Fluttershy twiddled her thumbs, pointed her toes together, and tried to look anywhere but in front of her. Her eyes glanced towards the open door, where just moments ago the last of her classmates had left her behind. She looked to the floor, where she’d dropped her book bag, a hastily shoved test with a bright red F poked out .

Finally, she couldn’t take it anymore and her eyes looked up at Ms. Eris.

The woman towered a good head and shoulders over her student. Wispy white hair waterfalled down her back, pooling around to hug her sides right below her… rather generous chest that struggled to escape her brown sweater. The way it hugged her body seemed almost impossible, pushing out her curves to angles unknown to mathematics—

“Fluttershy!”

A timid “eep!” escaped her lips as she realized she’d been staring. Fluttershy snapped her gaze up to her teacher’s eyes. Red, with yellow sclera. They were an oddity, unique even in a world where anyone could be as colorful as a rainbow. So curious that Fluttershy couldn’t help but stare. She could get lost in the hard gaze—

“Fluttershy!” The first time Ms. Eris had been annoyed. Now she sounded angry.

“A-Ah…” Fluttershy’s lip quivered. Blinking, she crashed back to reality. “Yes ma’am?!”

Eris pinched the skin between her eyebrows, and sighed loudly. “You just can’t concentrate, can you? Is that why your grades have been slipping lately?”

Fluttershy bit her lip. So that was why she’d been asked to stay after class. And here she’d been entertaining the idea that maybe… She shook her head. “N-No. I can concentrate. I just…” Her thumbs wrestled each other while. “I’m used to animals, is all.”

As if on cue, her book bag rustled. The bunny inside was getting restless.

Ms. Eris actually chuckled. “Of course you are.”

Fluttershy winced. Why was she laughing? It was the truth. Fluttershy had always known she’d do poorly in any child care class. She’d been dreading the required course ever since she was a freshman. Now having started her senior year, she couldn’t have put it off any longer.

Really she just preferred anything to the creepy, lifeless baby dolls the students were required to look after. Guinea pigs, rabbits, puppies, cats, even Pinkie’s baby alligator were all far easier to deal with. She could practically talk to them, and more often than not it felt like they could respond to her. But what was she supposed to say to a hunk of plastic in a onesie?

“I’m sorry…” she mumbled, eyes returning to the floor.

“And just who are you apologizing too?” Ms. Eris asked. With an index finger she tilted Fluttershy’s chin up. “Me?”

Eris didn’t remove her finger, but Fluttershy tried her best to nod. Saying “yes” would just result in a squeak at this point.

“For doing poorly in my class?” Eris tsked. “Fluttershy, I’m the one who should be apologizing to you. A student failing reflects rather poorly on my ability to teach, don’t you think?”

“Yes?” Fluttershy squeaked. “Wait! I mean, no? I-I don’t—”

Eris cut her off with another chuckle. But what was so funny? Didn’t Fluttershy just insult her?

Her index finger tapped Fluttershy’s jaw closed before withdrawing. “Fluttershy, obviously I want you to do well in my class. You’re one of my precious little students, after all.”

For some reason, Fluttershy’s cheeks felt warm. “Th-Thank—”

“So I’ll tell you what I’m going to do.” Eris bent down until they were eye level. “I think what you need is a little help outside of the classroom. Why don’t you come to my home on Saturday? With just the two of us I’m sure we can make more headway than we would in this cramped, little classroom, don’t you?”

Fluttershy could feel her pupils shrinking. Her? At a teacher’s house? Wouldn’t that be improper? That seemed like it would be very improper. She started eyeing the door. Maybe it was time for her to go. “Umm…”

Ms. Eris cocked an eyebrow. “What’s the matter? You do want to do better in my class, don’t you?” Her lips morphed into a small pout.

Fluttershy nodded vigorously. Of course she did! Failing a required course meant she’d have to make it up over the summer. Or worse yet, not graduate until next year.

Pouty lips morphed yet again, this time into an arrogant smile. “Then there shouldn’t be any problem with you coming over, ok?”

Fluttershy’s eyes flicked down to Ms. Eris’ dangling breasts. Then up again. “Ok!” she practically yelled.

“Good.” Ms. Eris’ smile only grew. She stepped back from Fluttershy and over to her desk. Bending over it, she grabbed a pen and a sticky note, and started scribbling. Her long skirt hugged her hips in a way that put her sweater to shame.

Fluttershy caught herself staring and pulled her eyes away from the older woman’s body. Back to the door. No. To her book bag. Also no. She was back at Ms. Eris’ butt.

A whole day alone with her. Fluttershy gulped. That was… exciting? Scary? Both? Both. Both was good.

“Here we go.” Ms. Eris peeled the sticky note free of its stack, just in time for a blushing Fluttershy to look back up at her. Eris pushed the note into Fluttershy’s hands.

Her fingers tripped over themselves trying to take it. Eventually it stuck to her pinkie finger, and she was finally able to pull away from her teacher’s warm hands. Why was she blushing so hard right now?

“Stop by around ten,” Ms. Eris winked. “And remember to eat a big breakfast before you come. We won’t be stopping for anything.”

Fluttershy gulped again and nodded. She opened her mouth, unsure if she was supposed to say “thank you” or not. Just then, the late bell rang, swallowing whatever timid line came out of her mouth.

Ms. Eris nudged her head to the door. “You’d better get going.”

“R-Right.” Fluttershy scooped up her book bag and flew out the door. Halfway to her next class she took a deep breath, her first one in… how long, exactly? Her heart was racing and her cheeks couldn’t seem to cool down.

The bunny in her bag poked its head out, chewing on a ripped piece of her failed test.

“Oh, Angel,” Fluttershy whispered. Her eyes darted from him to the address on her pinkie finger. “What am I going to do?”

What am I going to do?

All week Fluttershy had been asking herself that question. Now Saturday was here, but an answer still wasn’t.

She tugged at her skirt, studying the concrete sidewalk in front of Ms. Eris’ home. She didn’t want to look up, because then she’d see the door. Seeing the door meant she’d have to go in. And going in meant she’d be alone… with Ms. Eris.

The butterflies in her stomach would just not let up!

Fluttershy was running out of excuses to just stand around outside too. It was nearly ten, she was supposed to knock soon. If she didn’t Ms. Eris might come to the window to look for her, and then she’d see Fluttershy just standing on the sidewalk like a loser.

And if that happened Fluttershy was pretty sure she’d just up and die.

Come on, be brave! Optimism bloomed to life inside her. It died the second she took her first step.

No! No no no! Nononononono!

This was just too much. She couldn’t fathom what today was going to be like. Ms. Eris was always so… she could just… she was always so in control. It felt like she owned every moment she was present for. She was electric. Magnetic. Fluttershy found it so hard to concentrate during Ms. Eris’ classes because that. How was she supposed to survive a day alone with her for pity’s sake?

But what would she do if she missed this chance?

The thought surprised Fluttershy, enough to send her mouth agape. It took a few solid seconds of blinking before she managed to close it. And she swallowed too.

Some part of her wanted this. And another part of her really didn’t want this. But the other part really really wanted this.

To be alone… with Ms. Eris… all day…

Fluttershy brought her knees together, biting her lip. She could flutter between wanting this and not wanting this all day, but at some point her teacher would see her standing out here. Better to at least enter on her own terms.

She took a step forward.

Another.

One more.

Closer.

Almost…

There. She was at the front door. Keeping up the momentum, Fluttershy knocked. And immediately burst into flames.

Oh no! Her fingers curled as if they’d been burned. What was I thinking? I’m not ready! I’m not—

Ms. Eris opened the door. Fluttershy’s flames were snuffed out, leaving behind a puddle that used to be her.

Ms. Eris… in casual clothes.

An earthy tank top hugged her chest. Shorts far too small for any school dress code around her hips. So much was… visible…

Fluttershy gulped. Ms. Eris smiled.

“Hello, Fluttershy. Glad you could make it.” Eris took her by the wrist, leading her inside before the greeting could be returned.

“H-Hello!” Fluttershy squeaked out, door shutting behind her.

“Make yourself at home,” Eris winked. “But do leave your shoes on the mat.”

“Okay.” She was starting to process that she was in Ms. Eris’ house. Her house of all things! And it was…

...well…

Fluttershy found her nerves vanished for just a moment as she took in the room around her. A living room, if you could call it that.

Nothing made sense.

None of her furniture matched. A white leather couch sat next to bright red globe chairs. Before them a coffee table that was a hideous amalgamation of metal, oak, and glass. A spiral staircase that led to nowhere. And a grandfather clock who’s face had been swapped with a digital display. Paintings dotted the walls without rhyme or reason. Upside down, or resting on a corner, or flat and sideways… though all of them surrealist works.

The walls themselves were a travesty. Some half painted with one color, only to give up halfway through and finish with something else. Bright yellow into dirt brown. Sunny orange into moss green. Some walls were pinstriped, others had polka dots.

Naturally none of the light fixtures matched either, from the mermaid floor lamp to the ceiling fan that had turbine-like blades.

“U-Uh…” The word “ugly” was on the tip of her lips.

“Hmm?” Eris looked back at her bewildered student. She followed her eyes around the room, before smirking. “Ah yes.” She waved her arm around, flicking her wrist. “Interior design is my passion.”

“R-Right.” Fluttershy didn’t want to be rude, but… she felt like Ms. Eris should get a new passion. “I-is your whole house like this?”

She snorted. “I wish. But on a teacher’s salary.” She put the back of her hand to her forehead, dramatic-like. “Alas, this was all I could manage.”

Phew. Fluttershy was worried she’d vomit if she had to spend too much time in a room like this. At least there were safe places elsewhere.

“Make yourself at home,” Eris waved indiscriminately to the very un-homey room. “Let me get you some tea.”

“Oh, you don’t have to—” But she already disappeared into her kitchen.

Fluttershy bit her lip. She didn’t want to be rude—especially as a guest, and one that needed help at that—but everything about this place was just… uncomfortable.

She shrugged off her backpack, gripping straps with both hands. Eventually, she shuffled over to one of the globe chairs and hunched down into it. Fluttershy tried to make herself as small as possible in that chair, crouching and pulling her limbs in tightly.

She was actually here. Sitting in Ms. Eris’ house.

Thumpthumpthumpthumpthump.

Her heart was beating so fast it might just burst.

“I hope jasmine is okay.”

Fluttershy jumped. Eris was back already?! It was like she’d teleported in.

Eris snickered, one hand over her face. “Sorry, did I scare you?”

Fluttershy’s nod was practically a whimper. But it earned another snicker, and that almost made her feel like it was the right choice?

“Here,” Eris leaned down, her other hand offering a saucer with a cup of simmering tea. “This oughta calm you down some.”

Her eyes widened. As Eris bent over, her tank top loosened ever so slightly, putting her breast eye level to…

Fluttershy ripped her white knuckles from her book bag, and graciously accepted the tea. “Th-a-a-ank you!” The cup met her lips far too soon, splashing some down her chin instead. Unable to accept that accident, Fluttershy peeled her lips open and let the drink scorch her tongue. She didn’t even flinch, unable to take her eyes away from the view.

“Oh, sweetie,” Eris tsked as Fluttershy pulled the cup away. Eris nudged Fluttershy’s head up with her index finger, thumb wiping away the tea that was dribbling down. “So messy.”

Fluttershy was on fire again.

Thankfully it was doused as Eris pulled away at last, wiping her hand on her shorts. All that remained was a smoldering blush.

She quickly downed the rest of her tea, because at this point it could only cool her off. Eris smiled to herself, sauntering over to the couch and spreading out comfortably on it. “So… about your performance in my class.”

Fluttershy gulped. She set the empty cup down on the table, and fumbled with her bag. “Right… um… right.” Why wouldn’t her blush go away? Oh, it must be so noticeable! Hopefully Eris didn’t think anything of it…

She pulled out her notes from class, flopping it open to whatever random page. “I think… uh… well I know that I…” she flipped through the pages, head dipping lower to hide her cheeks. “I know that I know this. Really, I do! I just… whenever we have a test… or a take home project with the dolls… I don’t know why I can’t figure it out.”

“Hmm.” Eris let her head rest in her hand. “Are you saying you just don’t have the instinct for motherhood?”

“Well I—” She gripped her notebook tightly. “I’m really good at caring for animals. I know them very well. It’s almost like I can talk to them, you see.” She sighed. “I just don’t understand babies as well.”

“You know what I think?” Eris scooted forward, closing the distance between them just a bit.

“What?” Fluttershy wanted to scoot away. Eris was nearing the edge of the couch now… they’d practically be on top of each other then.

“I think you’re having trouble putting yourself in the mindset of a baby,” Eris explained. “What they want, what they need. What they like and dislike. Babies aren’t mindless you know; they can tell when something’s happening that they don’t like.”

Fluttershy nodded, absorbing every word. Should she be writing this down? She scrambled for a pen, about to put it against the paper when…

Eris’ hand, reaching forward and clasping hers. Stopping her notes, and Fluttershy’s heart.

“Mm!” She tugged gently to get away, steam pouring out of her ears. Eris held firm.

“Fluttershy.” Eris pulled her attention up. They were making eye contact. “I think you should try being the baby.”

She blinked, whatever trance over her temporarily broken. “W-What?”

“A caregiver needs to understand a baby’s every need. But if you can’t do it instinctually, then the only way you’ll know what they need is to… crawl a mile in their shoes, so to speak.”

Fluttershy brought her knees together. Eris’ hand still on hers… she felt almost trapped. “That’s… um…”

“Weird?” Eris asked. She finally let go. In order to laugh. “Yes, I suppose it is a rather absurd suggestion.”

Fluttershy laughed too, nervously. “Uhm… yeah. It is.” A joke, of course.

“But in my life, I’ve found the absurd suggestions often work.” Eris winked. Not a joke.

“Y-you’re serious?” Fluttershy choked on her last chuckle. “You want me to… baby?”

Eris chortled. “Well when you put it like that, you’re already halfway there.”

Fluttershy shook her head, hands patting red cheeks to calm them down. “No—! I didn’t… Um… I’m not a baby, Ms. Eris.”

“Well of course you aren’t.” It sounded like there was an unspoken “yet” on her teacher’s lips. “But I think pretending for a few hours would really help you understand what it’s like to be one.”

Hours? Fluttershy’s fingers curled. “So… you just want me to crawl around on the ground? And babble or something?”

“Oh no,” Eris shook her head. “Fluttershy, you’re not quite understanding me. I want to you get the full breath of what it’s like to be a baby. How they’re treated, what they eat.” Her eyes glinted. “What they wear.”

Fluttershy gulped. “I—I don’t think I… um… want to.”

Eris feigned a pout, but she feigned it so well. “Now Fluttershy, I’m offering to help you, you understand that right?”

“Yes,” came her meek reply.

“I would hate for you to fail my class. Wouldn’t you?”

“Yes” Meeker.

“But I genuinely don’t know if there’s a way you can pass at your current rate. I think you know that better than anyone.”

“Yes.” Somehow meeker still.

“So perhaps… I’m only suggesting now… that if you follow my advice, there’s a chance you could do better.”

“Yes.” Almost a reflex at this point, but Fluttershy’s eyes bulged as she realized what she was agreeing to. “I mean—” And she bit her tongue.

Eris clapped her hands, face sparkling. She’d never looked this delighted before. “So you’ll try my idea?”

Her raw happiness deflated Fluttershy’s resistance. So much so that she didn’t even question why Eris would be this happy about this.

But her reservations still overpowered everything else. Arms crossed, head turning away, Fluttershy tightened her lips and curled her toes.

“I know it’s a little embarrassing,” Eris acknowledged.

A little? Eris had all but laid out her intention to put Fluttershy in a— a…

“But that’s why I invited you here to try it.” Eris outstretched her arms to the empty room. “This is a safe space. No one will make fun of you for acting a little childish here.” She dropped her arms to place a hand on Fluttershy’s shoulder. “And if it makes you feel better, we can refer to it as ‘studying’ or something like that. Would you like to ‘study’ with me, Fluttershy?”

The young girl bit her lip, twiddled her fingers, did anything to summon the courage to say no.

This is crazy! Her mind raced. I can’t believe this is what Ms. Eris wanted to do with me. How is acting like a baby supposed to be any kind of studying? It’s just crazy talk is what it is!

I couldn’t actually learn anything this way, right? It’s not like I don’t already know what it’s like to be a baby, I actually was one once! Not… that I remember anything about it. But still, that doesn’t matter. I shouldn’t have to do this.

But if I don’t pass this class…

But this won’t help!

But Ms. Eris thinks it might…

But she’s— my teacher…

…

I really… I really need to pass this class. I can’t be held back. What veterinary school would accept a student who had to repeat a grade?

Even if its embarrassing, no one will know.

And if it works… If it works… maybe it will work…

“Will this really work?” Fluttershy asked so softly, even she barely heard herself.

Eris brushed aside her pink hair, looking into her eyes once more. “Of course it will. I’ve never left a student behind, and I don’t intend to start now.”

“…Okay," she spoke, the word sealing her fate.

She had no idea what she'd just gotten herself into.

Author's Note

This has been burning a hole in my gDocs since... forever? Yeah, forever. I'm gonna see if I can finally finish it.