Dear Diary,

Today Oriana received word from her family that they are ready for her to begin preparations for her wedding. Artex managed to ask future Prince Consort Vacca if they could use his transport system to retrieve Oriana's family. Of course, he agreed. Oriana and Artex began planning the wedding so it can happen on the second day of Spring.

Artex finally finished Oriana's work table and while it was obviously made by an amateur, it's easy to see how much effort he put into it. He managed to haul it upstairs and attach it to the wall in Oriana's work room. She was so happy to have it. She's spent the entire rest of the day mixing potions and salves.

On an even more happy note, Artex and I had a talk with the rest of the herd. We all came to an agreement: tonight, Artex and I are going to try to conceive a foal. I would have waited, but Artex is not going to live as long as any of us and I want him to be able to be a part of our foals' lives for as long as he can.

If I'm being honest with myself, I'm both anxious and excited. I have always wanted a family and I am certain that any foal Artex and I have, is going to be wonderful. The thought of carrying a foal inside me fills me with joy. Just knowing that there is a new, tiny life within my body, makes me feel complete as a mare. It is as if I am fulfilling some great calling.

I also happen to know that Artex has already bought Rose's engagement ring.

I worry about Rose. She is immensely strong and physically powerful, but her fear of intimacy runs deeper than I would have imagined. She, Vaiawa, and I have spoken of it several times. Rose wants to be with Artex very badly, but her fear is going to make it extremely difficult. She easily admits that she desires him and she finds him more than attractive. She admitted that he sends chills down her spine whenever he touches her, even just in passing. She also fantasizes about being with him, but even in her fantasies, she becomes frightened. She has asked us to tie her down on her and Artex' first night. I know that Artex would never touch her if we did that and told her. For the moment, we are at an impasse. I hope we can come to an agreement or find some way to let them be together.

I feel for Artex. He admitted that he was almost unable to make love to me. He said it felt wrong to keep going while I was struggling against Rose, Ori, and Vaiawa. I think it might have traumatized him to some extent. We can make love freely now, but we have found that if I make certain noises while we are, Artex freezes up and I have to calm him down, which always kills the mood.

I knew he was sensitive, but I was not prepared for how he would react on our wedding night and continue to react every time we make love. He is so sensitive that I fear what it would do to his mind if he were ever in a position where he was forced to respond violently, like if somebody forced him to defend himself. Every time we finish making love, he asks first, if he was gentle enough and secondly, if I am satisfied. I always tell him the same thing, he easily satisfies me and he is more than gentle. It is obvious that he and his first wife were often intimate, as he is quite skilled when we are together. Strangely enough, I am not put off or upset that somebody else got to enjoy being with him before me. The situation was different for him at the time and I do not begrudge him the intimacy he shared with his first wife.

Hopefully, when I write in you tomorrow, I will have a foal slowly growing in my womb. I'm excited and the thought is making me yearn for the touch of my husband.

Dear Diary,

It still feels strange to think of Artex as my husband. I had always thought I would marry a stallion; an Earth Pony or Unicorn or Pegasus; somepony I might have met through the family or perhaps even a professional colleague, but as it turned out, my own stallion is nothing at all how I imagined him to be. For one, he is so sensitive and so caring. We tried for a foal last night. If I thought he was gentle on our wedding night... he was even more gentle last night. We took everything very slowly and Ori, Rose, and Vaiawa all slept in different rooms because we took so long. I will never understand how such a physically powerful man could be so gentle. Artex has amazing strength, especially with his Earth Pony blood, but he rarely uses it.

Today right after breakfast, Artex headed out to his workshop and began building a crib for the foal. He seemed so happy to be doing it. I was a little concerned before that we might be rushing to have a foal, but he seems just as excited as I am.

I still cannot read him the same way I do other Ponies. His eyes and ears move so little when he expresses himself. For the longest time, I thought Humans were emotionless. It took me weeks to even comprehend that they express themselves through their words. Yes, that's right, not only do they communicate with words, but they also express themselves the same way. It makes perfect sense for a species who lack the naturally expressive eyes, ears, postures, and even scent cues all other species have. The concept was so alien though, that it took even me weeks to merely comprehend that it was possible at all. We have lived with our one method, our one style of communication for so long, we are nearly incapable of understanding how Humans communicate. I firmly believe that the only reason I was capable of making the realization myself was because of my work with Diamond Dogs.

Artex has insisted that I 'take it easy' from now until the foal is born. Yes, because wandering around the town, preparing a teaching syllabus, and occasionally cooking is so incredibly strenuous. He worries entirely too much, but he means well. I told him that I would be careful, but since it is I, and hopefully our future foal, who will inhabit my body, that I knew what was best.

Dear Diary,

Today marks the first day that I am with foal! At least I hope that I am. I am so excited, I have been nearly bouncing all day. Artex just came in and Ori and Vaiawa are with him. Rose is locking everything up downstairs. It is time for bed. I will write more tomorrow.

Dear Diary,

The whole town is in a celebratory mood. Princess Luna and Chris Vacca are to be married in four days. We are heading to the Royal Palace tomorrow to help prepare for the wedding. We are all packing for the trip. Artex demanded that he pack for me. Silly of him. As if I would have trouble using my magic to do it. I need to talk to him about coddling me.

Dear Diary,

We arrived in Canterlot easily. I spoke with Artex about easing off the suffocating. He apologized quickly. He's so nervous about the foal, well we hope there is one. It does not always happen on the first try and there is always a chance of spontaneous abortion. Bah, enough doom and gloom. Even if we did not conceive on the first try, we can always try again.

We were received at the station by some of Princess Luna's Night Guard. We met Mayor De La Cruz on the train and the Night Guards escorted us to our rooms and left a servant at the door of each of our rooms to take us wherever we need to go. I went to find my sister, Due Process. Oriana, Vaiawa, and Rose all went to Princess Luna to see if she wanted any more help. Artex went to find the Groom to be.

Chris was training with Commander Peach Pit and Artex found them sparring on the Royal Guard practice ground. Apparently Artex was intrigued by what they were doing and asked the Commander for a match. Artex came back this evening with a plethora of bruises, but he seemed satisfied.

Princess Luna did not need our help with preparations, but she did need somepony to talk to. She is happy but nervous. She sent for me and she and I spent some time talking about how I overcame my fear on my and Artex' wedding night. I would not have guessed she would be so excited though. She is nervous but giddy. I think she will have little trouble Accepting Chris. I am happy for them.

In three days Princess Luna and Chris will be married. For the first time in our history, a Princess will marry a non-Pony and we will have a new Prince Consort.

Princess Luna has asked for us to spend the day with her tomorrow. I am looking forward to it. The Royal Guards tell us the protesters outside the walls are not a problem, but the Palace staff are frightened. There are whispers of Ponies within the Palace acting strangely. We told Princess Luna and she called on Captain Bold Move to look into the matter.

I hope nothing is wrong.

Dear Diary,

Princess Luna had to cancel on us today because of the investigation by Captain Bold Move. I hope everything is alright.

There is so much going on in the world these days. Word arrived today that Lord Smokey Puff of Free Run has agreed to sell land to the Red Hive. King Myrmidon sent the message to Canterlot about the trade. He journeyed to Free Run to speak with Lord Puff personally. The message stated that Lord Puff is extremely suspicious of the Changelings, but he is willing to sell the land. King Myrmidon hopes that speaking with Lord Puff has put his mind at ease. Only time will tell, but King Myrmidon also stated that he gave Lord Puff a warning against taking action against the Changelings. Queen Cynecia approached him openly and honestly, from what we can tell, and in-essence offered for Lord Puff to name his price for the land. I earnestly hope the situation does not deteriorate.

Dear Diary,

Artex mentioned today that he plans to visit Canterlot on a daily basis to engage in the same training Chris has received. I have mixed feelings about that. While it is good for him to stay healthy, the kind of training he is talking about is for combat. He says it is so he can protect us if he needs to, but Rose and Vaiawa can do that already. Rose has the experience and Vaiawa has the raw power. Artex was willing to compromise and agreed come to Canterlot only twice a week.

Captain Bold Move has had the Royal Guard running around like crazy. The servants are talking about how the Captain has arrested more than a score of Palace staff on charges of sedition, treason, and plotting to assassinate a person of royal interest. They were planning to assassinate Chris.

He sent his Guards out into the city and arrested no less that eight entire Noble families for conspiracy. That leaves only twelve Noble families who have not been arrested. There has never been a conspiracy against the throne like this before. I found out Duey was one of the squad leaders who led the arrest of one of the Noble families.

The wedding has not been canceled though. It is still going to be tomorrow. I was looking forward to it, but now I'm not so sure. Artex has taken it the hardest. He has been constantly checking up on us. Of the Nobles who were not arrested, he has been unfriendly, bordering on mean to them. I worry for him. He took the plot personally because he and Chris are so close.

We need to make sure the stress is not making him 'cycle' as he put it. I think he needs extra husband snuggles tonight.

Dear Diary,

I find it odd that the protests stopped on the same day the Nobles were arrested.

The wedding went off without a hitch. I was surprised at the number of dignitaries who showed up. King Myrmidon was there with his family and Guards. Council Leader Miriam of Taurenvard was present with her husband and daughter. The biggest surprise was King Aezoleth of the Balzac and his son, Prince Thirmon. They came with King Myrmidon to show respect and to extend an invitation of alliance with Equestria. They will be staying until tomorrow so that the documents can be signed as soon as possible.

Chris has been crowned Prince Consort. His acceptance speech was more of an statement. He spoke about how he had no plans to rule and renounced any authority he would normally be granted because of the crown. He proclaimed that his only desire was to live with his wife and see Equestria grow through his shipping company and his inventions.

The reception was a grand affair. We all danced and drank ourselves silly. I did not partake in any of the alcohol, but I did join in on the dancing. The celebration lasted long into the night before we retired to bed. Princess Luna and Prince Consort Chris left the party before it ended and Princess Celestia made a show of casting a sound-proofing spell on Luna's tower. It did not, however, cancel out the various displays of light and the rumbles from the tower. The Night Guards were twitching all night after Luna and Chris left, but I never managed to ask why.

Dear Diary,

Princess Luna is pregnant already! I cannot believe it! I was going to write about the day, but the news after she returned from the Royal Physician was far more shocking. I really do not know what else to say.

Dear Diary,

We returned from Canterlot yesterday and everything seems to be back to normal.

It is hardly surprising that the entire town is buzzing about the news that Princess Luna is pregnant. I learned something new today: one of the Princesses giving birth to a foal is the requirement for them to be named Queen.

Some Ponies have been asking if Luna being a Queen would give her more authority than her sister. That concern, combined with the Noble houses being in an uproar already because of the arrests, has lent an uneasy air around New Humansville.

Humans seem to like the idea of Luna being a Queen, due to her personal involvement in the town, as well as her fighting and almost dying in the Battle For New Humansville. The debacle with her putting that horrible inhibitor collar on Chris has been forgiven in light of her willingness to wear the one he made for her as punishment.

While we were visiting her before the wedding, I asked her why she was still wearing it. She said it was so she would never forget to listen to the wisdom of others and to help her remember that just because something is not meant as harmful, does not mean it will not be harmful.

Despite how judgmental this will likely sound, I think she might have some wisdom with that statement.

Artex went right back to work on the crib when we returned home. Earlier this evening, he called for a household meeting and said he had decided to join the Community Welfare Guardians as soon as he finished with the crib.

I am not sure how I feel about his decision, but it is his decision and I will respect it. He says it will take him more than a week to complete the crib. He also said he was going to have a professional carpenter take a look at it when it is done, just to make sure it is safe for the foal.

Rose was happy that he was joining the C.W.G. but she made it very clear that she had a work partner already and Artex would have to work a different shift. Artex will take the afternoon shift so his and Rose's schedules do not overlap.

We're all heading to bed now. I'll write more tomorrow.

Dear Diary,

I am pregnant! It was confirmed today at the New Humansville Hospital. Artex is so excited. According to Doctor Jewel, the foal is going to be a Unicorn, but we don't know the sex or coloration yet. The Magerium was that of a Unicorn though. Artex was throwing around names until I reminded him how naming works with Kavim. He's so silly. He wants the foal to have one added extra name to represent the foal's Human ancestry. I think he has a wonderful idea. He said he liked Freya for a filly and Angus for a colt. Freya sounds pretty. Not sure how I feel about Angus though, especially considering the name's connection to a variety of beef that humans consumed on their world. We'll just have to wait and see.

Dear Diary,

Feather Tip came for a visit. Everybody sat down on the floor of the living room and we all got really drunk and played Truth Or Dare. All except for me of course, due to my pregnancy. I had no idea that alcohol negatively affects unborn Human children. It makes me feel bad for Human women who are pregnant. There is one dare that I still have to fulfill tonight with Artex. He seems really excited about it, as any healthy male would, but I still have my own reservations. This is going to be odd, but I'm looking forward to trying something new. Artex is always gentle when we make love. I hope I enjoy it as much as Artex thinks he will.

Dear Diary,

Artex 'plowed through the mud' last night. It was... different. I did enjoy it, but I don't think it is something I will be begging him for very often. I would not be opposed to it in the future though.

Anyway, Feather Tip admitted something to me today when she came over after she got off work. She said she is envious of me. She asked me if she could court Artex. I was somewhat surprised. Until now, Tip has never hinted at having any sort of interest in Artex, at least none which were romantic.

I told her that I did not have a problem with it, but it was also Artex' decision and not only mine. I made sure to fill her in on all of the numerous cultural differences between Ponies and Humans, or at least as many as came to mind at the moment. I'm sure I forgot a few.

Vaiawa, Rose, Oriana, and Artex are all giving me impatient looks. I need to wrap this up. Goodnight Diary.

Dear Diary,

Today was awkward. Feather Tip came by after dinner. We were all sitting in the living room when she just blurted out that she wanted to court Artex.

I am not sure I have ever seen Artex freeze up like that before. He went stiff as a board as soon as the words left Tip's mouth. He wanted to say something, probably quite a lot judging by the set of his eyes and mouth. He stayed quiet though. He calmly looked at Tip and took a deep breath before simply saying, 'alright, we can give it a try.'

He did not say any more on the matter and I know I need to talk to him about it. I will attempt to speak with him about it when we lay down. Speaking of which, I need to go to sleep.

Dear Diary,

Today was bland. Almost nothing happened all day. We do not get many days like that. It is a welcome change. I could learn to enjoy more frequent calm days.

Dear Diary,

Artex proposed to Rose Thorn today! We all knew she would accept. She has been waiting for him to propose for a while now.

Artex finished the crib just before dinner. It looks sturdy enough to hold a rambunctious Earth Pony foal. The wood is thick and solid and it has absolutely no sharp edges anywhere on it. He was so proud of the crib. He really worked fast on it too. I was not expecting him to finish it so soon.

Last night he held me in his arms and rubbed my belly while we were going to sleep. He's going to be a fantastic father. I just know it.

Dear Diary,

Artex had Straight Edge come over and look over the crib. Go figure, Straight Edge has a little Filly named Rose Thorn, just like our Rose. It caused a little hilarious confusion earlier when Artex mentioned he was looking forward to marrying Oriana and Rose Thorn. You should have seen the look on Straight Edge's face. I swear he was about to fall over from shock. Artex cleared up the matter quickly though. I would have helped, but I was too busy laughing. I am surprised that we have never had his family over for dinner or visits. When he went to leave he hugged Rose, which surprised all of us. We received a further surprise when Rose told us that Straight Edge is her brother. She has said she is not as close to her brother as most other Kavim.

Dear Diary,

Hearths Warming Eve will be here in a week. I already have gifts for Oriana, Rose, and Artex, but I just don't know if the fife I ordered for Vaiawa will be ready in time.

Who would have ever guessed that she played the fife?

For Oriana, I ordered out a professional chemistry set, minus the chemicals. She could use proper vials and beakers for her work.

For Rose, I ordered a book: Accepting Your Stallion. It was very difficult to find. Few Kavim write about such intimate things.

For Artex, I sent off a letter to Rarity. I asked her to design an undershirt for Artex to wear underneath his C.W.G. armor that would add an additional layer of protection. Rarity said she would have Twilight enchant the shirt to make it tough and durable. I was not expecting her to ask a Princess to enchant it, I was only expecting some extra padding, but I am most certainly NOT complaining, especially with how frequently Artex seems to injure himself.

Oh I almost forgot Suey. For Suey, I managed to get in touch with one of the leather smiths in Gryphonvale to make a harness and saddle. It should help to keep her warm and let her do a few more things than she can currently do. Better yet, it is going to be adjustable so we can make alterations to it when she gets even bigger.

I worry about Suey. I asked Fluttershy once how long Great Pigs live. She said she did not know exactly how long, but from what I gathered, it is a long time. More than five hundred years at least. Fluttershy said the stories she has heard about Great Pigs has them staying in a town for often close to six generations and the Great Pig is always killed. They never seem to die of natural causes. I hope Suey is alright once we are gone. She is such a sweetheart.

Dear Diary,

The town is all dressed up for Hearths Warming Eve. There are lights strewn all over Town Hall and there is even a colossal pine tree in Town Center. Rifin was nice enough to fly it in and hold it up while others secured the base.

Artex went out today and brought home a tree of our own. It's good and thick too, very lush. He and Vaiawa set it up in the Living Room, thankfully away from the fireplace, then went out and bought a few decorations for it. When Rose got home, she was so overcome with emotions that she started crying. We all asked her why and her answer made me so sad. She has not celebrated Hearths Warming ever since her parents died. She was so happy to have a family to celebrate with.

Dear Diary,

I don't know how I feel about the news we received today. Artex went in for a physical, which is mandatory before you join the C.W.G.

Well when the results of the scans and blood work came back, we found out that he is not going to die before the rest of us. In fact he is going to outlive all of us, barring some horrible calamity. His cell reproduction degeneration rate is zero. He is not aging at all. He's potentially going to outlive the Princesses. It all stems from his passive Noun and Verb combination that constantly heal him. His passive magic has grown stronger too. His Destroy is now a five and his Magic is now a six. His Repair and Flesh are both three now. They must have gone to two some time in the past year. And they are always active and Artex is almost constantly hurting himself, so I am not completely surprised. The Doctor said the increase happened within the past week. Artex asked for an explanation of exactly how fast he could heal but the Doctor was unable to explain it to his satisfaction. He cut himself when we got home and watched as the cut healed right before his eyes. We were all angry at him for doing it, but he said he needed to be certain. I'm worried about him. Cutting himself is extremely out of character for him.

Dear Diary,

It's been several days since the physical and Artex is still not happy about knowing he'll effectively live forever. He has been out of sorts these past few days. I hope he feels better soon. I cannot imagine how it must feel, knowing that you will out-live everybody you know. I told him he should talk to one of the Princesses and ask them how they deal with it. I was even tempted to suggest he talk to Discord considering how long he's been alive, but ultimately decided against it. That Draconequus may be one of the oldest living entities in Equestria, but a physical or mental health role model for immortality, he most certainly is not.

Dear Diary,

I haven't felt like writing anything these past few weeks. Artex has been so depressed we were worried he might do something extreme. We never said anything, but I think he knew. He finally went and talked to Princess Celestia about his immortality.

He hasn't said how the talk went, but he has been in a slightly better mood.

Hearths Warming Eve was a little dreary, but Suey managed to get Artex in a better mood when she wished him Merry Christmas. He all but fell out of his chair. He was so excited to finally talk to her. The two of them are still awake talking. The rest of us are tired and I wish Artex luck figuring out how to climb into bed with four mares already asleep on it.

Dear Diary,

Feather Tip came over today and cooked for us. She wanted the first date between she and Artex to be at home. Of note, she is not a particularly skilled cook. The potato and kale soup was overcooked almost to the point of being mush and the kale had an unhealthy bleached color to it. She has the amount of cayenne pepper exactly right though, not sure how she did that.

We decided to let she and Artex talk the most, since it was their date. They seemed to get along well, even if they do not have a whole lot in common. I am not certain if Artex will continue dating her or not. He seems to be content, but not particularly excited. I may be friends with Feather Tip, but the relationship between she and Artex is their business. I want them both to be happy, but I know I should not interfere. I don't think Tip was very relaxed tonight. She seemed very unsure of herself.

Dear Diary,

Artex decided to go out on another date with Feather Tip. I was a little surprised. He asked if he could go by himself and we all agreed. He seemed much more happy tonight after the date.

Tomorrow, Artex and Oriana are going to be spending the whole day planning their wedding. Artex announced that after their honeymoon he plans to begin his training with the C.W.G.

Not much else to say today.

Dear Diary,

Wow! When Oriana plans something she goes all out. She and Artex managed to hammer out every detail of their wedding in just one day. I don't know how she did it, but it was impressive. She and Artex have been snugly all day.

Oriana confided in me that she wants to do something special for Artex on their first night as thanks for the table he made her. Don't know if I'll ever try THAT. Apparently she heard some Human women talking about how to give good 'blow jobs' and she got a few pointers. Not that I really needed to know.

She seems really excited about being with Artex. She said she's been wanting to be with him for quite some time now and after seeing he and I together on our own wedding night she wanted to be with him even more. Interesting night tonight.

Dear Diary,

I haven't written in you in a few weeks because I had to sort out some feelings I have been having. I now know it was jealousy. I was jealous of Oriana because she will be able to make love with Artex without needing Comforters. I fear that my jealousy has pushed Artex away from me a little. A few nights ago I brushed his arm off me when he tried to hold me. He made a big deal out of it and I was not even aware that I did so until Vaiawa said she saw me do it. We stayed up later than usual and talked about it. I'm glad we did. I was letting it get to me too much and I was taking it out on my husband. I'm glad Artex was not willing to let the issue slide by. He always spoke about fixing issues before sleeping, but to actually see it for myself, I have to admire the courage it took to confront me about it. His sensitivity is a real boon for things like that.

My emotions are going crazy recently and that added to the problem. I knew pregnancy would mess with my emotions, but I wasn't expecting this. I'm not going to write anything for a few days. I need to take some time for myself.

Dear Diary,

Artex and Oriana are getting married in a few days. Artex has been extra affectionate recently. I think it's to reassure me that he still loves me. Oriana's family are due to arrive tomorrow. I'm looking forward to getting to know them a little more.

End Of Excerpt...

Author's Notes:

I'm BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACK!