//------------------------------// // Deus Ex Machina (♫) // Story: The Autobiography of Scootaloo - A Diary Collection // by Tails_155 //------------------------------// -------------------- I never knew my holiday was going to be so much work! To the gallery to help, to the Community Center to visit Sweetie Belle, back to the gallery, jeeesh! Featherweight and I have checked in on the gallery a couple of times, but Shutter Speed said to go do other things now that Applejack is helping out. He also said Pinkie Pie would be getting snacks, so we didn't need to worry about that. We still decided we better check in, because if Pinkie Pie is there, we may need to help pick things up. We went to the Community Center with Apple Bloom, Ocean Breeze, Pipsqueak, Twist, and Dinky. We all sat in the audience to cheer on Sweetie Belle. She's doing really well! She only fumbled a couple of times, and Pipsqueak said that they were lines that Center Stage changed, yesterday. I'd say she's going to be ready show night, with time to spare! She came down and hung out with us, and we went to Buttercup's Tea House for her break. I've never been here before, but Pipsqueak says it's the best tea in town. I had a nectarine and orange zest tea. It was interesting. I figured I'd try something new out. It was pretty good, a bit sour, but that's not a bad thing! Sweetie Belle said she was happy to see us all. I told her about the gallery and when she heard "Pinkie Pie" and "art gallery" her eyes were as big as the tea saucers. I told her we would miss part of the third act, because we were going to check on the gallery for that exact reason. Everything was actually fine at the gallery. Pinkie Pie was wearing a monocle and a mustache because she's Pinkie Pie. Shutter Speed said he is going to have to make extra prints and buy some more frames with the sales money, because he has sold more copies than he made. That's good, I guess. That means he may have to find frames at a bad time of year, though. They are going to be more expensive. Featherweight said he's worried about that, too. They shouldn't be crazy, but it will be more than if he had bought them a few months ago. We got back to the show just as it was ending. I felt bad for missing Sweetie Belle's final part, but she wasn't upset. She was just happy I was able to see some of the practice. Princess Luna is going to be at the rehearsal the day before the actual show, meeting the actors. Nopony is allowed in without Princess Luna's permission, and there will be guards by all the doors. We may not be able to visit Sweetie Belle on that day, but we'll be sure to wish her luck before the big show. -------------------- Princess Luna came to Shutter Speed's gallery. He almost passed out this morning. He's never been so close to the princesses like some of us. Between that and how soft spoken he is, Princess Luna seemed confused the whole time she tried talking to him. He wouldn't stop mumbling! Featherweight thought it was really funny, but stepped in to help his dad. I was kind of surprised, since Featherweight is definitely still shier than his dad. I asked him afterward how he did that. He said he sees everypony as another pony. Even famous ponies are just regular ponies. He said if he were famous (or even royalty) that he would rather be addressed the same way as anypony else instead of being pounced on by fans. Princess Luna talked to me for a while before she left. She said she was happy to see me, again. She said Featherweight was a nice colt, and that his father was a great photographer. She was very happy to see pictures of the moon and stars. Shutter Speed pulled a picture of the moon over the Everfree Forest down and gave it to her, telling her it was free of charge. She still dropped him a nice tip on the way out. I think he's still starstruck. We're staying for the whole show, today. Pinkie Pie seems to be behaving herself, so hopefully we can trust her not to bounce off the walls. She's still wearing the mustache, though. That pony. Sweetie Belle did great! She's definitely ready for the show. Rarity's costumes are great as always. At least I thought so. She pulled several ponies off to the side and made remarks about things she needed to fix. Shady Daze lead photographer from the Foal Free Press is doing lighting for the show. Featherweight talked to Center Stage and was given permission to take photos backstage for the Foal Free Press, as long as he didn't get in the way of the performers. Featherweight said it'd be a good topic for the first paper when school started up again. After the show, we went to Featherweight's house. He went upstairs to grab something. He came downstairs with a small bag of money. He was going to get his dad some frames and bring them to the gallery. I've never been to Vivid Memory's scrap booking shop. He has a nice place. Featherweight explained what was going on, and Vivid Memory gave him a discount on the frames. Featherweight said he hoped it was enough for now. Vivid Memory told him if Featherweight needed anything else to let him know. We got to the gallery just before closing. Shutter Speed looked exhausted again. He said Princess Luna showing up made for a busy day. He was happy to see Featherweight got more frames, but told Featherweight he shouldn't be "wasting money" on him. Featherweight seemed a bit offended by that. After we left, he told me that Shutter Speed took him in when his own parents abandoned him. As far as he sees it, he can't waste money if he's buying anything for his dad. We went and visited Sweetie Belle at Rarity's. She says she's pretty nervous about tomorrow. I told her she'll do great. She said she has been reading the script since she got home to make sure. I told her she needs to relax. She always doubts herself too much. I think it has to do with her trying to please the most unpleasible pony in Equestria. Pipsqueak came into the room about that time, and said that he would be there to support her tomorrow. He said Princess Luna remembered him from Nightmare Night, and would be happy to have him there, especially if he was so close to one of the performers. We headed to Featherweight's house for a little while before it got too dark. We could hear Shutter Speed fumbling around in the darkroom. Once he was done, he said he wanted to make sure he didn't have to ship any pictures, because the bigger ones could cost twenty bits or more. That's crazy. I guess if you have to figure out how to get a big frame that far, though, it's not that crazy. Shutter Speed says he's up to date with orders, and that starting tomorrow he's going to have to charge extra for orders of anypony leaving town, so he can afford the shipping prices. So much work! I always thought is job seemed pretty easy. I'd love to have a job where I just took pictures, but all these numbers and late night work, it's exhausting even watching! -------------------- Today we're all going down to the Community Center to see if we can get in or not. Pipsqueak met us outside and told the guards we were with him. We all got to sit with Princess Luna! She said she's going to bed right after the show, and that it's been really exhausting working nights and days, but that she loves the Hearth's Warming Eve celebration. She told us a story before the show started, that she remembers over a thousand years ago, spending the late evenings with her sister every Hearth's Warming Eve and Day. She said it was one of the memories that gave her hope when she was stuck on the moon. The show went perfectly! Princess Luna met with Sweetie Belle, Shady Daze, and the rest of the crew. Pipsqueak went up to talk to Sweetie Belle, but the rest of us left to get all our stuff ready for tomorrow. Twist made a bunch of candy canes. Dinky and Apple Bloom got her a fake Equestria Actor's Guild Award trophy. We all laughed, thinking it was pretty cute. Featherweight brought the book we made with him. Featherweight and I took all of the gifts to Pipsqueak's house. We waited for him to get back from the Community Center. After waiting for a long time, we realized we went to his mom's house, and he was still with his dad. So, we ran to his dad's house. He was sitting on his couch, reading a copy of the Foal Free Press, cutting out the bits of the article about Sweetie Belle. Featherweight read over his work, and seemed upset. I asked him what was wrong. He said he didn't know Shady Daze was going to do the lighting or he would have written him into the article. I told him he'll have a chance when he writes the next article. We dropped off the gifts, and Pipsqueak said he'd be sure everything made it to the show. Then, we popped into the gallery to help him close down and lock up for the next couple of days. Shutter Speed looks exhausted. He went to give Applejack her share, and she refused it. She said helping ponies is what she does, and left. Shutter Speed seems upset. I told him that Applejack has always been that way as long as I've known her. He said he didn't get to thank Pinkie Pie, either. Apparently when he said that he wouldn't need any more snacks for the day, she bolted out the door before he could say anything else. I have a feeling she was either bored crazy of the quietness of an art gallery, or she is working on the Hearth's Warming Eve decorations for the party after the show. After that, we stopped by Dad's house. Mom and Dad said they would be helping with the party after the show, so they'll be busy. We may go to Sugarcube Corner and celebrate away from the party after saying hello to a few folks. Sweetie Belle seems like she's excited, but also ready for all this to be over. I hope she's proud of herself, though. She's done a great job. -------------------- Featherweight and I spent the morning relaxing on the couch. We're about as tired as Shutter Speed and Sweetie Belle. We've been running every which way between this and that. At least we don't have to worry about the gallery. Tonight, we just have the show, then celebrating with Sweetie Belle. It's pretty calm compared to the rest of the week. Hopefully after Hearth's Warming Day things will calm down. There are so many ponies in town for the show. We are front row. Featherweight is buzzing around taking pictures of things. I saved a spot beside me just in case, but I have a feeling he'll be busy. He brought like ten rolls of film, and a big flash on his camera. Apparently there are so many ponies, that some are having to be turned away. I'd be so mad if I came from out of town to see a show and it was too full. I had to give up Featherweight's spot. He said that it's fine, that he'll be too busy to sit anyway. The show went pretty well. Sweetie Belle got tangled up in the curtains on her way off stage at the start of the second act. Featherweight says he thinks it was his fault, because he took a picture right before she left the stage, and the flash is really bright. Sweetie Belle doesn't seem upset, though. We just got downstairs though the back of the stage. Center Stage said all the people who worked on the show have to stick around for a while and talk to the ponies who came to see them. Princess Luna came in, looking very tired. Her guards look just as tired. They saved space by flying for the whole show. There was actually pretty much a second flying balcony of pegasi. I even decided to fly just so we could fit more ponies in here. I've never had to hover nonstop for that long, before. My wings are exhausted. This place apparently wasn't ready for Princess Luna. It was way too small. Princess Luna congratulated the team for doing such a great job with the show, and left pretty quickly. She walked by me saying something about sleep. I think she's earned it. After we stuck around long enough to satisfy Center Stage, we headed out and went to Sugarcube Corner. We gave Sweetie Belle her gifts. She almost teared up at the picture book. We did a good job. Sugarcube Corner was almost empty. Mrs. Cake gave us treats for free. She told us to consider it a Hearth's Warming Day gift, and a congratulations to Sweetie Belle and Shady Daze. I got some chocolate dipped strawberries and a chocolate milkshake. Afterward I kind of regretted the milkshake. It's so cold out! Featherweight and I stopped by Dad's house. He and Mom just got home. She said there were a lot more ponies than they expected. I told her about what happened inside, and that my wings were still achy. She said that it goes away after a few times. She said she has to stay in flight for two or three hours at a time, sometimes for work, while pushing stuff around! Featherweight and I sat on Dad's sofa and Mom and Dad went and grabbed a couple of boxes. I got a set of Wonderbolts pajamas, and Featherweight got a new shoulder strap for his camera. Dad said he saw that Featherweight's old one was starting to tear, and figured it'd be something he'd use. Featherweight thanked both of them, and apologized for not getting them anything. Mom and Dad told him not to be silly. I have a feeling he's going shopping tomorrow if anything is open, it's just how Featherweight is. -------------------- I was the first one up, this morning. I sat on the sofa and looked out the window at the lights. I fell back asleep for a while. Mom woke me up when she dropped another box on me. She and Dad had Rarity make me a special outfit. It's the same color as mom, with rainbow lightning bolts on the sleeves, and a copy of her cutie mark on the chest. Mom said I was now the first and only Rainbolt in the world. I think it's super awesome. I put it on (under my coat) and went to catch my friends and drop off their gifts. I started with Apple Bloom, because she was the farthest away. It didn't work out well, because she gave me an apple pie, a jar of zap apple jam, and a Wonderbolts patch for my saddlebags. The pie was too strange to carry all day, so I had to head back home. I gave her the gift Zecora gave me, and she said it was wonderful. She was already reading the "101 Simple Potions" book that came with it when I left. Applejack said to tell Mom and Dad to stick around the house, because she was dropping off more treats later. We're going to gain 20 pounds before the break is over. After that, I dropped by the Carousel Boutique to thank Rarity and drop off Sweetie Belle's gift. Rarity told me if I needed anything adjusted, that she would take care of it, and eyed the outfit. I ran off before she had time to poke and prod me with pins. I gave Sweetie Belle the snow globe Rarity bought for me to get her. She gave be a big hug and thanked me. She was pretty excited about it. She had made Cutie Mark Crusaders saddlebag patches. I'm going to have so many patches on my bag when school starts, again! I'll have the coolest saddlebags at school! After that, I went to visit Dinky. I gave her a picture from me and Featherweight, that he took of all of us at the clubhouse this summer. She gave me a bag of muffins and a framed set of Wonderbolts collector stamps, and a framed set of Hearth's Warming Celebration collector stamps. After that I had to take another trip back home. I went to Twist's and gave her a copy of the photo, as well. She loaded my saddlebags with candies she had made. So much candy! She said she made sure to make strawberry sugar straws just for me. From there I went just down the road to Pipsqueak's dad's house, where he was on his way out. He said he was going to visit his mom for the morning. I have him a copy of The Littlest Wonderbolt, a biography about a tiny pegasus who was in the Wonderbolts before we were born. After I found it at the library, I knew it was perfect for Pipsqueak, so I checked Scrolls and Stories, and they ordered a copy for me. He said it looked like a great book, and ran back inside to get my gift. I'm waiting for him, right now. The lights are still so pretty out here, even though they've been up for weeks. Pipsqueak got me a box of assorted chocolates from the World Famous Trottingham Chocolate Factory, and a handcrafted teapot his old neighbor back in Trottingham made. I had to go home one more time, because I really didn't want to break it! When I got back home, Shutter Speed and Featherweight had already made it there, so I didn't need to stop by their house. Mom said she flew to their house and invited them over for lunch, too. Featherweight was sitting next to a giant box. He said it was for me and I almost clobbered him. Whatever was in there had to have cost a lot of money, or it was a big box with something smaller. I was almost in tears when I opened it. He said he went to Port Mane and bought it for me after I was talking to him about my memories the other day. He bought me a whole case of Jam and Jelly's Strawberry Cream Cookies. I opened a box and shared them with everypony. They're so good! They taste just as good as they did five years ago. Featherweight also gave me a framed picture of my friends, and a copy of the picture of us that was in the gallery. I gave him a huge hug and kissed him on the cheek. My little gift card feels really simple, now. I gave it to him, feeling pretty embarrassed. He said it was a wonderful gift, and he was so happy. I don't know how after he gave me all this. I'd have been pretty disappointed. He said he was looking at a new lens, and didn't have enough for it, and that this would be exactly what he needed. I guess if I helped him, I helped him, but it still doesn't seem like much, to me. Shutter Speed gave me a gift, too. I didn't plan on getting him anything! He got me a camera of my own! He said he was happy to see how much I liked taking pictures, and decided I should have a camera, too. I can't take this, a camera costs a lot of money! But I can't turn down a gift. Hmm. I guess I'll just be sure to make it worth his cost. I'll definitely be taking pictures with Featherweight, huh? The big event of the night was definitely Shutter Speed's news, though. He was so nervous. Featherweight is still processing it. Shutter Speed has been seeing Jasmine Tea ever since the last gallery. I think it'd be cute if they were together. Besides, if they get hitched, eventually, Pipsqueak and Featherweight would make fantastic brothers! They get along so well. Featherweight is still having trouble, though. I pulled him into my room and asked him if he was okay. He said he just needed time to handle the situation. He's never had anyone to divide his dad's attention with him. He said he'll get over it, it's just a shock. He's also a bit disappointed his dad felt he needed to hide it for this long. I told him to look at how he was reacting. If he had told him when he was on his own, he may have freaked out. Besides, he's spent a lot of time with Pipsqueak lately, since both of their parents have been busy, and since apparently Shutter Speed has been spending time with Jasmine Tea. He eventually got over it. I think he's happy for his dad, he's just nervous about losing his dad. I can understand that, he's never had a situation like this that he has been old enough to remember. I told him if he needs to talk, I'm always here. He gave his dad a hug, and we all talked about our favorite times during the holidays. Featherweight was right beside me when I talked about Port Mane, and about seeing the show every year, and about my friends, and I was there for him when he talked about his fears with his dad. I think he's dealing with it, better, now. He just needed time to understand what was going on. Shutter Speed told him he would always be there for Featherweight, and that he didn't need to worry. He said he hoped if he found somepony to help care for him, that he would be more likely to have somepony there for him all the time. Shutter Speed said his biggest concern was that he was away so much recently, between work, and dating, and dealing with his own worries, that he felt he was already doing exactly the opposite of what he wanted. Featherweight said that I had been there for him the whole time. It was a pretty touching discussion. It's really clear how much Shutter Speed thought about Featherweight throughout all of this. Dinner was amazing. Dad made daffodil and oregano lasagna, with some garlic mashed potatoes. I ate myself sick. It was so good. He also made a strawberry pie for me, but I couldn't eat another bite after dinner, so I saved it for a nighttime snack. I walked Featherweight and Shutter Speed home, and congratulated Shutter Speed. I wonder if Pipsqueak knows yet, or if so, how he has been handling it.