//------------------------------//
// Act I, Part II: Awe 
// Story: The False Goddess 
// by Zoura3025 
//------------------------------//

Princess Gustopha groaned gently as she blinked awake. She stretched her legs discontentedly; they cramped and ached uncomfortably.
"Princess? Are you alright?" Asked Heartful Surrogate, gently setting a hoof on the squirming pony's shoulder.
Gustopha huffed a little. "B-body… Hurts…" She whined.
Heartful bit her lip. She knew exactly why; this wasn't cause for alarm. She didn't want to be the sort of pony who yarded a filly out of bed, but it was necessary today. Gustopha had a very important meeting later.
"The doctor wishes for me to give you a bath this morning," Heartful explained, "Take a few moments to wake up… I'll run the bathwater," She said gently, walking into the bathroom attached to Gustopha's room.

Gustopha whined, crawling out of bed to right herself. She looked in the mirror for the first time.
She was noticeably taller than she'd remembered being, and more noticeably, she noticed that instead of just being green, her mane and tail were now striped orange and green. Gustopha sat for a long moment, "Kinda reminds me of Tex's…" She murmured quietly, shaking herself off.
"Princess!" Heartful called from the other room.
Gustopha gently walked to the bathroom, looking at the hot bath that had been run for her.
"Up you go," Heartful said, helping the filly into the bath, "Goodness, you're growing already," She murmured.
Gustopha was about to ask, but she cut herself off as she sank into the hot water. It was a bit hot for her liking, but it felt wonderful on her aching muzzles. She sank deep into the hot bath with a deep, content sigh.

"Would you like me to wash you, Princess?" Heartful asked gently.
"Mmm… In a couple minutes," Gustopha replied, breathing softly as she sat in the tub.
Heartful smiled as she noted Gustopha's reaction, "You enjoy the hot water, hm? I do too; there's nothing better after a long day," She said with a gentle chuckle.
Gustopha nodded lazily, "My muscles have been hurting… They feel better," She admitted.
Heartful nodded, gently grabbing some soap to wash the young princess when she was ready.
Gustopha eventually gave a small nod, and Heartful began working the soap into her mane and coat. Gustopha's eyes closed softly. She had to admit… She didn't mind this.
Heartful hummed softly as she washed Gustopha diligently. It was a nice, gentle tune that eased Gustopha's brain.

"...Does the doctor treat you nicely, Heartful?" Gustopha eventually asked.
Heartful bit her lip. "It's… Complicated, dear. He cares for me as his staff, but he can be a bit tumultuous at times," She admitted.
Gustopha nodded a little, "He's scary… He yelled at me after practicing magic yesterday… And told me that ponies would starve if I didn't do my magic right," She admitted.
Heartful sighed gently, "The war hasn't been nice on anypony, little one… The doctor is just reacting to it unusually," She explained.
Gustopha nodded a little.
Heartful eventually rinsed the filly off and drained the bath, helping Gustopha out of the bath. She helped Gustopha towel off, and then led her to the mirror, gently brushing out her mane.

"I-I could brush my own mane," Gustopha reasoned.
"This way I can get the knots out of the back," Heartful chuckled, "Besides, it will save you magical effort."
"Why do I need to save my magic?" Gustopha asked.
"You will be visiting Princess Celestia today; at least, that's what I've been told," Heartful explained.
Gustopha gasped a little, "Th-the princess?" She stammered.
Heartful nodded, "That's right. The doctor wants to introduce you both," She explained.
Gustopha closed her eyes, "I-I don't know if I'm ready," She expressed quietly.

Heartful smiled gently, "I'm sure the doctor has a plan," She promised, "Plus, Princess Celestia is very kind. I have no doubt she'll love you."
"Y-you think?" Gustopha asked.
"I know," Heartful said contently, finally pulling the brush away, "Now, off you go to get some breakfast, okay? A growing princess needs her food," She hummed.
Gustopha nodded, "O-okay," She replied gently, "Bye Heartful," She bade as she walked out the door.
"I'll see you soon, Princess," Heartful said gently.

Gustopha looked towards the kitchen and licked her lips; despite how much she had eaten yesterday, she felt hungry again. Her pace quickened, and she attempted flying again; her wings flared, and she caught lift. She was more careful not to hit the ceiling this time.
…Then she realized how quickly she was gaining on the door.
"How do I stop?" She asked herself, squeaking as she wound up tumbling into the large swinging doors, collapsing to the floor in a heap.

"A-ah, Princess!" Rolling Simmer squeaked, darting to her side, "Are y-you okay?" She asked.
Gustopha shook herself off a bit, "I tried flying again," She admitted, "I, um… Don't know how to stop," She admitted sheepishly.
Rolling Simmer giggled a little, and smiled the first time that Gustopha had ever seen. It was a sincere, warm smile; not one given lightly to put her at ease. "Yeah, 's-salways the h-hard part," She commented, "You know where the t-table is; I'll get y-you your breakfast."
Gustopha nodded as the pegasus darted back into the kitchen.

Gustopha sat at the table and yawned a little. The bath had relaxed her, but it made her a bit sleepy… She hoped she wouldn't yawn in front of Princess Celestia. She had no doubt in her mind that the doctor would punish her gravely for such an infraction.
She watched as Rolling Simmer brought her a few plates; one of porridge, then another of vegetables, and a slab of brown stuff that she still didn't know the name of. Of course, a glass of purple liquid was provided.
Gustopha didn't question; she simply ate. Her life seemed a little less weird today; not for any particular reason, at least in her mind. She was just settling into the routine.

After eating, Princess Gustopha stepped down from the chair and walked to the study. She wasn't sure what else was expected of her, so she returned to things she knew she wouldn't be punished for doing.
Gustopha poured over the dry tomes with reckless abandon. Page after page of opaque discussion of farming tactics, and the spells involved with purging blight in the soil. She wished for a way to purge blight without accepting it into her own flesh.
Then, the door opened.

"Ah! There you are," Dr. Thanamus said, "And I see you are productively using your time. Excellent," He hummed.
Gustopha looked at the scientist. He seemed a bit frazzled, but his crooked, menacing smile didn't leave his face as he approached her.
Gustopha turned to face him and spread her wings. The doctor smiled. "Ah, good. Clearly, you understand the gravity of today," He commented, beginning a quick check up, "We are going to meet Princess Celestia!"
Gustopha still flinched lightly at the Princess' name.
"I'm sure she will be very pleased… When she came to me, asking for a new sister, I must say I was surprised! But needs must, and here you are," The doctor commented.

Gustopha froze as she felt two hooves press around her neck, pressure being applied. She was being strangled.
"Now, listen closely Gustopha," The doctor sneered, "Your first impression is incredibly important. We will meet the princess, you will demonstrate your magic on a part of the castle's courtyard, and then we will have lunch with her," His grip tightened, "Do I make myself clear?"
Gustopha gaped for air, nodding weakly.
The doctor smiled widely, "Good," He replied, "We still have a few minutes… You will study," He declared, releasing his grip on the filly's neck.
Gustopha gasped and gulped at the air, panting hard.

The doctor turned to see the plant in the study's corner having grown exceedingly well.
"Gustopha… Did you fix that flower?" He asked.
Gustopha weakly sputtered, "I-I did, Doctor…"
"Hmm… That is not a productive use of your magic, but you need all the practice you can get," He supposed, "It will be forgiven this time…" He rambled as he left the room.
Gustopha wiped some latent tears from her eyes, and gingerly rubbed her neck. It was sore, now; tender.
Gustopha returned to her books… The reading took her mind off the pain of her neck, and aching body. Reading was good, she decided. Books didn't hurt her.

She flinched as she heard the door open again.
"I-is it time to leave, Doctor?" Gustopha asked, sitting up straight.
The doctor smiled and stroked her mane. "Yes, yes it is. I am glad to see that you have inherited some poise," He cooed. His tone made Gustopha feel sick to her stomach; it was sweet, but forcedly so. Attempting to lower her guard.
"Thank you, Doctor," Gustopha replied meekly.
"Now, close your eyes," Dr. Thanamus ordered, "A long ranged teleport like this will disorient you."
Gustopha nodded, obediently squeezing her eyes shut.
Then, she heard a shimmer of magic, and a light lurch in her stomach.

When she opened her eyes, she was no longer in the wood and stone study. Instead, she was in a fanciful castle, hewn from gleaming metal.
The doctor looked to a pair of guards, "The new princess is here!" He declared loudly.
The two guards nodded. "You may go in. We'll watch the princess," They said in unison.
The doctor gave Gustopha a wily grin, "Stay here with the nice stallions, Gustopha. Do not have any debaucherous thoughts while I am gone!" He joked with a cackle as he darted through the tall, imposing doors.
Gustopha blinked, "What's a 'debaucherous'?" She asked at the two guards.
They bit their lips, "I don't think… You have to worry about that," One said.

Gustopha looked around. Some small plants sat in the corner of the room; neglected plants. Gustopha frowned a little and walked over.
"Princess?" One of the guards asked.
"Don't question it," The other remarked.
Gustopha paid them no mind. She gently touched her horn to the small box of soil. It began to glow.
The soil here wasn't salted. It was simply depleted; weary of being forced to grow plants it was not designed to house.
Gustopha's horn glowed brightly as she worked the soil, tilling it and seeding it with fresh nutrients.
The plants perked up, and then began to grow.
Gustopha smiled and gently rubbed what seemed to be a tomato plant with her hoof, "You can live well, now," She said quietly, walking back to before the guards.

They stared at her.
"Those plants are safe to eat," Gustopha informed with a small smile, "Even the weeds have some value."
One of the guards walked over, taking a tomato incredulously. He brought it back over, taking a large bite.
His eyes lightened, as if it were the first fresh food he'd tasted in months. Given the state of the land after the war, that might've been the case.
He ate a conservative half and passed it over to his partner, who finished off the fruit.
"Thank you, Princess," The first guard gasped, bowing lowly to the filly. The other guard then joined him.
"Don't bow," Gustopha requested, "I don't like it," She shivered as she remembered the starving stallion bowing to her.
The guards returned to their standing posture, apologizing quietly.

Then, the door opened, and the doctor returned.
"Gustopha, it is time," He urged with a grin, patting his side as if he were commanding a dog, "Come here."
Gustopha fell in line with the doctor's side, and followed him as he stepped forward, pushing open the heavy doors.
She looked at the large alicorn who was laying on the throne at the end of the hall and shivered.
"Come, Gustopha," Dr. Thanamus murmured harshly.
Gustopha stumbled forward to keep up with the doctor as he led her down the red carpet.

"Hello, little one," Celestia greeted softly, looking over the filly alicorn with tired, but warm eyes. Celestia looked frail; scars from the brutal magic duel with her sister still marred her otherwise immaculate white coat.
Dr. Thanamus bowed to the princess. Gustopha followed suit, until her stance was corrected by the light of the doctor's horn. "You are a princess, Gustopha, you do not bow to your equals," He sneered lowly.
Celestia briefly frowned at the tone the doctor took with the filly, but replaced her smile when she saw Gustopha's curious purple eyes gazing at her.

"My princess, I present to you Princess Gustopha; princess of plenty," The doctor said.
Celestia smiled a bit, "Ah… This is my 'new sister'?" She asked gently, "Come here, little one."
Gustopha obliged, quietly pacing up the steps to the throne, attempting to keep a straight posture.
Celestia gently brushed her hoof through the filly's mane. Their eyes met.
Gustopha shivered a little. They were warm eyes, but she could see the pain. She could see the death, and the fear for the future.
Celestia smiled, "You're very pretty, Gustopha," She cooed gently.
"Th-thank you, Princess," Gustopha stumbled. She wanted to bow, but feared discipline too much to move. Her legs locked.

Celestia could see the fear in the filly's eyes. She gently touched her horn to Gustopha's, eyes closing.
Gustopha squeaked lightly as Celestia's voice emanated in her mind. "I'm sorry," The senior princess expressed, before drawing away.
"Sorry for what?" Gustopha wanted to ask, but she shook her head. She wasn't to question the elder princess.
Celestia sighed gently, heaving as she stood up. "Now. I believe you had something to show me?" She asked, groaning softly in pain as she stood. A pair of guards rushed to either side. "...I can walk. I am not crippled yet," Celestia urged, slowly leading the way down the stairs.
Gustopha carefully trotted down the stairs. The doctor and Celestia lead her outside to a small, private courtyard.
Gustopha didn't even need to touch her own to the ground this time; the land practically radiated with blight, as if a dirty bomb had been dropped upon the castle.

"Celestia wishes for you to heal her garden, Gustopha," The doctor explained, "It has been too long since she ate something properly. If you fail, she will only get weaker. If you continue to fail, she will-" He was cut off.
"That's enough, Doctor. Allow her to perform," Celestia said sternly.
Gustopha stepped forward, her horn igniting. There was a lot of dirt to clean; this was not a simple planter. It was around 30 feet in either direction, and was markedly deep.
Gustopha closed her eyes to focus. She felt the creeping, oozing feeling of blight purging itself into her body. Then a flash. It evaporated. Then, she did it again, slowly healing outwards from herself. The ground illuminated, pulsing outwards.
Another flash. Then another.
Gustopha felt strain and fatigue grip her mind.
Her eyes shot open, and she gasped for air.
She panted hard.

"Are you okay, little one?" Celestia asked.
"Do not patronize her, Celestia. Gustopha is strong," Dr. Thanamus sneered.
Gustopha's horn ignited again. She strained. There was still blight… She'd only cleaned just over half of it.
Then, she felt the pressure lifting from her mind.
She felt a light touch against her horn.
Then, Celestia's voice once again quietly echoed through her mind. "It's okay, little one. We will finish it together," Celestia said.
Gustopha guided the elder princess' magic as it flowed into her horn, the filly's eyes closed.
The healing shimmer radiated out, bathing the walls in a warm glow. One flash. Two flashes. Gustopha took a deep breath as her eyes opened, "I-it's done…" She said, "So much blight…" She murmured softly.

Celestia gently stood up straight. "Thank you, little one," She expressed, sitting back on her haunches and pulling Gustopha into a hug, "The doctor is right; you are very strong."
Gustopha squeaked slightly. The full grown alicorn was warm and comforting, but Gustopha shrank as she saw the doctor's face. It was a harsh scowl. She could feel him judging her. She shivered, already knowing tonight would be unpleasant.
"Now," Celestia said, turning to a small group of gardeners, "If you would be so kind as to show us the fruits of Gustopha's labor," She requested, still holding the filly princess close.
Celestia felt responsible for this… After all, she had asked the doctor for this "service"; she knew the truth about the filly in her hooves. He hadn't asked for any money in return, only a pardon for the crimes he would have to commit. Celestia grimaced slightly. What a terrible price.

Gustopha watched as the gardeners carefully scattered seeds in the clean, enriched soil. She watched with bated breath as she awaited the signs they had taken root.
Then, plants began to sprout. It was slow at first, but it didn't matter how much was planted; it all grew at the same accelerated rate.
Celestia gently set the filly down.
"Won't you show me to something nice to eat?" Celestia requested softly.
Gustopha nodded, leading the way over to a large patch of hay that had grown quickly.
Celestia leaned down and took a large bite. Hay plants were not particularly fanciful, or even particularly tasty, but this was fresh. It radiated with natural magic; something preserved foods lost over time. Celestia began to devour the hay hungrily, tearing at it as if she were a predator.

Gustopha stepped back a bit; the sudden energy the princess exuded frightened her slightly.
Celestia turned to the young alicorn and smiled at her, bits of hay stuck between her teeth. It was a wide, toothy smile; similar to the doctor's, but without the underlying seethes of malice.
Gustopha sat up straight. She squeaked lightly as Celestia's head came down, only to watch as the tall alicorn dropped into a graceful bow. Her guards, and even some of the gardeners followed suit.
Gustopha shuddered. She didn't like the bowing; but she couldn't just not accept it, could she?
"Princess Gustopha," Celestia began, "I bow to you today, not as an equal or superior, but as a sick mare, healed by your actions. Thank you."
Gustopha fiddled lightly with her hooves, "Th-thank you, Princess," She stammered softly.

Celestia smiled gently at her, returning to a standing posture. "Now…" Celestia trailed off briefly, "I would like to have lunch with Gustopha."
The doctor smiled, "Of course, Princess. We would be honored to-" He was cut off.
"Just Gustopha. I would like to bond with my new sister," Celestia explained.
The doctor scowled, "Your highness, you must be-" He was again cut off.
"I am very serious, Thanamus. You know where your fate lies," Celestia uttered.
The doctor shook. "Very well," He heaves, "I will be looking in the royal library for more books on agriculture for the young princess," He sneered, blinking away.

Gustopha let out a deep breath and shuddered.
Celestia sighed a bit, and bit her lip, standing up stiffly. "Come along, little one," She said gently.
Gustopha followed the elder princess closely, to a large dining hall. Two chairs sat on opposing ends of what seemed like an impractically long table.
"Have a seat, Princess," Celestia said warmly, gesturing to the far end of the table.
"M-may I sit next to you?" Gustopha asked, ears flattening.
Celestia's expression softened. "Of course," She replied gently, magicking a seat from the wall over to the table, kiddy-corner to her own seat.
Celestia then climbed into her own seat, as Gustopha climbed into the smaller chair.

Celestia watched as Gustopha's eyes nervously darted around.
"Is something wrong, Gustopha?" Celestia asked gently.
"I-I'm just nervous… The doctor said I needed to make a-a good first impression," Gustopha stammered.
Celestia gently rested a hoof on the anxious filly's shoulder. "I promise, you have nothing to be worried about; you've already made a good first impression," She smiled, "I saw the tomato juice on the faces of my two door keepers; you did that, did you not?"
Gustopha nodded, "I-I did, Princess," She replied softly.
Celestia's smile widened, "Then you've already made a good impression on me. A princess does what's good for her subjects, even if she fears consequence," She expressed.
Gustopha shrank humbly in her chair, "Th-thank you…" She whimpered softly.

Celestia looked over as the banquet doors swung open. Several servants filed out, donning large trays of hot food. Placed before Gustopha was a plate with a small slab of familiar brown substance, in addition to a glass of purple liquid. The dishes were set before them, and the servants filed out; the two alicorns were once again alone, as per Celestia's request.
Celestia's horn ignited, and she carefully spooned out a number of dishes onto their plates, until she saw the brown slab. She recognized the sight well: Meat. The doctor had this filly eating meat.
Celestia suppressed her urge to frown… She would need to have words with the doctor. The effects of excessive meat consumption were still poorly understood; not that any part of Gustopha's "condition" was well understood by anyone aside from the doctor.

Celestia watched the young princess eat; Gustopha ate with the need of a starving animal, making short work of the meal before her. She was done before Celestia had even finished half her plate.
Gustopha's horn lit up and she took some more food.
Celestia smiled, "You have quite the appetite, sister," She commented softly. It still felt a bit weird to call the strange little filly "sister", but she wanted to get herself used to it. That was the deal, after all.
"Why are you calling me sister?" Gustopha asked softly.

Celestia sighed a little. This would be a hard question to answer, "When I first banished Luna to the moon, I thought I would be comfortable with ruling by myself. The royal duties are taxing, but not difficult to manage… However, I've started becoming very lonely as of not too long ago," Celestia explained, "So… I went to Dr. Thanamus, and asked him to make me a sister. And… That's you, Gustopha," She explained.
Gustopha sat silently for a moment, her horn dimming as she brought her fork to rest on the table.
"But… Why call me your sister if I'm not related to you?" She asked.
Celestia bit her lip. "Because, like me, you will be immortal. Eventually, to our subjects, it will be as if you and I have ruled forever; and in that bond, we will be sisters," She explained.
Gustopha sat back on her haunches. That was a lot to take in. Like, a lot a lot.

Celestia's horn ignited and she gently lifted the filly into a hug. The elder princess couldn't take it any more. She knew what the doctor was like; she could only imagine how this filly lived.
"I'm sorry," Celestia croaked softly.
Gustopha leaned into Celestia's embrace.
"I still don't understand, but…" Gustopha looked up, "I want to be a good sister, so you can be happy and not lonely again," She expressed.
Celestia closed her eyes and held the filly close, "You will be, Gustopha. I know you will," She promised softly, rubbing the filly's back.
Celestia then gently placed Gustopha back in her seat.
"Eat as much as you want, little one," She invited gently, "You're my guest of honor today."
Gustopha nodded a little, "Th-thank you, sister," She replied softly.
Celestia's heart ached slightly at the addressal, but she didn't say anything. It wasn't this filly's fault that the memory was still a fresh wound in her mind.

Celestia couldn't think of much else to say to the filly as they ate. She didn't mind the young one's company, of course, but Gustopha wasn't mentally prepared for any of the large, heavy topics on the alicorn's mind. Still, there was something about Gustopha's presence that eased her… A warm energy that only alicorns could share.
One thought did, however, cross her mind. "How could he mimic an alicorn's magic so effectively…?" She thought to herself.

Eventually, lunch concluded. Celestia smiled gently, "Thank you for having lunch with me, Gustopha… I've asked the doctor about doing this once a week, so we can bond before you are properly set to ruling," She expressed.
Gustopha nodded a little, "Okay," She replied softly, giving Celestia a tight hug.
Celestia hugged back gently before letting the filly run out to find the doctor.
Celestia sighed slightly. She feared for the young princess… She could only hope the doctor treated her well.

Gustopha neatly sat before the doctor, who was levitating a large stack of thick agricultural and history books.
"Ah, your lunch has concluded," Doctor Thanamus remarked, "I take it you ate well? You are a growing filly."
Gustopha nodded, "Princess Celestia was very nice," She replied softly.
Doctor Thanamus snorted lightly. "Good. It is crucial you like her company," He remarked, "Now, we will return home. You will study hard and go to bed early; tomorrow, I will give you a proper checkup," He explained.
Gustopha nodded simply, closing her eyes as the doctor's horn illuminated.

When Gustopha's eyes opened, her ears flattened. She looked around the cold, dark stone room she and the doctor were in. It was if the walls themselves had encircled around then.
Dr. Thanamus looked at her with burning rage in his eyes. "Now," He began, "What did you tell her?" He asked.
"N-nothing, Doctor," Gustopha stammered.
"Do not lie to me, filly. I see the guilt in your stance. You think you're clever, allowing the Princess to take you to a private lunch while her guards watched me like I was a prisoner," Dr. Thanamus sneered.
Gustopha opened her mouth to protest. All that left her lips was a yelp as his hoof whipped across her face, sending her tumbling to the floor.

"Do not lie to me, filly!" The doctor shouted, "Tell me what you were conspiring!!" He demanded, kicking her in the stomach. Gustopha yelped again, rolling away weakly as she was kicked over.
Dr. Thanamus simply walked forward and kicked her again. Gustopha yelped a third time.
"TELL ME!!" He roared, kicking her again, "TELL ME! TELL ME!" He bellowed, kicking her each time he repeated.
What started as yelps became weak, hoarse whines and pleas for it to stop. "I-I didn't tell h-her anything!" She pleaded, tears leaking from her eyes, "W-we just talked about how I was going to be her sister!"
The doctor stared at the collapsed filly, who was now curled up tightly, legs bruised from trying to protect her soft underbelly. The doctor panted hard.

In a flash, they landed in the hallway, "Fine," He snorted, "But if I hear a word that you've told anyone about this, I will not hesitate to revoke the alicornhood I have given you," He sneered.
Gustopha cried softly as he walked away. She remained curled tight. She didn't want to let go of herself. She felt that, if she did so, her guts might spill out onto the cold stone floor.
Eventually, the pain eased a bit. She carefully stood up, posture sagging. She didn't want to study. She just wanted her bed. Gustopha stumbled to her room, head hung low.

Heartful gasped slightly as the beaten princess walked into her room. "Oh, princess! What happened?" She asked, running over to help the filly into bed.
Gustopha began to cry again; the memory stung in her mind. It was a tattoo on her spirit.
Heartful closed the door before she returned to the princess' side, tenderly nuzzling the princess' face.
"H-he hit me," Gustopha whined eventually, "O-Over and over… B-because the princess and I had lunch without him," She said, still sniveling and hiccupping.
Heartful suppressed a growl. "Oh… Sweetheart…" She trailed gently.

Gustopha cowered in her bed, even under the gentle embrace of her caretaker, "I-I'm scared," The young princess admitted.
"Shhh… It's okay," Heartful cooed gently, "I know he doesn't want us to get attached, but Rolling Simmer and I care for you very much. We'll take care of you, even if he doesn't," She promised, voice low.
Slowly, Gustopha opened up and relaxed a bit. The gentle feeling of Heartful's muzzle on the side of her head relaxed her.
Gustopha's eyes eventually closed, and she relaxed. Her whimpers and sniffles leveled out into soft snores.
Heartful sighed gently, pulling the covers up snugly over the sleeping princess.





"C'mon, Plant! Hurry up!" Texas Toast giggled, trotting through the field.
"I'm getting hungry, Tex," Plantation whined.
"There's hay, like, all over here. Just take a bite!" Texas replied.
"Are you sure it's safe…?" Plantation asked.
Texas took a large chomp of the hay around his hooves. "Totally fine!" He mumbled through his mouthful, chewing loudly, "...Okay, a little shquishy. But it shtill tastesh good."
Plantation's stomach growled. She took a breath and bit into a bushel of hay. It didn't taste right. Was it moldy? Her growling stomach demanded she swallow; and thus, she did, before following Texas Toast into the field.