//------------------------------// // Chapter Three part 2: Final Arrangements // Story: Twilight's Diamond Daughter // by deadpansnarker //------------------------------// “B-But you can’t do that! What gives you the right to take my… I mean, our daughter away?” Seeing as Filthy Rich was still sobbing quietly in the background, it was left to Spoiled Rich alone to argue the case against the removal of their first-and-only born. Some might say they’d lost already. “Sorry, but my mind is made up. As long as things at Rich Mansion remain as fractious as they are, I cannot in good conscience allow any child to stay there.” Twilight replied firmly, as she walked around the table to face the Rich’s on the opposite side. “She’ll return from the Spoon’s tomorrow, get packed and then be on her way to her new temporary residence. You’ll get chance to say goodbye of course, but it will be strictly supervised…” “W-Wait! I have an idea! What if… she stays with somepony close to us, who can be trusted to look after her, until we’ve sorted out our ‘differences’?” Filthy Rich stopped sniffling to suddenly sound hopeful again. “Would that be an acceptable compromise?” “Hmm…” Twilight remained skeptical, but decided it was good manners to hear the tycoon out. “What did you have in mind?” “Well there’s my reclusive mother, Impossibly Rich. She’d be a great option: caring, compassionate and with even more bits in the bank than me, so don’t worry about her ability to support our precious jewel! There’s only one snag though…” “...And that is?” “We never know where she is, from one moment to the next. She might turn up to a party in Las Pegasus, and then not be seen in public again for months. If only we had a permanent address…” “I see. Well, it sounds to me with her jet-setting lifestyle, looking after a vulnerable filly would be an ‘impossible’ job for Impossibly Rich.” Twilight began to think her initial cynicism of this late proposal was somewhat justified. “Any other suggestions?” “Erm. Not really, since my father Awfully Rich died a few years ago, and I wasn’t blessed with any other siblings…” Filthy Rich scratched his chin thoughtfully, before an idea unexpectedly popped in his head. “I know! What about Spoiled’s folks? They live on a dairy farm in Fillydelphia, and are so nice! Just think of it: country air, rustic charm, all the fresh eggs she could eat…” “Ugh! Bite your tongue, Filthy! We are not sending our darling to that dilapidated, dung-ridden old dump! I’d sooner give her up for adoption than let her live with that pair of straw-chewing, jug-blowing, slack-jawed hayseeds! And that’s final!!” Spoiled clearly had issues with her estranged parents, as she showed far more emotion protesting against Diamond staying with them than her daughter’s initial removal. “...Well, I guess that’s settled then.” Twilight had clearly heard enough of the feuding Rich’s, and motioned to the passageway leading to the front door. “Spike will see you out. Thank you for coming today, and I’m only sorry we had to meet properly under these circumstances. I’ll be around first thing tomorrow to collect Diamond, so please make sure she’s ready out front with whatever she needs. If we don’t have chance to speak again, I wish you both all the best for the future and I only hope you can work things out between you. For your, and your daughter’s sake.” Filthy gave his wife the most angry of scowls as if she’d ruined their last opportunity of keeping Diamond ‘in the family’, but there was nothing more to be said or done. Heads bowed, they skulked out despondently in single file, while Twilight watched them depart with more than a pang of regret. It’s sad things had to come to this, but I’m absolutely positive I’m making the correct decision. If something tragic had happened to Diamond, how would I ever have been able to live with myself? I certainly wouldn’t deserve to rule Equestria, that’s for sure. Now the next big problem: where to place Diamond for the near future. Hmm… Twilight made a mental note to discuss this with the pink filly, just as soon as the news of her relocation had been absorbed and the alicorn felt she was ready for it. In the meantime though, she had two chairs to return to their original positions, a stack of paperwork to do and… Starlight Glimmer entered at that precise moment, stretching her hooves and blinking in the bright natural light of the Map Room. “Gee, that was a nice rest. So how did it go… that bad, huh? Well, as a former school counsellor let me just say this: you’re doing the right thing. Now, is there any coffee left? There’s something I’ve been meaning to discuss with you, for after you’ve moved to Canterlot full-time. Let’s talk… redecoration.” …………………. “I don’t get it. What is the big deal about letting Diamond stay at your parents’ farm for a few weeks, while we sort our lives out?” The very moment Spike had shut the door, Filthy raised the only topic on his mind, and he refused to let it drop. “I know you hate them, but Diamond probably wouldn’t. She could have a great time up there, and…”  “Y-You. W-wouldn’t. Understand!!” Spoiled shrieked by way of a response, so much so that a few passers-by stopped in their tracks to stare at her curiously. “I spent all my early life trying to escape, and I’m certainly not sending Diamond there to suffer like I did! And again, how many times have I told you before: I don’t want to talk about this!” “Oh wait, I get it! You still think they’re beneath you, hence that embarrassing rant you just gave in front of Princess Twilight!” Filthy rolled his eyes and sighed, thinking that he’d solved the mystery. “Also, what did you just mean about Diamond ‘suffering’? Are you saying, she might have to do a few chores for once in her pampered life? Well, if Apple Bloom can get up at the crack of dawn to buck a hundred trees before sunset, I don’t think Diamond should have too much trouble…” “What did I just say? I don’t feel comfortable discussing this, especially with so much riff-raff listening.” Spoiled spoke the end of that sentence in a noticeably lower pitch, as her previous hysterics were already drawing quite a mixed crowd. “And for your information, comparing our treasure to that Apple girl is such an insult I don’t even know how to respond.” “Well, there’s a first time for everything, I guess. Shame it won’t last.” Filthy might’ve sounded like he was joking, but the deep frown on his ashen face told a different story. “I won’t hear you belittle my best trading partner’s sister, either. She’s the hardest little worker I know, and Barnyard Bargains was built on committed ponies like that. What do you think keeps you supplied with useless trinkets and baubles? If you want bits, you have to earn them. Unless your name is ‘Spoiled Rich’, of course.” “That’s it! I’m going to the spa for an emergency evening facial and massage session, anything to get away from you!” Deciding that after the tensions of the day she felt fit to collapse, Spoiled unceremoniously turned about to saunter off with her nose in the air. “I need something to unwind, and seeing as how we’re out of alcohol and valium I’m off to see a real stallion who can help! If you want to know who I mean, here’s a clue: his name starts with ‘Bulk’ and ends with ‘Biceps’. See if you can figure it out before I get back. Late!” Filthy was on the verge of shouting ‘Good Riddance‘ after her, but with the amount of ponies gathered around him wisely decided it was bad form to publicise a big CEO’s marital difficulties. So, he did the next best thing. “Hey everycreature, Filthy Rich here! Hope you enjoyed our impromptu show there! If you don’t want to argue with your loved ones, pop down to Barnyard Bargains to get them that special gift! Flowers, confectionery… er, muck-spreaders, we stock everything you could possibly need to avoid an unmendable rift in your relationship like ours. So, how about it? I think I even have some 5% off coupons hidden deep in my waistcoat pocket. First come, first served… sorry in advance about the mothballs.” Never let it be said the entrepreneurial spirit is dead in trying times, among those who keep the faith. ……………………………………. “N-No. M-Mother. F-Father… don’t go.” Some might argue it was the extra-large portion of cheese fondue that made Diamond Tiara toss and turn that night, whilst crying out piteously in her sleep. But Silver Spoon had digested a similar amount of the gooey dish, and she slumbered peaceably in her bed, her favourite teddy Mr Cuddles safely clutched by her side. It was almost like her nightmare was caused by an impending feeling that something momentous was about to happen, and her life would never be the same again… But that, like everything else, would have to wait until tomorrow.