//------------------------------// // Quality Grandma Time // Story: One Bolt, Spreading Harmony // by Boltsinger //------------------------------// In the city of Canterlot, inside a modest home, a pair of Unicorns sat at the table for breakfast. One was a blue-coated stallion with a darker blue swooping mane and tail, golden eyes, and a Cutie Mark of two crescent moons. The other was a white-coated mare with a mane and tail of purple and white stripes cut in a fairly uniform style, with a swirl in the back. She had a Cutie Mark of three purple stars, and had a forlorn look in her blue eyes, pawing at her food with her magically-lifted fork. The stallion reached out, touching the mare’s hoof with his own. “Honey, are you okay? You seem a little down.” The mare briefly looked up at him. “Huh?” A sigh escaped her lips, looking back down at her meal. “Oh, it’s nothing, really. Just a little lonesome…” An understanding smile crossed the stallion’s face. “Do you want to do something fun today?” He leaned back, floating over a list of potential activities. “We could go to the Canterlot gardens…” The mare shook her head. “No…” “Get some ‘fancy’ food down on Restaurant Row…” “No…” “Oh! How about we--" The mare pushed her plate away, standing up with her forehooves on the table. “I WANT TO SEE MY GRANDSON!!!” The stallion gave her a knowing nod, rolling the list up and putting it aside. “Then why don't you go see him? It’s just a quick train ride to Ponyville. I can handle anything that happens around here, today.” The mare looked down at him, finding his calmness rather calming. “But what about you? Don’t you want to see him, too?” “Yes, but I can wait my turn. You’re looking pretty desperate for some baby time.” He walked around the table, placing his hoof on her shoulder. “You, Twilight Velvet, need to get to Ponyville and see your grandson. No ifs, ands, or buts. Got it?” Velvet brought her hooves back to the floor, quickly raising them again to hug her husband. “Oh, Night Light, you’re the best husband a pony could ask for!” She gave him a drawn-out kiss on the cheek, hurrying off into the house to pack. Twilight Velvet looked up at her closing destination, the Castle of Friendship. It had always been a welcome sight, given who lived there, and her excitement to see the youngest of them was at its peak. She stepped up to the door, giving it several happy knocks. She heard a call from inside the house, followed by wingbeats from above. “Velvet?!” Came the most familiar baritone she knew, prompting her to turn around with a broad smile. “Oh, Boltsinger, dear, you know you can call me ‘Mom’!” She replied, giving the surprised stallion a hug. “I know.” He told her, reciprocating the embrace. “I just… wasn’t expecting you!” They walked towards the entrance, the Princely Pegasus opening the door for his mother-in-law. “What brings you over?” Velvet giggled, momentarily looking up at him. “Can’t a mare come visit her grandson?” A small chuckle escaped Boltsinger’s throat as he looked ahead. “Of course you can! You’re actually the second surprise visit today!” “The second? Who else came by?” Yet another laugh sounded from the stallion as they made their way up the stairs. “Well, let’s just say you’re not the only grandma that came by!” “Not the only…?” She repeated, cocking an eyebrow. “But, Bolt… Aren’t your parents…?” “Yeah.” He confirmed, “They are… But… Well, okay, you’re his only biological grandma. But…” He opened the door to the nursery, where the lilac Princess contentedly watched as a number of toys were floated around the room. Some with a grace that made them seem alive in a yellow aura, with others performing rudimentary walking motions in a blue one. Twilight’s ear twitched at the opening of the doors, turning her head only to light up with surprise. “Oh! Mom!” She sprang to her hooves, trotting over to embrace her mother. “What are you doing here?” “Oh, I just came to visit with Nova.” She explained, tightening her grip around her favorite mare. “And the rest of the family, too, of course!” “That makes two of us.” An unmistakable yet soft, motherly contralto stated from within the room. Velvet released her daughter from the hug, stepping back and turning her head with wide eyes and drooped ears. Sitting on the other side of the room, her horn alight while playing with the foal she was so desperate to see, was… “Princess Celestia?! You’re the ‘grandma’ Boltsinger was talking about?!” “I’m… kinda surprised it wasn’t obvious.” Boltsinger said, walking towards the foal. “How was it supposed to be obvious?” Velvet retorted, her gaze on the Princess unflinching. “She’s the Princess…” She turned her attention to Boltsinger, motioning to herself with her hoof. “But I’m his actual grandmother!” “And to be fair, it wasn’t obvious to me, either.” The Sun Princess added. Boltsinger scratched his mane with his hoof, smiling weakly at Celestia. “Yeah, I just figured… You know, what with the kind of relationship you two have… It’s way beyond just simple teacher and student!” Twilight and Celestia looked to each other at the comment, each letting a fond smile on their face. Out of all the smiles in the room, though, one had become decidedly less sincere than the others. “I see…” Velvet’s features slightly soured, finding herself in the doorway while the other ponies began to gather. The distance between her and them wasn’t great, but it loomed over her regardless. She fixed her attention on the smiling parents, bringing more truth to her smile. And then the white wings came forward, bringing with them a stinging sensation that made her want to tear her children away from them. And with that, came an idea. She trotted over to them, putting a hoof on Twilight and Boltsinger’s respective shoulders. “You two look so happy… I’d bet you’ve been busy, though.” Twilight looked at her mother with a soft nod. “The school does take a lot of my attention, but I’ve been doing my best to balance that with everything else.” “Besides, being a parent is the definition of ‘busy’.” The stallion stated, tapping Nova on the tip of his horn. “I bet you know that all too well, though.” “You’ve got that right!” Velvet affirmed as her horn went alight. Twilight and Boltsinger quickly found themselves wrapped in a magical glow, lifted to a standing position and moved away from the Alicorns. “You two deserve some time off to have fun together!” She brought them out of the room, placing them in the hallway. “I’m sure Princess Celestia and I can handle the tot for a while!” “But… We…” Twilight started, attempting to look back at her. “No ‘buts’!” The Unicorn interjected, placing them on the floor in the hall. “You two take the day and have fun! The ‘grandmas’ have got this!” she released the two from her grip, swiftly closing the door as they turned back. “This door won’t open until you two are having fun together, got it?” An audible sigh came from beyond the door. “Yes, Mom!” Sounded off simultaneously from both of them, followed by a magenta flash under the door. Velvet gave a confident nod, turning back around to face the remaining royals in the room. “So, what should we do first?” Celestia continued to make the room's toys dance around, letting Nova chase them. “I'm right where I want to be.” She looked over to the Unicorn, beckoning her with her wing. “Would you like to join us?” “I would love to!” Velvet trotted over to them, laying on the floor and bringing her magic to life once more. More of the toys in the toybox floated out, dancing and running and rolling about in their myriad ways. Nova babbled with excitement, prancing after them one by one. “I used to play with Twily like this when she was a filly…” She let out a soft sigh, drawing the Princess’ attention. “But, I guess that's enough about the past, isn't it?” The Unicorn's question found itself almost immediately answered as a loud rumble filled the room. At the sound, Celestia let out a chortle. “For now, perhaps. It sounds like the little one is hungry.” She stood up, putting a hoof to her belly. “And, for that matter, so am I.” Velvet sprang to her hooves, practically standing at attention. “Oh! Well, if you need, I can cook something up for you, Your Highness!” “Oh, that won’t be necessary.” The Princess replied, moving to the opening door. “I'd be happy to prepare a meal. Why don't you tend to Nova?” “Why, that sounds like a wonderful idea!” She affirmed. The monarch gave a curt nod, heading out the door as Velvet turned to the hungry foal with a brightly lit horn. “You ready for some yummies, sweetheart?” Her magic encompassed the baby, lifting him up next to her. “Let’s go to the kitchen, shall we?” She trotted out into the hall, humming a tune to herself with a content look on her face. At which point, the tears began flowing. Nova began squirming in the grip of the mare’s magic. It tingled in a weird way, poking him all over like little pins. He began flapping his wings, reaching for a way out of the field he was in with a sniffle. “Are you okay, sweetie?” She asked, pulling him to float in front of her. “Do you wanna fly around?” She weaved him back and forth about the hall, moving him in a pattern that imitated flight. The squirming continued, Nova’s horn flaring up as his wailing began. He vanished from her magic in a blue flash, leaving the mare’s aura to reappear in the air in front of her. Velvet recoiled, stopping for a moment. “Nova, honey, what’s wrong?” She trotted forward, the foal looking back with a hint of shock in his eyes. With one more cry, he made a strong flap of his wings, shooting forward at his full speed. The grandmother sprang forward into a gallop, following the foal. “What’s wrong, sweetheart? I was just…” She lit her horn again, trying to move her magic towards him. He responded with another poof, appearing on the other side of the hall with no loss in momentum. “... holding…” She made another attempt, met with the same result. “... you!” As she ignited her horn once more, the baby turned down the stairs, moving even faster through the castle. She picked up her pace, following the surprisingly fast flyer to the best of her ability. He came to a quick stop at the entrance to the kitchen, zipping inside as a surprised yelp sounded off. “What’s going on, little one?” Celestia wondered, her voice seeming to soothe the continuing crying. Velvet turned the corner into the kitchen, where Celestia was holding a rapidly-calming Nova close in her wing, stroking his mane with her foreleg. “Did something scare you? Oh, it's okay…” She moved him to his high chair, pulling his bib around his neck. As she moved back to the stove, which gave off the nearly irresistible aroma of fresh pancakes, her eyes fell upon the Unicorn. “Ah! Mrs. Sparkle! Is everything alright? Nova seemed like he was afraid of something.” Velvet recoiled at the sudden formality, waving a dismissive hoof. "Oh, please! Just call me ‘Velvet, Your Majesty! I don’t know what happened…” She explained, entering the room. “All I did was hold him for a little while!” Celestia looked between the mare’s horn and her eyes, a small, knowing smile tugging at her mouth. “I see. And how did you hold him?” “With… magic...” She stepped up to the high chair, tilting her head at the foal. “Did I do something wrong?” Celestia tousled Nova's mane, earning a giggle. “I learned the hard way that Nova doesn’t respond kindly if you rely too much on magic. Have you read the checklist?” She retrieved a scroll from under her necklace, floating it over to the Unicorn. “Checklist?” Velvet repeated, taking the parchment and opening it up in front of her. “There’s a checklist for the baby?” She skimmed its contents, letting a bit of surprise onto her face. “Flurry Heart wasn’t anywhere close to this high-maintenance when she was a baby…” Finishing her reading, she rolled the list up, passing it back to the Princess. “Well, it’s nothing I can’t get used to! I did raise his mother, after all!” Celestia laughed to herself, dishing up a plate of flapjacks and starting on the next. “Yes, she was always the most fascinating student.” A more audible laugh came out as a memory popped into her head. “I remember there was a time when she and Moon Dancer were trying out teleportation for the first time… She ended up in at least five different locations around the school before finally ending up on the roof, without even knowing what was going on! When she finally realized where she was, she started listing off every other solution to the problem before the idea of calling for help even crossed her mind!” She trailed off from her laughter, breathing a contented sigh. Velvet smiled weakly, fetching some mashed carrots and a strange set of spoons on a black sleeve. “That sounds like a good memory…” She put the spoon-based garment on, proceeding to feed the foal. “You must have a lot of them, don’t you?” Velvet and Celestia walked through Ponyville, the Unicorn pushing a carriage filled to the brim with every essential a baby might need, while the Alicorn carried the baby in question. It had been decided, by the Princess, that a trip to town would be fun for Nova, along with herself. And it seemed fun, at least for the ponies with wings. She followed behind the large mare, finding a sense of familiarity in the shade she provided as something she found herself in a bit of a grating happenstance. Heads had begun to turn. “Isn't that Princess Celestia?” “And with Prince Nova, too!” “But who is that mare with them?” “Maybe she's Prince Nova's nursemaid!” Nursemaid?! Velvet mentally repeated. She shook the incoming thoughts out of her head. What would it look like if the Princess of Friendship's mom were to lash out at others. Or worse, what Nova might do in response. “Ah! Princess Celestia!” Mrs. Cake called as a sudden impact stopped Velvet in her tracks. “Why, I haven't seen you in Ponyville since that little tyke there was just born! So what brings you to Sugar Cube corner today?” “Oh, we were taking the little one around town for a change of pace, and decided to get something for Twilight and Boltsinger when they get back.” The Alicorn explained, letting Nova onto the floor. Velvet watched as he trotted over to the corner, where little Cakes waved excitedly at the little prince. “Oh, that is so nice of you!” The baker cooed, crossing her forelegs on the counter. “Well, Pinkie gave me a list of their favorite treats, so I'll start up a batch for each of them!” She moved into the kitchen, poking her head out to get one last look at the Princess. “Is there anything else you want?” “I would dearly love a cake.” Celestia stated. She looked behind her, where Velvet stood staring at the foals. “Would you like something as well, Velvet?” “Red velvet? I can do that!” Mrs. Cake affirmed, vanishing into the kitchen. “Um… Mrs. Cake, that’s not what I--” “Oh, it’s alright, Your Majesty.” Velvet interjected, stepping out from behind her to sit with the smaller ponies. “I don’t mind… really...” She passed along some of the toy box’s contents to the foals, laying on the floor with them. “After all, I’m with ‘Princess Celestia’! Why would anypony notice me when I’m with somepony so great?” Velvet's words seemed to poke at the Princess, providing a measure of irritation that she found difficult to shake. “Is everything alright?” “Oh, I’m fine.” She replied, refusing to look at her. “Why wouldn’t everything be alright? I’m with my grandson like I wanted. Plus I’m with Princess Celestia! No problems here…” “I’m… not sure if I believe that.” She took a seat next to her, extending her wing over the Unicorn. “Why don’t you tell me what’s wrong?” Velvet slapped the wing away, standing up with a stomp and walking to the door. “I don’t have anything to say to you.” Celestia turned to her, returning her wing to its resting position. “Please, Velvet. I want to help.” “Oh, you’ve helped more than enough.” “I don’t think that’s true. Come and sit. You know, Twilight confided in me quite a lot growing up.” The Unicorn came to a stop, gritting her teeth. She turned to face Celestia with her eyes threatening to run over with tears, her horn flared with rage. “AND THAT’S THE PROBLEM!!!” She lingered for a moment, the silence filling the room like cider in a keg. Her breathing was heavy, and her teeth were tightly clenched. After a moment, a small cry began. The white mares slowly turned their attention to the orange-coated source. Nova's tears had already started, with the wailing from earlier making a loud and triumphant return. Velvet's face softened as she took a step towards the baby. “Oh, Nova, sweetie… I'm sorry!” She reached for him, finding herself sent back by a small discharge as he lit his horn. “I didn't mean to yell, honey! Please calm down…” The crying stopped in an electric blue flash. Nova was gone. “Oh no…” Came the simultaneous response. Celestia rose instantly to her hooves running outside. “Nova! Nova!” She cried, showing the passing ponies just how terrified a Princess could look. She took a deep breath, taking off to hover above the shop and turning on the Royal Canterlot voice. “Little one! Where have you gone?!” Her gaze swiftly scanned the horizon as she bit her lower lip. A moment later, she dove back to the ground, her landing making the earth tremble around her. “Okay… Nova's missing, and I have no idea where he could be!” She began pacing, bringing her hoof up to her muzzle as Velvet stared from the doorway. “I could use a locator spell… But Nova's uncomfortable with magic handling him… The Royal Canterlot voice probably just scared him… Ponyville's so much bigger than the castle… He could be anywhere! I can't possibly find him on my own! But, maybe I don't have to… But who would I ask?” Her face lit up like a light bulb. "Aha! The Royal Guard! They can search the town, and--” A hoof rose to her mouth, muffling her next words. She followed the foreleg, finding Velvet staring sternly into her eyes while the onlookers inhaled with a sharp gasp. “Calm down, Princess!” The Unicorn ordered. Celestia's eyes widened as her sun went down, her wings and ears immediately following suit. “Yes, we need to find Nova! But panicking isn't going to help with that!” She removed her hoof, sitting down in kind. “He's upset, and probably scared…. Thanks to me…” Her head sank at the mere thought of her grandson being so scared, let alone the fact that she was responsible. “If only I hadn't lost my temper…” She looked into the Alicorn's eyes, finding them to be rich with concern for the pony reflected within. She felt a gentle warmth building up, mixed with a tinge of bitterness as she swallowed a particularly large throat lump. “You really want to hear what's bothering me, don't you?” Celestia nodded firmly, looking to the horizon. “I do. Especially if it will help us find Nova.” Velvet breathed the sigh of her life, searching her heart for the words to say. “It's… Well, it's you!” “Me? What do you mean?” “Everything about you! You're the Princess! The great ruler! And… You… You took my Twily from me!” She averted her eyes, poking the ground with her hoof. “Ever since that first Summer Sun Celebration, my little filly was obsessed with you! Well, you and magic, but still obsessed!” A nostalgic smile began to tug at her lips, her hoof beginning to draw circles as the memories began to erupt from her horn. A little lilac Unicorn filly sat at a candle lit desk that was piled to capacity with books, swaying back and forth as she struggled to keep her eyes open. As she finally fell over, a magical aura surrounded her, guiding the blank flank filly to a resting position and gingerly placing her in her bed. She stretched in her sleep, letting out a yawn. “Thank you, Princess…” “I was certainly proud of her dedication, and I wasn't about to get in her way, but…” The image changed, showing different times in which the little Twilight was asking questions about the reigning Princess. “Do you think the Princess would like Smarty Pants?” Came one question. “I wonder what kind of cake Princess Celestia would like…” Was another. “Do you think Princess Celestia would come to my birthday party?” The questions continued several times, feeling much longer to the Princess than the actual passage of time. “I wasn't aware she idolized me so…” Celestia admitted. “And when she got into your school, she only had more to say!” The montage of memories continued, showing times happy at home with a little Twilight, flank no longer blank, talking about her studies and her teacher to no end. “And I don't blame her! I'm just ‘Mom’. Nothing special about me… But you! You're Celestia! The paragon of ponykind! The great ruler, the great teacher, the great protector! It's no wonder you stole my daughter!!!” The memories fizzled out as Velvet's head went low, her tears flowing freely. “You all but replaced me in my baby's heart… And do you know what the worst part is?” She looked up at the Princess once more, lingering for a moment as the taller mare shook her head. “I can't even hate you for it!” She bent down, struggling to keep herself from breaking down. Celestia’s head sank in kind. She raised her hoof, unsure of whether or not to reach for the pony before her. “I… I don’t know what to say…” “You gave Twily so much…” Velvet continued, bringing herself up again. “You gave her education… A permanent home… You gave her wings, for Equestria’s sake! And that’s not even counting the fact that you’re the one that introduced her to the pony she married!” Her breaths calmed, only loosing a mild stagger as she wiped her eyes. “You gave my baby girl so much… All the things I could never give her… I can’t help but love you for that, no matter how big your shadow is!” Landing on her decision, Celestia pulled her fellow grandma in for a tight hug, draping her head, wings, and mane over her. “You don’t know how much it means to hear you say that…” She lifted Velvet’s head to look her in the eye, giving her warmest smile. “But you know, she wouldn’t have been the fantastic filly I met without a good mother to raise her to that point.” She released her from the hug, standing tall. “And a good grandmother is what we need right now.” She extended her hoof to help Velvet up, her smile faltering slightly. Velvet accepted the offer, smirking up at the Alicorn. “You don’t know what to do, do you?” Celestia giggled, spreading her wings. “I have no idea.” Velvet inhaled sharply, bringing her hoof up over her heart. With her exhale, she extended her foreleg out, mirroring the movements of her daughter’s well-practiced calming technique. “Okay… I’ve had lost babies before. He’s upset, and probably crying. We’ll need something that’ll calm him down quickly.” She gave the Princess a stern look. “You can teleport, and you… you know Nova better than I do. Go back to the castle and get his favorite toy. Then come right back here!” “Understood.” Celestia's horn flared up, surrounding her in a yellow light as she vanished from view. A moment later, the light returned, Celestia standing as she had before with a doll in her teeth. She lifted it up with her magic, presenting it to the Unicorn. “This is the toy that Nova always keeps close at home. Its name is--” “Smarty Pants!” Velvet interjected, taking the doll and hovering it in front of her. She smiled down at the doll, giving off an aura of nostalgia as she placed it on her back, putting its little pen and notebook in place. “This is perfect! Now let's go!” Nova sat alone on top of a big building. It was the biggest one he could find when he reappeared, and he thought it would be a nice, safe place to hide. It was quiet, and there wasn't much going on. Best of all, there were no screaming grown-ups to scare him. He laid down at the edge of the roof, looking around at the ponies below. They looked tiny, all in different colors, making lots of different noises. Too many colors and noises. So much so that it began to hurt his head and make everything feel all spinny. He backed up again, letting out a cry as a noticeable chill filled the air. “Nova! Sweetheart! Where have you gone?” Called a familiar voice from above the noise. It was the same voice that scared him earlier, but it felt different this time. He peeked over the edge of the roof, finding his two pony-shaped white blurs joining the image and searching the plaza below. He wanted to spread his wings, jump off that roof, and go down to them, but his head was in so much pain… He curled up in his spot and closed his eyes, clutching his head with his hooves and wailing harder than he had before. “Do you hear that, Your Majesty? I think he might be…” Before she could even finish her sentence, she was interrupted by her own yelp. The noise felt a little softer as big wingbeats came closer, getting the foal to narrowly open his eyes. “Let me handle this…” “Very well.” Another voice confirmed. After a moment of silence, Nova could hear the sound of a horn’s magic activating, floating something closer. “‘Salutations, dearest Nova!’” The familiar phrase jolted the colt’s eyes open, looking at the thing that had been brought to him. There, surrounded by a purple magical aura, stood Smarty Pants, waving her foreleg at him in a welcome fashion. He rose to his hooves, babbling a greeting of his own. “‘Did you teleport away again? You’ll have to tell me all about how you did it! I’ve always wanted to know about the mechanics of teleportation and where somepony goes while it’s happening!’” The doll ‘trotted’ closer, sitting down next to him and writing in its little notebook. “‘Your grandmother sent me to tell you that she is dreadfully sorry for having scared you, so, and that she loves you very much. Can you find it in your heart to forgive her?’” Nova looked over the doll, at the pony behind it. There crouched his Mama Velvet, her eyes soft and her ears low, with her horn alight in the same manner as his toy. She opened her mouth to reveal the same voice that had been speaking with him. “‘If you wish to forgive her, all you have to do is give me a hug. It’s a strange method of communication, but I understand that words are still a skill which you haven’t become adept at just yet. So it should suffice for now.’” Nova gave off a giggle, asserting his own magical control over the doll and walking towards the mare. He spread his wings wide, diving into her and wrapping his forelegs around her and Smarty Pants all at once. She fell back onto her rump, instinctively putting her forelegs around her grandson, the happiest she had been since before her arrival that morning. “Thank you, honey…” Keeping the baby in her foreleg, she turned to the Princess hovering behind her. “Well… We found him!” Celestia smiled, putting her hoof over her heart. “Indeed we did.” She landed on the roof, crouching low enough for Nova to be passed up to her back where he sat snugly at the base of her neck, holding Smarty Pants tight as her mane nestled him in. She scooped the Unicorn up with her forelegs, taking off again towards Sugar Cube Corner. As she made her way, a question bubbled up in her mind. “I'm curious… The way that you spoke ‘as’ Smarty Pants was precisely the way that Twilight does when using her to play with him. Aside from your voices, it was rather unmistakable. How did you do that?” Velvet looked up at the Alicorn with an amused grin, quickly turning to a fit of laughter. “Oh, Princess… Who do you think invented the character?” She breathed a nostalgic sigh, directing her attention to the castle in the distance. “I gave Smarty Pants to Twily when she was so little, she was only just learning to read. She always loved to have in-depth discussions, read books, or simply play with her. Until she saw you at the Summer Sun Celebration, they were practically inseparable unless Shiny was involved!” “Really?” She replied, raising an eyebrow. “Tell me more.” Velvet smirked. “Well…” “WE HAVE RETURNED!!!” Boltsinger bellowed, stepping through the door with Twilight beside him. It had been a long day, spent largely in Canterlot at various locations of interest, and the two were ecstatic to be home. He turned his ear forward, listening for a response. “Weird… Normally I get a response straight away.” “Do you think they might be out in town?” Twilight suggested. “Or they could be asleep.” “Maybe…” He turned his head, stepping further into the foyer to listen more closely. From the dining room, he heard the faint sounds of a story, Twilight’s family nickname coming into play multiple times. “Or they could be in the dining room.” He started towards the room in question, waving his wing to beckon his wife along. Twilight rolled her eyes, following suit. “So why wouldn’t they respond if they were so close? It’s not like there’s any place in the castle where somepony can’t hear you.” Boltsinger approached the kitchen door with a snicker, hiding his face behind his hoof. “You’ll see, soon enough… Twily!” “Twily?” She repeated, cocking an eyebrow. She took the door’s handle in her magic, swiftly opening it to find  Velvet, Celestia, and Nova all at the table, the largest of the three in hysterics. “So I walked into the kitchen to find Twily dumping buckets full of mud onto a fully-grown pig, and my vase had gone missing. And as soon as I cleared my throat, she looked at me with this adorable little sparkle in her eye and says…’” Twilight cringed, recalling the details her mother described with a fervent blush on her cheeks. “‘Mommy, your vase turned into a pig! Can I keep him?’” The Alicorn’s laugher intensified, quickly joined by Velvet’s. The Unicorn wiped a tear from her eye, calming herself down. “And now you know how Twiliy learned transfiguration magic for the first time!” Boltsinger sat at the table beside Velvet, threatening to go into hysterics of his own. “Okay, it sounds like we missed a lot today. What’s this about Twilight and firsts?” “Oh, the day wasn’t that exciting.” Velvet dismissed, patting the chair next to her and looking at Twilight. “Would you like to join us? We have extra sweets from Sugar Cube Corner!” “Only if you tell me some of these stories that have the Princess in stitches.” Boltsinger answered, holding out his hoof. Velvet smiled, bumping the hoof as her daughter’s face grew redder. “You’ve got it!” Twilight hung her head in defeat, sitting on the other side of the Unicorn. “Just, please, don’t tell him about the time when I--” “This is the story about the first night Twilight had after Shining Armor moved away!” Velvet announced, spreading her forelegs and quickly pounding them onto the table. Boltsinger let out an intrigued laugh, putting his wing around his mother-in-law while his wife screamed in terror.