//------------------------------//
// Pretty Good First Day~ 
// Story: Malleable, Unbreakable: Diamond Tiara 
// by Hollyfern 
//------------------------------//

        “I really appreciate you helping me with my mane this morning, sis,” Diamond Tiara happily sighed as her sister worked a brush through two her two tone mane, slowly bringing out its natural luster and bouncy volume in the morning sun in addition to the soothing feeling of having her mane bushed. Brushie brushie...
        “You girls hurry up!” Filthy Rich's voice called from the other side of the door. “You do not want to be late for your first day of school, Diamond Tiara!” The stallion’s hooves could be heard as he paced just outside the door.
        After checking herself once more in her mirror, Diamond Tiara applied the final touches; her tiara and Silver Spoon’s necklace. “Sis, do you think I should wear something? I mean, this isn’t Ponyville, but I forgot to pick an outfit last night...”

        Screwball shook her head, beaming an endearing smile, or at least a wider version of her typical expression.
        “Hehehe, yeah,” Diamond Tiara confidently nodded. “I look fine already!” The filly hopped out of her chair and gathered her saddle bag from next to her bed. First day of R.P.S. Diamond Tiara smiled to herself. This might not be so bad after all, beats being out in the boonies like Ponyville.

        “Sweetheart, are you done?” Filthy Rich called again, obvious impatience in his voice. “I was planning on walking you to school today---”
        “DAAAD!” Diamond Tiara whined. “I’m not a foal!” She tore open the door. “I know where the school is!” Diamond huffed.
        “No, buts, Diamond Tiara,” Filthy Rich waved a hoof. He paused, and checked the time on his watch, then sighed. “Actually it seems I won’t have the time today, stupid board heads...” the stallion grumbled under his breath, then licked a hoof, rubbing his daughter's cheek..
        Diamond Tiara jerked away, furiously wiping her face.  I’m not some foal!
Filthy Rich sighed in defeat and smiled. Screwball giggled at the red hue present on her sister’s face.
“I’m heading off!” Diamond Tiara huffed then brushed past her father.
        “Have a good day at school, Diamond Tiara!” Filthy Rich called after his daughter.
        “Yeah, yeah,” Diamond Tiara shrugged. “See you after school Daddy and sis!” She sang.

        Diamond Tiara stepped out of her estate and was greeted by the early rays of the day. The call of the birds rang out as some hovered next to a large flower garden laden with assorted colored flowers. The fountains were running gently, offering a bath to more birds that splashed around in the puddles. Filthy Rich and Screwball appeared behind her, sending her off with a smile. The filly smiled back at them and began down the stone pathway that led through the front gates out onto the sidewalk.

The upper quarter of Manehattan lived up to its namesake. Every lush green tree had a fence around it, the grass that surrounded was equally as healthy. Each house gave off its own unique air of nobility, tailored to the residents taste. The one thing each veritable mansion had in common, was the fact that they were grand and majestic, easily rivaling the grandiose castles of the living quarter of Canterlot that seemed to reach out to the moon once nightfall rolled in.

        Diamond Tiara trotted up the street, the grandiose structures were nothing new to her. Every so often, a pony out tending to gardens would wave a hoof at her and smile. Without batting an eye she continued on, pretending to not have noticed. The closer Diamond Tiara came to her destination, the more fillies and colts began to filter in, heading in the same direction. Some of the students, like herself, trotted. Others were in carriages. However, there was one feature everypony else shared that Diamond Tiara did not. Each filly and colt was dressed, in fine attire. Some even shot questioning glances her way upon noticing the pony casual filly.

        “Is she REALLY going to Reins?” Diamond Tiara could hear somepony whisper mockingly. “How embarrassing to walk around like THAT!”

        Horsefeathers! Diamond Tiara inwardly cursed. I knew I should have been in an outfit! UN-BELIEVEABLE!! she gritted her teeth together scowling at everypony that was unfortunate enough to meet her gaze.

Contrary to the other buildings of the rest of the upper quarter, the school building was relatively small and was surrounded by a gate yet it still gave off the same aristocratic air. In the courtyard on the side stood lush trees and the blooming flowers of the spring season. Atop the building stood a grandfather clock which read a mere minutes from seven am.

At least I’m on time, Diamond Tiara nodded to herself as she passeed two gossiping fillies by the front gate. I wonder what this school will be like? she wondered. Hopefully the exact opposite of Ponyville.

        Inside she could see fillies and colts chatting with one another as they traveled through the tiled foyer. The stairs to the second floor were towards the back right next to a little store with a mare sporting a headband and a large orange afro. A few ponies were crowded next to a billboard, some filtered out with dejected looks as the drug their hooves .

        “Excuse me little one,” a voice chirped from her immediate right. “Over here!” Diamond Tiara turned and saw a rather young ginger mare with a rather short mane trailed by a radiant white gown trotting to her, offering a bright smile. “You must be the new filly we were expecting.”

        Gah, even the staff is dressed! Diamond Tiara frowned. “Yes, my name is Diamond Tiara,” she answered, dipping her head to the mare.
        “My name is Speckle Feather!” The mare said, bowing her head. “Though you can’t see my wings with this thing on,” she added with disdain. “It is nice to see one of our students isn’t sewn together with frills.” Speckled Feather giggled.

        The grandfather clock rang throughout the floor, and the few remaining fillies and colts that were left dropped whatever they were doing and began rushing to their classrooms. Some tripped over the clothes they wore. Speckled Feather giggled and shook her head.
        “What...was that?” Diamond Tiara cautiously asked, looking to the mare next to her with a worried look.
        “Oh, it’s time for homeroom. Here, follow me,” Speckled Feather offered. “I was expecting you, dearie,” she smiled. “You are in ‘110’.”

        Oh great, another Cheerilee, Diamond Tiara shook her head. Isn’t THAT great? She chuckled to herself, falling in line behind the chipper mare. “Lead the way,” the filly said motioning with a hoof.

        Speckled Feather and Diamond Tiara rounded a corner leading to rows of closed doors on each side of the hallway. And at the very end of the hall sat another stairwell. As they went on, some of the doors they passed resonated with the sounds of the students. Other were deafly silent. Speckled Feather stopped at a door with the number ‘110’ above it.

        “I would give you a quick tour, but I don’t want you being tardy to your class!” Speckle Feather beamed. “This is our stop,” the mare sang.

        “AWRIGHT!” An angry voice commanded. “Take yer seats!”

        “I-Is that my homeroom teacher..?” Diamond Tiara gulped.
        Speckled Feather giggled and nodded. “Yes, don’t let Mr. Oak scare you though. He means well. I hope you have a fantastic year here at Reins Private School, Diamond Tiara,” the mare smiled, opening the door.

        Suddenly...Ms. Feather doesn’t seem all that bad.

        From the inside of the class, an irate silvery coated stallion glared at her. Or at least that what it seemed like, as Diamond Tiara trotted in. In front of the class, she noticed the teacher’s eyes were closed. His expression, judging by his furrowed brows, clearly reflected his feelings. Little shelves stood at the back of the class with assorted knickknacks inside. Diamond Tiara looked to the door to find it closed. And everypony in the class stared at her along with one familiar face that beamed a pained smile.

        “Well,” the stallion chuckled. “Ah reckon you must be that filly that done transferred from Ponyville!” He scoffed. “This here filly came runnin back from th’ country t’ the city cause she couldn’t handle it!” He announced to the class, warranting a few chuckles. “And even in a school full of rich ponies, this lil ‘un here IS the rich filly. Why don’t cha innerduce ya self?”

        Oh it’s ON NOW! Diamond Tiara hissed. “First off,” the filly stomped. “YOU have no right to speak to ME that way, you BUMPKIN! SECONDLY, you BETTER show me a little more respect than THAT! I spend what YOU make in ALLOWANCES!”
        The class collectively gasped, leaving the room silent. Diamond felt pride welling up in her chest, puffing it out like a badge of respect. Mr. Oak snorted then stomped a hoof, the booming sound resonated of the walls silencing the entire class.
        “Listen here, y’all!” The stallion announced, then turning to Diamond Tiara in particular. “You get this, young ‘un. Ah am Appleloosa born ‘n bred,” he said placing his hoof over his heart. “So don’t expect any special treatment, ya hear? Granted, it’s nice t’ see a filly that don’t take nothin from nopony,” he nodded. “Don’t let it happen again!” Mr.Oak cautioned. “Now,  back in mah day...”

        Oh great, here comes his whole life story... Diamond Tiara tapped a hoof impatiently as her teacher began his monologue. Could have at least given me a seat...

        “Mr. Oak!” a familiar voice chirped with a raised hoof, interrupting the seemingly endless rant off the stallion.
        “Hm, Razzly?” He gruffly answered.
        The filly smiled. “Is it alright if the transfer student sat next to me?”
        “Yeah sure,” Mr.Oak nodded. “Go sit next to Razzly,” he said motioning with a hoof to the empty desk next to the rosey filly. “Learn you a thing or two.”

        Diamond Tiara nodded and did as she was told, taking her seat in the middle of the class, next to her partner. “Oh, name’s Diamond Tiara, by the way,” she innocently announced. “And, I hope to have a WONDERFUL year in your class, Mr. Oak.”

        “I think I made a good first impression!” Diamond Tiara lowly sang to Razzly.
        “I’ll say!” Razzly nodded, grinning ear to ear. “He’s the worst though, huh?”
        Diamond Tiara nodded and giggled. “Yeah!”
        “I’m glad to have you here!” Razzly smiled. “Rotten luck for you to get stuck in this class...We’ll just have to hang in there for the rest of a year.”

        The other ponies in the class were whispering around her, stealing glances at Diamond Tiara. “Sucks to be the transfer student ending up in crotchety old Oak’s class on the first morning here...” one said to her.
        “Yeah,” another added. “You got lucky this time, but he won’t hesitate to suspend you if you try a stunt like that again! Then again, we’re all in the same yacht...”

        “Shut yer traps!” Mr.Oak barked. “Now, ah’m about t’ take roll an’ I expect each an’ every one of ya t’ respond in an orderly manner!”

        So, this is my life at this new school... Diamond Tiara’s gaze went over the class. Some glanced at her, their judgemental gazes were now endearing and curious. She looked to the only filly she knew. Razzly warmly smiled back, causing Diamond Tiara to smile in turn. Well, at least I know I won’t have to worry about fitting in with my homeroom class mates.
----
        The class sat at attention as Mr.Oak scribbled something on the blackboard. “That’ll do fer t’day,” he announced. “Normal classes start t’morrow.”

        With that, the class began taking amongst one another. Some got up from their seats and joined friends on the other side of the room, immediately engaged in whatever conversation about what’s in the now.

        “So, what do you think?” Razzly said to Diamond Tiara as she gathered a few papers from her desk.
        Diamond Tiara shrugged a response. “I guess it wasn’t so bad. It was kinda hard to keep up at some points,” the filly cleared her desk off the few notes she jotted down. “I almost dozed off a couple of times, too!” She added with a giggle.
        “Just wait until the after school clubs open up!” Razzly excitedly grinned. “I’m going to join the arts and crafts club, of course,” the filly proudly stated. “What about you? There’s a school paper, maybe you would like something like that?”
        “I don’t know,” Diamond Tiara shrugged. “I’ll wait and see. Then make my decision.”

        An odd rhythmic chime rang in the class coming from a speaker in the upper corner of the room.
        “Attention all teachers,” the voice rang from the intercom.”Please report immediately to the Faculty Office for a brief staff meeting. All students are to return and remain in class and not leave until your homeroom teachers return.”

        A silence followed, then the class’s attention fell on Mr.Oak. “Well,” he chuckled. “It looks like ah’ll be back. Y’all best be in this class when ah get back!” As usual, the stallion appeared agitated as he exited the room.

        “Ugh, he’s such a pain,” one pony whined from the front of the class.
        “Oh quit your griping!” The colt in front of Diamond Tiara scoffed. “Compared to the horror stories I’ve heard, we got off fairly easy.”
        “Yeah!” The pony next to her nodded. “I mean, most of the time it was mindless ramblings.”

        The two ponies turned around to face Razzly and Diamond Tiara. They bore striking resemblances to one another; auburn coated, yellow eyes, and raven manes. The only real difference, was that one wore a crimson and azure tuxedo. The other wore an inverted version of the same tux.

        “You know something...” the colt on the left began.
        “That was kind of cool, how you went off on old oak like that,” the other finished.
        “Err...yeah. Thanks I guess,” Diamond Tiara looked to Razzly who was giggling. “Razzly, who are these two?” The motioned with a hoof to the two colts.

        “They are Gauche and Droite.” Razzly knowingly answered. “Though, I forget which is which,” she tapped a hoof to her chin. “Though, Mr. Oak can tell.”
        “Twins, huh?” Diamond Tiara’s eyes darted from the two ponies before locking with the one wearing the red dominate tux. “I don’t know which of you is which, but it must be embarrassing to look EXACTLY like your brother.” she teased. “I mean really, one of you always being in the other’s shadow. “
        “Whatever,” both ponies answered, waving a hoof dismissively. “We’re new here, too from Fillydelphia last year. So, we know how hard Oak is going to be on you,” they smiled.
        “Yeah, whatever,” Diamond Tiara coolly answered, though slightly creeped out. “What’s taking that teacher so long?” She noted, looking off in no direction in particular.

        “Awright ya’ll ah’m back!” Mr.Oak’s cringe worthy voice announced, followed by the old Oak himself.
        “Speaking of Discord...” Diamond Tiara snickered to Razzly.

        Mr.Oak glared at Diamond Tiara and shook his head. “Nah, luckily fer th’ rest off y’all ya get t’ take off fer home. Go on ‘head n’ git! T’morrow y’all get here bright n’ early fer t’morrows lesson!”

        The grandfather clock resonated via the intercom punctuating the end of the day. Without a moment’s hesitation, the students quickly began filtering out of the class.
        “Hey, are you going straight home Diamond Tiara?” Razzly asked.
        “Yeah, if you don't have plans...” the twin wearing the azure dominate tux added, turning around.
        “...maybe we could hang out?” The other finished.

        Oh great, here we go, Diamond Tiara sighed. “Actually, I am,” she sharply answered.
        “Oh...” Razzly frowned, looking disappointed. “Okay then, some other time?” She suggested with growing hope.
        Diamond Tiara rolled her eyes and sighed. “Fine, but some other time, Silver Spoon...” she affectionately added with a warm smile.
        “Silver...Spoon?” Razzly echoed. “Who’s that?”
        Diamond Tiara flinched. “Errr nopony!” She snapped.

        Keep it together, Diamond Tiara! The filly chided herself. That fake is NOT our Silver Spoon! Diamond Tiara stepped down from her seat and gathered her saddle bag, trotting over to the back door. “I’ll see you later, Razzly, Gauche, and Droite.”
        “Y’okay!” the twins chirped in sync, waving a hoof in unison with the other.
        “Bye Diamond Tiara.” Razzly smiled.
----
        “Daddy!” Diamond tiara sang as she trotted inside, instantly greeted by Screwball embracing her in a hug. “Nice to see you too, sis.” Diamond Tiara smiled. “Where’s daddy?”
        Screwball shrugged, floating right above her younger sister.
        Diamond Tiara yawned, covering her mouth with a hoof. “I’m going to take a quick nap, sis...wake me to eat later.”
        Screwball blankly stared. Diamond Tiara shrugged, casually dropping her saddle bags in the middle off the floor as she trotted upstairs. Sweet Celestia, Diamond Tiara yawned. I Did not expect to be this worn out after school...better get used to this I guess, The filly wearily drug herself down the hallway, her hooves knowing the way to their destination beckoned by the promise of respite.