Mmm, feels good to get some lunch in me. Think I got a bean sprout between my teeth, maybe I can get my tongue in there. Riiight there.
“Oh, Scootaloo. I’m glad I caught you before you left. The assistant manager is ready for your performance evaluation.”
I freeze. Silver Spoon is regarding me that that impassive gaze. I’m still unsettled by her lack of antagonism. Has she really turned over a new leaf? Plus what’s with calling her BFF ‘the assistant manager’ all formal like. Have they really had some kind of a split? And here I am with this doofy expression on my muzzle. My daffodil sandwich turns to lead in my belly. I was hoping D.T. would somehow overlook this little meeting.
“Uh, okay. I’ll be there in a moment.”
All too soon I’m sitting down in the refurbished side office and there is my nemesis behind her desk idly looking over some files. Her eyes are half-lidded, she look bored or at least absorbed in her work. I might as well not be here. She’s wearing a hideous poofy-shoulder pink dress. Looks a little jowly, maybe the Freshman Ten found reinforcements. Sweet Celestia, I’m just picking out details so I don’t focus on how much I’m dreading this and how much I resent that Diamond still has this effect on my emotions.
Diamond mumbles something and turns a page. I turn my deliver pony’s cap in my hooves. The clock on the walls thuds out the seconds and it’s like the ticking is inside my head. Why does she wear that stupid crown anyway? She quirked her lips to the side, what does that mean! This is taking so long I can’t stand it!
Finally she sets the last folder down and bothers to look at me for the first time.
“So, Scootaloo-“
“Listen, Diamond. If there’s going to be any unpleasantness, like you’re going to fire me let’s get it out of the way first thing.”
She gets this confused and delicate expression for a hot second. “What do you mean? I…” Then the eyebrows come down and her eyes take on that familiar icy glare. Suddenly it was like I was back at the Foal Free Press again. “Like when we were kids? You’re STILL hung up on that stuff?” And the laugh, I will never ever forget that laugh. “That was Years Ago, foal stuff. I just assumed you had progressed beyond such silliness now that we’re grown fillies. I know I have. I’m running a business, Scootaloo. We’re here to talk about how well you fit into our little team. School rivalries don’t mean a thing to me anymore. Really? That’s priceless, Scootaloo. You’ve really made my day.”
And that terrible mocking laughter again. I clamp my lips shut and grind my teeth. Be the shield, Scootaloo; not the club.
“Let’s get started, shall we?” She’s just dripping with sarcasm. “First of all you made Thrasher Deliveries a Limited Liability Company. We only contract out your services. I couldn’t fire you if I wanted to without irritating legal work. Smart move, you’ll have to tell me later who came up with that idea. Secondly I would be a fool to let you go. You get our goods out to our customers saving both them and us time and hassle. You have a shockingly flawless accident record. Good Job, that was a delightful surprise. Even when your delivery orders do not involve Barnyard Bargains they still need to call our number, good for branding. I see no problems. Only bits flowing into our coffers. So Scootaloo, I shall be delighted to have you work for us in the years to come. Congratu-pony-lations!”
Oh, that smug grin. I can’t bring myself to do anything but nod. It’s taking everything I have not to throttle her spoiled pink neck. Be the shield not the club, be the shield not the club. “Thanks. We done here?”
She prissily collects up her folders. “Yes. Good luck on the roads out there. We wouldn’t want to damage any packages.” I don my cap and stiffly make my way out. “You really thought I would… hahaha!” I need to get far, far away from her.
After a day like this a trip out to Ghastly Gorge to test out the Mockingbird Mark III is just what I needed to burn off some tension. While slaloming a path through huge boulders I stew over what Diamond Tiara said. Foal stuff? She doesn’t even think about it? While Silver’s disarming aloofness seems strange Diamond’s continuing… terribleness is no surprise. But she forgot about our past? It doesn't matter to her?
I bank into a sharp left turn, leaning into it, wings stiff and angled for maximum speed. She’s FORGOTTEN the stuff she used to say and do to me? I had to deal with hearing her mocking voice in my head every time I looked in the mirror. Even now when I mess up catching a wind current and bite it hard in the dirt it’s like I was a kid again with her right there ready with an insult. And she doesn’t care? She’s ‘progressed’. It meant nothing to her? I can’t scream enough to get this anger out.
Sailing over a dirt bank I spread my wings, with a few flaps I manage to cushion my fall a bit. At least I can struggle against the track. I can physically battle this. But with Diamond I can only keep my nose clean and keep earning her money. That’s the most aggravating part! I’m trapped. There’s nothing I can do to retaliate. Why couldn’t she stay at college forever? It’s impossible she doesn’t know how badly she harmed me. She’s enjoying it! Why can’t I-
I feel a shudder under my back hooves and my ride slows suddenly. I look down and there’s a trail of black smoke coming off the engine. Oh well, I can limp her back under my own wingpower.
As I made my way over to where Apple Bloom was waiting at our ‘start’ line I notice we have spectators. Mr. Cake is standing there all stoic as usual and his little colt is on his back leaping into the air, his little wings buzzing, cheering so loudly I can clearly hear him this far off. “Whoo-hoo! Way to go Scootaloo! That was awesome!”
A.B. comes thundering up, clearly concerned about her baby. “Confound it, looks like I need to double down on the dust screens.”
“I was pushing her a bit hard I suppose. Sorry about that.”
“No problem, that’s what these little test runs are all about, right?”
“Bloom, why is Cake and his kid here?”
“The little guy asked to come last time I dropped off some apples at the Corner.”
“Why?”
She looked at me like I had grown another pair of wings out of my forehead. “You mean you haven’t noticed?” She cracks one of her bemused lopsided smiles. “You’re just like your big sister you know that? Completely self-centered.”
“What are you talking about?”
“That little pegasus has badgered his dad to go to every one of your races within a days’ travel for the last year. He got his own scooter last Hearth’s Warming Eve an even I’ve noticed him following you around trying to stay out of sight as you make your deliveries. You’re tellin’ me you honestly haven’t noticed?” I shake my head, still kind of blindsided by this information and my friend lets out a loud guffaw of laughter. “Yer too much, Dodo. Let’s get the Mockingbird back to the shop.”
Apple Bloom takes her creation by the handlebars and carefully wheels it back to the cart. Cake colt bolts over and starts peppering her with questions about what went wrong and how the engine works. I take the opportunity to peel off my helmet and wipe some sweat from my mane with a towel.
“Afternoon, Scootaloo.”
Damn, he startled me! That baratone voice is just dripping with negativity. What’s his problem? “Uh hey Mr. Cake. Good of you and your colt to come watch.”
He just looks at me for a few beats, just enough to be uncomfortable before he replies. “Yes. He’s a pretty big fan of yours. Showed a lot of talent for flying when he was a foal, you see. But he’s fallen a bit behind as he’s aged. He started to feel a bit self-conscious about it so I told him it was a pretty common problem and that I knew a filly that was a late bloomer but turned out okay. Asked a lot of questions about you.”
“Is that so?” I looked over at the kid who was watching in fascination as Apple Bloom was inspecting Mockingbird’s the crank case.
“Yes. He’s come to look up to you, a seemingly flightless pegasus who overcame the odds and made quite a name for herself.”
“I’m honored, sir. I didn’t know I had any fans.”
His eyes narrow a bit. “It’s important for me that he finds role models that can be a good influence. Maybe teach him some safety lessons for his scooter, to be a little less accident prone? His safety means a lot to his mother and I.”
The kid did look full of enthusiasm and eager to learn. “Yeah, I guess I could do that.”
“No crashing into storefront windows? You had a tendency to be pretty reckless as a filly.”
I look over at him. “Mr. Cake, those were my choices that I made as a kid involving my body. If you want me to give some lessons I’d do it as an adult looking after somepony else’s kid. I’d make sure he learns how to ride safely. Pinkie Pie swear.”
His big gruff jaw slackens and he gives me the first broad friendly smile in ages. “Great! I’m glad we can see eye to eye on this. You’re welcome over to Sugarcube Corner any time, Scootaloo. Just… remember what you promiced.”
“Yeah, sure thing.” Man, that stallion is weird. He acts like I’m Discord or something.
I walk over to the colt and he looks up with an expression I am not used to and honestly it takes me completely off guard. Like a wide-eyed awe. “Hey, Scootaloo! Nice moves out there.”
“Hey…” Sweet Celestia, I don’t remember his name! What was it, something to do with baked goods. Oh, he’s looking at me and I don’t know what to say. C’mon, stupid think of something. “…Squirt.” You Are Such A Bucking Idiot! “Hey, it’s getting a bit late tonight but how’s about you meet me at the park on Saturday and I’ll give you some riding tips?”
I didn’t think his eyes could get any wider or his smile broader but somehow he managed. “Yeah! That would be awesome!” Suddenly he leaps up and wraps his front legs around my neck. “Thank you! I want to be a stunt racer like you when I grow up, make sweet jumps like you!”
I wheeze a bit. “Well, you’ve got to learn the basics first. Be sure to bring your helmet, knee and elbow pads. Safety first!” I look over at Mr. Cake and he nods approvingly.”
“Come along, Pound. It’s getting late and I’m sure these fillies need to attend to their machine.” POUND Cake, that’s what his name is! Luna’s tears, how did I forget that.”
“Aww, okay. Bye, Apple Bloom. Bye Scootaloo!”
“See ya, kid. Take care.” I wave them off. Pound seems to be talking excitedly to his dad as he patiently comments back. Apple Bloom nudges me in the shoulder. “What?”
“You did good today, Scoots. Despite what happened to the Mockingbird.
I shrug. “Might be kind of fun to teach the kid.”
“Yeah well help me load the bike into the wagon, hero. We still have a lot of adjustments to make an the racing season’s not gonna wait up for us. You seemed kinda ornery before. Somethin’ wrong?”
I shrug it off. “Nothing of consequence; let’s get going.”