While they headed home Dinky decided to be the one to recount the times Diamond Tiara teased her as she leaned slightly into Raindrops for comfort, “Diamond Tiara is always saying that my mommy is a retard who isn’t worthy of being a Pegasus and if she knew what was good for her would just crash and die for once,” She said, her voice dripping with depression, “And she says that I’ll never learn to do magic because I’m stupid just like my stupid mommy. But mommy isn’t stupid!” She said, stomping her hoof on the ground.
“She’s the smartest pony I know of other than Princess Twilight. She just has special eyes that’s all. Why did Diamond have to say those cruel things?”
“Because some ponies are just cruel like that. The need to put others down to feel better about themselves. But you know that your mother is smart and those that care about her know that she’s smart. So even though it hurts, as long as we know the truth what she said doesn’t matter. As for magic, you’re not behind schedule most ponies don’t start their first spark until they are about your age, and if you don’t do it to later than it’s no big deal being a late bloomer.”
“But I had my first spark already and I still can’t do magic!” Dinky whinnied sadly.
“We’ll try looking for a magic teacher for you then.”
“But those cost money! I don’t want mommy losing money because of me.”
Raindrops chuckled softly and gave her another squeeze with her wing, “You don’t need to worry about that. Your mother would never consider it a loss helping you get somepony to help with your magic. After all she did the same thing when Sparkler needed help with her magic.”
Dinky mumbled unintelligible words, thinking for a second. Raindrops grinned before biting gently over the folds of Dinky’s neck and flipped her onto her back. This lifted Dinky’s spirits as she scrambled up Raindrops necks until she rested her forehooves over her head like a living hat. Looking up at her new accessory, “Feeling better?”
“Hmmmhmm! Thanks, I haven’t been given a ponyback in since forever!” Dinky said with a growing smile. It was a few minutes later that they arrived at Raindrops place.
Leaning her head down she let Dinky use her head as a slide and slide on down to the floor. “Why don’t you go and play with Sparkler, Scootaloo and I are going to have a little chat OK?”
“Ks. Well, talk to you later Scootaloo, and I hope tomorrow we can go crusading! See you in a bit.” Dinky said with a wave of her forehoof before trotting upstairs where her sister was most likely stuck with her head in a book.
“So you want me to tell you about Tiara right?” Scootaloo said gruffly. The walk home while calming had opened up a lot of old wounds and she was starting to brood.
“Yes. Start from wherever you’d like. Do you want something to drink while we talk?”
“Yeah, I’d like some apple juice please.”
While Raindrops left Scootaloo tried organizing things in her head. A lot of the cruel things Diamond Tiara said were especially painful with how close to the mark they were, and telling Raindrops about that would mean she’d have to tell her a little bit about her past. If the context was to be established.
Raindrops trotted slowly to the kitchen, her reasons for going were threefold, one was to give Scootaloo time to gather the storm of thoughts that she saw playing on her face, second was because this was probably going to be a while and she didn’t want Scootaloo to get a sore throat, and lastly was so that she could give Scootaloo the space she needed at this point in time.
By the time she got back into the living room she was balancing on her wings, two tall glasses of ice cold and refreshing apple juice, resting on a tray that. After making sure that Scootaloo could reach her drink sat back and allowed Scootaloo to tell her story.
“My family was a group of traveling artisans, and merchants. It was me, my brother, and parents. We usually passed between Trottingham, Ponyville, and sometimes Manehatten. We weren’t poor, but we always seemed to live on sell to sell. It wasn’t the best life but we were happy. Then about five years they got the Chills. They looked like they were going to pull through it, but of course they didn’t. We were in some tiny town in between here and Trottingham.
I overheard ponies talk about sending me away to some orphanage while I was at my family’s funeral, “ She said as tears rolled down her face from the memory of that day, “and I was scared so I bolted. It was shortly after I got here that I met some awesome ponies, edible food, and places that would give samples to foals so I never really had to worry about getting hungry. Especially Pinkie Pie, ever since she threw me my party she’s been giving me food to taste test. It’s how I’ve been getting most of my lunches.
Although she gives me these weird looks like she knows my secret, but she’s never said anything. So at least I’m getting good food. So anyways it was shortly after I got here I met Sweetie Belle, we hung out for a bit and it was with her that I met Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. At the time she was a blank flank too so she just spent her time insulting us for being poor as well as our families not loving us since Sweetie’s parents are always leaving on trips and hoofing her to Rarity, and her never seeing mine. It was painful and at first I tried to tell her to buck off and go choke on an apple. But that just made her target me worse.
When it was just me and Sweets it was ok. I had somepony my age that I could play with, and she would sometimes invite me to spend the night which gave me a warm bed and a cooked meal. It was awesome. But Tiara used that to target us when we left the house. I seriously don’t know what her problem was but she liked it when she could get Sweetie to cry. Although I would probably thank her for her snide remarks on why she never saw me at school if I didn’t still hate her. I know its wrong to hate a pony, but I can’t help it. Does that make me a bad pony?” She asked taking a drink and a deep breath building her second wind.
“No, I think that anyone getting hurt that much would feel that way is natural. As long as you don’t let those emotions control your then things will turn out ok.”
Scootaloo gave a short nod and took a deep breath before starting again, “I found some bits laying around that I used to pay a pony off to teach me to forge a note. Although he was thinking it was for a prank, but it helped me make a note saying that they were too busy to come and that I was going to start school there. Mrs. Cheerilee, like most adults, don’t look too closely as long as a pony isn’t destroying the village or doing something dangerous in their direct line of vision.
“When I first got to school her focus wasn’t on just me for her bullying, it looks like she just picks ponies on a whim. As for why nopony ratted on her is because she has a black book full of dirt she has on most ponies in Ponyville. Lots of ponies know about it. But at least she didn’t get anything on me other than for the Gabby Gums fiasco.
“Then four years ago she got her cutie mark, us Crusaders were formed, although we figured out that we met Apple Bloom earlier during Nightmare Moon’s party crashing the Summer Sun Festival. So I guess us Crusaders were fated to meet. Ever since then Diamond Tiara has been focusing a large amount on her meanness on us, all because we don’t have our cutie marks yet, but we still have fun crusading and it has made Tiara’s cruelty that much more bearable. That and I always have warm bed and fresh food when I go over there so that’s always a high point of my month.” She said wrapping up her story.
“Well I’m glad that you made some good friends. Are you feeling better now that you got that off your back?” Raindrops asked wiping the tears from Scootaloo’s eyes as she wrapped her in a hug.
“A little. So what do we do now?” Scootaloo asked weakly as she nodded into Raindrops’ chest.
“Well I have a few questions for you and then, we simply do what we can move forward.”
“Ok, what do you want to talk about?”
“Well the big thing is I want to clarify how you got the bits you’ve found laying around, and I need to know if you’ve stolen food from anyone other than the apples.”
“I’m not going to be in trouble am I?” Scootaloo asked looking up at Raindrops from within the folds of her forelegs.
“I’ll take care of it, and I’ll make sure that nothing bad happens. But I need to know so that I can help you make it up to them. Just remember as long as you tell me the truth you don’t have to worry about anything, I’m here to take care of you. At the very worst I’ll make you do chores to earn the bits from me to pay them back, but that’s the worst that’ll happen.” Raindrops said in a calm, comforting voice.
“Well usually I’d look on the ground, under furniture, any bits that were out in the open. The way I see it if they had it just laying around in the open they wouldn’t miss it. That plus I needed the bits.” Scoots said wiggling closer to Raindrops partially to try adopting a defensive position, and partially to try and hide from the judgement that she was expecting to rain down upon her.
“I can see your thinking, but while usually stuff on the floor and under furniture are things that are usually forgotten, bits that are on tables, counters, or other surfaces are usually there for when that pony needs it. If it’s in a restaurant it’s usually a pony telling the owner that they liked the food. Those ponies need those bits to make up for how little they make in a paycheck.
That’s stealing, but you didn’t do it out of malice so I’m not going to punish you. But as I said earlier you’ll be doing chores starting tomorrow and you’ll earn the bits from me to pay them back. Or if you want to, I can talk about you doing odd jobs for them to work it off.”
“Um … if they don’t get too mad at me then I guess that’s ok. Raindrops?” Scootaloo asked fidgeting.
“If I stole supplies from school so I could do homework, or to help me when I was sleeping out somewhere do I need to apologize for that too? And should I apologize to those ponies that I took bits from after I tell my friends and those who’ve helped me that I’m an orphan?” Scootaloo asked worryingly. Afraid of the fallout that would happen when things went down.
“I don’t think Mrs. Cheerilee would see it as stealing. But if you think that you have too then you can. And I want you to know that you wanting to apologize yourself is a very big thing. I’m proud for you Scootaloo. May I ask whom you've taken from?”
“There was the Apple Family apples, bits, and some timber wood that I used during the winters. Bon-Bon’s Confectioneries on Sugar Cube Corner, and the Cakes Confectionery Emporium were two of the biggest places to pilfer bits. Although somehow whenever I get food from Pinkie I end up with bits mysteriously in my saddlebag that I didn't have before.
Dashie’s cloud house the few times I was over there I got bits from under her cloud couch and from under her bed. Rarity always has bits left on the counters, on the floor, in this one weird nook behind the cash register counter, and also in her workroom she usually has gems that always end up on the floor after big orders if you look hard enough for them. Those gems get me set up for a week and usually helps me pay back Applejack. Oh and there’s the ink bottles I’ve taken from Twilight so I could do my homework, and lots of quills since I keep breaking them when I write. Also there’s the the paper, soap, chalk, candles, matches, and other stuff that I get from the school when I’m running low or need it for school work.” Scootaloo said her head tilted in thought as she recounted all the things she did over the last few years.
“It’s lucky that you were never caught. But I’m glad you weren’t.” Raindrops said ruffling Scootaloo’s mane.
“Yeah us Crusader’s have the oddest luck.” Scootaloo said offhandedly.
“Well if and when you’re ready to talk. I’ll get Pinkie Pie to get everyone who needs to know, and you can write out who, together. And we can apologize to them. Although I’m going to need a guestimate on how much you’ve taken so I can gather the bits to pay them back. And thank you for telling me, I’m proud of how brave you’re being. Well go up and get the other fillies and tell them that diners about ready.”
“Alright, but I can just tell you on the whole bits part for this year so far. Apples, 60 bits. Twilight, 10 bits. Bon-Bon, 40 bits. Cakes not counting the mystery bits, 82 bits. Dashie, 10 bits, “ turning her head and her eyes flicking back and forth rapidly as she remembered all the bits she took and gems gathered from Rarity, “Rarity, 100 bits, four sapphires, one emerald, two topazes, and twelve rubies. For the last 4 years other than Dashie’s place I get about the same amount of bits and the gems differ from year to year if I find any.”
“Thanks well go on and get the others. And don’t worry everything will turn out for the better. As for your friends I know they’ll forgive you after they get over the shock.” Giving a small hug she let Scootaloo go who by this time had her eyes stop streaming tears and was looking somewhat happier after their talk.
As Scootaloo headed upstairs her recent ‘girly display of emotion’, as Rainbow Dash would call it, drying on her face from her emotional conversation with Raindrops. Raindrops knew everything, and while she got a talking to about how taking money that didn’t start on the ground, or lost in cushions was stealing, but Raindrops wasn’t mad at her since it was something she needed to do to live. She strolled up to the room Dinky and Sparkler were sharing, “Hey girls, dinner’s going to be ready in a few!” Scootaloo said at the doorway.
“I heard about what happened earlier today,” Sparkler said, snuggling with Dinky with a story book Grimm Goose the Bard’s Tales, a collection of fairy tales that was as old as Starswirl the Bearded, collected from the various races from the pre-equestrian days. Dinky was engrossed with the pages before her while Sparkler looked at Scootaloo.
“Yeah, it was surprising. To be honest I’m confused on how to take it.” Scootaloo said scratching the back of her head.
“Well I’m glad someone finally stood up to those bullies, hopefully Dinky won’t be coming home in tears anymore.” Sparkler said, nodding while gently stroking Dinky’s mane, “While I’m sad that Mango was cruel about it, at least my sister’s going to be happier now. Thank her when you see her next. Oh! And we’ll be leaving to go back home tomorrow. Want to have another sleepover tonight?” Sparkler asked, giving her sister an affectionate nuzzle before using her magic to simultaneously pick Dinky up off the bed and close the book.
Scootaloo looked at the younger sister floating in the air, Sparkler twisting and twirling Dinky who had her body stretched out in a flying position she saw on comic books, a grin plastered to her face.
“Yeah sure. I’ll see you in a bit.” She said in a rush as Dinky opened her mouth.
“Hey, why don’t you fly with me?
“Well …” Scootaloo paused for a bit before deciding to get rid of the sting of admitting that she was unable to fly quickly rather than draw it out, “I can’t fly.”
Dinky was about to open her mouth when her sister wrapped her muzzle with magic silencing her, “Well how about I give you a bit of help?” Sparkler asked.
“Really?! How?!” Scootaloo asked hopping up in down in excitement.
“Like this.” Sparkler said, wrapping Scootaloo in her magic. Scootaloo buzzed her wings, her first airborne propulsion without mechanical assistance. She and Dinky zipped around Sparkler as she trotted down to the kitchen. The sounds of the fillies laughing uproariously with unbridled glee as she let them enjoy a bit of flying each having a mock race around Sparkler’s head, as Raindrops clapped her hooves together at the display for awhile before giving them a soft landing. Scootaloo and Dinky gave her a quick nuzzle one on each of her forelegs before running to the dining room table, the smell of grilled cheese sandwiches and seasoned tomato soup wafting through the room.
“Mi… I mean Raindrops?” Scootaloo said tentatively.
“What’s the matter?”
“Well the things we talked about with me telling my friends, and those I’ve, well you know. I want to do it tomorrow. Is that Ok?”
“That’d be perfect, I’ll let Pinkie Pie know to get everypony together. And I’ll tell her to be quiet about it.” Raindrops said with a gentle smile, “Actually if you three promise not to bring down the house, I’ll do it while you have your little sleepover.”
Scootaloo looked over at the other ponies and with a synchronized nod between the two of them agreed that they wouldn’t destroy the house while she was away.
Raindrops was flying over Ponyville enjoying the breeze when Cloud Kicker flanked her, “Hey Drops. I haven’t had a chance to talk to you for a while, how’ve you been?”
“Yeah sorry about that, Cloud Kicker,” Raindrops said sheepishly while rubbing the back of her neck with her right foreleg, “Not bad actually Ditzy got better yesterday and will be able to pick up her foals tomorrow. Scootaloo is over at my place for a while, and everything all in all is rather good. So what’s up?”
“The moon.” She replied to Raindrops chuckling, “but seriously I was wondering if you’re busy tomorrow?”
“I might be I’m going to Pinkie Pie’s to set up something, but I might be open tomorrow. Why?” Raindrops asked while tilting her head inquisitively.
Giving a nervous chuckle masked as a playful one Cloud Kicker finally replied, “No reason really we just haven’t had the chance to hang out in a while. You know, a girls night out. Let me know tomorrow. I’ll be seeing you.” She said before banking away.Raindrops stored the conversation away until a later date and decided to focus at the task at hand, going to Pinkie Pie’s place to set things up.
So, Raindrops X Cloud Kicker or did I read that wrong?
3141358
You read right.
Although my rendition of Cloud Kicker is more classy than normally given. I'm going to give her a better profile and people will hopefully be happily surprised.
My head canon:
- Was born into a clan of Pegasi that had a large military following since the War of the Sun and Moon. Are minor nobility with tons of family members.
- Knew Ditzy and Dashie in Flight Camp. Is friends and protective of Ditzy like Dashie was for Flutters, and Dashie and her had a kinship with dealing with bullies and protecting ponies that others would go out of their way with teasing.
- Has the worst luck with mares. But rebounds quickly, keeping a carefree and playful personality.
- Has a reputation of a being a whorse from mares who would tap that flank and run. Most of it is rarely true. She is active, but nowhere near as active as ponies say about her.
- Moved from Canterlot before graduating the Academy since it was something that wasn't her and didn't want to live in the shadow of her families shadow. Wanted to make a name for herself where she'd be known as being her. Rather than the gold diggers, nasty rumors, and shadow that she lived in, in Canterlot.
- Moved with Ditzy Do and talked Raindrops into moving to Ponyville. Where Rainbow Dash got her a job as a weather mare and earned her Cutie Mark for clearing the skies.
- She keeps her past quiet, but ponies still from time to time hear about it, and she dumps them when they try using her for her bits. Which again starts the cycle of rumors, that the Weather Team being like a close family does what it can to squash them. Making her even more happy with her job.
___________________________
The rest I'm going to build as time moves on.
wow scootaloo owes so much bits and that part were Sparkler helped scootaloo fly was so Cute and good chapter
3141469
She does. Thankfully Raindrops is awesome enough to cover the bits, and I can't wait to write that chapter. It's going to be a roller coaster.
3141472 i cant wait to see dash's reation when she finds out scootaloo stole from her
3141487
Don't forget too add "And didn't tell her she was homeless". Both of those are going to be revealed in about 3 - 4 chapters.
Nice bit of back story. Could be touched up a bit, but it works.
~Skeeter The Lurker
3141660
What would you like too see answered? And thank you.
3141715
You actually answer quite a bit, but some of the execution seemed off. Not too much, mind you.
It's a solid chapter, to be sure.
~Skeeter The Lurker
3141900
Yep she's a reality warper in her tropes page. Although I tend to downplay the Cloudcukoolander, and The Mad Hatter trope to avoid Flanderization. That plus I like a more playful and believable Pinkie.
me thinks the apples well be very forgiving (they knew the whole time) as well as pinkie.
3141465
Props on creative thinking and background build up. Gives awesome detail. I can't wait to see how this ship works out.
3142070
Thank you.
“Alright, but I can just tell you on the whole bits part for this year so far. Apples, 60 bits. Twilight, 10 bits. Bon-Bon, 40 bits. Cakes not counting the mystery bits, 82 bits. Dashie, 10 bits, “ turning her head and her eyes flicking back and forth rapidly as she remembered all the bits she took and gems gathered from Rarity, “Rarity, 100 bits, four sapphires, one emerald, two topazes, and twelve rubies. For the last 4 years other than Dashie’s place I get about the same amount of bits and the gems differ from year to year if I find any.”
Right after this line is where Raindrops should have looked shocked and concerned that Scootaloo had kept so much in.
3142255
I don't know ... I mean when she was her age she was scamming nobles out of their gold, and doing minor theft to survive. In my opinion at least, she'd be understanding that stuff happens, but would try to get Scootaloo to apologize and make amends now that she isn't in that particular lifestyle. But wouldn't be that shocked or surprised.
[Edit]
Unless I misread what you meant.
You did in one sense but not the other. A filly (young girl) should not keep so much in. If I was Scootaloo I would feel guiltier and guiltier and sadder for each line I said about its or gems or whatever. And as Raindrops I would fee that way too, and even shocked a bit regardless of my past. Maybe, it is your story. 3142326
Oh and MOAR!
3142341
Hmmm ... you have a good point. Don't know if I can retcon it properly, but I'll be sure to write it in the chapter where Scoots reveals everything in Pinkie's little gathering. And write it in there when it finally hits her before the meeting. Thank you for pointing this out I didn't think of it that way till now.
*Gives cupcake*
CUPCAKE! 3142374
ohh no i would hate to be in scootaloo's shoes right about now... just one small problem
yeah um you finished saying something there so the inverted comma should be 99 rather than 66 , besides that an all round good chapter cant wait to read more - BBB
3146297
Thanks.
3149637
Lol. That is true, they are.
Another great chapter! Was a little weird for Scootaloo to be able to keep such an accurate mental tally of everything she stole, though... Maybe her special talent is accounting!
Poor thing.
3151172
Actually in this blog I write how I see a pegasi's brain structure. And I think that since a pegasi needs to multi-task numerous things at once [since they need to pay attention to numerous things that map out 3d space while flying.], and that she needed to put that mental processing power to hunting money she'd be good at knowing who had the best spots to get it.
And Idk ... that might be an interesting Cutie Mark. Thank you for the compliment, and I agree it's sad when a filly needs to keep tabs on her money hunting grounds so that she can survive another week. .
3151208
Scoot with money bag cutie mark confirmed. She will own DT and SS's businesses.
3151610
Not confirmed yet. Honestly other than Pip, and AB I'm not decided completely what I want to give them for cutie marks. Although I do have a little list.
And that would be an awesome cutie mark.
3151615
was a joke :v
3151965
... but interesting none the less.
3141465 So cloud kicker is like winningverse cloud kicker just a bit different?
3141358
Wow. Thought I was the only one who shipped them.
Get me some apple juice on the rocks.
Just commenting on things as I read:
I really like the suggestion that Pinkie's aware of the situation and been helping in her subtle way. Especially considering "subtle" and "Pinkie Pie" don't typically go together.
Wow, you're painting Diamond Tiara as a real witch...which really doesn't work with her confession in the last chapter.
Looking at everything Raindrops is doing, and knowing she has to pay for it...what the heck is her income?!
Wow, Scoots has an awesome memory! You could make use of that...
Hmm, I feel like the Cloud Kicker introduction could have been a bit more in-depth. Oh well.
One thing I really like about this story is the progression speed. You're not rushing into things (Cloud Kicker aside), but at the same time, you're not dragging things along. The chronology could use some improving, but the progression in general is pretty good.
a very good chapter i have to say raindrops reaction was perfect, although just one problem scootaloo stole all that money and raindrops didn't seen to care , just how much money does raindrops make
5209119
If bits are just gilded wooden coins, a few hundred might not be that much. Especially depending on how well off Equestria’s economy is. We do know that at least one species that eats the precious metals most real world nations use to back their currency (Dragons), and aforementioned creatures are know to hoard all kinds of gems, gold, and other valuables.
5209119
Surprisingly a good amount. All of her necessities are covered by the government; she works along side Derpy in jobs that her strabismus (Derpy’s eye condition) would get in the way of employment. Which gives her more money. She works weather when needed too. Which nets her more on top of that. She gives shelter to those in need. Which is even more.
And add onto the fact that she rarely spends anything on herself. Means she’s saved up quite a bit of material wealth.
8214541
Nope bits, just like in IRL societies that used gold coinage. Bits are pure gold.
And yep. Dragons (and to a point Griffons which are just as bad as Dragons are when it comes to greed) in all bits of mythology (when nations used pure gold bullion or silver for their money) horde gold, gems, silver, and anything that catches there eyes. Doesn’t make gold have lower value, just means that there’s piles of it over the millenia.
That and the illusion of rarity, or value is more important than actual value of the material. After all, all 100 dollars is, is a piece of paper with a number on it. People place that papers value at 100 USD, even though the value to make it is way less. Or even debit cards. Where one’s wealth is just 1s and 0s. There is no actual value in 1s or 0s, but the illusion of value that it says you have is what matters.