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// Parent-Teacher conferences generally do not take place in Tartarus. 
// Story: In which Masterweaver just makes stuff up 
// by Masterweaver 
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Cheerilee groaned, blearily opening her eyes. "Unnngh... my everything hurts..."

"Normally I'd offer you coffee, but this really isn't the place. And even if I had it on me, it would probably be decaf."

The purple mare tried to look around her, taking in the jagged landscape and wasting creatures trudging along the structures more akin to skeletons than anything she had seen before. "Ah... where am I?"

"Limos, dear. It's a district of Tartarus."

"Tartarus has districts?"

"Well, certainly. Our prisons may be the most famous, of course, but a society cannot run on prisons alone."

Cheerilee hummed thoughtfully at that, standing up. "Of course not. Thank you miss..."

She turned to the voice and trailed off. Before her stood a mare in resplendent gown, perhaps as tall as Celestia herself, yet lacking such features as horn, wings, mane, or skin.

"I know," the mare said, her pale eyes rolling sardonically, "I'm quite the sight."

"...Well, yes," Cheerilee admitted. "I simply have to know who your tailor is."

The mare quirked the bundle of muscles that would normally host an eyebrow. "A matriarch star spider, whom I paid with the souls of monsters who in life committed the most despicable acts against helpless innocents. She wove them into her web so that their screams might attract the broodflies of the river Phlegethon for her to feed upon."

"A reasonable trade," Cheerilee agreed. "Shame I don't have any souls on me--well, except mine, but I'd like to keep that. I'm terribly sorry, I haven't even asked your name...?"

"Bloodkiller the Grandiose."

"Oh, you're Archer's mother!" Cheerilee stuck out a hoof. "It's a pleasure to meet you, ma'am."

"And you as well." Bloodkiller bumped the proffered hoof and smiled. "It is rather rare to meet a pony who takes so well to those of us who live in Tartarus."

Cheerilee smiled, absently wiping her hoof on the ground. "We have all kinds in Ponyville. So long as you don't start roaring or anything, I think nopony would bat an eye."

"Mmm, then they may not accept my husband. A lovely fellow, don't get me wrong, but he can be a touch... let us say, melodramatic."

"Oh?"

"He should be along in a minute. He has a very important job, managing the..." Bloodkiller paused. "Well, how should I put this... hired help? No... Indentured servants?"

Cheerilee quirked a brow. "Slaves?"

"I... suppose in a technical sense," Bloodkiller mused. "It is an unwilling employment, I will admit, but one chosen by those older than Celestia. The ones Zkelatonix watches over are souls of those who broke their families in life, be it through physical abuse or psychological torment, and they will remain here until they are forgiven by those who they harmed. And it isn't as though my husband works them to the bone, they receive breaks and medical leave. He just... ensures they do not wander."

"...ah," said Cheerilee. "So... ghosts?"

"Mmm. We are a rather macabre society in here, I freely admit, but we do try to make it work. In any event, how has my daughter been doing in your class?"

"Well, academically Archer's been mostly alright, though she has had a few issues with history and geography." Cheerilee sighed. "Behavior-wise, though... she's a bit unapproachable to the other foals."

Bloodkiller quirked an eyebrow. "Oh?"

"They don't dislike her, but she can be... intense without meaning to be. She tends to be slightly more formal and aloof than necessary for a filly her age, until she starts talking about her hobbies... and then she gets a bit too much into it. If she had somebody who shared in her interests I wouldn't be as worried, but... I don't think she gets as much interaction as she should, if I'm brutally honest."

"She has never mentioned feeling left out to me," Bloodkiller mused. "Then again, my little Arch Render has always sought to meet her father's approval. Saying she felt lonely might feel like disappointing him."

"Honestly, it might be better if she did feel lonely. As it is, I think she just doesn't understand that anything is wrong with sitting alone." Cheerilee paused. "Well, I suppose there isn't anything wrong per say, it's just that... I'm worried if she doesn't learn how to interact with ponies her own age now, she won't be equipped to interact with them in the future. It's not really a problem, so much as it is an issue."

"Ah. Yes, I can see the distinction." Bloodkiller tapped her chin thoughtfully. "She does lack in friends here... mostly because this is Tartarus, and most of the people here aren't exactly the kind I would trust with my daughter's friendship. Is she happy, aside from that issue, out in Ponyville?"

"She certainly seems to be," Cheerilee said. "Although..."

She considered for a moment.

"While I agree Tartarus is an unusual place to raise a foal, that does not necessarily mean it is an inherently terrible location for one."

Bloodkiller tilted her head. "Oh?"

"My sister is... a drunkard," Cheerilee admitted. "But she's also a very loving, caring mother. She doesn't abuse Ruby Pinch, she makes sure she does her homework and knows just how important she is. I'll admit I was worried about her vices possibly causing problems. But Ruby does seem to be a healthy, happy young filly." She gestured her hoof around the jagged wasteland. "I have many, many concerns about a child being raised here, but Archer seems very well adjusted... aside from her issue, that is. I can't honestly say whether she would be happier here or in Ponyville."

"Mmmm. We do lack a dedicated school, you understand. Most of our education is in direct apprenticing."

"Ah, yes, that would be an issue." Cheerilee nodded. "Hmmm... If I were to bring the class here for a field trip..."

Bloodkiller's ears perked in surprise. "You really think that... would be permissible?"

"...perhaps not," the teacher admitted. "After the cutie mark crusaders accidentally released Discord, I've had to think over the security risks of school outings. Still, my point is most of our students only know Archer as another face in the classroom. Perhaps if they knew more about where she grew up..."

She gave Bloodkiller a considering look.

"...You know, family appreciation day is in a few months. Would you care to come speak to the class?"

Bloodkiller smiled. "I shall see if I can arrange it. It may take some time, however..."