//------------------------------// // Her Name's Tubby! // Story: Tubby, the Plush Pony // by GodOfBBQ //------------------------------// Her Name's Tubby! After splitting up a potential fight between Lyra and Twilight, and helping describe how Lyra should create Patches’ new sibling, the rest of the day went by pretty fast. When you arrived home, Patches had a nice salad waiting for the two of you for lunch. Afterwards two had a nap on the sofa. Then for dinner, you and Patches shared your favorite meal from Earth. Fried rice and egg. What made it even better, was Patches seemed to enjoy the Asian meal, so you knew you could have this more often. After dinner, the two of you snuggled up in bed and went to sleep. Ever since your birthday, you couldn’t think of or remember a night where you didn’t snuggle with Patches. She was like your security blanket, as you were to her. She was the type that didn’t like being alone for long. In which case, she would need your attention almost always, and you were fine with that. The next morning was like any other morning. However, you knew the day would only get better. For both you and Patches. Patches didn’t know it, but she would be getting a “Sibling” today. You were excited to find out how Lyra made the other plush pony, and what Patches’ future brother or sister would look like. It was almost torture. Lyra told you to meet her sometime in the afternoon, so the day decided to take it’s time getting to the scheduled meeting with Lyra. When it would feel like an hour, only five minutes would pass and it drove you mad. The way Patches would smile at you whenever you two made eye contact just made you even more excited for Patches’ and the future plush pony. You could only imagine Patches’ expression when you reveal to her her new sibling. You had to find a way to pass the time. Any way possible, even if you resorted to watching grass grow, you had to find something that would pass the time. You thought and thought until you felt a gentle tug on the end of your pant leg. You looked down to see Patches with a pouty face and her whiteboard that read, ‘Out of marshmallows.’ You couldn’t help but scoop her up in your arms and cradle her like an infant. She was just that adorable. “Alright, I’ll get you some marshmallows at the market. Do we need anything else?” You ask her, she trotted back to the kitchen to check. You thanked the heavens for giving you something to do, and given the fact that you had to go to Lyra’s shop in the marketplace you may as well kill two birds with one stone. Patches came back with her whiteboard under her hoof. She sat down in front of you and began to write with her marker. Soon after she flipped the board towards you and you read aloud. “Milk, chocolate chips, and bread.” You take a mental note to remember those items. As you get up from your seat, something in your head clicks. “Hey, I thought I bought a whole bag of chocolate chips yesterday. How are we already out?” You and her make eye contact and she gives off a sheepish smile. “Patches, did you eat the chocolate?” You ask in a fake motherly tone. She replies with a wide smile and a nod. “You cheeky plush you, alright, I’ll get some more but don’t eat them all this time!” You warn, to which she replies with a solute. You walk over to the coat hanger near your door and you grab your coat and beanie. The same attire you wore when you were homeless. You didn’t know why, but you liked wearing the tattered clothing every so often. You wave goodbye to Patches as you leave the house. ~***~ You walked through town carrying bags of whatever it was you needed. From milk to the chocolate chips. Now you were window shopping just to kill some time. You passed by a sweet shop that was all too familiar. No it wasn’t Sugar Cube Corner, it was Bon Bon’s little shop. The sign in the window did say open so you decided to pay your friend a little visit. You opened the door and the sound of a jingling bell went off. Alerting Bon Bon who seemed to be working in the back to come to the cash register and attend whoever entered the shop. When she caught sight of you, she seemed to be pleased. “Hello Bon Bon.” You call out. “Hey Anon, how’re you doing?” The mare asks as she wipes her hoofs off with a rag. “I’m fine, what’re you up to back there?” “Oh nothing, just making some more truffles, can I help you with anything?” She asks as if she suddenly remembered she owned a shop and you were still technically a customer. “Uh sure, I’ll take some of those chocolate strawberries you have there. Oh, and a s’mores candy bar for Patches.” You say as you dig out whatever bits you owe her. “Sure thing, that’ll be six bits please.” You’re slightly surprised by the change in price. Usually Bon Bon has lower prices than that. “Hm, shouldn’t it be three bits?” You ask. Apparently she looked as if she knew that too. “I know, it’s just business hasn’t been doing so well recently, mainly because Sugar Cube Corner has been having this sale that's beating my prices. Nopony wants a simple candy bar anymore. And when they do, they go to Sugar Cube Corner since it's cheaper.” “Have you tried lowering your prices?” You ask. “I did once, but since business has been so slow, and the bills somehow keep rolling in, I’m close to not keeping up! Yeah Lyra helps out with money she earns, but I don’t want her paying for both her shop and mine. It just doesn’t seem right you know?” “Yeah, I getcha. Look, if you want, I’ll try to help you get more customers. No need to pay me, I’ll do it for free.” You say. You notice Bon Bon getting ready to debate but you insist, leaving her to accept your help. “Thanks Anon, I hope you can help.” Bon Bon says with a calm tone. “I hope so too, I wouldn’t want you going out of business or anything. Don’t worry, I’ll figure out something!” You promise. You two exchange more words but after saying your goodbyes you started to leave the establishment until, “Wait!” Bon Bon called out, you turn towards her and ask what was it. “Lyra told me to tell you to see her early. She said the sibling was ready, whatever that means.” Your eyes widen in excitement. ‘Was she really finished? A whole half hour early!? I have to get there fast!’ With that thought, you zoomed out of Bon Bon’s shop both bags of food and sweets in hands. It was ready, it was finally ready! You were so excited for Patches, and the best part is she doesn’t even know it was coming! Oh what a wonderful surprise for her you thought. In record time, you arrived at Lyra’s place and entered the small shop. “Lyra I’m here!” You call out, you see Lyra emerge from the back of her shop, her mane is frazzled and she appears to have bags under her eyes. “Woah, Lyra are you okay?” You ask. “Oh yeah I’m fine! I just stayed up all night working on the sibling for Patches! At first, it was easy, but then I got tired, so I had some coffee! But after a while, the coffee wouldn’t work so I began eating the beans alone! It works SO much better than the actual coffee!” You walk over to Lyra and you put a hand on her head to calm her down. This worried you, if she’s this tweaked out, what if she cast the spell and now the sibling will be hyper? What if Lyra messed up in some way? ‘No, she couldn’t have messed up! She knows what she’s doing!’ You reason with yourself. “C’mon Anon! Let me show you her!” “Her? Patches will have a sister?” You ask. “Yep! Now come on!” She grabs your hand with her left hoof and led you to her little sewing room in the back of the shop. The room was a little cluttered, nothing too bad. But the mess wasn’t what you were looking at. It was what sat in the center of the room. A plush unicorn with white fluffy mane and a chocolate brown streak running through it. Her main color was a lighter shade of brown and instead of button eyes like Patches has, she had blue stitched eyes instead. However, that wasn’t the only feature that was different from Patches. This plush pony was roughly the same size as Patches, but she seemed a lot more plump. Like a really chubby pony. “She’s a little, chubby looking.” You comment. “Yeah, I kinda went to town on the stuffing. You did say Patches likes cuddly things and, what’s more cuddly than a stuffed pillow?” Lyra reasoned. “So you technically made Patches a pillow?” “No! I made her a sister… Who’s design is based around a pillow like form!” Lyra argued. “Well, either way, she’s a cutie! I’m sure Patches will love her! Did you cast the spell?” “Sure did! She should be alive and walking tomorrow morning! Just like Patches.” “Okay, cool! So what’s her name?” You ask, Lyra looks up at you with a small smile. “I’ll let you handle that one Anon.” You smile back and you look back at the plush pony before you. You scratch your head and think. What would be a suitable name for this plush? “Would it be offensive if I named her something based on her shape?” Lyra rested her hoof on her chin and thought. “Hm, no I don’t think so! Just as long as it isn’t blatantly offensive I-” “Her name’s Tubby!” You exclaim. “Excuse me, did you say Tubby?” Lyra asked. “Sure did! I thought it was fitting, plus it does make her look cuter knowing her name is Tubby.” You reason. Lyra looks at the now dubbed Tubby and nods. “Yeah I see what you mean.” With that you grabbed the plush and thanked Lyra for her work. With Tubby slumped over your shoulder and the two bags of food in position you made your way home.