Scootaloo’s New Family
By Alaborn
Standard disclaimer: This is a not for profit fan work. My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic is copyright Hasbro, Inc. I make no claim to any copyrighted material mentioned herein.
Chapter 8: Prince Blueblood
The Crusaders stepped back as the guards admitted the visitor to the castle, an older unicorn stallion wearing an ornate uniform. The stallion stepped forward and bowed grandiosely to Princess Twilight Sparkle.
“Please rise,” Twilight Sparkle said, looking somewhere between confused and embarrassed at the display in front of her.
“Your Highness. I bring to you a message from Prince Blueblood of House Platinum. The good prince wishes to meet the filly in your care, one Scootaloo, to discuss the prospect of adopting her as the heir to his noble house.”
“Prince Blueblood?” Apple Bloom whispered to Sweetie Belle. “Isn’t he....”
Scootaloo shushed them. “I want to hear this out,” she whispered back.
“The decision on that matter rests entirely with Scootaloo,” Twilight Sparkle said. “Fortunately, she happens to be right here. Scootaloo?”
Scootaloo stepped forward, and the stallion bowed to her. “I bring to you a message from Prince Blueblood of House....”
“Yeah, I heard you the first time,” Scootaloo interrupted. “How the heck did he even hear about me?”
“Your story, and the actions taken by Princess Twilight Sparkle, are quite the talk of Canterlot, and as I understand it, other cities as well,” the stallion replied. He bowed again. “I am Silver Tongue, seneschal of House Platinum. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss Scootaloo.”
“Uh, likewise,” she replied. “As for your request, I don’t know if I’d like living in Canterlot, let alone in some noble house.”
“Prince Blueblood understands your concern. He hopes that a private meeting will alleviate any fears. How shall I respond to the prince?”
Scootaloo glanced back at her friends. Apple Bloom looked doubtful, and Sweetie Belle was shaking her head. But Apple Bloom’s earlier words rang in her mind, that her perfect family might be outside Ponyville. “Okay. I’ll go,” she stated.
Silver Tongue bowed again. “The prince is prepared to meet with you immediately.”
“Yeah, I could do that,” Scootaloo said. She turned to Twilight Sparkle. “If that’s okay with you, of course.”
“I can’t accompany you to Canterlot, Scootaloo, so I’ll need to assign you a guardian.” She smiled. “And I have just the pony in mind.”
Twilight Sparkle concentrated, and a quill, ink, and scroll materialized. She quickly wrote a note, and sent the scroll away in a flare of magic. A minute later, one of Twilight Sparkle’s guards entered the room and bowed. The pegasus stallion bore the grayish purple coat and indigo mane worn by all pegasi in her guard.
“Rise, Lieutenant,” Twilight Sparkle said. “I have a very important mission for you. I am entrusting you with Scootaloo’s care and protection while she is outside Ponyville. You are to accompany her as she seeks her perfect family, no matter where in Equestria Scootaloo’s quest takes her.”
The stallion bowed uncomfortably. “Yes, Princess.”
“Good. Now that that’s settled, do you need any help getting ready, Scootaloo?” Twilight Sparkle asked.
“The house staff will see to all your needs,” Silver Tongue said.
“I guess there are a few things I need,” Scootaloo said.
Scootaloo gathered a few personal effects and her scooter, and was ready to go. She joined her friends and met for one last Crusader huddle.
“Don’t forget about us when you’re a big famous noble!” Apple Bloom said.
“Don’t be gone too long! We still have a lot of crusading to do!” Sweetie Belle said.
“I’ll never forget you,” Scootaloo said. “And the way things have been going, I’ll probably be back before you know it.”
Flying in a coach was odd, Scootaloo decided. Her body was telling her she was flying, and her wings twitched, as if they were trying to pull information from wind that simply wasn’t present. Still, the ride was much smoother than a train, and a lot quieter. Uncomfortably quiet, in fact.
“So, uh, why did Princess Twilight choose you to go with me?” Scootaloo asked, breaking the silence.
“I wish I knew,” the guard replied. “I used to be stationed in the Crystal Empire, but transferred to Ponyville on the recommendation of Princess Cadance. In fact, she was really enthusiastic about the prospect of me guarding Princess Twilight. But she treats me like some old coltfriend who dumped her in high school.”
“That’s rough,” Scootaloo said. “Uh, what’s your name? Considering we’re going to be stuck together and all.”
“Flash Sentry,” the guard replied. He took off his helmet, deactivating the illusion magic of his armor. It revealed a royal blue mane and an orange coat color not a whole lot different from Scootaloo’s. She mused that this guard looked a lot more like her brother than any of her actual brothers.
The coach again fell silent. Scootaloo occupied herself by staring out the window, watching as they rose further and further from the ground. The trip seemed to fly by, compared to the normal train trip. Canterlot was at a high altitude, but unlike the switchbacks the train took as it climbed the mountain, they were taking the direct route.
Canterlot by air was a magnificent sight, a dense forest of tall buildings of gleaming white, decorated with touches of bright color, all shining brilliantly in the light of the sun. But Scootaloo’s destination was much rarer, an actual forest. One of the few patches of green visible from the air, and certainly the largest, it was as if a portion of the Whitetail Wood had been transplanted and carefully cultivated. As they descended, Scootaloo also saw vast lawns, tilled fields, and neat stone trails. And at the center of the land was a large building.
Blueblood’s estate house was huge, more palace than home. Ponies of all kinds could be seen from the air, tending to the grounds and buildings. They circled the mansion, no doubt to show it off to Scootaloo, before landing on a circular flagstone path that led up to the front door.
The door to the coach was opened by a stallion in uniform. He helped Scootaloo out of the coach while other workers picked up her belongings. Even more ponies in uniform stood between her and the front door. And they all greeted Scootaloo by name.
“Greetings, young Scootaloo,” an elderly unicorn stallion said. Scootaloo guessed he was the butler, as he looked and acted a lot like Diamond Tiara’s butler. “Welcome to the Platinum Palace. I trust your transit was suitable?”
“Yeah, it was fine,” Scootaloo said.
“Prince Blueblood is eager to formally make your acquaintance,” the butler said. “He requested I bring you to him as soon as you are ready. Do you wish to freshen up?”
“No, I’m ready,” she replied.
“Very good. Follow me.”
Scootaloo and Flash Sentry followed the butler for a long time. The house was huge. Scootaloo lost track of how many doors they passed before reaching a staircase. They descended and walked even further.
Their ultimate destination surprised Scootaloo. She was expecting some formal room, maybe a ballroom, maybe a dining room with a table so big not even Pinkie Pie could fill it with food. Instead, she saw an indoor track. It resembled the outdoor track Scootaloo sometimes used as she worked on her speed with her scooter, but this track was completely indoors.
Similarly, Prince Blueblood’s attire was surprising. He wasn’t wearing some stuffy tuxedo and sitting in an overstuffed chair. Instead, he wore athletic attire, and was galloping along the track. Upon seeing them, he ceased his exercise and trotted to meet them.
“You must be Scootaloo,” Blueblood said. He looked to the guard. “May I have your name?”
“Lieutenant Flash Sentry of the Twilight Guard, charged with the care and protection of Scootaloo in the absence of the princess.”
“Very good. The staff will set you up in a room near Scootaloo’s while she makes her decision,” Blueblood said. “Let us discuss the arrangements over light refreshments.”
Scootaloo and Flash Sentry followed Blueblood to a small (relatively speaking) parlor. Blueblood excused himself, and almost immediately, servants arrived with tea, juices, small sandwiches, and chilled vegetable sticks.
“Uh, can we eat this?” Scootaloo asked.
“Of course,” one of the servants said. “The prince knows you have just completed a long journey, and insists you enjoy this light repast.”
Scootaloo shrugged and grabbed a sandwich. It was a simple daffodil and cream cheese sandwich, not something fancy at all. It was a sandwich her mother might make.
Scootaloo was finishing her sandwich when Blueblood returned. He was no longer wearing his athletic attire, having changed into a simple tie and collar, and his mane was neatly combed. He smiled at Scootaloo, his teeth gleaming in the sunlight. “Is everything to your satisfaction, Scootaloo?”
“Yeah, it’s not even all fancy!” she replied.
“From what I could gather, you don’t go for fancy things,” Blueblood said. “And to be honest, I see no need to be formal outside of formal occasions.”
“That’s good,” Scootaloo said.
The butler entered the room. “Is there anything you need, Prince Blueblood?”
“Please, sit down, Sterling,” Blueblood said. “I’m sure Scootaloo has a number of questions about living here, and I can think of nopony better suited to answer them than you. Certainly, you will do a better job than me.” Blueblood chuckled. “Scootaloo, my senior butler, Sterling Silver.”
“Nice to meet you,” Scootaloo said.
“Charmed,” the butler replied.
Blueblood looked at Scootaloo expectantly, and the filly started to raise her concerns. “This place is nice and all, but I’ve never lived outside Ponyville. All my friends are there.”
Blueblood scratched his chin. “Sterling, how long does it take to reach Ponyville by coach?”
“I schedule an hour when arranging for transportation. Steel Wing boasts he can make it in 45 minutes, and Storm Chaser says he could do better, if he really tried.”
Blueblood nodded. “With times like that, I think continuing to attend school in Ponyville is reasonable. You could continue to see your friends, and your time in the coach could be used for reviewing your schoolwork, or perhaps tutoring. Would your education benefit from any tutoring, Scootaloo?”
“No, I do okay in school, just....” Scootaloo glanced back, her wings twitching.
“Flight instruction, then?” Blueblood asked. “Sterling, who would you recommend? Gray Cloud?”
“Perhaps Red Feather,” Sterling suggested. “He’s recently retired from his job as a Wonderbolts trainer, and knowing him, he’s not looking to spend his days lazing around.”
“Really? You’d do that for me?”
“Scootaloo, the wealth and influence of the house does no good unless it’s used. I can think of no finer investment than wealth spent on my heir.”
Scootaloo smiled, but then slumped in her chair. Blueblood peered at hear. “Something the matter?”
“Don’t get me wrong, this is great,” Scootaloo said. “Everything you’re doing here is incredible. But I still don’t know why. Shouldn’t you be marrying a princess, instead of looking to adopt me?”
“Perhaps I do need to explain my interest in adopting you,” Blueblood said. “But before we do that, I’d like you to look at my cutie mark. What do you think it means?”
Scootaloo looked at his cutie mark, a compass rose. “Is that, like, an explorer’s mark? Like Daring Do?”
“Well, Daring Do is fictional, but your guess is correct. I should be leading an expedition into the heart of Zebrica! Striving to become the first pony to reach the North Pole on hoof! Seeking the mysterious southern continent! Instead, I’m bound to Canterlot, heading a city planning commission, because of my title. I am duty-bound to produce an heir.
“And so I go to countless Canterlot parties, to be treated as a piece of meat by nobles more interested in my title than me, or pursued by commoners with a dream of living live as a princess. And what happens if I find a true princess in this sea of sycophants, and produce an heir? I must spend years caring for my foal before I can consider doing what my cutie mark is telling me. And by then, my best days will be behind me.
“But there is a solution. I must produce an heir, but the heir need not be related to me. I can adopt, and pass on my title to my heir when she’s of age. And so I’ve brought you here. Scootaloo, will you be my little princess?”
Scootaloo nervously scratched her foreleg with a hoof. “I’m not really princess material,” she said.
“Nonsense! If there is one lesson from Princess Celestia that everypony should take to heart, it is that you can be whatever you want. You can be a princess at the ball. You can be a daredevil on your scooter. You can be both! So when I’m asking you to be my princess, I’m not stopping you from being anything else you want to be.” He winked at her. “Besides, I think these balls could use a little livening up.”
“I don’t know....”
“This is a big decision, Scootaloo, one that I don’t expect you to make lightly. I am hosting a grand ball tomorrow, where I will introduce you to Canterlot society. I wouldn’t expect you to decide until after you see how it goes.”
“I guess....”
“Excellent! Sterling, do you have the schedule ready?”
“I do, Your Highness. I have planned a formal dinner tonight, so that Scootaloo can learn the etiquette. Tomorrow we have her scheduled for a dress fitting in the late morning, and a brief lesson from the How to Dance like a Princess course in the early afternoon. Although, I suppose that course title is in need of updating.”
“Indeed, Sterling. Perhaps How do Dance like a Princess Who Is Not Princess Twilight Sparkle would work.”
“And I’ve scheduled time for you and Scootaloo first thing in the morning, on the track, as you requested.”
“What?” Scootaloo said.
“I’m afraid I am a busy stallion, Scootaloo, with little free time of my own, but were I to become your father, I would be certain to schedule time with you. Tomorrow, for example, I’ve scheduled a workout. I’m curious to see how your speed on your scooter matches mine at full gallop.”
“I’ll try to go easy on you,” Scootaloo said.
“Excellent. Now, it’s time for dinner.”
Scootaloo looked around the banquet hall. It was everything she imagined a prince’s banquet hall would be, just bigger and even more ostentatious. The table itself was long enough to race her scooter, were it not for the fact that it was covered with hundreds of pieces of silverware and dozens of small dishes, all in silver. At least she hoped it was silver. Since this was House Platinum, she supposed it all could be made of platinum. And the only thing she knew about platinum was that it was even more expensive than silver.
The room felt horribly empty. There were only five ponies dining there, Scootaloo, Flash Sentry, Prince Blueblood, and the butler and seneschal. Missing was the aroma of a freshly-cooked meal; wherever the kitchen was in this place, it was too far away to smell. Scootaloo’s stomach rumbled, and she realized she didn’t know if the meal had started or not.
“So, are these decoration flowers, or eating flowers?” she asked, staring at the slender crystal vase and fragrant, tender roses in front of her.
“Both,” Blueblood replied. “A meal like this normally starts with a flower appetizer course. And this course is the only one you’re free to eat as soon as you’re settled at the table.”
“Great!” Scootaloo said. She leaned over to take a bite.
“Use your flower fork, Scootaloo.”
“Huh?”
Blueblood picked up a slender fork with two long tines in his magic. “Pick up the flower at the base of the bloom, move it to your plate, cut it up, and then eat it,” he explained. “If you don’t wish to eat the stems, leave them on the plate. Otherwise, cut those into small bites as well. Nopony wants to see you with a stem hanging out of your mouth.”
“But that’s how everypony eats flowers!”
“I certainly agree, but in polite company, it is considered rude,” Blueblood said. “A meal like this is no race. You take small bites of food to ensure you have enough time to converse.”
“And is that why you’re here?” Scootaloo asked of the two servants at the table.
“Correct, Miss Scootaloo,” Silver Tongue replied. “We will help you prepare for the social interactions you may encounter at a dinner and ball like tomorrow’s.”
The meal turned out to be tedious at best. The lesson part dragged on worse than Miss Cheerilee’s lessons on long division. There were far too many utensils, all used for one specific dish. Each dish arrived as its own course, with its own plate, an arrangement that struck her as wasteful.
And the conversation was no better. Blueblood’s two top servants role-played as typical noble guests, asking Scootaloo a lot of questions. She learned that any conversation could be a trap, with one pony looking for dirt on somepony Scootaloo knew. She learned to steer conversations to safe topics, like her experiences as flower filly for Princess Cadance and as a flag bearer for the Canterlot Games, and to only say positive things about ponies she cared for.
After the meal, Scootaloo slumped on the table, resting her head on her forelegs.
“That’s not proper posture,” Blueblood said.
“Yeah, I know.”
“I know it’s all a lot to learn, Scootaloo, but let me offer you one piece of advice. Look to your host when you’re not sure what to do. For everything from which utensil to use and when to start eating, take your cues from your host. In tomorrow’s dinner, you’ll be seated next to me, and I’ll be happy to give you a little nudge if needed.”
“Okay, but that’s not what’s bothering me,” Scootaloo said.
“What is it, then?”
“It’s just that we’ve been eating for two and a half hours, and I’m still hungry!”
Blueblood smiled. “Fortunately, there’s a simple solution to that.”
Blueblood rose and motioned for Scootaloo and Flash Sentry to follow. They headed to the kitchen, and Blueblood stopped in front of the icebox. At least Scootaloo guessed it was an icebox; it was much larger than the one in her home, made out of stainless steel, and kept cold by magic crystals. Blueblood opened it and pulled out something familiar—an ordinary carton of ice cream, like the ones her parents would buy.
“What do you want on your ice cream sundae?” Blueblood asked.
And so Scootaloo ended the evening stretched out on a couch, with a big bowl of ice cream generously covered in chocolate sauce, nuts, and whipped cream. Blueblood and Flash Sentry shared the lounge. The latest album by Sapphire Shores played on the phonograph.
“Do you do this after every party?” Scootaloo asked.
“Quite often. I simply need to unwind, and something like this is perfect.”
“Cool.”
Blueblood glanced at the clock. “Unfortunately, I have some letters to attend to, so I cannot stay longer. I shall see you in the morning for our exercise session.”
“Okay.”
“One of the staff will see you to your room. You as well, Lieutenant. Good night, Scootaloo.”
“Yeah, good night,” Scootaloo said.
After Blueblood left, Scootaloo wasn’t in the mood to listen to music. She finished her sundae, and asked the nearest servant to be taken to her room.
The bedroom was huge, with a bed more than large enough for two grown ponies, and a full bathroom attached. Even bringing everything she owned into the room would barely cover the space. She flopped onto the bed and sighed.
“Miss Scootaloo?”
Scootaloo looked up, seeing Blueblood’s butler Sterling. “Yes?”
“We’ve stocked your room with the normal accommodations, along with a selection of books the prince thought you might enjoy. If you need anything else, please speak to me or one of the staff. We are here to serve you.”
“I’m fine for now. Thanks,” she replied.
Sterling nodded and shut the door, leaving Scootaloo alone with her thoughts. Could she be happy living with a father who had to schedule time to be with her?
Scootaloo awoke to a knock on her door. “Miss Scootaloo? You are scheduled for a morning exercise course with Prince Blueblood in one half hour. Your scooter has been brought to the track. We will escort you there once you are ready.”
“Okay,” she replied. “Oh, and be sure to wake up Flash Sentry, too. He needs to keep in shape.”
Scootaloo rose and stretched. Getting cleaned up would wait until after exercising. She checked her reflection in the mirror, and shook her head until her mane fell into its normal style.
“Okay, ready,” she said as she opened the door.
The servant, one she didn’t recognize, was ready. Flash Sentry was also present, bleary-eyed, but fully dressed in his armor. The servant nodded and led the way. They returned to the indoor track. Blueblood was already there, warming up in his expensive-looking sportswear.
“Ah, good morning, Scootaloo. Ready for some invigorating exercise? And good to see you too, Lieutenant. Care for a race?”
“The captain would bust me down to private if I couldn’t keep up with a noble like you,” Flash Sentry replied.
“It’s hardly a fair contest, given your training, but since you’re weighted down by armor, it should at least be interesting.”
The three ponies lined up on the track, which was wide enough for eight ponies. Scootaloo hopped on her scooter, tightened her helmet, and limbered up her wings.
“All right, we will do four laps,” Blueblood announced. “Go!”
The two stallions took off, their hoofsteps muted on the track surface. The track felt weird to Scootaloo, handling different than the dirt roads and grass she normally rode on, but the wheels of her scooter gripped it firmly, even when she leaned into the first turn. Once she got a feel for the track, she sped up, gaining ground on the galloping stallions. By the second lap, she had pulled into the lead.
At the end of the fourth lap, Scootaloo spun her scooter and came to a stop. She was breathing heavily, and felt the burn in her flight muscles. She watched as the two stallions ran the final leg. Flash Sentry held a clear lead, but Blueblood was not letting up. They crossed the finish line, Flash Sentry having increased his lead slightly.
“Good show, Lieutenant,” Blueblood wheezed.
“You gave me a good challenge,” Flash Sentry replied.
“And quite the impressive job, Scootaloo,” Blueblood said to her. “You have some talent!”
“Thanks! You should see what I can do without a track!” she replied.
“Another race? After refreshments, of course.”
Scootaloo hadn’t noticed the servant who arrived, carrying a tray with glasses of water and orange juice. She eagerly guzzled a glass of juice and started to run back to her scooter.
Blueblood raised a hoof. “Some of us need a little more time to recover, Scootaloo.”
“Well, when you feel like another race, I’ll be ready.
Scootaloo took another two laps at a leisurely (for her) pace, then lined up against Blueblood and Flash Sentry for another four lap race. This race ended much as the previous one did, though with an even larger margin of victory for Scootaloo.
“Good show, Lieutenant, Scootaloo,” Blueblood said as he levitated a towel around his neck.
“That run? It’s what I call a slow Tuesday,” Flash Sentry said.
“I don’t get it. How come you’re so happy after losing?” Scootaloo asked.
“I may not have the tools to compete against your scooter skills or Flash Sentry’s officer training, but exercise is its own victory,” Blueblood replied. “I am a prince, and must be at 100 percent at all times, in mind and in body.”
Another servant entered the room, a unicorn carrying a long cardboard tube in his magical aura. Blueblood smiled and motioned for the servant to join him. “Come take a look at this, Scootaloo.”
“What is it?”
Blueblood took the tube, opened it, and withdrew a paper scroll. He unrolled it and presented it to Scootaloo. She looked it over. It was a technical diagram, but she could see what it illustrated.
“Are those, like, ramps and stuff for my scooter?”
“Exactly. We can build this on one part of the estate for your use. Later, when you’ve grown, it can be donated to one of Canterlot’s parks and be used by foals who want to follow in your hoofsteps.”
“You’d really do that for me?”
“Of course! I’d do anything to make my heir happy.” Yet another servant entered the room. Blueblood acknowledged him with a nod. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I must get ready for my morning appointments. Be sure to get ready for your own!”
“Okay,” Scootaloo said, not quite enthusiastic about her own schedule for the day.
“Quit squirming!”
“I can’t help it!” Scootaloo said to the dressmaker. The filly stood on a podium, with her image reflected in a trio of mirrors. It was an experience she had reluctantly gone through a few times, like when she was fitted for her dress for Princess Cadance’s wedding, but it was always at the hoof of Rarity. A kinder hoof, she realized.
“If you can’t stand still, I’ll never be able to make the measurements to alter your dress,” the dressmaker said.
“My wings itch,” Scootaloo complained. “Why aren’t there wing holes?”
“This style of dress can’t accommodate them.”
“Can’t we get a different dress?”
“There are traditions when a filly your age is introduced to Canterlot society. Now close your eyes, take a deep breath, and relax.”
Scootaloo closed her eyes and took a deep breath, but she didn’t feel relaxed. She tried not to focus on the fitting. The dress was an abomination. It was made of a thin, almost sheer fabric that seemed ready to tear if one looked at it too hard, but it was folded into so many ruffles and twists that it felt surprisingly heavy.
“Done. Now, was that so bad?”
“Yes. Can I take it off now?”
“Allow me.” The seamstress’ magic covered the dress, and lifted it from Scootaloo. She slowly, carefully levitated it over to a filly-sized ponyquin.
“And we’re all done,” she said. “Your two dresses will be delivered this afternoon.”
“Good. Wait. Two dresses?”
“Of course. One for the dinner, one for your grand introduction.”
Scootaloo groaned.
Scootaloo’s hooffalls echoed loudly through the room with each step against the polished wooden floor. The dance studio was large enough for a hundred ponies, but right now, there was only Scootaloo, an earth pony stallion, and a phonograph.
The stallion bowed. “Good afternoon, Scootaloo. My name is Gentle Taps, and I am going to give you an introduction to ballroom dancing. These steps will serve you in any formal soiree. Have you had any previous dance experience?”
“Well, my... friend’s sister introduced me to ballet.”
“How did that go?”
“Better than I thought it would,” Scootaloo admitted.
“If you could handle ballet steps, then I’m confident you’ll be able to pick up the waltz. These are the steps. One, two, three. Step back. Four, five, six. Now you try it. Focus on the position of your hind hooves.”
Scootaloo imitated the instructor. The steps were awkward, as she wasn’t used to the motions, but they were easy enough to master.
“Good. Now, this is a closed dance, which means you dance in contact with your partner, supporting each other with your forelegs while you balance on your hind legs. In that sense, it is like ballet, but you have help in maintaining your balance.” He raised a hoof. “Put your hoof to mine.”
Scootaloo touched hooves, and then the instructor pulled her up, supporting her with his other foreleg.
“Now remember the steps. One, two, three. Step back. Four, five, six. Step forward.”
After practicing the steps, the dance instructor started the music. Boring orchestral music began to play, and they danced in time to the music. Scootaloo hoped for Pinkie Pie to appear, with her own, more interesting music.
“Very good, Scootaloo. Now let me introduce you to other dances.”
The rest of the session was much the same, learning steps and practicing them in time to slow orchestral music. It was nothing Scootaloo couldn’t do, but nothing she wanted to do, either.
“You have a natural grace, Scootaloo. Have you considered studying dance more formally?” the instructor asked.
“Not really,” Scootaloo said with a sigh. “But I’ll keep it in mind.”
Scootaloo left her lesson wanting nothing more than to go crusading with her friends, to find her cutie mark in something that wasn’t dance. But for now, they were a city away.
By the time Scootaloo returned to her room, her dresses had been delivered. Another servant, this one a pegasus mare, was present to help her dress. The other dress was a beautiful piece, in a style a lot like her flower filly dress, made from a scarlet fabric that complemented her coat and mane colors. The dress didn’t weigh her down, and was properly fitted around her wings.
“You look lovely, Scootaloo,” the servant said. “Now, to finish getting you ready.” The mare grinned, and opened a drawer with brushes and makeup.
Scootaloo contemplated running, but the servant’s hoof was pressed firmly to her withers. She sat on her haunches and grumbled as her mane was attacked by a firm brush.
“It won’t be long before you’ll be turning every little colt’s head,” the hoofmaiden said.
“Just do whatever you think looks good,” Scootaloo mumbled.
Soon, the much smaller brushes came out, the ones that carried makeup. Again, it wasn’t a totally unfamiliar experience for the filly, just something she didn’t see much of a need for. She closed her eyes and let the mare do her work.
“Okay, Scootaloo. Tell me what you think.”
Scootaloo opened her eyes and looked at her reflection in the mirror.
“Whoa.”
The filly staring back at her was beautiful. Not even Rarity had made her look that good. It was one thing for somepony to try to make her resemble some mare from a fashion magazine. It was something else entirely for a fresh manestyle and makeup to transform her into somepony who was simultaneously feminine and Scootaloo. She looked like a princess, if she dared to say it.
“Prince Blueblood will be delighted to see you, Miss Scootaloo,” the hoofmaiden said.
The two ponies walked down the hall. Scootaloo’s dress didn’t interfere with her movement at all, even when she started to trot. They entered one of the parlors, where Prince Blueblood waited. The stallion was dressed in a tuxedo, of course.
“My, Scootaloo, you look positively radiant today!” Blueblood said. “But tell me, are you happy?”
“I never thought I’d be doing this,” Scootaloo admitted. “But a few years ago, I heard the story of a pony who you’d think was even less likely to fit into high society. But she did it, successfully. So I’m going to keep an open mind.”
“I’m sure you’ll find this party enjoyable. Granted, it won’t be a party like those thrown by your Pinkie Pie, but I make sure to invite more than just the Canterlot stuffed shirts.”
“Then let’s go!”
“Ah. One more thing,” Blueblood said. “Due to your age, and the fact that we’re not officially related, you will need an escort.”
On cue, Flash Sentry entered the room. The stallion wore his dress uniform. He nodded to Scootaloo.
“Let’s go,” Blueblood said.
“Are you nervous, Flash Sentry?” Scootaloo asked her escort.
“No. Believe it or not, this is a part of officer training.”
“So, what does a guard do at a party like this?”
“Stand around and keep an eye on his charge and the crowd,” Flash Sentry replied. “It’s actually better with you as my charge; at least I get to enjoy dinner.”
The ballroom was already half-filled with important-looking ponies in uncomfortable garb. They mostly came in couples; Scootaloo saw married ponies, special someponies, and parents with foals. None of the foals were much younger than her. Interspersed in the crowd were uniformed servants, mostly unicorns carrying trays with small food items or flutes of champagne.
Scootaloo watched one of the servants as he approached. He offered his appetizer to everypony. The vast majority of the guests were unicorns, and they simply levitated the food off the tray. He then came up to Scootaloo and Flash Sentry. “Appetizer?”
The servant lowered the tray to Scootaloo’s eye level, and she wasn’t sure what to do. “Uh...” she uttered.
“I will have one, please,” Flash Sentry said.
The unicorn nodded, and levitated a small plate to Flash Sentry, placing one of his appetizers on it. Scootaloo hadn’t even noticed the stack of plates on the servant’s back. Then Flash Sentry lifted the plate to his mouth, and ate the morsel.
Seeing how it was done, she then asked for one herself.
Scootaloo and Flash Sentry mingled with the crowd, preferring not to move much, due to the awkward three-legged gait required while holding their plates. She got the impression that the crowd had picked up rumors of Prince Blueblood’s plan. Many ponies came up, introduced themselves, and welcomed Scootaloo to the party, especially the ones with foals.
The experience left Scootaloo feeling hollow. She recognized the behavior of the foals in particular. She had seen it far too often from Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon, after Miss Cheerilee had told them to be nice, and while she was watching them like a hawk.
Flash Sentry had picked up on Scootaloo’s feelings. “It is possible to find true friends, even in high society. It just takes time, and a whole lot of care. You’ll have more time to get to know the ponies seated at the banquet table. Try to see if you can form a connection then.”
The crowd shifted. Somehow, they all knew the dinner was about to start, and they started filing towards the banquet hall. Once arrived, servants helped the ponies find their seat.
Scootaloo knew where she was heading, but it was comforting to see a card with her name at that seat. Blueblood wasn’t there yet. Flash Sentry took a seat across the table and two seats down, where he had a clear view of her. She observed the scene. One thing she didn’t notice the previous night was the shape of her silverware. The ones at her setting, and also at Flash Sentry’s, had wider handles, better suited for manipulation by hoof. The “unicorn” silverware was thinner.
A string quartet started playing. All eyes turned to the far end of the room, where Prince Blueblood was making his entrance. He strode slowly across the room, making eye contact with and nodding to the guests as he made his way to his seat at the head of the table.
The music ceased. Servants entered the room with the first course.
Scootaloo’s practice dinner turned out to be accurate, and disturbingly so. The ponies around her asked questions almost identical to the ones she had practiced. She smiled and said only good things about other ponies. She kept an eye on her neighbors, and made sure to pick up the right silverware each time.
She had barely finished off her dessert, a dense chocolate torte, when Blueblood rose. “Come along, Scootaloo, we need to get ready.”
They headed to a nearby sitting room, where servants had everything ready. That horrible frilly dress was there, with a set of metal shoes laid out. Hoofmaidens waited with makeup and brushes. She frowned, but let them do the work. The faster they worked, the sooner she’d be done.
The good dress came off, the hated frilly dress went on, and the servants attacked her with brushes. Another asked her to lift her leg, and she did. The heavy metal shoe was set to her hoof, and secured with bindings that wrapped around her fetlock. Three other shoes followed, all while her mane and makeup were retouched.
“And now, one last thing,” Blueblood said.
Scootaloo felt something heavy being placed on her head. It was soft where it touched her brow, perhaps fur, but it was undeniably heavy. She looked in the mirror and saw a huge crown that barely fit her. It was an ornate thing made of darker silver metal, probably platinum, and looked even gaudier than the crowns worn by Princess Celestia and Princess Luna.
And there was something weird sticking out of it.
“Why does it look like there’s a horn on this crown?” Scootaloo asked.
“Because it’s designed to cover your horn with gleaming platinum. It’s only appropriate, you know,” Blueblood said.
“Why?” Scootaloo got bad feeling, a familiar one she’d had many times before, at that moment when she realized she was missing some important detail about her prospective new parents. “What exactly will I be princess of?”
Blueblood smiled warmly and wrapped a foreleg around Scootaloo’s withers. “Why, you’re heir to a title that goes back to before the founding of Equestria, the title once held by Princess Platinum, namesake of this house. You will be Princess of the Unicorns.”
“I’m a pegasus,” Scootaloo said flatly.
Blueblood hugged Scootaloo. “No daughter of mine should think such backward thoughts. Listen when Auntie Celestia speaks. She has long said you can be anything you want to be, no matter if you are earth pony, unicorn, or pegasus, and no matter what your cutie mark is. Follow your heart! That is Celestia’s commandment, stronger than all save love and friendship for your fellow pony.”
“But I....”
“No buts, Scootaloo! Let me tell you about my ancestor, General Blue Star. He dreamed of leading a combined military force, but ponies said only pegasi understood aerial tactics well enough to lead the hipparchy. But Blue Star proved them wrong, as he directed the combined EUP force to victory over the griffon army. His domination of the skies in the Battle of Griffonstone is still studied by military leaders today.”
“It’s not that; I just....”
“And a cousin of the family from centuries ago, Star Logger. She was the daughter of two grand astronomers, but she was always looking at the ground. She was fascinated with plants. Star Logger overcame opposition from her parents and the feeling of society that unicorns had no business growing things to find success in studying berries, including breeding a new type of berry that was named after her.”
“But I....”
“You can be Princess of the Unicorns, Scootaloo, and it’s high time we....”
“I DON’T WANT TO BE A UNICORN!” Scootaloo shouted.
Prince Blueblood gasped, and Scootaloo felt the eyes of most of the ponies in the room on her. She pulled away from Blueblood and looked him in the eye.
“Look, I get what you’re saying,” Scootaloo said. “Even I could be leader of the unicorns if that was my heart’s desire. But it’s not. I like being a pegasus! I like cloud beds and the tickle in the air from a fresh thunderhead. I want to build my own cloud house and soar in the skies with Rainbow Dash. I’ve never cared about learning unicorn spells or genealogy or astronomy or any of the typical unicorn interests.
“I think it’s great all the things you were doing for me, Blueblood, but your title is too important to throw away on somepony like me.” Scootaloo lifted the crown off her head and set it on the floor. “I’m sorry, but you need to find a better heir than me.”
Scootaloo turned and started to walk out of the room. She paused when she heard a sniff. When she turned back, she saw Blueblood brushing a tear from his eye.
“I’m sorry,” Scootaloo said quietly.
“Goodbye, dear sweet Scootaloo,” Blueblood said. “May you find a family worthy of you.”