Cake Mix 2: Batter Up

Chapters

Twins are home!
Pinkie's home too!
Red...Gala is here?
Song Break (Skippable)
Who is here!?

Twins are home!

“EEEEEEE! I can’t believe how cute you are! THIS IS AMAZING!” Came the rather lively cries of a certain pink earth pony as she bounced around the new form Carrot Cake had found herself in. ‘Angel’ Cake, as her wife insisted upon calling her, had been half dreading this moment ever since she had realized she’d be a mare for a week instead of just a day. The moment when Pinkie and the twins came home.

“So how did it happen? Was it Twilight messing up a spell?” Pinke asked bouncing up and down. Angel sighed, why would Princess Twilight even be casting such a spell?

“No Pinkie she didn’t mess up a spell.”

“Oh! Oh! Was it Discord deciding to play a prank?”

“No, he had nothing to do with this either.”

“Hmm, did Starlight mess up a spell? Did Evee? Oh that’s what I call Evening Storm. Isn’t it a great nickname?”

“It wasn’t Starlight, or that guy either, it wa-”

“Oh! Did Princess Cadance come over and mess up a spell? Was it Flurry Heart? Was it Lyra? Dinky? Sweetie Belle? Rarity? Sunse-”

“PINKIE! Nopony messed up a spell!” Angel shouted at the top of her lungs. Why did Pinkie have to realize it was him so quickly? She had barely batted an eye upon arriving home, instead she had asked why they both looked different. Angel was just glad the shop was still closed at the time. The last thing she wanted right now was for the town to learn of her predicament.

“Then what? Huh? What turned you into a mare my age with a poofy mane?” Pinkie’s eyes narrowed. “Heeeey, come to think of it, don’t you kinda look a bit like me?”

“O-Oh do I? I hadn’t noticed!” Angel said with a quick nervous laugh as she tried to wave it off. “Anyway, it was a potion gift from Zecora. Y-You see-”

“Ooooooh! I see! You both couldn’t make it to your plans in Canterlot because the train broke down, and talked to her about it, so she gave you potions that would make you look how the other wanted, but you didn’t know Ms. Cake liked mares before she made you one!”

“I…” Angel blinked. “Yes, yes that’s it exactly.” After this many years with Pinkie she knew better then to question this.

“So how long? Hmm? A day? Two days? Three days? F-”

“A week! Or at least what’s left of it.” She replied, trying to ignore how strange it felt to be the same height as Pinkie. Nevermind height, she was probably the same age! Before she stood a good foot taller, now they practically looked like sisters thanks to her mane style. If anypony saw them, they might think them twins.

Of course all this she had Cup Cake to thank for. Apparently both of them couldn’t help but agree that, for her young age, Pinkie Pie was likely one of the cuter mares out there. One any stallion would love to have as their marefriend. Thus the alterations in her body were very much modeled after the party pony who lived with them. A fact Angel Cake very much did not want Pinkie to find out about!

“Oh wow a week!? That’s so awesome! I should throw a party! A welcome to marehood party!” Before Angel could get a word in, Pinkie’s eyes widened. “Unless you don’t want a party because you’re feeling self conscious about all this! Oh no, I’m toootally making you feel awkward aren’t I?”

“W-well maybe a little…” Pinkie’s ears drooped as Angel said that, causing the mare to shake her head. “It’s not your fault Pinkie! Really! I’m just… not use to being a mare and a party celebrating that would make me feel… well very scared right now.”

“Say no more Angel Cake!” How did Pinkie know that name? She didn’t remember her or snookums mentioning it. “I Pinkie Pie, promise not to throw you any parties for you while you’re a mare without your approval!” Angel finally let out a breath she hadn’t known she was holding. She loved Pinkie almost like a daughter, but she really didn’t want the town finding out about this, she’d never live it down.

Plus any cute stallions would be less likely to be interested in you if they knew you were a stallion.

Angel’s jaw clenched. ‘Shut up brain.’

“Thank you Pinkie. Oh and could you keep it a secret I’m Carrot Cake? Sweetieplum and I are pretending I’m his ‘younger sister’”

“Oh! Like a play! Best idea EVER!” She accented this with confetti. As with everything else Pinkie, Angel wondered where it came from. “Oh! Have Pumpkin and Pound seen you like this yet?”

Angel winced. When Cup Cake’s parents came over to drop them off, Angel had hide in their room, not wanting to have to face them and explain herself. It was tricky enough for Cup to explain to her parents why she looked so young.

“N-No they haven’t.” In truth, seeing her foals right now terrified her. Would they even recognize this strange mare as their father? What if they didn’t and began to wonder where their dad went? Would they cry for the stallion he couldn’t be right now?

“Well no time like the present right? Oh! Speaking of presents!” Pinkie yelled, poking her head into her saddle bags and rummaging around. “I brought you this!”

Before Angel could protest about seeing the twins, Pinkie forced her hoof up so she could place a black bag, that appeared to contain powder, onto it. Confused she peered closer to see ‘Coffee’ written in some sort of white crayon upon it. Other then that single label, there was no other markings or information.

“I know how you love your coffee in the morning, so when Dashie and I found this in our friend Dar- I mean A.K. Yealing’s hotel room, I knew it’d make the perfect gift!”

“Oh!” Angel said testing the weight of the bag in her hoof. For a bag this small it’d likely only make a few cups before running out. That was rather unusual, perhaps it was a very special blend? “Thank you Pinkie!”

She smiled at her employee with the first genuine smile she had since finding out she’d be stuck like this.. Coffee always helped her relax! She couldn't wait to see what exotic flavor this one was! Wait hotel room? Did she?

“Um Pinkie you didn’t steal this did-”

“Of course not, and you’re welcome Mr.- I mean Angel Cake!” Pinkie giggled as she gave her a big hug, stopping any further questions. She had been hugged by Pinkie before, but being practically the same size made it feel a whole lot different. It almost felt less constricting somehow. Though she didn’t tend to have any serious ‘intimate’ thoughts about Pinkie while a stallion, having a cute, sexy, mare hug him when he was married always made him feel a little weird. Now as Angel Cake, she didn’t feel that at all.

Maybe it was just hard for her to think along those lines when they were both the same sex? Hugging did seem to be a thing mares did more casually then stallions after all. It was kinda nice really. She’d have to ask Cup Cake her thoughts later.

“I’ll go put this in the cabinet with your other blends while you say hi to Pound and Pumpkin!” Angel blinked. When had they gotten upstairs in front of the nursery? Had she been that lost in thought? It was too soon! She couldn’t just barge in there like this right?

“W-well you see about that-”

“Here we are!” Pinkie announced opening the door, and pushing her through. “In you go!”

“W-wait!” Angel tried to protest before she found herself staring at Cup Cake on the ‘nursing’ bed with Pound and Pumpkin laying before her. All three had stopped to stare at the new pony in the room.

“Oh! Hello darling,” Cup Cake said with a smile, “here to see our lovely little ones?” Angel gulped.

“Ba?” Pound squeaked out as he looked up at her. Angel felt her heart begin to race. What if he began to cry? Scared of the strange mare in their home? For some reason that thought squeezed her heart more than she thought. They were her foals, her little prides and joys. What would she do if they didn’t realize she was one of their parents?

“Oh don’t stand way over there dearie, come lay with me, let them see you.”

“B-but sugerplum w-what if they don’t… don’t…” Her throat was dry. What was she supposed to do? She didn’t want her own foals to reject her, but at the same time she couldn’t bring herself to run away.

“Oh will you stop being silly and just come over here?” Cup Cake laughed as she nuzzled Pumpkin who squealed with delight. With a shaking hoof she began to make her way toward the bed, taking in the scene before her. The twins showed no notice of their mother being different, simply giggling and cooing as they always did. Of course Cup Cake hadn’t swapped gender like she had.

As she got closer both foals stopped and looked up at her with curious awe. Swallowing a lump in her throat, she stopped by the bedside, staring down at them with a nervous glance. Pound was the first to waddle over, wearing a curious expression.

“H-Hey there buddy.” She said putting on her best smile. At first Pound just kept regarding her with those curious eyes of his, before he began to babble while trying to reach out to her with his little hoof. Though hesitant, she couldn’t resist touching it with her own. It was so small compared to hers. Why did that surprise her? She had thought something similar to when she was Carrot, yet now there was a strange sensation of awe. Pound was just so tiny and cute. So was Pumpkin, cuddled there against her mother. Weird, seeing that made her feel off. Almost like she was jealous for some reason.

Pound looked at the hoof he was touching for a few seconds before slowly moving his head up to stare at the mare it was attached too. For a few terrifying moments, they stared at each other blankly before Pound began to babble excitingly, trying to reach both legs out to grab her in a hug.

“Pa Pa!” He cooed between excited babbles. “Pa Pa!”

The tension that had been welling up in her chest evaporated as her vision became blurred. Confused she blinked her eyes a couple of times before realizing she was crying. Seriously? She never got this emotional as a stallion.

“I told you it’d be fine dear.” Cup Cake said softly, patting the bed next to her. “Now why don’t you join me?” Angel Cake grinned sheepishly. Well that was still a stallion trait she had, thinking too much. Everypony always said you should trust your wife’s intuition. Being careful not to harm Pound or Pumpkin, she made her way onto the bed, laying next to her wife, Pumpkin nestled between them. The filly looked up at Angel with the same curious eyes Pound had before joining in with the excited babbling.

“Pa pa!” She giggled, nuzzling against Angel’s chest. Her heart fluttered from her daughter’s affection. How were they so lucky to have such wonderful little foals? With a giggle of her own, she noticed a few strands of Pumpkin’s mane sticking out in a frizzy manner, making her look rather silly. Leaning her head down, she began to lick at the stray strands, forcing them back into place. She continued her washing for a few moments before her brain finally registered what she was doing. With a jerk, her head sprang back up.

“W-what am I doing!?” Next to her, she heard Cup Cake erupt into a fit of giggles.

“Oh that was simply adorable!” Those words sent shivers down Angel’s spine. What was happening to her?

“C-Cuppy! This isn't’ funny! I never act like this!”

“Well as a stallion no, but you aren’t a stallion right now are you?” Cup replied with a nuzzle. Though the affection was appreciated, it did little to calm Angel’s nerves.

“B-but why have I changed so much in my behavior suddenly? Is the transformation getting worse somehow!?”

“Hmm, I don’t think so. At least I haven’t noticed anything different with how I’ve been acting besides what you wanted.” Another nuzzle, this time followed by a few licks to her neck. “I daresay you’ve made me a bit more daring and forward haven’t you? I couldn’t help but notice how eager I was to give you that blow job.” The combination of Cup Cake’s affection and words caused her to blush. Looks like she was busted.

“W-well it’s only for a little while r-right?” Angel managed to stammer out as Cup gave another flurry of giggles.

“Oh sweetums, it’s fine. If I was upset with it I would have told you. I actually find it a bit exciting. I’ll have to make an effort to be more like this after the potion effects are gone.”

“You mean it?” Angel asked before finally shaking her head and smiling. “No of course you do. I’m sorry dear I don’t know why I’m so nervous about everything right now. I know you love me.” She gave Cup a few nuzzles of her own. It was strange how natural this was beginning to feel. At first it had been strange showing her this kind of affection when she was a mare herself, but as time went on, that was becoming less and less important.

“Well, I must admit that might be my doing as well Carrot.” Cup Cake said with a sigh. “W-when I thought of you as a mare, I believed I imagined the kind of mare I always dreamed of having in a relationship. I’d sometime imagine you surprising me by inviting a mare to join us.” She gave a small snort. “Never imagined that instead you’d become the mare.”

Angel was silent after hearing that. How long had Cup Cake been fantasizing about something like this? Not so much the him becoming a mare, but just having one join her in bed? Or was it more then that? Angel knew for certain now that Cup Cake would have never left ‘him’ for anypony, stallion or mare, but now that she had him like this…

For Cup Cake this could be the best of both worlds. Not only is she able to explore the fantasy she’s kept quiet for so long, but she also doesn’t have to worry about it harming the one she loves the most. Angel Cake was the one Cuppy loved most.

Realizing this made Angel’s mind spin. Didn’t this mean that she could fulfill a lot of Cup Cake’s fantasies without it harming their marriage? What did Cup even want from her as a mare? Should she act a certain way? As long as she let Cuppy know she was doing it to please her, and it wasn’t the spell, it should be fine right? To think if she had taken Cup Cake to bed after that first potion, ‘Angel Cake’ would have never been. It was entirely possible that he’d have taken her to bed and that’d been it.

How ironic it was now Cup Cake who was getting all the fun. Likely more than she ever bargained for. Was it really okay for her to spend the entire week simply waiting for the spell to end? This was a rare opportunity right? Cup Cake sounded like she was prepared to make all this up to her tenfold. What was Angel doing for her?

“S-so what kind of mare do you think you made me?” Angel asked, trying to remain calm. Part of her was still scared at how much the potion might be affecting her, but she just had to remind herself that it’d all be back to normal once it wore off at the end of the week. In the meantime she supposed she could at least try to be a mare for her snookums

Though she still wasn’t so sure about inviting any stallions to the bedroom.

Not just yet...

“Well I’m not sure how much I might have influenced you, but let me see…” As Cup Cake began to tap the underside of her muzzle, Angel shifted her legs while feeling her tail flick a bit. The lack of a dick was something she wasn’t sure she’d ever get used to!

“Well darling, I wanted her timid for certain, probably why I thought of the Fluttershy like voice for you. Oh I do hope she doesn’t find out about this. I’m not sure how I’d explain myself.”

Angel snorted. “You’re worried about that? What am I going to say if Miss Rarity hears you?” That caused Cup to giggle.

“I suppose you’re right. It is her manner and tone I’m using isn’t it?” She flicked her hair, letting it bounce. “I actually found myself putting in extra time to look good this morning. No, don’t apologize sweetie, I had fun with it. I can’t say I haven’t enjoyed looking this young and beautiful.” She wiggle her hips. “And oh so sexy.”

Angel blushed. “C-Cup Cake the twins are right here!”

Cup Cake rolled her eyes. “Oh really darling, they don’t care that I’m wigging my hips, or understand the context and we certainly aren’t doing anything rash while in here.” Angel sighed.

“I suppose I’m still a bit worked up. There’s just so much to get use to, and my concern about my own kids recognizing me had been bothering me for most of yesterday and today.”

“I know sweetie, I know.” Cup Cake said softly, giving her wife a tender nuzzle. “That’s why I want you to take your time we have all week after all. In the meantime, let me see if I can pinpoint any ‘mare traits’ I might have had in mind.” She went back to rubbing her muzzle’s underside.

“I did want you to think of yourself as a mare, not a stallion. You certainly seem to move like a mare, but I obviously have no idea if you refer to yourself as one. Hmm what else?”

It hadn’t really dawned on Angel before, but she had been thinking of herself as a she for a while now. Even calling herself Angel Cake in her own mind. Hadn’t she been thinking of herself as Carrot after first being transformed?

Her thoughts returned to the ‘sexy pose’ Cuppy had asked her to do on the bed. When she first let go of thinking as a stallion and tried to be a mare. It was as if her mind just fell into place at that moment, no longer worried about being a ‘he’. While it was convenient for keeping up appearances, it didn’t exactly make her any less nervous. She could really go for a calming cup of coffee.

It was at that moment she finally noticed a cup sitting on a nearby dresser. Was that coffee? Did some unseen magical force grant her wish? Moving her head over to investigate, she could see it’d been sitting there for a few moments, likely being left to cool after being poured piping hot. She could also tell by the texture and smell that sadly it was not coffee, but tea. Oh that’s right, Cup Cake did like a warm cup of tea when relaxing.

Shrugging, she lifted it up and began to take a small drink. Sipping it to make sure it wasn’t too hot. It wasn’t coffee, but it’d still help. She doubted Cup Cake would mind sharing. As the liquid flowed down her throat into her stomach, a warmth traveled through her body. How odd, tea never gave her this effect when she had it as a stallion.

“Oh right!” Cup Cake exclaimed looking pleased with herself for remembering. “I also wanted you to have a sensitive tummy so when I rubbed it- WAIT HONEY DON’T!” The scream at the end startled Angel so much that she almost spilled the beverage all over them. Her wife was staring at her with wide worried eyes.

“W-what?” Angel managed to spit out as she gently put the cup back down. “I didn’t think you’d mind if we shared, I mean we do it all the ti-EEEEEM!” Her words rose sharply in pitch as the warmth from the tea drifted down to her teats. They began to tingle as the sensation lingered in that area, growing stronger with each passing second.

“W-what’s happening?” She squeaked, while rolling onto her side. Moving her legs into a position so she could she her teats, her eyes nearly bugged out of her skull as she watched. W-what was going on? They were so much bigger than before! Why were they all swollen? Giving one of them a test poke, she shivered as a small droplet of white dripped out.

“Um, you see darling,” Cup Cake began, “I thought the twins might like some of mommy’s milk when they got home so I added something to my tea that causes mares to lactate…”

“T-this is what if feels like to have milk in there?” Angel shivered from the feeling. Cup never seemed to mind it when she did this before, but oh Celestia did this feel weird! There was no way anything from being a mare was going to be stranger than this!

‘“But aren’t they too old for this?” Angel asked trying not to move anymore than necessary. With each shift in movement, she could feel the milk slosh around a bit inside her. Okay she wanted off this ride!

“Almost, well okay yes probably but I had this young sexy body and they’ve been gone for a few days now, that I wanted to give them a special treat…” Cup Cake replied with a bit of a blush. Well that was a relief, if the twins didn’t really need milk like this, that meant she could probably take something that’d reverse it.

Of course that was when Pound took notice of not only her position, but what she now had on her body, making his way over to them. Distracted she didn’t realize just what Pound was probably planning until it was too late.

“W-wait Pound! Do-oooooooooooh…” She breathed as Pound wrapped his lips around her now very tender nipple. Noises she wouldn't be able to describe if asked came from her mouth mere seconds later as he began to suckle ever so gently. She could feel the milk draining from her body, nourishing her foal.

“That feels weird!” She hissed, trying to keep herself from jerking away and harming him. “Dear Celestia that feels so soooooo weird!”

“Oh my, I didn’t expect this to happen sweetie.” Cup Cake said with a bit more amusement then Angel would have preferred. “Oh, and you might want to brace yourself darling.”

“Wait what? Wh-EEEEEEEEEEEEE!” Pumpkin Cake had decided to join her brother on the other teat. For a few moments all she could do was stare at the two tiny ponies nuzzled up against her, slowly drinking their fill.

“D-Dear they’re nursing from me! F-From me!” Angel said blankly as she watched her little ones paw at her side while they fed. With each suckle she could feel her teats drain ever so slowly. Part of her still wanted to move away at the strangeness of it all, but her body refused to budge.

“Yes dear they are.” Again Cup sounded way too casual for the situation, “They look so cute don’t they? Just like my darling wife at the moment.” She kissed her cheek, sending a pleasant shiver through her body.

“B-but shouldn’t we stop them or something?” Angel protested weakly, “I mean shouldn’t they feed from their mother?” She could almost see Cup’s eyes twinkle at that.

“Well in a sense they are snookums. Right now you are as every bit their ‘mother’ as I am.”

A mother? Her? She looked back at the two foals cuddled beside her. They were so relaxed, so trusting of her. There was no doubt they knew this mare was their parent. Did they even understand what had happened to her? Even if they did, it was obvious it didn’t matter to them. She was their parent, whether a ‘mommy’ or a ‘daddy’.

Then there was the sensation of nursing itself. Despite the overall strangeness of it, she couldn’t deny a… connection of sorts. One she had never felt with her foals before. Without thinking she had begun to wash them once more. This time she did not stop upon realizing it. Both Pound and Pumpkin giggled and squirmed as she groomed them. That’s right, they were her precious babies. Accepting her love without question and returning it in full.

How different would it be if she had carried them to term?

“Oh my!” Cup Cake suddenly exclaimed as she watched her. One of her hooves had even found itself to her mouth. “I can’t believe I hadn’t noticed till now. I wonder if she was the real model for your mane?”

Angel blinked at that. “What do you mean dear? This isn’t a copy of Pinkie’s?”

“I’m not sure.” Cup Cake stared at her for a few more moments before shaking her head, a single tear escaping from her eyes.

“Sorry dearie it’s just, I remember helping Pear Butter out when she had Big Mac.” As she lifted her head back up, a sad smile set upon her mouth. “You reminded me of how she looked back then just now.”

“Oh…” Silence.

Angel wasn’t able to think of much to say. He had met Pear Butter and Bright Mac of course, but he was only casual friends with both. It was Cup Cake who was Pear Butter’s best friend. Rarely had he seen two mares a close friends as them. Could it be that Cup Cake had feelings for her in the past? It was the time she’d likely been experimenting with her friend Whipped Cream.

“I guess my mane does look a bit like hers, and my colors…” Angel had meant to go on, but Cup had placed her hoof on her mouth.

“Honey you do remind me of her a bit looking like that, and maybe it influenced parts of the mare I made you into, but I don’t want you to compare yourself to her got that? After all, even if she hadn’t met Bright Mac,” another nuzzle, “I made the best choice in the pony I married.”

Angel couldn’t help but blush. “Have I told you I love you?”

Cup giggled. “Not today you haven’t.”

Their lips came together, and remained in such a way till both had to finally come up for air. Every bit of Angel’s body tingled.

“Mmm,” She cooed staring at the mare who was the best wife she could ask for. “We should probably start getting the place ready to open.”

“We have Pinkie back darling. I’m sure we can afford a few moments more.”

“Well when you put it that way.” Leaning forward she kissed her wife again, relishing in the feeling. It was still so weird and yet exhilarating to experience these new sensations. A simple kiss really did feel just that different then it had when she was Carrot. She actually found herself lamenting the fact she’d lose these sensations when changed back.

“I still can’t get over how different that feels.” She said in a whisper.

Cup Cake frowned. “Bad different?”

Angel quickly shook her head. “Oh no! It’s good! It’s mmm very good.” She added while giving Cup Cake’s neck another nuzzle. “Especially when you return the favor. I might actually miss how sensitive this body is.”

“Well, I guess I’ll just have to make sure I please my little minx enough before that happens.” Cup Cake purred as she tickled Angel’s flank with her tail. The sensation caused her to shiver, her own tail twitching in response. Part of her was beginning to wish the twins weren’t settled between them.

“Mmm, keep that up snookums and I fear I’ll do something I might regret.” She gave her the best sultry look she could, only hoping she could pull it off. She knew it had an effect when Cup blushed.

“Speaking of regrets…” Cup Cake said slowly, her voice lowering. For a moment Angel thought she had hurt her somehow, but the mare placed a hoof on Angel’s chest as if sensing such thoughts.

“Dear, I want to be very clear with what I’m about to say.” Her voice was soft yet stern. Feeling butterflies in her tummy Angel nodded.

“Of course snoo- Cup Cake sweetie.” Now didn’t seem to be the time for nicknames.

“Dear, I love you, and I think we’ve both established that we trust each other and would never do anything to ruin our marriage. Do you agree?”

Angel nodded ever so slightly to indicate she heard. Just what was she getting at?

“Well that being said, as the town sees you right now. You are not my husband, but his sister. A single mare in town for the week.”

Single?

“B-but Cup I’m still-”

Cup Cake raised her hoof. “I know darling I know, but as far as everypony else is concerned you are single. As a single mare, I want you to know that it’s okay with me if you act as one. At least… when it comes to stallions.”

Angels eyes grew wide. “W-what are you saying!?”

“I’ve been thinking…” Cup began her gaze lowering. “What if I had become a stallion to your mare? Would I have learned something I didn’t know? Would the knowledge of being a male help me please you later?”

Angel wanted to protest, but she couldn’t deny the logic in what Cup was saying. She had just been wondering if there was anything she could do to please her, and being in the same sex likely would give her some hidden insight other stallions didn’t have. Still, she wasn’t really a mare. How could she possibly do anything with a nice strong stallion?

“Dear we’ve been over this already, I couldn’t possibly-”

“I understand dearie,” Cup Cake cut her off, “and if you decide you simply want no part of a stallion’s touch, then that’s the way it’ll stay. I just don’t want you to hesitate if for some reason the situation arises. Share a nuzzle, share a kiss, go wild! I want you to know that I’m okay with you going for it. Don’t hold back.”

This was crazy! Was her wife seriously telling her it was okay to go make out with a stallion? There was no way she could do that! Just thinking back to the two stallions from the other day caused her coat to bristle. She could still see them standing there with their looks of concern on those handsome faces of theirs. Sleek well toned bodies for rutting a mare senseless. Wait, what was she thinking!?

“I-I’ll think about it…” She croaked. Cup Cake finally seemed to relax as she began to rub her cutie mark with her hoof. She shivered. Chalk up another overly sensitive area she now possessed as a mare.

“I’m not saying to jump in the sack with them or anything silly, and if that was to happen you better tell me first. I was serious about that threesome.” A grin creept upon her face. “Unless you want to see if Pinkie would join us in bed.”

Angel’s face flushed. “D-Dear!”

Cup laughed, letting the rest of the tension slip away. “I kid sweetie. There is a reason I specified stallion in that speech. I’m the only mare you should need in your bed.” With that she gave Angel another long lustful kiss, causing her entire body to heat up. She really wished the foals weren’t with them right now.

“Of course if Pinkie expresses interest.” She continued after breaking the kiss, “I suppose we could make an exception.” She winked. Angel groaned.

“DEAR!”

Author's Note

And we have our first chapter of the sequel!

Chapter 2 is in progress, so look forward to it.

Not sure just how long this will be yet, and at some point I need to take a break to finish up 'A Novel Match'.

I admit that Pound and Pumpkin probably are too old, period, to really 'nurse' but I wanted to write that scene, so we'll ignore that minor timeline hiccup.

Pinkie's home too!

It was about an hour later, and Angel was busy cooking away in the kitchen. Despite being ‘Angel Cake’ now, she could still whip up the best Carrot Cake in town. Thinking about it, her cutie mark could probably just barely pass as a match for her namesake. Perhaps she should try her hoof at an Angel Cake today? Wouldn’t it be funny if it was just as tasty?

Moving to grab some more flour, she winced. The twins had drained her teats of most of the milk, but the sensation was still running through her mind. How did Cuppy deal with this all the time? The worst part was she still couldn’t decide if she disliked the sensation, or really wanted to try it again.

“Cupcakes are ready!” Pinkie practically screamed, slamming the trey down near them. As usual, the frosting jumped in the air from the impact, only to land perfectly back on the pastries as if nothing had ever happened. Angel swore the laws of physics just didn’t apply when dealing with Pinkie Pie.

“They look wonderful as always Pinkie.” Not surprisingly, Pinkie had made a few extras for them to try. A fact she was quick to take advantage of, plopping one into her mouth.

“Oh!” She cried as the flavor washed over her tongue. These were great! The best batch yet! “Mmmmm.” As she savored the treat she was made vaguely aware of Pinkie giggling.

“You do realize you’re purring in appreciation right?” She said with a huge Grin. Angel blinked at that. Was she really?

“I-it’s just you made them so good this time…”

“Actually I didn’t do anything different than I normally do. I think somepony just has a sweet tooth!”

“B-but, it’s so tasty…” Had she really done nothing different? Then why did it taste so much better this time? Could getting a mare body really affect the way she tasted things? Well many other things about her body were different, so it wasn’t all that strange to consider right?

“Dear? Did you decorate the dining area with table cloths?” Cupcake asked, walking in from the storefront. Her expression showed mild confusion. Angel quickly mirrored her look.

“Table cloths? What do you mean?”

“Oh that was me!” Pinkie said waving frantically.

“Oh! Well uh, not that I don’t appreciate it Pinkie dear, but why such long ones?”

“Well, I thought to myself: “Hey Pinkie, what would make the dining area look super fun?” and duh the answer was colorful table cloths! But I miiiiiight have forgotten to measure them first. That’s totally what happened, anditwon’ttieintotheplotlater.”

Cup was naturally skeptical, especially since she couldn’t make out that last part. “I see. They are a bit long though. Somepony wasn’t planning on hiding beneath the tables to doll out surprise cupcakes or something were they?”

“What no? Of course not! I Pinkie Pie would never think of doing such super fantastically fun things like that!” She stood tall, doing her best to look imposing. Course with it being Pinkie Pie, it all looked a bit silly and rather adorable.

“Oh yes of course not.” Cup said with a roll of her eyes. In truth it was great having Pinkie back with her usual energetic nature brightening up the kitchen. Watching the pink blur work, also revealed a worry she had been trying to ignore since the mare came home. Despite both her and Angel becoming the same age as Pinkie, she found her feelings and respect for her had not changed much. There was still no way she’d hurt her by trying to get her to join in any ‘sexual’ activities. Though, much as she hated to admit it, the thought of them being such young and pretty mares made it just a bit more tantalizing...

As Pinkie bobbed her rear up and down while working on her next batch of pastries, Cup had to bite her lip. Yep, definitely tempting. If Pinkie expressed interest herself, Cup wasn’t sure she could say no. The idea of them all being such lovely mares kept playing through her mind. Regardless, if her and Angel were to invite a third, she still preferred a stallion to break her sexy little wife in.

Assuming Angel ever became comfortable with the idea of course. She always found her husband attractive, but couldn’t help but watch just how sexy and adorable Carrot was as this mare. Sexyorable, as Pinkie might put it. It’d be a shame if they didn’t end up exploring this, but she just couldn’t bring herself to push her. Maybe she could set up a test somehow?

“Anyway Ms. Cake we have to finish up these backup batches so we don’t leave you in a pickle when Angel Cake and I go out dressed as cute waitresses!”

“Oh right.” Angel said, focused on her work. It was a few seconds later that what Pinkie said finally sank in. “Wait what? Dress up as cute waitresses!?”

“Eeee! I thought you’d never ask!” Pinkie exclaimed while bouncing in place. In a flash she zipped up the stairs and came back down wearing four white socks, along with a blue puffy dress that included a white apron over it, complete with PInkie’s cutie mark embroidered upon it. Finally a blue hat very similar to Angel Cake’s own adorned her head. In her hooves she held a hanger which had a similar outfit draped upon it, except both the dress itself and the socks were pink.

“I’ve had these stashed away for ‘There’s a cute mare my age in the kitchen that would look great in it’ emergencies!” Pinkie cried as she practically vibrated with excitement. Angel felt herself sigh. Of course Pinkie had such a thing for a random reason like that. Wait a minute, SHE was that cute mare Pinkie was talking about!

“N-Now Pinkie I’m not sure that’s such a good idea…” She said slowly while backing up. She really didn’t know what she thought she’d accomplish. There was no escape. Especially after Pinkie’s ears drooped the moment Angel had said that.

“Y-you don’t want to?” Pinkie’s mane joined her ears in lifelessness. “I-I just thought we could have fun spending time together… that’s all…I mean you just look so cute, a-and I thought it’d be fun to dress up a-and.”

The party mare practically hiccupped with sorrow. The expression on poor Pinkie’s face was so sad that Angel felt it squeeze her heart. Damn it, she could never say no when Pinkie got like this! Biting her quivering lip, she steeled herself for what she only hoped she didn’t regret later.

“A-Alright fine I’ll do it!”

Pinkie’s mane immediately sprang back to life as her mood did a one-eighty. “You will? EEEEE Thank you Angel Cake! This will be the best thing EVER!” She screeched, prancing in place. Angel’s eyes narrowed. Was she just tricked?

“Come on! We’ll get changed right now!” Pinkie yelled, dragging her up the stairs.

“W-wait!” Angel cried, looking at Cup for rescue, “I still have to finish prepping the pastries!”

“Oh I can take it from here dearie.” Cup said with a twinkle in her eye. “You go enjoy prettying yourself.”

“Traitor!” It was the last thing Angel was able to cry before being dragged completely up the stairwell.

* * *

“Alright, first things first! Put on these socks!” Pinkie said, handing over the outfit. With a heavy sigh, Angel simply accepted it. Cup Cake clearly wasn’t going to help prevent this, and Pinkie’s insistence on this wouldn’t die out anytime soon. Her only real choice was to get this over with.

“Are you sure I can’t just do this tomorrow or something?” Or wait long enough that I’m not a mare anymore?

“Never put off tomorrow what you can do right now!” Pinkie chirped back with a bounce, eagerly awaiting for her to get dressed. “Don’t worry, you’ll look great! Especially with that makeup already put on! I didn’t know you knew how to do that.”

“I don’t, Cup Cake helped me.” Angel said before taking a sock end in her mouth and sliding it up one of her legs. Why did this make her feel so naughty all of a sudden? Holding her hoof up, she turned it this way and that, admiring the pink cloth. It was because this was going to give a sexy look to her wasn’t it? She didn’t know what it was about long socks on a mare, but damn it made their looks pop in the best way possible. Would a stallion find her just as sexy as she found Cup or Pinkie when in these?

With a shiver Angel shook the thoughts from her head. She didn’t need to be thinking about how sexy she found Pinkie’s outfits, and really didn’t need to be thinking about how stallions would find her like this.

“Come on! Come on! Hurry! Hurry!” Pinkie sang as she danced around her. Steeling herself, Angel simply got to work on getting dressed, trying not to focus on just what she was doing too much. Still the feel of this fabric on her felt… wonderful in a way. She wasn’t a tailor or dressmaker like Rarity was, so she didn’t know if it was possible to make clothing ‘softer’ in a sense, but these felt just like that. More elegant in a way. As if they burst with joy to bring out as much feminine charm in their wearer as they could.

She almost thought herself thinking silly thoughts, till the outfit was complete and she got a look at her reflection.

“T-That’s me?” She blurted out before she could stop herself. The petite little yellow mare in the mirror, dressed in her cute little waitress outfit was out of this world! As Carrot she wasn’t blind. She knew that Pinkie and many of her friends were rather stunning mares. Any one of them could pass as a model, heck Fluttershy had even become one at one point! Never in a million years would Angel have thought she could join such elite ranks, and yet as she was now...

“EEEEEEE!” Pinkie squealed again, clapping her hooves together. “You look great! Better than expected! We’re going to catch so much attention out there!”

“Y-Yeah I guess so…” Angel’s voice was low, barely a whisper. Wasn’t she hesitant about this mere minutes ago? Why did it seem like less of an issue now that it was done? Okay so maybe part of her really wanted to show this off to Cup Cake. Hay, if she found her cute before, then this! Course this would mean she’d have to walk out into the dining room where ponies could see her, but she supposed that was a small price to pay. Perhaps she could get away with hiding in the kitchen most of the time and let Pinkie do most of the waitressing?

“So do you like the outfit? Huh? Do you? Do you? Do you?!”

“Y-Yes Pinkie I think it looks great on me.” Perhaps a bit too much. “A-anyway we should get back to work right?”

“Huh? Oh right! Work! Yep! We’ve got LOTS of work to do! Can’t keep them waiting! Oh the boys are gonna love seeing you! You’ll have to shoo them away with a broom!”

Those words caused a strange warmth to flow through her body. She couldn’t have really right? Was she really as pretty as Pinkie and her friends? S-surely she wasn’t as pretty as somepony like Fluttershy or Rarity was!

...right?

“Anyway let’s go!” Pinkie yelled as she pushed her snout into Angel’s flank, trying to push her forward. With a surprised (and rather cute) yelp, she did her best to move her front hooves enough to not get toppled over. What was Pinkie doing? This was inappropriate right? At least Pinkie would have never done this to her as a stallion!

‘But you’re not a stallion’ Her mind reminded her. Right now she was a mare the same age as Pinkie herself and thus she was being treated no differently than how Pinkie treated any of her other mare friends. She had to admit it was actually rather nice somehow.

“We have to get to the train station before the next train comes! Stallions looking to find love have been traveling to and from the Crystal Empire all this season, and if we want to convince some of them to stop here in Ponyville and try out Sugar Cube Corner, we have to be there to catch their eye!”

“Wait we’re going to WHAT!?” Angel screamed as she found herself being pushed out the front door and down it’s paths…

* * *

“Hey! Hey! Come and listen! We’ve got some things to say! Sugar Cube Corner has quite the spread today! If you’re eager for something so tasty and sweet! Then come on down and get yourself a treat!”

In true Pinkie fashion, the mare was bouncing, hopping, skipping, and popping around, all the while singing a song that Angel wondered where Pinkie had come up with on the spot. She had to have written this all down before hoof right?

As for what they were doing here, being that it was Pinkie and how they both were dressed, they were getting no shortage of stares. Some stared in awe at how energetic Pinkie was. Some seemed to admire their outfits, an observation that made her secretly happy Pinkie had made her wear this. Then there were some rather… lustful ones from the stallions.

It was those looks that bothered her the most. She still wasn’t sure how she felt about catching the eye of any stallions, and here she was catching many more than she had ever hoped. Thankfully she hadn’t been made to try and keep up with Pinkie’s insane choreography. Something she wasn’t sure she was capable of and something she didn’t want to do given just how much more attention she’d likely be given. Instead she was given ‘sign duty’ which consisted entirely of standing there holding the sign for Sugar cube corner and to ‘look pretty’ as Pinkie put it.

Instead she was really beginning to wish she could just disappear..

‘Okay I suppose it’s not all bad right? At least my job is easy!’ She thought to herself, trying her hardest to keep a smile and not simply bolt back to her room back home and locking the door shut. She really did have a bit of Fluttershy in her didn’t she?

“So come on and come down! Spend some time in our little town! Come and join the party with the cutest mares around!” With that last bit, Pinkie threw a hoof over a very surprised Angel Cake.

“Ah! W-What are you doing?” She hissed at the party mare, who just shrugged and smiled.

“Just telling the truth.” She replied before leaping back into song, bouncing away.

‘That’s the problem!’ Angel thought furiously while still trying to remain still and smiling. While it was true that most of the ponies attention was on the pink blur dancing around, Angel knew more than one appraising look must have been thrown her way. She was trying to ignore it, but the more she gazed around the crowd, the more… longing looks she noticed on Stallions. Many turning away the moment she caught their eyes.

Wait were… were they embarrassed that they found her so attractive? Looking around she was met with a few more doing the same. It was certainly looking that way. Huh. That was actually kinda funny. Nice even.

Feeling curious, and unable to help herself, she turned her body ever so slightly giving a flick of her tail and shake of her mane. Upon glancing back out several more stallions seemed to find ‘other’ directions to look, a healthy blush upon their cheeks.

She giggled. It was ever so cute of them. She could just remember giving the same look to all the beautiful mares when she was still their age, and still male. Geez this was weird. Most stallions didn’t get to see things from this side of the fence.

She wondered. Was there some stallion out there even now trying to muster up the courage to talk to her? That’s how it had been when he had first seen Cup Cake back then. Corny as it was, he swore time had stood still when he spotted her in that crowd. As if the light from the heavens themselves chose that moment to shine down upon her. Would she… would she be able to have that effect on somepony herself?

Much as she didn’t want to admit it, the idea was... intoxicating in a way. Carrot Cake had not been the most handsome of ponies, deep down she knew that. Beauty of course was only fur deep, but still. There were plenty of stallions with better looks than him. It’s just how it was. Though despite that Cup Cake had chosen to go out with him. Finding attraction to him. Once when he had talked to her about this, she had informed him that she had felt the same way. That there were mares much prettier than her. Yet to Carrot. She was the most stunning one there. Still the point was that they both knew they weren’t going to be famous models or win any beauty contests.

For ‘Angel Cake’ however. It was so much different. She already knew she was pretty, but the more looks she got, the more she was having to accept just how pretty she might be. Made all the more apparent by the looks of envy she noticed other mares were giving her! To think! Ponies were envious of her! They wanted to look like her! Stallions wanted to go out with HER!

It felt… wonderful, and that scared her.

“It’s working! It’s working!” Pinkie exclaimed, rushing up to her. It took a moment for Angel to process what she meant when she saw quite the crowd exiting the train. Unlike in the big cities, here in Ponyville you might have a good ten or so minutes of the train sitting in the station as the conductor and other staff looked over various things. Seems Pinkie’s song in this time had the intended effect as folks usually didn’t take the time to stop here, given the next train would be a few hours away at best.

“I’m going to go greet all the ponies coming off at the front of the train! You stay here and direct any you can to Sugar Cube Corner on THIS end!”

“W-wait!” Angel cried for what she felt was the fifth time that day. “I can’t-” But of course it was too late, Pinkie was long gone, leaving her on her own. Sadly she didn’t have long to ponder her next course of action.

“Excuse me?” A rather cute brown coated stallion with a pure black mane asked as he trotted up to her.

“Oh uh y-yes?” She felt herself stammer as she gazed up at his muzzle. Hmm, well he was handsome, but a bit too old for her liking. If only he was a few years young- wait was she thinking!?

“Could you tell me how to get to this Sugar Cube Corner? It sounds like the perfect place to take a break from this long train ride.” He smiled at her, his eyes desperately trying to keep on her own muzzle and not travel down her body. The realization of that sent a pleasant shiver down her spine.

“O-Oh yes! It’s right down this path to the left. There are signs that should lead you right to it!”

“Thank you kindly.” He replied with a bow before trotting away. As she watched him go, she couldn’t help but notice him stealing a glance back toward her, quickly looking back away as if he had been caught stealing a cookie from a cookie jar. The whole thing made her giggle.

‘Oh geez I was just like that when single wasn’t I?’

“Um, excuse me miss?” A little white filly pegasus with a red mane asked looking up at her. Angel smiled as she looked down at her. She was so cute. Reminded her of Pumpkin cake back home. Maybe even a little of Pound. Would her own foals look as cute as this little filly did right now? Standing close by was a mare with very similar colors. Angel could only assume it was the little filly’s mother.

“Yes sweetie? How can I help you? She replied in the best ‘motherly’ voice she could muster. The tone was as soft and sweet as Fluttershy’s was. She could only imagine what such a voice did when matched with this body.

The moment Angel spoke, the filly's eyes grew wide with wonder. “Wow! You sound and look really pretty!”

“O-Oh? Am I?” Was all Angel could muster as she felt her face become hot. Okay maybe she could imagine it now. The mother of said filly burst into little giggles.

“Cherry Wing, don’t forget to ask her your question!”

“Huh? O-Oh right!” Cherry squealed as if she suddenly realized it was a snow day. “Mama promised me ice cream and said I should ask you where this sugar corner place is so we can get some!” As she spoke she bounced up and down in anticipation. The entire display was simply adorable.

‘Would it be like this for Pumpkin Cake and I if she was old enough?’

“Oh yes!” Try as she might, she could still feel the burn of her blush shining through. “Just go down that path there alright? Take a left at the pretty bush of roses and have your mommy help you find all the signs that’ll take you to my shop okay?”

“Okaies! Thank you!” Cherry Wing replied, dashing off ahead, only to stop about five feet from them. “Come on mommy! Ice Cream! Ice Cream!” At this the mother laughed.

“Alright! Alright!” She replied trying to catch up with her daughter, but not before quickly giving her thanks to Angel as well before they left.

Said mare found herself watching those two for longer than she intended. A mother and her daughter out and about, having a day together. She supposed when Pumpkin grew up, this would be her and Cup Cake.

There was something alluring about it. Just a mother and her daughter. Did his own mother ever wish he had an actual sister? If Angel Cake had really existed, would they have gone on such outings themselves?

Carrot had been close with both his parents, but had mostly hung around and done things with this dad growing up. She supposed when she was Carrot again, the same would happen with him and Pound. Though did this mean he wouldn’t spend as much time with Pumpkin? Was it the same with his mom? Did she ever feel left out? What would she say if she saw him like this? A cute daughter to spend the day with?

Angel tried to turn her attention back to the task at hoof. Perhaps… perhaps she’d see about becoming this cute mare again and give her mom a visit. That’d be nice. Cup Cake always said her spa days were nice...

“Excuse me miss?” A masculine voice said to her right. Startled, she realized her little thought process had left her staring into space for several minutes, making her miss whoever was talking to her.

“Oh sorry! Ye-OW!” In her hurry to turn and face him, she hadn’t noticed how close they were and rammed her head right into his snout.

“Oh my gosh! I’m so sorry are you okay!?” The stallion frantically cried bouncing between going to help her and trying not to bump her again. She bumped him and he was apologizing?

“Y-Yes I’m fine, it was my fault too! Um…” Finally getting a good look at him, she instantly recognized him as that unicorn stallion of black and blue that had helped her from falling over from a faint the other day. Evening Storm if she remembered correctly. While he was a fairly new addition to the town, his… knack for misfired magic was quickly making him infamous. Pinkie certainly seemed to enjoy the surprises he brought.

However, that’s not what she was focused on right now. Instead she was trying to process what her body was feeling. The stallion before her acted closer to a colt with how timid and scared he looked. He clearly found her pretty as well, and that made him nervous. It was very much like how she felt around mares when she was his age.

“Oh no I startled you and um… that is…” He gulped, trying to get his words under control. She felt a smile start to come to her lips. He shouldn’t be so timid, he was actually rather cute.

‘Then again,’ she thought looking him over, ‘the timidness might actually be adding to that cuteness.’

“P-Pastries!” He cried suddenly, wincing at how loud his voice had gotten. “I-I mean Ms Cake gave me pastries, uh to give you and Pinkie… if you want…”

“Huh? Cup Cake did?” Angel repeated dumbly, somehow not using a pet name or referring to Cup Cake as her wife. That would have led to some awkward questions.

“Um y-yeah, sorry I was uh wondering if you were alright and um asked while at the store and Ms Cake told me to bring these to you as a snack…” Ahhhhh.

“Oh. Oh! Thank you Evening!” As peckish as she was the pastries should really be the first thing on her mind but instead she couldn’t help but focus on just how flustered this stallion was before her. The way he was trying to be so brave by talking to her when he clearly didn’t know how to even address her. It was just all so… adorable.

‘How ironic’ she thought.. He really did look a lot like how Carrot had when he first tried to talk to Cup Cake. According to Cuppy, he’d been an adorkable mess during that first meeting. Was this how Cup had seen him all those years ago? No wonder she agreed to him asking her out. How could any mare resist someone trying so hard?

‘Wait!’ A horrible sensation began to form in the pit of her stomach. ‘Evening wasn’t about to ask her out himself was he!?’

“O-Oh you’re um welcome Angel Cake. Um…” He looked nervously about. “Where should I put them?”

A sigh of relief. No. No he wasn’t here to do that. While it was clear he found her attractive. He was only here to be a good neighbor and deliver these treats, nothing more. If anything he was probably glad this was a normal conversation.

For some reason that gave her a rather devilish idea.

“Oh I’m so sorry Evee!” She said in the most cheerful voice she could muster while giving him her best smile. She was pleased to see that coupled with the nickname caused the blush to spread. “I just spaced out a bit there. Um let’s see…” A nearby table for two seemed perfect.

“Let’s go over here!” She called, walking past him, giving his snout a small flick with her tail ‘on accident’. She also made sure to sway her hips just right, a trait she was glad Cup included in her dose of the potion. Glancing over her shoulder she gave him just the slightest hint of bedroom eyes.

The effect was immediate, as the poor guy’s horn sparked, causing him to almost drop the box he had been holding in his magical aura, only just managing to keep it from falling. Oh wow! Carrot may not be a unicorn himself, but he knew that phenomenon. A few of his unicorn friends had mentioned that arousal could sometimes cause a magical misfire in their horns. Something a lot of their marefriends would try to incite on purpose for fun. Not that any of them seemed to mind. Somehow the fact that she had just caused that to happen with him filled her with a strange sense of pride.

“Oh dear Evee, are you alright?” Her face filled with mock concern. She only hoped she seemed genuine enough. Luckily Evening seemed too flustered to pay her ‘acting’ much attention.

“Y-Yeah I’m fine!” He cried gritting his teeth awkwardly as he hurried to the table to plop the box down upon it. The way he was hunched a bit made for a rather awkward walk. Why would he move like that? The only time she as Carrot Cake had done that was…

Her eyes widened at the realization as she stole a quick glance toward the underside of his back end. An area he was doing all he could to block from view.

His shaft was poking out! She was literally making him hard! Oh this was just too funny and cute!

“Well if you say so.” She replied, walking as nonchalantly as she could to the table and taking a seat. “Thank you so much for this, oh and thank you for helping me yesterday as well. Sorry I didn’t say it earlier. Bit of a rough morning.”

“Oh uh n-not at all!” He said taking the seat across from her before he realized it.

‘What am I doing?!’ He thought frantically while trying to calm his rapidly growing ‘little Evee.’ ‘You were only supposed to drop the pastries off and say your goodbyes! Cute or not, you don’t know if she’s married or something!’

“No no, a cute stallion like you deserves a lady’s thanks.” She said with a wink, eating up the sexual discomfort she was causing him. She couldn’t believe this rush! Was this how it was for all pretty mares? Why with some effort she could get a guy to do anything she wanted!

That thought caused a mental frown. Should she really be indulging in her looks this much? As a stallion he had known many pretty, but ultimately shallow mares. She did not want to join those ranks.

“Uh, n-no problem I guess.” ‘Does she really find me cute? Or is she just the type to play around? It’s not like I know much about her!’

“I-I’m sorry. I hope I’m not making you uncomfortable.” Angel said, trying to dial it back a bit. What was she doing? Was she really flirting with this guy? It wasn’t nice to lead the poor guy on! She was a married mare, er stallion for Celestia’s sake!

Or was she? Cup Cake literally told her to own being a single mare not three hours ago. Also… She looked into those shining eyes of his. It really was fun seeing him squirm like this...

“Oh n-not at all!” He said a bit too quickly. Oh yeah he wanted her alright. It was no use. She was kinda into this. What was happening to her? This was a stallion! A stallion into her!

“T-Thank you dear. It’s just… it can be a bit scary being in a new town and all. I’m glad I’ve so far only met nice colts like you.” Just yesterday she had been terrified of this exact situation! So why wasn’t she freaking out now?

“Oh don’t be scared of here. Ponyville is one of the nicest places I’ve ever seen!” He smiled at her, an actual smile! He looked nice when he smiled. He was a good stallion. A kind stallion. Maybe that was it. It wasn’t so bad when you knew the other was too timid to try anything.

“Oh I believe it.” She opened the box to check its contents, finding various tarts and cupcakes. Her mouth watered just looking at them. Picking up a cherry tart, she gingerly took a small bite, shivering at the sensation it gave her taste buds. Seriously were these really the same tarts? She always thought they were tasty, but these!

“So you’re here for a week?” Evening asked. She nodded back.

“Yeah, just in town for a bit. Might have to leave sooner. Got um responsibilities back home.” No sense in making him think there could be something here. Angel Cake wasn’t sticking around.

“Ah I see.” Damn it Evening, how do you ask if she’s single? You can’t just outright ask if she’s got a husband or kids waiting for her back home now can you?

“Gotta get back to the husband and kids?” Gah! What did you just think to yourself?

Angel giggled. He really was just like how she had been as Carrot Cake! “Oh no, I haven’t found my special somepony yet. Maybe someday.” She wolfed down another tart. Maybe she was being too cautious. A handsome gent like him. Surely he had a mare already. “How about you? Out to meet your marefriend?”

“N-No, I’m not that lucky.” He replied, rubbing the back of his head with a hoof. “Most mares are scared off by my wild magic bursts.” He almost physically slapped said hoof over his mouth. Why would he say that!?

‘Oh right his magical misfires…’ He had tried to hide it, but a pony as old as he, or rather she was in reality had experienced enough to catch the small flash of pain that had washed over his muzzle. Poor guy. She knew very much what it felt like to be an odd one out. Well, maybe she could give him a small boost of confidence. That should be fine right?

“Oh they’re not that bad!” She laughed with a wave of her hoof. Pinkie did say they made life more interesting. Maybe that’d help. “Pinkie certainly enjoys them.”

“She does?” Evening said with genuine surprise. “Wait when did you see me cast magic?”

Horseapples! How could she forget that in his eyes she’d only been here for two days!? What should she do? Thinking quickly she stared down at the half-eaten box of pastries. Whoa! Had she really eaten that many!? She was going to get fat at this rate!

Wait could she get fat? Her body was also modeled after Pinkie’s after all and she never-

‘Gah! Not the time Angel Cake! Distraction! Well, looking at the pastries again. When in a jiffy, give them a stiffy.’

“I- Oh dear! Where are my manners? I’m so sorry. I’ve been eating all these deserts and I haven’t offered you even one when you came all the way to give them to me!” Reaching down she picked up one of the remaining cupcakes, holding it up for him to see.

“You simply must try one of these cupcakes! They’re just sooo delicious!” With that she took a small bite, giving a loud coo of appreciation as she gulped it down, leaving a little bit of frosting on her muzzle for added allure.

“Here, now you take a bite!” She said leaning forward with a rather hungry smile on her face. She swore she felt the table bump from a sudden impact as Evening’s face flushed with momentary pain and discomfort.

“O-Oh no thank you, I uh… whoa! I uh, never told Pinkie about the pastries! Oh I better go find her now! Um, s-see you a bit later!” He cried, quickly trying to dash out from the table and away. She couldn’t help but notice him rushing to the nearby bathroom.

“Oh wow I really did give him a stiffy…” Again, she felt a weird sense of pride in that. He obviously found her attractive and was rather nice. Thoughtful even to have checked up on her. She giggled again despite herself. What an interesting stallion he was.

She then sighed. Too bad he was interested in her. It was going to suck for him when she goes back to being her true self as Carrot Cake. Heh, it’s almost tempting to go on one date with him just so he’d have a pleasant memory. Still hopefully he’d find a mare out there he could date long term.

With a shrug, she finished off the cupcake. All in all this day wasn’t so bad. It was funny how much she fought against coming out here dressed like this. So far it was actually pretty nice.

“Well hello there!” A new masculine voice said from her side. Unlike Evening’s, this one sent chills up her spine. Something about the way it was directed at her made her uneasy.

“Um hello…” She said, turning to face this new pony. Before her stood a rather large brown stallion. Most of his coat was a sandy brown with the exception of a patch of white that enveloped most of his left hoof, along with a patch on his nose that looked remarkably like an arrow pointed forward. Curiously, she noticed his cutie mark was that of a broken arrow itself.

The new stallion carried himself with an aura of self-importance, one he seemed to ‘flaunt’ by shaking his mane, which was just a slightly darker color brown from his coat. Making it hard to tell just what, if any, significance this action made.

“Couldn’t help but notice how a pretty little thing like you was all alone here, and I thought that’s not right!” He held his head high as if this was some amazing revelation. “So I thought I’d come over and keep you company I would!”

“O-Oh uh, that’s mighty nice of you, but I’m uh actually waiting for someone…”

“Of course you are! Of course you are!” He said, taking the seat previously occupied by Evening. “Me of course! Well here I am luv! I’m Arrow! What’s your name?”

“M-My name? Angel Cake.” She cursed herself for saying that the moment the words left her lips. She did NOT want this stallion knowing who she was. Everything about him gave her the heebie-jeebies.

“Angel Bake! Lovely name that is!”

“Um actually it’s-”

“So I bet you’re wondering what I do for a living right? I’m a tool tester I am! Have a knack for breaking them you see!” He waved at his cutie mark. “Whenever they need somepony to make sure their tools can handle stress, they call old Arrow they do!”

“Oh how… nice” She needed to get out of here. She needed to get out of here NOW. This was exactly why she didn’t want to come out dressed like this! This… creature saw her only as a slice of cake, ripe for the taking! The very notion of what he was probably imagining her doing made the very treats she had just swallowed want to come back up.

“You bet it’s nice! Gives me a good paycheck it does. Got enough bits to treat a mare right you know. So want to have a night on the town? You look like you could use an adventure, and let me tell you, having me around will be one you’ll never forget!”

Oh yeah she bet.

“O-Oh well I uh, t-that is…” This guy was so full of hot air it was a wonder he didn’t float away. Still with him so focused on her, how was she going to escape?

“There ya are ya naughty mare!” Another new voice cried, though this one clearly of the feminine variety. Coming in quickly from the road that leads into town, came a small, yet very pregnant red mare with white freckles and an orange mane tied up in cute little pigtails.

“I told ya I need yer help with foal supplies! These two ain’t gonna stay in the coop forever! Now come here and help me shop!” With that she grabbed Angel by the top frill of her dress and began to drag her away. She didn’t know who this mare was, but she wasn’t about to waste the opportunity.

“O-Oh yes I’m so sorry! I was just uh stopping for a snack!”

“Well snack times over, now come with me!” They had only just gotten a few hoofsteps from the table when Arrow seemed to find his voice.

“H-Hey! Say now where are you taking my-” But the new red mare wasn’t having it.

“She’s coming with me NOW. Got it buster? Why don’t you enjoy those pastries and maybe she’ll see you later, but unless you know all the right types of diapers I need ta buy, I suggest ya shut that yap!”

“I-I uh, pastries you say? I am a bit hungry…” With that he picked one up and began to chow down, as Angel was led away by her large red savior.

‘Thank Celestia!’ She thought to herself. Any longer and she might have ended up on a date with that! Ick!

Her new friend dragged her this way and that till she seemed certain Arrow wouldn’t know where they’d gone. The moment they felt safe, the mare stopped and took a huge breath.

“Woo eee! That took a lot out of me.” She grunted, laying down on a nearby patch of soft grass. “You never realize just how hard it is to move around till you’re big as a barn. Heh if Mel saw me, he’d likely talk my ear off! Hay, Granny would yell it off!”

It was strange. Angel was certain she’d never met this mare before, but something about the way she spoke reminded her so much of Applejack. Was she of the apple clan? It’d make sense there were a ton of them and that accent, but if so then why was she here? There wasn’t a reunion scheduled for theirs for a while now. Well whatever the reason, Angel was just happy to be away from him.

“I-I have to thank you. That stallion was…” She shivered.

“He was a durn fool and full of more manure than my entire farm I bet.” She snorted. “Don’t ya pay guys like that any mind.”

“R-right. Um I’m Angel Cake. Thanks for the save miss...”

“Come now, is that anyway to speak to an old family friend?” The red mare said with a sparkle in her eyes. “Why you’ve known me since I was a little colt. Haven’t you Carrot Cake?”

“I-I haven’t, colt? But you’re eep!” She had said his name! His real name! “I mean I’m uh, I’m his sister…”

“Now now, it don’t do anypony any good to lie when ya don’t have to.” The mare said waving her hoof. “I’m as sure as an apple’s red that you’re Mr. Cake, or Carrot as AJ and I call ya. Like I said we’re old friends.”

“H-How did you know!? I-I’m sorry but I don’t know you at all!”

The red mare grinned. “I know because you have the same colors and cutie mark as him and that I saw how yer Wife looks now. With all the strange magicy things in this town? I may not be the best at those fancy mathematics, but even I can put two and two together.”

“I… I thought I was so careful…” Angel said, plopping down on her rear. Was it really so obvious it was him? What had she done wrong?

“Now don’t go getting your mane in a twist. I only recognized ya because I’m in a similar boat to yours, though admittedly I have a couple of more passengers.” She blushed gazing down at her swollen tummy.

Come to think of it, this only made it all the more confusing a member of the apple clan would come to visit when they were this pregnant. Given the size of her belly, and how Cup Cake looked when she was carrying, Angel had a pretty good idea there was a set of twins in there. Why would any mare travel to here in that condition? Peace and quiet maybe?

“I-I don’t understand.”

The mare laughed. “Sorry sorry, guess I should stop beating around the bush. You know how I mentioned how your colors were the same, and your cutie mark? Well ta da!” She wiggles her rear, showing off the large sliced in half green apple on her flank. A very familiar-looking cutie mark. Where had Angel-

The world practically stopped as the answer came to her. No way! No Celestia way was that true!

“B-BIG MAC!?” Angel Cried in disbelief. Once more the red mare before her just smiled.

“Yep! Though it’s Red Gala now! Welcome to marehood Carrot Cake!”

Author's Note

Merry Christmas!

So the outfit Pinkie is wearing is the same waitress outfit her Equestria Girl's counter part wears to her job. Angel Cake just has a pink version of it.

If anyone wants to draw a picture of Angel Cake in said outfit as a Christmas gift to me, I'll love and respect you forever. :twilightsheepish:

Anyway I promise you the next chapter will NOT take forever to come out. At the very least it'll be out for this years Valentine's day.

EDIT: Oh yes. Red Gala has appeared! We'll hear more from her next chapter, but for those who might be confused as to why she's a pregnant mare, the answer is in my story "A Novel Match" but Gala will give you all the gist of things next time!

And since I know someone might mention it. Look. I get it if you don't like me basically making up a pony for Angel Cake to 'flirt' with rather then using one identifiable in the show, but this is what I want to write. You can basically think of Evening as similar to Startracker, though with more magical mishaps.

Also if anyone wonders why I didn't just use Startracker. He has his own story to be told in this universe. :trollestia:

Please if you see any mistakes, let me know.

Red...Gala is here?

“You! I… how?” Angel sputtered staring at the mare before her. “Why are you a mare!? H-How are you pregnant!?”

Gala smirked. “Well you see when a stallion and a mare love each other very much-”

“YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN!” Angel screamed. This just caused Gala to erupt into giggles.

“Sorry! Sorry! I couldn’t help it!” It was surreal to see her like this. The usually big stoic stallion, as this animated expressive little mare. Angel’s eyes once more focused on the extended belly. Maybe not little per say…

“I suppose I should start from the beginning.” Gala said having finally, mostly, contained her giggles. “You see, Caramel and I found this book…”

~~~

( Read this story for the full details:)

As Red Gala told her story, Angel couldn’t help but just sit there stunned. What were the odds of this happening during the same time as her own gender bender fender? Also, how was Gala just so… relaxed about the entire ordeal? She had gone from a big burly stallion to an expecting mare! With twins no less! Yet… Yet that didn’t seem to bother her at all. If anything she seemed excited about it.

Was… was being pregnant that pleasant? It certainly wasn't all fun and games when Cup was carrying the twins. Though... there were times when she looked so happy. Laying there, gazing joyfully at her pregnant tummy...

“So as you imagine things were quite lively at the farm yesterday," Gala continued, breaking Angel's thought. "this little outing is the first me time I’ve gotten since.” That comment actually got her to frown a bit. “They’ll likely be out looking for me soon.”

“Oh…” Angel felt her heart leap up into her throat. She couldn’t imagine how the other Apple’s had taken to this news. “Are they… upset?”

Much to her surprise, Gala snorted in laughter.

“You kidden? Granny didn’t even bat an eye. In fact I kid you not her first words upon seeing me were “Took ya long enough!”

Angel’s eyes widened. “W-what?”

“Yeah that’s what I said.” Gala added with a faraway look. “She really did know all this time, even though I kept lying to myself about it. Gotta give it to the old mare…”

“So.. she’s fine with it? What about Applejack? Bloom?”

“Yeah, she knew. Knew me better than I did myself.” Gala replied with a smile. “As for Applebloom, she was confused but not against it. Applejack seems to be taking it the hardest. I’m not sure she’s ready to accept she doesn’t have a brother anymore… Still, she’s AJ and she’s trying to be supportive. It’s… gonna be rough for a while though.”

“A-and how are you feeling?”

The smile returned to Gala’s lips. “Sugercube, I ain’t ever felt better.” She blushed, rubbing a hoof on her tummy. “Never told no pony but I used ta dream about this. This body? Becoming a mother? I-I used to tell myself it wasn’t possible. T-that I couldn’t…”

Silence fell upon them. Angel couldn’t begin to guess at what was running through the former Big Mac’s mind, but it had to be something wild. Still for as strange as all this was, Red Gala seemed happy. To just suddenly go from being a stallion to a mare she now understood well but in her case it’d be over in a week. In Gala’s case…

“Do you want to touch it?” Gala asked quietly, having been watching Angel.

“H-Huh?” Angel stammered back in confusion. It took a few moments for her to realize she’d been fixated on the red mare’s midsection. Apparently Gala taking her staring for a desire to touch. That hadn’t been her original intent, but now that the offer was presented to her…

“C-can I?” She couldn’t deny the fascination she had with this. Unlike her there was clearly no going back for a long while for Gala. Even more, given what she was hearing, she had a feeling Gala wasn't going back.

“Go right ahead sugercube.” Gala replied as she shifted her weight to give better access to her foal bump. It was so surreal. Knowing this mare was a stallion like herself just one day ago.

Slowly her hoof reached out to the large red tummy. The fur warm and inviting. The skin stretched taut as two little lives grew inside her. It gave Angel flashbacks to when Cup Cake was pregnant. Right down to the belly button having become an outie.

Gently she pressed her hoof into the red mass, letting it sink very slightly into its mass. She could feel them. Feel the two foals squirming around. The warmth of the mother as she took in a soft breath at the touch. Blushing Angel Cake almost felt like she was cheating on her wife somehow. After all only very close ponies should be allowed to touch a soon to be mother’s belly like this. Carrot still remembered the many ponies who seemed entitled to touching Cup Cake when she was carrying. At the time it had infuriated both him and his wife, yet… yet when it was him or a close friend or relative, like Pinkie, being allowed to touch. Cup had always gotten this look of pure delight on her face. As if being able to share such a thing was a gift. Carrot had loved every moment he was allowed to, but... he never really thought of how it was for Cup Cake.

How would it be like for her? If… if she was to become with foal…

“I still can’t believe it’s real.” Gala said softly as she relished in Angel’s touch. “I had to have Twilight double check just to be sure.”

“I-I’m honestly shocked.” Angel replied quietly, pulling her hoof away. She turned her gaze toward Gala’s own. “To go from a stallion to a mare this pregnant. It seems impossible!”

“So did Twilight.” Gala nodded. “But they're real. They are very much real, and very much a pain on my bladder!” With a groan she got up and looked around for any sort of restroom. “I’m sure you’re very aware of how often a mare has to pee because of this.”

To that Angel did giggle. “Oh yes, Cup complained to me about that almost hourly.” She smiled at the memory. Ugh, if she was to have foals, she bet Cup would rub it in so hard.

“Still how is it possible? I mean you were in a book. Just, just how?”

“Well time flows differently in there from what I understood from Twi’s explanation.” Gala said as she made her way to a nearby shop, hopeful to use its facilities. “When Mel and I did it, I possessed a real mare’s body with real um, biological functions, as she put it. Meaning um, his little swimmers were able to get to eggs I didn’t know I had.”

Angel had to stop herself from rolling her eyes at that phrasing.

“Anyway turns out that when the book skipped ahead, it really skipped ahead months for me. Normally I’d have probably reverted the moment I got out of that book, but like any good magic-using ponyfolk, Twi makes sure magic can’t harm life and well… I most certainly have life in me s-so it just sorta popped me out as so.” She waved a hoof over her body.

“That… that seems dangerous to have a book that can do that.” Angel shivered as she spoke. She’d heard of the comic book incident with the Power Ponies from Pinkie Pie, but if the spell was this bad. How was it not banned?

“It is, that’s why the spell is under so much security.” Gala said with a wince. Angel knew enough to know that one of the foals had kicked her. “If Spike wasn’t who he was I doubt he’d have been able to buy that enchanted comic book. Only one store in Canterlot sells em, and you have to jump through some mighty hoops to gain access to any.” Well that made sense at least. Something this powerful wouldn’t be just sold on every street corner after all.

“So where is the book now?”

“With Twilight of course. Don’t know what she did with it, but I’m guessing it was either made into a regular book again, or she’s tweaking it.”

“Well looks like if she’s tweaking it, she needs to add an escape phrase.”

“Y-Yeah so there’s a funny story about that.” Gala said, a blush very visible on her cheeks. It was rather impressive given her red coat.

“Yeah, so it turns out all ya gotta do to escape the book is just ask it to let ya go.”

Angel stared at her blankly.

“Seriously?”

Gala actually seemed to forget her pressing need to pee long enough to hide her face. “I know I know! Even worse you’re only stuck in there for an hour tops and then it spits you back out! Mel and I could have just sat there for a bit, or simply looked up and said “Hey can we please get out?” and pop! We’d have been back in that alley as if nothing had happened!”

The two mares stood there for a moment simply staring at each other in disbelief before a giggle escaped Gala’s mouth. For whatever reason, this caused her to let out her own little giggle, and soon the two mares were laughing and giggling like a couple of school fillies. It was just so absurd!

“Oh geez!” Angel breathed between giggles. “I bet you both feel so silly!”

“We do!” Gala replied, straining with as much effort to speak being equally out of breath. “If we’d have just been patient, well… well I wouldn’t be here like this right now.” She shook her head, still all smiles. “Thank Celestia we weren’t. I wouldn’t trade how I am now for the world.”

As soon as she said that she winced. “Though I might trade not having ta pee every fifteen minutes. Gotta go!” She exclaimed rushing into the store. Without meaning to, Angel followed getting to see the recognizing look the shop worker gave Gala before pointing out the restroom. If not for her age, Angel would have suspected the mare to have foals of her own. At the very least she must know someone who had.

The shopkeep mare herself was a bit on the youthful side. Pure white coat, red mane. Angel bet the colts took a shine to her rather often. Wonder if she had problems with louts like the one that had been harassing her earlier? She knew Cup Cake had in the past before most town folks learned she was married to him. Would this mean Gala too would be hit on like that? Even though it was clear she was with foal? Looking back to the shopkeeper, she had a feeling it was probably exactly as she feared. Somepony that cute? Hopefully she met a nice stallion like Evening. Maybe she should introduce them?

An image of him trotting in and nuzzling the mare flashed in her mind. An image that caused her to… frown. Odd she had meant for it to be an innocent daydream of him finding that other mare given ‘Angel’ wouldn’t be sticking around. So why did it.. Irritate her to imagine that?

Shaking the thoughts away, she scoulded herself. She didn't even know if this mare was taken, and for all she knew this mare liked other mares, or didn't care for relationships at all. She needed to stop thinking of such things. Instead she decided to look around the shop itself. Oh! She knew this place. ‘Bottom of the Barrel’ she believed it was called, It was a small corner thrift store he and Cup had visited a few times before. They’d have all sorts of neat things for sale, including some cheap yet amazing looking jewelry. One of the few sets of merch locked safely behind glass. Cup had gotten a few nice pieces here before.

Not wanting to just up and disappear on Gala, she silently browsed the isles, finding herself looking at the jewelry. Maybe she could find something new for Cup Cake? It’d be a nice little surprise to apologize for running from work in a sense, even though she was certain Pinkie had already explained what happened. Poor Pinkie. She’d have to get her something as well. Heh, though maybe not jewelry. Besides the Element of Laughter, she never really saw Pinkie wear much. Maybe it just wasn't her thing.

Come to think of it, Gala wasn’t wearing her yoke anymore. Guess she shouldn’t be surprised given how incredibly large and heavy that might be, especially for a pregnant mare. It was kinda funny in a strange way. As a stallion he had worn something that could almost be described and jewelry, and now as a mare-

Her thoughts stopped as she caught her reflection in a display mirror to help potential shoppers see how such trinkets would look upon them. Most stallions she knew likely wouldn't think twice about this mirror. They'd never need it as most didn't wear such things. If she as Carrot had put on his wife's earrings, he'd likely get weird looks as he worked his shift from all the customers. As a mare though, one wouldn’t care if she wore something like a diamond necklace, or earrings or…

Suddenly everything in those display cases took on a new light. She was a mare right now. That means she could buy and wear anything here, and no pony would even mind. In fact most would probably compliment her on it. Even Cup Cake or Pinkie would likely praise her for finding something cute to wear.

It wasn’t like stallions couldn’t wear jewelry of course, but the obvious reasons of why that usually didn’t happen were pretty clear. Yet, as a mare it was just a given that they could and often did wear such things. Things she now had complete and total access to if she so chose.

It was like emerging from a lake and seeing the world clearly for the first time. Looking around her everything began to sink in. Those old dresses in the corner? She could put them on! Those hats hanging on the wall that one could expect Rarity to have on her head at any given time? Now she could try a few as well! She had the body for both, and nopony would even bat an eye at her indulging.

That also meant… all these necklaces, chokers, bracelets, hairpins. They were all sitting there, beckoning to her. She could take one. Any single one and wear it as if it was nothing. Shivering, her eyes darted this way and that. Dare she do it? Dare she really indulge herself?

“Um, you okay hun?” The shop mare asked, giving her a rather concerned look. Angel nearly jumped out of her skin.

“Oh geez I’m sorry! Didn’t mean to startle you!” The mare cried backing up a few paces. Angel fought back her breathing, calming herself. Just what was with her?

“N-No I’m okay just… lost in thought.” It had just never occurred to her before that being a mare meant more than simply being ogled by males instead of females, not that he was ogled by many mares while Carrot Cake, but being a mare also meant there were so many more options for clothing and accessories then she’d ever dreamed!

“I’ll say, you jumped as if there was a spider in your dress!” The shopkeep said with a slight giggle. Angel couldn’t say she enjoyed that visual.

“Y-Yeah sorry just. Overwhelmed.”

“Really? Well we do get the rather nice spread from time to time. See anything that catches your eye?”

Angel shook her head. “J-Just looking.” Where could she even begin with all this?

“Well looking for what exactly? Maybe I can help.” The mare said with a typical sales pony smile. “An evening out? Formal event? Or maybe ya just want that extra bit to catch the eye of some cutie?”

“Some cutie…” She found herself repeating, Evening once again popping up in her mind. Would he look at her differently if she added a piece of jewelry? She felt herself blush. Why did she keep thinking of him? She had only been teasing him as a test!

“Ah! So trying to catch the eye of some mare or stallion? Then I’d suggest something simple yet cute that complements your colors. Anything too fancy might get ponies to notice you, but for not the good reasons.”

Angel just sat there as the mare looked through the many items on display, nodding or shaking her head at this and that. Try as she might she just couldn’t bring herself to stop her from helping. What was she even supposed to say? In the end she felt it was best to just let this play out and then maybe say she didn’t have the bits or something. Given she hadn’t taken any sort of money pouch or even purse with her this morning, that was actually true.

“Hmm how about a hairpin? With that mane I bet we could find a really nice one!”

“A hairpin?” Angel echoed looking at the small cluster of them. They had a surprising amount given the type of store they were. The shopkeep just nodded as Angel browsed. Well there were many for sale. Some with a heart design. A few hoofprint ones, many many stars. Nothing that… whoa.

Sitting there, all by its lonesome in the center, seemingly calling out to her was a teal hairpin of all things, a slice of Cake. Hard to tell what it was supposed to be given the entire thing was teal-colored, but it could have been a slice of carrot or angel cake. It was pretty much perfect.

“I think it’ll look good on you.” Gala suddenly said from behind her. Angel once again jumped. Had she really gotten so skitterish?

“Gala! I uh-”

“She’ll take it.” Gala said matter of factly, setting the bits for it down on the counter. Angel didn’t even realize Gala had money with her!

“W-what!?” Angel stammered trying to regain control of the situation. “Gala I can’t let you-”

“Shush, what kind of friend would I be if I can’t help one of my fillyfriends out in a time like this?” Gala replied with a mischievous smile on her face.

“Thank you kindly!” The shopkeep mare said bagging the purchase and pushing it over with her muzzle. “You’re going to look great in it miss..?”

It took a moment for Angel to realize the shopkeep was asking her name. “Oh! Uh Angel Cake! N-Nice to meet you!”

The mare smiled. “Likewise. I’m Spring Periwinkle. So…”

Angel blinked. “So?”

Spring giggled. “Try it on silly! Let’s see how it looks!”

Try it on!?

“Oh uh I-”

“Don’t be nervous Angel. Here I’ll help.” Gala spoke up, removing the pin from its bag. Angel couldn’t do much other than sit there and let her fuss with and arrange her mane so the pin could be put in it. Angel nearly bit her lip. Gala was enjoying this entirely too much!

“There we go!” Gala exclaimed, taking a step back. “Oh wow, this was a good choice!”

Spring actually whistled. “I’ll say, if that stallion doesn’t notice you now, he might not be into mares!” Angel’s breath caught. She was beginning to realize that such statements likely weren’t made in jest. Trying not to let her nerves fail her, she quickly turned her gaze to the small mirror and gasped.

It shouldn't be such an improvement. Just one little trinket in her hair shouldn’t make her look pop like this, but it did. It ever so did.

“I-I look…”

“Wonderful.” Gala finished giving her a slight nudge. Shall we go show Cup Cake and Pinkie?” Angel’s eyes widened. Oh dear Luna what would they say to see her with this!? Her mind was still spinning as they exited the shop, waving goodbye to Peri. Even though she had just come from outside, wearing the same outfit she had on now, something felt different.

“Hey, Hey Mr. Cake you okay?” Gala’s voice managed to pierce her confusion. Focusing on the mare beside her, she did her best to pull herself together.

“I-I think so? It’s just… Oh Big Mac how are you so calm? You’ve been a mare for about as long as I have and it’s like you’ve never been anything but! Meanwhile I’m... I’m...”

“Hey now, don’t go comparing your situation to mine, it’s definitely different for you.” Gala said as they walked. “You forget, I just told ya deep down I’ve always wanted to be a mare, but I’m going to guess it ain't’ quite the same fer you.”

“Er n-no I never really… I mean I’ve thought about it once or twice. I think every stallion does, but I never thought… never wanted…”

Gala nodded. “And that’s okay. It’s okay if you want to take that off and put it away never to wear it again. Though I hope you’ll remember your time as a mare if nothing else. Growing up a colt, I think… I think it’s nice being able to see both sides of the fence.”

“That’s what Cup Cake thinks. At least I’m pretty sure she does…” Angel said quietly as they walked. Even now she could notice the looks stallions were giving her still. If that Arrow guy came back, he’d likely hound her relentlessly wanting a date. If the hairpin attracted more attention, maybe she should put it away…

Still Red Gala had just paid her own bits to buy it for her. Also she hadn’t shown Cup Cake yet. Or Pinkie. What would they think?

A certain black stallion flashed in her mind. Would… would he like it? Wait no! She didn't care about that!

“You’re strong Gala. Very strong.” Angel whispered. “You’re a mare and with twin foals just like that and you’ve kept it together. I’d be a nervous wreck.” She almost expected Gala to laugh at that. To have some words of wisdom. Instead she was met with silence. Silence enough to get her to stop their trot.

“Gala?” The Red mare’s face was solemn.

“I-I honestly don’t know if I am.” Gala replied facing away. “I’ve played the part sure, but am I really strong? Or is it just how I’ve been raised?” She shivered, then turned to face her.

“Sugercube the truth is I’m scared. Deep down I’m terrified, but… but not from what I thought I’d be…”

“W-what do you mean?”

“I-I did think suddenly having this mare body would terrify me. I thought having to face all the ponies I knew see me like this would be scary.” She closed her eyes a smile drifting to her lips. “But it doesn’t. I realized I just didn’t care. I was so happy to have the body I’ve always dreamed about… To Tartarus with what anypony else thinks!” The frown returned.

“W-well almost anypony…”

Again Angel felt concerned for her friend. “Gala?” She placed her hoof upon her in support. Something was eating at her, but what? "AppleJack?" Gala shook her head.

"No I told ya she's doing her best. I reckon it'll be rough for a while, but we'll work it out."

"Then what's eating at you? The fact you're pregnant?"

“W-well yes and no.” Gala replied, smiling down at her tummy. “Yes I’m afraid, but more for them than anything. Will they be okay? W-what if there’s a complication? What if because of the book’s magic they up and vanish one day? T-Twilight says that won’t and can’t happen but…” She shivered again.

Angel understood strangely enough. Cup Cake had some similar concerns when she was with foal. It was a scary thought to imagine something going wrong. Any mother-to-be would be nervous and scared. Before she realized it, she had pulled Gala into a hug.

Gala tensed up for a moment before the stress finally seemed to drain out of her. She gave Angel a small nuzzle in return. “T-Thanks sugarcube. I-I needed that.”

“I-I’m sure they’ll be fine. You’ll be fine.” Angel said, wanting to reassure her. “After all you have a family to look after you, the best magical unicorn for miles, and our hospital has some talented medical ponies.” Gala almost laughed.

“Y-Yeah guess you’re right. I-I have nothing to worry about…” Her words said one thing, but the tone said another.

“T-that’s not all is there?” Angel asked. Gala shook her head.

“N-No…”

“Do you want to talk about it?”

“I..” Gala sighed. “I guess I probably should. Heh, being afraid to talk. Guess I’m still Big Mac in someways after all.” She did laugh then, a small private laugh to herself as she stared up into the sky. Taking a moment to collect herself she once more turned to face Angel Cake.

“I-It’s Mel, I mean Caramel.” She whispered. “H-He was with me when we talked to my family and AJ certainly had some choice words with him, but he had to go sort things with his own family after. I-I haven’t seen him all day. I don’t know what he’s doing or… or what is going to become of us…”

Caramel. According to Gala’s story he’s the father of those foals in her. Angel didn’t really interact with Caramel much, but she knew him from living in this small town for a while. He was a pretty stand-up guy. Kinda like Evening. Might be why the two were friends. Or at least it seemed that way. She simply couldn’t imagine Caramel would abandon Red Gala like that but at the same time…

“You’re worried what he thinks of you.” Angel couldn’t help but blurt out. She instantly regretted it due to seeing Gala wince.

“Y-Yeah. Honestly I’m still trying to grasp how I feel about him, but… I think I… I think I might really love him. I mean I told him so in the book but… I really think I meant it.”

Angel wanted to give some words of comfort, but the truth was she had no idea what to say. Big Mac had gone from a stallion to a pregnant mare in the span of a day, and was announcing that she was in love with another stallion. It was… something else.

“I-I just wish I knew what was going to happen to us.” Gala continued her voice low. “I-I want to make it work, but, but what if he doesn’t feel the same way back? He said he did in the book but…”

“Well… you’ll never know unless you ask.” Angel spoke the words so naturally. It was a lesson he had learned so long ago. Meanwhile Gala stared at her for a few moments before once more displaying her smile.

“I-I guess you’re right. Nothing to do but ask him right? Heh, I take you’ve had experience with that.”

“I have.” Angel nodded. “Long time ago when I was just becoming a stallion, I saw this beautiful mare. I wanted to ask her out so bad, but was afraid she’d reject me.” She giggled at the memory. “I must have been really obvious because my mom finally dragged me aside and said that if I never asked, I’d never know. So… I asked her.”

“Heh and you and Cup were together ever since?”

Angel laughed. “Ha! That wasn’t Cup Cake. No that mare told me to get lost. It stung bad but looking back. I dodged a spear tip. Imagine what Spoiled Rich used to be before Diamond made friends with the CMC. Except worse.”

The very image caused Gala to cringe. “Yikes.”

“Yikes indeed. Still, if I never asked, I’d have wasted more time fawning over a mare that wasn’t worth it.”

“Sounds like it.” Silence again. Finally Gala nodded to herself. “Alright then, guess I’ll go find him.”

“Now that sounds like a plan.” Angel smiled at her. She wished them luck, though she just had a feeling they were going to end up okay.

“EEYUP!” Gala said with a rather musical giggle to her voice. “Thanks Carrot. For everything.”

“It’s Angel Cake right now, and you’re welcome.” She replied. This had been fun but it was time to return home. She needed to decide where to go from here. What to do. Gala nodded at her and trotted a few steps before she stopped and turned back toward Angel Cake one last time.

“Hey… what did Cup Cake say about you being Angel Cake? Like did she give you any directions?”

“Directions?”

“Like… does she care how you act?” She turned toward the fellow stallion turned mare. “Does she want you to enjoy being a mare?”

“Oh uh, well she’s actually the one who suggested I try things out. S-she even said it’s fine to be the ‘single’ mare Angel Cake is if you can believe it!”

Gala nodded at this, taking it in. “I see.” She walked back up to her and gave her the sternest look she could muster. “I think you should heed that advice.”

This caused Angel to balk. “W-what? Big Mac what are you-”

“Red Gala.” The red mare corrected, her eyes seeming to drill a hole directly into her. “And I mean it. If...If you feel like it’s something worth exploring. Do so. If you feel it’d be worth doing do it. Don’t hold back. Don’t exit this experience with regrets.”

Knowing what she now knew, those words hit hard. “G-Gala…”

“I’ve lived most of my life with a mask on Angel Cake. A mask it took a miracle to remove. I feel freer now than I have in a very long time. Still… that time I spent as Big Mac. That wasn’t wasted. I learned and experienced a lot, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Just… Just keep that in mind.”

With that, the red mare turned away and shuffled off, careful not to strain herself. Angel bet that in a few days time there’d be a frantic sister or ‘husband’ hovering over her making sure she didn’t hurt herself on outings like these.

“...that time I spent as Big Mac. That wasn’t wasted.”

The words ran back through her head. She understood. Even though Big, no even though Red Gala had what she always wanted now. She wouldn’t change her past. She wouldn’t give up the years she spent in the wrong body. Reaching a hoof up to her hairpin, she gently felt it sitting there.

Don’t hesitate. Don’t hold back. This was a once-in-a-lifetime chance. A chance to learn just what it was like to be a mare named Angel Cake.

Still the question remained. Could she bring herself to do it?

Author's Note

So I had to throw in that bit about the comic shop and the enchanted comics. I know most people like that episode, but I still think that explanation that "Oh I bought a magic comic" Is lazy and incredibly stupid, but I won't rant anymore about it here.

The funny thing about this chapter is it began only as Gala and Angel talking. Walking to the shop and the hairpin kinda just happened as I didn't want them to just stand there during all this.

Keep your eyes peeled to this author's notes if I decide to add anything later. I tried to finish up editing this real quick before work so I can give it to you guys, but I gotta get ready now.

Song Break (Skippable)

Note: The author is insane and an idiot. Please feel free to ignore this "Chapter" as it's just the author being weird.

As Angel walked through the back alleyways of the town, she tried to wrestle with her emotions. Everything seemed to be moving so fast. Her first night with Cup Cake. The next morning dealing with her new form in everyday life. Nursing the foals, her chat with Evee, being hit on.

Now to see one of her old friends as a happy mother-to-be when they were a happy stallion just two days ago...

But that's the thing wasn't it? Was Big Mac really happy as he was? Because it seemed pretty clear now that the answer was no. Though Gala also said her time as Big Mac hadn't been wasted. So clearly there were aspects of her life she had been content with. But which ones? What did she enjoy while a stallion, and what was different for her now?

It just wasn't the same for Angel. She hadn't regretted or hated being a male, but... but even she had to admit there were things about her old body that weren't great. Things her new form wasn't burdened with. Was that enough though? Could she really let herself go and enjoy this body?

A dancing of light caught her eye enough to make her turn toward it. A cracked mirror greeting her gaze. Along with her reflection in the spiderwebs of fractures. A shame, she bet it was a lovely mirror before. It was funny though, like this, it reflected how she felt at the moment. Not broken exactly, but off. Her image obscured by all these... complications. If it was whole... would the mare she saw reflect who she was?

"Who am I?" She asked the mirror silently, almost placing a hoof upon it. She was still Carrot Cake right? Yet Carrot would have never flirted with a stallion. He barely could recall if he ever flirted with many mares. Carrot also wouldn't wear a hairpin and like, no love how it made her look. She just felt... so different, so pretty.

Was it wrong to feel this way?

Time seemed to slow as the wind blew through the town. A melody upon its wisps. Feeling its magic wash over her, Angel let it take her. A song emerging from her lips.

"I became a mare." Her eyes drifted to a large part of the mirror still intact.

"A vision of loveliness" She turned her head away.

"Wish I didn't care. This taste in my mouth so sour." She wrinkled her muzzle, her gaze rising to the sky.

"I'm so confused. Is my form just a ruse?" She waved a hoof over it, silently wishing for an answer.

"And I take a look at myself. Just who is this strange mare stood before me?" She felt her feelings bubbling up, the song forcing her to voice her concerns and fears. Maybe it was possible to fight this. Maybe she could break free from whatever magic this was, but deep down. She didn't want to. Instead she let it take her. Looking to the sky as she cried her words out.

"Cause I'm just a simple stallion you see!"

"Yeah I'm just a simple stallion you see!" Again she looked at her reflection.

"Just what should I do with a body like this? Ooooh!"

As the tempo softened, she looked down at her new form. It's sleek, sexy design. She had thought it before, but it was sinking in more and more just how desirable she must be to anypony that would be into mares. A body that wasn't at all like the one she was used to. A body she did miss didn't she? She needed to convince herself of it.

"I sure miss my dick." She just needed to sort all this.

"Okay maybe I wasn't cool. Was built like a stick." She sighed. "If I must admit the truth."

She shook her head. "But that's who I was. Now I'm nervous because." Her gaze turned back to the mirror.

"Since I'm just not sure what I am." She placed a hoof on her chest, trying to calm her beating heart. "And I fear just what is to come of me..." A sudden sense of energy sprung up inside of her as she began to prance in the alleyway, letting the rhythm flow through her.

"Cause I'm just a simple pony you see!" She flung her head around, letting her mane whip around her, feeling the raw energy course in her blood.

"Yeah I'm just a simple pony you see!" It was exhilarating. The youthfulness, the energy. She felt good, great even. Young and just hitting her prime like Pinkie and her friends. She hated to admit it, but she loved that feeling, that knowledge that she was so young and... so sexy.

"Never dreamnt that I would have a body like this. Ooooh!"

"Oh yeah, pony! No I'm just not sure what I'm missin'!" She flung her head to the sky, screaming her words. No longer caring who might hear.

"Oh yeah, filly! No I'm just not sure what I'm missin'!" The stress of it all for one pure moment, drained from her mind, her body, her soul. She felt free, reborn. A pathway she never would have been given, now opened before her. Could she do it? Could she take those steps upon it?

Lowering her head, she began to trot back toward the mirror, the melody once again, slowing down. There were some things she had to face within herself.

"So now, truth be told. This body's electrifying, makes me feel bold. Is this the right thing for me? I feel like a fake." Her voice lowered to a whisper as the next words flowed out of her. "Yet I can not shake. I kinda like how I am..."

She smiled. "And I can bet you my wife would agree." She looked at the mirror again. Imagining the mare within it's reflection to be the manifestation of her current self. A mare called Angel Cake who's voice took over his mind, giving the illusion that it was her singing to him.

"You've got so many options now laid before you. With this new freedom, what will you do? All that I ask is that you see this all through!" As Angel sang to him, it was as if her image slowly floated out of the mirror to stand before him. Him standing in his old body once more, watching this mare he had become sing her heart out.

"Yeah! A filly! Find out just what you've been missin'"

"Be a filly! Find out just what you are missin'..."

The image of her faded. The rhtym stopped. Once more Angel Cake was alone in the alleyway with her thoughts.

Author's Note

Bonus points to anyone who guesses what song this is a parody of, though I'm fairly certain it's rather obvious.

So why this? Because it popped in my head and I decided "Frick it I'm doing it"

I'm a weird, crazy individual. I promise not to do this again.

...at least for this story.

EDIT: Also since this is obviously a parody, and has no melody attached to the words, I fail to see why this would be against the no Copywrite music rule. So hopefully I'm fine.

Who is here!?

She spent maybe an hour simply trotting around, watching the reactions she got. Ponyville was thankfully a friendly place, so she knew she’d be generally safe. Well unless she ran into that Arrow stallion again. He seemed like trouble.

“Hello! Fine day today isn’t it?”

“Oh you look lovely! I love the hairpin!”

“Hey sweet thing, need a tour of the town?”

On and on she went being reminded more and more of what she now was. She still didn’t know how to process it all. Was this what life for Big Mac, or rather Red Gala was going to be like now? Dear Celestia, it was still so strange to think of that cute, energetic and talkative mare was once the quiet stoic stallion.

What if she was to get stuck like this? Would this be her life? Being called cute and pretty? Stallions constantly trying to ask her out? M-make her their mate? The idea was both exhilarating and terrifying.

She shook her head. This was all too much to deal with right now. She needed to do something that took her mind off all this. She’d apologize to Cup and Pinkie for ‘abandoning the job’ later. Right now she just needed a moment to herself.

“Oh! Is that you C-Angel Cake?” A rather unique yet familiar voice rang over the crowds. It was feminine for certain, and carried with it a type of class. There was only one mare Angel knew that it could belong to, but why would she know who she was?

“Oh it is Darling! Wonderful!” The beautiful unicorn mare known as Rarity exclaimed as she practically danced up to her. “I was hoping to find you, and it seems I’ve arrived at just the opportune time.”

“You were… looking for me?” Angel replied, confused more now than ever. Very few ponies knew her name, and it seemed like Rarity knew all about her. “B-but I’m-”

“Forgive me dearie, but I’m very much aware of who you are, and more importantly, who you were two days ago.” As she spoke she glanced around making sure nopony was listening in. Taking extra care to glance behind her. Careful not to let the ‘secret’ out as it were.

Angel simply froze at those words. “Y-You what?”

“Let’s continue this in a bit dear. We have places to be, do we not?” She quickly spoke as she gently nudged Angel along. Too shocked to do much else, Angel found herself moving in the direction prodded. She wanted to ask Rarity quite a few things at the moment, but one look from the white mare caused her to bite her tongue.

They traveled in silence before reaching a deserted area off the beaten path. Rarity once again gave a quick glance around to make sure they were alone, before she finally turned to Angel and began to speak in a low voice.

“M-Mr. Cake, is it really you in there?” Stunned, Angel merely nodded.

“Oh how different you look!” Rarity exclaimed before blushing a bit. “I-I hope I’m not being rude darling, but when I learned of what befell you, I knew you’d look nice, but this! Why if I didn’t know who you were I’d be begging you to let me dress you. You look simply marvelous!”

“I… thank you?” Angel blurted out, feeling her own blush. Rarity wants to dress me up? Me?

It was another reminder of how much of a catch she was as a mare.

“You’re quite welcome dearie. Now. I suppose you have some questions for me?”

Celestia did she ever!

“H-How did you know it’s me!?”

Rarity’s blush deepened. “I am sorry for this, but I happened to eavesdrop a bit on Starlight and Twilight discussing how to ‘fix you’ as it were. Confused, I pressed them for information and well, reluctantly they let me in on what was going on.” She gave Angel a sheepish smile. “I feel they both feared I’d play dress-up doll with you, but in truth I think it was for the best I found out who you were, because I can tell you with certainty that if I had seen you wandering the streets before I knew that was you in that luscious little mare body, I’d have done just that and not taken no for an answer. A… problem of mine I admit.”

Rarity’s description of her body wasn’t helping with Angel’s current identity crisis. She could feel herself becoming flustered again. Even Rarity, one of the prettiest mares Carrot Cake had ever seen, was calling her pretty. It made her very self-conscious of the hairpin she had just bought, of her outfit, her mane and tail. Every little thing about her body was perfectly feminine. She felt as if it was trying to swallow up who she really was.

“Oh dear, I’ve not helped your situation at all have I?” Rarity asked, looking worried herself. “Funny enough, that’s part of why I was searching for you.”

“T-To dress me up?” Angel squeaked out, feeling herself step back. In truth she half wanted that to happen. To be whisked away to the boutique to be put into all sorts of amazing outfits, but at the same time she felt the terror that had been bubbling up inside her grow ever higher. What if this form did consume her? What if she forgot how to be a stallion somehow? What if even after she was back in her old body, she kept doing mare-like things? Would ponies make fun of him? He knew it shouldn’t matter but the whole thing still make him uneasy.

“Oh no no no! I just said that was before I knew it was you!” Rarity said, much to Angel’s surprise. “Much as I’d love to do that darling, I don’t think you are in the right emotional state at the moment. Your situation isn’t like Red Gala’s.” Angel couldn’t help but notice how Rarity winced at saying that name. What was that about?

“That being said,” Rarity continued with a slight cough, “I actually wanted to invite you to come relax with me a bit.” More confusion.

“Relax with you?” Angel repeated. Doing what exactly?

“In a sense, yes. Ta-da!” She said, throwing her hoof out to point at the building they were walking toward. Angel wasn’t sure what was throwing her off more. The fact they had begun to walk again, and she didn’t take notice she was doing it, or the place Rarity was presenting to her.

“T-That’s… that’s…” The words wouldn’t leave her.

“The spa, yes.” Rarity stated matter of factly. “I think it’ll do wonders for you at the moment, and before you reject the idea outright, please note that it’s not uncommon for stallions to come here as well. Also I’d never dream of making you do something in here you aren’t comfortable with. The entire point of visiting such an establishment is to relax. It’d be very counterproductive for me to have you do the opposite.”

The words Rarity spoke bounced around inside Angel’s head for a few moments as she tried to process it all. In truth she had been about to outright reject this idea, despite the fact that Cup and he had done a ‘Couples spa visit’ before in the past, so he knew better than most ponies the truth behind the phrase that stallions came here as well.

“It’s on me dearie.” Rarity gently said, hoping to coax her into agreeing. “I’ll pay for it all, I just ask you to give it a chance.” With that she hung her head a bit. “I-I know being in a new body must be difficult, and I’d be lying if I didn’t say I had a bit of an ulterior motive, but I think we can both help each other out for the next couple of hours.”

This caught Angel’s attention. “Help each other out?”

“Yes darling, you see you’re not the only stallion turned mare I’ve…convinced to join me today.” Rarity gave a slight cough on the word ‘convinced’ as she spoke, waving her hoof at another mare a little bit behind them, one Angel hadn’t realized was following them at a slight distance all this time.

If she’d been paying attention, she'd have noticed the mare right away, so unique were her colors. A beautiful deep black coat, with a brilliant mane and tail of sapphire blue. Her shape was simple and cute. She reminded Angel of Twilight in a way. The mare had this air of… bookwormness? Dorkyness? Something along those lines, but still incredibly attractive. She was even a unicorn like Twilight. Something about the way those horns stuck out of their heads made them look so majestic in a way.

Angel blinked. Was she discovering she was into unicorns or something? Too much to worry about right now. She tucked that thought away and continued to study the new mare. The last thing she took note of was a very lovely blue choker she wore around her neck. It complimented her mane and tail perfectly.

Wait a sec. Deep black coat and sapphire blue mane? She knew those colors didn’t she?

“Just one quick thing darling,” Rarity quickly whispered as the other mare drew closer. “While this mare doesn’t mind if ponies know who she really is, hence why I told you she was a stallion, I made sure not to mention who you really are to them. Not my place and all, so don’t worry. She has no idea who you really are and I’ll play along with whatever you feel comfortable with.”

That was reassuring yes, but Angel Cake still couldn’t get over the colors of this particular unicorn mare. Why did it seem so familiar to her? As she pondered this, the mare finally caught up to them. A heavy blush on her cheeks as she shyly walked up to her.

“S-So h-hey there Angel Cake!” The mare cried nervously her voice going up and down. “F-Funny story, but after I left you at the table, s-sorry about rushing off like that, well I tried to find you after I uh talked to Pinkie about the cupcakes, and well a lot of things happened…”

Angel furrowed her brow. Left at the table? Cupcakes? The only pony she was at a table with when eating some cupcakes, besides that horrible Arrow whatshisname was-

Her eyes widened as the colors clicked.

“E-Evening Storm!?”

The mare sighed.

“...A lot of things happened.”

Author's Note

I simply couldn't settle with me not getting ANYTHING out on this day, so we have a very short chapter. Originally I had wanted it to include the spa visit, but perhaps this works out, because I do have part of a chapter written up that explains just how Evening Storm got himself into this little predicament.

HAPPY HEARTS AND HOOVES EVERYONE! I am hoping against hope I'll give you more updates this month. Cross your fingers.