Silver at Your Service.

Silver Spoon avoided eye contact with Diamond Tiara for the rest of the day. She knew that Diamond would blame her entirely for their history project being outshone by that of the Cutie Mark Crusaders. She sat nervously as the other students came up in their groups to present their work. They were all very creative; some acted out battle scenes, many created sculptures, and there was even a puppet show!

Silver Spoon observed the other ponies proudly showing off their projects, taking it in turns to explain the concept and giving one another credit for a job well done. The rest of the class was applauding and admiring the work of their peers. Everyone was having a great time; it was a nice break from their regular classes.

The bell rang, and Cheerilee congratulated the young ponies,

“Well done every pony, some fantastic work today! Have a great weekend and we will be back to our usual schedule on Monday.”

Silver Spoon followed her friend out the class; Diamond was clearly not in the best mood.

“I can’t believe that stupid project got them a gold star.” She grumbled, “I told you we should’ve added more gem stones. You never listen to me!”

Silver was contemplating a response; she wasn’t so sure that it was the sculpture which had let them down. Suddenly the Cutie Mark Crusaders passed by, they looked cheerful and eager for the weekend,

“Great job girls.” Applebloom smiled, “Maybe we’ll get our cutie marks in arts and crafts.”

Diamond gazed over at the fillies, with eyes full of hatred and jealousy. Silver Spoon felt a similar way; she couldn’t stand those three. They had no cutie marks, they had no luxury, they weren’t gifted or bought up in rich families, and yet… they were so happy. Every time she saw them they were laughing and playing together, enjoying every minute of each other’s company - this made her very angry.

Diamond always jumped at an opportunity to rain on their parade, and Silver Spoon was never far behind.

“Cutie marks for doing homework? I’ve never heard of anything more ridiculous.” Diamond taunted the fillies.

Silver Spoon saw her chance to redeem herself in Diamond Tiara’s eyes,

“Can you even imagine what that would look like Di?” She pointed at each of the Curie Mark Crusaders in turn, “A terrible cardboard cut-out, a splash of paint, and an unidentifiable scribble.”

Sweetie Belle was the eager to retaliate, “You guys are just jealous because our project won us a gold star.”

Diamond scoffed, “You might have a pointless gold star for your little artwork, but it wasn’t good enough to earn you a cutie mark, not even one that resembles a sloppy mess.”

The three fillies looked a little sad; she had a point. If their project was so great, why did they still have blank flanks?

Diamond wasn’t finished, “Aw don’t be miserable.” She teased, “If you did get a cutie mark for something as ridiculous as homework, you’d be a complete laughing stock. Cutie marks should represent something you can be proud of, like mine.” She smiled proudly at her own flank, which held the image of a decorative tiara.

“I gained my cutie mark because my father bought a jewellery store, which meant I could have all the jewellery and diamonds that I wanted. My father had terrible taste, and only I could tell what was really valuable. I had a natural gift for luxury, and wouldn’t accept anything but the best. It wasn’t long before I got my cutie mark, and my father had a tiara specially crafted to match it.” She pointed at the diamond studded tiara on her head; indeed it looked exactly like her cutie mark.

“Tell them how you got your cutie mark Silver.” Diamond motioned her friend,

This was no problem for Silver Spoon. Her cutie mark was an elegant spoon with a heart-shaped handle; it looked very impressive.

“My family are so rich; they only eat at the most expensive five star restaurants.” She boasted, finally gaining a smile from Diamond Tiara. “After tasting meals from all around Equestria, I gained my cutie mark, because ponies in our family only settle for the finest cuisine.” Silver felt relaxed, she had told this story so many times, even she had started to believe that it was the truth.

“See,” Diamond finished, “That is what a cutie mark should be for, not for some silly little history project or manual labour.” The two set off laughing, leaving the Cutie Mark Crucaders looking sadly at their blank flanks, and Silver Spoon felt much, much better.

They walked past Diamond Tiara’s large three story house. It was a beautiful building, with pale bricks and plants decorating every door and window.

“Well Silver, we certainly put those three back in their place.” Diamond smiled, “See you tomorrow.”

Silver felt relieved that the two of them were still on good terms. She continued toward her own home, which was a little more formal, but every bit as impressive as Diamond Tiara’s. Her house looked like a small castle, which stood proudly upon a small hill overlooking several other buildings owned by her family.

When she opened the door, she was greeted by her father, a tall dark grey earth pony; he was neatly dressed in a waistcoat and tie, with a nearly trimmed mane. His cutie mark was a butter knife, with a blue diamond shaped handle.

“Silver Spoon, good you’re home.” He spoke in a firm tone, “Hurry up and finish your homework; I need you to work a late shift at the restaurant tonight.”

Silver smiled, “Sure Daddy.” She went straight to her room.

The afternoon seemed to drag, but soon it was time for work. As she was putting on her uniform, she admired how much the frilled apron suited her. It was then that Silver Spoon she felt an odd mixture of joy and sadness. The truth is, Silver Spoon had been lying to Diamond Tiara about how she earned her cutie mark, and she had been lying to everyone at school.

Silver’s family were rich, and they had travelled all over Equestria tasting fancy cuisine – at least, her parents had. Her father eventually purchased his own restaurant just outside of Ponyville. It was a huge success, an elegant atmosphere, exquisite decor, beautiful music, and the food was second to none. Rich ponies came from all over to eat there, they even had a few celebrities now and then, but it was incredibly rare that any regular pony from Ponyville visited the restaurant.

The business was a huge success, until one day when there was a dispute between two of the waitresses, involving an incident where food had been delivered to the wrong table. One of them lost her temper, and quit on the spot, leaving the team under staffed. Silver’s father was called, and at first he began to panic. Silver Spoon had just finished laying the dining room table at the time, and she approached her dad find out what was wrong.

It was at this moment that Silver’s father noticed how well his daughter had prepared the table. On a whim, he asked if she would like to give waitressing a try. Silver Spoon was hesitant at first, but after seeing her father stressing out, she realised how important the restaurant was to him. She took the shift, and was surprised not only at how good she was, but also at how much she really enjoyed working at the restaurant. Laying out the cutlery, providing excellent service, and most importantly; being given praise and credit from both the customers and the co-workers.

Silver Spoon was such a credit to the team, that she was offered more shifts, then more. Soon she was not only a waitress, she worked in the kitchens, she cooked, she cleaned, and she loved every minute of it. Before she knew it, her cutie mark appeared. It was a fancy looking spoon, representing her excellent quality service. Being a young filly, Silver was not able to work full time until she came of age, but she now worked at the restaurant every weekend, and some nights after school. This job was Silver’s joy in life; it made her happy, it made her feel needed and appreciated.

However, Silver Spoon could never mention to Diamond that she was a part-time waitress - the thought of such a thing made her sick to her stomach. She was supposed to be eating at fanciful restaurants every night - not working at one. This was almost as pathetic as the idea of the cutie mark crusaders; getting their cutie marks for homework! If Diamond Tiara knew that Silver Spoon had gained her cutie mark from working hard, from providing a service to other ponies, she would certainly be disgusted - she would disown her!

Silver sighed, and finished put on her uniform - it really did look so good on her. She clipped her mane back and gave her glasses a wipe to clear the lenses before setting off toward the restaurant.

When Silver Spoon arrived, she was given a warm welcome by a group of five ponies. The other staff members were all very happy to have the young filly working with them tonight.

“Silver there you are! Looking beautiful as ever!” One of the chefs laughed, he was a large unicorn, with a stylish moustache and a large build.

A cheerful brown mare stepped forward, “We’re in for a busy night, fully booked once again! Hope you’re up for it!”

“Always!” Silver smiled back at the group, she was certainly appreciated here.

The ponies got to work.

The shift was going great. Silver pulled out the chairs for her customers, presented their menus, took their orders and served their meals. Every pony was impressed by the food as always, and as always, Silver Spoon was given credit for her services, and a ton of tips. It was such an enjoyable routine, collecting the orders and taking them to the tables.

“Enjoy your meal,” She bowed her head a little politely after delivering a meal to a well dressed unicorn family, “Please let me know if you need anything.”

“Thank you…. Silver Spoon.” Said a high pitched voice, in a rather confused manner.

Silver froze, her ears pricked up; she knew that voice. She looked up wide eyed, into the face of… Sweetie Belle.

For a few seconds she couldn’t speak, couldn’t move, she actually hoped in all her heart that this was a dream or… something! Sweetie Belle couldn’t know she worked here, Diamond couldn’t know. She had to make up some sort of excuse… but… how?

“Oh um, hello Sweetie Belle is it?” She asked, clearly knowing the young filly’s name. “W…what are you doin… erm I mean it’s odd to see yo…”

Sweetie Belle chimed in happily, as though she had completely forgotten the event previously that day, “My sister Rarity designed some amazing dresses for a performing arts company.” She motioned toward her sister, a beautiful unicorn with a swirling purple mane. “They paid her a lot so she’s treating us all to a luxury meal!”

Silver gulped, “Oh I see urm, well, you see I don’t work her, I don’t really work here… I’m just um…”

“Silver Spoon these need taking to table four!” A waiter shouted impatiently.

“Oh uh, of cause” Silver Spoon looked panicked, then gave a nervous smile at the family, and left.

For the remainder of her shift, Silver Spoon was on edge. She couldn’t relax; she wondered what on earth Diamond Tiara would say if she found out about her little job. Sweetie Belle was surely going to mention it at school - she would be a laughing stock. Silver’s mind was going crazy, she was playing out scenarios in her head, of Diamond laughing at her, calling her a loser, and the rest of the class joining in.

Her mind was on nothing else, and then it happened – Silver crashed into a table and fell, dropping four meals all over the floor, and over herself.