The Bad Day
The day had promised to be a breeze. As Quibble looked over the books he had reviewed they all seemed please. He cast a glace to the clock that was on the wall. It was four o'clock according to what he saw. His daughter had gotten out of school about half an hour ago. He knew though she wouldn't be home for another two hours or so. He just hoped that "sorry" would suffice. He loved that Scootaloo had friends but their crusading always had a price. Quibble set the books away. He'd get the reviews finished today. Then tomorrow he and Scootaloo could have some fun. The things he had planned for them motivated him to get his work done.
It was five o'clock when Scootaloo trudged through the door. With a down cast glance and a groan she tossed her stuff to the floor. The day had been terrible, horrible, there was not a word for how bad the day had been. Diamond had called her every name form blank flank to dodo to chicken. Quibble looked up from the book that he was rereading. Scootaloo tried her hardest to keep from weeping.
"I take it crusading didn't go well, what was it today?"
"It was something or another," Was all Scootaloo could say. Quibble may not have been able to read ponies like he could read books. But he knew his daughter and all of her looks. It was clear that this wasn't about crusading not a chance. It was plain to see now by a simple glance.
"What's wrong Scoots it's okay for you to tell?"
"Nothing dad just crusading didn't go well." At the thought she'd not tell Quibble frowned. Scootaloo tried to walk off with her eyes squarely on the ground.
"Scootaloo come here we need to talk." Scootaloo moved like it pained her to walk. "It's plain to see your day has been bad. And I hate to see my little filly sad." He picked her up and sat her on the couch next to him. He rustled her permanently messy mane on a whim.
"Dad it was nothing today was just tough." That was an understatement it was much more than rough. "I'm tired and want to go to bed." She said.
"Scootaloo, come here." Quibble said with a sigh. And pulled her up close, she started to shake though she didn't know why. "Somethings bothering you something more than your Cutie Mark I can tell. If you'll just let me know what I'll make it well."
"It's just I'm six and still blank, a Pegasus without flight. I don't even have mommy to kiss good night." And she squeezed her dad tight. As the tears started to pour despite her might. "It's just not fair, it isn't right. And then Diamond and Silver started a fight." She said more than she intended and now she was a tattle-tell. There was no way this day could go well. Quibble held his little filly and stroked her mane. His annoyance with those two he could barely contain.
"Those two again what did they say." Scootaloo continued to cry as she told him about her day. How the two mocked Sweetie Belle. How she told them off trying to be noble. How the two fillies mocked her relentlessly after school. How she ran away looking like a fool. At the end of it she had no more to cry. She just felt defeated and gave a broken sigh. She quit talking and ran out of tears but Quibble didn't let go. Things had been set wrong now they'd be set right he'd see it was so.
He'd talk to Cheerilee early tomorrow morning and demand justice for this crime. But right now Scootaloo was his only priority so he started to sing a rhyme. As he started he rocked her to and fro. It was a song she new well she hugged him tight and didn't let go.
Little Pegasus on a cloud of white,
Playing and prancing till the cool of night.
Why don't you come down and play with me,
Down on the ground and in the blue sea.
He held her and continued to hum the gentle tune. Until Scootaloo's soft voice sung the next verse and filled the room.
Little Earth pony on the grass so green,
Playing in the water in the little stream.
Why don't you climb a tree and play with me,
Up with the clouds and in the blue sea.
He lifted her head and looked her in her purple eyes. A simple immutable truth from her dad would silence all the lies. A ghost of a smile slowly came to her face. As her daddy's love put her pain in it's place.
Little Pegasus so gentle and strong,
Tomorrow we will play all day long.
Little Pegasus so great and sweet,
I'll think of you until next we meet.
All the hurt and pain was gone. As Scootaloo sung the next verse of the song. And tomorrow would come it wouldn't be long. Till her dad would erase every wrong.
Little Earth pony strong and free,
Tomorrow you will play with me.
Little Earth pony sweet and great,
I'm so happy of my fate.
Quibble pulled his daughter close as he continued the song. The picture of his wife seemed to sing along. To comfort their daughter with the old lullaby. Which they sang for her since before she was under the sky.
Our little pony so soft and good,
All will be as it should.
Every storm has a silver line,
We'll both love you till the ends of time.
Everyday we'll stand by you,
Our precious little Scootaloo.
A single tear of joy went down her cheek. And after a moment of silence had passed she started to speak. "Dad thanks for that." She said with a pat.
"I'm just glad to see my strong little filly smile." He said after a while. The two of them got up and went to get something to eat. The day had been rough but because of dad it wasn't a defeat.