Blueblood sat on his Aunt's desk in her room. His life had taken a downhill turn ever since his cold. He now found himself smaller than most tinies, and worse, delicious to the ponies that he had once looked down upon, or up to. His Aunt, Princess Celestia herself, had not only given what was left of his fortune and property to the Tiny his cold pulled the spell into him from, but also decided to keep him with her in the castle, where he ended up getting a look at more of his Aunt than anypony else would ever see in their lifetime, besides some tinies that weren’t removed from her stomach in time. Her digestive system, like the now full sized Lindsey’s, was too large for the spell to handle and thus, if she wasn’t careful, her ‘explorers’ would end up seeing things that they’d never thought they’d see. This was one of the few moments he cherished now... not being inside his Aunt. Or at least, he would if his life weren’t essentially utterly crushed. He sat there, staring down at the top of the desk, rubbing his hoof along it, as he waited for her inevitable return. While he was sulking at his ultimate demise, his ears perked at a small sound he never heard of before. He couldn’t put his hoof on where it was coming from, but he could easily tell what it was: it was somepony singing. He stood up as he tried to figure out what they were singing, and if he could find out who. It was sometimes a normal thing if one of Celestia’s maids were singing, but the voice was unrecognizable. After some time, he started hearing the words.
♬Dream to dream
In the dark of the night
When the world goes wrong
I can still make it right”
“I can see so far in my dreams
I’ll follow my dreams
Until they come true♬
He continued looking around for the source; whoever it was, they were close. As he continued searching, he spotted, to his horror, a unicorn maid, one he’d picked on before the ‘incident’, and hid behind one of his Aunt’s jewel boxes. Peeking around the corner, he looked at her, the song was being sung near her, he could tell it wasn’t her as her mouth wasn’t moving, instead her head was bobbing along to the song and she was levitating a tiny near one of his Aunt’s crowns. The tiny seemed to be the one singing as she gave the jewels some extra cleaning. The tiny girl was rather unique in his eyes; the girl only had a small bucket full of water and was using a rag to stroke the water on the unused crown. She began to dunk the rag in the water a second time before she continued singing.
♬Come with me
You will see what I mean
There’s a world inside
No one else ever sees
“You will go so far in my dreams
Somewhere in my dreams
Your dreams will come true♬
The tiny girl, as Blueblood saw her, had hair that was long, silky, and as red as the freshest roses, it being brought up in a ponytail. And eyes that shined just as bright as the brightest emeralds he’s seen before. The girl’s clothes, however, were not so pretty; she wore a dress that had long sleeves, the chest area being brown while the sleeves were a dull yellow color. The bottom half of her dress was a worn out red, even having a sewn in patch as if she didn’t have enough to properly repair it.
♬There is a star
Waiting to guide us
Shining inside us
When we close our eye♬
After that, she seemed to be too into her song, eyes closed as she even began to dance with her song, the mare only letting the tiny have her moment as she too was into the girl’s singing.
♬Don’t let go
If you stay close to me
In my dreams tonight
You will see what I see
“Dreams to dreams
As near as can be
Inside you and me
They always come truu~e!♬
At the final note, she finally stopped singing, realizing she got too into her singing… again. “O-oh, I’m sorry Swiffer. I didn’t mean to stop.” She blushed pink, taking her rag again as she went back to cleaning, this time without singing.
Blueblood, having paid attention to her song, didn't noticed that not only had he stepped out of his cover, but had practically trotted almost all the way to the girl. When she stopped however, that was when he noticed. He swallowed nervously hoping that the giant maid hadn’t noticed him, and dived behind cover again.
The tiny girl was quick to notice him, but once the small stallion dove in for cover, she could easily tell that he was hiding for a good reason. Swiffer always told her on how unkind the prince was, the news of him being shrunken down due to a spell cold only made half the staff member’s looking for him to give a piece of their mind. She was new though, not knowing just how unkind he was. She could tattle on him, but that would be like telling some other Tiny’s hiding spot, while not wanting to be eaten herself. She only continued cleaning the crown, sometimes moving her arm a little farther to signal the mare to move her hoof to the next area of the crown that was too small for a normal pony to reach.
The maid, Swiffer, noticed Blueblood as well, and how could she not have? He practically walked right up to them. She licked her lips, ready for the literal taste of sweet revenge. As she continued to move the girl to the different parts of the crown, she grabbed Blueblood in another telekinetic field and promptly tossed him into her mouth. She hummed in delight as she found out that revenge was not just sweet, but VERY sweet. So while the tiny girl kept cleaning, she treated Blueblood as a piece of hard candy, tossing him around her mouth and enjoying his taste.
The girl only decided to stay quiet about it, cleaning a little harder as she tensed up at the poor pony’s demise. She had to be somewhere after work at night, and she wanted to plan on not being eaten, but she also felt that wouldn’t happen in a castle full of ponies.
Swiffer finally swallowed the once snobbish prince, sighing in relief as she felt him land in her stomach. “Alright. I think that’s it.” She says, opening up one of the small passageways the tinies use traverse the castle, quickly with much less exposure to any ponies. “You’re done. I’ll make sure to get you your bits for today.” The unicorn says, a little preoccupied with her special guest, patting her belly.
The small girl was almost about to beat it into the small passageway, but felt that leaving that stallion in Swiffer wasn’t a good idea. “B-but what about that stallion you just ate? Isn’t he a prince?” She asked, turning to look at her as she thought perhaps trying to convince her to spit him out might work.
“Oh, him? You shouldn’t worry about him; he used to mistreat all of us before he shrunk. He acted as if we were nothing but dirt before, so I figured I might as well return the favor a little bit. Now run along, don’t you have somewhere you were planning to go? I’d hate for you to end up in some ponies tummy and not make it.” She spoke honestly, having bonded with the girl a lot in the time they spent together cleaning the castle, day in and day out.
“W-well, yeah. But two wrongs don't make a right. And what if Celestia comes and sees that he’s gone? I wouldn’t want you to get fired.” She held onto her hoof. “This isn’t really showing that you’re better than dirt. He might think less of you. A-and if he gets back to normal, he might fire each and every worker who ate him.” She looked both hurt and worried for her friend. “Please Swiffer, I don’t want you to get kicked out the castle.” She showed what could be titled the puppy dog eyes, even having a small whimper to go with it. Swiffer giggled.
“Oh, I wouldn’t worry about me being fired for it if I were you. Celestia knows about it all that as well. She never liked his behavior and he always seemed to stop being so snobbish whenever she was around. Besides, not only does he have no any authority to fire any of the palace staff, from what I’ve heard his new size, is just as permanent as yours. Don’t worry, I’m not going to mistreat him... not too much. I’m just gonna have him ride around there for a few of my other palace duties before I return him.” She explained truthfully.
“... I still don’t think this is right.” She rubbed her arm. “By now, he’s like any other tiny who got here: scared and alone. And even if he was a bad pony before, he can’t change what he did, and I don’t see how he can if he’s just being eaten all the time.” She looked away. “What if I was a bad human where I used to live? You wouldn’t eat me cause of that, right?”
“Well... if you really feel that way about it.” Swiffer returned to the desk and coughed Blueblood back onto it, right before cleaning him off with one of her own rags. She stared down at the now cowering prince. “You’re lucky she stood up for you, because if she’d been here before you shrunk you’d still be sitting in me.” The mare hissed at him quietly so the tiny girl couldn’t hear. She gave him one last glare before putting on a pleasant face and leaving, waving to the tiny girl. “See you tomorrow!” She exited the room and headed down the hallway.
“Bye, Swiffer!” She called out, waving goodbye as well until she was gone, but once she realized she was alone with the prince, she was quick to regain her more formal attitude. “Uhm, p-please forgive my friend Swiffer.” She bowed. “I think she hasn’t quite forgiven you for past mistakes. She’s really a nice mare once you get to know her, y-your majesty.”
“N-no, i-it’s alright. I deserved that.” He says from his perch on the desk, before laying down to get out of the girl’s line of sight, embarrassed.
She honestly didn’t know what else to say to him, not even sure if he did or didn't deserve being eaten alive. Using the small path within the walls to get to the desk, she could now see him again curled close to himself. “I… I don’t think you deserve that. I know lots of people who deserve worse, yet never get any punishment.” She said, coming closer and kneeling down to him, not sure on how to make him feel better. “I honestly didn’t know you were here. Or listening to me sing.” She blushed pink at the second part. “I bet you’ve heard better when you were bigger.”
“N-no, I did, I was horrible to them. When I was big, I used to make a whole lot of extra work for them; Getting things dirty that they’d just cleaned. Tripping them as they walked past me, but her, I treated her the worst.” He admitted, looking away from the girl. “A-about your singing though, I-I r-really l-liked it.” He whispered.
The tiny girl couldn’t help but blush at his comment on her singing. “Well, that does seem kind of mean, but that’s okay. I mean, you aren’t doing mean things anymore. Maybe you could show them that you want to be good again.” She smiled a little. “What happened has already happened, but I think now you need to look at the here and now. And I feel you can be a better pony. Besides, I know some tinies and ponies that are far worse than you.”
“Well, the only reason for that is because I’m small now, if things had never changed then I wouldn’t have. You’d probably have been singing a different tune if I was still big.” He remembered how he used to treat tinies as if they were useless, pathetic little creatures. “Trust me, you’d probably have agreed with her if you’d met me before.”
“Even if you were still the big jerk that everyone sees you as, I would still see you as a pony that can change. I mean, if two super villains can be brought to the good side, then who’s to say that you can change as well?” She moved a little closer to him. “Every creature is beautiful in my eyes, no matter how mean, harsh, disgusting, or unworthy of having, given the life they have today, I still think there’s hope for anyone to change.”
“I have changed; I’m a small snack that my aunts take turns eating. That’s all I’m really good for now. I guess all of my ‘refinement’ really paid off after all; my Aunts say I taste like the perfect vanilla ice cream.” He looked down sadly. “Speaking of her, Aunt Celestia will be getting back soon. She can probably help you get to, wherever you’re going.”
“Yeah... uh, I don’t think so. I mean, it’s a Tiny only place, so no ponies are supposed to know in case a snatcher might find it.” She started to get up. “And that’s not what I meant by changing. I mean in a good way. If you only think that way, this will just be your life for as long as you live. And being a tiny like that isn’t good. Believe me, I’ve been like you too.” She opened a passage that had a hand print on before she was half way through it. “It was nice meeting you for the first time, Prince Blueblood.” She waved bye before she went through the passage and closed it behind her.
It only took a moment before he realizes something. “What am I doing?” He asked himself, before he decided on what to do. He opened the passage and rushed after the girl. “Hey wait!” He called out. In his rush he never noticed a tiny boy entering Celestia’s study, nor the golden aura closing the passage after the boy went in. He continued rushing down the passageway, his hooves producing a loud echoing clip-clop as he chased after the girl.
The passage was very straightforward as it seemed other passageways from different sections of the castle connected to the much bigger tunnel. Though, while Blueblood was running, he didn't notice the path took a deep nose dive downwards.
“WAAAAAH!” He screamed as he fell down. Maybe he should’ve used the ladder.
To Blueblood, this was a weird kind of slide; it went straight down before it curved to the aligned to the path, and the rest of the section being a few steps away from a green door with a small circle window on it. From the outside, he could hear some chatter, laughter, and what could be the sound of people taking orders and serving things. If he was to guess, this might be a pub, restaurant, or club as the few assumptions were in his head.
Blueblood went to the door and peered through the window. “Is this where she wanted to go? How would ponies even find this place?” He asked himself as he looks inside.
Inside, it looked like a mixture of a club and pub, at one section, there were some tables, pillows as seats, and lots of people socializing, but there was also a bar, a stage with another section for the musicians, and even a more… secretive section, some of the workers at the pub being girls in more… revealing outfits. Even some of the tinies were playing card and betting their money on the game, while others were just having fun playing, more so laughing when they were playing a game with black and white cards.
He continued looking through the window, looking for the girl he met earlier and debating whether or not to go in.
He didn’t have to wait longer as an announcer came out of the stage through the closed curtain. “Greetings everyone. I hope you all are having a good day. The time is currently two in the afternoon, so if those of you who are on break, make sure you don’t stay too long.” When he said that, some people were getting up off their seats and left in a different door than where Blueblood was looking through. “Anywho, for those of you lucky studs, we’ve got a new performer today. She’s one of the more newer workers here, and she’s got a voice worth listening to. She will be up in a moment, but for now, we’ll be doing our usual scheduled performances.” At that, some other performers were going on the stage one by one. Some were magicians, other’s were singers as well, but the last one was a rather dumb performer, almost acting like a complete fool and making some tinies even throw their trash at him. Now, the ‘audiences’ were rather heated, the owner of the pub thinking that another fight will happen. But before the owner could get any more worried on paying for the damages, the pianist began to play a tune that was more calm, the curtains revealing the girl that Blueblood was looking for. The girl’s outfit was only a bit different, losing the long sleeves, and the red color of the gown being more bright and light, the stallion knowing it was a different dress when the sewn in patch was missing. She also had a small orange cloak that only covered her arms up to her elbows. He didn’t have much to look at her more as she began to sing.
♬Dearest friends, dear gentlemen
Listen to my song
Life down here’s been hard for you
Life has made you strong♬
Almost as if her voice was magic of it’s own, some of the more vivid audiences lowered some of their empty mugs, even one having a chair to throw, but placed it down to listen to the girl sing.
♬Let me lift the mood
With my attitude♬
At that moment, the sweet piano tune change to be more upbeat, the girl going with it, having a small smile on her face.
♬Hey, fellas
The time is right
Get ready
Tonight’s the night
Boys, what you’re hopin’ for will come true
Let me be good to you”
“You tough guys
You’re feelin’ all alone
You rough guys
The best of you sailors and bums
All are my chums♬
Blueblood stood at the door, listening to the girl sing. He didn't go in, feeling the humans would probably attack him for being a pony, particularly one like him.
♬So dream on
And drink your beer
Get cozy
Your baby’s here
You won’t be misunderstood
Let me be good to you♬
While singing, she got behind the curtains again and slowly closed them, the music adding some drums, trumpets, and a trombone. As soon as the music amplified, the curtains pulled back again, the girl now being with two other dancers, also wearing dresses of their own, but being a lighter color of orange. The redhead in the center now had the small cloak off, showing that the dress was sleeveless.
♬Hey fellas
I’ll take off all my blues♬
In the middle of her singing, she tore off the lower part of her dress, showing that the lower gown was a bit shorter, being a bit revealing as Blueblood could see the small blush on her cheeks.
♬Hey fellas
There’s nothing I won’t do
Just for you♬
Her singing was currently halted as the music continued and the background dancers did their part, wooing the audience and one even trying to get on the stage, one of the two lightly pushing the avid fan with her heel. But who was to say the other didn’t coax another audience to the stage, the guy being a little intoxicated as he willingly came up. Now, the drunk guy was dancing with the two girls. The red haired girl noticed the guy and brought him closer, singing the last few words.
♬Your baby’s gonna come through
Let me be good to you♬
The two dancers even gave both his cheeks a kiss, the guy’s flustered face being more red as he chuckled, before blowing back his own kiss before he fell off the stage, the rest of the audience cheering at the performance before the red haired girl and the two backup dancers went back behind the stage.
The announcer chuckled a little before he spoke again. “Well, that was Tanya, with the twin dancers Kaity and Saity.” The guy spoke, making the audiences cheer louder as it seemed her first performance was an absolute success… even though she didn’t want to be seen as that type of girl.
After the song, Blueblood left the window. Seeing how the audience was had frightened him quite a bit, and being literally half their size, and probably weight, was even scarier. They might attack him if he was around, so he decided to start heading back up to his Aunt’s room, slowly climbing the ladder back up.
That is, until a voice was directed towards him. “Enjoyed the show, pony boy?” An unfamiliar female’s voice spoke.
Blueblood gulped in fear. ‘Here we go, a tiny who knows me, or just really hates ponies. Well, goodbye cruel world.’ He thought to himself before glancing back down the ladder to the source.
The source of the voice was none other than one of the background dancers, he wasn’t sure if it was Kaity or Saity, the two being twins that looked exactly alike. “I’m guessing you’re that tiny pony that Tanya decided to save from being your own kinds snack.” She assumed, knowing full well that he was the only tiny pony. The only guess she could’ve also made was those Breezies creatures, but she never met those things before.
“Y-yeah…” He replied. ‘Please don’t ask me to come back, the audience might kill me!’ He hopes to himself.
“Ya know she saw you, right? It’s kinda hard to not see a white pony in a brown dirt tunnel, more so peeking out of the only door window we have. You’re lucky no one decided to turn around or even try and leave through the door you were peeking through.”
‘N-no kidding. They probably would’ve beat me to a pulp.’ He thought to himself. “Yup, I probably am lucky.” He resisted the urge to rub the back of his head. “W-well, nice to meet you, b-but I-I b-better be g-going now.” He turned around and started to climb the ladder some more.
“Hey! I’m out here talkin’ to you for a reason.” She shouted at him, grabbing his tail to stop him. “She ain’t forcing ya, but she wanted to know if you wanted to see her.” She said, only waiting for a response from the stallion.
“I-I better not, b-being a p-pony, and related to the Princesses, well, I-I d-don’t think that’d go over w-well with the c-crowd.” He spoke fearfully. ‘Oh dear, I can’t move now! She’s got my tail and she’s shouting, I hope no one gets curious about what’s going on out here!’
The girl only stared at him with a slight glare, before she sucked her teeth and let go of his tail. “Fine.” She turned away before she thought out loud. “Seems like ponies, no matter the size, don’t have time for us.” She rubbed her neck before she started making her way to a different section of the tunnel, it being a passageway to the back of the stage to keep the performers separated from the customers and audiences.
“N-no, i-it’s not that. I-it’s just, well, I used to be a normal sized pony, a-and…” He almost mentioned that he was rather mean to pretty much anyone he met, including tinies. “And, I-I just d-don’t th-think that people will be all too h-happy to see a p-pony among them.” He explained timidly. ‘Especially if they actually met me when I was big. Oh my, I think one of those performers was the one I played polo with! He definitely wouldn’t like seeing me, especially after being run over by the ball a few times!’ He thought to himself with a gulp.
“Oh please, everyone knows about you, so you didn’t have to explain it to me. And it’s kinda hard to ignore the gossip about the only tiny pony that’s smaller than us. To be honest, I would expose you and get the beating of a lifetime started, but Tanya wanted you in one piece. So if you do want to see her, I can bring you to her without being seen.”
“H-how?” He was curious about how she’d get him to the girl without being seen. It wasn’t like she could throw him in her mouth or in a pocket, to her, he was probably about medium dog sized, he only stood up to the middle of her thigh, maybe shorter.
“We have a special section for just the performers. It’s down this path.” She pointed at a small tunnel hidden behind a corner. “Only performers and people we allow inside are able to go through. It’s to keep us separated from the customers in case they want some… special private showing.”
“Th-that’s wh-what I was a-afraid of. I-I think I met one of the performers before, a-and I may have done some... bad things to him.” He admitted.
“Oh come on, the most we could do is say harsh words. Nothing but props in the back, they would have nothing to hurt you with. And I’ll make sure that you’re still able to talk to her.” She didn't even wait for him as she started making her way for the private passageway. Fearfully, and against his better judgement, he follows the girl into the passageway. It didn’t take long as the door was blue instead and a golden star on it. She easily opened the door and waited for him to go inside first. He went in, unsure what to expect. Some of the earlier performers were missing, probably leaving after their showtime, while others were busy packing their things. He could see that behind the stage was a whole different room, having seats, refreshments, and as the girl said, lots of props. The girl kept on walking as most of the tinies paid little to no mind of the two. Looking at all the other tinies, Blueblood started to get a little more skittish, but stayed with the girl anyway. The most some performers that did notice him could only glare at him, being too busy with their own stuff to really show how much they ‘appreciated’ his actions towards them before he shrunk down. The glares scared him and he trotted closer to the girl leading him down the passageway.
‘They look like they’re ready to kill me!’
“Eh, they aren't that dumb to hurt ya.” She said, almost reading his mind while going into a special room, opening the door again as she waited for him to go in. Blueblood gulps in fear.
“Why? What’s stopping them?” He asked as he stepped through the door and into the room Tanya is in.
“They don't have the weapons for what they want to do with you.” She chuckled, closing the door and leaving the two alone. Tanya didn't know Blueblood was there just yet as she was dressed in her more casual attire. She was also cleaning the makeup off her face.
“Ugh…I don't see how that girl can be so okay with make up. Makes me feel dirty.” She grumbled.
“H-hello.” Blueblood says shyly, not sure what to say.
Tanya nearly jumped out of her skin as she didn't know he was there. “O-oh, my. I didn't know you were in here.” She blushed in embarrassment.
“D-didn’t y-you ask y-your f-friend to h-have me come in?” He asks, considering that is what the girl said. “W-weren’t you e-expecting me?”
“W-well, I did, but I didn't think it was so fast. I thought you'd go back to Celestia's room.” She turned away from him as she went back to making herself feel more comfortable without the makeup.
“O-oh. Th-the other girl, sh-she made it s-sound like y-you’d be i-insulted if I went back. L-like I-I had no t-time f-for humans.” Blueblood said sheepishly. “S-so I c-came i-in. A-at f-first I w-wasn’t because of the other p-performers. Th-they a-all l-looked l-like th-they w-want t-to kill me. B-But sh-she s-said she could l-lead me s-safely to you, so I came. S-so, h-hello again, Tanya. I-I’m B-Blueblood, n-nice t-to m-meet you.” He said awkwardly.
“What? I…I would understand i-if you had other things to do. I…I was just a little surprised that you'd see me perform. I mean, y-you said I sounded nice, but I wouldn't imagine a prince coming to see me sing.” She blushed pink. “I would've understood if you didn't come.”
“W-well, y-your voice is really pretty.” He blushed as well. “I-if I-I c-could h-have chosen anyone to take the spell from, i-it w-would’ve b-been y-you.” He blushes harder, looking away.
Tanya’s blush only got deeper at what he said. “R-really? B-but wouldn't you like to be big again. I-I mean, I wouldn't mind being tiny still. It would f-feel a little weird on being the biggest tiny here.” She glanced away once again, not looking at him through the mirror as she felt she might not be used to that attention.
“I-I w-would l-like t-to, b-but, a-at th-the s-same time… I-I d-don’t th-think I w-would’ve m-minded, i-if I-I t-took th-the s-spell from you, and switched sizes w-with y-you.” He admitted shyly.
Tanya couldn't help but smile a little, somewhat wondering on if she was bigger like that girl who swapped sizes with him. “Well, maybe if I'm near a unicorn with a cold, it might just happened.” She smiled bigger at her own joke. “But, by how that happened, I wouldn't really like being chased down to be snacked on.”
“Wh-who kn-knows, I-I might c-catch a c-cold a-again.” He shyly joked.
“B-but I wouldn't want to make you sm-smaller.” She said, turning to look at him. “I think you already paid the price for…past actions. And I don't think it would work that way.” She said, rubbing her arm a little.
“N-no, th-this i-is a-as sm-small as th-the sp-spell makes s-someone. I-if a-anything, i-it’d m-make th-the s-spell more c-complete. I-I’d j-just b-be a-an e-even t-t-t-t-tastier tr-treat.” He said, a little nervously, even though unicorn colds are rare and that specific effect was likely a one time thing. “B-b-but I-I w-wouldn’t m-mind i-if i-it h-happened.”
“Your majesty, even though your heart is in the right place, I wouldn't want that to happen to you even if that meant I would be bigger than normal.” She said, now more focused on him. “I think we both know how scary it is to be eaten, and making the spell completed, it would be nothing but a living nightmare for you. And no one deserves that. Not even you.”
“I-I w-wouldn’t m-mind, s-so l-long a-as you w-were the o-one t-to e-eat me.” He replies shyly and quietly. “I-if y-you a-ate m-me, th-then I-I’d b-be a-able to h-hear y-you s-sing a-all th-the time.” He said even quieter, feeling somewhat embarrassed at showing how he felt, blushing the whole while.
Tanya’s cheeks turned red at the thought of eating him; it seeming impossible, yet, she was able to picture it in her head. “E-even if you could, I would st-still feel guilty of you doing that just for me.” She said, rubbing her arm again while glancing away for a moment.
“I-I wouldn’t, b-because th-then y-you wouldn’t h-have to w-worry a-about b-being eaten. I-it w-would b-be w-worth it to me.” He blushed fiercely.
“I'm not worried about being eaten. I mean, I have been eaten more than enough in a castle full of ponies.” She smiled a little. “If it wasn't for Swiffer being my friend, I would probably be eaten every day.” She giggled.
“W-well, wh-what happens i-if s-somepony e-eats you a-and l-leaves Canterlot completely?” He asked worriedly.
“Well, that never happened before. It was only the other workers here. They don't go far. It's fine. I only work to clean Celestia and Luna’s regalia. I have no reason to be worried on being taken out of Canterlot.” She smiled as she started getting up, making her way out of the makeup room to get something to drink.
“Um, s-speaking o-of, w-would y-you l-like t-to meet my Aunt?” He asked, since she probably hadn't met Princess Celestia before.
“A-are you talking about Princess Celestia? I…I think she would be too busy to see a Tiny like me.” She glanced away, the blush fading from her cheeks. “A-and I don't think she would w-want to see me like this.”
“N-no, a-at this time of day, she’s not too busy, a-and sh-she’s n-not l-like m-most r-r-royalty. Sh-she l-loves t-to h-have fun. Y-you sh-should’ve seen the G-gala, when she invited her student and the mare’s friends. Th-they m-made a k-kinda b-big m-mess w-with there expectations of what happened at the Gala or what they could do, and she wasn’t just fine with it, but happy. Sh-she thinks they’re too st-stuffy. Sh-she’d pr-probably love t-to meet you.”
“W-well, she might be nice to ponies, but I don't know about Tinies. I…I don't want to see her in these old rags. I look like a homeless girl compared to her.” She grabbed onto her dress a little.
“Sh-she’s r-real nice t-to tinies a-actually. Sh-she’s m-much n-nicer t-to y-you t-tinies th-than sh-she is to m-me in fact.” Blueblood admitted. “I-I d-don’t th-think sh-she’d c-care wh-what y-you a-are w-wearing, m-most p-ponies sh-she sees don’t e-even w-wear cl-clothes. Y-you’d b-be f-fine m-meeting h-her. Pl-please c-come meet her.” He pleaded.
The red haired girl stayed silent for a moment, unsure on what else to say, only nodding and showing a small smile. “Alright. I'll go see your aunt.” She smiled bigger.
“Yay! ... Um, well, you already know the way, so let’s go.” He headed to the door.
“Of course.” She smiled as she got up and got her bag before she followed right behind him.
They made their way back up to Celestia’s room, opening the door, and walked in. As soon as they entered, they saw Celestia wandering around the room, looking under furniture, giggling the whole while. “I’m gonna get’cha!” She said playfully to whoever she’s looking for.
Tanya didn't know whether to ask Blueblood or the princess herself on what she was doing. But decided to stay quiet, since it seemed the princess was enjoying herself.
The pony made her way around the room before looking around one of the legs of her bed. “Got’cha!” She said, her horn lighting up and pulling out a tiny boy. She laid down and grasped the boy in between her forelegs, nuzzling him gently. The two of them heared his tiny giggles.
‘Hmm, she does seem like a nice mare.’ Tanya smiled as she thought the sight was so cute. “Maybe we should leave her be for now.” She whispered to Blueblood as she didn't want to ruin the moment.
“Yeah, maybe we should.” Blueblood agreed, turning toward the passageway door. As they went to leave, their attempt to open the door, only to find it won’t budge at all. A golden aura surrounded it. “O-or not.”.
“Come along you two, I won’t bite.” Celestia called out. “Blueblood, why don’t you introduce me to your friend.” She spoke in a motherly tone.
Tanya tensed up a little as she knew the mare was talking about her.
Blueblood nudged her. “Don’t worry, Tanya, it’ll be okay.” He said comfortingly before the walk over to the Princess. Tanya saw the Princess in all her gargantuan glory, as Celestia easily dwarfed every other pony the girl had ever seen in her life.
The red head girl felt as if she was being judged by a god…only in a alicorn mare’s body. She was quick to be all formal to her. “Y-your majesty, my name is Tanya.” She bowed quickly. “I-it's an honor to meet you.”
The alicorn smiled. “It’s an honor to meet you too, Tanya.” Celestia returned the girls greeting. “There’s no need to be formal though, as you saw, I’m quite used to informality. I play hide and seek with little Seth here every night.” She said nuzzling the boy some more.
“O-oh, is he your, uhm, son?” She asked. “I mean, n-not biologically, but y-you know...” She blushed pink in embarrassment as she looked down.
“No, but his parents live in the wall nearby. If you go right, instead of left, you’ll find their home. They run the tiny club down the other way, leaving Seth by himself. One day, he got bored and accidentally opened the secret door over there. He was quite surprised when he ran into me, but now I babysit him every night.” The Princess giggled and returned to nuzzling the boy some more.
“O-oh, well, th-they must really trust you, princess.” She smiled a little as she looked up at her. “A-anyways, uhm, p-prince Blueblood wanted me to m-meet you.”
Celestia giggled. “I never thought I’d see the day Blueblood would have a tiny friend, let alone, one without a vast fortune.” She looked at Blueblood. “It seems shrinking has helped you after all, my little nephew.” She chuckled a bit. “So, would you two care to join us in our game of hide and seek?”
“Oh, I would be more than happy to play with you. That is, if Blueblood will join me.” She smiled over at him.
“Um, s-sure.” Blueblood smiled back.
“Alright you three, go hide again. I’ll start counting.” The princess said, placing the boy, who looked around six or seven years old, next to them. She closed her eyes and starts counting slowly. Seth ran off towards one of the bookshelves in the room, while Blueblood rushed under a desk. Tanya was quick to go towards one of the makeup tools to hide, one of them being a makeup case with those powder pads in them. She opened it before she got inside and closed it, the soft click signalling that it was sealed shut. Now all she had to do was stay quiet… and try not to sneeze.
“58...59...60. Ready or not, here I come.” Celestia said playfully starting to look around. Every second that ticks by feels like hours to the tiny girl hiding in the makeup case. Tanya bit her lip as she felt if she breathed any more of the powder, she might blow her cover. “Hmm, now I remember hearing a soft click.” She heard the Princess talking to herself. “Well, I think my muzzle might need a little bit of powder.” Celestia playfully approached the case and opened it. “Well hello there Tanya. Did you need some powder for your nose too?” The Princess giggled.
Tanya had a pink blush on her cheek, her clothes having some powder on it too. She let out a small sneeze, one that she was holding in ever since she got inside. “I guess I’m not as good hider as Seth or prince Blueblood.” She smiled a little while trying to pat down the power on her clothes.
“Oh no, you’re definitely better than one of them.” Celestia giggled as a wing brushes along the table in front of Tanya, depositing the unicorn. “My nephew seems to have gotten rusty at this game.” She then quickly turned around and started looking for Seth.
Blueblood has a huge blush on his face. “Five seconds in…” He said, clearly embarrassed.
“Oh, it’s okay. We’re both a little rusty if a little kid has a better hiding place than we do.” Tanya laughed a little, not too upset that she was caught so soon.
“Gotcha!” Celestia’s voice was heard from the other side of the room. She pulls Seth out from the bookcase and placed him on the desk, with the other two. “So, want to play another round, or do you want to play a different game?”
Seth and Blueblood both look at Tanya. “Lady’s first.” The stallion said with a giggle.
“I… I don’t know. I mean, wh-what do you two want to do?” She asked both the stallion and the tiny. Though, she could guess that they should play a different game instead.
“Well, we were letting you decide what we should do next.” The stallion said. Seth nodded in agreement.
“W-well, uhm, h-how about a new game?” She asked shyly, not so used to the attention when she wasn’t singing on stage.
“Alright.” Celestia spoke. “What’s the new game?”
“Hmm… how about charades?” She asked.
Everyone agrees and Celestia pulled out a bowl, writing down several different words on papers and mixing them up in the bowl. “Alright, Tanya, you chose, so you get to go first.” She levitated the girl over the bowl. “Pick one, and I’ll help you pull it out.”
“O-oh, uh, okay.” She walked over to the small bowl before pulling out a folded piece of paper that was already half her size.
Celestia levitated the girl onto a round table that she pulled out, placing the note so only the girl can read it as Celestia sat near the desk, allowing the tiny boy and unicorn to watch. “I won’t make any guesses since I wrote the words down.” They played the game, Blueblood allowing Seth to make multiple guesses before guessing himself. They continued on, taking turns, Celestia helped Seth on his turns. Eventually the winner is decided, and it is Blueblood.
“Alright Blueblood, your turn.”
Blueblood thought for a moment. “Hmm, how about Truth or dare?” He asked the group.
“I'm okay with that game.” Tanya smiled as she only sat down and waited for the game to start.
Celestia gathered the group and places them on the floor, pulling out a glass bottle and making sure the tinies are a far enough away from it so that it won’t hurt them. The group was spread equally around the bottle and Celestia drew a circle with two perpendicular lines through it, representing the area that if the bottleneck was in, determined who would be asked to tell the truth about something or take a dare. “I’ll do the spinning.” The princess said, considering it would be hard for the other three. “Just tell me how fast you want it spun. Blueblood you’re first.”
“Okay, spin it the typical speed for this game.” He says. The bottle spun around before pointing in Tanya’s area. “Alright Tanya, truth or dare?” He said with faux menace, as the game practically required.
“Hmm…truth.” She smiled as she felt she wasn't quite ready for a dare right at the beginning of the game.
“Alright, what is the name of your hometown?” Blueblood asked, not wanting to dive into anything too personal at the beginning of the game.
“Hmm…I lived in the town of Glenmora in the United States.” She smiled. “But I used to travel all over the world to see new things with my family. Since the Vanish started happening, my family decided to let us live our lives to the fullest before we were gone from our home.”
Celestia sat there for a moment. “I realize that your peoples disappearances likely caused panic, but I never knew how much panic the spell has caused.” She looks down sadly at the girl. “I know it doesn’t mean much, especially since we don’t know how this is happening or who casted it, but I apologize for all of the fear and hardships the spell has put you through.”
“It's okay. It's not your fault. And I know that if you did find a way to undo all of this, you'd bring us back home in a heartbeat. Though, I guess now some people would rather stay here then go back to earth. This place is much more nicer then back on earth.” She looked up at the alicorn before she looked back down. “To be honest, I always wanted to be famous, but on earth, it's just a hard career to pursue. Maybe I would just ask to be big again, and I would be fine staying here with my family.”
“I wish I could help.” Celestia spoke sadly. “Unfortunately, the magic that caused the tiny named Lindsey to grow was a wild magic, and the effects can’t be replicated easily.” She sighed. “So, you and your family are among the many tinies living throughout the castle?”
“N-not really. They don’t live anywhere near ponies, and there isn’t much room in the tiny village, so we have a secret home to make sure none of us could get snatched while we’re vulnerable. They don’t even trust some of the ponies here for the same reason. But I only took this job cause it was the only one I could find.”
“I see. The next time you see your family, tell them they are free to live here if they wish. For the most part, the staff behave themselves, but they won’t have to worry about things like snatchers here.” Celestia still looked a little sad before she seemed to shake it off. “But for now let’s just enjoy the game shall we? Alright Tanya, it’s your turn.”
“Mmkay. Do you mind spinning it for me?” Tanya asked. “A-and thank you for the offer, but I doubt that they would still come. I would say they are still new if you know what I mean.”
“Your welcome.” Celestia replied somewhat sadly. “Of course I’ll spin it for you, I said I would didn’t I?” She spun the bottle for the tiny woman, and the bottle landed on the princess herself.
“Okay. Truth or dare?” She asked with a smile.
Celestia giggled. “Dare, bring it on.” She said challengingly.
“Hmm...” She was thinking on what to do, wondering if she should make her do something embarrassing, disgusting, or downright funny. But when she glanced at one of her hooves, she got an idea. “I dare you to lick the bottom of your hoof!” She said boldly, figuring that seeing a princess doing something gross would be a sight to behold.
“Oh dear.” Celestia said in faux horrified voice. “Okay then, might want to hold your noses.” She kicked off one of her golden shoes. Blueblood quickly plugged his nose, his eyes watering, but Seth and Tanya, don’t smell anything too bad. Celestia licks her frog and starts coughing a bit, her face a bit noticeably green. “Oh dear, that’s what I get for wearing these all the time.” She coughed some more. “Oh, I think I’m going to have to wash my hooves.” She slipped the shoe back on, still coughing a bit more. “Okay… My turn.” She spun the bottle. It pointed to Seth. “Alright Seth, truth or dare?”
“Dare!” He shouted eagerly, waiting for what he had to do.
Celestia giggled and decided to take it easy on him. “Alright Seth, I dare you to…” She looked around for a moment. “Give Tanya a kiss on the cheek.” She giggled.
Seth was caught by surprise. “Eww, that’s gross. I’m gonna get cooties if I kiss a girl.” He turned away from Tanya, who rolled her eyes at his reaction.
“Well Seth, either you do it or I get another turn.” Celestia giggled.
Seth huffed at the choices, but soon got up to get closer to Tanya, before he gave a quick peck on her cheek. Of course, his reaction after doing that was sticking his tongue out in disgust. “Yuck! Girl germs.” He wiped his mouth before he sat back down.
“Alright Seth, it’s your turn.” Celestia spun the bottle for the boy. It lands squarely on her again. “Oh dear… Guess this means you get to get me back.”
“Truth or dare!?” He quickly shouted as he already had one in mind.
“Dare again.”
Seth giggled before he told his dare. “I dare you to chase your own tail.”
The giant mare giggled and stood up. “Just to warn you three, it might get a little shaky down there.” She gleefully galloped in circles, chasing her tail. Each time one of her hooves connected with the ground, it felt like an earthquake to the three tinies. After a while she finished, giggling. “That was fun Seth, it’s nice to really let loose like that. Alright my turn.” She spun the bottle again, and it lands once more on Tanya. “Alright Tanya, Truth or Dare?”
“Hmm…dare.” She smiled, only seeming fair since she pulled a gross one on Celestia.
Celestia looks down at the tiny woman, a mischievous look in her eyes. “Hmm, what to do, what to do?” She asks herself, looking all the more mischievous as she continued thinking.
Tanya only showed a smirk of her own as she was ready for whatever the princess had planned. ‘Just hope it won't make me break an arm or something.’ She thought with some slight fear.
Celestia noticed the smirk and giggled. “Alright I dare you to…” Her horn glowed and she pulled a small, round gem over to her, and swallowed it. “Go get it.” She said with a mischievous tone, laying down, resting her head on the floor and opening wide.
“Fine then. Is that all?” The smirk on her lips never left her as she casually walked close to the alicorn’s open maw and got ready to go down and get it. “You think I never helped Swiffer fetch something she accidentally swallowed?” She giggled a little.
“You may have, but have you ever been inside a pony as large as I am?” Celestia asks with her own smirk.
“It'll be like any other pony’s stomach… except bigger and perhaps full of cake.” She joked.
“Right on both accounts. But there is one problem; you have a time limit.”
“A time limit?” She was a bit surprised on what she said.
“Oh yes, a time limit, and the time limit is not because of the dare.” Celestia smirked. “You see, it’s been a few hours since I last ate, my stomach is getting ready to move everything inside it along, and because of my size, that includes you. So, essentially, the dare is to go in, find the gemstone, and get out before you end up exploring my guts for the rest of the night.”
‘Well, I wouldn't say this would be the first time.’ She blushed pink at the thought of her first ‘experience’ on going through all the stages of the digestive system. “Can't you just teleport me out if I can't escape myself?”
“Unfortunately no, at your size I have to calculate a very small area in the teleportation radius, it’s easier with say a full sized pony, as you can feel them on all sides and pinpoint the area, but with tinies, it’s not quite so easy, as I may not feel where you are and so I have to try teleporting whole areas, which is obviously very messy.”
“Oh… well how about a string or something to pull me out then?” She suggested, now a little nervous on being stuck in her stomach.
“Aw, and I thought you were ready for anything. Don’t worry, there should be plenty of time. Unless you think you’ll be searching for another, oh, half an hour.” Celestia giggled as the only reason she brought that up was to give her a bit of a scare.
Tanya took in a small breath after what she said. “Why don't you just eat me so I can get that gem for you?” She showed a smile as she wasn't phased by what she said…or, at lease, was acting like she wasn't.
“Well, come on in then.” Celestia opened her maw wide and rested her head on the floor again, her tongue forming the ‘red carpet’ for Tanya to enter.
Tanya took another breath before she stepped onto the tongue, ready to go down and get that gem.
As soon as Tanya stepped on Celestia’s tongue it retreats back into her mouth and the solar princess begins tasting her, profusely humming in satisfaction, after a moment though the princess stopped, blushing in embarrassment. “Sh-shorry, you tashte like marble cake, and I have a bit of a schweet tooth.” Celestia tilted her head back and swallowed the woman, who quickly slid down the princess’ throat, landing in a pile of mush that used to be the princess’ evening meal.
‘Ugh, I really wished that some ponies could digest their food quicker.’ She thought, shaking some of the gunk off her foot before she looked around to find the gem. “It’s okay. I guess you can tell why I was always eaten too, Blueblood.” She smiled a little as she started making her way down the pile of food mush to locate the gem.
Tanya notices that there’s something different about Celestia’s stomach than other ponies; her stomach juices glowed, and not only do they glow, they glew brightly. It’s almost as though Tanya had stepped outside at noon, when the sun is brightest and the shadows are sparse. It doesn’t feel any warmer than the typical pony’s stomach, though, just that, her sight isn’t aided by the spell. The piles of food shift and churn as the massive cavern’s muscles pulse, continuing to digest her prior meal. Tanya only shook her head at the glowing acid that was literally bringing light to her stomach. Thankfully, the light reflected off the gem she was finding and she was able to locate it on a piece of sliced cake, almost looking like the cherry on top. Getting to the gem would be another matter entirely in the shifting “sea” of Celestia’s stomach. The churning “waters” made it hard to keep in one place, and the slice was being pushed to and fro on the “waves” causing the gem to wobble. Tanya waited for the ‘waters’ to ease down before she made her way to the cake and climb up it to get the gem. Compared to her, it was the size of those rather large volleyballs that only middle and high schools would have. She was able to pull it out from the cake icing, but now she only faced another problem. ‘How do I get out of here with the gem?’ Tanya’s question was answered when a massive sounding burp threw her out of the Princess’ stomach, out of her mouth, and onto her forelegs, which were placed to catch the girl. The Princess’ horn glowed and cleaned both the girl and the gem off, returning the gem to a jewelry box.
“You succeeded, and now it’s your turn.” Celestia said merrily. The princess spun the bottle and it lands on Blueblood. “Oh… okay Blueblood. Truth or dare?” She asked, still a little worn out after doing that.
“Um, truth.” The stallion replied, after thinking about the last few dares.
“Hmm… what was your life like before you became a prince? I’m sure that you didn’t know you were royalty by the time you were born… right?” Tanya asked, a little curious on how his life was before he changed after the money, popularity, and royal treatments.
Blueblood rubbed the back of his head with a hoof. “Eh-heh. I had always been treated as a prince; I got whatever I wanted, when I wanted it. They had made sure that I knew what I was, and how to feel about the ‘common folk’... it was only after the accident that I realized that all of that was meaningless if you treat others like dirt. All the ‘friends’ that I had either left or viewed me as a delicacy.” He admitted sadly.
Tanya stayed quiet as she listened to him, but once he finished, she just had to say a comment about it. “Well, I guess your friends weren’t really friends. But if you want, I could be your friend.” She scooted a little closer to him with a warm smile.
“...I’d like that.” Blueblood said, similarly scooting closer to the girl. Celestia spun the bottle and it lands on Seth. “Oh, um, Seth, Truth or Dare?” He asked the boy quickly.
“Dare!” He said happily.
“I dare you to give Auntie Celestia a big kiss!” Blueblood says outright. He had other ideas, but he decided to avoid them.
“Oh, okay!” He smiled, getting closer to Celestia as he only waited for her to come down and give his babysitter a kiss.
Celestia scooped him up with her forehooves and planted a big kiss on... well, his entire body, considering his size. “Aw, thank you Blueblood, I loved that dare.” She giggled, setting the boy down.
Seth only giggled at the big kiss as he always liked it when Celestia gave him kisses.
“Alright Seth, your turn.” Celestia spun the bottle, it landing once again on Blueblood.
“Truth or dare!?” He quickly shouted.
“Alright, dare this time.” The stallion replied, figuring it was his turn to have to do something embarrassing.
“I dare you to kiss the tiny girl!” He said, the dare as an act of revenge for what the stallion dared him to do.
The stallion simply got up and cantered to where the Tanya sat, and before anyone could react, he plants his furred lips on hers.
Tanya’s eyes widen in shock at the action. I mean, she did plan on him to, like, kiss her on the cheek, but not full on the lips. She was only frozen in shock, her cheeks blushing red while she only waited for him to stop… not that she wasn’t enjoying it or anything.
Celestia giggled. “Hey, I think my stomach is cleared now, if you two want a room.” She says teasingly, poking her belly
Blueblood only opened his eyes, staring into Tanya’s, now blushing himself. He ended the kiss and went back to his area. “Um, I guess it’s my turn.” He said before letting out an embarrassed cough. The bottle spins again, landing on Celestia. “Alright Auntie, Truth or Dare.”
“Hmm, how about truth for now.” She said, not really up to doing another disgusting or odd dare right now.
“So, besides Tanya and I, how many other tinies have you eaten today?” Blueblood asked, already knowing she probably had a fair few.
“Well, uhm, not counting the daily stomach and esophagus massages, I’d say...” She thought about it for a moment. “Over five tinies.” She said, not remembering how many exactly. She spins the bottle again, now that it’s her turn. The bottle lands on Seth. “Alright Seth. Truth or dare?” The alicorn asked as she looked down at the young tiny.
“Dare!” The boy said bravely, ready to face any challenge, which was his plan the whole night, preferring that to having to say something possibly embarrassing about himself.
“Okay, let me think of something you can do.” She placed a hoof on her chin before she got an idea. “I dare you to come and scratch this small itch in my ear.” She lowered herself down so he could reach her ear.
“Where?” The boy asked as he walked closer to the giant pony’s ear, looking into the large canal heading deep into her head. Slowly, he climbed inside. Celestia couldn’t stop herself from giggling at how ticklish it was for Seth to touch the inside of her ear. “Where’s the itch?” He started to walk deeper into the tunnel. Celestia’s giggling only got a little louder at him going deeper. Since she never told him where, he just picked a spot and gives it a little scratching. “Did I get it?” He asked, completely unsure.
The white alicorn’s ears perk up as the small scratching was around the right spot. “Oh, yes. That feels much better.” She cooed a little as she rested her head on the floor.
Hearing that, Seth makes his way back out of her ear and took up his side again. The bottle spins once again, landing on Tanya. “Truth or Dare?!” He asked the girl.
“Hmm… dare.” She smiled.
Seth thought for a moment. “I dare you... to give Blueblood a tummy rub!” He declared.
“O-oh, well.” She glanced at Blueblood with a small blush on her cheeks. “Y-you wouldn’t mind, right?”
Blueblood blushed and rolls onto his back. “J-just, you know, b-be careful. We don’t want him asking his parents questions.” His blush practically glowed.
“What? This isn’t really weird for us. We honestly used to do this with our pet dogs.” She said, before kneeling down close to him before beginning to rub his belly. She couldn’t help but take notice on how soft his fur was around his belly.
“Y-yeah, b-but, y-you know, it’s so close, to uh... a certain part.” He whispered, blushing, and at the same time, starting to relax more from the rubbing.
“Alright, I think we’ll play something else now.” Celestia said, feeling a little jealous of Blueblood; after all, they were way too small to effectively rub her tummy, and it looked like it was feeling good.
“Oh, oh oh! We could play Knights and Dragons!?” The boy asked.
“Knights and Dragons?” Tanya repeated with confusion.
“Yeah. Celestia is the dragon, and we’re the knights. As knights, we’re supposed to slay the dragon, and the dragon tries to eat the knights!”
Celestia giggled. “We’ve played this game a couple of times. You can probably guess how it ends, but he loves it anyway.” She stood up, and stretched a bit.
“Are you sure it's a safe enough game for a little kid like him?” Tanya asked, acting as if she was worried about the kid, but more so on herself.
“Oh yes. He’s actually the one that came up with it, and I’m always really gentle. The game is pretty simple actually. You three have to try and climb up to my chest, in the meantime, I try to get you into my mouth.”
“Oh…okay. And no magic?” She asked.
“Only if it looks like you’re gonna slip and fall. Otherwise, no. Just my tongue to scoop you three up with.” She giggled as she licked her lips
‘Kinda gross, but fair.’ She thought. “Okay then. I guess I could join in if you want me to.”
“Yeah! All three of us fight the dragon!” He yelled playfully before rushing to one of Celestia’s forelegs and starting to climb. Blueblood just shrugged up at the woman.
“Might as well. It's not like we have anything better to do.” She smiled as she looked up at the alicorn, trying to find out which leg was the best to climb up on.
Blueblood stood there for a moment, trying to figure out how he’d even climb his Aunt when suddenly her tongue swiped him up. A gulp was heard not seconds later, with a small, but noticeable bulge going down Celestia’s throat. “One down, two to go.” Celestia said in faux wickedness. “Come and get me, knights, this dragon is hungry!”
Tanya tensed up at the action of Blueblood already getting eaten. ‘She didn't even give him a chance!’ She thought, eyes widened as she was quick to start moving before she would be the second one in her belly. She decided that her back legs would be the best since it's farther away from Celestia’s range to easily grab her with her tongue, the tiny now starting to climb from the back of her hooves and slowly moving to the inner sides of her leg… ignoring the fact that she would have a perfect view of… Celestia’s ‘suns’.
Celestia giggled. “Trying from back there? It’s gonna take you awhile to get to my chest now isn’t it?” She taunted, before she licks a portion of one of her forelegs. Seth’s giggling could be heard, until she closed her mouth and swallowd. “Aww… delecious. And one little knight, all on her own.” Celestia taunted, her head looking under herself and right at the woman.
Tanya only tensed up before she crawled up her leg faster, now only halfway there.
Celestia decides instead to turn her body and come in from the side, her head now practically right next to the leg the girl is climbing. “That isn’t a hiding spot, little one, not for you. I’ll show you to the hiding spot I do approve of though.” The giant mare’s tongue ran up the portion of her leg, just under the woman. The mass of muscle comes rushing up toward Tanya, ready to scoop her up.
Tanya’s eyes widened at the tongue coming closer to her. ‘Now or never!’ She thought before she made the leap of faith into her tail.
Celestia gasped in concern, getting ready to use her magic to catch the tiny, until the tiny disappears into her ever billowing tail. “Oh, a tricky little knight I see. Careful in the breeze, young one.” She says with a giggle, waiting for the girl to climb up to her flank, ready to catch her off guard, also making her tail billow straight behind her so the girl has only one way to go.
Sometimes, she would see her swinging out from the wavy locks while also holding onto one as well. She noticed that the mare was waiting for her to come up. She tried to look to see where she could go instead of the obvious, she only saw a straight way down, most likely being noticed if she went down. She blushed pink as she knew one other way she could go. And so she began climbing.
Celestia watched, waiting for the woman to appear along the top of her flank. As she waited she realizes there is one way the girl could go and blushed. ‘Oh dear, she wouldn’t try to go that route... would she? If she did, it would be one wrong move and… I guess technically I would win that way.’ She thought to herself, blushing profusely, as she angles to watch in a full-length mirror just incase.
Once Tanya felt she was close enough, she decided to start swinging with one of Celestia’s pink locks. Sometimes she would be seen coming out of her tail before swinging back in and even coming out from the other side.
Celestia giggles as she watched. “That’s how you want to play huh?” She flicked her tail up at great speed, launching the girl into the air. Watching the arc, Celestia simply opened her mouth and watched the girl fall toward it.
Tanya yelped as she was flung into the air, thinking she was gonna fall in, until the weird, cartoon-like physics came in, and the bottom of her dress puffed out like a parachute, making her descent slow.
Celestia giggled. “Oh, a crumb of cake so light it floats in the air.” She joked, before her maw surrounded the tiny, her tongue acting as a landing zone.
Tanya was kicking as fast as she could to keep herself afloat, but she didn’t have the chance as she fell right onto her tongue.
Celestia swallowed the girl and sighed in satisfaction. “Once again the mighty dragon triumphs.” She giggled as she turned and patted her stomach. The three inside find that it had drained since Tanya had ventured in during Truth or Dare, it being empty, except for small pools of the brightly glowing acid, with the stomach, more or less still, only slightly expanding and contracting along with Celestia’s breath. The giant mare’s heartbeat sounds around them, and her voice echoes as she speaks.
“When can we get out?” Tanya just had to ask since she didn’t plan on staying inside all night.
“Hmm...” The princess thought to herself. Her hum sounded them. “Well, who wants out?” She asked the group in her stomach.
Tanya didn’t answer right away as she looked at the other two.
Seth jumps. “Oh I want out! I wanna play some more!” He replied, still bouncing with energy. The boy ran to the front of the stomach and began to climb his way back up.
Blueblood just sighs. “I might as well just stay, I’m just gonna end up in here later anyway.” He slowly cantered away from the group and deeper into the mare.
“Oh come on Blueblood, we both know that you really don’t want to.” She said, walking over to him as she really felt there is more to do than being in a pony’s stomach.
“I know I don’t want to, but my Aunt usually keeps me in here anyway, and if it’s not Celestia, it’s Aunt Luna.” He said, finding a dry spot as possible and laying down.
“Well, if it’s just to keep you in place, then why not stay with me? I mean, I could show you the more fun side to being small like this.” She smiled, thinking on something else she could do to bring Blueblood out of this weird stomach.
“It’s not just to keep me in place. It’s a punishment for all that I’ve done over the years, and so that I don’t get abducted by vengeful castle staff. So, I’m just going to stay here for now.” He sighed.
She scratched the back of her neck as she really didn’t know what else to say. She sighed as she felt this pony was just too down for her to hang out with. She then got an idea that caused her to smile. “Hey Blueblood. Why was the pony sad?”
“I guess you mean me, huh?” He replied, either assuming she’s referring to him, or accidentally ruining an attempted joke. “Lots of reasons.” His head plopped onto the floor of Celestia’s stomach. Seth had already climbed his out, with Celestia waiting for the other two to decide what they’re going to do, technically leaving them all alone.
“I’ll ask again: why was the pony sad?” She repeated again, standing right behind him with an eager smile.
“I don’t know, why was the pony sad?” He asked, not knowing where she’s going with this.
“Because he needed a...” She quickly grabbed him and picked him up as you would with a medium sized dog. “Pick-me-up!” She giggled before she carried him to where Celestia could bring them out. “We want to come out Princess!” She called out.
“Woah!” He yelled in surprise. “WAHH!” Is what his yell changed to when Celestia burped them back up, into her mouth. She lowers her head to the floor, opens her mouth and gently dropped them out. “... W-what did you have in mind?” He asks the girl holding him.
“Well, since I already met Princess Celestia, why don’t we meet your other aunt, Princess Luna!?” She asked, still not letting go of him. She quickly turned back to look at the princess. “It was nice meeting you, princess.” She waved before she went through another secret tunnel.
Celestia called out after them. “Luna’s not in; she tends to leave during the night to rescue Tiny kids from snatchers… and having a nice fill up.”
“Oh… right...” Her once happy attitude faded as she loosened her hold on Blueblood, making him slowly slip down onto the floor again.
He lands on his rump and looks up. “Anypony else in mind?” He asked as he stands up and faced her.
“Hmm… I’m not sure my parents are home yet, and you already met Swiffer.” She rubbed her chin in thought. “But I got an idea on how to make this day worth remembering.” She smiled as she quickly picked him up and ran into the tunnel without explaining what exactly.
‘I feel like a pet or something. Oh well, at my size, that’s just about all I’m good for now.’ He thought to himself. “Where are we going?” He asked.
“Oh you’ll see.” She giggled. “When the day guards and night guards switch, it’s actually our time to have some fun in the castle. I have a ton of games that I think you’ll like.”
“Oh, okay…. Let’s just hope not to run into one of the maids. If they see me, and you with me, we might not be able to make it to your place.”
“Don’t worry, the maids and guards here are okay with you, since you’re mostly asleep by the time they come in, so they don’t really see how bad you are. Just like I do!” She smiled, finally reaching a door attached to the outer wall that had a simple image of what looked like a slide. Once she went through, three other tinies were there. Two of them were boys while the last one was a girl too. One of the boys and the girl were putting on some elbow and kneecaps while also putting on helmets. The other male was just making sure the safety armor was tightly fastened. Beside the trio of tinies were… leaves. Four of them to be exact, and another guy the two haven’t noticed were placing something under the leaves, they were thin, so it wouldn’t mess up the leaves with whatever they were gonna use it for.
“What are they doing?” Blueblood asked, confused.
“They’re getting ready for Rail Riders.” She giggled. “And we’re joining in!” She said, putting him down before she approached the guy without the safety armor. Blueblood couldn’t hear what they were saying, but the guy did look at him before he nodded with a smirk that didn’t quite settle well with the stallion. Afterwards, Tanya came back with two pairs of safety armor with her, except she had one pair of elbow pads and three kneecaps. “Okay! Let’s suit up before we start surfing!” She smiled, already placing the large helmet on Blueblood’s head before she started putting the kneecaps on him herself.
“Uh… this stuff is kind of... not made for me.” He pointed out, the helmet balancing on his horn, and the kneecaps quite a bit too big for him and awkwardly hanging on his knees.
“Of course it is! The person who made these was a unicorn, he only made helmets for unicorns to save the process of making helmets for other types. I just put it on backwards.” She said, turning it around and showing the large hole where the forehead is and where the unicorn horn comes out from. She easily put it on him before flicking a small switch on the side, a magical barrier around his horn to keep it from getting damaged if he fell. “As for the kneecaps, we could just tighten them. That is what I’m doing, silly.” She stuck her tongue out before she went back to fastening them.
“I don’t understand, I’m the only pony this size. Why are you tinies wearing protective gear that is made for ponies? It shouldn’t fit at all.” He considered the differences between ponies and humans.
“Well, the unicorn also works with a tiny, so they designed some protective gear for us. As a prototype the unicorn made this set of tiny pony gear, so they could get the feel forc it. I’m just glad we still had it.” She giggled, finally tightening the last of the kneecaps on Blueblood before she started doing her own safety armor on herself.
“Oh. That makes sense, I guess.” Blueblood still wondered what it was they were gonna be doing.
Once she finished putting the safety armor onto her, she grabbed Blueblood’s hoof before she saw one of the tinies putting the leaves down in a row. “Alright, everyone. This game is called Rail Riders, the goal of this game is to go as fast as you can down the ramp and try to land the farthest you can.” She started. While explaining the other ‘worker’ was placing the three humans and one pony onto their leaf. “You have to be on the leaf at all times; you can use your feet, or try and make yourself more aerodynamic so you can gain speed for the jump. Once you’re in the air, the marks on the bottom of your leaf will go off and mark where you land, if you reach the farthest, you win the game. Any questions?”
“Y-yeah, wh-what happens i-if y-you fall off.” Blueblood asked, looking at the castle floor, now hundreds of feet below them, swallowing nervously.
“Oh yeah, forgot about that.” She cleared her throat before continuing. “If you happen to lose your grip on your leaf and fall, a unicorn guard is standing by to catch you and check for any injuries. But if you do fall off, you lose.” She waved down at the guard that was standing on the sidelines, waving back to show that he had her attention. “Of course, if you do fall off, you will be the guards midnight snack, so I’d recommend that you do not fall off. And since you’re the first pony to try this, you will be able to use your magic to hold onto the leaf, but don’t use it to cheat or you’ll get eaten.”
He looked down and noticed one of the night guards in particular staring at him. He’d heard about her, a mare who’d fallen for him without ever having met him. ‘I-I guess it’s a good thing we never met.’ He thought, remembering one particular mare at the gala who’d love to see him in this position. The guard mare that stared at him licked her lips and winked at him. ‘If I were normal sized, other stallions would say I’m lucky. I’m tiny sized though, pretty sure the rest of them will say I’m unlucky.’ He then looks back at Tanya. “S-so i-its win and w-walk away, l-l-lose and b-b-be e-e-eaten!?” He asks incredulously. ‘Here I was thinking that tinies hated being eaten.’
“Well, you don’t have to win, just don’t be placed in last place.” She said. “I think you stay in there for half an hour if you lose, but it might be cut shorter since you’re a prince ‘n all.” She shrugged. “Anyways, are ya ready?”
“I-I d-doubt they’d cut it short. P-p-prince is j-just a t-title.” He gulped and shook his head.
“Oh come on, your majesty. Don’t worry about that and just have fun.” She started to get ready so she could at least try not to get in last place.
He looks back at the mare staring at him. “B-b-b-but she’s s-s-s-staring at me, a-a-and h-h-hungrily t-t-t-to b-b-b-boot.”
Tanya sighed before she looked over at him. “Fine. You can leave if you want to… I just thought you’d like to do this with me, but I guess not.” She looked down, looking upset as she honestly felt that it would be fun to do this with him.
“O-o-o-ok-k-k-kay, I-I-I’ll d-d-d-do it.” He says fearfully, agreeing to go through with the game.
“Really? You don’t have to.” Her eyes glanced away for a moment as she noticed one of the workers were creeping up on him with a grin on his face.
“N-n-no. I-I-I’ll d-do it.” He replied, still focused on the night guard mare, who just seemed to be waiting, hoping he’d lose.
“Okay then.” She got ready once again. “You should probably get ready as well.” She suggested. But before he could do or ask way, the worker quickly shoved him, starting the race as the others started too. It didn’t take long for all four of them to start gaining speed, heading towards the turn they had to get through first.
As the leaf he’s on slid down the rail, he sat there frozen in fear, not knowing what to do, other than using his magic to pin himself to the leaf. He watched as the end of the railing comes closer and closer. Once they all made the turn, they all had a clear way to the curved end of the rail that went upwards. Unfortunately, one of the other players messed up on gaining speed as they were a bit shaky on their leaf. Soon all four of them made the ramp and were now flying in the air, the small pad under the leaf being ripped off as it showed the flat marker that was under it. Now all they had to do was land on the rug to total their distance score. As he had no real idea what he’s doing, and his fear now higher than it was before, Blueblood’s magic let’s go and he slipped off the leaf, plummeting to the floor below. Luckily, he wasn’t the only one, as the tiny who messed up his speed let go of his leaf and was now flying. The night guard unicorn gasped as she was quick to light up her horn and catch the two. Thankfully, Tanya and the other player landed perfectly, with Tanya placing second next to the other player as she was quick to get up and run up to Blueblood who was being placed down next to the other tiny.
“Blueblood! Are you okay?” She quickly asked, checking all over him for any injuries.
He’s uninjured, but standing there shaking, well, like a leaf. His teeth chattering, he looks to Tanya. “I-I-I-I-I-I-I’m f-f-f-f-f-fine.”
“Oh thank god.” She quickly hugged him as to calm him and even herself down.
The other tinies and pony just watched the two before the mare went to check the score, surprisingly, even after Blueblood and the other tiny messed up in their flying, Blueblood’s leaf landed farther than the other tiny, technically saying that he placed third and was safe. The losing tiny only shrugged before he was picked up in the mare’s magic and was tossed into her muzzle, the mare enjoying the taste with a small hum.
Blueblood wiped his head and lets out a relieved sigh, though still rather shaky because of the fall. “I-I-I th-th-thought t-tinies hated being e-e-eaten. Wh-why w-would you m-make a g-g-game wh-wh-where s-someone g-gets e-eaten i-if they lose?” He asks, rather confused.
“Well, I guess we see it as motivation to win.” She said. “It would be kinda boring if you didn’t get eaten. But we can go to another game where you don’t get eaten if you lose. In fact, I think everyone wins in the game that I got in mind.” She smiled a little as she helped him up before they decided to take the more calm way to where they were heading, not using the tunnels this time around. “I’m sorry your highness. I should’ve known that someone like you wouldn’t have done anything extreme like that. It’s my fault.”
“...So where are we heading this time?” He asked, looking back, the night guard mare giving him a look that said “next time” causing him to pick up the pace.
“We’re heading to the kitchen. By now the nightly cook is making his mystery flavored layered cake.” She smiled. “In this one, it’s a lot like that olympic game, the Hammer Throw, where you throw something to get a far distance, only we have cherries instead and we have to spin to give some more umph to our throw since we can’t throw far on our own. And when you land, you get to eat the spot where it lands and guess just what flavor is in it. This also helps the chef since he wants to see just how long he can make a cake.”
“Better hope my Aunt doesn’t show up then, you know how she feels about cake.”
“Doesn’t she ask ponies to send cake to her? I don’t think she goes down herself to get it.”
“You’d think that wouldn’t you? No, she loves her cake fresh. So she’s craving cake, she heads to the kitchen.” He stopped while his eyes widened. “And you taste like cake! Oh she’s going to have a craving for sure!”
“I don’t think she would mess up one of our little games for her cake craving. Unless you think she’s that greedy to do that.” She glanced over at him before they saw the open crack of the kitchen door, the girl going through it first.
“She wouldn’t mess it up, but she certainly might eat the cake with all of you, us on it after we’re done. She’d probably call it the challenge round or something.”
“And she wouldn’t even ask? That’s both rude and mean.” She crossed her arms a little at the thought of the princess ruining it for other people who might want to play next by eating the whole cake.
“Well, she is the Princess, and that is her kitchen you’re using…. Call it paying rent?”
“Yeah, but we work for her, and we should at least have a little fun after playing her games. And everyone already pays rent that lives here too.”
“What do you mean, after playing her games? She doesn’t actively hunt down and swallow tinies, Tartarus, she even pays the ones massaging her on the inside extra. I’m the only one she doesn’t pay, I get eaten for free.”
“I mean after we played her games. With Seth. I… I would just really like if she didn’t come to eat the cake and ruin it for all the other tinies who’d probably want to go next. I know you wouldn’t be happy if you wanted to play a game or do something new before some giant alicorn comes in and ruins it for everyone else.” She took a deep, calm breath to not make her lose her cool. “I… you already said that tinies hated being eaten, so I think you’d understand why we wouldn’t want that to happen. Even though she gave us these jobs, and that she can raise the sun, doesn’t really mean that she could do whatever she wants without asking everyone else who has to be in on it. All I’m saying, is that it would be better if she didn’t, that’s it.”
“Well, this is also her house you’re living in, and that’s food that she’s bought, let alone that she’s one of the four rulers of Equestria. Besides, she wouldn’t want to ruin everyone’s fun, you’ve seen how she is; she just wants to have fun. You try ruling a country for one day and see how you feel. Besides, we didn’t play her games, we picked them. Charades was your idea, Truth or Dare was mine, and Knights versus Dragon was Seth’s, along with Hide and seek. She played our games actually.”
“I don’t live in her house, I just work here. I told you that on that Truth or Dare game, dummy. And you saying she would eat the cake we’re using for a game sounds as if she’s trying to ruin everyone’s fun. So sorry if you made her sound as if she couldn’t leave a single cake alone.” She glared at him as she was slowly losing her chill, but was fighting back from being mean in any way. “Ya know what, why don’t we try something else since you think Celestia is gonna come barreling in just to eat cake?”
“I said, she’d try to join in the fun. She might be like that mare at the last game. Eating the loser or something. If you want to go long jump across cake though, then we can go ahead.” He was rather confused as to why she was getting so angry. “Where do you live anyway? It must take forever to get here then if you have to cross over the castle grounds.”
Her slightly heated mood changed as soon as he asked that. “Actually, my family uses tunnels to get to their jobs and schools. Once the idea of tunnels came into Canterlot, every tiny who was or wasn’t living in that safe zone used tunnels. But, it’s a bit costly to connect one to your home onto the many other buildings and houses.”
“Well, even just using tunnels, it would still take a while for us to get around, and it’s only been a year, my you guys must’ve been working on those day and night.” He said before ducking behind one of the many decorations lining the halls of the castle. “N-n-n-nightmare M-m-moon! H-h-how?!” He pointed to the massive mare that just turned the corner farther down the hall.
“Huh? I didn't know there was another alicorn here.” She perked up a little at the sight of the tall mare, looking rather nice and cool by her viewpoint.
Blueblood still somewhat cowering, his mind working to remember why Nightmare Moon is wandering around before it clicks. “I-I forgot, sh-she’s under reformation. I-I think she’s heading a team to root out the snatchers. I-I-I he-heard that one time when Aunt Celestia and Luna were talking. There was more I think but then she had some juice and it got kinda hard for me to hear anything after that.”
The tall black mare gets closer and stopped, looking at the tiny woman and the tiny pony with her teal, cat-like eyes. “And where are you two off to?” The midnight alicorn askd, revealing her sharp teeth.
“Oh, we’re on our way to the kitchen for a game.” Tanya answered, pointing at the door they were standing next to.
The tall mare lowered herself to the ground. “Would you like me to take you there? I was just taking a walk around the castle with my kids, but after hearing that there are games in the kitchen. I’m sure they’ll want to play as well.”
“Oh, sure.” She smiled a little, not even waiting as she started to climb onto her muzzle.
The alicorn’s horn glowed and plucked Blueblood from the ground and the girl from her muzzle. She then moved the two onto her back, where two tiny children are also sitting, a young boy and a young girl. The two waved at the newcomers, as the mare stood back up and headed to the kitchen.
Tanya only waved back with a warm smile. “Hello, you two. My name is Tanya. This is Blueblood. What’s your names?”
The girl hides shyly behind her brother. “I’m Dan, and this is my sister, Kate.” The boy said. The two looked to be around ten and eleven years old. “And this is our mommy, Nightmare Moon.” He says happily.
“Aww, that’s sweet. With a mommy like her, she could take very good care of you.” She smiled.
The boy nodded in agreement, while the mare continues cantering to the kitchen. Upon reaching it the mare looked back. “Alright, where should I set you down?”
“On the table next to the other one with the long cake on it.” She pointed at the round table, where tinies of many ages either socialized or got ready for their turn. From the cake, they could see four tinies on separate checkered cookies on it. The game seemed to start at the time, the four tinies spinning while holding a cherry by the stem. One of the kitchen workers had a stopwatch on, looking at the time before she shouted: “Release!”
At that moment, all four of them let go of their cherries, flying over the cake for a long distance before one at a time the cherries landed in the cake. Some of them cheered while others just smiled at how far their cherries went. The same worker brought a small knife out before she cut the small piece of the cake in which the cherry landed on, giving the four tinies their prized cake before they moved onto another table where they enjoyed their prizes.
“See, Blueblood. Doesn’t that look like fun? You get to throw a cherry, and get free cake in the end.” Tanya licked her lips at the thought of getting a piece. “I hope I get a vanilla and strawberry piece.”
Blueblood watched for a moment. “I’m just glad it’s safer.” He said as Nightmare Moon set them down, where Tanya had said to, sitting down in front of the table.
The door to the kitchen opened behind them, and the aforementioned Princess of the Sun trotted in. Seth stood on her muzzle. She saw Tanya and Blueblood, and set Seth down with them. “Hello again little ones.” She said sitting down next to the midnight mare.
“Oh, h-hello princess. Blueblood said you might come.” She said, remembering on how she acted as if Celestia was a bit harsh, and regretted thinking that after everything Blueblood said to defend his aunt.
“Well, a certain someone gave my sweet tooth a little more say tonight. I see you tinies really enjoy this game I had Sweet Tart set up.” She smiled as the kitchen worker bowed.
“Oh, yeah. To be honest, the game was actually part of a video game in our world. It was titled ‘Cherry-go-Round’.” She smiled a little. “I really hope you could wait until everyone else plays before you can have the… leftovers.” She giggled a little.
Celestia giggled as well. “Oh I’m sure we’ll have plenty of those, considering your size, and I’m sure Nightmare Moon would love some cake too, wouldn’t you?” She asks the black Alicorn next to her, who noded. “Hmm, and maybe we’ll find some volunteers among the players who would like to be some extra toppings.” She giggles a bit saucily, nudging the other mare, who blushed.
“Huh?” Tanya was a bit confused on the second part she said.
Celestia just giggled again. “I was going to see if any of you would volunteer to be tummy explorers.” She whispers so that only Tanya and Blueblood can hear. Especially since Seth had ran over and started playing with Dan and Kate.
“Well, I think I explored enough of your… strange stomach. It happening twice already.” She blushed, not really sure if cake and more tinies would settle with her.
“Aww...” Celestia said with faux disappointment. “But we could have a big slumber party.” She giggled.
“Yeah, but I don’t think my parents would be too happy if I was stuck in somepony’s stomach. And I have to be home at a certain time. They would blame Swiffer if I didn’t come home.”
“Well, where do you live? You said you don’t live in the castle, so I’d think you’d be rushing home pretty quickly if you wanted to make it there today. Even with those tunnels, just leaving the castle grounds takes hours.”
“Don’t worry. My parents would understand if I was a little late, but not coming home at all. They’re quick to jump to conclusions, if you know what I mean.”
“I can understand that, but I’d think you’d want to live in the castle since you work here. After all, wouldn’t that make it easier rather than walking for hours in some underground tunnels?” Celestia said worriedly. “What if you got hurt in the tunnels and were trapped down there for days without food or water? After all, all the tinies who work here live in the walls of the castle as well... all it seems, except you.”
“Well, it’s cause of my family. I told you why already. They aren’t really trusting of ponies. I mean, they work with them, but they would never become friends with someone who could just eat them without even feeling guilty I’m surprised you didn’t remember that after that Truth or Dare game.”
“So, what if I found some jobs and a secluded place in the castle so they wouldn’t have to deal with anypony other than the pony that helps them? After all, the castle has a massive tunnel system for tinies, and any tiny who doesn’t want to interact with a pony can easily do so.”
“Well, they also have jobs that aren't in the castle, so it would only make it harder for them to get to their jobs too. Please princess, I'm okay where I am. You don't have to do anything for us, really.”
“I’m sorry, it’s just I’m concerned. It would take a tiny on their own a whole day to get to the first pony home outside of the castle walls, tunnels or not. Longer to get into Canterlot proper, and almost a month for a tiny to get to the outskirts of Canterlot.”
“Well, some of us have to do a little more than others, but even so, we’re happy where we are. Besides, I'd feel a little weird if my family and I were treated better than others.” She rubbed her arm a little.
“Well, you can’t live too far from the castle… Perhaps even on the castle grounds, if you’re a regular to these games and the club.” Celestia started to think of all the places that Tanya’s family could be living on the grounds.
“Well, it is Friday, and I am off on the weekend.” She shrugged. “They know I was going to do that, so they know I would be home a little late.”
“So you live here during the week, and on the weekend you head home?”
“N-no. I just have the time to go and do this fun stuff. Mostly after work I have to go right back home so I could clean and help my mother cook. Even though she works at a shop closer, I come home earlier, since I do a little something extra to get home faster.”
“What would that be?” Celestia still thought of places on the grounds.
“It's kind of like that Rail Riders game, but I have something more thick and hard to use in the tunnels of the underground.” She blushed pink at the idea. “I know it's a little silly to do, but I don't have anything else to use to get home faster.”
“Are you sure you wouldn’t like some help? Swiffer could take you home much faster. After all, she could even just get you within the general area if you needed, and pick you up from there too. What could be a several hour trip for you would be shortened to a few minutes.”
“Yes, I'm sure, Princess. I don't like asking for help; I don't want to seem selfish by making Swiffer go further because of me. She already helps me at work, I couldn't ask her for more.”
“You also help her at work, and it isn’t selfish either, considering that you go home everyday on your own, even through the tunnels and using something to go even faster, you can’t live that far from here. Swiffer lives in Canterlot proper, which would be several days for you to get to, and I’m certain she wouldn’t mind helping out a friend.” Celestia had heard just how well the unicorn talks about Tanya.
“Please, Princess, I'm fine where I am. I don't need any help going home. I have my way, and Swiffer has her way. Please, I'm fine with how I get home.” She really didn’t want to get any help from going home. “Besides, it's the only way I can get home. We live underground as well.”
“But wouldn’t you like to be able to spend more time with your family and less time traveling between here and home? I know that the underground has many entrances all over the city. She could drop you off at one closer to your home? … Or do you want to prove that you don’t need anypony’s help?”
“I just don't like being offered any help. I feel weird about it. I don't even like being given gifts on my birthday.” She looked away as she wanted to talk about something else now, but didn't have the gut to do it.
“You know, showing kindness is always good, but sometimes to show kindness, one must receive it too. I know you have good intentions, but sometimes, you might hurt others who want to help you if you refuse their help. You know, friends and family aren’t there just to look to you for support, they are also there if you need support yourself. A young mare, and friend of my student, named Applejack, was trying to do all of her work and at the same time help her friends out with things they wanted to do. She wore herself down so far, she was absolutely exhausted and her trying to help actually ended up causing harm, yet, she wouldn’t still accept any help herself. It took my student actually pointing out just how out of it she was before she would accept her own friends help, and with their help, they actually got the work she was supposed to do done faster than she would have on her own. So fast that she could actually spend time with them and even help them out without being exhausted.” Celestia finished her little lecture.
“Well... I'm not really overworking. I'm just doing what every other Tiny is doing. Please Princess. I don't want any help.” She turned away. “May we please move onto something else?”
“Yes, but first I have one more thing to add: My point isn’t that you’re overworking yourself, it’s that everypo-... er, everyone, needs help at some point, and accepting help from others, regardless of being a pony or a tiny, doesn’t make you any less capable than you are without it. I request that you at least think about it, okay? Now then, why don’t you all go join in the game.”
“I will, but I have to tell my family about this too. I don’t want to bring this all onto them if I agree to your offer.” She said, the ‘worker’ tapping her and the two children as he guides them to the unicorn, who picked up all three of them and set them on the checkered cookies. After that, the same unicorn passed them their own cherries, Tanya having two on her stem while the kids just had one to make it easier for them.
“Is the prince going to join?” The unicorn worker asked, pointing at Blueblood.
“I’m not really good at sports, and I’m watching my weight and how delicious I look in front of my aunt.” Blueblood came up with excuses. “So, I’ll just let them have the fun.”
The unicorn only shrugged before he brought out a different tiny who was waiting, this one being a teen male. He gave a small wink at Tanya before he was given his cherry.
After that, all four of them got ready to throw. They only had five seconds to ready their shots. “Start.” The unicorn spoke, turning on a stopwatch when the four of them started spinning with their cherries by the stem, some of them going faster and higher with their cherries while others were having trouble getting ready to throw. Whether they were ready or not, the unicorn let out the signal, all four of them letting go of their cherries and letting it fly.
The ponies, watching from the sidelines, cheer for the tinies they came with. Blueblood cheered for Tanya, Celestia for Seth, and Nightmare Moon & Kate (Clutching her fur) for Dan.
The guy who winked at Tanya came in first while Tanya came second and it was a close tie between the two children for third. The unicorn made his way to take the small cake pieces with the cherry separated. All four of them got both a piece of cake and a large cherry or two.
Everyone, but the teen, were placed back with the princesses as the next group of Tinies were brought up next.
Celestia giggled. “Looks like my nephew has a little competition.” She whispered to the tiny pony, though it’s loud enough for Tanya to hear. Blueblood stood there with a blush, looked down at the ground and rubbed one foreleg with the other.
Tanya acted as if she didn't hear that as she went over to where the two were. “Hey Blueblood, I know you said you didn't want cake, but how about one of my cherries? I don't think I could eat all of this.” She blushed pink before she sat down and started eating her piece, she hummed at the flavor she got. “Mmm, strawberry.”
Blueblood blushes as well, taking a cherry and munching on it like it’s a large, red peach. Eventually the game ended and the leftover cake is taken by the two ponies. Nightmare Moon and Celestia both got a normal slice of cake that would be the size of an apartment complex to tinies.
Some of the Tinies already left with their piece of cake while Tanya finished hers and left her cherry for later.
After finishing her slice, Nightmare Moon picked up her two adopted children and quietly left, the two kids having fallen asleep. Celestia stayed there with the two as everyone else left. Eventually, the four were all alone in the kitchen. “Well, I better take Seth back so he can get some sleep. Would you like a ride to the nearest Underground passageway?” Celestia asked. “Blueblood can’t leave the castle but he can see you to the exit.” She says.
“Oh, I would like Blueblood to bring me to the underground entrance.” She smiled, holding the cherry as she was planning on bringing it home.
“Would you like me to accompany you as well? The rocking keeps Seth asleep.” Celestia asks, looking to the sleeping boy on her back, barely sticking out of the short fur of her mountainous form.
“Oh, uhm, I don't know. Where does he get dropped off?” She asked.
“Well, the club is open all night, so he stays with me actually.” Celestia looked back at the boy, with a warm, motherly smile.
“O-oh, okay.” She shrugged a little. “I guess you could drop me off then.” She glanced away for a moment.
“Or did you want to talk to Blueblood a bit in private before you headed home?” Celestia gave her a mischievous look.
“Oh, n-no. It's okay. I mean, I will be back here tomorrow. F-for another audition…thing.” She blushed pink as she looked down, not really used to talk about her possible side job.
Celestia giggled, covering her mouth with a wing. “So, why is it you’re so embarrassed?” She asked in a mischievous tone, still giggling.
“I…I'm not used to talking about my, uhm…t-talent.” She looked down, the blush only getting worse as she knew she was laughing at her.
“Your talent?” Celestia no longer giggled. “Well, don’t worry, I wasn’t laughing at you, let alone because of that, I just thought you wanted to have Blueblood alone for other reasons.” She admitted, causing Blueblood to practically glow red.
“What other reasons could there be?” She asked, head tilted as she had no idea what Celestia was offering to her.
“Oh, it’s just, well, I was thinking that there was something…” Celestia looked off, before suddenly picking them up with her magic and placing them on her back as well. “Well, we’d best getting on our way.” She said before cantering out of the kitchen toward the closest underground entrance.
Tanya only shrugged as she kept the cherry in her hands while getting a free ride to the nearest underground tunnel.
Blueblood carefully got closer to her. “She thinks we’re, um, starting to be, um, an item.” Blueblood whispered to her.
Tanya’s cheeks immediately turned red at what he said. “A-an item?” She whispered back. “B-but we just met t-today.”
“I know…” Blueblood still whispered and blushed. “It’s just... well, sometimes, people just get to like each other that quick. I-it a-also s-seemed like you wanted to go with me to the underground, by ourselves...”
“W-well, I just thought you’d like t-to be away from your aunt… since you seem to be always in her.” She rubbed her arm as she glanced away. “Even if it is for a little while.”
Blueblood rubbed his foreleg and glanced the other way. “Y-yeah, I know. B-but you know h-how family can get…” He felt awkward. “S-sometimes th-they o-over think things a little bit.”
Tanya only nodded, knowing the feeling, but not necessarily like how Blueblood did.
Celestia stopped. “Alright, here’s an entrance.” She said, taking Tanya and Blueblood off her back and placing them next to it. “I’m going to take Seth up to my room now. I’ll get him comfortable and then I’ll come back and pick you up, my little nephew.” She trotted off, leaving them alone in the hall.
It was silent between the two, until the female tiny spoke up. “W-well, I guess this is goodbye. Or… see ya later?” She felt a little awkward after knowing that the princess of all of Equestria thought the two were pairing up.
“Y-yeah. See you later. I-I guess.” Blueblood looked up at the girl. ‘I used to look down at and on tinies, now, I can’t help but look up to them. Some more than others.’ He thinks to himself.
“I… I hope you had a nice time with me. A-and it was great meeting one of your aunts and Nightmare Moon.” She had a pink hue in her cheeks. She didn’t give much warning as she quickly kissed him on the cheek. “Bye!” She said just as fast as she went through the tunnel entrance and left to her own home.
Blueblood only waved with a hoof before rubbing his cheek as the entrance closes. He stood there, alone in the hall, his mind a flutter. ‘D-does she like me more than she lets on?’ He thinks to himself, before noticing a couple of hooves. He turns around and looks up, and standing there is the unicorn night guard from earlier.
She licked her lips and winked. “Told you it’d be next time.” She said with a giggle, before she leaned down, the bottom of her jaw touching the floor. “Now, be a good little prince and come on in.” She giggled before her maw opened wide.
Tanya was behind the hidden passage when she heard another pony find Blueblood and was about to eat him. She peeked her head out to see that Blueblood was still right next to the door. She looked between Blueblood and the unicorn night guard, right before she grabbed Blueblood’s tail and pulled him inside the tunnel.
“Oh no you don’t!” The mare yelled, her magic aura reaching out and grabbing Blueblood. She pulled him back out and suspends him, and the girl holding his tail, into the air. Blueblood couldn’t even “eep” in alarm at his tail being pulled with how quick the whole thing happened. Luckily the magic also enveloped Tanya, otherwise, Blueblood would be in a whole mess of pain from having someone twice his height hanging by his tail. The mare giggled. “Well, what do you know? Two for the price of one! Oh, and you’re that girl that was with him earlier. Well, I guess you two will have the whole night now.” She licked her lips.
“You'll regret it once the Princess knows!” She shouted angrily, while also thinking of a way out of this for the two of them.
“Especially since I’m right here.” They heard Celestia’s voice, not all to pleased. “Now, I know the guard tends to eat tinies if they catch them during their duty, however, you seem to be away from your current post.” She said sternly to the mare. “Hand them over.” The night guard mare’s head hung in defeat and she levitated the two over to Celestia, the aura changing from her light blue to Celestia’s gold. “Now, head back to your post.”
The unicorn mare flinched before galloping off to her post, leaving the three of them alone again in the hallway. Celestia put the two back down on the floor. “Well, I guess I can say goodbye as well. And thank you for your noble effort to save my nephew.”
“O-oh, well, I… I couldn’t j-just let him get eaten. I… I know how it feels.” Tanya couldn’t help but blushed as she turned away and started messing with her hair a little.
“Thank you.” Blueblood said, blushing as well, kneading the floor with a hoof.
“N-no problem.” She looked down as she used her own foot to mess with the floor, the girl also being barefoot as she came without shoes, Equestria not really able to make human shoes. Just horseshoes.
Blueblood noticed, as did Celestia, even with her great height. “Tanya, why don’t you have any shoes? Doesn’t that hurt?” He had only ever seen tinies in shoes, regardless of size at this point. He also got closer, looking at her toes curiously.
Tanya noticed her feet were showing, the girl got embarrassed as she was quick to cover them with her dress. “I, uhm… I didn’t come with a-any shoes. A-and ponies c-can’t make human shoes.” She kept them covered. “A-and it’s okay. N-not like there’s any rocks or thorns I c-could step on.” She lightly joked, the girl being more than used to not wearing shoes as it made her feel more free and natural.
Celestia giggled. “Are you sure ponies can’t make them? I’ve seen plenty of ponies galloping around in humanlike shoes. Of course, we only make them for fashion, but I’m sure we could get you some shoes. After all, what if something happens in the underground passages and you can’t get home because you’d cut your feet?” She was more concerned.
“W-well, yeah. B-but they don’t know how to make actual human shoes. O-or how to even measure a human foot.” She glanced away as she still kept her feet covered. “A-and that’s h-happened before. I… I just hopped back home while a-also leaning against the tunnel walls. I h-had a gauze wrapped around my f-foot for a week. I couldn’t c-call out of work.”
“Well, why didn’t you say so? All you had to do was tell me. Trust me, we’ve worked this out. There are tinies that help us make shoes for them, we’ve got plenty cobblers who’ve trained tinies as well. I could get you shoes right now if you need them.” Celestia replied, nuzzling the girl a bit with her massive muzzle.
Tanya only blushed more as the large nuzzling made her topple over, the girl falling back as her feet were exposed again, this time showing her somewhat dirty bottom part of her feet, the girl quick to cross her legs and hide her feet again. “N-no. It’s okay. I… I’m okay without shoes.”
Celestia sighs in response. “Oh yes, unless something happens again and I won’t be able to reach you. This is also why I suggested living in the castle. What if you’re trapped in the underground and no one can reach you?”
“I… I don’t know. But I highly doubt shoes would save me from that scenario.” She looked away, rubbing her arm as she didn’t want to admit to saying that she wasn’t used to shoes anymore.
“I’m no longer talking about shoes.” Celestia’s motherly voice filled with concern. “I still wish you and your family would come live in the castle.”
Tanya kept looking away from the large alicorn. “I told you I can’t. My parents aren’t used to ponies yet. Or… being in public much. You saw how that guard was willing to eat both me and Blueblood. My family would be worse living here then where we are.”
“As I said, I would make sure they had a place to stay where they would be hidden, no tiny eating guards, no tiny eating staff members, not even tiny eating Princesses. There are quite a few places constructed within the walls that only tinies can get to.”
“But what about their jobs? I don’t think living farther away from the local stores would be better. It’s on the other side of Canterlot; they wouldn’t even have time to sleep from coming to and from work. I’m sorry princess, but I don’t think they will accept your offer.” She felt a little hurt inside to say that, not liking to say no that much. “And I think they're more comfortable with their job to work in the castle for you.”
“At least convey to them my message. That they can move to the castle, get jobs that they’re comfortable with, even jobs that would keep them out of pony hooves, and live in a safer place without the worry of cave ins or hungry ponies, while being able to talk to many other tinies.” Celestia requested, still in her motherly tone.
Tanya couldn’t help but mentally sigh as she felt that the princess wouldn’t give up even if it came from her own parents mouth. “O-okay, princess. But I won’t keep any promises that they would want to move into the castle.” She kept looking down at the floor, not feeling that she should look at the princess for some reason.
“It’s okay Tanya, I’m not going to force them, I just want them to know the option is there if they so choose.” Celestia replies. “Same goes for you, if you decide to move out on your own.”
“I… I don’t think I would be ready to leave my family.” She wanted to make sure they were fine without her, but still feeling that she couldn’t go out on her own.
“As I said, if, or when, the option is here for you if you want. As I said, it’s up to you and your family, I’m just letting you know that I’ll welcome you with open hooves.” Blueblood nodded in agreement.
Tanya finally looked up at the two from her spot, a pink blush on her cheeks before she nodded. “O-oh, okay.” She felt a little awkward as she stood up from her spot. “W-well, I, uhm, b-better get going. Again, th-thank you for the offer....” She bowed before she opened the secret passage again. “I...” She felt she had something else to say, but really didn’t. “Bye!” She quickly said before she went through the passage and started heading down the tunnel to her home, having a lot of things on her mind as she didn’t know which one to focus on the most.
Celestia sighed and picked up Blueblood, placing him on her back. “Well nephew, I can only hope they accept and that nothing bad happens to them either.” She spoke, worried about the woman and her family. She headed back up to her room, making a small bed for Blueblood on her desk before going to bed as well. All Celestia did was yawn loudly before laying onto her own bed.
Blueblood laid in his bed, staring up at the ceiling. He would be relieved not to be staring at his Aunt’s stomach walls, but this night is different; all he can think about is Tanya and her family, and worry about them living deep underground where anything could happen, from cave ins to digging animals snatching them up.
Thankfully, Tanya didn’t have any dangers in the tunnels tonight as she made it home and easily opened the door to the dining room. Everyone was already home, her mom serving the dinner while her father was reading a newspaper. She also had a little brother, who was in the ‘backyard’, training as usual. “I’m home!” She called out, her mother being the first to give her a hug.
“Oh, I’m so glad you’re home early. How was the audition? Did you sing your song?” She spoke, Tanya glancing away for a moment.
“Oh, uhm, the audition was great, though, I was assigned to a song.” Tanya answered, to which her mother frowned.
Her father only sucked his teeth. “Of course that cheap pub wouldn’t let you sing your song. They just want young girls to bring in some suckers. Unless they start working differently, I recommend you don’t go back unless you want to be known as a stripper.”
“Jake! Don’t say that. Our little Tanya is going to be the brightest star in this whole world. Just like your brother is going to be the first human royal guard.” She said, only hugging Tanya again as the younger woman stayed quiet. “Now I just made dinner; you must be famished. Go wash your hands and you could talk about your whole day. You always have a little story to tell since you’re working in that big castle.” She said, pushing Tanya towards the hallway to the bathroom.
‘Yeah. I have quite the tale to tell.’ She thought, not even sure where to start or where to finish.