//------------------------------//
// Prince Blueblood 
// Story: Bathtime for Ponies Part 2 
// by Starry Eyed 
//------------------------------//

	You watch Blueblood play ball with several of the other foals in the neighborhood. At this time in their lives, even simple telekinesis is challenging, so it serves as good practice for them. You still find it hard to believe that Blueblood was so innocently playing with other foals, even ones of lesser social status. Technically everypony had lesser status, but there were even some rather poor ponies. You momentarily wonder if he only became a jerk later in life, but stop thinking bad things, he is only a foal after all.

As is true of any playtime outside, all the foals get a little sweaty and dirty. The sun will go down soon so you decide to take Blueblood to get his bath. When you tell him it’s time to go, all the other foals are disappointed and Blueblood gives a sad little, “aww.” You promise them that they can all play tomorrow and pick Blueblood up. As you walk away, Blueblood waves to the others, you wave back as they head home also. You haven’t started the bath yet, so you take him with you.

You turn on the water and reach in your bag for bubblebath formula, but don’t find it. A little hoof-pat gets your attention and you see Blueblood with the bottle sideways in his mouth offering it to you. Some of the formula spills onto the floor this way, so you quickly take it. Blueblood sees that he made a mistake, and lowers his head, “so-we.” You know he was trying to say sorry, and give him a pat to assure him it’s okay. This results in a few giggles. How did this turn into… no you won’t think that way.

You pour the bubblebath into the tub and he helps you adjust the water. When the bath is ready you place him in the tub and use the side of the brush to scoop up the spilled bubblebath gel. You pour some ‘Solid Gold’ shampoo into your palm, and begin lathering it into his mane. You really notice how shiny his soft little golden mane is. You allow this to get too much of your attention, and some of the shampoo gets in his eye. As much as some people would love bad things to happen to Blueblood, seeing a baby pony who has only been good to you cry is downright heartbreaking. You quickly get a warm washcloth and help him. You also decide to rinse now, so that more will not get in his eyes. Once he is ok again, he sniffles cutely and looks at you, “Thanks sitter.”

Being forgiven feels great, but also makes you feel guilty. You ask him to lift his tail for you, which he does. You get some more shampoo and begin lathering his tail. You accept that he is good at this point in his life, but wonder what happened. You once again get sidetracked and wash his tail for much longer than necessary. You realize your mistake and stop, quickly starting to rinse.

You decide to reward him for being so nice, and give him the toys. Blueblood plays with the toys briefly, but quickly learns that the bubbles are more fun. Every time he pops one, he smiles as if he’s the happiest pony ever. You decide to add the spilled bubblebath to the tub, but remember too late that it’s the magic kind you’re not supposed to add more than a drop of. You are horrified, Blueblood is overjoyed. You begin cleaning the bubbles that overflowed, and Blueblood (trying to help) begins popping everything in sight. The cutest moment is when one of the toy boats floats by in a bubble, “ooh, aewrship.”

Once the bathroom is reasonably clean, you unplug the tub and set Blueblood on the mat. It only takes a few moments to dry him. You open the door to let him out, and he chases the remaining bubbles floating out the door. You can’t deny he’s adorable. You also can’t ignore that he grows up to be a jerk. You decide to find out what happened. Being a time traveler has advantages.


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You arrive in the present, determined to find out whatever happened to make Blueblood such a jerk. You call your boss (who has magical ways of knowing things) and learn that Celestia and Blueblood are having tea at Castle Canterlot. Realizing that talking to both of them will be the best way to get to the bottom of this, you make your way there. Since the guards recognize you it is only several minutes before you arrive.

Blueblood is sitting with Celestia and, to your surprise, several of the off-duty attendants (who are commoners). They all seem to be talking equally and enjoying themselves. They take notice of you upon your entrance. Blueblood might not have recognized you after so many years if you were a pony, but it’s hard to forget the only human you ever met. “Sitter! What a pleasure. Everypony, this is my old sitter, the only one I ever had that wasn’t stuck up.”

Celestia sets down her slice of apple pie (common food, which they are all eating) and properly addresses you. “Welcome sitter, what can we help you with?” The attendants and guards are awestruck that even Celestia refers to you as her sitter, and pay full attention. You start feeling guilty about asking him why he’s a jerk in front of everypony, but, “Curiosity just got the better of me. You seem like a good guy, but… at the Gala…” Celestia and Blueblood smile ear to ear as Blueblood responds, “Ah yes that. I’m glad you asked. You’re still looking after me in a way, good to know.

You see sitter, Twilight wrote EVERYTHING to auntie Celestia in her letters, and we knew well in advance that Lady Rarity would swoon over me. But I really didn’t want a relationship at the time, and frankly, it would have been disastrous!”

Celestia took over, “Rarity was so infatuated that she would have followed Bluey to the ends of Equestria, in over words: away from her career, family, and friends. In retrospect, if that had happened, we couldn’t have stopped Discord and… well you can figure out the rest.”

Blueblood resumed, “If I told her off, it would have broken her heart. If I had accepted her advances, she would be torn between me, and the place she really belongs. If I avoided her, she would have pursued me.” Blueblood smiled deviously, “So… I played the worst jerk I could, so she would be happily rid of me.”

Celestia looks worried, “Sorry, it’s not a secret, just a secret to anyone who might tell Rarity. Are… you mad?” Your jaw drops. No words come out. You think for a while, and finally speak, “Well, you really are Celestia’s nephew after all. You’re both brilliant, heroic,… trolls.” Everypony breaks out laughing, including those involved. Blueblood half-laughing responds, “Maybe so, but we use those talents for good purposes when we can.” Bluey offers you some pie in the most real sounding proper accent, “Want some ‘common fair’ peasant?” His kind smile assures you it's a well meaning joke.

You’re pretty sure that Tartarus is frozen over, but you sit down and have some pie with the friendly tricksters of Canterlot anyway.