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// Cake Decorating 
// Story: Swirl Cake 
// by The Local Rat Queen 
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Swirl Cake

The beauty room was a large cylindrical room with a tri-mirror in front of a large chair where one could sit and see themselves from many different angles. I sat in the chair, impatient, waiting for Rarity to come and start on my hair. However, my mind wandered while I waited. Rarity seemed to accept this really fast, then wanted alone time with me. What if this was her attempt to talk me out of this? Heck, even if she is onboard, I don’t know the first thing about girl hair. She will think I am faking this for attention and kick me out of the room. “Maybe I should just leave,“ I whispered to myself.

“Why should you? I haven’t even started, darling.” Rarity said from behind me, and I could see in the mirror that she had a small case full of beauty supplies. “Are you alright, dear?”

I stammered out, “Yes, ma’am,” as Rarity took a stand next to me.

“Would you still like to do this? I know Pumpkin was the one who suggested the makeover, so I just want to make sure you are comfortable, dear,” Rarity asked as I sat and thought for a second. I wanted to lie and tell her something easy, but Rarity would see through that.

“I want this; I am just nervous. Not about you mostly, about everything else.” I said with a sigh, “But would you please do the makeover for me still?”

Rarity smiled warmly. “Of course, dear, let me get your beard done away with, and afterwards, how about you tell me what makes you so nervous? How does that sound?” She said it with a straight razor in her magic.

I nodded and then sat still, letting Rarity get to work on my chin hair. My facial hair was not plentiful, but it still bugged me. I just never did anything with it. I was really scared that if I got rid of it, the ponies around me would see me as feminine and ridicule me. I was also scared I would cut my face open with the razor. On the bright side, I made a scroll that stopped facial hair growth, so after this, it would never come back unless I wanted it to, and I didn’t. The only downside was that it did not get rid of pre-existing hair.

“That should do it, my dear Swirl,” Rarity said, turning me to the mirror to see myself. I was astonished to see what I saw. I was clean-faced. I knew that would be the result, but still. Although I still looked distinctly masculine,.

“I still look like a boy,” I said meekly, not wanting to be ungrateful. However, I needed more. “Can you please start on my hair?” I asked, looking at my hooves.

“Of course, darling,” Rarity said, walking behind the chair I sat in. I felt my hair go weightless as she held it with her magic. “Now, how about you tell me why you are nervous?” That question was hard to answer because so many things made me nervous, so I opted to start with a pressing one.

“I am scared ponies will not like Swirl and-” Rarity cut me off.

“Let’s not pretend like you are not Swirl.” She said it calmly as she sprayed some products on my hair.

“Then,” I continued, “I am worried ponies won’t accept me. I don’t want things to change too much, but what if they do? What if I am treated like a whole new pony?” I sighed, and she mused over my words. Her silence was interrupted by her counting softly down from ten.

“What are you counting?” I asked not to follow where she was going, assuming it was a hair thing.

“Well, darling, if a new pony comes to town, Pinkie will throw them a welcome party. I am just seeing if you get one.” Rarity said it casually, really making me think. Pinkie was borderline supernatural. If she wasn’t already bursting through the doors... “Well, that’s just Pinkie, and she already likes me. I don’t think she could hate anyone.” I tried to argue her point, but I just heard a chuckle from Rarity.

“My point, Swirl, is that nothing is going to change drastically, and you said it yourself. Those who truly care will still care; I am sure your mother responded in kind.” Rarity then noticed my face and sighed, “You came out to me before your mother?”

“I am scared to tell her; if mom doesn’t accept, I am so screwed.” I said I was shaking a bit, but Rarity placed a hoof on my shoulder.

“Darling, as long as I have known your mother, I know no matter what, she will love you. No matter what, darling.” Rarity said, and I stayed quiet. I knew she was probably right, but I was still scared. Rarity continued, “What about your friends? You know they will have your back.”

“I know they will; I don’t know why, but I am not scared of them. I am actually excited to show them my new look.” I said, and it was true. My friends were like an extension of myself, and I knew they would love me for this new me. Our group is already so weird. Between alicorn princesses and convicted felons. It was already unbelievable that we worked; what does a pseudogirl have to worry about? I know I’ll never be a real girl, but maybe something close.

“Well, I am happy to say I have finished your makeover, darling.” Rarity said it with excitement. This made me giddy as I looked at the vanity mirror and stopped. I still saw myself, just with poofier, more feminine hair. I loved the new hair, but I just stared at myself. The unchanged tired eyes. With the sharp jawline and large masculine muzzle, I was, for all intents and purposes, still the stallion from this morning.

“Rarity I’m still a boy.” I said it dejectedly. She hugged me and laughed a little.

“Maybe on the outside, dear, and unfortunately for now there is very little we can do on that front, but you are so far from a boy, my dear. You are a smart young lady with a bright future.” Rarity said confidently, leaving me confused.

“How can you say that, looking at that?” I said, pointing at the mirror, and Pound Cake was staring back at me.

“Because what really matters is the mare on the inside. You are not a girl because of your hair or body. You are a mare because you are in your soul.” Rarity said, looking at me in the mirror too.

I was speechless after that. I just sat and looked in the vanity mirror for a long time. Then it all hit me, and I started to cry. It wasn’t a happy cry, but I wasn’t sad. It was a cry for a new beginning. I cried in celebration of the mare I am. I cried for the death of Pound Cake and the birth of Swirl Cake. I cried to take the weight of my tears off my shoulders. Rarity held me while I cried, and I never let go of the pony that taught me what being a mare meant.