I wiped a tear away from with my right leg that was crusted with mud. The night sky watched me sob with its usual indifference. Stars blinked at me without a care or even a hint of understanding. The light wind gently flew through my loose mane and whispered some sympathy that I could barely hear. An occasional hoot from an owl or a bark from a Desert Coyote broke the surrounding silence.
There were many questions that burned in the back of my mind. However, none were coherent. I was sad, I was miserable, I was depressed, all without knowing why. One of my tears slipped by my chipped hooves and pelted the dry ground with an echoing drop that disturbed the land so much that it gave me a start. I lifted my leg up in irrational fright. I felt like I had made a blunder and was expecting nature to retaliate at any moment.
"Star? Are you out here again?" a worried voice fluttered through the tranquil air.
I did not reply. The voice was soothing to my ears and made me tingle from muzzle to tail. I loved that voice deeply. I took a deep breath as heavy hoofsteps approached me. I kept my head low, too ashamed to look up at anything or anyone. As the sounds of a pony walking became louder, I became quieter. Soon the hoofsteps stopped right next to me.
"You always come out here when you're upset. So what happened today?" the voice asked with overflowing gentleness.
"They called me a blank flank again. I didn't get my cutie mark today neither," I replied with a quiver.
"Again? They just tease ya, Star. You shouldn't let them bother you."
"How? I'm the last one of my class to not have a cutie mark. Am I ever going to get one?" I asked with a sniffle.
"Of course," the voice chuckled lightly, "if ya keep chasing it like you are now, you'll get it no doubt."
"You said you were the first in your class to get a cutie mark."
"Indeed I was, pumpkin," the voice laughed, "Indeed I was."
"Then why am I last?"
"Because your mark is gonna be the most special of all," the voice assured me.
"You think so?" I smiled at the thought.
"Yeah I do. When you get your mark, it'll blow them away."
"Wow! I can't wait for that!" I gasped at the mental image of getting my cutie mark.
The voice huffed joyfully. "Well, ya gotta wait another night at least. It's past ya bed time. Better head in and get some sleep, pumpkin."
"Oh, right! Right away, Papa!"
=
I gently brushed back my mane. I had spent the last half-hour placing my mane in its usual ponytail with only my hooves. Not having my magic was certainly an inconvenience, but I knew very well that I could last. Having an earth pony mother taught me that ponies can easily survive without magic. This statement was proved even further with my previous day at Sweet Apple Acres. I may be a unicorn, but I was still a pony.
A knocking echoed on the door. This time I knew it was the Princess of Friendship waking me up for the day. It would be like her to believe me still asleep as the sun was not even over the horizon yet. I sighed through my nostrils. I could already tell it was going to be a long day.
"Come in," I said simply.
A magical aura wrapped itself around the handle and the door swung open. Twilight entered with her usual smile. Her eyes sparkled with her supposed cunning. I answered her smile with a shallow frown and disinterested eyes.
"Good morning Starlight. How'd you sleep?" Twilight asked cheerfully.
"When will you give me back my magic?" I returned sharply.
"I slept well too, wait what?" Twilight paused in confusion. "Your magic?"
"Yes, my magic. I am a unicorn. I do magic. I'm sure you understand," I mocked.
Twilight darted her eyes across the room. Her anxious lips quivered slightly as she thought of something to say. I had noticed that Twilight was quick to worry and slow to recover from the worry. The "Don't think and just do" slogan was obviously foreign to her. I always admired those who questioned their world and sought answers, but Twilight only sought problems instead. I used to be this way until I found out that leadership was built on more than just thinking and commanding.
"Why do you need your magic?" Twilight tried to play innocent.
"You know very well why. Is dictating my abilities part of her reforming plan?"
"No..."
"Then why do you keep coming into my room at night just to cast an anti-magic spell on me?"
"Because....." Twilight's face hardened, "Because of what you can do. Do you think I'll just give you back your magic so that you take our cutie marks away? I'm not stupid, Starlight. We have to be able to trust each other before I'm giving it back to you."
"And when will that be? Do you think I can trust you to keep to your word? All this could be some plot to humiliate me! You have me working for your friends and that's it so far. You know that I do not need reforming. I see that you simply want to hold me here as a prisoner to get your revenge on me."
"What? That's....That's ridiculous! All I want to do is help you reenter society as a unicorn and not some dictator. It's time for you to reconsider your ways. From what Applejack says, I'm starting to think you were sincere in your words back in your village. This means that all we need to do is change your perspective. Show you that being unique is not wrong."
"That means my thinking is unique. If being unique is not wrong, then my thinking is not wrong."
"Ugh," Twilight facehoofed, "Then you are a hypocrite because you yourself are unique and thus are the very opposite of what you preach. Since we got that out of the way, do you want some breakfast before Rarity arrives?"
"I guess.....I still want my magic back."
"We'll negotiate it later. Come on."
She made a sharp turn and exited the room. I childishly mimicked her movements behind her back. This made her pause and look back at me suspiciously. I reacted in time to give her an innocent smile which made her continue down the hall. I didn't want to seem like a follower, so I sped up my pace until I was equal with her. Twilight raised a brow but said nothing.
We traversed the empty hallways in no time. A sweet smell entered my nostrils as we approached the dining room. Twilight opened the door with her magic. Upon entering I saw the dragon fledgling whistling a tune while placing colorful boxes on the crystal table. All the boxes said "Joe's Donuts" on them in ridiculously shaped letters.
"Donuts?" I inquired.
"Yup. They are sweet round pastries with holes in the middle. They are usually glazed over with vanilla or chocolate and sometimes strawberry icing," Twilight explained.
"I know what a donut is!" I shot back, "Just because I lived in an isolated village does not mean that I lack the knowledge of Equestrian culture. Donuts were here long before you or me."
"Oh...right. Sorry," she tried to seem apologetic.
"You know, if you keep standing there, there may not be any donuts left," the dragon hinted.
Twilight gazed at his hungry face. She knew what he meant and levitated the boxes a few inches farther from where he stood. Without a word she walked over to the table. I raised a brow before joining her. There were far too many boxes of the treats for just the three of us. I assumed some were for the fanciful mare who was arriving soon. Twilight gestured for me to sit down while she herself sat in one of the crystal chairs. I obliged without much thought.
"I think you bought too many," I said and pointed at the stacked boxes.
"You may think that, but when you have a baby dragon, you can never be sure," she replied with a giggle.
"I've never seen this much food..." I muttered under my breath.
"What was that?" Twilight asked with her ears facing me.
"Er...nothing. Nothing. I just wonder why you purchase so much food for your own enjoyment while others struggle to get rations."
"Starlight, I am simply feeding Spike. He wanted donuts this morning, so I thought we could all have some. I am quite knowledgeable on the issues of starvation that have struck certain areas of Equestria. I do not eat to spite them or anything like that. Just to make sure I don't starve myself. Also, I have helped Joe not starve by trading money for his treats so that he can purchase what he needs."
"If you are so knowledgeable, why don't you do anything about them?"
"We do. Princess Cadance has plenty of organizations built to aid those in need. Just because we ourselves are not out there does not mean we aren't playing our part. If we were always out there, there would be nopony to lead the nation. We may be alicorns, but that does not mean we can do everything."
"Starlight, eat a donut," the dragon passed a box to me.
"Yes, you should. Rarity may not give you something so delicious. She cares a little too much about weight gain," Twilight giggled.
"I should not gorge myself," I said in protest.
"No need to. Just eat what you want. Nopony is forcing you to eat. You're just a hungry pony that I'm trying to feed, so I'm being generous," a sly smile formed on the princess's lips.
The dragon started to stuff his face with the pastries. Twilight levitated one to her muzzle and gently began to chew it, trying to be regal all the while. I hesitantly looked at the box before me. I won't lie, it smelled and looked delicious. The strong scent floating into my being, telling every part of my body to eat and be happy. In Our Village, such food would be split evenly among the ponies. None got more, none got less. However, it seemed like a free-for-all here.
My stomach growled. I lifted a hoof and opened the box, letting even more of the smell punch me across the face. It felt wrong, but then again, I was hungry. I picked one pastry up carefully. It was soft and warm in my grasp. Might as well eat it, I thought. My mouth opened and I was about to take a bit when...
"Good heavens! You can't eat that! You'll feel terrible by noon."
The donut in my hooves was levitated out of my hands by a dark blue aura. I bit down on air as it left my grasp. The treat floating back in the box and the magic pushed the box away from me. My head turned slowly to see the mare who did this.
Rarity stood there proudly, every ounce of her body, immaculate. Her flowing mane was as showy and gaudy as usual. Her sapphire eyes peered at me with confidence. It was the very opposite of Applejack's humble demeanor. I scowled at her for many reasons. Although the most recent of stealing my food was the only one that formed in my mind.
"Good morning, Twilight. Spike too. I have arrived to complete my mission!" she announced.
"Hello Rarity. Want to join breakfast?" Twilight politely asked.
"I'm sorry darling, but I simply can't do that. You see, I have eaten my breakfast already. Thank goodness Sweetie didn't cook before I awoke. I've had enough of her "orange juice." So I have come prepared for the patient."
"Patient?" I growled, "Do you think I'm mentally ill?"
"Don't worry, we all do," she said in a matter-of-fact manner, "Now Twilight, what say you?"
Twilight glanced around, "Uh...I guess you can take her? She hasn't eaten."
"No issue. I'm sure we have leftovers at the Boutique," Rarity brushed it off with a graceful wave of her hoof.
"Can I please stay?" I begged Twilight, "She's terrible."
"Starlight," Twilight became firm, "You are going to spend the day with Rarity. This isn't about whether you like it or not. This is about you two getting to know each other."
"Even though I know everything about you," Rarity huffed at me.
"No you don't!" Twilight snapped at her before returning to me. "She isn't bad, trust me."
"I hope so..." I muttered.
"Come along, Miss Glimmer. I have a busy week ahead of me with the recent influx of clients. Your help is much needed at the Boutique."
"Straight to the point today, aren't you?" Twilight seemed flustered.
"Of course, darling. You know that I am an early riser and a hard worker. When there are things to be done, I do not waste time!"
Twilight's ears went flat. It was clear she was both confused and frustrated by Rarity's behavior. The pompous unicorn smiled innocently at the princess, but it did not work on the latter. My eyes darted between both of them. Some hope that Twilight may cancel my visit to the Boutique rose inside me. It was lost when Twilight's face softened to its usual chirpy state.
"Well, alright. As long as you are nice to Starlight, everything should be fine. You may take her," she gestured at me.
"I refuse!" I promptly demanded.
"Tough luck," Twilight chuckled, "I mean....It won't be bad. You two are unicorns and must have plenty in common. I doubt it will be hard for you two to get along."
"Twilight is right, my dear. Now, I'll supply you with a healthy breakfast instead of those...things," Rarity gagged.
Rarity's magical aura engulfed me and dragged me out of my chair. I was starting to miss Applejack as I was pulled through the hallways by the arrogant mare. Rarity started to giggle in excitement as she skipped across the castle. I could only cross my legs and scowl at her all the while.
"Oh, a mare like you needs to be educated in the ways of fashion. I remember all too well those nasty cloaks everypony wore. I certainly hope that wasn't your idea. It probably was not since you did not wear any yourself. Oh, and you keep your mane in that simple ponytail. A mare like yourself is still young enough to explore with your mane. You have lovely colors and a gorgeous highlight. I can work with that. I'll show you how fashion can show..." she blabbered on.
"Why couldn't Celestia throw me in a dungeon?" I complained.
=
The first moment of silence happened when we arrived at her home and business. The silence was no longer than two seconds, but even that relieved me. Rarity gently placed me down with her magic. It was fantastic that I could use my legs again and not simply float like I did through the town. I had been treated with many confused stares along the way.
"Starlight, welcome to Carousel Boutique! Please, make yourself at home. I'll cook up some eggs."
With that, she promptly opened the door and allowed me to enter first. The inside was just as decorated as the outside. Drapes, embroidered whatevers, and a whole lot of completely irrelevant items were carefully placed in every corner. It was a mess, but the not the ugly type of messes, the more self-imposed type of messes where one wants everything and gets everything despite not having a place for it.
"And you can afford all this?" I blurted out.
"Of course," she said casually, "I am one of the most premiere fashion designers in Equestria and the number one designer from Ponyville. Though that's because I am the only designer in this town. Never mind. Ahem, my business is known throughout Canterlot and my clients are some of the richest nobles to behold. So yes, everything you see I have bought or created myself. Well, except for the building because my father built that."
"So this is all just a display of wealth?"
"Oh, I knew you would bring that up," she snorted, "No, Starlight, the majority of what you see is quite necessary for my business. I am terribly sorry if this place is not "equal" enough for you," she forced the last sentence out.
"I didn't expect it to be my taste. I just never been in such a place like this that's not owned by royalty."
"Well, I do my best to imitate. It makes Canterlotians feel at home," Rarity nodded.
She turned and walked into what appeared to be the kitchen. I was left in the large room. The soulless ponnequins stared at me creepily. I saw my reflection in the large mirror that sat behind a round stage. My mane had been rustled during the forceful magical dragging I had to endure.
Rarity cleared her throat to get my attention. With a gesture of her hoof from the doorway, she told me to come in the kitchen. I blinked a couple of times before going into the room. She smiled at me until I was all the way in. Suddenly, her magic wrapped itself around the doorknob and she slammed it shut.
Her mood had changed dramatically. Before I could react, she had levitated a silver fork up to my throat. I scrambled back against the wall as she pressured me further. Her breathing became loud and her nostrils flared. Her large eyes scowled at me threateningly.
"I know who you expect to see here, Starlight," she hissed, "You will not get close to my little sister. Do not think Applejack warned me. She told me how you spoke to Apple Bloom. Sweetie Belle informed me of how you spoke to her when you first visited Ponyville. Watching foals play? Despicable I say! I see you have indeed lost the courage to spread your vile message to adults! You only target the young and naive now."
"Rarity, I have not harmed your sister at all," I defended myself, which only made the fork sink deeper into neck. "It's her choice to accept my teachings or not. I only gave her my opinion. You cannot see wrong in that."
"Her choice? I would believe the words if your actions would support it! I know you. You just want this world to be equalized in your mad vision!"
I swatted the fork away, making it land front first in the polished floor, much to Rarity's disapproval. She gasped at her now ruined floor before grunting and returning her hate-filled eyes upon me. She tried to appear intimidating, but her well-groomed mane and make-up did not help her. I stood tall before her.
"You know nothing of me. Do you really think that by spending a couple of days in Our Village will show you everything about me? It should have, if you were listening. But you can't listen, Miss Rarity. Arrogance is like loud banging on your head and all quiet and respectable thoughts cannot raise their voices enough for you to hear it! You walked in my village like the wealthy mare you are. Because of that, you turned down my message! Because of that, you could not see the fruits of equality. Because of that, you stand here trying to "reform" me when you know very well that I need no reforming."
"How dare you!" she shot back, "Arrogance may be a trait I am known for, but that does not make me blind to what you teach. Your vision is clear: make everypony the same and treated the same. It may sound wonderful, but the execution of it is absolutely dreadful. You force ponies to follow you. I have learned from following Twilight that followers must be earned through friendship. And believe me, it's easier than what you do."
"Friendship? Our Village was nothing but friendship! Friends who oppose each other, try to beat each other, try to earn more friends by saying what the others want to hear, are not friends at all. Friends are those who share your troubles with you and do not bicker, complain, or treat another better or worse."
Rarity paused. "Well, when you put it like that, then yes, those are friends too. However, friends do argue. Applejack and I are proof of this. I would jump off a small cliff for her any day, but we agree on far less than what we disagree on. Arguing is nothing wrong, Starlight. Opinions differ from pony to pony. And in the end, those differences are trivial."
"You may think that. You may think that. Even the closest of friends....or spouses.... can be wrecked by arguments. Small ones turn to big ones. Grudges last longer than forgiveness. If we are equal, we would have nothing to argue about and thus there would be no arguments."
"Darling, there had to be arguments in Our Village. It's impossible otherwise."
"We were not perfect, but we were happy. We forgave. We forget and move on in hope that it would not happen again. I was merciful when arguments arose. I taught them to stop their bickering."
"Merciful?" Rarity laughed, "You are insane when you think locking a pony up in a house without food, water, or proper plumbing is merciful."
The door swung open, silencing both of us. Our eyes darted to the doorway as Sweetie Belle entered the room, humming a tune. Rarity became horrified instantly. The little unicorn had her eyes closed and she did not see me at first, but when she glanced my way, a bright smile formed on her face.
"It's the traveler!" she squeaked.
Rarity placed herself between us. "Hm, yes, it is, Sweetie. Didn't you already have your breakfast?" She gave her sister a fake smile as nervous sweat gently rolled down from her temples.
"No. Opal took my food when I went upstairs. She threw it out the window too! So I came back down for more," Sweetie explained.
"Alright. I told you not to come down here," Rarity leaned in.
"I know," Sweetie said casually, "I know you don't like me around when you have clients."
"I'm not a client," I spoke.
Rarity stared daggers at me when I said this, much to my delight. I mockingly shrugged my shoulders at her. I loved to seize such opportunities before my opponent could react. Sweetie eyed her sister suspiciously, her young mind churning with the contradictory information.
"You said you were having a client..."
"Uh, she canceled her appointment," Rarity explained hastily.
"Or that there was never a client in the first place," I glanced out the window casually.
"Rarity? What's going on?" Sweetie questioned slowly.
"Um...I guess I just misinformed you. There's nothing going on at all," Rarity gulped.
"My, my, what a terrible liar you are," I muttered. "And to your sister as well."
"Rarity?"
"Ahem, this is Starlight Glimmer. Twilight wanted me to watch for the day," Rarity said in defeat.
"Starlight? Like the one from Our Village?" Sweetie gasped.
"At your service," I bowed.
The reaction I received bothered me as much as it confused me. Sweetie screamed in terror and ran out of the kitchen like she had just seen a demon, or worse. My eyes widened as I watched her flee. I could not comprehend it. She must have known my name from the lies of Rarity and the Princesses. It was the only reason.
Rarity huffed. "Good job, as Rainbow Dash would say."
"I...What?"
"You are a monster, Starlight," Rarity said monotonously. "You strike fear into the good ponies of Equestria now. How could one that strikes such fear go about thinking she does not need reform or a change of ways?"
"I'm not a monster! I would never want to hurt another, especially a filly! You have turned me into a monster with your lies! I am a victim of your false friendship and your corrupted harmony. I....I can't see why you would do something like that."
"Starlight. You are so stubborn..."
I pushed her out of my way and ran at the door. My tail was engulfed by her magic and I was dragged back to her. I needed to reach Sweetie. So her that I am not a monster. With a quick swipe of my hoof, I hit Rarity's horn, disabling her magic temporarily. This was all I needed as I rushed out of there and ran upstairs. I could hear the little hoofsteps down the hall. Since I had the superior speed and quickness, I soon caught up with her before she entered her room. The filly did not look back as her green magic took hold of the door and slammed it. I was quick enough to place my leg in its way, but it cost me.
"Owww...." I moaned.
"Get away!" Sweetie screamed.
The door flew back and slammed itself again on my leg. I tried to hold in the pain by only grimacing. I place my other leg in the way and began to forcibly open it. If only I had my magic, I groaned mentally. The filly backed herself against the wall on the other side of the room.
"Sweetie, I'm not a villain. I'm the same traveler that spoke to you on the playground. You saw that I was friendly, kind, and polite. I'm not here to harm you at all."
"You want to control me! You can brainwash ponies." she shouted.
"I do nothing of the sort!" I accidentally raised my voice. "I mean, that's not true. All that you've heard about me is lies. Your sister and I have had a less-than-pleasant interaction in my hometown. It's just misunderstanding."
"Rarity!" the filly screeched.
"Sweetie, listen. Remember what I told you. You know, about the cutie marks? That was what Rarity and I disagreed on. We argued. I...I got a little carried away in the end. It's all good now. It's all..."
I felt my breath be taken away. A forceful grip was around my throat and I could not speak anymore. I was being choked by Rarity's magic as she was now standing behind me. At first, I thought the mare would release me, but the choking continued and I felt my body tense up. My eyes started to bulge out and my heart beat faster and faster out of my chest.
"You have the audacity to go after my little sister," Rarity growled. "Twilight was right about you being dangerous."
"Rarity, let her go!" Sweetie opened the door and stared at her sister valiantly.
"I was never going to choke her to death," Rarity released me.
I fell to the floor as I inhaled the most refreshing oxygen I had ever experienced. I leaned on the wall of the hallway, in between the two sisters. Rarity was not heeding me as she stared at Sweetie with concern while Sweetie stared back determinedly.
"Are you alright Sweetie?" Rarity asked sincerely.
"Yeah. But is she alright?" the filly pointed at me.
"I've had worse," I said between gasps.
"Starlight," Rarity looked at me, "downstairs. Now."
"She can stay here," Sweetie protested.
"What? She just chased you," Rarity said incredulously.
"No, she was trying to explain herself," the filly corrected.
"Rarity, I was not..."
"Quiet!" Rarity cut me off.
"Miss Glimmer can't be as bad you say," Sweetie said.
"Sweetie, you don't know what you are saying. Starlight locked me up! Took my cutie mark! She even tried to take my mark permanently!"
"And yet she talked with us like we were friends," Sweetie retorted. "You guys probably just got her bad side."
The best action to take was to simply sit there and let them argue. Rarity had already shut me up once, she would no doubt do so again. I did not even finish my story to the child and yet she was on my side. It was relieving to me after what happened with Apple Bloom. These fillies need coaching, explanations, and above all, care, in order to be made followers of equality.
"Sweetie Belle. You know far too little to make such a judgement. Let Big Sis handle this," Rarity ordered.
"No! Miss Glimmer is our guest. You of all ponies should know how to be hospitable to a guest."
"Fine! Have it your way! Go get some tea from downstairs.," Rarity commanded coldly.
Sweetie Belle smiled and did as she was told, leaving Rarity and I in the hallway. She watched her sister leave and then glared at me with those bright eyes of hers. She pressed a smooth hoof into my beating chest.
"I don't know how in Equestria you did what you just did. She was terrified of you just moments ago. Now this? Preposterous! You manipulative fiend. We are going to have some mid-morning tea. If you make another move on my sister, I'll rip your mane out and feed it to you."
"You're no Celestia," I chuckled. "You don't scare me."
I felt a tug on my mane. Rarity's horned glowed and I knew what she was doing instantly. With a sharp pain, several strands of my mane were pulled out. The lime green hair was then levitated to my eyes, showing me what she had just done.
"You are right. I'm no Celestia. I'm far worse than her," Rarity snarled.
"Understood," I nodded.
"Now go down and have tea with us."
I arose and walked down the hall. With the choking still fresh in my mind, I did not want to upset the mare anymore. I could feel her eyes on me as I descended the curving stairs. It just occurred to me that I still had not eaten breakfast. Rarity was starving me now. Maybe it was her plan? I shook my head at it. Rarity couldn't form a plan like that. She was just running on emotion.
We entered the kitchen where Sweetie had set up the tea. The white and gold china was neatly arranged on the table. The filly was already in one of the four chairs that surrounded the table. Without a word, I took up one of the chairs and moving the blue tablecloth that draped on the seat out of my path. Rarity took her seat with great care, and unlike me, did not rustle the tablecloth at all.
Sweetie carefully levitated the tea and poured it into our small cups. I could see the effort she had to place in her novice magic as her tongue has hanging out in concentration. A filly of her age should have no problem with magic, I observed. Magic came to me rather quickly in my youth. Her sister seemed competent in magic as well, though not as much as I or Twilight of course.
I took the warm tea cup with my hooves, much to the filly's confusion. She took a sip of her tea before putting it down slowly.
"Why don't you use your magic? You are a unicorn," she observed.
"Well, Twilight took my magic away. She, like your sister, see me as a threat," I decided to end there as Rarity stared at me coldly.
"We didn't want what happened in Our Village to reoccur," Rarity chimed. "The cutie mark removal process is something I rather not go through again."
"Would you take my sister's cutie mark away?" Sweetie asked me.
"No. I would not overstep my bounds," I said simply.
"A unicorn without magic is hardly a unicorn at all!" Sweetie squeaked.
"Indeed. I miss it. I just....I just can't understand why taking a cutie mark is evil and taking my magic away is alright," I leaned on the table.
"Starlight," Rarity warned me.
"Oh yes, no elbows on the table. I apologize," I took my weight off the table.
"Sweetie, I have plans for our....guest...while she is here. I think we could show her how the fashion business works. As you have probably noticed, Starlight doesn't have much knowledge on the fashion world," the last sentence seemed like a shot at me.
"I'll have you know, I had a fantastic traveling dress and sunhat. It fit me perfectly. Wasn't that right, Sweetie?"
"Yup! It matched her coat well and was for the right season too," Sweetie nodded excitedly.
"Hmph. Well, where is it now?" Rarity persisted.
"I lost it when I was brutalized by the Royal Guards in Canterlot. I guess I deserved it since I resisted arrest," I explained casually.
Rarity spat out her tea in shock. She drew the attention of her sister and giggled innocently. She then placed the cup down and looked at me with blinking eyes.
"Wait. You were beaten by the Guards? Unheard of," she gasped.
"Well, like I said, I did resist arrest. It did not take much for one to punch me right to the ground. Stallion twice as big as me and he just walloped me," my hoof mimicked a punch. "My face bled afterwords, but as you can see, my wounds have healed."
"Then I was dragged to the Palace like some common criminal," I continued cheerfully. "I mean, if I'm the monster you say I am, shouldn't I deserve better? Never mind that. They dragged to Princess Celestia."
"You had an audience with the Princess of the Sun?" Rarity inquired.
"Well, it was more like an interrogation. To put it plainly, she was furious with me. With the tales you six weaved about me, she perceived me as a villain worthy of Tartarus. It tells you how much a lie can do. Well, of course, I defended myself. She wouldn't listen. Not to me of course. She threatened to put me in a dungeon for life. I couldn't handle that. Who could? I begged for her not to do it. I wanted to show her that I wasn't a monster. I'm just a pony that has a different view on the world. In the freedom of Equestria, that should not brand me as evil. She accepted my plea. She's quite merciful if you think about it. She sent me down here to be "reformed" even though I don't need it. I have not changed at all since my first arrival here in Ponyville and here I am giving you two a delightful conversation. I'm here to show Celestia why I'm not evil. I'm just a victim of false information and grave misunderstandings."
"Indeed you are," Rarity said sarcastically.
"Wow, Miss Glimmer, that's terrible!" The younger sister gawked.
"Yes. That's it goes though. Everyone gets bullied once in their lifetime. Oh! How is that bully that you keep encountering, Sweetie Belle? Is she still bugging over cutie marks?" I ventured.
"Well yeah. She never stops. It's just the norm for her to ridicule us these days," was the answer.
"I wish I could help. I'm one to resolve conflicts. However, I know that I should not interact with the school colts and fillies while I am here. Twilight would not approve of such an action," I sighed.
"Starlight..."
"Well, I'm not sure about that, but if Twilight doesn't trust you, then Miss Cheerilee shouldn't either. Though she doesn't need to know about Diamond Tiara," Sweetie rubbed her chin.
"Sweetie!"
"Just think! If you can take a pony's cutie marks away, then you can take hers away! That'll teach her about being a blank flank!" The filly schemed.
"Sweetie, don't use the term, "blank flank" because it's much worse than you may think. No one deserves to be called that," I hissed back before containing myself. "Not even Diamond deserves to be called that."
"Oh, alright," she flopped her ears back in sudden sadness.
"Sweetie," Rarity started up. "I can't believe you will even think of such a thing."
"Well, maybe she wouldn't if her big sister did anything about the bully," I muttered aloud.
I did not mean to say this. It slid out of my mouth like a greased watermelon. I now feared for my scalp. Instead of her tearing my mane off, she simply took her tea and splashed me in the face with the hot liquid. It hurt considerably, but I retained my composure and simply took the pain. Rarity acted like nothing happened and her face was set like stone. Sweetie was the only one who reacted to the scene.
"Rarity! That was uncalled for!" she squeaked at a higher pitch than usual.
"I'm sorry, Sister, but it was," Rarity said flatly. "Starlight just said that I have never aided you with Diamond. She had just assumed she knew better and decided her rude input was necessary. If she is our guest, than I am the hostess and it is improper behavior to insult or criticize the hostess to her face."
"I apologize," I said as I wiped the tea off my muzzle. "I did not mean to offend you."
"Then drink your tea and we shall stop talking. Talking so far has only made our already bad relationship worse. I shall plan the schedule for this afternoon. Maybe work and customers will get our minds off of this horrendous morning."
"I heartily agree," I took a sip of my now cool tea.
"I hope that will not be the only thing we agree on after this," Rarity mused.
"Well it is not. Because I agree with on that hope as well."
"You silver-tongued fiend." She whispered with a smile.
"You arrogant drama queen." I whispered back with the same smile.
"Guys....Be mature..."
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