//------------------------------// // 70. Triumph - by Thak // Story: RariJack - The Compilation of Prompts // by Titanium Dragon //------------------------------// Thak Triumph “Thank you for coming in, Rarity. It’s a pleasure to see you again, although I wish we were meeting under different circumstances.” “Good afternoon, Ms. Cheerilee. I must admit I was a bit perplexed when I received your note. All you said was that Topaz was in trouble. Is she hurt?” “Oh no, far from it. Little Thunder, on the other hoof, is currently in the hospital due to Topaz’s actions, which is why I asked you here. “There was an incident at the schoolyard earlier this afternoon. From what I have been able to gather, Thunder said something to Topaz about you and Applejack, to which she took offense. After several barbs back and forth, she lunged and started wailing on him. I rushed over as quick as I could, but I’m afraid the damage was already done. “Both of his eyes had swollen shut. His face was covered with bruises, and he had trouble breathing. I immediately sent for an ambulance, and they rushed him to Ponyville General.” “Oh dear! I am dreadfully sorry! Is he going to be alright?” “He’s fine. They took him there as a precaution.” “I am relieved to hear it. I shall make sure Topaz understands the gravitas of her situation quite well. This shan’t happen again.” “Actually, that’s what I wanted to talk to you about. Normally, when it comes to schoolyard scuffles, I take a hooves-off approach. Each filly and colt has a unique way of dealing with conflict, and I try to be there only as a balance. I make sure nopony gets hurt, and I provide support for those that need it. “In this case, however, Topaz’s actions went far beyond what I would consider a reasonable level. There were no prior incidents between her and Thunder. From what I could tell, they barely spoke to each other. “And that is what puts me in a bit of a delicate position. Normally, the results of her actions would be to immediately suspend her until a review board could determine if she was a danger to other children.” “Goodness! Surely you don’t think—“ “No, I’m pretty sure she’s not a threat to others. I think she just lost her temper at a perceived threat against her family. That family pride runs deep in the Apple clan, as you and I both know. “I’m not going to tell you how to be a parent, Rarity. From what I’ve seen, you’ve done a wonderful job with Topaz. She’s a pleasure to have in class. She participates frequently, and has top marks in math and science. She struggles a little with spelling, but it’s nothing to be concerned with. “Aside from today, I would say she gets along well with her classmates. She hasn’t been in trouble too much, and she always shares whatever she plays with at recess. She is, or was, almost the perfect student. “Which is why today concerns me so much. The normal punishment would be a little too harsh for a filly like Topaz, I think. It would follow her all throughout her schooling, and she would be forever stigmatized as a menace, and that would be terrible to do to a young filly while she still has so much potential.” “I certainly appreciate your concern, Ms. Cheerilee. Believe me, neither I nor Applejack condones this behavior in any way, and she shall be taught just how wrong she was.” “I have no doubt. Still, I can’t be seen as playing favorites, so I will have to suspend her from school for two weeks. She will still be required to complete her studies as if she were here. Don’t worry; this week and next are going over what we’ve learned so far this year. There shouldn’t be too many problems, and if she needs help that neither you nor Applejack can provide, I can assist outside of school hours.” “Thank you ever so much for the kind offer, Ms. Cheerilee. I’ll let Applejack and Topaz know about her suspension, and we shall come up with a suitable punishment. I assure you, there will be no further problems from her.” “Mommy, I—“ “Not a word, Topaz. I am so mad right now, I could just... Needless to say, you’re grounded as soon as we get home. I can’t believe you hit somepony. What were you thinking?” “He—“ “What did I say? Not a word.” “But—“ “One more sound out of you and I swear you won’t see daylight until you are as old as Granny Smith. Do I make myself clear?” “I—“ “Do. I. Make. Myself. Clear? “Answer me!” “Yes, Mommy.” “ When we get home, you march straight up to your room. You will do your homework, and you will think about what you have done. You might get to eat dinner with the rest of the family, although that has yet to be determined. I am not looking forward to explaining this to your mother, young lady.” “I’m home! Dinner smells delicious! Uh…Rares? You alright there, Sugarcube? You look angrier than a hornet’s nest in a rainstorm. Where’s Topaz?” “She’s upstairs. I couldn’t stand to look at her. She got in a fight at school.” “I see. She win?” “Yes, Applejack. She won. Let’s celebrate the sweet triumph of her success. Never mind that the colt she beat up had to go to the hospital!” “Whoa there, Sugar. The hospital? What happened?” “Apparently, something little Thunder said angered our daughter to the point where she decided the only reasonable response was to start wailing on him.” “Wait, Thunder? As in Diamond Tiara and Rumble’s kid?” “Yes. Don’t even get me started on them. They’re far too young to be parents if you ask me.” “Rares, they’re only a few years younger than us. ‘Sides, we’re a little older than usual to have one so little. Look at Mac and Twilight: they got one already graduated, and another fixin’ to in a couple of years. “That is completely irrelevant. We’re talking about our daughter. What are we going to do, Applejack? I’m scared she’s going to turn into a bully.” “Now wait just a sec, Rares. Our daughter ain’t no bully. Sounds like she just lost her temper is all. What did Thunder say, anyway?” “I…don’t know. I was so angry I forgot to ask.” “Well, let’s get her side of the story, and we’ll go from there. No sense counting apples still left on the tree.” “Applejack, I love you. But I swear your metaphors are impossible to understand sometimes.” “I know, Sugarcube. It’s part of my charm.” “Topaz! Come down here! Your mother and I wanna talk to you!” “Applejack, are you sure the dining room is the best place—“ “Coming!” “Now, Topaz. Mommy says you got in a fight at school. Thunder said something to you, and you hit him. Is this true?” “Yes, Mama.” “You know what you did was wrong?” “Yes, Mama.” “Good. You’re still in a heap of trouble for what you did today. Ain’t nothin’ I can do to change that. I want to hear what exactly happened between you and Thunder, however. I ain’t gonna punish you for what you tell me. I’m just after the truth.” “Darling, your mother and I want to figure out what happened. We’re not going to get mad at you for telling us. Do you think you can tell us?” “Yes. Only…” “Only what, Darling?” “Can I talk to Mama alone?” “Is this because of how I acted after my meeting with Ms. Cheerilee?” “Um…” “It’s alright, Darling. I understand. Mommy can get a bit angry sometimes. I shall retire to my sewing room. Come find me when you are done, Applejack. And Topaz?” “Yes, Mommy?” “I just want you to know I love you. Even when I’m angry, I will never stop loving you.” “I know Mommy. I love you, too.” “Alright, Sugarcube. Now that it’s just us, why don’t you tell me what happened at school today?” “…and that’s when she started thumpin’ him good. From what she said I reckon he had a little of it comin’, but certainly not the wallop she gave.” “I see.” “Don’t worry, Rares. She wants to go over to his house tomorrow afternoon and apologize. She feels mighty tore up about what she done.” “As well she should. It’s nice to see at least some of our lessons are getting through to her. Are you going to talk to her about controlling her anger?” “Nah, I ain’t the best one. ‘Sides, a little anger now and then is good. Pushes you to work harder.” “Applejack! What if this happens again? She’s already the strongest filly in her class thanks to your insistence on her helping out in the field instead of at home.” “Don’t fret, Sugar. I got it all worked out. I’m gonna stop by Mac’s and ask him to talk to her. He had a mighty big problem with this sorta thing when we were younger, so I figured he would be the best to talk to her about it.” “I…suppose that will work. Very well, Darling, we shall do it your way. Still, I don’t want you thinking that you’re off the hook.” “Me? What did I do?” “It’s not anything you did, Applejack. It’s what you don’t do that has me concerned.” “What in tarnation are you talkin’ about?” “I’m not going to be the bad guy here. She’s going to be punished, and by both of us. No coddling her like you usually do.” “You know I hate when you use them fancy words.” “Spoil her, then. You always let her off easy.” “I do no such thing! I punished her plenty of times!” “Really? When she broke the vase in the hall? What did you say?” “Rares, I don’t think—“ “’It’s just things! They can be replaced’ and off she went. Coloring on the walls? ‘She’s just being expressive!’” “Now wait just a—“ “The fire in the kitchen? The only thing you said was ‘I didn’t know you could burn juice’. Every time I’ve been the one that’s had to discipline her. I shall not be the bad guy here.” “Alright, Sugarcube. I get your point. I’ll take tomorrow off, and we’ll figure out what to do. Been workin’ too hard recently anyway.” “Thank you. Now, I’m going to go tuck her in and let her know I’m no longer mad at her. Celestia knows she probably thinks I hate her.” “Now that ain’t true and you know it. ‘Sides, you gotta admit one thing.” “And what’s that?” “A part of you is proud she won her first fight.” “Applejack, I will admit no such thing. I will celebrate her triumph quietly.” Next prompt: Silly