After nursing a stomach ache from the night before, with Bree’s help, it was back to testing.

Since the last time Twilight did a few experiments, the kelpie was much smaller. Now that she was full grown, everything had to be redone. First up was some more of the basics as done the day before, making sure everything was calibrated correctly, and any change in bite strength. While they already took count of her weight, they took it again to see just how much she eats on average.

“…However often she eats as well, at least, we need to have a median…”

Though Twilight’s inserts of how she had to kelpiesit several times, and knew most of what the doctors asked, she agreed it’d be best to just be sure. Mud paid no mind, at least she got to eat as part of the experiments. And with that, things went by fairly quickly, the day ending with Mud trudging back to her room. Day two consisting of more physical applications for the tests, the more humiliating one being her top running speed.

It would happen again tomorrow, and with treats promised as a reward, Mud will do it.

Bree noticed her kelpie’s sulking growing more and more, to the point Mud refused to leave bed. It was day five, and it looked as though no tests will be done. Twilight being concerned, went to visit Mud before going off with her science students, leaving the tired, saddened, kelpie to her maid pony.

“She gets like this sometimes.” The alicorn sighed as she left the door open just a crack behind her. “I don’t blame her though, this stuff can get pretty boring, and the exercise.” She chuckled, and started down the hall.

Bree peeked inside the room, seeing the large mound of fur motionless on the bed. She stepped in, feeling the immense heat from the room’s personal fireplace. Mud liked it warm, with some ponies finding it overbearing. But Bree tolerated it and stepped lightly around the bed, seeing Mud’s eyes closed, face and cheek squished against the pillow.

The kelpie lay on her side, too tired to roll up in the blankets. Bree sat down by Mud’s face, gently running a hoof over her head. From ear to chin, making lines in the thick fur.

“Dors bien ma chérie.” Bree whispered.

Mud, deep in dreaming, smiled while pulling in her limbs and curled into a purring ball of fluff.

When the kelpie awoke, it was in the afternoon. Bree was waiting there, ready to start the day. But that day wasn’t like the others.

After a much larger breakfast, probably to ease any remaining frustration, Bree led her down the hall. But it was the wrong direction, heading further from where the science ponies would most likely be waiting for her. But it was to the recreational wing of the castle, so Mud stayed close, not knowing what was to come.

The small unicorn entered a large room, the walls lined with spare tables and books. Mud’s nose was assaulted with a power musty odor, as if this place was the last place cleaned in the whole castle. Bree wasn’t fazed by it, and instead trotted happily to one of the large outlying windows.

The unicorn pulled out the bench, sitting neatly in front of the old wooden piano. The black paint was faded and chipped in some places, and the strings inside were rusted in spots, the keys a faded yellow as well. Bree looked back at the kelpie standing just off to the side behind her, and patted the seat next to her. Mud licked her nose of the smell, and stepped over.

She had seen pianos before, one in Starlight’s castle and a few other places. She was careful not to break the bench, but it held her weight perfectly. She sat awkwardly still, as it was still a pony sized bench. Bree had only a small bit to sit on, but personal space meant less than nothing.

She scooted closer to Mud as she could to avoid falling off the edge, leaning against the kelpie, and pointed to the keys on the far end. “Ceux-ci font des notes aiguës.”

She pressed one of the keys on Mud’s side, making a small ding. Mud looked down at it, and to the maid. Understanding she nodded, but was still curious to what they were going to do.

Bree laid her hooves on her own keys, “Ready?”

Mud set one hoof on the piano, growling a yes. Bree smiled and played a few notes, starting slow. Mud waited, watching the small pink hooves gently press each key. Her music partner then tipped her head, looking up at mud and to a specific key, signaling her to press it. Mud did, adding a higher note to the tune.

The piano, while old and unkempt, was in perfect tune. The notes smooth, high, low, high, a bit higher and low again. Mud slowly relaxed, feeling the hum of the strings vibrating in her hoof. Bree looped her hoof around it and led it to her desired notes, playing with eyes closed, swaying to the lulling sound.

After some more strings of music, Bree tapped the kelpie’s shoulder. “Allons-y chérie.”

Bree hopped off the bench, leaving Mud, who had let her weight lean on the maid, to fall to the side uncontrollably hitting the floor. The kelpie pulled herself up and stepped quickly to follow, but only to a different part of the room. Disguised in the junk scattered around, was a table set up with tea and tea snacks.

Mud’s eyes lit up; this was food. She hurried past Bree, only to be stopped in a field of magic. This magic felt different, usually the kelpie was able to slip through it and escape, but Bree had a firm grasp. The small maid strolled around to sit at the table, with an amused expression as Mud stared in surprised at her ability.

Mud was released, and she calmly walked up and sat on the cushion on the floor. Bree used her magic again to pour the tea into the small cups, all while Mud wanted the few cookies on the tiny plate.

“You can have la biscuits, if you drink your tea.” Bree hummed as she took a sip, looking more serious now.

Mud looked confused, so Bree set her cup down. “You know how to drink tea, correcte?”

Grinning, Mud snatched up the pot. “Yeah, I can, see?”
She lifts it above her head, the tea pouring into her open jaws. Bree rolls her eyes, but amused. The pot levitated out of the big grey hooves as it set back on the table.

“You’re a very wild kelpie aren’t you.” Bree rested her hooves on the table, “You tried to bite the students five times and succeeded twice in just three hours.”

Mud chuckled, “They shoulda’ been more careful.”

Bree grinned, “And your table manners could do with a refresher course.”

Mud stared now, eyes narrowing. Bree grinned, and stood up. “And your la grâce.”
She took a few steps, placing one hoof in front of the other, neatly and balanced. Mud watched as she circled the kelpie, listing off a few other more items.

“Ta mane, et manteau, hooves et grammaire, I don’t even want to ask when you last brushed your teeth.”

Mud’s ears drooped, and tail ceased any excited wagging. Bree caught her worried expression, smiling sympathetically. “Oh, don’t act like that, you’re still very belle fille.”
She pats the kelpie’s shoulder comfortingly, “You just could be more faire le ménage.”

Mud was then dragged to the bathroom again, the maid pony determined to make her look pristine. After a full makeover, and lots of shaved fur, the walls were covered in hair and empty shampoo bottles. Thinking it wouldn’t get worse, Bree shoved her into the dressing room.

After fitting her with a rather large dress, much too big for any of the princesses, it was revealed that Twilight requested a bunch of outfits in Mud’s size to be made and kept in the castle.

“I’ll bite her for this.” Mud grumbled as she saw in the mirror a smooth maned kelpie wearing a poofy pink dress.

Bree was more appreciative, and admired her own hoof work. “Rather a nice change, tu ne pense pas?”

Mud glared at her, being more resistant as she was pulled out of the closet, they went back to the large cluttered room. Something was different about it, many things catching Mud’s eye. Some decorations were set up, with lights and flower bouquets, and two tables piled with hors d'oeuvres.

It was an extravagant display, and Bree had slipped out of sight, reappearing in more appropriate clothes.
“You look la part; now can you act it?” Brilliant marched up to stand in front of the kelpie, “Repeat after me, Madam Mud: ‘Bon après-midi, pleasure to meet you.”

Mud stood awkwardly, hoof beginning to rub her elbow nervously. Bree smiled, and slowly pronounced the words again. Feeling it could not get more embarrassing, Mud gave, and muttered the greeting.
“Bun… apple seed, p-pleased to meet you…”

Bree’s eyes shown a deep triggered spark, but brushed it off with a sparkle of admiration. “Close enough… My name is Brilliant, you may call me Bree. I will be your host tonight.”

She gestured a hoof to Mud, “And you introduire yourself.”

Mud hesitated, “But, you know my name…”

“I know, but you must introduce yourself to ponies you’ve not met. It is polite, and this is pratique.”

“Hmm… I’m Mud…” The polite kelpie barely gave any volume, and stared at the floor.

Bree stepped closer, setting a hoof under Mud’s chin and lifted it up so she looked forward. “You need to speak up Cherie, especially in the company of seniors.”

Mud wanted to run away from this discomfort, “I’m- “

“Enoncer Mud, use your words.” Bree urged.

“I… My name is Mud.” She breathed out,

Pleased enough, the new tutor started to the tables of food. “Right this way madam.”

Mud followed, beginning to focus on the food. Bree then levitated instead a small cracker with a dab of mix on it, placing it on Mud’s hoof.
The unicorn taking one herself, “Small bites, and keep your mouth shut.”

She ate hers, chewing it slowly and quietly. Mud’s ears drooped again, obeying and licking it up. Bree swallowed and stated after. “And do not speak while chewing, no pony wants to see what you’re eating.”

After another quick lesson on slouching and how to walk properly in a dress, Brilliant led Mud down the hall to the main throne room. Mud caught Twilight’s scent early and her tail began swinging furiously. Upon opening the door, Mud’s vision locked on, and breaking character she sprinted at the princess.

Twilight spun around and dropped to a crouch, well in tune with Mud’s instincts. Mud halted and matched her kelpiesitter’s pose, the two almost touching noses and tongues lolling out excitedly. Bree marched up beside them and looked down as they shifted on their hooves, ready to pounce at the perfect moment.

“Please princess, we are trying to set an exemple.” Bree ushered Mud to her hooves, turning her as well ready to head out the door.

Twilight chuckled, following along. “We’re also supposed to have fun.”

“Princess work is just that: work.” Bree stated as she opened the large door.

Mud looked at Twilight, “Princess work?”

“You’re gonna help me with a few things.” Twilight puts on her tiara.
“You’re my Princess assistant, since Spike is busy with the students.”

Mud’s eyes went wide, “I’m a princess?”

Bree grinned, taking the kelpie’s hoof with her own. “A-ssist-ant.”

With Mud more excited, the three went down the pavement to the carriage that waited for them.

Author's Note

Assistant kelpie

no art this time, i wanna get these stories out quicker, but the art (once its done) will be on any of my other sites, if wanna see them in better detail ^^