Facets and Flaws

Chapters

Prologue
Moving on and Moving in
Twists and Rumors
Masks and Mirrors
Preparations and Panic
Courage and Conflict
Hurts and Healing
Interlude: Diamond's Diary
Interlude: A Bit of Polish

Prologue

My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic and all its characters are property of Hasbro and Lauren Faust. Only the story and original characters are the property of the author.

This is a not-for-profit fan based work of fiction

WARNING: This story will contain adult themes including homosexuality, gender dysphoria, and other mature topics. I will be avoiding explicit sex, I’m trying for a PG-13 rating.

Facets and Flaws

By: Scarlett

Prologue

Humming softly, Diamond Tiara prepped the tray of tea and cookies herself- unwrapping the package of shortbread rounds, and pouring the hot water from the kettle into two mugs; the tea bags released a lemony scent that caused Diamond to shiver, all the stress of the day was released from the top of the pony’s purple and white mane and down through her pink hooves into the very ground beneath. She loved a good tea. She sighed as she finished her task, and leaned against the counter, 'Cooking is like, totally so easy,' she thought to herself, allowing a smug grin to cross her face, never mind the fact that her butler Randall had been the one to pull the cookies from the pantry, light the stove, and boil the water for the tea, and that no real cooking was involved at all.

Normally Diamond would not have done even these simple tasks herself, that is what lesser ponies like her butler were for, but today was special, and the pony waiting upstairs for the second mug of tea was special indeed. Silver Spoon had been Diamond Tiara’s best friend for years— was truthfully her only friend, though she would never admit that to anypony. It wasn’t supposed to be that way; she was rich, beautiful, she always dressed in the finest fashions (lately nothing but Rarity Originals). All of the other fillies should have looked up to her, should have wanted to be her. It wasn’t fair. She was supposed to rule the school.

Instead, she and Silver Spoon had found themselves to be near outcasts in that horrible excuse for a school here in Ponyville. Both of their families were more than rich enough to send them to fine private academies in Canterlot, or Manehattan, places that ponies from the finest families should have gone. Instead Diamond was left pondering and dreaming on what life would have been, should have been, in those centers of culture. Parents just don’t understand; she had been given some excuse about building character or something— which was totally lame, and Silver’s family felt she should be kept close to home, so instead of living a life of glamour among the elite, they had been stuck with all the dweebs and blank flanks in this backwater town.

Finally, just yesterday, they had graduated from that rinky-dink little red schoolhouse, paving the way for this fall. In just a few months they would be going to “South Canterlot High School!” The last was shouted aloud with a squee, as she thought about the new opportunities to meet all the right friends, and become the queen of her new school, she would look down upon her kingdom and all would be right with the world, her best friend at her right hoof, as always, and as the two richest, classiest earth fillies in all of Ponyville, she and Silver would show those Canterlot unicorns a thing or two about style.

Her outburst had earned a stifled chuckle from her butler who to that point had been blending into the background like he was supposed to. She gave him a look of pure malice, her imaginations interrupted, and in that glare the butler saw his forgotten place, and perhaps caught a glimpse of the cliffs of insanity, and cast his eyes quickly downward.

His young mistress reined in her anger, and gave her command, pointing to the tray with her muzzle, “Carry this upstairs, I will take it from you at the door.”

“Yes, Little Miss,” the butler replied, earning another glare- this one not as harsh. Apparently that form of address was no longer acceptable, he thought to himself with an internal chuckle. Quickly regaining his composure he crossed the tiled kitchen floor, taking care to step softly, and took the tray from the impressive white granite counter top, heading up the luxurious stairwell. Its rails were made from the finest cherry wood, and mosaic tiles were inlaid on each and every step.

His thoughts were not on the beauty of the home at that moment, though at other times he would just wander and find the little details that no one else noticed, like the dovetails joining the baseboards, but today he had no thoughts for his secret passion, he was distracted by memories. Holding in a sigh, he fondly recalled the days when he had been a friend and confidant to the young filly; she had grown colder as the years had passed. He could barely remember the last time he’d seen her truly smile— except when the young Miss Spoon had been around— was it? Yes, just before the Cuteceñera a few years before. She had been so happy getting everything ready for that day. . .

. . .They had reached the door, and he ceased his meandering, reminding himself his lot was but to serve. The butler bowed low and held the tray until the Young Miss took it from him. “Will that be all Miss Tiara?” he asked.

“You are dismissed,” came the curt reply, and the butler left quickly allowing himself to rub at his rickety joints. As he left, his existence was immediately forgotten by the young filly, he was just a butler after all, more a part of the house than a pony.

She stood in front of the door, balancing the tray of snacks upon her back, and paused, for some reason feeling a bit on edge; She took a deep breath to calm herself, it was just the start of a great summer with her friend Silver. She should be excited, and yet, she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong.

Diamond bit her pink lips gently, took one last deep breath and walked through the door.

As she saw what awaited her on the other side, she dropped the tray with a clatter, cookies and tea spilling all over the fine white carpet of her bedroom. The blinding pink and white furniture was all in order, posters of princesses and pop stars still lined the walls, only one thing was out of place- that book lay on the coffee table, the book Silver was never meant to see. Diamond’s heart grew tight in her chest, her greatest fear was right in front of her— Silver knew.

The notebook on the coffee table seemed innocent enough at a glance, most of it full of the doodles and poems of a bored school filly, but hidden in the back of it— well that was different. Filled with drawings like the one that lay open on the table, those pages held Diamond’s most secret thoughts, all of them drawings of Silver. In this one Silver’s rump thrust itself towards the viewer, her head turned back towards her rear with a look of longing on her face, the filly’s silvery braid was mussed and coming undone, her glasses askew, her tail was barely covering the junction between her thighs. This two dimensional Silver was not completely naked, as most ponies were. No, that was the most horrible part of it all- Diamond, the dirty filly that she was, had drawn her best friend in all the world clad only in socks, yes, SOCKS.

She stood quietly, filled with dread, not wanting to look up, fearing the judgement that would appear in Silver Spoon's eyes.

As her pink cheeks darkened to an embarrassed red, she could feel the heat rising there before it began spreading into her neck, and soon deep into other places, terrible wonderful places, as she fully recognized that her innermost thoughts had just been revealed to the pony she loved more than anything. Risking everything, she began to raise her eyes, past blue framed lenses to meet the soft lavender eyes of the real Silver in front of her— but only for a moment— as quickly as hope had formed in her own light blue eyes, it was crushed, only fear and disgust met her in the returning gaze; she lowered her head and began to sob, everything she had known was about to be gone.

Silver Spoon fled the room, her mind spinning, tears forming in the corners of her eyes and dripping down her cheeks, she didn’t understand, she felt sick to her stomach. She never looked back at the filly who had been her best friend, who had betrayed her with her disgusting desires. She couldn’t deny what she had discovered, no amount of wishing would make this all go away. Everything she knew seemed false, for the thing that couldn’t have been true was true; Diamond Tiara was a filly-fooler.

Left alone with her embarrassment and shame Diamond Tiara sat next to the coffee table, tracing the drawing with one hoof while her tears began to fall. After a time she looked over to the bookshelf where the offending book had been, where she had left it in the open, the deepest secrets of her heart available to any curious eyes. How could she have been such a foal?

With a scream she stood and knocked the bookshelf to the floor, then grabbing the notebook she tore it in half, her path of destruction went on for a full minute claiming the lives of quills and decorative china— eventually she was spent, and with a final anguished cry she collapsed onto her bed, shaking with the grief of the broken-hearted. She curled up against the wall with a plush toy, the one that special pony had given her, the one who had just fled from the one who loved her, and she clutched it tightly to her chest until she ran out of tears.

“I love you,” she finally said aloud, confessing everything in a breathy whisper— but there was nopony left to hear.

Moving on and Moving in

WARNING: This story will contain adult subject matter, including homosexuality, gender dysphoria, and other mature themes. I will be avoiding explicit sex, however if you are offended easily, please do not read.

Facets and Flaws

By: Scarlett

Chapter 1- Moving On/Moving In

A knock at the door woke Diamond, who had taken to sleeping until noon, and she groggily stumbled out of the pink canopy bed she had rarely left in the past month or so, nearly tripping on the translucent curtains. She’d not been a complete shut-in, and had still gone to ballet three times a week. Mother would have killed her if she had skipped on practice, but her heart was never in it. The rest of the time she had been in her room, eating junk food while curled up in bed in her most comfy sweater, and feeling sorry for herself. That lasted until the staff had refused to bring her anymore ice cream or donuts or anything else, on her parents orders. She wasn’t surprised that they noticed- maybe that stupid butler had told them. Despite the fact that Father had to travel for business, and Mother had the dance studio, they had always had time for her and tried to stay involved in her life.

She began to cross the room, avoiding a few discarded bags of popcorn, and tugging at the ridiculous fuzzy purple sweater, which had ridden up her body in the night, almost up to her fore-legs. She blinked with sleep crusted eyes and rubbed them gently to clear them, pausing for a bit as she caught her reflection in her vanity mirror along the way. She had not truly realized what she had been doing to herself til that moment; her eyes were puffy and ringed in the purple-black of lost sleep, her mane matted and tangled; normally her coat would have been a glowing rosy pink, but it looked pale, faded, and lifeless. She looked absolutely terrible.

She groaned and stretched tired muscles, as she finished picking her way through discarded comfort food towards the door, slowly easing it open and peeking out to see the dreaded and beloved visage of her mother. The elegant thin figure of Ruby Tiara was as well kempt and alert as Diamond was not. She was dressed in a fabulous tan shawl, made from the finest wool imported from the highlands, gold bangles and bracelets accented her fore-hooves, and subtle diamonds adorned her ears. Ruby was a fine specimen of an eastern ballerina even now, after many years had passed in her life and a child had been carried inside her. Her Stalliongrad accent had dulled slightly over the years since she left, but she had never forgotten where she had come from, and was nearly as fit as she had been during her days in the Moseycow Ballet. “My little dahlink,” She began, fixing her daughter with a loving yet stern smile.

“Yes, Mother?”

“It is ten in the mornink, you vill take shower, you vill eat, and you vill come tell me vat problem is, then you vill go outside and play,” said Ruby in a tone that allowed no arguments, even with the silly grin crossing her face, and her head bobbing from shoulder to shoulder in emphasis with each phrase; with that said she turned on a heel and sauntered away, knowing that her daughter would obey.

Diamond could only sigh in reply, “Yes, Mother.” Diamond knew that her parents both loved her, that they both cared, but she knew not to cross mother. Her father she could usually manipulate and bend to her will, he had always been putty in her hoofs. She was his little princess after all. He had tried to get her to open up days before, but she had convinced him that she just needed time, but now Mother was involved; that meant dad would be no help at all and she knew one way or the other she would end up “tellink her everythink.” Diamond giggled a bit; to her own surprise her mother’s visit had already done some good.

She couldn’t disobey mother many reasons. If she did she would only suffer for it tomorrow at the ballet studio. With as much money as dad made, Diamond Tiara didn’t need to dance, but she enjoyed it immensely, and mother was the best. Diamond’s cutie mark had come at her first performance. She’d only worn a simple silver tiara, so she still didn't quite know why the one in her cutie mark was set with the precious stones. As to the ballet, Mother always said Diamond had more natural talent than she ever did, and Ruby had been one of the world’s finest in her prime. However, she also wanted her daughter to experience the freedom that Equestria offered her and didn’t make her practice everyday.

Ruby on the other hoof, had been raised in the harsh system of Trotsian Ballet, there had been little or no schooling for her after her earliest years, no friends or parties, only ballet. Diamond Tiara had heard the stories over and over again, six days a week, sometimes seven from dusk until dawn, constantly dancing, no freedom, only dancing. Not until she had finally made it big could she reduce her schedule, and even then, there had always been prettier and younger mares behind her, she couldn’t let them catch her. Her mother had finally found her freedom when she met Filthy Rich the Second, a businesspony from a foreign land who had come to find a supplier of exotic goods for his stores in distant Equestria. Taking in one of the famous ballets, he was entranced from the moment she stepped on the stage, and ended up finding something even more precious than he expected, a wife, and the future mother of his foal.

Her parents were still sickeningly sweet on each other, her father often found excuses to come home early from his office at Barnyard Bargains to bring mother flowers, or take them out for dinner or bowling. Diamond wanted that kind of love more than anything, but she had been too afraid to give Silver the slightest hint. She knew the other filly wouldn't feel the same, and so she had hidden her feelings away, hoping her crush would fade. Her dear friend must have been quite startled, maybe that was part of it, the surprise? Maybe, in time, after the shock wore off she could be forgiven; they could at least be friends. . .

. . . Diamond chased away the wishes and longings, showered and groomed, putting in extra effort on her mane and makeup, looking a pony’s best to give herself courage was just a simple psychological trick, but it worked for her. She was the daughter of a famous ballerina, and the heiress to one of the fastest growing retail and grocery chains in Equestria, she was a cut above the common pony, and a little thing like a broken heart wouldn’t be the end of her world. It was false bravado, mostly, but again she allowed herself to fall for it just a little.

Later, in her mothers gentle embrace she began the true cleansing of her soul, “Momma, I’ve always had a crush on somepony. . .”

***

Silver Spoon was bored.

It was not anything new, she had been bored for weeks now. As she sat in the swing on her porch, swaying gently in the breeze, she began to realize just how empty her life was. Like the swing, she was passive, a follower, waiting for some pony, or force of nature to put her into motion. For as long as she could remember that pony had been Dia— no, she didn’t even want to think of her name. That traitor, that freak, with her unnatural feelings that made her run from what had been her best, her only friend ever.

Seen and not heard. That was The Rules for fillies in the Spoon family. She’d had no friends at all, and had rarely said a word to anypony until that first day of school, when a boisterous and rather snooty pink pony had complimented the expensive glasses she wore and the care with which she braided her hair. She had been called “Fabulous.” Back then Silver could not remember the last time she had been complimented, and had followed the other other around like a little lost puppy ever since, but that was over now. Nopony liked her now.

Filly-fooling, it was gross, unnatural, That Is Not How Things Are Done, in the Spoon family. Silver was to wait, quietly, patiently, and Be A Good Little Filly, so that when she was old enough she would have her Mare-butante Ball, and there Daddy would select the most suitable stallions, Only Unicorns Need Apply; they would be watched over the years, their business sense, their social graces- all would be judged, until at the end of it all there would be only one-

“Immortaaal.” Pinkie Pie whispered from the bushes, before bouncing off on her way to do Pinkie things.

-Stallion and he would be given permission to court her, and there would be a big wedding and then a beautiful dress and flowers and Diamond would be her Mare of Honor and— oh, right, never mind.

Silver tried to distract herself with thoughts of what her stallion would be like, the color of his coat, mane, eyes, she felt her heart beat faster as she imagined his smell, the wedding night, her cheeks were growing warmer. She did not quite know what would happen on that night, Fillies Are Not Meant to Know, after all, but it had to be magical. When the heat began to spread to other places, she left the swing and those thoughts behind, feeling a little guilty that she had spent so long dwelling on such things. If her mother knew she was thinking those things she would be locked in her room for certain, and. . .

. . . what if she wasn’t good enough, she was just an earth pony, what if none of them wanted her. Dark thoughts intruded in Silver’s mind, she’d had them before, she had them often.

Silver had begun to walk across the thick grass of the lawn towards the front gate, thinking she might follow Pinkie Pie down to Sugar Cube Corner for a treat, a nice cupcake to ward off those terrible feelings, when she realized yet another consequence to that other pink pony’s betrayal. Silver was not allowed into town unescorted. Having another pony of Diamond’s class and breeding with her hadn’t even been enough to convince her parents initially, (her father still referred to them as "new money" in a disgusted tone.) it had taken weeks of begging in her audiences with Father, and a visit from the other filly’s parents to convince Mr. and Mrs. Spoon that Diamond, (she winced as her name came to mind), would keep their precious foal away from harmful influences and crude ponies.

What was she going to do now?

It was not until a few miserable days had passed that a solution to Silver’s problem appeared; the house next door, which was even larger than her own, which had been vacant for almost as long as she could remember, wasn’t quite so empty any more. She could see servants moving about the place, some carrying things out of an Acme Moving Carriage and into the large house as others cleaned and prepared it for somepony. She did know the house had been the summer home of the Dancer family for five generations, even before Ponyille came to be, though she wasn’t sure which branch of the prestigious unicorn family owned it at the moment. Her mother had told a few tales about the social events in Canterlot, and how Moondancer had simply scandalized her family by staying on through college at Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns instead of settling down with a respectable stallion.

“Excuse me?” she called, as she left her front gate, with only one guilty glance back towards her own home, “Excuse me, can somepony tell me who my new neighbors will be?”

A strong young earth stallion, with a brown coat and dark mane set down the recliner he had been carrying across his finely toned flanks, exposing a pair of crossed wrenches, his cutie mark, and trotted over to the young filly. Silver almost instantly developed a bit of a crush, this common pony was far beneath her station, but she could definitely enjoy looking at those muscles. He began with a smile and a rakish bow, and seemed please to see her grin in return, “I’m nopony important myself, just a fixer-pony, but my mistress, Glory Dancer and her umm, her foal-,” he seemed to fumble with his words for a moment, as if he didn’t know what he wanted to say, and Silver Spoon was more than happy to pretend he was simply dumbstruck by her beauty, “-her filly, ummm, I guess the little one is probably about your age, well they’ll be here in three days,” he finally managed.

“My age?” Silver Spoon asked, excitement building, “So she will be attending South Canterlot High this fall?”

“I think so,” he scratched his head, not entirely sure of his mistress’ plans, “Either way I’m sure she’ll be happy to have a friend right next door.”

Silver gave the friendly fixer pony another smile, “Thank you for telling me.”

Another filly, of the right social class, was moving in right when she needed her. She’d be able to go into town with her, and would no longer be cooped up in the yard or the house. Just then, Silver felt like the luckiest pony alive, but her smile faded when she reached the gate, where mother was waiting, “And what do you think you are doing out of the yard young lady? Talking to common laborers in the street? You are lucky your fah-ther wasn’t here to see this!” said Mrs. Spoon, with just a hint of her Canterlot accent creeping in.

Silver had to fight back a sudden urge to respond with sarcasm, she had been too long without the cutting remarks she and- that other pony- would use to belittle those who did not know their place, using it now would have been Unacceptable, so she decided upon a different tactic, “Mother, is it not wonderful? One of the Dancer’s, Glory, I believe, will be moving into their old estate, and she has a filly my age, you are always telling me to form connections with the best of ponies, and now they will be moving right next door!” she exclaimed, sweetness and naivety had served her well before, and her mother’s sternness did soften some.

“Glory, Glory, ahh yes, married one of the Banks, not one of their best though, she is calling herself Dancer again? Sounds like I have some gossip to catch up on, she had a filly and a colt if I remember, hrmmmm,” The possibility of gossip was enough to do the rest, and Silver’s transgressions were completely forgotten as they made their way into the house.

****

Three days of anticipation culminated in the Spoon’s own garden, as Glory Dancer and her filly were invited to Afternoon Tea. A servant had delivered the invitation, and another the reply. Such was The Way Things Were Done, in both high society, and the Spoon household. Mrs. Spoon, was dressed in one of her best day dresses, a frilly soft purple pastel that complemented her pale blue coat, her light pink mane was swept back in loose curls that left her unicorn horn in full view, (it was such a shame that Silver took after her father in that regard, just as she did in coloring.) A maid held a parasol up to shield her from the sun, as she sat waiting at the garden table, her daughter, similarly clad in light blue, was on her right.

She stood up and greeted her visitor with a kiss on each cheek as the purple maned white unicorn was escorted into the garden. “Glory, dahr-ling! you look simply mahr-volous,” she said, in the accent of Canterlot’s high society, “Welcome to Ponyville dear, it has been ages.”

Glory had dressed for simple elegance, a ruffled tan jacket and a single bracelet, allowing all to see her talent for magic written on her flank in a silver and purple shooting star. She had long since given up on the airs other unicorns liked to put on, she knew herself and needed nopony’s approval. “Yes, not since we were school fillies, Glitter,” she smiled. The two ponies had never been truly close, but they had friends in common, and for Scarlett’s sake Glory would put up with the pretentious Mrs. Spoon, “and speaking of fillies, this is my daughter Scarlett. One of my servants tells me your daughter Silver will be in the same year at South Canterlot come fall.”

The young unicorn mentioned had a white coat like her mother, and smiled confidently behind a mane of coppery red hair that shimmered in the afternoon sun, she was dressed much more appropriately in Mrs. Spoon’s opinion, in fact that silk and lace dress outdid her own, she thought with more than a hint of jealousy. “Oh, I’m sure they will be fast friends, now come dear let me get a good look at you, you’re such a. . .” Mrs. Spoon would normally have said the filly was pretty or adorable, but that wasn’t exactly true. Scarlett was a little bit too tall, too strong, perhaps she had been a bit of a tomfilly? Her withers and flank a bit too wide, her face a bit boyish, though she hid it quite well with makeup, the overall effect was, not ugly, just— plain, “. . . an elegant dresser, and how do you get your mane so shiny, and the color, just like Moondancer’s.” She had barely missed a beat in finding a way to compliment the filly, but she saw Glory’s jaw tighten slightly.

“She is my world,” Glory said with a smile as she watched Scarlett simply accept the compliment, however back-hooved, with a quiet "thank you" and a "nice to meet you."

Glitter Spoon was taken aback at the love she saw in that mother’s eyes, something about it made her feel very awkward. As she usually did when topics grew heavy she turned to banter, “Now, Glory dear, I heard the news and its simply dreadful, how could that fool of a Banks ever leave you?” She took Glory by the hoof and guided her to the table, “ Sit, sit everyone sit. Humilidad, the tea?” In the uncomfortable silence, the Coltombian maid served the group, the piping hot tea and miniature cakes filling the air with a sweet honeyed aroma.

Glory had never failed to be surprised at the brashness of the gossip pony (she almost choked on her tea), but Glitter always found out one way or another, and this way she at least had a chance to tell just enough, without getting into the more private details. “We just, we had a disagreement over the foals, and how we wanted to raise them. Its really not all that salacious Glitter Spoon, so you can stop salivating,” she decided to tease a bit, though she knew Glitter hated it, or perhaps she did it because of that fact, “Finances were fine, the romance was still there, but he was so stubborn and set in his ways when it came to the foals. He had their lives all planned out, but this one,” she smiled at her dear little filly, “Is a bit of a dreamer, and rather than let him force her into— well, it doesn’t really matter, she has plans of her own, and I could see that living his way was making her despair.”

Mrs. Spoon again felt an uncomfortable knot forming in her stomach, "I don't think I understand, because my Silver is such a good little filly, obedient, always finishes her homework," Glitter smiled at her daughter with a smile that was more pride than love, "She will make somepony a wonderful wife someday, a jewel of high society."

Glory gave Silver a look of pity, there was nothing wrong with being a somepony's wife, but it seemed like Silver wasn't being given an option to do anything more than what her parents wanted, much like her own little pony had faced under her husband's roof. Without freedom to decide for oneself how could anypony be happy? Glory took another sip of her tea and nibbled at a biscuit. "I'm sure. Glitter, how about we let the girls wander a bit, I'm sure you'd like to hear all the latest from Canterlot?" she shuddered inwardly at having to spend the afternoon in gossip, but this would give Scarlett a chance to get to know Silver, it was worth the sacrifice.

Not quite aware her mother was throwing herself upon the proverbial dagger, Scarlett set down her tea and exclaimed with a grin "Oh, yes! Let's go look at the roses." She stood up and carefully pulled her dress away from the chair, not wanting to ruin it, but still trying to escape before the other adult stopped her, and her soon to be friend. "Silver, please, show me your garden?" she asked in a sweet sing-song. If only they could get away, maybe Silver would actually say a word or two.

Silver looked at her mother, who waved her away with a hoof, and then she happily stood, "Nice to meet you Scarlett, the roses are down the stone path."

The auburn maned filly shook her tresses and laughed, giving Silver a playful tag on the shoulder, "You're it," and took off skipping down the stone path.

Silver stood with her mouth agape, she was much to old for such a game, and yet, looking over at her mother deep in her passion for the latest scandals, at the moment there was no better option, with a shrug she decided to do it right, and began down the path, a foalish skip to her own steps. She looked everywhere along the way, near tiny ponds, and behind the trellises, and didn't even see the other filly when she reached the rose bushes, which were marvelous that day, the pinks and the reds were both in bloom. Silver was a bit miffed, the game would be no fun if she could not find her target. Silver stopped moving, and closed her eyes to listen carefully, there, a rustling in the bushes over by the old oak. A little deception was in order, "Where are you?" she asked the air around her, and sighed loud enough to be heard. Then noisily began to trot back up the stone path.

Once she was out of sight she stepped off the path onto soft grass, and began to walk slowly around to where she had heard the noise, using a picket fence as cover. She carefully crept up to the edge of the fence, there was a hoofprint in the soft wet mud next to the tree. A grin tugged at one corner of her mouth, time for the pounce,' she thought.

She tensed up the muscles in her hind legs and prepared to make the leap- "BOO!" and instead jumped straight up into the air with a scream. Scarlett giggled behind her, " I got you sooooo good."

"You meanie," Silver replied, but a twinkle of good humor was in her eye, "that is not how the game is played."

"So, you do know how to have a bit of fun? I was worried since you didn't seem to do much but sit quietly when we were with our moms. So what do you like to do?" Scarlett was determined to make a friend today, and Silver seemed nice enough out of her mother's clutches.

Silver flicked the corner of her blue glasses, then tugged at her pearls as she thought about it, "I really like to get away from the house, my parents can be super strict, so I used to go into town with a friend, but she- we had a fight so I haven't had anyone to go with and I have been totally bored," she unconsciously dropped into the speaking habits she had picked up from Diamond, if her parents ever heard it they would just die, "but I totally love to pig out on sweets at Sugar Cube Corner, and Rarity's place is so fabulous, she is totally the hottest designer right now, and she is out here in lame-o-ville, can you believe it?"

"Oh, I absolutely love fashion," Scarlett squealed, "I mean, this isn't a Rarity, but I found this little out of the way place in North Canterlot and simply fell in love with the silk," This was going great, she had a friend, she had a friend! She mustn't jump the gun, she had to know more, specifically, "Silver, what do you think about stuffed animals?" she asked with an almost begging look in her eyes, 'please let her like them,' she pleaded to Celestia. Scarlett herself was a bit obsessed, if Silver thought they were for foals, it would put a bit of a damper on things.

Silver's cheeks turned a bit red, she would normally have been embarrassed to tell anypony, but Scarlett seemed so serious, "Well, actually, I like to make them, mother encourages sewing as a good skill to have."

Scarlett was staring at Silver with a manic grin, "We're going to be the BEST FRIENDS EVER!" she shouted, grabbing Silver's fore-hooves and hopping up and down, "Tomorrow you have to come over and see my collection, please please please, they have a whole room just to themselves, and then we can go into town and do anything you want."

Anything Silver wanted? She didn't think anypony had ever said anything quite like that before, Diamond, wonderful as she was- had been- tended to be self absorbed. What did she want? Cupcakes! The ones piled in too much frosting that the Cakes always kept in the center of their display cabinet. She hadn't had one in a month. "Well, like I said before, the cake shop is absolutely wonderful, and then I'll just give you a bit of a tour."

"That sounds great," Scarlett smiled, "Hey, didn't that oak tree have a swing? Want me to push you?"

The swing was wonderful, Silver went higher and higher into the air, it was like flying. They took turns back and forth on the swing, laughing and giggling, Scarlett was careful to hold down her skirts as they floated up around her each time the swing reached its peak. Silver felt a bit like a foal, Diamond was always trying to act so grown up, but with Scarlett it felt okay to be a little ridiculous, to forget the world and just play.

They were still there when Glory came to find them, "Its time girls, and I already worked it out so that Silver can spend the day with us tomorrow."

The two fillies looked at each other and smiled.

"Goodbye Silver, see you then," Scarlett said, giving her a hug.

Glory patted Silver's head gently, "See you tomorrow dear."

Silver waved goodbye as they left her in the garden, there was a warm feeling in her chest. She slept soundly that night, dreaming of cupcakes and stuffed bunnies.

Twists and Rumors

WARNING: This story will contain adult themes including homosexuality, gender dysphoria, and other controversial themes. I will be avoiding explicit sex, however if you are offended easily, please do not read.

Facets and Flaws

By: Scarlett

Chapter 2- Twists and Rumors

For weeks, Scarlett and Silver had been inseparable, some days they played in Scarlet’s room, on others they visited town together. Whatever Silver decided on; it was a new experience for Silver— being the leader. Scarlett wasn’t quite as passive as Silver had been in her friendship with Diamond Tiara, and she occasionally asked to do something else, but for the most part, it was Silver Spoon who chose their games and what they would do.

Today’s plans called for a visit to Sugar Cube Corner.

Snips and Snails sat a corner table splitting a wheat-grass shake into separate glasses, when the two fillies walked in. Snails looked over at the two of them, and his orange brow furrowed in confusion, “Since when is Diamond Tiara a white unicorn?” he asked Snips quietly, and in all seriousness.

Snails looked over at the new arrivals, and then back at his friend; he shook his head sadly. Snails could memorize all the weird recipes from those foreign cookbooks of his, and yet he couldn’t add two plus two to get four unless it involved cups of flour. “You dummy, that's not Diamond Tiara, that’s some new pony,” he said in his scratchy voice, then pausing to consider the implications before asking, “Hey, are you thinking what I’m thinking?”

“Yeah, that day it was raining chocolate milk was pretty awesome,” Snips answered.

Snips face-hoofed, “No, not that— I just realized Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon haven’t bullied us in weeks, and now one is here and the other isn’t, what’s it mean?” Snips was mostly asking himself, even if he got a reply from Snails, he knew it wasn’t likely to make sense.

Snips turned in his seat to get a good look at the new filly in town. She was a bit plain, not really his type, but she was dressed really nice, her red jacket and black skirt looked expensive. Another rich brat, he made his snap judgement, still staring.

Snails spoke up again, loudly, as things finally clicked in his tiny brain at the worst possible moment, “But, why isn’t Diamond Tiara here?”

“Just drink your shake Snails,” Snips groaned, hurriedly turning away as the girls looked over at them, the back of his neck prickled with their stares.

The two fillies whispered to each other, and giggled, “I just loathe a pony who, like, leers at young fillies and noses into other pony’s business, how about you Scarlett?” Silver asked her friend.

“Oh, yes, especially the colts that look you up and down, but lack the courage to say hello.” came the reply.

“Who can blame them for that? Who would want to talk to tall and stupid, and a little fatso?” Silver ramped up the vitriol, giggling at her own awesomeness, she had missed the insults, the gloating, the power over lesser beings.

Silver Spoon had looked over at her friend who had remained quiet, she was expecting her to continue the assault, but instead Scarlett was looking sadly at her in disappointment. Scarlett had felt the two colts had deserved some chastising for their rudeness, but she didn’t realize Silver would be so so cruel. Silver’s smug expression slowly deflated; for minutes an awkward silence hung over the room.

Mrs. Cake arrived to take the girl’s order, breaking the silence, and allowing the two colts to slip out of the store, but not before Snips tossed Silver a venomous glare. Silver fidgeted in her seat. She didn’t quite understand what had just happened, this wasn’t the way it was supposed to work, the boys were supposed to run out in tears while they laughed at them. Her new friend needed to be taught the way the game was played, “Why did you stop me from picking on those losers?” she asked, feeling a bit let down.

“Silver, you are my friend, but that was really mean.” Scarlett began with a sigh, “They were rude, but attacking somepony personally like that, about things that they can’t change really hurts. Has nopony ever called you four-eyes or something, don’t you know how it feels?”

“Well, sure, but they were only losers and blank flanks, so its not like they mattered,” Silver said with full conviction.

Scarlett was amazed, she didn’t think anypony could get over such things so easily. Hurtful words like those had always hit her hard, “Well, it matters to me, I wouldn’t want anyone saying something like that about you, what if someone was saying those things about me? I’m not as strong as you Silver, I’d probably cry, I’ve been teased before and I know how it feels.”

“But I’d never say anything like that to you!”

“No, but someone else might.”

“Well, I’d tell them to stop.” Silver said, smiling as if that solved everything.

“That’s why I made you stop. Those two aren’t my friends or anything, but its the same thing,”

“But, they are such creepy dweebs,” Silver complained, not ready to give in completely.

Scarlett laughed, “Hrmmm, well, he was creepy; I didn’t like those beady little eyes of his staring at me,” Scarlett gave Silver a bright smile, and let the subject go knowing she wouldn’t get any further right then, “Just try to be nice, okay?”

Silver smiled back, she still didn’t understand why her friend was being so uptight, but she did not want to feel her disapproval. The past few weeks had been great- though her friend’s stuffed animal obsession was getting a bit exasperating. She had made her three plush toys already, and after the last one had made Scarlett promise not to ask for another until next summer. Though maybe she would surprise her for Hearth's Warming?

“Its gonna taste so good,” Scarlett cooed as their tarts arrived, ready to focus on lighter topics, her eyes flashed as she suddenly remembered something, “Hey Silver, did you get a new dress for the Summer Sun Celebration? I got mine its so awesome, a Rarity Original.”

***

While the girls lost themselves in their discussion of fashion and gossip, Snips and Snails were spreading gossip of their own. First they ran into Archer, and told him that Silver seemed to have ditched Diamond Tiara for some new girl. Archer in turn told Mirror, who told Peppermint Twist, who immediately galloped over to Sweet Apple Acres and the Crusader’s Clubhouse (They’d dropped the Cutie Mark portion of their name when the the last of the group had finally gained her mark). From there it spread to every filly and colt in Ponyville, and the story grew with each telling.

***

One day, as midsummer neared, Applebloom, a yellow earth filly with long, bright red hair and freckles, had just finished telling the latest rumor to the other Crusaders: Sweetie Belle, a unicorn, and Scootaloo, a pegasus. There was something about pirates and ninjas and a duel to the death; Sweetie really hadn’t been paying much attention. Scootaloo on the other hand had acted out every scene of the story, and as it wrapped up was balancing on the back of one of their chairs, which was in turn balancing on only two of it’s legs. Sweetie Belle marveled at her friend’s agility, it was only to be expected- the orange filly had a scooter on each flank, a sign of her athletic prowess, she had been the first. Applebloom had been the next of the trio to get her cutie mark, the Apple family’s newest barn was replicated in miniature on the flanks of it’s designer. Gaining her mark had taken a lot of hard work, and judicious use of power tools. Sweetie Belle had been the last.

She still didn’t like singing in public much, but the silver bell and purple music notes on her white flank meant she was good at it. She liked writing songs, and she loved singing songs, maybe with practice she would get used to the knots and butterflies that appeared in her stomach every time she so much as thought about doing it in front of anypony.

“So do yah reckon its true Sweetie Belle?” Applebloom asked, bringing Sweetie out of her daze.

Sweetie paused, far longer than most ponies would, “If whats true?”

“The story, with the duel an’ all.” her friend replied patiently.

While she considered the story, softly tapping on her cheek, Sweetie thought that something about the story just couldn’t be right. What was it?

“No, its not true at all,” she finally said, stating matter of factly, “Cause nopony is dead.”

“How do you know?” asked Scootaloo excitedly, “Nopony has seen Diamond Tiara in weeks, I wonder where Silver Spoon hid the body.”

“I have,” said Sweetie, leaving her friends a bit puzzled.

“Have what?” her friends said at nearly the same time.

“I’ve seen Diamond Tiara,” she replied.

“You have?! Where? Did she say what happened? Is she sad? Was she bein’ a jerk? Did she call you names again? Should ah beat her up?” Sweetie Belle lost track of who said what in the flurry of questions.

Sweetie paused, sticking out her tongue a bit as she went over each question in her mind, her friend's faces were brimming with excitement, but as the pause grew longer, they both calmed down, and Applebloom began to get a little suspicious.

Sweetie Belle took a deep breath and began:

“Yesattheplaygroundyesshewasreallysadatfirstnowsheisnotwellmaybealittleandnononamecallingandnodon’thurthersheismyfriendnow.” There, she had said it all, and she knew that an argument was coming.

Applebloom and Scootaloo looked at each other while trying to piece that all together. “So ya’ll are sayin’ you an that snobby varmint are friends naow?” Applebloom asked.

“That is so not cool, you can’t be friends with her,” added Scootaloo.

The two began to recount the many mean things that Diamond had done to them over the years, their protests growing louder as they went on. Sweetie’s new friend was being called horrible things by her two best friends, and Sweetie was getting mad. She began to stamp her hooves in frustration, “Shut up! You don’t know, you were gone at camp, and I was all alone; we played everyday, and she doesn’t call me a foal when I wanna swing on the swings!”

Scootaloo winced as she remembered saying just that, the last time Sweetie had wanted to play on the playground, “About that, umm, it was mean,” Scootaloo shrugged as she tried to swallow her pride, “I’m sor-”

Sweetie cut her off, “No you’re not! You just can’t stand to see me cry, and I always cry when I get mad,” she sniffled and wiped at her cheek, illustrating her point.

“Yeah, you do, and it breaks my heart every time,” Scootaloo sighed sincerely, “By Celestia, its just too cute,” she pinched Sweetie's cheeks between her hooves. Scootaloo quickly resigned herself to Sweetie Belle's determination, and said, “Well just don’t let her tell you what to do, that's my job.”

Applebloom knew she had to give her blessing as well, it seemed to be important to Sweetie Belle after all, but that rich pony sure rubbed her the wrong way. “Well, long as she ain’t bein’ mean to yah— I guess.”

Swiping Scootaloo’s hooves away, Sweetie Belle gave each of her friends a short hug. “She’s been really nice to me,” she said, “But you two will always be my best friends, you know that.”

Scoot and Applebloom felt their hearts warm with the Magic of Friendship, and they both wrapped Sweetie up into a long group hug.

****

Removing the band that held her mane back in a ponytail while she worked, Peppermint Twist let out a deep sigh, her mane poofing out into its usual curly red mess. Work for the day was done, all the taffy and caramel was made, all the pots and thermometers were cleaned and prepped for the next day, and the white earth filly could finally relax. Not that work wasn’t fun, she made candy all day, and its always fun to sample the wares, but it was hard to keep it up day after day. She was very grateful for the work- it let her provide a few extra bits for her family, and she was learning the trade her cutie mark meant she was destined for, but it would have been nice to be able to just be a foal like all her friends at school. At least in the summer, she had the afternoons off, and that extra cash meant more food on the table; Twist loved to eat. She knew she’d have hips like Pinkie Pie's before too long.

Twist was very excited to get off work, she would see Appplebloom and the other Crusaders today. She was a bit jealous of Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle at times, as Applebloom spent far more time with them even though she had known her longer, but she enjoyed her friendship with all of them.

She looked around at the empty shop, adjusting her glasses, it looked like Bon Bon had left early. She would need to lock up again. Her boss had been doing that every night since she and Lyra had made up from their most recent fight. The two were more than friends, and while some ponies had an issue with that sort of thing, Twist tried not to. She didn’t quite understand it, and still felt a bit awkward when she was around the two of them; her only crush had been on Snails, but it all seemed to make sense when she saw Lyra’s eyes and the fascination they held everytime she and Bon Bon were together.

Twist had so many reasons she was thankful to Bon Bon— in fact, the year she first started working for the mare the carrot crop had gotten the blight, and because Twist's dad was a seasonal farm-hoof the family hadn’t been sure they’d make that month’s rent on their tiny apartment above the flower shop. Her employment was technically illegal, what with all the foal labor laws, but Ponyville was a small town, and everypony had turned a blind eye to the situation once they knew the details.

Cleaning up a few last messes, Twist left the shop, locking the door and taking one stair at a time down the short steps in front of the cottage. As she reached the street she looked left, then right, but didn't see anypony. She grumbled, those three were supposed to meet her here after work today, but she didn’t see them anywhere. If those three had forgotten again she was gonna— “Oh No!” Twist groaned, she saw somepony after all- Diamond Tiara was walking her way.

“Hello Twist, I just love what you’ve done with your hair,” Diamond mocked with false sweetness as she approached, the snobby pony's eyes had an edge to them, something even worse than her usual disdain, “Dweeb sweat and powdered sugar is soooo in this year.”

Twist flushed with embarrassment, the other pony had always made her feel small, Twist knew she worked harder and got better grades, she even had more friends than Diamond, but she still managed to make her feel inferior. Diamond was only popular in the way that bullies sometimes are, everyone sucked up to her so they wouldn’t be targeted, nopony really liked her, but still, Twist was always so conscious of the other pony’s fine clothing, her well groomed mane and hooves, even the confident way she acted. Sometimes the other’s taunting made her want to curl into a ball and disappear, even when nopony else was around to hear the insults.

“Oh, whats the matter, are you ashamed of your new look? I would be too,” Diamond sniffed at the air, continuing the barrage, “Eww, what is that, it smells like poor. Haven’t you ever, like, heard of perfume?”

Diamond had backed Twist up onto the stairs and up against the door of the shop, her cruel eyes gleaming as she kept up her assault of words until Twist’s eyes had begun to tear up. She took it even further, and added a forceful hoof to Twist’s shoulder, just enough to cause her to wince and stumble as her flank hit the wood behind her, she was forced onto her hind legs as Diamond tiara pinned her fully against the door. The filly leaned in, she was so imposing just then, something in the way she was moving, or in her glare, made Twist feel frozen, powerless, she couldn't move, she couldn't fight back. Diamond licked her lips as she started to move one of her fore-hooves down Silver's chest— Diamond's eyes went wide in shock, and she jumped back from the pony, causing Twist to fall forward onto the landing at the top of the stairs. Diamond's heart was racing, her breath was shallow— how could she have hit somepony like that? She didn't want to think about what else she would have done, her face flushed as she thought about where exactly her hoof had been headed.

"I'm sorry," said Diamond, those words were ones that Twist had never heard from that pony, and in her voice, was that concern? "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to— what was I doing? How could I have done that, did I hurt you?" Diamond was kneeling down next to Twist and lifting her to her hooves.

Twist couldn't remember anything in her life that had come as a bigger surprise then Diamond Tiara lending a helping hoof, especially after what she had just done— 'and what was it that had happened, exactly? One moment she was being insulted as usual, but then— attacked?— caressed?' Twist swallowed, 'she must have been imagining it right? Wait, no. Why would she imagine that?'

Twist let the other girl help her to her hooves, and she brushed some of the dust from herself. She looked Diamond Tiara up and down- nope. Twist was definitely into colts. Was Diamond into fillies, did she like her? Why would she buck her shoulder then— she'd never seen the other filly get violent with anyone before, except to trip somepony in the aisle at school. Ouch! It still hurt; Twist grabbed at her aching shoulder and gave Diamond a puzzled look.

'Where had that come from?' Diamond wondered. That anger, that sadness- that desire. Somehow Twist had vanished before her eyes, and it had been like Silver was really there, and she had wanted to- hurt her. Diamond Tiara had started to shake, she was afraid, why was she feeling this way? She felt a hoof on her shoulder, it was Twist's.

A long awkward silence was broken by the sound of hoofsteps on cobblestones.

They both turned to see the Crusader's skipping down the street towards them, laughing and playing. Twist quickly let go of Diamond and tried to wave at them- with the wrong leg. Ouch, again.

Scootaloo and Applebloom looked at each other and fidgeted uncomfortably. What had Twist done to her shoulder, and what was that bully doing here?

Sweetie Belle scampered past those two, stopping at the base of the stairs to greet her friends "Hi Twist, Hi Diamond! What are you doin? Are you making up with Twist now too? She is a really sweet pony you know?"

Diamond was panicking, if Twist told Sweetie what had just happened. . . she'd be friendless again. Diamond wasn't used to consequences, she had never really had to think before she acted. Daddy's money solved most problems, and had opened doors most ponies never see. Also, no matter what happened before, she'd always had Silver. This summer had been trying for her. She'd had to make a new friend, and this friendship required something of her, she knew Sweetie wouldn't understand why she had done it, would hate her for it— she wasn't even sure she understood why she had done those things.

She looked up at Twist with pleading in her eyes, now it was Diamond who was powerless.

Twist saw her expression, she felt conflicted, she hated Diamond Tiara, didn't she?

"She was jutht helping me up afther I fell," Twist lisped cheerfully, internally surprised at her own decision, "and when I told her you all were coming, she offered to threet us all for ith cream!"

****

At Sugar Cube Corner, Diamond Tiara had been very careful not to let Twist out of sight with any of the Crusaders, she couldn’t have the little nerd blabbing now, but why hadn't she told? Diamond knew what she had done to each of these ponies over the years. She'd been a total bitch, and today she'd actually bucked another pony. Why was Twist protecting her?

Diamond Tiara made extra effort to be friendly to Twist, maybe she could make up for what she had done? Diamond was on her best behavior all afternoon, the epitome of politeness, and it made Applebloom shudder. Sweetie and Diamond had begun talking about the new school year, and how excited they were to be in high school. It was all so mild, so inane. It was driving her crazy.

"So Twist you're like, totally gonna go to South Canterlot too, right? Maybe we'll be in the same class again," said Diamond.

Twist had begun to fidget, was Diamond coming on to her? "Ummm, Yeth of courth, ith the public thcool afther all," she replied.

Applebloom frowned, Twist's lisp hadn't been that bad in years.

"That would be so cool," Diamond said with a fake smile, (she was adept at those), but inwardly she was laughing, as if, like she really cared if she was in the poor pony's class, she just needed her to not tell Sweetie Belle what she had done.

"Hey remember that time. . ." Scootaloo began, and hours passed in idle conversation.

Diamond was enjoying herself, she realized. She had known how kind Sweetie Belle was, and how foal-like she could be at times even before they became friends, but she had never before really gotten to know any of the others. Twist was a complete nerd like she had thought, but she wasn't afraid to say what was on her mind, and she was actually better at being a part of the conversation than Diamond was. Diamond was used to being in charge, so she kept on interrupting ponies on accident. Scootaloo was excitable, she liked to tell stories, and jumped around from topic to topic at times. Things like school bored her, so she would bring up one of the adventures she had had with her friends. Diamond Tiara had gasped when she had heard about the cockatrice, how come nopony had ever told her about that? Then there was Applebloom, she was the leader of this little group, and Diamond found herself butting heads with her occasionally. She didn't seem to like Diamond much. . . well, none of them did except Sweetie, but most of them were hiding it well. Applebloom was taking every opportunity to pick at what Diamond was saying, but she quickly discovered that the nicer she was the angrier Applebloom was getting, and it became even more interesting after that.

Eventually the fillies began to go their separate ways, Diamond Tiara had tried to insist on escorting Twist home, but Applebloom had tagged along. She had wanted to talk to Twist alone- she was still confused about some things, but that wasn't happening.

The hairs on the back of Diamond’s neck rose as Twist entered the flowershop and headed upstairs, leaving the pink filly alone in the street with the farm girl. Applebloom suddenly looked alot bigger in the dark street at night than she had in the light of the bakery. “Ah don’t know what ya’ll are doin’ tryin’ to be friendly with Sweetie Belle,” the yellow coated filly began, stretching her shoulders, “or what yah did to Twist, but I know yer up to no good, and if ah catch yah at it, I’m goin’ at yer face like its applebuck season,” Applebloom said, her threat delivered in a calm, quiet voice, with a coldness to it that Diamond had never heard before from anypony.

Diamond hadn’t spared Applebloom from teasing before, but like Silver Spoon had discovered weeks before, it isn’t so easy to be a bully when you are all alone. It wasn’t so easy when the pony before you looked like she would follow through on her threats of violence without a second thought. She hadn’t noticed before, just how strong Applebloom’s flanks were, how tight the tendons had become through years of helping out at harvest. Diamond Tiara gulped silently, hiding again behind her false smile. “How crass, and when I’m just trying to be friendly. Didn’t I just pay for a nice afternoon snack?” she asked, unable to resist a little dig at the pony in front of her.

Applebloom snorted, “Ah don’ care what yer daddy paid for,” and stomping a front hoof, she said, “ah don’ get you.” Appleblooom pawed at the dirt in frustration, “Yer daddy pays for fancy stuff, an’ yer mama teaches you ballet, ya’ll got everthin’ but yah still poke fun at everypony— ah don’ even got no parents an ah’m a better pony then yer ever gonna be.”

Diamond forced herself to keep smiling, but Applebloom had struck deep. Her shoulders grew tight and she felt the darkness coming. In her heart she knew Applebloom was right; They were all better than her. There was nothing good about her, she was rich because her father was rich, what was so great about that; She was worthless, and she had to push other ponies down just to feel like she was someone special. She couldn't do anything right, she wasn't good enough- No- Diamond, hide it deep, push it down, keep smiling. Keep smiling. Her mind drifted back to earlier in the summer, when she had asked if she could join Sweetie Belle on the playground. She had treated Sweetie as bad as she treated everyone, but Sweetie had just smiled and nodded. Sweetie Belle was better than her too, Sweetie had lifted her, treated her like any other pony— like a friend.

Diamond lost her composure and her lip began to quiver, she had sunk back into old habits today, if she wasn’t careful she could lose Sweetie as a friend. She didn’t mean to, Twist wasn’t so bad, she was really cool to be honest, she worked hard everyday after school, and still had better grades than Diamond. It was never really about Twist at all, or any other pony she had belittled or insulted; the pony Diamond hated was herself. Diamond's walls were crumbling, the world was going dark, her head was throbbing, her cheeks felt wet, her legs felt weak.

Applebloom had expected a snotty reply, not tears, and now she was flustered and confused. “Horsefeathers! Don’t nothin’ make sense this summer? Stop your snifflin’ filly,” She said, her fore-hoof had moved forward, but she stopped it before doing something silly like patting Diamond Tiara of all ponies on the head. What had gotten into the little bitch? Applebloom’s frustration culminated in the mental swear, as the other filly sat down in the middle of the dusty street and bawled, tears and snot running down her face.

Applebloom was still standing in the street ten minutes after Diamond finally left, pawing at the ground.

Masks and Mirrors

Facets and Flaws

By: Scarlett

Chapter 3- Masks and Mirrors

It was the dawn before the summer solstice, which meant, among other things, that Ponyville’s Summer Sun Celebration would be held that night starting at midnight, and lasting until dawn. This year Ponyville was not the site of the main celebration, so the princesses would not be attending, but the residents of Ponyville would be celebrating, and watching the sunrise nonetheless. Mayor Mare and the town council had decided upon the theme of ‘masquerade’. Preparations had already begun, and everyone in town had an assignment. For example, this year the mayor had sent Pinkie Pie on a “special mission”, one that involved going out of town. The mayor wanted to keep the decorations and party a bit more elegant than in years past- Pinkie was to be back in time for the party, the Mayor wasn’t cruel, but she should be bringing along a giant piñata ordered from Canterlot; the trip should take most of the day by wagon, allowing less— intense ponies to set up the actual party.

Almost everypony in town was looking forward to the event.

Everypony did not include Applebloom. That dawn Applebloom was pretending, as she did every week or so, not to notice as her sister Applejack did her best to sneak into the bedroom that they shared; she smelled of hard cider and imported perfume, and— Applebloom struggled not to laugh— still had Rarity’s lipstick on her neck, but it wasn’t her sister’s secret relationship that had kept her awake most of the night. No, she had been tossing and turning because she was pissed off. Somehow Diamond Tiara had gotten herself invited to tag along with the Crusaders to the masquerade ball.

Ever since the day at Sugar Cube Corner, Diamond Tiara had been nice. It was an act, obviously, a mask that Diamond was wearing, but Applebloom still hadn’t been able to find fault with anything Diamond had done since then. She and Sweetie had been together almost daily and seemed to be enjoying it, Twist had received a package the next day containing a gorgeous dress for the party, and now refused to tell Applebloom what had really happened between the two of them at the candy shop. What had that crying been about?

Applebloom supposed she would just have to grin and bear it, none of the girls had dates after all. Archer was dating Mirror, Snips and Snails were— themselves, and there were no other colts their age in town, and as for fillies, well, unlike some ponies, she didn’t even want to think about that possibility yet, she quietly giggled, remembering her sister's secret shame.

There was another reason Applebloom wasn’t excited about that night. For all the complaining her sister did about frou-frou for herself, she had always had a double-standard when it came to Applebloom, she’d been forced to wear that bow in her mane for years, and now, there was that. Applebloom looked over at the dress on her plain wooden nightstand and whimpered, so many ruffles. She didn’t understand it, why couldn’t a filly wear something simple, like a bow-tie.

****

Scarlett let out a squee, as she held her Celebration dress close to her chest. She was sitting on her bed as the early morning sun came in through the drapes. The dress was so perfect, so pretty, more ruffles and bows than she had ever seen before, and it came with a matching mask. It was a masterpiece. The sapphire blue of the dress was a compliment to her lighter blue eyes, she had ordered it offset by grey accents and ribbons as a tribute to her best friend, it was far and away the greatest thing she had ever owned. She squealed again and hopped from her mattress, laying the dress across her haunches she spun, watching it flutter, careful not to catch it on the edges of any of her furniture.

Tonight was the ball, the masquerade, a night of fairy tales. Scarlett was as her mother said, a dreamer, and a night of make-believe and fantasy appealed to everything within the young filly. Tales of dark wizards and noble knights filled her bookshelves, tales of adventure, exotic zebra’s, heroic young colts and fillies. The fact that these things existed in truth in modern Equestria as well as in it’s ancient history, only made things more appealing to the young pony. Not only were they amazing, but the tales were possible, if only just.

She carefully set her dress onto it’s stand, making sure she hadn’t caused a wrinkle, she couldn’t let her excitement cause her to ruin it. With hours and hours yet to go, and a nap to take before the dance, Scarlett knew it would be a long day of anticipation. She walked over to her mirror, looking at her unclothed body; there were so many flaws to fix, so many imperfections to hide, she frowned at what she saw, she wished she was a bit smaller. She couldn’t do anything about the shoulders, but she’d stopped eating altogether once, trying to get thinner, mom had intervened.

She had to look her best tonight. She couldn’t be the beauty of the ball, however much she wanted to be, but maybe she would at least be called pretty, if only for that one night— she’d wear her tightest corset. There were a few things she could conceal with magic, she’d spent ages looking for just the right spell. Her horn glowed softly as she cast one particular spell which had become a morning ritual, it hid what she considered the worst parts of herself.

It wasn’t about vanity, not really, but she never really felt like herself til the spell was cast.

Maybe the library would have a new book she could read to pass the hours? She smiled at the thought. Yes, she would get presentable enough for that, and go find a book to read, and maybe a scone to nibble on. She wouldn’t be meeting Silver Spoon until an hour before the masquerade, so she had plenty of time to spend on her fantasies.

****

“Crusader Cliff Diving!” Scootaloo shouted as she threw herself off of the twenty foot drop into the deepest part of the river, her wings tightly folded into her sides and bound down so she wouldn’t open them on accident. Sweetie Belle, though not as brave soon followed. They had done this particular crusade a number of times, and enjoyed it alot. It was only mid-morning, but this was summer, and Scootaloo was determined not to waste it, even if the Summer Sun Celebration was that night, they still had a whole day of fun to get to.

The best part of it was she was finally alone with Sweetie Belle. Scootaloo had known from an early age that she was one for the fillies, but she hadn’t realized what her sometimes slow friend really meant to her, until recently. She didn’t know if she could ever say anything, or if Sweetie would understand it if she did, was that even really what it was?

She had to admit to some jealousy, no, a lot of jealousy, at how much time the other girl was spending with Diamond Tiara, but that morning, the rich girl had finally let some of her true colors come through though. The prissy filly had decided to stay home when they had described that mornings activity, “Throwing yourselves off cliffs? On purpose?” The girl had been shocked to learn that they considered it fun.

Applebloom hadn’t joined them either, she had told them she had to help Big Mac with something on the farm; there was always something that needed doing on Sweet Apple Acres, and Applejack was apparently a bit under the weather. So Scootaloo had Sweetie all to herself, someday she’d have the courage, but for now she could be at her friend’s side, letting her know how awesome she was.

Scootaloo paddled in the water just to keep herself afloat and watched a laughing Sweetie Belle eagerly climbing up the cliffside for another jump. Her laughter had that same deep clear sound that her singing voice had. Scootaloo felt her chest warm with what was probably love as she watched her friend plummet into the water.

****

He had tried to convince Snails to ask Twist to the masquerade, as he was pretty sure she had a thing for his lanky friend, but Snips hadn’t had any luck. “But she can’t cook anything but candy,” his dimwitted friend had complained. Snails hadn’t wanted to hear that fillies and cooking didn’t necessarily have to go hand in hand. Snips should have known it was a lost cause sooner, the pin-up calendar on Snails wall was “Lady Chefs of Equestria” after all.

Snips had thought about asking one of the fillies in town himself, because despite the fact that he was a talented mane dresser, Snips was all about the ladies— well, mostly about the ladies, Snips admitted to himself, his barn door might have a little bit of backswing to it.

Anyway, there was really only one pony who he was pining for. He’d only met her once, years ago, but to him T.G.A.P.T. was the cream of marehood. The Great and Powerful Trixie had never returned to Ponyville, but he’d read articles on her rise to fame in Manehattan and Las Pegasus. She had studied hard after what she described in her autobiography as “The Humiliation” and had become an even more accomplished showmare, dropping a little (just a little) of the bravado and replacing it with real skill and power. He’d even saved up to go see her live, just once, but was unable to get close enough for an autograph.

There wasn’t a filly in this town that could measure up to a young colts infatuation, of course, but Snips wasn’t ready to give it up just yet.

Oh well, he and Snails both had tuxedos they could use that night from their magic act, Snips wasn’t talented in real magic, but he had become quite proficient in trickery and slight-of-hoof, all smoke and mirrors, but for a hobby it wasn’t bad, and a birthday party or two earned them a few bits now and again.

They would go to the ball and dance with some unattached fillies, nothing wrong with that.

****

“Twist, can we talk?” Diamond Tiara asked as she stood in front of the counter at Bon Bon’s, Twist had finally come out of the kitchen.

Twist froze, “How thid you get in here? We’re clothhed to make candy for. . .” She saw Bon Bon sitting at a table in the corner, and sighed as her boss gave her a conspiratorial wink. She felt her stomach sink, she never should have told her boss what had happened.

“Twist, I just need a few minutes, please?” Diamond pleaded.

It wasn’t like they hadn’t seen each other since that day, but it had always been with the group, so other than Diamond mouthing, “I’m sorry”, they really hadn’t discussed anything that had happened. Twist wasn’t sure she wanted to. She had been hesitant to accept the dress that Ditzy Doo had dropped off the following day, she’d wanted to return it, but there had been no return address, only a short apology note from Diamond inside:

Dear Twist,

I am sorry, I do not know why

I did those thnigs. I was hurting inside,

and I hurt you.

Please accetp this small gift for your kindness,

Diamond

She was so confused. Somehow Diamond Tiara had become a sort of friend over the past few weeks. She was being nice, kind, funny even. Twist wasn’t sure she wanted to hear what the fillly had to say to her alone though. If she rejected her would things just go back to normal?

“Okay, Leths go in the kithchen,” said Twist, Bon Bon would probably be listening to every word, but they’d at least have the semblance of privacy, and if Diamond tried anything, she gulped, Twist would have a rescuer.

There was nothing boiling in the kitchen, but the counters were covered in cooling candies and toffees, the air was sweet and warm. Twist leaned up against a counter and waited.

“Twist, you made all this?” Diamond asked, her mouth watering, “That is like, really cool”

“Me, cool?” Twist shook her head.

“No, really, you are, I can't wait to try these candies tonight,” Diamond looked at Twist with an intensity that made her blush, “Listen, Its really hard to say this, because I’ve never been a very nice pony, like, I’m totally mean right? But I just need to tell you that-”

“I’m thorry,” Twist interrupted, not really wanting to hear what she thought was coming next, “I like. . .colths, tho I don’t think-”

Diamond was laughing, that wasn’t quite what Twist had expected. “Oh no its not that,” Diamond smiled at her fondly, and the smile even seemed real, “I wanted to tell you that I’m sorry I hurt you, and for making fun of you. . .and everypony. I did like somepony and it didn’t go well, and I was taking it out on you that day. I’m sorry, and I promise that’s the last time I’ll apologize for it, you're probably sick of "I'm sorry" by now?”

Twist breathed a sigh of relief, it looked like she wouldn’t have to defend herself today after all. She was a bit curious about who Diamond liked, but there were more important questions at hand, “That day. . . but you uthed to pick on me all the time. Hanging out lately hath been cool, but, whath changed?”

Biting her lower lip, Diamond debated within herself, “I have some things that I can’t really talk about too much yet, but, alot of it was jealousy Twist.”

“Jealouth, of me?”

“Yes, of you, I’ve never told anypony outside of my family this before but I can’t read very well, I’ve got dyslexia, so school is really hard- it sucks to be honest, and I have to have private tutors just to get C’s, but you don’t even do homework sometimes and just pass all the tests and get A’s, I so wish I could do that,” Diamond’s eyes were watery as she continued, “Sometimes, a lot of the time, I don’t feel like I’m good at much of anything, so I insult people,” Diamond put a hoof to her mouth, that was more than she had meant to say, but it felt good, “I don’t want to do that anymore.”

Twist tapped a hoof on the tile of the kitchen, she wasn’t ready to let everything go yet, she still harbored resentment for years of abuse. “Because of gradthes! Because I did well in thchool you thorthured me like that?” she exclaimed, “Do you know how hard I work after thcool everthay?” Twist had walked over to Diamond and was shaking her by the shoulders.

“I didn’t. . . I do now,” Diamond said as she moved back from the irate filly. She huddled up against one of the counters, she thought for a moment that she may have to flee, but Twist stopped advancing on her. The other filly stood menacingly in front of her, anger flashing in her eyes, but it slowly drained away.

“Tho. . . whath now?” Twist asked, her breathing slowing, her aggressive posture shifting back into uncertainty.

“Now, maybe, we can be friends?” Diamond asked, seeming sincere, but she did that so well, how could Twist know for sure? Twist looked into Diamond's eyes, trying to gauge the truth, she saw more fear in the filly than anything else.

“You're coming with uth to the parthy right? Tho we mutht be friendth alreadthy,” Twist gave Diamond a little smile, she wasn’t ready to give her full trust yet, but she liked the Diamond Tiara she had seen lately, she could give her a chance.

“So. . .do we hug now?” asked Diamond, sounding truly mystified, she hadn't had many friends— just Silver.

Bon Bon, just outside the kitchen, had begun snickering sometime during that last exchange, and now it burst out into full out laughter, “So, do we hug now? HAHAHAHA! That’s a good one, hey, can I use that line? HAHA! You should give her a kiss Twist.”

“I've thold you both, colth only,” Twist grinned, blushing, and they settled for a hoof-shake.

Preparations and Panic

Facets and Flaws

By: Scarlett

Chapter 4- Preparations and Panic

She was a bit startled when the front door opened as she was attempting to knock, Silver was forced to take a step back as a flurry of bags came rushing through the door-frame, floating through the air wrapped in an azure aura of magic. Glory Dancer had come trotting out after her bags, her white coat glistening from her spa treatment earlier in the day, her purple mane with its light blue streak perfectly coiffed, but she had to come to an awkward and sudden halt to avoid trampling straight over the filly that had appeared on her porch. “Hello dear, Scarlett isn’t here, did you need something?” Glory asked cheerfully after a few stuttering steps to find her balance.

“Oh— no, Ms. Dancer, I was just hoping she was home,” Silver Spoon said, fidgeting. If Scarlett wasn’t there she would have to go home— she glanced back that way with a great big sigh.

Glory groaned inwardly, the little one sure knew how to tug at her heartstrings, but she didn’t have time for this, she had to deliver the decorations for tonight, help Scarlett with her gown— all those ruffles took an extra pair of hooves— Silver wasn’t her daughter, she shouldn’t have to. . .

“. . .Come on in, I’ll make you some lunch,” Glory resigned herself to following her heart.

Silver was a bit of an enigma to Ms. Dancer- the filly seemed to try so hard to be what those around her wanted her to be. Around her mother, the girl was a quiet non-entity in the background; with Diamond she had been a snob and a bully. With Scarlett’s incurable indecisiveness, (Glory had tried everything,) forcing Silver into the leadership role Glory thought she would learn more about the filly, but she still wasn’t sure who Silver was when she was all alone.

Glory asked the girl,“What do you like to eat?” as they entered the extravagant home, but received only a shrug in reply.

Like her own house, it was decorated in only the finest furnishings, but it didn’t feel old, cold, and uninviting— there was a sense of warmth and lived in comfort there. Normally Silver Spoon would head straight up the stairs to Scarlett’s room, but today Glory led her back through a hallway and into an immaculate kitchen with white and blue tile work. Ms. Dancer gathered the ingredients herself and began slicing the bread and cheese, grilled cheese and daisy sandwiches had never gotten a complaint from any filly she had ever known. She heard Silver giggle as she worked, and looked over questioningly.

“I was just imagining my mother trying to fix me lunch like this, she’d probably burn a hoof,” Silver’s smile was shy, but sincere, “Its really cool that you know how to cook.”

Glory snorted, and replied loudly, “Melting cheese isn’t Trans-dimensional Magical Theory, you know?”

Silver shrugged, watching Glory work, “Do you want to help?” the mare asked.

The filly nodded emphatically. Silver Spoon soon learned to butter bread, a knife held awkwardly in her mouth. She would get better with practice, she knew, but sometimes she wished she was a unicorn— like mother had wanted. So many things were easier with a bit of magic. Glory didn’t seem to mind using her mouth to do the job herself though. It made Silver’s heart warm to know the mare was foregoing her own magic to teach her in a way that she could copy.

As they went through the steps, Glory noticed Silver was humming softly to herself while she worked- some top 40 number by Sapphire Shores, and swaying in time with the music. ‘Finally,’ she thought, ‘something real.’

****

Later, Silver had accompanied Ms. Dancer to drop off the decorations, still licking her lips from the wonderful sandwiches. She had even offered to carry a bag herself, even though Glory was easily carrying them all with her magic. Rarity herself was there to claim the decor, already the hall was full of color and light, the night was sure to be magical.

“Wait until Scarlett sees this! Are those tablecloths silk? She will love this, for sure!” Silver squeaked in excitement.

Glory giggled along with the filly as they skipped through the hall, “Try not to spoil it for her, you’re right though, she has always loved elegance and theatricality, this night seems made for her. How about you?”

“I guess. . .” she paused for some time, wrinkling her nose as she considered it, her glasses falling slightly askew,
“. . .I am excited. I have never been to a masquerade but the idea is that you get to wear a mask, and everyone is supposed to pretend not to know who is who, even if they do know, so you can act a little foalish and its okay?”

“Yes, that does just about cover it,” Glory smiled, then whispers conspiratorially, “Did you know that Princess Celestia holds a masquerade for the school every year? She uses it as an excuse to get up on stage and sing— and she isn’t very good, but nopony would dare say such a thing; after all, that couldn’t be the Princess up there making a fool of herself, such is the magic of the masquerade.”

Silver Spoon giggled softly to herself, she closed her eyes and imagined what she might do if there was no judgement, no repercussions. She couldn’t be that brave, could she?

“Oh my, look at the time! Scarlett will be back soon, would you like to get ready at our place? I’m sure your servants can bring your dress and accessories over.”

“Oh yes! Please,” Silver was relieved that she would not have to go home before the masquerade, now she wouldn’t have to listen to mother lecture her about propriety and What A Good Little Filly Should Do, while she dressed.

****

For Scarlett, it had been a wonderful day, and it was barely even started yet; she had a nap to take and then it would be time for makeup and dresses and dancing! Early that morning, she had picked up hot chocolate and a scone, raspberry, of course, from Sugar Cube Corner, carried it carefully through the hustle and bustle of Ponyville’s town square, and over to the outskirts of town. The street that was home to the enormous tree that was the library held a few scattered shops and homes, but unlike the square, it was still quiet, almost silent; Scarlett was the one to break the silence, knocking loudly on the library door. Those first knocks seemed to echo among the branches of the tree that was a home and more, but they hard garnered no response from within the library, the windows remaining dark.

She had knocked again, a bit harder, and winced as she tweaked her hoof slightly. Again she waited, but this time she could hear a rustling within the library. She heard the familiar sound of a stack of books come crashing down, and a voice had shouted, “Spike!”

Scarlett tried to contain her giggles when the door finally opened, and a sleepy-eyed dragon, slightly taller than her, opened the door, scratching absently at his purple scales, “What do you want,” came the sullen demand.

She had argued with the silly little dragon, just because she could, normally she would chide Silver for doing such a thing, but the creature was so obviously upset that his nap had been interrupted that she hadn’t been able to help herself, but she did feel guilty afterwards. “Books,” she said, “this is a library isn’t it?”

“Well, yes, but its more of a private library”

“That’s good, I like privacy, now can you point me to the fantasy section?” As she said this she snuck past the dragon and into the main room, her eyes growing wide at the shelves of books. Her hot cocoa floating behind her. She spotted the cover of one of her favorites, and had begun to trot over.

“B-but, Hey WAIT!” The dragon came scrambling after her, standing in her way with arms spread wide, “You can’t just come in here!”

“I know, that’s why I knocked, thank you for opening the door and showing me in, now would you be a dear and fetch me a comfy chair?” Pushing past Spike, Scarlett reached out and obtained her goal, a story of distant lands and magic, princesses and— she barely held in a fit of giggles, dragons. She clutched the book tightly to her chest and closed her eyes with a small whinny of pleasure. Now to read in earnest, where was that chair? . . .

. . . she had passed hours that way, finishing not one, but two whole novels before she left for the day— all the while sipping her chocolate and nibbling her scone long after they had both gone cold. She had noticed the purple unicorn not long after she started, and had giggled at the mare’s restrained curiosity. The older unicorn had smiled at her, then picked up books of her own, but she kept sneaking peeks at Scarlett, she seemed to be trying to find excuses to walk by and take a peek at what Scarlett was reading. When Scarlett finally decided she had better introduce herself, since the mare was being too polite, despite her curiosity, she quickly found a kindred spirit, at least when it came to books. Twilight Sparkle, as the other introduced herself, was a total bibliophile, and while Scarlett didn’t share her voracious appetite for non-fiction, she could at least appreciate it. After the introduction, Scarlett had felt as if she opened a floodgate, for suddenly the shy mare began to babble on and on, it wasn’t uninteresting, just a bit obsessive— was she this bad about stuffed animals?

One thing in particular caught Scarlett’s interest, the other’s faculty with magic, in fact before the day was through, Twilight had practically force-fed her a spell which was meant to augment her already fast reading speed and memory. Maybe, once she got to now the mare a little better, she could help Scarlett with her, “little problem.” She had been searching so long for a permanent solution without success— the other mare was so powerful and adept that she allowed herself to hope again. She had to make sure though, ponies could be judgmental, best to take it slow, maybe mom could get to know her maybe drop a hint or two?

She had finally been able to escape from the discussion by begging to finish what she was reading, telling a little fib about being at a cliffhanger, even though the plot had come to a bit of a lull in truth. She became enraptured by the book again quickly, looking up to return Twilight’s smile occasionally, but still becoming so engrossed that she ended up staying longer than she had planned— panic! She had to leave now if she was going to have time for that nap, and she had told mother she would be home fifteen minutes ago.

Before she left she did stop to give Spike a quick peck on the cheek, and a "thanks for all your help!"

****

Diamond Tiara had left the candy shop skipping, she felt wonderful, the world seemed fresh and new. The sky was brighter, the birdsong prettier, the air fresher. Was that really all it had ever been, that sadness that had gripped her from her earliest memories, all because she felt she needed to do more, to be the best? She wasn’t sure how it had started, her parents were encouraging rather than demanding, but for some reason her best had never been good enough, for herself. Her need had become consuming, she realized now, she had to be the first to get her cutie mark- she needed to be the richest and most beautiful, and when Silver Spoon had come to public school as well, richer than she was, she had to either make her her friend, and her follower, or destroy her.

She remembered the cold calculation of her thoughts that day, how she had planned to make the other filly look silly and embarrassed if she hadn’t responded to Diamond’s offer of friendship. Even with Silver, Diamond had been using her, that is who she was— had been. NO MORE!

Diamond had come to like Silver, to love her— and even her rejection had led to Diamond being better for having known her. Diamond felt her heart swelling and tears welling, but now wasn’t the time for tears, Diamond was reborn. Maybe she should try a nickname, or cut her hair, something to cut her ties to the past. Her skipping had turned into ballet twirls, and Diamond giggled wildly as she spun across the street. She never saw the girl coming around the corner until she tripped over her hoof. Diamond continued her spin off-balance, it looked as if she would fall, but somehow the agility that was her talent, and her mother’s training allowed her to somehow twist just right to land mostly unharmed. Her left hip hit the ground a little roughly, but with a little luck it wouldn’t even bruise.

“Oh no! Are you okay?” Scarlett Dancer laid a soft touch on Diamond Tiara’s shoulder.

“. . .” Diamond Tiara bit back the venom that would normally have followed, she wasn’t hurt, it was her fault as much as the red-haired girl’s— that admission, even in her own mind, left a bitter taste, an effect of that same corrupting pride that she had just promised to give up, she settled for, “Ow.”

“I wasn’t paying attention, and then I kind of froze when I saw you twirling, it was so cool, but I never realized you were heading right for me, c-can you get up, are you bleeding?” The white furred unicorn kneeled down next to Diamond as she spoke, folding her skirts beneath her, she pulled a white hoofkerchief from somewhere, and offered it to her.

Diamond blinked, and began to pull her limbs together, she looked herself up and down, she was fine, a small scratch on her flank was all, and though dirty it wasn’t really bleeding. She looked up to reassure the other girl, and got her first real look at the other filly— she felt a familiar jolt run through her, it wasn’t love, no match for her feelings for Silver, but it was an attraction, and she didn’t know why. The taller filly wasn’t a beauty, and she couldn’t be called thin exactly, her shoulders were coltish, but something about her made Diamond’s breath catch. Was it those kind blue eyes? Or the way she was nervously biting her lower lip?

Diamond sighed, “I’m fine,” and for once thinking of others for some reason other than just because it would get her something in return, “You’re okay too?”

Scarlett nodded and blushed shyly, again pushing the lacy cotton handkerchief forward. Diamond rolled her eyes and took it, she could at least use it to wipe the dirt off of the abrasion.

“Well, I need to get home, sorry again, I’m Scarlett.” The filly extended a hoof gracefully with the introduction.

“Diamond,” she replied, and the white filly’s eyes grew big— she knew that name. Silver Spoon had let a little bit slip when she wasn’t careful, so Scarlett had some idea that the two had been friends and had a falling out. It had seemed to trouble Silver very deeply, but she wouldn’t speak about it openly still. She was sure it was some silly misunderstanding.

“Oh? Well its good to meet you, I’m a friend of. . .” said Scarlett, changing her words mid-stream, knowing it would be a touchy subject, “. . .a friend of mine has told me a little bit about you, I really have to get going, I’m late, maybe I’ll see you tonight, I’d love to know where you learned that spin.”

As the other filly gathered her skirts about her and flounced off into the distance with a wave, Diamond Tiara narrowed her eyes suspiciously. “A friend?” Who could that have been, no-one would have anything good to say, except maybe Sweetie or Twist or Silv— could Silver miss her too? Diamond tried to tell herself it was just wishful thinking, she didn’t want to be disappointed. Tonight she said? The ball, and Silver will be there? She swallowed nervously, she needed to talk to Sweetie.

****

Scarlett sighed as she hurried home, she didn’t know what had come between the two exactly, but she knew Silver would not be happy if she blabbed about how much she missed Diamond Tiara. They really needed to make up. She felt her need to meddle start rising, and she thought about turning around to talk with Diamond, but Mom wouldn’t be happy if she didn’t get home soon. She couldn’t run, exactly, in her long skirts, but she was doing her best. She scurried up the steps of the front porch her hooves clopping loudly on the wooden planks, and burst through the front door.

“Mom! I’m home!” She shouted as she scurried up the stairs, tossing aside horse-shoes, and her outer skirt as she went, as well as her blouse. By the time she reached her room she was only wearing her socks and a slip, she didn’t hear the giggling until she was halfway through the door— Scarlett shrieked in surprise and shut the door, until she could gather up her skirt at least. Glory and Silver had looked up from where they sat on Scarlett’s bed, and burst out laughing in full throat-ed hysterics, they had been looking at Scarlett’s foal book— Scarlett realized, she hoped it was the one that was safe for company, Mom wouldn’t forget that would she?

“What an interesting habit you’ve developed dear,” Glory smiled at her daughter as she opened the door and looked down at the trail of clothing that began at the bottom of the stairs, “Silver is going to be staying here until its time to get ready, I’ll do your hair and makeup together.”

“But Mom, I can’t, remember?” Scarlett whispered, gesturing wildly at the room the other young filly was occupying.

“You’ll be fine, I’ll hand you a clean slip and a night gown, that will do for now, take a shower and change for your nap, I’ve got it all figured out,” Glory insisted as she stepped into the hall and closed the door.

Scarlett sighed and rolled her eyes, sometimes, Mom and her plans. They almost always worked though, “Okay, we’ll do it your way— what could possibly go wrong,” her sarcasm was biting.

Glory gave her daughter a stern glance, “Don’t be silly, just don’t take off your slip, and make sure to renew the spe—”

“Got it Mom,” she started huffily, but she slowly softened, she knew her mom was right, she almost always was, it was irritating, “Sorry— I was panicking, I love you.”

“Just take your shower, then you two will have a nap and then we get to make you pretty. It’ll be great,” Ms. Dancer wasn’t used to her daughter being quite this willful, not with her, but she knew why she had been so afraid, “I love you too.” She added a hug of confirmation to the last and shooed Scarlett off to the bath.

Glory rubbed her head and neck, relieving some tension, this would be a long night for her. She opened the door with a big smile and sat down next to Silver, whose nose had wrinkled in thought— she had stopped looking through the book.

“Ummm, Ms. Dancer?”

“Yes sweetie?”

“Whats wrong with Scarlett?”

Glory sighed, “You know she is a bit, ummm, bigger than most fillies right? Well, she is very self conscious about it, that’s why she always wears those old fashioned blouses that cover so much, she doesn’t like being seen without clothes.”

“Oh, then do you think I should go get my pajamas too, maybe she would feel more comfortable?”

“Not a bad idea, unless you don’t mind borrowing one of Scarlett’s nighties?”

For some reason that idea appealed to Silver Spoon, as if borrowing her clothes would be some secret pact of friendship, “She won’t mind?”

“No dear. Now let me go find the butler to set up the extra mattress,” she slipped from the bed, fetching a nightgown from a drawer, “You can change while you wait, and I’ll make you all a snack, but don’t stay up too long, I’ll be waking you to get ready before you know it.”

Just before Glory closed the door, she heard Silver speak up softly, “Thank you— for not making me go home, I mean.”

Courage and Conflict

Facets and Flaws

By: Scarlett

Chapter 5- Courage and Conflict

While she was happy that it provided a bit of a distraction from the frou frou nonsense that would otherwise be going on, Applebloom was a bit miffed that Diamond Tiara was taking center stage with her friends at the moment. Not only did she still not trust the filly, she also found her girly whining more than a bit annoying. The girl was starting to sound like Rarity of all people— and one Rarity at a time in Carousel Boutique was more than enough.

A few hours before midnight, just as they had planned, the Crusaders had gathered at the shop for make-overs courtesy of Rarity— so not Applebloom’s idea— only to find Diamond Tiara already there fussing and fretting while wrapped up in a Sweetie Belle hug, and Twist had immediately gone to add a comforting hoof. Applebloom had merely rolled her eyes, always more drama with that pony, but she had noticed Scootaloo tense up, and now she was sitting on one of the divan thingies (Why can't you just call a sofa a sofa?) glaring daggers at the girl. Now as annoyed as Applebloom was, that seemed a bit much, what was that about?

“Silver Spoon is going to be at the ball, how can I face her?” Diamond was complaining, with a look of near despair, (again just like Rarity minus her magical fainting couch.)

“Oh, stop yer fussin filly,” Applebloom had tried, “Whatever you did to her couldn’t be as bad as what you did tah all of us, an’ we done forgave yah. . . mostly,” she added the last after another glance at Scootaloo, who was softly punching one of the cushions on the couch she sat on with restrained anger.

"I-It is worse, she'll never forgive me," the pink pony whined even more, she was on the verge of tears yet again. Sweetie Belle and Twist both began to motion frantically for Applebloom to stop talking where Diamond couldn't see.

'Granny's hips,' cursed Applebloom silently, not tears again! That's not what she wanted at all she was just trying to calm her friend, 'Horsefeathers! Since when is Diamond Tiara a friend?'

"I didn't mean nothin' by it, I just— whats goin' on, exactly?" Applebloom walked closer and tried to look more concerned than irritated, and somehow actually succeeded, she was trying really.

Diamond Tiara was defensive however, "You cretin, you bumpkin! D-don't make me say it out loud," she moaned and began to lightly pummel Applebloom's shoulder.

"I-I-" began Applebloom at a complete loss.

"Everbody THTOP!" Twist interrupted, and to her pleasant surprise everyone did, causing her to blush, but it wasn't time to be shy, "So here is the deal, we are going to get these make-overs, Diamond Thiara everything is going to be fine, and you'll look so pretty, and then we will all be there for you when you try to make up with Silver, so you need to thop crying or your eyeth will get puffy. Applebloom, all she wants is thomepony to listen right now tho relax, okay? I know you were trying to help. Thweetie Belle, go talk to Thcootaloo before thee breakth thomething expenthive."

Twist had appeared more and more nervous as she neared the end of her— tirade? Had Twist just tiraded? Was "tiraded" a word? Applebloom wasn't sure, but she had noticed her friend's lisp disappear in intense concentration, and then reassert itself. And what did Sweetie Belle have to do with anything? Applebloom's head hurt— and come to think of it, so did her shoulder— stupid Diamond.

Diamond Tiara sniffled and wiped her face, letting her hooves fall from Applebloom's shoulder, she slowly composed herself, then gave Twist a smile and a hug.

"Colths only," came a very quiet whisper from the red-maned filly, and it wasn't long before Twist's cheeks started glowing to match her curls. She wasn't in any hurry to let go, Diamond needed her, but it was a bit embarrassing.

Applebloom approached the two. "Sorry, I think, but what did I do?" said Applebloom, still not at all sure what was happening, or had been happening since the moment she had walked in the door— the only reply was a fit of giggles from Diamond and Twist.

Diamond struggled with her pride for a moment, but she was able to apologise as well, "Sorry Applebloom, I shouldn't have said that— its all very personal, and I forgot you all were coming. Sweetie Belle has been, like, Celestia-sent, helping me to sort everything out, and I wasn't ready for everyone to know."

Applebloom scratched her forehead, "I still don't know— whatever I don't know, but Twist is right, we're there for yah, whatever it is, the ol' you wouldn' never have said sorry, so, yer okay by me."

Sweetie Belle had been in her thinking pose since her name was mentioned, but finally came to some sort of epiphany and interrupted.

"Where is Celestia going to send me? I don't wanna go to the moon!," Sweetie Belle's face held a look of abject horror for a moment, but she was quickly calmed, distracted, and steered in the direction of Scootaloo by a giggling Twist, "Huh?! Oh, Hi Scootaloo! Why the frowny face?"

Eventually Scootaloo lightened up, thrilling Sweetie Belle with a story of her awesomeness, but she still wasn't talking to Diamond at all.

Soon the other girls had remembered they had come here for things like make-up and pony-pedis, and Applebloom found herself in a chair facing Rarity and the dreaded make-over. This was it then. The End. She would be subjected to powders and creams, nail files and shampoos, and worst of all, the dress. Was there any way she could make this more bearable? There was one thing she had always wanted to try, but. . .

"Rarity, can you cut my hair short? Kinda Like Scootaloo's, or something?" Applebloom hoped the nervousness didn't show in her voice, Applejack was going to be sooooo mad.

****

Her eyes were lightly shut, and Scarlett was applying yet another layer of eyeshadow to Silver's eyelids to create the "smokey eyes" that were still so in fashion. Even though they would be mostly hidden by her mask most of the night, Scarlett had insisted it was a necessity, but it seemed to be taking forever. 'Regular eyeshadow would have been fine for the night,' Silver thought, but she did her best to resist the temptation to blink until finally Scarlett applied the sealer and said, "Finished."

She relaxed her eyes letting them flutter, adjusting to the light, and looked in the mirror, her rarely used contacts added a bit of sheen to her light purple eyes. They allowed her to see the results of Scarlett's labors; she looked perfect. Her friend had done a wonderful job, every color complimenting her fur-tone, and accentuating her best features. All of it was just right, and the tiny gemstones placed near her eyes were so cute. "Wow, I'm like beautiful, Scarlett thank you so much!"

"You always are," Scarlett giggled, "But I'm glad you like it, you look so pretty."

"It is amazing! I will have to keep myself from touching it all night though," Silver said, teasing "I'm so used to reaching up to adjust my glasses."

Scarlett pouted, "You ruin it and you owe me big-time."

"I'll do my best," Silver promised, and left the chair to give Scarlett a careful hug.

Glory Dancer smiled as she cleaned some powder off the counter, her own makeup was already done, a bit more conservative, but still elegant, it was her daughter's handiwork as well. The joy in her daughter's eyes as she prepared for tonight was threatening to spoil her mascara though. She had been so afraid for her this same time last year, and now she just felt pride and love.

****

Peppermint Twist was staying close to Diamond, who wore a fairly simple white jeweled mask with a sleek white dress of draped silk, her hair was done up in intricate braids behind the silver tiara that was her namesake. Twist was ostensibly there for support, but in actuality she was almost having to drag the other filly towards the evening's event, she could feel the tight nervousness of fear in Diamond even when she wasn't giving her a reassuring pat or nuzzle.

The rest of their little group had seemingly forgotten her distress already, Applebloom was still unmasked, playing with her new spiky hair-do, looking into the glass of each and every window along the way, she would smile for a moment or two, but then looking down at her dress and its ruffles she would grimace before turning away to catch up with the group. Sweetie Belle wore a butterfly mask, and was busy gawking at all of the mares and stallions as they passed through the streets, clad in their finery. Scootaloo's mask was a phoenix of reds, and yellows, and violets, her dress matching. Both dress and mask seemed to blend into her coat as if she was one of the rare beasts herself. She was the only other one paying any attention to Diamond, and the look in her eyes seemed to match the fierceness of her attire.

Twist adjusted her own "mask", she had quickly realized that she couldn't wear the one that Diamond had sent along with the dress, she hadn't been able to see a thing, and her family had never been able to afford contacts. She'd been a bit saddened at the prospect of having to go without, she stood out enough without being the only unmasked filly at the ball, but Diamond Tiara had noticed, even though Twist hadn't said a word. She had gone over to Rarity and whispered in her ear. With a shout of "Idea-a-a-a-ah!!!!" Rarity had gone to work, swiping Twist's glasses, and adding gems and feathers to match her dress.

The end result was something similar to Sweetie's, with green and black feathers forming the butterfly wings, and matching her green silk gown in the same pattern as Diamond's. She hadn't noticed that before, it had to have been a rush job- Diamond couldn't wear green with her coloring, so it couldn't have been intended for her, and then she ordered the same design for herself? That was a bit touching actually. Twist had thought it had been sent merely to buy her off on a whim, something Rarity already had done; but it was seeming more and more like Diamond's reform was something real. Even after their heart to heart in the kitchen, Twist still had doubts, but she was really starting to see a different side of Diamond.

As Diamond Tiara chose that moment to return one of Scootaloo's glares and stick out her tongue, Twist let out a small snort. She was still herself after all, just a bit nicer, more balanced, and likeable. A better Diamond, with a few of her flaws polished out, Twist grinned at her pun, and she gave the filly a friendly bump with her hip as they neared the stage where the night's festivities would begin.

She heard Diamond softly whisper as her gaze dropped to her hooves "Bump, Bump, Sugar lump—
Rump. . ."

"Oh no, I wasn't thinking-" Twist began fretfully, filled with compassion.

"No its okay, its just, like, a reminder of why I'm here tonight," Diamond Tiara interrupted with another smile, and gathered herself up to a regal stature, "I'll have you there for support, so everything will be totally fine."

"Yeah," Twist returned an even broader grin, "I'm here."

****

Gathering in front of the empty stage, the citizens of Ponyville waited in anticipation for the night to begin. Their conversations a dull roar in the night as they marveled at what they could see of the gardens and decorations which surrounded the town hall. Scarlett could see Twilight Sparkle up near the stage, she must have been one of the first ponies there. She didn't seem to have a date but was surrounded by a group of mares, was that Rarity?

She had pointed the librarian out to Silver, and told her about her day, but she seemed distracted, had she spotted Diamond already? Scarlett bit her lip gently, she had hoped Silver wouldn't see her til they were inside, so Scarlett could keep her there, the two needed to talk, but she knew Silver wasn't going to unless she didn't have any way to escape.

"Silver Spoon, are you okay?"

"What? Oh, yes, I am fine, I just like totally saw Twist and she has a nicer dress than I do, can you believe it, she is like, totally poor, how did she afford it? Can we just skip the speech or whatever? I want some punch," Silver Spoon lied, hiding the real reason her heart had just seemed to clench.

"Sure, I guess" Scarlett sighed, she'd been looking forward to the opening ceremony, but maybe they could find a spot she could hear from? "Let's go grab a table, but speaking of dresses, you haven't said a thing about mine yet, did you notice the ribbon?" Scarlett said, hungering for her friend's approval.

"Scarlett Dancer," Silver Spoon began sternly, but was smiling by the end, "You are totally cute, you know, on anyone else I think the dress would border on ridiculous but it really fits you well, that dark shiny blue suits you, and yes I noticed the ribbon matches my coat. Sooooo sappy, but thanks."

"Well you are sooooo my best friend, and what is wrong with a few ribbons and ruffles and bows?" asked Scarlett.

"A few?" Silver said with a roll of her eyes, guiding her friend past a planter full of daisies and other flowers, "Come on, lets go find that table."

****

After losing track of Silver Spoon in the crowd Diamond Tiara had sighed deeply, she wanted to get it all over with before she lost her nerve, or let her pride convince her otherwise. Now she would have to wait. After a glance at Twist and Sweetie for reassurance, she focused her attention on the stage as Mayor Mare approached the podium.

"A fond welcome to the Citizens of Ponyville, and all of our visitors, those who are here to perform, and those here to enjoy this night with us. Remember as you enjoy the dancing and food, the spectacles and illusions, and all the other entertainment, the reason we are here: To celebrate the Summer, and Celestia's grace in raising the sun the whole year round. Tonight we celebrate and show our gratitude before watching the dawn of the longest day of the year," the mayor donned her mask and cleared her throat.

"Tonight is masquerade, and we have many musicians playing throughout the gardens, as well as at both dance floors, One inside and one out, There are tables of food and refreshments all over, but most special of all, hidden throughout the garden are crystals which will trigger an illusion when touched. It might be a scene from history, or a foal's fairy tale. I would like to thank the mare who set up this entertainment at no charge as an apology to all of us in Ponyville. The last time she performed here, she stepped on a few hooves, but tonight we will be graced by the second ever Ponyville performance of The Great and Powerful Trixie. She will take the stage at three a.m. Other performances will appear on this stage throughout the night, everything from jugglers to— am I reading this right? A dancing bear? One moment. . ."

". . .Ah yes, a dancing bear, special thanks to Fluttershy there," the mayor continued earning a squeak from the audience where a certain yellow mare now hid behind Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie, "The schedule is posted in many places, as is a map and other details of the nights festivities. If any younger foals become separated from their parents, they should be found in the play area which Berry Punch has been kind enough to run tonight along with a few volunteers. It is on the map. There are many others to thank, too many to name, so many have contributed. All that said; let the night begin! Welcome to the Summer Sun Celebration!"

"Party!" Shouted the pinkest of ponies as the night began.

****

As the crowd dispersed into the garden, heading for refreshments and dance floors, Applebloom noticed Pinkie Pie was still in the area instead of bouncing here and there as would be expected. Pinkie Pie and Rainbow seemed to be arguing, and Futtershy was stuck in the middle of it all, something she said made the other two stop, and all three exchanged awkward glances. Her hooves stopped moving towards the threesome, she wasn't about to interrupt that mess whatever it was, though at first she had meant to at least say hello.

She also noticed Twilight Sparkle, who stood on the edge of the stage, and seemed to be scanning the crowd for somepony. Applebloom sighed, she had her own friends and all, but the older mares were all like family to her, like older siblings, aunts, or cousins, they had always been there. On the other hoof, she was actually somewhat glad she didn't see her true sister or Rarity anywhere, as much as she had hoped for a hug and smile from the rest of them, she wasn't looking forward to Applejack's reaction to her haircut— and when she found out she had left out a few details to get Rarity to do it, things were not going to go well. Still, she felt a grin tugging at the edge of her lips as she again teased her new spiky style with her right hoof.

Not far away, Sweetie Belle was skipping in excited circles, causing the rest of the Crusaders to giggle; they had been talking amongst themselves while Applebloom was in her own little world, but eventually, somepony bumped her shoulder, "Hey bumpkin?" asked Diamond Tiara.

"Yeah?. . . hey! Don' call me that!" Applebloom replied, at first too distracted to notice the insult.

"Only kidding, so what do you want to do first, eat? Dance?" Diamond asked in a friendly tone, "Or should we find a mirror so you can keep admiring yourself?"

Applebloom gave the filly a glare, "I dunno, what you askin' me for?"

"Well, you're the leader aren't you?" asked Diamond with a giggle.

"No way, I'm the leader!" Scootaloo puffed out her chest as she said her first words to Diamond all night,"and I say we go eat."

"Nuh uh, you are not, I wanna dance!" said Sweetie Belle.

"Am too,"

"Nuh uh,"

"Uh huh, I'm at least twenty percent cooler than any of you so that makes it true,"

"Well Ah'm the strongest!"

"I'm the fantasticalist!"

"That isn't a word."

"Is so."

The three original Crusaders quickly devolved into petty bickering, though in their masks and gowns it didn't become as physical a battle as it normally would have. Diamond snickered rolling her eyes at the chaos.

Twist groaned, "Did you have to, really?" she asked Diamond.

"Hey, I was just trying to tease Applebloom a little, they've been doing this for years without my help. Remember the second grade field trip and what we found out afterwords?"

". . .True," Twist admitted with a sigh, "and they'll be at it all night now."

"Oh I don't know, they always seem to get distracted soon enough, in fact—" Diamond paused with an evil smile, "Do you all remember hearing about those crystals?"

The bickering stopped almost instantly, the three girls looked at Diamond Tiara in surprise, then back at each other, and with a nod they shouted, "CRUSADER CRYSTAL FINDERS, YAY!"

****

Silver Spoon and Scarlett had ended up at a small table in the garden, not far from the stage so Scarlett had been able to hear the mayor, but it was hidden back in its own little corner with only a few other tables around it, the whole area surrounded by ivy covered trellises. Two of the tables were completely empty at the moment, and another was a banquet table.

At the table furthest back sat the largest stallion Scarlett had ever seen wearing a black bow tie and a simple black eye mask. Despite his red coat, he somehow managed to blush as he shared a plate of fruit and chocolate with the classy yellow mare across from him. Scarlett had to contain her squeals of delight as she watched the two flirt a bit awkwardly, the mare was having to lead her shy stallion along, it was so cute. Silver Spoon kept hitting her in the arm and hissing, "Don't stare, you are sooo embarrassing."

"But they're adorable."

"They are totally going to notice you," said Silver.

"She will maybe, but that stallion is entranced by her," Scarlett replied.

"I think I'm a bit entranced by him, look at those muscles," Silver Spoon whispered breathily.

"Ummm, yeah?" Scarlett gave a non-committal reply and a sheepish smile, before turning things back on Silver "Now who is staring Spoon?"

". . . Right, we should probably go, leave them alone and all," Silver giggled after one last longing glance at Big Mac, then turned back to her friend, "I saw your eyes light up when they mentioned those crystals, did you want to-"

"-Yes!" Scarlett interrupted with glee.

Silver laughed as her friend started bouncing like a foal, "Well, come on then."

****

Snails had told Snips he would be right back minutes ago, but he was still pacing back and forth gathering his courage, his idol was just across the way with her friends, all he had to do was go over and ask. He had started over once—

—and halfway to his goal he lost courage. He played it off, walking past the three mares, he could hear them arguing about something, the yellow mare and Pinkie Pie both were trying to calm Rainbow Dash, telling her it wasn't her fault, but she wasn't really listening, instead she was busy ranting and there were tears running down her cheeks. Tears? Rainbow Dash, crying?

The thought put steel in the young colt's spine, and he changed his course. Rainbow had calmed slightly as he reached the group of mares, but she was trying to pull away from the other two. Was this the best time to ask? Or the worst?

Now or never Snails, the colt cleared his throat, "M-miss Rainbow Dash, would you do me the honor of a dance?"

The three looked at the intruder incredulously, but after a flash of jealousy in the eyes of the Elements of Kindness and Laughter they both softened. Rainbow herself was standing with mouth agape in surprise. The young but earnest colt was dressed in a tux which had been wonderfully pressed, and as they watched he had pulled a rose out seemingly from nowhere, a wonderful show of slight of hoof; Snails himself was simply relieved he had pulled it off, Snips had shown him the trick so many times before he got it right; He was a bit of a klutz and his part in the routine tended to be more comedy than magic.

The two mares behind Rainbow whispered softly, "That is so cute," and somehow the tension that had existed between all three of them seemed to vanish.

"Jinx!" said Pinkie Pie, snorting, while holding in laughter with both fore-hooves, while Fluttershy blushed and let out a small squeak. Snails head began to droop as the seconds passed without response from his hero.

"Kid," Rainbow Dash finally began, "I'm impressed, that took guts, but I'm not sure—"

"Go ahead Rainbow," said Fluttershy, ending in a whisper, "Omigosh that was so assertive."

With a gasp, Pinkie spoke, "Fluttershy, no fair, you broke the jinx! But, Dashie, she is right, it looks like he's worked really hard," Pinkie said in her usual chipper manner, but then with a blush and an uncharacteristic whisper,"Fluttershy and I should talk anyhow."

Rainbow extended a hoof in the direction of the two, and had opened her mouth to speak, but let it fall in the end in silence. She nodded slightly and turned to Snails, "Well kid, I'm not gonna lie to yah, I'm kind of into mares, specifically. . . those two," She gave both of them a meaningful glance, "but I can give you a dance, maybe its just what I need right now, clear my head and all."

"Th-thats so awesome!" Snails answered excitedly, as his eyes widened in surprise. The colt grinned ear to ear as he extended a fore-leg to escort Rainbow to the dance floor.

****

Snips waited, and waited some more, where was that colt? He took the opportunity to ask a filly or two to dance, but so far he had been turned down every time. It wasn't as if there were many colts his age there, he had to find somepony who would say yes eventually, right? Snips sighed, moving away from the dance-floor, he wandered aimlessly, even Snails had abandoned him tonight.

As he walked, he found himself behind the stage, looking at a remarkably familiar stage-coach, his breath caught in his throat, could it be?

He took a few steps forward, how could he be sure? Light was streaming through the curtain in the window, he had grown some, since their first encounter years ago, but he was still short, and a bit dumpy, he couldn't see.

He heard voices though, from inside, the first was calm and measured, it seemed to be restraining emotion, "Trixie wants to be here with you, she has more than enough money, but she does not do this for the money, she feels a need to perform."

It was her! The mare of his dreams, Trixie. She was really here, she really would perform tonight.

"Trixie, can't we compromise, couldn't you stay here most of the year? I know you love what you do, but you don't need to travel town to town anymore." It was a mare's voice, she was speaking loudly and frantically, what was going on? Snips realized he was spying, but he couldn't make himself leave.

"Trixie would be. . . I want to make this work, but I would be gone at least three months out of the year, to keep my following at the casinos, and I would need to do a few special events like this one throughout the year. Is that enough for you?" The voice was definitely Trixie, who was she talking to?

"Would you really be able to? If we. . . adopt a foal, its a big challenge, they need stability, but if you do your casino show in the summer, it would work, I think."

"Twilight Sparkle, I came back for you, because I love you. I was scared to change, and I was clinging to what I've always known. I've already thought this through and even if I had to give it up I. . ." Snips heard Trixie take a deep breath, and when she spoke next he could her voice was choked with tears, ". . .I would, but please don't ask me to."

Twilight Sparkle— Trixie loved her. Snips felt the first sparks of jealousy begin to smolder in his heart, he finally turned away from the window, he looked out into the darkness of Ponyville in one direction, and the bright lights of the party in the other, and he closed his eyes and began to run.

He wasn't sure which direction his hooves were taking him, until he felt Snail's hoof on his shoulder, "What's wrong?"

****

The girls had all been excited when they had found their first crystal, and all the Crusaders had watched enraptured as the story of "Princess Celestia and the Dragon" played out before their eyes. The illusions were much stronger than they had been during Trixie's first appearance in Ponyville, and the real world had seemed to disappear as the fillies were drawn into the story.

As the story neared its end, and the Princess had defeated the dragon, showing it mercy, Applebloom noticed something which seemed to break the enchantment for her at least; she blinked and looked around, what was that sound?

She began to wander towards the sweet music she was hearing, and found it, just around a small hedge. A grey earth mare was playing some sort of stringed instrument, her eyes closed, she was as lost and enraptured in her own music as the filly's friends were in the magic.

Applebloom was in awe as the mare worked the strings of her instrument, producing the sweetest sounds Applebloom had ever heard, and she was surprised to see that the only thing the black-maned filly wore, was a simple, if pink, bow-tie, and a white collar. "Fillies can do that!?" she exclaimed in shock and wonder.

Her outburst broke the mare's concentration, though she did not miss a beat, her eyes shot open and she smiled at the young girl, not quite sure what she had meant, she played the song to its conclusion.

"Ma'am, can I ask you a question?" Applebloom asked as the last note died.

The elegant mare chuckled, "You just did, dear filly, but go ahead."

"Can a filly, err a mare, really wear a bow-tie like that instead of frilly dresses?"

"Ahhh, let me guess, you have a bossy mother?"

"Sister."

The musician laughed again, clear like a bell, "Well, I think, you should be and dress as you like, I don't let anypony tell me different."

Applebloom smiled and nodded, "Well thanks, yah don't have an extra bow-tie do yah?" She frowned as the musician shook her head no, "Err thanks, Miss. . . ummm" she paused in her progress back around the corner.

"Octavia."

"You sure play purdy," Applebloom waved and passed out of sight leaving a giggling mare behind her.

****

The illusion had ended a short time ago, and as Applebloom came back to the courtyard all her friends appeared to be looking for her, she could see the relief in their eyes as she came into view.

"There you are! Why'd you run off?" asked Scootaloo.

"We were worried!" called Sweetie Belle, a quaver in her voice, and Scootaloo moved close to comfort her.

"Hey, I was alright, jus' a little bored, don't ya'll worry 'bout me none," Applebloom said, a bit embarrassed as a few of the girls came to give her a quick hug, including Diamond, which surprised Applebloom, leaving her really flustered, "Enough of that, let's go find another crystal."

Scootaloo still hadn't forgotten their earlier argument, "I'll lead!" she called out and started for one of the paths out of the clearing, but she didn't get far at all before she was stopped in her tracks by two fillies entering from the opposite direction.

Diamond Tiara gasped as she dug in her hooves, having followed only a few steps behind Scootaloo, and nearly running into Silver Spoon and Scarlett herself. Silver Spoon's eyes had flared in shock and she tried to turn and run, but Scarlett stepped in front of her.

"What are you doing? Let me out!" Silver Spoon shouted at her friend in fear.

"Spoon. . . you miss her, you should. . ." Scarlett whispered softly.

"I have nothing to say to that FILLY-FOOLER!" came the answering shout, and the slur hung heavy in the air.

Hurts and Healing

WARNING: This story will contain adult themes including homosexuality, gender dysphoria, and other controversial themes. I will be avoiding explicit sex.

Facets and Flaws

By: Scarlett

Chapter 6- Hurts and Healing

Glory Dancer was enjoying herself immensely, it had been so long since she had been to any sort of party outside of stuffy Canterlot; the college parties there could get a bit wild, but she was a bit old for that, and she had been married through most of college. Here in Ponyville though she was able to let her hair down, figuratively of course, she wouldn't dare ruin the work Scarlett had done on her mane.

She had sent the two young ones off to find other fillies and colts to dance with or something, reminding Scarlett to send up an emergency flare if she ran into trouble she couldn't handle. The girls were almost in high school, they didn't need a mom hanging around all night, so after a quick glance at one of the maps posted around the Summer Sun Celebration Masquerade, Glory had found a bar and began a nice relaxing evening. The stallion behind the counter had been flirty, but he was almost half her age, she had milked it though, it made her feel young again, even if he was just looking for better tips.

She had enjoyed some quiet conversation with a few others, mostly couples, but they had all quickly moved on to dancing, or other activities. Still, it was adult conversation, and the Manehattan with a pinch of salt didn't hurt.

There had been a single stallion a little later, some cad who called himself the "Doctor," he didn't seem to actually be a doctor, or in a hurry to give his real name whatever it was. While he was at least her own age, she knew his type, he would flit in and out of her life whenever and wherever he would like, and expect her to be there waiting on him, while he was off on his little adventures. He was attempting to wow her with yet another story of his daring, but she had stopped paying attention when he started using words she didn't understand, like "Tardis", until finally she saw an escape.

"Excuse me, I have to go meet a friend. . . Rarity!" she called desperately, as she moved away from the bar. Despite the masks, she had recognized that long purple mane- as always perfectly groomed- even at a distance.

"Oh my!" Rarity had turned, flashing a happy smile, and put a gentle hoof on her companion's shoulder, "Applejack, this is Glory Banks, a friend from Canterlot. . . Glory was one of the first ponies in the city to really give me more than platitudes, she helped me get a fair loan to start the first of my boutiques there, you wouldn't BELIEVE what some of those ponies were trying to charge for interest, and she has been a regular customer ever since, Glory this is Applejack, my. . . friend."

Glory raised her eyebrow at the slight pause, and saw Applejack pale a bit, the earth pony looked to be an athlete, not what she would have expected Rarity to go after, but she cleaned up nicely enough, "I'm using my own family name Dancer now, Rarity, and I'm glad to meet such an important friend of yours," she gave Applejack a reassuring smile, and an insightful wink, "I've been curious as to why Rarity keeps on coming back to Ponyville, when she is always so excited to visit Canterlot."

Rarity shrugged and leaned against Applejack.

"Rare, you know I cain't, for Granny's sake," the troubled orange mare spoke softly, pulling away, she looked so conflicted, and it made Glory feel for her. She knew precisely how judgmental family could be, and how hard it was to resist that pressure.

"Never mind, Apple dear," Rarity fought her disappointment, "Now, Glory darling, you simply must tell me EVERYTHING at some point, but not tonight, how about we all head to the dance floor and I introduce you to a few nice stallions so we can dance and chat?"

Like Glitter, Rarity was a bit of a gossip, but unlike that other mare, Glory somehow knew she could tell Rarity the whole story without her spreading the more delicate bits to all of ponydom, and she was glad the mare considered her a friend as well. The trust Rarity had shown in sharing her feelings for her marefriend, despite it being so obviously a secret was moving. "That sounds lovely. I haven't had much time to socialize since moving to town, I've been arranging things at the house and getting my daughter enrolled in school," Glory said.

"Well, then you'll simply have to join me at the spa this week for a massage, the twins do such a lovely job."

Applejack might normally have been a little jealous, with Rarity focusing so much attention on another mare, but as they walked and talked Rarity was spending most of her time talking about Applejack herself, how strong, how brave, honest, and loyal she was. She felt guilt starting to gather in her stomach; she truly hated hiding her feelings, but she was afraid of what Granny would say, as she was an old-fashioned mare, even if the dear old biddy did often skip to the beat of her own drummer. Lately she had started to mention wanting to meet some of her yet to be great grandfoals, before her time was up. Applejack almost teared up at the very thought, Granny was just a fact of life, always there, like apple trees or a barn that needs fixin'. If Granny really was nearing her time, Applejack didn't want to disappoint her, but she didn't feel that way about any stallion, or anypony at all, except for one.

****

Even with the hired help, Bon-Bon had been a bit overwhelmed when Twist had left to get ready for the masquerade, but the actual mixing and baking had been finished and she knew the girl was looking forward to the night. With the cooling, packing, and delivery left to go, Bon-Bon had been running frazzled between the shop and the event, coordinating everything, making sure the servers knew how to set up the tables- which treats to keep chilled, and which to keep on the warming trays. So when the last tray of fancy goodies finally left for the ball, she had been so tired, and one of the comfier chairs in the shop had looked so inviting, that she had forgotten all about her own plans to attend and had quickly drifted off to sleep.

An hour or two later, she felt a pair of hooves shaking her awake, a pair of soft lips touched her own as she rubbed sleepy eyes, which had opened on her minty green mare, leaning over her from behind the chair, filling her with a soft warmth, "Mmmmm, Lyra? Is it morning? Ten more minutes. . . Oh no! The masquerade! Did I miss everything, did I miss your performance?" she asked, instantly awake.

"No love, but we are going to have to get you into a shower and dressed, I want a dance or two before I have to play the final set just before dawn," the musician said, tickling Bon-Bon behind an ear, and giving her throat a playful nip, making her shiver, "Now hurry and get up so I can kiss you in front of all the stuck up ponies at the celebration."

"Are you sure you can't just ravage me now? That would show them," Bon-bon purred.

"Ooooh I wish, but music to play, bits to earn, remember?" Lyra asked rhetorically, "Hey, Bon?"

"Yeah?"

"The tables look great, I'm proud of you."

****

"FILLYFOOLER!"

That word had brought everything to a sudden halt, a tension filled stillness, it was Scootaloo who finally broke the heavy silence, "I KNEW IT!" she shouted, pointing an accusing hoof at Diamond Tiara, "I knew you were after MY Sweetie Belle! Pretending to be all nice and stuff so you can get close to her!" Her hoof was shaking in fury.

Diamond flinched away, "I'm not, I didn't," she protested, "Its not that," she insisted, turning back to make sure the one she was seeking hadn't escaped her yet, in those few precious seconds, Silver Spoon had tried to push past Scarlett, but thankfully the other pony had clung onto her, and was whispering softly into her ear. Diamond Tiara glanced back at Scootaloo, "I had a crush on my best friend," she spoke firmly, and it was enough to reach Scootaloo, who stopped her threats and bluster and followed Diamond's gaze which had moved onto Silver Spoon, then lowered her head in embarrassment as Diamond Tiara finished loudly and plainly enough for all in the area to hear, "I was in love with Silver."

As her words reached Silver Spoon, she froze in fear in Scarlett's arms. Scarlett tried to comfort her again, "Its okay Spoon, just listen," she squeezed the other filly gently, "She isn't going to hurt you. She cares about you."

Applebloom's jaw dropped, so many things made sense now, Scootaloo obviously hadn't known, but Sweetie and Twist didn't seem surprised at all. Had Diamond opened up to both of them? She herself had been so quick to judge, and now she felt guilty, Diamond had been dealing with alot. All four of the officially sworn in Crusaders moved up alongside Diamond Tiara, filled with concern.

Diamond Tiara looked back at Sweetie and Twist for courage, both girls gave her a smile and a nod, "Silvy, you're my best friend, and I. . . I'm sorry, you were never supposed to know, and-"

"Well, I found out, didn't I?!" Silver screeched at Diamond, her anger and feelings of hurt and betrayal were a boiling sea inside of her, causing her to lose all composure and making her lash out, "What a disgusting pervert, what a liar you are!"

"I didn't do it on purpose," Diamond squeaked, looking down at her hooves, curling in on herself, she began to ramble,"I just couldn't stop thinking about you, how wonderful you are. I knew you wouldn't feel the same way; I couldn't help having these feelings, so I hid them, and I pushed everypony else away-"

"I trusted you!" Silver yelled again, with all the hurt of the past in her words. As she finished, every bit of emotion and energy seemed to drain from her, and she leaned into Scarlett for support.

Diamond winced visibly shaken by Silver's pain, but stood up tall once more as Twist and Sweetie both rubbed her shoulders gently, she looked directly into Silver Spoon's masked eyes, "I was trying not to lose what we already had. . ."

Silver wordlessly turned away, burying her face into Scarlett's shoulder.

". . . I miss complaining about schoolwork, I miss our weekly cupcake at the Corner, I miss our friendship . . ." Diamond choked out, her whole body shaking as she tried to hold back the sadness, ". . . Silver, please forgive me?"

Silver whimpered and turned in Scarlett's arms just enough to catch a glimpse of her oldest friend, she could see the loneliness in her, deep down she ached to comfort her, but she couldn't forget, couldn't forgive, not yet. She again turned away, and spoke through clenched teeth, "Scarlett, I know what you are trying to do, but all I can feel right now is hurt and angry, please, let me go."

Scarlett was blubbering by this point, overwhelmed by the other girls' pain, she clung tighter for a moment, wanting more than anything to hold Silver there until she dealt with her feelings, but she knew it was over for now. Defeated, she let her arms fall from Silver Spoon, letting her hoof trail across the filly's back as she pushed past her on her way out through the ivy covered arch. She felt like a failure, so much for her cutie mark, she couldn't even help her best friend heal the pain in her heart.

Diamond took a deep breath and put one hoof to her chest, her heart felt surprisingly light, though her eyes still shimmered with the watery sheen of not-quite-tears. She smiled as Sweetie leaned in for a hug, and the other three at her side joined in.

When it ended, Diamond approached the filly that was standing a pace away, still frozen in place, trying to reign in her sobs, "Thank you, it meant alot to be able to say I'm sorry."

Scarlett nodded and sniffled, her emerald eyes downcast, and dabbed at them with her linen hoofkerchief, "Everyone, this is Scarlett," Diamond recalled, and gave one of the unicorn's hooves a reassuring squeeze, "Look, you better go find her, she'll be at a table eating too much chocolate and snapping at everypony. I'm sure she needs her new bestie there to lean on, but. . . thank you again," Diamond gave Scarlett a quick peck on the cheek, and stepped back towards her friends amid a few teasing whistles and cat-calls.

"Oh come on! It was, like, on the cheek, you all know it was— like, totally not like that. Let's go find more crystals"

Running a hoof over her cheek, Scarlett blushed, but as she looked up, she saw a pony in the group mirroring her actions, and staring at her with a sharp jealousy in her eyes rather than joining in the teasing. Scarlett bit her lip, and shook her head slightly, gave a small awkward wave, turned and headed off after Silver Spoon.

****

After a chat with his best friend, Snips had felt a bit better, and he couldn't believe his friend had snagged a dance with Rainbow Dash. His crush on Trixie had just been a fantasy anyhow, but just as Trixie's illusions came to a quick and sudden end, so had Snip's dreams- without the billowing smoke and flashing light. The end to coltish fantasy hadn't been so bad, he found himself a little more interested in the fillies around the dance floor, and without the distraction of where Trixie was and what she might be doing, he found himself listening more intently to what they had to say, this time when he had spent some time being honestly charming, and asked one of them to dance, she had said yes.

Snips was in a bit of a daze as they spun around the dance floor, he enjoyed the first dance, and soon found himself talking softly with a second filly, as they waltzed. He was so glad he had remembered how, he and Snails had practiced for hours to learn the right steps. 'Oh no!' he realized, 'Snails never practiced leading. How did he manage with Rainbow Dash?'

He began to giggle at the picture in his head of Rainbow Dash twirling Snails about the dance floor with abandon, he would have to ask around to see how far off the mark that image was.

****

Silver Spoon was content. She still hadn't dealt with all of her emotions, but curled up on a small sofa at the edge of the great hall with a plate of berry tarts, bite sized cakes, and chocolate treats, with Scarlett's warmth beside her, she was doing better. Avoidance wasn't the healthiest way to deal with things, she knew that, but she didn't know what else to do at the time. Now, away from Diamond, she could breathe, and think.

Could she really be friends with Diamond Tiara again? The filly liked mares, and had a crush on her, wouldn't things be awkward?

She wasn't quite so angry now, and she was starting to understand why Diamond had kept it a secret, and deep down she knew what was bothering her more than anything. Hadn't they always told each other everything?

The thought of two mares, kissing, was still. . . gross. Silver's eyes flared in shock, and she put a hoof to her lips, she had just remembered the time she had convinced Diamond that they should practice, Diamond had tried so hard to get out of it. That was supposed to just be pretend, had Diamond liked her then? Had Diamond been hurting inside pretending the kiss meant nothing, when to her it meant everything?

For Silver herself? Well, It hadn't felt bad, but it had just been lips meeting, and she hadn't gotten those butterflies she felt looking at a well muscled stallion. Silver blushed and took a deep breath to chase those thoughts away, she couldn't figure this out, she knew she liked stallions, why would any mare want to kiss another mare for real?

What was love exactly, anyway?

****

Finding someplace to stash her dress had been the biggest complication, but the girls were able to claim a table on the edge of the dance floor eventually, so Applebloom adjusted her new bow-tie while the hated ruffled thing sat unused on her chair. Dancing with Snails nearby, Diamond Tiara was paying part of the price for Applebloom's new attire- Snails' tux now missing a certain piece of neck-wear. A dance with each of them, and Applebloom had already paid her penance, as had Sweetie and Scootaloo, the later had purposely stepped on Snail's hooves a few times, after angrily watching him dance with Sweetie Belle.

Applebloom snickered, it looked like Diamond Tiara wasn't the only one who liked fillies. "MY Sweetie Belle," really Scoots? Sweetie Belle, of course, didn't make the connection, she had come over to Applebloom earlier while the girls were still looking for more crystal illusions, and glancing both ways had whispered conspiratorially, "Did my parents sell me to Scootaloo?"

The last of her friends was nervously waiting her turn at the table, Applebloom knew Twist had had a crush on Snails all through grade school, but Applebloom didn't think she had ever told anyone else, and still wasn't sure what the filly saw in the goofy pony. Just about everything to do with romance had thus far evaded Applebloom's understanding.

As she stood to stretch, she felt the back of her neck prickle, and turned to see her sister gaping at her in shock, her jaw on the floor. Applebloom froze as well, her body going rigid.

"What in Tahr-na-tion, What did you do to yer hair?" Applejack asked, she wasn't yelling like Applebloom had expected, instead her sister seemed more hurt and confused, "And yer dress, yah ain't wearin yer- What are yah wearin?"

"I ummm, I just wanted something different?" Applebloom tried.

"B-but I w-worked so hard. . . so yah don' hafta be a tom-filly like me, and can have purdy things, earnin extra bits, all them side jobs . . ." Applejack seemed crushed, she hadn't realized what Applejack had been doing for her, how did she miss it? Applebloom's guilt was tearing at her now, but she had finally done what she had always wanted, she hadn't meant to disappoint anyone.

"Sis, I love yah, and I think its a good thing I'm- I'm alot like yah. I'm sorry, but I hate dresses, and frilly bows," Applebloom said, hesitantly, she couldn't bring herself to meet her sister's eyes, instead getting a good view of the dirt beneath her hooves, "I didn' know yah'd been workin' extra to pay for the dress, I can put it back on if yah want?"

"Yah can put it back on," Applejack echoed in disbelief, she was starting to worry Rarity who stood nearby, and she began to wave her multicolored pastel fan in the orange mare's face, attempting to give her some air.

It was Snips that came to Applebloom's rescue, stumbling upon the scene, he only had eyes for the short-maned filly in the bow-tie, "Wow! Applebloom your new mane-cut is amazing, and I know manes, and that bowtie really suits you, you look incredible. . .would you like to dance?"

"Yes please!" Squeaked a grateful Applebloom, who hurried away from her still dumbstruck sister with Snips in tow.

"Thank yah for saving me, I'll still have to face her later though," Applebloom said as they began to dance.

"What do you mean?" Snips asked in his gravelly voice, confused.

"Yah mean yah weren't rescuing me from mah sister?"

"Huh, no I, just think you look really pretty tonight," Snips spoke softly and quietly, with just a hint of reddened cheeks.

Applebloom on the other hand was soon shining like a red delicious.

****

The Great and Powerful Trixie looked out on the crowd, it was not by any means the largest she had ever performed for, yet she had been as nervous as she had ever been to start the show, and it had quite a bit to do with a certain purple mare. Her love, Twilight, and her friends had found a spot near the front, and she did her best to fight the distraction, though once or twice she did find herself staring at the pony of her heart's desire. It wasn't nearly enough to stop the show of course, Trixie was far too professional for that, but she normally preferred to make each member of the crowd feel she was looking right at them.

As a flourish to end her grandest illusion, a shimmering dragon of fire that had swept over the audience before being slain by a silver bolt from Trixie's hoof, she completed a magically powered back-flip, appearing to land in midair above the stage, and a burst of fireworks launched into the air before she let the invisibility spell fade on the table on which she stood. Surveying the throngs of clapping ponies, she thought back to her apology at the beginning of the show, and how they had all cheered. She had come full circle and it felt wonderful, Ponyville had been both haunting and driving her for years on her path to success, and now, as she felt their awe and wonder at her abilities, she felt more at peace with her decision.

It took long hours of practice and preparation to get everything just right, even back in her more. . . humble days, such as when she had first visited Ponyville. It felt nice to be appreciated, to be adored on the stage, but this performance truly put things in perspective. The temporary fleeting love of the audience, paled to Twilight's smallest smile.

Floating, she gently landed behind the table, telepathically she cleaned it with a rag, then pulled in a table cloth from offstage, letting it float up and then drift down to settle perfectly in place. She clapped once and a raincloud began to form above the stage, and when the audience looked back to the table it was set with utensils, plates, bowls and cups, a glass pitcher, and a vase with a rose. She clapped again and fruit began to rain from the cloud, including a whole watermelon and a stream of orange juice, all magically guided to their rightful places.

"This was Trixie's last Illusion for the night, and what you see before you now is merely her breakfast," she spoke in her stage voice so all could hear and tapped the watermelon which fell into perfect slices, then bowed to the audience as they began to cheer wildly, "Please enjoy the rest of your night as I enjoy the company of some friends of mine, The gardens are still full of wonderful sights to see, and I believe the musicians have all gathered at the outdoor dance-floor for the final hours of starlight before the dawn, Thank you Ponyville, for your forgiveness and your applause."

She waved to Twilight and her friends, motioning them up on stage, while a few roses and bits fell onto the stage. She giggled at her surprise, she hadn't told Twilight about breakfast, and she looked out at the audience one more time, surprised to find she recognized a few others near the stage. The two colts who had been her fans were unmistakable even masked, one tall with that same bowl cut mane, the other portly with a scratchy voice. They had caused her some trouble all those years ago, but were clapping for her wildly and whistling, along side a group of fillies, she smiled, remembering how at the time she had made herself the hero of her fantastical tales, feeding her ego, and how the two had sought to prove her word.

She walked to the the edge of the stage where they stood, for a smile, a wave, and a bow.

****

Like most of Ponyville, Silver Spoon was on the dance floor as the stars began to fade into not quite blackness as dawn slowly approached. She was taking care to stay far away from Diamond and her new friends as they clustered over close to the bandstand. She danced with Scarlett first, and then a few older colts from the town. She was not in the mood for it really, and she couldn't recall anything they had said the whole time, still dwelling on her friendships and missing Diamond Tiara, the real Diamond that had been only hers, that was starting to open up and reveal herself to all the rest of them.

Diamond had always been afraid to really try, her parents expected so much of her, and those expectations had always seemed to crush her when she couldn't do something just right, just perfect. She had tried to tell Diamond it was only because her parents believed in her, and Diamond had said she knew, but knowing it did not help at all; she still felt like simply giving up some times, because in the end she would just fail anyway. Those feelings had been eating away at her friend since before she had known her, and had become a self destructive cycle, Diamond had seemed to grow colder to those around them every year, until only Silver ever received a smile or a kind word from her.

Now Diamond was confiding those feelings in other ponies, and Silver felt a jealousy so strong that it surprised her. Her best friend couldn't come to her anymore, and she couldn't go to her in return. She couldn't share her own feelings with Diamond anymore, her feelings of uselessness, her parents disregard of her unless she did something that violated their precious Rules and the feeling of loss and despair and emptiness that seemed to fill Silver to the top every time she was chastised for some breach of etiquette. She had told Scarlett some of it, but it was not quite the same yet, and she could tell Scarlett was holding back too. They were growing closer, and Silver Spoon was sure they could be almost as close in time, but it could not ever be quite the same— Diamond had been there from that first day of school til now, and it was supposed to last forever.

She looked across the dance floor seeking the white clad filly with her eyes, trying hard to figure out if she had it in her to forgive, and to accept.

"How can I be her friend when she feels that way?" Silver had asked Scarlett earlier.

"Those feelings will fade when she finds someone else, but she'll never stop caring Silver. Even in the worst of falling outs, even if you want to hurt them or hate them, you never stop caring," Scarlett spoke from experience, Silver could tell, but she had tempered her curiosity.

She was starting to understand, but it still hurt when she looked at Diamond.

Silver looked around for Scarlett, and found her desperately clasping her hooves over her ears while the colts from earlier carried on a conversation about sports at their table. She went over and grabbed her by a hoof and with a grin, pulled her towards the dance floor. Scarlett would help her figure it out, she was sure.

****

On the dance floor beneath the stars, surrounded by the citizens of Ponyville, Bon Bon and Lyra shared a fairly chaste kiss at the end of their final dance of the night, they held hooves for a moment longer, lingering together, but it was time for Lyra to play through the dawn. As the distance between them grew, Bon Bon stifled a sigh, chastising herself for being so clingy. She grinned with pride as the first notes from the lyre drifted into the chill morning air.

****

Not far off, a certain orange Earth pony had still been fretting over her sister's words and actions, when a gasp from Pinkie Pie shook her out of it, she looked around for the source of Pinkie's surprise, and saw Lyra and Bon Bon's muzzles parting. She wondered for a moment if she would ever have such courage- to kiss Rarity in front of everypony. It was then that her sister's words began to haunt her, she had said she wanted to be like her, but Applejack wasn't being very courageous, or honest, with the very ponies who mattered most. What kind of an example was that?

****

Glitter Spoon had been digging up dirt on the Glory Bank's split from her husband, something was off about the whole thing, but she wasn't quite sure what it was yet. Everyone of her friends that had come down from Canterlot for the ball seemed to agree the split was over the children, but the details had been a bit vague. Just as Glitter was about to press for more about the foals, she and her friends bore witnesses to a terrible crime against all of Equestria.

"Disgusting," the gaggle said, almost in unison, as they watched the two mares kissing.

****

Seeing Sweetie Belle dancing with that stupid smelly boy had been enough to convince Scootaloo it had to be tonight, and now, with all the Crusaders watching the romantic scene happening on the dance floor she could. . .

. . .wait a little while longer, yeah that was a good idea, right now there were too many ponies around. She didn't want too many witnesses to see her inevitable soul-crushing rejection after all.

****

"That is so hot," mumbled Snails as he and his buddy turned and saw the source of all the gasps and gawking.

Snips nodded, feeling awkward— the sight did little for him, but it did cause a fleeting thought to cross his mind, one of those uncomfortable thoughts he always pushed to the back of his mind, 'what would Snail's lips taste like?'

While Snails drooled over the two mares, Snips forced those thoughts away, filling his head with the memory of Trixie giving the two of them a personal bow after her performance, and his dance with Applebloom. He had always found the filly enticing, he knew he "like liked" her, so why was he having the same kind of thoughts about the colt next to him?

****

Her shoulders tensed as they kissed, but seeing the two ponies reluctantly parting had brought tears to Silver's eyes. It was still a little weird seeing two mares behave that way, but that look of love and pride in the creme colored mare's eyes as her musically inclined companion took the stage made Silver long for the day when a stallion would look at her that way. . . but would that day ever come?

She thought for a moment of her mother and father, and the cold calculating looks the two gave each other. She had always felt something was missing there, and in her relationship with each of them in turn.

Her life was already set, her father would pick a fine unicorn for her- would his eyes be warm or cold?

Those were The Rules.

****

While the rest of Twilight's friends, (her friends now too she supposed) were busy gawking at the two mares, Trixie had become focused on something entirely different. It was a powerful illusion spell, one that had been carefully hidden, inverted on itself so that its thaumic pattern was small enough to blend into the surrounding patterns of the land itself. Were she not looking out for just such a thing, (it wouldn't do to have someone's rogue illusions disrupting her own which still entertained at the edges of the dance floor,) she never would have noticed it. The spell was a convoluted knot of magic, seemingly chosen at random, there were elements of healing and transformation as well as elements of time magic in it's construction. It was tough to decide if it was complex or merely chaotic, and she wasn't even sure what it's purpose was, but it was centered around a pair of fillies out on the dance floor.

"Twi, can you take a look at something for me?"

****

On stage Lyra played at her very best, at times accompanied by other musicians, but for the finale, which she dedicated to "my own summer's day", she played alone. Timed to the rising of the sun and the conclusion of the Celebration, her lyre began to play a melody that was new to those listening, a piece composed specifically for the event. As the dark sky turned grey her music ebbed and flowed, and pulled at her listeners, it wasn't long before all conversation, all dancing stopped. Ponyville was entranced as the pre-dawn grey gave way to pink and orange her music reaching a crescendo of frantic noise and then with near perfect timing stopped entirely. . .

. . . As the first true rays of sunlight crested the mountains, only rustling leaves from a light breeze and birdsong pierced the silence.

Her eyes were wet as she finished.

Interlude: Diamond's Diary

June 24, Anno Imperatrix Geminum 12

Dear Diary,

I so totally fell asleep durnig the last entry, so where was I? Oh right- Lyra Heartstrings was playing in the dawn, and it was like such beuatiful music that I was tearing up, she like so totally dedicated it to the pony she loves (a mare, they were totally kissing!) and then she stopped and the sunrise was just awesome! It was so quiet and so peaceful.

So, like then everypony started drifting off in groups to go home, while the mayor got up on stage to thank everypony who had worked on the celerbation, but nobody was paying attention. Me and my friends (SQUEEE!) totally left without listening and took a bnuch of sweets with us to stash in the clubhouse.

As we walked back I noticed Scootaloo- she is the one who looks like a chicken- was like, totally nervous and snaeking glances at Sweetie Belle and I could tell she was crushing hard, which is sooo awesome, because Sweetie has had like a huge crush on her forever but cuoldn't ever seem to get the words out. I totally understand that, and I am sooo jealous cause they are so in love with each other, but Silver likes colts =(.

So anyway, we were walking down the street to Sweetie Belle's first, when I had like and awesome idea, Scootaloo was in the lead and Sweetie was close behind so I nudged Applebloom and Twist to slow down, and motioned that we should hide in the bushes. They were totally all alone on the porch steps, they looked around for us but we stayed qiuet and we could hear Scootaloo suddenly burst out with it "I LOVE YOU SWEETIE BELLE!" Sweetie was totally dumbstruck and just stood there blnking at Scootaloo. Scoots tunred red and totally ran away leaving Sweetie on the porch! It was so cute. I hope it all works out.

Oh so we were still huddled in the bushes and stuff and Sweetie was just kind of standing there, so Applebloom went over to make sure she was okay, and that was when I realized Twist was totally laening into me, and she smelled totally awesome, like, what is wrong with me? I was totally in love with Silver a few weeks ago, and Twist likes colts just like Silver. Why do I like the fillies who I don't even have a chance with?

So when she totally realized she was cuddlnig with me she pulled away quickly, and her eyes grew big (and way cute) and she whispered, "Colts only," but she was blushing so hard.

Totally mixed signals! She just wants to be friends, probably- Oh its soooo hard! I want to be friends too but I am totally starting to like her. So she took off, and I said goodbye to the other two. I told Sweetie Belle she should let Scoots know how she feels soon, cause she was going to be worrying until she did.

Then I went home and slept for like 12 hours! (I had to pee so bad when I woke up. =D )

So now its late afternoon and there is no way I can sleep til like after midnight, Mom says she tried to wake me up before but I wouldn't budge, maybe the other girls would be up for a slumber party?

Love,

Diamond Tiara

Interlude: A Bit of Polish

Facets and Flaws

By: Scarlett

Interlude: A Bit of Polish

Earlier that Summer. . .

Sweetie Belle had spent yet another morning all alone, her two best friends gone at camp. Even sand castles weren’t cheering Sweetie up today, no matter how many parapets she added, not even the little flags she put at the top. So she had just been sitting alone in the sandbox at Ponyville’s schoolhouse when a pink filly who mirrored her mood and worse had slowly walked by.

“Hi!” Sweetie shouted running through her castle over in her haste, “Wanna play!?”

Diamond Tiara had flinched away startled as Sweetie Belle had announced herself, jumping onto the fence surrounding the playground and clinging to it as she peered over. Diamond’s response was the usual, “Oh, it’s the marshmallow, yeah, I’d like totally LOVE to play with you,” her tone dripping in sarcasm, as she looked over to Silver Spoon for confirmation— Silver wasn’t there.

“Great!” Sweetie said, though a flash of pain in her eyes may have indicated she understood more than she let on, “Wanna push me on the swing? Pretty please?”

Diamond felt a lump in her throat as she realized how alone she felt, and she almost said yes right then. “Why would I push you, we aren’t friends, like, you totally hang out with a bunch of nopony dweebs,” she replied haughtily.

Sweetie had asked, “Why arrr-en’t we?” wrinkling her nose as she drew out the contraction, it was similar to ain’t but wasn’t quite the same, did it mean the same thing?

Diamond had opened her mouth to criticize, but instead she bit her tongue and thought for a moment. Sweetie had been one of the blank flanks, and a quick ally of that bumpkin Applebloom, but she was also Rarity’s sister. Surely that counted for something. She had always been nice even when she and Silver had teased her. She missed Silver so badly. “A-alright, we can get on the swings, but I go first,” she demanded.

Puppy dog eyes ended up giving Sweetie first go after all, but Diamond had felt it worth it at the end of the day, and when Sweetie had asked why she had been sad, she had told her everything.

Sweetie had just given her a smile and a big hug, “I’m sorry, Diamond.”

Those simple words of commiseration had for a moment melted through years of self-loathing, was she really worth caring about? Somepony who wasn’t family seemed to think so for once.

****

A few weeks after that. . .

As Silver began spending more and more time with the Dancer girl, Glitter Spoon had noticed a change in her daughter. She was smiling. Even at home, Glitter would catch her daughter thinking of her plans for the next day with a grin upon her face. It wasn’t until then that Glitter realized her daughter hadn’t been happy with the life they had planned for her, not for a long time, and the thought began to haunt her. Why hadn’t she noticed, and what was so different about her time outside the home?

Wasn’t she doing what was best for her little girl?

****

About that same time. . .

Ruby Tiara had noticed right away as her daughter had begun to change. Instead of mean spirited gossip that Ruby had to chastise her for, and the latest fashions in all the magazines, Diamond spent most of their time as mother and daughter talking about some filly named Sweetie Belle and the fun things they had done that day. Ruby hoped Diamond was being a bit more careful this time, and making a true friend— and only a friend. She didn’t need to worry about the other for now, she was still so young. Diamond was probably always going to be a bit of a bitch, Ruby giggled to herself, but whoever this Sweetie was, she was making her a better pony.

****

Approaching Midsummer. . .

Big Macintosh was nervous, he hadn’t asked a mare out in years— but now that Applebloom was nearly grown and he didn’t need to worry about her nearly so much, a particular mare had caught his eye. Simple pony that he was, the Stallion realized she had been right under his nose for years. The very sight of her yellow coat nowadays was enough to make his knees quiver.

She wasn’t the smartest pony around like that Twilight Sparkle, or the coolest like Rainbow Dash. She was glamorous enough, but she wasn’t a Rarity— and a little bit more comfortable with civilization than his dear sister Applejack, yet at the same time didn’t mind being out among farm and forest. She definitely didn’t have. . .

. . .whatever it was Pinkie Pie had.

After getting to know all of his sisters friends a bit over the years, he had learned a little bit of what he wanted in a mare, and this one, well, she just seemed to suit him just right. He could imagine living out his whole life on the farm with her.

Now Big Macintosh stood at her doorstep and he only had one real question, was a bouquet of carrots a good gift for the mare? Big Mac knew he’d love a bucket full of apples if he had been a mare and was receiving the gift and—

Oh no! Did Carrot Top just open her door? What would he say?

****

Not long before Midsummer. . .

The only things that really and truly interested the young colt Snails, were cooking, magic tricks, and Rainbow Dash. Even though Snips was his best friend, he had still thought he might have some interest in that Twist girl— all red and white and normal colored, but she didn’t even have wings, or a rainbow mane, or that beautiful blue flank. . .

. . .the boy drooled a little. In fact the only flaw that Rainbow Dash had was that she wasn’t a chef, but nopony was perfect. He wondered if Rainbow Dash would be at the ball in a few weeks, he knew she sometimes performed in other towns, headlining her own one-pony air show— the Wonderbolts had proved too restricting for her, though they still asked her to appear with them on occasion.

Maybe he could ask her to dance— Snails swallowed loudly, would he have the courage?

****

That same day. . .

Their love triangle had grown so complicated that Rainbow Dash wasn’t even sure which of the other two she was supposed to be dating at the moment, or whose bed she was in. She did know that all three of them had far too much cider the night before, and now she did not want to open her eyes. She could feel the headache waiting to explode to even greater strength as soon as she pulled herself from the covers and opened her eyes to the light.

Maybe she could just lean over and tell by touch. That puffy mane had to be Pinkie Pie right? She seemed to remember Pinkie nibbling on her ear. So she was still upstairs in Sugar Cube Corner—

Then what was that wing doing there? And didn’t she remember somepony yelling, “Yay!” while she licked— where she licked.

This could not end well.

****

A few days prior to the masquerade. . .

Twilight stared at the letter in disbelief— Trixie wanted to see her. She was coming to perform at the masquerade, and she wanted to discuss, “Us.”

Twilight clutched the letter to herself tightly, breathing in the hint of lavender perfume. She could barely believe it, not after the way Trixie had run out the last time. Twilight had been afraid she had lost her forever, after she had suggested that Trixie stop traveling so much, maybe just a few big shows a year— Twilight wanted to raise a foal with her.

Trixie’s response had been to flee immediately, with only her cape, hat and stagecoach. Twilight hadn’t heard from her in months— that wasn’t altogether out of the ordinary when she was traveling, but Twilight Sparkle had been afraid that her sometimes friend, student, teacher and lover had fled for good.

Her thoughts drifted back to all those years ago, when the PI she had hired had finally caught up to Trixie. Twilight had restored her hat and cape to her, and after a long talk had helped her with a new act, and a new stage. She wouldn’t come back to perform in Ponyville, which disappointed Twilight, but she often came secretly just to visit. Twilight wasn’t even sure when they had first kissed. Their trysts had spanned years, with Trixie leaving to perform often.

She knew how important performing was to the mare, but she had hoped they could at least discuss it, compromise. . .

. . .she was coming back!

****

The morning Applejack snuck into bed. . .

Rarity had woken up at 3am, triggered by her magical alarm spell. Soon enough she would need to wake up the pony below her, but for now she could nuzzle into Applejack’s belly and enjoy the warmth, and the smell of apples and sweat. She purred softly and with a quick burst of magic, gave herself another hour to enjoy her love.

****

That evening, a few hours before she was supposed to wake for the masquerade. . .

Silver Spoon rubbed the sleep from her eyes and looked around the dark room. Scarlett had kicked her covers off of her bed and they had landed on Silver as she lay on her mattress on the floor. That must have been what had woken her up.

She yawned and stretched, sitting up, and looked over towards her friend, “Scarlett, are you awake?” she softly whipered.

Silver Spoon looked up over the edge of the bed and gasped in surprise, she could see it. Scarlett’s slip had ridden up just enough on one side that she could get a full view. Wow, she couldn’t believe she hadn’t guessed anything like it, not at all.

Scarlett’s cutie mark wasn’t a stuffed animal, or a cupcake, or any of her other guesses. It was a heart with a bandage on it. It was SOOOOO CUUUUTE! Silver wished her friend wasn’t so self-conscious, her cutie mark was the best, so what if her hooves and shoulders were a bit larger than most filly’s and her hips a little too slim. She was adorable- if only she would show her mark off a bit.

Silver giggled softly clasping a hand to her mouth. She smiled down at her friend who fidgeted as she spread the covers back over her.

She kept glancing back at her sleeping friend as she tiptoed to the door— she needed a drink of water, and maybe the restroom, then hopefully back to sleep for an hour or two.

The grin remained plastered on her face, she was so happy she finally knew that secret at last.