Cheerilee's Guide to Gardening

Cheerilee held an asparagus stalk and smiled. Through her earth pony hooves, she sensed its vitality. The rest of her garden was just as healthy and vibrant. She’d defeated the nasty weeds and everything was right with the world. She whipped the sweat off her forehead. After a week of storms, the weather ponies had transferred them over to Canterlot, leaving Ponyville hot and dry. At least her plants were enjoying the sun.

“Yes, they are coming along nicely. You’ve done a fantastic job tending this garden, Miss Cheerilee.” A voice said, and Cheerilee jumped in surprise and fright.

After calming her beating heart, she turned around, gasping in surprise at the sight of the intruder. It was Duke Greengrass. A blond unicorn mare stood next to him, holding a parasol over his head, protecting him from the harsh sunlight. The mare stood silently, attentive to her boss’s needs. The duke bent down and nodded in approval upon examining the asparagus for himself.

“Yes, I’ve done an excellent job tending my garden. I’m quite proud of it.” Cheerilee’s voice was tight. After getting over her initial shock, she straightened. She eyed the Night Court scum wearily. It sickened her that Princess Luna allowed this weed to grow in her garden. Why didn’t anypony do something about disgusting creatures like him?

“In my mind, you can uncover much about a pony if you examine the way they treat their home and the things they love.” Greengrass either didn’t hear the teacher’s hostility or didn’t care. “Pristine and perfect. Not a single weed anywhere.”

“Is there something you want, Duke Greengrass?” Cheerilee cut through the BS, wanting to know why the duke was bothering her. Revenge after Lyra’s friends after the musician ruined his plan? Give threats to make her fall in line? A hint of panic touched her wondering if he suspected her darker activities. Two foals had died under her care, after all. Though the duke was mistaken if he believed Cheerilee would bow to a weed like him.

Again, the duke took no notice of Cheerilee’s anger and annoyance. “Much like your past. Your school record is exemplary! Top grades and you never once got into any trouble. Not even a warning for tardiness! Your teachers each spoke highly of your ability.”

Did he speak to my old teachers? Then she realized his motives. The duke wished to hire her because of her exceptional talents. Greengrass had a famous history of surrounding himself with ponies of ability. He’d sponsored many foals with talent, regardless of why that talent might be. All to expand his power base and influence, of course. It never hurt putting ponies in your debt. While flattered, she narrowed her eyes in suspicion. If he believed, he could buy her, he was sorely mistaken.

“Thank you, but why would a yokel Ponyvillian like me be of interest to you?”

“My special talent is quite unusual,” Greengrass replied, and Cheerilee blinked at the non sequitur.

“An ability that many ponies misunderstand.” Greengrass pointed to his black X cutie mark. “Someponies assume it’s downright villainous. That I have a special talent for killing ponies. Or sillier, that I have a talent for finding hidden treasure. No, my special talent is gardening.”

“Gardening?” This explanation caught the teacher off guard.

“Indeed, it allows me to uncover my garden’s weaknesses and correct those problems. And to find the weeds among the green and eliminate them. Weeds only take valuable resources from the plants I wish to grow. Nopony wants to grow subpar asparagus, for example.”

Cheerilee blinked in surprise, shocked by the amount they had in common. Dear Luna, was he flirting with her?

The sudden change on Greengrass’s face caught Cheerilee off guard, turning serious. “My skills don’t just extend to plants, but ponies also. It allows me to see things others might miss. And when I look upon you, Miss Cheerilee, I don’t like what I find.”

“Why?” Cheerilee forced a smile.

“Perfection is an illusion.” Greengrass continued. “An impossible lie ponies strive for. When I see a pony with a perfect record, it makes me wonder. Why does this pony work so hard to stay perfect? It’s almost like they’re working hard to not be noticed. Why would that be, Miss Cheerilee?”

Unbeknownst to Cheerilee, sweat was gathering on her forehead, and it had nothing to do with the sun beating down on her. “Really? Come on, that’s silly! I’m just trying to be a good citizen!”

“You know what I think, Miss Cheerilee?” Greengrass’s mood darkened even further. “Those ponies have something to hide. It’s a mask to hide their true self. They’re wolves in sheep’s clothing.”

A horrible knot twisted her stomach. “Me? I’m nopony special! I’m just your typical yokel teacher!” Cheerilee laughed. It sounded fake, even to her.

Greengrass’s mood suddenly brightened. “That’s great to hear! I’m glad I don’t need to worry about you. I’m being silly. Usually, ponies like that are only uptight perfectionists!”

“Right.” Sweat continued to form on Cheerilee’s brow.

“Sorry, I lost my train of thought.“ Greengrass said. “The reason I’m here is to give my condolences. It broke my heart when I read about the accidents. Nopony should die that young. So much potential snuffed out.”

Cheerilee sighed, glad they were returning to a more comfortable subject. She was an expert at displaying grief. “Yeah, I feel it’s my fault somehow. I should have done a better job keeping them safe. Nopony blames me for what happened, but I blame myself every day.”

Cheerilee recoiled when Greengrass’s eyes blazed. It had appeared only for a brief moment, but its intensity stunned her. The duke recovered and gave a polite cough. “If there’s anything your class needs, I won’t hesitate to bankroll it. After this tragedy, I want to make it easier for your students during this difficult time.”

Cheerilee forced a smile. “Thank you. Your generosity is welcome.”

“If you would excuse me, I have other business that I need to attend to.” Greengrass’s face twisted into a smile. “Representative Lulamoon is awaiting me in her office. Good day.” His assistant followed behind as he departed, keeping the parasol over his head with impressive skill. Despite the mare’s stoic expression, had Cheerilee sensed a moment of hatred?

A chill went down her spine when the implications of the conversation struck her. She used a nearby fencepost to steady herself.

Dear Luna, he knows. Somehow, Duke Greengrass had deduced that Cheerilee was behind Silver Spoon’s and Snips’ deaths. Her heart raced and fear chilled her bones. She forced herself to calm down and stop panicking.

But there’s no proof! Otherwise, he would’ve sent the law after me. Yet, the implications were frightening. The stallion knew her secret and revealed he knew the truth. He’d threatened her without even raising his voice or offering a threat. Rumors said horrible things happened to ponies that had earned the duke’s displeasure.

But he doesn’t have proof! This reassured her. She’d only plan more carefully next time. No, that wasn’t right. After the plot concerning Lyra’s teacher, Octavia, Cheerilee realized the duke was anything but passive. He would go after her with all his ruthlessness. She felt this truth in her bones.

A maniac laugh escaped her lips. “You’ve made a serious mistake, Duke Greengrass. Foals aren’t the weeds I can pluck! I’ll eliminate you like all the other bad apples!”