//------------------------------// // Big Talk for a Little Boy // Story: The Long Seven Months // by BlndDog //------------------------------// Chapter 2: Scootaloo couldn’t help fiddling with the ruby pendant at her throat. It was light and cool on her skin, but she was afraid that it would get caught on something and strangle her. “Down that way is the second floor kitchen,” Silver Bell said at the landing. “Don’t steal from it.” Scootaloo rolled her eyes. Silver Bell was an older girl who had spent eight years at the Canterlot Orphanage; a young mare really. She was tall, but not as tall as Gari, nor as brawny. She studied pediatrics in Vanhoover, so the story went, and everypony though she had left for good until she showed up at the gate on Hearths Warming Eve five years ago. Why she returned to the Orphanage Scootaloo did not know, but clearly she intended to stay forever. She usually took care of the foals, a fact which added to Scootaloo’s general discomfort. Seeing the sour look on the filly’s face, Silver Bell lowered her voice. “If you’re feeling adventurous,” she said, “you can jiggle the lock open from the outside.” “I’m not a thief,” Scootaloo grumbled. The top five floors of the orphanage consisted mainly of rooms for the six hundred children and their caretakers. On the roof were several massive greenhouses, only one of which was in use. Even though Silver Bell had watched Scootaloo eat a big lunch she did not risk letting her into the greenhouse. The halls were spacious and well-lit, and mostly empty at this time of day. Scootaloo would have given anything to join the game of tag that she knew was going on outside. The stairwell opened into a big playroom. All the windows and doors were thrown open for the dozen or so kids who were not outside for whatever reason. “Almost every part of the first floor is open to you at all times,” Silver Bell said. “That green door over there goes to the toy room. Take what you need, take good care of it, and return it when you’re done. The toys here belong to everypony. You are borrowing anything that you take.” She led Scootaloo through the gigantic dining room into a large, dusty workshop full of mannequins. There was a disproportionate number of small ones, and Scootaloo’s eyes darted around the room. It seemed to her that the figures were moving when she looked away. “Don’t be scared,” Silver Bell said gently. “We’re not staying long.” Her horn glowed white, and Scootaloo let out a small yelp as something dark and flowing glided out from among the mannequins. It settled on her back; she stuck out her wings trying to keep it off her skin. “Scootaloo, it’s alright,” Silver Bell said. “Here, have a look.” Scootaloo opened her eyes. Silver Bell had brought over a tall mirror. Her cloak was dark blue, with a big golden swirl on either side. Dangling on her left side was a big brass button with raised crescent moon in the centre. She adjusted the three-layered collar like it was made of tissue paper, and stared into the mirror with her mouth half open. Is that what I look like? Her short mane was clean and brushed, and there was glossy new growth in her bright orange coat, but that was the end of the good things. The tailored cloak seemed too fine for her slim form. Her face, still a little gaunt, looked comically small propped atop her bony neck. Her shoulders could almost fit through the collar, and pulling in the drawstrings made her look like a clown. “I think you look lovely,” Silver Bell said when Scootaloo pulled the hood over her eyes. “You’ll grow into it. That cloak is yours to keep. Take good care of it. “Now, one last thing. That necklace you’re wearing marks you as a child from this orphanage. Wear it when you go out, and please don’t lose it. That way everypony will know who you are, and they'll know that you’re trustworthy. If you get in trouble, they will know who to call.” “Can I go now?” Scootaloo asked, turning away from the mirror and shuffling out of the cloak. “Fine,” Silver Bell said, and removed Scootaloo's necklace. Scootaloo ran into the play room before the mare could change her mind. She hated the feeling of levitation spells. Though the caretakers used magic sparingly, the fact that most of them were unicorns still made her nervous. “Scootaloo!” Morning Rain called from the tall double doors that opened into the courtyard. More children appeared in the doorway as Scootaloo approached. A lanky blue pegasus colt ran to her with his wings spread wide, knocking her backwards and trapping her in a crushing hug. “Hey, easy there,” a throaty voice said. “You might hurt her!” The owner of the voice, a yellow earth pony filly, ran to Scootaloo’s aid. Her freckles were as red as her braided mane. Following close behind was a square-shouldered unicorn colt. Marigold grabbed one of the blue colt’s front hooves, and Shining Dawn grabbed another. Together they pulled Swift Fog off of Scootaloo. He staggered on his hind legs before falling backwards. “S… sorry,” he said, forming his words awkwardly as if his tongue was a foot too long. “I’m… happy… to see you.” “It’s good to see you too, Foggy,” Scootaloo gasped as Marigold helped her sit up. “I… th… thought you were…” tears welled up in his golden eyes, and he stopped talking with his tongue hanging out of his mouth. “Hey, who said you could cry?” Shining Dawn said, giving his friend a hard bump on the shoulder. Swift Fog threw his head back and screamed. Everypony stopped what they were doing. Two caretakers rushed over from the low wall that marked the perimeter of the courtyard. “Is he hurt?” Asked the stocky grey unicorn while the pegasus cleared the crowd. “I don’t think so,” Marigold said quickly. “He got too excited when he saw Scootaloo. It’s not our fault, Fairybell.” “Okay,” said the caretaker with a sympathetic smile. “I believe you, dear. We’ll take care of it from here.” She looked over at Scootaloo, and her smile grew wider. “Well look at you! Are you feeling better?” “Yeah,” Scootaloo said even as Swift Fog continued to sob and gurgle. “That’s great,” Fairybell said. “I’ll see you around then.” With that she turned her full attention to the crying colt, and what remained of the small group stalked away feeling more shaken than any of them had anticipated. Marigold nibbled on the end of her red braid. “Dawn, you know you shouldn’t have done that!” She scolded as they paced along the west wall of the orphanage. “I thought he was happy,” Shining Dawn said. His golden mane was standing on end, and his earth red face glistened with sweat. A group of kids were playing kickball in the corner, and after some pushing and shoving Marigold got four spots in the next game. “Losers get Bucket Hooves,” announced an older earth pony. “Don’t call me that, Harvey!” Rain yelled. He stormed up to the other boy with his teeth bared. Even with his neck stretched out as far as it would go Rain had to look up. “I wouldn’t say it if it isn’t true,” said Harvey dismissively. Turning around, he sprang away with an exaggerated buck that struck Morning Rain square in the chin. “Hey! Don’t walk away!” Rain called, even though he sat massaging his jaw with tears in his eyes. “Harvey! I’m not done with you, you hear me? Come back and fight!” “Give it a rest,” Shining Dawn said after quickly examining Rain. “You know, that attitude is why nopony likes you.” “That’s not true!” Rain snapped. “He kicked me! I have a right to fight him!” “He’s three times your age and three times your size,” Dawn said evenly. “He’s not fighting you because he’ll get in trouble for it. He’s smarter than you.” “That straw-for-brains earth pony is not smarter than me!” Rain yelled. The ball flew over the catcher’s head, and nopony went after it. Harvey turned his head, a thin smile on his lips. “Hey Harvey,” Dawn said, with less confidence than before. “Don’t take that to heart, okay? Rain didn’t mean that.” “Yes I did!” Dawn stomped on his shin to silence the younger boy. “You know what, he’s right.” Harvey was within an inch of Shining Dawn. They were closer in age, but far from equal. “Dawn, get out of the way!” Morning Rain yelled. “You heard him,” Harvey sneered. “This is between him and me.” “I’m telling Gari,” Dawn said. “Harvey, don’t do this.” “Come and get me, you big dumb scarecrow!” Harvey charged right through Shining Dawn, giving the unicorn colt a big bruise on his right side that would last for the next two weeks. Morning Rain jumped to his feet and reared up to throw a punch, only to tumble five feet across concrete and skid on his back for another five. Scootaloo blinked and shook her head. It was Marigold who snapped her out of her stupor. The older girl was already halfway to the fight. By now the caretakers patrolling the courtyard had taken notice. Scootaloo didn’t remember standing up, only watching Harvey’s back drifting closer in her vision. Marigold grabbed Harvey’s hind legs and pulled. He fell forwards onto Morning Rain, and Scootaloo landed on top of him. She grabbed him around the neck. That was as far as she got before the big colt regained his footing. All the mental preparation in the world would not have readied her for Harvey’s sheer strength. Every time he kicked Scootaloo found herself in a headstand. She squeezed with all her strength, but it was like trying to choke a statue. He was slick with sweat; Scootaloo felt her hooves slip a little every time he moved. In the end Harvey decided to ignore the filly on his back. He reared up to stomp on Morning Rain once more. Shining Dawn slid beneath Harvey, grabbing Morning Rain with his front hooves. His horn was glowing bright white even before he stopped moving. Holding the young colt against his chest protectively, he squeezed his eyes shut. The blast left Scootaloo’s ears ringing. She flew off Harvey’s back. Her wings buzzed by instinct, stabilizing her fall. She knew it wold be a hard landing long before her hooves hit the ground. Run. She stumbled a few steps before regaining her balance, without stopping to reorient herself. She managed to go three steps before Harvey crashed down on top on her. “That’s enough!” The weight lifted off her back, and Scootaloo rolled onto her side. She had skinned her knees, and her belly was a perfect mould of the pavement. Harvey hovered inside a dim yellow aura. His legs were hanging limp beneath him, and he stared dumbly with half-lidded eyes. “You five, follow me,” Gari said crossly, and there was no doubt as to which five she was referring. Marigold helped Scootaloo up and walked with her. She had a bruise on her chin, but was otherwise unhurt. Shining Dawn carried Morning Rain, and Gari kept Harvey suspended with her spell. Scootaloo gasped and hissed with each step. She tried to take some weight off her hind legs, but her efforts inevitably led to a misstep and a sharp jolt of pain. Fortunately there was a small infirmary on the first floor, and so she did not need to climb the stairs. Morning Rain was mumbling under his breath as Scootaloo entered the room. “Is that all you got?” He said, raising a trembling, bloodied hoof in Harvey’s direction. “Come on. I’m… I’m… still…” “Shut up!” Shining Dawn said. Scootaloo winced as Shining Dawn struck Rain square in the nose, making it bleed anew. “That’s enough, Dawn,” Gari said sharply. Harvey was put on the bed next to the window, and a privacy curtain was closed. Gari walked past Morning Rain’s bed, and closed a second curtain that cut him off from the three remaining children. Marigold held Scootaloo as Gari cleaned her wounds and bandaged her up. She was surprisingly calm in asking for their account of what happened. Even so, Scootaloo cried too much to speak. All three of them were sent away with bags of ice and orders to stay inside for the rest of the day. They sat together on two bean bags in the play room; Marigold held Scootaloo close as the little pegasus cried herself dry. None of them spoke for ten minutes. It was Dawn who broke the silence. “Did you know this would happen?” “No,” Marigold said defensively. “I... I don’t know Harvey all that well.” “Yeah, I didn’t think so,” Dawn said. He turned to Scootaloo. “Don’t feel too bad about this, okay? It’s not your fault at all. Rain’s a nice kid most of the time. Really. He’s just missing a few screws, and so is Harvey. Not like Foggy…” “Hey!” Marigold interrupted. “Don’t talk like that! That’s mean!” “It’s true,” Dawn said. “You know it’s true. Half the ponies here are missing some screws. T’s just how it is. You and me and Scootaloo are in the good half.” That night Scootaloo stayed up long past lights out, with her sheets pulled up to her nose. Only after Gari brought a sleeping Morning Rain into the room and tucked him in the top bunk did she feel at ease. At least I didn’t do all that for nothing.