Bathtime for Ponies Part 2

by Starry Eyed

Ruby Punch (Co-op with Berry Punch)

You finish filling up the bath tub for today’s bath. With all the necessary preparations complete, you go to get the foal you are looking out for today. Or more accurately, the mother of the foal you are looking out for. You get up off the mat and make your way to the living room to check up on them.

When you arrive, you see Berry Punch and her daughter Ruby Punch playing with some toy blocks. These blocks have letters on them, and Berry is desperately, but patiently and calmly, trying to get Ruby to practice talking. Berry holds a block with the letter ‘A’ on it, “Now sweetie, what sound does ‘A’ make?” Ruby looked up wide eyed, thought for a moment, and went, “Ah.” Berry Smiled before scurrying to get the next block. “Very good. Now, what sound does ‘B’ make.” Ruby didn’t answer. She was tired of playing this game and had noticed you.

Berry also noticed you, “Oh sitter, didn’t see you there. Hold on a second, she can do it I know she can. Ruby dear, what sound does ‘B’ make?” Ruby responded, “Ah-ba-goo?” Berry thought it was cute, but it turns out that’s not the sound ‘B’ makes. Berry sighed. You reassure her, “Don’t worry about it. Most foal’s her age can’t talk at all. She’s doing exceptionally well thanks to you.” Berry couldn’t help but smile, but felt like she could do better, “Thanks sitter. I just… really want her to do well you know?”

You nod in understanding. “Don’t worry, I’ll help you with talking practice later.” Berry realizes it must be bathtime, “Oh sorry, I got caught up in what I was doing. Let’s go, I got Pinch.” Whenever Berry talked to Ruby she always called her by name, but sometimes her nickname, Pinch (short for Berry Pinch) would slip out instinctually. You write it off as one of those things, and make your way to the tub.

You stand by the door, waiting for Berry to bring Ruby, which only takes a minute. You close the door as Berry puts Ruby in the tub. Finally you head over and join Berry on the mat, ready to begin. Berry hoofs you your travel bag, which you start rummaging through.

Berry suddenly looks as though she just remembered something important, “Oh yeah, you did remember to get something other than grape flavored shampoo didn’t you?” You pull out your shampoo, “Yeah I did. I’m still not sure why you insisted on it though.” Berry gestures to her cutie mark, “Punch! Punch is my special talent. Not grapes, not strawberries, and not wine. I love grapes more than anyone, but that doesn’t mean everything I have has to be grape flavored. Does… that make sense?”

You nod, it does make since actually. Even your favorite things would get old eventually. Berry perks up, “So what brand did you go with?” You hand her the bottle, “Pretty n’ Pink” you know, since she’s pink.” Berry rolls her eyes slightly, but is smiling.

Now that you are all ready to begin, you open your hand and Berry gives you a handful of shampoo. You begin massaging the cool pink gel into her little pink mane. The gel slowly turns white as it becomes a fine lather, and in about thirty seconds her mane is fully sudsy.

Berry watches the whole process, “Are you sure you cleaned behind her ears?” You are confident you did a fine job, “Yes, I’m sure.” Berry looks almost apologetic, “Sorry, I’m just being a mom.” You assure her she doesn’t need to be sorry for that, and start to scoop up some water. Berry however assumed you were going to use the crystal rinsing dish since it was in your travel bag, and presents it to you. You take the dish and begin rinsing Ruby’s hair out. Berry is amazed that you have a rinsing dish made out a solid sapphire, “What’s the story behind the overly fancy dish?” You consider the question for a moment, “Let’s just say the crystal empire has no shortage of precious gems, so they just gave it to me."

You pour the contents of the dish over Ruby's mane seven times and her mane is totally clean. You now ask Ruby to lift her tail, but she doesn't seem to understand, and does nothing. Berry reaches in and lifts Ruby's tail for you, and you start. Since Berry is busy, you have to get the shampoo yourself, and then begin lathering Ruby's tail. Ruby seems to understand that she needs to be standing up now, so she stands until you finish lathering her tail.

Thirty seconds later, both Berry and you feel that it's time to rinse, but Ruby, seeing no need to stand now that (she thinks) you're done, sits down. Berry tenderly tries to coax her to stand up again, but you assure her that it's not a problem. You reach into the tub and hand rinse the tail while it is underwater by scrubbing the suds out. Berry is impressed, and takes a moment to stare at one of her hooves.

You ask her if everything is ok, to which Berry responds that it must be nice to have fingers when you need to shampoo hair. You agree, but having never had hooves, you're just speculating. After all, these ponies never seem to stop surprising you with all the things they can build and tasks they can do with their hooves alone.

You give Ruby the toys to play with, which she takes happily. Almost immediately after being given the toys, she hands half of them to her mother so that she can play along. Berry understands, and plays boats with her daughter for a minute or so.

With the bath over, you unplug the tub and pick Ruby up. You set her on the mat between you and her mother, and gently begin drying her off. Berry is again impressed by the precision your hands give you over pretty much everything. “Thanks sitter. You’ll never know how much I’ve appreciated your help.” You accept the praise, “you’re welcome, it’s no trouble.”

Berry smiles, “Thanks. Now if only I could get her to talk.” Berry picks her little girl up and tenderly hugs her, “But that can wait. I love you so much Ruby.” Ruby is somewhat taken by surprise by the suddenness of the hug, but quickly snuggles into her mother’s warm embrace. “I… love… you… momma.”

Your eyes go wide, but not as much as Berry’s, “She talked! She talked, oh I’m so proud of you Ruby! Oh I love you.” Ruby giggles as she can almost feel how happy her mother is, “I… I love you momma!”

Author's Note:

"Starry are you..."

"No! It's liquid pride! Liquid pride I say!"

Comments

[FicusCat]

Hard to write story about such an obscure character heh ?

I really like this Pinchy, the artist was really good at drawing her, but it's really diabete inducing :)

But keep up the good work, I like this kind of story, just for the cute factor.

[Sothe17]

Liquid pride is everywhere.

[SuperPinkBrony12]

The feels man! I can't take the feels!

[Icarus Crimsonhoof]

Liquid pride for the win.

[TwilightsmyMare]

Daww! So sweet!

[Death is disturbed]

Liquid pride https://youtu.be/_6p-tlzJEsQ