//------------------------------//
// Chapter 24  - The Kind 
// Story: The Code of Harmony 
// by Lapis-Lazuli and Stitch 
//------------------------------//


~~~~~Ponyville~~~~~


“C’mon, Tia!” Ditzy enthused brightly, tugging at Tia’s hoof. “All sorts of stuff going on today! It’s like a carnival except bigger!” Ditzy was practically bouncing up and down at the thought of spending a whole day with Dinky and Tia. Of course, Dinky had spilled the big secret already - for which Ditzy was both thankful and a little steamed. Still, Tia hadn’t fled or proclaimed such a thing to be ridiculous... in fact, Tia had blushed a little at the mention of it - which was reaction enough to make Ditzy want to swoop into the air and do some loop-de-loops. 

But no, she’d be calm and cool and - oh, who was she kidding? She felt like someone had just injected liquid Pinkie Pie into her. Soon enough, Tia was trotting right alongside her - with Dinky perched on her back smiling as bright as the sun. Tia didn’t even seem to mind carrying her, and thus did positive after positive about the white unicorn pile up in Ditzy’s mind. Look at her... Dinky loves her already, and they’ve barely even met. It was pretty obvious to Ditzy at least. “Mommy says you know lots about magic!” Dinky enthused, which got a laugh out of Tia - whose cheeks only turned redder.

“Oh, I know a thing or two,” Tia demurred, giving Ditzy a sharp and amused look. “Have you started to learn magic yet, little one?” She asked, turning her head towards Ditzy with a toss of that bright, beautiful pink mane. Ditzy felt her heart swell in her chest and turned her head away to focus on the hustle and bustle around them for a few moments. Behind her, she heard Tia laugh gently. “Well then, maybe I can tutor you  - would you like that?” Tia said, and Ditzy bit hard down on her lower lip.

Of all the things she had long been concerned about, it was getting somepony to teach Dinky how to use her magic that had generated the most headaches. Magical tutors were expensive and schools for unicorns were even worse. Never mind that the closest school for such was in Canterlot and paying for dormitories just piled on the insanity.  And out of the wild blue yonder, there was Tia offering to sweep away yet another problem - banishing another worry into the void. Was it any wonder then, that the affection Ditzy had for a friend was swiftly transforming into something much more serious?

Ditzy shook her head firmly, trying to clear out her thoughts. Luckily, the smell of fried dough hit her nostrils with all the force of a sonic rainboom and did the job for her. She felt herself drool a little as she took in the sights and sounds of Mane Street transformed. All up and down the main drive through the heart of Ponyville, stands and booths blazed with bright colors and magical light, calling the ponies of the town to partake of their pleasures. Carnival games boasted of fantastic prizes, and food carts hawked everything from fried green tomatoes to ice cream. 

Ditzy stopped for a moment as Tia rushed on past her to one of the game booths, and smiled as she saw Dinky giving off a little cheer.  She watched the pair quietly, moving amidst the Ponyville that seemed to be celebrating its rebirth. Behind the games and the facade of food, Mane Street was no longer a collection of stone walled and slate roofed businesses around a dirt path. It was a neat, straight road paved with flagstones - the buildings now made of brick and mortar, with sparkling slate roofs. 

Up and down the road, earth ponies, pegasi, and unicorns mingled alongside thestrals, griffons, and the new bugponies. It was a sight filled with a cavalcade of color and sound; the buzzing of wings and the bright laughter in a thousand different tones. A small herd of foals - of every conceivable race and type - were galloping down the road in bright red cloaks, with Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo leading the way.  The older ponies and others laughed at their antics as they charged into town on some kind of grand mission.

“C’mon!, you can do it Tia!” Dinky yelled excitedly, grabbing Ditzy’s attention back to the pair of them to see Tia winding up with a bright white ball in her hoof, her tongue clamped firmly between her lips. She let loose with the sphere and a clattering of milk bottles followed a moment later by the triumphant cheers of Dinky. Ditzy smothered a grin behind her hoof as a pony-plushie was floated out from the stand... a pony plushie of Rainbow Dash no less. That was enough to send Ditzy int a torrent of laughter as Tia trotted back with a smug grin on her face. “Mommy, Mommy! Look what Tia got for me! It’s SO FLUFFY!” Dinky squealed, much to Ditzy’s amusement. 

Tia’s cheeks colored a little at Dinky’s enthusiasm, and Ditzy had to grin. “It looks wonderful, Muffin.” She paused and then... then a wicked little thought occurred to her. Only one way to find out... she mused, and quickly trotted up - Tia’s face a study in both surprise and puzzlement. “I think our heroic librarian deserves a reward, too.” Ditzy said in a whisper-  a quiet voice meant only for Tia’s ears. Oh, Harmony - I can’t believe I’m doing this! I’m not Cloud Chaser!  But if there was one thing Ditzy had learned from the wild and frisky pegasus, it was that hesitation only led to more heartbreak.

Ditzy leaned in, and gently brushed her lips across Tia’s, a spark of some kind of power surging them. For just a moment, they stood lips-to-lips, physically incapable of moving as the world seemed to slow down... and then returned to normal speed as Tia leapt back in surprise - and so did Ditzy, both of their eyes going wide at the sudden thrill of power down their spines. “What in the world...” Tia whispered softly, with Dinky giggling her little head off at the two of them. Oh sweet Harmony... is.. is this what love feels like? Ditzy wondered faintly, trying to shake off feeling that had set her coat-hair on end. 

For a moment, neither of them spoke and Dinky snuggled away with her new plush toy. Tia licked her lips - rather obviously - and spoke softly. “Perhaps we ought to find a cool drink and see what other entertainments are on offer?” Ditzy nodded a little too much, and after another moment of silence the pair of them started walking down Mane Street, side by side. “I... I am not used to things like this,” Tia admitted a minute later as they passed the final booths on Mane Street and came to the Ponyville Park, where a city of tents and stages stood unbowed by the storm of the previous evening. “I have much that I would want to say, but I do not know how to say it,” Tia continued, worrying at her lower lip.

Ditzy couldn’t help it - she laughed softly. “You don’t know what to say? I feel like somepony just smacked me with a board!” Ditzy couldn’t contain the giggle that had bubbled up in her throat, and Tia gave a little giggle of her own. “Tia... words aren’t everything. I mean, I know that better than most ponies do.” She gestured around them as they turned into the park - the sounds of music and the smell of hot cider drawing them in. The signs around the park entrance indicated it would be full of musicians for the festival, and artists of other kinds too.

Tia tilted her head quizzically and Ditzy exhaled softly. Luckily, Dinky was distracted by waving and talking to the many refugees who lived in the tent-city. “I told you about my... other name, right? Derpy Hooves?” Ditzy felt her smile turn wry a little, Tia nodding her understanding. “That’s not the only thing someponies call me. Most of the other names aren’t really nice but... they’re just names. Words are only as strong as you let them be, even when someponies go past names and do... other stuff.” Ditzy looked at the ground for a moment, exhaling the tension from her chest before looking up

Ditzy’s eyes ranged over the tents - and wondered why the heck the ground was so dry in spite of the incredible downpour. The park paths were stone and gravel - but the grass was only slightly soggy. “I know I’m not the brightest pony sometimes,” Ditzy said with a soft chuckle, and... surprisingly, Tia’s mood changed to one of concern.  Ditzy blinked at that, and hurried on with her point. “But I know that getting mad at ponies for being doof-heads isn’t gonna make anything better. It’s just gonna make more ponies act like doof-heads.”

Then she paused, and Tia’s eyes widened a little - as though she was coming to the same conclusions at Ditzy was. “An’ maybe that’s the point of all this.” She waved her hoof at the crowds they were walking through - it was the same melting pot of races and species there had been back in town. “Maybe if we just all stopped caring about the doof-heads who’ve done stupid things or hurt ponies, and focused on the good ponies... I dunno. I think that might make the world a better place.” She blinked and gave Tia a bright smile. “I mean, they’re all obviously trying, right?” Ditzy continued, feeling her enthusiasm bubbling up over this one.

Tia blinked and turned her head to where Ditzy was pointing - right now, it was at a large stage where a swarm of bee-like changeling drones were scurrying all over setting up speakers and instruments, rigging lights, and laying out chairs. “Sure, some of them were doof-heads. They attacked Ponyville and Canterlot and hurt some ponies.” She frowned a little at that one, her memories of that battle... still just a little bit fuzzy. “But these bugponies didn’t do that. They just want a safe home, like any of us do. They want a job they can be good at and friends to spend the cold nights with.” That brought a little smile to Ditzy’s face. “I know what it’s like to want those things myself...”

Tia’s mouth opened for a moment, but then shut with an audible pop. Ditzy blinked at that one, and wondered what was going through Tia’s mind. The white unicorn stared at the ground for a moment, running her hoof through the gravel before speaking. “How can you not hate them?” she asked in a whisper-soft voice. “If they mistreated you so, how did you find it in yourself to forgive them?” Tia continued and... Ditzy was suddenly not so sure Tia was talking about the mean ponies who called her names.

This had happened before, too. There had been times these past few weeks that Tia had truly opened up... and under that shell of intellect, there was a very young filly who looked out into the world bright eyed and full of indescribable joy at all the things she’d never had before. But beneath even that, there was an old, old pain. Ditzy didn’t know what it was - but she knew that deep down, Tia was still suffering from something that had happened a long time ago. Ditzy had her theories as to what that might be... she’d been there herself, after all. Even if only a very few ponies knew about it.

Ditzy would have been moved to try to comfort anypony with that helpless look on their face - but Tia was special. Ditzy still wasn’t one hundred percent sure as to how she was special, but she was. Course, I know how I’d like her to be special... special somepony, that is. Ditzy thought, a slight smile crossing her face. Ditzy quietly put her hoof around Tia’s shoulder and gently hugged her close. Why? Why do I see you in pain, and want nothing more than to blow it away? Ditzy thought, keeping her mouth shut for a moment while she tried to work out what to tell Tia.

Maybe... maybe it was best to just be honest. That was what Applejack had told her, after she’d found out what had happened all those years ago. “It wasn’t easy,” Ditzy said softly, her words only for Tia’s ears. She was thankful Dinky had become distracted by her new plushie - and the appearance of the Cutie Mark Crusaders hadn’t hurt either. “I... I was a very lonely, angry filly for a long time,” Ditzy continued, squinting her eyes shut as hard as she could to keep the tears away. 

It was hard sometimes, facing those memories - but Ditzy had long ago learned she couldn’t run from them. They were a part of her - as much as Dinky was a part of her. “But eventually, I couldn’t stand being alone anymore. Yeah, I was d...d..different and maybe a little clumsy... and sure, I’d been through a lot... but I could work just as hard as anypony else.” Ditzy swallowed a little, and felt Tia’s head moving up to look at her. Tia’s eyes were wide, an unreadable emotion on her face spurning Ditzy to keep speaking. “And I wasn’t going to let what d...d...doofheads did to me... d...define who I was.”  Ditzy sucked in a breath and exhaled it softly, focusing her vision on Tia’s face. “I’m... not a perfect pony...” Ditzy began - only to feel a gentle white hoof press into her mouth.

“You’re one of the finest ponies I’ve ever met, Ditzy Doo.” Tia said with a quiet, unshakable conviction.  “And anypony who says otherwise is going to have to answer to me,” she continued, her voice firm and unyielding. “You... you are far stronger than I am, it seems.” Tia finished, with a bowed head and a sigh. Ditzy shook her head slowly, and gently lifted Tia’s head with her hooves, the unicorn blinking at her in surprise. Oh, Tia... Ditzy’s thoughts melted a little, unwittingly running her hoof down Tia’s mane and wanting nothing more than to just... fly her back home and hug her until the sadness went away.

Of course, that might get awkward with Dinky around - as much as Ditzy loved her muffin, she was still just a little filly. “I’ve just had longer to work at it,” Ditzy quietly assured Tia, hoping she could coax a smile out of her again. “You’ll be okay. I’ll stick with you the whole way there, so whenever you fall, you’ll have someone to help you up again.” Ditzy gave Tia a cheerful wink, putting on her best silly grin at the same time. For these efforts, she was rewarded with a tremulous little smile out of the white unicorn, and Ditzy once again felt her tongue moving before her stupid brain could manage her words. “You’ve got a beautiful smile,” she said in that too-soft tone of voice, “I’d like to see it more often...”

“Ditzy... I...” Tia began, but was cut off mid-sentence by the sound of... a violin? Ditzy looked around for a moment in confusion until she spotted the culprit. Octavia had appeared out of nowhere and was playing a sweet and romantic little tune upon the tiny instrument. That alone was cause for some confusion - as Ditzy hadn’t known Octavia could play anything other than the cello. Then the deep sounds of a piano joined the melody, like something out of a slinky nightclub romance scene in one of those adventure movies. 

Tia looked as baffled as she did for a moment, until Octavia spoke in a gentle and amused tone. “Don’t mind us, girls. Please - do continue,” she remarked with that cultured and high-society accent of hers. Us presumably meant Vinyl, which probably meant Vinyl was up on stage somewhere behind the curtains, and Ditzy simply couldn’t see her. Octavia continued to gently coax the sweet tune out of her instrument, moving deftly around Ditzy and Tia. 

Ditzy all at once realized just how close Tia and she were standing - her hoof gently wrapped in Tia’s mane, Tia’s hooves draped around her waist. Ditzy’s mouth suddenly went dry, as all of the implications of the last few minutes of conversation came crashing down on her like a veritable waterfall of emotions. With the appearance of another pony however, Tia suddenly and magically seemed to have regained her composure. “May I have this dance?” Tia whispered softly, and Ditzy couldn’t help but grin dumbly back at her.

Ditzy spotted Dinky hopping up and perching on the edge of the stage, but became utterly oblivious to the rest of the world a moment later. Tia’s hooves swept her into a gentle swirling dance - spinning Ditzy in place before dipping her down low. It was perhaps a testament to the strong emotions that ran through her soul in that moment that Ditzy felt not the least bit clumsy... in fact, she felt positively light on her hooves. Sweet songbird like strains lifted up from the violin, and a gentle driving beat from the piano’s resonant tones danced amongst the notes. 

For a while, she lost track of the passage of time - what did a few hours matter in the grand scheme of things, after all? Dinky was obviously pretty happy to listen to the music play - and the one time she did vanish, it was only to grab a snack from one of the nearby vendors. With so many friends about, Ditzy did not need to worry about Dinky—and so she could focus instead on the mare she danced with.

As the minutes soared by, as the music changed from Vinyl and Octavia wielding classical instruments to other groups of ponies playing all different sorts of music, Ditzy was able to focus solely on Tia. At first, she was simply caught up in the moment - the dance provided them with little more than an excuse to stay close to one another. Even now, Ditzy was still not certain of Tia’s true feelings - but every moment she spent close to her, she became a little more hopeful that maybe - just maybe - they were more than feelings of friendship.

But as the minutes flew by, she saw much more than that. Ditzy wasn’t completely sure, but it looked like Tia was trying to... Ditzy didn’t have a good way of describing it. Peel away some of her layers, maybe? She looked like she was trying to simply be herself, as opposed to putting up those masks all the time. Or maybe deep down, this was the only way she could do that, spinning and loping across the grass, much as Ditzy had seen her once dance with that handsome gentlecolt. Only with him, she had been guarded and had looked much more serious.

With Ditzy, however... it was so strange, watching it in action. Her eyes flickered from joy to sorrow in a blink. Her posture, everything about the way she moved seemed to cry out for some kind of release. Not that kind of release Ditzy was pretty sure, but... she was trying to free herself from something. From some old and hurtful memory, some ghost or demon that plagued her thoughts and tried to drag her back down into its stygian pit. Tia needed help... and Ditzy was helping her... just by dancing with her. So even though Ditzy wasn’t the best dancer in the world, she set herself to the task, trying to project reassurance with all of her heart and soul.. You’re safe here. You’re loved here. You will always be safe and loved here. You’ll never have to be lonely or alone or hurt ever, ever again.

The hours passed, and soon the sun slowly dipped towards the horizon as the musicians finally took a breather. When they finally came to a stop, something had changed in Tia - her breathing was slow and steady, her eyes were shut - not in pain, but in gentle repose. She leaned against Ditzy, as much as Ditzy was leaning against her. For a moment, a brief and wonderful moment, they simply stood there together and let the world pass them by. Ditzy had not seen Tia this calm... ever. Then Tia’s eyes opened, and they shone as brightly as gemstones. “Thank you, Ditzy,” she said, with her voice...

Was this the way her voice normally sounded? Not with that hidden undercurrent of tension or fear or anxiety, but calm and serene? Tia was smiling at her... and she hadn’t let go of Ditzy’s hoof either, even though they weren’t dancing anymore. The crowds that had come to dance to the music flowed around them, and Ditzy felt a giggle bubble up to the surface. “I’m glad I could help, Tia,” Ditzy responded with a cheeky grin... and a sudden growl from her stomach. Ditzy looked down, only belatedly realizing that it had been quite some time since breakfast. “Um... I think that’s the lunch bell,” she observed with a slightly embarrassed grin. 

Tia just laughed brightly, her horn lighting up with golden magic and plucking a happy looking Dinky out from a crowd of other foals. “Well then, let’s go acquire some luncheon,” Tia proclaimed, settling Dinky and her stuffy-pony atop her back. Soon they were making their way out of the park and back towards the town proper, where the festival was already in full swing. The booze was flowing, ponies were singing and everypony was having a grand old time. Hmm. Does everypony count for griffons and buffalo too? I ought to ask Cheery.

The trio of ponies wove through the crowds with surprising ease - Tia had a knack for finding her way through the press of bodies when things got a bit tangled up. The scents of a dozen different lunch choices assaulted them from all sides, but Tia clearly had a notion of where to go. It wasn’t long before the destination became clear, a set of food carts ruin by a trio of enterprising ponies who had scrounged up a set of picnic tables and chairs to go along with their food offerings. “Two grilled cheese, please!” Tia piped up at one of the cooks, as she approached - a broad, almost lustful smile on her face. “Oh, and a double order of hay-fries to go with it!” she continued, her eyes still sparkling.

Ditzy couldn’t help it - she giggled at the pure enthusiasm of Tia’s lunch order. It was so infectious, that Dinky decided to join in. “An I’ll have a DLT, Mister! An’ potato chips!” she piped up, the burly earth pony sandwich builder arching an eyebrow for a moment before cracking a smile at them. Tia had already moved on to acquiring drinks - lemonade it looked like - as Ditzy herself contemplated her own choice of sandwich. I’d honestly prefer a few muffins, but... I should have something a little more substantial. 

“Make that two, but I’ll have the Hayfries myself,” Ditzy belatedly commented to the vendor, watching as Tia collected her steaming golden treasure trove of food, her eyes as wide as saucers. She looks like Pinkie Pie with a cupcake. Ditzy thought with a soft giggle. By the time Ditzy had collected her own lunch, Tia was already in the throes of cheesy rapture. Favorite food - Grilled cheese. A good marefriend needs to remember those things. Ditzy thought... and felt said thoughts crash into each other like runaway train cars, nearly giving herself a coughing fit at that errant thought. Bloody Tartarus, have I turned into Cloud Chaser when I wasn’t looking!? Focus on something else, Ditzy!

Thankfully, something else to focus on was presented to her on a silver platter. “It’s barely noon, and this is already one of the best days of my life, Ditzy,” Tia commented, her voice having brightened up into real enthusiasm.  “How in Equestria are we going to fill up the evening?” Tia’s head tilted to one side quizzically - just the barest hint of smile on her lips. Is she... She can’t be suggesting... or is she? Ditzy thought, her heart suddenly racing with the possibilities. 

Stay cool, Ditzy. Dinky can.. go play with the Crusaders, that’s the ticket. “Um...” Ditzy said brilliantly. Then she felt her cheeks flush for a moment before trying again. “Well, I’ve got nothing particular planned. Did you have anything specific in mind?” she asked, trying to catch Dinky’s attention with a hoof under the table. It took a few tries, but eventually her daughter caught on. Ditzy did her best to ‘subtly’ give Dinky the hint that she needed a little private time. 

Fortunately for her, it seemed Dinky was already on board with the idea. Dinky had always been remarkably smart for her age. “Mommy, can I go play with Apple Bloom and her friends?” Dinky piped up a moment later - her sandwich having been utterly annihilated in a matter of moments, and the potato chips nothing more than a fond memory. Ditzy nodded with a smile, and Dinky hopped off the bench and scampered off into the distance, calling over her shoulder as she went. “See you later, Mommy! See you later, Miss Tia!” 

Tia waved enthusiastically at the departing foal, before turning her shining eyes back to Ditzy. “Well... Why don’t we just see how things develop, shall we?” Tia remarked with a sparkle in her eye. “It’s a good night to start anew, wouldn’t you agree?” 

Ditzy’s hoof found Tia’s under the table, and she felt a warmth flood through her whole body as she spoke, “Yeah. I like the sound of that.”