Shattered Diamond

Written Script
423 Friendship Lane
Ponyville

5th August 1003

Sunshower Raindrops
Cloudsdale Weather Factory
33 Skylanes
Cloudsdale

Dear cousin of mine:

Criminy, you wouldn’t believe the shit I’ve had to put up with this past week. And yes, I know you’re going to lecture me about my language so don’t even bother. It’s a free country, and I need to go off on a rant for a bit right now. Celestia knows otherwise I’d just blow up at somepony and we all know what a pretty sight that would be, eh? Anyways, to get down to the bloody point. Strewth, that bitch of a mare… Yeah, you can probably guess where I’m going with this. It’s her. Again. Spoiled Rich been ranting right and left about my parentage, lack of intelligence, demeanor, etc… You get the usual. Same as always. Course, then there’s her grandeur delusions of fantasy that I’m supposed to enroll her daughter into high school. Her pre-teen daughter I feel the need to point out. And yes, I know some children are geniuses, but if she’s a genius, then I’m the Princess of History. Sure, she’s probably intelligent, even if a snob, but not that intelligent. Honestly… talking to Spoiled Rich just makes my brain cells drop dead every time I even bump into her on the street. She’s like a vacuum, or some sort of vamp-pony, sucking all the happiness out of a area when she just strolls up the street, that pig like nose of hers pointed towards the sky. But then again, bet I deserve something like that witch hounding me, eh? I could do with a change in demeanor if I could be bothered. ...Celestia knows why that’s why you-know-who ran off on me. Or at least, the main reason...

Sincerely, your damn fool of a cousin:
Written Script

Sunshower Raindrops

Cloudsdale Weather Factory
33 Skylanes
Cloudsdale

5th August 1003

Written Script
423 Friendship Lane
Ponyville

Dear cuz:

Wish I could offer your help on your issues with a certain mare, but that’s something you’re going to have to figure out for yourself I’m afraid. But I do have one small bit of advice, even if I know you won’t like it one bit. To be honest, I know this suggestion sounds probably like I’ve lost any sense and gone to the madhouse as you would probably say, (Oh, don’t even bother denying it. I know you would. I know you too well. We practically grew up together, remember?) but have you tried reaching out to Diamond and given her a positive influence in her life?

And yes, I know what you’re going to say. She’s got her dad Filthy and all that, but from how you’ve described Spoiled Rich she sounds like a controlling type and he would just bow to any wishes she wants. And yes, I know that sounds like something a therapist would say, and I know how much you hate them, but that doesn’t mean it’s not true...

Wouldn’t be surprised if that marriage was arranged by their parents. Then again, I don’t know much about Spoiled Rich, much less her family lineage, aside from your ranting about her whenever she puts you in a bad mood. Actually, now that I think about it, has Filthy ever punished Diamond for her… brattiness? Know it’s probably not likely given how controlling I theorize his wife to be, but then again I may be wrong. I’m no psychiatrist.

Her teacher… Mrs… Cheerful I think it is, probably punishes her as well, as I don’t think she would just stand by and allow bullying in her class. But back to psychiatrists. I do know one here in Cloudsdale, loves his Sudoku puzzles. We’ve gone out to lunch a few times. Nice stallion, if not a bit nerdy. Nothing wrong with that though, he’s sorta sweet in that way. Has an odd, if not adorable fascination with a song about coconuts as well. ...Celestia above, I’m not rambling am I? Anyways, I think you get my point. Reach out to Diamond, just give her more positive influences in her life.

Wishing you the best of luck:
Your loving cousin, Raindrops

Written Script
423 Friendship Lane
Ponyville

6th August 1003

Sunshower Raindrops
Cloudsdale Weather Factory
33 Skylanes
Cloudsdale

Dear Raindrops:

Yeah, I think you have sorta lost some of your sense. No way in Tartarus am I reaching out to that brat of a filly. Tartarus will have to freeze over before that happens! ...Mind you, with Discord now out and about and “Using his powers to maintain Harmony”, if you believe that load of old tosh, that may very well happen, frightening as that thought is. The Tartarus freezing over thing, not me looking after Diamond Tiara, for clarity’s sake just in case you thought my heart grew several sizes. Newsflash, it hasn’t. Don’t make me laugh, Rain. Me, looking after a spoiled brat? I’d sooner kill myself than do that. And since when have you been interested in therapists? I thought you were seeing that guy from the Weather Team, Thunder… Oh, what’s his name?

Never mind that. Sadly, you are right on one aspect as always. (And I know you’re looking smug right now, don’t bother to deny it. I know you as well.) Diamond does get punished from time to time whenever Filthy mans up and grows a spine. Seem to remember him bringing her to Sweet Apple Acres and forcing her to work with Applejack’s little sister after Diamond insulted Granny Smith. I think my point has been proven. Anyone who insults the elderly (Even I have enough tact not to do that.) is pointless to try and redeem. Fact of life, Rain. Fact of life, learn to live with it. As much you like to see the best in ponies, I’m not quite as optimistic, remember? I was born cynical. Do feel sorry for poor Derpy though. Running her ragged with this little back and forth of ours.

Love, your cousin:

Written Script

Sunshower Raindrops

Cloudsdale Weather Factory
33 Skylanes
Cloudsdale

6th August 1003

Written Script
423 Friendship Lane
Ponyville

Dear Written:

I know you’re probably denying it right now, but you’re a much better pony than you think you are, really. I mean, before you wouldn’t show one jot of empathy towards anypony you didn’t care about. But here you are now, remarking on how sorry you feel for Derpy and us running her “Ragged” as you say. You are becoming a bit more grown up. As for my boyfriend, me and Thunderlane are perfectly happy. Yes, I know his reputation of being a flirt but he swears he’s changed. Hasn’t brought up any mare besides me and his younger brother’s foalsitters in months. Me and that therapist are just friends, I swear. We met at the local coffee shop and discuss books over the daily crossword, that’s it. Simply friends. And okay, I admit insulting one of the founders of Ponyville at her age is going a bit far, but I’d like to think Diamond’s opinions are influenced by her mother. Peer pressure and all that. Feel sorta sorry for her living with a mom like that. I know I’m going out of my way here, but you always said I was far too kind for my own good. But please, do me a favor, just for me. At least try and reach out to Diamond, doesn’t have to be a big gesture but at least try okay? Who knows, you might be surprised at what you find.

Hoping you’ll listen to me:
Your caring cousin, Sunshower Raindrops

Written Script
423 Friendship Lane
Ponyville

7th August 1003

Sunshower Raindrops
Cloudsdale Weather Factory
33 Skylanes
Cloudsdale

I’m sorry Rain, but you’re setting yourself up for heartbreak. Any stallion who talks that much about other mares is cheating on you, another fact of life I’ve picked up. Stallions his age, horny little buggers. (And yes, I realize I’m around the exact same age as Thunderlane, but that’s besides the point.) Reputation like that isn’t earned without very good reason, y’know. Listen, for your sake, I hope I’m wrong and that I’m just being a cynical bastard as always, but if something looks like a duck, quacks like a duck, chances are it’s probably a damn duck. My advice, do a bit of digging. I would not be shocked at all if Thunderlane’s cheating on you. But then again, I may be wrong. But just remember, I’m trying to look out for you. I don’t want to see the only family member I remotely like get her heart broken, okay? I care about you Rain, just want to make that clear. ...Celestia, you’re getting to me, you know that right? Listen, I’ll try and reach out towards Diamond a bit, if only because I know Filthy and he seems like a nice enough pony. Gave me endorsements last year to help keep the drama club running. But I’m warning you right now, I already know what’s going to happen, that is… Get my help soundly rejected. And that’s if I get past Spoiled Bitch. But… I’ll do it, just for you. Just for you. Anypony else asking this of me, I’d just tell them to piss off or something along those lines. But you were always there for me after well… You know what happened all those years ago. Your parents took me in, and you cared for me like a sister. For that, I thank you more than you could ever know. Celestia knows why you put up with me, I’m hardly worth your troubles. ...I need a stiff drink. Know it isn’t a good idea this early in the morning but I need one after even bringing that up.

Probably about to be hung over in the next few hours:
Your cousin, Written Script.

Sunshower Raindrops

Cloudsdale Weather Factory
33 Skylanes
Cloudsdale

7th August 1003

Written Script
423 Friendship Lane
Ponyville

Well, glad to see you’re taking my advice in mind. Sometimes all a pony needs to become a better pony is just a little help. I know from experience, and you know it too. And don’t worry yourself any, I’m always here for you if you need me. And Script, I know you’ll probably ignore me like always whenever I say this, but you’re a better stallion than you think you are. Probably beating a dead horse by this point, but I just want you to know that. And don’t worry about Diamond’s mother. She’s just bluster. A pain in everypony’s flank maybe, but not anything to worry about. You should be able to handle her. As for Thunderlane, I’ll keep your advice in mind. I know you’re looking out for me. But I’d like to think he’s a good stallion. I just hope you’re wrong.

Your cousin:
Raindrops