//------------------------------// // Rainbow Dash: Age Seven // Story: What Mommies Do // by SanityLost //------------------------------// Part 2 Four years later, Rainbow Dash was sitting in a chair opposite a lime colored adult pegasus behind a desk. His bushy eyebrows were sewn together and he spoke in a husky voice, “Miss Dash, do you know why you're here?" “No,” the filly crossed her forelegs. The elder pegasus wrapped his hoof on the table. “No what, Miss Dash?” “No, I don’t know why I’m here,” she replied indignantly. “The correct answer was ‘No, sir, Principal Arrow,’ young filly. We here at Cloudsdale Flight Academy do not tolerate rudeness at all.” “Then why do they let you teach here?” Rainbow smirked. The pegasus behind the desk ruffled his feathers. “Watch it Miss Dash, you are in enough trouble as it is.” The adult pegasus waited for a response from Rainbow, but all she did was scowl up at him. “As the principal of this school,” the pegasus drew himself up proudly, “we cannot have our young colts and fillies behaving like heathens. I have written to your mother about your behavior and she has responded quickly, telling us that she is on her way. She should be here any minute.” Rainbow shrugged, and the two stared at each other. The silence buzzed around them as they continued to wait, neither one willing to look away from each other, as if they were having some kind of staring contest. After fifteen minutes, the door to the principal’s office slowly opened. In the room walked a dark blue pegasus, her face contorted with worry. “I came here as fast as I could, Principal Arrow. From the sound of your letter, things seems serious with my daughter.” “Oh they are indeed, they are indeed.” Principal Arrow cleared his throat, “The letter requested that both you and your husband attend this meeting. If I'm not being too nosy, is there a reason Miss Dash’s father chose not to attend?” Rainbow’s mother dug her hoof into the brown carpet. “He had important issues at work that he had to deal with.” Her voice was strained. “Very well ma’am, please take a seat so we can begin. As you know, your daughter is in some very serious trouble.” The Principal drew out the last three words to add emphasis. “We have tried every disciplinary action we can think of, but her behavior has not changed. The school wanted to contact you before we decided to take any serious action.” “I’m glad that you did Principal, would you mind telling me what it is my daughter has done?” Principal Arrow stretched and popped his wings. “Well, why don’t we let Miss Dash tell you?” As if on cue Rainbow Dash glanced at her mother and then sank further into her seat. Icy fear ran through her veins, but she wouldn’t show it. She continued to glare at the principal, her mouth done up in an angry pucker. “Well if Miss Dash refuses to tell you,” the Principal said stiffly, “then I guess it's up to me. Miss Dash has been exhibiting some very appalling behavior in the past two months. She has been ignoring her teachers, sleeping during class, not doing her flight exercises, and just being, well...a very difficult filly.” “I wouldn’t sleep during class if the teachers weren’t so boring,” said Rainbow Dash snidely. “Young filly,” the Principal said with a gasp, “that will be enough, I am not warning you again.” Rainbow’s mother took a seat in a chair next to her daughter and looked down at her hind hooves. “This sounds troubling.” “The school shares your concern.” The Principal put on his best concerned face. “We really want little Miss Rainbow here to be a part of our program. Just between you, me, and her, she is one of the best fliers in her class.” “The best,” Rainbow corrected. Rainbow’s mother hushed her and the principal continued, “However, if she continues to act in this way, she can’t keep coming to school here. She is a bad influence on the other colts and fillies.” Rainbow’s mother sighed, her nerves were tied themselves into knots. “So what do you suggest we do, sir?” “Before we take any extreme action, I suggest we put Rainbow in a remedial training camp. The teachers... there are a bit... um, bit more firm...with the students. Miss Dash will learn proper manners while learning to become a better flier.” “I already am a better flier than you, and all the teachers in this school,” Rainbow said with a growl. Rainbow’s mother put a hushing hoof to her mouth. “Little filly,” said the Principal, “I will not tolerate you insulting me, or the fine teachers of this school.” “I wasn’t, I was just saying what’s true.” Rainbow’s mocking tone made the principal’s face contort with anger. The principal felt the temple on his forehead pulse. “You are in very hot water Miss Dash.” Before Rainbow could respond, her mother placed a fore hoof on her daughter’s fore leg. “Please darling,” she whispered to Dash. The principal looked at Dash's mother, and then straight at her. “Young filly, you best do as your mother says. Were I not a patient stallion, you would be out that door right now.” The Arrow pointed a hoof toward the door for emphasis. “Fine by me,” muttered Rainbow Dash out of the principal’s range of hearing. “Mrs. Shine,” continued the Principal, “what are your thoughts on my proposal?” Rainbow’s mother sighed. “I’m not sure, Principal, are you sure she needs remedial training camp? Perhaps you’re just not challenging her.” Rainbow smiled and the principle huffed. “I assure you Mrs. Shine, that our flight academy has one of the most challenging curriculums in all of Equestria.” Rainbow’s mother tapped a hoof on her chin. “I didn’t say that it wasn’t a challenging program. I was just thinking that perhaps it isn’t challenging enough for my daughter.” “Not challenging enough for your daughter? Do you know how many amazing fliers started their learning careers here? Many! I remember Flashfire, the current captain of the Wonderbolts, when he was just a little colt, walking through these fine halls.” Rainbow’s mother shook her head. “Please Principal Arrow, I wasn’t trying to degrade your school’s reputation. It is a fine school.” “You insinuated that it was not challenging enough for your daughter.” Rainbow’s mother envisioned Arrow as a pompous, talking turkey as he said those words. “No I didn’t, I just think you may need to take a different approach with her is all.” A snarl formed on Principal Arrow’s face. “Ma’am, we have used the same curriculum here for one hundred years. It has worked for everypony else. Do you suggest that we break a tradition like that, just for your daughter?” Rainbow’s mother huffed and fought hard to keep her voice calm. “I thought perhaps, being the esteemed school you were, you might take a little time to help my daughter instead of sending her to some remedial camp. I don’t think she needs it.” Principal Arrow smirked. “I think we must disagree. I have had many years of dealing with young fillies and colts with delinquent behavior patterns, I think this is a good option for her.” “Well, I think you’re wrong,” Rainbow’s mother said with a growl. “I think she is a gifted flier and you don’t know how to deal with that.” “Ma’am, do you have any idea who you are talking to? I have taught students for thirty-one years, and this school has been here for over seventy years longer than that. I think we know how to deal with talent, and know the difference between a talented flier and a delinquent.” Star Shine’s face reddened. She was about to speak but Rainbow beat her to it. “Shut up. You’re just mad because this school is old and crotchety like you.” It was the Principal’s turn to get red. He took took deep breaths as his heart rate increased. “Do you see what I mean Ma’am, this girl needs remedial training.” “Training? Don’t talk about my daughter like she is some mindless animal! She does not need remedial training, she just needs to be challenged.” The principal humphed. “Ma’am, I grow tired of your insinuations that our school is not capable of teaching your daughter, and is not up to your standards.” “I am not insinuating that at all. I’m insinuating that you are too lazy to break ‘tradition’ to reach out and help a student in need.” The principal’s face was completely flush at this point. He stood up from his desk, his chair slamming against the wall. Rainbow flinched, the loud bang scared her a little more than she would ever admit. “That is quite enough. I suggest you enroll your daughter in another institution if you don’t think this one is good enough for her.” Rainbow’s mother immediately stood up from her chair. “That sounds like an excellent suggestion. Come on Rainbow honey, I think we need to leave.” Rainbow’s mother briskly walked out of the Principal’s office, her daughter trotting behind her with a smile on her face. Once both mother and child had left, Rainbow’s mother slammed the door shut. Two hours later, Rainbow was sitting on the carpet in her home, having a staring contest with the floor while her mother rocked in the rocking chair. “Rainbow,” her mother said in tired exasperation, “why do you keep doing this to me?” Rainbow wouldn’t lift her eyes to meet her mother’s. “Keep doing what?” “You know what I mean young filly, this is the third Flight Academy that you’ve been kicked out of in two years. You seem to have a gift for this sort of thing.” “I would stay if the teachers weren’t so dumb.” Rainbow’s mother sighed. “Dashie, please stop doing this.” “I’m not doing nothing,” Rainbow scowled and crossed her forelegs, “they just don’t know how to teach.” “What do you mean?” “They keep trying to teach me things I already know, I tell them I already know it but they don’t listen.” Rainbow’s mother shook her head. “Then just listen to what they have to say, it never hurts to have a fresh perspective on what you already know.” Rainbow looked up to her mother with a puzzled expression. Her mother sighed. “I mean, it never hurts to learn something over again, just in case you missed something the first time.” “But I didn’t miss anything the first time, I already know it. I know I do. You see me fly, I know all that basic stuff!” “I know you do.” “Then why do you keep saying I have to relearn it.” Rainbow threw her forehooves up in frustration. “I know things those teachers don’t even know. I can do the Sonic Rainboom! They can’t even do that.” Rainbow’s mother pressed a fore hoof against her head. “I know that honey, no one but you can do that. But you are missing the point.” “What point?” “All ponies know things in different ways. Even though you know about the subjects that those teachers are trying to teach you, they might know how to do something in a different way, and you might end up learning something from it.” “But why do it a different way if my way works?” Asked Rainbow pragmatically. “Because, learning things in different ways can help you understand the subject better, and you learn about other things as well.” Her mother responded with a sage smile. Rainbow looked puzzled. “I don’t understand, if they are teaching me about one thing, how can I learn something about another?” “Because when you get older, you’ll understand that some things relate to others.” Rainbow shook her head. “Well if I have to wait until I’m older, why do I have to worry about it now?” “Because the sooner you learn these things, the wiser you become.” “What’s wiser?” “It means understanding things. Anyway, the point is, you need to go to school.” Her mother said firmly. “Why? They can’t teach me nothing.” Rainbow’s tone was derisive. “Because if you don’t go to school, I’ll go to jail for being a bad parent.” “But you aren’t bad, they’re bad.” Despite being frustrated, Rainbow’s mother smiled. “Thank you dear, but that doesn’t change the fact that you have to go to school.” “But I don’t want to go to school,” the filly whined. “I know, but you have to, the same way mommy has to go to work.” “Do you like work?” Rainbow’s mother chuckled. “No, I like it just as much as you like school.” “Then why do you go?” “Because I have to, if I don’t, we don’t get money so we can eat,” her mother said practically. “Doesn’t daddy get money so we can eat?” Rainbow’s mother turned away, ignoring the heavy weight that just slammed her in the chest. “Sometimes.” “Sometimes? Is daddy going to be here for my birthday this year? He missed it last year and he said he was gonna be here this year. He said he was gonna get me a super awesome birthday present.” Rainbow bounced excitedly. Rainbow’s mother shook her head and heaved a sigh. “I wish I knew Rainbow. He’s supposed to live in this house and he’s hardly around.” “I miss daddy,” Rainbow said sadly. “I miss him, too.” Star Shine’s voice sounded a little choked. There was a long pause as Rainbow watched her mother stare off into space. Soon her mother cleared her throat. “Next week, I’m gonna see if I can get some time off of work so I can find you another flight school. There are a few other flight schools here in Cloudsdale.” Rainbow stared hard at the ground. “I’m sorry I got kicked out of school again, mom.” “I am too honey, but what’s done is done. There is no use dwelling over it.” Rainbow’s mother opened her forelegs as an invitation for her daughter to crawl into her lap. Rainbow looked up at her Mom’s invitation then shook her head. “Only little fillies crawl in their mommy’s lap.” “Who said?” “All the other fillies and colts at school, they said only babies do it.” “Well, you’re my baby.” Rainbow pounded the ground with her fore leg. “I am not a baby.” She angrily articulated each word. “Okay Rainbow,” her mother looked down at her, “you’re not a baby. But you want to crawl in my lap anyway, don’t you?” Rainbow looked away, and then gruffly nodded. “I’ll tell you what, I promise I won’t tell anyone if you crawl into my lap.” Rainbow cautiously looked to her mom. “Promise?” “I promise,” her mother said with a smile. The young filly rose from the ground and crawled into her mother’s lap. Her mother gently began to rock her daughter and hum a lullaby. After a few minutes Rainbow looked up at her mother. “It’s gonna just be me and you at my birthday again, isn’t it?” Her mother screwed her eyes shut and rested her chin on her daughter’s head. A tear escaped her eyelash and trailed down her cheek. “You won’t get mad and leave too will you?” asked Rainbow. “No, never.” Her mother’s words were firm, and they comforted the icy chills in Rainbow’s stomach. After a few minutes, her mother began to recite the words to the poem she sometimes told Rainbow when she used to rock her to sleep. You will do things that make me sad You will do things that make me mad You will do things that puzzle me and things that I wish wouldn’t be You will make my hair turn all gray with the things you do everyday and you will make me all wrinkly a long time before I should be But no matter the things you do something will always be true your mommy will always love you because that’s what mommies do “I love you, little one.” Rainbow’s mother hugged her closely. Her only response was a peaceful snore from Rainbow.