//------------------------------// // Chapter Four // Story: Scootaloo's Feelings // by abdlpony //------------------------------// Back in the bakery, Pinkie was again lost in thought. A tail twitch then a knee pinch, why did she lie about her mom? I better go see Twi after work, means less free time… NO! It’s for Scoots, she may be hurting. And Twi did talk to me about her… After she was off work she made it to Twilight’s library as quickly as she could. She gently knocked on the door, knowing that the public portion of the building was closed at this time of day. Patiently, she waited and waited until the door finally opened. “Pinkie! Please come in,” Twilight said, moving to allow Pinkie entrance. The mare nodded and walked right in, she then turned around and addressed her friend. “I saw Scootaloo today.” “I did too… how was she to you though?” Pinkie smiled at her, but it was an odd smile. Twilight did not trust herself to pick up social cues from ponies yet, but Pinkie she trusted. “Okay, I tried asking about her mother and she… she kind of lied.” “Oh?” Twilight asked, tilting her head to the side. She felt concerned but did not show it which was almost annoying to Pinkie. “Yeah, first I asked her just gently if she was feeling lonely. She said no, but then my tail twitched and knee pinched…” “Ah, that means she’s lying right?” Pinkie nodded and continued. “Then I asked her if her mother was doing okay, and she replied with ‘great’ and then another really strong twitch-pinch combo…” Twilight sighed and nodded. “I was afraid of that. Pinkie, do you know where Scootaloo and her mother live? You did say you gave them both a party after all.” She shrugged and shook her head slowly. “I’m sorry, Twi, you could ask her friends?” Twilight nodded. “I suppose so. You don’t think I’m being too nosy, do you?” Pinkie tilted her head and for once in her life she had to think long and hard. Finally, Pinkie grinned. “Mrs. Cake was just as nosy and I’m much, much happier for that!” “Yes, I know you are. I just can’t help thinking that our spying is very wrong.” “I don’t mind spying for you!” Pinkie jumped high into the air and landed on her two back hooves, swishing around as if playing. “It’s tons of fun!” Twilight narrowed her eyes. “You do know why we are doing this, right?” Pinkie landed on all four hooves. “Of course! So Scootaloo can be happy, duh. That’s why I don’t mind following her or spying… its for the best-est.” Pinkie giggled, remembering how annoyed her friend could get at bad grammar. “Sorry, Twilight. I can’t help but say that word, well not a word.” Twilight rolled her eyes. “It’s fine. Dash… Dashie, and I suppose you as well, have helped me deal with my temper.” Pinkie smiled at her. “I’ve found out what I could. I think there is no doubt that something fishy is going on with Scootaloo.” “Yeah, I don’t need my tail to know that! Oh Celestia, I hope I never lose this.” Pinkie then started kissing her fluffy tail over and over. More eye rolling. “Anyway, we know that she has a paper route. We know her mother isn't doing… great, right?” Pinkie stopped kissing for a moment and nodded. “Right, so obviously she is not doing great. We know she still looks up to Rainbow Dash—” “How is little Dashie? Hmm?” Pinkie questioned, her eyebrows wagging up and down. Twilight blushed and shook her head a bit. “Fine. Can we please get back to Scootaloo?” “You brought her up, silly! Besides, if Scootaloo looks up to her then it’s in our best interest to make Dashie happy!” “Yes, but I feel just a tad guilty. I think Dash does too. She knows I’m looking into this for her and Scootaloo could be really hurt, or her mother could be. We just don’t feel right playing here when things are happening that are out of our control.” Pinkie nodded and got serious again. “How come you two haven’t just talked to Scootaloo about it?” Twilight’s blush had just started to go away when it came back full force. “Well, it’s a bit odd to admit to a child that you’ve been spying on them. Also, if there is nothing wrong and this has all been some misunderstanding then we will be in big trouble. I kind of doubt it’s a misunderstanding at this point, but how do you just confront a pony and ask them what's wrong? Scootaloo seems to want to keep her secrets, secret.” Pinkie nodded. “That’s really sad. Well… it’s understandable. I kept my secret for a long time. But little fillies and colts can keep stuff in that they shouldn’t.” She started giggling. “Like when little Pumpkin had been really stuffed and—” Twilight shoved her hoof into Pinkie’s mouth. “Okay… too much information!” Pinkie nodded and smiled sheepishly at her. “I think you mean that oftentimes children can overthink things and either keep secrets in that should come out or keep stuff secret that nopony would mind. Right?” Pinkie nodded. Pinkie lipped her lips a few times. “Mmmmm, lavender berries!” Twilight nodded, deep in thought. “So, what do we do now?” “Maybe we should go to her teacher about this. Miss Cheerilee is bound to know something about Scootaloo.” Pinkie shook her head. “I already tried! She said aside from showing up late a few times, she’s perfectly normal. Happy even, then she said, ‘Pinkie, would you please leave. I’m grading papers.’ So I said, ‘But what about the book club meeting?!’ So she said, ‘I already told you, I’ll be there this weekend.’ So—” “You’re part of a book club?!” “Well, duh! I don’t get to throw that many parties. Its like having a party once a week! I love reading. Why? Did you want to join?” Pinkie asked in a sincere tone. Twilight’s eye twitched and she sighed, and then nodded. “After we find a way to help Scootaloo, sure.”