Chapter 8- Feeling Little
I opened my eyes, to find myself back in my guest room. I felt warm underneath the covers and… wet. I gasped as I saw a wet spot on my sheets. This was impossible. I hadn’t wet the bed since… well, as long as I could remember. I wasn’t able to think about what to do before my door opened, Cocoa bringing in breakfast on a tray.
“Morning-“ she stopped, sniffing the air and looking over at me. “Oh, dear, did you wet the bed?”
I stuttered an unintelligible reply, starting to tear up with humiliation. I also had not actually cried over anything in a long time, either.
“Oh, dear…” She moved over, stroking my mane. “It’s all right, you’ll get it some day.”
“But…” My head felt foggy again, but felt calmed down as she pet my mane.
“Come on, let’s get you cleaned up before breakfast.” She lifted me up in her hooves, setting me down next to her. “Follow me, dear.”
“But the sheets-“
“The castle workers will get that. Okay?” she smiled at me, patting me on the head, making me blush. She draped her wing over me again, walking with me to the bathroom, opening the door, allowing me to walk in first before following, closing the door behind us.
“Erm, I can take care of myself…” I turned around.
“No, no, let me help.” She insisted. “There are some special soaps I want you to try.” Cocoa turned on the taps, slowly filling the tub. “I just want you to relax, okay? You’ve taken care of yourself all this time, try and let somepony else help, even if it’s this simple.”
“Well…” This was something Luna told me very often. “All right, then.” I found myself trusting her.
“After all,” she added. “You’re still so little, and have time to grow up.”
I glanced at myself in the mirror, smaller than a schoolcolt. How old was I? I felt confusion as I tried to remember my age. I was snapped out of my thoughts as she spoke up again.
“Bath is ready, dear.” She lifted me up without warning, setting me in the warm water, filled with bubbles. “Now, hold still.” Cocoa began gently scrubbing at me with a soft sponge. “Goodness, you’ve got dirt deep in your fur, when’s the last time you took a bath?”
“I rarely took baths ever since I joined the Royal Guard…” I answered.
“Silly, you’re way too young to be in the Royal Guard. You’re only a few years old.” She giggled. “But it’s all right to use your imagination sometimes.”
I nodded. I had always idolized the Royal Guard, wanting to be in it for as long as I could remember. Cocoa moved onto my mane, shampooing it and cleaning it out. She hummed softly as she cleaned me off, making me smile a little. I felt her pour water over my head to rinse out the shampoo, lifting me out of the tub.
“Finished, dear.” She set me on a towel, using another one to dry me off. “Now, wait here for a moment, please.”
“Okay.” I wrapped the towel around myself, watching her leave. The towel was soft, fluffy, and had an odd smell to it, although not an unpleasant one.
“Back.” The door opened again, and I saw her holding some light blue undergarment, meant for foals in toilet training.
“Wh-what is that?” I stammered.
“Dear, I just want to make sure you’re protected against accidents.” She answered softly. “You wet the bed last night, I don’t want it to happen during the day.”
“It won’t!” I protested. “I’m not a foal!”
“I know you aren’t. So let’s make a deal, okay? If you can stay dry all day, then you only have to wear at night. And when you stop having nighttime accidents, then you can be a big colt.” She smiled at me. “Please, I just don’t want you to make a mess on the floor, that wouldn’t be nice.”
I looked down at the ground, sighing. “Fine…” I agreed reluctantly.
“Now do you need help getting it on?” she asked sweetly.
“I’m fine.” I blushed, taking the training pants from her and putting them on.
“Maybe you’re growing up faster than I expected.” Cocoa led me out the door. “Now, ready for breakfast?”
“Yeah, I’m pretty hungry.” I trotted after her, feeling a little uncoordinated. Cocoa noticed this, setting me on her back.
“Let’s get to the dining area then.” Once again, we passed by the odd fountain.
“Um, Cocoa?” I asked. “What’s that fountain?”
“Oh…” she hesitated. “Just a fountain, dear.” However, I could tell she was concealing something. Before I could give it much more though, she distracted me by suddenly tickling me with her wing.
“Eep! Stop! That tickles!” I squirmed around on her back, giggling.
“I know it does!” she laughed, continuing to do so. “You’re so ticklish!”
“S-stop!” I protested, giggling some more. She kept it up for a while, before stopping.
“What do you want for breakfast?” she asked. “Does oatmeal sound good?”
“Yeah.” I answered, feeling my stomach growl.
“Good. How’s your magic training coming along?” she tapped my horn gently.
“It’s going well. I still can’t keep spells going on for long, though.”
“Oh, so your stamina needs work, then.” She entered the dining room, where Glitter was being fed by another mare.
“Hi, Dusky!” she waved at me, some mush on her muzzle.
“Hi, Glitter.” I answered with a smile. “Good morning.” I blushed as I remembered I was wearing my training pants, clearly visible to all.
“Oh, awe yoo finawly leawning to use da potty?” she asked, returning the smile.
“I already know how to…” I felt embarrassed at her words, feeling smaller inside than I did before.
“Whatevew you say.” She had playful tone as Cocoa went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast.
I took a seat at the table, my training pants giving a quiet crinkle. It felt a little odd to be wearing them, but I knew it was for the best. Cocoa soon returned with the warm oatmeal, setting it down in front of me. “Thanks.” I tried to take the spoon up in my magic, but for some reason, my magic felt off, my horn fizzling, and the spoon wobbling.
“Is your magic acting up again, sweetie?” Cocoa asked with a note of concern.
“Y-yeah.” I winced, putting the spoon back down, holding my head. Using my hooves was out of the question, I had been using magic for so long, I was rather clumsy with hooves alone.
“Want me to help?” Cocoa asked softly, taking a seat next to me. “I promise I won’t poke fun.”
“That would be nice.” I say, shaking my head to clear the buzz of unstable magic.
Cocoa grinned, taking up the spoon handle tip in her mouth, spooning up some oatmeal and holding it out to me. Glitter giggled. “Aww, lookit the Mommy feeding the foal!”
“Now, now, don’t make fun of him, his magic isn’t working.” The mare feeding Glitter chided softly.
I opened my mouth and let Cocoa spoon the food in. As promised, she didn’t make any comments, smiling reassuringly at me, before scooping up another spoonful. A little dribbled out of my mouth this time, and onto my chin.
“Oh, sorry.” Cocoa spoke around the spoon. “We’ll clean you up, after.”
She continued to feed me, making a bit more of a mess as I ate, Cocoa wiping it off with a wet towel when I was done.
“Thanks, Cocoa.” I allowed her to clean my muzzle and front off.
“Of course, always happy to help the little ones, Dusky.” She smiled at me. I blushed a little at the nickname, once again, the nickname making me feel small.
“You finished, too, Princess Glitter?”
“Yup!” she piped happily. “Pwaytime!”
“That’s right. There’s a really nice place in the castle you have to see, Dusky. It’s the Princess’s private playroom, and you’re invited! Right, Princess?”
“It’s awlays mowe fun with a fwiend!” she nodded vigorously.
“Then let’s go!” Cocoa placed us on her back, trotting at a quick, bouncing pace off. “It’s time for fun!”