Ugh.
My head feels like Tirek used it as a punching bag.
Twilight groaned and opened one eye, instantly shutting it as an extremely bright light assaulted her eyesight. She groaned again and rolled onto her stomach, feeling around for Rainbow Dash as she tried to ignore the feeling of wanting to throw up.
To her surprise she found something other than Rainbow. Somebody had left a glass in front of her. Picking it up, she felt some kind of iced liquid through the glass.
Staring hard at the ground, she slowly opened one eye. What she was holding turned out to be a glass full of iced water. Peering around she noticed one next to Rainbow Dash too, who was still asleep behind her.
Twilight heard the sound of hoofsteps softly padding into the library. It turned out to be Scootaloo, and she was carrying a plate full of freshly cooked hash browns.
“Good morning Twilight.” Scootaloo chirped, setting the plate down between Twilight and Rainbow Dash. “I made some hash browns to help with the hangover. Greasy foods always help.”
Twilight smiled and sat up. “That’s really sweet of you, Scootaloo.” she picked one up and started chewing on it. “I didn’t think Spike knew how to make hash browns though. He’s never made any before.”
Scootaloo was quiet for a moment. “He doesn’t. I asked Rarity to teach me years ago because there was always less of a chance of dad hitting me if I helped him with his hangovers.”
“O-oh.” Was all Twilight could reply.
Scootaloo walked over to Twilight’s side, and after a moment of hesitation, started leaning against her.
“I’m sorry Twilight.” She stated.
Twilight drained her glass of water and peered down at the filly. “Sorry for what?”
“I… Well… to be honest ever since I was told what you did at the farm, I’ve been kind of… numb to the whole thing. But I know that it has to have been hurting you, and you’re hiding it. And I mean… the only reason we were in that situation was because of me.”
Twilight opened her mouth to argue but Scootaloo cut her off.
“Yes, I know I shouldn’t blame myself, and that it’s not actually my fault my dad is… was… the way he was, but… emotions are dumb, y’know?”
Twilight stuck a wing around Scootaloo and pulled her in, giving her a small smile. "I'm sorry you got dragged into the situation too. But I'm an adult. I can handle these things. And you and Spike and Rainbow Dash just being here for me is an enormous help. I'm just sorry I did what I did. I know you were hoping we could change him."
Scootaloo started at the floor and weakly poked at it with a hoof. She was silent for a few moments. “Why couldn’t we? You made Starlight change, why not him?”
Twilight frowned. “Starlight’s entire psychological breakdown was catalyzed by a traumatic experience as a filly. Imagine you grew up with Applebloom or Sweetie Belle for your entire life, but because one of you got a cutie mark, you never saw them again. Starlight internalized the pain, and it festered. It turned into hatred and she focused it on cutie marks. She changed because I broke her out of her flimsy pretext, and promptly gave her a support group.”
“And my dad?”
Twilight gave Scootaloo a half smile. “You’ve torn through every psychology book in this library, what do you think?”
“Well… he’s never shown sociopathic or psychopathic tendencies before the accident. He acted like a normal pony. He never really had anger issues from what I understand. Hm… could it be the accident gave him depression and he… resorted to alcohol because he was in pain? Then it just… spiraled out of control?”
“I think that’s exactly what it was.”
“So he was kind of like Auntie Luna. But like, with alcohol to hide the pain instead of the Tantabus to keep it going… because the accident wasn’t his fault?”
Twilight gave her a big smile. “I agree. You’re pretty smart, Scootaloo.”
“Twilight… could we have saved him at any point?”
Twilight was silent for a long time.
“M-maybe. Maybe if he saw a psychologist or a therapist when the drinking started he might have turned out differently.”
“So he could have turned out nice?”
“I don’t know, Scoots. I don’t know. I don’t have all the answers for you.”
Scootaloo paused for a few moments.
"I know. I'm sorry. And... I forgive you. Please try and forgive yourself."
“Wow, she’s really growing up. I’m so proud.” Rainbow smiled, having been filled in on the conversation Twilight and Scootaloo had several hours ago.
“Yeah.” Twilight smiled back. “I think she’s going to turn out to be a great pony. She’s expressed interest in the psychology field, and I think she’ll do well there.”
“Heck yeah she will! Scoots is awesome!”
“She sure is. And…”
Rainbow peered at Twilight quizzically. “And what?”
"Dashie, I've been thinking, and a proper part of a relationship is proper communication."
"Well we're communicating right now."
"That’s not what I meant."
"What, do you want me to communicate like a Diamond Dog?"
"Dash..."
“Eeeee! Me Dash. Pony is Twi! Pony dig!”
Twilight reached over and kissed Rainbow on the cheek.
"You're such a nerd."
"Yeah, but I'm your nerd."
“That’s true. But no, I meant like…”
Twilight chewed on her lip and idly tapped the table they were sitting at with a hoof.
“A lot of relationships fail because the ponies don’t have proper communication. They try to force their way through everything with just solid passion, and end up treading over each other’s hooves, and things start going wrong from there. So I think if we set some rules for each other, and try to be more open with communications, we can ensure we have a healthy relationship!”
Rainbow Dash flattened her ears and raised an eyebrow. “Like what?”
Twilight hummed softly. “Like for one, no swearing in front of the kids. I know this hasn’t really been much of an issue but we know you can get worked up. And if you’re off doing some Wonderbolts… thing, a letter sent at least every three days. And I want you to try and keep your emotions in check near the kids.”
Rainbow smirked. "Alright Twi, you wanna play that game? No overnight study sessions."
"But what ab-"
"Unless Celestia explicitly tells you you have to."
"But what if-"
"No exceptions. If we're going to raise a foal together and have a healthy relationship, you're going to bed at a reasonable time, and I expect to see your cute little face next to me when I wake up. You can't be a good parent and girlfriend with no sleep."
Twilight’s heart beat a little faster as Rainbow called her Rainbow’s girlfriend.
I mean that is what we are, but still!
"...Fine. That's fair."
"And over the weekend you have to come out and be social with your friends. No more book sortications or whatever.”
Rainbow Dash tapped her chin.
"Last rule, every morning you have to pay the tax, Twi."
"What tax?"
Rainbow Dash suddenly leaned forward, pushing her lips against Twilight’s.
"That one."
"Ooh, I like that rule. Alright, in that case, we’re going to have nights where we get together and just… quietly read at least once a week, our schedules allowing. And you’re going to have to read more than just Daring Do.”
Rainbow scoffed. “Ugh, fine. But in return, we’re going flying once a week too. Not for training, just to enjoy flying itself. Aaaaand… we’re going to learn to cook.”
Twilight pretended to look hurt. “I can cook!”
Rainbow chuckled. “No you can’t Twilight. Neither of us can. We have our kids cook for us. That’s not the mark of a functional family.”
Twilight tapped her chin. “Alright, that sounds fair.”
“So uh… Twi?”
“Yes, Pookie?”
Rainbow Dash’s cheeks tinted pink.
“I… haven’t really read much outside of Daring Do. What uh… would you recommend I try next?”
Twilight grinned wildly as a sudden idea popped into her head.
“Rainbow, how do you feel about romance?”
D'aww, a very sweet chapter. Can't wait to see who's perspective the next one is in
Sweet little chapter. I burst out laughing at the "we have our kids cook for us" part. Sorry I haven't been keeping up with my usual error checks. I broke my computer and trying to do that kind of comments on a phone is a nightmare.
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Thanks! Hope you enjoy!
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Ah I get you, no worries. I hate using this site on mobile. Hope you can fix your computer though!
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Oh I can. It's just taking longer than I expected.
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I know I will enjoy whatever you have in store for us!
"Unfortunately, Rainbow chose a particular romance book because it's title was the same as her girlfriend's name. This led to the only case of a book series being banished to the moon in Equestrian history."
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Still a better love story than Twilight and Flash
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There are none fiercer and none cuter.
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Ummm
villian? No
overlord? YESSS
Okay... not gonna lie, when Twilight recommended Romance novels, I had one of those spitake moments. Water. All over.
Don't worry though! Nothing vital was harmed in the unscheduled monsoon upon 'Casa De La Absentia'
I. Love. This. Family! It's... it just shows the absolute foundations of a healthy one! And healthy means we get to see Scoots grow! I'M SO EXCITED BY THIS PROSPECT!
More evidence of Scoots turning out to be a great mare. And a psychologist too! I like this! The kid's better at psychology than the average highschooler! The best part? She's lived through trauma and grown stronger because of it! That experience... it'll help her with problem cases!
...
...
Hey... Jinzou... question, I have this D&D character... lots of emotional trauma, never got a chance to have a childhood... could you perhaps send Professor Scoots to help her? That'd be great, thanks!
All jokes aside though, ever since Scoots talked with Luna, and showed some natural aptitude for psychology... I've been waiting in anticipation for her to learn more on the professional level!
*sniff, sniff...*
Our little Scoots is growing up... I'm so proud! I've been following this little family for... a good long time now, and several late nights... so, I really am feeling the emotions here... actually got a little misty-eyed... and when an author gets me so invested in a story and its characters that I start crying... that's the sign of a really well-written story.
Full transparency here, having read through Fallout Equestria, and then reading the emotionally-draining masterpiece of literature that is Project Horizons... I've become a little bit callous with some characters as of late. Plenty of "Oh no... that's horrible... poor 'insert character name here'" moments, but only a couple have actually brought me to tears. You, my good author, are a part of that group now.
I'm so happy I found this story... it's a big thing that I go home from work looking forward to seeing updated. No pressure is intended here... being a writer myself, and a relatively-experienced roleplayer, I completely understand the time gaps between stories. I'm just glad this story is still going, unlike so many great potential stories on this site...
Looking forward to what you have in mind next!
Onward!
Didn't do much actual analysis in that last comment... oops.
Scoots the cook is probably one of the best things to come out of this story. Even though it has harsher tones in its legacy... still, a really nice touch to our little psychologist.
Twilight and Dash setting rules... I love this! So many relationships fall into the trap of "everything is peachy, and nothing is ever wrong!" People living under the same household, sometimes under stressful conditions, are GOING to have some issues with each other. It's just a part of life. Being open is the best solution to this potential problems. Bottling things up... that never ends well. So, hurrah for Twilight and Dash not falling into that trap! It's a vital part of a healthy household. Especially setting limits.
I'm so glad Scoots is becoming a stronger woma- er... mare, because of her past. She was saved from becoming a victim to it by Dash. (Don't tell her so said that though...) and even though she's not QUITE a mare yet... she's growing, and is showing a significant amount of maturity. Having said that... scars don't really heal... Especially emotional ones. She's going to need a strong support group for the rest of her life. Fortunately, between Sweetie Belle, Applebloom and reformed Diamond Tiara, she has that covered.
No criticism! But... well, I just personally find it hard to criticise things... no matter what, so take that with a grain of salt. It's also 2 in the morning, and brain no function gooderly. Unfortunately, I'm wound up for some reason, and won't be able to get to sleep tonight. I'm going to feel that later today...
Love your story, and I believe it honestly stands up as one of the best stories on this site... personal opinion of course.
Now, usually I'd say 'keep up the good work' but... I don't need to! So, I'll instead just say that I look forward to being impressed some more!
Forward and onward! HUZZAH!
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Of course! Dr. Scoots to the rescue!
I’m really glad you think so highly of my story! Your excited comments are always a highlight in my day, seeing how my stories affect others.
I’ve never read any FoE but judging by how popular it is, I’ll take that as high praise.
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Yeah I’ve read... more ship fics than I’d care to admit and lack of communication and trying to passion through everything is really popular.
But yeah. Especially considering how much drama there is in this story (murder, abuse, life threatening situations... seriously, it’s like a soap opera meets adult swim) they would absolutely fall apart without communication.
All three are gonna need it in the next conflict.
Yeah, I’m not done torturing any of them. But there’s gonna be a lot of great moments too!
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Happy to be of service! I honestly am just enjoying commenting on a story I'm absorbed in. Really appreciate the responses though!