the ground and started to go through the remaining exercises. Snow paid rapt attention to what she was doing. He was just beginning to gain some control but still had lots of work to do if he was going to obtain mastery over his new limbs.
When they finished half an hour later Pound approached them pushing a large box with his head. It was filled with wooden blocks of all shapes and sizes. Turning around he reared up and gave the box a light buck emptying its contents onto the floor.
“Aunty, do you think Snow would like to play with my blocks with me?”
Pinkie looked at Snow who already had decided to grab a couple of blocks which had landed in front of him and had began to stack them. “He’s already one step ahead of you.” Said Pinkie with a smirk as he pointed to Snow.
With a wide smile Pound grabbed some blocks of his own and placed them around the base of Snow’s fledgling tower. Soon their tower half as large as Snow. Pound was doing most of the building, his hooves easily grabbed the blocks allowing him to safely place blocks on the upper portions without knocking their creation over.
Pinkie stood up, “Pound, I am going to go see if your mom and dad need any help. Come find me if Snow needs anything.”
Pound nodded, “OK Aunty.” he responded as Pinkie made her way out of the room. Looking back at the tower he tapped his chin in thought. “Next we need a rectangle.”
Snow looked around at the blocks around him, spotting the block he thought he needed he pushed it over to Pound. “No that one, That’s a square” he stated as he pointed to the block at his feet. Looking over Snow’s pile Pound pointed to a block off to his left, “That one is a rectangle.”
Locating the block Snow tapped it questionably and asked, “Rectangle?”
“Yep.”
Snow smiled and pushed the block over to Pound. With the block in hoof he stood up on his hind legs, his small wings flared to stabilize himself as he carefully placed the block on top of the tower. It wavered slightly swaying side to side. Pound and Snow to took in sharp breath. Soon though it came to rest and they let out a collective sigh of relief.
“This is the biggest tower ever!” Exclaimed Pound admiring their work. Snow did not understand what was said but smiled back with a shared sense of accomplishment.
Snow’s smile faltered slightly and he tilted his head as he saw Pumpkin slowly sneaking up behind Pound. She noticed him giving her a questioning look and brought a hoof up to her mouth quietly mouthing ‘shh’. He gave the briefest of nods which went unnoticed by Pound. She crept closer with wide mischievous smile on her face. “What you up to!” She exclaimed causing Pound to jump and tumble forward into the tower.
Pumpkin rolled on the ground laughing as Pound extracted himself from the remains of their creation. He reeled around and glared at his sister. “That was not funny!”
“Yes it was, even Snow is laughing.” He looked at Snow who was trying his best to hide his smirk.
“It wasn’t that funny.” Pound repeated in a quieter voice turning around he crossed his hooves.
Seeing the sad posture of her brother she came up beside him and wrapped him in a hug. “I’m sorry, You looked like you were having fun, I just kind of wanted to join in.” She released her embrace and pawed the floor in front of her. “Can I play with you guys?”
“Fine,” He relented but pointed a accusatory hoof in her direction, “but don’t knock over the tower this time.” She nodded and took a seat next to Pound and began to gather some blocks.
Once more a new tower began to form this time larger than before. Pinkie, Mrs. and Mr. Cake walked into the room and approach them. “Looks like someponies are having fun.” said Pinkie with a smile on her face.
“Yah! We made the biggest, big skyscraper ever!” exclaimed Pound exaggerating with his hooves how large the tower was.
“Wow thats amazing. Did Snow help you guys out?”
“Uh huh, at first he was helping us build but then it became to high for him to reach so he became our block gat…” Pumpkin fumbled with her words, “gather…. Getter. Block getter”
“How does he know which blocks to grab if he doesn’t speak equestrian?” Inquired Mr. Cake
“We taught him.” Stated Pound proudly tapping his chest with his hoof.
“That’s very kind of you and I’m glad you are having fun, but it’s time to get ready for bed” said Mrs. Cake.
“Awwwww” complained the twins in unison.
“But we were going to build another tower to make a town.” Pouted Pound.
“No buts” Stated Mr. Cake firmly, “You can play with Snow again tomorrow. Tell you what if your quick and get ready for bed fast I will let you pick out a bedtime story.”
The twins perked up, smiles returning to their faces. “I know just the book!” exclaimed Pumpkin as she rushed down the hall towards the washroom.
“Wait for me!” whined Pound scampering off behind her.
“Works every time.” Said Mr. Cake with a knowing smile on his face then began to follow after them leaving Pinkie with Snow alone.
Pinkie looked down at Snow, “What do you think? time for bed?” Snow just tilted his head. “I’ll take that as a yes.” She walked over to Snow and grabbed him by the scruff and began to walk town the hall and up the stairs to her room with him hanging from her mouth.
There was a cot brought into her room for Snow but instead she made her way towards her own bed and placed him on it covering him with the comforter. She then jumped up and settled herself next to him.
Reaching under her pillow she pulled out picture book like she had the previous nights when he was in the hospital. “Want to read a book?” She asked. Snow nodded having been asked that before. He liked books especially ones with lots of pictures. He could point to something and ask what it was called.
Snow snuggled closer to Pinkies side, she smiled then began to read.