Through testing it was determined the inverted bowl fluffy had a few flaws. The bowl on the back put the spine very close to the surface like a welding seam. This meant it could be injured very easily when young and potentially lead to developing spinal conditions. It was determined that this could be somewhat mitigated by aiding the fluffy in developing a layer of protective muscle and natural fats that developed as they aged. An unintended boon of this meant that the bottom of the bowl was soft and had some give other then the fluff making it very supportive for their limited cargo.
To aid in Flatbeds training to properly carry an adult pillow and because they wanted to pad potential uses for the product, they decided to start the testing with Foals. Flatbed was introduced to a team of foals with one slightly older talky baby that would be his assistant. This felt somewhat natural to flatbed if only because bowl fluffies tend to usually give extra time, milk and attention to developing a bestest that can serve as an assistant for loading up children to begin with. Flatbed was not a mare however and so the concept was not as innate.
After the first day it was discovered that between the soft fat and decent muscle control the babies that were placed upon Flatbeds back began to sink in and create divot like craters that then seemed to flex into place. This kept the foals secure and warm while moving, though apparently there was one issue with this as recorded below after the foals had been napping for an hour during our observation in the test room.
Flatbed had gotten up from its own bed and stretched as it began walking over to get itself a drink coming to an abrupt stop. Lifting its head from the sudden jostle the talky baby assistant begins to yawn before noticing they are unable to move.
âBig fwiend hewp! Babbeh am stuckies. Nu wanâ back huggies no moâ, wan pway!â The other quiet foals up to this point begin to murmur simple things like âpway?âand peep in response to being awoken.
Flatbed sighs after finishing his drink and shifts his legs slightly as if preparing for a fight and begins to flex his back and shoulder muscles as each of the foals slowly but surely âpopâ out as the seal like hold is released. Their bodies and legs now raised above the back line and to a standing position on top of his squishy back as he lays down and tilts to the side allowing them to crawl down to the ground.
âBefowe âou pway, does anyone neeâ to make good poopies fiwst?" The young stallion inquires looking a little to the left to the pair of litterboxs as he looks back to see a few heading over to the standing milk dispenser as well.
âSisâtant can wait make gud poopies. Think sissy neeâ make peepee.â The talky assistant adds before gesturing to a light rose red filly that seemed nervous after getting down and hesitant to move.
âTank âou Sisâtant.â Flatbed adds before picking the rose shaded filly up and walking over to the litter box to set her down while his assistant observed their siblings. He doubled back to check on the ones who had just ate and after taking the ones that needed to use the litterbox to it he allowed them to frolick as they saw fist and took the chance to eat his own kibble.
âFoal test, checkâŚâ Someone in a coat added putting a tick on a clip board form.
âConsidering the insulation levels, should we be woried about overheating during summer?â One of the team queried.
âAgreed, between that and the water repellent back fluff we should probably figure out an accessory or something we can use to provide cover and shade to limit potential drownings as well.â A second chimed in as the group gathered around a white board and began to doodle a quick diagram of the inverted bowl fluffies body/back region and created a âdomeâ.
âThings starting to look like a turtle.â someone added as a few members chuckled. They decided to stylize the breathable fabric with an exterior fluff that matches the fluffy so it didnât stand out too much.
âMaybe a hood~ But would it be for the pillow or the carrier? ~ Or both?â A series of people began bouncing ideas of eachother.
âPeople weâre getting off topic. Weâre here to test and develop the fluffy not the accessories. Take a picture and write a quick report and send it to apparel team to get us a prototype by the end of the week.â The product lead added as he shoed the group away from the gathering and back to work.
Later that week a pair of test covers were in. One had a pair of flexible poles like a tent to provide the fabric with a proper âcurveâ so it looked rounded and it hooped and clicked under the fluffy with a button latch at the collarbone and lower stomach. You would unlatch the poles and slide them out so you could wash the cover and then lace the poles through the straight tunnel when ready to use again. This one was slightly more dangerous if mishandled but provided a greater range of âadjustmentâ based on the size of the poles used meaning so long as the fluffy could handle the load you could theoretically keep increasing the size of the cover over whatever was being carried.
The second was the same fabric but this one sat on a waterproof dome with a series of angled vent slits to prevent water from coming in but allowing the flow of air. This one was deemed not as breathable but it was theorized it could comparatively support the fluffies weight if they were accidentally pushed on their side or back. It also aided the fluffy in preventing them from getting stuck on their back which was an issue they had noticed in this series. They would more then likely go with the second but decided to test both just in case.
The foals could now all decently communicate and the group had become decent associates and treated Flatbed like a big brother like figure. They were released into a new testing grounds which simulated a bit of light woodland. They were told to make themselves a nest and gather food to survive as the weather would likely get bad soon but they would be back to take them back later in the day. If they saw them again beforehand that meant it was time to test something.
The team gave them a few hours to explore their surroundings. They found a semi hollowed tree stump and decided to use it as their primary shelter as Flatbed dug out the base. They then located a slow creek of fresh water nearby and a few sources of berries and other various tasty greenery. Content that the subjects had a good understanding of their environment someone was sent to conduct the first test.
âFlatbed, foals line up.â the doctor added as the team assembled and greeted them. âitâs time for tests. Remember good fluffies get rewarded after tests when they answer all their questions.â They added and the foals replied in unison. âYus Doctah.â
âVery good, now lets get you on.â They added placing all the foals onto flat bed before equipping the first test cover. âGood luck.â The doctor added deploying an umbrella after taking a step away.
Flatbed looked confused until the rain started coming down. First slow but soon the rain increased and got heavier. Flatbed got a little lost but eventually found the nest site after a few minutes. âBabbehs oâtay?â
After the series of affirmatives from the colts and fillies they began to climb out into the nest after Flatbed had deemed that the nest wasnât about to flood. The group ate and played a little inside and the rain stopped after an hour.
The doctor checked up on the team and examined the apparatus and flatbeds back as well. Everything was within acceptable parameters. âNow then, Flatbed itâs time for the next test.â He added as they placed the foals back in place and re-equipped the apparatus. After walking them to the edge of the dome he set down the fluffy. âI want you to walk along this wall, until you reach this point again.â The doctor added putting a few slips of tape on the fake sky wall. Flatbed was taken aback by this and paused to touch the fake sky wall with his hoof a few times and even lean on it. âRemember, stay to the wall.â
Flatbed sighed and began to walk and found himself adjusting his direction every thirty seconds or so as he bumped into the curve of the dome. The fake treeâs began to withdraw their canopy leaving minimal shade and the heat began to rise and the false sun began to get brighter. By the time flatbed had finished his lap it was equivalent to the nineties but felt hotter due to clear bright skies. He found his way to the creak and gave a slight grunt when his hooves touched a bit of hot sand and he quickly moved into the slow moving water and splashed a bit onto the sad to cool it as he sat down to let his absorbent belly fluffy soak up some cool water as he began to drink. The foals crawled out from beneath the cover along the sandy shore and began to complain about the heat. It was a little hotter outside then it was under the covers shade but the air was much better out here so they decided it was worth it.
âWemembew, nu go deepah den hoofsies.â Flatbed warned knowing these were normal fluffies and could not swim. The warning was likely not too necessary as âwawa bad for fluffiesâ but considering the heat the foals wanted to drink as well and began to emulate their big brother but much closer towards the edge of the water.
âFeew gud.â Assistant added.
The group played for a bit and looked through the pretty rocks and stones but eventually Flatbed loaded up the foals to return to the shade of their nest. Thankfully they were able to slip under the lip of the fabric and load themselves. Flatbed grazed on some clovers and dandelions on the way before finally making it back.
The doctor returned and the temperature was dropping and they checked the condition of the foals to ensure they were good to continue testing as they gave casual placations to questions like âWhy bwight fwiend be meanie?â and the like.
âI suggest you get a little more food for later, it might get cold and snow very soon.â Flatbed seemed confused. It was just hot time, how could it be cold time in same day?! However he had learned that human magic was very powerful and so the group set to work. The team observed as a pair of foals sat on flatbed and the rest aided in gathering supplies. As stuff was found it was passed up and the ones on flatbed stored and organized the food. The team had the trees artificially change color rapidly to simulate fall but the fake trees pulled the leaves back inside instead of dropping the leaves. Upon returning to the den and unloading the food into the nummie pile the doctor said âvery good.â before putting the cover back on.
âStay warm.â They added taking a small blanket out from their pocket and giving it to Flatbed.
âTank 'ou docâtah. How many mowe tests?â Flatbed added in a concerned tone eyeing the foals over his shoulder as they were playing a game in pairs of pushing hooves against each-others hooves while sitting to see who could knock over and hug the other first.
âThis is the last one today. Weâll test another of these tomorrow but theyâll be the same tests as today so nothing should surprise you.â They added with a short scritch of encouragement.
âOâtay, Fwatbed keep babbehs safe.â
âGood boy.â The doctor added producing a sketti treat from their pocket. Flatbed was excited but also disappointed as if it was the small version. The bigger version he could have let have let each of his young friends have a bite from and still have this much for himself. He ate it knowing he had to keep his strength up with the snow coming.
He smiled watching the some of the foals struggling while other were laughing having tackle hugged their friends to the ground after their game of sumo. âTime foâ nap.â Flatbed added lining the bottom of his simple nest bed with the blanket. The foals eventually made their way over and climbed in like before and gathered in a fluff pile as the temperature was dropping. A thin later of artificial snow came down while they napped. When flatbed awoke he simply said. âCold times?â Still confused at how they had come so soon.
He walked down to the creak, thankfully it hadnât frozen yet. He drank hesitantly as it cooled his insides quickly.
âWhy see bweathies?â One of the foals added from atop the fluff pile as it stepped over towards the edge and peeked out from under the cover. âBwothews, sissies, white fwuff outside. Cobah ebewytingâ.â Assistant added amazed at the snow.
Flatbed grumbled as he had wanted to get back to the nest before his siblings had awoken. They began to whine about wanting to see and so he flexed his back to release the fluff pile and the heads stuck out one after another.
âbewy cowd, stay inside.â Flatbed added as he began to walk and crunch in the snow.
âfwuffie thiwsty.â Flatbed paused and decided it was better to not risk them ending up in the creak with how cold it was and packed some snow on his hoof before passing it up to the foals who took it inside the cover and began to curiously inspecting it.
âchew wittle bites, it mewt to wawa.â Flatbed added continuing to walk back to the nest.
âcoldies, buh gud wawa.â The rose colored filly added. They then pushed the snow into the corner to create a little drinkable pool once it finally melted. Once back to the nest Flatbed let them out to potty, eat and play a bit in the snow for a short time but it was soon decided that theyâd go inside the foals would play on big brothers back instead to keep warm. After a few hours the doctor showed up again to check on their condition. The AC was stopped, and the room would return to a normal temperature in time.
The fluffies were brought back to the lab and each of the foals and flatbed were interviewed separately to get their opinions on the various tests and their level of comfort during the experiments. After getting the information they needed the group was treated to a meal of fluffy safe spaghetti. The next day was much of the same, though apparently the second design did not allow for such ease of escape as the shell did not have much give. It was still deemed the superior product but they might consider adding a hinge on one side so it can lift lifted open and then secured closed for easy loading of foals.
Another month and Flatbed would be ready to carry an adult pillow and perform the general household testing. During that month he would live with and see his assistant team of foals adopted out to reduce his ties, without mentally scaring him about taking away his âfamilyâ. It also served to acclimate him away from what felt like a lab environment and to a household one.