Shards in the Water

(Two weeks before the incident)

The awkward silence was as thick as granite as the dull gray mare and the albino mare stared at one another on other sides of the picnic blanket while a certain pink party pony hid in a bush watching them with anticipation. The dull gray mare wore her usual frock.

“...So, I remember seeing you at a quarry a few days ago. I take it you're a geologist?” Diamond Ore asked, trying to break the silence.

“Yes.” Maud said, showing no emotion whatsoever.

“...Okay.” Diamond said. While she knew a bit about rocks, she was far more interested in the gems that might be inside them. Her crimson eyes looked around as she tried to think of a topic that might interest them both. “Erm... I like to sing while I work.”

“I know.”

“Oh, erm, you heard me sing then.” Diamond said, rubbing the back of her head.

“Yes.”

“...I'm not very good at it, am I?”

“You're okay.”

Diamond managed to crack a smile. “I am? Thanks!”

The stone pony blinked.

“I always thought I was a horrible singer, so... Hearing that I'm adequate is a nice boost.”

More awkward silence.

“So... The song I was singing. It's from one of the Suave Tux books. A View To A Kill, actually.”

“It's from a book?” Maud asked.

“Yeah. Each book gets a soundtrack released with it! It's a pretty neat cross-media project, actually.” Diamond said, smiling wide. “Have you read any of the Tux Suave books? The World Is Not Enough and The Mare With The Golden Bow are among my favorites!”

“No.”

“Oh. Erm, I could lend you a few sometime!” Diamond suggested.

“No thank you.”

“Why not?” Diamond asked, disappointed.

“I usually stick to books about rocks.” Maud said.

“You should try new things.” Diamond said. “Every time we talked at work before, it was about rocks.”

“Our jobs are about rocks. I am a geologist, you are a miner.” Maud said.

“Well yeah, but... Uh... That's beside the point.” Diamond said with a groan.

“This is pointless.” Maud said. “I should be going.

Maud got up onto her hooves and began to trot away.

“Wait!” Diamond said.

Maud paused, and turned back towards her.

Diamond tapped her hoof a bit, getting a song into her head and getting into the beat.

Once ready, she sang.

Meeting you with a view to a kill

Face to face in secret places, feel the chill

Nightfall covers me, but you know the plans I'm making

Still over sea, could it be the whole earth opening wide?

A sacred why, a mystery caping inside

The weekends why

Until we dance into the fire

That fatal kiss is all we need

Dance into the fire

To fatal sounds of broken dreams

Dance into the fire

That fatal kiss is all we need

Dance into the fire

Choice for you is the view to a kill

Between the shade, assassination standing still

First crystal tears, fall of snowflakes on your body

First time in years, to drench your with lovers rosy stain

A chance to find a phoenix for the flames

A chance to die

But can we dance into the fire

That fatal kiss is all we need

Dance into the fire

To fatal sounds of broken dreams

Dance into the fire

That fatal kiss is all we need

Dance into the fire

When all we see, is the view to a kill

The song was over. Diamond could hear a soft wind blow past her ears, the sound of crickets playing their songs, and her own hastening heartbeat.

Maud was smiling. It was a small smile, one that most ponies would not even detect, but a smile nevertheless. The gray stone was shining radiantly.

“That was nice.” Maud said.

“Yeah, it... It was. I never sang for anypony before.” Diamond said, blushing anew. “I've never seen you smile before.”

“Oh.” Maud said, the smile going away.

“You should do it more often. Your smile brings out the sapphire of your eyes.” Diamond said, smiling warmly.

Maud managed to smile again.

Diamond got a bit closer to Maud, and lied next to her. “The moon looks quite nice tonight.”

“Yes.”

Diamond had to resist the urge to nuzzle her. Perhaps it was just sudden infatuation. Perhaps this evening was meaningless in the long run. But, she was going to enjoy the moment regardless.

“Well, this date was kind of a disaster.” Diamond said with a smile.

“It wasn't, really.” Maud replied.

“It wasn't? We had almost nothing to talk about. Heck, you were ready to give up for a minute there.” Diamond said, looking at the suddenly fascinating design of the blanket she was lying on.

“I haven't been on a date before.” Maud explained. “I... Don't have many friends.”

Diamond frowned, and gave her a soft hug. “I'll be your friend. Perhaps even your marefriend someday.”

“I... I'd like that.” Maud said, finally smiling a little again.

(One hour before the date)

“So you say her name is Maud?” Diamond asked the energetic pink pony.

“Yep yep!” Pinkie replied. “She loves rocks, and you do rock stuff too!”

“Well, my passion lies more with gems than rocks, but I'm sure we'll find something to talk about.” Diamond said with a small shrug.

“Oh, and Diamond?”

“Yes, Pinkie?”

Suddenly, Pinkie's smile went away, replaced with a serious and stern grimace. “Treat her well. She's been having a really hard time recently. If you hurt her, so help me Celestia-”

“Don't worry, I'd never do that to anypony.” Diamond assured her.

Pinkie's fur popped back to a lighter shade as she smiled. “Good! I'll leave you to get ready! Remember, the park at 7!”

“Yeah, I'll remember.” Diamond said as she walked out of the bakery.

(Two weeks before the date)

Maud remained in the guest bed. How long since she woke up? Five minutes or five hours? She wouldn't turn her head to look at the clock. The depression had started to set in, and now her whole body might as well be sedimentary.

A voice. Probably Pinkie's wake-up call.

Her sister entered the room. Maud continued to stare at the wall.

Pinkie started talking. Maud continued to stare at the wall.

Pinkie started to shake her gently. Maud continued to stare at the wall.

Pinkie literally pulled Maud out of the bed.

Maud simply blinked, her facial expression not changing.

She was now staring at the floor. Pinkie was probably still talking, not that it mattered.

A pink hoof forced her to look into the concerned face of her sister.

“Maud, please! Speak to me!”

Maud let off a very quiet sigh.

“Our parents disowned me.”

Maud stared at the ceiling for the rest of the day.