28 - Back to Living
Silver's attempts to gain access to the spell portion of the book were a bust before they began. Trixie kept out the reference page he had made with Celine's help and insisted he just study that, refusing to retrieve the book again. The weekend passed well enough, ignoring that part, and soon Silver was trotting to school at Celine's side. When they arrived, he looked for Tumble's truck and didn't see it. Was he running late? He saw his other friends present, minus Soft Blush.
He approached them with one hoof up, and fell over. Walking with three legs was an advanced skill he hadn't quite got the hang of yet. Celine gently lifted him in her magic, setting him on his hooves, "Thanks. Hey guys."
Lily Jump smiled, "Hey Silver. Oh, my dad got me these tickets to this place, but I don't even like their food, you want it?" She passed him tickets and he accepted it, looking uncertain a moment before he remembered and bobbed his head.
"Thanks," he said, then looked to Meadow, "How's it going?"
Meadow shrugged in a pleasant way, "Weekend was cool. I got to see a hoofball game, major league! It was up in the nosebleed section but it was still pretty nice. Anyone see Soft Blush, or Rough Tumble?"
Celine raised a hoof, "Soft Blush went to work at Warneigh Brothers."
Meadow pouted a little, "Oh... I mean, congratulations to her."
Silver looked to Meadow curiously, "So what do you plan to do, after school?"
Meadow turned to display his cutie mark of a hurdle with a hoof just over it. "Leaping's my talent. I'm going to play in the Equestria Games!"
Silver bobbed his head, "That sounds good for, what is that, a week? What about the rest of your time?"
Meadow shuffled in place, looking thoughtful, "What... else can a jumper do?"
Silver tapped his chin in thought as the bell rang. He aborted the thought for the moment and went inside with the others. School began, starting with a lesson on newspapers, their rights and restrictions. The lesson petered off to a stop as a pony entered. Tumble shuffled up to his desk. He had clear bruises and one eye was a little swollen. He looked awful to Silver, but Butter just frowned, "You're late, Rough. Please be inside at the bell."
"Yes, ma'am," said Tumble, his head low.
When they were let out for a lunch break, Silver approached him, Celine at his side without being prompted. Tumble looked up when he approached, "Hey Silver."
Silver looked around, still not seeing Tumble's truck, "So, decided to walk today?"
Tumble grunted, "Yeah..."
Silver fidgeted in place, uncertain, "Want to talk about it?"
"Talk about what?" asked Tumble, sounding alarmed.
Silver gestured at Tumble, "You're kind... of a mess."
Tumble ran a fetlock over his face, straightening out some of the fur but doing nothing for most of the bruising and swelling, "Where?"
Silver rolled his eyes then, sitting on his haunches, "Everywhere. You look like you got into a boxing match with a bear. Was it your dad?"
Tumble went stiff.
Silver tilted his head, "Your mom?"
Tumble suddenly jumped at Silver, knocking him to the ground. Stars swam in Silver's vision as he was struck once across the jaw, but the attack was already over. Tumble was lifted into the air, wrapped in Celine's magic, where he sobbed.
Silver quickly scrambled to his hooves, rubbing at his jaw lightly. For a Tumble hit, it didn't hurt nearly as much as it should have. Did he hold back, or was he hurt that badly? Silver glanced at Celine. Celine gently set him back on the ground, but put herself between him and Silver. "Silver is trying to help you, you big dumb colt. You don't have any right to hit him, or anypony else," she said with a firm authority despite her small form and high-pitched voice. "This is your one chance to say what is wrong."
Tumble slumped in place, "They took it. They didn't believe it was a gift. They called me a liar! They wouldn't stop asking where I really got it from." He flopped to the ground, "I kept telling them."
Silver raised an ear, "What did... they do when you stuck to the truth?"
"They hit me," he said, "Each time I said it. When they got bored with that, they said..." He raised up onto his haunches, "'If you're not going to tell us, we're just getting rid of it.' And they took it to the side of Canterlot, and they kicked it over the edge."
Celine frowned, "That's illegal."
Silver shook his head, then looked to Celine, "Can we do something? His parents are, well, terrible, from what I hear."
Celine gestured at him, "He's too old. If he doesn't like his parents, he should have already moved out. He even has his cutie mark."
Silver huffed, "What good is that mark if they take away what he'd use! That truck was supposed to let him use his talent. Now it's pancaked on the side of a mountain."
Celine glanced up at Tumble, then back at Silver, "There is one other way a colt can move out, besides becoming an adult with a job. Well, two, really."
"Those are?" asked Silver curiously.
Celine held up her left hoof, "They go to a secondary learning school, like a pegasus going to the Wonderbolt Academy, or a unicorn to any number of magic schools." She switched to her right hoof, "Or if they marry, the colt or filly may move in with their partner. Other than that, get a job, and then you're free. If he were still a foal, which he is not, there would be other options." Celine approached Silver, snuggling up to his side and whispering in his ear, "We could save him."
Silver flinched a little, "But..."
Tumble had barely followed half the conversation, but it had his attention, "So what do I do?"
Silver frowned and looked at Celine, who just smiled at him. "Celine, do you think this is a good idea?"
Celine stopped smiling and seemed to put serious thought into it. "I think you'll be guilty if you don't. I think he really loves you, and I think--"
Silver pointed a hoof at Tumble, "I think he hits too much!"
Tumble fell at Silver's hooves, "I'm sorry!"
Silver sighed softly and reached, gently mussing up Tumble unkempt mane, "I'm not going to leave you like this, but you have to promise. No more hitting, ever. One more hit, just one, and you're out."
Celine took an imperious pose before Tumble's prostrate form, "I, first wife of Silver Lining, do extend invitation to you, Rough Tumble, to join our herd. Do you find this acceptable, Silver Lining, stallion of the herd?"
Silver hesitated before nodding, going with the flow, "I, Silver Lining, stallion of the herd, agree with your invitation, Celine, first wife." He looked at Tumble, "Do you accept?"
Tumble bobbed his head quickly, a smile spreading. Silver winced lightly, "Your teeth."
Tumble's smile shut quickly, "What?"
Silver shook his head, "No herd-mate of mine is going to be so neglected." He gestured up with a hoof, "Stand, come on. We have to finish the school day, then we're off to the hospital." He quietly hoped that Zecora's tooth-growing potion had equivalents here in Canterlot and wondered how long Tumble had been suffering.
Word spread quickly. A filly moved out from behind Silver without asking and Tumble ended up in the position. Butter Scotch made no comment on the adjustment, and the day slid to a close with everyone being released from school.
They trotted as a trio to the closest hospital, where they received raised brows before Celine, after much hesitation, flashed her royal flank and flapped her little wings. Unable or unwilling to argue with royalty, even one they didn't quite recognize, they took Tumble in for care.
Silver sat beside Celine in the waiting area, tapping on the tiling with a hoof idly, "Are you sure this is a good idea?"
Celine tilted her head, "As sure as I can be. He deserves a chance, even you think so."
Silver grunted. It was both reassuring and irritating how well Celine knew him. "He does, but I'm still not gay."
"Colt cuddler," corrected Celine, "And you are wrong. Before this day is done, you will cuddle that colt and you will like it."
A warm blush rose to Silver's cheeks. Just cuddling isn't so bad, right? He'd nuzzled and hugged Rough Draft more than a few times. "One hit," he said warningly.
"One hit," agreed Celine. "I will give him a chance, but you are more important than him to me. If he didn't love you so much I wouldn't even give him that."
"Then why did he hit me?" asked Silver.
Celine shrugged, "I have your memories, not his. We could ask him afterwards?"
They waited largely in silence until Tumble was brought out to them, looking a bit better overall, though clear to Silver that he was still recovering. Silver flashed his teeth, "Let's see yours."
Tumble returned the gesture, exposing bright and new teeth. Silver bobbed his head, "Much better." A doctor wandered up and set a note beside Celine. She lifted it in her magic and looked at it.
"A bill," she announced. "We'll bring it home."
As they departed the hospital, Silver confessed, "I kinda thought Equestria wouldn't have hospital fees."
Celine perked an ear, "Depends what for. Chipped or damaged teeth that isn't clearly a disease is considered a cosmetic, and isn't covered by the crown."
Silver huffed. Ah well, even pony land had to have a few flaws in it. He led his herd home. When he got inside, Rough Draft was scribbling something in the living room. He looked up at the three with a smile, "Come to play videogames?"
Silver shook his head, shuffled a little, "I, uh, kinda grew my herd."
Rough tilted his head, confused, "Where's the new bride, and isn't this fast?"
Silver hiked a hoof at Tumble silently.
Tumble went red, "I'm a bride? I... does that work that way?"
Celine gave a soft giggle, "I don't think Silver will consent to play bottom with another male, so, yes, you are the new bride."
Rough shook his head slowly, "The human I imagined has changed a bit."
Silver moved up to Rough and nuzzled his side, "The pony I imagined has changed a bit." He sat and looked up at Rough, "I still love him."
Rough reached and plucked Silver off the ground, hugging him gently, "I still love him."
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Okay, there had damn well better be some confrontation with Tumble's parents. That is blatant domestic violence, destruction of property, and if I had more time I could probably bring out a few additional crimes to level at those (CENSORED)s.
5725484 They're likely to come sniffing around after 'their' colt.
There are two spaces between "place," and "but."
"Nosebleed" is a compound word.
There's an extra quotation mark at the end of that sentence.
Celine took "an" imperious pose. Also, I suspect that's meant to be "extend an invitation."
Silver's statement there just seems like it should end with an ellipsis, rather than a period.
He "reached gestured up"?
Zecora's "tooth-growing" potion.
I suspect that they received "raised" brows.
"Become irritated" doesn't work very well. I'd change that entire sentence to something like "It was both reassuring and irritating how well Celine knew him."
Should the "Cuddler" be capitalized?
5725565 Fixed, and found a few others to fix while I was in there, those sneaky typos. What think thee?
5725484
I can see the parents getting a hole tree stuck in there plot holes over this.
but I am betting Celine may have a little pull over getting things straitened around.
hum now how is this going to work to stallions and one mare. this math just does not work.
well ok 1 stallion 1 mare and 1 Colt Cuddler, this is going to be awkward the first night. but then cuddle time may be interesting.
Harts Fire
" Silver grunted. It was both reassuring and irritating how well Celine knew him. "He does, but I'm still not gay." " No you are not gay you are bi, there is a difference 8D. Great chapter <33, and omg tumble's parents D: they shall get there dues just yet my pretties >_> ~laughs manically~
5725617 Celine has no official power. She is not really a princess, but flashing horns and wings is sometimes enough.
5725618 Stop laughing at Silver's discomfort.
5725582 Well, this was a development that could be seen coming, but that made it no less enjoyable when it arrived. However, I was rather surprised at how muted the impact of the events here were.
From what's been indicated, forming a herd is considered to be rustic, or perhaps old-fashioned, and colt cuddling is clearly not accepted by mainstream pony society. That Silver and Celine took another stallion into their herd, right there in the middle of school (it says they were "let out" for lunch break, but the implication was that everypony was hanging around, either in the classroom or just outside - either way, it didn't seem like they had any privacy) should have been a jaw-dropping event. That the sole extent of the impact was that "word spread quickly" and one filly switched seats with Tumble, was somewhat underwhelming.
I also keenly felt the lack of expository narration where Tumble was concerned as well, particularly after they "married" him. Was he thrilled? Stunned? Grateful? There's no sense of how he's taking what just happened, being thrown from probably feeling like the loneliest colt in the world to having his fondest wish granted (on a note, he said he'd trade a thousand cars for Silver - as it turns out, he only had to trade one). Hopefully the next chapter will spend a lot of time on this, as he and Silver (and Celine) need to figure out how their new arrangement is going to work - heck, that's worth a chapter all by itself (and that chapter should bring "teh feelz" in spades).
Even before that, I feel like you missed a chance to really tug on the ol' heartstrings here (no, not Lyra) - before they marry him, we're really seeing Tumble at the bottom of despair, here. He's feeling utterly abused and betrayed by the ponies who should love him most. We should be given a large window into how he feels, as well as how his attempts to contain his hurting come undone when Silver tries to talk to him about it, other than noting simply that he was sobbing when Celine pulled him off of Silver. The degree to which you're not expressing the powerful emotional resonance that this scene demands is an absence that's too large to be overlooked.
Also, ending on a note where Silver and Rough were saying how much they loved each other felt like an odd note to conclude on. The focus here is on the new marital trio, so a sudden exchange of parental love felt like an unexpected ninety-degree turn at the last second.
Having said all of that, there were good parts here. Celine's quasi-order of "you'll cuddle that colt and like it" was a humorous moment. So was Tumble's realization that he's the mare in the relationship (in fact, it'd be amusing if the legalities of their marriage actually made it end up that way, since I doubt herds allow "stallions" per se - as such, Tumble is legally Silver's wife, rather than his husband).
One other, albeit minor, thing that sits slightly the wrong way with me is how easily these marriages are happening. Yes, Celine's presence is enough to make them official, but this is the equivalent of going to your county clerk and signing a marriage license. We're missing out on seeing a fancy wedding like Cadance and Shining Armor had, or even like Trixie and Rough will have.
5725629 I would never do such a heinous act, I am pure and innocent. And I was laughing at the horrid things that could happen to Tumble's parents... I mean thinking of how nothing bad will happen to them ~angelic halo~
5725642 You are entirely correct, as you have the tendency of being. While the decision has been made, the 'settling' has not occured, and a lot feels in the air. The next chapter has to touch on Tumble's general emotional state once it really sinks in that, yes, this bedroom is yours now, and no, you're not going back to your parents.
There's also the first evening to touch on, which should have nothing too cloppy, just a lot of awkward cuddling as Celine has already threatened that could explode all on its own depending on who breaks first, Silver or Tumble. It's a race to disfunction!
The kids also need to get their chance. What do Meadow Leaper and Lily Jump think of this? To say nothing of the other attendees, once the immediate 'what?' reaction wears thin.
So, yes, I agree, there are a lot of things that I must touch on to complete this transition.
Rough Draft and Silver are still kinda in an odd spot. To Rough, Silver is his OC that has... kinda changed a lot, become reality, and is even considered his colt now. I don't think enough props are given his way for being so loyal to his other-half. He deserves a medal of some kind, but I suppose getting a Trixie isn't a bad prize.
Phew, stuff, things! Thanks for reading it over. I hope I made some kinda sense.
5725488 One problem though, Lily doesn't have parents. and lives in the orphanage that... something happens to.
Unless you mean "Her dad" as in an old family friend pulling some strings. ...FU- *facehoofs* I really need to stop asking these questions in your comments...
5725642 next chapter may have a POV of Rough and other ponies for all we know.
5725682
I'm wholeheartedly approve where the harem part is going. Like 146% approve.
5725863 I agree with you about silver's herd as well xD
5725863
5725892
I concur. The next chapter should bring the feelings front and center, with all of the seriousness and drama that they deserve.
Well, that explains why there are no houses directly under Canterlot.
I can't quite believe this. Tumble's parents seem to have no motivation. They just do stuff "for the evulz"
5727826 I really should give some small bit of explanation behind them. From the protagonist view, just monsters.
The only way for a herd to work without any real problem was for all its member to be bisexual (kinda optional but it helps) and truly love each other (most important)....
5727876 Cadance mode on. The love between sisters could suffice if not the love of a mare for a mare. Of course, this herd is funny, so cross some genders.
The other day when I suggested Silver ask Luna for a vehicle for Rough Tumble, in the back of my mind I was thinking something was going to happen with his parents. Of course I never expected them to kick the truck off the side of the mountain.
So David becomes bisexual? Huh. You never see those in stories.
5734032 Nope. Curious though if you're serious or sarcastic cause I'm really not sure.
I have nothing against gays but once i read this chapter. well it sorta ruined my liking, as i said nothing against gays but i just can't read it. sorry mate.
5736511 Nothing gay actually happens. Do read on and you will see.
5736514
5736514 not what i meant, i'm a reader who has an extremely vivid imagination and books tend to end up like movies so certain things really turn a book away for me, i will probs come baxk to this at a later date but right nkw my imagination just killed it.
So the current harem roster is:
Artifical construct waifu- Aigis Aka- Celine
Gay friend and Bro- Kanji Tatsumi Aka- Rough Tumble
yesssss, grow~
Only my tears of happiness. Silver has now grown his
haremherd to fit a male. Yay!I... You... They... OOOOOOOHHHH!!!! That is mean!!!
You have done something that few have. You made this 27 y/o fanboy squeal in delight. Good on you
5736514 Well, I hoped it will not, and here it is. Thanks for saying that.
Wait, wait, Wait, Wait! Someone actually wrote a herd story with multiple stallions?! Silver, I love you so, so much, man!
But, y'know, like a bro, and all that. You understand, right?
7739794 Are you applying to my herd? I'll have to check with the First Wife.
7739801
On one hoof, that means having to be vetted by Love Doll...
On the other, I would be stalked by Adorabat by proximity to Trouble Incarnate...
Decisions, decisions...
(Though I have finished this story now, so color me disappointed. Ah well, there's a reason some of the things I'd like to see are on a wish list.)
This is way too early for this sort of crap. Herds? Marraige? Really, even having a fillyfriend seems a little to soon for silver.
8996162
Bear in mind that time is not even remotely close to 1:1. We will slip soon past foalhood.
8996162
Ponies are different
I am pretty sure the stars "swam" (in fact, I have never seen the perfect-tense form "have swum" used before
).
Do you mean, he was a foal, but is no more, and some options would occasionally occur, when he used to be a foal?
No, the word "still" implies the subjunctive mood (which makes much more sense), so it should be "if he were still a foal, which he is not, there would be other options".
And here we go again
... Rough Tumble appears! I do feel compassion for him about his truck and his parents, but why did Silver and Celine not agree on enlisting Tumble into a school, or what was that other option? And the whole idea of growing Silver's herd? Arabian nights much, eh?
It's really sickening
! The joy of learning magic has been damped.
...Say... Perhaps, if Tumble's parents had actually murdered their son... there would have been more drama?.. At least I'd have felt sorry for him.
9596404
If it helps, it doesn't last.
Oops
! I did clearly mean "foal" instead of "colt" 
!
They don’t have any other way to stop abuse? Which, yes, this is clearly abuse. In real life you don’t lose legal protections just because you live with someone else. Celine should’ve just arrested them.
That should be Celine, no?
10352955
Celine is not a colt to compare to?
Not exactly a good or romantic foundation for marriage.
Might be pointless saying so on a 7 year old fic with a sequel...but this arrangement is kind of horrible. Rough Tumble was the school bully, and met Silver by beating him up. Shortly followed by him getting a psychopath with her own personal torture dungeon with power tools in it, to help beat him up a second time.
And they're now marrying him?
Sorry, but no...this is more than a little bit messed up. You already have Silver worrying about Tumble hitting him (yet again) and that's a bad enough, but the prior history had already gone way beond that. Lyra was shut down hard and given a three year criminal sentence, but even she wasn't physically abusive like Rough Tumble. And even then, at least Silver liked Lyra. Whereas with Tumble, they're not marrying him because they're attracted to him at all, they're doing it rescue him from a bad situation. Nothing about this is romantic or heartwarming. It's a dumpster fire, and they're inviting misery.
And Luna should know better.
Not only is she an ancient immortal, go back and read the chapters where she's been furious over ponies hurting or taking advantage of Silver. This pony that she just invited into their herd is the pony who started it. How in the world does in make sense for her to invite to marriage the pony at the foundation of Silver's hardships for the past dozen chapters? This is about as romantic as telling a woman to marry her rapist. Something that Luna was very loudly opposed to when it was Lyra, who SIlver actually liked. Now when it's a pony Silver isn't even attracted to, suddenly Luna is on board with it?
11363317
You are entirely correct. This is not healthy.
11363322
...oh. So I'm totally jumping the gun and it goes about the way you'd expect? Alright, no worries. Maybe I should have more faith in the author. But wow, I guess I just really felt the need to point out the obvious.
Cheers.