Farm Diamond

by iDeltaVelocity

Chapter 2

Farm Diamond

Chapter 2

APPLEBLOOM AWOKE TO THE abrupt sound of roosters chirping outside of her window. The morning sun leaked into her room through the shades, splashing the entire place in sunlight before finally settling upon the drowsy filly still lying in her bed. After taking a few more moments of shut-eye, she finally sat up, yawned and outstretched her arms, waking herself up for yet another day.

Trotting over to mirror, she took a brush and ran it through her mane, straightening as many strands of hair as she could muster. As she sat in silence, she took the opportunity to think to herself. With Diamond Tiara living with her family for the time being, she quickly realised that things here would be far more different than she anticipated. Already she was looking forward to the day when Filthy Rich would return.

She set the brush down and gave a breath of optimism. Maybe things could turn out for the better, she thought. She left her room, made her way to the guest room down the hall. Inside, Diamond Tiara was sound asleep. The quilted, apple-decorated blanket was perched over her body. Underneath was the tangled mess that was her mane.

I thought for sure the roosters would wake her, Applebloom thought. Even though she had the chance to leave her and let her be tardy for class, that wouldn’t be proper Apple Family hospitality, as Applejack’d always told her. No, she would have to do this the old fashion way.

She cantered to her bedside and tried shaking her away. “Diamond, it’s time to wake up. Come one, we gotta get ready for school.” The response she receives instead was a pillow being slammed into her face.

“Please go away…” a dazed Diamond Tiara groaned.

Annoyed and frustrated, Applebloom considered leaving and letting her oversleep and be late. Then, a mischievous grin spread across her face. She grabbed a bucket and went to the bathroom, and filled it half-way with water. She tip-hoofed back into the guest room, careful not to wake Tiara; set the bucket on a banister above her bed, tying with a length of rope. With one good tug, the bucket tipped over, sending a gush of cold water splashing down on the pink filly.

Tiara, soaked and dripping, sat up with a shock, until looking over at a cackling Applebloom rolling on the floor. She was almost angry enough for the water to evaporate from her coat. “Why did you do that for?”

“I had to wake you up somehow,” replied Applebloom.

“And you had to do it by dumping water on me?” A seething Diamond Tiara hopped out of bed.

Applebloom snickered. “Believe it ‘r not, but this is how Applejack and Big Mac used to wake me when I wouldn’t get up for school.”

Tiara marched defiantly towards Applebloom, but before she could do or say anything rash, a knock echoed from the other side of the door. “Hey, is everyth’n alright in there?” It was Applejack.

Diamond Tiara glanced over at Applebloom, expecting her to come up with an excuse.

“Everyth’n’s fine!” Applebloom lied. “Jus’ wake’n Diamond Tiara up for school!”

“Why’s there water all over the floor?” Applejack asked, suspiciously.

“I, uh… jus’ got outta the shower?” Silence. The two fillies were hoping the mare would buy it. The last thing they—especially Diamond Tiara—wanted now was to get in trouble, especially after promising they would behave around each other.

“All righty then,” Applejack said, “Ya’ll come down for breakfast when you’re ready.” With that, the sound hooves trotting against the floor boards garnered sighs of relief.

“That was close,” said Diamond.

Applebloom couldn’t help but agree. “I’ll meet ya at the table.”

“This argument isn't over,” Tiara growled.

Applebloom rolled her eyes. “Whatever you say.”

After drying off and combing her mane and tail, Tiara met Applebloom and the rest of her family downstairs in the kitchen. “Why don’t ya’ll come and pull of a seat, Diamond,” said Applejack.

“So what are we having?” asked the filly.

“A real treat,” said Granny Smith, “We got apple sauce, some scrambled eggs, sliced bananas, and a big bowl of freshly picked blueberries picked straight from the bushes near the orchard.

Tiara couldn’t tell a lie—not to herself, at least—but the whole set up did in fact look delicious. Maybe a quick bite to eat wouldn’t hurt. She sat down at the table. There was already a plate set for her, which she already started emptying. It was better than she imagined.

“So,” Applebloom started, “How’s everyth’n go’n between you two?” she asked them. The fillies glanced at each other.

Applebloom replied, “We’re gett’n along jus’ fine, sis. No roughhous’n between us.”

Applejack raised an eyebrow. “Really…?”

“Uh-huh,” said Diamond Tiara.

The orange cowpony smiled. “Are you sure you didn’t dump a bucket’a water on her ‘r someth’n?”

The red-maned filly nearly spit out her eggs. “How did you know?”

“It wasn’t that hard to figure out,” said Applejack, “especially not when I heard the sound of a bucket be’n filled in the sink, and the fact that the mirrors weren’t fogged up from all the hot water you used from your ‘shower’.”

Applebloom blushed and smiled nervous, but Diamond Tiara could only face-hoof.

Applejack sighed. “Listen, girls. I know you two have your own personal issues between each other, but could you at least try to get along. We’re live’n under the same roof, after all, and perhaps that could work to bring you closer. Couldn’t you at least try?”

The girls looked each other and back at Applejack. “Fine, whatever,” replied Diamond Tiara. Applejack smiled. Though she knew this was going to be a longshot, she still had hope that this would work itself out in the end. She could only hope.

“Well we should probably be head’n off for school,” said Applebloom, finishing off the last of her breakfast.

“Don’t forget your lunches girls,” said Granny Smith.

“Thanks, Granny,” said Applebloom. She and Tiara grabbed their lunch boxes off the kitchen counter and headed out the door. With them gone, Applejack glanced over at Big Mac and Granny Smith.

“Ya’ll think this is gonna work?” she asked.

Together, the two of them responded: “Nope.”

---

Among the small crowd of ponies that amassed at the marketplace, the early morning not yet witnessing the large capacity that usually visited each and every day, Diamond Tiara and Applebloom made their way to school. The entire walk was in silence, though, and to a lesser extent, awkward. Either they had no desire to talk to each other, or they simply had nothing to say in relation to their situation.

There was a bit of an unusual feeling around them having to make their way to school alongside each other. It was really something they never thought would they would have to go through in their lives, which really added to the somewhat awkward feeling the two were experiencing.

For Applebloom, it was much more about trying to keep her promise to her older sister and least tolerating the pink filly’s presence.

For Diamond Tiara, it was more about having to put up with this blank-flank long enough for her dad to return and take her home.

But nevertheless, both of them would have to deal with it whether they liked it or not.

They arrived at the school. Colts and fillies were flooding the building, wanting to get to their seats before the bell rang. Applebloom glanced over at the pink filly standing beside her. “Listen, Diamond. M’ah sister is right. As long as we’re live’n together, we better learn to get along for the time be’n. Jus’ ain’t no use squabbl’n over our differences like we normally do. We might as well get this over with while we’re here—at least ‘til your dad gets back from Manehattan.”

“I suppose you’re right,” responded Diamond Tiara. It was almost weird agreeing with her, but she did have a point in what she said. They both had something in common: they wanted to get this over and done with as soon as possible without trouble. “But not a word about this gets out to anypony else, alright?”

Applebloom nodded. “Deal…”

The class thus far went by normally. They were learning about ancient Equestrian history, alongside math and literary skills—two of Diamond Tiara’s personal favourites. Luckily she had managed to stay awake on most of the lectures, though this was replaced by doodling pictures onto blank pieces of paper while Cheerilee was teaching.

Still, the entire time no problems had arisen between the two—no notes meant to get the other in trouble, no name-calling; no nothing. It was a bit surprising to Cheerilee who’d been keeping a close eye on the both of them the entire time. With the bad history these two had, especially the incident that happened just a day prior, she half-expected both of them to hurl insults at one another, though she could tell they were close to it a couple of times.

Soon came the time for lunch and recess. It was a warm early afternoon, and the foals had only a half-hour before having to go back inside and get through the rest of their school day. Diamond Tiara ate her lunch in silence, which aside from dandelion sandwiches and a juice box, held a small plastic container of zap-apple jam. The magical fruit, as always, tasted amazing on her taste buds. It was unbelievable that they came from the Everfree Forest.

She saw Applebloom with Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle. As much as she felt the urge to go over and these them, and it was extremely tempting to do so, too, she remembered the deal they made and that they needed to stay out of trouble. She obviously hated it, but she knew there wasn’t any more she could do.

“She looks lonely over there,” said Scootaloo.

“Of course she is,” said Applebloom, “Silver Spoon has still out sick with the pony-pox. But she’ll be back soon, no doubt.”

Sweetie Belle rolled a rubber ball over at Scootaloo. “Hey, Applebloom, on my way here, I actually saw you and Diamond Tiara trotting across town together.”

“Really?” Scootaloo asked.

Sweetie Belle nodded.

“Yes, we were,” Applebloom admitted. She glanced over at Tiara. The pink filly’s eyes were wandering around the playground. Obviously, she was most likely left with nothing to do since her best friends had been incapacitated. She motioned her friends closer. “You see, girls, Diamond Tiara’s gone broke.”

Sweetie Belle could feel her jaw drop. “Seriously?”

“Yeah, her dad lost almost all of his money somehow, and while he’s up in Manehattan, she’s gonna be stay’n at m’ah house for a while.”

Scootaloo was nearly speechless. “Whoa… Just whoa… Most be torture having to live with her.”

“We both promised Applejack we’d try t get along while she’s while us. I don’t how that’s gonna happen with all the bad blood we have, but we gotta get by somehow ‘til her dad gets back. Then she’ll be outta m’ah mane for good.”

Applebloom glanced at Diamond Tiara again. “And keep this between us, alright? Diamond and I said we wouldn’t let anypony else know about her little ‘situation,’ so no tell’n anypony else.”

The two other CMC fillies nodded. “Don’t worry, Applebloom,” Sweetie Belle stated, “We won’t tell anypony—Cutie Mark Crusader’s honour.”

“Thanks, girls…” Applebloom smiled. Soon enough the bell rang, and the foals retreated into the school to continue the rest of their day.

---

Eventually, the final bell rang. The foals took off for home, among them being the unlikely pair of Applebloom and Diamond Tiara. They tried to make it seem like they weren’t together, though, but their attempts were a bit low-quality. Applebloom waved farewell to Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle as she and Tiara began their trek into Ponyville.

The entire time, Diamond Tiara slowed her pace, keeping her distance as not to be seen with a “loser” blank-flank like the one she was with. Applebloom noticed this and sighed. Now was not the time to start something, especially considering the rocky start the two of them got off to this morning. Instead, she needed to try and make nice if she wanted to do what Applejack said and get along. She wasn’t sure if would take her far, but just ignoring it wouldn’t do her any real good.

She looked back at her. “Hey, Diamond, ya’ll hanker’n for a treat at Sugercube Corner? I’m sure Pinkie Pie’s got something good in store for us.”

Tiara put a hoof to her chin and thought about it. “Sure, why not. Just… keep a distance while we’re trotting over there.” With that, she cantered past Applebloom on her way to the confectionary.

Another sigh came from the yellow filly before following. This was going to be much harder than she expected, she thought. At Sugarcube Corner, they sat together, though Diamond Tiara tried to make it seem like she barely knew Applebloom at all. It was annoying to Applebloom seeing her act like this.

“Look, Diamond, I wasn’t joke’n earlier when I said that we needed to get along while you’re stay’n with us. Act’n like a spoiled rich princess is only gonna get you so far with m’ah family, especially with Applejack.”

Diamond rolled her eyes. “Whatever…”

“I’m serious!” Applebloom snapped, “Ya’ll can’t keep at it like this. You need to learn how not to be a bully if you wanna get on somepony’s good side.”

“I can do whatever I want,” was Diamond Tiara’s arrogant response.

Applebloom rebutted, “From what’s happened to you recently, do’n ‘whatever you want’ is really limited at this point. At some point, you gotta realise that not everyth’n revolves around you. And like I said before, act’n like a princess all the time will only gonna get you very far before no pony can’t take it anymore. I know I can’t take it.”

Tiara waved her off. “Pa-lease,” she pouted, “Nothing worse can happen to me than what’s already occurred. If you think you can tell me what to do, you blank-flank loser, then you—”

In an abrupt flash of colorful confetti, the pony known as Pinkie Pie appeared at their table, cheering, “Surprise!” Her unexpected entrance had nearly given the two fillies heart attacks.

“Couldn’t you have warned somepony before busting in like that?” said Tiara, picking herself up off the ground.

“Surprises are the absolute best way of making an entrance, silly filly!” said Pinkie. “Don’t you like surprises?”

“Not anymore,” said Diamond Tiara. She seated herself at the table, along with Applebloom.

“So…” Pinkie Pie produced a notebook and pencil from her poofy pink mane. “Can I get you two friends anything?”

“We are not friends!” Diamond snapped.

Pinkie giggled. “Of course you are, silly! You’re sitting at the same table, in the same place, in the same town, in the same Equestria— Oh wait! The last two are already obvious, but you get the picture!”

Diamond Tiara deadpanned. “Okay, I’m out of here.” She hopped out of her chair and headed for the door.

“Wait!” Pinkie called after her, “Was it something I said?”

“Don’t worry, Pinkie,” said Applebloom, “Diamond’s jus’ go’n through some rough times. She’ll get over it.”

Pinkie Pie rubbed her chin. “If she’s having a hard time with something, I think I know what can cheer her up!”

Applebloom shook her head. “No offense, but I really don’t think a party will help that much.”

“Never ignore the alternatives,” said the pink mare.

Hopping out of her seat, Applebloom made her way towards the door. “There’s jus’ gotta be some way to turn her around without causing a fight,” she thought aloud as she left Sugarcube Corner. However, moments after she left, she quickly cantered back into the store. “Actually, Pinkie, can you get me a muffin; banana nut?”

“Coming right up!” Pinkie cheered.

---

“You could have gotten me one, ya know” said Diamond Tiara.

Applebloom finished off the last of her muffin before responding, “To be fair, you did storm off before Pinkie Pie could take our orders.”

“But still,” replied Tiara, “it wasn’t nice leaving me out.”

Applebloom raised an eyebrow at the lavender-maned filly. “Really…? You’re talk’n ‘bout me not be’n nice?”

The two of them eventually returned to Sweet Apple Acres. Since Cheerilee had not assigned any homework to the class, probably encouraging the students to study prior to the test next week, Diamond could just wind down and relax. They could see Applebloom’s siblings working in the yard; Applejack was harvesting apples while Big Macintosh was busy plowing the corn field.

Applejack waved to them. “Hey, ya’ll! How was school?”

“Fine,” replied Applebloom, “Noth’n spectacular happened.”

“You two get into any arguments?” Applejack couldn’t help but question them regularly about it, seeing as she still wanted order between them.

“No fights,” said Applebloom, “Honest!”

“Good to hear!” Applejack threw them a bright smile, though Diamond Tiara couldn’t determine whether or not she trusted them on the matter. The orange mare was definitely a mystery.

They cantered into the house, dropping their saddle bags on the floor. Granny Smith was in the kitchen, washing the dishes they used from this morning’s breakfast. “Hi there, girls,” she greeted them happily, “I went down to the market and bought some celery while you were out. They’re in the fridge if ya’ll want any.”

Applebloom and Diamond Tiara searched through the refrigerator, grabbing the snacks aforementioned. “I gotta ask you something,” said Diamond. Applebloom looked at her, chewing on her celery stalk. “How in Equestria can you handle all the hard work in your orchard?”

“Not that hard if you’ve been do’n it for as long as I have,” replied the scarlet-maned earth pony. “In contrast to being a pegasus or a unicorn, be’n an earth pony is a bless’n when you’re on a farm. Harvest’n apples, tend’n to animals, and the like are as easy as a piece of pie.”

Her explanation about it was… intriguing. Diamond Tiara tried not to show the slightest bit of interest, though, instead proceeding to eat her piece of celery. After their snack and resting for a bit, Applebloom made her way over to the door, but not before turning to Diamond Tiara. “Aren’t ya come’n?”

“Where?” Tiara asked.

“To help out in the field.”

“Not really,” said Diamond, “These hooves weren’t made for hard labour. But thanks for the offer, though.”

“You gotta,” said Applebloom, “Out here, everypony pays their fair share.” Her response was being ignored by the pink filly. Instead of trying to convince Tiara this time, she bit into her tail and attempted to pull her out of the house. Diamond Tiara tried to slow her involuntary movement, pressing her hooves against the floorboards to weight Applebloom down.

This had little effect, however. All that time working in the field had practically strengthened her far beyond what Diamond Tiara’s already scrawny figure was.

“I’ll get you for this, blank-flank,” Tiara muttered, seemingly accepting what was going to happen.

Applebloom rolled her eyes, responding with Tiara while still dragging her away. “Yeah, yeah, like you haven’t said that before.”

Comments

[SeventhBrony]

“Ya’ll think this is gonna work?”
Together, the two of them responded: “Nope.”

surprise surprise, things like this CAN make the bitterest blood enemies at least tolerate each other and with the way this is reading they'll be doingh more than tolerating each other

[JennaPurpleHeart]

this is getting good! keep it up!

[TheGreatEater]

“So,” Applebloom started, “How’s everyth’n go’n between you two?” she asked them. The fillies glanced at each other.

Apple Jack
____________

As much as she felt the urge to go over and these them,

tease
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