The Notorious Belle Miners of the Old World
No person starts without a family, a family that can date back hundreds, or even thousands, of years. In Equestria, sometimes the surname is not given to ponies due to their lack of importance. In most occasions, when a foal is born, a last name is given to them that goes with their first name, or they aren't given a surname at all. When a family finds itself in power or wealth, eventually they create a surname that is passed down so all in Equestria can know where that pony's heritage is. Twilight Sparkle belongs to the Sparkle family, a family that is sure to have dated back a long time due to their powerful magic. Or even Pinkie Pie, who's family may have been farming rocks in Equestria for possibly hundreds of years (maybe a part of the family has even farmed apples)! Either way, a surname represents something. Belle is one of the hundreds of surnames that has been passed down, generation, to generation, with the insignia of a bell with a pickaxe and shovel crossing over it. This represents their source of wealth or power, and what makes them proud. Members of a certain family may have cutie marks relating to their insignia. The apple family is a pure example, with cutie marks that all have apples. This is no rule though, but families usually have at least cutie marks representing what their family is known for.
The houses of Equestria take pride in themselves. Some are founding fathers, some are just farmers, but they show a great deal about a ponies heritage and possibly even personality. There are a good amount in Equestria that hold a surname, but it's still a honor. That pony represents something, and it adds onto their destiny. They have something to live up to as a member of their house.
The Belle Family datse back thousands of years, where ponies were not yet united under the leadership of Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, but instead were separated according to their races in the old world. A small percentage of all the unicorns in the old world made for great miners, due to ancient spells giving them the ability to seek out precious gems. These unicorns usually lived in or on mountains, and tended to be very greedy over the wealth they mined in their homes. They were very much like dwarves, a similar attitude, but not so short. Many times, the pegasi and earth ponies would try to obtain their wealth, but these hard headed ponies would always fight them off. It wasn’t until the new world where things would change, when these ponies would thrive under the new found harmony of Equestria.
The Belle's were some of these mining unicorns, they situated themselves in what was probably the dead center of Equestria. Here was where Canterlot would soon be. The Belle family, as they are still known by today, held the mountain just like they would in the old world. They fought off intruders, and kept the precious wealth of Canterlot Mountains to themselves. It wasn’t until unicorns similar to them came to build a city on the mountain, and challenged the Belle family for the territory. They were evenly matched, and so started a long war between the two sets of unicorns with the same motive; taking the mountain. It wasn’t until Princess Luna and Princess Celestia came and settled the dispute that ended the war. A deal was met between the two unicorn groups fighting over the mountain. The Belle family would be given the precious jewels of the mountain, still being allowed to do as they did before with a few changes. The newcomers, who founded Canterlot, were told to build the city outside the mountain, and it would be the capitol. Both would benefit off each other with business and a good economy by Belle trading and selling their gems more openly. Both parties agreed, Canterlot was born, and Belle Mining Co. (BMC) as well.
Belle Mining Co. grew to a large corporation that was in control of one of Canterlot’s main exports; precious and rare gems within the mountain. BMC tried to stretch as far as they could in Equestia though, not limiting themselves to just Canterlot. BMC had grown from barbaric, stubborn, mining unicorn, to wealthy business ponies. Belle had adopted all sorts of trades, not only mining, but processing, and even making jewelry out of their precious gems they obtained from multiple locations. They were in nearly all cities that had a unicorn population, but their long time pegasi enemies didn’t give Belle any opportunities in Cloudsdale. This was a problem of course, since Cloudsdale would surely make a lot of profit. The only way to have business in Cloudsdale, was to integrate the pegasus trait into the family gene pool. It was at this point that Belle was large enough and wealthy enough that they had a known surname. They were the money of Canterlot and heart of it's culture, seen by many as powerful ponies that were not to be tampered with.
It was a long time until this plan went into action. No pegasi were in the family until heir to owning the company, Copper Belle, married Eris Breeze, a unicorn with a pegasus father, and long line of pegasi ancestors (And a surname of her own). The couple had 5 children, two of which being pegasi as they had wanted. That would be their youngest daughter and middle daughter; Linear Belle, and her younger sister, Diamond Belle. Copper had complete control of BMC soon after the birth of his youngest child, but at this point he was middle aged. His plan was to hand off his company to his eldest son, and first born. Copper would teach him the family history and how to run a house properly, but at the same time, he'd work with his daughters. Both Linear and Diamond, Copper would teach to be dependable leaders, so they could go to Cloudsdale and open up a branch of the company. This would finally break the barrier between Belle's industry, and the floating pegasus city. Ponies that had Belle blood would lead, like he had wanted.
Copper always had a plan, and got those plans he set down done. His daughters weren't the easiest task to tackle. Linear was always shy, quiet, and reserved. The young pegasus had low confidence in herself, and too sensitive for the business world. It was odd, because her sisters were very free willed and hard working, making Linear a outcast, and quite frankly a shame to her father. She was very pretty, a white pegasus with blue eyes and a maroon man, and a very pretty figure. Linear was always the egg head type though, as the show would refer to her. Linear would always hide her beauty because of what she thought of herself from how everybody treated her. The one thing that seemed to bring her joy through her dull life was math, especially geometry. Her cutie mark turned out to be a angle ruler, which was very fitting to her name. Despite her impressive ability with numbers and math, she was unfit to run a branch of the company due to her personality. Copper would of put in more effort, but Diamond was born and showed more potential.
Diamond was unlike her sister in many ways, like being very energetic, and free willed. She was a sweetheart, who loved to please her father with everything. Copper favorited Diamond, sometimes even over his other daughters. This energetic pony was not much different than her sisters, possibly even a little better. Her beauty and spunk made Diamond's siblings a little jealous. She had a mane like Linear, but green eyes, and a golden coat. Surprisingly her figure wasn't as defined as Linear, but she held herself in a way that made up for it. To Copper, Diamond was the metaphorically and literally the golden child. She had the qualities of her elder sisters, but with wings, making her a perfect match to lead the branch of BMC in Cloudsdale. Everything would work out to plan, until Diamond's attitude was a bit too much. She earned a cutie mark that was 1 large diamond with 3 smaller diamonds bursting out of it like a magnificent firework. Another sign she was destined to follow what her father wanted! That was until she got in a major fight with him over her priorities. Diamond was not at all wanting to be a business pony, but instead a model.
After a long fight with her father, it ended with Copper stomping out of the room enraged over the fact that his daughters just wouldn't do what he wanted them to. The tension didn't ever loosen, so Diamond's mother suggested she take a vacation to think over what she wanted to do with herself. Diamond was old enough and responsible enough to take a break on her own from the family affairs, at this time she was about 16. Eris suggested that she go to Cloudsdale, where she was most definately not going to run into any family members or ponies that know the family. Oblivious to a somewhat set-up, she agreed. This is where Diamond met the love of her life, Hilgard Pay, a pegasus who was a native to Cloudsdale. He was middle class, but made a living for himself by working with his father who was a big investor. For a young stallion, he had a lot of money, and was very proper. Hilgard went to West Cloudsdale University, a notorious school that was home to many business ponies that were big in Equestria. Diamond was at a cafe, wearing a sunhat and a pair of glasses that felt a little unfit. It kinda screamed Canterlot pony, which is why Hilgard approached, and was curious.
Diamond Belle
I was sitting at a cafe, one that was nothing fancy or lavish like in my hometown. I was searching for something that at least somewhat represented a Canterlot cafe to rest, but I had no luck. I was hoping to see a sunhat like mine, or a pair of glasses like mine. All these ponies wore was ugly scarves or coats, because they loved to fly high and at fast speeds. Not only would doing such a thing chill me to the bone, but flying fast made my hat fly off! I also, at the time, wasn't the best flyer. I was tired from all the flying, so I gave up my search and dealt with the very simple and quaint establishment that was the closest to me. It was all I could do, really, I was actually lost! A city made out of floating puffy clouds doesn't have streets, street corners, or street names. Quite frankly the organization of it all confused me!
I sat outside with a cup of herbal tea I ordered. I hoped it'd make my aching wings feel better. As I took short, gentle sips, I watched all the pegasi buzz around with their ugly scarves blowing in the wind. One of the ponies came into my view from behind one of the clouds, and gently landed on the same cloud this cafe was situated on. He of course looked much more used to this place. Perfect landing, very graceful flying, and he didn't look like a confused tourist like me! One thing that struck me was his lack of Cloudsdale apparel. Instead he wore a white shirt, and a tie. It was something I was used to seeing in Canterlot. Simple, and cute for a stallion to wear. It represented a hard working stallion, which was always nice to see.
I took notice to how young he was. Not much older than me, and absolutely handsome. He glanced over and noticed me glancing, which I immediately turned and blushed, hoping the shade of my hat and glasses would make it a little less obvious. Maybe he didn't notice, but he did. The stallion approached my table outside the cafe, and sat down at it. I looked down at my tea and acted as if I didn't know he was there. I'm sorry but, I just didn't know what to do. Was he mad? Did I do something? What was I expect to somepony obviously native to this very strange place?
"You're hat is cute." The stallion said simply.
"T-Thanks." I replied with not much thought. I was expecting something else, but that's what he said to me the first time we met.
He chuckled at my awkwardness, which ironically made me fell more awkward. The stallion took in a deep breath, deciding to explain himself.
"You just seem to be new around her. I've never seen you around this cafe, and I come here almost everyday after work. It's a very secluded place, on the lowest level of the city's cloud layer. You looked kind if lonely, so I thought I'd sit and talk to you because... You aren't from around here, are you?"
I sighed, taking off my glasses and hat. I gave up, what was the point of wearing the stupid things "It's this hat and glasses, I they're just a Canterlot thing"
"Canterlot, hmm? What's your name?"
"Diamond Belle..." I said, looking at the stallion. He was so handsome, the prettiest thing I'd seen there, or even in Canterlot. I was blushing, and it was obvious, but he kept his eyes fixed on me,
"Well, Diamond," The polite stallion said "I told you your hat is cute. Why don't you put it back on, I'll get myself a glass of tea, and I'll try to help you with making yourself feel a little more comfortable here"
I smiled at the politeness "Thank you..." I said, trying to keep my head low, and blush less obvious.
I have to say that... There was nothing special about it to a outsider. We were 2 ponies keeping each other company, because one of us (that'd be me) look a little out of place. It showed something that he would even talk to me. The two of us talked for nearly an hour about our lives, and though it wasn't mentioned, they were so similar. A stock broker who lived under a strict father who owned a accounting firm, that belonged to a family known for being frugal with their large wealth. I talked about myself, a young pegasus unsure if she wanted to do what was laid out for her. She felt as if she wanted to be free. He had to get going, but we couldn't just leave it at that. He was generous enough to give me his address to his home there, and for the rest of my vacation I visited him and got to know him better.
That stallion became my husband. When I went back to Canterlot, I found myself not able to stop talking about Hilgard Pay to my sister Linear. I had a hop in my gallop, since I realized for the first time in my life, I was in love. We sent letters back and fourth, revealing more and more about ourselves, and our feelings. I took another trip to Cloudsdale just to see him, and that's when we started dating. I still remember it like yesterday... So simple and innocent. I still love that stallion to this day.
Diamond decided she liked Cloudsdale, a lot. She wanted to move there, and decided that with Hilgard, maybe she could start the company after all. It was the work that bothered her, but with him to help her partner, it could be successful. Copper met Hilgard, and knew his family. He felt him fit to help run the branch of the company, even own it one day, because he had also given him his blessing. He proposed, Diamond said yes, and they began work on the BMC branch in Cloudsdale. Things took a turn, and slowed down though at a sudden event. Diamond was pregnant, and a year before their long engagement was to come to a end.
Diamond had Anna at a very young age. At only 21, she brought Anna into the world. She was engaged to Hilgard when she was 19, and the both of them were already on their way to opening shop in Cloudsdale before their official marriage. When Diamond figured out she was pregnant, the two of them were soon married despite the once planned long engagement, and continued work as usual after the festivities. Of course Hilgard had to help his wife, and mother-to-be, but it didn’t seem to slow down progress at all. The business had just about opened when Anna was born, and at the same time, their large house in the highest level of Cloudsdale was finished (funded by BMC of course). She was born healthy during the winter, and there’s no word to describe the pride Diamond and Hilgard had for their little pegasus daughter. Hilgard went to lead the branch of BMC, while Diamond stayed home and took care of their daughter for the first few months of her life. They’d switch on and off while Anna was still small enough to constantly need their attention, but it was fact that Diamond would be a big part of the company when she wasn't so held up. Hilgard's handling of the comapany reinforced Copper's thoughts on him. He was a great business pony and was totally capable.
There was no doubt celebration and glee over the birth of Anna. A new little Belle that had a claim to the business. At that time, there was a good chance this newborn baby would soon become the next face of the Cloudsdale branch of the BMC, but that was a long time to come. Hilgard and Diamond didn't focus on that though, a forced destiny was what hold them both down in their own lives. They were going to love and show affection, and let Annabella Alexandra Bella be the mare she wanted to be. There was no doubt that, even as a newborn, she was very pretty. Her blonde mane, golden coat, and deep blue eyes, all suggested the inner beauty she was soon to have. For the moment though, to these two ponies, she was the cutest thing in Equestria.
Annabella
“She’s precious,” Hilgard said, laying on the king size bed after a hard days work.
“She’s ours,” Diamond replied.
He chuckled at his wife, kissing her on the lips as they looked down at their newborn foal. Only a week old today, and she was doing well. Little Annabella, the new addition to the Belle family, was laid down on her parents bed in nothing but a very small diaper. She just got done a feeding and burping, now relaxed, the newborn stayed just barely awake on the softness of the bed, and the side of her mother. Diamond caressed her little blonde pegasus, sometimes running her hoof through her golden curls that she found so beautiful. The mother looked back at her husband, the father of her baby. He had gone to work today at the family business. It really showed something that after so much work, he still tried his best to be in the happiest mood possible for the little family in front of Diamond.
“Do you think I’m doing everything right? I wouldn’t want to be doing anything bad for her, there’s so many things to remember. She’s been crying so much and I have to wonder if I’m not doing something right,” Diamond suddenly said, looking up at her husband.
“No, no Diamond. All newborns cry, sometimes for your attention. She just wants to see you or be held by you. That’s how it was with my siblings…” Hilgard said to reassure her.
“There seems to be a formula now; a few diaper changes, a feeding, a burping, and maybe some cuddling… and she is at least happy most of time until she wants one of those things again, as you said. But what about when she’s older, and it’s not so simple? Messing up won’t result in crying, in could result in hurting her for life!”
Hilgard gave his wife a funny look, but then chuckled. He wrapped a wing around her, and the baby. Being this close he gave Diamond another kiss “We’ll learn and grow with her, but as parents. I’m sure everything will be alright. She’ll be a very smart, healthy, confident little filly, and even better adult… I’m sure of it. Our little Annabella…”
That little newborn was me. Back when things were all about me. I was a spoiled diva of a toddler and a newborn, but it had little to do with what came of me when I grew. It's almost opposites. It really shows you how much things can change, how much the society and environment around you can shape how you truly are at the end of everything. The problem is there is no end, at least, not while your living. You will always grow and change, from being a baby to a foal, a foal to a adult, and from a adult into a elder. It's the circle of things, I just wish sometimes ponies didn't change, like my parents. Thinking back how to used to be, not just my parents... but with everything.
Anna was a hoofull. What would later become a very proper, polite, friendly, and reserved mare, was a little diva as a baby. She’d always have to get her way, or she’d throw a tantrum. Anything from foal food, to diapers, she had to have a specific one or there’d be a problem. This made both of her parents see Anna as a lot of work, and not the easiest baby to care for. At the end of the day, after all the fighting to make Anna happy, she somehow was still very sweet and affectionate. She loved to cuddle, and be with her parents all the time. Diamond found herself fighting with Anna a lot, where she was just a little angel for Hilgard. She was truly a daddy’s girl.
She wasn’t spoiled, but instead particular. Anna was a little princess to the Belle’s during her babyhood, and was always given lots of attention. Somehow though, when she reached a older age, this seemed to fade.
Anna’s foalhood
Anna’s life until she was 5 was a life of luxury. Everything was handed to her, her parents were both rich, and she had a powerful family name. Her home was on one of the highest clouds of Cloudsdale, a large mansion that was built just for her family. It had a room for everything, large hallways, and expensive decorations. In the center of it was a large portrait of her, her mother, and her father, painted by a professional artist that always fascinated Anna. Though the house was so massive, Anna found herself alone most of the time. She stayed with her parents as much as she could, but they were just always busy with the business.
Anna had many maids take care of her while her parents were busy; they were all part of the staff that her parents hired to care for the house. The only problem was that they always rotated, but with this, each maid would teach Anna a different skill. There were maids specifically assigned to Anna to homeschool her a basic education. After she was done her schooling sessions, she got to know all the maids like they were her friends. There weren’t many in reality, since only 3 ponies lived in the big home, and they could only make so much of a mess. Anna learned the names of each maid, and when one went onto other things, she got to know the new maid that would take the empty spot. There were at least 20 maids in the house.
When Anna was 6, her family went through a struggle that she’d never forget. Her parents became more distant and cold after her 6th birthday, and little Anna didn’t know why. She actually thought maybe it was her, but in reality, the company had found itself in financial trouble. She found her parents were harder at work, nearly never around. When Anna tried to go in their offices, she was usually shooed away. They did come together at dinner time, but even then, they talked more of the financial burdens and troubles. Everytime Anna tried to talk about something new and interesting for her as a 6 year old, her parents nodded their heads and said ‘that’s great honey’.
One night, while Anna laid in her big room, her parents fought downstairs while she cried. They yelled about something she didn’t understand, all she knew is that they fired half of the staff at the house. They were all friends with Anna, and while she tried to confront her parents about it, they were already in middle of a yelling match about the business. She pulled and pulled on Diamond’s leg for her attention, but instead got a slap and was told to go to her room. This infuriated Hilgard, who yelled at Diamond about what their family had come to when Anna had gone to bed, sobbing in her bedroom.
Annabella
I remember their faces, each one. They all had really pretty, warm smiles that shined when I did something nice, helpful, or when I just pleased them. It made me feel so good inside, but there was also an opposite scowl when I did something bad, that made me feel a deep guilt. Each one of them were special to me and taught me something, but they'd all eventually leave, but soon be replaced. A new face, a new personality, that I either liked or hated. I got to know every maid, old or new, and was okay with the cycle of things. This time though, it wasn't a cycle though, almost all the maids were thrown away... and this time there wasn't going to be a replacement. That’s at least how I saw it at the day and age, they took my best friends and threw them on the street. Neither of my parents would listen to me when I tried to just say something about it, or ask just to understand why. I know the cold truth now, and that was we couldn't afford it. At one time I thought we sat on mountains of money, but it seemed it was starting to slowly dwindle without me being aware of it.
I cried for atleast an hour before finally I fell asleep. Each maid I didn't see everyday, cooking me breakfast, or ironing my dad's suits, maybe even helping my mom organize her closet full of dresses, felt like a hole in my heart. It may seem a bit odd, but they were my only friends. I lost a lot of friends that night, and my world became a lot more empty.
Hilgard and Diamond came to a agreement over the company. The stress was obviously getting to Diamond's head, so much so that she would slap her 6 year old daughter the way she did. The whole incident was swept under a rug, and they turned over a new leaf. Diamond would stay home and care for Anna, and also help keep the mansion in order with how many less maids there were, while Hilgard took full control. He'd hire a few assistants to help him get the branch under control, all of who worked for the official Belle Mining Company in Canterlot. Diamond liked the idea, but decided to do some work at home. To keep the amount she had balanced, so that she could handle her new responsibilities as well, Diamond invited her sister Linear to Cloudsdale.
Linear was Diamond's older sister, who didn't get the honor of running the branch of the business Diamond did. She didn't want to because of her personality. She was rather shy, reserved, and was low in self confidence. Linear was always more of the egg head, who had the brains to run a business, but not the courage. The poor mare was also the middle child, and being a pegasus, but not fulfilling her dad's destiny, she was outcasted. That didn't stop her from living a very happy life though.
Linear moved to Manehattan, where she met a stallion who'd she fall in love with. Linear took up being a math teacher, and on a career day, a police officer (or a guard, as most ponies know them) appeared to show up to talk to the foals of her class. After leaving, Linear showed interest in him and he noticed. Being such a cute little mare, the stallion got in contact with her since they were close to the same age. His name was High Honor, who's name made it obvious he was a very moral, honorable, and respectful police officer. He knew that Linear was shy and reserved, and it just made him love her more and interested in her. Eventually the two of them opened up to each other, not much later they started dating. It was a great relationship that had a lot of potential, and did turn into something big. High Honor dated Linear for 3 years before proposing.
After getting married and having two foals, Scrawl and Summer, Linear's husband died from a accident. There was a robbery, and Honor was attacked when he was the first to show up on the scene. Since then, Linear kept herself even more reserved and introverted, only caring for her children. Diamond kept in contact with Linear, because they held a close bond even though they were so different. Linear lost her job, and Diamond was there to bring her in. She offered her a job managing the finances of the branch, and to also be Diamond's assistant with the work she planned to do at home. Linear agreed, and moved in with her two children. She had the name, and her skills with numbers would definitely prove to help. Of course Linear would have to learn the more financial aspects of things instead of just being good with numbers.
The house was surely big enough, but little Anna wasn't sure how she liked 2 other foals in the home. Summer was a baby at the time, only a toddler, where Scrawl was a year younger than Anna (Anna was 7 when Linear moved in). He was pretty hyper due to his ADHD, and would get on her nerves sometimes. Anna was very quiet and focused more on her talents than she was on making friends with her cousin, but Scrawl still looked up to Anna and followed her around. He and Summer would sleep in the room next to Anna, and between their crying or jumping around, she'd constantly not get any sleep. She missed her maids, they'd teach her things. Scrawl would constantly talk Anna's ear off or want to play with her, while Summer would constantly whine and cry. Summer also had a attitude for a 2 year old, which was even more irritating to Anna. While Anna wasn't very happy with Diamond's choice, atleast she was much happier and the house wasn't as quiet. She also found she liked Linear a lot, and that her aunt would be the reason why she got her cutie mark.
