Reunion
Blank Flank
Chapter 1
Reunion
It all started with a school house. Originally, it had been a barn, but the red wooden shack had been added onto, converted, and reinforced, till it barely resembled its old self, and was habitable for the children of a small town like Ponyville. Most students didn’t know or cared about the buildings origins; all they knew is that the adults in their life made them go there, once a day, five days a week. For most it was the worst kind of prison their young minds could imagine. Adult hood would make sitting at a desk for hours a day seem trivial, and to some, enjoyable. Cheerlie had been a good teacher after all; friendly, smart; she seemed, to a young filly at least, to know everything there was to know.
Still, some had it worse than others. Like any sort of prison, a school house has superiors; it has victims, and it has its harassers. Diamond Tiara was top dog in her little town, with a family wealth that allowed to her get whatever she wanted, and get away with just as much. School, she felt, was beneath her. Worst of it were the self-righteous Blank Flanks and their self-proclaimed crusade. Every day they were causing a ruckus, every day a new adventure, a new mess. ‘Why couldn’t they just be quiet and learn their place?’ She used to think. Their adventures lead to Diamond Tiara, and whatever followers she could gather, to tease the group mercilessly. She personally made their lives as much a hell as she could, a fact she was quite proud of.
But this story isn’t about her childhood. Childhood ends, people mature, girls become women, and as time goes by, as the next generation of Ponyville looked at the school house, they looked less with disgruntled aggravation, and more with nostalgic longing. The Cutie Mark Crusaders, each in turn, found their talents. Scootaloo, the hot-headed and hyper eager of the bunch, found her talent in stunts and speed. She joined a racing group, not quite as popular as the Wonderbolts, but her stunts have made her famous. Her wings, spritely enough to propel her on her scooter, never developed enough to get her off the ground. She spends her weekends talking to children with ‘disabilities’, encouraging them, remind them that, like her, anything is possible with enough effort and pride.
Applebloom found her talent for construction. Like most of her family, she never grew too far from her roots, and will probably never Ponyville for more than a few weeks at a time. She’s happy, living in a remodeled (and vastly enlarged) version of her childhood tree house, right in the middle of her family’s apple orchard. She makes a living fixing and building homes all around town. With the vast expansion they’ve been experiencing, she has become quite busy. She likes it this way, hard work and sweat makes her feel proud, and she enjoys what she does. But this labor has come with the price of precious little free time, and she has become increasingly distant from the other Crusaders. She is barely aware of this fact.
Sweetie Belle, the youngest of the Crusaders by a year, grew the slowest after her early schooling. She spent a few years as her Sister’s assistant, helping with her ever expanding business. After this, she took time off for school. She spent three years trying to decide what her passion was, and despite being the only mare in her year to still not find her talent, remained positive with the constant encouragement of her friends. Still, secretly she began to doubt herself. She jumped from major to major, from teaching, to painting, to cooking (an endeavor that ended with the largest fire Ponyville University has ever recorded). Terrible thoughts of a life without the passion and drive like that of her friends began to taunt her. Her persistence was awarded however, quite unsuspectedly one day at an open mic night at her college campus. She had always been a talented singer, and had been quite proud of it, but she never much thought of it. Singing came as naturally to her as breathing, and we don’t stress too much thought about how much air is in our lungs. But that night she got up on stage, nervous but smiling, and one verse in she was bellowing her notes with such intensity, that by the time she finished, the crowd erupted in a sea of applause. She was asked to return for another night. By the third night her cutie mark, at long last, had appeared.
But there were other fillies at that school as well, and the Cutie Mark Crusaders were not the only ones who had grown. After completing her schooling, Diamond Tiara had her whole life already waiting: she had a trust fund, and the strict direction of her father guiding her into the cut-throat world of business. She took to it like a fish like water, surpassing even her father’s dream for her. A take-no-prisoners attitude, and a talent for attacking weakness, soon made a name for her, and by the time other ponies were finishing college, she had already established herself as an up-and-coming business tycoon. Her money touched almost every part of Ponyville, and the Diamond Rich bank is still the largest building in town square. She influenced business, brought a financial flow that helped the small town of Ponyville grow in the eyes of the world. But her growth was more than financial; Diamond Tiara becomes a women. Her emotional tantrums were quieted, and she became a figure of respect and tactful thinking. For a time, she discovered a strange, but pleasant, romance with her former friend Silver Spoon. The two exchanged power plays, and at Silver’s request, dived into a world of strange pleasures. Still, years of abuse is not easily forgotten, and after Diamond Tiara single friend left for Manehattan, the young business women was left quiet alone. She had pushed away anyone who might have been a friend, and after the passing of her father, she was left with her business and her business alone. All work and no play made Diamond Tiara a very lonely girl. The passing of her father left a longing that she could not fill alone, so she explored other methods.
This is where our story begins. Most ponies were shocked that such a celebrity like Diamond Tiara would show up for something as silly as a school reunion. Most people expected her to be too busy with business in the big city Manehattan, or even the capital Canterlot. And yet, there she was, quietly standing in the back of the room in an expensive suit, stirring at a cup of fruit punch and staring at it as if she wasn’t sure what she was supposed to do with it.
In truth Diamond Tiara herself didn’t know why she had chosen to come to this little gathering. True, the rich manor estate was still her home, and still rested in Ponyville. But she had no particularly good memory of this school. In hindsight, it all seemed very standard. She had classes, she had a few friends, people she liked, people she didn’t. The most that stood out in her memory was her old rivals, the Cutie Mark Crusaders. Local legends, they were supposed to take some time from their busy schedule to make an appearance today. So why couldn’t she?
“I have to admit, Miss Tiara” a withered voice ended the staring contest between Diamond and her drink. “I am surprised you showed up. I don’t recall you being one of my most… social students.”
Cheerlie, Diamond Tiara’s former school teacher, had aged considerably sense the last time Diamond had seen her. Her pink and powder colored mane was streaked with grey, and crow’s feet had clawed under her eyes. Her eyes now looked at her through half-moon glasses, but there were just as bright and kind as any other day. She was smiling at Diamond, in a way that was completely sincere, but still put Diamond on edge.
“Uh, yeah…. I guess I didn’t have anything better planned today.”
Diamond phone began to ring on her belt. She ignored it, becoming transfixed on her punch cup again. Cheerlie giggled next to her.
“I’m sure. Well, whatever your reasons for being here Tiara, I hope you find it. After all the drama that happened here, I’m sure we’re all glad to be passed it.”
“Yeah…” Diamond didn’t know how to respond. Most of the drama Cheerlie was referring too was her own doing.
It was no secret that she had been the school yard bully. At the time, she had justified it by saying they were beneath her social class; A horrible argument in hindsight really. Still, there was nothing that could be done about it now. Diamond Threw the fruit punch back like it was scotch, but unfortunately it didn’t have the same effect.
There was the sound of a roaring engine from outside, and excited chatter just outside the school house door (The little building was much too small for the entire graduate class). The next moment, the door burst open, and the three mares everyone had been waiting to see waltzed through the door.
“Sorry we’re late.” Scootaloo was the first to enter, an overconfident swagger in her step. She was also the most jarring in appearance. She had been a touch rebellious as a child, but now it was blown into proportion: Two thirds of her head had been shaved down, and the magenta strip that remained covered only one half. Her bare hairline had been trimmed into the shape of a lightning bolt. Her leather jacket, torn pants, and ‘devil-may-care’ t-shirt complete her punk look.
Behind her was Applebloom, wringing her hands on an already dirty handkerchief. The same grease spotted her over-all’s, which held a hammer, a few nails, a pen, and a pad of paper in the pouch. She seemed to be wearing a dress shirt under them, but Diamond got the feeling she had just ran here from her last job. Her signature pink bow was still her hair, but it was now tied around the end of a very messy braid. She looked as descrambled as she did working on the farm.
“Yeah. Hi everyone. What’s up?”
She sounded rushed, almost as if she was being forced to be here. Behind them both came a soft giggling noise, and a horn about a head shorter than the other too gave a small bounce. Diamond looked at it from the corner of the room with a curious frown.
Almost at once, ponies began to swarm Scootaloo. She was something of a celebrity herself, her stunt show just getting back from her first tour. Unlike Diamond however, it was all too clear why she had chosen to come to this reunion; laughing as she signed autographs, bragging about her daring feats of defying death, commenting on her absurd hair. She loved the attention. Applebloom began to socialize with a couple of ponies she remembered from school. But her attention was always drawn back to the notepad in her pocket, where she kept scribbling little ideas and pictures for buildings. As the two parted, Diamond Tiara got a brief glance at the third former crusader. She registered a smile and green eyes before a crowd rushed passed her to get to Scootaloo.
“Watch it!” She growled after them, mopping up punch from the front of her shirt. “This shirt is one hundred percent Neigh-gypt cotton. It’s worth more then-…” But no one was listening. Growling furiously, Diamond Tiara turned back to the snack table, muttering.
She had just reached out for a cupcake (She was on a very strict diet of course, but she needed the splurge at the moment) when another pony had pumped into her from behind.
“Does anyone in this school watch where they’re going!” She swerved on the spot to start calling the stupid klutz out, and froze when she saw it was Applebloom.
Applebloom didn’t seem to notice her at first, nose stuck in her notepad. It didn’t take her long to look up though, and when she saw Diamond staring at her she blinked. Diamond supposed, like her, Applebloom didn’t know what to say and an unsettling silence fell between them. Applebloom looked down at Diamond’s front and finally broke it.
“Nice shirt.”
“Thank you. You… too.” Diamond faltered as she looked down at the grease covered overalls.
Applebloom fallowed her gaze and fumed, muttering something about not having time to change. “I haven’ seen yah around in a while. Where yah been at?”
Something coiled in Diamonds stomach. The edge in Applebloom’s voice made her uncomfortable “Manehattan mostly, lots of business and trade going on around there...”
“And you came back for this?” Applebloom made a gesture around the crowded classroom. She gave a sharp laugh. “That doesn’t sound like the Diamond Tiara I remember.”
Diamond Tiara didn’t even flinch, she simply nodded. “We were kids, it was stupid.”
“Well…. One of us was.”
Diamond narrowed her eyes at her.
Applebloom smirked, meeting Diamond’s eyes with equal intensity. It was rare that Diamond could be stared down by anyone, but there was something decisively off about Applebloom.
Desperate to escape the mounting tension, Diamond Tiara made a fake excuse to go use the ladies room, and hurried into the crowd. The small school had been even more crowded as ponies came piling from inside to get a look at Scootaloo or talk to Applebloom. Diamond Tiara was pushed and shoved along, and somewhere along the mess she got a second cup of punch spilled over her. She didn’t know why she couldn’t bring herself to say she was sorry. It was just two little words, and it wasn’t as if she didn’t regret all the things she did in her youth… But she had just been a stupid child, certainly that deserved some leniency. She caught a brief listen at Scootaloo boasting about some daring stunt and rolled her eyes, and furiously made her way towards the door.
She almost didn’t see her, and if the unicorn hadn’t given a sharp gasp at her approach, Diamond probably would have plowed right into her. Diamond was able to stop herself just in time, and looked down at the final member of the Cutie Mark Crusaders.
She was shorter than the other two, and the most moderately dressed. Her legs were hugged by a very tight looking pair of blue jeans, and her white tank-top was poking out of a nice blue collared shirt. Her mint green eyes and pale complexion was impossible to mistaken, even now. She also gave Diamond Tiara the second sincere smile she had seen that evening.
“Oh, I didn’t know you were coming.” She chirped.
“That seems to be the theme today. Hello, er, Sweetie Belle right?” Diamond extended her hand. She might as well start off on the right foot with someone at this party.
Sweetie Belle’s round face broke into the largest grin and shook Diamond Tiara’s hand firmly. “It’s nice to meet you again Diamond Tiara. I’ve heard a lot about your success, Rarity has a couple of magazines about you, calls you a business wizard.”
“That’s nice of you to say.” Diamond was fighting not to smile “But I’m sure you don’t mean all of that. Consider how we actually were in school, I don’t think you’re actually happy to see me.”
Sweetie Belle tilted her head like a confused puppy. “Why wouldn’t I? Because you used to be a bully? We were just kids, right? What’s the point in holding grudges?”
Diamond Tiara frowned. This had been the last thing she expected from any of the crusaders. “That’s… oddly mature of you Sweetie Belle.”
Sweetie giggled. “Well, thanks for that vote of confidence!”
“I didn’t mean it like that” Diamond said hastily.
Sweetie waved it away, still smiling. “It’s fine, I know what you mean. I don’t know, things don’t go quite the way you planned in life, I guess I just learned to roll with things. I just don’t let anything get me down anymore.” Sweetie’s eyes were sparkling with a kind of self-pride. Diamond was astonished by Sweetie’s growth. That growth hadn’t translated much into height though, Sweetie Belle barely came up to Diamond’s shoulders. Diamond couldn’t help it; she actually found it pretty cute.
“Do you want to get some punch?” Sweetie asked brightly. Diamond shuffled her feet.
“I’d rather not to be honest… I think there are two too many mares that have it out for me back in there.”
Sweetie face fell. “What, you mean Applebloom and Scootaloo? They might be a bit more abrasive, but I’m sure if you just gave it time and-“
“I said no thank you.” Diamond said firmly, her eyes flashing. Sweetie Belle bit her tongue, gazing up at Diamond with a small whimper. Diamond flushed. How could she possibly be this cute? Diamond Tiara, recognizing the hot flushing sensation in her face, found it suddenly more urgent than ever to leave. “You should go socialize Sweetie Belle. I think it’s time for me to leave.”
“But I just got here-“
“And you have the entire evening to enjoy yourself. I’ve had my fill.” She made a step towards the door. But Sweetie made a move, almost as if to block her, and Diamond’s arm brushed past hers. She stopped, looking back at the only mare besides her former teacher to treat her kindly, and blushed. “Thank you Sweetie Belle, it was very nice to see you again.”
Diamond barely heard her mutter ‘you too’ before she escaped into the cool air of the deserted school grounds. She gave a long ragged sigh, and tried in vain to control her racing heartbeat. What had just happened? She had known for quite some time now that she had been attracted to girls, but honestly, Sweetie Belle?! Of all people to find attractive, it had to be one she relentlessly bullied in her youth.
“…. I think I need a drink.” She muttered to no one. Digging her hands in her pockets, she made her way down to the car waiting for her at the foot of the hill. “And I don’t mean fruit punch.”
Chapter 2
Business as usual
The celebration the night before had left a bad taste in Diamond’s mouth. The appearance of the old rivals, and the unexpected reaction to Sweetie Belle’s appearance, was a very shacking experience. She was glad to be back home, though she didn’t arrive to the manor till late that night. Though she was dragging her feet and feeling heavy bags under her eyes, Diamond Tiara went straight to her office on the second floor. Her single night off had left a stack of papers six inches thick on her in-box.
She sighed. “That’s what I get for taking a personal day in peak season.”
She grumbled, pulling a chair up and sitting down to work. She picked up the first page on the top of the stack, read it over, and signed her name at the bottom. And then she did the same for the next page. And she did the same for the next, and the next, and the next. Hours ticked by as she sat in her desk, scrawling names by lamp light. The only sound was the ticking of the grandfather clock in the corner and the scratching of her pen.
The smoldering summer heat and steady tick, tick, tick, of the clock behind her drifted Diamond Tiara into a warm state of rest. She found it harder and harder to keep her eyes on the papers she was supposed to be signing. Her thoughts became steadily foggier, dreamlike, till they made no sense at all. Bits and pieces around her desk began to look like diamonds. She tried to reach out to them, but her hands wouldn’t move. She had work to do, the treasures needed to be counted. That was her job, counting treasure. She looked around the desk again, but the diamonds were swirling in and out of focus. She concentrated on one, and found that they weren’t just diamonds. They were bells, each of them sparkling in the pale light of her office, twinkling on the desk in front of her like captured stars.
The door at her office swung slowly open, letting in a gust of wind that rang through the diamond bells. Their sound was beautiful, the most beautiful thing she had ever heard. A figure walked in through her doorway, a short but curvy unicorn. She was shrouded by a blinding light that came from nowhere and everywhere at once. Diamond Tiara raised an arm to shield her eyes, before she remembered that she couldn’t move them. They had somehow tied themselves to her chair. She should have been more concerned, but somehow, she couldn’t bring herself to think of anything more than the beautiful sound of the bells around her.
The figure walked right through Diamond Tiara’s desk, staring down at her. It wasn’t much of a change, even sitting down Diamond Tiara only come down to the angel’s neck line. The pony, her hair moving in the same unfelt wind that ran through her diamond bells, leaned closer to Diamond Tiara. Her lips were closing in on the sweet girls, reaching out with soft arms.
Diamond Tiara suddenly sat bolt upright, an ink smudge on her cheek and one of her documents stuck to her face, damped by drool. She had passed out in the middle of her work. Wiping her mouth on her sleeve, she turned to check the time. Ten past two in the morning, no wonder she was so tired.
She groaned, pressing her palms over her eyes and trying to flesh out the dream she had been having. It had been a strange one, something about a blinding light and bells made from crystal. There had been an angel in it to. Wait, not an angel, a unicorn. She had been so bright though, and her giggle had been as sweet as the bells. Maybe that’s where she got her name.
Diamond gave a sharp intake of breath at the realization of exactly WHO had been invading her dream. She was clearly too tired to think straight, it was time for bed, the rest of her paperwork would have to wait till morning.
Giving a yawn, Diamond turned off her light and headed for bed. The hallway between her office and her bedroom was decorated with family portraits and framed magazine covers, showing her beautiful face. In one she was shaking hands with the mayor of Ponyville, standing in front of a construction site with a hard hat over her styled hair. It had been the day they broke ground on her new bank. Another showed her stand, arms crossed, in front of a large tower in Manehattan: her ‘hostile takeover’ over of Silver Shinning exports.
An old oil painting showed her grandfather, Stinking Rich, back when he was just a few years older than she was now. He was giving an award winning smile and standing in front of a mounted deer head, leaning on a golf club like a cane. He had passed a year before she graduated. The next was a painting of her father, Filthy Rich, with a jar of zap apple jam in both hands and a toothy grin. His eyes, even in the painting, looked shrewd and watchful. Diamond frowned darkly at the painting, trying to avoid her dead father’s eyes. The last painting was covered, and Diamond strode past it in a hurry, refusing to think about the dead women’s smile and beautiful hair.
Finally, she reached her bedroom. In her youth, this had been her father’s bedroom, now it was hers: The rich manor master bedroom overlooked the courtyard, blocked now by silky white curtains. Expensive white furniture and a four poster bed lined the rooms. Everything was clean and neat, scrubbed to perfection by her maid. Diamond sighed, taking her tiara off from her neat bun and placing it on the dressed next to the bed. She still wore the tiny crown, even today. Some days it felt like a badge of honor, a symbol of her conquest and success. Other’s it just felt heavy…
She changed silently into her night gown, tied her hair into curls, and finally curled up into her silken sheets. The strange thing was that she was no longer tired. Physically she was exhausted, but despite having slipped into dream not twenty minutes ago, she could no longer find herself drifting into sleep. She tossed and turned, rolling over in her sheets. It was nearly three in the morning before she finally fell back asleep.
* * *
Seven AM rolled around much too soon for Diamond Tiara, and she was abruptly pulled from her dreams by a blaring alarm. She groaned, and then reached out to slam it off. She sat up, and after a moment of wrestling with the idea of being conscious, started to get dressed. After she had managed to squeeze herself into a pair of pants and a vest, she grabbed her papers and headed downstairs to fix herself some breakfast. Her family used to have a cook, but Diamond had not liked the idea of so many people coming into her home. She preferred to do things herself now. She set a plate of sausage and eggs down at the coffee table by her kitchen window. She didn’t like to eat in the grand dining room unless she was making an impression; too many empty seats.
Diamond started at her eggs while she finished off the last of her paperwork from the night before. Only a few to finish now and she would have time to go into town before her next business call. There was a little sweet shop she used to frequent in her school days, and for some reason, she was craving a low-carb chocolate milkshake. She scrawled the last paper with a flourish on her signature, and gave a smile of triumph. Done, the last one. She packed up the papers into her leather purse, and left for town.
Ponyville square had grown more than anyone had anticipated; perhaps it had been the combined efforts of business women like Diamond Tiara and Rarity, or the former residence of a royal princess. Whatever the reason, wealth and success had flown into the tiny town like a blessing, increasing popularity and production until the town barely resembled it’s old self. Town square used to be a cramped little circle around town hall, with dirt roads and a bridge to the local boutique. Now, the square was as bustling as a city block, centered around a large stone fountain, depicting a unicorn, a Pegasus, and an earth pony all sprouting water from their mouths into the basin bellow. The largest building rested across from the fountain, was a bank with large marble pillars, and the familiar symbol of a diamond engraved above its doors. Ponies were pouring in and out of it like ants, and Diamond couldn’t help but smirk.
Other buildings included the town hall, which remained unchanged except for marble pillars in place of wooden beams, a familiar coffee shop with a few homes build above it, and the second branch of Carousel Boutique, with madam Rarity’s latest collection displayed in its glass windows. Finally, tucked in the alley of two larger buildings, was sugar cube corner. It remained just the same as it always had, like a time capsule of Diamond Tiara’s childhood, just as small and colorful as it had always been. She hadn’t visited it in years, but she knew that the owners made enough to get by, if just barely. Something like guilt tugged at Diamond’s heartstrings, but she couldn’t rationalize anyway she was responsible, so she ignored it.
The bell above the door ringed as Diamond entered, and the few patrons inside turned their heads to look at her. The usual reactions swept over the ponies, each in turn. There was the single long stare, followed by the sudden eye bulge of recognition. Then they would turn to the nearest pony by their side and start to whisper excitedly. Tiara ignored this and made her way to the counter. A portly mare with a blue coat and sherbet pink hair smiled at her from the counter.
“Miss Tiara! I heard you were back in town, did you enjoy the reunion last night?”
“I’d like a low-carb chocolate milkshake please.” Diamond said flatly. She was not keen on discussing last night.
Misses’ Cake looked rather taken aback at the response, but nodded. “Right away.” She said, then turned back to start preparing her order.
Diamond took an empty table near the back of the shop, in hopes of curving people’s temptation to come and talk to her. She didn’t socialize well unless on business, at the moment she was just quenching a craving. Her phone began to buzz on her belt and she sighed, taking it from her clip and reading over the message on it.
“Damn, another foreclosure. I need to get back to Manehattan sometime and sort this out; it’s starting to get ridiculous.” She started a reply when the bell rang again.
She glanced up from her screen casually, and then did a double take. Sweetie Belle was standing in the doorway in almost the exact same outfit from last night, the only difference was that she had lost the blue dress shirt and was sporting the simple tank-top. Misses Cake came out to the corner to greet her, smiling and waving.
“Good morning Sweetie! The usual?”
“Mhm! With extra cookie crumbles on top! And maybe a giant cookie if you have them.” She fished into her pants for her wallet, but when she peered inside of it, her face fell. “On second thought, just the milkshake today.” She muttered, sliding the bits across the counter.
Misses Cake smiled sadly at her. “That’s alright dearie, we had an over bake on cookies anyway. I’ll throw in a couple for free.”
Sweetie smiled gratefully at her, but just nodded. Diamond Tiara watched this exchange with another bang of guilt she couldn’t quite rationalize. Before she could stop herself, she spoke up. “Money troubles Sweetie?”
Sweetie Belle whirled around quickly, looking wide eyed at Diamond Tiara in the corner. Her face was shocked at first, but a split second later, it broke into the same wide grin she wore at the reunion.
“Tiara!” She cried, leaping to the seat across from her like a spring. “What are you doing here? I thought Sugar Cube Corner would be a little hum-drum for your taste.”
Diamond shuffled her feet. Truth be told, it usually was. “I just had a craving is all; I guess last night inspired some kind of nostalgia. That’s not a crime you know.”
Sweetie giggled, nodding her head in agreement. Every movement she made seemed to make her bounce. “You’re allowed! I just come by her every morning if I can afford it.”
“So I see…. What was that earlier, you looked disappointed.”
Sweetie’s face fell again, and she looked away from Diamond down at the floor. “Oh… That. Well, I’ve had some money troubles lately, that’s all. I guess there’s not a lot of work in Ponyville for an aspiring musician.”
“I’m… sorry. What about your sister, she’s been pretty successful hasn’t she? Couldn’t she help you?”
“Oh I couldn’t!” Sweetie Belle looked shocked at the very idea. “She’s done so much for me already; I couldn’t ask her for money on top of all that! I’ll get by… it’ll just take time.” She smiled at Tiara, and despite all the problems she must have been facing, Diamond couldn’t help but feel its sincerity. And she was shocked by the young mare’s growth for the second time.
“Order up!” Misses Cake called over to both of the mares from the counter, smiling as she slid two whip-cream topped glasses over the counter. “Don’t let me bother you two.” She gave a wink, and Diamond nearly snarled at her. Just what was she insinuating?
Sweetie Belle didn’t even seem to notice. She jumped from her seat and snatched up the two glasses and sprinted them back to their table that Diamond Tiara barely had time to blink.
“That was… quick.” Diamond frowned as Sweetie slid her dessert towards her.
“I’m kind of like that!” Sweetie said proudly, smiling ever wider. “So…. What were you saying?”
“Where do you work?” Diamond blurted out, raising the glass to her lips.
“There’s a local club that lets me sing on weeknights. It’s nothing like Broadway or anything, but I make decent enough money to survive.”
“A… lounge singer? That’s all?”
Sweetie Belle shrank even more, and her ears flattened against her skull. “Well you don’t have to be so blunt about it.”
“Well it’s just that, everyone else has moved on to such big things. I thought that with your talent you’d be further along.”
Sweetie Belle’s ears jumped up and she looked up at Diamond Tiara with an eager smile and a squeak in her voice. “You really think I’m talented?!”
Diamond Tiara jumped at Sweetie’s burst of energy. “Well… more talented than a local entertainment at least.”
“Well I’m just starting out is all!” Sweetie was grinning wildly again. “I’m going to get some tours later this year, I can just feel it! But Rarity had always taught me to be patient and optimistic, never give up no matter how hard it gets, and that’s exactly what I’ve been doing! It’s going to be great when I become the next Sapphire Shores! I love her, and one day I’m going to sing on stage with her, I can just FEEL it, you know?!” Sweetie’s voice had been growing gradually louder, and now half the sweet shop was turning to look at them. It was Diamond turn’s to shrink into her seat.
“It means a lot to me to have people believe in me though. Scootaloo and Applebloom have a lot of faith in me, I know it, but they’ve been so distant with their own destinies lately. And I don’t blame them, of course they are!”
Diamond Tiara frowned. She didn’t have the strongest grip of ‘social interaction’, but she had always thought that those three annoying fillies would be together forever. It was strange to hear that they were growing further apart, like some unwritten rule was being broken.
“That doesn’t sound like your friends.” She muttered.
“Well, they both discovered their cutie marks a lot quicker than I did. I was the blank flank out of the group for the longest time.” She giggled at the old nickname.
Diamond Tiara felt another pang of guilt. This one she did recognize though; Blank Flank had been the old nickname she had used to torment the three fillies. How could Sweetie Belle use it so casually?
“So, I guess I’ve got a bit of catching up to do, but I’ll do it! Then we’ll all be friends again.” Sweetie’s smile faltered, becoming just a little bit sad, and she bowed her head slightly. “Yeah…. That’s what’s gonna happen.”
Something cold and knotted at formed in Diamond’s stomach. She swallowed as she tried to work it out, but she couldn’t break her gaze from Sweetie Belle.
“When’s your next show?” she asked.
“Tonight, I’m doing a song I’ve wanted to do sense high school.”
“I understand if you refuse.” Diamond said, her usual business manor creeping into her voice. “But I would like to attend.” It was the only thing she could think to do.
Sweetie Belle nearly exploded. Her mouth stretched into such a wide grin that Diamond was sure it would hurt. “You mean it?!” She shouted so loud everyone turned to look at her. “You want to see my show?! Oh that would be GREAT! You can come tonight, here, let me just right down the address for you!”
She snatched a napkin from the table and scribbled the address and club name down. She leaned over the table and pressed it so forcefully into Diamond’s chest that she felt some of the air leave her lungs.
“Wear whatever you want! I can’t wait for you to see it; it’s going to be so much fun!” Sweetie Belle checked her watched and gasped. “Oh my gosh, I’ve got to go, my shift starts in ten minutes.” She grabbed her milk shake and downed it three gulps. She screamed something about ‘Brain Freeze!’ and then ran for the door. She stopped for only a moment to wave eagerly back at Diamond, and then she was gone.
“You know, I’ve only seen one other pony with that kind of energy. You should take care of her Miss Tiara.” Misses Cake winked again from the counter.
“I’ll be taking my leave now Misses Cake.” Diamond Tiara left with her milkshake untouched.
* * *
Three business calls, a video conference, and another stack of paperwork later, Diamond Tiara was finished with her business for the evening. It was nearly sundown, and she was getting ready to make good on her promise to see Sweetie Belle’s show, it was only a matter of what to wear. This was proving to be quite a challenge, she was more eager than ever to see this done. Somewhere in the course of arguing with crusty older colts across the globe, a plan had formed in the back of her Tiara’s mind. A plan that might ease Sweetie Belle’s financial struggle. She could hire her as an assistant, someone to help her with her business arrangements, maybe keep her place tidy. It wouldn’t exactly be her field of choice, but she could afford to pay her properly, and she’d still be free to explore her passions.
Still, as she modeled a couple of her flashier dresses, Diamond Tiara dressed a small prickling thought that had been eating her all day: The other former crusaders didn’t need nor want her help, but why did she feel so obligated to help Sweetie Belle? She wasn’t related to her by any sort of blood or marriage, and she couldn’t quite call the two of them ‘friends’. She hadn’t seen her in years, and the last time they had been together, she had been the terrible bully that everyone remembered. So why, after only two days, was she dressing up to see her show? And taking time out of her busy day to form a plan to help her? It seemed absurd. Could this be her attempt to try and erase some of the horrible things she did in school? Yes, that seemed correct, but somehow, some deep part of her told her there was more to it than that. Still, whatever it was, it could wait. Diamond Tiara finally picked a sleek red sleeveless dress, decorated with her trademark diamond on the side. Modest, but beautiful; to be expected from a Rarity Original.
The club was not hard to find, but it was a fair distance from Diamond’s home. The entertainment mile of Ponyville was located a distance behind the famous boutique, and was a long stretch of some moderate clubs, a few very upscale theaters, a grand art studio, and a single seedy casino. Sweetie’s club was a black building down the road a bit called ‘The Oasis’. There was a bouncer in a black shirt and shade at the doors, and a line behind a velvet robe.
This was her club? It didn’t seem that bad in person. The bouncer didn’t even ask to see her ID, the moment he recognized her and opened the door for her (Much to the outrage of those ahead of her in line). The interior was so lavish that Diamond was actually taken aback. She had expected some seedy watering hole, on the same financial standard as Sugar Cube Corner. But with the velvet seating’s, dark interior lit by the single chandelier and individual candles at each table, and the staff dressed in black collar uniforms, The Oasis was building up to be the kind of club that Diamond Tiara would visit on a regular basis.
A handsome blue stallion standing a podium smiled at her. “Diamond Tiara! Sweetie Belle told us you might be coming, we have a private table set up for you up by the stage. I’m afraid our kitchen is a little understaffed at the moment, but we have a full drink menu if you’re interested.”
“White Russian with a Cherry Noir. Have it brought to my table.” She slid a bill into the colts hand. “Make it quick.”
“Yes Ma’am!” The colt said excitedly. He waved at the bartender and then turned back to her “If you’ll kindly fallow me to your seat.”
Diamond’s private table wasn’t just by the stage; it was darn near pushed up next to it. The stage itself was lit brighter than the rest of the club, and made it stand out in the large dark room.
Her pink white drink was brought to her within minutes, and Diamond Tiara happily nursed it, feeling more nervous by the second. What was she doing her? She should be back home, working.
She didn’t have long to wait though, ten minutes later the lights of the club began to dim and a spotlight hit center stage. Diamond Tiara clutched her glass tightly, drawing her eyes to the beam of light. The same blue colt from earlier walked to center stage, clearing his throat before approaching a microphone set up in front of him. He tapped it twice, and content with how the acoustic sounded, began to address the crowd.
“Good evening ladies and gentlemen, and Welcome to The Oasis, the premium little watering hole in the ever expanding Ponyville. Tonight we have a very special guest with us, and we would like to welcome her to our establishment. Miss Diamond Tiara, the local business shark, has decided to grace us with her esteemed presence.” The colt made a gesture to Diamond in the front row. She frowned at him. Something about the word 'Shark' was oddly flattering to her, but she didn't think he meant it that way. “With that in mind, we have a special show planned tonight. Many of our regulars will be familiar with our secret treasure, for those of you who are not; I would like to invite you to enjoy the audible wonder, and visual delight, of our very own Sweetie Belle.”
He bowed off stage to a louder applause then Diamond had received, and as the crowd began to die down, the curtain began to pull back, and the spotlight increased to a sight that nearly made Diamond spit out her drink. The spotlight had highlighted a grand black piano, with a pale colt in a tuxedo playing the small cords, draped on top of it, in a red sequence dress, was Sweetie Belle.
Sweetie Belle had broader hips then Diamond had realized, and the slit down the side of the dress highlighted them perfectly, all the way up to her cutie mark on the side of her flank. Her hair had been stylized to a standard that was nothing short of stunning, red lips and red heels, made her look… well, there was no other word for it, Sweetie Belle looked beautiful.
The crowd all around Diamond began to cheer, some whistled, some clapped, and other cat called. Sweetie gave a smile, but kept her bouncing giggle to a minimal. The colt at the piano began to play, and the crowd slowly quieted down. The music he played was slow at first, but it was intense, and in a strange way, beautiful. It was also instantly recognizable.
Sweetie Belle slid herself off from the piano; she walked slowly up to the microphone from the stand, and began to sing so sweetly into it.
“Just a Small town girl…. Livin’ in a lonely world.
She took the midnight train going anywhere goin’ anywhere.”
She took off from there. The song was met with barely contained applause, and Sweetie Belle smiled. The song was obviously a great passion for her, because she threw her heart behind every note of it. It was a song about maturity, about growing up, about strangers falling in love, and mostly, about the journey of life. She moved with it to. She didn’t just sang, she performed. When the song curved, her body curved with it, her hips and legs sliding from side to side. When the song swelled, she pressed herself up to the mic stand and put her whole breath into every word. She crossed the stage, reaching out just slightly to the crowd, and she moved with such a confident, smoldering step that Diamond was starting to question whether or not this was the same Sweetie Belle she had met hours ago.
Diamond watched, mystified by her performance. The song came to its bridge, building with such intensity that Sweetie was hunched over the mike, hollering with every chord for the dynamic end. The crowd exploded so completely that Diamond Tiara jumped in her seat. Shouts and cheers and roars of applause filled the club. Diamond felt a blush on her cheeks, and hastily turned back to her drink, swallowing it down quickly. Sweetie Belle giggled brightly, red as a strawberry, and began bowing to the crowd.
The blue colt came out on stage, clapping as loudly as everyone and watching sweetie with hungry pride. Diamond didn’t trust that gaze, but she said nothing. The colt gave Sweetie Belle a hug, which she accepted happily. He turned to the crowd as Sweetie headed backstage. Diamond Tiara left her table to try and meet her.
Sweetie Belle came out from backstage just in front of the bar, sweaty and out of breath like she had just ran a marathon. Diamond just couldn’t stop staring at her.
“That was sensational! You make minimal wage doing THAT?!” It sounded like an accusation, but Sweetie Belle only giggled.
“Well, sort of. I’m paid for my shifts; technically I do those shows for free. But they let me keep the dress and tips from the show because I bring in a crowd.”
Diamond Tiara winced painfully. “Don’t tell me…. You’re doing those shows for EXPOSURE?”
“But… I’m covered up.” Sweetie looked down at her dress, as if expecting to find a wardrobe malfunction.
Diamond Tiara was in shock. Sweetie Belle was such a talented artist, but she had suddenly come to realize she knew nothing of the industry itself. No wonder she hadn’t taken off yet, she had talent beyond belief, but if she didn’t know how to sell it properly it would be years before she got out of this club. She had come here with a plan to hire her as an assistant, but now she had a different idea, one that could benefit them both.
“Sweetie Belle…. How would you like to make a business deal?” Diamond Tiara smiled at her, wrapping an arm around her shoulder.
Author's Note
Second chapter done. Woot for progress. I don't often leave notes, but in case any of you didn't figure it out, the song Sweetie Belle was singing was a 'Don't stop believin'' by Journey. If you want an accurate idea of what it would sound like, a band called 'Jezabel' did an amazing cover of it, and though Sweetie might have carried it with a bit more volume, it's beautiful either way.
also, you might be wondering, why is a journey song in an MLP universe? Isn't it lazy to not come up with an original song? Well here's the thing:
1) I'm lazy. Bitch and moan.
2) The song style of the cannon MLP verse are diverse and beautiful, but they all stick to the same 'child' tone, and for this story I wanted a more adult approach (maturity and growth being the themes).
3) The song so accurately fit with what I was trying to convey from Sweetie Belle to Tiara that I couldn't pass it up. The message wasn't spot on, but the themes, ideas, and intensity were all perfect.
4) The song is bad ass.
Now stop nit-picking and enjoy.
