The Convoluted Life of Gleaming Shield

The next morning was a novel experience for Gleaming, as it was the first time in what felt like a long while that she was not abruptly thrust into the waking world. Instead, she emerged from slumber slowly and gracefully, actually taking time to enjoy the soft warmth of her bed.

For an unspecified (and she really didn’t care how long) amount of time, she just lay there—eyes closed and half-awake—without a care in the world. It was an odd feeling, and one that she found she rather enjoyed, all things considered. Not having any worries, any concerns, any ‘this-needs-to-get-done-immediately’s on her mind: it left her in a relaxed state she hadn’t experienced in ages.

She didn’t want it to end.

But, like all good things in her life, even this had to come to an end. This time, however, she was not forced from her bed by the need to pee or by somepony pounding on her door or by some other unpleasant event, but rather by the understanding that it was time to get going. And so, with a yawn and a stretch, Gleaming pulled herself out of her bed and started her day.

With a tousled mane and a black nightshirt to fight back the slight chill in the air, she made her way down the hall to the kitchen. Forgoing any food, she instead rummaged around in her small pantry for a moment before pulling out a can of ground coffee. It took a few tries to get the brewer working (it was an older model after all) but soon the blessed scent of brewing coffee filled the room.

Sighing, Gleaming sat down at the small, two-pony kitchen table in the corner and waited.

It wasn’t long before a pink head poked itself through the wall. “Oh! Good morning. I didn’t think you’d be up yet.”

“Force of habit,” Gleaming said sleepily. She yawned again, her tongue poking out slightly. “Years of getting up early hardwires it into your system. This is actually pretty late for me.”

Cadance glanced at the clock as she pulled herself the rest of the way into the room. “This is late for you? Good gracious, honey, you really need to learn to relax more.” This morning the she-demon had on a rather risque-looking outfit. A silk burgundy nightie that barely covered her flanks with a matching pair of socks on her hind legs. Her mane was done up in a loose bun with a pair of hair sticks. A few stray strands hung about her face, accenting her natural beauty.

She floated by Gleaming—giving her a quick nuzzle as she passed—before coming to rest in the middle of the kitchen, floating idly on her back. In the light coming in from the window, she looked like she was practically glowing.

"Did you know there's a herd living right above you?" she asked.

“Huh?” Blinking, Gleaming perked up. “Oh, you mean the Fondues? Yeah, I know them.”

Cadance cocked her head. “The Fondues?”

“Yeah, there’s Cheese, the stallion, and his mares Broth, Wine, and Chocolate.” Gleaming tapped her hoof on the table as she listed the names. “They run a restaurant somewhere in Middle Canterlot. Last I checked, Wine was the lead mare of the herd.” She hummed as she glanced up at the ceiling. “They send me food packages every estrus.”

“Whatever for?”

A blush spread across Gleaming’s cheeks. “To make up for all the noise they make.”

Cadance stared at her blankly for a moment before a large grin lit up her face. “Oh ho ho! Really? Well, they must have been rather successful.” At Gleaming’s confused look, the she-demon giggled. “All three mares are pregnant. Two with twins, and the third with triplets.”

“W-what? You’re joking!” Gleaming blanched. “Oh dear Celestia. That’s… that’s going to be chaos! Seven foals all at the same time?” A heavy shiver ran down her spine. “By Celestia’s swollen teats. No thank you!”

“One of the perks of being an earth pony,” Cadance said. “Or maybe a curse. Regardless, their herd is about to grow larger! Oooh, that’s so wonderful!” Flailing her hooves, she turned somersaults in the air. The glow intensified.

Wait a minute...

Gleaming’s eyes widened as she realized that it hadn’t been a trick of the light. Cadance was actually glowing, a warm, pinkish light encompassing her entire body. It pulsed and thrummed, and her horns sparked with magic.

And was she growing a few inches taller?

“Oooh, this makes me so happy!” the she-demon giggled. “This is why I started doing what I did! The feeling of love, the growth of a herd, the swelling of life! Blissful! Euphoric! Addicting! Nothing can compare!”

“Wait…” Gleaming frowned as Cadance continued to flit about the kitchen like an excited hummingbird. “You didn’t have something to do with their… fertility, did you?”

“Oh goodness, no,” Cadance said. “They were already pregnant before you freed me.” Settling down beside Gleaming at the table, she shook her head. “No, the only thing I’m responsible for placing an itsy bitsy teenie weenie little enchantment on all of the mares.”

Gleaming stiffened. “Cadance,” she growled. “What… did you do?”

“Nothing,” the she-demon tittered. “Nothing at all!”

With a snort, Gleaming’s eyes narrowed. “Don’t lie to me. What did you just do?” Her horn began to glow as magic coursed up its length, and the subtle thrum of magic emanated through the room.

Finally sensing the sudden change in mood of her host, Cadance sobered up. “Come now. Do you really think I’d do something to harm them?” She clicked her tongue. “That’s not my motif. I deal with positive enchantments. The charm I placed on them will keep them healthy and pain-free throughout their pregnancies and will ensure that they do not lose their foals—or themselves—during birth. Their foals shall be large and healthy and shall not know disease or illness for the first few of their hopefully many years.”

The magic around Gleaming’s horn died. “Oh.” Her ears pressed against her head and she stared intently at the wooden grain of the table. “That’s… that’s actually really generous of you.”

“It used to be one of my many duties,” Cadance said, and there was a hint of sadness in her voice. “Back when ponies came to me for help. Back before I was imprisoned. Back before Cee-Cee…” She trailed off, a pained look on her face.

“Sister troubles are always the worst,” Gleaming muttered.

“You would know?” Cadance asked, more curious than accusatory.

“Yeah, you could say that. I know very well.” A cold feeling settled over Gleaming. She glared at the table and growled. “Very well.”

An uncomfortable silence descended upon the kitchen, neither mare looking at the other. The oppressive feeling was eventually broken though by the distorted chirp of the coffee machine signaling its job complete.

The sound of pouring coffee seemed to also pour the tension right out of the room. While Gleaming added cream and sugar to her drink, Cadance hummed a little tune, staring up at the ceiling.

“Four fillies and three colts,” she said softly.

“You can tell already?” Gleaming asked. She took a sip from her mug, and a tremor of pleasure ran through her body as the sweet liquid ran down her throat.

“No,” Cadance hummed. “I just like to guess on the outcome. I’m right more often than not, but it’s only a gut feeling. Nothing more.”

Gleaming smiled. “Sometimes that’s all it takes.” She took another, longer draft of coffee. “So, now we have to figure out what to do today—”

The whole apartment seemed to shake as loud pounding came from the front door, the poor wood nearly splintering under the force.

Gleaming fumbled her coffee cup, nearly dropping it in surprise. Cautiously, she peered around the corner of the kitchen wall and eyed the front door. It shook again, the nails rattling in the hinges.

"Could it be your friend?" Cadance asked, whispering even though she didn't really have to.

"Can't be," Gleaming hissed. "If String Board was that strong, all of us would be wearing tinfoil hats instead."

An especially loud series of impacts land against the door, followed by a muffled scream from upstairs. Cadance's head whipped back as she looked to the ceiling before leveling an annoyed glare at the trembling door.

"Stay here for a moment, please," she ordered. With a purpose, she fluttered to the door and stuck her head through right as the next series of room-shaking knocks rained down. For a moment, the she-demon was still…

Cadance stumbled back, her head reemerging from the wood. Her eyes were wide and the color had drained from her face.

"What is it?" Gleaming asked, fear welling up inside her. What could be outside her door that would scare the color off a spirit that couldn't be seen, heard, or touched?

A moment later she got her answer.

"Royal guard! Open the door!"