The Rough Of The Diamond

Chapters

Chapter 1 - The Rough Of The Diamond (edited)
Chapter 2 - Cheerilee Me Up (edited)
Chapter 3 - Sighing in the rain (Edited)
Chapter 4 - Three daisy sandwiches and a packet of hay crisps (edited)
Chapter 5 - A deal with the Apples (edited)
Chapter 6 - With apologies to Apple Broom

Chapter 1 - The Rough Of The Diamond (edited)

The sound of hooves rattled around the schoolyard as the ponies of Cheerilee's class rushed out of the door. It was a glorious spring afternoon in Ponyville, and the fillies and colts were happy that lessons were over. Well, most of the ponies were happy; one was in an even fouler mood than normal. Her bullying friend was off sick at the moment and she had spent all day alone, not lowering herself to talk to the other ponies at the school.

As she was plodding along the road, she was slowly being overtaken by three fillies happily skipping along together. Seeing other ponies happy, especially this trio, always made the filly even more miserable given she never seemed to have as much fun as anypony else. She wasn't sure why that was the case given that she was the daughter of the richest stallion in town – why shouldn't she have as much fun as these poorer fillies? Why should they get to be happy?

Well, she was sure going to do something about that!

She listened in on the conversation that the three ponies were having and, unsurprising for the group, it was a discussion on the next planned upgrade their clubhouse. Typical of these foals, thinking just because they have something in common, are best friends and have that dump of a treehouse that they are happy? Pur-lease

“You three are just like, pathetic!” Diamond Tiara suddenly snapped at the Cutie Mark Crusaders a few hooves in front of her. Having been spoken to, instinctively the three fillies turned round but instantly wished they had just ignored the pony behind them - they should have recognised the shrill voice of the pony who always made their days that little bit worse.

“When are you going to grow up and actually get your cutie marks? I mean, at this rate Pound and Pumpkin Cake are going to get theirs before you three losers!”

“Come on gals” Applebloom sighed “Might as well ignore 'er as there’s no point trying to reason with that one!” The three turned again to head off, but Diamond Tiara was not going to let her pray get away that easily.

“That’s right, walk away from clearly your intellectual superior! Blank in the flank, blank in the head!” The three fillies’ blood pressure was starting to rise, but having got used to the bullies behaviour they continued down the road.

“Cutie Mark Crusaders – you've been crusading for more than a year now and not one Cutie Mark found. You're useless!" Diamond Tiara continued "Not only that you are a Unicorn who can't do magic, and a pegasus that can’t even fly!” That was the last straw for one of the members in particular.

“What does yours even mean?” Scootaloo turned and challenged the filly, her body posed to aggressively, wings flared and ready to charge into battle with the bully.

“Huh?” Diamond responded, a bit shocked at the suddenness of the question.

“What. Does. Yours. Even. Mean!” Scootaloo snarled slowly, brushing off her friends attempts to pull her away. The pair had never seen Scootaloo act this way before, but her inability to fly was a sore subject to the filly.

“It’s…”

“What, are you an expert at metallurgy?” Scootaloo snapped again, surprising everypony by knowing the word.

“No, it’s...”

“Are you a creative designer like my sister?” the unicorn crusader suddenly chipped in, equally annoyed at the slight at her magic ability.

“No…” Diamonds tone started to waiver

“Can you work with your hooves to create beautiful things, like our clubhouse built with our four hooves!” Applebloom added, backing up her friends.

“No” Diamond replied meekly, suddenly feeling a bit vulnerable at the actions and words of the three fillies almost surrounding her. For the first time she wasn't on the front hoof, the one being the bully, but had almost become the bullee.

“So, what does yours even mean? I'll tell you what! It means nothing! All it means is you wear nice things paid for by your daddy” Scootaloo finished with the most sarcastic foalish tone she could.

“Least it’s better than no Cutie Mark at all” Diamond tried to fight back.

“Our possibilities are endless” sweetie belle squeaked “Better than being a stuck up pony with no future like you!”

“Me, no future? I have a better future than any of you!” she snarled

“Me and ma family work hard to get what we get, especially with our parents gone. But we do a honest days work for a honest days reward!” Applebloom shouted at the filly “Just living off your daddy’s bits?…I’d rather be a blank flank my whole life than a helpless stuck up snob with no talent whatsoever!”

Diamond Tiara suddenly felt very defeated and slumped to the ground. Seeing that the earth pony had no response to that last remark the Cutie Mark Crusaders turned and trotted off happily together.

Diamond Tiara sat there unmoving for a while, as other students walked past. Everypony ignored her, as afterall she always ignored them or made their lives hell. After a while looked down at the symbol on her flank and just thought What on Equestria does my cutie mark mean anyway?

--/----/----/----/----/--

It was the longest walk home ever for the earth filly, as she plodded along sadly by herself. Nopony she passed seem to care at all about why she looked so sad, and eventually she made her way to her house at the edge of town. It was the biggest home in all of Ponyville, almost as big as the town hall.

Unlike most of the towns buildings, which had a very villagey feel about them or were decorated like something out of a carnival, the Rich family home was a sombre affair. Being a much older building, it had also deliberately been built to look as differently as possible from the farms surrounding it. It was very gothic and classical building, and whilst large and sturdy, had a certain amount of gloom. That made it match it’s youngest residents feelings that afternoon, and most afternoons when she thought about it.

Coming inside, she was greeted professionally but coldly by one of the servant ponies. Diamond asked where her mother was, and was informed that the lady of the house was having an afternoon at the spa. Diamond slowly trudged upstairs to her room and started on her homework.

It was just before dinner time that her parents returned home but when she asked to speak to them she was told be each that they were too busy right then – this was typical behaviour for them and they always seemed be too busy to spend much time with their daughter, even as a foal. Nannies came and went, and she wanted for nothing...except her parents attention.

As the three of them sat around the dinner table, Filthy and his wife discussed the days that they had both had ignoring their only child, clearly depressed, sat between them. Diamond slowly chewed her food whilst her parents seemed too engrossed talking about themselves, and their own interests, to notice anypony else.

Of course Diamond understood that her father was indeed a very busy pony – after all he was running one of the largest business empires in southern Equestria. But still she wished she was a little higher up on his list of priorities rather than worrying about what will be in Beeks report on the Orange Crops. And as for her mother – of course Diamond loved her mother, but given she didn't do much why couldn't she spend more time with her.

Diamond was ignored for the whole meal, and her parents went off to their respective sanctuaries for the evening – father to his study to go over the accounts, and mother to her sewing room. Diamond was in a foul mood, but rather sulk in her room, for some reason she decided to deal with it for a change.

She trotted to her mothers room and knocked on the door. Despite being the daughter of the occupant, her mother always insisted on her daughter knocking before entering…if she was allowed to enter that was.

“Who is it?” a dull voice called out.

“Diamond…your daughter”

“Oh come in darling!” she called back, a slight warmth noticeable in the voice. Wow, she must be in a good mood today to refer to me by any sort of pet name Diamond thought to herself.

Diamond entered the room to find her mother sewing away “What is it darling, need some help with your homework? I could get one of the servants to assist you?” Diamond closed the door and went to sit in the chair opposite her mother.

“No thank you mother, I’ve done my homework for tonight. I…need to talk”

“Talk, about what?” her mother looked at her, although she hadn't put down her needlepoint.

“About the future and stuff! About what I should be doing in my life!”

“Don’t be silly darling, youre growing up fine! That’s the sort of conversation we had before you got your cutie mark there” and the mare pointed to her daughters flank.

Having had the conversation quickly turn to the subject in hand pleasantly surprised the filly “But what does it even mean?”

“That you’re beautiful! In fact, I would say that you’re the most beautiful pony in this town!”

“Even more than Rarity or Fluttershy?” Diamond responded with some scepticism

“Well, they are much older than you, and they aren't earth ponies either which gives them an advantage of being a bit slimmer. But I'm sure when you are older all the colts will be after you!”

“Is that all I need to worry about, finding my own special somepony to be my colt-friend?”

“What's wrong with that? I remember when I was your age I was worried about finding my way in life as well. But then when I got my necklace cutie mark I knew my talent was to be pretty. I was therefore bound to marry somepony wealthy.”

The fillies face dropped as her mother spoke, but her mother misinterpreted that as her daughter being impressed rather than horrified.

“All you need to do is snag yourself a rich fabulous colt like your father, and then you don’t have to worry about a thing your whole life! You don’t need to work the land like those muddy Apples, push clouds around like the dusty pegasi or anything. You can sit back and enjoy life, like the unicorns of Canterlot”

Diamond looked at her mother who was saying this with outward pride, but Diamond near broke in two inside. She always knew that her mother was a little shallow, but having grown up herself she couldn't believe that her mother was actually this shallow? And she suspected that deep down, her mother was no-where near as proud of herself as she made herself out to be...

--/----/----/----/----/--

As night drew in, Diamond lay in her bed crying. Now, she often went to bed depressed but tonight she had felt as low as she ever had done. She thought back at the hurtful things that the Cutie Mark Crusaders had said to her, and realised she had deserved every single word. She had been mean to them for years…she had been mean to everypony for years.

And she knew that unless she changed she would be as lonely as miserable as her mother really was for the rest of her life. The filly looked up at the now faceless full moon and at the twinkling stars. She closed her eyes to stop herself from crying, and choking back some tears she declared “As Luna as my witness, I will become a pony of substance!”

Chapter 2 - Cheerilee Me Up (edited)

Diamond Tiara somehow dragged herself out of bed the next morning…she should have been up and ready to change the world, but a disturbed nights sleep pondering about her cutie mark, and indeed her whole destiny in life, just made her tired rather than enthusiastic.

Breakfast, made by the servants rather than a loving parent like most foals, was waiting for her downstairs. Her father had already left for the day and her mother had not yet got out of bed, leaving the filly to eat by herself. The trip to school wasn't that much better either, as Silver Spoon was still off sick and it was raining. Of course Diamond Tiara worse a fashionable rain-coat with matching boots that kept the filly dry and warm, but the situation didn’t do much to improve her mood.

The school day dragged on much like many do but this one was worse, not least of which was dye to the rain resulting in the students not being allowed outside to play. So whilst everypony else gathered in groups to chat or play board games at lunch, Diamond was stuck at her desk alone.

At the end of the school day, all the other students rushed outside to play in the rain and puddles, but Diamond waited back. Cheerilee was surprised to see the filly stay behind, not usually be one that's after extra credit since the Foal Free Press incident a few months ago, and wasn't sure what to do. Of course, Cheerilee was a good teacher that liked all her students, although naturally she preferred some to others.

The Cutie Mark Crusaders were a pain to deal with on a daily basis, and had once corrupted her with a love poison. This made her act like a silly filly in front of the whole town, and nearly caused her to marry a stallion - okay that wasn't so bad as it may have been a stallion she had secretly always liked, and the trios intentions were ultimately good. And beside, who could resist those three adorable faces?

Pipsqueak was equally as adorable and always worked hard whilst Snips and Snails, despite being a walking disaster zone, made her laugh and also had good hearts. Meanwhile, Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon were little pains in the haunch, who thought themselves above the other ponies…the other earth ponies at least. And she knew that they looked down at her for being a working class pony and a single working class pony at that!

But she didn't get to pick her students, and she had a sacred duty as a teacher to teach them all. Of course that didn't apply to really being friends with them, but she took a deep breath and approached the filly.

“Diamond Tiara…is something wrong? Need some help with your homework or something?” she calmly asked her student.

“Yes…I mean No. I don’t need help with my homework. But there is something I want to talk to you about...if you don't mind?”

“Oh, what is it my little pony?” Cheerilee smiled back.

“It’s about Cutie Marks Ms Cheerilee…I know I have mine, but I'm not sure I want it!”

“Oh, and why’s that?” the teacher answered in surprise, given how a little over a year ago she was flaunting her new mark in everypony's face

“Well, I don’t really know what it means…and from what I can gather the meaning it may have I don’t want!” the filly moaned.

“Well, a cutie mark is only a representation of your special talent, it’s not always related to that ponys role in life or the job they end up doing”

“I suppose yours isn't exactly related to your job, is it?”

“I thought I had explained what the flowers with the smiles meant?” Cheerilee queried the filly

“Yeah, but surely your cutie mark could equally be about making people happy with gardening or something, In fact, I’ve seen how happy you are when you're tending to your garden…it’s nice to see you happy like that!”

Cheerilee looked at the earth filly Wait, did she just say she was glad to see me happy? She’s never openly show any interest in anypony else before. “True, not all cutie marks can be taken literally. Take Fluttershy’s for example – her special talent is being able to deal, and even speak to, animals. Her mark may only be butterflies but all animals seem to be affected equally. Of course her talent is a little more unusual than most, being unique in fact, and that may be related to the elements of harmony. Most pegasi get a flying or weather related cutie mark afterall.”

“What about the other elements of harmony” the filly thought out loud.

“Well, I guess Sweetie Belle's sister Rarity is another good example. Rarity has a gem cutie mark, which may people think is because she can find gems. Now, whilst that is part of it, I understand that other ponies can also use the same spell. What her cutie mark actually represents is her ability to make things sparkle with creativity – sometimes with gems but equally with fabric alone.”

“And Princess Sparkle…I mean Twilight” Cheerilee giggled “I don’t think I’ll ever get used to calling a Princess by her first name, even as one as down to earth as Pr..Twilight” Diamond smiled at the mare, knowing that it was a conundrum lots of ponies in the town had, even her father “And Twilight’s cutie mark of stars seem unrelated to magic in a way any of us seem to understand, although I’m lead to believe the 42 points on the stars is supposed to mean something. I've heard some talk about that at the restaurant at the end of the town.”

Diamond Tiara pondered this for a while, and then looked down at her own flank. “So…what do you think mine could mean?”

The teacher was not ready for this question, but was a subject she had pondered on before. Some of her students had some unusual cutie marks – what Snails was going to do with a special ability involving molluscs she shuddered to think, but probably might end up as some form of invertebrate expert. Snips was actually very creative with scissors during ars and craft, and probably would end up some form of physical artist…or a mane-dresser.

But when it came to Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara it was more confusing. Their cutie marks had matched their names, which wasn't that unusual as some form of pre-destiny seemed to apply which picking foals names. But their cutie marks didn't really represent much else. “Honestly Diamond…I’m not sure. Have you actually tried things relating to your cutie mark, to see what your talent may be?”

“What, like the…” Diamond gulped “…Cutie Mark Crusaders?”

“Not exactly," Cheerilee giggled "nopony should do exactly what they do. But you at least have a clue of what your special talent involves. Have you tried designing jewellery?”

“Sort of…I’m not very good at drawing”

“Okay, but perhaps that will grow in time – if you have the creative spark perhaps it’ll just need to be refined. What about making things like tiaras?”

“You mean like a blacksmith?”

“A blacksmith tends to work on practical items made from iron or steel. What you may be thinking of is a goldsmith who works on precious metals. However, a jewellery maker doesn't necessarily need those skills, but finer skills to put the delicate jewels in place as well as having the instinct of what customers would like.”

“Isn’t that more likely to suit a unicorn?”

“Perhaps, but our town blacksmith, who is an earth pony, also makes some fine things. Of course it’s easier for unicorns to do the work, but it’s nothing us Earth ponies can’t do!”

Diamond pondered this a bit, and looked at her teacher. “What about if my cutie mark is wrong? Could it be my special talent is completely unrelated, and once I find that it may change?” the filly asked with a large amount of hope.

Cheerilee looked over the filly and sadly responded “Sorry, but there is no recorded incidents of a cutie mark ever having changed once its been found…Appleblooms and others with the Cutie Pox excluded of course! But that doesn't mean that you can’t find a meaning you don't expect right now.”

Diamond sat there a little longer “Thank you for your time Ms Cheerilee” and proceeded to slowly plod out of the classroom into the rain

“Anytime you need to talk, I’m always here” Cheerilee called out. As the earth filly left, Cheerilee sat down at her desk and thought about the conversation she had just had. Now, I didn’t expect that from Diamond Tiara. She seemed to be genuinely upset over something, does she miss Silver Spoon that much? But she also seemed to…dare I say it, care? She even said she liked to see me happy? Perhaps she’s starting to mature a little…that would help with preventing arguments between her and the crusaders!

Chapter 3 - Sighing in the rain (Edited)

Diamond slowly trudged home in the rainstorm that had been pouring all day – she was a smart filly so knew that the rain was required for the food to grow and the earth would soon turn to dust without it. And the pegasi, especially in Ponyville, were actually good at their job and when they forecast rain or sun, it was always rainy or sunny as intended.

However, as an earth filly who didn’t farm it just made for a depressing walk home. Her expensive coat and boots kept her warm but she looked on as some of the poorer students who were playing around in the mud without any coverings. They looked messy and a little cold, but looked like they were having fun Have I ever had as much fun as they are having now? Diamond pondered to herself.

She then started to think about the conversation with Ms Cheerilee and about all the other Cutie Marks that she knew of. The stories she knew the best were of course that of her parents. Her father’s cutie mark was a pretty straight forwards story really – he landed his first business deal as a young colt for a new supplier for the family store, and bam, the three bags of money appeared on his flank. It was a classic example of somepony finding their special talent whilst enjoying it. She skipped over her mothers tale knowing it not to be of any worthiness.

She then started to think about the six bearers of the elements, all of which had more interesting tales that befit national heroes. Since Princess Twilights Coronation, the bearers had become even more of celebrities than they were before. The six stories of how their cutie marks were intertwined had become a famous story and turned into a book…a foals book really but one of those things meant for foals that everypony enjoyed and soon knew like the back of their hooves.

Princess Sparkle’s mark was a little cryptic –stars didn’t really signify a direct link to magic, but given her recent elevation to a Princess it was clearly her special talent, and what she loved doing. It was surprising she didn't have a more obvious magic cutie mark like that Trixie filly, but then that represented showpony style magic, not the truly peerless magic of the alicorns Twilight seemed to show since foalhood.

She then thought about Sweetie Belles sisters Cutie Mark – clearly her special talent was finding gems, but she preferred to make dresses and being fashionable then spend time digging up jewels. Of course, the fact she found her mark after designing the costumes, rather than finding the gems, did help to indicate that the mark represented what she enjoyed doing more than the magic spell she used.

This gave the filly a little hope – both of the unicorns had marks not literally related to the thing they enjoyed doing, or what they ended up doing in life. If she wanted to know more about that, she thought she might need to speak to the pair. Twilight was of course a Princess, but was always willing to help teach and explain things, often in too much detail. Rarity may be a bit more of an issue given Diamonds relationship, or lack thereof, with her sister but perhaps given she was the Element of Generosity should would share her story in more depth.

Passing through the near abandoned town centre, with most ponies sheltering inside from the rain, the filly then thought about the pegasi pair. Rainbow Dash was obviously the linchpin of the whole story, and found her cutie mark when doing something she both liked doing, and doing something nopony else could do. However, without knowing what caused the cutie mark, the lightning bolt and cloud could in fact relate to weather related duties that Rainbow still did alongside most pegasi. So, Rainbow’s cutie mark didn’t directly relate to her most speical skills or likes, much like Rarity’s

Fluttershy also found her cutie mark when doing something she loved, and in a skill only she had. And unlike her blue friend, her cutie mark was a little more related to the skills and likes. Afterall, what other meanings could three butterfly’s mean? I suppose it could relate to how delicate she is. Apparently that is what attracted Photo Finish to use her as a model.

Passing the bakery, she took a few minutes shelter under one of its very decorative canopies, sighing as she looked around the town. When it rained like this and everypony stayed home, it just seemed wrong and unnatural – the town looked best when busy with ponies. Her spirits were somewhat lifted by the delicious smells coming from within the bakery, which made her think about the two owners. Their names were Carrot and Cup Cake and their marks simply matched the type of cake they were named after. Now, of course coming from baker families, both enjoying and being good at baking that wasn't a surprise. So perhaps their marks were affected by their names? Perhaps the cutie mark was going to be a cake, and somehow their names impacted on how it looked…that’s an interesting thought.

That led onto thoughts about the cutie marks of the whole apple family, except the youngest blank-flank and her annoying out of town cousin of course. All of them, throughout the land, had various apple or fruit cutie marks which seemed to match their names. But for Applejack it wasn’t just about farming, her story indicated her mark came when she realised she loved her family Surely a farming cutie mark would not be that specific, unless the name does play a part? Does Applejacks apple mark signify the Apple family, rather than the fruit?

Leaving the shelter provided by Sugarcube corner, which she had gone in and bought herself a snack on her family’s credit, she thought about the bakery's other adult resident and the last of the bearers. Pinkie Pie clearly loved throwing parties, and knew how to throw really good ones which everypony that had ever been to one would agree with. Her cutie mark clearly matched what she loved doing, and whilst the balloons could have meant lots of different things, much like rainbow dash it was clear from it’s origin story what it meant.

She sighed again as she went through the rest of the towns residents. The town was mostly earth and pegasi ponies, and whilst she didn’t know all the stories, the marks were often self evident. Twist was good at sweet making, and had a candy cane cutie mark. Time Turner was an expert at clock making and care, and so had an hourglass. However, the mailmare had bubbles as her cutie mark, which didn’t seem to match anything to do with delivering*. Yet, she was one of the happiest ponies in town.

She sighed again It seems to be that the mark varies for different ponies, sometimes being literal whilst others are more obscure, And it seems that all the types of races seem to be be able to have different likes and skills from the object on their flank. So, does that mean that my mark does represents something else?

As she passed one of the towns taverns on the way home “The Moon under Water” she thought about one and then the other of the kingdoms most famous residents I wonder how the Princesses found their cutie marks – did they control the sun and moon first, or did the cutie marks lead them to that? I wonder if they ever didn’t have the marks… if they have been around for thousands of years, perhaps they were never born? But the hearth-warming stories say that they weren't always around to raise the sun, it used to be the unicorns?

She then thought about something else. Wait a moment, how do cutie marks even appear? Having the mark grow over time would make sense, much like a mane and tail, but having it suddenly appear was magic. Now, for unicorns that made sense, but how does that work for Earth and Pegasi ponies?

She added that to her mental list of things to find out, but this just made the filly's brain hurt a little more with all the questions she had. She then realised that she was only a few moments from home and she galloped the remaining distance, soon in the physical warmth of her home.

--/----/----/----/----/--

Having got home to find her father locked up in his study, and her mother in her sewing room, Diamond made her way to her bedroom. There was no homework set so that just gave the filly more time to think. Dinner was a similar affair from the previous night, both parents seeming to ignore the depressed filly although Diamond thought he saw her father looking at her out of the corner of her eye.

After dinner the filly retired to the library room, and started trying to read a novel. However, a mixture of the raging storm outside, and the storm raging in her head meant she couldn’t concentrate. Accepting that the evening was a wash out, like the weather outside, she decided just to go to bed early.

As Diamond lay in bed, she thought about the road to her cutie mark…she had thought about it often and it still didn’t make much sense...

--/----/----/----/----/--

This is the worst birthday ever! a filly was thinking to herself.

Filthy Rich had another important meeting in Canterlot, but for the first time had taken his daughter alone for the trip. She was growing up now and he knew it would be good for her to get out of Ponyville every so often. Whilst it was an excellent place for a filly to grow up in, there was more to life than one quaint little town.

The filly had no idea why she was being dragged along on this trip, but she would never complain about it to the father she idolised. But that didn't mean she had to enjoy it!

As they were walking back through town, Filthy looked over to the foal walking a little sadly next to him. His daughter had clearly been bored all day, but had not misbehaved at all, quietly sitting around reading or colouring in. She was acting very grown up today, so it was time for her grown up present he had brought her here for.

As the pair walked through the shopping district, Filthy guided Diamond into a shop. She wasn't paying much attention but heard her father say she could pick out her birthday present from the store…within reason of course. Expecting to be in a toyshop, or a tacky gift store, she sighed and slowly raised her head.

Within moments, her eyes were as big as saucers and the biggest smile ever seen to pony-kind had spread across her face. She was in a childrens jewellery store, and not a cheap store for foals - a real store with real gold and gems.

She looked over the sparkling rings, wishing she was a unicorn who could adorn her horn with a ring.

She looked over the earrings, wondering if her father would let her get her ears pierced at such a young age…she still didn’t have her cutie mark after all so she doubted it.

She looked over the bracelets, thinking how great one of them would look around her front hoof.

She looked over the necklaces, picturing her and her mother walking around with matching accessories. Yes, that was it!

Diamond studied all the necklaces carefully, and was just about to point out to her father which she wanted when something caught her attention out of the corner of her eye...something sparkly. She slowly trotted over to another case, seemingly drawn to the contents within. She imagined how great one of these would be, and how she would stand out from everypony else in town.

Before she could ask her father, he had already got the salespony's attention and she nervously pointed to the style she liked. The salespony used his magic to levitate the gift and within moment Diamond had a tiara on her head for the first time. The filly looked in the mirror Does this suit me or what!

Whilst the filly was distracted by her own imagine, Filthy was discussing the price with the salespony

“150 bits seems a little cheap for such an item?”

“Sir, They are five diamonds, but of low quality than others, whilst the silver is pure. Whilst no doubt you could afford a more expensive version, in all honesty we advise buying younger fillies a cheaper gems as there is an increased risk of loss or theft.”

“Hmmm, that does sort of make sense” Filthy agreed, a bit worried about being a little cheap on the grand gift he had planned.

“Sir, it also gives you an opportunity to upgrade the gems at a later date, for example for her cute-ceañera or graduation day. The tiara itself is of good quality and any jewellers can provide five new cut gems and set them. You could even decide to change from diamonds to rubies or baby blue sapphires - having the option to upgrade allows the item to mature with the foal. Of course we hope you choose to come back here such services, sir!”

Filthy trotted over to his daughter, still looking at her reflection in the mirror “So what do you think my little gem, want it?”

“Really father? Really?”

Filthy nodded and the filly started prancing round him in joy. Leaving her to her celebration, he paid the salespony the bits, including a decent tip for providing honest advice rather than trying to sell him the most expensive item.

They had a train to catch, so eventually Filthy had to calm down his daughter and get her to focus on walking to the train station. He allowed her to keep her present on her head, as it was daytime and Canterlot was nearly as crime free as Ponyville. The filly bounced happily along the short trip to the train, practically floating whenever a pony gave a compliment – any parent passing could easily tell from the body language that the filly’s tiara was a new gift and so they all wanted to make her feel as special as possible.

As they sat down on the train, their tickets were checked by the first class attendant.“Filthy Rich, Diamond Rich, enjoy your journey” he smiled as he walked to the next table

Filthy looked over to his filly looking at herself in the reflection of the train window “Diamond Rich? Hmmm, I think we’ll need to call you Diamond Tiara from now on!” the stallion laughed as he hugged the daughter he adored.

“This is the best birthday ever” the filly squealed as the train left the station.

--/----/----/----/----/--

She had a big tear in her eye as she remembered that day. And it wasn't really the tiara itself that had the best memory for the filly, but how grown up her father made her feel. She had never had felt so close to him as then.

But that wasn't the day she got her cutie mark, it was a few months later.

--/----/----/----/----/--

The filly was preparing for bed after a hard day of walking around Ponyville with her best friend, Silver "Spoon" Birch. Of course Diamond had worn her tiara all day, and everypony always treated her extra special when she wore it. The dressmaker, whose shop they had visited, treated her like a proper grown mare as they browsed the latest fashions, and that was a pony who knew something about gems having three of them adorn her flank.

Diamond loved that little piece of jewellery on her head, the thing that made her stand out in this town despite still being 'without mark', and she lay the piece down carefully on her bedside table before gently drifting off to sleep with a smile on her face.

When she woke up the next morning, she placed the tiara on her head and got out of bed. As she trotted to the bathroom, she passed her mirrored wardrobe and suddenly stopped. For instead of just having a Tiara on her head, there was now a picture of one on her flank.

“Mummy, Daddy, I’ve got my cutie mark!” the filly shouted with glee as she raced towards her parents bedroom

--/----/----/----/----/--

Diamond sat up with a start and realised something Wait, everypony else was awake when they discovered their cutie mark, so knew what it meant. However, mine came in my sleep – does that mean that I dreamt about my special talent? The filly let out a loud moan Why can’t I remember that dream! Nothing was particularly special about that day, so what was it?

She looked down at her cutie mark, and started piecing the ideas together My name is Diamond Rich – my cutie mark therefore could just be related to my name or perhaps because I had a tiara, and therefore is why it choose that shape, like with the Cakes? Or if it is literal mark, it could be that I realised my talents and likes in my dreams and therefore can’t remember what it was

Both options need to be explored and she lay in bed making a plan to explore all possibilities...

Chapter 4 - Three daisy sandwiches and a packet of hay crisps (edited)

After a fitful night’s sleep, Diamond Tiara work up to a glorious morning and that’s not just because the storm had been replaced with a clear sky full of Celestia’s sun. It was Saturday, the best day of the week for all school foals, as it meant there was no school…and no school tomorrow as well!

But on top of this, Diamond Tiara had a plan and days where little fillies with plans always seemed to be brighter than other days. Diamond practically pranced down the stairs to breakfast, where she saw her father already at the breakfast table, reading over the financial pages of Equestria Daily.

“Good Morning Papa” diamond cheerfully called out as she took her seat and looked over the various fruits and pastries laid out for breakfast.

“Good Morning Diamond” her father replied, with a bit of a surprise seeing his daughter so happy. It was clear that his little girl had been in a bit of a foul mood over the past few days, and to see her suddenly in a good mood lifted his spirits somewhat.

He put down his newspaper, and picked up an apple “So how are you this morning sweetie?” he asked before taking a bite of Sweet Apple Acres finest.

Diamond had just taken a bite out of a breakfast muffin, and nearly choked Wait, fathers talking to me rather then reading the paper? She knew better to speak with her mouth full so she chewed and swallowed as quick as she could “I’m fine, thank you. How are you and mother?”

“I’m good - mother hasn't left her bedroom yet this morning but it is a little early for her” The both sort of smiled at each other and took a bite of their fruit or pastry as appropriate. The silence was heavy in the room.

Talking to my father should not be this hard! I mean, fillies and their fathers are supposed to get on like apples and pastry, or whatever that pie analogy is.

He is a very important pony round here, and the business does keep him very busy. But then he does seem to pay attention to me when I stray off path, like with the Zap Apple jam. The fact he made me join in, and okay it was kinda fun, means that perhaps he must care about me?

Perhaps I try too hard at being a grown up I’ve never really allowed myself to bond with him as a daughter. I guess I just feel that I am a disappointment to him…like mother

Talking to my daughter should not be this hard! I mean, diamond should be ‘daddy’s little filly’ but we just never seem to have connected.

I know that I’m not always the most attentive father in the world, thanks to my businesses, but I do try. I mean, when she seemed dismissive of the whole Zap Apple routine, which should be something fun for a filly her age, I made sure she joined in

Okay, part of that was of course keeping the sole supplier in the whole of Equestria of the magical fruit happy, but they wouldn't have really cared one way or another.

I know that my business keeps me very busy, but surely my daughter knows she means more to me than anything. I mean, why does she think I work so hard for this family?

Having finished the apple he was munching on, Filthy thought it was best to break the silence. “I’ve noticed you’ve been a bit depressed over the past few days - Was it because Silver Fork has been off school?”

Diamond looked at her father “It's Silver Spoon daddy - ” she laughed a little “ - but that’s not it really”

“Oh?” Filthy asked, shifting forwards a little in his chair and grabbing a croissant.

“You see, I just working out what I want to do with my life”

“But darling, you’re still years away from having to choose which courses you want to take at college!”

“Yeah, I know that” Diamond took a cherry and popped it in her mouth “But then most of my classmates won’t even go to college…they sort of know what will happen already.”

“Oh?” Filthy asked with a bit of surprise When did Diamond grow up this much?

“Well, most of the earth ponies will of course work the land someway. Of course that’s not the only option available to them, as you and Mayor Mare show, but in all probability they will. The Pegasi are mostly going to go to weather school, whilst the unicorns will have even more of a challenge to find their way. In fact, I’ll probably be the only pony from Ponyville to go to college…if I want to”

Filthy looked over to Diamond, who seemed to be showing genuine concern here. “Why would you not want to go to college?”

“Well, what if my true calling doesn't require a college education, but perhaps is more of an apprentice type of thing? Like, following in another townspony hoofsteps …or your fathers hoofsteps?” she finished and looked over to her father with a glint in her eye.

Filthy pondered this for a few moments, whilst eating his croissant. His daughter seemed to be genuinely interested in doing this, and whilst she was a little young he just couldn’t give up the opportunity to bond with his daughter.

“Sweetie, that sounds like an excellent idea. Obviously your schooling rules out being with me during the week…” Diamonds face fell as she heard this, but the father continued “…but tomorrow I’m meeting up with Applejack over the supplies for the Sisterhooves Social. Why don't you come along with me? In fact, I’ll let you help out with one of the deals!”

“Oh Papa, that sounds wonderful!” Diamond practically shouted with glee

Filthy smiled at the joy on his daughters face “Well, I prepare some information for you to read tonight and let’s just see how it goes, okay?”

The pair finished up their breakfast chatting idly, and Diamond excused herself to go and brush her teeth. Filthy watched with a smile as she skipped out of the room. Okay, it may cost me a few bits of profit to have Diamond involved in the Social, but what the hay, if it makes her happy and gives us time together it’s worth it

As Diamond left through one door, her mother walked in the other already made up like she was going to the Grand Galloping Gala, rather than breakfast with family “Good morning husband! Why such a big smile?”

“Good morning darling! Oh, no reason. Croissant?”

--/----/----/----/----/--

Diamond Tiara made herself presentable, put on her trademark jewellery, left her home and started making her way through the town. It was still early in the morning, but the market was alive of ponies setting up stalls for the day. Pegasi were flying overhead clearing away the heavier clouds, whilst moving fluffy wispy ones around to make a pleasant vista.

Sugarcube corner was already open, and ponies were coming and going with various baked goods. Inside you could hear Pinkie Pie singing as she served the customers – Diamond was too far away to hear the exact words, but smiled a little as the intoxicating ditty washed over her.

Days like this are so much better than the stormy ones like yesterday! When the town is as busy as this, it seems anything is possible!

Diamond made her way past the market, and into the more business area of town. She trotted past Carousel Boutique where she could hear Sweetie Belle arguing with Rarity I must speak to Rarity at some point, but probably best to wait until a day Sweetie isn’t there…otherwise all that will happen is me and that blank flank will end up arguing!

As she made her way through the district, whilst some of the shops had signs of life most of the offices and businesses were shut for the weekend. However, the unmistakable sound of her destination started making itself heard over the background sound of birds tweeting.

On the edge of town stood Ponyville’s sole blacksmith. The town didn’t have much of a manufacturing industry, as it was prime farming country, and so Ponyville (or more significantly her father) shipped in most of the supplies it needed. However, the blacksmith kept up a decent enough trade mending things and providing spare parts, as well as providing assistance for the more complex jobs.

He was working away at repairing one of Sweet Apple Acres broken ploughs when he noticed Diamond Tiara approaching him. Great, here comes that annoying whinny little rich filly that picks on my adopted daughter. If she wasn’t the foal of the one of my key clients I would have given her what’s for a long time ago. And probably most of the ponies in town would have done the same!

“Good morning Ms Rich” The blacksmith greeted the filly with a little too much enthusiasm to seem real.

“Good morning Mr Farrar” the filly beamed back, ignoring the obvious fakeness being displayed “What a lovely day it is!”

This took the stallion by surprise, as whenever this filly had approached him in the past it was to just to order him to do something and then walk off “Yeah…yeah it sure is…can I help you?”

“Mr Farrar...” the filly started, and the blacksmith noted that she seemed nervous and was rubbing one of her front hoofs behind the other “…Is it okay if I watch you work?”

This took the blacksmith completely by surprise “Well Ms Rich, I’m not so sure about that. This isn’t a school trip you know, I’m really busy. And it’s not the safest place just to hang out!” he ended making air quotations with his hooves.

“I’ll keep well back, and I won’t get in the way or anything!” the filly pleaded

The blacksmith wasn’t sure what angle Diamond had on this, but he couldn’t think of a good excuse not to, except the fact he didn’t like her. However, Filthy was a too important pony to risk upsetting by refusing his daughter for that reason, and he probably would have allowed other fillies or colts to watch. He quickly decided on the path of least resistance.

“Okay Ms Rich…keep well back for you safety and if you don’t get in the way I guess it’ll do no harm”

--/----/----/----/----/--

Diamond had been quietly watching the stallion all morning, taking mental notes on how he worked. He hadn’t been doing any fine work today, but fixed a number of large items – he repaired one of Sweet Apple Acres ploughs, refitted a number hoop-rims of various wheels and started fixing an oven door. However, it was still fascinating to the filly to watch him repair such items without magic, which she presumed would make the task so much easier.

As Celestia’s sun reached the peak of it’s daily trajectory, the blacksmith put down his tools and washed his face in a nearby bucket. He looked over at the filly, and true to her word she had kept well out of the way and had not distracted him at all.

He walked over to her “Well, it’s time for Lunch break. I need to pop into town to pick something up, so I guess I’ll see you back here later?”

“I’ll get you lunch, what do you want?” the filly jumped to her hooves.

“Ms Rich…”

“Call me Diamond, please”

“Okay…Diamond, I can’t ask you to buy me lunch!”

“You didn’t ask…I offered. Besides, it is the least I can do given you’re letting me be here today.”

“You’re only watching…” the stallion stammered, completely confused by the filly generosity “...it’s not like I’m explaining or anything”

“It doesn’t matter, I want to get you lunch to say thank you.” the filly pleaded with her eyes.

“Okay…if you insist…this one time!”

“Thank you, what do you want?”

“I usually just grab a takeaway daisy sandwich and maybe a packet of crisps if I fancy them”

“Sure thing Mr Farrar, coming right up”

“Call me Moe” the stallion called out as filly rushed out of the workshop and towards town, leaving Moe scratching his head What is up with that filly today? If I didn’t know any better I would think she was a changeling in disguise, but with the completely wrong personality! Of course she can’t *actually be a changeling with the spell Princess Sparkle put over the town, but she is acting strange!*

Diamond galloped into town and picked up three daisy sandwiches and a packet of hay crisps from one of the market stalls in the food section. Everypony looked at the usually prim and proper filly in surprise, wondering why on earth she looked so dirty. She didn't notice the strange looks she was getting, but grabbed the bags in her mouth and rushed back to the workshop.

Diamond passed two of the sandwhiches and a packet of crisps to the Stallion, who was surprised at the large amount of food offered to him by the filly. She explained that seeing how hard he worked he must have worked up an appetite more than a single sandwich would be able to fill.

Of course he was, as usual, as hungry as Diamond had presumed but couldn’t afford too many luxuries like takeaways with a wife and filly to raise, so one sandwich was usually all he had. He graciously accepted the two sandwiches and they split the packet of crisps. They ate in silence, neither quite sure what to talk about.

--/----/----/----/----/--

It was midafternoon by the time the blacksmith decided he had worked enough and called it a day. Diamond thanked him for allowing her to watch, and asked if she could come back the next day she was free.

Despite not actually really speaking to each other all day, he had to admit to himself that he sort of enjoyed the company. Besides, he was worried that if he said no the filly would moan to her father, although given how generous she was at lunchtime he wondered if she wasn't really as bad as she sometimes seemed to act.

Diamond skipped off and as soon as she reached home, she quickly rushed and took a shower before her parents saw her. Within moments of stepping into the shower, the soot and dirty she had been covered in washed away, turning the grey filly back into the pink one everypony would recognise, and unfortunately for the cleaning mare turning the pristine white bathroom a tone of grey.

Despite not doing any of the actual work today, she was surprised on how dirty she had managed to get – in fact she can’t remember ever being that dirty even when she ended up in the pig sty that one time. However, she also found it oddly satisfying when all the dirt was washed off unlike that time, for a reason she couldn’t work out.

A ring echoed around the house to indicate dinner was about to be served, and the filly was just about to put on her tiara when she noticed it was filthy as well. Without enough time to clean it properly, she decided just to head downstairs without it.

As soon as she entered the dinning room, her mother spoke to her “Darling, where is your Tiara?”

The filly stood in the doorway “I guess I forget to put it on after my shower” the filly lied That’s what mother noticed? She never seemed to notice me but one time I’m without the stupid piece of junk...

The filly then looked at her father, and a pang of guilt washed over the filly I shouldn't think that way about the Tiara – my father had to work really hard to earn the bits to pay for it.

Dinner was the usual sombre affair with basically no conversation around the table except a few bland comments about the delightful meal they were eating. As they finished up, Filthy asked his daughter to follow him into the study.

As soon as they entered, Filthy passed over a small binder filled with various papers, and explained she should familiarise herself with the previous orders, as well as some of the general price lists and accounts relating to such events. He offered his daughter a chair to sit in, but she decided to leave her father to the peace of his own sanctuary and said she would read it in her room.

Diamond went up to her bedroom, settled herself on her bed and started reading through the information, preparing herself for the meeting the next day. She had had an interesting day just watching the blacksmith, and tomorrow she was going to be involved in a business meeting with her father!

Chapter 5 - A deal with the Apples (edited)

Sunday morning arrived and there was a curious air of excitement in the Rich household. Usually Filthy didn’t do any business at the weekend, but there was one exception to this rule…the Apple family due to the historical importance of Zap Apple Jam, and the ongoing profitable symbiotic relationship.

Of course probably he would make an exception for any of the Princesses, in particular Ponyville’s own Princess of Books. And of course he wouldn't ever dare say no to any of the bearers of the elements… Actually, given that there were only eight exceptions to his rule and six of them lived within a quick trot away, the 'not working on sunday' rule started to seem to have more exceptions than anything else.

Regardless of this, Filthy was in a happy mood as he was going to spend the morning with his daughter. The sudden change in his filly’s interests was both surprising, but not actually unsurprising. She was always a bit obsessive when it came to anything she got interested in, and this could just be a bit of a phase. But he was going to take the opportunity to bond with his daughter whilst it was available.

Meanwhile Diamond was delighted that she was going to be taking part in her first business meeting. Regardless of what she would actually do or say during it, she knew this was an important milestone for her, and for her dad to even let her be involved showed a sign of trust…trust she was determined to make the most of.

Knowing the farmer family started every day early, the meeting was booked not long after breakfast and so the pair left their home early to walk over to Sweet Apple Acres. At first neither of them really knew what to say to each other, just filling the silence with the usual small talk between parents and children.

However, as they passed Golden Oaks Library, shimmering in the early morning sun (the shimmer caused by the magical security bubble that had been put in place against Twilight Sparkles wishes) Diamond absently minded thought out loud that she needed to speak to the royal resident.

“Oh, what do you want to speak to the Princess about Darling?” Filthy’s ears pricked up

“Actually, I want to speak to both her and Rarity about…er…stuff.” Diamond sort of fluffed, having caught herself out by speaking out loud. Obviously she didn't want to tell her father about her thoughts on her Cutie Mark, especially given what they were doing today.

“Is this…” Filthy coughed “…mare stuff? Or about a Special Somepony?”

“No!” Diamond cried, blushing a little.

“Because you should really speak to mother or Cheerliee about that sort of thing…” filthy continued in as much embarrassment as the filly.

“Daddy, it’s nothing like THAT!” Diamond exclaimed. The pair the walked in embarrassed silence from there all the way to Sweet Apple Acres. Applejack was waiting for them just outside the family home, and welcomed the pair as they walked towards her. She led them inside to the kitchen table, and offered them both a glass of apple juice, which they gladly accepted - they may have just had breakfast but nothing compared to fresh squeezed straight from the farm.

Filthy and Applejack exchanged a few pleasantries but just as they were about to get down Applebloom bounced into the room, having been allowed to have a lie-in. “Good morning sis” she called out without noticing the guests, before noticing one of the guests in particular.

“What’s she doing here!” Applebloom pointed to Diamond accusingly.

“Applebloom, mind ya manners young filly” Applejack scolded her sister. “That’s no way to talk to anypony, let alone a guest in this house!”

Before Applebloom had a change to mutter anything else “It’s no problem. I kind of deserve that given that I’ve been, well, mean to Applebloom in the past” Diamond chipped in softly.

“Well, it’s mighty decent of you ta say so, but that’s no excuse. Apologise Applebloom”

“I’m sorry” Applebloom said between gritted teeth

“Don’t worry about it” Diamond meekly smiled back. Whilst her instinct was to rub the situation in that Blank-flank’s muzzle, she knew better if she was here on business

With that out the way, and Applebloom sent off to do her morning chores, the farmer and the businesspony got down to discussing what they were here to do. Whilst of course many of the supplies for the Social came from the farm itself, the Apple family still needed various things which the Rich family had provided them with for years, such as the leaflets and help in building some aspects of the event.

Diamond listened in but kept her mouth shut, for this was a well established relationship and she was just there to watch and learn. Obviously Applejack and her father didn’t usually socialise much with each other, not at least due to the age difference, but it was interesting to see the dynamics of the business relationship. When the meeting was almost over, Applejack gave herself a facehoof.

“Oh, I forget, there was something else I wanted to ask you about this year. Rarity’s gunna make the winners jackets, as usual, but this year I was thinking it would be mighty nice if each team competing had matching jackets to compete in. Especially for this years social.”

Filthy and Diamonds faces were a picture of confusion, so Applejack continued

“Ya see, as there are a number of foals and fillies, and mares mind ya, without sisters. And so we thought that would open some of the events to any two ponies rather than just sisters”

Applejack looked at to the filly next to Filthy I know that Diamond is a royal pain in the flank for ma sis, but I can’t help but feel sorry for her. Not having any siblings must be a bit lonely and whilst she has her parents unlike Bloomy, I can’t help but feel that a lack of a older, or younger, sister is part of why she acts out.

“So we need some way to recognise which ponies are grouped with who. Rarity would of course make them for me, she’s too generous for her own good that pony is! But I wouldn't want to waste her time making something so basic when she could be designing all of them fancy dresses for the Rich folk…no offence”

“And I guess as they are only for competing in, you don’t want anything too fancy as they'll get dirty and possibly ripped?” Diamond chipped in, speaking for the first time in the meeting.

“Exactly little partner” Applejack found herself smiling at the filly, before turning back to Filthy “So, I know I asked a few years ago and you said it’ll be 10 bits each, so I was wondering if that price is still available? It’ll be a stretch to get there, but I think I can make it work.”

“Applejack, if you don’t mind, I’ll let Diamond deal with this” Filthy responded

“Sure thing partner” Applejack smiled I knew there was a reason the Apple’s and the Rich’s got on so well, Filthy is a family man at heart afterall.

“Me?” Diamond responded, almost squeaking in excitement

“Yes Diamond, it would have been in the price lists I gave you yesterday” Filthy smiled back.

Diamond Tiara went over the figures in her mind. To buy in a basic cheap jacket in a variety of colours would cost 7 bits each, 8 including shipping. Father offering 10 in the past was a low mark-up anyway, probably because of the Zap Apple custom She pondered a little and then inspiration hit her

“O-Okay, how about fi-five bits per ja-jacket?” Diamond offered with a bit of a nervous stutter

“Fifteen is out of budget I’m afraid”

“N-Not Fifteen, Five” the filly corrected

“Five bits? Are you sure about t'at?” Applejack asked in shock

“Er, Diamond, can I have a word?” Filthy asked, and Applejack nodded as she understood that Filthy needed to correct his daughters offer. The pair walked a short distance away as Applejack watched on thinking about the times she’s had to correct Applebloom.

“Diamond, the price would be eight bits per jacket to get them, you’re selling at a loss” the stallion explained to his foal.

“Father I remember the price list. I will pay you five bits per jacket on top of the five Applejack is paying…just give me time, I have a plan”

“If that’s what you want to do, fine. But if you don’t I’ll take it out of your allowance until you pay it off”

“Deal…in fact if I can’t give you the bits myself, either from what I earn or what I keep from my allowance before the end of the summer, you can take twice the bits out of my allowance”

“That’s quite an offer, but why given your giving me 2 bits profit anyway?” the father asked in surprise “That’s not normally how business is done”

“Because I want to prove to you that I can do this! Plus, you’re giving me free credit.”

Filthy looked at the determined face on his daughter, and smiled at her “Okay, but I’ll hold you to that” and they shook hooves on it

Applejack saw the pair returning Hopefully Filthy’s set his daughter straight, but she’s lucky I’m not the sort of pony who would use her naivety to push down the price

“So, what’s the price now then, ten bits the same as last time?” Applejack asked hopefully

“No, five bits each as a said but I have four conditions” Diamond responded.

Applejack looked at the filly standing as upright as possible, trying to act big and bold “Okay I’ll hear them; I guess you want to put an advert on them or something?”

“I had thought of that, but actually one of the condition is we get to put a flyer in with each jacket as you give them out. Not on the jackets, just with them”

“Sounds more than fair, what’s next?”

“You tell nopony else the deal I’m offering you”

Applejack nodded “I expect the same when I bulk sell to ya father”

“Next, I get to set up a stall selling souvenirs and stuff at the social…and only I can have an non-refreshment stall”

“Well, we don’t usually have anything like that, but I see no harm as long as you don’t do any hard selling ya hear! Plus, I want to know what sort of things you aim to sell”

“A veto over the goods seems fair. Lastly” she gulped a little “You don’t tell Applebloom about this”

This last one took the farmer by surprise “I know ya don’t get along with ma sis, but why don’t you want her to know. You do realise you’re doing something nice, right Sugarcube?” she asked with some confusion

“Look, if she asks you I don’t expect you to lie, Element of Honesty” and with that both her and her father bowed their head a little. This was a custom that had started up in Equestria after the Royal Coronation when everypony realised how much the five other elements had done for this nation, and how important they were personally to all four Alicorn Princesses.

“But please don’t volunteer the information” Diamond continued as she raised her head

Applejack was blushing at the sign of respect. Rarity and Rainbow dash enjoyed the limelight a little, but the rest of them, Twilight included, just wanted to be treated as normal ponies “Okay, it’s a deal. I don’t quite understand ya angle, but it sounds a too good an offer to let up” and with that the pair shook hooves.

You and me both Applejack Filthy mused as he racked his brains for his daughters intentions. The advert and the sole stall were good ideas, but he doubted the filly would be able to turn a profit on these alone.

With business concluded, and Applejack having a full days work ahead of her, they bid each other goodbye. The walk home between the father and daughter pair was filled with Filthy explaining all the logistics of what had been agreed. Filthy took his daughter to Sugarcube Corner to buy her a treat, and he explained he was exceptionally proud of how Diamond dealt with Applebloom earlier.

When they got home, they could hear the gramophone playing in Ruby Necklace’s study, and they both smiled to themselves suspecting that their mother/wife hadn’t even noticed that they had been gone…

Chapter 6 - With apologies to Apple Broom

Diamond Tiara spent the rest of Sunday catching up on the homework and assignments she hadn’t yet done for school. Having spent three quarters of the weekend looking for meaning to her mark, she was a little behind with her school work. She couldn’t afford any bad grades as her father had promised her a trip to Manehatten for her birthday if she kept her grade average high.

After slaving over the books for hours she started to lose concentration and started thinking back over the weekend. She wanted to spend more time exploring her mark, but spending time either with her father or Moe would eat up a lot of her weekends. And she still wanted to speak to the Princess about it at some stage.

She looked back down to her book and wondered how on Equestria the stupid Cutie Mark Catastrophes ever found time to do there homework given how much time they spent on their quests. Especially as Applebroom and Sweetie Smell both had to spend time doing chores. How do they fit it all in?

Shaking the thought out of her head, she spent the rest of the day finishing up, pretty sure she would get top marks for the work done.

--/----/----/----/----/--

The next morning there was a surprise waiting for Diamond when she made it to school – Silver Spoon had returned after a week off ill. The pair went running over to each other. “Silver Spoon!” “Diamond Tiara!” they called out, before doing their signature greeting “Bump, Bump, Sugar Lump, Rump!” (1) All the other ponies of the class just rolled their eyes at this – given how snobby the pair usually were, this was so tacky it was unbelievable. Everypony was sure that if it wasn't for the trio without their cutie marks, it would had died out years ago.

The pair wanted to chat and catch up, but all too quickly the bell sounded signalling the start of the school day. Whilst the temptation to chat during class was too high, Cheerilee had always proven herself to have very good hearing so there was no chance of getting away with it. So they were forced to pay attention to the lesson on Ancient Equestrian History instead.

During the morning break, Silver Spoon talked about her week off ill, and what she got up to – she had found the Daring Do books to be a entertaining read and suggested Diamond read them. Diamond held back discussing her weekend until Lunch, thinking she wanted enough time to really discuss it with her friend.

The second class of the day was Maths…a subject that drags on most of the time, let alone when you want to catch up with your Best Friend Forever. However, it was one of Diamonds strongest subjects and so answering more than her fair share of questions helped pass the time. In fact, only Scootaloo seemed to be better at Maths than her, something that annoyed the earth filly no end.

Before what seemed all too long it was lunchtime, and the class ran out to play. Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara took their lunches and sat in the shade provided by the biggest tree. Whilst munching on their packed lunches, Diamond started to tell Silver about her thoughts about her cutie mark and the Saturday spent with the blacksmith.

“So you like, sat watching him work, like, all day?” Silver asked with an odd tone

“Yeah?” Diamond responded curiously

“But, like, that sounds soo boring”

“Actually, it was sort of interesting to see how Moe made things”

“Moe?”

“Yeah…that’s his name”

“What-ever. But why watch somepony doing…eughh…manual work”

“I thought I’d explained that?”

“You really think you’re going to become a blacksmith?” Silver snorted

“Of course not! But, what am I going to do when I grow up? What are you planning?”

“We’re going to be fabulous together, naturally!”

“Fabulous…how exactly? I doubt I’m pretty enough to ever make it as a model…not with this stupid Earth Pony body”

Silver Spoon seemed shocked “What’s got into you Diamond?”

“Nothing…everything…I mean, what is this…” Diamond pointed to her flank “…even supposed to tell me. But let me tell you about yesterday” and she went on to explain the trip to Sweet Apple Acres. Silver sniggered at the point where Applebloom got in trouble, but otherwise just nodded as Diamond told her her tale.

“So…what’s your angle?” Silver Spoon asked

“Angle?”

“Yeah…planning to ruin the social somehow?” Silver giggled gleefully

“No!” Diamond exclaimed, loud enough so all the other students turned to look, before ignoring the bully “I’m doing it to try to impress my dad”

“Oh, clever, and then you’ll get him to buy you something you want, like a new Tiara?”

“Have you really ever met my mother?”

“No, why?”

“Oh, I just think you two would really get along”

“Awww, that’s so sweet” Silver smiled, whilst Diamond rolled her eyes internally. Clearly her friend had not yet matured enough to properly think about her future. Perhaps when I find my true talent, I can help Silver find hers! Wait, I sound like Applebloom and her friends…nooo! Diamond moaned to herself. In order to prevent herself from getting even further worked up over lunch, Diamond changed the subject back onto the more mundane things which managed to get her through the rest of the break.

--/----/----/----/----/--

School had finished and everypony was walking home. Diamond was walking with Silver when she saw the Cutie Mark Crusaders in the distance. She picked up her pace to close the gap. Silver Spoon followed, presuming Diamond was up to no good.

“Wait up Applebroom…Applebloom” Diamond yelled out when within earshot.

“What do you want now?” the cream earth filly turned to grey filly, the usual look of annoyance in her eyes.

Diamond reached into her bag and pulled out a small bag of bonbons. “I…I just wanted to say I’m sorry for yesterday”

“Say what now?” Applebloom asked in confusion, whilst everypony else seemed equally as stunned

“Well, I come into your home and get you into trouble,. That just doesn’t sit right, even if it was your own fault. So, I wanted to say sorry” Diamond offered the bag of sweets to the stunned crusader.

“Oh yeah, like you haven’t coated them in hotsauce, covered them in poison joke or something” Scootaloo walked forwards and prodded Diamond in the chest.

Diamond felt guilty, knowing that the suspicions were probably fair based on past experiences. She reached in the bag, pulled out a random sweet and popped one into her mouth, chewed it and eventually swallowed the sweet “See, nothing wrong with them, unless I’m stupid enough to prank myself!”

“Geee, errr, thanks I guess. Apology…well…errm…accepted” Applebloom sort of mumbled, grabbed the sweets in her mouth and slowly walked off with her two equally perplexed friends. Diamond felt good about herself, but when she turned she saw Silver Spoon looking at her with almost anger

“You’re being nice to them?”

“Look, the Apples are big suppliers to my dad…”

Silver Spoons face softened a little “Oh, so you were told to do it?”

“No, it’s just someday I may need to get along with her, so I don’t want to burn all my bridges. Sure, if we’re doing business I’m certain she would do whats best, but it’ll be easier on me, my dad, whatever if she didn’t hate me!”

“I see your point. Diamond, you are so smart!” her friend smiled “What about Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo, you can still be mean to those dodo’s right?”

“I guess not, and not just because they are friends with Applebroom…bloom.” Must stop calling her that otherwise I’ll keep saying it to her face “but because of how close their families, or whatever Scootaloo and Rainbow Dash have, are to each other.”

“And I guess their sisters and friends could turn is into stone, banish us to the moon or something?” Silver Spoon started laughing

“As far as I’m aware they only do that to Draconequus or Evil Alicorns, not wonderful fillies like us!” Diamond struck a pose and laughed back. It was good to share a bit of laughter with somepony.

“But I guess they are fair game” Silver had a smirk on her face, pointing to the side. Diamond looked over and saw Snips and Snails having one of their usual stupid arguments.

“Yep, I guess so!” Diamond replied with a grin spreading across her face. She had to be nice to the Cutie Mark Catastrophes, but this unicorn pair was all too easy to prank. And she was still herself after all...for the time being at least.