Chapter 25
Silently cursing that they had forgotten to set a time and place to meet for today, Silver Spoon instinctively ran towards the market. There stood, as expected, Applejack. Yet Apple Bloom was nowhere to be seen.
“She's at Sugarcube corner,” Applejack greeted her. “Somethin' about a surprise you two have to plan.”
“But,” Silver Spoon answered, “I haven't said anything yet.”
“So, you weren't lookin' for ma' little sister?” Applejack laughed. “But, before you go, I think I need to thank you again for the invitation.”
Silver Spoon smiled and shook her head. “No, you don't. I'm just glad you accepted.”
“Yes, I do,” Applejack insisted. “Because Big Mac readily agreed to go. I guess somehow you found a way to help him after all. I can't remember the last time he agreed to leave the farm when it wasn't for business or family.”
Silver Spoon felt her face getting hot, yet she couldn't keep her smile from growing even wider. “No, I'm the one who needs to thank you – both of you – for your help. I just had the first talk with my sister in years that didn't start or end with us having a fight. And I don't think that would have been possible without all of you giving me advice.”
“I'm glad to hear that,” said Applejack. “But, if you don't mind tellin' me, who do you want to surprise?”
“Well, unless Apple Bloom already has other plans this can only be about Sweetie Belle. We want to surprise her when... Did you say Apple Bloom is at Sugarcube Corner?”
“Um, yes, I did.”
“Oh no... I got to go!”
Not giving Applejack a chance to ask what was going on, Silver Spoon was on her way again. Mere seconds later, she bursted through the entrance of Ponyville's favored pastry shop. Then a bolt of pain tried to split her head in two.
For a moment, the world around her wouldn't stop swirling. As the ground started to calm down, she heard Pinkie Pie's voice.
“Are you all right?”
This question sounded way too cheerful for Silver Spoon's taste.
“Ah'm okay.” That was Apple Bloom. And she definitely did not sound okay. “What about you, Silver Spoon?”
Still a bit shaky, she adjusted the glasses dangling from her left ear. At least there were no other customers here to partake in their embarrassment. And going by the sweet aroma filling the room Mr and Mrs Cake were most likely in the back, preparing the afternoon sales. “I've been better. Still not used to this...”
“What, you're doing this regularly?” Pinkie Pie asked, still sounding like this was all just an impromptu sketch.
“Fortunately, no,” answered Apple Bloom, rubbing her forehead. “But too often anyway.”
Through the subsiding pain, Silver Spoon was already able to smile again. “Yet it's good I, um, ran into you. Applejack told me you were here to plan a surprise. What did you have in mind?”
Pinkie giggled. “If she told you that, it wouldn't be a surprise, silly.”
“It's not a surprise for her, Pinkie,” Apple Bloom said.
“But you could make it an even bigger surprise that way.”
Now Apple Bloom giggled, too. “Great idea, but we want to surprise Sweetie Belle together.”
Silver Spoon's ears drooped. “So, you already told her?”
“Of course Ah' did.”
“And of course I'll do it!” Pinkie Pie added. “I mean, how could I not? After what Apple Bloom told me what you two have planned, there's no way I'd let you down.”
“Oh, um... thank you, Pinkie, but...” Silver Spoon shook her head. “Oh, this is bad.”
“Why?” Pinkie Pie asked. “Doesn't Sweetie Belle like cake anymore? No, that's silly, who doesn't like cake? Everypony likes cake, right?”
“Ah' know Ah' do,” Apple Bloom stated. “But Ah' don't know what this is about. Would ya' care to explain, Silver Spoon?”
“Er...” was all Silver Spoon managed to produce. Then she took a deep breath and said: “I'm sorry, Pinkie Pie. But when I was at the library I heard the librarian saying she talked with Fluttershy; and they both agreed you shouldn't do this, because Sweetie Belle's sister wouldn't like it. They both know how much you'd like to set up a surprise party for her, and that's why they didn't want you to know about this in the first place.”
She hoped her face looked as apologetic as she felt when she finally managed to look back up at the pink pony.
“Don't worry,” she said with an unbroken smile. “Fluttershy just worries too much and Twilight probably doesn't know about the last time I tried that. I learned that day that a boutique is not the best place for a party. A reception might work. Or a soirée. Well, I guess a minor celebration would be okay, too, like for an opening or such things. But as it turned out, silk dresses and chocolate cake don't get along as good as they should.”
“I know,” said Silver Spoon. “Mother taught me that a long time ago.”
“I wish my mother would have taught me that. That would have spared me the worst party I've ever done. But I don't think she ever owned a single piece of silk in her life.”
“But, aren't you mad about this?”
Pinkie dismissed Silver Spoon's question with a wave of her hoof. “No, she couldn't know I'd need that knowledge later on. I mean, it would have been nice, but frankly, she has no need for silk dresses, so expecting her to get one just because maybe sometime in their lives one of her foals might throw a party in a boutique would have been a bit too much, don't you think?”
“Um....” Silver Spoon started, struggling to find the right words.
“Ah' think she meant Twilight and Fluttershy not wanting ya' to do a party for Sweetie Belle,” Apple Bloom helped out.
“Oh.” Pinkie Pie blinked. Then she laughed. “They just wanted to make sure Rarity gets her rest and that's okay. It's not like they've kept something a secret from me I didn't know already, anyways. I know when they'll be back and would have planned a party if I wanted to. Like I said, they just worry too much. If they'd wanted to have a party or do something else behind my back, now that would have been a different thing. Excluding somepony like that is not nice.”
“Yes, it's not...” Silver Spoon mumbled.
“Hm.” Pinkie Pie rubbed her chin. “You know, Silver Spoon, you kinda look like what I just said is coincidentally related to something going on with you right now.”
“Ya' know what that looks like?” Apple Bloom asked.
Pinkie Pie shrugged. “This happens surprisingly often.”
“Anyway, you're right, Pinkie,” Silver Spoon admitted. “I guess I was, well, not the best of friends lately. At least, not to Di.”
“Diamond Tiara? But, she is your best friend. How can you be not the best of friends to your best friend?”
“Like you just said. Honestly, I never meant to do it. I just thought giving her some space to adjust and let her anger blow off would be the best thing to do. But it looks like I got a bit too used to that space. So in that sense, Apple Bloom, what exactly did you plan for tomorrow?”
“Nothin' big, we pick up Sweetie Belle and come here for some cake. Then we'll see what else we can do.”
Silver Spoon nodded. “Good. Sounds like it wouldn't be too much of a problem if we add one more filly.”
“So, can Ah' take it yer talk with Diamond Tiara yesterday was a success?”
“Unfortunately, no.” Silver Spoon looked at her hooves. “Not exactly.”
“And what would be exactly?” Pinkie Pie inquired.
The gray filly sighed. “That we've got into a fight. She said some really horrible things until I've lost it and slapped her. Then I ran to my room.”
“Ya' slapped her?” Apple Bloom repeated.
“Why would you do that?” Pinkie gasped.
“Because she said some really horrible things about Apple Bloom. I mean, not just the usual stupid stuff we used to throw around. That was far off any limit.”
Apple Bloom shook her head. “Whatever she said. Hitting yer friend is never right, no matter what.”
“Apple Bloom's right, Silver Spoon,” Pinkie Pie added. “You really should apologize t her. You know that, right?
“Of course I know! And I am sorry, it just... happened.” Silver Spoon knew that was a weak excuse.
“We're not who ya' need to apologize to,” Apple Bloom stated.
Silver Spoon looked both ponies over. “Do you really not care what exactly she said?”
“Well...” Apple Bloom started, obviously taken by surprise.
Yet Pinkie didn't hesitate. “I don't think I want to but I guess I need to hear it to understand it all.”
Silver Spoon nodded, yet before she could say anything, Apple Bloom interrupted her: “No, don't. If it really was that bad, Ah' want to hear it from herself.”
“Are you sure?” Silver Spoon asked.
“Yeah, Ah' am. She can tell me when ya' apologize to her.”
“Hm, okay,” Pinkie Pie said. “I guess that's fair. But make sure to tell me tomorrow.”
“I will, Pinkie,” Silver Spoon promised.
“Speaking about tomorrow,” Apple Bloom threw in. “Apology aside, what about all that makes ya' think she'll be willing to join us?”
“Nothing,” Silver Spoon admitted. “But we're going to change this now.”
“Ah' remember ya' sayin' somethin' similar before.”
Silver Spoon took a quick glance at Pinkie Pie, then looked back at her friend. “Then do you remember us actually inviting her along?”
“We tried to.”
“No, we didn't. All we ever did was asking her to join us once when she happened to walk in. But have we ever told her what we were planning and offered her to be part of it in advance?”
After a moment of thinking Apple Bloom admitted: “No, Ah' guess not.”
“So that's what I'm going to do today. What we are going to do today. Right after I apologize to her.”
Her friend nodded, yet her eyes told Silver Spoon immediately that she was not convinced.
“Aw, why that frowny face, Apple Bloom?” Pinkie Pie laughed. “It's never too late to apologize. And who wouldn't want to spend a day with friends and cake?”
“That's what we're going to find out now,” Silver Spoon answered. “Let's go, Apple Bloom.”
“Uh, wait a second!” Pinkie Pie stopped the two fillies in their tracks. Then she ran into the back of the shop, returning seconds later with a box.
“What's in there?” Silver Spoon asked.
“Cake,” Pinkie Pie answered. “For the two of you, Diamond Tiara, and your sister.”
“My sister?” Silver Spoon repeated. “You know my... No, wait. Of course you know my sister.”
Pinkie Pie grinned. “You bet I do. She stops by here with her friends every Friday before they go to one of their parties. Sometimes even on Saturdays after that party. But for some reason she couldn't make it yesterday, even her friends didn't know why. Well, I think Honey Blossom knew, but didn't want to tell, so I didn't bother her. I just hope she's not sick. Is she?”
“No,” was all Silver Spoon was able to get out before Pinkie Pie moved on.
“That's great to hear. But even if she's not sick, I guess she'll still like her favorite cake, so I packed a slice for her. But I didn't want to be unfair, so I also packed one for each of you and Diamond Tiara.”
“Um, that's nice of you Pinkie,” Silver Spoon said still eyeing the box cautiously.
Pinkie Pie waved her hoof. “Aw, don't mention it. It's the least I could do for a regular.”
“So, how much is that?” Silver Spoon asked.
“This one's on me, but you could do me a favor and tell your sister she should tell me soon if she wants to put up a reservation for her birthday again. We're having a lot of requests this year and I don't know for how long I can keep that day available.”
“Sure,” Silver Spoon said. “We'll be on our way then.”
“Okay, I'll see you tomorrow.”
The two fillies left Sugar Cube Corner, Silver Spoon carefully balancing the box on her back. At least that gave her a perfect excuse not to run this time. Too many things Pinkie had said were clinging to her at the moment.
For a while, they walked Ponyville's streets in silence. Then, just as they turned the last corner before heading straight to Silver Spoon's home, Apple Bloom's voice chimed in her ears: “Ah' know that look by now. Somethin's draggin ya' down. So, let's settle this before we get to Diamond Tiara, okay? Ya' know that I'm not mad at ya' or anythin', right?”
Silver Spoon blinked. “Huh?”
“Ah'm sorry if it seemed that way. Ah don't like what ya' did to her, but Ah' also see ya' regret it. Yer still ma' friend, so please don't take what Ah've said the wrong way, okay?”
Silver Spoon needed a moment to get what her friend was talking about. “Oh, that, yes. I am glad to hear that, really. But honestly, I was thinking about the last things Pinkie told me. You know, about my sister. It's just that so many ponies seem to know her better than me. I didn't know her favorite cake. Or that she was a regular at Sugarcube Corner. And after this morning, I'm not sure what I do know about her at all. Actually, after what my sister told me, I'm not even sure what I know about myself, for that matter.”
“What she told ya'? Did ya' get into another fight?”
“Oh, right, I still haven't told you that. No, quite the contrary. We did have our first normal talk in years. To make it short, turns out she wasn't as mean as I thought she was.”
“Maybe ya' could make that a little less short for me?”
“I will, but not now. I don't want to push this thing with Di any further away. Just so much, I've really learned a lot about her I didn't know. Too much for the few yards till our front gate. Right now, we need to focus on Di.”
“Okay, Ah'll take that as a promise,” said Apple Bloom as they passed the gate. “So, where is Diamond Tiara?”
“I assume she's in her room. We'll see.”
“Nope, she's not.”
They both stopped when they heard Green Thumb's voice. He was standing on a small stepladder, cutting off rogue branches from the hedge surrounding the mansion.
“How do you know?” Silver Spoon asked. “Did she leave?”
Green Thumb shook his head. “She's hiding in the shed. Asked me not to tell anypony, but I figured you're the one who should know.”
“Okay, thank you,” Silver Spoon said. “But, um, has she told you why she's hiding there?”
“Nope. But the old grump has been looking all over for her. If I could, I'd hide from him, too. Maybe she broke a vase or something.”
“Yes, maybe,” Silver Spoon answered, knowing perfectly well that a simple broken vase was nothing that would make Diamond Tiara hide. “Well, thank you again. I guess we should talk to her.”
A quick glance at Apple Bloom told her she agreed, and moments later they stood before the shed's door. With a creak it gave way to Silver Spoon's hoof.
Diamond Tiara sat on the ground, leaning against a pile of bags of soil. She seemed even smaller between the ceiling-high racks full of gardening tools and supplies. Whether she had noticed them or not, Diamond Tiara kept staring at the sole, almost blind window this room had.
“May I come in?” Silver Spoon asked.
“It's your shed,” Diamond Tiara said without turning her head. “I just had hoped you'd come alone.”
“I'm sorry, Di, but I needed to bring her along.” Silver Spoon stepped inside, followed by Apple Bloom. “We're never going to solve this if we don't solve it together.”
“What's there to solve?” Diamond Tiara sighed. “I guess I really should give up on you.”
“That's not what you told my sister this morning.”
“Oh, I meant what I said to her. But when I saw you run off without even checking where I was, I began to doubt my own words. And now that I see whom you have run to, I'm sure Marecedes was right. Maybe it's best if I do just cut the line here.”
“That doesn't sound much like you, giving up just like that.”
“Like that?” Diamond Tiara snapped, finally jolting her head around. “I tried to save you for the last few days, but you wouldn't even listen to me!”
“Because there's nothing I need to be saved from. On the contrary, things couldn't be better for me. I've found a new friend, I'm getting better at school and I even made up with my sister.”
“Yes, I know,” Diamond Tiara said with a sinking head. “And I guess it is better for you this way. At least, you won't miss me.”
“Come on, don't talk this way. I do miss you. Haven't I told you? You're still my best friend.”
“Yeah, right,” Diamond Tiara scoffed, rubbing her right cheek. “You showed that in a very peculiar way yesterday.”
“Yes, I know that was wrong and I am sorry for it. I shouldn't have let that happen and hope you can forgive me. But still, I also have to ask, don't you think that maybe what you said could have been at least a little bit of a reason for that to happen?”
“I do. And that's just more proof I have already lost.”
Silver Spoon and Apple Bloom exchanged quick looks. After a moment of silence the latter said: “Listen, Diamond Tiara, there's nothin' here for ya' to lose at. And if Ah' weren't willin' to put the past behind us, Ah' wouldn't be here. We can still be friends if yer willin' to try.”
“I don't care about what you're willing to or not, blank flank,” Diamond Tiara hissed.
“Di, please,” Silver Spoon tried to intervene, but to no avail.
“No!” Diamond Tiara cried. “She can't just steal you away from me and then expect me to-”
“Ah' didn't steal anypony!” Apple Bloom cut her off.
“Yes, you did,” Diamond Tiara insisted. “Because you're the reason she will stay here in Ponyville now.”
Another look passed between the fillies.
“What made ya' think she'd leave Ponyville?” Apple Bloom asked.
“And why does it sound like me staying is a bad thing?” Silver Spoon added.
Diamond Tiara took a deep breath. “Because I have the chance to enroll at the Manehatten Institute for Arts and Acting,”
“Well, that is certainly a great opportunity for you!” Silver Spoon tried her best but she knew her smile just looked as forced as it was.
“Yeah, that sounds mighty nice for ya' and all,” Apple Bloom said, not even attempting to smile. “But it doesn't answer nearly as much as ya' might think it does. First of all, what does that have to do with Silver Spoon? And what exactly is that institute yer talkin' about?”
Diamond Tiara glared at her. “Oh, it's only the best and most sophisticated private school any aspiring young actress could attend, you hillfilly.”
Silver Spoon eyed Apple Bloom cautiously, prepared to interrupt any backfire she may shoot at Diamond Tiara. Yet all she saw was her red maned friend biting her own lips.
Not wanting to find out if Apple Bloom would be able to hold back whatever was trying to break loose from her tongue, Silver Spoon said: “That still leaves the other question: What does that have to do with me?”
At least this question washed the anger from Diamond Tiara's look. Yet Silver Spoon didn't like what replaced it either.
“Everything,” Diamond Tiara said. “Everything was perfect. Or too perfect, I should say now. Finally escaping this place. Me and my best friend living a dream come true. We could have shared a room. We could have lived in Manehatten as we were meant to. But it's never going to happen now.”
“But ya' can still go,” Apple Bloom replied. “Nopony's keepin' ya' from that.”
“That's not the point,” Silver Spoon said. “Am I right?”
Diamond Tiara simply nodded.
“Oh, Ah' see...” Apple Bloom said. “Okay, this is a lot we need to talk about. So, um, why don't we-”
“We?” Diamond Tiara interrupted her. “There's no we with you around. If anything, I and Silver Spoon have a lot to talk about.”
“No, Di,” Silver Spoon objected. “She's right, this isn't just about you and me. This way, we'll just keep turning in circles. So, please, come back into the house and let's settle things.”
Diamond Tiara didn't answer. She just kept staring to the ground in defiance.
After a moment of silent waiting, Apple Bloom said: “We've got cake.”
This did get Diamond Tiara's attention. “Are you trying to bribe me into coming along?”
Apple Bloom shrugged. “Ya' tried to bribe into goin' away, before, so why not?”
For a moment Diamond Tiara stared at the red maned filly. Then an approving smile formed on her face. “Fair enough, I guess. But this doesn't mean I changed my mind about you.”
Apple Bloom grinned. “Don't worry, We'll get to that.”
Shortly after, they entered the mansion, but before they could make it to the dining room, they ran into the butler of the house. His unblinking eyes fixated on the trio, he said: “Welcome home, Lady Silver Spoon. As I can see, Lady Diamond Tiara is with you after all. I am sorry to inquire on this, yet Lady Marecedes insisted the two of you had not left this mansion together.”
“And she was right,” Silver Spoon answered. “We just, um, met here.”
“Once more, I need to apologize, but where exactly did you meet? I have been looking for Lady Diamond Tiara for quite some time now, yet was not able to find her.”
“That's because I hid in the shed,” Diamond Tiara explained.
“That is most curious. I am certain Mr. Green Thumb was among the ponies I have asked whether they knew your whereabouts.”
“Well, then I am glad that he did, at least to a certain degree, adhere to my wish that he wouldn't tell.”
“That might seem satisfactory to you, Lady Diamond Tiara, but seeing that I am entrusted with your well-being for now, he shouldn't have withheld this information from me. As a matter of fact, I am under the impression the staff does seem to be in need for a reminder of who is answering to whom in this mansion.”
“I know that feeling,” Silver Spoon said. “But before you do that, be so kind to set up four plates for us. We were about to have some cake.”
“Four?” the other fillies asked in unison.
“Are we expecting another visitor?” her butler asked.
“No,” Silver Spoon answered. “But do you know where my sister is right now?”
“You can't be serious,” Diamond Tiara said.
“Yes, I am,” Silver Spoon insisted.
Stickler cleared his throat. “The last time I have seen her, she was residing at the pool. I assume she still is there.”
Silver Spoon nodded, then turned to her friends. “I'll go get her. Wait in the dining room for me, and please, try not to get into any fights, okay?”
Not waiting for an answer, she gave the box with the cake to Stickler. After a last look at her friends, still eyeing each other in silence, she ran towards the pool.
As expected, her sister was, indeed, still there, napping in a lounge chair. At first, she just grunted a little as Silver Spoon poked her in her sides. After her second attempt, Marecedes, still not opening her eyes, mumbled: “What is it?”
“We've got cake.”
Now her sister blinked and turned her head. “Don't we have cake every day?”
“Yes, but this one is from Sugar Cube Corner. Pinkie Pie said it was your favorite.”
Her sister turned around in the chair and rubbed her eyes. “How come? Did you already give up on Diamond Tiara?”
“On the contrary. I think I have a plan. And this is part of it.”
“So, part of this plan is me eating cake?”
“Not necessarily, but I guess it makes things easier.”
“Can't argue with that.” With these words, Marecedes lifted herself from the lounge chair and stretched her limbs. “And plan or not, I'm just glad you're here offering me some cake. I was half afraid this morning would turn out to be just a dream.”
“You know what?” Silver Spoon replied as they entered the house. “I still am.”
She looked up at her sister who gave her a reassuring smile. Which froze the moment they entered the dining room. Her mouth hanging open, Marecedes stared at Apple Bloom and Diamond Tiara sitting across from each other. Both fillies seemed like they didn't dare to let the cake out of their view. Neither of them even moved so much as an eye when the new arrivals entered.
Finally finding her words again, Marecedes said: “I must have slept longer than I thought.”
“You always do,” Silver Spoon said and took her seat.