//------------------------------// // Chapter 04 - Diamond and Rust // Story: A Lost Soul in a Lonely World // by flawlessvictory20 //------------------------------// As we made our way to the orphanage, Scootaloo remained eerily quiet. I wanted to ask her what was wrong, but I decided against it. When we made it back, Ms. Hooves was waiting for us. “Both of you...my office…Now!” she spoke in a bemused tone. From the tone and scowl on her face, you could tell she was upset about something. We followed her into her office and took a seat at her desk. She then closed the door with her magic. After a few moments of silence she finally spoke. “The first one of you to correctly guess why you’re in here is the one who gets to have a pillow at bedtime tonight.” That statement made me feel a bit uneasy. “Umm...I don’t have a clue why-” I began before being cut off. “If you don’t have an answer then don’t speak!” she hissed. I flinched at the harshness of her tone. “I don’t know either ma’am,” Scootaloo added. “Why are we–” Ms. Hooves then let out a bemused sigh. “Ok...let me explain this in a way that even two brats like you can understand. Today’s incident was inexcusable,” she spoke with a sneering scowl. “Huh?” replied Scootaloo. “What’re you talking about?” I asked in confusion. “Seriously? You don’t think that there was anything wrong with your behavior at school today? You think that attacking a student was acceptable?!” she barked. “What?! The Tiara brat started it!” I responded. “She dared to insult my mother.” “Yeah. Golden just reacted to her–” Scootaloo defended. “I don’t care what she said!” she seethed. “You cannot be fighting at school! Do you have any idea how thin the ice here is? Do you have any idea how many times the town’s been petitioning to stop funding this place; which the two of you are depending on for everything?!” “But she had no right to say those things–” I started. “No…she didn’t. She had no right to say what she said; but I am also saying you had no business attacking her!” It was clear that it didn’t matter to her that that brat offended my deceased mother, but rather the actions I took to retaliate. I just rolled my eyes in response. “Whatever...are we done?” I huffed. “No! We’re not done! We are far from done! As long as you live in my orphanage; you will respect its rules and myself! You don’t have to like living here; but it’s the best you’ve got now!” I just let out a huff. “So what’s my punishment? Sleeping in the rat’s nest you call our beds?” I quipped as you looked toward the window. “Look… at…me…” she commanded with a firm manner. Her tone caught my attention and I quickly turned to her. “What?” I replied. She took a deep breath as if to compose herself. “I am not your mother. This is not your home. But for now I am your legal guardian and this is the house you live in. You don’t like it here? Well, neither do any of the others but I am the best that any of you’ve got.” “I know you’re not her...nopony ever will be,” I sighed. “You have it hard; but so does everypony else here. My strict rules of conduct are the only things keeping the roof over your head. As of right now; you are the only two who are threatening that. Am…I…clear?” “Yes ma’am” we both replied. “You might not think so now but I care about all of you,” she spoke before giving us both a stern look. “Which is exactly why we’re going to make sure that no more fights break out.” “And how’s that?” I asked “Since you’re both suspended for a day. You for fighting and you Scootaloo for your excessive tardies, will spend the whole day scrubbing down the rooms you call a rat nest.” “What?!” whined Scootaloo. “That’s not fair. She started it!” I defended. “And then you escalated it; and now I’m ending it,” she stated steadfastly. “I lost my mom yesterday. How did you expect me to react?” I disputed. She then rose from her desk and walked over to us. “You want to hit somepony?” She stood in front of me. “No...yes...I don’t know...I just...” I stammered, not able to gather my thoughts. She then leaned down to meet my gaze. “You just what?” she calmly asked. Just remembering what that arrogant filly said began to make my blood boil. “I…I just don’t want anypony disrespecting my mother’s memory. The things she said…I just lost it,” I explained. “And are you going to lose it again?” Ms. Hooves asked. I looked away from her. “I don’t know…” you softly spoke. She then guided my gaze back to hers by using her magic. “Well, I suggest you figure that out soon,” she sternly spoke. “Don’t you think you’re being a bit harsh Ms. Hooves,” chimed in Scootaloo. “Clearly I’m not being harsh enough; if I were, then we wouldn’t be having this conversation,” she countered. “Whatever…like I care,” I huffed. “You should!” Ms. Hooves warned. “Well I don’t,” I said with rolled eyes. “And why not?” she asked. I knew nothing I would say would change her opinion on the matter, so I chose to keep my mouth shut. “I asked you a question!” she snapped. I remained silent. “Fine then,” she huffed. “If you won't talk to me; then you can talk to Diamond Tiara. When you go back to school you’re going to apologize to her.” ‘WHAT?!’ I internally screamed. “I’m not apologizing to that self-entitled brat. “Yes…you are…” she spoke in an ‘as a matter of fact’ tone. I looked dead in her eyes. “No, and you can’t make me!” Her glare felt as if she shot a dagger into my very soul. She then recomposed herself, before she turned to Scootaloo. “To be honest; I expected this from you. You’re usually the one causing trouble for me. Obviously you’ve been a terrible influence on him.” ‘Is she kidding right now?’ I questioned. I looked to see the panic and fear that emanated from Scootaloo’s eyes. “What? No ma’am. I didn’t-” she started. I stood in front of Scootaloo. “She has nothing to do with it,” I defended. She then looked down to us with a great sense of authority. “Let me make this clear. This home’s ability to house so many children has been challenged. I REFUSE to send anypony away without a fight...but if it comes to that to keep this place running...” She doesn’t say anything else, but keeps eye contact with both of us for a while longer. Scootaloo let out an audible gulp, but her scare tactic didn’t really work on me. “I don’t care. I’m not apologizing for defending my mother’s memory. That filly had it coming,” I pouted. For a brief moment, she looked like she is ready to break down right there in front of us. “Out! Both of you! And don’t be late for dinner!” Ms. Hooves instructed. “Yes ma’am...” we responded, as we’re ushered out of her office. We didn’t say a word, and head to our room to unpack. Upon reaching the room, I toss my bag on my bed and flop on to it. As I stared at the ceiling, the events of what happened at the school flooded my mind. I can just see the smug look on her face, the shrillness of her tone, the way she carried herself like she was better than you were. Just remembering it, started to make you angry. As a result, you ended up hitting your ‘mattress’ in frustration. “Stupid Diamond Tiara!” I growled. I covered my eyes with my forehoof and tried to calm myself down. As I did I heard faint hoofsteps approach my bed. “Go away!” I groaned. “Oh...ok...” spoke the voice. I immediately recognized the voice. “Scootaloo?” “Yeah,” she timidly replied. I sat up to look at her. “What’s up?” “Well it’s...um...,” she stammered as she shifted around nervously. “I can come back later...if you’d rather...” “No it’s fine,” I waved it off. “Did you need something?” “You still up for helping me with my math?” ‘Huh? What is she–’ I thought before I remember our conversation. “Oh right, sorry I totally spaced it. Got a lot on my mind right now.” “I figured...” “Anywho, so let’s get started,” I said as I made room for her. She then hopped onto the bed and settled in. She set the math book in front of us and began to flip through the pages. As she laid next to me, I notice the pleasant scent of raspberries. ‘She smells nice,’ I thought before shook my head. “So what problems are you having with math?” “Well...I just don’t get fractions...” she admitted. “Fractions? I remember those. So, what don’t you get about them?” “Well...all of it...” she sheepishly grinned. I let out a small chuckle. “Okay let’s start with the first problem.” She grabs a piece of paper and pencil from her saddlebag. I look over the problems on the sheet and see that it’s basic addition and subtraction for fractions. “So where are you having trouble?” I asked. She pointed to the first problem on the sheet.” “This one...I just don’t get it,” she said scratching her head. “2/3 + 3/4 should be 5/7…right?” ‘Okay, I see where the problem is,’ I deduced. “No…no…you don’t just add the two. You first have to find the common denominator.” She looked at me with a confused look. “...common what?” she queried. I rolled my eyes. “The common denominator. It’s the numbers at the bottom,” I explained. “What about them?” “See, they have a number that they both have in common. Now, what number does 3 and 4 go into?” She closed her eyes and thought for a minute, then snapped open her eyes. “Oh! It’s twelve!” “Good…” “Okay...so...it’s now 2/12+ 3/12?” “Not quite. Now, multiply four with the two and three to the three since 4x3 is 12. So it will be 8/12 + 9/12.” “So...that would make it 17/12. Which is…um…1 and 5/12, right?” “You got it Scootaloo.” “Really?” she smiled “Eeyup, see it’s just that simple.” “I think I got it…” “Let’s try the next one.” She nodded with enthusiasm as we tackle the next problem. To my surprise, she was a very quick study. With each one we did, she would be able to figure them quicker and quicker. After what seemed like a few minutes, we decided to take a break. “You seem to be getting it Scootaloo,” I praised. “Ya thing so? Thanks,” she beamed. “You’re a really good teacher.” “It’s nothing. My old school just had an advance curriculum is all,” I replied. “Well in any case. I owe ya big for this…” When I saw her carefree smile, it somehow made me feel better. Something as simple as earning a smile for helping her with her homework was enough to make me smile in return. He began to chuckle at the thought. “Huh...what so funny?” she asked. “That doing something as simple as homework is enough to make me feel better,” I stated. “Glad to hear it...I know you’ve had a rough day…” “Well, you were there. That whole thing with Diamond Tiara. Plus, Ms. Hooves yelled at us.” “Yeah…” “But just spending time with you like this was...well it was fun.” “It kinda was…even if it was homework...” To that, we both let out a much needed laugh. It felt good to be able to laugh like this again. After we were able to compose ourselves, I look at the clock and noticed the time. “Uh-oh. We’re late for dinner!” “Oh no...Ms. Hooves is going to be mad,” she gulped. We packed up everything and quickly head downstairs. Once we arrived we are met with a stern glare upon as we enter the room. Scootaloo quickly spoke up. “Sorry we’re late. Golden was helping me with-” she began. “Did I ask why you are late?! I don’t care why! It doesn’t matter what you say; the fact remains you two are late even after I explicitly told you two to be here on time!” she barked. The firmness in her voice made both of us flinch. “Sorry ma’am. It won’t happen again,” she bowed. Though Scootaloo hurried to her seat I was in no hurry to get to my seat. “Anything you want to add Golden Wings?” asked Ms. Hooves. “Not a thing,” I replied. She let out an annoyed huff as I say down to await the deplorable dinner ahead of you. “Fine, be that way,” she scoffed. She the levitated a plate of stale bread with overdone rice and vegetables. “Eat up, brat.” Just as I was about to I noticed that Scootaloo’s and the other foals plates were empty. “Um Ms. Hooves? Where’s our food?” Scootaloo asked. Ms. Hooves then looked straight into my eyes. “After the complaint we’ve had about the food here, we’re going to address one of them. Golden Wings is the only one with a filled plate. Eat up; show us exactly how much a serving this ‘garbage’ needs to be,” she explained. “You can’t be serious?!” I replied in disbelief. “Oh yes I am very serious. I take my role as provider very earnestly; and that includes complaints,” she spoke. “So, if I don’t eat then nopony does?” She narrowed her eyes to emphasize her point. “Not…a…single…scrap!” I couldn’t believe the lengths she would go to make an example out of me. I wanted to refuse but then I saw the hungry foals around the table. I couldn’t in good conscience deny them a meal, no matter how bad it may be. “Fine!” I said with a steely resolve. I then picked up my fork and put the first bite of carrots, celery and rice in my mouth. It wasn’t as bad as the first meal I had, but it was still a challenge to eat. Both the rice vegetables were mushy and felt like I was eating expired paste. In spite of this, I kept eating. With each bite, I fought off the urge of wanting to throw up and push through the meal. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Ms. Hooves diligently looking at me, as if expecting me to crack. ‘There’s no way…I’m losing to you!’ Through force of will, I managed to clean my plate. “There…I’m done,” I proudly spoke. “Well...clearly it's not as bad as you it’s made out to be,” Ms. Hooves smugly grinned. True to her word, she then filled everypony else’s plates. As she made her way back to her seat she began eating as well. Once again, the quality of her food far exceeded our own. “Well Golden; clearly it’s not as bad being part of this family as you like to say it is.” Fighting off my upset stomach, I looked back to her in defiance. “You’re right. It’s worse,” I replied. “What was that?” “Nothing...if you’ll excuse me. I think I’m about to hurl.” “You miserable, ungrateful brat! Every colt and filly here lost their home and I open mine to all of you! If this is the thanks I get...then clearly I’m not doing my job,” she barked as she slammed her hoof on the table before she rose from her seat. “…Fine. You clearly think I'm some cruel monster who wants you all in misery. If that’s the case…no more charity from me.” “Charity? What’re you-?” I started. Without another word, she grabbed her plate and left the room leaving a room full of foals confused. ‘What was that about-' I uttered. After stomaching the deplorable meal, I found myself in the bathroom for quite some time. Once I was done, I headed back to our room to try and sleep off the meal. Along the way I bumped into Ms. Hooves in the hall. When she saw it was me, she looked at e with a hard glare. Not knowing what state she was in mentally, I chose to be cordial. “Sorry, Ms. Hooves,” I spoke then walked around her. She turn her head to give a small huff. “That’s what I wanted to hear,” she spoke “Don’t get use to it,” I replied. “Trust me, I won’t get too attached to it. The sooner you’re gone; the better…” she said as she headed to her room. “The feeling’s mutual...Ms. Hooves…” I muttered under my breath. I continue on to our room knowing tomorrow was going to be a miserable day.