> A Royal Appetite > by Nekiyha > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Chapter 1 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- The coronation was over, for which Midnight was both grateful for and terrified to realize.  It had happened, it was real, it wasn’t some sick fever dream. Her parents were gone, killed in some accident that her father had concocted. An explosion in his workshop, trying to show his wife his newest invention. It had taken six long months to get everything ready, and now it was done, it was almost a relief. Leaving behind their daughter and sole heir of Trotsylvania. She’d been raised to rule of course, and was prepared, but that didn’t dim the pain she felt at their loss. Or the worry that she would somehow ruin all her parents’ hard work for their nation. Now, she was seated in her office. Sitting in her favourite office chair, looking over paperwork. Bills, receipts, security reports, catering bills. It seemed almost endless, but it was all that went into making her coronation happen. And settling the paperwork would be a good first step as ruler. The door to her office opened, and Midnight looked up. Polaris was one of her most faithful guards. A changeling, taller than average, with black chitin and blue mane and tail. His eyes were blue, the same colour as his magical aura. He was loyal though, and had been for as long as Midnight could remember. “Something needs my attention?” She guessed. “No, Miss Midnight.” Polaris said, shifting his weight a little from hoof to hoof. “Today has been a long day, and I thought perhaps you might want to rest and relax. Even just a little. You barely touched your dinner, and before you lose yourself in all the paperwork, you really should eat something.” Midnight’s position as a royal gave her ample opportunity to indulge in her favourite vice: food. However, she’d never let it get in the way of her work before. At least not majorly. Most of her subjects knew her love of food and were always keen to see if their culinary creations would pique her interest or become a new favourite.  Midnight loved food, and it showed on her figure. A young adult, she was already overweight. Never really having lost the weight of youth, she’d only added more pounds to her frame. Leaving her fat, bordering on obesity, but still healthy. She was a bat pony, a thestral, with purple eyes and dark purple mane and tail. Her fur was grey, with very distinctive markings across her body. Ranging from white freckles on her face, to socks on all four legs, to spots on her flanks. Midnight was round. Her thestral wings were barely touched by the excess weight, the thin membranes unable to support the same fat growth as a pegasus or griffon wing for example, but that meant the rest of her absorbed her excess pounds with relative ease.  Midnight was doughy, her stomach hung just below her knees from a barrel wide enough that her potbelly didn’t really swing beneath her anymore. It was jostled and jiggled by her waddling legs continually needing to push it out of their way so she could walk, but that was it. Her rear had also ballooned, forming into two jiggling saddlebags that threatened to overhang her hocks. The rest of her was chubby too, with chubby legs, jiggling shoulders, and a poofy pigeon chest to match her chubby cheeks, double chin, and wobbly neck.  Midnight stared at the piles of paperwork for a moment, but then her stomach rumbled. A pang of hunger shooting through her right through to her spine. She let out a soft groan, “Alright, Polaris, you might have a point.” Slipping out of her chair, sending her fatty rolls wobbling with the movement, “Bring me to the banquet hall, then. I’ll eat dinner, and then I’ll tackle the paperwork.” “Thank you, ma’am.” Polaris grinned, opening the door for her. “I don’t mind helping with the paperwork, either. I just don’t want you to go hungry.” Midnight chuckled, hefting the weight of her stomach with a hoof. “Unlikely, though I appreciate the concern. I’ll take you up on the offer of help, though. Thank you Polaris, for worrying after me.” Shooting him a brilliant smile that rivaled the shine of her crown as she walked by. Polaris followed after, quite taken with the view as he lagged behind.  (LINE BREAK) The next morning, Midnight made her way into her private dining room. Feeling...not better, necessarily, grief still weighed heavily on her heart, but eager to face the day and get started with her new responsibilities.  She entered the room, lavishly decorated with a beautiful breakfast table her mother had purchased her years ago, only to find it already occupied. Polaris stood to one side, in his amour, clearly waiting for her to arrive.  A huge breakfast was spread across the table. Sausages, bacon, toast with butter, eggs, pancakes, hash browns, waffles, orange juice, coffee, and muffins. This was...well this was a lot of food, even for her. Midnight rubbed at her eyes with her fetlock, trying to shake the last remnants of sleep from her mind. “You didn’t need to do all this. I just need some coffee and toast.” Everything else looked delicious too, but she wasn’t sure how much work she’d be able to get done if she was in a stage five food coma. “You need to keep your energy up.” Polaris offered by way of explanation. “And to take care of yourself, some of the best ways to do that is through diet.” Midnight went to sit down, staring at all the food with no small amount of trepidation. She enjoyed her feasts, made her love of gourmet food well known, but still. This was quite a lot of food for one pony, royal or no. “I...appreciate your candor.” Midnight said after a few moments. Pouring herself some coffee and helping herself to some toast, some juice, and a couple of sausages. The room smelled amazing, like the best of breakfast, and it was all right there begging for her to eat it all, but...could she? Polaris grinned. “We, the staff, worry about you. Just want to make sure you’re alright, or as all right as you can be.” Midnight nodded, and started eating. True to form, the few pieces of toast weren’t enough to quell her appetite. Nor were the sausages. The coffee helped wipe the last thoughts of sleep from her mind, but that made her all the more aware of how hungry she felt. She took a helping of everything, still piping hot from the hot platters, and found they were as delicious as they looked and smelled. Her stomach started to bloat out a little by the time she finished her second round of food, but she still had a little extra room for more.  By the time she’d finished the sausages, her stomach felt like one. Packed full and ready to burst if she ate more. Only...she didn’t. She started to flag, especially when faced with the heavy starchiness of some of the items on offer. Polaris stepped away from his post to continue feeding her. Using his magic to guide food to her muzzle while using his hooves to rub her stomach, helping ease her pain and making her feel better. Platter by platter, Polaris helped Midnight devour it all.  By the end of it, her chair was pushed back from the table. Her stomach stretched out and taught, fur looking thin and patchy in places because she’d bloated so much. Polaris wiped off the crumbs and sauces dotting Midnight’s muzzle and staining her chubby cheeks, giving her a few moments to rest and recuperate. She was panting weakly for breath, rubbing at her stomach with her own hooves as she fought to keep the feast down. It had been so delicious, it would be an insult to get sick now… After a few minutes of digestion, Polaris helped guide Midnight to her hooves. Then helped her out of the room, leaving behind platters with little more than crumbs left.  Midnight belched, waddling all the more tenderly towards her office, not wanting to jostle her sensitive stomach more than she already was. She had work to do, if she could focus enough for it, which could be hard considering how full she was, but well worth the effort.  Maybe Polaris could help with the paperwork. Make it go quicker, and made it so she wouldn’t need to press her stomach against the edge of her desk in order to write. Now that was an idea. (LINE BREAK) It had been a month since her coronation, and once more Midnight found herself working on paperwork in her office. The paperwork was endless, full of royal claims, diplomatic messages, trade negotiations, and so much more it was hard to keep track of it all. Even with the few clerks that helped her have the time to be able to do things like sleep and eat. Hunched over her desk, in spite of a protesting neck, Midnight was snacking as she worked. A large dish of candies was on her left, while more ink pots were on her right. Made things easy to keep track of and made it far less likely that she’d accidentally drink the ink, or ink water when she was done cleaning her quills. The door flung open and Polaris stepped in, his bright eyes alarmed until they scanned the room and found her. “Oh! Your majesty, you’re late for lunch.” “No,” Midnight frowned, “I’m fine. Got my light snack here to tide me over until this paperwork is done.” Most of it just needed her signature and a quick double checking for errors, but there was so much of it to be done that Midnight could still be stuck in her office for a few hours. “I’ve left it long enough as is.” “Queen Midnight, please, candy simply isn’t-” “No.” Midnight didn’t look up at him. Her double chin was all the more pronounced, chubby cheeks almost quivering with...something. Anger? Frustration? Polaris wasn’t sure. “It needs to be done, I can’t keep putting it off.” Polaris watched her work for a little while longer, a sour expression on his face, before he suddenly brightened and left. Midnight took the opportunity to go through some more documents, trade negotiations this time. Boring work, perhaps, but they needed it. Needed to export their excess lumber for crops that could be hard to grow up here in the cold… Midnight was so lost in the paperwork that she missed the sounds of an approaching cart laden with food. Take a mouthful of candy, sign a form. Speed read through for mistakes, or other places for her to sign, another mouthful of candy. She was in the groove, starting to fly through the easier forms, when the door opened. Polaris had returned, with a grin on his face. “Well, if you won’t go to lunch, I figured lunch could come to you.” The cheeky grin only widening at the look on Midnight’s face. The cart was loaded with food. Several footlong sandwiches, cheesy quesadillas, greasy burritos, what had to be an entire pan of brownies, two boxes of doughnuts, a cake the size of her head, and several different drinks. A galleon of milkshakes, a gallon of juice, and some coffee. “Polaris, I don’t have time for lunch, I have to sign these-” “Then sign them while I feed you.” Polaris said smartly. “We can try it at least, right? No point starving yourself over trade negotiations with Trottingham.” Midnight heaved a sigh, even as Polaris’ bright blue magic enveloped one of the sandwiches and lifted it from the plate. “Just the one sandwich, but that’s it.” She returned to the paperwork as the sandwich drifted in front of her. Letting her take bites out of it while she signed paperwork and read.  The first sandwich went down a treat, she had to admit, and then Polaris was grabbing the next.  She turned, “Pol-” only to have the sandwich be shoved into her mouth. She bit down and chewed the morsel, “No-” Again she was forced to take a bite. She heaved an annoyed sigh, “Pola-” And again, cut off. She furrowed her brows at him, a clear sign of her annoyance, and was only met with a bright grin in response. She heaved a sigh, but then nodded, and returned to her paperwork. Letting Polaris take care of her, feeding her bite after bite of the delicious palace food. Midnight was wrapped up in her paperwork again within minutes, even with being fed. Finding her own groove in between bites, and enjoying the pampering in spite of herself. Somehow Polaris even managed to break up the monotony with drinks, which was appreciated.  Time passed as she worked. Midnight ate without thinking. She didn’t need to expend precious energy on something so basic beyond chewing and swallowing, and after an hour that was background motion. No more difficult than signing her name on the dotted line.  Midnight was more uncomfortable, however, as she ate on. Her stomach bloating outward, pushing against the harsh edge of her desk. Her stomach stretched out from what was being fed into it. Pain darted its way through the abused organ, but Midnight gave it the same attention she did her aching shoulders: none. She jumped a bit though, her rolls wobbling at the sudden movement, when Polaris moved in and rested his hooves on her stomach. Rubbing her bloated, round, ball of a belly as he continued feeding her. Soothing her gut as it swelled with each bite swallowed.  By the time the cart was empty, the chair was pushed back away from the desk, and Midnight’s chair was creaking as loudly as Midnight’s stomach was rumbling, trying to digest the food. It was painful, stuffed taut, but it was pleasurable in its own way. Polaris gave one last rub of Midnight’s stomach, earning a slight moan for his troubles, before bending to press a quick kiss to its expanse. “I’ll tell the chefs to get started on dinner.” Another groan, “Polaris, wai-” Except the changeling was already gone, shutting the door behind him. Leaving Midnight to rub at what parts of her stomach she could reach and wondering if he’d be willing to help with paperwork when he came back. (LINE BREAK) It had been...two months, since that first day that Polaris had brought her lunch in her office. Midnight thought, though it was a little hard to tell sometimes she was still so busy. She’d hired more assistant and clerks, and they helped to lighten the workload, but Polaris was still her rock. Her steady friend through everything. Making sure she ate and took proper care of herself.  Unbeknownst to her, she was actually getting more and more used to being pampered. Thus her need for more assistants: so Midnight could delegate the work and spend more time eating. She still insisted on signing off on most things, double checking to ensure her kingdom was doing well in between holding court and listening to her subjects.  What was becoming an issue, however, was her weight. Midnight sighed, wincing a little at the reminder. She’d piled on a lot of pounds over the last months. Her grueling work schedule didn’t leave much time for exercise, not that she’d been fond of it before her parents’ death. Midnight was large and flabby, clinging to mobility through sheer stubbornness and force of will. A decent portion of her stomach rested on the ground now, the soft flab constantly dragging along as she waddled. The fur had been rubbed off, and the skin underneath was tender, red, and swollen. Rubbed red and raw from constant friction, it still hurt her, even now. Polaris, helping her get into bed the other night, had spotted it. And had demanded Midnight take a day off, go to the  royal spa for a full day of treatment. Citing her long hours as a justifiable enough of an excuse, and pointing out that if she didn’t get her skin seen to it could worsen into a wound.  Midnight had caved, which had led her here. To the airy, beautiful spa located under the castle proper, taking advantage of the hot springs there. It wasn’t...bad, Midnight decided, but it was strange. To be so physically vulnerable with some of her subjects. And keenly, keenly, aware of her weight gain with each step. The sauna had been nice, at least, as had the warm consomme along with it. A rich, clear broth that had clearly been laboured over for a long time. It made her sweat all the more, which was arguably the point. The massage had been good as well. The ponies really knew what they were doing, and had massaged all the tight muscles into relaxing again. Kneading Midnight’s soft, supple flesh until it almost hurt. It had taken her a little while to gather her strength enough to get off the massage table and descend into a mud bath. Where she was now. And she had a problem. Not only had her increased bulk dispersed some of the mud and made a mess, but she was now stuck. Tired and relaxed enough she couldn’t force her way out of the tub. With her wings pinned behind her, she couldn’t even use them for an extra push. Midnight was a massive, blubbery mare. It was evident, even with the mud bath. Her chubby cheeks had lost their fight with gravity, sinking down slightly  to rest with her jowls and extra chins, wobbling with the slightest movement of her head. Her neck was wobbling too, packed with extra fat but not quite enough to hide it completely. Underneath the mud, the rest of her was just as doughy, just as fat-ridden. Her stomach was her largest asset by far, but the rest of her was coated in adipose too. Leaving her wobbling and jiggling even at rest, the act of her breathing being enough to send her shifting, fatty rolls into movement. Polaris, who had been watching the proceedings eagerly and had continued to slip her food throughout, watched curiously as Midnight once again struggled to reach a hoof up high enough to start stepping out of the mud bath. She failed, and rested again, panting weakly for breath. “It’s no matter, my lady.” He grinned. “We’ll help.” Flying over to help support her weight, while another spa employee pushed from behind. They managed it, eventually, before leading Midnight to a place where the mud would be rinsed off.  The warm soak was phenomenal. The heat sinking into her bones, her joints, relieving the aches and pains that had built back up as she’d struggled to get out of the mud bath. “My apologies, I should have helped sooner.” A sharp grin, and Polaris leaned in to whisper in her ear, “I was simply enraptured by your beauty.” Midnight was glad that she was already blushing because of the heat, but waved a hoof. “Bring me some food, please, I’m hungry.” “Of course.” Polaris half bowed, flying off. He returned but a few minutes later, with a large platter full of pastries. Rich, sugar glazed pastries that Midnight started gobbling down with nary a thought. Leaving Midnight to her gorging for now, he fluttered off again. Midnight could hear him speaking to some of the employees, maybe organizing other steps in the process? Getting more food? Berating them for not helping her out of the mud bath sooner? Midnight chased the questions away with the food, humming contentedly to herself as she went.  The cold soak was less comfortable, but it was supposed to help the skin and fur, and Midnight missed the rest of the explanation because her teeth had been chattering too loud. She sat long enough to eat a few cold cuts, while the chill penetrated her down to the very bone, before demanding to get out again.  They’d dried her off with warm towels before leading her to another section of the spa. Polaris hoof feeding her treats as they went.  They’d given her a beautiful, warm, bathrobe to lounge in as they started her hooficure. Cleaning it out, making sure she wasn’t at risk for going lame, and then trimming and shaping the hooves after a soak in warm water. It was luxurious, and lovely, and Midnight was fed fruit throughout, as well as a wonderful champagne.  Her wings were then preened, the thin membranes looked after and oiled, and then she was given a full grooming. The grooming was the hardest part, since she needed to stand for portions of it, but Polaris’ attention helped.  By this point, Midnight was full to bursting. Her stomach rounded out, packed tight of all sorts of food. Even with Polaris giving her tummy rubs didn’t quite help with the pain this time.  Eventually, the day of pampering over, Polaris helped her waddle her way back to her rooms. Midnight belched along  the way, feeling better for the day of relaxation. Even if it was forced. It had been a good idea, and now she felt clean and serene and ready to tackle any problem. Well, problems could wait until tomorrow. Only thing she wanted now was a good night's sleep. Polaris watched as Midnight flopped onto her bed, asleep in mere seconds. The bedframe creaked under her weight, though, clearly bending in the middle where Midnight had made a dip in the mattress. Another creak, a groan, and the bed frame gave out. Sending her crashing to the floor, only one corner still supported by the bedframe. She didn’t wake though, even as her rolls and folds wobbled about with the sudden change of position. She let out a snore, and nuzzled into her pillow, relaxing all the more.  Polaris grinned, ears twitching as the sounds of her stomach, beautiful and bountiful, gurgled away. Clearly trying to digest all the food it had been given on this day of rest. (LINE BREAK) Half a year since the coronation, a full year since her parents died, and Midnight’s mobility had finally given way. She relied heavily on a team of ponies to carry her around on a beautiful palanquin. Usually going between her rooms, the banquet chamber, and the throne room. All of which were getting a bit...tight, if she was being honest. The throne even more so, squeezing her rear enough to leave bruises as she continued to gain weight. Resting atop the palanquin, she could take in the sights of the castle at least. And, whenever she was in a mood, to go outside. Take in the fresh air, or see the gardens her subjects loved.  They rounded a corner, the palanquin creaking and groaning under her weight but still holding on. More so than the guards who had been carrying her, she’d gone through several teams of them in just the past two months alone! Such unprofessionalism.  This new lot seemed good, though. Sturdy and stocky, with strong backs and stronger legs. Like her! Well, maybe not legs, but she’d only had four and she’d managed well enough until her stomach pushed her high enough she could no longer bring her hooves to the ground. Finally, they made their way into the throne room. It was large, with a vaulted ceiling. Stained glass faced the rising sun in the east, while the walls were decorated in tapestries that spoke of their rich history. It made her heart ache to see the tapestry with her and her parents on it, made shortly after her birth. It hurt that they weren’t there. A year was not nearly enough time to deal with her grief. The throne was stone at the base, solid. With twisting, beautiful metal that made up the back. And it was getting far too small.  But that wasn’t what captured Midnight’s attention.  Polaris was talking with a large group of chefs, then caught sight of her out of the corner of his eye. He shot her a grin, said something else to the chefs, and trotted over to Midnight. “Hello, Midnight.” “Polaris.” Midnight returned. Swallowing dryly, shifting her weight a little to be more comfortable. “Is something going on?” “Since it’s the anniversary of your parents’ death, all official business has been postponed for today.” Polaris said gently. “With the exception of emergencies, court will not be held today. To give you, and your subjects, a chance to reflect and mourn.” Midnight offered a tentative smile, letting out a breath. Tension bleeding out of her body knowing that she didn’t need to put on a fake smile today. “Thank you-” “I’ve also taken liberty to plan something. Hopefully it helps take your mind off of painful memories.” Polaris nodded to the ponies carrying her, and they did what they did most mornings: carefully arranged things so that Midnight slid off the back of the palanquin and onto her throne.  Her bruises had bruises by this point, her sensitive flesh pinched and squeezed to the point of pain, but she grinned and bore it.  Polaris clapped his hooves together, twice, as the palanquin team left. And a stream of ponies entered. Bearing overladen carts and heaping trays. Unicorns settled a specially made table up on the dias so Midnight could eat by herself, if she wanted to, and the food was piled high onto it. Midnight was grateful for the distraction, and wasted no time trying to bury her feelings of guilt. Filling the hole in her heart with the one thing she clearly had in abundance: food. Breakfast started as it so often did: with eggs. Beautifully made Prench omelettes, eggs benedict with delicious crispy meats, loaded hash browns with the fanciest of melted cheeses on top, sausages, bacon, Prench toast, waffles, crepes, nothing was too common to be uplifted into something fitting the royal palette. Complicated pastries joined as well, followed shortly by some of her favourite snacks. The snacks were delicious. Tasty morsels bought from countries all over the world. Candy, chocolate, savoury crackers and cheeses, fancy cured meats, the freshest of fruits and vegetables. Midnight devoured them recklessly, no rhyme or reason behind her choices beyond the fact the food was there and she wanted to eat it. Polaris and a team of ponies (a few earth ponies, a couple thestrals, and a couple unicorns) all worked in tandem to help keep her clean and comfortable. Polaris paid special attention to Midnight’s gurgling stomach, rubbing its expanse with his hooves. One pegasi was massaging the rolls that ran down Midnight’s spine, the other was helping clean away the empty plates so the servants could continue piling food onto the table.  One unicorn was helping Midnight eat. Bringing plates closer to Midnight’s face so all she had to do was bend slightly to eat. The unicorn was also trying her best to keep Midnight clean, with a basin of warm water and several cloths, but it was an uphill battle from the start. The other unicorn was setting up more than just a few basic sanitation and wellness wards.  Midnight was still gorging, and her stomach was processing as quickly as it could. Gurgling, churning, rumbling with every new mouthful swallowed. Hours passed, and the amount of food didn’t let up. The breakfast snacks made way for lunch. Sandwiches piled high with cheese and cold cuts, quiches full of the most wonderful fillings, rich salads piled high with all sorts of goodies, savoury Prench toast, other savoury pastries. The food started to blur together as Midnight continued to eat, focusing more on satiating her endless hunger over focusing on the taste. As the hours ticked by, the assistants tasked with helping to make her comfortable still scurried about her bloating form. Polaris was still paying special attention to her stomach. Pressing sloppy kisses against it as he kneaded it, trying to help soothe the growing ache of fullness there as Midnight ate. If she was in pain, Midnight gave no hint of it. Only pausing her eating to let out a window-rattling belch, or to drink something that was on offer. Coffee, milkshakes, juice, water. The water was sparingly touched, in fact she seemed mostly interested in the milkshakes, but Polaris wasn’t going to complain. She deserved all the calories for all her hard work.  The first few rounds of dinner followed much the same pattern as the others. Snacks gave way to heavier meals. Pastas, pizza, roast fish and meat, thick stews, fragrant stir fries. All delicious, and well made. And then, well, Polaris could pinpoint what the kitchens were starting to run out of. One course, full of beautifully made and plated food, replaced by the next that was...well, it was quantity over quality. Greasy burgers, french fries, more pizza, tacos, all sorts of things that could be given the same attention but weren’t because of time.  If Midnight noticed the changes, she didn’t comment on it. If anything she ate all the quicker, her stomach almost visibly bloating outwards with every mouthful swallowed. Greasy, deep fried junk continued for a while. Mozzarella sticks, fried fish, chicken strips, all things practically dripping with the oil it was cooked in. Still piping hot, but it didn’t deter Midnight in the slightest. She kept on eating with that same frantic pace that she’d somehow kept up since early that morning. Polaris continued to massage her stomach. It felt tight under his hooves, stretched out from food and bloating both. Only the barest hints of softness were still present, but her gorging was rapidly stretching her stomach out to the point where her hundreds and hundreds of excess pounds could hardly be felt on her stomach for how full it was. The rest of her bulged ever outwards, wobbling and sloshing about as she continued her frantic eating. Her wings half buried in her sides, unable to flap due to the flab surrounding the joints. Rolls criss crossed her back, running along her spine. Her tail was wrapped up into a small ball to keep it out of the way, looking comically small in comparison to her massive, wobbling plot. Midnight’s cutie mark was stretched and faded beyond all recognition, even her markings were stretched out with fat. If it weren’t for her position, it would be difficult to tell who she was. She was squeezed into the throne, more flesh spilling out of it than what it contained. It looked tight, beyond uncomfortable, yet Midnight had yet to complain. Midnight’s upper half wasn’t spared the onslaught of extra calories either. Her neck was all but buried beneath a thick spare tire of fat that squished against her extra chins and chubby cheeks while simultaneously hanging down to merge with her fluffy pigeon chest and gargantuan stomach. Midnight was a massive mare, and looked like it.  She ate like it too, stretching her stomach out beyond what anyone might consider ‘normal’. As evidenced by the feast she was still currently enjoying.  The kitchen had been pumping food out for hours and hours, using up every available resource they had available and then outsourcing to other kitchens in the hope of help. The strain was showing now, in their food. Quality had dropped but they were still somehow managing to churn out delicious food, even if it didn’t look the best.  Eventually, though, the carts laden with dishes were instead laden with giant pots full of soups, and a few that contained oatmeal or saucy dishes with rice.  Midnight met them head on. Gulping down rich, creamy soups like they were a cold drink on a hot day. A thin, but delicious, beef soup went down a treat as well. The oatmeal a little less so, but Midnight did make her way through it nonetheless. Then vegetable soups, with added noodles, and then after that the soups were more of a broth. Thin, salty, with faint flavours of other things but no real heft to them beyond that. Midnight never complained, though Polaris was beginning to wonder how the chefs were faring. Preparing all this food, only to have one greedy mare gobble it all up for herself, nevermind their normal duties… As Polaris was doing his best to help the others keeping Midnight clean and comfortable, he couldn’t help but continue to massage her churning gut, enjoying the feeling of all that food packed into such a space. It...was different, and exciting, and he couldn’t help but wonder what this day of feasting would do to Midnight’s figure.  Flying above her back, Polaris was paying special attention to the area around her right wing. Massaging the tender flesh gently while one of the thestrals did the same on the other side. It was slow going, but Polaris didn’t mind. It meant he got to enjoy all his hard work… There came a sound, and Polaris’ ear twitched. He looked up, catching a glimmer of confusion on the thestral’s face as well. They opened their mouth, a question clear in their eyes, and then the sound came again. A grinding sound. Metal on stone? It was hard to place- Another sound, different from the first. Stone on stone, almost a cracking sound, and it was coming from… Polaris gave up his ministrations with a sigh, waving another to take his place in the meantime. Flying over Midnight’s plot to get a better look at the throne that Midnight was spilling out of. Cracks marred the foundation of the throne. The metal backing was bending and twisting, finally forcing apart because of Midnight’s amazing girth. The stone itself was crumbling, cracking apart with every mouthful Midnight managed to stuff into her groaning gullet.  One of the unicorns lifted a pot so Midnight could drain the last of its contents, and Polaris had never been so grateful for quick reflexes in his life. He heard the sound, almost, before it was audible to the rest and flew upwards out of the way just in time for the throne to fail. The metal back of the throne bent only to a point, before the anchors holding it in place warped and gave out. Debris sprayed out from behind Midnight, sending chunks of stone and pieces of metal across the floor. The first time some of them had been seen since the throne’s construction, if Polaris had to guess. One armrest of the throne all but flaked away, hitting the floor beneath the dias with the resounding sound of stone on tile.  Midnight’s flab surged into the new space. Enveloping what was left of the once notable landmark completely, and causing even more damage. Polaris could hear stones rubbing together, could literally see dust settling as Midnight shifted to get a bit more comfortable. It wasn’t a tight squeeze at least. Not anymore. The remaining armrest had forced Midnight’s flabby side into a false roll, but even that looked more comfortable than she had before. Polaris was pleased to note that Midnight didn’t seem to notice this change beyond a rough sigh. She utilized the last dregs of her mobility to shift a little, settling her weight across her body a bit more evenly Polaris suspected, but nothing more. Dessert started shortly after the throne fell apart. The food looked better than it had for a while, and Polaris was eager to see how much more Midnight could eat. She’d already crushed her throne, and arguably still was, but could she crush the dias? That was a question for eager minds, for sure, and Polaris couldn’t help but ponder the problem as he went back to rubbing Midnight’s stomach, kissing it, and nuzzling against it in turns.  Chocolates, pies, sweet pastries were all soon being all but poured into Midnight’s gullet as she continued. She was groaning by now, huffing and puffing in between bites. Quiet whimpers escaping her even as she pressed forward. The throne was still warping. Stone chunks could be heard falling away from the rest, while metal supports were bending under the weight they were struggling to support. The sound of stone on stone could still be heard, likely from where fragments were caught, rubbing against each other as Midnight’s weight continued to twist and crush them more.  Rather more quickly this time, but still slowly enough that Polaris caught the change, the quality started to suffer. Tarts with burnt edges that would never have been served to top table were present, as with other imperfect designs and experiments. All being sent up in the hopes of helping to quell Midnight’s voracious appetite.  Then, there was just whipped cream. Then it was just straight heavy cream. The thestrals straining to lift the containers high enough to pour the contents into Midnight’s awaiting gullet. Someone, at some point, pulled out a funnel. Midnight didn’t refuse it, accepting it eagerly so not to waste more time. Cake batter, pie fillings, sweet sauces were all poured into the funnel so she could slurp it up with ease. Not minding the unfinished state of her food at all, or not caring enough to make a fuss.  There was a slight pause, hardly noticeable if it weren’t for the preceding day, and servants brought ice cream. Which Polaris knew was likely it, but also knowing they had one hell of a lot of ice cream on offer so that Midnight would always have her choice of milkshake at meals whenever she wanted one. The sounds of Midnight’s messy eating overtook everything else: Polaris’ happy buzzing around, the squeaky wheels on the carts, the exhausted sighs of the workers. The only thing coming close to that noise was the sounds of her stomach struggling to digest the onslaught of calories it had seen in a relatively short amount of time.  Midnight continued to gorge, and Polaris was already beyond excited about the results.  (LINE BREAK) A year had passed since Midnight’s coronation, finally.  Midnight didn’t initially realize, or think all that much, about the date. Considering she’d become something of a permanent fixture in the throne room. Though the throne room was becoming somewhat cramped for her beautiful figure, she was well past the point of immobility. Her limbs were sunken into their own fatty sleeves of extra flesh. Even her back fat was rolling up the back of her head, creeping up and over to knock her crown askew from where it permanently rested atop her head.  She was utterly reliant on her staff. Teams of chefs delivered her meals and snacks, while a dedicated crew of servants worked with some of the best magicians she had available to keep her clean and comfortable. So, when a team of sixteen strong earth ponies filed into the room, and a team of unicorns followed, Midnight could tell something was going on. But didn’t quite know what.  Then, she’d been magically lifted into the air, a reinforced and specially made palanquin slipped underneath her, before she was set down again. The eight pairs of ponies worked in practised unison to lift her into the air. Midnight, in spite of herself, giggled. Her body wobbled about in the air, fat sloshing as the teams worked to get as comfortable as they could with her enormity pressed into their backs. Slowly, they made their way out of the ruined throne room and into the castle corridors.  The corridors were clear of furniture and ponies alike. Leaving Midnight to wonder and worry in turns. Wondering what was going on, why she was being moved. Worrying because she was being moved and not knowing why. Had something happened? Regardless, she was selfish enough to admit it, she was enjoying this in spite of the unease. Moving about, feeling different wind against her sensitive skin while also taking in sights she hadn’t seen in months? Precious, a commodity, one she wasn’t soon to forget.  She was taken out of the castle and outside (outside!). What should have been a short walk to town square was taking quite a bit of time, but the streets were clear enough to offer her and her team safe passage.  All the while, Midnight’s curiosity grew. Banners were strung up between houses, decorations were up, she could smell food and drink in the air. All familiar, all reminding her of when she’d been a filly enjoying the festivals and fairs her people so enjoyed.  Town square had a giant scale in the center of it, she realized, before she and the palanquin were set atop of it. The earth ponies looked immensely relieved for the break, but surprisingly not worse for wear considering the length of the trip and weight of their cargo. Then, ponies came out from everywhere it seemed. Streaming out of houses and businesses. Noisy and vibrant and alive in a way that Midnight hadn’t appreciated before, not truly. The smells of good food and drink were stronger now, too, even as the mayor strode up to a platform beside the scale. “Are we ready for the Coronation Anniversary Festival!?” They called.  The roar back was deafening.  “First on the docket: weighing our queen!” They lit their horns up, and did something. Midnight felt the scale sag beneath her, and couldn’t help but wonder how much she weighed- “Ten thousand, three hundred and fourteen!” The mayor yelled. And was once again met with a deafening roar in response. “Let’s see if we can’t change that by the end of the day, shall we? Queue up folks, let’s get things going!” Midnight blinked out at the crowd, even as the mayor stepped down and a group of school fillies replaced him. Holding baskets full of baked goods. A unicorn helped Midnight eat the offerings, before the school fillies were ushered off stage and an elderly pony with saddlebags full to bulging with handmade candy took their place.  It was like going on a tour of the city without needing to get up. Or move beyond chewing and swallowing. Ranging from everypony to grateful old grandmas to restaurants to ponies just giving Midnight some candy to tide her over while larger offerings were still being made. Midnight didn’t go without something to eat for hours. Entertained by her subjects, hearing snatches of recipes and the stories behind them as she gorged. Entire restaurants sent out menus, entire menus, or special tasting ones made specially for her. It was bright, loud, colourful. Everything Midnight wanted or could have hoped for and she hadn’t even realized this had been planned. Polaris. Where had he gone anyway? Tricksy Changeling, always up to something… She was entertained, though. Kept eating and occupied for hours and hours, until just before sunset the crowd pulled away. Still chewing, she watched as the mayor ascended the platform again, grinning wildly. “Alright, folks, let’s see what all this attention has done to our bountiful monarch!” Lighting up their horn once again. “Ten thousand six hundred and twenty! That’s over three hundred pounds from food alone! And we know our queen by now, don’t we!?” “YES!” The crowd bellowed back. “Then we know she can eat more! Sir Polaris!” The mayor looked somewhere out of Midnight’s line of sight, but one of the unicorns floated a mirror up so Midnight could see behind her.  At some point, a giant...thing had been set up behind her. She watched, as best she could, as Polaris swept back a curtain to reveal a gigantic vat of...something. “Sir Polaris tells me this is a thousand gallons of mango milkshake!” The mayor leaned in, selling the drama for the sake of the crowd. “Do you think Queen Midnight can drink it all!?” “YES!” Midnight felt...well not full to bursting, but still full. Her stomach aching after the hours long gorging session already, but the faith of her people stirred up an even greater appetite. The appetite to prove they could put their faith in her!  Polaris, meanwhile, flew a hose up towards Midnight. Beaming happily as he fluttered closer. “Like the surprise?” Midnight grinned in response, all the response Polaris needed. As he got the hose hooked up, he continued to speak. A private little conversation, just for the two of them, while the mayor continued to entertain the townsfolk. “You know, this is extra rich and extra thick. You can’t see it, but there’s a display on the tank to read how full it is. I think you’ve got enough room left, you can drink it all down.” If Midnight could smile around the tube she would have. Instead she waited eagerly to start, not wanting to suck down air. The world at large came back into larger focus as more cheering erupted.  “Queen Midnight, we the people ask you to start drinking in three! Two! One! Go!” Somewhere a switch was flipped (Midnight could feel vibrations of a pump through the hose), and it didn’t take long for her to start tasting the milkshake. Rich, creamy, fruity. Cold but not too much. It was perfect.  Midnight didn’t waste any time. Sucking the milkshake down at a speed that would shock most other ponies but had become second nature to her. She was full, her stomach hurting, but she didn’t care.  It should have been impossible, but...well, she didn’t like impossible. She was going to prove everyone, even herself, wrong. She would drink all the milkshake, she would drink all the milkshake. Chugging it eagerly, spurred on by the cheers of her people, she hardly noticed the discomfort building in her chest.  Her subjects watched as the milkshake levels really started to dip. Seventy-five percent didn’t really change much, but the crowd went wild. Screaming and yelling encouragement while Midnight struggled on to finish. Her stomach was feeling full, pushing against the edges of the palanquin, but she could do it. Fifty percent and her stomach overflowed the palanquin and scale both, obscuring them from sight. Her stomach hurt, shooting pains that were hard to pinpoint the location of but refused to go away no matter how she squirmed or Polaris did his best to rub the ache out. Sinking his hooves into her flabby sides like he could fix the problem by himself. When the scale broke, at twenty-five percent, it sent her crashing to the ground below. The movement of just a few feet sent her rolls and folds smashing into each other, sending waves and ripples throughout her entire form. She didn’t even break rhythm. Not wanting to risk disappointing anyone, she kept her entire focus on drinking.  The sun set, the cheering continued, and time passed as it was wont to do. Midnight lost somewhere in the void where anything could be possible, even insurmountable physical challenges could mean nothing. When she reached ten percent, the crowd went wild once more. Yelling as one, “CHUG! CHUG! CHUG!” All without her really noticing, though it made Polaris massage a little harder. Midnight didn’t register Polaris’ hooves massaging parts of her stomach as he tried to help. She continued, and continued, and continued. The pressure building in her stomach was too much, she was so full, it felt like she would pop- Until she was suddenly sucking on air. That broke her, partially, out of the haze she’d fallen into. Midnight spat out the hose, no longer needing to clamp it between her teeth. The pressure really was too much, if she could move she would have squirmed.  Instead, she burped. Long and loud, more of a belch.  It was earth shaking, it rattled windows in their panes, the force of her belch sent many a pony to the ground with the sheer force of it. Later on, some business and home owners would go home and realize some of their windows broke from the force of it.  Midnight fell asleep, passing into a massive food coma, before she heard the shouts and praise of her people. Polaris would tell her about it a few days later, when she woke properly, but the distant cheering brightened her dreams for a long time to come. (LINE BREAK) Polaris walked down the hall, not really thinking as he weaved his way around chefs and servants. It was second nature to him by now, heralded only by the occasional shaking of the walls, or a deep rumble. He didn’t pay much of anything any mind, because he was lost in thought.  A few years ago...this would have all seemed impossible. Improbable at a stretch, yet here he was.  Able to happily reminisce over Midnight’s progress these last few years. Who knew such a small, scrawny mare could turn into such a glutton? And with a killer figure to boot… He rounded a corner, coming face to face with a slightly shifting pile of grey flab. This used to be the banquet hall, and he supposed that it still was in a way. Only, instead of seating dozens of ponies for dinner, it only served one.  And even then, it's one occupant was starting to outgrow its walls. Hence the occasional shake, whenever Midnight’s body shifted a bit more than it should have.  Midnight was beyond massive. Towering above everyone, her monumental rolls of fat touched all four walls and pressed into the ceiling. Rolls spilled out of the double doors and into the hallway beyond, and pressed against a wooden ramp. The wooden ramp led into what could be generously called a cave. A cave of fat that was being propped open by support beams and special wards, all reinforced for this task specifically.  Polaris joined a the line of chefs making their way into the cave, nodding to the few he recognized as they made their way out. Polaris waited in line, moving when there was space, happy to wait for something so important. Dimly lit, it was hard not to feel small in here. It seemed so...common that Midnight might have once fit into a passage like this, that she’d ever been so small. Polaris’s thoughts were interrupted as the rumbling, wheezing, panting breathing that was present throughout the castle became much louder as he grew closer.  He’d reached Midnight’s face, finally. Not her head, technically. Her head was larger than some rooms, when accounting for all the fat and rolls, but her face was noticible just fine. Buried several dozen meters back from the entrance of the cave, her mouth was shoved into a specially made trough laden with food. Midnight never stopped eating, and her body was a testament to that.  Polaris watched the chef ahead of him dump pastries into the trough before turning and leaving back the way they’d come. Polaris stepped forward, still grinning. “Good morning, Queen Midnight.” A hitch in her breathing, and a soft, panting rumble. “...Pol…” “Yes, it’s me. How are you feeling this fine morning?” A slight belch, one that sent her rolls quivering. “Good….hun...gry.” “Of course, ma’am. I don’t have much to tell you this morning, so I’ll make it quick. I need you to sign a few papers and I’ll get out of your mane.” A few seconds of chewing was his answer for a brief period, before, “...Stamp...it…” “Yes, I will. Thank you for your time, Your Majesty.” Polaris turned to go back the way he’d come, grinning all the wider at this new change.  Midnight was going to be so happy about the expansion to the royal food budget she’d just signed off on! Polaris was going to enjoy every second of watching her grow and be so happy.