Of Apples and Oranges, Diamonds and Darkness.

About two hours passed as Diamond Tiara and Scootaloo went through the pile of work assigned to them, each not speaking to the other aside from the occasional request to supply some kind of needed utensil or food.

Both were rather industrious about this task, mostly to avoid having time to deal with the folly across from them, though they were about done and both found themselves wishing they weren't.

They were and silence ruled for some time. Scootaloo finally saying something she had always wanted to ask.

“Hey Tiara?” Scootaloo asked.

“Hm?” Diamond replied.

“I was wondering why you always pick on us.” Scootaloo asked, looking at the table.

Diamond thought about it. Frankly, she didn't know.

“It's fun I guess.”

“How is it fun?” Scootaloo grew a bit irritated but reminded herself to stay in line.

“Well....” The affluent Earth Pony could not find an answer to that, primarily because she didn't want to.

Scootaloo was silent as well, contemplating in her own mind times she was rude or bullying other ponies. It tended to be when she was at her weakest point, alone and unwanted. She did it to make herself feel 'better' in some abstract way.

“D-..Do you have any friends Tiara?” Scootaloo asked, now facing the filly.

Diamond could not bring herself to look at Scootaloo.

“Of course I do!” She answered, hoping that would do.

“Aside from Silver Spoon.” Scootaloo added.

Silence again.   Scootaloo watched as the usually postured and proud Diamond Tiara was getting nervous, as if Scootaloo had pushed a little too much.  She almost dismissed the question but bit her tongue in anticipation of what she might divulge.

Though, nothing was said, the room and the two fillies in it were silent.

“I can be your friend.” Scootaloo meekly offered.

After a few seconds that peaceful silence ended.

“What do you mean?!” Diamond snapped, “I have plenty of friends! I have everything I could ever want, I don't need friendship from some blank flank dodo!”

Scootaloo didn't respond, she only looked at the screaming filly with pity.

“Like who?” Scootaloo pressed.

“None of your business! Quit bothering me!” Diamond barked.

“You know what? Fine.” Scootaloo got up and noticed the time, ten till two. “I try to be nice to you for once and you just scream at me. Obviously you are happy and don't need real friends. I wish I didn't..”

Scootaloo turned around and walked out the door leaving a conflicted Diamond Tiara. She watched as the filly left, that brief time Scootaloo had directly faced her, that feeling caught her off guard.

Scootaloo found herself lost in the maze of corridors, hallways, and staircases, eventually leading her back to Diamond's room. She knocked gingerly on the door frame. Diamond's sullen head shooting up.

“Hey uh....I can't find my way out.” Scootaloo asked, “Can you—help me?”

Diamond sighed, “Sure.”

They silently went down the halls and stairs eventually leading to the foyer where the door leading outside was.

“Well, see ya then.” Scootaloo said as she made to leave.

“Wait!” Diamond stepped back and realized it was too late now.

“What?” Scootaloo asked.

“I....I accept.” Diamond stammered.

“Accept what?” Scootaloo cocked an eyebrow, confused.

“Yo-your offer.” Diamond added. “Friend.”

Scootaloo looked about her for a moment. She saw a sight she never expected, tears welling up around the pink fillys eyes. She did something she never expected in a million years to do.

Diamond Tiara didn’t react to the hug immediately but returned it once she realized it was genuine. Her head rested on Scootaloo's shoulder, she never had these, hugs were not a thing she had he privilage of knowing too often. Her father certainly wasn't the type and Silver Spoon was, well as distant as she was.

“Thank you.” Tiara whispered. “Thank you so much.”

Scootaloo released from the hug and smiled at her. “No problem. Maybe you can hang out with us tomorrow after you guys are out of school?”

“Us?” Diamond asked.

Scootaloo laughed, she figured she would at least know considering they were the only blank-flanks in class.

“The 'blank flanks'. Me, Sweetie Belle, and Apple Bloom.”

“Oh...uh...maybe.” Diamond hesitated.

“So that's yes then?” Scootaloo grinned.

“I said maybe.” Diamond replied slightly annoyed.

“See you at the clubhouse!” Scootaloo hollered as she trotted away towards Ponyville, leaving Tiara unable to contend.

__________________________

Sweetie Belle was happy with the news that their days of torment may come to an end. The three were sitting in Twilight's library easting some apples as Scootaloo recalled her morning at the Rich estate.

“I hope she doesn't bail.” Scootaloo worried,

“Ah hope she does.” Apple Bloom panned, she wasn't fond of this at all.

“Why are you so against new friends?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“Ah ain't mad about anew friend, but Diamond ain't a blank-flank. Besides, what makes you so sure she ain't pullin' yer mane?”

“I just know Apple Bloom.” Scootaloo answered, unsure herself. “She was different this time. Remember your cousin Babs Seed?”

“But that was mah cousin!” Apple Bloom argued.

“And the difference is?” Scootaloo countered.

“Blank-flank. She became a crusader. Diamond can't.” Apple Bloom crossed her hooves, content she had won.

“So? Why can't we have friends who aren't 'blank-flanks'?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“This ain't yer conversation Belle now zip it!” Apple Bloom snapped.

“She's right Apple Bloom.” Scootaloo asserted, “You're no better than she was.”

“Excuse me?” Apple Bloom snapped, “Are you calling me a bully?”

Twilight opened the door to her room, the commotion being a bit much.

“You are being loud girls, can you please keep it down?” The unicorn asked.

Apple Bloom pouted as the other two smiled as both their victory and in anticipation of what tomorrow could be.