//------------------------------// // Chapter 16 - Nitpick and Twilight´s meaningful moments! Tale 1 // Story: The normal life of Nitpick Bittersweet // by Ryusun //------------------------------// Don't you love weekends? It's the short lapse of forty-eight hours where you forget about school and just think in enjoying your youth to the fullest. Well, not the case in CHS... And to some extent, the academy was as bitchy as well. Right now on Saturday, I was wearing my new blue and white school sport uniform while looking at the emptiness of the sky. All of the students of this class were here and the soccer team as well. Do we have an event or something? “I could be in the comfort of my house doing my things right now.” “I know. I could be continuing my research in physics developments in this moment instead of doing training nonsense here.” Why are you talking to me, Twilight? “Come on, Twilight. It will be fun. Oh, Nitpick, how are you doing?” “Sunset.” I didn’t want to talk to her. I can see she is forcing herself to do it and that’s not good. I don’t how but I simply know. When your mind doesn’t give you a proper answer, turn to your base instincts until you find a more accurate explanation. She understood my intention and talked to Twilight to join her in the training. She doesn’t seem to be bothered anymore with the idea of having sport class now. How easy we change our minds when someone you like tells you to do something ‘fun’. I wonder sometimes if we are just a reflection of what people expect of us to do. “LISTEN, EVERYONE!! GO TO THE FIELD CENTER, NOW!” What a powerful voice. All the class did as the voice commanded. “Ok, everyone! As you know, The Intern College Tournament will begin in a few months and we must practice hard so we can quailify this time. We have overcome many obstacles together! We tied with Crystal Prep! We have what it takes to win! And you know why? BECAUSE WE ARE WONDERCOLTS!!” “AND OUR TIME IS NOW!” What a terrible speech! And such fighting spirit in that response. If only we as students had this kind of motivation during classes we could have better scores overall. “Excuse me!” I raised my hand “How are we qualified to participate in a college tournament if we are still in High School?” “Because the Colleges that are sponsoring this tournament will offer scholarships for the high school who wins first place! Consider it a kind of talent hunting for possible athletic career opportunities. Any more questions, wimp?” “No, thanks for the answer.” What an ass. And who are you, exactly? “Alright, everyone!” Rainbow Dash spoke this time “Captain Spitfire will be in charge of our sport classes for a few months so you better get ready. We will train you and if we see you are fit to the task, you will join the soccer team. No excuses. No complaints. And we will win and will definitely have fun. Let the training begin!” Forcefully joining a team I don’t want to join in the first place is what you consider fun? Then I'll play like shit and avoid being chosen. And I am supposed to call that senior of mine Captain Spitfire? Please. I only have one Captain I would follow to the gates of hell fighting planet devouring reapers while at it and that’s Captain Shining Armor… That sounded so wrong. So training started and what a pain it was. Rainbow Dash, ‘Captain’ Spitfire and their outrageous attempts to make this a Spartan like training was getting on my nerves. Running to the goal against impossible time records, an insane amount of push-ups, crunches, squats and more, not to mention that we couldn’t get a single minute of resting was starting to take a toll to everyone, especially to- “I ‘gasp’ can't ‘gasp’ count ‘gasp’ anymore!” Are you doing ok back there? You are more purple than usual. “You are the sister of ‘gasp’ Captain Shining Armor. You can do better ‘gasp’ than that." She fell straight to the floor. “Uh, maybe not...” Twilight was panting really hard, I was starting to get worried but thankfully it didn’t take too long for those breathings to become deep and controlled until finally she managed to breath normally. It seems that nobody took notice since we were left way behind the second running course. “Can you stand up?” “Not really” She sighed with a tired expression while taking a sitting position. “ALL RIGHT EVERYONE!! CLASS IS OVER SO YOU CAN GO HOME!! THE STUDENTS THAT BELONG TO THE SOCCER TEAM TAKE A REST AND IN FIFTEEN MINUTES WE WILL RESUME OUR PRACTICE!!” Spitfire informed while shouting. What a powerful voice she has, I don’t want to see her angry. “Finally, I am going to enjoy the rest of the weekend by myself. See you on Monday, Twilight!” “Wait!” What!? “Yes?” “Could you help me stand up?” Are you this bad at physical activities? “Hold tight my hand.” I pulled her up gently so I could avoid injuring her. Steady, steady, stop pushing your weigh in your lower body. I pulled hard and she finally stood up, but… “Uh” What an awkward position, I hope nobody is seeing this. We separated a little but she was struggling to stay up. Her legs started bend a little and I was losing my cool. “Stand up firmly and let go of my hand already!” “O-of course! Because I am already in my feet, right?” Your grasp of the obvious is inspiring. “Well, see you la… you can’t walk, right?” She gently shook her head. She was trembling and could barely stand on her feet. I doubt she could even manage to reach the bus stop in this state. “Where is Sunset Shimmer? She could help you take the bus, it was her idea to make you train this hard after all.” “She is going to be busy helping Rainbow Dash in coordinating the team effort. Look, she is already with the planning committee.” She is right. How reliable is she in the school programs. If only she could be more reliable where it really matters right now. “I can't leave you here, you need to get home and rest!” “Oh, don’t worry about me, I'll be just-WAH!” Sigh, you fell again. “I'll... walk you to the bus stop.” I helped her get on her feet again. She mentioned that she brought her backpack with her so I retrieved it on her behalf. Once I had all her belongings and mine, we started walking to the bus stop. This is too embarrassing. You are walking way close to me. I couldn't blame her since she was using me as a support. Thankfully the bus stop was just crossing the streets and it didn’t take us long to get there. The problem was the bus itself. Have you ever wondered how fascinating are the public bus services? When you most needed it, not a single fucking bus is at sight, but hell damn you when you don’t need one because they drive through the streets like an stampede of vultures hunting for passengers to earn the dues of the day, making crossing the streets nearly impossible in the traffic hours. Twilight took of her bag some water bottles and started to drink them like the best thing ever. As for me, I checked my watch to see what time is it. “It’s exactly ten with thirteen in the morning; the next bus will arrive in two minutes.” “How do you know that?” There was no water left in her bottles. That was fast. “Well, during my time in the academy, I took the bus every day to get to the city. I even met a driver called Hayseed Turnip Truck who gave me the bus schedules so I could plan efficiently my sleeping hours and the time I needed to be at the stops to get back home from the school.” “Wow, how unexpectedly efficient of you, I thought you were a little unorganized!” “Do you want to take it outside, you little...?” Oh my… Did I just say that to her? “Uh, what do you mean to take it outside? We are already outside!” “No, nothing, forget it. Just an idiom I use with some… never mind. Oh, look, the bus!” The bus finally arrived but it was full with no seats available. Her legs were still trembling… Damn it. “I'll take you home, no buts. Let’s go.” “But-Wuah!” I paid the fee for the service. It seems that Old Mr. Cockpit is our driver today. “Kiddo, it’s been a while. Faring well with the ladies, I presume?” I could feel that Twilight was blushing. She partially let go of my arm. You never learned to read the mood in your life, have you? Old bastard. “I am just taking her home, Mr. Cockpit. I don’t have the charm to conquer ladies like you during your prime as an aviator!” “Damn straight you don’t.” You don’t have to laugh about it, old man. “But I hope you do soon.” He started the driving again. This will be a long ride since he loves to take his time. “Please deal with it for a few minutes. Once we reach the suburbs, most of the folks here will go down of the bus.” We walked some steps to the middle of the bus and I firmly took one of the handles. The bus was going a little faster than usual. The old man must have noticed the state of my partner and hasted his route course. Thank you for that. “Forgive me for dragging you in this… and thanks.” “You were concerned for me while offering water in our first day of class and you gave me free lunch a few days ago. It's the least I can do.” I still owe you the lunch part. “I am still thirsty, I drank all the water I brought and is still not enough.” After all that insane training, I am surprised you are still breathing. You have horrible physical constitution. “There is a bus stop in the suburbs he mentioned, no doubt he will fill the gas tank there. I’ll buy you some water in the gas store.” “You really know you way in the bus circuit.” “Your level of poverty is determined with the amount of knowledge you have in the common life, Twilight.” Don’t chuckle with my statement. Knowing your way through a city can save you in many ways, you know? “Anyway, I am meaning to ask, who brings you to school? And I never have been to your house before but I assume is nearby the academy.” “Yes, in fact, my home is four blocks away from Crystal Prep. And usually my private taxi brings me to school.” Private Taxi? “Other times will be my parents or my brother if Ms. Peanut is not available. I think they will use the same route of the Union Highway.” The Union Highway? That super expensive highway only used by the first class citizens to avoid the suburbs route? How rich are you? “Now I feel bad in taking you home at bus... wait a minute? Isn’t your taxi going for you at the school in this moment?” “No need to worry, Ms. Peanut knows that if I don’t call her it’s because I don’t need her to come for me. I usually call her one hour in anticipation but you know, training didn’t let us do anything. And about the public bus, I have used it three times now. It’s not as bad as I imagined, you can take your time to appreciate the town!” “You clearly haven’t been in a traffic jam before. I bet that appreciating the panorama it’s the last thing you are thinking about when you are five minutes away from arriving late to somewhere.” I hate being late to whatever compromise I have… even if I hate it. “That sounds like trouble.” “It was daily for me in my time on the academy, my sister has it easier. My folks always take her in car to whatever school she was.” The bus suddenly stopped. Where we already in the suburbs? I didn’t take notice. The people started to get off the bus and we took the last row of seats near the door. A few moments later we arrived at the gas station, I quickly went to the store and bought two bottles of water. Once I got back at her side in the bus, I gave her the bottle. The contents were over before I knew it. “Thanks for the water, this one is fresher and delicious!” She said with a refreshed tone. “I didn’t know you have a sister, Nitpick.” “Drafter Bittersweet is her name, seven years younger than me. She is currently in Manehattan with my folks.” “That sounds nice… Wait a minute. If your family is in Manehattan, why are you studying in CHS? Shouldn’t you be in a school from there instead? Who is taking care of you? Are you living with someone?” You ask too many questions. “I am here because my father was happy with the idea of me studying in CHS than going on with them. And I am taking care of myself since the semester started. And before you ask, the only reason I didn’t participate in the games is because I was so sick to assist. I was amazed when I heard the competition ended in a tie. I can imagine the face of that old witch did in that moment, these kind of events are extremely important to her.” “Yeah…” She laughed awfully weak “It was an unexpected turn of events.” “Unexpected was seeing you in this school as a student. You even share all the classes with me.” “Principal Celestia was really kind with me during the paperwork during my transfer; she even put me in our current ethics class in the last minute. That's why you didn’t see me in the first hour on Monday.” That could explain my current schedule. Since I transferred a few days before classes started, the Principal must have done everything in her power for me to have a decent schedule in a tight time limit. She seemed kind when I met her, and being a really pretty woman was a plus for me. “Say Nitpick… what do you think of my brother?” “What do you mean with what I think of him?” “I mean, do you think he is cool? Or Smart? Handsome, maybe?” Have you any idea what you just asked? “I am straight, Twilight. I am not into men.” “Why did you give me that kind of answer? I just asked if… oh...“ I see your brain started to give you the reason of my answer. Owww, your face is extremely red now, and those glasses of yours trying to conceal it make you extremely cute. “I didn’t mean it that way! I swear!” So at least you know about gender preferences. You are not as lost as I thought. “Answering your inquiry with all seriousness, I think your brother is a cool guy. I don’t know if you know but he and Dean Cadence were considered an oasis from the shit-storm that were the rest of the overzealous and perfectionist teachers back there in the academy.” “I like the analogy of them being an oasis for all students but I can't say the same for the other part of your, uh, school interpretation, I guess? Would it really harm you if you don’t express like that anymore? You could give a bad impression to someone he or she took a likening to you!” “Pfff please. This is a free country, I'll only correct my language when it’s truly necessary, like in a job or a very important social event!” “So you are aware of your attitude problem? Interesting. I know the basis of psychology, perhaps we can have some therapy sessions to reach the source of your bad language, and I can have some real world practice and experience while at it. What an exciting idea!” Are your eyes sparkling again? What is in that brilliant mind of yours in this moment? Besides, aren’t psychologists forbidden of treating their family and friends? Wait. “Sorry to burst your bubble but this is my father's family way of expressing ourselves. So there is no need for your services!” Why are you making a disappointed face all of the sudden? “Anyway, why did you suddenly ask about your brother?” “Because what you said during practice.” “Did I say something bad?” “No, but you said that I am my brother's sister so I could perform better than that but…” She started to get depressed. ”It doesn’t mean that I am as good as him in everything I do.” “Twilight, look at me.” She really looked at me… I wonder what she would say to Twilight in this moment “You are the best student I know so far and your scores are top notch. Not even the Captain, who was considered a brilliant guy when he was a student in the academy, had your brains as far as I know. If he was an ‘A’, you easily are an ‘S plus’ in the academic fields.” Did I praise her correctly? “Yeah, only that he is also an ‘A’ in everything else while I’m only an ‘F’. He is socially successful, respected, athletic, a good chef, even the military gives him special treatment because how cool he is so he can be a sports teacher in Crystal Prep. But me… being smart is my only saving grace.” I didn’t know you have an inferiority complex, Twilight. “Sorry for putting that kind of baggage in your self-esteem. It's just that… well, you are pretty cool in my books in whatever your propose to do, not to mention, you seem to have made some good friends who worries about you, maybe today was not the best example but I am sure that what I am saying is the truth. And don't feel bad about being smart, remember what Rarity said a few days ago, you are special!” Twilight looked happy. She made herself comfortable in her seat and slowly started to reflect on something. Perhaps my response was the best I could offer to her. Are you happy with my moral help of others in need, my beloved friend from Great Equine? I suddenly heard an opera tune. I am supposed to be used to this after nearly a year of being friends with her, but seriously? This is more than the twentieth time already. I took out my phone from my backpack. “Excuse me for a moment, Twilight.” ????: (✿◠‿◠) Certes! I am fain with your sow of arlice nature. Nitpick: How do you do this? Are you omniscient or something? And what does the word ‘arlice’ mean? I am not expert in old english, remember? ????: Whatever you mean, my beloved friend! I just had this urge to praise you (✿ ♥‿♥). And arlice means ‘kindly’ or ‘honorably’. Use this new knowledge well. I will be back at Crystal State a few weeks before Thanksgiving. Take care until then, we will speak again soon. Nitpick: Take care, my friend… I miss you so much. ????: ♡ The rest of the trip was peaceful. The bus took us directly in front of the school. Twilight could walk by herself now but I still offered to take her home. She agreed and we walked a few blocks until…uh, there was Spike in there, barking happily for her owners return and behind him… “Is this… your house?” “Yeah! I know it’s pretty small compared to our neighbors' homes but once inside its pretty spacious! We even have a basement for extra storage!” Are you fucking kidding me? This place it’s two times the size of my house! And you have a basement, too? The life of the rich never ceases to amaze me. “Well, my mission is over. I will go back home, see you on Monday!” Every second I spent here is filling me with horrible feelings of economic inferiority. How did I manage to be in Crystal Prep environment is beyond me! I better get out of here. “Wait!” “What?” She hugged me tenderly. “Thanks for escorting me home.” Twilight said in a whispering tone. “Uh, anytime, gotta go.” This little ‘Escort the Princess to safety' quest would have taken more than four hours at worst during week days, but in weekend it didn’t take more than an hour and half to complete this round trip. After finally arriving home, I spent the rest of my weekend playing games and reading mangas in peace.