As I sat in my seat in Cheerilee's office with Pinkie sitting next to me on my right side, with the brat on the far left with her father on her left side, I listened to Cheerilee recounting not only what she witnessed, but whatever testimonies the other foals gave. While the foals did say that Diamond landed the first blow, I was being accused of antagonizing her. Cheerilee seemed inclined to believe that since Diamond was the first to explain what happened.
"See, daddy, Aether’s just a big mean bully!" Diamond whined after she finished her story, to which I only gave her a hate-filled glare, though Pinkie frowned- well, frowned more deeply at me for doing so. The moment Pinkie arrived at the schoolhouse, I saw that she was just sadly frowning, her mane somewhat less bouncy than normal. Normally seeing Pinkie like this would bother me, but with Diamond in the same room as me, any feelings of guilt were being overridden by sheer rage.
"I'm sorry, Pinkie, but I must insist that you do something about your ward. I can't tolerate anyone hurting my precious Diamond," Diamond's father said.
Before Pinkie could say anything in response, Cheerilee spoke up as she said, "Now wait, Mr. Rich. We don't know the exact reason why Aether insulted Diamond, or why she attacked Diamond so harshly. Now Aether, would you kindly please explain the reason behind your behavior?"
Looking at all the adults for a moment, I turned my gaze back upon Cheerilee as I said, "It is simple, Diamond has been insulting me by use as my status as an orphan shortly after I have com-"
"That is not true! She's fibbing!" Diamond shrieked.
"Diamond Tiara, don't interrupt Aether. You already explained your side of the story, and Aether didn't interrupt you once. You should pay her the same respect and allow her to tell us her side," Cheerilee said, causing Diamond to pout in response. "Please continue, Aether."
"As I was saying, Diamond has been bullying me shortly after I came to school, first calling me a blank flank, but when that did not bothered me as much, she made comments on my status as an orphan. It... bothered me and she knew it bothered me, hence afterwards she used that against me, often saying that my parents just abandoned me for various problems she said I had. Eventually, I finally had enough of her bullying, causing me to insult her in response. She then slapped me, which led to me attacking her. I may have went too far, but she really made me mad for so long, it just came out all at once," I explained as I kept my best to keep a neutral face.
"She's lying, daddy! She's just making up fibs to make me look like the bully!" Diamond whined. Throughout the meeting, it seemed that her father believed that Diamond was nothing less than his perfect little angel, while portraying all her enemies as just bullies.
"The class witnessed when Diamond first used taunts in regards to my parents. Her... statements on how my parents just abandoned me just made me furious, for I know that they really cared for me."
"Then where are your parents now?" Diamond said, which actually caused all of the adults to look at her in surprised. Seeing their expressions, Diamond quickly said, "Well... since you're a liar, how do we not know that your parents didn't abandon you?"
"Diamond, that is not something we may just ask other ponies, especially in this kind of situation," Cheerilee admonished Diamond.
"My daughter did bring up a good point though. Ms. Pie, has Aether ever told you about what happened to her parents?" Diamond's father asked.
Pinkie tensed up for a moment before she replied, "Not really... she told Applejack and Twilight that they're gone for good... but she never explained why..."
"Hmm... by that answer, it may be possible that Aether doesn't know what happened to her pare-" Diamond's father said before I interrupted him.
"I know what happened to my parents. I just do not like to talk about it."
Raising an eyebrow, Mr. Rich said, "While you claim to know what happened to your parents, if you don't tell us, then I find it hard to believe that you actually know then."
Giving him a glare, I replied, "Fine... but you may want Diamond out. This is not... pleasant to hear."
Before Diamond could protest, her father decided to heed my advice as he herded her out of the room, making sure that she was far enough away that she couldn't just stick her ear against the door to listen in on what was going to be said. Meanwhile I could see the looks of dread on both Pinkie and Cheerilee's face at the implications of my last words. Once Mr. Rich returned to his seat, Pinkie asked, "Aether... you don't hav-"
"I have to Pinkie, it had to come out eventually," I said in an empty voice. Taking a deep breath, I continued, "The answer to why I know my parents didn't abandon me is simple: They are dead." Pausing for a bit as I try to remain calm, I could hear all the ponies gasping in shock at the news. Really? I thought saying that Diamond should not be here would be enough of a hint that what I'm going to say was going to be extremely unpleasant.
Though there was shock on his face, Mr. Rich asked, "How... how do you know that your parents are dead?"
Sighing, I answered, "I had to bury what was left of them."
This caused all the adults' faces to start to pale, as Cheerilee said, "Bury? You had to bu... wait... did you say 'what's left of them'?" Those last words really got to them, as Pinkie's face began to turn completely white as her hair suddenly become completely straight, Cheerilee's a shade of green, while Mr. Rich just looked at me in horror.
Nodding, I replied, "Yes, what is left of them, alone... please do not ask me what happened to leave them in that... state." Okay, my response was a half-truth, as someone had to bring me their remains, but I still had to bury them myself. Back from where I came from, folk were respectful enough to return people the remains of their loved ones if possible, but other than that, they never helped put them to rest. I guess it was just people wanting their own remains returned as well.
A moment of silence passed before Pinkie broke it when she asked, "Was... was that when you ended up alone?" Giving her a nod, she move to enclose me in a hug, which I hesitated at first but I returned her hug with one of my own. After a moment I pulled away from Pinkie, to which I saw her crying a bit.
"Pinkie... I will be fine. It had happened so long ago that I only have a problem when it is brought up... but.... thank you for the hug," I said, to which Pinkie gave me a weak smile along with a nod. Turning to Mr. Rich, I then said, "Look, no matter what happened, or whether you believe me or not, just make Diamond not say anything about my parents to me, not even a slip up. That is the only way to prevent... any more physical 'stuff' from happening."
Looking at me sternly, Mr. Rich said, "While I highly doubt that my daughter has been bullying you, I think it would be best that she doesn't mention anything to you about your parents. I don't want you to cause another... altercation," before he stood up and went outside to retrieve the brat. Damn, Diamond really has her father fooled.
As the two return, with Diamond glaring at me as usual, Cheerilee coughed into her hoof as she waited for everypony to be seated. "Well... in light of... certain things, I feel like that the best course of action is for both Aether and Diamond to remain in class during the recess period for a week."
"What! Why am I being punished? Aether is the bully here!" Diamond whined, though I just raised an eyebrow at the rather light punishment.
"No matter who's at fault for the fight, you both participated in it, and hence you both need to be punished equally," Cheerilee reprimanded. "Now that this matter has been addressed, we may all take our leave now."
Diamond was still pouting at being punished, though she shot one last glare at me before she and her father left the office. Pinkie and I waited for a short moment before we did the same, at which once we were out in the hallway Pinkie said, "Aether... I'm disappointed in you, you know that, right?"
Sighing, I looked down at my hooves as I said, "Yes Pinkie... I am sorry for getting into a fight... I just lost control of myself... and-" before I felt a hoof on my shoulders, causing me to look up at Pinkie, to see her mane starting to return to its bouncy form.
"It's okay, Aether. I may be disappointed, but I know that deep down that you're a nice pony," Pinkie said with a smile. Oh the irony, I thought to myself before Pinkie continued, "Though you're still in trouble, no chocolate for a month."
"A month!" I shrieked.
"Well, you are on a diet, so think of this as more help for you to lose weight," Pinkie said with a smile as she poked my belly, only for me to attempt to swat her hoof off it.
"Fine... whatever," I grumbled as we made our way out of the hallway, only to come across the Crusaders before we got out of the building.
"That was awesome how you beat up Diamond!" Scootaloo said, her wings fluttering in excitement.
Blinking at Scootaloo's outburst, Pinkie frowned as she said, "Scootaloo! It’s not nice to say that it’s awesome to hurt ponies."
Before Scootaloo could make a retort, Apple Bloom stuck a hoof into her mouth and said, "She didn't mean anythin'! We are just worried about how much trouble Aether is in!" as Sweetie Belle nodded in agreement.
"I just have no recess for a week... and no chocolate for month..." I said, though I grimaced at the thought of having none of the delicacy for a whole month.
"Oh, don't be so sad Aether. How about this, I was going to take you home, but since you showed that you're really sorry for what you have done... I suppose I can let you play with your friends," Pinkie said with a grin, causing the trio to cheer and hug me in joy. "Well, I have to go, I got cupcakes to bake!" Pinkie said before she bounced out the door.
It sounds like she's rewarding me for being regretful of my actions, though I only regret upsetting her... I think she knows that I help keep these three from getting into too much trouble. "So, what plans do we have for today then? Unless you three are still grounded..." I asked.
"Oh, we're not grounded anymore. So we can... oh wait..." Sweetie started to say till her face began to pale, though that was an amazing sight to see due to her coat color. Blinking in confusion, I looked at the other two fillies to see them pale as well.
"What is wrong? What is going on?" I asked.
"You may... not like what you're gonna see when you go over there..." Apple Bloom said.
"What do you mean? What is outside that I will not like?"
"Well... let's just say not only our class heard about your...'interests'," Scootaloo said, causing my eyes to widen at the implications of what she said.
"No... you do not mean..." I said before I rushed out the door, the Crusaders behind me. Once outside, I saw Applejack, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash talking amongst themselves, though at the sound of the Crusaders coming from behind me drew their attention. At the moment their eyes landed on me, I instantly saw their expressions turn sour as they made their approach to me.
Well.... this just got so much worse.
I'm excited for the next chapter now.Goshdarn cliffhangers.I can't wait to see what'll happen when they discover she isn't a part of this universe.
rs2img.memecdn.com/i-amp-039-m-suck-her-k-and-i-amp-039-m-a-man_c_2729857.jpg
So... Even after THE WHOLE CLASS is witness about what happened, Aether is still a liar? What is she going to need? A voice recorder? Maybe Twilight can help setting a polygraph.
Oh boy... this gonna be fun. *Nibbles on popcorn*
Oh man this isn't going to be so great for Aether....
Oh no. Somepony roughly their own age might according to a rumor be attracted to their sisters...
Given that the whole hanging out with the three for allegedly non-pure reasons rather than just friendship seemed to be the bigger scandal then the 'likes other girls' part, I think Rarity, Applejack and Rainbow are over-reacting just a tad.
Still, next chapter sounds like it's going to be interesting.
"Other there" doesn't sound correct.
Should be Over there
Ooh hoo hoo. I can't wait for the next chapter!!!
Hasbro is going to have to come down hard on Diamond Tiara at some time, because she sure aint going to take notice of a mere god.
DT is the sort of mentality, to date, who refuses to accept she is in the fault, even when she is halfway down the throat.
I knew that Filthy Rich would not listen.
While i know there is not likely a change, that there is a romance added as a part of the story, i am still interessted in how the next chapter is going to look like.
I guess i understand why Rarity would be interessted in that rumor, or angry about it, i guess i can even understand why Applejack is there, because of some other fanfictions, but i am not sure why Rainbow Dash could be...... sour about it.
I think i only search for a reason why they could be mad about this matter.
6055454
Well, I can see Aether yelling at them for believing any rumors and storming off. After all, confronting a filly after she just had a fight and she got upset because of something is a bad idea.
6055335 Exactly. How the hell does that happen. The whole frigging class has been witnessing it for a long while now and still that is the conclusion Cherilee got. I don't know why people write her like this but to me this almost seems like serious level of incompetence, being afraid that Filthy Rich would destroy her job (there are real life parents who try to do that to teachers who just give bad grades to their kids) or that she wants Diamond Tiara to keep bullying others.
I just can't see this working like that.
6055454 Yeah. I'm just waiting for Aether to blow up on their faces on listening to rumors spread by the town idiots and believing them without even considering to first confirm them.
6055643
Guess Aether's earlier strutting about 'I know what sex is!' might be at play.
Still, might push things more towards a romance arc, but I'd actually really like if one of the girls got disappointed and hurt from how quickly they got dismissed. They are at the age when most try to figure that type of stuff out, after all, and the exotic genius girl with a dark and trouble past not even considering you an option sounds like the kind of stuff that would sting.
Heck, judging from the attention she got from Snips & Snails gave her and the cover, Aether is adorable as well as smart so I could see it happening.
6055714
Some people don't get interested in sex until late in life, plus Aether may have accepted that she is female now, but not for THAT.
But honestly, confronting Aether the same day she got into a fight and is annoyed for that?
If Aether is really annoyed she can just yell she will just not hang around the CMC anymore and storm off. Heck I would do just that.
6055693 Even if Filthy take away the money, they can just talk with Applejack, The Apple Family is because Ponyville was founded and it's because Filthy have money, if Applejack broke the relation with them, Filthy is going to lose almost all the money. And the best is that she can do it. Rarity have many connections in Canterlot that it could be easy to find another client. Not to say Twilight could ask Celestia for foundings or patronage both for the school but also if Applejack broke the contract with Filthy, not to say Cadence is Twilight sister and as the Princess and ruler of the Crystal Empire she could also take it without problems. Or maybe Discord could make appear money.
I have a feeling the whole town knows about the rumor now. I just wonder how Aether well clear this up? I'm worried that the CMC are not going to be allow to play or be near Aether forever!
I wonder if Discord heard about it?
Bah. Darn cliffhangers. I wanna know what's gonna happen :-(
It always bothers me when Tiara gets away with stuff, especially at school; my mom's a teacher, so I've grown up listening to her talk about her students, and it always sticks out to me when she's complaining about parents. If the kid in question is a wreck or a bully or otherwise troublesome, Mommy risks getting in trouble when she takes it to the parents. Sometimes they're understanding and work to fix it, but more often than not they take offense at the idea that their precious little baby could be anything other than perfect.
So seeing Rich being fooled by Tiara's act, and Cheerilee either not noticing or just not being able to do anything about it really rubs me the wrong way.
Oh greate god "cliffhanger" why are you punished us?
Yes!!!! The mane 6 (or 5 since Pinkie isnt there) think shes a lesbian! Why am I so exited about this! I dont really know! Who cares!
Not a fan of this cliffhanger. Not because I have to wait for a resolution, but because I'm more confused than anything.
If this is supposed to be a land where everyone is willing to at least try to understand someone else's situation, then stars above, they are bad at it.
I find Filthy kind of out of character here. He's shown in the show that he isn't this oblivious to DT's bullying. However, Cheerilee is spot on for her ineffectual and/or incompetent handling and/or complete ignorance of the bullying that is obviously occurring in her class.
After the "lesson" Aether gave RD I can understand in part why she's there. The other two? No idea. Maybe RD convinced/worried them enough to get them to come. Maybe AJ's prejudiced.
That's only if it's from the sex angle. If it's from the friendship angle then I get it.
They're still going to get a serious chewing out by Aether, and they'll deserve it.
if its not one thing its another
stayclassy
You and your damn cliffhangers... damn it!
Damn you DT, you're such a bully, and a jerk.
And uh oh... dare I ask what's going to happen next chapter?
Something tells me that Rarity, Applejack and Rainbow are going to do something they are going to really regret.
Why would they be upset about her preference? Are ponies still sexist or do they think like the 2 boys thought she only joined to get in the crusaders pants so to speak. Haven't they been put through the rumor mill themselves with gabby gums. Maybe they need to learn that lesson again. But I suppose after that 'sex bomb' she told them before might have put them on guard.
Snips and Snails need to die.
So after getting into a fight, having painful memories brought up, dealing with the "special duo" rumor mill; now Aether has to deal with this. Even in the fic itself regardless of the lessons that has been learned in past events, the other characters (especially the Mane 6) completely disregard what they learned. Even in the fic itself they don't learn their lessons about how they treat Aether. Seriously, they all go on way too quick of a warpath where Aether is involved. They should at least give Aether a chance to talk, though knowing Rainbowdash, Applejack, and Rarity it is all going to have to blow up first.
This is beautiful.
It seems like Aether can never catch a break.
Aether kind of sort of stabbed herself in the foot here, with all those lurid descriptions of alien creature mating rituals she used to try to squick Dash and the others, so they would stop assuming she's naive and lovestruck silly. Now it's finally occurred to the ponies that, while using that stuff to show why you don't like sex is all well and good, if someone knows about that stuff and actually likes it, then they could do some very wicked things to a certain trio of eager young unsuspecting fillies. Of course this is a horrible thing to do to children: to isolate them from an adult on the mere possibility that they could teach them something. It produces children who live their sheltered and trusting lives utterly unprepared, thrown into adulthood like being kicked into the deep end of the pool, making them easy prey to be crushed and digested by a heartless corporate industry, just as planned.
But that doesn't stop parents from doing it. Everything becomes black and white when children are involved, and it's so easy to exploit that rigidly inflexible thinking and ruin everything for everyone. So Aether is in some hot doodie right now if she ever wants to be allowed within 50 feet of school grounds. She has a chance to reason with them though, since ponies are not complete blithering idiots the way intolerant parents always seem to be.
Waiting for Aether to get caught and have to tell what really happened.
What should have been said, "I know that deep down that you're a nice creature from a dying , interdimensional species!"
Then watch Aether's brain lock up and burn.
Haha, I like how a month ago the removal of chocolate was no big deal.
Haha, being screwed over by rumors!
6072986 Wait, just how old is she, and when is puberty?
Ouch. I don't go 2 days without chocolate. A month would suck!
It is if they’re a journalist or noble from Canterlot!!! 👿 💀
6781284
she said she's 27, but that's Chronological, her pony body is probably younger.