Raven trotted forward through the castle’s doors, making her way for the throne room. Strangely enough, she moved not with dread for the coming day. In fact, Raven was quite looking forward to the day. Today was actually one of her rare days off, and she merely needed to visit the throne room for some passing business. Then, she could spend her day doing whatever she wished. That meant rest, relaxation, and no royal shenanigans. She could catch up on her reading, or go see a play, or anything at all. This was an unprecedented amount of personal freedom.
“Hey, Rave!”
Raven stopped in her tracks, smirking as her friend approached. Garrus made his way from the east, which said to Raven that he was coming from the barracks. That meant he was getting off of work, which meant Raven would likely be enjoying some company on her day off.
“Hey, Gary. Clocking out?” said Raven, nudging Garrus’ shoulder.
“Yep. What are you doing here, anyway? I thought you had off today.”
“I do. Just gotta drop something off to the throne room. Walk with me.” Garrus nodded, then joined Raven on her stroll. “You busy today?”
“Actually, I’m glad you asked! I just so happened to get my tax refund!” said Garrus, grinning happily. “That means, for the first time in forever, I’m not broke! So, to try to pay you back for all the drinks, I’m taking you out for brunch.” Raven opened her mouth to argue, but Garrus quickly shot her down. “No, no, no, I’m not asking you. It’s the least I can do. We’ll go out, grab something to eat, maybe go see a show. I haven’t really had a chance to explore Canterlot with spending cash. I figured we could make a day out of it.”
“I’m not letting you pay for brunch, Garrus,” said Raven. “We’re splitting the bill.”
“No way! I owe you so much for Ne’er-Do-Wells, I’m buying you brunch,” said Garrus adamantly. “I’m not compromising on that. Deal with it.”
“Ugh. Fine. But I’m paying for dinner.”
Garrus didn’t debate that, which was good enough for Raven. The two approached the throne room, the tall doors closed. Raven was just about to knock on the door when she heard a laugh that chilled her blood in her veins. She recognized that voice, that laugh, and it filled Raven’s body with dread. She couldn’t possibly be here, but that voice was unmistakable.
“Goddess above, please let me be wrong,” said Raven. “Please let this be somepony else…”
Raven let out a sigh and slowly pushed open the throne room doors. She stepped inside, her brain barely processing that Celestia was even there. Raven was more focused on the unicorn that Celestia was speaking to. Her coat was white, not unlike Raven’s, and her mane was done up in a short, greying bun. Her eyes were dark maroon, and they had a sharp, almost predatory gaze to them. She was an older mare, evident from the few wrinkles around her eyes, but she was clearly still sharp in the mind. She stopped her conversation with the princess as soon as she heard the throne room door’s open, and she immediately smirked when she saw who entered. Raven, however, showed no signs of her earlier grin.
“Raven, hello!” said Celestia, waving her over. “And I believe this is Mr. Oak of the Solar Guard? I wasn’t aware that you two were familiar with one another.”
“Ms. Inkwell has been helping me adjust to Equestrian life, your majesty,” said Garrus, bowing to the princess. He glanced nervously at Raven, who was caught in a stare-down with the mystery mare.
“Hello, Raven,” chuckled the mare. “You’re late, hon. Consider that five points off.”
“I’m not late. Today’s my day off,” said Raven, wincing slightly at the mention of points. “What exactly are you doing here?”
“It’s been how long and that’s how you greet me? That’s five more points.” The mare narrowed her eyes at Raven. “Make it ten for being rude in the presence of the princess.” The mare then turned her attention to Garrus, smiling at him. “Hello, I don’t believe we’ve met.”
“I don’t believe so, ma’am,” said Garrus. He stood upright and saluted. “Garrus Oak of the Solar Guard. Pleasure to meet you, Mrs…?”
“Actually, it’s Miss.”
“Don’t,” sighed Raven, burying her face in her hooves. “Mother, what are you doing here?”
“Mother?” Garrus looked the two mares over, slowly noting the resemblance. The more she smirked, the more Garrus could see the similarities. Raven was, clearly, not happy to be sharing a room with her mother, but Garrus wasn’t sure why. She had never really mentioned her family before, so Garrus assumed that her relationship with her mother was pretty standard.
The thick, heavy tension in the room said otherwise.
“Mom, not that it’s not nice to see you,” said Raven, though her gritted teeth seemed to indicate that she was lying. “But you’ll have to forgive my surprise. Last I heard from you, you were heading off to Saddle Arabia.”
“Yes, beautiful country. It was wonderful,” said Raven’s mother. “But, alas, I can’t imagine living there for too long.”
“Is it the heat?” asked Garrus. “I did a short tour in Marecca before I came here, and I was practically sweating out my feathers.”
“The heat was a problem, but my larger concern was my inability to find a stiff drink.”
“Mom!” Raven raised her voice slightly, trying to refocus the situation. “Why are you here?”
“You better watch your tone, missy. Is this how you serve the princess?” scoffed Raven’s mother. “Princess, I’m so sorry you have to deal with my daughter and her sass. I would have thought she’d grown out of it by now.”
“Oh, come now, Harpy. You know Raven is an excellent aid,” said Celestia, giggling at the familial dispute occuring before her. “You taught her well.”
“With all due respect, your excellency, I’m not certain I taught her well enough. Seems she still needs a few more lessons.”
“And I’d love for you to teach me, Mother, but I’m a bit busy. I came here to drop off some documents for the princess, and then I’ve got plans,” said Raven. She reached into her saddlebag and emerged with a stack of papers, which she carried to Celestia and passed it to her sunny yellow aura.
“Ah, so you already wrote up legislature for the debt forgiveness program,” said Celestia, carefully looking over the documents. “It looks very good, Ms. Inkwell. I’ll send this over to the DA’s office at once. You’ve done excellent work on this.”
“Thank you, your highness.” Raven bowed deeply before rising and turning for the door. “It was nice seeing you today, Princess, but I’m afraid I have to go now. I’ll see you bright and early tomorrow morning.”
“Of course. Go enjoy your day off, Ms. Inkwell. Heaven knows you’ve earned it,” said Celestia with a smile.
“Thank you, your grace. Mom, I guess I’ll see you around? If you wanted to see me, you should’ve written a letter,” said Raven. “I would’ve been happy to set aside time for you.”
“Actually, I came to see the princess. Catch up on old times, you know?” said Harpy, narrowing her eyes menacingly at her daughter. “Now, remind me, what holiday is today?”
“Erm… It isn’t one?”
“See, I didn’t think so, but that’s the only explanation as to why you’re not working today.” Harpy began pacing before the throne, much like an irate school teacher lecturing her class. “What if the princess needs your help, Raven? What if she receives and influx of mail today and, due to her preoccupation with that, she cannot give more pressing matters the attention they require.”
“But, Mom—”
“And for what? Hm? What’s so important that you feel the need to leave your princess’ side?”
“Garrus is taking me out to brunch,” said Raven through gritted teeth. As soon as she did, she wished she hadn’t. Harpy’s entire demeanor shifted, changing from that of an angry, intimidating wildcat to a sly silver fox.
“Oh, you made a date and didn’t even think to invite your mother?” said Harpy, though her frown was quickly becoming a smirk. “That sounds like another twenty points, to me.”
“F-first of all, it’s not a date.” Raven realized that her blush and stammer did nothing at all to help her case. “Second of all, I didn’t invite you because Garrus is being kind enough to treat me, and I thought it would be incredibly rude to just invite a plus-one.”
“Oh, well, that’s okay,” said Garrus. “I’d love to get to know you and your mother. Would you like to join us, Ms. Inkwell?”
“Gary!”
“Why, actually, I would,” said Harpy. “Where exactly did you have in mind?”
“Raven? Suggestions?” said Garrus. Raven let out a tired, dejected sigh, bowing her head in defeat. It seemed like she would be doing this, whether she liked it or not.
“I know a place,” said Raven. “Let’s head downtown.”
“Really, Raven?” said Harpy, raising her eyebrow at her daughter. “Alcohol? This early?”
“Mother, this is a bloody mary,” sighed Raven, raising her glass to her lips and wishing she had asked the waiter for something stronger. “Which is perfectly acceptable for brunch. You, on the other hoof, are drinking neat whiskey.”
“That’s besides the point. Do as I say, not as I do.” Harpy drained her liquor in a display that put even her daughter to shame. “If you saw me jumping off a cliff, would you follow in my hoofsteps?”
“I’m not that lucky,” mumbled Raven.
Raven had selected her favorite bistro in downtown Canterlot, at her favorite outdoor table, hoping the food, drink, and atmosphere would distract her from having to spend her day off with her mother. So far, she was mistaken in thinking that. She wasn’t sure if there was anywhere in Canterlot with enough booze to distract her from Harpy’s presence.
“So, you used to be Royal Adviser, right?” said Garrus. Raven wasn’t sure how Gary expected to get through this ordeal on just water, but he commended him for his spirit. “Before Raven took over?”
“That is correct. The Inkwells come from a long, long line of Advisors to the Princess,” said Harpy, glowing with pride. “Going way back to my great-great-great-great-great-great-great grandfather, Snowy Inkwell.”
“Mom, I assure you, Garrus doesn’t want to hear this story,” sighed Raven. “You always tell it. Practically every time I see you.”
“It’s a very important story, Raven!”
“I’d love to hear it,” chimed Garrus, earning a glare from his friend. “Raven doesn’t talk much about how she got the job, and I’ve always been curious.”
“Long, long ago, when Princess Celestia was but a filly, she would travel with her father to explore all of Equestria,” said Harpy, essentially ignoring her daughter’s request. She drained her drink and waved down a waiter, pointing to her empty cup with begging in her eyes. “One day, while exploring a little forest in southeast Equestria. Through this forest ran a river, a river that was rumored to have powerful inherent magical qualities. It was said that anyone who drank from this river would have good fortune for twenty years.”
“Fifteen,” said Raven, rolling her eyes. “It’s always been fifteen.”
“Don’t interrupt me, Raven. Ten points for rudeness.” Harpy never took her eyes off of Garrus, even as she stopped her story to berate her daughter (an act that visibly annoyed Raven). “In any case, Princess Celestia ventured into these woods in search of this river. She hoped to drink from its waters and ensure that her reign as Lady of the Sun would be a long and prosperous one.”
“Historically, nopony called her ‘Lady of the Sun’ until a few decades after this supposedly took place.”
“Little did Princess Celestia know, the river was protected by powerful, evil spirits,” continued Harpy. This time, she ignored Raven outright, grinning at Garrus. She had successfully captured the griffon’s attention, and he hung onto every single word. “She ventured into the forest, unaware of the danger that awaited her.
“Princess Celestia was soon swarmed by these evil spirits, though they were no match for her quick-thinking and powerful magic. She continued on, until day became night and day once more, until she came across an earth pony stallion, an adventurer, battling a horde of spirits with just a blade. He fought valiantly, but the numbers were too great. Just when he thought the end was upon him, a wave of bright yellow magic blasted the spirits to nothing.The stallion, grateful for the princess’ aide, asked how he could possibly repay her. Princess Celestia agreed that the stallion would be her personal assistant. That stallion was Snowy Inkwell, and he vowed that the Inkwells would advise and assist the Princess until the end of days.”
Garrus was, clearly, amazed by the story. He was beyond impressed by the devotion of the Inkwells to Celestia. That sort of dedication that even some of the Royal Guard lacked. Raven, however, was clearly less dazzled by the tale.
“For the record,” said Raven tiredly. “There is absolutely no historical evidence to suggest that this ever happened.”
“Raven, fifty points off,” said Harpy, finally acknowledging her daughter with a frown. “Don’t disrespect this story. It’s the foundation of our family name and, in many ways, all of Equestria itself!”
“But it didn’t happen. I’ve asked Celestia about it and she has no recollection of this ever happening!” Raven wasn’t entirely sure why she was arguing with Harpy. Past experiences showed that it almost never went well for her, but she just couldn’t help herself. “It’s made up. What’s far more likely is that Snowy was the son of some sort of priest or librarian and was chosen by King Solus to assist in the royal duties of the castle.”
“So you’re calling generations of Inkwells all liars?”
“I’m saying that this story has been passed down orally for something like a thousand years! There’s no way in hell that the story we know now is what really happened!”
“Thirty points for your foul language,” said Harpy dryly. “Respect your family name, Raven. Just because you fail to live up to your potential doesn’t mean the rest of the Inkwell lineage should be dragged down with you.”
“You know what?” Raven snarled, then, suddenly, her expression went flat. She nodded slowly, then stood up from the table. She turned to face her mother, giving a stiff, forced smile. “You’re absolutely right. I don’t know what got into me. Apologies, mother.” Raven removed her glasses for a moment, wiping them clean with her handkerchief. “I’m going to go check on our food.”
“You want me to come with you?” asked Garrus. Raven shook her head.
“I’m more than capable. You two stay and get to know each other.”
And, with that, Raven departed from the table, trotting into the restaurant proper. All the while, she was lamenting the brunch. Just as she expected, Harpy was the same as she’d always been. The nagging, the overbearing nature, the points. It was almost too much to bear.
“Hey, you,” said Raven, beckoning to a roaming waiter. “I have a table outside and we’re waiting for our food.”
“I’m so sorry, ma’am, we’re a bit busier than—”
“It’s fine, I don’t care. But I have special instructions for you. When our meals are ready, bring me a straight black coffee with it. I want you to spike that coffee with the strongest whiskey you have. Make it very strong, and do not mention the booze.”
“Um… Okay?” The waiter was confused. “How come—?”
“I’m having brunch with my mother.”
“Say no more, ma’am. I’ll be right out.”
Raven slipped the stallion a handful of bits for his discretion, then sauntered back to her table. She paused as she approached, rolling her eyes at what she saw. Harpy was still talking and, judging by the way she flourished her hoof as she spoke, she was spinning more yarn about the Inkwell family. Raven took a deep, calming breath before setting forth and rejoining the table.
“They said it’ll be right out,” said Raven.
“Your mother was just telling me that you used to be into drama,” said Garrus. Raven’s eyes shrank, abject horror evident on her face. “I didn’t know you had a theatre background.”
“I… I was interested in the performing arts as a filly, yes,” said Raven carefully. “Was more of a writer, truthfully, but I did try my hoof at acting. Never really stuck, though.”
“Do you remember that Bridleway contest?” asked Harpy. Raven’s face went a bit red, and she refused to make eye contact with anypony.
“Bridleway contest?” Garrus was entirely oblivious to just how little Raven seemed to want to talk about it.
“W-when I was eleven, there was a contest for young, aspiring theatre students,” said Raven. She swore internally for her stammer, but kept right along. “We had to write a short script and perform it for some big theatre critics. The winner got to perform their play as an opener for Les Mismarérables.”
“Wow. Sounds like a big deal,” said Garrus. “That could jumpstart somepony’s career.”
“Yep. It was supposed to strap a rocket to me and shoot me to the moon.”
“Supposed to?”
“She got lazy and never finished her script,” chimed in Harpy. Raven went bright red in the face by this point, having to fight to avoid scowling.
“I d-did not get lazy.” Every word was slow and measured, as if a few short seconds from a meltdown. “I don’t know why you keep telling people that. I did not get lazy.”
“You did. You had half of it done by the deadline, then said you don’t feel like finishing it.” Harpy rolled her eyes at the thought, which visibly annoyed Raven. “It’s your own fault. Besides, it’s for the best. You don’t belong on Bridleway. You belong next to the throne, serving the princess!”
Raven felt her eye twitch, but chose to say nothing.
“Well, that’s where I am now, so I guess so,” she said. “I guess so…”
“So, so sorry for the delay!” Raven jumped slightly, so engrossed in dealing with her mother that she didn’t notice the approaching waiter. He laid down their plates as he apologized, finally passing Raven her coffee.
“Thank you,” said Raven, taking a big sip. “You have no idea how much I needed this.”
“Have you not been sleeping, Raven? You really should be keeping a proper sleep schedule,” scolded Harpy. “How can you possibly do your job properly if you're downing coffee every ten minutes? Besides, it's incredibly unhealthy for you! No wonder you look so sickly! It’s a wonder you’ve got such a handsome boyfriend when you don’t even take care of yourself.”
“Actually, ma’am, me and Raven aren’t dating,” chuckled Garrus, feeling awkward for the first time. “Just friends.”
“Oh?” Harpy smirked, leaning in a bit closer and turning her predatory gaze up a notch. “Is that so, Mr. Garrus?”
Raven grabbed the waiter on the shoulder as he tried to exit the scene, looking at the stallion with pleading in her eyes.
“Please,” said Raven. “Keep them coming.”
“Yes, of course.”
“Another. Please,” said Raven to the barmaid, downing her third whiskey. “I want to drink until the memories of today leak out of my ears.”
“Oh, come on, Inkwell,” yawned Luna, putting away what must have been her fourth drink of the night. Contrary to the norm, Luna was the first of the trio to make it to Ne’er-Do-Wells that night, and she didn’t wait for her friends to arrive before she began drinking. Raven followed in her hoofsteps, immediately skipping over her usual and going straight for the hard liquor. “She can’t have been that bad.”
“She told the damn Inkwell origin story. She told the Bridleway story. She kept bringing up the point system…”
“Yeah, I was curious about that,” said Garrus. “What’s the deal with the points?” Raven let out a long, tired sigh before dropping her face to table.
“When I was a filly, she established this point system,” growled Raven. “I started the week off with 100 points. She could add or deduct points whenever I did or didn’t do my chores, or I talked back, or whatever. If I finished the week with 100 or more points, I got my allowance. Less than 100 and I had to pay her.”
“Wow, that sounds terrible!” chuckled Luna. “How often did you go under?”
“Every other goddamn week. She was relentless with those points. She once docked me fifty points because I didn’t close the milk jug all the way.”
“Well, you don’t get allowance from her anymore,” noted Garrus. “So what’re the points for now?”
“To annoy me, I’m sure,” sighed Raven. She happily accepted the whiskey from the barmaid, giving a small, appreciative smile. “Thank you. Well, at least we’re done with that. Won’t have to see her again for some time.”
“You plan on avoiding the Royal Archives for the foreseeable future?” asked Luna, lazily flipping her now empty cup with her magic. She seemed oblivious to Raven’s stunned silence for a bit, until she looked up and realized that Raven’s gaze was all but boring through her. “What?”
“What about the Archives?”
“You didn’t hear? Harpy asked for a job in the Royal Archives, to keep her hooves busy after retirement. Celestia obliged.”
“So… My mom… Is now my co-worker…?”
“That’s about the size of it, yeah.”
Raven pressed her lips together, biting the inside of her mouth to avoid screaming. She knocked back her whiskey, slamming the glass onto the table before waving her hoof wildly to catch the attention of the barmaid.
“Another! Please!”
Hah, oh boy. Nice work.
Feel free to step in at any point, Celestia.
Harpy is certainly well-named. I don't want to say I want to see her dead, but I wouldn't feel any distress if she were to fall off the edge of Canterlot.
I would quit if I was her and write Celestia a letter explaining why.
8860141
Creating a hostile work environment. Kick her mother out instead.
Well...Raven is now totally and completely FUCKED!! T_T
Oh ye gods she's awful. Like, bad enough I can't actually find her funny. She makes me think of Hearthstone's family from Magnus Chase.
First name "Garrus" (nickname "Gary"), last name "Oak" = "Gary Oak"?
I can finally understand why Raven's a functioning alcoholic, especially growing up with a mother like that.
8860184
You're the first person to notice the pun. Good show.
Ha! Poor Raven.
That point-system, though... that hit a little close to home.
I foresee a great deal of "coffee" in the future.
8860037
Celestia didn't intervene because it's a family matter, and, as far as she understands, just how Harpy and Raven interact. If you were with someone and their mom started berating them, would you intervene?
8860141
If you've ever wondered why Raven hasn't quit yet, you just met the reason.
Having a mom like Harpy makes Raven’s job loads harder than it already is.
8860170
Yeah, these Harpy segments might hit a bit close to home for me, because she's loosely modeled after my own mother. But, much like my own more, she's not all bad. Just give her a bit
8860349
Considering that said reason is now gonna make her life hell everyday. Why would Raven stay?
Celestia is not an idiot. She have Harpy a job were Raven will have to see her every day. And Celestia KNOWS RAVEN HATES HER MOTHER!
That's the contrary of rewarding a loyal employer. That's like being reasigned to Antarctica.
If I was Raven I would quit and then ask Luna if she wants a secretary.
8860233
Considering she never ever got over a hundred. That means Raven basically never had an allowance. The whole thing was just a torture.
And I bet you ten bits Raven actually would have finished that script, but her mother sabotaged her.
Because really, what else would someone who never liked anything their child does do?
8860347
Yes if it was in my office. Celestia is not an idiot, why would she allow abuse to happen in front of her were antone can see she is doing nothing to stop it?
8860391
Raven doesn't hate Harpy. She just hates the way Harpy thinks.
Raven is staying because she doesn't have any choice.
Luna wouldn't hire Raven because she prefers to work alone.
Raven got over 100 sometimes. Just not all the time.
Cough up those ten bits, because Raven did not finish the script, nor did Harpy "sabotage" her.
And, finally, it's not so much that Harpy doesn't like what Raven does. She just thinks that Raven is wasting her natural born talent. And, on top of that, Raven is an only child. She could very well be the last Inkwell to be Royal Advisor. This is a big deal.
8860401
Raven has no reason not to hate this unrepentantly despicable excuse of a parent, and I am honestly confused why no one is pointing out how terrible she is.
8860347
Yes, because I have a soul.
Unsent Letters
"Dear Princess Celestia,
You know your Majesty, I will admit something to you.
Right now you did something that went past my tolerance limit and frankly for all I care Canterot, no all of Equestria can burn, I don't give a damn anymore. I am not cleaning up your next disaster.
I hate my job, but that's not even a third of how much I hate my mother.
And you bucking know that.
You are not an idiot, you have made that perfectly clear recently, didn't you?
Yet despite that, you just made sure that the job I hate so much now has me to deal with my mother every single day.
Buck that.
I am resigning effective Immediately. My two week notice has been give two weeks ago, in fact I have been giving it to you since I started this job. And while at first I thought you just did not read your paperwork, I just know both of us were pretending said notice just wasn't there.
Why? Because I was too much of a coward to quit.
Not anymore.
I am hope you are happy.
While you are reading this I am most likely asking your sister, Princess Luna, if she wants a secretary.
If she answers yes, I will have to get used to work by night.
If she doesn't I will leave Cantelot and get a job at a theather in Manehatan. Is not much, just cleaning and helping actors with their costumes but my mother doesn't work there.
So I think I will be happier there.
Goodbye, hopefully forever,
With all my hate and pity,
Raven Inkwell."
Raven have the letter yet another read, then saved it in the box full of other resignation letters she never had dared to sent.
Why?
Why was she such a coward?
Why she such a pushover?
She didn't care if she couldn't be a screenwriter for theater plays or not. She just loved the theater, yet in the end she let her mother roll over her.
And now she would let make her nightmare job be even worse?
Why?
She wasn't really needed.
Celestia was perfectly capable of doing with Raven did, she just chose not to because that was her royal privilege.
All these years, it was just Celestia humoring her wasn't it?
So what was the point?
Did she had any sick days left?
No, she did not, she used them all when Celestia went to Saddle Arabia because buck her watching Celestia and that damn handsome horse flitting at each other for a whole week... again.
Granted getting sick on purpose had sucked but it was still better than that.
She did not cry later, she was just taking a shower, and so what if it was her third shower in the day? getting cleaned was important.
And her pillow was not covering any sobs, that was just...
Oh buck it.
Raven stood up and washed her face.
Better.
"Not is not." A small voice said inside her.
She did not cry herself to sleep, not did she went to work with a scary face that would have scared a Minotaur, those were just rumors.
She was Raven Inkwell and she really wished she had a different job.
But then again, is not like doing your job wasn't supposed to make you miserable, right?
AN: Look, is Luna rubber ducky!
8860401
Having a mother like Harpy is sabotage, so nope.
Also quoting yourseft
*Wow, that sounds terrible!” chuckled Luna. “How often did you go under?”
“Every other goddamn week. She was relentless with those points. She once docked me fifty points because I didn’t close the milk jug all the way.”*
So that means never.
She didn't say.
*"When I didn't go under? She was relentless with those points. She once docked me fifty points because I didn’t close the milk jug all the way. Hay Is easy to count the number of times I didn't go under because it was never more than a few times a year. And that was only the times mother dearest was too busy with work to keep docking points all day."*
And honesty a lot of jobs would be better that daily Harpy abuse.
Plus she is a secretary, she can work anywhere that uses secretaries.
All she wastes her extra money is drowing her sorrows anyway. That's not life, that's purgatory.
8860447
I didn't realize Harpy would be this offensive...
She's not a bad parent, per say. She's just a hardass. If being a bitchy, stubborn micromanager makes you a bad parent, then I need to have a long talk with my mom.
8860457
Wrong. Raven said that she went under 100 every other week. This means week 1, she went under, but week 2, she did not. So, assuming this wasn't hyperbole (which it obviously is), that means she got an allowance every two weeks.
You, and a few other people, are misinterpreting the situation. First and foremost, money is not the point. If it was simply a matter of money, Raven wouldn't have ever started working for Celestia in the first place.
While I appreciate the effort you put into that little hypothetical letter to Celestia, it makes a ton of faulty assumptions. Celestia could, potentially, do everything that Raven can do, just like I could, potentially, build a house. The house will get built, but it won't be a nice house and it'll take a hell of a long time.
Raven is not depressed. She's not crying herself to sleep. She's angry, sure, but it's not that bad.
As for the theatre contest thing, it was nopony's fault that the script didn't get finished. It wasn't sabotage. It wasn't foul play. It was an unfortunate combination of events that came together to make little filly Raven give up.
Finally, Raven is way more than a secretary. She's the Royal Advisor, which means she has to be well-versed in the law of the kingdom. Raven passed the bar. She's a qualified paralegal. She can budget, plan, finance, write legislation, and more. So yeah, she could work for anywhere that was hiring secretaries, but that'd be a hell of a waste of her skillset.
I'm starting to feel like I did an awful job of presenting Harpy, because she's not a bad person. Or I didn't intend for her to be, anyway. She's deeply flawed, as is her daughter, but that's a fact of life. She's not a monster. She's just human (or equine, I suppose).
I'm sorry, but Harpy is going too far. By letting Celestia hire someone who actively causes Raven trauma, she's officially descended to Trollestia levels of bastardry. This needs to be addressed.
8860547
Unfortunately people like her mother are very good at acting sweet and nice to the people with power over them. They know who's toes they can step and on who's they can't and can dance on that line with ease. In all honesty Celestia thinks that Harpy is a nice old lady who cares about her daughter and not a huge bitch.
She's basically a nicer version of my mother.
That was kind of uncomfortable to read. Poor Raven.
8860532
Yeah, I think your presentation of Harpy was... overzealous. This chapter literally made me want to strap an anvil to her and drop her in the same vat of rabid weasels I want to drop Dolores Umbrage into, if that gives you any idea. It literally made me wonder why Raven has not completely broken all ties with her.
8860502 Unfortunately, we don't know what your mother inflicted in you. We only know what Harpy did to Raven.
Still, congratulations. You made her utterly vile. Working for a troll like Celestia was bad enough, but having to deal with that as well? Well done, this story has now crept over the line into full fledged character abuse.
Unfaved and untracked, but not downvoted, as while it's not my cup of tea, you are allowed to write your characters any way you like. Though from what you've said, you didn't intend Harpy to be as bad as you actually wrote her. It happens. that guy Blaze who wrote the original TCB story didn't intend to create the second most hated setting in Fimfiction.
8861097
Bye
I had this voice in my head as soon as I read her first line.
8860532
You made a wonderful job at making both Celestia and Harpy cross the line.
And even before this chapter is quite clear Raven does hate her job.
A job you like and love doesn't drive you to drink as much as Raven does. Because yes is clear Raven would greatly prefer a job were she didn't have to babysit Celestia.
Even worse, now she knows Celestia is just acting the way she does. She can't blame it on senility, she can now only blame on Celestia being lazy.
Want to save the chapter? Make Harpy be here because she doesn't have much time left. But because she is a bigger idiot that Raven and Celestia put together she can't spill out she wants to be with her daughter in her final days, because she is twisted and can't stop herself.
8860502
When you move to work to the same place as your adult daughter, and you can't say two words without driving your daughter to eventually die out of liver disease thanks to making her drink, I say you are a problem.
Heck if was Raven, I would quit even if it meant my next best option was a minimum wage job. Maybe risk being homeless for a short while because Harpy does the kind of parenting that destroys people.
That kind of people is toxic to themselves or others and the worst case is that they might not even realise it.
8860597
Celestia literally saw Harpy belite her daughter in front of her and as was made clear a few chapters ago, Celestia is not an idiot.
Unless Harpy is literally dying from Cancer or something like that, and wants the job to be close to her daughter, Celestia was truly evil in doing this to Raven. Is not like there wasn't a chushy job she couldn't have given Harpy were her daughter doesn't have to see her every few days.
8860502
You do not belite your child in front of their boss if you are a good parent.
If you are making a choice that will affect your child immediate future, you tell them as soon a you can instead of them having to find thanks to a third party.
Yes no parent is perfect, but Harpy was a coward that didn't even tell her child up front that she was getting a job that would force Raven to see her regulary.
8861097
Wait... second? What's the most hated?
8861678
k
8860502
I don't want to be a dick (this is clearly personal to you, and I'm not the only one pointing this out) but if we aren't supposed to hate this person Umbridge style you might consider rewriting some of this chapter.
8860502
I'd point to the way she hasn't been shown to care for her daughter in any personal way. This behavior is funny with Doctor Cox because he and JD aren't related and there is a degree of distance. If Cox treated Jack like this, it would not be funny.
8861701 Fall of Equestria. That stuff is nauseatingly vile.
Hooold on a second here. I mean, I get not liking Harpy, but what's with all of this? She wasn't abusive here, just demanding in her standards.
Okay, sure, this is the internet, and we're reading fanfiction. I suppose I should expect people to act as if a single facet of a character is the sum total of their personality.
8862265
This. Holy shit, this. Out of the dozen or so comments, you're so far the only person who gets it.
You're my new hero.
8862431
My mom wouldn't let me get away with anything. It's annoying, but I still love her, and I wouldn't be half the person I am today if she hadn't. We have an interesting relationship where we snark at each other all the time and play jokes designed to outsmart each other.
Reminds me of a saying I heard once: "Before I had no kids and three theories on how to raise them. Now I have three kids and no theories on how to raise them."
8862265
The fact that she is moving to a job that means Raven has to see her at least every few days is a nightmare.
The fact the two of them have the same boss is worse. Add that [Harpy didn't even care enough to tell her daughter in person that's she is getting a new job that will force Raven to see her regularly], and that [Harpy can't open her mouth without insulting her daughter, even in front of her daughter boss]. And that [Celestia didn't even say something like they could save their arguments for a less public place, when it happened right in front of her.]
To sum it up
Harpy insulted her daughter in front of her daughter boss.
Harpy keeps treating her daughter as a disobedient child even when Raven is an adult, and she does so in front of everyone.
Harpy didn't even care enough to tell Raven in person about her new job, Raven had to find from a third party.
And since you two seem completely ignorant about the term:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_humiliation
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/So_You%27ve_Been_Publicly_Shamed
So now everyone not only knows Harpy can insult her daughter in public and get away with it, but that even Celestia allows it. Oh and Luna knows that despite the fact the two talked for hours, Harpy doesn't even care enough to tell her daughter Raven about her new job.
[So yeah Raven social life and whatever respect she had is done down the drain.]
8862529
Did your mother insult you in front of your boss, is now working on a job that forces you to see her regularly and always insults you in front of everyone while also threating you as a child? Oh and the two of you now share the same Boss who doesn't care if she insults you in front of her?
If so, why are you keeping that stupid job then? Even sleeping in a homeless shelter would be better.
And I say this as someone who once upon a time had to bathe with cold water in the middle of winter, who couldn't even eat everyday and that's only alive today thanks to kind relatives, some of who had quite a bad temper.
But none of them shout to me in front of my boss and failed to inform me that we would end working together. Or if they wanted to iinsult me, did in public.
8863539
Dude, seriously. Chill. Much like before, when various people were bagging on Raven for being such a twat, or Celestia for being such a moron, you're being too harsh too fast.
Harpy didn't insult Raven. She berated her. There's a difference.
Harpy does treat Raven as a child, which is a problem that happens with a lot of folks and their parents.
Harpy not telling Raven about the job is kinda a dick move, but not that bad. A bit inconsiderate and rude, but not as crazy as you and a bunch of other people are trying to make it out to be.
Raven never really had a social life to start with.
This is the last time I'm going to respond to comments of this nature. I appreciate your passion, but I have plans for Harpy and Raven. If you give me some time to tell a story, I'm willing to wager that I'll tell a story that you'll enjoy. This story ain't over, and Harpy has been on screen for one chapter. Give me some time.
Thank you for your patience.
Edit: I just realized that I should make one thing clear going into this post. Two good friends of mine have seriously shitty parents, so I have direct insight into what abuse looks like as well as how hard it is to get away from that relationship because of the way the familial relationship warps things, and I am clearly seeing a serious problem here.
8862529
The phrase "each other" is the critical piece you're missing here. Your relationship is reciprocal and thus relatively healthy. If your mother pulls something on you, you can turn around and get her back for it.
The key problem here is that the relationship is not reciprocal. Harpy browbeats Raven while refusing to tolerate any attempt to respond which shows a clear disdain for Raven's feelings. This is especially visible in the points callouts which are inherently completely one-sided and impossible to respond to in any meaningful way, and the way she constantly hammers on them across substantially distributed conversation makes it crystal clear this isn't a joke. It is clearcut abuse, and needs to be treated as such regardless of the intent behind it.
8860347
That depends on details and I wouldn't act without getting enough information to be sure it isn't a friendly joke (which Celestia should know already), but if I saw something like this happening in my workplace I would absolutely take action. If I was a supervisor I would immediately sit them down to talk about it and, once it became clear how much Raven genuinely hates it, make it clear that it will either stop immediately or Harpy will be fired. As a coworker, I would first talk with Raven to get her side of things, and then either go to management or HR to get them to sort out the problem. This is even more true of Garrus and especially Luna who absolutely has the power and information to know that this is a very real problem which needs to be dealt with, so that is absolutely something that needs to be addressed next chapter.
8865521
It'll be addressed when it's time to address it, and that isn't next chapter.
8865528
That's not impossible, but it requires Harpy to be absent from the next chapter since Luna can take action overnight with her dreamwalking.
Also, I added an edit at the beginning of my last post so make sure you go read that.
8865529
I know a thing or two about abuse, myself.
I'll do what I like with my story. You don't get to tell me what my story is required to do to solve a problem that isn't a problem at all.
I'll put Harpy where I want Harpy to be, and the next chapter has Harpy. Luna will not be involved in solving this problem that isn't a problem because it's not Luna's job. This falls on Harpy and Raven.
Nobody on the planet knows this fic better than I do. Stop screaming about my story and let me tell it. Capisce?
Holy smokes.... I had my own head-cannon for Raven's parents, but THIS..... Harpy kinda rocks! At first, I though 'Wow, she's a real B****H!' But the more I read, I started to see a bit of an 'overbearing but still fair (in her mind)' type of parenting. So points to you on that!
Harpy might seems like a real nag, by HARP-ing (see what I did there?) on every little detail, but in the long run, you'll come to appreciate it--as much as you don't wanna admit it. And while I agree with some of the comments above, like berating your daughter in front of her boss being in poor taste can be a bad thing, it can also shed some light on what could eventually lead to a break-down.
And with the ending and that revelation... Oh man oh man is this going to get interesting....
Raven as the Adviser, and Harpy the Archivist.... One would think that would be like Pinkie-Pie and the Cakes being co-bakers... BUT totally not gonna work out that way.... I see this situation ending up much like a certain TF2 SFM animation/song....
~unsure if allowed to link outside sources, but if not, I'll come back and delete this link; One Day Off~
Great as always, can't wait for the next round of laughs and 'oh crap' moments and the face-hoofing to be had!
an
Here you are missing the main clause.
aid
8860502
Yes you need.
8866559
Thanks, random stranger on the internet. I'll be sure to do that.
8866546
Thanks for looking at the big picture, good brother. People like you are what make me want to continue on with this story
8866716
Just answering your question.
And yes, being a bitchy stubborn micromanaging parent is bad parenting, obviously FAR from the worst but still bad.
That aside from the fact that Harpy is represented here as quite a bit more abusive than that. If that was not the intention you may want to revise the story.
And the fact that it’s COMMON for parents to be like this is NOT justification. The question to check is “would this parent be allowed to adopt a kid?” If the answer is no then that is a bad parent.