//------------------------------//
// Parental Fight 
// Story: Not Every Song... 
// by Jhoira 
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Octavia turned her glare to her mother. "One would expect, mother, that one would have better manners than to cause such a scene in public." While it would, on a personal level, have been more satisfying to yell at her mother, she knew it would be more of an admonishment to her mother for the rebuke to be high class.

Gilded Gold snorted and scowled at her daughter. "As if you haven't already caused enough of a scene fooling around with some low born pegasus! I wi... And where are you going!?"

Octavia for her part had gotten up, motioning to a Fluttershy attempting to hide behind the centerpiece. "I am going outside. That you might embarrass our family less with your outbursts, mother."

Though Gilded Gold was fuming as she watched Fluttershy quickly ducking around the table and cantering next to Octavia, the decision made sense. She likely would have ignored the logic if it wasn't for her husband, Mighty Diamond, also making a motion with his hooves to encourage his wife to calm down.

As they got out to the street however Octavia instantly started down it, pushing Fluttershy gently in front of her so she couldn't get cornered. Gilded Gold sputtered in outrage as her daughter walked away from her. "And where do you think are you going now!?"

Octavia rolled her eyes and continued walking. "Home, mother, that you might not cause a scene on the street. Like some common busker looking for change." When she was turned away Octavia allowed herself a small grin as her mother continued to splutter. Her mother absolutely hated getting schedules piecemeal. She also couldn't help but congratulate herself on the busker comparison.

"And what then, Octavia?" Gilded Gold trotted to catch up and glare at her daughter. "Will you introduce me to my grandfoal you secretly sired with th..."

"Mother!" Octavia interrupted before her mother could finish. Calling Fluttershy low born was a simple fact, but Octavia wasn't sure if her mother wasn't going to be nasty. "You will kindly restrict your ire to me. It is not your place to speak of my chosen companion."

Though she fumed, Gilded Gold remained silent as they returned to Octavia's home. Even waiting for the front door to be closed. "Well? What do you have to say for yourself?" Her eyes flitted to Fluttershy. "Prancing around with..." her eyes went back to Octavia, who's own flared a warning. "Such a disregard for common decorum."

Octavia let out an exasperated sigh. She did want her freedom, but she should at least give her mother the chance to salvage this. She wouldn't humiliate and disown her mother over some harsh words... "Mother, as I am not the family Scion you have no say in my choice of mates. You are overreacting, and owe..."

"I owe you nothing!" Gilded Gold snarled, pushing off her husband's attempt at a restraining hoof. "You represent our family! Even if I do not technically have a say in your future marriage it has long been family tradition that parents must approve their children's mates! It keeps the blood pure!"

Octavia rolled her eyes. "Mother, you are a fool." Gilded Gold reared back, having expected defiance but not a verbal slap. "When I was a foal I assumed you knew best. When I was a teenager I thought you just said such things to keep up appearances. But you are truly such a fool as to believe that blood lines matter behind simple genetics. It's quite pathetic really." Octavia glanced back at Fluttershy, giving her an encouraging smile. Looking back at her mother Octavia smirked a little. The kind pegasi obviously didn't like the fighting but this had been a long time coming. Octavia decided now was the right moment. Besides, defending Fluttershy's honor did point to some interesting possibilities. She hadn't intended to go down that road but... it wasn't a bad road to go down really.

Gilded gold hissed her irritation. Not only was Octavia being a childish, petulant and a few other foolish things. On top of that, she wasn't even giving their fight her full attention  "We've obviously given you too much leash. You only enjoy this life because of mine and your father's largess. That stops now. You will either... Look at me!"

Octavia had taken to looking at the window absently. She had to admit that that one was childish. Just to get under her mother's skin. She paused for a few more moments before looking back. "What? You're going to cut off my bits from the family?"

Gilded Gold scowled but didn't let Octavia's attempt to steal her thunder derail her. "Yes. But remember, I'm not your father." Mighty Diamond rolled his eyes behind his wife's back but she wasn't wrong. He'd never been able to seriously punish his daughter. "I will cut you off. Now you will return to Canterlot with us where you can have eyes kept on you. If you apologize and behave, I'm sure you can visit in a few months." Gilded Gold waved a hoof dismissively. "Perhaps, if we can find you an open minded mate, you can even keep this one as a mistress." She smiled, Octavia would fall into line no doubt. She was too ensconced in the upper crust that even a professional cellist could afford. And there was a pretty mare from one of their friendly families she could introduce to Octavia...

"Do it."

And with a nice political marriage in the... Gilded Gold blinked. "What?"

Octavia shrugged. "Do it then. And get out of my house. Until you can keep a civil tongue about my mate you will no longer be welcome in my home." Gilded Gold gasped as Octavia's severe frown turned into a genuine smile as she looked to her father. "You are of course welcome to stay if you wish father. I have a guest room you can use."

The corners of Mighty Diamond twitched for just a moment despite the terrible situation. Octavia and Gilded Gold hadn't gotten along since her teenage years, serious fighting had started in her late teenage years. But it'd never been this bad, and he should intervene. "Now really, I think we could come to a middle ground..."

Gilded gold turned on her husband with a snarl. "She's made her choice Mighty! We're leaving." Gilded Gold made it half way to the door before saying again. "Now Mighty! We aren't welcome here any more."

Mighty sighed and shook her head, mouthing to his daughter. "We'll work this out." Before turning and following his wife.

Octavia watched the empty doorway until she heard the front door slam shut. And with that Octavia took a long, calming breath, and turned her gaze to Fluttershy. Now what to do with her supposed mate...