//------------------------------// // If a tree falls in the woods.... // Story: Slices of Button // by MichelleTwistaloo //------------------------------// “...You will be organised in groups of four and will have to write a short paper on the subject if a tree falls in the woods and nobody's around to hear it, does it still make a sound? Now this is an issue that philosophers have debated for years and haven’t come to a conclusive answer...and I want to hear your opinions…” - Miss Cheerilee smiled as she looked at her class. As always there were more attentive faces, and less attentive faces. In fact some weren’t even looking at her, some had earbuds on and some were looking down, whether at a gaming device, whether at a smartphone, it didn’t really matter. It was her job to make sure they were paying attention. Such was the case with Button Mash...she sometimes pretended that she didn’t see the way he played his way through most of the classes, and his grades were...acceptable. Not as great as some of the best of the class, which were found in Silver Spoon and Twist, but, still well into the 60’s and occasional 70’s. It was clear Button, whether he studied outside of the class and kept himself in touch with the curriculum, whether, he just listened to the classes and took things in, was capable..but he could do so much more. As soon as she had spoken those words friend’s gazes had meet across the room, though she was well aware that perhaps some groups wouldn’t have the four necessary without pairing them off. Groups like Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara., little pairs like these. She would have to make pairs later on, but, for now, she watched amused as her students’ went to their friends. Apple bloom looked at Scootaloo who looked, bored out of her mind, at Sweetie Belle, Sweetie Belle smiled at pointed at Button Mash, who was still oblivious to it all. His eyes probably glued to some screen. Scootaloo rolled her eyes, but Apple Bloom encouraged her friend with a thumbs up. And one group was set. Cheerilee noticed other groups being formed, and, when someone or other wasn’t paired off, she paired them off with someone else. She knew that the number of people would be adequate to the groups. She had done the math in her head, it should work just fine. What kind of teacher would she be if she couldn’t organise 24 kids into groups of 4? The bell finally rung and it was clear to all three of them that Button Mash wasn’t even aware that there was a work to be done. He was just gathering his things to leave, without realising he had already a group. “Hey Button!” Button sighed and paused his game, contrary to when he was younger, he had learned to pause the games he played, you mostly just pressed the start button. “Are you ready to do the work?” Sweetie smiled at Button, who looked unaware of what kind of work she was talking about, he hadn’t had his ear buds on, true, but the battle against the mythical dragon had been so intense that he had, in all actuality, not paid much attention to the class. Why miss Cheerilee didn’t stop him, he wouldn’t know, maybe she didn’t care? Either way he wasn’t really aware of the work. “Wh..what work?” - He was taller than Sweetie, truth be told, and he had to look down at her, But that didn’t mean he wasn’t paying attention. Sweetie might just be one of the few things in the world that made him stop playing his video games and pay attention. “I’ll explain in the way, c’mon let’s go.” They all sat down in a table, discussing the issue , though some were paying more attention than others. Same as with school. Button was paying his video game handheld, which he had outfitted with an alternate battery so it lasted longer, Scootaloo was just shrugging her shoulders and throwing ideas into the air. Apple Bloom was looking into the idea like a farmer, and Sweetie Belle, well Sweetie Belle, was mostly murmuring to herself and was the one taking notes, since she had the nicest handwriting.. “Ah mean, there were times where we found trees broken in tha orchard, and we didn’t hear it…” - Apple Bloom was an apple farmer, so she might have an idea of what to say. Scootaloo rolled her eyes. “That doesn’t mean it didn’t make noise, you guys were just too far away to hear it” “Yes, but how can we be sure it did make noise if we didn’t hear it? It’s the question here isn’t it? It’s philosophy it doesn’t make sense…” Button furrowed his brow and put his handheld down. “This is stupid! The question makes no sense, I mean I know there’s often a gray and things aren’t black and white, but it’s just like an artistic game, no freaking sense”” Scootaloo glanced at him. “Maybe it’d make more sense if you paid attention instead of playing in your console all day long! Help us out here!” Button looked offended. “I study at home! And for your information it’s not a console it’s a handheld!” - He picked the device up - “See, it’s portable?” Scootaloo opened her mouth and pushed a finger in Button’s direction. “Like I care about the difference! It plays games, it has a mic…” - An idea came to her. - “right? Maybe we should hit record, weaken the tree, let it fall, and see if it made a noise!” Button was horrified at the idea of letting his precious handheld with all his saves and such in the middle of the dirt. He was ready to retort when Sweetie came in between her friend and her other friend who were throwing daggers with their eyes at one another. “Please, calm down, c’mon!” I mean, we’re all friends here!” Scootaloo took a deep breath, and so did Button, Button extended his hand to hers and told her…. “I’m gonna extend the mercy option to you. Not because you are a monster, but because you are my friend, and I care about you” Scootaloo couldn’t help but smile. “Big words, just speak normally, you dork. Also Sweetie really cares about you” - She pressed her hand against his. Unlike Sweetie and Diamond Tiara, Scootaloo was tall enough to stand face to face with Button, and they glanced at each other’s eyes. Sweetie’s face was becoming red, and she quickly stopped the encounter. “So...what do you all gather, does it make a noise?” “Nah” “maybe…” “If no one’s around to hear it, how can we be sure?” “I think so too...and not just because I’m agreeing with Button…” - She coughed, to hide her embarrassment - “Anyway! Wonder how the other groups are doing this….” “I’m telling you Silver, If I outfit this video drone with a chainsaw and cut the tree we’ll get our answer, we’re technically not nearby!” “But Dia that’s no….” “It’s a great idea!” “But!” “I need focus!” Dinky, Silver, and Alula looked at one another before standing back, unsure of what to say. This was an awful, awful idea.