Of Apples and Oranges, Diamonds and Darkness.

Scootaloo sat in Rarity's work room and was watching the seamstress pursue the finishing touches of her latest marvel effortlessly. Scootaloo never cared much for fashion, and certainly didn't budge in that regard since she had lived at the boutique, though she did admire the intricacy, she couldn't put a hoof on why but she was always transfixed watching the mare toil, it was fascinating not in the substance, but in the style, the execution, and the precision,

Though sadly, there was a bit of a pressing matter that was doing its best to jockey her trance out of the way: She wasn't supposed to be here. Following their return to Ponyville, after learning that indeed she had a mother and more, it was Rainbow Dash it seemed that it was decided she would live with her, slowly regain her admiration of her and she could finally settle down where she belonged, with her mother.  There was just one problem: Rainbow Dash had abruptly left to attend to “something important” in Cloudsdale, she wasn't too clear on what it was, aside from the fact that Scootaloo could not accompany her.  It had been a week and nopony had heard a peep from her, or at least, that's what Scootaloo was told.

“Hey Rarity?” Scootaloo asked, quietly as so not to startle the uncorn who slowed her work and magicked her glasses from her face.

“You do know how late it is don't you?” Rarity asked.

“Yeah but....I kinda have a question.” Scootaloo squirmed a bit, despite having a surprisingly stable and comfortable friendship with Rarity, which began out of necessity and continued out of courtesy, she still was slightly intimidated by the mare, especially when talking about sensitive subjects like this.

Rarity was concerned by the filly's demeanor, it was unusual as of late to see Scootaloo retire her facade, she for the most part was back to her normal, careless, reckless self, though it seemed whatever was bothering her, was making itself known.

“Go on sweetheart.” Rarity said calmly sitting by Scootaloo.

“I...I'm wondering if you guys aren't telling me where mom is.”  Scootaloo turned her face to the floor. She expected a gasp, followed by a lecture and then some.

Rarity was slightly worried this would happen. She had discussed it with Fluttershy and Twilight who both became very concerned about Scootaloo as well, though the filly seemed fine so they didn't feel the need to bother her with it. Now though she had no choice.

“Well, why don’t we get you to bed and...we'll talk.” Rarity wasn't sure if the room got hotter or what but regardless, the filly had school tomorrow and needed to go to bed.

Once Scootaloo was tucked in, Rarity sat at her bedside and prepared her words, choosing them wisely. Despite her facade, Scootaloo was far from stupid, perhaps of a higher intellectual and emotional caliber than her two friends, though she was a regular 'low-acheiving student' in Cheerilee's class and often posed herself as to be average or less, more for her image than anything.

“You mother is, off to see somepony, I'm being honest when I say I don't know who he is, other than just that, it is a stallion. Now, does that excuse her leaving you here? No it does not and I am not the only one of us who is less than pleased with her decision..”

“Why couldn't you just tell me that?” Scootaloo countered, “Why did you keep it a secret from me?”

“We didn't want to upset you dear. You seemed happy.”

“Barely.  Who's 'we'?”

“Us girls: Myself, Twilight, Flutters, you know...'us'.”

Scootaloo let out a sigh as she sank into her bed, eager to get some sleep, the weight of her preoccupation gone. With one last question:

“You think she'll come back?”

Rarity did not hesitate, while she was offed by her friend's decision, she knew Rainbow Dash like the others.

“Of course she will, she may have somepony with her but she will.”

With a kiss on the forehead and a turning out of her lights, Scootaloo finally fell asleep, believing every word her caretaker had said, though a tinge of doubt still managed to linger.

The Cutie Mark Crusader clubhouse had been a host to many things over its tenure, a sanctuary for the distressed filly. It served its purpose in that capacity this evening. Apple Bloom was curled up in a ball, it was cold as night fell and Scootaloo had retired her provisions shortly after they returned, more as a symbolic measure than anything. Because of this she had no choice but to shiver and tought it out. The tree-house, having been neglected for a little over two months as its inhabitants had been away was showing some dilapidation, mostly cosmetic; and while the craftsmanship side of the filly was irked by this immensely, the practical side of her demanded sleep. It had been a long day and she wanted it to end.

She wasn't going to get that when she could heat hoofsteps outside.

Apple Bloom was far too tired to move but was slightly unnerved by the anonymous prowler, nopony ever went into this clearing without intent, the Apple Family Orchards had long since been demolished and destroyed, Mayor Mare declaring the desolate and depressing property suitable for other purposes aside from being an eyesore. For now though it was but grass, with the fencing, save the sign, intact and painted. The sight of seeing nothing of what used to be the prosperous and lively orchard and its homestead and barn was a bit jarring to the filly when they crusaders first returned to check on the clubhouse, though now in a way it was soothing, almost satisfying to Apple Bloom: the orchard, the house, the basement, all the hell and horror it represented in those last two months was gone.

“You think she's in there?” Came a whisper Apple Bloom couldn't put a hoof on, it was either a colt or a husky voiced mare.

The next voice though she knew in an instant:

“I don't see why not. They're always here.” It was Twilight. She was looking for her.

Apple Bloom decided to get up and make her way to the door. Opening it she saw Twilight had begun to ascend the ramp but stopped at the sight of the filly.

Her filly.

Twilight hung her head, she was ashamed of how she handled herself before to say the least. If she could not make peace she at least owed Apple Bloom an explanation.

“Apple Bloom, I, I'm sorry. I handled myself horribly...you were given more than you could handle—I tend to forget that Spike has been at it for some time as has had the time to do it right, you're a kid, I never bothered to at the very least impart some experience...but that's irrelevant; I completely ignored you and your needs, you deserve better than that. I am so, so sorry.”

Twilight felt something in her eye as her mouth began to tremble,  “I promised you that I would care for you and care about you, I did neither this evening and I am greatly ashamed of myself....If you wish to live with somepony else we can certainly arrange that.”

Apple Bloom said nothing and rushed into the mares' hooves, no tears were shed, only happiness that this ordeal was done and behind them.

“Ah forgive ya Twi, Ah messed up too...Ah stole from you and ah'll...ah'll pay it back somehow, I promise!”

“We'll deal with that when the time comes, until then let's get you in your warm bed. I think we all could use a good night's sleep.”

With that Apple Bloom was floated onto Twilight's back and drifted off into sleep almost instantly.