A Diamond in the Rough

“Di, Di are you there?” Silver Spoon paced nervously outside her friend’s glistening manor.

She knew Diamond Tiara must be inside; she wouldn’t have caught the train alone, after all Silver had purposely not given Diamond any details about the location of the imaginary design shop, 'Sparkling Wonder'. Silver had been planning on choosing a place at random once they reached the station, or… something.

The anxious young earth pony looked up into her friends bedroom window. The satin curtains were half closed, restricting her view. Just then, Silver noticed a figure. It was only present for a moment, but she made out a pointed pink ear, and a tiara.

“Di, please, just hear me out!” Silver Spoon pleaded, the figure disappeared.

The grey filly sighed; she really had blown it this time. She had let Diamond down, and left her alone with those blank flanks. Silver lowered her head and stared sadly at the ground, then turned to walk away, just as the front door of the manor opened.

Diamond Tiara silently approached her - she did not look happy. Silver tried to not let this worry her, after all she was going to tell her friend everything, right now. She was going to explain all about her job, about bumping into Sweetie Belle, about the secret, and her fears… and Diamond would accept her - she knew she would.

As her friend approached, Silver took a deep breath and was about to speak, but Diamond beat her to the mark.

“What on earth was all that about?” She bellowed, “You made me look like a right fool in front of those blank flanks!”

Once again, Silver felt her knees begin to shake, Diamond was fuming.

“They were standing there all smug when you ran away - when you disobeyed me - I was literally a laughing stock! All you had to do was kick their ball! That was it! When I tell you to do something, you do it! But no, you ran away, like a little cry baby, like you were afraid of them or something. You abandoned me Silver, I thought you were my friend!”

“Di… I…” Silver’s voice was shaking; she had never seen Diamond Tiara so angry before.

“Those stupid blank flanks, they’re never going to let me live this down. I’m forever going to be ridiculed by that flightless pegasus, that dim-witted unicorn, and that pathetic work horse!”

Silver gulped at the words ‘pathetic work horse’ Diamond often insulted Applebloom for working on her family’s farm - this was nothing new - but Silver wondered if Diamond would think she was a pathetic work horse too. Her nerves came rushing back; perhaps now was not a good time to tell Diamond the truth after all.

“Di I…I’m sorry, I’m sorry I… just…” Silver began to sob.

Diamond didn’t seem to care much for the reasoning behind Silver Spoons behaviour - all she cared about was being humiliated in front of those blank flanks. She rolled her eyes as her friend continued to cry, and then turned away and began to walk back into her home. Diamond took a final glance at the distressed filly on her doorstep. Silver Spoon had lifted the long plat in her mane, holding it up to her face in a hopeless attempt to dry her eyes. She was whimpering, and shaking uncontrollably.

Diamond rolled her eyes once more, she then sighed, and spoke in a calmer tone;

“Come with me, I… have something for you.” The pink earth pony walked into her home,

Silver looked up, surprised at her friend’s sudden change of tone. She was stunned for a moment, and then hurriedly followed to keep up with Diamond Tiara.

The inside of Diamond’s house was huge and beautiful. Everything from the walls, to the floor, to the décor glistened elegantly; it was like the inside of a palace. The walls themselves were covered in golden-framed paintings, and a magnificent glass chandelier hung from the ceiling. There were several maid ponies walking around, and a gigantic stair case which lead right up to the third floor.

Without another word, Diamond lead the way upstairs, and along the corridor to her room. Diamonds room was beautiful, her king-sized bed had a brass frame, and she owned more toys than the entire pony Kindergarten and Daycare centre put together. Diamond lead Silver Spoon over to a pine desk in the corner. She opened the drawer, and held out four pieces of paper for her tearful friend’s attention – they were tickets.

Diamond spoke in a mellow tone, as though she was still a little annoyed,

“My family is going to Manehatten for the summer, they said I can bring a friend, so…” She handed one of the tickets to Silver Spoon, who looked up in amazement.

Silver couldn’t believe her ears, she thought Diamond was furious with her, but she was inviting her to Manehatten? She instantly stopped crying and accepted the ticket. The two had visited Manehatten before for a fortnight when they were younger. It was an enormous city filled with famous ponies, top showcases, and restaurants suited for royalty. They had an amazing time, and it was one of Silver Spoons fondest memories.

Her sadness instantly changed to overwhelming excitement and joy,

“Thank you Di, thank you so much I… I’d love to go with you.” She looked down at the tickets, and then noticed the dates.“Wait, Di, these tickets… they’re for…”

“Yup, five whole months.” Diamond smiled, “My daddy purchased a house in the city, when its refurbished we’re going to stay with him. Daddy is going to be working with some of the top business ponies in Manehatten, and he’s gotten us a private tutor, so we won’t even have to go to school.”

Silver could hardly contain herself; this was a dream come true. She was so relieved and thankful that Diamond hadn’t fallen out with her, and had instead given her this wonderful gift.

“That’s incredible Di, thank you thank you so much!” She reached out and hugged her friend, Diamond patted her back a little reluctantly but then smiled,

“Yeah yeah, I am pretty incredible.” Diamond smiled, “Are we going shopping or what?”

“Of cause,” Silver smiled awkwardly before adding, “How about we just go to the Carousel Boutique this time?”

She blushed and Diamond Tiara gave a lazy smile, she obviously knew something was up. She didn't question it though, and walked ahead, once again Silver followed.

The two young fillies spent the rest of the day together. They visited the Carousel Boutique; a magnificent clothing store owned by Sweetie Belles sister Rarity, a skilled dress maker who often used gemstones in her designs. Silver thought Rarity’s stock was perfect; there was something for every pony, in every style and colour imaginable. Elegant dresses were displayed on the mannequins, and there were hat stands in every corner. This seasons range was displayed at the front of the store, showing shoes and accessories matched up with ideal outfits. Silver really admired Rarity's work - she wouldn’t say this out loud though. Diamond however, spent a lot of time studying every item in the store, being rather critical.

“Do you have this in a slightly darker tone? It doesn’t match well with my completion.” She complained, pointing at a dress.

“Oh… well, not at the moment but, if you’d like to put in a request…” Rarity tried to compromise. The glamorous unicorn was very well spoken and polite.

“And this hat, could you change the ribbon so it matches my tail a little better? Make it more… wavy.” Diamond ordered, as though Rarity could simply alter her stock in the blink of an eye.

The designer pony seemed a little overwhelmed. She used her magic to lift a notepad and pen, and started writing down all of Diamond Tiara’s demands. Despite having problems with everything in the store, Diamond still tried on and bought quite a lot of merchandise. Silver Spoon looked over at Rarity before they left; she seemed rather stressed out.

Next, the two fillies stopped by Sugarcube Corner. The building itself looked like a giant dessert, and was run by Mr and Mrs cake. The two kind ponies took pride in their business, but seemed a little on edge when Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon entered.

"Just give us the usual," Diamond ordered,

Mrs Cake nodded, and handing the fillies two slices of strawberry cheesecake, and two milkshakes. They paid, and Diamond added, "It's a bit stuffy in here, let's go and sit outside."

They left, and sat down at a table close to the cake shop. It was a nice day, many ponies were out and about enjoying the sunshine. Diamond was her usual self, confident and sassy, and making comments about pretty much every pony who passed by.

“Raindrops could really use some mane extensions. Her style is so choppy, and she needs her split ends sorting out too.” Diamond said loudly as a yellow pegasus flew past.

The weather pony looked down at the two, then lifted her mane with her hoof, as if trying to work out if the comment was valid.

A turquoise unicorn then skipped by their table in a cheerful manner, Diamond looked at her,

“And what’s with the way Lyra prances around everywhere with her head in the clouds? She’s always so spaced out all the time; no wonder she can’t get a real job.”

The unicorn turned her head as she overheard the comment, and Silver Spoon noticed her facial expression change; she looked rather hurt.

“And is it just me, or does Berry Punch’s perfume always smell like she’s just bathed in a giant pot of jam or something? There are so many different perfumes to choose from, made from actual flowers, so why in Equestria would you choose to smell like fruit?”

A purple earth pony with a grape and strawberry cutie mark, stopped in her tracks. She lowered her head and kicked at the ground, before turning and walking back the other way.

It was the first time Silver had noticed the reactions of the other ponies, when Diamond made comments like that. She remembered how afraid she was that Diamond would tease her about the waitress job, and she began to wonder if any of these ponies felt the same way, when Diamond insulted them.

Silver reached into her satchel and pulled out the ticket to Manehatten under the table. Many ponies were still walking by, and therefore Diamond was still talking, giving Silver a minute to think.

Manehatten was going to be incredible. Sure, they would have to get some pony to do her shifts at the restaurant for five whole months, but they had a lot more staff now, surely some pony could fill in for her, it wouldn’t be a problem… right?

Silver planned to ensure her and Diamond had such a great time together in Manehatten, that when they returned, she could tell her friend all about her secret waitressing life, and Diamond would accept her without a second thought. For this plan to work, she had to stand by Diamond Tiara. She had to nod and appear to agree with every harsh word her friend said, even though she really didn’t:

Silver Spoon quite liked Raindrops hair; it was stylishly windswept and spikey.

She liked how Lyra was so carefree; she really seemed to enjoy having a simple, happy life.

Berry Punch’s perfume scent reminded Silver of the delicious fruit cocktails that Berry passed around town to every pony during Summer. She really liked that, too.

When they were finished with their cake and milkshakes, Silver and Diamond next visited the market to buy stationary for school. Diamond Tiara didn’t care much for school supplies, but she liked to buy glittery gel pens to show off to their classmates. It was then Silver noticed the sky growing darker; it was almost time for her shift.

Diamond Tiara seemed a little tired from all the walking, and the shops were starting to close, so the two headed home. Silver waved goodbye to her friend as they reached the door of Diamond’s manor. She didn’t usually see Diamond on Sundays any more, as she had to work during the day, so Silver had made up a story to Diamond, telling her that on Sunday’s, she went to visit her mother outside of Ponyville.

Silver Spoon’s mother was a successful actress, she had been in many movies and productions, and was currently travelling all over Equestria with her agency, working on a huge motion picture. At least, that's what she was doing the last time Silver heard from her, which was almost an entire year ago.

After the young pony returned home from her eventful day, she grabbed a sandwich and a glass of milk from the kitchen, then hurried upstairs and changed into her uniform. As she admired herself in the mirror once more, Silver heard the front door open, and the maid politely greet her father as he entered the building. Silver ran downstairs; her dad would surely be impressed that she was already dressed and ready for work.

“Welcome home daddy,” Silver smiled hopefully up at the stallion. He looked at her pitifully, and then wiped his forehead before replying,

“Oh, Silver Spoon, I think... I think it’s probably best you take today off, don't you?

Silver was speechless, so he continued,

"In fact, you should take the rest of the weekend off. You see, I had a word with the chef, and we think it’s in the best interest of the business, and your own health. You clearly weren’t well yesterday.”

Silver’s eyes widened,

“W…what… but Daddy I… I’m fine!” She tried to explain,

Her father maintained a stern expression,

“Sorry darling, but we have already gotten another pony to work your shift for today and tomorrow, please understand. Daddy has had a very hard day, he doesn’t have time to argue.”

Silver gasped. Another pony? To do her entire weekend's worth of shifts? But… she was the best! They had her, so why would they be willing to settle for some pony else?

“Wh… what other pony?” Silver became agitated,

“Oh some mare from the café in town.” Her father added, “She’s a little older than you, and comes from a good family, so I offered her a position.”

He seemed to notice his daughters disappointment and added, “Don’t worry, she will mainly be working during the hours you’re at school, she will just be doing a weekend here and there if we’re busy. She won’t step on your toes.”

As Silver’s father left the room without another word, the young pony didn’t know quite how to feel. That.... was reassuring but… she messes up once and her father decides to hire another pony? What would he do if he knew she was planning to leave the restaurant for five whole months? Would this other pony be as good as her? Would she be better than her? She had to know, she couldn’t stand it, she had to go to the restaurant tomorrow and find out just who this new mare was.