//------------------------------// // Patch // Story: Talking Is Hard // by Leoshi //------------------------------// "All right, class, that's it for today. Please remember that we have a make-up day starting at noon tomorrow. You need to show up with something to work on or you won't get any credit!" "Give me back my Saturdays!" "I'll see about that, Apple Bloom. Now run along! Have a great day! Sweetie Belle, would you come see me, please?" "Huh? Uh...sure, okay! See you later, girls!" "Goodbye, kids!" "Everything okay, Miss Cheerilee?" "Oh, yes, Sweetie Belle, everything is fine with me, thank you. I wanted to have a short talk with you before you left." "Sure!" "Good. Now, I noticed the new saddlebags you have, and the design on the side. Rarity's work, I imagine?" "Oh, yeah! It was a birthday gift she created to make up for being out of town this week. Do you like it?" "I like it just fine, Sweetie Belle, but I'm afraid I must...emm, raise some concerns with it." "What do you mean?" "Well, help me to understand it first. What is it that I'm seeing on this patch?" "It's me! See, that's me giving a high-hoof in celebration of all I've managed to do since my last birthday. It's offset from my cutie mark design, too. It even feels as soft as the saddlebags themselves. Rarity told me that she used some special thread for it just for me!" "Mm-hmm. Tell me something, is Rarity aware of the...compromising position she made you take?" "Com-what-sizing?" "Compromising, Sweetie Belle, it means that you're not in as good a spot as you want to be." "What, is it in a bad spot? Because my last bags were just bare..." "Sorry, that's not what I'm saying. What I mean is that she made your design to focus a little too much on your body. I worry that your classmates see that design and get the wrong idea about what it's trying to convey." "What? What's wrong with my body?" "Nothing, nothing. It's not you personally. It's the patch design. You see that pose?" "Y-yeah, it's me jumping in the air and giving a high-hoof." "Well, to some other students, and maybe even some ponies around town, they may not see that. I'm worried that they might see something else." "What?" "That's actually something I can't tell you, not like this. I just wanted you to know that I had concerns about this design, and I'd like to ask that you tell your sister about those concerns." "I don't understand. What's so bad about it?" "I promise, if I get permission from Rarity, I'll tell you all about it. Has she left?" "Yeah... She had to leave for Canterlot to oversee updates to her shop there. It's supposed to keep her busy until next week." "I see. Well, then I'll send a letter to Canterlot and hope it reaches her. In the meantime, I have to ask that you use a different pair of saddlebags." "What?? Why?" "Sweetie Belle, I can't get into the details with you, not without permission. What I can say is that the design on your bags is disruptive to the class. Perhaps you noticed how I've had to grab the attention of some of your classmates more often than usual?" "I just thought they were spacing out." "Well, I thought so too, until I caught them stealing glances at your bags more and more frequently. I'm trying to keep you safe from some nasty rumors that I know aren't true-" "Rumors?" "-but it would be much easier if you simply use a different set of saddlebags for now. Can you do that?" "Wait, go back. What rumors? Have there been rumors?" "I'm sorry, but again, I can't get into those details unless I have permission." "Why not?" "It has to do with how old you are, Sweetie Belle. The things I'm worried about are not meant to be discussed in front of fillies your age." "Well, can't you at least help me understand? This feels so unfair!" "All I can tell you is that it has to do with how ponies see you. For example, when I look at you, I see a very bright and cheerful young filly with a good heart and a great grasp on logic. But if, for example, a bully were to look at you, they might see a pony they can pick on without consequence." "Then what... I mean, what..." "The patch? It's a similar problem. You see it as a badge of what you have accomplished, and I believe that it is. But some other ponies might see it and think some very hurtful things about you. Now, again, I promise that I will tell you everything if Rarity allows me. In fact, I'd feel better if Rarity were here to help me explain. But since she's out of town until next... I'm sorry, what day did you say, again?" "I didn't. Wednesday." "Thank you. Until next Wednesday or Thursday, I need you to go back to your old saddlebags, or at least a pair that doesn't have a patch on them." "But...but I like these bags!" "I know, Sweetie Belle, and I'm sorry. This is only for a little while, until I can get everything straightened out with Rarity." "I-If you need permission, I can ask our parents! Then we wouldn't have to wait!" "That may be, but I'd much rather speak with Rarity." "Why? It'll be so long!" "Aside from the fact that I want to know her side of things, I know her personally and want to talk to her as a friend about this. If your parents get involved - and if they do, then I'll just talk to them like I would with Rarity - I worry that they will not understand the situation as well as Rarity would. So, it's better that we wait for Rarity herself to be here, so we can all get the entire story at one time." "That's not fair, Miss Cheerilee!" "Sweetie Belle, I'm not punishing you. This is a sensitive subject that requires a...a more delicate approach." "So I have to stop using my new saddlebags because of it?" "I'm sorry, but yes. At least for a little while." "But I like these! They were made special for me!" "I know, Sweetie Belle, but please understand what it means to your classmates..." "I don't understand what it means to them! You won't tell me! And I don't care what it means to them, I care what it means to me!" "Now, Sweetie Belle, you don't need to raise your voice. I haven't raised mine, have I?" "But...b-but you're not being asked to give up something that's special to you!" "Sweetie Belle, please sit back down." "I d-don't want to." "That's...fine. Stand up if it feels right to you." "And I don't want t-to give up my new bags." "Sweetie Belle, please. I can't make you understand, not yet. But I've promised you, remember? I've promised to tell you everything if Rarity lets me, and I've always kept my promises to my students." "C-can't I just...I don't know, cover them with a b-blanket or something?" "What good would that do? Ponies would be able to just move it away." "I'd still be able to keep what's mine. What's special to me." "You can't solve a problem by covering it up, Sweetie Belle. The answer is no." "Oh, come on!" "Now now, I think I'm being very reasonable, given the circumstances. All you need to do-" "Circumstances you won't tell me about." "That's enough, young lady." "You're not being fair." "Sweetie Belle, I can't tell you yet because it could land both of us in some very big trouble. It's not something to rush in to, but I can't just let you unwittingly put yourself at risk for teasing or worse, either. Please, this is very difficult for me too, and I honestly believe that this is the best solution until Rarity gets back. Trust me, I'd be happy to tell you everything, and I'm sure you would understand. You're one of the brightest students in class, after all. But the world doesn't work that way, and so I need to be a little unfair right now." "This just..." "I know, Sweetie Belle. I know. But I need you to work with me on this until we can get everything straightened out." "Do you...promise that I can...use them again once we all talk together?" "I promise to try and let you. I didn't realize how important this gift was to you, and I feel very bad for asking you to do this. I'll try to reach a compromise if i can, one that'll benefit you. But until then..." "I know, I know." "You can stay here a little longer if you want to compose yourself." "No, I...I-I think I just want to go to Apple Bloom's house." "Very well. Will you be using your old saddle bags, then?" "Yes, ma'am." "Oh, Sweetie Belle, don't be sad like that. You're not in trouble." "It still feels like I am." "I am sorry that it came to this. If you like, I can walk you to the apple orchard. Keep you company?" "No thank you." "Very well. One last thing before you go?" "Mmm?" "You are still one of my brightest, most intelligent students, and I am very proud of all that you've accomplished. Remember that, hm?" "...okay. Thanks, Miss Cheerilee. Good night."