Mary stretched her hooves and yawned widely. From the side of the bed, a ticked off Stan glared at her. She smacked her lips and looked over, innocently, towards him. "Hm...?"
The displaced husband raised an eyebrow at his mischievous wife.
"Oh, good morning, dear. How did you sleep?" Mary fluttered her eyes at him mockingly.
Stan pushed himself all the way up with the help of the bed's side, eyes studying his orange furred wife's half hearted attempt at a casual greeting. "Don't think that just because of present circumstances you can get away with anything, Mar." She giggled as her only response, then lowered those strange hooves that she now had from behind her head, and slid off of the mattress. "Where are you going?" He thought he probably knew already, but wasn't quite sure yet.
"Uhm, to wake up the kids?" Mary replied; Stan had guessed right. His legs pushed him up to stand as Mary fell out of sight for a moment, then reappeared on her own hind legs, slipping on that bathrobe she wore so much. Mary all but lived in that thing now, he'd washed it yesterday to help out.
"Not to mention getting breakfast ready...making your lunch..." She smirked at him under stern, knowing eyes, because yesterday, he hadn't woken her up.
No, he'd turned off her alarm and used that inexplicable military super power of his to only wake up when he wanted to, and gotten things finished himself. Now, she wasn't upset by the sentiment, that had better be what it had been...and not protecting his defenseless wife from the rigors of every day life.
Well, I'm not going to sit back on my butt all day, Mary concluded stalwartly. Doing that every day until I'm back to normal wouldn't feel right. It's not an option...
So, for the mom now made mare, it was very simple as to what she was going to do now. She half pranced, half hopped out of the bedroom away from her irate husband, and in the direction of the stairs. The sound of him asking if she "was sure" trailing behind herself.
Mary cantered spiritedly up the flight and then down the hallway, still smiling from pushing Stan off the bed. I've always wanted to do that... She mused to herself, and laid a hoof over the now shoulder level door knob to Anna's bedroom door, a smile still plastered to her face. The mood had even made her forget about having hooves for a moment.
"Annaliiiiiise, time to get up little girl!" Mary reared enough to get her front hooves on the bed and nudged her daughter until signs of life showed themselves. "Breakfast in twentyyy." She sing-songed on her way out, smirking from the mumbling her daughter made.
Mary stopped outside Anna's room, and her cheer faded immediately upon looking at her other child's lair. The blue and tan tail she had swished erratically as she watched Bobby's foreboding door. Her hesitation to go in lasted long enough for her to notice the swishing...
A hoof stepped back on her tail to assist in stopping it, while her frown merely deepened the longer she waited outside the room.
Mary let out a defeated sigh, then knocked twice and winced. It sounded louder than she'd intended with hooves, that would take some practice too apparently. Still, no answer came, so she tried calling. "Bobby?" Nothing. "Boooobby, it's time to get up and go to school. Are you awake?" Her son didn't respond though, even after another, slightly more controlled knock. She scowled a little and opened the barrier to peek inside. The floor was a mess of clothes which her eyes immediately took note of, there were dishes stacked on the desk too, and every surface seemed occupied by something.
Well this is a sty... she thought irritably, a disgusted grimace forming.
The clock on the wall tocked quietly as Mary took a few careful steps inside, trying her best not to step on anything but carpet. The unmistakable lump in the bed at the corner of the room had to be none other than her rebellious son. "Heeey," she called out in a sweet voice. "Time to get up sleepy head." The mound of blankets didn't move though.
Mary's eyebrows drew down in confusion. She bit the end of the blanket, then pulled it off of the bed with a sharp tug.
"Gah!"
"Oh, sorry dear..."
"What the hell, it's not bad enough you-?" Bobby's voice lowered into indiscernible grumbling and muttering as he flung the covers back over himself and rolled over.
"So you were awake." Mary said irritably.
Bobby refused to answer again.
The orange mare stood at the end of the bed with a solemn look and heaved a weak sigh. Her eyes searched over the comforter and surroundings absently. "Well," she began, unsure if she had actually hoped he'd be kinder today, or if her happy mood had just been denial all along. "Alright, breakfast will be..." She bit her bottom lip in thought. Should I not make him anything or... In the end—after another lengthy pause—she simply said, "don't be late getting up Bobby..."
The lump responded callously to her. "Go away, and don't come in my room."
Mary drooped, and left the room. She didn't want to simply leave, but it wasn't in her to fight back anymore. Why did it ever have to come to fighting... The door remained open as she walked back downstairs. "I could've said something about him talking back, or his room, or the other day, but I didn't...what should I say...?" If only I could just cheer him up, or win him back. Hah, not likely as long as I'm stuck like this. Her scowl took in one of her orange shoulders, then she huffed her way into the kitchen.
The shower was going as she passed the bathroom and the table was still bare. Alright Mary, you can do this, no problem. It shouldn't be terribly more daunting than usual, getting breakfast ready. Although, she almost needed a stool to reach the cabinets, if only just. Standing as tall as she could and stretching she just managed to slip a hoof into the nudged open pantry and pull out the cereal. Yesyesyes, yes! You're amazing Mary, next you need to learn how to drive...again. She tried to pinch the bridge of her nose and laughed harshly at her own silly encouragement. In the end, all her hooves could do was rub the top of her muzzle.
Mary fixed toast, eggs and made Stan's lunch. During the normally mundane process, she had to relax on all fours before finishing. One hoof massaged her back legs while she made a pained, but quiet hissing noise. Stupid legs...
Once victorious against the routine, she sat down at the dining room table. Or rather, climbed up front hooves first, making carefully sure that the chair was close enough to the table before doing so. "Alright," she leaned forward onto one arm, coffee in hoof, "so breakfast is out. Next I would shower and get ready for work...I wonder how I'm going to steer the car." She chuckled a little at the idea, she did want to drive, though.
The sound of footsteps from behind made Mary point her ears around to face them. Strange new things she had begun to get used to aside, that was still a very weird feeling. Stan took a seat across from her, a tired look plainly worn on his face.
"Mar, come on, you and I shouldn't even be planning or considering things like that." It took a moment for her to realize he was answering what she'd said to herself. "We should only focus on getting you back to normal, right? I don't doubt you could drive, if anyone could without hands it'd be you, certainly." Stan watched Mary's ears lay back at the statement, her big eyes flickering to her arms' ends and her mouth working as if about to speak. "We can't risk this getting out, you need to stay here, inside."
"Well true," Mary tapped a hoof on the table while her face heated. I know that, I don't want to be ridiculed for worse than I already am... "But...that doesn't mean I should just give up those things, does it?" She bit her lip before continuing. "I don't want to be helpless, Stan. I certainly don't want to just sit around the house all day, every day, either. If I want to go outside, or drive, or go to the supermarket, I will! Agnes agrees I could still go to work for her...so how else would I get there if I don't drive?"
"Mar, promise me you won't actually try to drive or go out like that. It's just a bad idea...and work? How would you talk to the customers?" Stan wasn't really awake enough to argue, and he tried his best to keep his tone soft.
"Well I wouldn't, obviously..." Mary replied in a heated tone, looking at the floor. "I would just plant, and move things, restock... I was practicing writing the other day, my hooves worked fine, but I had this thought about trying to use my-"
"Mary...Mar, please just," Stan visibly worked to find the right way to convince her, tactfully.
Mary's face wilted, and they were both quiet for a moment. She shrugged and kept her eyes on the tablecloth. "I know," she muttered. "I just don't want to give up more than I have to Stan..." Her face buried itself behind the cup of coffee she held, trailing off.
Stan wore a grim expression and stared into his own coffee. He opened his mouth slowly to speak, and apologize, when Anna appeared, walking sleepy faced towards the table.
"Morning mooom." Still rubbing her eyes, Anna walked up and hugged an already awkwardly seated Mary.
Mary managed to curl one hoof around her daughter's shoulder from the chair. "Morning sweetie, how'd you sleep?"
The sounds of his family talking were a distant buzz for Stan. She doesn't really think that things can go on normally, does she? He tried not to let it show, but that just made his face angry. Worry bent his still tired mind. This coffee needs to kick in... Mary had actually been...pretty happy yesterday, and seems to be today, too. That actually made him more irate instead of glad, irritatingly enough, as if his subconscious had decided that with her being alright, that it was his turn to crack. The red haired man stared absently at his guard uniform while in thought. He didn't want to enforce anything on her, far from it. I have to keep her safe though, and I won't be here yet again, to do it.
Stan had been wracking his brain over his jobs, and whether or not he could work on quitting one without bankrupting his family...
A half an hour passed by, and then it was time for Stan to make the drive further into the state towards his unit. Bobby rode the bus, while his father dropped Anna off at the nearby school.
Mary stood on the back porch waving to them as they pulled out of the driveway, a smile cheaply hung on her face. She stood there a moment and didn't move, just looked around frowning, her family now gone once again.
"I need to get, like, a dog or something," Mary huffed out. "I hate being left alone." She flipped her braid in irritation and went back inside.
The unwieldy cardboard box slid noisily across the dining room floor as Mary pushed it, her head planted firmly against its side. She grunted as the container caught on the lip on the mud room doorway. Her face peered around the side scowling, and she reached over it to pick it up an inch.
"I should have done this a month ago..." Mary's back legs shook as she set the heavy magazine laden box back down. "I wouldn't have to do this without hands then." I cannot believe I'm moving these on my own though. She wasn't sure if it was just her imagination, but it seemed that her body was a lot stronger than it had been. Sure it was still annoying without hands, but she wasn't straining herself at all moving the heavy boxes.
Mary walked around the box as it slid to a halt by the back door, and opened it. Now the tricky part...getting it down these stairs. It was the last of the things she'd organized and needed to move out to the garage. Everything else had been shelved or put away elsewhere. Her bedroom hadn't been so clear in months.
After casting a wary glance down the little path that led past their garage to the driveway, Mary proceeded forward. They didn't have any immediate neighbors, but she couldn't help but be cautious. The last thing she wanted was people finding out about her. Or do I? I don't want to live in secret forever, I bet Stan thinks that's what I should do if we can't fix this, judging by this morning... Oh, I so hope it just wears off. And maybe it would, she certainly didn't know.
Mary's eyes shifted to look out across the backyard while she pushed the box with her head. Her gardening boxes and vegetable garden needed tending to, everything was past due to be picked and things needed sheltering for the winter. She thought she could feel adrenaline building in her legs from looking at the greenery, it had been doing that all morning. Fortunately nothing weird had happened this time, she'd even sat down by a potted plant and stared at it earlier, trying to make it grow. I'd say that I was just going crazy... but Herbert saw it too. Also, I'm a four legged orange ball of fur at the moment, there isn't much that can top that.
The garage was dark, the end of her tail flicked up and hit the light switch.
Mary smirked back at it and continued to push the box to the back of the small building. From weird to weirder every day. Her expression sobered up and let out a sigh, she usually managed to kill any positive thoughts about her curse quite easily.
Using the wall to slide the box up and over her head, Mary pushed it to rest on top of the other two cardboard containers she had already put into the garage. She blinked in the dim light up at them, then flexed one of her front legs appreciatively. I'm not even sure if I could have lifted that back in my military days.
The door shut with a click, and Mary walked back, hooves clicking on the stone path leading to the house. The clicking stopped, and her eyes were scanning the field behind their house again, past her garden. She looked around the spacious area, then snorted derisively. "Oh, what the hell, why not?" The snort had caught her by surprise, but she continued unperturbed. "Stan won't know."
Mary tightened her bathrobe ready for the run, then hesitated a moment after a couple steps. She considered if she could get away with taking the clothing off altogether, it would probably get in the way on a run... Well no one's here... and the whole point is to stay unseen, anyway... She looked around nervously at the idea of what was for all intents and purposes, being naked. Meh. The robe was shrugged off and her hooves took her out into the field at a sprint, a grin creeping onto her face.
The tall weeds whipped at her harmlessly, and her legs navigated any uneven terrain with ease. She hopped over scraggly shrubs and even the back fence without a hitch.
With the fun Mary was having, bursting out into laughter was unavoidable. She did cast a wary glance behind herself though, searching for anything out of the ordinary. Thankfully, nothing was there this time. Grin replastered to her face, she focused her attention ahead of herself once more, giggling and pushing herself to run harder without abandon. I swear, I haven't laughed at anything like this since I was little.
Why is this so much fun...? Mary had finally begun to trot her way back to the house, having run nearly to the woods in her elated state. It hadn't quite been an hour... she thought. Now I'm just worried if this has changed my brain or something, too. Augh, I just want to do something about this besides worry for a change. A sigh escaped her. At least I felt better while I was running... Her grimace changed into a smile as she spotted a familiar face on her back porch.
"Hey mom!" Mary stood up onto two hooves and waved one leg at her. She was holding what looked like a set of clothes.
"Heeey, look at what I've got! It looks like I brought these over not a moment too soon, too." Agnes chortled out, leaning over the side of the porch. She raised an eyebrow questioningly above her smile.
"Aah... yeah." Mary fell back on all fours quickly, and scrunched her legs closer together. She shuffled the rest of the way up to the building. "I was running and, well I've been cooped up...the bathrobe I've been stuck with was kind of...you know." She frowned down at herself, and at her tail which was somehow instinctively covering her shame.
"It's fine Mary, you are covered in fur after all so I guess it's not really public nudity, right?" Agnes started laughing harder than before while holding the articles over the railing to display them. Mary could see that what she held was in fact some kind of clothing. "So, what do you think?" The older woman asked intently.
Mary looked over the short sleeved shirt and strange sort of skirt curiously. The skirt was particularly odd, it swallow-tailed at her hindquarters, making the back portion of it a lot longer than the front. Her hooves clopped on the wood steps as she made her way up to her mother-in-law.
"Where'd you get these?" Mary lifted the fabric with a hoof and inspected it more closely.
"Well I made them, of course. I haven't sewn in such a long time, but you need something other than a bath robe to wear so... tah dah." Agnes laid the outfit over an arm and opened the door to the house. "I guessed about your new measurements, but the styles are pretty loosely fitting so there was a lot of room for error. I brought my tape measure as well, we should take those measurements while I'm here." She beamed a look of anticipation down at Mary as she walked into the house, Mary herself wearing a nervous grin, followed after her.
"Well, thanks mom really this is great... but, this better not turn into when you and Anna played with my hair, I mean it." The previously accosted pony said up at her flatly, and wearing deadpan expression.
"Oh you thought it was funny too, stop trying to play the victim here." Agnes waved a hand dismissively and laid the clothes on the couch.
Mary squinted her eyes derisively. I am the victim! Making light of the situation certainly doesn't make me any less of a victim!
Agnes held up a small box in front of Mary's nose, making her pull back. "I got this for you by the way, I think you mentioned breaking one."
Mary took the object in both hooves. "It's empty?" As she turned it over in her grasp, she could see the picture on the side of the box was a phone.
"Already set it up, you were out there having fun for a while." Agnes chimed. "So, would you like to put these on now?"
Mary could tell she was anxious to see her clothes put to use. "Heh, uhm, let me shower real quick mom. I think I just ran ten miles back there." Her mom's eyes widened at that. "Be right back."
Mary played idly with the tail of her new dress. Is it a dress? Yeah, it's a dress. It looked a bit like something you'd see in a very old timey retro picture from the fifties, the ones where the mothers had their hair up and the family standing by their two cars was utterly perfect. Automatically, her mind pictured her current figure standing beside her kids and husband. She suppressed a shudder and cringed.
At least her new homemade clothes fit well.
"So, how've you been holding up, anything new?" Agnes was calmly rebraiding Mary's still damp, dual-colored hair, both were seated on the couch once more.
"Well, let's see," Mary began contemplatively. "I think meat makes me sick now, that or I've had a really wimpy flu lately... I've been thinking about how to adjust living indoors mostly other than that, I need to call the guild and tell them I have to quit. Hm, I should probably tell Father Conrade we can't come anymore either, though I'm really not sure what explanation would be believable and tactful for that." She drooped her head forward a bit, and Agnes' hand pulled her chin back up from behind, then resumed braiding.
"Oh just tell them you're all too busy, Mary. Honestly you have bigger things to worry about than others. For instance, we should figure out how we're going to take Anna out to eat after her big night tomorrow!"
The braid finished, Mary stood up on the couch and circled around to face Agnes, laughing at her mother-in-law's sarcasm. "I think we'll have to skip that dinner, mom." She blew a strand of hair away from her eye as her expression sagged a bit, now recalling that morning. "Besides, Stan said I shouldn't think about leaving the house, that's...kind of a depressing thought, I'm practically a prisoner in my own home."
Agnes clicked her tongue and frowned at her. "Dear, you're not a prisoner, and I'm sure he's just thinking about your safety. If Stanley's being pushy about it and you really want out for a bit we'll think of something, and I'll put him in his place." She crossed her arms and gave Mary a confident look.
The mare smirked sheepishly at the stout woman's moxy, then frowned again and continued. "Well, yeah, I know that mom. But... I mentioned driving and he was completely against it, and when he suggested watching the recital? I think he meant from here at the house, not in the car. I didn't bring it up but... He's probably right, I shouldn't risk it. Doubt I could drive like this anyway."
Agnes frowned down at her daughter-in-law. "Mary, this thing's only got you beat when you give up. There'll be some adjustments, I mean this is pretty out of the ordinary, but you're still a Morris, that makes you a fighter too. If you want to drive or work there's no reason not to try, understand?"
Mary's expression was flat, before working into a weak, reassured smile. Her mother took that as a response.
"Good, so what's next!" Agnes clapped her hands together and rubbed them searching across the room as if the problems were tangible and needed clobbering.
Mary rolled her eyes from the show before her, then the biggest weight on her mind—next to her current ponydom—reared its head in response to Agnes' question. "There's always Bobby." Her son was always a concern. "Did Herbert tell you anything about that?" she asked tiredly.
The room went quiet except for a hum from Agnes, searching for a good response.
The new phone rang abruptly, almost as if to end the awkward silence before it somehow made the air in the room stale.
Mary looked towards its home beside the couch, where she could reach it easily. "Oh, it's Marge! I actually needed to talk to her." She blinked, confirming the number, address and name flashing on the newly installed phone.
"What about?" Agnes asked casually.
"Uhm..." Mary held a hoof up to her face and kept from looking at the older woman. "Well, about this." She gestured at herself, waving with one hoof.
Agnes' face became more serious.
"She doesn't know though, I called her a few days ago!" Mary reinforced. "It seemed like a good idea, she's big into the occult, I thought... maybe she'd know something helpful? I know it's a long shot but..." The french braided mare trailed off, gaze hovering over the beeping phone.
Agnes made an understanding face and patted Mary's wrist. "Do you think she'll have anything?" she asked, before shaking her head. "Oh, never mind me! You'll find out in a moment. Well, go ahead then, dear. While you're talking I'll take your measurements, actually. That way I can get started on making some better clothes when I get home."
"Aw mom, you don't have to..." Mary's smiled wanly at the sentiment, it felt really nice to have the support from family.
"Nonsense, I completely do, now answer the phone before your friend hangs up." Agnes was already straightening a tape measure from her purse.
The orange mare clicked the now all too easy to press answer button without any fuss. "Uuh, AAH!" Only to immediately dive off of the couch and onto the floor.
Marge's face looked up from a bowl of what appeared to be macaroni salad. "Hm? Mary you there? Stan? HelloooOOooo." Her face leaned over and pressed against the her phone's screen. "Agnes? Is that you?"
Mary was prone beside the couch, and hissed up at Agnes. "It's a video phone!? Really mom?"
"Ooohooo, I know I just heard Mary! Where are you girl?" Beside the couch the pony gritted her teeth, even knowing she was safe. "I'm sure you hair's fine whatever color it's ended up this time, come on out! Oh, Agnes how've you been?"
Agnes smiled across the couch at the video. "Oh just peachy Margery, you know how it is."
Mary groaned and buried her head in her hooves from where she was on the floor. "I can't believe you're just going to ignore me."
"I'm not ignoring anything dear, I'm just trying to speak with Marge...normally." Agnes shrugged at Mary, then smiled back at the phone. "Sorry though, I just looked for big buttons like you'd asked for the thing, didn't realize the panel was a video."
"Do they even still sell normal phones? It's getting so hard to find what you want in stores these days. Half of it's cutting edge and the other half is junk recycled from decades ago."
"I know, the world gets crazier every day, those stupid wars, the government mismanaging everything, all the riots and-" Mary interrupted her mom, she was picking up speed on the current events and that never ended well.
"Agnes, please can we see why Marge called?" Mary stood up and gestured to herself with a flourish.
"Oh, right. Where are you though, Mary?" Marge raised an eyebrow at Agnes.
"I'm here...let's not talk about it, please. Uhm, so what's up?"
"Just calling to see if you'll be coming to the quilt meeting love!" Marge said cheerily around a mouthful of food.
"I... I can't Marge. Uhm, my curse, remember?" Mary asked pleadingly.
"Your what?" Her friend replied, now watching television.
"The curse! I asked you to look stuff up on transformations? The hair color thing?" Mary almost jumped in front of the little screen, her anxiousness and incredulity at her friend's cluelessness building quickly.
"Ooooh, right, I looked into that. Sorry I forgot, I half assumed you were just kidding around actually, too." Marge looked over again at the phone, but there was still nothing to be looked at.
"Maaarge." Mary rubbed her hooves against her temples.
"Well, I did. But you're not very funny so I looked some assuming you'd just lost a screw or two and were serious about this."
"And?" Mary ignored the insult, and scowled at Agnes who started snickering.
"Aaaand, I don't know what to tell you, there's a million things that are obviously fake about the subject. What you told me was just too vague, show me what's wrong maybe? Oh, I did find something about a lard bath that supposedly cured a man's paralysis though. Either he'd faked being immobile for a decade or that thing really did fix him up-"
Mary sat back against a chair and let out a sigh, tuning her out entirely. She's entered into a rant again. The orange mare pawed absently at the tail of her new skirt-dress thing, entertaining an annoyed thought. I should have been friends with a mad scientist, apparently magic is failure.
The clock on the nearby wall's minute hand ticked over to one o' clock sharp, noisily. The classroom was quiet except for the older woman speaking at the front of it, pointing every now and again to some figure up on the board. The other students around Bobby were as quiet or detached as he was, with only two or three actually looking up at the speaker.
A couple were talking though, albeit quietly, one of them had even just addressed him.
One of the students, a short fellow with grimy, blonde hair, finished speaking, then sent a wicked grin across the isle.
"What are you talking about, dude?" Bobby sighed quietly, looking at his friend through the corner of his eye, and tried his best to ignore the look he was getting.
"I mean, why do you look more depressing than a three legged dog?" Following up the question, he jabbed Bobby roughly on the arm with an intrusive finger. "Seriously, you about to start crying right here in class?"
Bobby formed a fist under his desk and raised an eyebrow back at the other kid. "Yeah, you're funny." After a moment's hesitation, he added, "Cory, I don't wanna talk about it." The much bigger of the two crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair, glaring up to the front of the classroom.
Cory tilted his head in a questioning manner. "Why, what's up?"
"I said it was nothing, dude," Bobby repeated.
"Oh, okay." Cory paused for a split second, then continued. "So what is it?" he asked again, persisting.
"Dude, I just sai-" Bobby let out a tired sigh. "It's just crap back at home man, same as usual."
"Oh." Cory looked back forward, making sure the teacher still didn't care that they didn't care. She was watching them now. "So, your mom's still being a-"
"A nag?" Bobby smirked at the pun, not that Cory would get it, which kinda killed the cleverness of it.
"Uuuh, not what I was gonna say, but sure." The other punk scratched the side of his face and leaned lazily on one arm to look as though he were paying attention.
"Yeah, she is..." Bobby grimaced at the thought of his mom, period. What the hell has even happened to her, nothing dad said made any sense at all.
Cory smiled across at him and poked him again. "Well cheer up dude, your dad's gone all weekend right? We should ask your mom if we can use your garage again, it's got way more space than mine."
"Yeah I don't think that's likely to happen man." Although I guess she wouldn't be able to stop me... Bobby considered the thought, which grew into another one promptly, finally, he just said it aloud. "Hey, dude, we also got a new pet."
"Yeah? Cool."
"Not really," Bobby replied from under his stringy hair. "It's kind of...annoying as hell."
"Hm, that sucks." Cory had begun half answering him, only slightly vested in the conversation any longer. He didn't much care for what was being said, just getting a reaction out of his friend.
Bobby leaned forward and stared down at the desk angrily. "Yeah, I can't stand the thing, kinda wish I could do something about it."
"Well, why don't you?" his friend responded absently.
Bobby looked over at the scrawny teen, not following him fully. How the hell am I supposed to do something about mom? Oh, right, pet. "What do you mean...?" He asked, slowly.
Cory grinned at him again. "I mean, if you don't want the thing then just...call animal control or something, maybe that'll get the hint across to your folks?"
I can see no possible way in which this might end poorly
....Imma kick that little dick's ass SOOOO HARD that he'll need to puke to take a shit.
EDIT: That is...Unless he DOES have some form of morality and kicks the other idiot's ass....I mean, for GOD'S sake! IT'S His MOTHER we're talking about!
Oh crap, Bobby better not think about it or there is going to be hell to pay from his family.
Damit Bobby.
Well damn.
I can't wait to know what will happen next!
This character doesn't deserve to share the great name with my acquaintance who is also named Bobby.
I shall dub your character "Mud" whenever I refer to him until future notice or when he actually grows up and stops being a douche.
...
What, you think I'm joking?
I don't joke in text unless I specifically indicate that I'm doing so.
2443773 Bobby. No Bobby. Listen to me. This is important. This is wrong what you are considering. If you do it, a lot of fans of this story are going to kick your ass so hard that your sneezes will have to tip-toe around their shoe-leather. It will be unpleasant for you in the short term, and very unpleasant for you in the long term.
2443968>>2443953
Come on guys easy, I mean I don't want you to LIKE him, but curtail the threats would you? I'm getting scared.
Bobby, Bobby, Bobby. You may not realize it now, but you are seriously going to regret acting on what you are considering. That "pet" is still your Mom!
An interesting new development, Mr. Author. With what you've already established about the city's inhabitants, especially the town gossip, the conflict is likely going to be heavy. I look forward to it.
2444016You'll be thrilled to know there's a vote on what happens next chapter. Stay tuned!
>animal control
Oh hell naw
Gawd fawking dawmit, Bawbby.
Oh crap Bobby. RUN
2443979 bobby isn't that douchy. As a character, I give him a thumbs up, especially if he progresses the plot in the way you're hinting at.
2444155
Heh, plot.
If bobby does what i think he's going to do.....no 4th wall is going to save him.
...still think it'd be funny as hell if he gets 'cursed' too
2444268
Only time will teeeeell.
So, I was thinking about stealing your author's note for my own nefarious purposes...
Another fine chapter. Although I do find that the addition of things like embedded videos and some pictures don't really help immersion for me. The video at the end was funny, granted, but in my opinion it cheapens the plot twist.
Still another great chapter! Keep up the good work!
2444313
Haha, it's belonged to the internet for as long as I can remember totally, help yourself. Thanks for dropping by, always nice to see a celeb.
2444322
Oh like the guitar? Yeeeah, that's my guilty pleasure as an author. I like page dividers...a lot. Especially ones that signify which character is present/centered on, I'll look for one with a white background that might help...
2444322 oh, stow it ya prune. Stop questioning things and just enjoy it.
If karma exist, then Boby would be the next ponified if he actually go with the animal control idea.
pinkie warm up the gate way we got ass to kick!!!
2444298 YOU TEASE ME!!! I'LL NEVER BE ABLE TO SLEEP NOW!!!
2444360
Hi Sari, how are you doing this evening?
2444369
Haha, sorry mate. You could always try one of my other stories if you like my style...? :3 I flow like this in all of my stories.
2444367
Gah, circuit don't beat up my characters before they're done! Get him afterwards.
2443979 I'm not threatenin' him. If'n I kicked him, I'd lose a perfectly good shoe. I'm just warnin' him so he doesn't feel shoelaces tickling his sinuses. :D
Bobby. No, seriously Bobby.
Now I want to see Mary turn her mother in law's shop into a thriving horticultural center known for it's "miracle plants". All the good things for Mary! This story is, as usual, freakishly engaging.
2444514
D'aaaaaaw group hug plot ol' buddy!
Not to whore my fics willy nilly or anything, but you might like my other stories if you enjoy engaging plotlines.
...wut...
if he even TRIES it... so help me god I will find a way to reach through this screen, into the world of text and words in which he resides and pimp smack his face and then tie him up and leave him for the mosquitoes to find! ...I'll leave a note with directions with his parents... but only because they love him...
Though if he tries to call animal control it won't end well for him... but it's... oh dear lord it'll just be a cluster [pony censor]... just don't do it kid.
I'm on the fence on whether or not she should just tell Marge and get it over with already. I mean seriously I think this contradicts her wanting to not let this transformation bring her down. But if she's still afraid of her own friends seeing her than I guess Stan is right about her not exactly being ready to do this. She should definitely should see more people if she doesn't want everyone to see her as talking cartoon animal. Though I hope Bobby's friends won't make the call without his consent, especially if he happened to start bonding with her for real.
2444578
Whooooahooooa
Take it Easy
2444592
I'm doing my best to keep the emotions and motivations and thoughts going on here straight as I can, I see your point with Marge and Mary keeping it from her. Hadn't even occurred to me to be honest.
2444595 I'm running low on sleep, I've school work up to my eyeballs... I'll take it easy when that kid has learned his place and has learned to respect the pony!!!!
An update! Yahoo! This helped make my evening!
Plotwise, the story is moving along nicely. Of course, some of that opinion is fixed on the idea that a lot of what we're reading here is relevant, which it seems to be. If not, well, it's still well written. But I'm guessing given things so far that it's relevant. (EDIT: By relevant, I refer to material that is not just filler for length, but character/plot developmental, so far you've been fine with this for the most part)
It was a little odd for Anna to be taking everything so well, I'd expected her to still be super excited. Bobby on the other hoof...
Bobby, Bobby, Bobby. I know you're a teen, and you're taking the angsty angry teen route....but your Mom is going to smack some sense into you with those hooves before long! And you're earning it. Hard.
I'm still very curious to see where this goes, and enjoying each update. May you keep producing some jamming work!
2444637
Aw thanks! I'll try to get back into my regular update schedule, the story itself is picking up it's pace slowly but surely. Wait a tic, when did Anna not act super excited this chapter?
I don't really consider any of the story filler, I realize most folks probably will...Eh, it was world building blocks and opportunities to sneak in hints and even just entertaining nonsense to make folks think. As it's been pointed out I love Red Herrings. ^^
2443810
"Dammit Bobby" doesn't begin to cover the sheer doucheness of Bobby's plans for his mother.
2444775
Ah there you are Ninja, and at 3 am no less. How are you?
Makes me wanna punch Boddy in the lung.
2444339
It's not that I didn't enjoy it. I am simply providing my honest feedback to the author. I thought the chapter was great.
2444655
If it has a purpose, it's not filler! So good job with that. And on Red herrings, my only caution is to not use too many. If you throw out too many, people eventually get annoyed because there isn't a way to accurately predict things. Readers like to be surprised, but when there's so many Red Herrings that a reader just gets tired of guessing whether or not something will be relevant, you've gone to far. So far, it's hard for me to say, because as a reader I don't know if it's a Red Herring until it starts flopping around and becomes clear. My general rule of thumb seems to be one or two alternate suggestions or herrings to the true story, but based on the type of plot and how in depth they go, your mileage may vary.
As far as Anna not being excited, she seemed happy, but she didn't make any comments like the last chapter (where she was impressed that her Mom made chili). She was happy, but as a younger kid I'd expect her to still be in awe over her Mom's change.
Good luck with the writing!
2444813
Well I'll say this at least, mine aren't really disguised as truth. The red herrings are the jokes that are pretty obvious and a little painful to read. Heh, like the unicorn and pegasus references for example...
You're right with Anna, but other than her appearance while really tired she wasnt in the chapter. I couldve written in her excitement, but honsetly with a lot of stuff I think folks get the picture and I just want to move on. As well as I'm complimented for my human characters, ya'll are here for pony. So I want to deliver with the plot and keep it interesting. It's like, I'm glad I went with the day by day chapter schedule? But now it needs to speed up.
2444823
LoL, and now I'm REALLY going to dissect the lines like the beard bothering Stan or Bobby having odd neck pains!
You're in a good groove, don't sweat it. I'm really enjoying this.
Thanks for the welcome on my page BtW! Watch that space for some upcoming awesome!
Okay, now I definately want to see Bobby kicked out of the house. He has been nothing but a HUGE jerk all story long and if he only wants to make life hard for his own mother, he should be removed from the family.
Ugh. Do we have to see Bobby the whinny arsehole's point of view?
I'd advise against it Bobby. After all, just consider how The Powers That Be will react to the son of a woman who has apparently turned into a pony? You'd have a dissection table all of your very own! For yourself!
Animal Control for a sentient being. Good luck with that one.
2444968
Nooooo, I only do third person narrative! You may have to listen to his thoughts every now and then though.
2445107
Ya'll say what you want about Bobby, he's doing a great job at making you all hate him! I've somehow created the most detestable antagonist of all time. lol
I'm all for this if it means seeing Bobby getting bucked to kingdom come.
Otherwise... Oh lawd here we go.
2445189
Especially since they'd only be expecting a normal pony. I can't wait to see the looks on their faces when she snaps their gear like kindling and proceeds to browbeat them physically and verbally.
2444812 I was pulling your chain amigo. No aggression intended.
Are you trying to make Bobby the most unlikable character of all time, or something? Hmm... *rubs chin in thought* Well, I can say it's working so far. You'd better not try to play him as sympathetic, that'd just be mean to all your readers who want something terrible to happen to him. *nods sagely*