Author's Note

Gilda's business, Griffonscones, is going to expand into two new locations. So Swift Story is sent to interview her from the Manehatten Gazette.

Contains stuffing, weight gain, mild health issues. And one very fat Gilda. Written for PhealGud.

Griffonscones

“Alright, dweebs…” Gilda waddled forward, huffing and puffing as she slowed to a stop in front of her bakery door. “This is where...it all happens.” Unlocking the door and squeezing her way inside. Hardly noticing as her wide barrel and wider hips were pinched as she pulled herself through the door. She was almost trapped inside her own doorway, but she didn’t seem to notice.

The journalist and photographer bustled in after. The journalist, a unicorn from Manehatten, was scribbling notes idly as she entered the bakery. The photographer looking around excitedly, his camera dangling from around his neck.

Even though it was 5am, the fresh smells of coffee and baked goods were prevalent. There was already a team of dedicated griffons working in the back to prepare what was needed for today. Hired, originally, to give Gilda a break from her incredibly busy business. As time had progressed, they’d taken on more of her duties, their responsibilities growing right alongside their employer’s waistline.

Gilda could afford to pay the staff after all, and keep herself well in bits. Why bother working herself to death if she didn’t have to? Still, she was incredibly business proud, so having the two ponies come in from Manehatten to review her bakery, well it was worth the early morning and exercise.

The successful griffon was starting to...gain a reputation for herself in certain circles. She was a demanding boss, tough, and had very high expectations. However, she was loyal, and mostly fair provided things added up right. It was hard being her employee, but it was well worth it if you went above and beyond for the job. Earning bonuses, raises, and extra treats. The bonuses helped make up for the hardships of the job.

Gilda had sold off her little bakery cart ages ago, after demand had consistently started to outrun her supply. The little bakery she’d purchased had grown along with her success. More room in the back to make goods, a professional espresso machine, and inside seating for griffons to visit and eat.

The business was rather expansive now, even having a to go window that allowed griffons and visitors to order quickly and be gone quickly. Gilda, even with expenses, was rolling in bits. Enough to fix up her own house and feed her growing appetite.

Gilda’s habit of tasting a product from every batch of goods she made had an effect on her waistline in the weeks and months after the bakery opened. Her scones were still one of her best selling products, but other baked goods soon joined the lineup. Pastries, breads, cookies, all sorts of scone flavours. She offered sandwiches and soups, and a small selection of hot and cold drinks.

All sorts of creatures, griffons and visitors alike, flocked to eat and drink her products. It was more than Gilda had ever dreamed, and she used some of her gold to fix up Griffonstone so it was livable.

In the year since opening the bakery, Gilda had piled on the pounds. Growing accustomed to eating a treat from every batch of whatever was being made. Making her snack throughout the day. She used to take old pastries that weren’t fit to be sold home too, gorging herself sick on them after hours as well as when she was working.

In the early months, though Gilda did most of the work herself, the sheer amount of calories she was consuming far outweighed what she was burning off. Since she was working so much, she couldn’t go exercise. So the weight had piled on. And it continued. Explained away easily enough at first, but Gilda quickly grew to realize she didn’t mind.

Her weight was a status symbol. She could be prideful in the work she’d done, prideful in what little she continued to do. But she didn’t need to work herself to the bone to make a living. In fact, she could do nothing but eat all day and still make a killing.

Her bakery business was soaring. Which was why the reporter and photographer were there, to see her in action. Setting up a piece that announced her intentions to open more bakeries. A secondary one in Griffonstone, then maybe opening one near to the border of Equestria: at the train station at the edge of the kingdom.

So Gilda intended to show off this morning. She was a capable business griffon after all, and she’d worked hard to build her business up. It would be a piece of cake to do what she’d done for years.

“Alright...this way.” Gilda huffed, waddling her way to the counter to squeeze between it and the wall, making her way into the back.

“Of course.” Swift Story said, following behind Gilda. “Now, is this the normal start time for employees?”

“No.” Gilda shook her head, “They start early. To get things going for the day.” She was still panting for breath, but now she was moving along at her own pace, she seemed to be recovering.

Swift nodded, still writing notes. “That’s good to know.”

Painted Aurora, the photographer, moved about the cafe to snap a few pictures. Mostly as tests to see how the space photographed. And killing time while Gilda and Swift chatted.

Gilda led the way into the back. Sweat dampening her feathers and fur, making them look more matted than they already were since she was clearly too large to groom herself properly.

The kitchen was the largest section of the cafe. And it was bustling with five workers, all of whom didn’t break their concentration as Gilda made her way inside. All wrapped up in their work, and trained well, to do anything else but keep working.

The smells of baking filled the air, as Swift spotted trays upon trays of fresh pastries and breads cooling, getting ready for the customers that were sure to start arriving soon.

As Gilda waddled her way through the kitchen, watching her employees, Swift was able to better take in the griffon’s figure.

Gilda was morbidly obese, clearly struggling with mobility. Hardly mobile, it didn’t take a genius to realize that Gilda wouldn’t be able to walk under her own power for much longer. Not without assistance of some sort.

Gilda’s hips were wider than the rest of her, her flanks and plot thick and heavy. Swaying and jiggling in time with her slow waddle. Her flank and plot melding, overhanging her hocks, and clearly hindering her mobility somewhat because of how heavy they were. Her tail was stuck between her cheeks, looking thick and useless as it dragged across the floor behind her. It certainly didn’t help Gilda move much, and since the griffon was certainly too fat to fly, it couldn’t help her in the air either.

Gilda’s barrel was wide in its own right, looking only small in comparison to what came after it. Her wings were flabby and pillowy, not used at all in quite some time. Her back was riddled with rolls, as was her drooping stomach. It didn’t touch the ground, not yet, but it was close. Resting well below her knees, it swung like a pendulum underneath her. Swaying back and forth almost hypnotically.

Gilda’s stomach was pressing into her legs at all times, hence the waddle as she worked hard to move even with her hundreds of excess pounds.

Her neck wasn’t completely buried under her fat yet, but it was coming. The fat of her neck was already starting to meld with that of her shoulders and back, and it was mostly just one large roll that hung against her pigeon chest.

Her front legs weren’t much better. Even her eagle paws had swelled with fat, merging with the drooping sleeves of her shoulders to make it even more difficult to move about. And still, Gilda managed it. Her body swaying and shaking with each ponderous step she managed. Her face slick with sweat, chubby cheeks red from exertion, it was no wonder she was so determined to see her business succeed.

Gilda’s face was marred by extra chins and jowls that squished and moved as she talked.

Swift, so caught up in the sight of Gilda working so hard to do something so simple as walking, nearly ran into the griffon’s plush posterior as the griffon came to a sudden halt before the many ovens they had to offer.

The griffon manning the ovens didn’t pause in their work, simply continuing to pull out hot pans of scones to rest on the nearby metal table to cool.

“Oh, you’ve said before you cool your goods specially-”

“Gonna show you.” Gilda said impatiently. Waving away the employee to take their spot. Her back turned to the table, Gilda’s fatty wings worked to move away from her torso. It looked awkward and slow, the joint stiff and surrounded by fat. Gilda flapped her wings. Once, showing off the sweat that was building up underneath her wings.

In a healthy, fit griffon, the motion would have pushed air over the pastries, hastening their cooling. But with Gilda being as out of shape as she was, she couldn’t even muster a breeze.

It seemed foolish to comment on that fact, so Swift simply nodded, “That’s amazing! Very clever.”

Gilda nodded, panting more audibly now. Her breath wheezing in and out of her as she tucked her wings back against her flabby barrel. Sweat was coating her thoroughly now, making her look rather damp all over. “I know!”

Swift moved out of the griffon’s way as Gilda trudged past.

If she hadn’t moved, if she’d just moved along before Gilda, perhaps she’d have spotted it sooner. But she didn’t.

There was a puddle in Gilda’s path, and once her front paw connected, it went out from underneath her. What happened next was curious.

Gilda was fat enough it wasn’t really a fall, not really. Her front leg folded underneath her, and her other three legs didn’t have the strength to keep herself upright. So she tilted, then her other legs collapsed. Sending her to the ground with a thump and an angry squawk.

Swift and the nearest employee worked to get Gilda upright again, ignoring her angry mutterings and shaking body in favour of trying to get her moving again.

By the time they made it into the sitting area of the cafe, Gilda’s legs were trembling with the effort of moving her around. Clearly she wasn’t used to hauling herself around for so long at one time.

She eased herself into a booth, making it creak under her weight. Sighing raggedly as she let her body rest.

Swift sat in the chair across from the griffon, offering a smile. “Your bakery is well run.”

Gilda nodded, muffling a cough into her shoulder. Still obviously struggling, even though she was starting to recover. The redness of her face started to fade a little now she was seated. “Made sure...it would be. Puddles are...rare. Have to talk...with them about it….later.”

Swift nodded, “Of course. I’m just glad you’re okay.”

Gilda snorted. “I think all...the padding took...care of it.” Reaching down to pat at her stomach. Sitting down like she was, it nearly engulfed her hind legs completely.

“Well, it’s clear to see you take great pride in your business.” Swift grinned. “And pride in your employees, if they usually start things by themselves.”

“I trained ‘em myself. Couldn’t be better.” Gilda grinned too, a rare break in her gruff exterior. “Made sure they do good work.”

“You can see that influence in the cafe’s popularity. So, you’re getting ready to expand the business. What are your plans for that?”

“A smaller cafe, just scones and coffee, on the other side of town.” Gilda said. “Just a small team will be able to help. And it’ll be more convenient for the griffons to get to. With my cart, I used to make rotations. Can’t do that with a huge building like this. And there will be a larger, secondary location at the train station. That just makes sense, it’s a high traffic location. It will be open longer than the locations here in the city, following the timetables for the train.”

“Oh that’s nice.” Swift grinned. “For the travelers especially. Sometimes, after a long train ride, all you want is a good cup of coffee and some pastries.”

“Exactly. Which reminds me,” Gilda looked over Swift’s head to raise a paw in the air.

Swift turned to look at the bustling griffons behind the counter. Clearly getting a collection of pastries and two coffees ready.

Swift swallowed dryly, pushing back a stab of hunger. She’d had the idea that she’d be given breakfast here so she hadn’t eaten anything at the hotel. “Thank you.”

“For the camera pony too.” Gilda grunted, settling back. Her stomach bumping into the table.

“You’ve made headlines with your rapid, extreme weight gain. Has that affected your work?” Swift asked.

Gilda blinked, brows furrowing and eyes narrowing, “Of course not!” She squawked. “I’m still running the business, even if I’m not here. My staff knows to get a hold of me if they need anything. I’m still very capable of running this place by myself if I ever had to.”

Denial then. Swift continued to scribble in her notepad. “Of course. I don’t mean to be rude, there’s only a few plus sized entrepreneurs around. And you’re the most successful by far.”

“It speaks of my hard work!” Gilda sulked, crossing her paws in front of her chest. Clearly fighting against the fat of her body to do so, but stubborn enough that she didn’t give up. The fat poofing around her arms, making her look all the fatter for it.

Swift nodded, “It really does.” Hoping to smooth any ruffled feathers. “We’ve been getting calls and letters from our readership to do a story about you and your bakery. You’ve been credited with helping Griffonstone back on its feet.”

The anger, and embarrassment? Gilda could be rather hard to read. Melted away, leaving pride clearly visible. “Yes, I did. Helped the infrastructure of the city after decades of neglect. Tourism is up, a new library is under construction, and businesses are thriving again.”

“And put Griffonscones on the map as one of the spots someone has to go if they’re ever in Griffonstone.” Swift pressed.

“Well, yeah. Scones are important to griffon culture! Have been for centuries.” Gilda said, looking ready to say something more, but an employee came with a tray heaping with pastries and two large coffees.

“Cream and sugar are here too.” The employee said. “Please let us know if you’d like anything else.”

Both Swift and Gilda nodded. Gilda moved quickly, far faster than she had any right to, to add heavy amounts of cream and sugar in before Swift had a chance.

“Where’s your camera guy?” Gilda asked shortly, taking a few of the pastries before settling down to gulp them both down in record timing. Swift took this time to grab a few choice treats before Gilda could take the rest.

Swift shrugged, craning to look outside where a line up of griffons were starting to take shape. Waiting for the business to open. She could see Painted Aurora talking to a few of them. Good. She’d be busy here, and if he could get some unbiased opinions that would help her later when she got to writing the article proper. “Outside it looks like. Probably taking pictures of the business now the light is better.”

Gilda grunted, now too busy eating to reply. Crumbs coating her beak and dotting the feathers of her chest. Gulping them down with a speed that took Swift by surprise for a few seconds.

Raising the first of the scones to her muzzle, Swift took a big bite. Lemon-cranberry with a sweet lemon glaze on top. Not too sweet, but perfectly blended. With little bits of lemon peel and cranberries running throughout. “Mmmm.”

Gilda, though she didn’t pause her own eating, grinned knowingly.

A croissant was next for Swift. It was denser than what she was accustomed to and more chewy, but still delicious.

Chocolate-pecan scone was next. Then maple oat nut, then cheddar and apple buttermilk scones. Each different and flavourful. Dense and moist without being too much. Everything was delicious, more so than Swift had expected, and it wasn’t long before she cleared her plate. Groaning softly as she rubbed at her distended gut, feeling like she’d eaten a few bricks.

Gilda was still eating. Not giving Swift’s discomfort any mind. Not even pausing to breathe as she gorged herself on the remaining pastries. Crumbs and frosting coating her beak and smeared across her cheeks. Her stomach was pressed fully into the table now, rolling over it as it bloated with every pastry consumed.

Swift continued to sip at her coffee, rubbing at her own distended gut as Gilda cleared the tray. “Your reputation is well earned.”

“Wouldn’t have gotten to this size if my food was awful.” Gilda defended, wiping at her mouth. Settling back into the booth with a sigh, burping softly. “It’s good you enjoyed it.”

“Anyone with a sense of taste would.” Swift said. “And you rotate your flavours, right?”

Gilda nodded, “We use fresh ingredients. So there’s seasonal flavours. And whenever I come up with an idea, or one of the others do. We test it out, see how folks like it. It’s how we got our signature pizza scone.”

“It’s good you let your chefs have some creativity. That must help keep morale high.”

“And it makes sense. They’re good employees. Makes sense to let them have some oversight of the menu.” Gilda shrugged, sending ripples throughout her fat body. She waved a paw again, and the employee returned with another tray laden with goods and a coffee refill. “Help yourself.”

Swift couldn’t manage it, not with how full she was, but she took one to be polite anyway. Picking at it as she drank down another cup of coffee, watching Gilda as she continued to gorge herself.

There was a creaking noise from the booth under Gilda. The table was partially covered by Gilda’s stomach. Bending under its weight, Swift used her magic to grab her coffee cup, taking a sip, just before disaster struck.

The table broke under the weight of Gilda’s stomach, sending it quaking and jiggling. The sudden shift of weight made the creaking booth under her finally snap. Sending Gilda to the ground in a heap. Her coffee cup and the platters crashing to the ground.

Swift froze, eyes wide. Thankfully unaffected by the destruction in front of her, her quill paused in it’s writing.

Gilda squawked, shouting wordlessly. The people from the back coming out to move Swift out of the way and haul Gilda onto her feet.

Gilda sputtered, face red. Sputtering some form of excuse before she all but fled the building. Her stomach lower to the ground than it had been, her waddle was even slower.

Swift drank down the last of her coffee. Leaving the griffons to clean up after their corpulent boss. Moving outside to help Painted Aurora interview the griffons outside.

(LINE BREAK)

Breaking News: Famous Entrepreneur Immobilizes Herself!

Gilda, the owner and original worker of the now-famous Griffonscones, has finally eaten herself into immobility after an interview with the Manehatten Gazette’s own Swift Story. At the end of said interview, Gilda’s weight broke the table and the booth, leading to her leaving the interview early.

In the last few weeks, Gilda has continued her gorging habits. And is now trapped within her Griffonstone home, now completely immobilized by her bulk.

Gilda declined an interview, but her employees have stated that plans for expanding the business are still greenlit and further expansion plans are still on the table.

Gilda weakly through the paper away from her with a soft grunt of disgust. Panting for breath, even with that weak motion. Of course her weight was the focus of the article and not the rest of the information the unicorn had collected.

She had indeed eaten herself into immobility. Her stomach had grounded her in place. Which, if it weren’t for the gossip and things, Gilda wouldn’t have minded it so much. But with all the gossip and things, it just angered her. Which made her stressed out, which made her eat more. Which didn’t help.

Well, there wasn’t much for it now. Not with her too fat to move.

Gilda’s mass spread across the floor, acting like a mattress that was keeping her legs above the floor. Her barrel was multi-folded and flabby, trapping her hind legs in between her stomach and plot. She was just...fatter. Significantly fatter in a matter of weeks. Her chins were puffy and sagging against the spare tire wrapping around her neck.

Immobility wasn’t without its drawbacks of course, mostly her struggles to breathe. Even now it was huffing and puffing out of her, since simply existing was enough for her to struggle to catch her breath. And still, Gilda didn’t care enough to try to lose weight.

What was the point? Everyone was going to keep talking about it. And it made her happy. That was what mattered right? She trusted her staff to keep things running properly. She was a wealthy, successful business owner and she didn’t have to lift a paw.

Gilda reached to take a pizza scone. Stuffing it into her mouth and chewing languidly. It was delicious as it always was, and well worth the weight that kept her grounded.