> The Lavish Silver Spoon
>  by Lyle Daydream
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Chapter 1: Reality Soft Spoken -Part 1-
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sun beaming across the horizon, the world began its ascent to progress. Rousing pony or fact, it did not matter if the individual was one or a cat, all fell into their daily routines. A warm cup of coffee in hand, a newspaper in the other, suits and ties dotted the busy intersections as cars drove, ponies trotted, and paws patted against the pavement on their way to work. This was normal for those with a hint of bits in their pocket but for others, this was the goal, the ensured Equestrian dream that everyone dreamed of. A fleeting dream mind you.


Ponyville, 1923


The events described just now are of absolute wonder to the lower class stuck in the world's worst situations. Low income keeps the kids on the streets and parents in the weeks, working their hooves and tails off to make ends meet. But our story don't follow the tale of the low rising to the high but the high being humbled by the low. In one of these massive estates that became the beacons of the landscape, the final goal that all low aspire to lives a man who went through his own share of humbling troubles to get where he is. He worked and sweated for it all but his daughter, she's a special case.



"You certainly can't be serious, don't you have these already?"

To that response, the silver-maned pony scoffed, a hoot and holler at even the mention of, "What's the difference?" She flashed the required amount of bits and within only a few seconds, the hoof shoes were tucked neatly away with a butler who was already carrying 2 bags worth of expensive material. "Do be serious Diamond, you know very well that would have been the most necessary purchase of the day. I rarely find things in black so it's nice to accessorize."

"Though I do follow your logic Silver, I simply cannot fathom the rate at which you spend your money. Are you sure your father is simply okay with this?"

"Ha!" she exclaimed causing many individuals to look their way in shock. "Of course, he's okay with it, he's my father and one of the smartest men alive. At the rate he accrues bits, my spending is only a small chunk of the things he can do. Besides, I am feeding money into the community, am I not? They should be happy that I'm willing to put my well-earned bits back into the economy."

If there was one thing Diamond Taira got tired of, it was sighing. Did it damn near every day in the presence of her best friend, she could probably start a new energy source just from that alone. Silver's attitude wasn't unlike her own, coming from wealth herself, but she certainly didn't hesitate to showcase every chance she got. "You're a handful I can tell. At the very least, we could find ourselves swinging by The Taps, correct?"

"That place? but is it not full of ruffians and scoundrels?"

"Only because it is the center of a community uplift program."

"A scoundrel outreach program, how humorous of them."

"Silver, be nice dear, I quite enjoy their company and their products."

"Heavens forbid we are inspected by sooty individuals on the way."

Though that protesting would have any pony up in embers, Diamond was anything if not tolerable of her supposed friend's consistent aversion to The Taps. To Silver, it was a living petri dish of scum-worthy phantoms, ready to make off with her riches and send her to rags. It was a fear so settled in her heart that it warranted even the departure of her butler back to their abode, leaving the girls to their own. 

The ding of the bell atop the door sounded their arrival in the store, a glint of an eye for want of their business. "Welcome in--" The owner paused, pursed, then smiled, a feeling of remembrance finally washing over him. "Well if it isn't my favorite customer from on up high come to see little old me! Bienvenue little diamond."

There weren't many responses that would put a star in that mare's eyes but such was one from a person she deemed worthy of her time. This ol crackpot of a bear was the owner of The Taps, his roots more than noticeable in his southern flare of an accent, not to mention his consistent use of the French language did more than rile up Diamond's curious side. "Bianv...Bienva, Oh dear, I only just practiced this yesterday, how I could already have forgotten it's saying? Bienvenue?"

"Well see now, you almost got it in one shot there. Bit more practice and I suppose I'd have to take you up on that offer to work here, now wouldn't I?"

Diamond let out a stifled chuckle. "Mr. Sell, please. You know I was only kidding for want of a better topic upon our first meeting. By no means does that mean I will not stop perusing your collection of wares, however, nor supporting you financially."

As if to blow Diamond's dainty laugh out of the water, the bear let out a hardy laugh loud enough to shake a soldier from his tank. "Well, I guess you can count on me to keep showing them discount signs then." A slight glance to her side made him aware of the new face. "Bringing friends on your picnics now?"

Diamond's eyes were directed to her friend looking quite displeased with her newfound attention. "Oh her? Do mind your manners, Silver, you are a guest here."

"Silver? Silverspoon? Daughter of that ol gob up in that mighty castle on the hill?"

A word too many it would seem. Silver stomped her hoof with a nonexistent authority steeling herself for a scolding. "I have no need of petty insults thank you, my father is a well-accomplished man and you would do well to recognize that."

"And what about you cher, you got bits to roll around in?"

"Not even in the slightest if it's intended goal is within this shop. Speaking of which, what even is the point of this trinket trap?"

"Well now, don't hear that one every day." he chuckled. "Gonna have to add that one to the list lest you're likely to forget a week from now." Even though this elicited a growl from Silver, he continued. "This here trinket trap is designed to give the people of Canterlot a little something to look forward to. Not you ivory tower residents mind you, save for your illustrious friend Diamond here, my prices are fair and give the people something to work for. Now while you ponies don't require no clothes or fancy trinkets, my two-legged brethren do."

"So, catering to the cretins are you?"

Despite the severeness of the aimed insult, the bear only leaned down on one arm and raised an eyebrow. "Indeed I am. My people, my store, my rules. Throw your insults and expressions all you want sister of mine, I'm here to build the community."

"Disregard calling me sister you vagrant, I have no need of your friendship."

"Shoot me, burn my shop down, give me a bad rep cher, I ain't going nowhere."

For what seemed to be an argument, Silver seemed to be the only one finding frustration in it. The bear only retorted in positive energy no matter what was said leaving steam fuming from Silver's head. The half-and-half argument persisted long enough for Diamond to have perused the store and claimed what she wanted. "Silver please, the least you could do is mind your manners for my sake. Nice as he is and you still chase him, your company would be better appreciated outside if that is the future of this conversation."

"Fine, perhaps I will find my place outside then. I've grown tired of this grimy place anyway."

Even as Silver found her hoof on the door, the bear found his moment. "Be seeing ya cher, mind the riffraff out there."

Another growl as the door slammed behind her. Even as a few minutes passed her by, she was still fuming at her loss. To think that her vindication would go unnoticed by him, let alone Diamond. To make matters worse, he was completely unresponsive to any sense of her status. Certainly, a first for her to watch her insults be thrown into the trash, replaced with an exposition of positivity. The truly sorrowful point to be made is that even if she were to use her so-called status to displace him, she believed him when he stated that he would simply restart. Was this the first in a long line of battles that couldn't be won with bits?

This train of thought was not to be interrupted, it was her own personal crisis after all. So of course she was in a bit of a huff when a curious poke sounded all alarms in her brain. She turned to view her annoyance only to see a young foal, longing for a shower it seemed. In an instant, her legs moved her nearly a foot and a half away. "Ugh, refrain from placing your filthy hooves upon me if you so please."

"O-oh, I'm sorry mam, I just..."

"What could you possibly want that I have?"

"W-well mam I...have to eat something. Please, I've had nothing to fill my belly for nearly a full day. If I could trouble you for just 30 bits, I could buy..."

"Do not play dumb little trickster, I know full well what your intention is. How many bits have you begged for your so-called food? What will your parents use it for I wonder?"

"M-mam? No please, it's nothing of that sort."

"Absurd your parents are, sending you up and down the street to beg on their behalf, truly disgusting. Please leave my presence, I will not have any action in your illicit activities." Even as the boy continued to argue his case, Silver couldn't have shooed away her supposed assailant any harder. Eventually, the hint was taken and he went about his way. "Ugh, the riffraff are sure to get more bold as the sun descends, I can only hope that Diamond finds her way out of that heap soon."

"And see you shooing away an innocent boy looking for a meal for the day, indeed." Despite the look of agitation on Diamond's face, Silver held to her composure. "To think you would be so evil."

"He was begging of coin for Celestia knows what, food is far from the truth."

"A theory I aim to test I'm afraid."

"What do you-"

Before Silver had a chance to respond, Diamond's hooves trotted to the lone boy, addressing him with the ease of a professional. No doubt Diamond had been here before under the same duress of her emotions. Silver could only watch in quiet disagreement as the Diamond made the boy smile with words alone. When the pouch of bits was placed upon his hooves, that smile grew 3 times as wide, and off he was like a bullet. "See, you had nothing to fear Silver?"

"You truly trust that ruffian?"

"Trust my eyes more like. Look." True to his word, the boy was perusing the stand full of pre-cooked dishes. He must have bought nearly three of them. "Perhaps if you had listened to his story, you would have had the heart to learn that not just he was hungry, but his family was too. A mother, a father, and a brother. I simply helped them survive."

"Please spare your supportive sensibility."

"Fine, fine, if you're so hesitant, I suppose we can begin our trek home."

Well, cat's out of the bag. If there was a prize for being a little above it all, swiping at stars as if they belonged to you, Silver would hold the candle at the top. If Silver is the one to be proud of her status then Diamond is the only thing humbling her. It's thanks to this dynamic that Silver hasn't been kicked out of every establishment she's entered, despite her consistent purchasing of their goods. Even as they trotted along their path, she consistently complained of the trauma she just experienced all the way to her front gate. A girl like that is bound to get a wake-up call sooner or later. And something tells me it's coming soon.

"Lady Silver! Bienvenue, I hope you had a more than rousing day out there." A butler greeted. Now one would think she would shoot this two-legged feline a look of disregard but to no one's surprise, she didn't. Instead...

"Why good evening to you too Rosetti....um...the gate dear?"

"O-oh right, sorry mam." Quickly, the rather rotund canine latched onto one side of the gate and began pulling it open. As the pair waltzed inside and the gate closed behind, Rosseti let out a huff of exhaustion.

"My word Rosetti, tired already?"

"No truer words spoken mam. I really oughta lay off the cake."

"Well that's a disappointment, I was just about to have some had you been willing."

A gasp. "Wait wait, I'm coming, I promise!"

"And please do not forget to lock the gate this time Rosetti."

Night and day, hot and cold, that mare switched up faster than most would give her credit for. As the large dog huffed and puffed locking the door behind them, Silver couldn't help but chuckle at his dedication to food. Diamond was far too pleased that at the very least, she had some good in that heart of hers. "You treat your staff as equals and yet you can't provide the same to those outside your gates."

"Not my staff, not my priority."

"Heavens above you are terrible, dear friend," Diamond uttered as Rosetti finally huffed those doors open allowing the two entry into Silver's abode. Upon entry, they were given pause by her father's first creation when creating the house, a large foyer that seemed to act like some type of museum. Dotted around the room were all sorts of glass cases and exhibits that showcased all of his memories from his life. From the day he almost found himself sauteed inside of his tank to the first present his daughter gave him when he came back from the war.

Diamond couldn't help but be amazed every time she waltzed through this room. Hard to believe that while many were stuck in some type of asylum deep down in the depth of their PTSD, her father seemed to be taking it in stride, even going so far as to showcase the stuff to anybody who walks into the home. Silver couldn't help but find a Glee smile and the entire ordeal, nudging her friend out of her trance. "Feeling a little jealous?"

"Hardly. I just find it very admirable that your father is taking such a good heart with everything that we've heard has happened over there. One would think that all that death and horror would scar a man for life."

Silver responded as they ascended a set of stairs at the back of the room. "And I say to them, what absolute nonsense it is to be scared of a conflict that's long since past." As the granite steps gave way to a flat ground once again, Rosetti pushed open a door that led it to a large living room outfitted with dozens upon dozens of different trinkets and decorations. And in it's center were four couches set up in the form of a square with one uniquely huge glass table in its center. To the left of these couches built into the wall was a wine bar of which only contained a simple array of drinks such as sparkling water and other posh examples. But anyone who was anyone knew the secret of that mechanism for if you were to pull one particular bottle that father never drank and no one ever wanted to drink, the bar would flip and reveal the illicit beverages so heavily scrutinized in this day and age.

Suffice it to say, Silver was saving that for a very special day. "I find your take on mental illness to be rather exaggerated Silver. Having to kill people that you didn't even understand were nothing more than normal people before all this. Not to mention that half the time they're shooting back."

"Indeed," Silver uttered does she plopped down on one of the four couches. "Though that need not concern me as my father did so in my stead to ensure that we have a good life. War of uncertainty aside, I certainly added a rather nice haul to my wardrobe this time. Rosetti, would you be a dear and fetch me something to drink, I'm simply parched."

"C-Certainly mam."

"Oh and do you help yourself to a piece of the cake."

Could have sworn that dog was a cat the way his eyes lit up. A few seconds of rummaging later, Rosetti returned as elegantly as possible with a medium-sized cup of tea. As soon as Silver gave him the nod of affirmation, he was back at the fridge around the corner, cutting himself a piece of cake. "You have my thanks, Lady Silver," Rosetti uttered as he took his seat on a couch opposite the girls.

Now as the dog ate his way to martyrdom, Silver couldn't help but be interested in his own studies. "If you would be so kind as to halt your meal, I'd like to inquire as to the status of college attendance?"

"O-oh, yes, that's going well actually. Only a couple more years and I'll no doubt be able to attend."

"I've said again and again Rosetti, allow us to pay the cost, it's no troub--"

"Not on my life Lady Silver, my apologies mam. Much as I enjoy the thought of a free ride, working for it sounds all the more alluring. Sorry.”

"A teacher correct? That is your wish?"

"No better lot in life Lady Silver. Ever since I started taking care of my little cousin, I realized I'm just good with kids. Might as well start packing my talents on the right path right? Came a long way from that old farmhand title, gotta make it count."

"Which brings me to a good point," Diamond began. "What of your future Silver?"

"Hmm...perhaps a bath, then tomorrow morning, I'll have Simon take me on a drive to the out country, I feel as if seeing nature will give me a bit of peace from today's hazardous happenings. And you?"

"My hobby is coming dangerously close to becoming my full-time job. So many of the children out there find my designs to be soothing that I'm quite lucrative even without my inheritance."

"You mean those dolls right? I simply can't fathom how you are making any money off that riffraff."

"It's called marketing dear and you would do well to learn such a thing. I don't sell my designs for more than necessary, this allows even the less fortunate to partake in my business. As I'm sure you saw, my designs have even adorned a shelf in The Taps."

"Home of that codgy old bear, I'm aware."

"If I may," Rosetti began. "Lady Silver, what you got planned for the future? Can’t be sitting in this house all your life can you?”

Believe me when I say Silver became lost in thought and scoured her mind for what felt like an hour before she finally responded. Suffice it to say, her answer left much to be desired. "If I'm to expect a future, it will be the future of my father's company."

"Have you not thought that long into it?" Diamond asked.

"Why must I? My father is a smart man and will keep it running smoothly as long as he needs to."

Diamond found pause at that moment, a saddened look on her face. "Silver, I fear your father won't be around forever. What plans have you for yourself after his passing?"

Jumping on the wagon was Rosetti, placing his well-past-finished cake on the table. "I’m jumping on that train too. What exactly can you do that would give you a little smile during sleep at night?”

Silver was forced to sit up from her relaxed position as her metaphorical trial began. "A life of luxury is all I need. My father has no doubt planned for his passing and as such, I will leave it to whomever he deems worthy of taking his place."

"Lady Silver, I don't mean to outstep my station but you’re not worried for your future?"

"I second that," Diamond uttered. "I'm quite aware that your bank of skills is rather dry give or take. If you're to survive in your old age, you'll need a plan."

Silver scoffed before vacating the couch, bound for the wine bar. "You two worry far too often for your own good. Things will work out, my father has planned for it, I assure you. Now where is that switch?”

"You know very well your father does not allow you to partake in his wares Silver, you are still only four days from 18 after all."

"I see no law prohibiting my consumption of it, let alone my father nipping at my heels. It’ll be one glass, don’t worry."

Even Rosetti was against such an act as he rushed to apprehend Silver before she could effectively find the switch, knowing full well that if her father found out she was drinking before his established rule of being 18, he would no doubt have his hide. Diamond could only giggle at the scuffle until a rather lanky pony Butler opened the doors to address them all.

"Lady Silver, you would do well to remember that your father has forbidden you from drinking until you are 18," he announced.

"Simon, don't be such a stickler for the rules, get Rosetti off of me and help me remember which bottle it was that turns it."

The tall and elderly elegant Butler only let out a single entertained huff at the suggestion and instead went about doing his job. "I would much rather keep my position than incur your father's wrath, my lady. At the very least you can hold off on consumption long enough to greet your guest."

If you thought that Rosetti was rather fat, this man would put that notion to shame. This large rotund pony towered over even the tall pony butler himself with the weight to match. "Where is my little Silverware?!"

"Uncle Fat Cat!" Silver bellowed as she closed the fridge and proceeded toward him. Not before Diamond forced her to rejoin her presence with a whisper. "I was under the impression that you ordered your staff to warn you if he was at the gates before he came in."

"I assure you I had the conversation personally with every single member of my staff to warn me or my father if this bit-grubbing tower of a pony was at the gates. In which case I will have a rather bold discussion with the one who seemed to forget. Either way, we have no choice but to play nice and put on a smile." And just that Silver did. A smile beamed across her face as she approached the man as if his own daughter with an embrace. "A good welcome to you uncle. I can only assume that my father is expecting you?"

"Oh you know me too well, I'm a man of business and your father has the most passion for his I've seen in my years. Even so, it's more of a bonus to see my little Silverware every now and then. What of today's little stint, did you procure anything worthwhile."

"Why certainly, Rosetti dear, please the bags."

"Already here, mam."

"You've certainly conditioned this one well." Fat hardily uttered. "Such a hardy big one he is, wish I had one that loyal."

Amid closed eyes and uncontrolled laughter, Silver glared her uncle down with anger but held her composure nonetheless. "Indeed," she choked out through gritted teeth. "As you can see, I lacked this particular piece in black so I had no choice but to procure it."

"Oh my, that is a rare find. And what do have here if not the last piece to complete that collection of china I gifted your father long ago."

"As the curator of this wine & dine company, I couldn't bear to see this last piece missing from the set. The things the shop owner had to do to procure it were well worth the price and the stress today has been. I still shiver at the thought of my conversation with that codgy old bear."

"Old bear? Though I'm doubly interested now, I suppose my business here should come first. Your father is in his study I can assume?"

"As always dear uncle, he'll be awaiting your arrival in that chair of his. What pray tell is the business this time?"

Fat Cat chuckled as if to question her questioning. Only when he was back out of the door accompanied by Simon did he respond. "Nothing you need not concern yourself with Silverware." Silver watched as he proceeded to the left of the room, Knowing full well that her father's study was in that direction. Of course, he stopped right in front of it and the door opened with a loud click. His booming voice could be heard greeting her father like he was an old acquaintance and soon the door closed.

Silver could only let out an exaggerated sigh as she resumed her lazy position upon the couch. "Dear lord, that stallion will be the death of me."

Diamond was quick on the ball thankfully, taking her place next to Rosetti to comfort his emotions. "Save for the blatant insult to sweet Rosetti here, I thought you would be happy to see him. He always struck me as a well-earned opportunity for your father."

"That's just it I'm afraid. All that man sees is an opportunity. For nearly three years now, he's been nothing short of hell-bent on trying to relieve my father of our intended market to other chases. Every single time he approaches my father, it's to pitch some type of hair-brained scheme that goes against all our goals. It's simply a surprise that my father hasn't forbade the man from coming onto the property. Then again, that is why my father is my hero. Patient and benevolent to a fault, even after the war."

"That darn PTSD," Rosetti added. "Every soldier who fought in that damned war had it coming back into the Equestrian States. Most were diagnosed as unable to work or function due to the trauma."

"But not my father thankfully. Perhaps he didn't see as much combat or maybe he just handles it better than others. As evidenced by the foyer."

As the conversation drew on, another two-legged maid informed the party that the car bound for Diamond Tiara's home was outside and waiting. With the sun beginning to lower under the horizon, Diamond best be on her way lest she be harassed by less-than-reputable individuals. She left Silver with a hug for the road and strode toward her departure, leaving Silver to think for herself a moment. Once again, her future had been brought into question and she was none too fond of it. Even with the steady stream of bits, she wanted nothing more than to find a lot in life. Tried her darndest too, to find a happy place I mean. Life after school was different, she was bound to end up on the streets in normal circumstances. Perhaps that's why she depended on her father so much. Nonsense, she uttered to herself now in the downstairs kitchen garbed in her nightly robe preparing for bed.

It had been nearly an hour since her uncle entered the study. She often felt her mind wondering what half-planned scheme he was pitching now. It kept her up long enough to finally hear that door open and Fat Cat exiting thanking her father for his time and for at least listening. Silver was hasty to find him at the bottom of the steps descending into the foyer. "Any luck on your newest venture uncle?"

Even though he flashed her a smile, she could see the frustration in his eyes. "Unfortunately not I'm afraid, this idea just didn't have the steam to power the engine. That's fine though, it's simply a matter of going back to the drawing board."

"If I may offer my advice, you may have more luck with an idea that actually adheres to our product. Perhaps something that will help adorn homes in splendor?"

"A rather dashing idea Silver, perhaps I will think on that. It is getting late however and my driver is sure to be getting nervous so I will take my leave. You be sure to have a wonderful night Silver and do make sure to call, I still want to hear your story about that soggy old bear."

The two both exchanged fake smiles as the uncle left the residence and Silver was left to roll her eyes in disbelief, Rosetti quickly backing her up with a sign of disgust himself, eliciting a chuckle from the mare. "It wasn't you who forgot was it dear?"

"Never mam, I despise him just as much as you. Heard there was a new hire on though, maybe it was him?"

"Hmm...perhaps. Suppose I'll have a word with him come morning. In the meantime, please have a pleasant night Rosetti."

"You as well mam."


Early that night


Silver was restless, even more so than usual. she tossed and turned in her luxurious bed but nothing seemed to sate her inability to sleep. Why? What was causing such anxiety she wondered. Well, nothing to want for than a glass of forbidden wine, right? Her birthday was only a few days away after all. Donning a silver robe, she opened the door to the cold foyer air, shivering a bit in response. "Lady Silver?" an attendant wondered.

"Pay me no mind, I'm simply a bit restless. Is father still in his study?"

"Of course, still working on the agreement as expected."

"Oh my, I do wish he would take a break every so often. Thank you, you're excused."

"Right away mam." Descending into the foyer and rounding the right corner to the downstairs kitchen, she procured herself a wine glass and a bottle she was set to pour. Half the glass gleamed in the moonlight with rosey color as she attempted to re-ascend the steps quietly to her room. That's when a shadowy figure caught her eye down the hall toward her father's study. It stood there, motionless and quiet, a four-legged so it certainly couldn't have been one of her attendants. The only other option was...

"F-father, a healthy evening to you. I was just...uh...testing the wine, I didn't want to turn 18 not knowing if I disliked it or not you know..oh Silver you idiot, that was the most idiotic excuse you could have come up wi--" Unbeknownst to her ramblings, the figure dared not move. She noticed fearfully. "Uh...father? Are you...well? You're not moving very much. Is your illness acting up again?" She talked and talked, all the while, approaching and letting the pervading moonlight finally bring him into view. 

He was wide-eyed, seemingly out of it. His body swayed as if off balance and he refused to acknowledge her. It was a frightening sight, to say the least. Silver on the other hand was more concerned, crossing the area with slow yet unwavering determination. "F-father, please say something, you're starting to worr--" It was quick, almost instantaneous, the change from standing there to dropping like a boulder. Silver was only able to partially slow her father's crash, his body crashing into her with unstoppable force and causing her robe to rip as a result. That didn't matter, however. Instead, her attention was firmly on the situation at hand, desperately trying to usher her father's consciousness but nothing working past her observation of his pale color. "ROSETTI?! SIMON?! CALL A DOCTOR, NOW!"

The staff found themselves rushing to her aid in seconds, all wondering what exactly happened. One was quick enough to rush for the house phone and make a connection with a doctor or a nurse or someone with medical knowledge. The only one to notice something strange however was Rosetti. Despite him being the closest to the situation his eyes couldn't help but catch a figure in the moonlight exiting the room in which her father had sat for hours on end. It was garbed in their attendant attire so no one was none the wiser but Rosetti found his intrusive thoughts wondering if the attendant was examining the room for any clues as to what happened or if something more sinister was going on. Nonetheless, it descended the stairs and joined the other attendant in getting help from the hospital. 

Finally basking itself in the moonlight, Rosetti's eyes widened, not out of pure realization, but the potential of one. He knew that two-legged feline but just couldn't put his finger on it.
> Chapter 2: Reality Soft Spoken -Part 2-
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It all happened so quickly. 

Moon beaming across the horizon, the world stalled in its ascent to progress. Mellowing pony or fact, it did not matter if the individual was one or a cat, all fell into their nightly routine. Or so it should have been. As quick as can be, Silver found her life turned upside down, from unprecedented wealth to a wonder of survival. The staff arrived rather quickly and proceeded to operate on her father from the comfort of his own bedroom. No surgery mind you but procedures that were intended to help stabilize him for a trip to the hospital. With that door closed the silver-maned pony found herself hysterically pacing the floor, at least until Diamond Tiara quickly galloped into the home after hearing the news via telephone.

It had been nearly a couple of hours now, and all seemed to be quiet throughout the house. Despite the fact that this was a time of uncertainty, everyone found their own short-lived peace in the moment. The staff decided to continue their work amid an undeserved quiet while some were in the bedroom helping the nurses tend to Silver's father. Rosetti was carefully tending to Silver's comfort as she slept at Diamond Tiara’s hooves, all the while Diamond was doing her best to hold back her fear of the worst. 

The tension in the air was thick as the bayou fog, only settling when the click of the father's door finally graced the ears of everyone. Within minutes, the crowd of workers reformed around the door, and Diamond was quick to nudge Silver awake who shot up like a bullet when she realized who was standing in front of her. "I-is he ok, what of his condition?”

The nurse let a deafening silence take the air, collecting her thoughts but unintentionally giving a wave of anxiety to everyone in the room. "He's alive but…his condition is declining. We can hold him at the hospital and continue to watch over him there but whatever took his consciousness this time has gone too far for us to save him. I imagine that within only a week's time, he will be with the spirits. I'm sorry, Silver Spoon."

There was an audible gasp or declaration of disbelief from the staff but all Silver could utter was a choked inward breath. Her father was dying…he was dying and there was nothing she could do about it. It all came so suddenly, hit her so hard. She was going to be alone in a week's time, without the father figure that gave her life so much meaning and value. Without the man who fought in defense of their freedom, returned from all that chaos only to dote on his daughter with a smile on his face the entire time. 

Silver could feel it, Diamond could see it, her legs wobbling as the silver-maned mare dropped to the ground and tears began to well up in her eyes. Everyone was quick to offer Silver what support they could but the truth of the matter is, everyone was saddened by the news. Her father was such a benevolent employer, more so than his daughter or any other noble. To see him go would it truly mark the end of a serendipitous era. Silver was not so like-minded, getting to her hooves and rushing to her father's door in an attempt to be with him but the nurses were quick to deny access. "Miss Silver you must calm down, he is resting. If you were to crash into his bedside now, who knows what damage you might cause. You must be patient and wait just a little while until he stabilizes at the hospital."

"First you tell me that he's d-dying…and then you refuse to let me even see him. I order you to stand aside."

"As your medical professional, I refuse that offer. He is not in good condition just yet, you'll have to wait, mam, if you want him to live."

"You…you absolute charlatans, I should have you arrested here on the spot…" Silver was adamant to wield her anger until a reassuring hoof from Diamond Tiara embraced her shoulder. "Fine…fine, whatever…but hear me now if my father dies before I can see him at the hospital, I will hold you especially accountable. Do you hear me? I will have you in chains as fast as you can blink."

It wasn't their fault, she was angry and had damn good reason to be. It wasn't just her loss of a really close family member that was angering her but the idea that her way of life would be completely uprooted. Who would run the company? Would the bits dry up after long leaving her homeless on the streets? All the questions of a mare who's never worked a hard day's work in her life. She stay pondering that thought in her room for the time being.

At least until her train of thought was broken when the doors to her room opened and in walked a rather professionally dressed pony. His business suit and slicked-back white hair made it obvious that he was some type of official. "Ms. Spoon." the official uttered, taking another step towards her bedside adorned by Diamond Tiara and Rosetti. "I...am sorry for your loss. Even now I strain to hold back my own tears but...business must be done first and foremost. Your father was an understood pillar of this community and as such, he will not be forgotten. If you and your friends would be so kind as to follow me to his study, we have a matter of his to discuss." Despite her choked state, Diamond and Rosetti did manage to support her to her father's study where the official took the center of attention.

"Ms. Spoon, Mr. Cat, Diamond Tiara," he began. "I would like to direct your attention to the paper placed in front of you. Though he has not passed on yet, the nurses on their way to take your father to the hospital informed me that whatever affliction he has is going to be 100% fatal in a week's time. As such, he will most likely be in a consistently bedridden state and will not be able to look over his affairs. It is by his own words that before his death, his will be doled out. Lying before you is the document in which he has agreed upon including a message for his daughter specifically. 

A clear of the throat before he began. "If this message is reaching you, then that means my passing has finally come. Thought it would take me in the war but it didn't. Thought it would take me when I had to fight my PTSD but it didn't. Instead, I'm likely to have passed in my sleep, peacefully and without regrets, hopefully. In the event that that day comes around, I have something to say. Silver, I know it's been tough. Ever since I came back from the war, I know I've been a little distant. Ever since your mother passed, I know I've been a little irritable. Doesn't mean I don't still cherish those days back then, before the second deployment, those days when I was still stationed in my own city. I could come home every weekend, see you, take you and your mother out for food, and a day out in the parks. What I wouldn't give to have those days back. Even if right now, I was still alive, I'd like to give myself just one more day with you but...the company is in flux lately. At the point now where even a day's break leads to another issue I gotta sit down and fix. I ain't left this study in nearly 7 hours as of writing this and it's getting worse. I fear I'm doing something wrong here and it's starting to weigh on my mind more than usual. I'm hoping that with some luck, you might be able to fix that. I know you weren't expecting it but that's the case baby girl. The company is effectively under your watch as of the reading of this will. I hope you take good care of my dream and I hope more that you take care of yourself. Thank you for a life worth living Silver."

Silver found pause. The company in her name...but...but she didn't know one thing about how to run it. It's not important. It shouldn't be important. Yet here she is contemplating it. How exactly was she supposed to run this company, let alone save it? It was thought that the company would fall to someone who had the actual experience to run it but to give the company to his own daughter, she couldn't fault him on the logic but…what has she gotten herself into?

Fat Cat found pause. The company was in her name...but why would he delegate such a lucrative opportunity to her and not his own brother? Why on Earth would he find more comfort in a spoiled rotten brat taking ownership than he, a business connoisseur? He had half a mind to question such a disrespectful result, even as the sorrow lofted around the room. Unbeknownst to anyone, he poured over the document again and again trying to find out exactly how much power the little utensil had. Again and again and again until he finally noticed the stipulations at the bottom of the page. Yes...yes that would do nicely. “Your father was adamant that you undertake his affa--”

"Now hold on now, if you please.” Mr. Cat interrupted.

“Mr. Cat, could this potentially wait until after I have finished the presentation?”

“Now now, don’t get your horseshoes in a twist, I just thought it might be a bit important to point out a very interesting stipulation before we continue, as it says here in pretty bold words.”

Even the official was perplexed by his sudden interruption before he himself remembered exactly what Fat Cat was talking about. Even still, he let out a sigh and ripped the paper from Fat Cat's hooves. "As I am the one who helped write this will, that was going to be a part of the presentation. Please be seated, Mr. Cat." There was a nervous smile before Fat Cat took his seat and the official continued. "As per the rules stated by your father, you will indeed inherit the company Ms. Silver Spoon but unfortunately, not until you are of legality in age as that is when your father assumed you would be most knowledgeable about the inner workings of the company. As Mr. Cat pointed out so unnecessarily, the company will legally transfer under your name when you turn 18. I can assume that is soon?"

"Why yes, dear official." Fat cat begin again, stepping out of his seat and throwing a hoof around his shoulder as if they were best buddies. "Of which is woefully tragic, a true tear-jerker of the heart. Unfortunately, that means that the company will be without management for at least a couple of days, I wonder who could take over that process until Silver Spoon is ready to take that throne? What's that? You want me to do it?" 

"No one said anything Mr. Ca--"

"Well I guess if you're really hurting for somebody" he interrupted once again. "Then I can take over the mantle for a couple of days and get things running smoothly for your eventual takeover. Worry not silverware and rest assured that your father and his legacy will stay firmly cemented into this foundation."

There was a glance of angered eyes from the official but he found a sigh replaced it. "Well this is certainly not by the books but your father has mentioned your brother as being one of the few who can help with company affairs. If there are no objections to this course of action, Fat Cat will effectively take over ownership of the company until Silver is of age. Any objections?

There was a sort of acknowledgment behind the uncertainty, the recognition that that would be the best course of action. At least, that was the thought process behind most of the room. Despite the fact that Mr. Cat would be taking over the affairs for a couple of days, Silver was still lost in thought on how she would actually run this company once it was her turn.

Taking Silver Spoon's words to heart, however, Diamond Tiara seemed awfully suspicious of Fat Cat's enthusiasm to have taken this position so boldly and quickly. Forgo coincidence for but a moment, a lack of civility was the most obvious giveaway, no tears shed. Brother of yours kicks the bucket and you only seem a might bit perturbed. Something was definitely off here, and yet, no one would still guess what was to come.

There was but a moment given, an assurance that Silver Spoon knew exactly what she was getting into. Then and only then did the official collect his part of the documents and depart the household. Only when Fat Cat was left to his lonesome did Diamond Tiara and Rosetti attempt to console their friend.

Tears dripped down the couch cushions like water breaking free of a dam. For as much comfort as the two could offer, there could never be any true comfort for the realization that true reality does not care for one's personified reality. Silver at this point was hysterical, like a bank teller trying to run the numbers over and over again. "I just don't, I don't get it! Nothing went to plan, everything's going wrong!"

"Silver mam, please calm down. Or at the very least, mind how much of that bottle is disappearing down your muzzle, that's one of your father's strongest applications."

"I dare ask the reason for such care to exist." She yelped, wine glass forgotten, bottle firmly in hoof. "It is by this time in 4 days--"

"Three days lady silver, midnight was about an hour ago," Rosetti uttered.

Silver can only stare with scorn in her pupils causing Rosetti to shrink in his spot. "It is by this time in 3 days I will be running a company after all. So please do forgive me if I'm a bit perturbed as the man I know and loved as my father is guaranteed death, in his sixties no less. In this day and age, as far as medicine has come, he still had a well enough 10 years before any of this was thought to come to pass. But no…here I am, drowning myself over an illicit beverage that I'm sure my father had to go well out of his way to procure, with only 3 days to figure out…anything!"

Just as it seemed like she was about to explode into an all-out temper tantrum, she plopped her stuff right back down on the couch in a huff. "Dizzy?" Diamond asked.

"Terribly so…"

"Please Silver, do your dear friend a favor, and let's try not to drink our problems away, tempting though that may be."

"I just…maybe in the back of my head I was still that little girl waiting for him to come back from the war. And every day that he did it, I ran, I jumped, I screamed thinking that that man was invincible."

"A lesson that has to be learned, I'm afraid." Diamond found herself the nearest and coziest blanket she could, draping it over silver as she attempted to fight off her dizzy stupor. "I know it hurts to hear but I wasn't kidding when I asked you what your plan was should your father not be here. Know that I will be here every step of the way during your grief but more than anything, I want you to be confident and how you approach the world from out under your father's shadow."

"I…I don't know…" Silver groaned. "I fear I have not a single skill to my name that would help in running a company. It's not like he sat me down every day and gave me a living example."

Rosetti came to a stand, removing the wine bottle and the wine glass from the table and returning it to the kitchen. "In which case, perhaps a little bit of shut-eye would do your mind some good. Best not to dwell on such stressful situations when you're lit up like a stick of TNT."

The kind of day they had, Diamond Tiara could only nod in agreement. "He's right, you're more likely to end up in an alleyway on the street in this state, let alone make decisions based on strategy. Best we all get some sleep for the night and think about it in the morning."

"W-wait Diamond--"

"Easy there Silver," Diamond uttered has she rushed to catch Silver from stumbling off the couch. "Don't strain yourself, I'll be here with you tonight."

"J-just…those dolls and the pricing and figuring out how to make everything work with other shops and…at the very least can you help me understand what I'm getting myself into come tomorrow?"

Diamond Tiara happily knotted and a sigh of relief was well-earned. As quickly as everything had happened, the pair found themselves sound asleep that night.

Not a soul alive that can say that curiosity truly killed the cat. Rosetti was one of skepticism, always has been when it came to that bulbous pony. Daring never to step outside his means, he withheld his accusations and simply went about his work tending to the house and the night. However, his hunch would be more than correct as Fat Cat wasn't exactly a night owl on usual occasions. That night, however, he found himself firmly in the study, seated upon the same chair that Silver's father sat and mulling over the new power that he had. Now any man worth his weight in liquid gold knew that 3 days wasn't exactly a lot of time to turn the company around. That's why a plan had to be set into motion.

"Of course I pulled it off, what kind of idiot do you take me for?" There was a slight grit of his teeth as the voice responded, causing him to crush his cigar between his teeth and force him to begin hacking up the substance inside. "You would do well to watch your tone, I don't appreciate these valid accusations you're throwing at me. Instead, why don't you listen, before I have one of those hellish hounds wring that precious feline confidence out of you." He uttered as he replaced the cigar to his lips and relit it. "The information you provided was rather accurate, his will was set up just the way you thought it was and for that, you will be handsomely compensated. After...you deal with one last issue. What is it? Why, shouldn't it be obvious? I left a little piece of silverware out and I'd like you to put it back in the drawer."

Damn, his heart was racing. Curse his curiosity and inability to mind his own business. Perhaps this day, curiosity will kill the cat after all. Rosetti's fear of what was to come was so heavy that the only thing that seemed audible to him was the hyperventilation he was now exuding. Rain had just started to fall outside and each kick of lightning flashing the household only stirred up his nerves even more. He tried his best to quietly back up and descend the steps to the couch where Silver and Diamond Tiara were sleeping. Unfortunately, not his fault he likes her healthy piece of cake every now and then, his weight caused a floorboard to Creek just outside the door. "Who's there?!" Fat's voice bellowed from the other side of the door.

"I-its just me Mr. Cat. Uh, Rosetti sir."

"Oh right, the fat one." Rosetti huffed, he was fatter than he was after all. "And what do I owe this visit, you hefty individual?"

"W-well sir, I found myself so excited by your offer to help Lady Silver run the company that I found it appropriate to ask if you would like to indulge in some of your brother's collection."

"Collection? Well damn, I never expected my benevolent brother to be indulging in something as criminal as that. In that case, I might take you up on that offer, later of course. I got a lot of checkbooks to balance."

"R-right sir. Sorry to trouble you." As apparently happy as he is, Rosetti wasted no time with hastening down the steps. Like the crash of a shell through tank armor, he damn near killed the girl as he shook Diamond awake. "Wake up, wake up."

"Rosetti, heavens above, stop shaking me at on--" A finger to the mouth as Rosetti motioned to shush. "Have you been partaking in the wine yourself?"

"What no, just listen. You and Silver need to vacate the premises, fast."

A raised eyebrow as she found herself in a more comfortable upright position. "What in the Equestrian States are you talking about?"

"No time, you two need to leave right now." He uttered, having to nearly double the power of shaking to rouse Silver from her buzzed stupor.

"It's nearly midnight Rosetti, what could possibly be so urgent that you need to rouse me from my slumber so aggress--oh, I feel like I'm going to throw up…"

"Throw up on the way out the door, you two needed to be out of here hours ago."

Even as frantic as the butler was, Silver only groaned and grunted as she attempted to fall back into a sleepy state, Diamond Tiara following her hoofsteps. "Apologies, but I see no reason for us to escape into the night at the moment. Unless you give us a good reason, I feel as though this can wait until the morning."

"You won't be waiting for anything if you're dead. Look, I just got done overhearing your uncle's recent conversation and you are not going to like what you hear." It was at this moment that the both of them sat up, now deeply concerned. "I don't know if you two have ever had the opportunity to fall in line with a couple of hardy criminals, but your uncle is by far the most natural. He planned this entire thing, from your dad's death to his taking over the company. And now we need to be gone yesterday because I just got done overhearing him telling someone that they need to deal with a silverware problem."

If hell had fury, it would be the expression on Silver's face as she got to her hooves. "You can't be serious. You mean to tell me that you're blaming my uncle for the entire ordeal. Rosetti, I'm tired and dizzy and...I think I need the throw-up, I do not want to hear your conspiracy theories. The only thing that my uncle has ever done has tried to go into partnership with my father. Where is your proof of ill will?"

As if the universe was answering her question, a flash of lightning illuminated the dark household. The unusual object in question was a strange silhouette standing on the terrace that overlooked their backyard. "There…" a slow and methodical movement as all of their heads turned to view the figure in their backyard. 

Silver was especially concerned. "That terrace is nearly three stories off the ground, who would be so dumb as to--" Diamond and Rosetti were quick enough to realize what was about to happen. Their bodies moved quickly, hammering Silver's person to the ground as a loud bang rang out alongside broken glass and a small flash of light. Within seconds, Rosetti had reached under one of the couches and pulled on a small tab. When the tab opened, out came a rather small pistol, a colt .25, to Diamond and Silver's surprise."Wait just a darn minute, who hid a fully functioning gun in the couch?!"

As quick as can be, Rosetti haphazardly returned two bullets the assailant's way. "WHAT ARE YOU TWO STILL DOING HERE, RUN!"

Their hooves could only take them so far so fast as gunshots began to ring out behind them. Before long, Rosetti was bounding behind them as well, the assailant hot on their trail. His aim was damn near perfect, chipping off paint near their heads the two times he fired before they reached the doors. 

Silver, Diamond, and Rosetti crashed through those doors with all their might, storming down the steps into the foyer where Rosetti had the ingenious idea of hiding among the base of the glass cases, spreading out to give him a hard target. All the while, the strange figure slowly and quietly crept into the room, his feline eyes scanning the dark room in ignorance until a flash of lightning illuminated just enough for him to attempt to make out their hiding locations. Clack, clack, clack went the two-legged assailants' shoes on the granite floor as he continued his search. He would find them, it was only a matter of time. "Let’s not drag this out please, I know one of you was on to me from the very start. And yet somehow, you still did not see this coming. If it's all the same to you, I'd much rather be done with this trifling matter sooner than later."

Despite the man's words, all three of them waited patiently as the man crisscrossed around the room. Rosetti understood that they could not hide forever, it was only a matter of time before he got an idea and used it to weed them out. There had to be some way for the girls to escape at least, something that the assailant wasn't expecting. His eyes started from one corner of the room to the next but the only true option for them at this point was to either return up the steps and possibly give the cat a bigger target, try for one of the side corridors that led to the employee rooms and kitchen, or the laundry room. As he was firmly blocking off two options, the laundry room was their only choice. Rosetti motioned to the two other girls close by and pointed out the room, giving them a countdown of three to make a run for it.


One…two…Three!


Before the assailant could blink, a massive vase went sailing over the room and toward his head. Only by a split second was he able to dodge the incoming projectile and turn his head to see his targets bounding for the laundry room. He gave chase, of course, popping off a few shots to trip them up. Only by the skin of their teeth were Diamond and Silver able to enter the room but Rosetti found himself still a couple of feet away. With the assailant right behind them, he turned around and began firing back shots causing him to take cover. It was the assailant's understanding however that this would end pretty soon as he spoke very quietly. "Four…" he uttered as another bullet passed him by. "Five…and six." Click. The sound of an empty gun. Within seconds, the assailant rounded the corner and allowed a bullet to greet Rosetti's shoulder. He whined out in pain for only a second before diving into the laundry room slamming the door behind him and locking it. Crack. Almost immediately, the wood was already splintering as the assailant began rushing his shoulder into it over and over again. No doubt he would be within their hiding spot in only a minute, in which Rosetti had to make a choice. "Lady Silver, Lady Diamond. I'm starting to think that your uncle is out of his mind. Looks like this old Jack without his Jill is not going to stop until he has you in a bag at the bottom of the river."

"Stow your humor, Rosetti, you're bleeding. We have to get that patched up now." Diamond Tiara uttered as she began searching for some type of sheet to tie off the hole. "For the Love of--I was under the impression that you guys did laundry today."

"We did! Oh, where are those blasted blankets?!"

“Would you two stop for a second and just listen to me? He’s after you guys, especially you Silver. You two trot for the hills before he gets in."

“What are you talk…No…No, Rosetti. I understand that you are in service to me but you can't seriously be thinking that you can hold back that two-legged freak. I will not allow it, come on through the window with us."

"Apologies mam, but I think I have an idea of who is targeting you and there's no way you're going to make it out alive unless someone distracts him."

"You know him?" Diamond Tiara frantically asked.

"One of my own mam, which means I'm going to have the best possible shot at taking him down. Look, despite all the things I had to do to get here, despite all the corners I had to cut just to secure this job, I wouldn't have asked for anything better than this life. I mean sure, now that we're talking about it, you do seem to have a little bit of hostility towards my kind, not to mention that every single time you leave the house you bring back at least five bags worth of expensive things you don't use or wear, not to mention that--" Amid his ramblings, his eyes shifted upward and was met with a duo of annoyed glances. "Well…that's not the point. The point is that despite everything that you've done and everything that I've had to go through, you have been good to me and I would like to repay that kindness in full."

Rosetti quickly began to search the room, frantically and thoroughly. He only stopped when he came across a secret compartment contained beneath a floorboard in the corner of the room. Inside that hole was a box covered in mountains of dust, a symbol that it had been there for some time. "Rosetti, what exactly is that?" Diamond asked.

"Well Lady Diamond, considering that you have given a lot of people like me a better lot in life, I can't say that I trust every single individual who works here. Kind of hard to keep your possessions safe when everyone is going for the same thing." Wincing from the pain in his shoulder, he still endeavored to continue. "You need to take everything inside this box and go west of the river to 24th Avenue. The place you're looking for is called Sit A Little. You show the cook there what's in this box and no doubt you'd be safe at least for a couple days."

"Absolutely not," Silver argued. "You can't simply expect me to run away while you potentially throw your life away."

"You ain't gotta like it Lady Silver, but it's the only choice you got. Or did you forget that there's a man with a gun trying to kill us right now? Your uncle ain't going to stop until all the loose ends are tied up, which means he ain't going to stop hunting you even if you escape this place." Another crack, this time coming from the door knob crashing to the ground. "My apologies Lady Silver but you two need to go!"  Before that silver-haired mare was able to put up any more resistance at the sight, Rosetti, bless his heart, picked the girls up by the scruff of their necks and heaved the ponies out of the window. Next came the creak as the door swung open.

Shoes clacked in, a raise of the eyebrow as he looked from left to right. "Just you?"

"Just me I'm afraid. Found yourself wanting for work so much that you take a job from your victim's own brother? Sounds to me like you’ve lost those higher-than-most morals you used to be about.”

“Hmph,” he uttered, raising his gun to train on the nervous butler’s head. “Cowering child turned cowering butler, nothing’s changed I’m afraid. You still can’t even properly hold a gun correctly and yet here you are, parading yourself as something resembling strength. Please tell me that brave act wasn't for the girls?" Though his words stung like salt in an open wound, the gunman never lost his stoic composure and continued to point the gun Rosetti's way. "Doesn't matter I suppose. Besides, It’s just a job, nothing more, nothing less.”

"You don't know me D, the things I had to do to get away from eating scraps on the streets. I put on this brave face because that girl gave me a chance to be something more than a simple gun for hire, and I'm damn close."

"Your temperament? Gun for hire is generous at best. Either way, you were at the wrong place at the wrong time. I don't pick my targets, I just do my job, sorry. So will you put on that brave facade for your death to or--” The sound of a struggle emanated from the laundry room as Rosetti rushed his would-be assailant with previously unknown vigor.

Silver was right. Rosetti didn't stand a chance. Even with a weight advantage, it seemed like whoever this assailant was had more than enough expert knowledge and experience with a little tussle every now and then. If her father were here right now, he would have shed just as many tears as Silver did today. The gunshot was loud and deafening and when the silence became unrelenting, to the window came the would-be assailant looking out to the area just beneath the window. At least a 2 to 3-story drop it seemed and from its vantage point could he make out that the river winded its way through the estate. Thanks to the torrential rain, its current was rather rapid making it completely impossible to tell whether the girls survived their plunge or lay at the bottom of it. Not fond of getting his fur wet, he opted to hear the scolding from Fat Cat instead of jumping in head first.

The clacking of his shoes echoed throughout the quiet house as he proceeded back to the foyer, up the steps, and to the left toward the study. A click of the door knob as it turned and opened to reveal Fat sitting peacefully in his brother's chair, smoking a cigar. "Is it done?"

"It certainly could have gone better."

"Wow!" The pony worthy of a slap to the face laughed out. "Am I actually hearing that you had trouble? With two girls who know nothing about anything outside of these walls no less? Are you or aren't you the supposed fabled two-legged Hitman, Damien Keller?"

To say that that feline wasn't ready to put a bullet through this pony's head would be a lie. The annoyance on his face couldn't have been more paramount. "At the very least you can stop throwing my reputation in my face…sir." He choked out. "If you could stop choking on your cigar for a second, you would benefit to know that they had help from a rather weighty individual. Suffice it to say, the girls have escaped possibly through the river."

Fat Cat found pause once again, At the very least, Damien was expecting a temper tantrum of extreme proportions. First was the removal of the cigar, then came the scolding and the muttering, before the table would be eventually flipped and the cycle would start all over again. To his surprise, Damien was not forced to use his precious firearm as Fat Cat simply replaced his cigar and turned toward the window to look out to the city. "Haha, now how's that for a twist? What about the fat butler?"

"Removed."

"Hmph. That girl has been sitting in this ivory tower for more than 75% of her life. To think she'd just run away. She's not going to last a day out there in the real world, let alone an hour if you have anything to say about it."

"Am I assume that means--"

"See, now you're thinking like that professional I hired. Don't come back unless her body is in the bag with you. Understood?" Damien glanced down at the envelope that was just pushed across the desk toward him. His eyes curiously scanned it before his hands went to open it. As the contents inside caught a glimmer in his eye, his seemingly stoic gaze fell back upon his employer who only smiled knowing that he had won. "Well?"

Damien's response? The adjustment of his glasses before he dropped a new clip into his pistol, the rack of the slide loud enough to cause a grown man to cower in fear. "Crystal…"
> Chapter 3: A Moonlight Waltz
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Not even a glimmer rose above the horizon that night. Cold, soaked, and on the brink of their sanity, both ponies strode with sorrow deep down in their hearts across the concrete sidewalks of shops once open. Even at this time of the morning, the roads lay barren, quiet as a mouse, not a soul in sight, save for the occasional sounds of liveliness inside the upstairs homes of the shop owners. From unprecedented wealth to a weak survival, it had only been an hour since they departed the household in search of refuge, since Rosetti put his fur on the line for both of them. Tears were the delicacy of this very early morning and in the dark of night no less, It was a surprise the two weren’t rounded up by the coppers out of disturbing the peace alone.

“So…this is how it ends…” Silver murmured, tears still readily streaming down her cheeks.

“This is not how it ends Silver…we just…we just need to find a safe place to rest…clear our heads.” 

Reality, cause that’s what she wanted to hear right now. “Clear our heads? I’m more worried about our brains staying in them rather. W-We were shot at, we were almost killed. In my father’s home no less at the behest of that greedy and unruly fat bas--”

“Silver please,” the pony uttered out fast as she could clamp two hooves around Silver’s muzzle. “The least we can do is grieve without such unbecoming language.”

“If there were a time for it, this would most certainly be it. I just can’t believe it Diamond…my father, hospitalized, and Rosetti…he hadn’t even gotten a chance to go to college yet…and what of his little brother, how do we tell him he’s all alone now…”

“Shhh Silver, in due time. We can’t even begin to fathom these things until we reach refuge. It’s only thanks to his sacrifice that we even have a chance to do so.”

“What does it matter…I’ll die out here alone and unloved by anything else living…just a wet and sick mess eventually.”

Even as the earth pony worked to keep hopes high, Silver slumped down onto the pavement, pudding on the ground as if she were ready for anything to run her over and put her out of her misery. In the low light of the street lamps, Diamond reviewed their only hint of safety. “Darn, we must have gotten turned around in the river, I don’t think we went the right way. Silver, do you see anything that can help us locate our whereabouts?”

There was a deafening silence, save for the groan of helplessness at Diamond's hooves. A glance down was all she needed, watching the pony slump into a ball, tears beginning to stream ever more down her cheeks. As much as she wanted to maintain the optimism of both of them, her spirit was beginning to weaken in response to the sight as well. What fate this was, to be trapped on streets they barely knew, lost in feelings and crying out sorrows. At this point, might as well have a robber or two join the party and make it a done deal. 

Perhaps that thought shouldn’t have been brought into the brain, bad juju came true and all that. Slinking at first but then very casually, a figure began to approach them, “Excuse me, couldn’t help but notice you girls out here all alone, especially your…friend there. Is she alright?”

Diamond almost jumped out of her mane at the sudden realization of conversation but responded as kindly as she could showcase. “Why y-yes actually, we are quite ok. Don’t mind her, she’s just…a little drunk, you know how it goes these days.”

“All too well, I'm afraid. But don’t let the coppers see you like that, they’re liable to jail anything with a pulse on a night like this.”

“Your concern is most appreciated. Actually, I was hoping maybe you could point us in the right direction. We’re looking for 24th Street?”

“24th Street? Ha, lady, you’re clearly a little lost.”

“R-really?”

“Sorry to say, the 24th is in the clear opposite direction. You’re on the east side.”

“Oh shoot, I know we were going the completely wrong way. You have nothing but my utmost thanks, sir."

What looked to be a cordial stallion tipped his hat in respect, Diamond attempting to pick up her friend after nearly a minute of unsolvable sobbing on the ground. But I do believe this is what you call naivete, the girls not even noticing the hint of venom dripping off the voice of this so-called respectful individual who would be so keen as to approach random figures in the middle of the night, alone as they are in the middle of the night and unknowing on whether you are friend or foe. His eyes drifted to the box, the very same box that held their key to salvation. "I hope you don't mind me prying, but I can't help but notice that you two seem a little worse for wear. I'd be more than happy to take you to where you need to go."

"No please, you've been generous enough as it is."

"Oh no no, not at all. I'm just going to need a little something for payment."

"If you're referring to what I think you're referring to, I'm more than happy to pay you, I can spare the bits."

"You know what, that's my fault, perhaps I should have clarified. Bits do sound rather nice but I'm not entirely too sure how much you have on you in this dire situation. And as much as the other thing seems to fit the situation, I’m not without a little integrity I assure you. If you want a ride, all you gotta do is hand over that box.”

It was the instinct of hearing those words that caused Silver to grip the box tight enough to pop its delicate lock off. Diamond’s eyes followed that suggestion to his eyes, standing up to view on his level. “I’m sorry sir but that is quite a steep price, given the circumstances. You see, we need that box to attain our refuge so if you were to say, take it, we’d certainly be well out of luck.”

“That’s not really my problem, little miss, all I care about is the payment. And seeing as how you don’t have the bits on you right now, that box is the only bargaining chip you got. So I’ll ask again, you just let me get a peek at the inside and we’ll be on our way.”

“And I’ll say it again, if you require bits so much that you can’t overlook an opportunity then I’ll happily decline your offer.”

Lost in her confidence, the pony found it mostly replaced by a palpable fear when the stallion began to inch forth unto her presence. “I don’t think you quite got me the first time so this time, I’m not asking. And here I was trying to do a nice thing for you, give you a ride across town, get you to where you need to go. All you had to do was give me that box. I'm a nice stallion, good with kids, and love my ma with all my heart until someone disrespects me or her. Now we've got a problem. You tell your mess of a friend there to kick the box over here to me and I won't be forced to do what I was originally going to do."

"Am I allowed to ask what that might be?"

"Like I said, integrity. I'd rather you not hear it for peace of mind. Go on now, give me the box." The stallion's face scrunched up in annoyance as sobs were the only thing that were given to him at that moment. "Really? You really want to test me on this one?"

"L-Look, you don't want to mess with us. We are very lucrative individuals and if you even so much as touch us I'll have you in chains before you can blink."

"Ooh, a threat, which means that you two must be rich ponies, which means that you'll fetch an even bigger price then I thought you would. Should have kept that information to yourself, now I'm about to call your bluff."

At an agonizingly slow pace, the stallion began to approach with an undisturbed sense of confidence. His smiles and chills down the spine of Diamond especially considering that it seemed like Silver wasn't even paying attention to the situation. Under the pale moonlight still invisible in the sky, a true act of debauchery was aiming to take place. Each clack of his hoof across the cold ground reignited the terror in her eyes but still, for her friend, she stood tall.

This was a brutally inappropriate time to have a memory flash before her eyes. A time from back in the day, when they were still kids. The very same setup actually, wild time that was. Now it was no secret that the two of them were rather brats in their younger days, a duo of absolutely rich posh fillies who used to their status anywhere and everywhere they could, especially when it came to their school. Diamond Tiara was the head of that little round of idiocy, forcing kids left and right to do her bidding. Well one day, one kid finally got the courage to up and deal with Silver Spoon who seemed to be pushing her authority without her leader. I'll save you the details of the event and simply tell you, it was something that a teacher was certainly needed for. But no one called one, because this was just desserts coming to bite them back in the flank.

But thanks to the little show the kids made of it, Diamond took notice and stood for her friend's defense. It was there that she took the cruelest assault of verbal communication that she'd ever heard. That was the moment that she noticed her behavior, when she turned her life around. With the help of a trio of individuals who seemed to be dedicated to helping many of the children get their cutie marks, she realized just how precious life was outside of her own. That's how she came to be the voice of reason. Celestia be damned if the world thought she was going to deny Silver that same enlightenment so just like before, she was going to stand here and protect that girl with all she had even if it cost her life.

What they didn't know however was that Silver was indeed listening. Still lost in her thoughts, she seemed unable to even move her hooves to do something, anything. That girl was scared to death, scared of the stallion, scared of the future, scared of ending up just like Rosetti. Or worse, some type of slave or object lost in a system that would never see her home. In a town full of nothing but ruffians, what could she do? Here she was again, letting someone else protect her. Did she really want to lose another friend so soon? Could she stand losing both her closest friends in one night?

Unbeknownst to either of the two ponies above her, this drove her to begin fiddling with the lock on the box until eventually, it dropped off, forced open from Silver's squeeze attack earlier. She cracked the box open with a sorrowful curiosity and her eyes meant something she didn't expect to see.

"All right all right, I've teased you enough. It's just funny you know, seeing that last little hint of pride when I know for a fact you'd much rather run for the hills." With a quick motion, the stallion's muzzle found the short ponytail of Diamond, yanking her to the ground with force. Her ability to regain her composure was immediately haunted by a hoof crashing down on her mid-area and keeping her firmly on the ground. "I told you to give me the box and you didn't want to listen. That's grounds for punishment."

Through her cries of pain, Diamond desperately tried to chunk out her resolution. "W-wait… you don't have to…W-we'll give you the--"

"None of that now." He uttered increasing pressure on her body. "I gave you a chance and you didn't want to take it. I can't have you just thinking that you can beg your way out of every situation. No no, that is something that we have to break on day one or you just won't sell well." Diamond's eyes widened at the realization of what she had just done. "Oh I'm sorry did that catch your attention? I'll be more than happy to say it again, I'll even elaborate. Two mares, alone on the street, without a place to go or place to sleep, whatever could they do? And that's where I come in with the whole fancy routine, you get in my car, and I drive you to a place non-disclosed. It was supposed to be an easy snatch and then you went and got all confident. Who knows, we might have let you go within the first couple of days but you just had to be a hero. Now I'm gonna have to do a little conditioning before I take you or the boss will definitely have my flank. Might take you a couple of days to get better but when you do, then you have to work. And if you don't live up to those expectations, well…I won't get into the specifics of that, too gruesome."

"P-please I'm s--"

An absolute guttural cry of pain echoed out of her muzzle as the stallion once again increased the pressure on her midsection, this time with the intent to elicit a scream. "I didn't give you permission to talk, did I? No, I didn't. Gonna keep going until you learn your lesson rich girl."

And continue he did. It almost felt like an eternity, to hear your friend being assaulted only for you to not even be able to move. Her friend was in danger, why couldn't she move? Any young gal worth their worth would be up and shoving hooves into his eyes right now but she just couldn't. That is until her eyes once again fell upon the contents of the box. In her sphere of fear, she damn well forgot about her only chance. Drawing from the anger of her emotions, she finally managed to break through her paralysis and slowly rise from her sorrowful stupor, unbeknownst to the assailant who was still actively torturing her friend.

"You two going to play nice or do I have to keep hurting you? I mean, I'd rather you say you say you're going to cooperate, kind of hurts my pride to be doing this to a fine little lady like yourself. Still, doesn't mean it's not the first time I've done it. I'll survive through the grief." 

He could spy the pony's lips beginning to move and was poised to enact another hint of torture that is until the sound of a click behind him drew his attention. Before he could even turn his head to the source of the sound, the sight of a flash and something fast damn near grazed his muzzle. It was so effectively close to hitting him that he toppled over from the shock. When his eyes once again readjusted to the situation before him, he drew his attention back to where he was trying to look and saw something he didn't expect to spy. The pony once sobbing on the ground like a lost case was standing to her hooves, a common pistol in her possession and aimed directly at him.

She didn't say anything, just stared at him with tearful and tired eyes. Her breaths were heavy and fast, unsure of what she just did and how to do it again, but the assailant didn't know that. Instead, it's almost like his confidence flipped on a dime. "Whoa whoa, why don't we just talk for a second no need to get all trigger hap--"

"Shut...S-shut up." She uttered, inching the gun closer to him. There were so many things she wanted to say, so many things she needed to vent and get out but her mouth clamped shut the minute the thought entered her head. Instead, the gun continued to inch closer under the control of a tearful lapse in judgment.

"W-wait, you really don't have to do that, I'm sorry. Look, you need money? I got it. You guys need a place to stay? I'll take you there free of charge. I'll even take your friend to a hospital. God knows I made an absolute utter mistake doing what I did and I think I will turn myself into the police tonight. All you gotta do is let me go, come on now, I know you're not a killer."

There is a saying that silence is deafening. Well, The silence of a broken pony who's had a hell of a night was damn near akin to the void. Just as he finished that sentence, Silver pushed that cold metal against his temple and looked him directly in the eyes. There was a moment of understanding in her eyes that she was going through with this and with a shaky motion, the gun almost falling out of her hooves, she pulled the trigger.

But just as quickly as she was ready to end it, the click of an empty magazine made her double-take in disbelief. Even more so when the sight of a large hand snatched the gun from her possession. In a flux of emotions, she spun around to wildly assault the attacker but found her attacks to be completely useless. Now if this had been a friend of the assailant, that would have been a done deal right there but thankfully, it wasn't. As a matter of fact, it was the last person they expected to see on this side of town, Mr. Sell. He casually placed the pistol into his pockets and huffed the stallion by the collar of his jacket. A look to Diamond told him all needed to know and his eyes drifted back to the stallion's. At the very least, a bullet to the head would have been quick and painless. For this assailant, however, Mr. Sell was not so keen on quick, tossing the assailant with the force of a jackhammer into the side of presumably his car a ways away. Whether or not he would wake up later, who knows, who cares. 

“Thought I heard a bunch of commotion going out here. What did he do to you two, especially you Diamond girl?”

Held firmly in the arms of the old bear, the pony groaned to respond but responded nonetheless. "W-would you believe me if I said that this isn't the worst I've received before?"

"You ain't gotta fool no one Diamond girl, he damn near broke ya ribs on that one. Least your silver friend was feisty enough to flash an alternate end or you would’ve been spitting blood.”

“I-is…that how…you found us?”

"Mmhmm.” he heartily hummed. "Heard the gunshot before I even had a chance to settle down. Saw the flash too. Now my question to you two, what in the hell are you two doing out here in the middle of the night like this?"

"It's a…rather long story to explain. I don't think that any of us are in any condition to tell it either." Just then, his attention turned back to the silver pony, her face stricken with shock and fear as she eyeballed the bullet hole in the ground just a few feet away.

"I know that look all too well from the war, your girl's in shock. Am I wrong to assume that you two need a place to stay, Cher?”

As much as she strained to speak, it seemed that she couldn't choke out the words anymore and instead simply nodded and pointed to the strange box. Now opened, he was able to view the contents and noticed the location written on the piece of paper. "Well now, you two are mighty far from where you need to be, clear on the other side of town. If that's where you were planning on taking shelter, you went in the completely wrong direction. C'est bon, we'll take my car."

With the care of a nurturing mother, bound from the hospital, he placed the two ponies in his car but just as he was about to step into the driver's seat, he found himself thinking. Out of the driver's seat he stepped once again, slowly approaching the assailant on the ground. To his surprise, the stallion was still conscious. Good, he had words. "I know you ain't kicked the bucket yet, didn't throw you that hard. Just wanted to give you a heads-up. Judging by the display I saw when I showed up, you must be a little low on the totem pole. I can only imagine that means you think you can run back to your boys and tell them about this whole thing. Here's the deal. You keep your mouth shut and I won't have to shut it for you. Simple as it sounds, I do like to keep my promises, it's kind of an integrity thing you know. j'ai compris?

Even if the old bear didn't receive a response from the battered and broken little stallion, he knew full well that he understood. With that, he piled back into his car and took off for the west side of town.





“¿Por qué demonios los traes aquí sabiendo muy bien que ya no tenemos nada que ver con esa vida, viejo oso estúpido e idiota?”

It was with an elusive smile that the bear found himself watching, waiting, taking in the beauty of the large and rotund canine as she strode about the restaurant floor cursing his name and what he did. Wasn’t no secret he was smitten with her, even if he couldn’t understand half of what she was saying or that she would rather much pull the trigger so to speak for what he’d just done. “And here I thought you liked a little fun in ya life mama. Ya done?”

“Claro que no he terminado, I’m not taking your stowaways.”

“It’s a…little more complicated than that Cher.”

With a hint of effort and a little help from the bear, Diamond was finally able to stand to her hooves and approach. Thankfully, she had regained some sense of her situation on the car ride over. Even more so, nothing seemed permanently broken, maybe bruised, maybe even a little cracked, but her spirit remains as high as ever. "Apologies for the inconvenience ma'am but it's not just a coincidence that we're here. We were specifically requested by a certain individual to seek out your shop and show you the contents of this box." 

From one hoof to a paw, the box switched ownership, minus the gun for obvious reasons. “Dios mío, Is that…” Two fingers reached to handle the picture deep within, her arms seemingly trembling at the sight of it. Depicted upon the photo was a very old memory, straight out of the past it was, showing her, Rosetti, and two more individuals as they had fun about their day. "I thought I'd never see this picture again. It was the only picture we ever had of the four of us all together."

"I feel I must relay some bad news to you then. Believe me, when I say that we have had our fair share of tears shed about the situation but…"

"D-Diamond, let me…" silver uttered, finally finding her place to take the reins of the situation. It was with a weak attempt that she attended to protest but eventually found herself drawing back in preparation. "It is with a weak heart ma'am that I inform you of the tragedy that has taken place. Rosetti was one of my most trusted associates. Among anybody else, he stood at the top of my circle of friends. He would do anything for me and I, anything for him. However, I never expected that anything would include his death." There was a sudden widening of her eyes, the words seemingly not registering in the canine's brain. "There was a mutiny at my manor, one of which I never saw coming. Rosetti put his life on the line, that we might escape here for safety. I'm sorry."

For as close as the two seemed, it almost felt like an underreaction to see her sitting at the table, eyes closed, but not shedding a tear. There was the occasional tangent of Spanish but nonetheless, she seemed to be taking it much better than Silver or even Diamond. "I just never thought this day would come. That boy was so full of life and energy, I almost thought him invincible…but just like that other boy, he did have his hook or two in that life. When he told me he got a new job that would keep him out of trouble, I didn't think it was as a butler to ponies. Still, it kept him safe and I supported it. I kept telling him that he should have gone off to college but he kept insisting on doing it himself, regardless of the circumstances. Dulce Celestia, that boy had his whole life ahead of him.”

"For someone who seems to be so close, you are taking it much better than we were," Diamond uttered. 

"Es una lástima, This wouldn’t be the first I’m afraid.” as she stood up from the table and finally reapproached the front counter, she motioned to the array of pictures set on the walls all around the restaurant. "My family was one of many different outfits that ran the city many years ago. However, that all came to a close when prohibition went into effect. This restaurant was met with the lowest low it had ever experienced in our entire lifetime and because of that, my family began to find new ways to make money. Of course, that did not end so well and as you can see, here we are, their pictures hanging on the walls but most of them are either dead or in jail. At this point I've lost the ability to feel completely down for any losses I may occur, I've come to expect it."

Silver's eyes drifted over the pictures on the wall one by one, taking in the amount of family that Rosetti apparently had. But seeing as how his particular pattern didn't match any of them, she damn well had an inkling oven assumption that he was most likely an orphan or adopted. Tears began to well up in her eyes once again as she went over the family tree until her eyes spotted something strange, a very specific photo that housed an all too familiar character.

"It's just me and the last two little ones I can call family. They're still fairly young so I dare not send them out to be picked off like the others. My grief aside, I can put two and two together and realize that Rosetti sent you here to make sure that I knew what happened to him. But I have a strange feeling that that's not all you need."

"The people," Silver began. "The people who did this to Rosetti are still out there, housed in my manor like they own the place. It's…no secret that one of them is rather close to me and knowing that they know what I do, they will not stop trying to hunt me down. Rosetti, my friend, said this would be the safest refuge for us. Would you be so kind as to allow us to stay here for a couple of days, just until the storm blows away?"

There was a hint of regret in the canine's eyes, her mind wanting nothing more than to go off on a Spanish tangent but with a heavy sigh, she digressed back into the caring and nurturing mama she knew she was. "I'm going to regret a lot of things in my life, especially when I die but if Rosetti was so keen on saving the two of you, I can't say no. He might not have been one of our own, orphaned and alone as he was along with his little brother, but I trust his judgment enough to at least do my part. But, if I catch wind of your so-called assailants knocking at my door, I will not hesitate to throw you to the wolves to protect the others. This is my life you are intruding on and only with Rosetti's world do I take you in, understand?

With that tone of voice, the two ponies found themselves unable to disagree with her terms of any good conscience. However, she had forgotten to address a certain old bear. "Now I do believe that I am at least owed a little kiss for bringing them here, don't you think?"

"I just lost one of my closest little ones and you want a kiss? Do you truly think you're worth that much?"

"At the very least ma'am, I can keep you company, help you get through your grief."

Completely inappropriate, absolutely did not mean to happen, but Diamond found herself giggling under her breath at the situation, the first time in many hours she'd even feel a hint of happiness. Mr. Sell was always a bit of a smooth talker, according to many of the customers who entered his store. It seemed that he and this mother of many had a certain dynamic and she was in the business of keeping her stance on it. "I enjoy your company, I really do, but if you do not leave my shop right now, clavaré tu hermosa piel en mi pared!”

"All right all right, I can take a hint Cher, no need to get all hostile. Ms. Diamond, and Ms. Silver, I bid you both adieu."

The bear took his lead with a quickened pace, knowing full well that she meant what she said. Mama recaptured their attention quickly as can be motioning them towards the back of the restaurant. "Well now that we are free of that idiot, come along, I will show you to your room."

"I-I'm sorry, did you say room? As in a singular room?" 

"I did. Unfortunately for you, the other two rooms are currently in use as most of my family live all over the city. We only have one big room and you two are going to have to share it."

"Ma'am, I don't believe you know exactly who…"

"We are," Diamond interrupted with a nervous smile. "The most generous ponies on the planet because of this lovely canine decided to take us in out of her own free will." There was no mistaking the growl in her voice as she looked to Diamond with a hint of 'get your act together,' look she's shot all too commonly back in the day.

The three of them slowly trekked through the small restaurant household, eventually coming to a hallway containing a series of doors, 4 doors to be exact. One obviously belonged to the mama, and the two belonged to two others staying there. With a huff, the mama turned the door knob on the last door in the corridor and allowed the ponies entry. It was a little hard to see in the darkness so their first impressions were all but nonexistent. That is until Mama flicked on the light. "I must apologize for how unorganized it is, it's been quite a while since this room has been used. Do not hesitate to make yourself comfortable, however, and I will see how you're doing when the sun rises."

With that, Mama shut the door and left the ponies to their own thoughts. Of course, like clockwork, the first thought that came out of Silver's mouth was a slight scoff. "I do not believe this is up to our standards."

"Really Silver, you're going to complain now? It's not like we can go back to the manor anytime soon."

"I feel as though I might take my chances with that regardless of the circumstances, look at this place. There's so much dust, I could build a mountain out of it. What reason could they have for not properly cleaning every day?"

"We do not know the circumstances which have barred that woman from cleaning this room. I say we take it and stride and worry about that later. Besides, what would you have us do, go back to my home?"

A hearty gasp of realization loud enough for the neighborhood to hear, Silver's hooves wrapped around Diamond with a complete and utter lack of restraint. "That's exactly what we should do, why didn't we think of that in the first place? Come along, we'll make sure to thank her for the generous opportunity but the accommodations are lacking and I refuse to stay here."

As quick as Silver was, Diamond was even quicker, taking a bite of her tail and yanking her backward like stopping a kid from going to buy candy. Of course, that action was much to her detriment as she yelped in pain at the feeling of her body still reeling from the assault. "O-ow, that's not going away for a while. Silver, take a second would you? You know full well that if your uncle is the one putting out this hit on us, he will have checked my home first and foremost. We can't go back to anywhere familiar until we understand the entire situation."

"Y-you…expect me to stay here then?"

"If Rosetti recommended that we stay here for refuge, I think this is the best we can do, don't you?"

Silver's mind swam with thought, her mind desperately trying to fight between what she had to do and what she wanted. Could she drop her posh pride for long enough to get some sleep after all the crying that she had done? It almost felt unreal, impossible, some would say, uncouth. But truth be told, she was damn tired, especially after the night they had. Despite seeming like her old self, her hooves still trembled when she thought about holding that gun and almost shooting that stallion. The last thing she wanted to do was end up in a situation like that on the way to Diamond's abode. It was with a heavy sigh and an instant acceptance that she agreed to the terms. "Fine, fine, I know we're not in the best situation right now and I am willing to admit that. If we must stay here for our safety, I will…" she uttered, making a face of disgust. "Attempt to stow my reservations."

"Good, you can help me do a little cleaning before we eventually go to sleep. I'll go ahead and start on the dusting and you can go ask for a broom to sweep it all up, alright?" There was a silence she did not expect to hear. In the midst of her words, she found herself turning away from Silver and procuring a duster from the other side of the room, surprisingly conveniently placed. But in that time, she failed to notice Silver flopping onto the bed and with the ease of comfortability, knocking out like a light.

Diamond found herself finally at peace watching her friends finally find her rest. From learning her father's fate to being chased through her house by a gunman to almost shooting a stallion herself, there now finally stood an aura of peace surrounding them, and she'd be a fool to deny the chance to finally get some genuine rest. She gently placed her friend in a more comfortable position under the covers and figured she might as well save the dusting for later. Contempt as could be, she flicked off the light and hopped in right beside her, determined to find her escape from the pain of her own injuries. Knowing full well that it was going to be light out in just a few hours, they'd be damned not to get as much as they could.




Even this early in the morning, mama still found herself awake and alert. Her eyes drifted over the picture frames lacking Rosetti before finding themselves back on the picture in the box. It was a dream to believe he was gone but here it was, real as all real can get. She was trying her darndest to come to terms with the fact but how could she possibly tell the others? They would break like twigs under that pressure. Or so she thought, the scritching behind her noting telltale signs of one of them venturing down into the kitchen. With a whip and a snap of her body, she quickly ripped around to place her eyes upon the second oldest of her adopted children, a silver cat by the name of, "Sterling, you scared the hell out of me!"

"Don't worry your head none mère, I just came down for a little drink…and to ask a question. Is…is what I heard true? Did Big Brother Rosetti finally meet that silver gun waiting for him?

"W-wait, when did you--"

"Peony woke up and was listening to the doorway. I managed to get him to sleep but in return, I overheard your conversation instead."

A sigh escaped Mama. "Then yes, it's true. I don't know what happened or why it had to happen but that boy chose those two ponies' lives over his own but En mi vida, I will make it my mission to find out. Get some rest while you can, we open in a few hours little one."

And so she did, bounding up the stairs with that drink in hand but making sure to stop before the ponies' door. She spared a few moments of staring but none besides herself could pinpoint the feeling deep down in those eyes. Was it curiosity or was it hatred? Only time would tell come first light.