//------------------------------// // Chapter Three part 1: A Friend In Need... // Story: Twilight's Diamond Daughter // by deadpansnarker //------------------------------// Blissfully unaware of the unedifying spectacle playing out at the Castle Of Friendship, Diamond Tiara was currently ensconced in the comparably calmer environment of Silver Manor, a largish property just on the outskirts of Ponyville. In terms of size, it was about two-thirds as big as the sprawling Rich Mansion, an inarguable fact that Diamond Tiara used to tease her best friend about mercilessly.  Of course, now their relationship was on a somewhat healthier footing, the pink filly only mentioned it in passing rather than every single day, accompanied by a slight smirk instead of an evilly mocking laugh.  Diamond probably never would completely abandon her old ways, but at least she never purposefully went out to bully anypony anymore and kept her trademark bossiness in check for the most part. The same couldn’t be said for one of her nearest but not dearest relations however, and that particular pompous mare was who she grumbled about right now... Much to Silver Spoon’s obvious frustration. “First, Mummy tells me what to do for years, while Daddy is away. Then, when I finally decide I’m done being a stuck-up snob and actually want to make some new friends, she acts like I’m some kind of total stranger!” Diamond angrily rambled on, whilst waving her hooves around like a windmill. “Is it really so bad for me to do my own thing? I’m not an extension of her, thank Celestia…” “You know I agree with every word you just said, Di. In fact, I think I heard this exact same rant this time last week. But could you please keep still for just a few moments? This nail varnish is going everywhere…” Silver Spoon’s irritation was mainly because she’d just had her bedroom cleaned. “You know I’m happy to listen if it helps, but when you move around like that it’s very difficult for me to ‘make your hooves sparkle and shine like the stars at night’. Or so, the packaging claims…” “Oops, sorry Silv.” A sheepish Diamond Tiara immediately stopped fidgeting and extended her hind leg more so her greyish friend could apply the mixture with greater ease. “It’s just, there’s nothing else I can do, other than complain about it. You already know she doesn’t listen to a word I say, and Daddy has his own problems with her so he’s hardly likely to hear mine while they’re fighting. I don’t even get to see him much these days either, because he’s so hard at work…”  “Didn’t Princess Twilight promise she’d help you deal with everything?” Silver Spoon interrupted Diamond before she could embark on another heedless tirade. “I mean, that’s the whole reason she pulled you out of class, isn’t it? To sort out your troubles?” “She didn’t say very much after I told her the whole story. Just patted me on the head and said she’d ‘see what she could do’.” Diamond pondered aloud, hoping all that painful soul-bearing hadn’t been a waste of time. “Then, she suggested I come here for the night, and said she was going to have a word with your mother about the ‘delicate situation’. Whatever that means.” “My mum?” Silver Spoon paused her beauty routine momentarily, a look of surprise flashing across her bespectacled features. “I wonder what about?” The answer possibly arrived with a sudden knock on the door, and before either filly could respond it was swung open to reveal none other than the mare in question, Silver Sterling. Unlike Spoiled Rich, Sterling worked just as hard as her chef husband Golden Spoon. In fact, as a bank manager employed by the largest firm in Ponyville, it was her who pulled in most of the bits every day whilst he plied his wares at only the finest eateries.  A true power couple, indeed. But in another break from the Rich’s, they’d always had plenty of time for their daughter… something which Diamond had been jealous of for years (she’d mostly dealt with her envy by relentlessly picking on Silver Spoon, something she regretted to this day). “How are you two doing up here? Oh, are you giving each other makeovers? What fun! Can I join in? I’ve always thought I’d look great as Sapphire Shores. ‘One does get rather bored of having a colourless mane from time to time, you know’.” “M-Mum!!” Silver Spoon turned a distinct shade of beetroot whilst Diamond subtly chuckled in the background. “Don’t you ever wait, before coming in? If you’re just going to enter, what’s the point in knocking in the first place?” “As a courtesy, of course. But the way I see it is: if you’ve nothing to hide, it shouldn’t be an issue.” Silver Sterling flicked her tail humorously, just brushing her cutie mark consisting of a big heap of silver coins. “Anyway, when you’ve quite finished making yourselves look fabulous, come downstairs for something to eat. Golden Spoon’s been cooking up a storm in the kitchen, and I’d hate to see all his good work go to waste… Hey Diamond, are you okay?” Silver Sterling’s concern was borne out by Diamond’s sudden attack of drooling, as the merest thought of potential delicacies on offer in the dining room had led to a thin sliver of saliva dangling from her mouth like loose spider thread. “E-Er, yes I’m fine. Carry on with what you were saying, please.” Diamond swiftly wiped her lips and smiled assuredly at the worried mare.  “Oh, okay. Well as I said, everything is ready when you are. Try not to be too long, though. Crushed Daisy soup with herbs and spices doesn’t taste half as nice when it’s lukewarm. And those chocolate profiteroles sure aren't going to eat themselves...” rumble The slight tremor detectable there was not a minor earthquake, but in fact Diamond’s empty belly expressing its anticipation of a much-needed feast. On this occasion the ravenous pink filly didn’t even try covering up her growing hunger, and eagerly turned to Silver Spoon to ask the question. “Silv, can we…?” “Sure, Di. It’ll give the first layer a chance to dry, then I can apply the second one.” “Thanks, Silv! Could you move to the side a bit please, Mrs Sterling? I don’t want you to get hurt.” Silver Sterling barely had enough time to step aside before a rampant Diamond sped off to the ground floor, unable to resist the gnawing hole in her stomach and the tempting aroma of delicious edibles any longer. After a few seconds had elapsed, Sterling seemed in deep thought for a moment, before trotting over to put a firm hoof on her daughter’s shoulder. “Silver Spoon?” “Y-Yes…?” The reason behind the grey filly’s nervousness was because her usually jovial mother was never this formal, unless she was about to say something of the greatest importance.  “I’m not sure Princess Twilight wanted me to tell you this, but knowing how mature you are for your age and what a good friend you are to Diamond Tiara, I thought you had a right to know. Diamond might be going through a few… changes in her life very soon, and I want you to be there for her when she needs you the most.” “Oh, you mean she’s switching bedrooms? Well, Rich Mansion has plenty of those, as I never got tired of hearing. Or she’s getting new servants to replace the one’s her dad got rid of? I know she’ll miss Randolph, but considering how past the age of retirement he was already, maybe it’s for the best…” “Silver Bronze Spoon!! You aren’t listening to me! When I said ‘changes’, I meant big changes, not the kind of everyday things you just mentioned! Diamond is possibly about to go through a massive upheaval in her life, and she’ll need somepony to talk to and confide in more than ever! I know you already provide that help for her now, but I wanted to give you a heads-up: things might start getting very messy at the Rich’s.” Silver Spoon was shocked almost into silence upon hearing that, especially the rare use of her full name. “I-I… uh, I’ll do my best.” “Thank you, my darling, I know you will.” Silver Sterling returned to her usual ebullient self upon receiving these somewhat mumbled words of reassurance. “Now, before you go downstairs, there’s just two more things. Wash your hooves, scrub them, and then…” “Um, isn’t that three things?” “Oh, well spotted. I suppose I actually meant three. I want you to clean the varnish off the carpet before you come to the table, too. Our maid can’t do everything, and you know how badly it stains if you leave it overnight.” “B-But… D-Diamond… s-she…” Silver was just about to inform her mother about her pink-furred friend’s part in spreading the glittery cosmetic everywhere, but Silver Sterling was already gone. Fuming slightly at having to wipe off the sticky residue all alone, Silver Spoon nevertheless couldn’t help but wonder what lay ahead for her bestie, and her own future role.  Does this mean her parents are getting a divorce, or what? I want Diamond to come to me whenever she has a problem, but I hope things don’t get too complicated over there. I am only four months older than her, after all. I have pressures too: schoolwork, growing-up and a crush I’m not quite ready to admit to yet. Hopefully, Mum is just worrying about nothing, and the situation isn’t quite as bad as she describes. With a Princess on the case now, how can there not be a simpler resolution on the horizon? Sadly for Silver Spoon (but mostly for Diamond Tiara) the truth was that her mother hadn’t over-exaggerated the dramatic events that were unfolding just across town. If anything, they were about to get even worse... Especially if your name ended in ‘Rich’.