When she came to, Diamond found herself in surroundings significantly smaller than she was accustomed to. An apartment? Not sure. She thought she saw a guitar in the corner, a motorcycle helmet sat on a kitchen peninsula. She seemed to lying on a couch the wrapped around the room she was in, a medium-sized television sat on a grey table in the corner. The walls were adorned with posters. She was having trouble reading the words, but she thought she recognized everyone in the band with the rainbow horseshoe logo.
Sunset? Oh. Oh right. Diamond realized inwardly.
Diamond tried to sit up, but found herself restrained by the gentle hand of a pale yellow woman with silky pink hair.
Huh? Fluttershy?
“Fluttershy?” Diamond asked, not sure why her voice was so hoarse.
“Diamond, don’t rush. It’s okay. Lie there until you feel better,” Fluttershy said, her voice was soft, soothing, and oh so comforting, “You really cut yourself up in that forest, didn’t you? There’s so many, but a lot of them were really old… I guess you had a lot of adventures in there? You know, if you really wanted to visit the cute little forest animals, you could have come to my sanctuary instead!” Fluttershy offered brightly.
“Oh. Um… yes. S-sorry, I didn’t think of that,” Diamond agreed.
“Oh, is Diamond up now?” Sunset asked a short distance away. Wherever she spoke, her voice echoed just slightly. “If she is, ask her if she wants anything to drink. I got O-J, milk, some green tea and … Hmm. No, not that. She’s too young for that.” There was a short pause, then she further offered, “I can also offer a cold glass of ice water. It’s filtered, so it should be good.”
Fluttershy smiled at Diamond, “Did you hear all of that, hun?” she asked in her gentle voice.
Diamond nodded, “Um… Green Tea sounds nice. And not too fattening,” she added. She continued to take in the sights around her. The television on the grey table appeared to be surrounded with shelves. The shelves contained video game consoles, a computer tower, and what looked like a wireless keyboard and mouse which was docked for charging.
“Okay. Green tea it is. I’ll pour some in a moment,” Sunset called from what was presumably a small kitchen adjacent to this living room/bedroom.
“Thank you,” Diamond called out, her voice hardly going up in volume at all.
“Try not to strain too much. You were running around a lot, weren’t you? How long were you in that forest? Did you get lost?” Fluttershy suddenly began bombarding Diamond with questions.
Diamond looked at Fluttershy’s white top, and green dress, and the butterfly clip in her hair. It’s like Fluttershy never changed from high school, she didn’t even look like she’d aged. Diamond found herself feeling envious of that. Diamond then looked at her own arms which were covered in bandages and gauze. It felt strange. Diamond registered that Fluttershy’s hadn’t commented on the cuts except to assume they had been from previous trips through the forest.
“Um… I… Don’t know. An hour, I think? I guess I did a little lost, yeah. I was trying to get to Canterville to find Sweetie, that’s all,” Diamond admitted.
“Oh! You’re friends with Sweetie? That’s wonderful!”
“No! I-I mean… yes? I… I think so? She did say she was. I’m… skeptical, I guess,” Diamond said sadly, her gaze turning to the wall at the back of the couch.
“Oh hun, it’s okay. You can trust her. If she says she’s your friend, then you two are friends, and that’s good! I had so hoped that you would make up with the three of them!” Fluttershy gushed.
Diamond blinked, “Um… I-I didn’t… I mean… Scootaloo hates me? I… really don’t know how Applebloom feels,” she said with a sigh as she leaned into the couch’s back.
“You know what? That might be true now, but I’m sure they’ll come around. I really doubt Scootaloo hates you, Honey, just… She has trouble with her anger. It’s something Sunset and Twilight have noticed and been trying to work on. She didn’t hurt you, did she?” Flutters hy asked.
“N-no… Um… not me,” Diamond almost whispered.
Sunset entered into the room carrying a tall clear blue plastic cup with a slight swirl pattern. She maneuvered herself to stand at the head area of the couch and offered the cup to Diamond as she said, “Here you go, Diamond. A nice, cool glass of green tea with four cubes of …” She trailed off after she realized something startling, then exclaimed, “Oh shoot!” She looked at Fluttershy. “I didn’t offer you anything! Want something to drink, Shy?”
“Oh no. No, that’s okay, Sunset. I’m not staying much longer. I have a lot of work left to do at the Sanctuary. I’m only here for Diamond, really,” Fluttershy replied softly.
“You sure?” Sunset double checks. “Maybe I can find you a soda can or something to take on the road with you.”
Fluttershy smiles as she stands up and straightens out her skirt. “No, that’s alright. Thank you, though. Listen; Diamond might have an infection. I don’t know what sort of plants she got cut by, so I don’t know what. I just gave her a general antibiotic ointment, some bacitracin, so hopefully that will prevent any infection or at least clear one up if it already started. She had a lot of older cuts,” Fluttershy said with a slight frown, “She’d better just stay away from the forest and come to the Sanctuary from now on,” Fluttershy said as she turned to Diamond with a warm smile.
“Fluttershy, you are so awesome! Thank you for this!” Sunset told her friend gratefully as she approached to hug Fluttershy.
Fluttershy was only slightly surprised, it had happened so often with Pinkie that she really didn't’ get startled anymore. In fact, she wrapped her arms around Sunset and hugged her tight.
Diamond watched the hug with longing, then turned away and swallowed as she held back tears.
When they finished the shared hug, Sunset pulled back by grabbing Fluttershy’s shoulders then looked at her face once again as she requested something with earnest concern, “I know my next request is going to sound unusual, but can we keep this visit of Diamond to my apartment a secret for now? Some nasty pictures got passed around recently and I don’t want her visit here to turn into a burden for her.”
Fluttershy nodded, “Oh, yes. Those were awful. Alright, I’ll keep this a secret now. Do her parents know she’s here? Surely her mother is worried sick about her.
“You let me know if that changes or if you need any other help.”
DIamond stifled a bark of laughter at Fluttershy’s words.
Fluttershy blinked, “Oh, bless you, Diamond!”
“Um,” Sunset said while giving Diamond a discerning and concerned look for a moment, then she spoke while choosing her words carefully. “About that, we’ll take care of that later. For now, I just want to make sure she gets all better.”
Fluttershy nodded, then turned and walked into the kitchen. She collected her purse and retrieved her cell phone. She tapped it once, pressed her thumb to the screen, and checked the messages. She began typing a response as she walked to the door, “Oh! Let me know if you need anything, okay?”
“Will do,” Sunset agreed while giving Fluttershy a two-finger salute despite the fact that her friend could not see it. “Thanks again for coming over and checking on her so soon and for taking this time out of your busy day schedule. I know how hectic it is, and hey! I also gave a thumbs up to every one of your posted YouTube videos, and you know that I’m a subscriber.”
Fluttershy blushed as she opened the door, hurrying out to avoid any further attention for the videos. “Thank you,” she squeaked.
Sunset sighed as she regarded Diamond Tiara who, in turn, was looking back with a slight flush of gratitude.
“You feeling alright, now?” Sunset checked with the younger woman.
“A little, yes. My throat hurts a bit, and I’m tired. Um… c-can I…,” Diamond sighed, deciding it was a stupid question and she promptly shut up.
“Well, if your throat hurts because it is dry, you should drink the tea I offered you,” Sunset reminded.
Diamond nodded and took a sip of the tea. “It’s wonderful. Can this be made warm, too?” Diamond asked.
“Oh!” Sunset blinked. “You want me to warm that up for you?” She looked to her left and scratched the back of her head. “Shoot. If I had known that, I wouldn’t have added the four ice cubes to it.” She looked back at Diamond and crossed her arms. “Tell you what. How about you finish that and I’ll warm your next cup for you. How does that sound?” Sunset offered.
“It sounds good to me. Thank you,” Diamond said with a nervous smile. She traced her gaze around the room, but it was all the same as it had been a moment ago.
Sunset gave a nervous sigh, then moved down to kneel next to the younger woman as she looked into Diamond’s eyes very directly, nervously, and earnestly, then said, “Diamond, I got a few confessions I need to tell ya.”
Diamond blinked, confusing written across her face in broad, bold, lettering, “Um…”
“First of all, I have to tell ya that it was not a coincidence that I was in your neighborhood when I found you. In fact, you were the objective of my presence there. I wanted to see you urgently after I received a text showing that nasty video. Shortly later, I got a concerned text from several parties urging me to check on you, including Sweetie Belle. By the time I received her text, I was already starting to gather my things for the trip.”
Diamond swallows, tears welling in her eyes. She sighed and took a gulp of her tea. “...Sweetie knows?”
Sunset nodded, then confessed, “I’m afraid so. It seems that video was sent to virtually everyone’s phone who is a student or faculty member of CHS. It seems someone hacked into the CHS Public Network and sent the message from there. Twilight tells me that issue is currently under investigation, but so far the culprit has not been caught. We suspect that someone out there has a grudge against you specifically, and it doesn’t seem like a coincidence that this video showed up so shortly before your campaign speech this Friday.”
“I-I haven’t even been thinking about that speech! I… kind of forgot about it… I don’t think it really matters now, anyway,” Diamond sniffled as she took another gulp of her tea and sagged back into the couch.
Sunset gave a hard gulp, then reached forward to gently grasp Diamond’s left wrist. Once she secured eye contact from the younger woman, she went on to admit, “There is something else you need to know.” With her other free hand, she pulled out her magic gem attached to her necklace free from her shirt and revealed it in her palm to Diamond, then asked her, “Diamond, do you recognize what this is?”
Diamond shook her head, “Not really. Your necklace that you usually wear? I like the emblem, it’s pretty.”
“This is not just some ordinary piece of jewelry. This necklace, and the geode in particular, is imbued with Equestrian magic. My friends and I first got them in Camp Everfree about fifteen years ago. You remember that one time where we almost got trapped by Gloriosa?”
“I remember hearing about it. My grade didn’t go to the camp that year, but thank you. Because of you, it stayed open after that,” Diamond said with a subdued smile.
“Oh, you weren’t there? Hmm.” Sunset looked off to her side with a pondering look. “Well, I guess I did have plenty of time to forget exactly who went.” Sunset looked back at Diamond. “Anyway, this magic gem here gives me the power to read other people’s memories with a touch, particularly any memories that revolve around the answer to some question that I am after, and with this … I used it on you Diamond, and I found out why you are so depressed, and what you’ve tried to do about it.”
Diamond swallowed, and dropped what was left of her tea on her lap as she tried to back away from Sunset.
“OH SHOOT!” Sunset cried out, startled by the spilled drink. “Stay here! Let me get you a towel real quick.”
As promised, Sunset got up and raced to her linen closet beside her lone bathroom. She returned moments later with several fresh towels to help Diamond dry herself and her clothes.
“No, no… I’m sorry! It’s… you aren’t mad…?” Diamond asked, a little confused, as she grabbed a towel to help with the drying process.
“Mad?” Sunset asked in confusion, taken aback. “Why would I be mad at you? You’re the victim here. It’s your mother that pisses me off.
“Need another towel?” Sunset offers.
“M-my mother? I...,” Diamond trailed off while mindlessly accepting the towel, “I… a victim? Me?”
“Oh my Celestia!” Sunset exclaimed in shock. “Have you been a victim for so long, Diamond, that you don’t even realize it?
“Let me make one thing perfectly clear to you. A true mother isn’t supposed to behave like that. Not even mine was that bad.”
“I didn’t know it. I just… I thought I… I mean, I’m not good enough. I don’t represent the family at all well… I-I need to lose more weight, keep up appearances… Need to win that election… Only I… I don’t think I can…,” Diamond said, her voice wavering more with each new word until she was speaking through tears.
“So, in other words, pressure galore,” Sunset realized. “Yeah, now this is starting to sound familiar.
“Listen, Honey, maybe I’m the first to tell you this, and maybe I’m not, but what I want you to understand is that you don’t have to be anything you don’t want to be, and you can be anything you want to be.
“And, for the record, you are not fat. If anything, I’d say you are a little too thin.”
“I’m not too thin. That’s just you being too nice to me. I… I don’t have any idea what I want to be… well… except for Sweetie’s friend… and Silver’s friend… oh my gosh, Silver must know about this too! She’s going to hate me!” Diamond cried.
“Now this is something I can respect, your urge for friendship,” Sunset said with a smile of approval. “But, if you ask me, I think you should be honest with your friends. If they are true friends, they’ll accept you for who you are, which is obviously something your wicked mother can’t accept.”
“How? How can I… I burden them with me?!” Diamond almost screeched.
“A burden?” Sunset echoed in objection. “No, Honey, you are a gift! You are a precious diamond.”
Diamond sneered, hurtling her empty cup at Sunset as she stood from the couch uneasily. “Stop it! You know that’s not true!”
Sunset stand up as she continues to regard Diamond while asking, “Why would I lie to you? What do you possibly think I could gain from that?”
“My money maybe?” Diamond asked as she finally pushed herself to her feet, wobbling as she took a step. She was confused about that, why was she so weak? She glanced around the tiny apartment, “Seems like you could use it too!”
Sunset moved to steady Diamond, then said, “I could care less about your money, Diamond. It’s you that I’m concerned about. The wealth and true treasure that is in my life is friendship. You should try it some time. I think you’d like it.
“On second thought, I know you’d like it. I read your thoughts, and I know what’s missing in your life. I felt the same way as you at one time when I lacked what I truly needed to thrive in my life. Ever since my friends have lifted me and supported me, I’ve become stronger, so it’s now time for me to return the favor, starting with you!”
With that, Sunset gently urged Diamond to sit back down since she still seemed unhealthy and unsteady.
“Ugh, I remember that day! Sort of… You were a she-demon, and… you have a lot of friends who are really supportive,” Diamond frowned, “How can you return the favor with me?”
Sunset squeezed Diamond’s hands between both of hers as she told the younger woman with a soft smile, “By giving you what you need. I offer you my friendship. In fact, I almost insist you take it, because you really need it.”
“If you’re my friend, will you get me to Sweetie?” Diamond asked, skepticism clear in her voice.
“Sure, if that is what you want,” Sunset said kindly. “Although, since you’re not feeling one-hundred percent yet and those wounds need to be kept an eye on, I can offer you an alternative by offering my phone.”
“It’s… Alright, I’ll take your phone. Thank you?” Diamond tried, it felt a bit clumsy on her tongue.
Sunset squeezed her hands softly and affectionately as she said with a very warm smile, “You’re welcome, Diamond! I’m so glad I can make you feel better.”
But then Sunset looked down with a bit of worry, then went on to say, “But, before I do that, there is one more confession I need to tell you about.”
Diamond raised an eyebrow. “What? That this was all a joke on me? Get my hopes up, make me feel better, than just destroy me?”
Sunset looked aghast as she looked back up at Diamond, then exclaimed, “Sweet Celestia, hell no! Good stars, I really hate what your mother has done to you!”
Sunset looked down in depression again, cast a heavy sigh, then admitted, “The thing I need to tell you is … that what I’ve done with you in scanning your mind … is technically illegal for me. At the very least, I could get fired from Canterlot for what I have done. Possibly even arrested, because doing this without the subject’s permission is considered a breach of privacy.” She looked back at Diamond with an earnest look. “I want you to know that the only reason I did it was because of my strong concern for you. You were bleeding in my arms and I had to know why. I feared that somebody might have been abusing you, only to find out that, in a way, you were … at least psychologically.”
“No… not… not just psychologically…,” Diamond admitted, grabbed her left upper arm with her right hand and looking away.
“Celestia damn it, Diamond, this is awful!” Sunset cried in outrage. “No parent should do this to their child. No parent at all!”
Diamond cringed at Sunset’s outburst, shying away immediately. “[size=small]I’m sorry,” she squeaked.
“Oh no, Sweetie!” Sunset cried in alarm. “I’m not upset at you! I only want to protect you and be your friend!”
DIamond’s breathing was ragged, trembling with anxiety. “Um… so why are you telling me that stuff, anyway?”
“Because, just like Sweetie Belle, I don’t want to see you hurt,” Sunset explained emotionally. “You don’t deserve that. Nobody deserves that. Most likely you would never have been a bully, either, if it weren’t for your bad influences. Believe me, I can relate.”
“I don’t want to talk about this anymore, it’s too much. Can I just get your phone, please?” Diamond asked.
“Sure.” Sunset reached into her jacket pocket and handed her phone over, but when Diamond took it, Sunset held onto it for a moment longer as she explained, “I need you to know that the reason I’m telling you all this information now about what I’ve done is for you to know that you have something over me. I told you that I did something illegal because I felt it was the right thing for me to do at the time. I told you this to earn your trust. That way, when I promise you that I’ll keep your secret for as long as you like without telling anyone you don’t want me to, please believe me!”
Diamond swallowed, “Fine… um… and thank you,” she said as she pulled the phone from Sunset.
“Ugh… I don’t even know her phone number!” Diamond cried, “I guess I could call Silver… but I’m not sure her number by heart either,” Diamond sags in defeat.
“Oh, no problem!” Sunset said brightly. “May I?” Sunset asked while holding out her hand for her phone back.
Diamond sighed, “It’s your phone, duh.” She handed the phone back to Sunset.
With her phone, Sunset sifted through her contact information, then said, “I do have Sweetie Belle’s information down here. I’m sorry that I don’t have Silver Spoon’s, but if you want it, I might be able to find it in the CHS Public Network. I can log in using my instructor account. I might be able to find Silver’s phone number that way.” Sunset peeked her eyes up to Diamond while her face remained directed at her phone. “Want me to?”
Diamond nodded. “Yes, please.”
“Okay.” Sunset looked back at her phone. “Give me a few minutes. My cell connection is a little slow in this area.”
“I never have any trouble with my connection…,” Diamond looks around some more, “You buy this stuff used? Or maybe refurbish it? I’m… It doesn’t look like it was ever new.”
“Huh, all this?” Sunset asked as she looked around, then looked back at her phone as she used it to continue to navigate the web, particularly the CHS Public Network. “Only a few of these things I gained from Equestria over the years. Most of it is knick-knacks I’ve collected since coming to your world, and a majority of it came from my friends.” She grinned. “Try to guess who gave me what, if you can.” Sunset dared.
Diamond blinked, “I think the poster came from Rainbow Dash… The computer was a gift from Twilight Sparkle… The curtains came from Rarity… I’m thinking just about anything in your kitchen came from Pinkie Pie… Do you have a pet?”
Sunset frowned. “I’d like to, but it’s against the rules here in this studio apartment,” Sunset answered. “Good guess about the rest of the stuff, by the way. You get an A.”
“Wouldn’t be my first,” Diamond said solemnly.
Sunset realized something. She looked up at Diamond and asked with concern, “Did you have Silver’s number before? Offering it to you again from the private files of the CHS Network is technically also against the rules.”
“Yes! Of course I had her number before! We practically grew up together!” Diamond snapped.
“In that case, I’m curious, when did you last use it with her?” Sunset asked as she continued to focus her attention and activity on her phone.
“Um… months ago… I think? I’m not really sure, but it’s been a while,” Diamond admitted sadly.
“She didn’t block your phone or change her number?” Sunset checked. “She seemed pretty upset with you, but I think I understand why, now, at least from your perspective. You’re afraid to hurt her later.” Her eyes looked back at Diamond. “Do you want her number now to apologize and explain?”
“I have no idea… I haven’t tried to call her in a long time,” Diamond admitted. “I um… I’m not sure I want to explain to her, it’s… I don’t want to hurt her anymore.”
“She’s your best friend, Diamond. You’ve known each other since you were little kids, right? In that case, I think she’d understand and appreciate your honesty if you are more open with her. Right now, I think she’s just hurt that you shut her out.”
“Maybe… I don’t know… Right now, what I do know is… I’m scared Sweetie will hate me after that video leaked,” Diamond admitted.
“Aaaaaaaad … done!” Sunset declared triumphantly. “That was quicker than I thought. I got Silver’s number in my contact list now along with Sweetie’s. Call whomever you like with this phone. Also, I texted you a PM message to your student account at CHS which you can log onto from here or any other computer or mobile device if need be.” Sunset handed the phone back. While she did, she asked, “Do you want me to leave the room so your call will be private?”
“I’d… actually like it if you stayed… Y’know for… for support?” Diamond asked tentatively.
“Sure!” Sunset said warmly as she squeezed Diamond’s left shoulder with her right hand, then moved herself to sit beside Diamond. From there, she patted Diamond’s right lap with her left hand to prove that she was here to give moral support when needed.
Diamond took a deep breath, scrolled through the contacts until she found Sweetie, and shook as her finger tapped the green circle with the phone in it.
Sweetie heard the ringing. Because of it, she checked her phone. Ms. Shimmer? Well, she was talking to her father, so it would have to wait. She tapped the “Dismiss Call” icon, and set the phone down.
From the chair beside Sweetie, Hondo “Flanks” Belle asked his daughter, “Who was that, Sweetkins?”
“Oh, it was one of my teachers. I don’t think it was important, though,” Sweetie assured, “Um… Do you know how loud that shirt is, daddy?”
“Oh, this old thing?” Hondo looked at his bright Hawian orange shirt filled with images of coconuts and palm trees. He was also wearing khaki cargo shorts and flip-flops. “Eh,” he gave a casual shrug as he looked back at his daughter. “I’m not at work right now, Sugar-Plum, so I like to be casual while kicking back at home.”
Hondo leaned back in his seat as he wondered, “So, where was I?”
“Oh, you were talking about the latest game between the Stallions and the Changelings… You sounded really excited about it too! Um… but… can I… ask you something?”
“Sure!” Sweetie’s father welcomed very casually. “You can talk to me about anything, Sweet Pie.”
Sweetie smiled, “Okay… so…,” she swallows, scanning around the room for no particular reason, “Uh… What do you think of… um… girls who like other girls?”
“Well, I, uh … it’s a free country and all,” Hondo brought up a bit uncomfortably. “I feel that people should have the right to choose who they have a relationship with.” He lifted an eyebrow at his daughter. “Why do you ask, Sweetheart? Also, why is the question so specific about girls in particular?” He grinned as he joked, “Are you asking because there is a particular girl that you like?”
“Promise you won’t get mad?” Sweetie asks quietly, a pleading look in her eyes.
“Sure, Honey-Bun,” Hondo said casually. “You can tell me anything you want. You know that.”
Sweetie sighed, and twiddled her thumbs, looking away from Hondo for the moment, “Do you remember back in middle school, when Scootaloo and I stopped talking?”
“Yeah, I do,” Hondo said with an expression a good deal more serious. “That honestly confused and perturbed me. I thought you and Scootaloo were real tight. Tight enough that I couldn’t fathom why you and Scootaloo would ..” Hondo trailed off when he realized where this conversation may be going, then he said with a somewhat spooked expression, “Oh!” He crossed his arms. “Does your mother know?”
Sweetie shook her head vigorously, “No! No… um… We weren’t together. Like that. Um… I had a crush on her, and I told her. She’s… not gay. So, um… things got awkward for a little while, but… then she tracked me down to ask why I was suddenly not hanging out with her. I told her why, and she laughed. Said that it hadn’t changed our friendship, and she felt bad she couldn’t like me back, but I’d find someone eventually…,” she rambled, almost mumbling it all.
“Well, of course,” Hondo accepted. “Friends are like that, Honey. At least, the good ones. You know how Steven Magnet and I are pretty good buddies, right? I don’t judge him for his choices and preferences. Friends are the way they are. Now, this might put a damper on your mother and I’s hopes for having grandkids, but we’d love you no matter what you are or decide to do, Sweetness.”
“I’m sorry about that. I mean… maybe I can adopt? Scootaloo’s family is really sweet, I think I’d want to give a kid like that a home someday… uh… so uh… I think… I’m starting to like a friend a bit more than as a friend… She’s… always been kind of nasty, but… recently, she’s changed… and I’m seeing things in her that I really like… that I think make her someone special,” Sweetie swallowed, closing her eyes.
“I see.” Hondo strokes his very neatly trimmed mustache with a bent finger in a thinking pose. “Does your new friend know how you feel about her?” he quarried. “Also, you can do anything you want in life, like I said. I think using the adoption system is a great idea. Scootaloo might even be willing to help you with that since she has some investment in that system. She may not join you romantically per se, but she might be a reliable partner in helping you take care of the kids.” He smiled at her fondly. “One thing I do know about you is the fact that you have an abundance of affection to share. You just wouldn’t be you if you didn’t do that, so I understand, accept, and love you for that.”
“I don’t like Scoots like that anymore, so that’s okay. I… haven’t told my new friend… I’m still figuring it out myself. It kind of scares me… um… because Scootaloo might hate me for it. I don’t want her to hate me. Ever,” Sweetie took a shuddering breath, composing herself before she burst into tears “I… I don’t know how to tell Mom any of this, either.”
“Ohhh!” Sweetie’s father widened his eyes in realization. “So Scootaloo]o and this new friend of yours don’t get along with each other? Well, ain’t that a horse of a different color. Hmm.” He stroked his mustache again thoughtfully. “That is a toughie.
“You know, I have had some co-workers and employees under me that didn’t get along with each other. There are lots of solutions I’ve attempted in the past to help rectify the situation. Sometimes we just talk it out. Sometimes I assign them different work schedules. Sometimes we compromise.” He gave a casual shrug. “My point is, there are lots of different ways to handle these kinds of problems. The best ones to use depends on who is involved. There is no, ‘one size fits all’ kind of deal. Usually you have to feel it out. Keep in mind, however, that, in this case, if you are friends with both parties who are against each other, at least they got you to work with them as a sort of mediator. That can be a challenging position, but one that offers realistic hope down the line. Also, if you really care for them both, that affection can give you strength to work through difficult times.”
“I do really care for them both… I hope I can get them to get along,” Sweetie sad sadly, “Thank you, Daddy!” She reached up to hug him.
“Anytime, Sweetpea,” Hondo says back as he returned his daughter’s hug.
“I’m glad you don’t hate me…,” Sweetie said quietly while in her father’s arms.
His head veers back as he asks her, “Hate my daughter? What are you, kidding?” He lightly flicks her nose as he requests, “As I said, you can talk to me about anything you want. Also, now that you’ve involved me this much, I’m a little curious how it turns out.” He returned to his seat. “Personally, I’m praying for a happy ending. If you need anything to help ensure that it becomes so, let me know. I’ll do whatever is in my power to help ya.” He cocks his head to the side. “By the way, how are you feeling anyway? I mean, physically with the …” He gestured to his eye area where she has her own injury, “and …” he kind of gestured to his backside.
Sweetie frowned, “It throbs… Can I get a Tylenol or something? And my back doesn’t hurt so much, and I can kind of feel my leg better now. I haven’t tried walking yet, though.”
“Well,” he looked out of the room as he said, “I believe we got some Tylenol. If not, I believe I can pick up some or order some.” He glanced at his watch on his wrist. “I got about four hours or so before the game comes on.” He looked back at her as his hand returned to his hip. “That should be plenty of time.” He smiles a bit further. “So you want me to go get that for you now and I can return and tell you about some more sport’s scores?”
“Yeah, I’d like that. Um… Actually, may I watch the game with you? That’s always fun,” Sweetie said with a sincere smile.
He shrugged casually, and said, “Sure, Hon. Think you can make it on your own down there or want me to carry you like old times?”
“I… I want to at least try to get downstairs on my own. I’ll let you know if I need help though, is that okay?” Sweetie asked.
“Alright. Just know that I’ll be with you every step of the way, Sweetheart, just in case you need me.”
Diamond stared at Sunset’s phone. Her eyes watered and her hand trembled.
“No…,” she says barely above a whisper.
“What’s wrong? She not answering, or is there a connection problem?” Sunset gains a thoughtful look. “I had a great connection a few minutes earlier, but you know how the internet goes. It’s pretty flaky even in the best of times.” She looked back at Diamond. “You know, you could also try texting her. That message will stay on her phone until she erases it. Also, you should clarify that it is you sending the text because she’ll otherwise see it as my number.” Sunset looked worried as she looked forward. “I wonder if she saw the video that was sent to everyone.”
“I’m sure she did…,” Diamond said through a sigh, “I’ll try texting.” Diamond pulled up Sweetie’s number and engaged the messaging app. “Do you have voice to text on this?”
Sunset squints at Diamond as she admits, “I do, but even I have some trouble with it. Since it’s not trained to recognize your voice, you might have even more trouble with it.” She leans back on the couch. “However, it’s okay because there is no time pressure, unless your wicked mother has sent the police to go looking after ya.” Sunset waved off at Diamond. “So take your time. Take as long as you like. I got unlimited text with that cell phone plan anyway. With the kind of work I have, I need it. Plus, there are all those social texts I do with my friends.”
“P-Police? What?!” Diamond’s eyes shrank to pinpricks.
Sunset frowned at Diamond, then reluctantly admitted, “Well, you did run away from home. I kept you here to nurse you back to health, but I have no legal authority to keep you here.” Sunset leaned towards Diamond as she added in an attempt to cheer the other girl up, “However, soon your mother won’t have the authority to detain you, either. Soon you’ll be eighteen, then you can live wherever and with whomever you want.” She smiled brightly. “You can even crash at my place!” She sighed as she rolled her eyes. “At least for a couple of days, but technically this is breaking my rent agreement. Guests are fine, though. I believe I can have you here for four days without any problems, so you’re fine for now.”
Diamond’s breathing was shaky as she slowly brought a hand to her chest and closed her eyes. If she had any more to do to make this work, she gave no indication. She simply sat there, trembling.
“Um, Diamond … please look at me, Sweetheart,” Sunset encouraged.
Diamond took a short breath, cut off halfway through, then turned toward Sunset’s voice and slowly opened her eyes. “What?”
“I really don’t wish to put any more pressure on you considering your fragile emotional state, but I want you to know that the abuse you are suffering at the hands of your mother is not okay! If the stress is so bad that she’s driving you to hurt yourself, you need to get out of there.” Sunset laid a hand very gently on Diamond’s lap, figuring the girl would withdraw if she applied any medium or heavier pressure. With her attention, after a deep intake of breath, she said, “You should go to the police to report this abuse to you by the hands of your mother. If you do, I can help get you out of there and go someplace more calm, but it’s up to you!” She assured quickly. “I won’t pressure you to do anything you don’t want to do.” Sunset placed a hand on her chest. “Do you see how my strategy differs from your mother? Do you see how I’m trying to give you options without putting much pressure on you? That is what a parent is supposed to be like.”
“Please stop… I-I don’t want to talk about this anymore. I don’t want to go to the police. I don’t want to ruin Daddy’s image,” Diamond said, as tears started to form in the corners of her eyes. “I just want to send a text right now, that’s all.”
Sunset frowned, withdrew her hand, but also nodded in acknowledgment. “Alright. If that is what you want to do, then that’s all you have to do. Believe me, I do know how family can be quite complicated. I don’t want to put any more pressure on you.” She waved Diamond off. “So go ahead and text your friend. While you do that, ah …” Sunset checked the cup that she offered Diamond earlier. Because it was clear, she noticed that it was empty. When she noticed that, she looked back at Diamond and asked, “While you type that up, do you want me to pour you any more tea? Or do you want a bite to eat? Are you hungry?” Sunset thumbed to her chest and gave a smug grin. “I can make a pretty mean burrito!” Sunset bragged proudly.
“C-Can you heat the tea up this time? I’d like to sit up, I’m tired of lying down,” Diamond notably didn’t bother to address the question of food. “Can we watch a soap opera or something?”
“Oh, ah … alright.” Sunset looked around for something. Whatever it was, she did not find it right away. Leaning forward in her seat, she cursed under her breath, “Darn it, where did I put that remote?” After that, she got up and attempted to look for it. While she did that, Diamond started texting.
After a minute, Sunset asked, “Um, Diamond, is it common for humans to lose remotes in your world? I often don’t have any luck with the darn things. Now Twilight, on the other hand, is a whiz with technology.”
“Uh huh,” Diamond said, barely paying any attention to Diamond now that she was focused on her text. It looked like she was taking her time to type it out.
Sunset sighed, then said, “Darn it. Well, I’ll find it eventually.” Sunset swiped up the cup from the coffee table. “Well, let me at least heat up and pour you a glass of warm tea. I’m pretty darn sure I won’t lose that, at least.”
“Mmhm”, Diamond quietly murmured as she continued to type her text. While she does that, Sunset prepares her tea for the next four minutes.
Sunset Shimmer: Sweetie? This is Diamond Tiara. I’m using Sunset’s phone right now because I’m at her home and I don’t have mine. I don’t know if you got it, but a video went out showing me purging. I’m sorry. I know that might freak you out or something, and I’m sorry. I just know that I do want to try to be your friend, but I don’t know if you want to be my friend. Please don’t give up on me. I tried to call you, but you ignored the call. I don’t know why. And, I hope you’re doing better after you got hurt too. How is your eye and your back? Are you and Scootaloo okay? I’m sorry, I know I’m rambling.
Diamond lets out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding as she set the phone down and waited. While she waited, she took time to consider what she might say to Silver.
An apology? Diamond thought to herself. There’s so much to apologize for, though. An explanation? No, no no no. I can’t tell her what’s going on with me, she’d be so hurt. Oooh, what do I say? Do I even try?