Yesterday seemed such a long time ago. It felt like ages to Pizzelle when she stopped to think about it. Just two days prior, she was a simple, small town baker. Now she was a heroine and put an end to a daemon goddess. She couldn’t get any sleep last night because of it. There was just too much to think about, which is saying something with a pony like her. She was used to thinking about all sorts of thing; ponies, places, things. You name it and she knew it. She wasn’t nicknamed ‘Info Dump’ in school for nothing. She always hated that nickname however.
Now she just wanted to think of one little guy. Pizzelle had always wanted children. It was a dream of hers and she was ever so jealous of her baking friends with families of their own. She didn’t want to be. She loved her friends, both old and new. Yet, whenever she saw their kids playing around during their get togethers…. It always sparked a little yearning in her heart and a pain in her womb. Even if she kept saying it was nothing when they noticed, everypony knew she wanted one. So, she decided to pony up for once.
“Pizzelle,” Redheart put a comforting hoof on her shoulder. “You don’t have to go through with this right now. You can give it a bit more time. There’s always tomorrow.”
Pizzelle didn’t find it odd that she was now friends with the local nurse. In fact, she wondered why she never hung out or invited her in for a little tea. Redheart was a kind mare and deserved a little respite. Pizzelle wanted to make it up to her and well…She couldn’t help but let slip what she was doing. She was terrible at keeping secrets. It wasn’t like she was going to keep her child secret forever, but she did want a little more privacy in the matter. ‘That’s what I get for being a little chatterbox.’
Pizzelle shook her head. “No hun, I need to do this.” She stared at the outside doors of the Ponyville orphanage. It was a large, furnished building that was painted in the traditional yellow and orange colors matching the sun’s radiance. Children were never taken for granted in Equestria and no expense was too great to ensure their happiness and survival. Pizzelle took in a deep breath. “Sugar, I know you think I’m rushing into this, but I’m sure. Why I’ve never been surer in my whole life and that’s saying something. Presto always said that when I made up my mind, I stuck to it like glue. That’s what I’m going to do now, Redheart. I’m going to march into that building and get what I came here for. Mark my words, that’s what’s going to happen.”
“I know,” Redheart frowned. “But this is a big responsibility. It’s something that will be with you for the rest of your life.”
“Redheart,” Pizzelle’s expression wavered. Doubt lingered in her heart, but she steeled herself. “I have to do this.” Redheart just nodded, but gave her friend a concerned gaze.
Pushing open the doors, they were hit instantly with the sounds of laughter and playing. Most rooms were held deeper inside the building, but for kids, the whole world was a playground. Lately, it had been rather busy and the orphanage had more kids than it usually did. It was a bitter reminder of Nightmare Moon’s return.
The lobby itself was furnished and immaculate, surprising in a place so full of children. Of course, this was home to quite a few priestesses and caregivers. They could handle the children well. There were some highly exquisite paintings and busts of national heroes about. A small, golden statue of Celestia with her wings outstretched in a regal posture was at the end of the room.
It didn’t take long for somepony to meet them. That somepony was a colt that came running into the lobby. Thankfully, before the colt could accidentally knock over a bust, High Priestess Bon Bon raced over and grabbed hold of him with a firm grip of her foreleg. “Lickety Split, no running in the lobby.”
The colt bowed his head. “I’m sorry, Priestess.”
“There’s nothing to be sorry about, “ Bon Bon smiled and nuzzled his head. “Just remember not to do it again.” The colt nodded and took off. She sighed. Even with her frustration, she looked heavenly in her purple gown and red, blessed crown. A golden necklace with Celestia's mark hung around her neck. “Children….” She blinked in confusion for a few seconds when she saw the two mares there. Then a spark of recognition hit her and she smiled. “Most esteemed bearers, how may I be of assistance?” She bowed her head.
Pizzelle still wasn’t used to all the high privileged treatment and looks she was getting. Yes, she helped save the country from an evil goddess, but she was still a normal mare. Well as normal as a pegasus that can see through illusions and magic can be.
“My friend Pizzelle is here to make a request,” Redheart spoke up.
“Oh?” Bon Bon gazed at Pizzelle. It was warm and comforting, befitting a priestess. “And what may that be?”
“Oh nothing really,” Pizzelle chuckled nervously. “Just a little something I’ve always wanted. I’ve been meaning on stopping by for quite some time now, but there’s just been so much to do. My friends and I, you know the ones I had before you all,” she said that part to Redheart. “Well, we’ve been having little contests and fund raisers to help our troops at the borders. The poor dears. My heart goes out to those fine stallions and mares that fight so far away from home. So we thought we’d make some pastries and raise some bits to send their way.”
“A noble cause,” Bon Bon nodded. “But you still haven’t answered my question. Why are you here?”
“It’s private,” Redheart said, stopping what could only be another random tirade from Pizzelle’s mouth.
“I see,” Bon Bon gestured to her office. It wasn’t that far from the main lobby. The three of them trotted over and into her office. It was small and mundane. Priestesses were never to indulge themselves, only to give aid and care to everypony around them. To do anything that would be considered selfish was an affront to Celestia herself and pure heresy. The only things inside really was a small bookcase, a desk and chair, with some Equestrian banners on the walls. She closed the door behind them. “Take a seat. I don’t know what you may be about to ask, but it could take some time.”
The two other mares nodded and sat down before her.
Bon Bon took her seat opposite of them. She then put her hooves on top of the desk. “What is the request? Is it so urgent to ask it to be private?”
“Well….” Pizzelle said, gulping. “As you know, I’m getting along in my years. I may not be old, but I’m not as young as I used to. In my time, I’ve never had any luck with having kids of my own.” She glanced at her stomach momentarily, before looking at Bon Bon. “And don’t think I haven’t tried. Celestia knows I have, bless her eternally and may her rule continue.”
“So you wish for a child of your own,” Bon Bon hummed in thought. “Understandable. Every mare wants a child to love and call their own. You need not worry about this. However—“ she narrowed her eyes. “Even with your status as a bearer taken into account, there are still rules and regulations to follow. Thankfully, since you are a native of Ponyville, we have enough evidence to suggest you are a blessed citizen of our Holy Majesty’s country. The question is: Are you ready to be a mother? This is no simple task.”
“Of course I am,” Pizzelle chuckled and waved a hoof to dismiss any doubt. “I’m great with kids. Hay, I watch over Dinky, Sparkler, and that rambunctious Button Mash. Curious colt, always in his video games. Never really care for them myself. They’re too flashy and those arcades are expensive. It would be too much hassle to get one myself and all. Wouldn’t even know where to put it.”
“So you’ve watched kids with their mothers present, but not by themselves?” Bon Bon asked.
“Well…yeah, but I know enough.” Pizzelle said with determination. “I promise you, I can be a great mother. Just ask anypony in town, they’ll vouch for me.”
“I don’t mean to question your caregiving skills,” Bon Bon said. “This is just a huge responsibility, but I see that you are not going to budge in this manner. We shall have a colt or filly picked out for you by the end of the week.”
“I already have the child in mind,” Pizzelle said. “Aki Hikaru. He's just the cutest little ball of fluff you could ever see.”
Bon Bon’s eyes widened. “You would raise a non-pony? A kitsune? Why? There are plenty of pony children in need of a good home. I could bring in a few-“
“Aki Hikaru,” Pizzelle frowned. “I saved him from that dreadful forest. The poor dear’s been through so much in the last couple of days. He deserves some happiness.”
“He can have happiness with his own kind,” Bon Bon firmly stated. “I already have the order being written up to send him back to Vulpan where he belongs.”
“He belongs with me,” Pizzelle was not one to bear her fangs, even to a priestess, but she couldn’t help it. Pegasi have the unmistakable habit of bearing their fangs when they're angry, to try and scare their opponents. It’s a natural response.
Bon Bon reeled back.
“Pizzelle,” Redheart put a comforting hoof on her friend’s shoulder. “Calm down. She didn’t mean anything by it.”
“Yes,” Bon Bon regained her composure. She gave Pizzelle a frustrated glare. “I do suggest you keep those fangs of yours in your mouth, please.”
“Sorry,” Pizzelle sighed.
“Since you seem so adamant on being a mother, to a non-pony no less,” Bon Bon shook her head. “We shall grant it. However, you must know and follow the procedure. You will be given him for one week and in that time you are to bond with him. Since this is an extraordinary circumstance, I myself will come by the end of the allotted time. I will see if the child is doing well in his new home and to see if you are still willing to raise him. If you are, you shall be able to keep him. If not, he will be sent to Vulpan where he will be given to kitsune parents. With that in mind, if you choose to keep him, you still need to come to me once a month for the next two years.”
Pizzelle nodded, feeling giddy about what was about to happen. “I will.”
“Then congratulations,” Bon Bon smiled. “You just became the proud mother of a kitsune.”