Raising Caroline Chapter 3

>You're finally able to leave Sugar Cube Corner.

>You decide to pick up the pace, you don't want Caroline to wake up with you gone.

>First stop is the spa to explain to Aloe and Lotus what happened yesterday.

>They're still a little upset at you for leaving so abruptly.

>After explaining the situation, omitting a few details, the three of you come to an understanding.

>They dock your pay for the hours you missed, its only fair.

>You are also supposed to come in tomorrow to work.

>You suppose you'll have to leave Caroline with Fluttershy tomorrow.

>Exiting the Spa, you head over to the library, maybe Twilight would have some books that could help.

>As you enter the library, you are greeted by spike, sorting and cleaning the shelves.  

>You scan through the books along the wall, starting with 'D', for Draconequus, but only find books about Discord.

>Close enough, you pull one out and continue looking for a book on child rearing.

>You were going to have Spike check them out in Twilight's absence, you want to keep this information away from her as long as you can, but she appears from the basement with a confused look on her face.

>There goes that plan.

>You walk up to Twilight with the best poker face you can manage to check the two books out.

>"Why would you want these books Anon"

"Oh no particular reason, just some curiosity about myth...and raising fillies".

>You try your best to maintain a straight face.

>"Okay then".

>Twilight proceeds to check out your two books without any more comments.

>You start to leave, maybe a little too quickly, but slow down when you overhear a conversation between Spike and Twilight.

>"It's the weirdest thing, since yesterday evening, I've been getting strange readings on different magical instruments down in the basement".

>She knows.

1/9

 

>You don't stop to listen to any more of the conversation as you exit the library.

>Okay, maybe she doesn't know the specifics, but she will soon enough.

>When Twilight is faced with a problem, she throws all resources at trying to understand it.

>You can't help but be reminded of Twilight trying to understand Pinkie Sense.

>You continue to the shop Pinkie mentioned earlier to pick up a few things for Caroline.

>Scanning the isles you pick up a teddy bear, along with some more baby formula, and of course diapers.

>With your things under your arms, you set on your way back to Sugar Cube Corner.

>You remind yourself to ask Pinkie for a way to carry these items back to your home.

>As you enter Sugar Cube Corner, you hear the sounds of muffled crying coming from above.

>Damn, Caroline must have woken up before you got back.

>You set your things down on the counter, keeping the teddy bear you bought for her earlier.

>You enter the twins room, the sight before you breaks your heart.

>Pinkie holding little Caroline, trying to console her.

>You rush over to take Caroline from her and present her with her new teddy bear.

>At first she is to surprised to react.

>The crying has stopped, but a few tears still cling to her cheeks.

>She notices the teddy bear in your hands.

>A quavering smile appears as she reaches out for the teddy bear.

>You press it into her outstretched claw, and give her a tight hug.

2/9

 

>You've gathered your supplies into a spare saddle bag and sling it over a free shoulder.

>Caroline occupies the other shoulder, holding onto her new toy.

>You look over to Caroline.

"Why don't we stop to see Aunt Fluttershy, how does that sound"

>she gives a small smile as a response.

>Before leaving, you turn to Pinkie.

"Thanks for being so understanding".

>"No problem Anon"

>She gives you a small hug before you leave.

>The foot traffic sure has picked up since morning.

>All eyes turn to you and Caroline as you exit the shop.

>If Twilight didn't know about Caroline now, she would puzzle it out soon enough.

>You ignore the staring ponies, making your way to Fluttershy's.

>Her cottage finally comes into view a mile or so outside Ponyville.

>You give a small knock on her door, waiting for her to answer.

>Your surprised to be greeted by a cyan pegasus with a rainbow mane.

>"Oh, Hey Anon what- What is that on your shoulder"

>With no way to hide her, you go for broke and take a nonchalant attitude.

"Oh this is Caroline, wave hello sweetie".

>Caroline hides behind her teddy, still a little shy at meeting new ponies.

>Rainbow stares confused at Caroline on your shoulder.

"I suspect Fluttershy hasn't told you about her yet".

>Dash nods her head dumbly.

"well I guess you better come inside".

3/9

 

>You and Fluttershy are sitting on the couch with Caroline between the two of you.

>Rainbow Dash sits in a chair opposite the coffee table.

>Caroline spent most of the time hiding behind you, peeking out once in a while to see Rainbow Dash

>You finally finished the tale of how Caroline hatched from the egg you found so many months ago.

>You try to reassure her that she will not end up like Discord, but Rainbow seems unconvinced.

>RD: "That is some tale Anon, but it's getting late, I better get home now"

>She stands up abruptly heading out the front door.

>You watch as she flies not towards her cloud home, but towards the town.

"Where do you think she is heading to so fast"

>"Probably to speak with Twilight about Caroline"

>You knew she was going to find out eventually, but you were hoping for more time to prepare.

>You sit back down with Fluttershy, preparing for the eventual arrival of Twilight and her friends.

>15 minutes pass in idle chatter about Caroline's play date when you are interrupted by an urgent knock on the door.

>Sure enough, Fluttershy's 5 other friends are outside her door.

"I'll take Caroline upstairs while you handle your friends".

>Fluttershy responds with a nod, but you're already heading to her room.

>She'll be safe up here for now.

>when the rest of Fluttershy's friends are calmed down, then they can meet her.

>You hear muffled shouting going on downstairs.

>This isn't going well.

>You tuck Caroline in giving a few comforting pats on her head.

>With Caroline asleep, you decide to make an appearance downstairs to see how Fluttershy was handling things.

4/9

 

>She was doing the best you could expect of the soft spoken pegasus.

>Flutershy and Pinkie where guarding the staircase with the other 4 trying to make their way through.

>They don't even seem to notice you as they continue to talk amongst themselves.

>TS: "Let us up Fluttershy we need to stop this draconequus".

>the pink and yellow pegasus looks down nervously, but refuses to move.

>You can't help but chuckle a little.

>RD: "What's so funny Anon".

"Oh nothing its just Caroline is harmless, she doesn't need to be stopped".

>TS: "I'll be the judge of that".

>She was about to push her way through, but you spoke up to stop her.

"Wait, she's asleep now, how about we all go back to the living room and have some tea in the mean time, when Caroline wakes up, I'll bring her down to meet you all."

>Twilight reluctantly agrees to your terms, she was only a baby after all, probably not an eminent threat like Discord.

>Everypony takes a seat around Fluttershy's couch except for Fluttershy herself, she moves into the kitchen to make the promised tea.

>The rest bombard you with questions about Caroline.

>You try your best to answer them, but soon enough the tea is ready.

"I'll go check on Caroline, if you all promise to keep your voices down, I'll bring her down to meet you."

>They all nod their agreement.

5/9

 

>You walk upstairs to see Caroline waking up from her nap, still a little bleary eyed.

>When she see's you, she walks over to you, flapping her wings excitedly.

>hmmm, thats new, you consider whether or not she might be able to fly someday.

>They are two mis matched wings, so you're not exactly sure what they are capable of.

>You bend down to pick her up.

"Ready to go meet the rest of my friends, their down stairs eager to see you.

>She looks a little nervous, unsure about meeting so many new ponies.

"Don't worry Caroline, you'll like them, they are very nice"

>True, they are very nice ponies, but you aren't entirely sure how they will react to Caroline.

>You're taking a big gamble bringing her down, but there isn't much else you can do.

>You walk down the stairs holding Caroline in your arms.

>The 6 ponies look up from their tea cups at your arrival.

>You see a mixture of reactions.

>Twilight seems a little fearful, but with a hint of curiosity about her.

>Rarity looks disturbed at the sight, she probably doesn't like the clashing animal parts.

>You can see a small smile on Applejack's lips.

>Maybe she can pick up on the bond between you and Caroline, that'll make it a little easier to convince her.

>Rainbow Dash doesn't seem to care one way or the other about Caroline.

>You're not sure how she feels.

6/9

 

"Everypony, this is Caroline"

>Caroline tries to curl deeper into your chest to hide from the ponies stares.

>You sit down on the couch and try to prod her out with a bottle.

>She brightens up at the aspect, eying the bottle hungrily.

>Like before, the milk in the bottle changes flavor to strawberry, that seems to be her favorite.

>Everypony, aside from Pinkie and Fluttershy, gasp at the sudden change.

>You pull the bottle away, giving Caroline a stern look.

"You can't keep changing the milk's flavor like that Caroline, its unhealthy".

>Caroline gives a sheepish grin as the milk changes back to normal.

>Twilight is jotting notes into a small book

>Applejack and Rarity are trying to stifle a small giggle

>Rainbow Dash tries to look unimpressed, but you can still see the hint of a smile

>Good, you're starting to win them over.

"As you can see, she is just a baby, no different from the Cake twins"

>TS: "but that still doesn't change the fact that she is a draconequus, a creature of chaos"

"-sigh- I know Twilight, but she's only a baby, maybe if we raise her with other ponies, she could make some friends, restore a little harmony if you will to her chaotic nature".

>PP: "She was over earlier today playing with the Cake twins, they seemed to like her".

>Twilight thinks on that little tidbit of information.

>TS: "That's an interesting idea Anon, but she'll have to be watched closely".

"Don't worry Twilight, I'll keep a close eye on her, make sure she doesn't get into trouble"

>You spend the rest of the afternoon relating the events of the past day and a half with Caroline.

>She has since fallen asleep on your lap.

>It seems everypony has warmed up to her.

>You knew they would, there wasn't a doubt in your mind.

>Okay, maybe a little.

7/9

 

>It was getting late, all the ponies had shuffled on back to their homes.

>It's just you and Fluttershy left.

"Thanks for helping me with Caroline, I can't thank you enough"

>"Oh I haven't done that much, it was mostly you"

"Nonsense, it must have been hard on you to stand up to your friends like you did earlier, I would be surprised if that didn't have an effect on how easily Caroline was accepted by the others.

>Fluttershy looks away in response.

>"T-thanks Anon".

"If I could beg another favor"?

>"Anything"

"I have to work tomorrow, could you watch Caroline for me, I'll try to come over on my lunch break"

>"I would be happy to"

"Thanks Fluttershy"

>Saying your goodbyes, you and Caroline leave Fluttershy to go back home, Caroline sleeping lightly in your arms.

8/9

 

>The next few days were hectic.

>You had to juggle work, Caroline, and getting your house ready for a baby.

>You built a crib you keep beside your bed, and prepared a room next to yours for when she grows out of it.

>Rarity was kind enough to make Caroline some baby clothes.

>You were even able to get adoption papers signed to make the arrangement official.

>You were able to get into a kind of daily rhythm.

>Drop Caroline of at Fluttershy's and go to work.

>meet with Fluttershy and Caroline at Sugar Cube Corner for lunch.

>Caroline would play with the Cake twins in the afternoon, and you would pick her up on your way back from work.

>You wish you could spend more time with her, but you are too busy.

>But that's okay, you just make the most of your weekends with her as you can, making each spare moment count.

>Introducing her to the rest of Ponyville was a challenge though.

>While they did not have much memory of what Discord had done to there town, they all knew the tale of the draconequus.

>Wild rumors were already spreading throughout Ponyville about Caroline.

>Strange occurrences like missing items were often attributed to her despite the lack of proof.

>With the help of Fluttershy and her friends, the town began to grudgingly accept Caroline as part of Ponyville society.

>As time wore on, the town grew used to the site of a little draconequus on the back of a hairless ape.

>There was one last thing to take care of, her identity.

>You knew when she got older she would have questions.

>You decided, maybe for selfish reasons, to keep her identity a secret.

>It was foolish, but you hoped to raise her thinking herself as a normal pony, not a draconequus.

>The whole town agreed to help you in your charade, keeping the truth of Caroline's identity hidden.

9/9