//------------------------------// // Silverstream's Idea // Story: Mama Bird and Baby Bird // by Zubric //------------------------------// It was never just an average day at the School of Friendship when a visitor came. There had been many since the school had opened. Some were just temporary substitutes like Trixie or Maud Pie. Others were like Chancellor Neighsay, interested in their own goals and not the school itself. But today’s visitor was different, Princess Cadence had come to talk to the class about love. Silverstream smiled, listening to the princess happily talk about what being a mother was like. At the same time, Flurry Heart was babbling and playing around on the desk, cute as a button. Cadence just smiled, watching the little one play. “Children are always curious about the world around them. It’s a mother’s job to make sure they grow up right and stay of trouble,” She explained, as she scooped up Flurry Heart with her magic. “Now Flurry, that desk contains important papers for one of Twilight’s friends. If you wanna play, play with some toys.” She floated a few squeaky toys and a stuffed snail over, letting her daughter take hold of them. Silverstream kept watching, more interested in the young foal playing with her toys and not having a care in the world. It seemed like the baby alicorn was having the time of her life, babbling and cooing while her mommy talked. While the presentation continued, Silverstream’s gaze drifted over to Gallus, who looked rather bored judging by the distant expression in his eyes. He didn’t seem to be paying much attention to anything, not even the foal. The faintest blush could be seen on Silverstream’s cheeks as she stared at Gallus. Ever since hearing how awful Gallus’ childhood had been as an orphan, she had felt that she just had to make it better somehow. She’d grown up in a big, loving family. But Gallus had never had anyone to offer that to him. She really wanted to give him some way to experience this love that Cadence was talking about. That, and she wanted to pay him back for when he’d helped her overcome her fear of the Storm King. It was the least she could do, and she knew it had to be special. Something that would put a big old smile on that griffon’s face and show just how much she loved him. Now all she needed was a plan, but what could possibly work for them? She thought of taking Gallus back to Mount Aris with her during their next break, but he’d be just as much a stranger there as he was in Ponyville. Knowing her parents, they would probably get the wrong idea and think they were together. The young hippogriff blushed at that thought. She really did consider herself and Gallus to be in love, but in truth she’d never acted on it or told anyone. Especially not Ocellus, fearing that if she sensed love she’d be sure to blurt it out. “Come on, Silverstream, think. How do I give Gallus a chance to experience love? A chance to have a family?” Silverstream thought to herself. “It needs to be something just for the two of us that we can do here at school.” Looking back at the little foal playing with her toys, she found herself grinning as she watched Flurry stacking blocks on the floor. Just like that an idea came to her. It was a bit silly though, but Gallus wouldn’t mind too much, right? “Hmm, it could work.” She muttered to herself, drawing a little baby griffin in her notebook. This would require some research. Being a big sister wasn’t the same as being a mom. Plus, there was the issue of whether to raise Gallus like a mama griffon, or a mama hippogriff. Silverstream’s paw slid across the tomes on the shelves, humming as she did so. While the school library was more about history and other such literary topics, she was able to find a few books on foal care after discreetly asking Spike about it. She’d passed it off as a school assignment, hearing a rumor that pony schools did something similar. Something involving flour sack dummies. Setting the book down on the table, Silverstream glanced at the cover image of a mother and her foal. As she flipped pages she remembered back to her own childhood, thinking about how different it was. Diapers were a foreign thing to her given that she’d grown up under water nearly her whole life. There was no need for the undergarments, from birth you basically just did whatever in a small spot and let the ocean clean you up. The only requirement was that you never do it in front of others, it wasn’t polite. It hadn’t been ‘til the hippogriffs went topside that diapers had come back into use. Turns out that answering nature’s call worked a lot differently on land than it did underwater. Diapers had been a necessity until this thing they called “indoor plumbing” could be installed. Some young griffs still wore them. And Silverstream had seen the undergarments on little ponies quite frequently. She knew there was more to this parenting thing than that, hence the research. She read on, learning about this process called “potty training” by which a mother would teach her foal how to use the bathroom, after which point the foal was no longer required to wear diapers. It was usually followed by a development involving education, around the same time that foals learned how to walk and talk. And it continued until the foal was basically an adult themselves. The more she thought about it, the more Silverstream wondered just why the idea was sticking in her mind so much. The fact she had a crush on Gallus didn’t help matters either. Just as the hippogriff was getting to the section about properly feeding, Smolder snuck up behind her and planted her claws on her shoulders. “Boo!” She shouted in a playful voice. Silverstream let out a shriek, fluttering her wings some before calming down! She turned with a pout, taking a breath. “Smolder, that wasn’t funny. Didn’t Professor Fluttershy say it’s not nice to sneak up on other creatures?” Smolder laughed again before smiling. “Oh come on, your reaction was hilarious,” Her gaze fell upon the book a second later. “What are you reading?” “Nothing!” Silverstream squeaked, blushing as she covered the pages before her friend could see the cute illustrations. She wasn’t sure how her friends would react if they found out what she was thinking of doing. Then again, she had no idea how Gallus would react either. It was something that had never been done before. “Uh, okay,” Smolder said, raising an eyebrow. “It’s not like you’re reading romance. Professor Rarity has those novels she never lets me read, says I’ll understand when I get older. Don’t know what she’s keeping from me. Whatever it is I’ve probably heard it already, dragons don’t usually shelter their young.” “Of course it’s not romance, that’s more Ocellus’ thing.” Silverstream retorted with a humph. Smolder smirked, putting a claw on Silverstream’s shoulder. “Yeah, she’s just too shy to admit it,” She paused. “So, are you studying or something?” Silverstream took a second to think, staring back at the book. “Well… uh, I was just thinking of when I was young... and then about Gallus, and uh...did you know that griffins give birth to their young? I never knew that before.” Smolder blinked and tilted her head. “Huh, really? Thought they came from eggs. You know birds and all. Same with dragons, changelings, and hippogriffs and seaponies.” “I guess griffons do it differently,” Silverstream replied with a blush. “Must be hard to fly around with a little chick inside your belly. Ooh! Can you imagine Gallus as a chick? A little baby bird? Oh, I’ll bet he was just so adorable!” Smolder made a gag face. “I hate that mushy stuff. Did you see Flurry Heart today? She was slobbering all over everything, and she tried to pull on my tail.” “But you gotta admit she looked cute, especially in that little diaper,” Silverstream cooed. “I’ll bet Gallus wishes he got to have things like that in Griffonstone. When I found out what foals get here in Equestria, I was so jealous. Diapers, bottles, toys, foals here have it made.” She smiled clapping her claws together. Smolder then teased. “Well if you like that so much, why didn’t you volunteer to foalsit Flurry Heart? You could play peek a boo all day with her, and let her bounce on your lap, and tickle her with your wings. Though you’d probably also have to do all the other stuff that comes with taking care of a foal,” She fanned a claw across her nose. “And I thought my brother smelled bad when he started molting.” “Actually,” The young hippogriff commented. “That’s… sort of what I was thinking about with Gallus.” The dragon raised an eyebrow. “You’re gonna make him your baby? Do you even think he’ll be interested?” “He’s always wanted a family,” Silverstream innocently suggested as she twiddled her paws. “And I’ve always wanted to be a mommy. This way, we can both get what we want. It’ll only be a little bit.” Smolder seemed a bit surprised. “So, what, you’re gonna raise him like he was a baby bird? Does that mean you’re gonna feed him like birds do?” She shuddered, remembering that little detail she’d learned from Professor Fluttershy’s class. “No, I’m gonna do it the way ponies do it. Spoon feeding and bibs,” Silverstream cooed. “Oh, he’ll be so adorable! I’m sure he’ll say yes. I just… need to think of how best to put it. Sort of like the twins Professor Pinkie Pie brought to class once, only bigger and much better behaved.” “Yeah but where are you going to find stuff that big? It’s not like ponies walk around wearing diapers,” Smolder added, staring at the image on the current page seeing a highchair upon it. “And yeah, if someone told me they wanted me to be their baby I wouldn’t know what to say either. A few months ago I’d say no way, but since coming here I have to admit that it probably wouldn’t be all bad. If it was someone I could trust not to take things too far, maybe I’d go along with it.” Silverstream blushed a tad. “So, you won’t tell the others will you?” She asked, while pondering of how she’d get the need supplies. Would she even take the babying thing far enough to do diaper changes? She doubted Gallus would want that either. “I guess not. Secrets are secrets, after all,” Smolder replied. “But I really think you should talk to Gallus about this. You’re the one who’s got a crush on him.” “You knew?” Silverstream inquired. “Not that hard to notice you keep staring at him,” Smolder explained with a shrug. “Figured something was going on. And you two have been close since whatever happened to you down in the catacombs. Maybe he feels the same way.” Silverstream grinned. “Well, I think I know a way to find out. Now I just need to figure out a way to get the supplies without anyone noticing. Maybe Professor Pinkie Pie could help? She seems to know everypony and every shop in town.” Smolder couldn’t help chuckled a little. “Yeah, wonder what her reaction will be to you asking about diapers? Why not just check out a foal store or something? That’s what I’d do.” The young hippogriff decided to do just that. As it turned out there were lots of foal stores in Ponyville, and even some general stores stocked foal care items. She decided to try each one until she could figure out what exactly she was looking for. The first store she went into clearly wasn’t intended for bigger foals. At least that’s what it seemed to Silverstream as she strolled the isles. Everything looked to be about Flurry Heart’s size, occasionally a bit bigger for some unusually big toddlers. But definitely nothing on Gallus’ level, or hers for that matter. So the hippogriff made her way back to the front and strolled up to the counter, catching the attention of a cashier. An earth pony stallion of medium build with a light blue coat, a creamy yellow mane and tail, brown eyes, and an outfit that covered up what his cutie mark should. “Excuse me, Mister Cashier, can you help me with something?” The cashier turned to the hippogriff. He’d seen her only sparingly in town but he never turned away a customer. “What do you need my help with? Need something retrieved from a higher shelf?” “No no no,” Silverstream shook her head. “I was just wondering…” She paused, trying to think about what she should say. “Uh… do you maybe have any supplies for uh… bigger foals?” The cashier’s eyebrows arched up a little. “How big are we talking?” Silverstream’s faint blush could easily be seen. “Maybe… about the size of a teenage griffon?” Silverstream suggested sheepishly. The cashier put a hoof to his chin, pondering the unusual request. “Well… sort of. We don’t exactly have such things in stock here at the store…” “Oh, I see.” Silverstream’s shoulders sagged. “-But,” The cashier interrupted. “There is a secret section in the back of the store for specifically special orders, kind of like yours. You’re the first one to suggest griffon size though, usually the requests for a pony. They may not be an exact fit.” The hippogriff perked up, her eyes flashing with renewed vigor and excitement! “That’s okay! I’m sure I can make them work! Where can I find them?! Do I have to place an order?” The cashier just grinned. “If you want to. Most ponies aren’t comfortable asking publicly for this sort of stuff, but I’d be happy to show you the way if you’re interested.” “Yes please!” Silverstream eagerly encouraged. Her mind was racing with anticipation, she’d hit the proverbial jackpot! So the young hippogriff was led along by the cashier towards the very back of the store, past any of the isles. He stopped at what looked like an ordinary store wall. After a quick peek around he lightly tapped a hoof against it three times in quick succession. What sounded like a faint clicking noise echoed, and then the wall began to open up. An opening large enough for a pony became visible. Silverstream followed the cashier through it, and what she saw caused her wings to bristle outward with excitement! A huge warehouse like layout greeted her wandering eyes, full of everything one would need to care for a really big foal. Not just diapers, but also highchairs, huge stuffed toys, big jars of flavored foal food, and even some cribs that could probably fit a princess (four princesses if they were Flurry Heart’s size). “Wow, I never knew there was this big of a market for such things...” Silverstream commented in amazement. “You’re hardly the first to ask,” The cashier said with a laugh as he waved a hoof toward the huge isles. “It’s actually a pretty common thing. There’s a lot of ponies who like foal things made for grown ups. And there’s a whole host of different reasons for why they indulge. For some it’s a way to relive their youth, a more carefree time. For others, it’s a personal hobby or interest, and I’ve known some who let close friends, family, or even special someponies be a part of it as caretakers.” “Oh, I see, I’m not even sure if he’ll say yes yet,” Silverstream blushed again, staring around the back with aww. “So many options too,” A particularly bulky brand of diapers got her to giggle as she got the mental image of Gallus wearing something so big. “I guess I don’t really need that much to start with.” “Doing this for a friend, huh?” The cashier said with a wink. “Well, might I suggest a starter care package? It’s good for those who are on the fence about trying it out. A two week’s worth pack of diapers, some custom colored bibs, a few of our most popular toys, flavored foal food, and a sleeper with a built in hatch. That way it’s easier to put diapers on or take them off.” Without hesitation, Silverstream immediately declared! “I’ll take it, all of it! How much does it cost?” The cashier smiled. “First timers get a half off discount. It’ll only cost you twenty bits for the whole package. Considering you could spend up a hundred bits or more buying them separately, it’s a real save.” Silverstream payed for the package and bagged it up, taking it back to her dorm room in the school. “Now, how am I gonna get Gallus to try all this out?” She thought to herself. “I’ll have to be sneaky about it, he’s a clever little bird. Although, I forgot to ask if they make pacifiers for beaks. I don’t think a pony pacifier will fit, Gallus has a pretty big beak. Maybe I should try it first?” Her paw felt her own beak as she thought it over. She shrugged after a bit figuring she’d figure that out later. He could always just suckle on his claw anyway. She remember being told she used to suckle her fin whe she wa little too. The more she stared at the bag, the more excited she got yet apprehensive at the same time. “Maybe I could try and tell him it’s an assignment? Then again, that’d be lying and Professor Pinkie said lying is how you lose friends.” The thought of him laughing at her request made her blush once more. “Oh why does this have to be so hard?” After circling around her room for a few minutes she paused. “Oh, maybe I’ll ask him during a picnic that could work, nice and private,” The irony that said idea felt like a date didn’t cross her mind. But then she shook her head. “He wouldn’t wanna do it in public. He’d be embarrassed. It’s got to be somewhere where only he and I will see. Should probably just have it in my room. I’ll lock the door.” Of course, that still left the dilemma of how to invite him. Asking him directly wouldn’t work. She thought about just writing a letter and slipping the note to him either during or after a class. But that could go astray. Someone could intercept the letter, or one of her professors might catch her in the act and scold her for passing notes in class. She paced for a while more, and the picnic idea wouldn’t leave her alone. It was a nice day. There’d be lots of other creatures out and about in just the park alone, so it wasn’t like he’d suspect anything. And there’d be plenty of trees to hide behind for privacy. She’d seen couples do that. “Though we’re not really a couple. At least, I haven’t asked him yet.” She thought, and began to make her plan. As the next school day came to a close, Silverstream spotted Gallus walking down the hallway and was quick to catch up to him. “Wait up, Gallus!” She called, seeing Sandbar and her other friends nearby as well. Gallus stopped, turning around with a smile. “Oh, hey Silverstream, what’s up? You want to be assignment partners again or something?” “Do I really ask that often?” Silverstream thought, trying not to blush. “N-no, I uh... was just wondering if you wanted to do something together later? Just the two of us.” She tried to keep her cool as she saw the glances from her other friends. Smolder especially, with her knowing smirk.. “What sort of something?” Gallus asked the hippogriff, not appearing to notice Smolder’s expression. “You know, a uh... picnic at the park.” Silverstream replied. She thought for sure her blush was going to break out and give her away, it took everything she had to hold it back and keep her cool. “Well… I don’t know. I have some homework I’d like to get done by then, and…” Gallus began. “-He’d love to go!” Smolder encouraged as she shoved the griffon forward. “After all, friendship is all about spending time with your friends.” “But I thought we were gonna-” Gallus began again. Sandbar just grinned. “Dude, it’s okay. We know how you feel around Silverstream, it’s not a secret. Friends always have friends they’re more comfortable around than others.” Ocellus smiled. “Oh a date! How lovely!” Her wings fluttered. “What?! Oh no no no, it’s… it’s not a date!” Silverstream protested. “Yona know hippogriff and griffon not good at lying,” Yona commented. “Yona want friends to be happy together. So friends go on picnic, and other friends wait for them to come back.” “Exactly!” Smolder encouraged. “So you two go on that picnic date together, and when you come back you can tell us all about it.” She replied, giving a wink towards Silverstream when Gallus wasn’t looking. “B-but I uh and uh..” Gallus’s cheeks began to flare Silverstream clapped. “Oh, I’ll go make the sandwiches! Meet you up front in a couple of minutes.” She sang, heading off with a skip.