Silver cautiously crept from the building into the bright light of Celestia's sun. Some of the foals spotted him right away and came bounding over to greet him. "Hi!" squeaked a little filly with a frilly bow in her curly red hair. "Are you gonna go to school here?"
A colt that was even more leg heavy than Silver bobbed his pink-furred head. "'Course he is, or he wouldn't be here, right?"
A unicorn filly gave the colt a shove. "You're the stupid one," proclaimed the peach-colored filly. "He could be visiting, or maybe his father is picking a school."
The bow wielder leaned in closer to the quiet Silver. "What's your name? I'm Lily Jump." She bobbled her head, then looked at Silver expectantly.
Silver decided playing it silent would draw the wrong kind of attention. "Uh, hi. Nice to meet you, Lily Jump. I'm really bad at names, so if I get that wrong, it's not meant to be mean." He offered a hoof. "I'm Silver Lining."
The unicorn filly accepted the hoof first. "Charmed," she said in a cultured tone. "I'm Soft Blush. Is that your butler speaking to misses Butter Scotch?"
"No way," proclaimed the colt. "That's his dad. It's so obvious!" The colt offered a hoof next. "I'm Meadow Leaper! Do you play hoofball?"
These were his classmates. Silver decided he could have had worse and tried to be friendly. With a soft smile he shook his head. "I never played it before, but I could try?"
He began to explain, but was interrupted as Rough Draft and Butter Scotch stepped out of the building. "Children," called out Butter Scotch. "Come inside. Let's resume class." The students rushed to fill the building with foalish squeals of excitement and a few moans at the end of play time.
Silver moved for Rough Draft, but the larger brown pony held up a hoof. "Not so fast, Silver. You're starting school now."
Silver's ears perked up. "What, now? Shouldn't I come in the morning?"
Butter Scotch smiled down at Silver. "Don't worry. Just try your best and we'll have you up to speed in no time at all. Do you know how to get home, Silver Lining?"
Silver looked up at Rough again before allowing his gaze to fall to Butter and shaking his head slowly. "I... wasn't paying close attention when we came today."
Butter reached and patted the top of Silver's head. "I'll walk you home today. Now let's get moving." All too quickly, Butter was nudging him along into the class.
Silver Lining was faced with rows of desks, most of which were occupied by eager looking colts and fillies. He moved for an empty one and hesitated. Glancing at the other students, he wriggled up onto the seat as best he could, imitating their posture. It felt kind of interesting to be sitting upright like this, almost human.
"Now class..." began Butter Scotch, leaping right into the lesson. She was explaining what a cutie mark was, but Silver already knew what one was, even if he didn't have one yet, a fact that didn't seem to go unnoticed. Several fillies seemed to point him out in guarded whispers between giggles. Silver rolled his eyes. He made a casual oath to himself silently to not become this school's Cutie Mark Crusaders. He'd get his butt mark when he was good and ready, and not a moment sooner.
"Misses Butter Scotch," came the cultured tone of Peach Blush. "What does it mean if a pony doesn't get a cutie mark?"
Butter Scotch tilted her head. "Though rare, some ponies don't find their special talent well into adulthood. This is why we try to give all you fillies and colts plenty of chances to experience things and discover what really motivates you. A grown pony without a cutie mark is lost." She flashed a bright smile. "Not that I expect anypony in here to have that problem, but don't worry, none of you are old enough yet for there to be any issue with still looking for that special talent that calls you." Her eyes wandered, picking out the ponies in the class without marks, which included looking at her newest student.
The lesson went on, talking about certain famous cutie marks, such as the ones adorning the flanks of Celestia and Luna. "There are others, which are recognized from the moment of appearance for their powerful destinies. For instance, our newest princess, Twilight Sparkle, was recognized and became the personal student of Princess Celestia after her mark was revealed. While others, such as Princess Cadance, wasn't fully realized until far later in her life, but now she's princess of the Crystal Empire." She tapped the chalkboard with a pointer stick she held in her snout. "Not that a grand destiny is needed to be a good pony."
"I wanna be a princess," came a coltish voice from behind Silver before a soft thud made his ears curl backwards towards it.
A filly's voice whispered harshly, "You can't be a princess, dummy. Colts don't get to be princesses."
The lesson finished without much else drawing Silver's attention, and they went on into some math problems. Silver's eyes grew heavy. He tried to shake himself awake, but it was no use. He couldn't stay awake in class as a human, being a pony wasn't making it any easier. Ugh, multiplication? Soon he was out like a light.
His nap was interrupted as the teacher's pointing stick struck his desk with a loud crack. "Silver Lining." He jerked away and looked around frantically before he remembered where he was and looked up at Butter, smiling nervously. She gently pat him on the head. "Show us how to do this problem. Your father said you were good at math."
Silver slid to his hooves and approached the front. On the chalkboard was written 5 + (10 * 4) . Silver smiled a little as he looked around for the chalk. He found it, but he had no fingers to grab it with. Not wanting to look stupid, he grabbed it in his mouth and got to drawing. His handwriting with fingers was... questionable. With a mouth, only worse. Still, write it he did. He drew out:
5 + 40
45
He put the chalk down, licking his lips to clear them of the chalky flavor. Butter seemed pleased and resumed the lesson as Silver returned to his seat. Some of the other foals were less impressed, making remarks on his poor 'mouthponyship'. Ugh, was that even a word? Silver thrust the insults aside, looking forward to the day when he'd mastered levitation and wouldn't have to mouth things anymore.
A bell rung, making Silver swing his head sharply to see the bright red device ringing eagerly. The other colts and fillies were on their hooves, moving to depart.
"Class," came Butter's voice. "Don't forget your reading assignment is due tomorrow." Soft groans were her reply, and the room was soon emptied save Silver and Butter.
Butter approached Silver's desk. "That wasn't so bad, was it?"
Silver shook his head. "Not all bad," he agreed, though he still didn't like school all that much. No reason to annoy the teacher with whining though, or so he figured. "Should I have some books?"
Butter shook her head. "Your father forgot to get you a saddlebag. He'll make sure you have one for tomorrow and I'll give you your books then. Don't worry about that assignment. Where did you go to school before?"
Silver tensed. "Uh, far away. A place called Coram."
Butter looked perplexed. "I never heard of a town called that before. I'm glad they taught you well. Your father said you were behind in social studies, so I'm going to give you a few special assignments tomorrow." When Silver's face fell, she just smiled gently. "Don't worry, it's just some reading. Do you like reading, Silver Lining?"
He nodded. "As long as it's interesting. I used to read all the time."
Butter beamed. "That's great. Then you should have no trouble at all. Come along, I'll take you home now."
True to her word, Butter Scotch led the way through the city. Silver paid attention, even if they would have a new home soon. It was never a bad idea to learn the lay of the land. He waved at her as she departed, leaving him at the manor. He trotted up to the door and softly knocked. The butler arrived shortly and looked down at Silver. "You are expected." He stepped out of the way and allowed Silver in. In the living room stood Trixie with a captivated Fancy Pants and Fleur Dis Lee. The two rich ponies were clapping their forehooves appreciatively as Trixie kept them captivated with displays of magic and chicanery.
Fleur Dis Lee looked over when Silver was walking past. "There, look." She pointed directly at him.
Fancy Pants looked where she pointed. "I say, you were quite right, my dear. He really does have a resemblance."
Trixie looked confused, her show petering to a halt. "What does he resemble?"
Fancy Pants directed a hoof at Trixie. "You, my dear. He has your mane and tail color, and that bright glint in his eyes."
Fleur Dis Lee nodded with a smile. "And he has the fur color of the stallion she is with."
Fancy Pants adopted a shocked expression. "Miss Lulamoon! If you... have had a colt, you should tell us. We are your friends."
Trixie waved her hooves wildly. "No no no no no! Trixie has not had any colts!"
Fleur Dis Lee half-lidded her eyes, then waved Silver closer. "Come here you adorable little thing."
Silver hesitated, but decided to come over. He smiled at Fleur Dis Lee gently. "Yes ma'am?"
Her hooves moved to his cheeks and she turned his head left, then right. A shimmer of her magic had his lips open as she inspected his teeth and turned him around. "We can keep a secret, dear. Your colt is spotless, you should be proud."
Silver flushed softly through his fur, unsure how to feel being casually handled. Colt in body, but grown in mind, his thoughts wandered towards what else the pretty unicorn could do without complaints from him. Fancy Pants nodded in support of his wife. "There's nothing to be ashamed of around us, Miss Lulamoon. We want to help, as friends. I know the lower-born sometimes have... issues, but you're our friend."
Trixie was as red as Silver, looking quite unsure what to say. "Trixie is very glad to have such good friends, but she has found a plac--"
"Where?" asked Fleur Dis Lee.
Trixie said an address and Fancy Pants frowned. "That won't do! Not for our favorite entertainer. You can have our spring home. We rarely use it anyway."
Fleur Dis Lee bobbed her head. "Oh that would be lovely. I'd love to see it seeing some use. Please say yes, Trixie. It would be a delight to know a young family was there."
A card floated over to the stunned Trixie and tucked into the brim of her pointy hat. "I won't take no for an answer," insisted Fancy Pants.
Trixie gave a stiff nod. "Then Trixie will graciously accept. You are too kind."
Fleur smiled. "Our friends tell us that all the time. But what is the purpose of money if you can't make a few ponies happy with it?"
Fancy Pants agreed as he leaned in closer to Fleur. "Precisely. I can think of no better use for that quaint little house than the raising of such a fine colt."
Soon Trixie and Silver had managed to excuse themselves and entered the bedroom to find Rough Draft writing busily in a book. He looked up at them and perked an ear. "Did something happen?"
"I was felt up by Fleur," said Silver, drawing a loud snort from Rough Draft.
Trixie drew the card from her hat with her magic. "We've been given a new place to live. Trixie admits... it is much larger than what Trixie had put together. We should go there now, so we are ready for tomorrow."
Rough Draft closed the book he was working on and began packing his few things. "Alright, but you have to tell me all about it on the way."
cool story to say the lest and even with losing power for the last 3 hours I still get first post.
sir all I can say is expellant work this story is hitting the ground hard and running smooth I will be watching for new chapters good luck and pony on.
Harts Fire
I like the interaction between the teacher and Silver Lining. I like the interaction between the other colts and fillies and Silver Lining. I am worried about how Celestia and Luna were talking about using our hero though. Seems like a metric crap-ton of future arm twisting and civil rights violations are in the works. If it were me... I would NOT be looking forward to the next three decades.
5694287 Poor Silver Lining. There's always a price to pay, and he was given a rather large boon. He'll surely do his best for his celestial overlords, may they have mercy on his soul.
5694256 Welcome aboard to the new leg of our journey! The ideas kept tingling and I was drawn back to write again... then again. I do hope the characterizations felt right.
5694287 I would have to agree to a certain point, i think the princesses mean well and want to keep him close. But I hope they don't go overboard with trying to set up a future for him and allow him to choose for himself. I thought it was cute and funny that one of the colts wanted to be a princess xD
5694346 I agree, that was ADORABLE.
You know, I was going to suggest Rough and Silver keep up the 'brother' thing, just explain that Rough is his brother's legal guardian when pressed, but the Rough+Trixie=Silver ship is too amazing to pass up. So much win.
I decided to finally move Clueless from my Eventually Shelf to Now Reading after seeing this story pop up in my feed, and man was I upset...
That I didn't do it sooner! I enjoyed every step of this journey. It's been highlighting all the stuff I like about inserts, HiE, ponification, Lyra, accidental magic and even points out that Trixie didn't really do much wrong aside from have a crowd react badly to her act.
I can't wait for the next chapter.
5694714 Glad to have you here with us. It's been quite fun to write this story! Three chapters today happened not because I'm being paid tons for this('cause I'm not, it's a project of love). I don't see many HiEs where the H in the equation chooses to ponify, and isn't hunting for the mane six and/or the royal sisters and basically living out a huge empowerment fantasy.
Instead, Silver Lining's huge aspiration is to just be a good pony and be happy, but there's a lot in the way of that, including Silver Lining's human history and problems.
5694318
it is feeling just like home to me you are doing a super good job.
I really like how you worked in flur and fancy I think that is going to work really good for you in the long run
5695228 Three chapters in a day, three! I can only work so hard. But thanks for reading along with us! I do hope you're enjoying the trip.
The filly is "peach-colored."
I can't believe I'm saying this, but the phrase "all too quickly" isn't hyphenated.
...man that just feels weird, coming from me.
It's the Crystal Empire, teacher. Maybe it doesn't deserve the title, but it has it nonetheless.
"Half-lidded," here.
"Lower-born," which is amazing that Trixie let slide...though given that she's basically living off their generosity at the moment, it's likely not that surprising.
5696867 Fixed! Many thanks.
I like how you did Fleur and Fancy. They have an odd blend of elitism and benevolence that is simultaneously annoying and endearing.
The colt didn't actually call anyone "stupid", so this retort doesn't make sense.
5697460 A foal made a comically ineffective insult? Say it ain't so!
5697467 "It ain't so."
Editing may contain spoilers, you have been warned. (ed: feel like I'm quoting every paragraph!)
leg-heavy
A unicorn filly gave the colt a shove. "You're the stupid one,"
leaned in closer to the quiet Silver. "What's
attention. "Uh, hi.
first.
missus
hoof.
up. (You really like using ear-motions as would-be speech tags!)
Silver.
slowly.
head.
head.
smile.
While others, such as Princess Cadance, weren't fully realized
snout.
desk.
head.
head.
tensed.
perplexed.
gently.
nodded.
beamed.
Silver.
past.
pointed.
halt.
wildly. "No, no, no, no, no!
gently.
wife.
frowned.
nod.
smiled.
Fleur.
ear.
magic.
things.
Story comments:
And we wonder why they make fun of blank-flanks...
Oh boy...:( Do Dragons get to be princesses, either?
6813018 This is a habit I broke as I went along. I think I've grown a lot over the year of hammering out horse words here on Fimfic.
At first, it was saidisms. He said, she said, he ejaculated, she questioned, etc.
Then this.
"I was felt up by Fleur," from a colt no less, even if it is adult Dave on the inside, still a crack up.
Every chapter's author's notes has some bad "this has a lot of typos in it" joke.... I LOVE IT! Tomska/Asdf movie joke. Laugh it's funny
7066220 And they usually do!
missus (or maybe Missus, I'm not sure on the capitalization)
Likewise, this should be Missus, though you could take the simple route and just go with Mrs.
This sentence needs cleaning up.
That's sexist.
NO! STOP THAT NO BAD!!!!!
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He has invoked Murphy's law
8439307
Actually, I like when authors invoke Murphy's law and then violate it brutally.
7151907
Colts not getting to be princesses is sexist ?
Nope . No male instance of any species gets to be a princess... because they get to be a prince .
Not even enrolled in advanced classes? This is, uh. Odd.
10092063
Frankly how they just threw him into a class is odd. You first need to gauge what level they are in things such as maths and English before getting them anywhere.