As the whole family sat around the dinner table consuming a variatable feast I was distracted by how I should tell them all about my ascension into an alicorn. Should I only tell Mom and Dam? But then it would feel like I wasn’t trusting my new family. What about just telling the adults? Then my siblings will feel like I was lying once I go public. I angrily took another bite and was glad no one noticed my mood with all the happy conversations going on. That’s it I’m done overthinking this and just going with the BandAid approach.

“Hey everypony~.” I spoke up. Only Big Mac and my dam, Morning Dew, looked my way. Applejack and Forest were too busy with an impromptu eating contest while Pear Butter was struggling to get Apple Bloom to eat, as she was busy watching her sister compete. Granny was also encouraging the contest by filling the plates.

“What is it sweetheart?” My dam asked as the others glanced my way without stopping.

“Well…” I undid the spell hiding my wings. Unlike Cadence, who had been just using a perception filter spell, so she could still fly if needed, my spell was a full invisibility and intangibility one that prevented anyone from even touching them, the downside being it also prevents flight. It takes more magic and is more complicated but I’m less likely to get caught.

Dam blinked a few times before gasping happily. “Oh my, when did you learn the Wing spell. I thought that spell could only craft butterfly wings.” She clapped her hooves impressed at my perceived spell work.

I was so thrown off by her reaction I didn’t know what to say before others spoke up.

“Oh, so they’re made with magic? Cool trick colt. Can you fly with those things?” Mom Forest asked Through a bite of food. Applejack had give up on their contest and was rubbing her bloated stomach but looked content with eyes closed.

“They are nice looking sugar but can ya get into trouble for looking like a prince?” Mom Pear asked while Apple Bloom finally started eating with the competition over.

“Um, no. I mean yes. I can fly with them and no I won’t get into trouble.” I finally blurted out.

“Of course he wouldn’t get into trouble. If the princess taught him that spell why would he?” Dam nodded.

“Well no, I won’t get into trouble because they’re real.” I rubbed the back of my head as everypony was now looking at me and my new wings.

“Hahaha, good one colt that would make you a prince.” Mom Forest laughed after almost choking on her latest bite.

“Mom~ it’s not a joke. Have dam scan them.” The two shared a look the shrugged. Morning Dew’s jaw dropped before she fell off the bench she had been sitting on once the scan was complete.

“Dewy/mom/Dew!” We all yelled from around the room.

She quickly scrambled to her hooves, looking a bit disheveled, before she pointed a hoof at me and yelled, “How?! Sweetheart how do you have real wings?!?” Her horn sparked a bit from the shock.

Everyone else, except Bloom who was imitating her sister’s eating habits, looked my way surprised and with questioning looks. Granny Smith just raised an eyebrow.

“So Moms, you know how I have peagsus magic even though I’m a unicorn?” I timidly tapped my hooves together, my ears instinctively splayed back. “Well. apparently that mixed with my hoof casting spell and a few other things which resulted in me becoming an alicorn during my first lessons with the Princess” I lamely answered. I was definitely feeling nervous about telling them after the yelling.

“Oh sweetheart, I’m sorry for yelling.” She rushed over to my side of the table and gave me a hug and motherly nuzzle.

“So my younger brother’s a real gosh dang alicorn?” Applejack finally spoke up once the shock wore off.

“Eeyup?” Mac replied confused.

“You’ve been an alicorn for how long and didn’t tell us?” Mom Forest looked hurt and Dam shot her a look.

“Can Celly just make ponies inta’ in alicorn like that?” Granny said softly while she tapped her chin, the calmest pony in the room.

“Well I didn’t want to tell you in a letter.” I placated, Dam nodding along. “And no granny she didn’t make me an alicorn.” Granny looked more surprised I had heard her then at my change. “I don’t know exactly why I became one but the princess has a few ideas.”

“So do ya have to become a prince now?” Applejack scooted closer along the bench and lifted up my wing a bit.

“No, Im just an Alicorn instead of a Unicorn. I’m hiding my wings for now and I don’t automatically get a title. Nothing will be announced until I’m older so, for now I’ll keep them hidden and live like normal as I have been. Please don’t go telling anypony just yet.” I looked around the room and glad that everyone was murmuring their agreement that it might bring trouble.

“Good. My baby has already gone through enough trouble.” Morning Dew crossed her forehooves and huffed, after everyone else had spoken.

“My incredible sons. The first son is big and strong with one filly already and my second one is an alicorn. The Ponyville branches of the Apple and Pear family will certainly be getting bigger Bright Mac.” I could hear Pear happily whisper under her breath before shaking her head.

Well that went better than I thought. I was touched that Pear considered me her son as much as Mac.

We spent the rest of dinner talking about my new revelation and what was going to happen now. I assured them all nothing was really changing except for Mom Forest insisting we start flying lessons and wanting to preen my wings after dinner like any good mother would.

“Thanks mom they look much better now.” She had just finished preening my wings, with much more skill than I had been able to manage, after our lengthy dinner and following conversations.

“Thanks. I always hoped I could preen my own foals wings one day like your grandmother did mine.” She nuzzled the top of my head before I moved from between her forelegs to her side. The rest of the family was all lazing around the massive living room with us in front of a burning hearth that did a wonderful job keeping the house warm.

The farmhouse living room didn’t really have a couch, in fact contrary to the show most pony homes didn’t, instead it was filled with various sizes of cushions that were perfect for laying on in almost any position. Said cushions were normally kept in a basket in the corner when not in use.

“Well maybe next time we visit she can preen them as well.” I mentioned while yawning without really thinking, wiggling myself under her right wing.

“Oh she’s going to get a kick out of that I bet.” Forest as she draped the wing over me and got herself comfortable.

Dam, who was snuggling with a sleeping Pear on another cushion spoke up with a raised eyebrow. “Perhaps we don’t tell the rest of the family just yet?”

Forest and I grumbled but agreed.

After that I closed my eyes and just enjoyed the sounds of the fireplace and my sleeping family, It was too cold and we were all to full to bother with going to our own rooms. This is the best way to spend winter.

I was woken just after sunrise with a, “Wake up young’uns, breakfast will ready in thirty y’all,” from Granny who had apparently started cooking while Mac helped her. Applejack and I groaned while Bloom slept peacefully on Pears back even as she stood up. “I know we ain’t got much farm work but we can’t be sleeping all day.”

“Come now Granny we could let the foals sleep a little longer at least.” Pear said as she gave Applejack and I a loving nuzzle in passing, bloom let out a cute yawn right after. Both Applejack and I stretched like cats then rushed towards the restroom and fought over who would go first.

Morning routine and reapplication of spell to hide my wing finished, I joined the family at the table and immediately laid my head down on it before letting out fake snoring. The sounds caused Bloom to giggle and Applejack to roll her eyes at my antics.

“Nonsense. It builds character to keep with the schedule.” Granny waved a spoon at her from the kitchen door.

“I don’t know Granny I’m with my wife on this one.” Forest yawned. “I don’t even have weather duty till this afternoon.” Dam was upstairs preforming her morning routine.

“That may be true but weren’t you going to teach the colt how to fly?” Granny sat down.

I perked up at this and found my tail wagging at the thought. Mom also looked excitedly my way until dam spoke up.

“You’re going to have to find a place outside of town without hoof traffic.” She pointed out.

“Right. I’ll look around later while on duty, okay sport?” She looked my way.

“Sounds like a plan. I’ll stick around the farm and help Mac and Applejack.” I smiled.

“Eeyup.” Mac ruffled my mane in passing as he sat down at the table. Who knew the big guy would like having a younger brother so much. Probably didn’t like being so outnumbered. I still didn’t really think about it all that much.

Once breakfast is finished I braved the snow with my older siblings. “So what’s first today?”

“Just feeding the other critters and checking on the herd in the barn.” Big Mac answered and I shook my head. “Ya ain’t uncomfortable hiding your wings are ya? Ya probably don’t need to at home.”

“Mac you sure he should check on the cows with us? Those girls get kinda~ chatty in winter while being cooped up in the barn.” Applejack asked. “And Macs right ya can leave um out.”

“Thanks for the concern but the spell isn’t bad and they keep warmer in my magic.” They shrugged as we continued along.

I had found it odd at first, thinking that cows were still considered farm animals, until I learned they were more like wandering contractors. Herds of roaming cows would partner up with a farm and in exchange for the milk they provided they would receive shelter, food, medical treatments and other accommodations, which was especially valuable during winter months.

When not at the farm the herds would travel around Equestria visiting towns, moving cargo, and keeping the plains grass manageable, by eating it. Not really a bad system for a race that hates staying in one place. This particular herd that is partnered with the Apples had worked with them for years now.

“I’ll be fine AJ I doubt they could say anything that would make me that uncomfortable.” I smiled.

Oh boy was I wrong. I thought to myself with blushing cheeks as we exited the barn. We had spent the morning brushing the herd while Mac milked them and some of the things they said would never be acceptable around children back on earth. Thinking back it was all funny though, if awkward.

——
“Moo right there Mac that’s the spot. O Mary Bell this colt is good.” Blue Bell spoke up while being milked.

“Save some for the rest of us girl. Maybe when his little brother grows up I’ll take a spin with him?” The whole herd laughed. Aj shook her head while mucking one of the stalls mumbling about how they shouldn’t be talking to colts like that.

“Maybe ladies.” I idly said while brushing one of the others who was half asleep as I worked on grooming her coat with three brushes held in my magic. It was good practice for manipulating objects while working.

“Forget milking you all need to have him brush you. Having three going at me at once is amazing.” She moaned out sensually as the other girls in the barn laughed again.
——

“Dang cows.” Applejack walked out of the barn not long after leaving Mac alone to finish working. “Never think about what they’re saying.”

“Yeah, they are kinda…” I started.

“Blunt and perverse?” She offered as we shared a laugh while walking back towards the house.

“Yeah.” I agreed. “Well now that works done How about we go hang out in town?” I offered.

“Sounds like fun brother.” She turned her walk into a run as I followed along.

Author's Note

So since I got some questions on it…

Cadence was using a perception spell that uses very little magic to hide her wings. This just causes ponies not ‘in the know’ to not notice her wings so she can still fly if she wants and the wings can be touched. Yes they can still be noticed if someone focuses but she isn’t really worried about ponies knowing, sept Shining originally so he wouldn’t treat her differently, she also just didn’t like the attention.

Dawn uses a selective invisibility and intangibility spell so only he can see his wings or touch them. This uses more magic which he recharges on the regular and also prevents him from flying with them. Ponies can’t notice without a special scan.

Changelings can do both with magic but typically preform a physical change using their changeling magic since it’s just as easy, so a very specific spell is needed to recognize them.