//------------------------------//
// Baby steps pt. 2 
// Story: Like a Baby 
// by Forever Young 
//------------------------------//

The rest of breakfast had gone well. By the end of it all, Twilight felt a little more comfortable knowing her friends would soon be seeing her as a big foal. Before long, they had all parted ways, ready to go about their days as usual. After everything was clean again, Twilight and Ginger went out to do some shopping. Twilight was still hesitant about it. Sure, her friends were supportive, but now she was actually going out in public to buy nursery furniture and baby supplies for her own personal use. She was brave until they reached the storefront.

"You're not getting cold hooves already, are you?" Ginger asked.

"A little. I know my friends are ok with it... sort of, but I'm not sure how the rest of Ponyville will take it," Twilight admitted, "I never really gave that any thought till just now."

"It'll be fine, Twilight, I promise," Ginger assured, "And besides, like I said back at the Crystal Empire, nopony is going to say anything bad about this to a Princess such as yourself."

"They don't have to say anything," Twilight pointed out, "I just... I just hope they don't try to alienate me."

"That's just crazy talk," Ginger said, "I get it, your nerves are still acting up on this matter. You live here, tons of ponies know you, and you don't want them treating you differently. I've been in this business for a long time, and I can tell you that won't happen. Tell me, did anypony treat you differently or alienate you at the Empire?"

"Well... no," Twilight admitted.

"This won't be any different, I promise," Ginger said, "You'll get some odd looks for a bit, but that's all. Look, if it makes you feel any better, just say I'm a good friend of yours and you're paying for stuff for my baby. You wouldn't be ENTIRELY wrong..."

Twilight just sighed before Ginger managed to finally coax her inside. The place was almost completely devoid of life. The only ponies Twilight saw were the staff, the Cakes, and a couple others she didn't recognize. The two first went to the small supplies to get some diapers, wipes, baby powder, and diaper rash cream before heading over to the furniture. Twilight's face went bright red when one of the couples waved at her as she walked past on her way to the cribs. It didn't take long before she found a nice mahogany crib, and a matching changing table soon after.

The walk up to the cashier was like a walk of shame for Twilight. She didn't look up much, trying her best to stay hidden until everything was paid for.

"That wasn't so bad, was it?" Ginger asked, "We got through without anypony doing anything bad to you. They all seemed to be pretty friendly, as a matter of fact... just like back at the Empire."

"Yea, only I know just about everypony in Ponyville personally," Twilight pointed out, "I thought I could do this... but I'm not-"

"Don't start getting cold hooves," Ginger said, holding her left hoof up to Twilight's muzzle, "Square one, like I said. If you want, we can keep this just inside these walls for a little while. The first bit is to help you get used to being diapered and somewhat dependent on me, your caretaker. That doesn't have to go out in public right now."

"I uh... well, ok then, I appreciate that," Twilight said.

"For now, let's go ahead and get this nursery set up so we can start," Ginger said.

The two took everything up to where the nursery would be and got to work setting it up just right. The whole process didn't take that long, and the two were satisfied with the results. Underneath the window on the far side of the room was the crib, and just left of that was the changing table. Both pieces were upsized slightly and magically reinforced to better fit and support a mare like Twilight.

Wasting no time at all, Ginger motioned for Twilight to get up on the changing table. After a brief moment, Twilight flew up and glided back down onto the soft pad where she was then strapped down before Ginger went about diapering her up. Once The diaper was nice and snug, Twilight got down and sat down.

"And I don't have to go outside like this, right?" Twilight asked.

"Not for now, no," Ginger said, "I'll give it about a month, that sound fair? After that, you will be diapered 24/7. If, at any point, you feel comfortable enough to start phase two sooner, just let me know."

"So, I won't have a choice then after this month?" Twilight asked shakily.

"For the therapy to be effective, no," Ginger said.

Twilight closed her eyes and thought for a few moments. Sure, she could do that. Take a month, let her friends get used to seeing her like this before the rest of Ponyville. Question is, would she really be ready after a month?