The next day, Tempo floated a paper just ahead and to the side, decorated with more than a few notes that she kept adding to. "There are many things we will require before we create our foal."

Blueblood trotted alongside her down the street with a smile. "Long before all that, lovely dear, we must arrive at the train, and with it, make our way back home."

"Yes." Tempo pulled her little slip of paper closer to examine it again. "And we'll need a crib for them." She scanned it quickly. "Oh, we'll need two."

Blueblood stopped suddenly. "Two?!" He glanced away and back at Tempo. "Now, for a, um, how to put this correctly, mmm, the average mother, I expect the matter of one or two to be a thing of chance. With us, do we not have control? Why two?"

Tempo turned to Blueblood with a slight smile. "We can make a second, yes, but I cannot imagine Cadance allowing us to get away with just one. This way, she can have two playmates."

Blueblood put a hoof to his head. "Your loyalty to your sister is beyond words." Despite his amazement, he went in to touch noses with Tempo. "Let's speak to her first, before we assume any of her wishes. Besides, they will be your child, or children, ours. We should be the ones to ultimately decide how many we rush into the world. Even one will be a great responsibility."

Tempo rocked back and forth on her hooves, looking off down the street as if she could see the Crystal Empire from there. "It's not just Cadance. I want this." She threw her hoof against her chest with emphasis. "I want them, as many as we can handle, for I can't imagine giving up one."

Blueblood made a broad sweeping motion with his tail. "To my eyes, you look ready to hold them all at once." He nestled in against her. "Like a foal discovering a water spigot for the first time, you are ready to dampen the entire world, given the chance. I implore, most beloved, let's calm ourselves just a little. We have time before we arrive home in either event."

Tempo breathed in deep and slowly out. "I apologize. This has excited me more than I realized." She put her forehooves around him and held him close. "I'm scared, but happy, like when I asked you to marry me. It feels like so much can go wrong, but it's also so right."

"Now that you have my entire agreement with." For a moment, they embraced on the street, daring anypony else to raise an objection. "Tuck that list away. We'll modify it when we get there, but, for now, let's hasten ourselves, hm?"

"Of course." Tempo pulled back and swept her paper away, the little list slipping into her saddlebag. "Lead on, love." She leaned over to press her face into his mane.

Unified in purpose, they made their way swiftly to the station to find a large barrier in the way. Celestia was waiting for them with her kind smile. "You were going to leave without proper goodbyes?"

Tempo waved her tail. "That wasn't our intention. We just wanted to get home." She giggled. "Our excitement is threatening to burn the ground as we walk."

Celestia nodded slowly. "I can see that. But, before you hurry away, I would share a few words." She leaned in until her forehead was against Tempo's. "You embark on a wondrous journey, but one that will require much of your concentration. Not many are asked to be the first mother of their kind, but I feel confident you two can manage it, together. Please, if you will, send letters my way with how it's going. The good, the bad, all of it. When they're large enough, you can even bring them to meet me. That would be lovely."

Tempo felt a shiver in her body. "Thank you, Auntie. Your kindness knows no bounds." She wiggled a little bit. "I'm scared, and that's silly, but what if I mess up?"

"That is never a 'silly' worry." Celestia wrapped one arm around Tempo, drawing her closer. "It is one every good parent has at least once, and often far more than that. A natural worry, but not a small one. All you can do is your best. Keep your heart open to empathy and the way forward will be clear to you." She inclined her head at Blueblood. "And you have a husband that will do his utmost to assist, I feel."

Blueblood tilted his head forward with respect. "I am nothing if not eager to help her in every way." He nuzzled Tempo happily. "Though it seems she has little need of my assistance for anything these days."

Celestia released Tempo with a laugh. "That is about to change. When a new foal enters a family, trust me, both of you will be quite busy with them for a time."

Blueblood squinted at Celestia as if trying to see the future through her. "Is that a hint, Auntie? I can't imagine there's somepony in your family at this moment, unless Luna is pregnant and not telling me."

Celestia jerked back in clear surprise. "It would be a surprise to me as well. No, I don't think Luna is expecting, nor am I. I speak from experience, having known a great many ponies, before, during, and after they had little foals of their own."

Tempo's eyes seemed to bounce around as she thought it over. "Is that why you're so nice to me? Because I'm like a daughter to you?"

Celestia settled down into her seat. "I do feel a touch of parental pride when I see you." She rested a hoof on her chest, shifting subtly to let out a slow breath. "Though the difference between a niece and a daughter can be thin at times, yes?" She waved past her. "Now, go on. I'd hate to make you miss your train."

Tempo trotted past. She threw herself at the train to hold the door open for Blueblood. "Come on!" She wiggled in place with excitement, even as he trotted after. The train didn't start moving until they were both inside.

Blueblood led the way to an available seat and sank into place. "Soon, we'll be back home. I wonder if they missed us while we were gone?"

Tempo wiggled her legs on either side of the bench. "I would think so." She finally settled down. "I know Cadance is probably fine, but the others."

Blueblood leaned against her. "They are a team, dearest, just like us. They'll support one another."

Watching the scenery go past, Tempo waited impatiently for the train to make the journey up north, back to the Crystal Empire.

When the train stopped, they disembarked and made their way through the town to the castle itself. It was late at night when they arrived, most ponies having gone to sleep. As they strolled inside, they found their companions sleeping around the room. Tempo looked around quietly before sinking into her own bed. She quickly fell into sleep with Blueblood's arms wrapped around her, the two of them secure in one another's embrace.

The next day, Tempo woke up to a grinning Cadance. She was looking at a paper, held in her magic. It was the paper Tempo had been doodling on. "You know, this doesn't quite say what I think it says."

Tempo yawned and stretched out in bed. "Then what does it say?"

Cadance tapped a hoof on the list. "It certainly makes me guess a few things, but the most obvious one feels impossible, sister. Are you adopting a foal? That's adorable!"

Blueblood stretched as well, sitting up to his own awakening. "Good morning, sweetheart." He rubbed at his eyes, smoothing down his mane with the other hoof. "What time is it?"

Tempo licked her lips and then spoke slowly. "The truth is, we made this list because we're going to make a new doll."

Cadance stared blankly at Tempo, and then to Blueblood. "How?!" She caught herself. "Sorry, that sounded wrong. I'm not against my sister having a foal of her own, but, please, tell me how?"

Blueblood swung out of bed and dropped to his hooves with a smile. "The reason I came along was to meet the group of ponies that had assembled there in Canterlot. There are other dolls like Tempo, they had found the way they were made in the first place, and they gave that secret to Tempo, that she might make the first of them, created by them, for no reason other than the joy of parenthood." He spread his arms wide. "And so we shall."

Cadance shuffled around nervously. "I apologize. I was rude, but I have questions." She waved a hoof around aimlessly. "Will you become pregnant? Is that possible?!"

Tempo blinked, eyes clicking as the lids tapped together. "No. I do not have the parts required to become pregnant." She had visions of those soft, squishy bits that she lacked. "I am still a doll. I will make the doll properly. I will smith, and sew, and paint, and follow the instructions."

Cadance hopped back and forth in place. "So what you need is stuff to make the doll out of?" She was visibly eager to help in this matter.

Blueblood pulled Tempo close against his side. "That would be lovely. Is there a blacksmith in town? They would be an invaluable contact, if you know one."

Cadance gestured with a hoof to herself. "Did you forget that I'm a princess?" She bounced around excitedly. "I can get you stuff!" She fidgeted. "Consider me on the case!" She hurried from the room with a trail of giggles behind her.

Blueblood glanced after her, bemused by her excitement. "I do believe we just woke up." He stroked along Tempo's face. "And our beloved sister just took off like she's got an itch in her ears."

Tempo smiled as she crossed the room. "I would be just as eager to assist if she announced she were having a foal." She gazed out the window with soft hum. "I have a good sister." She paused a moment. "She has a husband. She is of good health." She turned back to Blueblood. "Has she successfully bred?"

Blueblood wasn't sure if he should laugh or gasp. He did both at once, a strangled snort coming out of him. "That is certainly a way to put it, yes." He leaned on her shoulder. "You could ask. You two are close enough, she just may answer. I would not suggest asking most mares that though. It's usually impolite."

Tempo paced about, too energized to stand still. "What do we need? I'm drawing a blank. What are we doing?" She twitched her ears and curled her tail. "What is this feeling?!"

Blueblood raised a hoof to her chest. "It is the feeling of infinite potential. Our child, or children, could be anything, and lead countless different lives. Now, to start, I saw a cloth shop before. Why don't we visit them for some of the softer parts of our little ones?"

Tempo snapped to attention, saluting sharply. "We will need two cribs."

Blueblood lifted his forehooves together in prayer. "Have mercy on me. I cannot keep up with you this morning." He chuckled gently. "Are you still sure you want twins, beloved?"

Tempo quickly nuzzled up against Blueblood. "They won't have the same thoughts, will they? Or will we be able to sync them up?" She paused at that thought. "Is it better if they think the same thing?"

"I should say not." Blueblood shook his head. "It is the fact that they are not the same that gives siblings their dynamics." He grabbed Tempo by the shoulders before she could wander away. "Think of you and Cadance. You two are the dearest of sisters, loving one another eternally, but you don't think the same things, do you?"

Tempo snorted at that. "No, but I think if we did, it would be nice." She dropped her head. "But there are many things that divide us, as well."

Blueblood reached for a small tray on the nearby table and popped a little chunk of candy into his waiting mouth. That one, he knew, he could eat. "And there are things that divide us. Life is full of imperfections, lovely dear, but life is only more enchanting for those imperfections. If we have two foals, let them each have their own thoughts."

Tempo began to tremble. "We'll still love them the same though, right?"

Blueblood hugged her tightly. "Of course, silly filly." He rested his head on hers. "I can't imagine having a child and not showering them with all that I have." He rubbed her shoulder with his hoof. "When they are a bit older, perhaps I'll take them to see the Glasswing butterfly in Manehattan. It's quite a sight, I assure you."

That got Tempo thinking in a new direction. "What is that? Can I see it?"

Blueblood laughed gently. "Well, guess I'll be taking you too, and that simply sounds even more wonderful. Yes, beloved, you will see it, and when our foals are old enough, they will too. There is much of this world I have yet to show you. We must get started as soon as possible, don't you think?"

Tempo paused to put nose to nose with him, but that moment slipped away and she hurried away. "For now, we must assemble all the parts." She coiled on herself, drawing out that manual of doll creation. "We must follow the steps."

Blueblood tilted his head as he tried to decipher it from his distance. "Tell me what we need, and I will fetch it. Let us begin!"

Tempo held her head up high. "Step one. Locate the best clay in the area. Make sure it is of good quality and consistency."

"Ah, yes, clay." He paused a moment. "Dear, what part of you is made of clay?" He looked Tempo over intently. He could see metal parts, plenty of those, but not a bit of anything he'd call clay.

Tempo placed a hoof at her chest. "My heart. A clay orb, engraved with many very specific runes. It is that which, um." She scanned over the book intently, flipping about through it. "Yes. That is what calls the spirit to reside in it. That is where their mind rests."

Blueblood lifted a hoof towards her. "Pardon this question, dearest, but do you mean that one was made inside of you, when you were assembled? And that would make your mind rest in your chest, as well?" He leaned in. "I had no idea."

Tempo twitched her ears back and forth, eyes going over the list. "In school, they said the minds of most reside in their head." She inclined her head. "If it helps, I see the world the same. My eyes see the same, and it feels like I'm 'behind' them, even if I know my true mind is down here." She tapped at her chest.

"Remarkable. In either event." He started for the door. "Clay! Entrust this task to me. I will return with, oh. How much of it do we need?"

Tempo lifted a forehoof up in thought. "You want the 'living clay', not just plain dirt, which can be used for several other parts. As for how much, the manual calls for ten pounds." She tapped at the manual where that was noted.

"On it." Blueblood sped from the room, to do his part to see his progeny brought into the world.

Author's Note

Time to cook up a child, maybe two? It seems two is likely. Does Tempo know what she is signing herself up for?

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