//------------------------------// // Baby steps pt. 1 // Story: Like a Baby // by Forever Young //------------------------------// The night had been a long one. Trixie's show had gone on until just after midnight. After it finished up, everypony went home, with the exception of a couple ponies who stayed to help pack everything up. Once back at the castle, Twilight went to her room to climb into her bed for what would be the last time for a while. Ginger had taken residence in one of the guest rooms for the night, planning on switching room arrangements the following day. The following morning, Twilight slumped out of bed, got cleaned up, and headed downstairs to eat. When she got to the kitchen, she saw everypony else, all her friends included, already eating their breakfast. Ginger waved her over, having already gotten a good plate set up for Twilight. A small stack of blueberry pancakes sat next to a bowl of oatmeal, with a glass of milk nearby as well. "We were just introducing ourselves," Ginger said as Twilight sat down, "Your friends seem to be quite nice." "Yer not too bad yerself, ya know," Applejack said, taking a sip of milk, "Though, how exactly did you and Twilight meet? Ya were getting ready to tell us right as she walked in. Interesting timing there, by the way." "Yes, well, you may already be aware of Twilight's visit to the Crystal Empire. She went there looking for help with her stress after one of her friends recommended us," Ginger explained, "That's where I come in. I was the one assigned to help her out." "Ah see. Welp, sounds to me like it's gonna work out this time, which is good cause she's been overworked and overstressed fer far too long," Applejack said. "Yea, and we've tried helping her out, even Discord has tried, but nothing we did was any good," Rainbow said, "She blew up at me a few times, then just came back to the castle and shut herself in her room cause she felt bad." "Yes, well all that will fade away now," Ginger said, turning to Twilight, "You want to explain, or do you want me to?" "I don't think it needs explaining," Rarity said, "If it works, it works, and that's good enough for me." "That's all good and fine, but I kinda do want to let you guys know to avoid any confusion later on," Twilight said, taking another bite of her pancakes, "What Ginger here specializes in is what's called 'Regression therapy'." "Did NOT see that one coming," Starlight blurted out. "She's not getting into something bad, is she?" Applejack asked. "No, not at all, I just... wasn't expecting that to be what works," Starlight said. "Basically, what it is, is that Ginger will occasionally bring my mental age down to about that of Flurry Heart," Twilight explained, "As embarrassing as it is to say this, that does mean I'll be playing the part of a foal during those times." "Like Rarity says, if it works, that's good enough fer us," Applejack said. "Well, I think Twilight just doesn't us getting blindsided when all this starts," Starlight pointed out, "This therapy involves more than playing the part of a foal for a session here and there. It's a little more involved, and more than just occasionally." "What do you mean by that?" Spike asked. "Except for certain occasions such as work and whatnot, Twilight will be a big foal," Ginger explained, "The change will be gradual, with more aspects coming into play as time goes on." "Hold on a second, are you saying you're gonna turn our friend in a drooling kid?" Rainbow asked demandingly. "Oh, far from it," Ginger assured. "I've already given it a short trial, that's why I was gone for a little over a week," Twilight explained, "Though I won't be a drooling kid, I will have a foalish appearance." Twilight took a few breaths to prepare herself for her next admittance. After she was calm, and certain her face was still purple instead of bright red, she began her explanation. "I just don't want you guys to be surprised when you see me walking around diapered, with sized up foal clothes. I also may or may not have a pacifier strapped to my clothes at times. Depending on the mood of the day, I may or may not be allowed to feed myself. I'll also be a fair bit more childish and immature," Twilight explained, trying to keep her embarrassment levels to a minimum. The room sat silent for a minute or two, every passing second causing Twilight to retreat slightly more while her face started to glow brighter and brighter. Eventually, it was Rainbow who broke the silence with hysterical laughter, causing Twilight to slump down, feeling defeated and completely humiliated and ashamed. "Please excuse Rainbow for her rather rude laughing fit and lack of support," Rarity said in her high class, serious voice, "While this therapy is indeed a tad odd, that does not make it bad or something for you to feel ashamed of. Everypony deals with stress in different ways. I resort to stress sewing or a brief moment's rocking guitar solo, Applejack bucks trees, Rainbow does trials, tricks, and obstacle courses, Fluttershy retreats back to be with her animals, and Pinkie... does whatever Pinkie does." "So, you best deal with stress by regressing and playing as an adult foal? That's perfectly fine," Rarity said, draping a leg over Twilight's back, "It's what works for you, and that's all that matters." "Exactly!" Applejack said, "Besides, we're yer friends to the end. Nothing ya do is gonna change that." "Yea! I may give you a hard time about it here and there, but if anypony else tries, just tell me and I'll sort them out," Rainbow said, having finally collected herself. "I don't really get it, but if it means you don't work as hard, then that's good," Spike said, "Just don't expect me to change your diapers or anything like that." "You won't have to worry about that, I'll take care of it," Ginger assured. To Be Continued...