A Spiked Life

Chapter 18 - Cutie Mark? Is That Like a Beauty Mark?
by LightningStrike34

Spike's Perspective
I held out my clawed hand in gest as she puts a hoof down into it, pulling her up I winced slightly before she stood upright. When all is said and done, I felt something soft on her hoof as I spotted something before briefly chuckling in amusement, "Um, Scootaloo. You got Tee-pee on your hoof."

She pulls her hoof up to her face before blushing as she rips it off using her mouth; throwing it on the floor. I pick it up before anyone else has a chance to step on it and makes the same mistake as I roll up the small strip.

As soon as I finished said task, Lyra spoke up in response as she asked me, "Spike, can you keep an eye on Scootaloo for me? I want to have a private conversation with Twilight, can you two play somewhere else?"

"Uh, sure. I can do that I guess, you ok with that Scoots?"

As I turned to face her, she looked to be deep in thought as I tried snapping my clawed fingers only to fail several times before calling out to her, "Helloooo, Scootaloo? Equestria to..." I paused as I re-evaluated my prior statement and pondered my thoughts, 'Excuse me, whaaaat?!'

As I flashed back into reality, I saw Scootaloo shake her head before she spoke, "H-huh? Oh! Uhh... I guess so?"

I looked around as I spotted a nearby vacant area next to the window before responding, "Uhhh, let's just head over to that empty window," I pointed before continuing, "there's not too many ponies that'll bother us there."

"Umm, o-okay. Lead the way, I guess."

~18~

After we made our way over to the window counter, Scootaloo put her front legs on one off the nearby stools as she scooted herself up and sat down on the chair as I caught a glance at her flank before asking, "Hey, how come you don't have one of those marks?"

Scootaloo gave me a curious look, "Do you not know what a Cutie Mark is?"

"You mean like a Beauty Mark?"

"Wha-huh?" Scootaloo spoke in confusion before replying, "No no no no no, that's completely different. A Cutie Mark symbolizes a pony's special talent, did you get hit on the head or something?"

I recalled an earlier conversation with Twilight as I responded, pointing to my black eye, "Funny you should mention that."

Scootaloo gagged, "Eww, no! I don't wanna have to focus on it. Gross!"

I spoke in alarm, "Alright! Sorry, sorry. I was just trying to prove a point."

"Prove that you have brain damage?"

I responded before registering her full statement, "Yes, to prove that I have- No! I do not have brain damage!"

Scootaloo replied in a serious manner, "Okaaaay, then tell me this. What is your favorite kind of Gemstone?" 'Gemstone? Just what is she-' I pondered before giving a response.

"Uhh, Garnet?"

Scootaloo was looking at me intently, "What kind of Garnet?"

I responded in a sing-song voice, "Hessonite?"

Scootaloo shook her head groaning, "Not what I meant, I mean where the Gemstone was found. Not varieties of Garnet."

I was puzzled, "Then why didn't you just say that?"

Scootaloo shouted at me, "Because it's Dragon 101, Dragon's love eating gemstones. Especially when it comes from areas like Canterlot."

Initially shocked, I pondered what she said, 'I guess that makes sense, what else would the dragons eat in fantasy movies back home when meat was spare?' I then had a quick thought before making an estimated guess, "Wait, how do you even know this? You're an Elementary School Student, right?"

She was surprised before she responded, "Oh right, Miss Cheerilee was teaching us about Geology and it came up as a lesson we were taught."

I facepalmed before replying, "Yeah, I guess that makes sense. Is she a good teacher?"

Scootaloo moped, "Yeah, I guess so. I don't really like school all that much though."

"Well you seem to know your stuff, did you have any other lessons from her?"

Scootaloo was cut off before she responded, "Well, we had this one lesson on-"

Lyra called out to us as we turned to look at her, "Okay Scootaloo, Spike, you two can come back now!"

"I guess that's our cue." I said in response as we then headed back over to the table.