A short walk later, the unlikely pair was at the Carousel Boutique dress shop that doubled as Rarity’s house. Rarity led Scootaloo upstairs to her guest room, which mainly functioned as Sweetie Belle’s home away from home. Not that Scootaloo needed a guide; she had been to The Carousel Boutique enough to know where everything was anyway.
“Well, here we are,” Rarity announced with a smile as she opened the door. “I know it may be a bit frilly for your taste, but if you’d like, we can get some new bed dressings over the weekend, something a bit more rustic than hearts and flowers perhaps?”
Scootaloo took a quick look around the familiar lodgings. “Whatever,” she muttered.
Clearly, Scootaloo is not in a very talkative mood, though I suppose that’s understandable. “I‘m going shopping tomorrow, what do you think you might like to eat over the next few days?” Rarity asked, hoping to do what she could to make Scootaloo’s stay more comfortable.
Scootaloo looked up sharply. “Look, I don’t need anypony to take care of me. Just give me a place to sleep and some food and I’ll stay out of your way and tell Sweetie Belle you’re being nice to me so that she’ll think she has ‘the best big sister ever’.” Scootaloo’s derision at the last phrase removed the last remnants of doubt that Rarity had concerning Scootaloo’s mindset about family.
Aware that Scootaloo was undoubtedly a little tattered by the whirlwind of events Rarity's first instinct was to just back off, however given Scootaloo’s responses back at her foster house, she reasoned that perhaps a bit of a hard sell might be productive. “Scootaloo, I am trying to help you,” Rarity said sharply, in a tone she reserved for Sweetie Belle and unruly vendors. “I don’t expect you to be grateful; I don’t even expect your appreciation. What I would like, is if you could not make it more difficult than it has to be. Now, unless you want to get on a train to Baltimare, you are going to be staying here for at least a few days.” Rarity paused so that Scootaloo could properly process that those were, in fact, her two options. “I pride myself on being a good hostess, so if you would be so kind as to enlighten me about what you might like to eat, I won’t have to buy every single item at the market trying to discern the key to your fickle heart!”
Scootaloo just scowled at her and Rarity got the distinct impression that Scootaloo was used to standoffs. Her experiences arguing with Rainbow Dash taught her that winning one with a pony as strong willed as Scootaloo was a futile proposition so she opted for a softer approach again. “As long as you don’t expect to subsist on blood orchids and tiger lilies, I would be perfectly happy to pick up something you would enjoy,” Rarity offered gently.
Scootaloo flicked her tail back and forth and stared at the ground. “I like oatmeal or pancakes for breakfast,” she said, addressing her remarks to the carpeted floor more than to Rarity. “I like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and daisies. I don’t like spaghetti; everypony is always trying to give me spaghetti. I like barley soup though,” she muttered just loud enough for Rarity to hear her.
Rarity smiled warmly, hoping to put Scootaloo at least a little more at ease. “Thank you Scootaloo. Barley soup is one of my favorites too.” She was actually fairly neutral on the subject of barley soup, but building some common ground seemed worth eating bland, grainy mush for a few meals. “Is there anything else I can get you?”
“I’m fine,” Scootaloo said just a little too quickly.
“Very well, I promised Sweetie Belle I would go visit her. Are you going to be okay here by yourself for an hour?”
“You trust me enough to leave me alone?” Scootaloo asked, surprised, despite her familiarity with Rarity.
Rarity playfully brought a hoof to her chin and pretended to ponder the thought, “I suppose you could abscond with my cash box, but I closed early today so I’m afraid it’s rather bereft at the moment,” she said with a wry grin.
“I wouldn’t do that!” Scootaloo snapped as she clenched her shoulders and instinctively arched her back.
Rarity lifted a hoof in an apologetic gesture. “It was a joke, dear. Yes, I trust you enough to leave you alone for an hour.”
Scootaloo slowly released the tension she had been holding in her shoulders, but still regarded Rarity with suspicion. She snorted a low “hmph” and turned her attention to unpacking what few things she brought with her.
Okay, no more joking with Scootaloo. Rarity turned to leave the young filly alone in her temporary lodgings, when she heard a small voice behind her.
“Thanks for letting me stay here. I don’t want to move to Baltimare,” the voice said quickly and quietly.
Rarity turned around so she could be sure Scootaloo registered her response. “You are most welcome, Scootaloo.”
Rarity trotted over to her parent’s house, Scootaloo’s apparently fluid family situation causing her to reflect on her own. They weren’t an ideal family, when Rarity was younger she often wished her parents would be more refined and upscale. As she grew older though she learned to appreciate her parents for who they were, kind hearted supportive ponies, rather than what they were not. Differences aside, she couldn’t imagine her life without them.
“Hello, mother,” she said as she walked through the door to find her mother reading a book on the couch.
Rarity’s childhood home was an almost perfectly average two story bungalow located just off the main drag of Ponyville. If it were any other pony’s house, she would have described the décor as garish and dreadful, with red and yellow floral drapes that clashed with the two toned bluish green carpet, accented by mismatched furniture. But it wasn’t any pony’s house; it was her parents house, and that meant the clashing colors and lack of any guiding principle in selecting furniture only served to make the place feel more homely. The ponies that lived here weren’t concerned about how guests viewed their living room; they were concerned with letting those guests know that they were welcome.
“Rarity!” her mom exclaimed, promptly shutting her book and practically leaping off the couch to give her eldest daughter a hug. “What brings you by? Is everything okay?” her mother asked, growing more panicked by the second.
Rarity gave her mom a reassuring squeeze. “Everything’s fine, Mom, I told Sweetie Belle I would come by to see her. Is she here?”
“Oh, so you know what’s bothering her? She seemed so upset when came home but all she would say is that she didn’t want to talk about it. She should be in her room.”
“Thanks Mom. Where’s Daddy this evening?”
“Bowling League is on Wednesday nights,” her mom replied with a somewhat apologetic smile.
“Of course, how silly of me to forget.”
Rarity trotted upstairs and gently knocked on the door to her sister’s room. Sweetie Belle opened it and greeted Rarity with hopeful, if still puffy red eyes. She looked up expectantly at her older sister, her lower lip quivering.
Rarity broke the silence quickly. “Scootaloo is not moving to Baltimare, for the time being anyway.”
Sweetie Belle’s previous distress started to fade away as she stared in awe. “How’d you do that?”
“I am going to try to find somewhere for her to stay in Ponyville, and until I do, she can stay with me.” As Rarity verbalized her plan, it occurred to her that she actually had no clue how she would go about finding Scootaloo a permanent home; but the sensation of her sister hugging her forelegs quickly relegated that to a secondary concern.
“Thankyouthanyouthankyou, you’re the best sister ever! I promise to make you breakfast everyday for a year!”
Rarity fought back her immediate instinct to recoil in horror at the thought of eating burnt cereal for a year, (how anypony could possibly burn cereal was a conundrum she had pondered more than once.)
“That’s really not necessary,” she replied, patting Sweetie Belle on the back.
“But you’re helping Scootaloo. She’s my friend, I wanna help too!”
“I understand Sweetie, Scootaloo is…well Scootaloo’s going through a tough time right now, she could use a good friend.”
Sweetie Belle contemplated what her sister could possibly mean by that last statement. “I already am her friend…but maybe I could be extra friendly to her?”
“I’m sure she would appreciate that very much, dear.”
Sweetie Belle looked up again, this time with unmitigated gratitude. “Thank you, Rarity,” she whispered, giving her sister another hug. Though she didn’t say anything, Sweetie knew that taking in a houseguest was a bigger imposition than her sister let on. She also knew that the only reason Rarity had done it was out of consideration for her feelings, which meant that gratitude was the least she owed her sister.
After a quick chat with her mother, leaving out the information about her new houseguest, Rarity returned home emotionally drained; and if she felt this raw she could only imagine how Scootaloo felt. She went upstairs with the intent of discovering if Scootaloo needed anything further from her, but as she approached the filly’s room the sound of soft snores told her that Scootaloo had all she required for the time being.
It’s just as well, I suppose. It’s been a very long and exhausting day. Rarity quietly continued down the hallway towards her room, stifling a yawn as she did so. Much had happened and she was still uncertain of what the first full day of Scootaloo’s tenantship would bring. She hoped that Scootaloo would be less standoffish, and more open to communication, but Rarity had a feeling that she would need all of her faculties for tomorrow. If nothing else, her visit to Foal Services would almost certainly require her most polished diplomacy. Though after fulfilling her promise to Sweetie Belle (unexpectedly though the outcome), she herself reasoned that she had earned a good night’s sleep, and could hardly wait to do so.
Yet another Scootaloo adoption fic.....
>Synopsis mentions Sweetie Belle
>Story stars Scootaloo
wat
Scootaloo was looking at all the dresses at the boutique 'gag me how does Rarity make any bits with this fru fru stuff?' She thought. "Everypony runs around naked".
A quick knock at the door and Spike enters, "Yo Rarity where do you want me to starrrr?" "Ah Hi Scoots what cha doin here?"
"Spike can I ask you something?..."
Scoots has an empty void in his back ground. . .You back fill it nicely.
"My precious Scales said what?"
"SPIKE!"
Okay, this is novel enough concept (and executed with competance!) that I'm interested to see where it goes.
5430146 But notice who's the one involved in the adoption.
5429809
I'm aware of that. I've BEEN aware of that since Shining Armor (though they seemed to learn their lesson with Maud Pie). But I wish the writers would give a character growth reason for why Scoots parents haven't been seen or mentioned in FOUR SEASONS.
5430444
-_- How the hell was that slavery? Wait. Don't answer that. I don't want to spend the rest of the day explaining the number of things wrong with that sentence.
No, no it isn't.
It's just Rarity. Or Miss Rarity. Or Rarity the Unicorn.
5430151 are you suggesting that my title, cover art and character tags, as well as the rest of the synopsis are outwieghed by the fact that I say Sweetie Belle?
5430798
yes indeedy
There should be a comma before the "right" in the story description.
5431188 fixed, thanks
I love this so far! I think the characterization and dialogue are spot-on; Rarity would absolutely act this way, and with Scootaloo's normally brash personality being what it is, coupled with being a no longer welcome foster child, you write the story very believably! I'm looking forward to reading more!
5430444 Maybe so, but we've seen in episodes like "Sleepless in Ponyville" and "Flight to The Finish" that she cares about Scootaloo's wellbeing. It's not a stretch to think she could become more mature if forced to take Scootaloo under her wing, permanetly.
5431509 thank you
I like this story and am curious to read more and see where the story goes.
5426771 Well, it's not exactly an adoption, but Our True Colors is the classic work where Pinkie based Scootalove is concerned.
Loving this story! Getting passed from foster home to foster home can be really hard for a kid, makes them feel like there's no one to turn to. Looking forward to more chapters!
Everything looks good so far.
Awesome story cant wait for the next chapter
~Sly-Moon~
I can't wait to see how this relationship will further develop. Will Rarity and Scoots try to get along with each other? Or will it all just slowly degrade?
Really enjoying the story so far! It's really making me wonder what's going to happen next, so you got that thing for you! You are now one step closer to my Favorites folder. Congratulations!
LOVING IT!!!!
5431534
Also she was there in Showstoppers.
5433827 story titles are hard, and that's true unversally. The old man and the sea, the once and future king, hunger games, harry pottet and the object of plot device, 1776, etc etc . There are only a few good titles I can think of, jon krakauers "where men win glory" and "Under the banner of heaven, and nick dawidoffs "low collision crossers". Most titles are just vague descriptions of the characters, theme, or setting, so as a fandom I'd say we're doing ok.
Foal Services
___________
Remember titles, and institutions like names get capitalized.
5434142 Fixed, thanks.
5434159
You're welcome. I look forward to the next chapter.
5434956 I'm arguing solely because I like arguing about stuff and so I mean this in the spirit of friendly debate and not angry author defends his title. The Scarlet Letter, all Quiet on the Western Front and a Song of Ice and Fire are all somewhat bland titles that refer to obvious things within the story. (Well maybe not so much ice and fire). "Green" is not a great title for anything. I'll grant that atlas shrugged and hard reset are pretty okay. One of my favorite pony titles is "Then tomorrow came", so I acknowledge that there are better titles then mine out there. But I happen to think that mine works just fine.
5435010
Atlas Shrugged also refers to a theme of the story. Hard Reset is a timeloop story. Also vague thematic reference.
5435010
I also like to argue.
5433829
Why?
5435117 perhaps I was too harsh when I said Green wasn't a good title, what it is a perfectly expected title given the premise. Which I would argue is fine. Titles don't need to be novel or innovative.
"But it wasn’t any pony’s house; it was her parents house, and that meant the clashing colors and lack of any guiding principle in selecting furniture only served to make the place feel more homely" its a tricky word it means ugly or unattractive, don't know if your intent was for it to be ugly or maybe homey was the word you were going for.
5435556 Homely can also mean "simple but cozy and comfortable, as in one's own home"...but you are right that my definition is more obscure.
5435657 you're right my bad. I forgot it only means ugly in regards to a person or thing
This is looking very good so far, I'm really looking forward to seeing where this story is going!
5435696
-actually it doesn't mean "ugly", it just means plain.
5435428
Not really. I don't know why your username frightens you, so you couldn't ask me why my username frightens you.
I'd say she acts the way she does is because she is a child in the system.
5436464
*my username. Goddamnit.
5436591
Not really. I don't know why my username frightens you, so you couldn't ask me why my username frightens you.
I hope you continue this as promised!
You're forming Scoots and her predicament quite well, everypony seems believable.... I have no idea where you are going to take this - which is good - it's not written like a one track story.
Definitely enjoying this so far.
I'm finding Rarity to be pretty spot on, Scootaloo seems rather cold and standoffish though (despite their shared history. Rarity may already know one things thatScootaloo likes to eat?). I know that's how you're portraying her but she seems a little further from the established show personality.
Could be the angle you're wiring, could be the difficulty of writing a convincing orphan.
We'll see where you take it :)
5438111
Sorry. Brainderp moment where I wrote "your" instead of "my". Somehow.
Again, I don't know why my username frightens you, so I can't answer that.
As for why the username, why not? Why are you Emerald Flight? Why is the author RaylanKrios?
5438510
Do it.
5438595
Don't tease me like that.
I was VERY reluctant when I read the synopsis, even knowing you could write an excelent story (Scootaloo - Princess for a Day).
I mean Scootaloo and Rarity of all ponies?
But I am equally glad that decided to read it in the end.
It is astounding how you manage to get Scootaloo and Rarity to play together and over that, how you do so so smoothly.
I am very impressed not only with your character-work but with your story telling as well it's smooth as can be.
Insta-Fav'd, Like'd, and added to "CMC Stories" and "Outstanding" for being just that.
Waiting for more
5438705 thanks for the praise, it's always good to hear that people enjoy my work.
5433827
You can blame me for the title, so I apologize for it.
I suggested Three Gems and a Scooter as sort of a play on "Three Men and a Baby", following in the same sort of context that reads like "character(s) that aren't really well suited or prepared for the responsibility of raising a child finding themselves raising a child."