Sweet Things are made of These!
They both slowed down to a quick trot, “I think we got away.” Sweetie Belle laughed looking at Diamond Tiara.
Diamond gave a giggle in return but said nothing.
As they approached Sugarcube Corner they spotted Scootaloo, Apple Bloom, and Silver Spoon sitting together laughing. As the two of them approached the group they overheard a little bit about Featherweight.
Colt talk, of course... Her and Diamond shared a sarcastic gaze and a smile before announcing their presence.
“Hey, girls! We're here.” Sweetie said lightly looking around the group.
“Hey! We saved you two some bits so you could get what you wanted.” Silver Spoon said, pulling four bits out and handing them to Sweetie Belle.
She nodded and followed Diamond into the shop, Pinkie Pie was working that morning.
“Can we get some Daisy Sandwiches?” Diamond asked politely.
“Actually Tiara, I was hoping we could share a meal...”
“But won't they find that a bit weird?”
“Well they seemed fine with me earlier, I'm sure they'd be fine with you.”
Diamond seemed unsure of the notion but sighed, “Can we get a large salad to share?” she smiled at Sweetie Belle, “We can tell them that what I wanted was too expensive...”
“Okey Dokey, Anything else?” Pinkie Pie smiled brightly.
“Erm... Oh! My sisters eclairs! Can we get some of those eclairs my sisters always buying?” Sweetie pulled a very small sapphire out of her satchel and sat it on the counter. “Four please.”
“Sweetie, are you trying to make up for something?” Pinkie Pie said curiously then laughed and vanished into the back room. Shortly after she returned with a large baggy and quite a large bowl filled with a very fresh smelling salad, it was topped with carrots and potatoes chopped into perfect tiny squares. Pinkie had even gone as far as to write on the bag, “DO NOT TOUCH!”
“Just the way your sister likes it.” Tiara laughed as she took the bag in her mouth while Sweetie used her magic to carry their meal outside.
Sweetie sat the bowl on the table and took a seat next to Scootaloo and across from Apple Bloom.
Diamond took a seat between Sweetie Belle and Silver Spoon.
Setting the bag on the table, “Her sister's eclairs,” she explained briefly.
Sweetie took the first bite not really giving it any thought. She was just really hungry. Especially after last night. Diamond seemed to feel the same way because she wasted no time digging in.
Neither of them bothered to see the others reactions, that was until Scoot spoke up.
“So you're sharing meals with her now?” she had a small smile on her face as if she just found it amusing.
“We only had four bits, we had to get the eclairs too...” Sweetie said after swallowing her mouthful. “It was cheaper for us just to share a bowl.”
Unfortunately, Apple Bloom had to throw her two bits into the conversation. “I've eaten here a thousand times! That specific salad costs four bits, and those eclairs are usual sixteen bits each! And that's a big bag.”
“She has a point, how did you pay for it and why couldn't you just get separate meals? If you had the bits to spare for what? Three eclairs?” Scoot asked curiously
“Four.” It was Diamond Tiara who answered without looking at her friend or past enemies, the only pony she shared eye contact with was Sweetie Belle.
“I snatched one of the gems my sister gives me for an allowance. To replace her eclairs from the other night. Unfortunately, I only had one gem left.”
With a puzzled look, “But regular sandwiches, as well as salads, are still one or two bits each, right?” Apple Bloom questioned curiously.
“That's right!” Scoot said without skipping a beat she turned and added, “So why the sharing all of a sudden?”
Both Diamond Tiara and Sweetie Belle sat back and looked away from the group, in opposite directions. Neither replied.
Apple Bloom made a sound as if she were thinking, it wasn't quite a 'Hmmm' or a 'Hmph' sound but a sorta snort of them combined. With a hoof to her chin, she began thinking out loud, “You two spent an awfully long time in that bathroom together... you spent a lot of time gazing... you talked in your sleep...”
At that moment both Belle and Tiara looked at her then at each other wide eyed then back to her.
“Then you admit to being a filly fooler the moment we wake up..... then you both stay behind to shower... and now you share a meal...”
Everypony at the table just looked at Apple Bloom as her eyes grew wide in astonishment as she realized something. “You two!” she stood up in pure shock, “Are together!?”
Silver Spoon and Scootaloo both just looked at Sweetie Belle and Diamond Tiara in shock. Silver was next to speak, “I... I had a feeling something had happened. You're mood had changed drastically last night after you and Sweetie Belle had talked in the bathroom... but I hadn't expected this.”
Diamond looked at the ground, tears began to bubble at her eyes, “I didn't want you to find out... not yet.” She turned away for a moment then looked up at Silver Spoon, “You'll still be my friend... won't you?” she asked trying hard to keep her voice from shaking.
Silver Spoon put a hoof on her shoulder and smiled, without any words she pulled her into a tight hug. After they broke their embrace, “I'm happy for you. You're finally breaking through.”
“This is all very heartwarming and everything but I don't understand what just happened.” it was Scootaloo looking in shocked bewilderment, “I think I've lost the ability to think!” her eyes went wide and then she laughed, she looked around at all the ponies than her gaze rested on Sweetie Belle, “We may not agree with who you chose, at least not yet, but We're always here to support you and your decisions.”
Sweetie Belle smiled, “Good, because me and Tiara are together, and we need your help, all of your help.”
Apple Bloom finally sat back down, “Well I for one, don't agree at all with who she chose...” she grumbled quietly, then she looked at Sweet Belle, “But you are one of my bestest friends, so I won't judge your decisions neither.”
Sweetie Bell nodded her thanks then continued, “We just learned that my sister...”
“And my Father...”
In unison, “Are dating.”
Another round of gasps, before Sweetie continued, “We need to break them up somehow, any ideas?”
They all sat around pondering this idea before Silver Spoon spoke up, “Why should we break them up anyways? Is it worth destroying their happiness for your happiness?”
They both looked at each other and sighed. It had crossed Sweeties mind already, did she really want to ruin her sister's happiness? Apparently the same thought had crossed Tiara's mind.
With an awkward silence Scootaloo was next to speak, “Well I don't know about all this either to be honest, but I'll help out in whatever ways I can. I can eavesdrop on them or follow them around and see what they do.
Apple Bloom immediately shut this idea down, “Don't listen to Scoot, she'll get you into more trouble than it's worth, my suggestion, Either tell them yourselves or get some pony, someone they know well, to tell them... It isn't like sharing bad news and there is no reason to hide yourselves from those you love.”
“Apple Bloom, when were you so full of wisdom?” Sweetie asked curiously,
“I learned a lot from Granny Smith and Applejack when I was growin' up. And Honesty is one of those things my sister just won't let me live without.” She smirked, “Have fun trying to tell Rarity you're into Mares, especially this one here.” She swung a nod towards Diamond and giggled a little. “It's so weird!”
Diamond grew a darker shade of pink then continued eating, hiding her face behind rarities eclairs
Sweetie simply took another bite, and looked Tiara in the eyes, they both smirked and giggled. They shared a quick harmless kiss and watched as Scootaloo looked away embarrassed and Apple Bloom almost turned as pink as Diamond was. Both of them Giggled and so did Silver Spoon.
When Apple Bloom recovered, “No more of that, alright? You're gonna give me a heart attack!” she was still bright pink.
Scootaloo didn't have a word to say she just looked away and seemed to be in her own little world.
As they continue to talk and eat, eventually they all decided to head back to Rarity’s. As soon as they got there; Rarity was waiting in the kitchen tapping her hooves with quiet anger.“Why did you eat them.” she asked immediately.
“Actually, I gave them to Tiara because she was really upset last night...”
“Oh yeah?” using her magic, she revealed Scoots empty bottle. And everyone shared the same thought and gaze, “Could this have been the cause?”
“Actually; no.” Diamond side stepped in front Sweetie Belle, effectively blocking their views of each other, “Silvy, can you fetch my dad's letter and Ms. Rarity's scarf?”
Without question she ran upstairs, grabbed Diamonds satchel bag and reentered the room a moment later, Rarity's face had softened up a lot, simply to see Diamond Tiara stand up for her sister. “My father wrote me this letter and stashed it in my satchel without me noticing. Sweetie Belle was the one who found it and offered to try and make the sleepover work.” She tossed the letter across the room and it landed near Rarity's hooves. “You can read it for yourself if you haven't already, that is.” She looked at the scarf, Rarity had given her then turned around and wrapped it snugly around Sweeties' neck.
Scootaloo stepped forward while Rarity read, “And Ms, Rarity, I was the one who brought the bottle, I didn't know how the night was going to go and honestly I didn't want to deal with either of these two at all, so I brought it for myself. Though, I ended up sharing it with everypony once we had all seen what was in the letter.” she then turned around to see both Sweetie and Diamond staring at her, “Diamond, I'm sorry but me and Apple Bloom had stolen your letter and read it while you were in the bathroom, and I am sorry for not telling you sooner.”
Apple Bloom also stepped forward, “I'm sorry too. I'm an honest pony, like my sister. I swear.”
Silver Spoon stepped forward, “They had stolen it before I could stop them, after seeing their reactions... I had to read it. After reading it, I didn't want to upset you anymore, so I... I didn't say anything. Can you forgive me? Diamond?” this time it seemed Silver was on the verge of tears.
“Of course, I can, I forgive you all... for giving me a second chance. Especially you Silvy, you're my best friend and I'm glad you have stayed by my side through all the shit I've put you through,” she sighed and turned to Sweetie Belle, “I'm glad you saw that letter, though I'm even happier that you went so far out of your way to help a pony you despised, a pony who had tortured you and a pony who doesn't deserve your love.”
Sweetie was shocked at the last piece of the confession, her eyes darted back to rarity to see the same shocked look on her face. “Diamond... I-”
“Okay, what the hell's going on!” it was her sister. In a blind rage. She stomped across the kitchen towards them, All of them shrank beneath Rarity's rage. “I want to know what is going on this instant! I don't want you to beat around any bushes or whatever it is you had planned before getting here, I want the truth!” her face was so close to Sweetie Belles that she could feel her sister's anger radiating off her in massive waves of heat.
Sweetie's eyes began to produce tears as she shrank, “I... uh... I...”
Silver Spoon thought a moment, “Um Lady Rarity, We were sorry about the eclairs that were eaten, so we bought you some more while we were out for breakfast. Here...” she scooted the baggie forward with her nose and proceeded to back away and lay down.
Rarity backed off a moment, open the bag and peering into it, she looked back at them, “There's no way you fillies could have afforded these. Unless... she looked at Sweetie Belle, Did you use your entire allowance on these?”
“Most of it... well, the last of it,” she said still whimpering. Diamond Tiara had also shrunk back, her flank and shoulder touching Sweetie's
With a sigh, she moved the bag to the counter then sat down. “What's happened that I don't know about?” She asked in a much calmer voice though she sounded restrained.
“Well, sis. After I read that letter, I thought about what you had said... the sleepover being more about her than anypony else... I knew why you were right and I wanted to do what was right... So I did as much as I could to show her a good time... Eventually, she ran off to the bathroom...” she searched Tiara's eyes for approval, then shook her head.
Catching the hint, Tiara continued, “The conversation had shifted to Colts at school and well, I felt alone, secluded, simply left out. You see Ms. Rarity... I'm not into Colts... I... I just couldn't handle it. After reading that letter from Daddy... I couldn't handle anything else.. So I escaped to your restroom. Sweetie Belle followed me there as if she knew I was upset over something. So I let her in and confessed my issue. I’ve never opened up to any pony in my life, not even my Dad knew this about me.”
She gave Sweetie Belle a glance and nodded. “You see sis, I've also struggled to wonder why I have never found interest in the Colts around the school, I know you've tried finding some suitable Colts for me, here and elsewhere, but there was a reason for why I didn't like any of them. And frankly sis, I didn't know why either. Not until last night anyway.”
Rarity tapped her hoof again, “I understand, you two shared a moment, get to the point please?”
Sweetie Belle sighed, “I'm with Her.” she nodded towards Diamond Tiara, laying next to her. Tiara simply lowered her head and placed a hoof on top of one of Sweetie's
Rarity seemed like she was going to faint. She backed away from all five of them, tears in her eyes, she turned and ran through the front room and out the front door.
Scootaloo mumbled something and Apple Bloom spoke, “Well that coulda gone better...” She sighed and went up the stairs to gather her stuff, Scootaloo and Silver Spoon followed, silently agreeing to give the two a moment.
“I'm sorry Sweetie Belle, I shouldn't have said that. I'm so stupid!” Tiara was crying with her face in the bend of her hoof.
Sweetie bell sat up and laid a hoof across her shoulders then laid back down with her chin resting on the back of Tiara's neck. “It's alright Diamond, they had to find out somehow... I just wish she hadn't of ran off like that... It isn't like my sister to run off crying, out of her own house, much less explode and curse...”
“I feel like I've screwed everything up again... I'm always screwing everything up...” She started weeping heavily and all Sweetie Belle could do was rub her friends hoof and tell her she was wrong. It wasn't her fault... Sweetie Bell had actually expected what they got, but not quite so severe.
Apple Bloom was first to come back down the stairs but stopped upon seeing them laying together crying on the kitchen floor. Upon being spotted by Tiara she simply squinted her eyes trying not to cry, she silently retreated back up the stairs.
Tiara began shifting her forelegs and Sweetie sat up to let her move. “Sweetie Belle, I'm so sorry for putting you through all this shit since yesterday. So much has changed in just a few short hours, it doesn't feel real. I don't think it can be real.”
Sweetie didn't bother to dry her tears and simply leaned forward pressing her lips to Diamonds and pulling her as close as she could, she wrapped her hooves around Diamonds neck and allowed her tongue to explore. After a few more short moments she pulled away and pressed her forehead against Diamonds. “It is real, and it has happened... It doesn't take long to change a ponies heart if the pony is willing to change for the one she loves.”
“I suppose not,” she gave a weak smile. Even though it was weak, it was the smile that made Sweetie smile.
“I think my sister went to see Mr. Ri- your dad.” She hugged Tiara once more than headed towards the stairs.
“Sweetie, wait,” Diamond said
Sweetie stopped and turned around.
“Sweetie. It wasn't a lie... I do love you. I know it seems like I never did, but I have for a long time, and that's why it I always bullied you in particular. I didn't want to show any of my true feelings, much less believe in them. But once you and the other two got your Cutie Marks... I just couldn't stand to be around you or your friends, simply because by then my feelings were fully developed and I didn't know how to, or what to-”
“You don't have to explain yourself to me Diamond. Now come on, we need to get going.” Sweetie gave her a nod towards the staircase, “Let's get our your get things packed and get over to your place.”
With a sigh, Diamond nodded her agreement and followed Sweetie up the stairs. All three of their friends were waiting in silence and without any words spoken, Sweetie helped Tiara pack her Satchel. She nodded to her friends and they all followed her downstairs and out the door.
As they headed towards Tiara's home they both stopped and realized none of the other three had parted off to go home themselves, “You girls don't have to come with. Me and Diamond we already know what they're going to tell us.”
Silver Spoon answered first, “I'm her best friend, and I will be there for her, even when she doesn't need me.”
“Thank you Silvy,” Tiara said quietly.
“That's right, we're your best friends Sweetie, and we will be there for you even if you don't need us to be!” It was Apple Bloom and she seemed quite determined to be present, Scootaloo simply nodded her agreement.
Sweetie and Diamond shared a brief smile and then continued on. The others close behind.
As they neared Diamonds house she seemed to slow down until eventually coming to a complete stop. “I.. I don't think I can face Daddy...Not after that letter...Not after everything...”
Sweetie stopped and hooked her hooves around her giving her a tight hug, “You can do it! I know you can Tiara, You're a lot braver than you give yourself credit for.”
“You think?” she asked with a small smile.
“Of course, I think, what else would I be doing?” This earned her a small giggle and an even bigger smile.
“Alright, let's get this over with. I just hope the outcome is to our benefit.” Diamond said and began walking again. Sweetie Belle knew that the opposite was about to happen. She knew her sister wouldn't get so attached to any one stallion unless she intended to keep him. However, she decided to say nothing. Every drop of hope was needed to get through this.
When they reached the front door, Tiara hesitated but opened it slowly, inside was warm, “Daddy?” she questioned with a shaken voice.
“In here Sweetie.” It was her father's voice. They all filed in quietly. Tiara at the front of the group. She entered the room, shortly followed by Sweetie Bell and then the other three. Silver Spoon bringing up the rear.
“Daddy I-”
“Diamond Tiara,” he said cutting her off, he walked forward and sat down, wrapping a hoof around her he pulled her in close to him resting the end of his muzzle between her ears. He was crying, and so was Rarity, who sat on a couch not far from them. “My dear Diamond... I'm so happy for you. You've made friends. After all these years, I felt as if I had failed you as a father, and I know I haven't always been there for you in the past, I gave you everything your heart desired, I gave you the freedom to do whatever it was you set your heart to, rather that be sewing or ice skating. I know I've tried to be a father to you, but I know I haven't been a good one. I allowed you to abuse my generosity, I allowed you to take advantage of ponies and allowed you to harass and hurt other ponies. I've even allowed you to lose your own way and hurt yourself in the process. I know how much you must miss your mother, and I had hoped that by befriending Lady Rarity's sister I may earn your blessing and the ability to give you someone to look up to and a sister to share your time with. I felt as tho if I were to marry Ms. Rarity and be able to give you these things, you would be able to learn how to make more friends, how to be more friendly and more respectful to those around you.” he paused and looked at Rarity who simply looked away.
“Me and Rarity have talked, and I'm glad she came straight here after talking to you all,” he continued, “I understand that over the course of last night, some Whiskey or Rum or whatever had made its way into the punch bowl, I want you to know that letter I hid in your bag wasn't intended to hurt you. But rather to help you understand the position you've left me in. I wanted you to simply understand.”
Diamond pulled away from her father, “But what now?” she asked looking up at him, tears in her eyes.
Sweetie Belle stepped forward, “I'm sure my sister has already shared our news with you, Mr. Rich.”
“She has Sweetie Belle, and we've come to an agreement, Only a few weeks ago, we decided that before our relationship were to get too much more than business brunches and a few dates we would both talk to the two of you on our own. We wanted your blessings before making any decisions. But upon your revelations... Lady Rarity was heartbroken, she still is. However everything Her and I will ever do with our lives is for the benefit of you two and if you two are happy together than we're happy you're together. No matter what sort of relationship it may be, we're proud of you two.”
They both smiled and hugged again, Rarity had gotten up and walked over to stand beside Sweetie Belle. “You know how much of a shock this is, after hearing all the rude things you've said about this family over the years,” she gave her little sister a weak smile and giggled.
“I know, and you were right, they are good, honest ponies.” She smiled and hugged Rarity tight. “Thank you so much sis. You don't know how much she means to me. Even after only one night. I can't believe I couldn't see past my own nose.”
After a moment longer Sweetie Belle stepped back from her sister and smiled, turning towards Diamond and her father, “Diamond, Mr. Rich, I’m sorry, I’ve always had a view of your family as being rotten, money-bound tricksters and I’m really sorry about it. Can you forgive me?”
“Me too!” Applebloom said quietly from near the door where the rest had stopped.
“Me three.” Scootaloo looked at the ground with a bit of shame, “We shouldn’t have judged your family without really getting to know any of you.”
Filthy Rich frowned at the three of them. “Well, I hope you three have learned a lesson about respect. Everyone you see has a conflict, and I mean everypony. No matter who they are or, however happy they may seem. Even Pinkie Pie has her own issues to deal with, but that doesn’t stop her from smiling and having a good time.”
“But that’s Pinkie Pie, she’s always like that.” Apple Bloom said tilting her head to the side.
“Exactly, not all ponies react to their own issues the same. I’m sure all of you have had your own fears and problems to overcome as well as I have, Lady Rarity has, and so has Diamond here,” he placed a hoof on Diamonds head and stroked her mane affectionately.
Rarity spoke next, “I think it’s time you three went on home.” she looked and nodded at the three standing near the doorway.
As Scootaloo and Apple Bloom showed themselves out with a farewell to Sweetie Belle, Silver Spoon walked over to Diamond Tiara and gave her a hug, then turned and gave Filthy a hug. Without saying a word she turned and followed the other two out.
Rarity turned to Filthy Rich, “Mr. Rich, what now?”
“How about those eclairs? Isn’t there four of them?”
“Yes Daddy, we got her four… Well, Sweetie Belle did.”
Rarity frowned but turned towards the bag and grabbed it in her magic. opening it she levitated all four eclairs out of the bag and delivered one to each of them. “So my little sister is a filly-fooler, huh?” she smirked and moved the eclair out of Sweeties reach as she reached for it.
“Hey! Come on, I want one too!” Sweetie stood up and jumped into the air trying to catch the flying pastry. As the rest of them laughed Sweetie finally gave up. She sat down heavily and sighed, “Finnneeeee! You win, what do you want to know?”
“How much of that alcohol did you drink last night?” She asked with a wink. “And was it before or after the bathroom events?”
“Well Me, Apple Bloom and Scoot all had a light buzz going when those two arrived,” she nodded towards Diamond, “But to be honest, I don’t remember too much about that. There was so much more going on than just that…It was funny seeing how much of a lightweight Silver Spoon is.”
“I can agree with that!” Diamond Tiara said with a giggle, “She’s always been a lightweight, no matter how many times I get her drunk.” She immediately covered her muzzle with a hoof and lowered her head away from her father.
“Diamond, I already knew about your drinking habits, and I must say, you’re the lightweight out of the two of you.” he laughed a little, “I also know you keep safe when you are intoxicated, besides you’re old enough to drink so I see no reason for why I should be upset about it, besides, I drank when I was your age.”
Rarity finally lowered the pastry for her sister, “Why don’t you two run along and go do something. You know where I keep my gems, you can take one each, but no more.” She smiled as their faces lit up. Both of them turned and ran out the door thankful to be away from them.
“That was way too awkward!” Diamond said with a silent sigh of relief.
“Agreed. SO where do you want to go? It’s just us now.” Sweetie smiled and lead the way back towards her home.
“I haven’t the slightest clue to be perfectly honest,” she smiled and sped up to a quick trot, “Actually I do know! Two Diamonds right?” Why don’t we use them to go to the skating rink? I haven’t been there since Daddy took me when I was a filly!”
“I remember that place! I haven’t been there in a long time… not since I was trying to find my Cutie Mark.” She laughed and kept up beside Diamond Tiara.
“Hey Sweetie, How did that Cutie Mark Crusaders thing go? Did it actually help you three find your marks?” She asked curiously.
“Actually, it sort of did, It helped me and Scootaloo, but it didn’t help Apple Bloom. But she found hers shortly after Granny Smith died,” she looked down then back up. “We had all sorts of fun adventures and times back then, even with you two harassing us all the time.”
“Huh, I’d always thought the Crusaders thing was just a silly excuse to do all these different things.”
“It sorta was.” Belle tilted her head sideways and grinned. Once they had gotten to the Carousel Boutique she left Diamond waiting outside while she ran inside and grabbed two large gems and one small gem. Once she closed the door on her way out they were off to the skate arena.
“So Sweetie Belle, I wanted to say something to you… about earlier, when I had said that I loved you… It’s not that I don’t, but it’s just that I was feeling really...” she paused for a moment unable to think of the word then continued, “My emotions were just out of control, I don’t know why I jumped to that conclusion so fast, but I wasn’t lying either, I have liked you for a long time.” she stopped though she obviously had more to say.
After a long moment of silence, Sweetie simply smiled at her, “It’s alright Tiara. I understand.” she broke into a quick gallop and slapped her friend on the cheek with her tail, “Hurry up slowpoke!”
Diamond Tiara finally caught up to her just as they approached the arena. “Dear Celestia, why are you so fast!” she panted and laid down for a moment with her ears laid back.
Sweetie laughed, “It’s because I’m always running errands for my sister. Besides, I’m the lead mare voice in the school choirs. What’d you expect? That just because I’m beautiful and my sister is, well Rarity, that I’m not physically fit?” she laughed and laid down, breathing a little quickly.
“Actually yeah, kinda thought you were, well pampered.” She laughed and sat up.
“Well you’re right, I am kind of pampered, hell I can’t even cook. I burn everything I try to cook.”
“Didn’t your parents or sister ever teach you?” she asked curiously.
“They all tried, but it never worked. Then again, I burnt toast into a liquid when I was a filly,” she laughed and stood up, “Should we head in now?”
she laughed a little before she spoke. “Yeah, I just hope we don’t bump into anyone we know or rather who knows us.” Diamond gave her that frown she didn’t like to see.
“Who knows, anypony can be inside right now. I wouldn’t be surprised if we do bump into a few ponies.” Sweetie turned and walked towards the door, then stopped. Standing in front of the door, she was unseen from the street. The solid wooden door opened outwards, so there was no way anypony could see who was entering or exiting until they rounded the corner of the building. Sweetie turned towards Tiara and smiled.
“What?” Diamond asked with a small smile appearing on her face as Sweetie stepped towards her. Diamond moved to stand against the wall near the door as Sweetie stopped right before her and quickly pecked her on the cheek.
“You’re adorable when you expect something like that,” she blinked and opened the door next to Tiara and went inside. Tiara followed closely behind her but she was a darker shade of pink in the face.
As they approached the front counter, the gentlecolt behind the desk waved a hoof, welcoming them to the skating rink. “So, how can I help two young mares such as yourselves?”
“We’d like two pairs of skates, please.” Sweetie said pulling a small ruby out of her bag, “This should cover both pairs and can we also get two milkshakes?” she asked kindly and set the gem on the counter.
“Oh wow, a ruby? I’m sorry but we only accept bits here. Since we don’t really have the ability or funds to compensate for such valuables.”
“That’s alright, you can keep the change.” she said with a smile and with a small tilt of her head she twitched one of her ears and laid it down.
“Well, I suppose my manager wouldn’t mind…” he smiled, “Just let the snack counter know that you’ve already paid for two milkshakes, I’ll let them know as well.” He pulled two sets of skates out and passed them over the counter. “Have fun girls.”
“Thank you, Sir.” Diamond Tiara said with a smile before taking her skates to a nearby bench and slipping her hooves into them. When she tried to stand up she lost her balance and fell right back down, she blushed muttering something under her breath.
Sweetie Belle laughed and sat down next to her, using her magic she helped properly tie Diamonds skates as well as put her own on. “I think we should go slow… neither of us have worn these things in years.” She laughed and stood up without a problem. She pushed herself around to the other side of Tiara who was still struggling to keep on her feet.
Only failing a few more time she finally managed to stay standing, even though she wobbled and bobbed as she moved about, she got a grip on it easily enough. “Alright, I’m ready.”
They continued for a while just rolling around the lounge area before they finally moved into the arena. Tiara fell forward as soon as she stepped onto the slick smooth floor, her rump sticking up in the air and her tail flipped up over her arched back. Before she managed to get her front legs back under her, Sweetie Belle simply stood behind her laughing, “Wonderful view my friend, simply wonderful.”
This made Diamond go wide-eyed and blush profusely. without saying anything she ducked her head and swung her tail from side to side. Sweetie wasn’t sure if the tail thing was just a nervous tick or her trying to hide her flanks. She simply giggled and started moving alongside Tiara.
“What are you giggling at?” Tiara demanded, trying to hide a flustered face
“Oh me? Don’t worry,” she glanced at Tiara’s tail again, “It’s nothing,” she leaned forward and whispered into Tiara’s ear, “You know, you’re just so adorable when you’re embarrassed.” She said before quickly taking off across the arena, only to hear a gasp from behind her and then something heavy hit the floor. She turned around to see Diamond standing back up.
“Sweetie Belle!” Diamond started skating with ease in pursuit of her. “I’ll drown you for that!”
Sweetie couldn’t help but laugh and take off in the opposite direction, circling around the arena with Tiara close behind. After awhile an idea crossed her mind… She stopped and turned towards Diamond, who ran right into her, sending them both to the floor. “Tiara… Don’t you know how to use your breaks?”
“Not…” she sat up, “...Exactly.” with a sigh and small shake of her head, “How about we go get those milkshakes now and get these skates off.” Diamond started towards the exit of the arena, Sweetie Belle followed.
“Your tail’s doing it again,” She observed.
Diamond stopped, half way out of the arena, and looked back at her, “Doing what again?”
“What are you so nervous about this time? It’s just a milkshake.” Sweetie Belle smiled and stepped past her leaving the arena.
“What did you mean my tails doing something!” Diamond demanded.
“Oh, if you’re gonna talk like that, I’ll just keep it as a secret until you apologize.” She smirked cleverly and giggled happily.
Tiara simply blew her mane out of her face and took a seat. “Sweetie… can you help me get these things off?” She asked quietly as she fiddled with the string in her mouth.
“Sure, babe.” Sweetie smirked as her tail started to sway again and her face lit up. Using her magic she unstrung all of Diamonds skates and removed them from her hooves. She then did the same with her own skates. “Okay let’s go get the ice cream!”
“Sounds good,” Diamond said still blushing. They walked up to the counter and ordered their drinks, the mare behind the counter had gotten their prepayment and didn’t say a word about it. They thanked her and took their seat in a booth not far from the arcade entrance.
Diamond sighed and laid her head on the table, “Look, I know you like the idea of us being a secret, but can you please tone it down a little bit with making me blush? Some pony is bound to notice it…” She seemed genuinely concerned and somewhat upset over the matter.
Sweetie casually sucked at the straw in her shake after a moment she pushed it aside and looked Tiara in the eye. “I didn’t know it was that big of a deal to you. I suppose I can stop teasing you, at least in public.” She smiled and winked, “No guarantees when we’re alone.”
“That’s fine.” Tiara smiled and started drinking her shake.
At that moment, two colts ventured out of the arcade section, Snips and Snails. They both stopped and Snips laughed, “I thought the two of you were mortal enemies! Now you’re both here drinking milkshakes together?”
Snails answered, “Yeah, like a date or something!” he shook his head in that oddly tilted fashion he had always done.
Diamond stood up, surprisingly she was taller than Sweetie had thought, at least, compared to Snips and Snails, she towered over Snips short fat body, however, she was eye level with Snails, maybe a little shorter. “Listen here, Just because me and Silvy have solved our problems with Sweetie Belle and her friends doesn’t mean I’m willing to be your friend.” Snips and Snails had both backed away from the hot pink mare, retreating to the prize counter right around the corner of from their seats.
“Wow, Tiara…”
“What? They were being rude…”
“But they hadn’t done anything wrong. They were, well, being Snips and Snails.” Sweetie shrugged, “Oh well.”
Tiara simply looked over into the arcade, avoiding eye contact with Sweetie Belle for a moment while drinking her milkshake. After a few moments of thought, she turned and looked across the table, “Sweetie, want to go play some games? I’m sure we can exchange one of those gems for TONS of tokens!”
“But they don’t accept gems here, we got lucky they took the ruby,” she frowned, “Though I’d like to, I haven’t been back there since Scootaloo and Button Mash drug me in. That was a long time ago too.”
“Well, maybe somebody has a lot of tokens and is willing to share?” Diamond asked hopefully, “Or trade for a gem maybe?”
Sweetie smiled and finished off her milkshake, “Sure, let's see if Button Mash is in there, he’s always got tons of extra tokens, and he practically lives here.” They both shared a laugh and got up and headed in.
Sure enough, there was Button Mash, sitting there playing his favorite game, “Zombie Pegasus: Bloody Reigns”, he’d beaten it countless times, but he liked to keep beating his high scores, A lot of ponies had nicknamed him High Score since he owned the first spot in nearly all the arcade games here!
“Hey, Button! I had a favor to ask you,” Sweetie Belle asked.
“Uh-huh, what?” he didn’t look away from the screen.
“Um, do you have any extra tokens me and Diamond can use? I can give you this Sapphire,” she pulled out and held the beautiful rock in between using her magic.
“My tokens? Do you need some? All of ‘em are in my bag.” He nodded his head towards a satchel that was leaning against the side of the machine, “Just leave the bits in the front pocket, 'kay?”
“Really? Just like that? Not even a sideways glance?” Diamond asked but didn’t seem to be heard.
“Damnit!” his eyes went wide for a moment but then a huge grin grew across his face. “HIGH SCORE! Got it again!” He turned towards the two of them, “Oh hey Sweetie, How long ya been standing there?” his vision fell on the pony standing just behind Sweetie, “Uhh… hey there Diamond Tiara… umm…. Sweetie, am I dreaming here or are you actually hanging out with her?”
“You know I can hear you right?” Diamond asked sarcastically.
“Don’t worry Button, Me and her are friends now.” Sweetie smiled though Button didn’t seem to be convinced but he kept his mouth shut.
“Well, take as many as you want.” He flipped open his bag to reveal the bag was still half full of game tokens, a few hundred easily.
“Oh wow!” Sweetie dropped the Sapphire on top of the tokens and took only about 30 or 40 tokens, “If we need more we’ll come find you, okay?”
He glanced at Diamond Tiara, who awkwardly smiled, “Umm… sure I’ll be here, or there, or somewhere.”
As they both left Button to his game, Diamond spoke first, her tail drug across the ground and her ears were flat, “See, ponies just don’t like me, they judge me immediately because of my past actions towards them or others.”
Sweetie paused and looked at the pony, “It’s alright Diamond, you’ve just started recovering, they’ll learn that the old you is gone and that a better you is here, and eventually they’ll know the new you is mine.” she winked and headed towards the Skeeball machines at the back of the room. Diamond smiled and followed close behind her, Sweetie bell turned her head to catch Diamond looking at her Cutie Mark.
“You know, in all the time I’ve known you, even before you got your Cutie Mark, I’ve only heard you sing three times. Every time was with Scootaloo and Apple Bloom… I’ve never heard just your voice sing.”
“You will, eventually.” She smiled and put the tokens into the machine, seven small wooden balls rolled out and the game came alive with lights and sounds. Belle gripped one in her hoof and rolled it up the alley just to watch it bounce off the “100” point pocket hole and roll down to the “10” point hole.
She stepped aside and offered Diamond a turn but she refused. “I’ve never played this game. I’ve never played any of these games,” she turned away and blushed, her tail swaying back and forth in embarrassment.
“Here let me teach you then,” she picked up the ball and rolled it, “Just roll the ball, hard, and try to make it into the holes with the most points labeled above them.” The ball bounced up into the air and landed in the “50” point slot. “See, fifty points right there! The more points you earn, the more tickets you get. The more tickets we get, the more prizes we can get!” She smiled and offered another ball.
Diamond gripped it and positioned herself in front of the skeeball machine. She hesitated for a moment, glancing around the room before confidence danced across her face. She watched as Diamond flung the ball as hard as she could down the center of the Skeeball lane, it flew up at the end and sank straight into one of the “100” point corner pocket.
The machine made a noise at the same moment Diamond jumped in excitement and with a shout that was drowned out by the machine; she quickly corrected herself with a cough and a small sway of the tail.
“There you go again, with the tail!”
“What do you mean?” Diamond asked looking at her tail.
“I’ve noticed you do that whenever you get nervous or embarrassed.”
“Do what? It’s not doing anything… is it?” she glanced at her tail again nervously, it just swayed back and forth. “I don’t see what you're talking about.”
“You’re tail, it gets thick and puffy, and then it sways back and forth rather quickly as if trying to find a place to hide. Also seems like it wants to hide whatever it can from the view of other ponies.” She giggled, “See,” she pointed at her tail. “It never gets that thick normally and usually it doesn’t sway in that awkward attempt to hide your flanks. Only when you’re nervous or embarrassed.”
“How did you notice something like that?” She seemed to think about the question for a moment, which made Sweetie Belle think, ‘You know how.’ Even though Sweetie didn’t need to say it, her smile was all Diamond needed, “Know what, never mind.” she said blushing once again.
Sweetie simply laughed and continued playing. Diamond eventually got into the games and for every game she tried, she succeeded to become adept at it. They played all sorts of games and eventually used their last few tokens. Turning to Button Mash for more they were able to play around in the arcade for several more hours, well into the night.
Once they had exhausted themselves Diamond finally sat down. “Great Celestia, I hadn’t realized how fun those things are… I can’t believe I beat Button’s high score on Parasprites: Locked and Loaded,” she smiled with her muzzle up in the air.
“I can’t believe you can dance like that, didn’t expect you to be the kind of pony to be able to dance.” Sweetie laughed and started walking out of the arcade, “Gotta use the little fillies room.” she said over her shoulder.
As expected, “Wait, I’ll come with you.” Diamond said quickly catching up to her.
They walked into the restroom to find it empty. Diamond walked to the sink and ran some water over her hooves, then over her face. “I can’t believe I forgot to grab my makeup!” she said just as Sweetie Belle exited the stall behind her.
Sweetie walked up next to her and looked at herself standing next to Tiara in the mirror, “You know, we do look cute together.” She turned to look at Tiara and gave her a soft kiss on the cheek.
Tiara had turned towards her and placed a hoof against her cheek, “You’ve helped me so much… Thank you.” She wrapped her hoof around the back of Sweetie’s neck and pulled her into an open-mouthed kiss, Diamonds tongue begging to be let in. She allowed it, letting Tiara’s tongue explore the inside of her mouth while she lightly caressed Diamonds tongue with her own. After a few more slow-motion moments they heard the door being to move. Immediately they broke apart and looked at the door, it was Twist.
She simply stood there in the doorway staring at the two of them a moment longer before slowly backing out of the room and letting the door swing close.
“Well then…” Diamond smiled, “I suppose we should get going.” She smacked Sweetie’s flank lightly with her tail, “Lets head back to my place. Daddy won’t be home until later tonight if at all, especially if he’s with your sister.” She gave Sweetie a soft smile and headed towards the door. Sweetie followed her through the main lobby and out the door.
Sweetie shivered, “It’s cold out here.” she looked up at the rising moon. “Wanna race me?”
“Not really, I’m still sore from falling all over the arena,” She said walking slower. “My hooves hurt!” she complained, with a smile. “I think my knees are going to fall off!” She continued to talk in her old sassy voice from when she was a filly.
“Come on Diamond, don’t start that up,” she grinned a little with amusement. “I thought you were in a hurry to get some private time with me,” she made a cute little face and just stared at Tiara, “Race me?”
“You have a good point.” She smiled and took off at full speed, Sweetie Belle laughed and chased after her.
