Part 3
“If you feel she’s up to it, Princess. I defer to your judgement on such matters.”
“Wonderful! Escargot, the train leaves at 8 am. As my student, I’d prefer if you were there on time. I don’t want to have to ask the girls to go looking for you. Pinkie is a master of hide & seek: she can find anypony if she puts her mind to it.”
I wonder if I could outrun Pinkie? Ok wait, Rainbow Dash can’t outrun Pinkie. Yep, I’m doomed.
Snails ½: You and I
It was nearing dinnertime when Snails trotted up to his front door, covered from nose to tail in dirt and sweat. He was dusty, with leaves and branches tangled in his mane. He was hungry and tired. He was a colt, and happy for it. He’d spent the last few hours happily playing in the dirt, mud, and shrubs, just being Snails.
He jumped and shook himself off on the doormat to get the bulk of it off, then trotted inside.
“Oh Snails, you’re a disaster. Go upstairs and get cleaned up.” His mom said, gesturing towards the stairs. “We have company.”
“Ok mom. Is the hot water working?”
“Heart Wrench said our little heater was being overworked. It should be ok as long as we don’t use too much hot water.” She said.
Trotting past the living room, he glanced through the doorway to see Rarity sipping tea across from his dad. There are so many ways that can’t be good.
With a long, cold shower, Escargot got cleaned off, followed by a quick blast of hot water to change back into Snails. Doing that saved on the water he would NEED to survive. Without that hot water, he’d be doomed.
As he dried himself, he trotted downstairs to hear his father talk. “Honestly, sometimes I think Snails got his cutie mark for being slow. He learns at a snail’s pace, works at a snail’s pace, and now with this Escargot business, things are just getting worse. Do you know, I caught him wearing one of her dresses today. The very idea!”
Taking a deep breath, Snails walked into the living room and stopped short at Rarity’s face. She had her cheeks puffed out, and was looking a little red. Obviously she didn’t approve of him wearing the dress either.
“Hello dad. Hello ma’am.” Snails said nervously, and sat quietly on the floor.
After a brief nod of acknowledgement to Snails, Rarity turned back to Long Haul. “I see, that must have been very distressful, Mr Haul. I was wondering though, Escargot...”
“Honey, Princess Twilight is at the door. She wants to speak with you.”
“Send her in! Don’t keep the royalty waiting.” He looked down at Snails and cleared his throat. “Snailsquirm, I expect you to behave with the honor, integrity, and pride befitting an earth pony in the presence of Princess Twilight.”
“Yes, dad.” Snails said, keeping his head down. His father, his teacher, and Rarity all together in one room with him? It was PTA night all over again. But with a princess. And he was cursed. It was only a matter of time before the water struck again.
“Would anyone care for a cold drink?” His mother asked.
“No, thank you.” Twilight said as she sat down.
“I’m fine dear.”
“Thank you, but I have my tea to sip.” Rarity said, doing just that.
“I’ve been trying to find Escargot’s parents.” Twilight said, “She doesn’t talk about them much, past the fact that they don’t want her practicing magic.”
“She’s from out of town. I haven’t had much time to talk to her myself.” Snails’ mom said, “She didn’t even have a place to stay, so I let her stay here. One of these days I’ll just have to have a sit down with her.”
“She’s not here now, though?” Twilight asked, tilting her head in curiosity.
“No, I haven’t seen her since this morning.” His father said, “But Snails met up with her just after lunch.”
“Has she been doing her magical homework?” Twilight asked, “Her studies are very intensive. She’s a wonderful student, but she seems to have problems with some of the fundamentals.”
Snails cringed at the word 'fundamentals'. That’s a term he never wanted to learn. He couldn’t spell it, but he knew it had nothing to do with fun. In fact, he was pretty sure that if he looked the word up in a dictionary, the definition would be the opposite of fun.
“I hope not. We are a traditional house- we don’t allow magic here.” His father said.
Both Rarity and Twilight blinked at Snails, “What about your son?”
“We’ve chosen to raise him as an earth pony. He shows no aptitude or interest in magic.” His father stated with finality.
“Well, do you mind if Escargot comes with us for a few days to the Crystal Empire?” Twilight asked.
“Shouldn’t be a problem. Snails, can you go find Escargot?”
“Yes, dad.” Snails stood up and blinked, looking around. Where to ‘look’ for her? Where to change? Outside water hose would be best, probably.
“Snails, I said go. Don’t just stand there.” His father said sternly.
“Sorry.” Snails turned and ran outside and sat down by the garden hose. Looking around, he made sure no one was around, before tentatively turning on the water.
Shaking dry, he returned as Escargot. As long as they didn’t expect them together, this should be fine.
Escargot trotted in and sat down, greeting Rarity and Twilight. “Hello Ms. Rarity, hello Princess.”
“They are here to make sure you are prepared for and allowed on the trip.” Her father said.
“Yes fa-” he shook his head and faked a sneeze. “Yes sir.”
Stupid, stupid, stupid, he thought. I need to be more careful.
Rarity smiled softly and moved to sit beside Escargot, touching her side to the filly’s. “I do hope Snails hung up your dress for the trip, rather than just leaving it on the floor.”
“I- I haven’t checked.” Escargot said.
“So, there is no problem with her visiting the Crystal Empire with me for a few days?” Twilight watched Rarity fussing a bit with Escargot’s mane.
“Technically, she’s not our responsibility, so I see no reason why she can’t.” Snails’ father said with a nod. “If you feel she’s up to it, Princess. I defer to your judgement on such matters.”
“Wonderful! Escargot, the train leaves at 8 am. As my student, I’d prefer if you were there on time. I don’t want to have to ask the girls to go looking for you. Pinkie is a master of hide & seek: she can find anypony if she puts her mind to it.”
I wonder if I could outrun Pinkie? Ok wait, Rainbow Dash can’t outrun Pinkie. Yep, I’m doomed. Escargot thought to himself. Why does everyone want to sic the guards on me if I don’t show up? What did I do to deserve that?
“I will be up early, in case you need any help before the trip. Oh, and do be a darling, and let Snails know that if he needs any help, or simply a pony to talk to, he can stop by any time. Although, I would prefer if he were clean when he does so. I do so hate dirt in my store.” Rarity said, standing up.
Blinking, Escargot shook his head briefly and looked up at Rarity. “I will.”
“As for the Crystal Empire, trust me, you and I are going to have such a fabulous time! I hear their hot springs are to die for.” Rarity wiped her brow melodramatically before trotting out, head held high.
She had to say die, didn’t she?
Snails’ mom came in, wiping off her apron, “Will you be joining us for dinner tonight, Escargot?”
“I- I don’t feel so well. I think I’m just going to go to my room and lay down.”
“Oh nonsense, you need to eat something. I’ll make you a some sandwiches and juice.” She said.
“Honey, she said she didn’t-” He stopped abruptly, and, if he could’ve, would’ve undid everything he’d just said. Snails’ mom had long ago mastered the ‘you’re sleeping on the couch tonight’ look. She didn’t use it often, which was probably why it was so effective when she did.
Trotting into the the bathroom, Escargot picked up the dress and carried it into 'her' room. “Ok, dress is ready, packed, books are ready. Now, I just need to survive. Hot springs, hot tubs, exploding hot water pipes, accidents from pegasi- I shouldn’t have a problem. No problem at all.”
The door opened, and Snails’ mom walked in, “Here you go: hot ginger carrot soup. Nothing helps settle an upset stomach quite like it. It's Snails’ favorite when he’s sick. Here, I also made some lettuce, tomato, cheese and cucumber sandwiches.” she paused “You know, Rarity seems to worry about you a lot as well.”
“How comes Snails isn’t an earth pony?” Escargot asked. It was never a question that had occurred to him before; It just came up with thinking about using magic, and how Rarity was treating him... Well, Escargot.
Snails’ mom sighed wistfully, “My mom was a unicorn. Though she died when I was young, I can still remember her horn shine: it was the most beautiful golden, like a fresh harvest and the gold of the sun. Just like your eyes. She died during a magical storm created by a monster from the Everfree. She stayed with me, my husband Long Haul, and his parents, trying to protect us all. The strain was too much for her though- Only Long Haul and I survived. I still remember her bright glow, keeping the storm at bay for so long. I think he still blames her for not saving his parents. It’s why he doesn’t like or trust magic.”
Escargot closed his eyes gently, then lit his horn, filling the room with the soft, golden light of his Hornshine.
His mom hugged her tightly, tears in her eyes, “Oh Escargot, it’s just like my mom’s- Almost exactly how I remember it. Who knows, maybe you two are related somehow.” Standing up, Snails’ mom backed off. “Now eat up, and then get some rest. You have a big day tomorrow.” As her mom left the room, he asked her, “What was her name? Your mom’s?”
“Clover. She was a lucky little unicorn at times, so some called her Serendipity.”
Thumping his head against the wall several times, Escargot grumbled. Whose bright idea was that name again? Oh yeah, Sweetie Belle. I need to thank her so very much.
Now that Snails knows his dark past, he can finally become Batmare!
6251428
Umm to be Batmare he'd have to accept and embrace the darkness that is... Escargot.
cuz everyone knows true superhero's are only females. Hence the name, Batmare. Not batstallion or batcolt.
6251443 He can be torn between his two identities as well, that works for a Batmare too.
ok the end of this chapter needs a warning Kleenex required.
a really good chapter KC good work.
I do hope Snails hug up your dress
1. Hung.
Hmm... If Snails is having slight trouble with phonetics this early on, I'm worried about later when he has to do things on the fly more often than not. I also wonder if he actually will have a sort of... 'Cursed companion' to be with. Or he could be forever alone. We shall see...
I really wanna see Snails aka Escargot's life improve due to his/her magical education. I also suddenly really dislike Snails dad, and wish to slap him with a Salmon.., REPEATEDLY. The fact is Snails will not be able to hide his curse from his/her parents forever, and eventually they will figure it out, and by then it will be to late for them do to jack about it, Snails AKA Escargot will be proficient in magic as a result of being in Celestia's school. Further he/she will have friends in high places, who will no allow Snails family to hurt him/her mentally or physically (not saying his family would mind you but just throwing that out there) I DO have to wonder though, how Snail's parents would react his he/she ascended to an Alicorn.
6253470 So you like Long Haul too? The perfect combination of Genma and Nodoka's worst possible qualities in a single easily hateable stallion.
Kitsy don't let me chainsaw him.
I'm not sure Snails could handle the accession, though. Maybe there's a better way to improve him.
6254256 please refresh my memory, what is the long haul?
6254286 Snails' father.
6254290 OH! I thought you were referencing a story title
As other readers have pointed out Snail's family is kinda out of line here. From how it sounds, because of his little magic they are raising him as an Earth pony but it sounds like they do not like magic in the family. (Ugh I just could not get that any less wordy) I hope Twilight finds out and will help Snails out here and get him out of what feels like a toxic home environment. They seem to prefer a daughter over their own son even!
Overall great chapter and looking forward to the next chapter!
6272026
Well, we have Apple family (and, most prominently, Silly Pony) as a prime example how earth ponies can be about unicorn magic. So while it's not something good, it could be something traditional (and the reason why nopony else noticed that "Snails don't have interest in magic" is coming not from Snails himself, his encounters with Trixie tell us another story).
It's a common thing, especially in traditional cultures, when a guest may expect better treatment than a family member, and Escargot is, in their eyes, a guest.
6274107
Again, for that take the apple family and our resident silly pony. When they go on the road trip and pinky tags along. Apple Jack does everything she can to try and put a "fake face" on the family, of them never arguing, never fighting, never having disagreements... All for the benefit of pinky. They welcome her into the family then try and make themselves appear to be the ultimate family when she's there...
*skips off singing* you're more fun then the color pink or balloons flying over your favorite drink, the live I feel is swim not sink as we travel across this land...
It would be nice if the cold open didn't copy the chapter verbatim.
yeah, I am not a fan of snails' dad either, I hope he has a punchable face. He isn't quite as bad Genma, BUT HE FEELS LIKE HE SHOULD BE. (then again, msot of genma's worst offences came from his stupidity, selfishness and shortsightedness)
“Send her in! Don’t keep the royalty waiting.”
Oh brother
I’ll make you
asomeTrotting into
thethe bathroom,“Clover. She was a lucky little unicorn at times, so some called her Serendipity.”
Thumping his head against the wall several times, Escargot grumbled. Whose bright idea was that name again? Oh yeah, Sweetie Belle. I need to thank her so very much.
Oh the irony
What are you doing to my feels! You fiend! Jeeze, I'm bouncing all over with this fic:
1st chapter: Hahaa!
2nd chapter: Awww...
3rd chapter: D'awww...
I'm pretty sure that Long Haul's treatment of Snails counts as domestic abuse. Sure, it's not physical, but he forces Snails to reject something that should be innate to him, magic, and raise him like an Earth Pony in spite of the fact that he's not an Earth Pony. It would be like strapping a pegasus' wings to their sides from birth and never allowing them to fly. Sure, some would be fine, like Bulk Biceps, but most wouldn't do well, and I'm fairly certain forcing your child to reject something intrinsic to them counts as domestic abuse, similar to cutting off the genitalia of a male child. By the way, there was once an experiment done by a psychologist: There were two boys, brothers. They had just been born. So, he decided that it would be an interesting experiment to cut off their genitals and have them be raised like females to see if that could make them act and think like females. He declared his experiment successful, in spite of the fact that the two he experimented on both committed suicide. What Long Haul is doing to Snails is on par with or close to that in terms of how bad it is.
8389927
Agreed. This is definitely something foal services should look into.
8409903
The sad thing is, how many children actually grow up like this and end up badly injured because of it. Think of the number of "Hockey" and "Football" Dads out there. Even if their child isn't physically build or skilled at the sport, is simply not "genetically disposed" to be an athlete. Their parents "ban them" from using computers, saying "playing computer games" will get you nowhere. "no son of mine will be some computer geek." "I served in the US army, your grandfather served in the US Army in vietnam, Your great grandfater served in ww2. We go back 5 generations, there is now way 5 generations of breeding would raise a whimp." and this ends up with a child being repeatdly hurt, beaten on, often treated bad by their own team. This is something that plays out almost daily.
8410061
Just started reading the story now, but what you say right here resonates with me.
I've got the build to be a Rugby player, but not the inclination.
I'm a Gamer, a Nerd, and a Cosplayer, but my parents were outdoorsy, one with nature, "Don't watch TV, go climb a Tree" (I did quite enjoy climbing up high, though) people. I was banned from being inside on a fine day, was only allowed very limited computer use.
I used to have to pretend to be asleep, and then have a torch under the covers to read at night.
Fortunately, my parents eventually grew out of that phase, and realised that I am who I am.
But for many young people, that isn't the case, and some of them decide they can't go on, being someone they are not.
And you can't just tell them to be who they want to be, either. They have to find it for themselves. All you can do is help them along, as friends.
I think that's part of what drew me to the FiM world. The idealism.
Anyways, that is far too much deep thought, for such a good story.
9535536
change made. and thanks for the read. LOL