Filthy Rich entered his home calmly, looking at everything in a new light. In truth, everything he was seeing was things he'd been seeing for a long time, but that he hadn't wanted to see. As much as he loved his little girl, so much of his marriage with Spoiled was a matter of 'don't rock the boat', doing his best to keep things quiet for Diamond's sake. In truth, that went further back than he would admit to anyone, for rather significant reasons. Still, when he thought about what he'd seen in Cheerilee's report of Diamond Tiara's behavior, of what Spoiled had turned her into, and the one who was her primary target...
He quickly dashed those thoughts. They were maudlin, and counter productive. He had a plan, and he would enact it. He calmly walked into the dining room as Randolph brought him a meal before silently withdrawing. As the butler started to remove himself, however, Filthy gave him the silent signal he knew well to meet him later privately.
Turning his attention back to his meal, he was caught off guard as Spoiled decided to make her pique known once again. "Did you give that...that griffon a stern talking to?" she demanded angrily.
Filthy sighed as he took a sip of coffee, unsurprised to find that Randolph had fortified it. The old boy was quite efficient in his own way. "Sebastian and I had quite the delightful talk," he offered noncommittally. "He seems a reasonable enough fellow. Our talk was quite productive."
Spoiled smirked smugly. "Well that's good to-" Her voice caught in her throat as Filthy casually set a batch of documents on the table, the file labeled 'Spoiled Rich' in Cheerilee's hoof writing plainly visible to her. "...hear," she managed to finish, though her voice had lost most of its confidence.
"So how goes your homework, my little princess?" he asked sweetly, turning to where Diamond Tiara was alternating between eating her food and irritably scribbling at some papers.
"J-just fine, Dad," Diamond Tiara informed eagerly. "I can handle this-ah!" The quill she had been writing with snapped, the tip flipping into her drink as the upper part fell into her food. "I can...handle it..."
Randolph was there before Filthy could say anything, clearing away the contaminated dishes for fresh ones and cleaning up Diamond's ink-stained hooves. Filthy shifted his position enough so he could see Diamond's work, and instantly saw where she was making the mistake that was presently frustrating her. "You transposed those two," he pointed out, gesturing to the two equations that had gotten mixed up.
Diamond Tiara lowered her gaze, flushing in embarrassment. "Sorry..."
"Why don't you set that aside and enjoy your dinner?" he suggested brightly. "And after that, we can meet in my office and work on this together. How does that sound?"
Diamond's head jerked up, her eyes wide in surprise. "R-really, Daddy?" she asked, her voice quiet with hopeful disbelief.
It took a great deal of Filthy's self control not to break down right there. It had been far too long since he was 'Daddy'. "Of course, princess," he promised. "We'll work right up until bedtime if that's what you need."
The wide, genuine smile that crossed her face was well worth ignoring his wife's disapproving scowl.
After Diamond Tiara was put to bed, homework she could be proud of tucked into her saddlebags, Filthy waited calmly in his study as Randolph stepped in. "You called for me, sir?" he asked in his wheezy voice, an affectation as he was far sturdier than he appeared.
Filthy smiled at the apparently elderly stallion before him. "Randolph, I'm sure you noticed I took a different approach with my wife and daughter tonight," he offered idly.
"It was hard to miss," Randolph observed. "It's been a long time since I've seen the young Miss so happy." He frowned. "Pity..." He stalled his voice.
"Go on, Randolph," Filthy coached. "I'm not going to penalize you for voicing an honest opinion."
Randolph chuckled softly. "I was going to say 'Pity the same can't be said of the old Miss looking so perturbed'," he explained.
Filthy managed to smile. "Randolph...I want you to do something for me-"
"Name it, sir," Randolph interrupted quickly.
Filthy shook his head, amazed at the dedication and loyalty he'd somehow inspired in this old timer. "I intend to begin a new regimen as far as what Diamond learns in this household. Spoiled has taught her to..."
"Be as much a spoiled brat as her mother is, and to squander whatever useful skills she has behind annoying temper tantrums and throwing her apparent weight around?" Randolph supplied.
Filthy winced at the pointed if accurate barb. "Indeed. I intend to break those habits."
"Pardon for speaking so, sir, but how will you do that when you're rarely here?" Randolph pointed out. "You might be reasonable, but the Miss is determined to get her own way, and she will and has dismissed help for voicing an opinion, even if she fed you a different reason come your return."
Mr. Rich frowned angrily at that news. "Well, both of those things are going to change. First off, I'll be staying here in Ponyville much more often...and if something does require me to rush off somewhere else, if at all possible I intend to take Diamond Tiara with me so she can learn about the business. And for those times when I can't, I leave it to you to keep things going." He pushed a sealed envelope over to him. "And if my wife tries to make a fuss or interfere with that in any way, show her this."
Randolph didn't bother to ask about the letter's contents as he slipped it into his jacket. He'd served Filthy alone before Spoiled entered the picture, and knew his employer well. "Finally laying down the law with her, sir?"
"It's about time, isn't it?" Filthy asked ruefully.
Sebastian smiled to himself as he let the mirror return to just showing his reflection. While it wasn't really his business what happened with the Rich family, he had stuck his oar in and was idly curious about the outcome. And from what he'd seen, the potential for chaos and suffering there was most exquisite, and the sort of thing he would want to keep an eye on. Beyond that, his Mistress' interests were involved, and he was certain she would approve. But for now, it was her bed time, and even if he was a teacher in Ponyville, it was still his duty to tuck her in.
It wouldn't be long before the spa trip, and then his duty would be far more complex.
Can't wait to see Spoiled's face!
Discord: Who does this guy think he is? Trying to steal my job like that?
8090965 Bets on if they are actually brothers?
I can never not hear Efrem Zimbalist Jr's voice when a butler is speaking...
AKA Alfred from Batman the Animated Series.
that went further back then he would admit to anyone
1. Than.
I'm certain Mr. Rich has now filed his wife's expression into his memory appropriately.
Am I the only one "SQEEE-ING" about this turn of events?
8091035 Let me fix that.
Once Spoiled was introduced Diamond became so much more liked, her bullying finally made sense and she became redeemable.
Epic.
Right in the feels, Tatsu. Right in the feels.
Being someone who only knows a vague few details from Black Butler, I have to ask: Is Sebastian a good guy at heart? Or does he only do good things when it is part of his job/has some benefit for him, even if it's just for entertainment?
8091247 That voice is dedicated to Sebas-chan
Speaking of....Wonder if any crimson cloaked reapers will be making a cameo...
8091424
8091424
The second one; Sebastian is all about efficiency, especially since he's technically an indentured servant (both as a demon under contract and the masquerade as a butler), so he has to do whatever, otherwise he doesn't get the soul. Mostly, he just sees humans/ponies as food that's still cooking.
8091559
Ah so he's a demon, that explains the soul eating thing earlier. Still, even a demon can do good sometimes, even if it's only for their own benefit/under outside orders. But then, what possible goal could Scoots need a demon to help her with? Whatever it is, I'm betting it ain't good...
8090965 Discord: I like him!
Lemme guess. Divorce papers and the reminder that she won't get alimony?
8092546
Enough evidence to ensure she gets no custody, and the pre-nup.
8091617 cross over with black Butler
DAAAAAAAWWWWW. And I never thought I'd be writing that concerning Diamond Tiara. Very well done Tats.
This chapter puts me in mind of one of my favorite Calvin and Hobbes strips: i.imgur.com/xrbo3.png
I can't wait to see what's in the envelope Mr. Rich gave Randolph. And I'm going with Mr. Rich to show my respect for him deciding to stallion up and take the steps necessary to bring out the best in his daughter and make her happy.
8091212 nope!
8093057 Was hoping
8093366 maybe you misunderstood me... you are not the only one is what i meant.
8093412 Thank you and I did understand, considering that at times what I find adorable or funny if not hilarious is not what other people find the same, I just wasn't sure
Ever since that certain episode, my heart has been softened towards Diamond Tiara, and all of my anger towards her has been doubled down on her mother. Having had a couple friends in that sort of position, I truly empathized with her. This chapter really penetrated deep into that soft spot, like an arrow struck true. Seeing Filthy Rich in the sort of persona that I also imagine him having. [Season 7 spoilers] I kinda wish he had a minor role in The Perfect Pear, but there's only so much time given for episodes, so maybe if I stop procrastinating I might write something myself. Anyways, great writing as always, Tatsu.
Would Discord ever intend to step in?
8276737
It was said at the beginning of the story that Scootaloo was beyond Discord's power. So I'm going to guess that Discord is either legit afraid of Sebastian or has a kind of pact with creatures like Sebastian that keeps them from intervening in each other's affairs.
Were there divorce papers in that envelope Filthy Rich slipped his butler?
8451842
I explained in the comments on an earlier chapter that Sebastian's power being bound to Scootaloo means Discord's power can't touch her. Nothing about pact or anything like that, just standard balances of forces.
Or in essence, if Discord wanted to try anything with Scootaloo now, he'd have to get past Sebastian first...and the only thing certain about that fight if it happened is the massive bill for collateral damage.
8713174
I can only imagine... *shudders* Discord, Master of Chaos–the guy who makes even Celestia and Luna feel nervous when he gets in a bad mood–and the vicious, demonic predator Sebastian secretly is... I'd pity any fool that got within a quarter mile of that exchange of powers and blows. I doubt either one could seriously wound, much less kill, the other, as Discord is known to be able to unleash some pretty intense power when he wants to, and Sebastian is a demonic butler who makes most people shiver in fear anytime his tone or visage becomes remotely menacing in any way–with good reason if half of what I imagine him being able to do in his true form is anywhere near close to the true horror–but it'd still be catastrophic to anything or anyone that happened to be or get in the way.
By the by, I won't spoil it here, but I love how you ended this fic. It was simply beautiful. Props to you for awesome writing once again!
… if Discord isn’t aware of who he is, he’s going to LOVE sebastion… that is, if he’ not scared away by a demon griffon.