//------------------------------// // Chapter Four part 2: First Day With Twilight // Story: Twilight's Diamond Daughter // by deadpansnarker //------------------------------// For the longest time, no words were exchanged between either the pink filly or her royal companion during their inexorable journey through Ponyville. Being the committed bookworm she was (even as a Princess), Twilight Sparkle occasionally missed certain social cues. But even she knew that trying to strike up a jolly conversation with a filly who’d just been dragged away from everything she’d known for an inordinate amount of time wasn’t such a good idea. As for Diamond Tiara, she just sat there in the carriage with her hooves crossed, all previous signs of being starstruck in the presence of the alicorn completely gone. Occasionally, there would be a bump in the road which would cause her small stature to bounce around in comparison to her larger travelling partner, but she only readjusted herself slightly before returning to her prolonged vow of silence. Eventually, the stallion-pulled transportation neared the Ponyville Schoolhouse and Diamond glanced up, half-expecting the vehicle to stop and allow her to get out. But without any further hesitation the driver ventured on, which led to the first snippet of discussion that day between filly and Princess. “I’m not… I’m not going to classes this morning?” Diamond couldn’t help but ask in her confusion. Twilight smiled slightly at the youngster, before replying. “No, not today if that’s alright. I’ve spoken with Miss Cheerilee, and whatever work you were due to do can be put back for another time. Don’t worry, from what I heard you’re not really missing out on anything. There was a field trip to Manehattan to see some show, but we’ve already got plenty of culture here in Ponyville, right?” “Oh no! I completely forgot! All The Pretty Horses! I was gonna sit next to Silver Spoon, and we were going to bombard the Crusaders with buttered popcorn from the balcony above while they’d counter with penny chews! It would’ve been so much fun!” The way Diamond phrased this sentence, it sounded like she was losing one of the formative experiences of her youth. “Of course, now I have to go without because somepony thinks my parents don’t love me anymore and is forcing me to leave home when I don’t even want to go! Thanks a lot, Princess Twilight!” The withering way Diamond pronounced those last two words made the alicorn wince, but she did her best not to show it in her reply. “I know it’s going to be tough, but believe me: if there were any other option, I would’ve taken it. Sometimes, what seems like something bad now actually turns out to be something good in the future. Hopefully, one day you'll look back on this experience and not think you’re being punished at all, and…” “Yeah. Blah blah blah…” A thoroughly fed-up Diamond had apparently misplaced whatever reverence she’d possessed for the Princess, and was now talking to her like any other random street pony. “You don’t know anything about how I feel! If you did, you wouldn’t be taking me away from Mummy and Daddy the way you are! J-Just, leave me alone…” The pink filly then purposefully turned away from a disheartened Twilight, preferring to spend the rest of the journey in personal contemplation whilst staring out the window.  Well, that went smoothly, didn’t it? Twilight’s first attempt at communication with her temporary charge hadn’t gone according to plan, but as always she was determined not to give up. I better give her a bit of space for now. I should never have underestimated the difficulty of attempting to explain to a child why they’re being removed from their home. Celestia knows, at her age I probably would’ve reacted the exact same way. Not that my parents were the Rich’s, but still...  With a visible shiver running down her spine at that mere thought, Twilight motioned for the coach driver to carry on to their destination, past a few astonished onlookers who hadn’t expected to see a Princess crossing their path when they’d got up for work that morning.  What a story they’d have to relay at the water cooler that day! If anypony else would believe them, naturally. ………………………. “Wh-what are we doing at your old palace?” “I just have a few things to sort out here, then we can figure out where you’re going to stay. Don’t worry, this won’t take long…” Diamond was almost nodding off in the back of the rickety carriage as it pulled up outside the Castle Of Friendship, and first the guards got out before opening the doors for the remaining two passengers. Twilight nodded to her bodyguards as she left the vehicle, closely followed behind by a more hesitant Diamond. “You don’t have to come in with me, you know.” Twilight informed the younger pony. “If you’d rather have some time alone, I mean…” “No, it’s okay.” Diamond didn’t look at the Princess as she spoke, too occupied with the dazzling spectacle that lay before her. “I-I haven’t been inside here before, and I’d like to see it.” “That’s no problem at all. And I won’t even charge you for a tour fee!” Twilight attempted to make a joke, but upon receiving no reaction decided these kind of puns were best left to Pinkie. “...Anyway, Spike will look after you. I’m just going to discuss something with my friend Starlight, and then we can be on our way. If you need anything, you should be able to find me easily enough. Or, ask one of my staff and they’ll point you in the right direction. Okay?” “A-Alright…” Diamond murmured by way of a reply, still somewhat overawed. She wanted to keep being mad at the alicorn, but it was a bit difficult in the presence of such architectural splendour. “Wait, ‘Spike’? Where have I heard that name before? Isn’t he the big guy who almost destroyed Ponyville one time, when he stole everypony’s possessions or something?” “Why does every creature remember that incident, instead of my unbelievable heroics in helping save the world? I even have a statue in the Crystal Empire, for goodness sake!” The dragon in question (much smaller than Diamond recalled) flitted down from on high. “Sorry to drop in unannounced, but my ears were ‘burning’ when I heard my name being mentioned. Get it? Burning?! ...No?” Twilight motioned to her assistant that based on previous failed attempts, maybe humour wasn’t the best icebreaker in this fraught situation. He nodded his understanding, before noticeably changing tact with his interactions involving their filly guest. “So anyways, do you want to follow me in? First, I’ll show you the Map Room. That’s where all of our most famous adventures started, in spreading the power of Friendship across Equestria! Then, I can take you to the kitchen for a snack, around the library if you don’t mind the dust, my soon-to-be-vacant room… do you enjoy superhero comics? Because if you do, then have I got a treat for you…!” Intrigued by the attractions that lay ahead despite her ongoing dislike for the circumstances she’d been forced into, Diamond silently followed the hovering drake while Twilight watched them leave with a touch of relief. Thanks for giving me a break, Spike. Things were getting so frosty between me and Diamond in the carriage, I could practically see my breath on the glass. Twilight sighed in earnest, as the red carpet was packed away behind her. I should’ve expected things wouldn’t be ‘plain sailing’ at first though, so what am I so concerned about? She’ll appreciate why I’m doing this eventually, until then I guess I’ll have to deal with whatever vitriol she has to throw my way. Oh, who’d be a parent? That’s the one question I’ll never be able to answer...   …………………… “Y-You want to do what, Starlight?!” “Just give the walls a lick of paint, Twilight! I was thinking dark blue, maybe purple, with lots of yellow stars in the background…” “B-But I’m not sure you can even paint crystal! Whatever gave you that idea?” “It was Trixie, actually. I felt like because she’ll be coming around a lot more once you’ve gone, she should have some say in what the remodeled castle should look like.” “...That actually explains a lot. But when you said ‘redecoration’, I thought you meant some new potted plants, maybe a poster or two. Not a whole-scale transformation…!” “What is it you always taught me? ‘Out with the old, in with the new’…?” “...Starlight, that sounds more like a Trixie saying. I crave familiarity, and obsess over routine.” “Oh, that’s right, Twilight! Sorry, but for a second there I forgot how much of a… a…” “Yes?” “...Stickler for structuralism you are! Y-Yes, that’s what I was gonna tell you, nothing to do with your stubborn neuroses against any kind of change holding you back in life! After all, who am I to lecture a Princess? A-Anyway, moving on…”  “Hmm. Your advanced vocabulary and knowledge of royal protocol might've saved you for now, but you can’t rely on them forever. One of these days, I’ll catch you out. Then, it’ll be the dungeon for you, my unicorn friend(!) Until then, I guess I can approve a new colour scheme around here…” “Hurray!” “...As long as you tell your friend Trixie that the castle is no kind of place for any magic shows. And don’t try to pretend she doesn't have something in the pipeline. I’ve already seen a few flyers around town for ‘a fantabulous new venue that will finally reflect Trixie’s amazing talent’. Reflect? Doesn’t take a genius to figure out where she means.” “Aw. We were meaning to keep it as a surprise…” “Well, some ‘surprises’ are nicer than others. Finding a book I haven’t read before? That’s a pleasant surprise! Crossing off the last item on a long list? Even better! Discovering my formerly cherished home has been turned into a… a crazy circus, is not one of them! Now, are you going to inform her, or shall I?” Mutter “I’ll do it.” “Sorry? I didn’t hear you.” “I said, I’ll do it. As long as I can hollow out this wall to allow easier access to the garden, and maybe lose this turret at the side which blocks the view from my bedroom. What an eyesore…” “I’ll say one thing for you Starlight, you drive a hard bargain. But you have a deal. See what happens when we compromise? Now, I’d like to discuss these plans of yours for a jacuzzi out back, and… hey, did you just hear something?” “Yeah I did, Twilight! It sounded a bit like… a scream!”  “...And it came from upstairs! Come on, we better go and investigate!” The two mares quickly dropped the large piece of parchment they studied entitled ‘The Future Of The Friendship Castle’ to gallop together to the first floor. “In there! It’s coming from Spike’s old room!” Twilight quickly detected the source of the commotion, and without further delay she burst through the door, soon joined by her unicorn compadre bringing up the rear. And inside the dingy demeanour of the dragon’s dwelling… They found something that shocked them both to their very core.