Desperate Measures

After cleaning up, Seascape walked Guin home. They took a detour, first, so that Seascape could show Guin where she lived, in the event that she needed more help, as she would be skipping any further meetings. This took the two further away from Guin's home, but that just meant they had more time to talk.

"So, who did you marry to end up a mother?" asked Guin.

"I didn't," admitted Seascape. "A few years back, somepony decided that I was adult enough to have relations with before I knew anything about reproduction, and I ended up pregnant at a very young age. Younger than you are, actually. I joined for some parenting tips, but it's all just bullshit. Their response to childcare is to hire a better nanny. I can't even take a job, legally, so how am I supposed to afford that? Luckily, my mom works nights, so I could have her watch the kid in the mornings. Had to call in a babysitter this afternoon, though."

"Can you afford that?" asked Guin. "I thought you didn't have any money?"

"I don't. But I have some people that owe me favours... This guy wasn't one of them, but he'd asked me for something, so, tit for tat."

"That's smart," nodded Guin. "I wish ponies owed me favours. That'd be a load off of my mind. Maybe then, I could be rid of the family welfare guy."

"Oof," winced Seascape. "That's not something you want to deal with. I think somepony would have to owe you a really big favour for that. But listen, gaining favours is at easy as being a good pony. Or, in your case, a good gryphon."

"That easy?"

"Do nice things for others, and they'll be willing to do nice things for you. For example, you helped me clean up, so now I owe you a bit of a favour. If you need parenting advice, drop by my house. If you forget where it is, Kurt knows the place.

"He does?"

"Yeah, we..." Seascape paused. "You didn't know?"

"Didn't know what?"

"He and I have been seeing each other for two months, now. Nothing serious, yet. He's never mentioned me?"

"I've only been living there for a week," shrugged Guin. "Well, almost a week, I guess... I've been focusing on the wedding and the funeral, and just trying to make ends meet. I haven't settled into any personal affairs, yet."

Seascape nodded. "Sounds rough... Listen, that offer still stands. If it makes your transition easier, I'd be glad to help you figure some stuff out. Cooking, cleaning up, all the stuff I wish I'd have known, all the stuff I wish the group would have taught me... I know it's rough right now, but if something helps you to help Kurt to help me, I'd be glad to cycle that favour around."

"Thanks." There was a brief pause. "So, what's the deal with the little filly in the group?"

"Short Stack? She's a stepmom like you. She's too young to produce. She was purchased as a bride, though. From what I gather, the dragon that owns the mill that Jack operates purchased her from her parents for a hefty sum, which they blew through in less than a year. They tried to sue, but he's very good at hoarding paperwork, and had a lot of money. He still does, actually. The whole reason his house is out here, rather than closer to his business is because of the niche laws that say he can marry a filly and then fuck his wife. His last hatchling is in his twelfth year of schooling, so she won't be part of the group next year, though not for lack of trying. She'll fuck anything that moves."

"Yikes..."

"By the by, your husband probably knows Blanket Stitch. You remember, the whore calling herself "Mistress?" She's a regular in the AA meetings. Jack's been clean and sober for years. I don't think she's ever made it past a month. Her husband and her two boyfriends buy it for her."

As they rounded the corner, Guin noted that Red Tape's carriage was once again in front of the house, this time with a guard escort. Guin rushed to the front door and threw it open. Kurt and Jack were sitting on the couch, with Kurt holding a crying unicorn toddler, trying to bounce it on his knee to calm it down.

"There, see?" said Jack. "I didn't kill her. Your accusations are entirely unfounded, sir."

"Unfounded, or merely plausible?" growled Red. "True, you haven't killed her yet, but who's to say you won't?"

Jack stood up and glared at Red. "Guin, come away from the door. Mr. Tape was just leaving, and we don't want to hinder him."

As Guin retreated to behind the couch, Red made a grab for the unicorn. "Give him to me. He doesn't belong here."

As he made another grab, a rock pelted him in the face. "Don't you dare put your filthy hooves on my son!" shouted Seascape, swooping in and taking him into her hooves. "And don't you even think about hurting my babysitter!"

As Red picked himself up, the guard placed a hoof on his shoulder. Nodding his head toward the door, he escorted Red out.

"What was all that?" asked Guin after the door closed.

"That guy thinks, first and foremost, that I married you to skip the adoption process," sighed Jack.

"Didn't you?"

"Well, yeah, but he thinks it was for sexual reasons. The way he sees it, you were a vulnerable little chick, and I'm the big, bad donkey who's taking advantage of you. When you didn't come home from school, I told him you had gone to an after-school activity, and he thought that I'd raped you, then when he brought someone along to find out, you were conveniently absent for the test. He thought I'd disposed of your body to hide the evidence. Odds are, he'll be back tomorrow."

"So, we'll have to take a test?"

"I'll make sure it's a guard performing the test, not him," assured Jack. "Or a doctor, if you prefer. Who's your friend?"

"Seascape," answered Seascape. "You must be Jack. Kurt's told me all about you."

Jack nodded. "A pleasure. He's said very little about you."

Kurt blushed and looked away.

"Anyway, I don't mean to be rude, but it's probably best if you had somepony else looking after your kid. Our house is not equipped for one so young, and we're currently having issues, as you've seen. I'd hate to be responsible for losing him, so for his own safety, please look elsewhere."

"Already planned out," assured Seascape. "I just needed somepony to watch him while I helped your wife with some stuff, and Kurt owed me a favour."

Jack nodded. "I see. Well, when this all blows over, I'd like to have you over for dinner sometime. Now's not a great time, but it'd be nice to acquaint myself with the pony my son is spending so much time with."

"Likewise."