Scaled Foal : Clear as Crystal , Part 2 .
Later that day, Spike followed Twilight, and all her friends. As they tried to solve various riddles, which Shining Armor had left all over town. Enjoying yet another scavenger hunt, from the Nerd King.
They hadn't done anything like this in years. With Spike a bubbling mess of excitement. Although, their friend Pinkie Pie seemed to be handling the excitement much worse then he was. But she'd been acting really weird for the last couple of days. (Even by Pinkie Pie standards).
When they figured out the last of the riddles, they arrived at Sugar Cube Corner, like they were instructed to by the notes. Shining Armor and Cadence were waiting for them, and happily announced the prize for this scavenger hunt wasn't a book, but news that the royal couple were having a baby.
When Spike asked where it was, they explained it was in Cadence's belly, but refused to explain how it got there... while also insisting they didn't eat it. Spike would need to ask Twilight later.
Spike grinned happily, as he stood next to the table, with the baby themed cake. The shop owner, Mrs Cake, cut off a slice before hoofing it to him.
She had closed the shop early today for the private event. She was hosting royalty after all, even if it was a very small party. Only Apple Jack, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, and Rarity had come. Spike knew each of them had hung out with Cadence at some point. That they even wrote each other letters. However, it was kind of weird, that only Twilight's friends, were invited to their party.
It was still pretty cool, that the scavenger hunt led to Cadence's baby shower. It was a pretty small shower, with none of the guest having brought presents. Since it had been a surprise for them, instead of the mother.
Cadence kept assuring everypony, Shining had bought everything they would need. This was more a party to celebrate her pregnancy. She said, this had all been Shining's idea, further proof he was the nerd king. ALL PRAISES BE TO THE NERD KING!
"So how's it feel to be an uncle," Shining smiled at Spike. While the Stallion got himself a slice of cake.
"Awesome!" Spike grinned. "I can't wait for the baby to be born. I hope it's a boy. There are way too many girls in Equestria."
Shining Armor chuckled. "If it was a boy we'd probably have to marry him off. Likely to some Noble mare, as soon as he was of age. The Crystal Empire has a lot more... traditional traditions about gender roles. I guess it comes from being gone for a thousand years."
Shining happily accepted his slice of cake, and used his magic to hold the plate Mrs. Cake offered him. He even used his magic to hold his fork, like many unicorns do.
Shining lightly complained, because he felt comfortable to do so here. "They've been making a stink, about me still being Captain of the royal guard. You know, instead of retiring, after I got married. They want me to just be a homemaker, like they expect all boys to be.
"They're even more upset, now that Cadence is pregnant, and I still haven't stepped down. They say I should focus on taking care of the baby, and the household, and leave matters of the Empire to Cadence."
"That's... kind of weird." Spike frowned.
"Tell me about it. They also, don't like that Cadence has allowed colts to join their guard. As they believe it is far too dangerous for Stallions. According to them, boys shouldn't even be allowed to work at all. We should be married off, the moment we come of age, and focus all our attention, on raising foals, cooking, and taking care of the home."
"Seriously!?"
"Well it kinda makes sense. Stallions are magically feeble, when compared to mares... we also aren't as physically strong." Shining gave a weak shrug. "Things like that might not matter, in the modern age, but a thousand years ago? Yeah, ponies were much more dependent on Strength and Power.
"Nowadays, many ponies can go their whole lives, without seeing a predator, but back then? Stallions really did need to be protected, for our own good... unfortunately, that resulted in us losing more and more rights, until things kinda blew up.
"This may have started as practical, but it became expected, and eventually a cultural Taboo, for boys to have any other lifestyle."
Spike nodded, "Twilight taught me about all the equal rights stuff, they had after Luna's banishment."
Celestia had used her power of emergency, to incorporate a lot of social changes, all at once, in the name of her sister. This caused a bunch of riots, from the more traditional ponies. And then the minorities protesting those riots... and then getting targetted by the traditionalist.
Shining grinned, "Of course she did. Thing is, the Crystal Empire disappeared, when tensions were high, but no big names had yet to pop up, to actually start fighting for equal rights. So the Crystal Ponies are having trouble adjusting to the idea, that it is now normal for Stallions to work and even vote.
"Cadence is trying to slowly ease them into modern concepts. While respecting the Crystal Ponies traditions. She hopes to avoid the riots, that occurred when this kind of stuff originally happened.
"Cadence can't try to use her power of emergency, to pass a bill the Crystal Ponies aren't ready for. And needs to gradually convince the population, and even the Governesses. She needs the Governesses, to actually agree to Social Change, before she can risk implementing any modern ideas.
"Its a dangerous process, but the last thing, any of us want, is for Stallions and Mares to start killing each other, in the streets... The equal rights riots... were an ugly thing."
"Thankfully Cadence has a great deal of patience, and is able to keep the peace, while encouraging change. She even got a bill passed, against Stallions being married off against their will."
Shining shrugged, "It still doesn't prevent 'family duty' being used to pressure the Stallion. It's more of a baby step, but she was able to slip in that the Stallion could choose their own wife, even if the family doesn't approve."
"It helped that Cadence gave her guards, permission to find lovers outside the harem. That made quite a few mares happy. Although not exactly considered proper behavior, even the nobles are grateful their are some many Stallions on the market.
"The castle is more like a brothel with the frequency of the guards mare friends stopping by to visit." Shining blushed, realizing whom he just said that to.
Shining tried to distract... and hoped Twilly didn't kill him later. "You should have seen how the nobles acted when she performed her first Stallion to Stallion marriage. That nearly did cause riots...
"Although the nobles were more upset over the 'Stallion District'. Which is a place for Stallions to interact, without supervision from mares. Seeing how many gay Stallions moved in their, permanently, and Cadence let them set up their own shops and recreation areas...
"well, with how much Crystal ponies look down on working Stallions and consider gay Stallions as 'selfish deviants'...
"Well, the nobles are treating the whole place as if it was a red light district, despite the Stallions mostly using it to just casually hang out, and make friends.
"A few of the store owners set up areas, for the sole purpose of discussing hoofball, comic books, Ogres and Oubliettes, action movies, and other Stallion focused entertainment.
"They really like the idea, that they now have things specificlly catered to Stallions taste... It's easy to take that stuff for granted, with how common place it is now, but the Crystal Stallions definitely appreciate all of it.
"Things like Ogres and Oubliettes, and enchanted comic books, were originally made for Stallions and colts to have the fun of adventuring in a safe, mare approved, environment.
"So the Crystal Mares are letting them play, while shaking their heads in amusement... however, they aren't too big of fans of the sports, their Stallions are beginning to play.
"Many of the Stallions rather like the new sports, made just for them, that have popped up in the last few centuries. Still, the mares don't think Stallions are fit enough, to compete in sports. They don't trust all the protection enchantments on the uniforms, as apparently those weren't nearly as reliable in their day.
"Cadence is trying to get the Stallion centered schools, to get their own sports teams, but that has been hard work. The mares are worried the colts might hurt themselves.
"I'm sure, once we convince them of how the safety magics have evolved, they will agree to letting Stallions form their own sports teams... ideally they will even let them join in the Stallion nationals.
"Right now, they just play in secret, in the Stallion district, and their wives punish them if they learn of it... mostly they get punished if they are SUSPECTED, of playing those 'dangerous games'."
Shining sighed again, "Cadence set up free taxis for Stallions, specifically meant to get them from their homes to the District.
"Of course the nobles passed laws that say the taxi mare is to make sure the Stallion has finished their chores, beat them like errant foals if they haven't, and that all the shops and clubs, in the entire district, must be closed 1 hour before school gets out... that way the Stallions are still tending the children, and taking care of the house...
"Cadence was going to Veto it, but with how tense things had gotten, since the District has opened. (especially since all the shops inside are run by the Stallions, with even more Stallions getting part time jobs there.)
"While, Cadence thought she might be forcing them to move forward too quickly. To avoid a riot, she let the Crystal ponies take a step backwards, to let them catch their breath.
"Thankfully she was able to talk the Nobles, out of the Stallions needing permission slips from their wives, or mother, to even let them enter the district. That would have defeated the entire purpose.
"I need to present myself in a very specific way." Shining sighed. "I have to act very submissive around Cadence, and let her boss me around in public. Most of that is staged though, as Cadence really does respect me."
The royal couple actually staged an incident, where Shining Armor talked back to Cadence, in court. Even if it was planned, her spanking him in front of all the Governesses, was embarrassing as all Tartarus, lets not even talk about how much it hurt. However, it gave the nobles a new found respect for Cadence, and strangely towards Shining as well...
A few days later, While they were in private, Cadence asked if she could start punishing him more often, for real things... cuz it worked so well to get the nobles on her side...
Shining supposed he was lucky, as at least she asked. As Cadence still considers him her equal, but most of the Stallions Shining had come to know, never got that choice... so he kinda felt obligated to agree for their sake...
The Stallions really warmed up to Shining, when they saw he got punished to... they were beginning to think him a bit spoiled, and unrelatable.
Shining actually got a lot of friends after that... they all think he's brave, each time he questions Cadence, or gave her his advice... which she allows so long as it isn't well their formal sessions... he's gotten it for real, for "speaking out of turn", during her meetings now.
It seems not even the Crystal Stallions, approved of how lax Mares outside their empire are. Apparently, they are so bucking brainwashed, they actually believe all that hay, about a Stallion's natural place being "under the protective guidance of their mares".
"We have these formal dinners, with the Crystal Ponies' Governesses," Shining explained. "Once a month, I have to just sit there, quietly, or at the very least ask Cadence for permission to speak.
"These dinners are more then just a party though. As there how Cadence discuss bills, plans, and budgets. Instead of having a plane old meeting, she likes to host a royal dinner. Then the meeting takes place afterwards.
"Technically, when it comes time to enact politics, me and the other husbands are sent out of the room, 'to not trouble ourselves with such things', as one of the governesses said to me.
"However, Cadence does allow us to stay, during the dinner's discussions. We still have to ask our wives permission, to put in our two bits, and sometimes that's not given, but at least it's a step in the right direction... as every baby steps matter.
"However, after the dinner, the Stallions are still sent out. So that the noble mares can officially vote on the policies they spent the night discussing. Opening up the opportunity for more formal debates... that we Stallions aren't privy to.
"Cadence would like it, if the Governors had more of a direct say, legally... but being allowed to talk politics, is very different then being allowed to actually dictate them. And the fillies just aren't willing to do that yet. It's too big a step for them, at the moment.
"While the mares talk business, I take the Stallions to my game room. Where we talk about our mares. They enjoy playing my videogames, and watching my movies, and seeing the various advancements ponies have made over the years. While I enjoy having friends over.
"The governess, kinda just expect us, to all be friends... and I feel like a legit foal sometimes, with how the Crystal Mares hover over us, to make sure we 'play nice'... but I actually have come to think of the Governors as my friends.
"We're all in similar positions. Being the sheltered, trophy husbands, to our wives... we all are familiar with trips over the knee, and sometimes talk about those. And we all just want a better future.
"Honestly, the part where the governors are sent off to play, is probably the best part of the whole night. As I'm allowed to just be myself, when it's just me and the other husbands.
"Unfortunately, after the governesses found out. that Cadence is pregnant. They kind of ruined the merriment. As per tradition, we set up a large Festival, where Cadence announced she's expecting. All her subjects cheered, and spent the day celebrating the future birth of royalty
"But the governesses took Cadence to the side, and asked who was going to replace me, as Guard Captain. They didn't take it well, when she told them I'd still be handling it.
"They kept insisting that, since we were about to have foals of our own, I needed to quit my job, and focus on them. They even claimed, with a strange amount of genuine concern, that once the baby was born, it would be 'far too much to ask' for me to have such a demanding career, and take care of a foal.
"Once the baby is born, I need to prove to the Crystal ponies, that I can take care of the foal, while not neglecting my duties as Guard Captain.
"For political reasons, Cadence will only be able to help me so much, as she's expected to focus most of her attention on work. We need to prove we are honoring the traditions of the Empire, and that our modern age beliefs won't conflict with them.
"Don't get me wrong, the Crystal Empire is great, and all the ponies are really friendly, and they love their new princess, but we have to maintain a certain image to the public.
"It just goes with the territory of being royalty. It's nice to come out here, and visit family. To spend a couple days away from all that . Twilight has it really easy being Ponyville's princess. The ponies here are much more laid back...
"If I fail, to show I can handle working and taking care of the baby, the nobles will most likely demand boys be forced back into their subservient roles, but if I prove I can handle it... Well, it be a big step for colts in the Empire...
"Pretty weird to think, I'm the face of an equal rights campaign, hundreds of years after the problem was put to rest for most of the world,"
"You got to take care of the baby, all by yourself?" Spike stared.
Shining smiled, "Well not ALL by myself, just during the day when Cadence is working, and if the baby makes a fuss at night, I need to handle it, instead of us taking turns. But well Cadence is off work, she can help me a bit, and give me a break.
"We read up on the customs of the Empire, a while ago. Including how their family dynamic works. I can't even get the staff to help me, when I'm working, as that would be a sign of shirking my responsibilities, in favor of my career."
"Wow," Spike didn't know what to say.
"I'm sure I can manage," Shining looked confident.
