Another day has passed since Luke had that talk with Zecora about visiting her home. The human can hardly wait to go over to Zebrica in over a week. He already talked to his father about it, and he was more than happy to say yes to Luke.
His father was also fascinated in Africa or a place closely related to the second largest continent (mostly because of his son showing him cool animals that he has never heard of.)
Till then, he decided to wait patiently and go about his life like he would normally do in Equestria. He was just helping Fluttershy groom Remus the wolf, Linus the Lion, and Tyson the Tiger.
"Have no worries my sweeties." Said the yellow pegasus. "You'll be cleaner than a small patch of gems from Maud Pie’s cave."
And it took a rather long time, and after it was finished, Luke promptly dried all three animals off with towels to clean them up. The three carnivores were very grateful by Luke and Fluttershy's act and licked their faces as a reward to show them both thanks.
"Aww, you're all welcome." Fluttershy said. After they were relaxing together, she said to the human: "Um Luke, I know i've said thus many times before, but thank you for letting me come to Zebrica with you."
"No problem." Luke chuckled. "I know you'll love it. I know i'be never been there before, but still."
And they both had a good laugh while having some hot cocoa.
Over the course of their ten minutes, there was a knock on the door, and Fluttershy promptly answered it. It revealed to be Diamond Tiara. "Oh, hello Diamond Tiara." She said.
What she saw in the former bully was a look of sadness and had tears streaming down her face, sobbing. "Hello Fluttershy." She said tearfully, wiping her nose.
The yellow pegasus frowned at seeing her miserable like this for some reason. "What's the matter?" She asked her while bending on her knees to make better eye contact with her.
"I wanted to ask Pip put, but he wasn't interested in me." And she began sobbing a little more wretchedly Than before.
Luke perked his head up in suprise. "What? He didn't say yes?" And walked up to her to look Diamond in the face.
All the rich filly replied to him was a head nod, telling him no.
The human had a look of guilt on his face, and rubbed the back of his head awkwardly. “I... I am so sorry Diamond Tiara.” He Said.
“No, it’s okay.”Said The filly. “I know I should just face rejection, and.... he wasn’t trying to hurt me, but... i’m The prettiest filly in the whole world.” She started to sound a little angry. “Nopony has ever rejected me before.” And she made a small huff like a bull calf would do if angry. “And was I would normally reject a colt if they would ask me out.”
“Calm down, sweetie.” Fluttershy Said. “Your former self is showing.”
Diamond Tiara made a small look of realization on her face, and felt guilt having memories of her former mean self. “Sorry.” She Said. “I know I was supposed to be brave. But... but...”
And Luke bent down and wrapped his arm around her small body. “It’s okay Diamond Tiara. Like I said before, you can’t always get what you want. But I deeply commend you for taking the courage to ask him out.
“Diamond Tiara?” Called Pip, who was running to the cottage, obviously looking for her and see if she was okay. “Are you in there?” Silver Spoon was with him since she was Diamond’s best friend of course. “Oh there you are.” He immediately found her.
“Don’t look at me.” And th Rich filly looked away in shame.
“Diamond. Are you alright?” Pip asked him.
“I’m fine.” She Said.
“You don’t sound like it.” Fluttershy reminded.
“Come on Diamond. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings. It’s just that-“
“Just that what?!” She shouted at his adorable face. “Am I not goood enough for you?! WhaT, I get it, you love the Cutie Mark Crusaders, don’t you?!”
“Hey!” Luke raised his voice like a dog would give out a fierce bark. “That’s no way to talk to Pip, little girl!”
Everyone in the room was surprised by his little outburst of anger. Diamond Tiara was the one most surprised and felt like shedding tears after being spooked like that.
Realizing what he just did, he immediately regretted his action. “Oh my god, Diamond. I am so sorry.” Luke said to her.
“No, I deserved it, Luke.” She admitted, bowing her head in more shame. She looked at Pip, and said to him “Pip, I’m sorry if I just screamed at you like that.”
“It’s alright.” Pip Said. “Besides, it wasn’t the first time you ever acted like that.”
“So True it hurts.” Said Silver Spoon.
“And i’m Sorry if I hurt your feelings.” The colt replied. “Diamond... you are beautiful Lyman’s you’re a good filly.... now, but you’re.... not my type. Not to mention that you were mean to me and other foals without cutie marks.”
“I know. And you’re right.” Diamond said. “I have been the meanest filly in Ponyville, all thanks to my mother.”
“What’s in the past is done.” Luke reminded her again. “All is forgiven and the past horrible deeds are forgiven.”
“Yes Diamond,” Said Fluttershy. “We all have those feelings, but please try not to be so angry.”
“I know, Fluttershy.
Silver Spoon went up to her best friend and tried to console her. “Diamond Tiara, i’m Sure you’ll find love someday.”
Diamond Tiara smiled at her best friend and put a hoof on Silver Spoom’s shoulder. “Thanks.” She said to her softly.
“Diamond, can you ever forgive me for making you cry like that?” Pip sounded a little sheepish saying that, because he was worried that Diamond would verbally attack him again. He pawed his hoof at the floor, waiting for a response. He suddenly felt Diamond Tiara gently hug him to show how sorrynshe was.
“Of course I do, Pip. And do you forgive me for yelling at you like that?”
“What are friends for?” Pip replied. “And we can still be friends, right?”
“Absolutely.”
“See, All is forgiven, Diamond Tiara.” Luke said,
“ thanks.” She said to the Human.
“So Luke, we here you’re going to Zebrica, right?” Asked Pip
“You heard right, kiddo.”
“Wow, That must be a wonderful opportunity. I wish I can come with you over to Zecora’s land.”
“You can I’d you want to. I just need to talk to my parents.”
“Really?”
“Heck yeah. I always love extra company. And if your parents have to come along with you because they love you, it’s okay, too.”
Young Pip made a smile of hope and excitement on his little face. “That would be delightful. It would be so cool.”
“Although I don’t know if you would be able to come with me on He first trip, it was kinda.... last notice.”
And the colt’s face turned into a small frown. “Oh.” He muttered, feeling bummed out.
“Oh it’s okay Pip, there’s always a second visit.” Fluttershy reassured the young lad. “Luke can take you on a trip one of these days.”
“Right. So since you are all here, would you like some hot chocolate?”
“Ooh, I love me some hot cocoa.” Pip Said with delight, trotting happily over the couch. Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon all joined in around the fire as well. There was no point of keeping all that cocoa and marshmallows to themselves, so both Luke and Fluttershy offered them the hot chocolate and enjoyed the hot chocolate together on the usual, cold day.