Daddy loves you, Blue

I woke up in my bed at the crack of dawn. My head pounded like one of the jackhammers they used on one of the nearby construction sites.

“Early night, rising with the rooster, thank the lord it’s sunday,” I said to no one in general. Crazy dream as well for some reason, dreamt that I got a me one of those special-?

My inner monologue got interrupted by some stirring coming from the left side of my bed. I shifted over and laid my eyes on one of the cutest little fluffballs I’ve ever had the good fortune to meet.

I remember cuddling with its teeny-tiny hooves and wet little nose, tickling its cute stomach, until it started latching on to my finger and nurse it. I may not be a genius when it comes to little infant fluffyponies but that certainly looked like it could use some milk to me, so I had simply put it down next to the manmade teat and guided its mouth. Happy chirps came from the little thing, until it promptly released it and fell asleep, I had joined it shortly after.    

There it slept now, in its tiny box made of cheap cardboard and cut out pieces of styrofoam, resting peacefully on an assortment of hay. I took the chance while the baby still slumbered in the sandman’s realm - somewhere in another dimension an alicorn of the night sneezed outright - and read through the brief pamphlet provided.

According to the ‘Various Facts and how to enforce a good behaviour in your fluffy’ Fluffyponies primarily drank milk until reaching about a month of age. Well, guess I know what I have to stock up on for the coming weeks. After that time more solid food could be introduced in the baby’s diet, however it stated that the species were solely herbivores - well, no shit, didn’t have to be an egghead to figure that out, this time a purple unicorn somewhere far away had a similar sneeze attack - and over time adapted to a regular pony’s or horse’s dietary.

I skimmed through the disciplinary section only briefly and outright considered throwing the pamphlet out when I came across the items that were tested to punish them for bad behaviour. Beating sticks? A little timeout house I could understand if it had been naughty and refused to listen to reason, but in this apartment no more beatings would be carried out, ever.

When I came across the part that talked about foal toys, I heard the tell-tale cry of my little foal. Just as the night before its soft chirpings brought an understanding to my heart. I once again steered its tiny, little mouth towards the teat and the nursing commenced, however this time it let go much sooner, accompanied by weak crying.

My insides went cold, I checked the teat, sucked dry. I hastily got up and started having a slight panic attack, where I tried to put on clothes, read the diet section again regarding milk and comfort the little one. I got very torn about leaving it alone, but I certainly couldn’t bring it with me to the store for fear of crushing it, its body roughly the size of my palm.

I forced myself to accept that the baby must be left by itself for just a couple of minutes until I got back. One of my older toys, a stuffed bunny plushie would have to do for now as comfort. Before I left I controlled every window and possible exit, in hindsight this was of course completely unnecessary, but hey, I barely knew my left from my right at this point.

With the baby secure in its box - it couldn’t move anyway - I took whatever money I saved for groceries along with my jacket and carefully locked the door behind me. I checked the door several times to make sure that it indeed stayed shut, don’t know when I started developing OCD, but eventually I left the apartment building.

Think I set a new track record as I rushed to the grocery store, almost frantically sprinting with small basket in my hand towards the dairy products. I got some extra fat milk, thinking that it’d probably be for the best if milk’s going to be its only food for a month. I picked up some cutter shavings to replace the hay in the box, newspaper I got a lot of at home so I covered that base.

The cashier looked like she’d rather call the security when she glanced over in my directions. Well, I probably looked like a crook, or maybe a weirdo at this point. I skipped shower so I imagine my hair is standing out everywhere, while some still slicked to my shoulders. Skipped shaving as well for the weekend, I mean why not with the autumn holiday coming up.

That’s what was a little different with Little Rock, instead of having the traditional holiday week, the schools prolonged it to a week and a half, instead starting school earlier when the summer holidays ended. I didn’t exactly plan it out, usually I abhor taking more days off, but this time I say it worked out nicely for my intended purposes.

“A gallon of milk and some cutter shavings, your total is six ninety-nine.” I snapped out of my unintentional daydreaming as the cashier addressed me again. “six ninety-nine, sir, for your wares?”

I shook my head. “Y-yes, of course, you’ll have to excuse me,” I said as I quickly fished out seven dollars, telling her to keep the penny. She rolled her eyes at that of course, and I hastily grabbed the supplies.

Think I broke the record again on the way back, but at the cost of breathing air smoothly, Seriously Robert, you should get in shape. I scolded myself.

I paused outside my door to catch my breath as I turned the key, not wanting to scare the little one since I read they can react badly to loud noises, I stealthily tiptoed in with the groceries in hand. I rushed into the bedroom, the little one laid there peacefully, trying to snuggle up to the bunny. The whole ordeal must have taken at most fifteen minutes.

I undid the artificial teat and bottle, cleaned it out with some hot water and then refilled it with some cow-juice, but I didn’t reattached it to the side of the box.

Then I finally undid my jacket, kicked off my shoes at the shoe rack at the door and went into the bedroom again. The little fluffy stirred now as I plopped down at the bed beside it. It chirped weakly and I helped it nurse once again, but this time I picked it up and rested the little one on my arm, guiding the teat gently to its mouth. Gosh, this time it certainly ate until it became satisfied for sure, nursing the bottle like a hungry calf.

I cooed at the little fluffball as I took up a stand against my bedroom window, where I came to the revelation that I forgot to pick a name for it. Unsure of what gender it actually was I kind of pushed aside some of its blue fur, coming to the conclusion that it was female.

When it stopped nursing I put the bottle down, I’m not sure if you burp little ponies, but it couldn’t hurt, right? So I put her on my shoulder and gently stroked the fur on her backside. I was momentarily rewarded with a small belch. Well, that confirms that I believe, now what to name you, you little cutiepie?

I looked outside, the skies were particularly sunny, with just some mischievous clouds hanging around, kudos to whomever brought up such a fine day - in her Sun Court, one regal sun alicorn had to excuse herself in front of a noble bothering her with questions regarding personal wealth.

Well, you’re just the loveliest shade of blue, and I believe I spot some white in your mane and tail, you little cloudfluff…and I think we have a winner ladies and gentlemen

I smiled as I put the baby up to my face and kissed its tiny forehead. “Welcome to your new home, my little Blue Cloud, I think we’re going to be just fine you and I,” as by command the newly named filly let out a small burp, “Hehe, yeah, we’re going to be just fine.”