Scars of the Quill - Part Eight

Chapter Eight: Families in the Night


       Applejack found herself weighed down with deep thoughts as she and her siblings made their way home. Quiver’s story bothered her more than she’d admit, and something told her that she wasn’t the only one bothered by it. “Apple Bloom? You doin’ alright?”

“Ah guess. Feelin’ kinda drained by everythin’ that’s happened tonight, though.” She looked up at her elder sister and asked, “How could somepony act like that? How could Diamond Tiara’s mom, an’ Mister Quiver’s dad, treat ‘em like they do?”

“Ah dunno, darlin’. Ah honestly don’t.”

“Probably just as well we don’t.” Big McIntosh looked just as thoughtful as his sisters. “Ah mean, Quiver’s father had a lot on his plate, but that don’t excuse him treatin’ Quiver the way he did. An’ even that don’t explain Spoiled Rich and the way she acted. Lotsa ways to do bad, Ah suppose.”

“An’ lotsa ways to do good.” Applejack looked to her sister as she noted, “An’ sometimes, it’s easy to do the wrong thing fer the right reasons.”

Apple Bloom bowed her head sadly. “Ah guess Ah’m grounded, huh?”

“Fer puttin’ yerself an’ yer friends in danger? Yes.” Applejack smiled and gently tousled her little sister’s mane as she added, “But not fer a long while. Like Ah said, wrong thing for the right reasons. It was mighty foolish goin’ in there, but mighty brave too.”

“Yep.”

Apple Bloom smiled nervously as she looked at her siblings. “Well, Ah got an amazin’ brother an’ sister to live up to, don’t Ah?”

Applejack laughed. “Darlin’, ya don’t have to do nothin’ special for our sakes, and ya sure don’t have to prove anythin’ to us, or Granny, or Mom and Dad. We all love ya, and we’re all proud of ya. Don’t you forget that.” A sad smile crossed her face as she admitted, “Won’t deny it though, it feels like yer growin’ up just a little too fast.”

The stallion among them chuckled. “Mom and Dad probably thought the same thing when you went off to live in Manehattan.”

The middle Apple sibling raised an eyebrow. “Ah came back, though.”

“Don’t change the fact that you still grew up, an’ that you still wanted to do more to take care a’ the farm an’ the family. That was gonna happen with both of us, no matter how much they didn’t want it to happen.”

Applejack nodded, and then looked to her little sister thoughtfully. “Ah’ll say this though, you’ve shown plenty’a maturity tonight. An’ you did the right thing, tryin’ to help somepony who treated you bad before that.” As they neared Sweet Apple Acres, she wondered aloud, “Maybe yer gettin’ to be old enough that you can look after yerself and the farm. At least, fer an afternoon.”

Apple Bloom looked up at her sister with eager surprise. “Really?”

“Big Mac and Ah can talk it over with Granny, anyway. But that’ll depend on yer behavior over the next week while yer grounded. So no causin’ trouble, hear?”

“Yes ma’am!”

The elder sister beamed proudly at the younger. “Good!”

The stallion laughed in agreement. “Yep.”

-

“Hurry up!” Spoiled Rich’s tone was impatient as she urged on the civil servants behind her. “What sort of civil servants are you, lazing about like that! No wonder nothing gets done in government!”

Legalhawke was uncertain about how the evening had gone for the two police officers walking alongside her, but something told her that it hadn’t been pleasant. It hadn’t been particularly good for her either, and she suspected the reasons were connected. What was going to be a pleasant dinner with her family had been disrupted when word had gotten out that two fillies had gone missing, with her eldest son volunteering to assist in the search. She didn’t object to that, of course, but once the fillies had been found, one of the fillies’ mothers had come to the police with an assault complaint. As a judge couldn’t be summoned, they had to get the next best thing.

“Mrs. Rich, we’re going as quickly as we can.” The attorney winced as she limped along, but did her best to keep pace with the rest of the party. “Now if you could just be patient…”

“What, so that the perpetrator and his cohorts can escape justice?!” The group arrived at the Rich mansion to find a small group awaiting them, with Spoiled increasing her pace as she recognized her husband. “Filthy, how perfect! You can corroborate my story and get started sacking the staff for their part in all of this!” She glared at Randolph, who made a fine effort at withstanding her nonverbal onslaught, then turned back to the officers as she noted, “I only hope you all have a sufficient amount of restraints!”

Legalhawke sighed, and turned to the husband as she explained, “Mister Rich, your wife came to us earlier this evening with quite a story. Claims that your household staff was involved in a kidnapping plot against your daughter with a stallion named Quiver Quill, and that she was injured by said stallion.” She noticed two familiar fillies standing with the two older stallions. “I’m guessing these claims are exaggerated?”

Filthy regarded his wife briefly before he answered. “I’m afraid a crime was committed tonight, Councilor.” The smirk on Spoiled’s face vanished in an instant as Filthy explained, “My wife has committed a vicious and unwarranted assault upon my daughter Diamond, in front of several witnesses. Among them were myself and Mister Quill, who stepped in to defend my daughter against her. She attacked him in turn, and he defended himself.”

“Filthy! How dare you side against –!” Spoiled noticed the eyes of the two police officers and the hawk-like gaze of the prosecutor, and pointed out her wound. “I was punched across the muzzle, and almost strangled to death! You’ve confirmed it for yourself!”

“After launching wild and baseless accusations of pedophilia towards Mister Quill, attacking my daughter, and insulting those ponies who helped to find her and her friend and return them safely to us.” His eyes narrowed as Filthy Rich amended, “Including Princess Twilight and two members of the Royal Guard, who will be more than willing to provide testimony to that effect.”

Legalhawke took greater interest in that as Spoiled scoffed. “And you expect to take that figurehead’s word over mine?! One word to the Mayor and…”

“Can you name these Guardsponies?”

“Lieutenants Sour Sweet and Flash Sentry.”

She nodded. “Very well then.” She turned to the fillies and adopted a softer tone. “Diamond, do you remember when I came in for Family Appreciation Day?” The filly nodded. “Then you know that you need to tell me the truth. Did your mommy hit you?”

“Oh for goodness sake, I was disciplining an unruly child! It’s no different from giving her a spanking!”

That seemed to be enough for Diamond as she stepped forward. “Yes, she hit me. She slapped me across the face and she yelled at me.”

One of the officers, a unicorn, approached her. His horn glowed as he examined her muzzle, and he turned to Legalhawke and nodded. She smiled in turn at the filly. “Thank you Diamond, you were very helpful.” The smile faded as she noted, “Officers, if you’d be so kind as to tend to Mrs. Rich?”

Spoiled Rich only had a millisecond to smirk before the two officers acted against her and put her in restraints. “What?! What in sanity’s name are you doing?”

“Our job, Mrs. Rich. Even without direct evidence like what we have tonight, we have enough probable cause to arrest you on a domestic violence charge. You have the right to remain silent, and I suggest that you start to exercise that right as what you’ve already said can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to legal representation, and if you cannot afford it, then the state will provide it to you.”

“I most certainly can afford it! Filthy, contact…!”

“You can get in touch with your own criminal lawyer, Spoiled Milk.”Filthy’s words were hard and cold as he continued, “The only lawyer I’ll be getting in touch with regarding you is a civil one, to start the divorce proceedings.”

Spoiled’s eyes went wide with shock as she processed her soon to be former spouse’s words. “Th…this can’t happen! I’m on the school board!”

“Which you’ll no doubt be sacked from once the Mayor is told of this. Appointed or elected, someone charged with a misdemeanor or higher cannot hold office in Ponyville’s government.” Legalhawke cast her steely gaze upon the accused and noted, “And rest assured, you will be charged. I take these things very seriously.”

“This is an outrage!” As Spoiled was led away, she continued to protest, “This is bias in favor of the crown! I’ll have your heads for this mockery of justice!”

“Miss Milk, if you keep this up, we’ll have to muzzle you.”

“You wouldn’t…!” The wealthy mare turned silent as the grave as she laid eyes upon the muzzle in question, and proceeded without any further fanfare.

Filthy bowed his head in regret as the group departed, and then turned to the two fillies in his charge. “Diamond, Silver, let’s go inside so that the two of you can get cleaned up for bed. I think we’ve all had a very long night.”

-

The door to Carousel Boutique swung open, and Rarity led her little sister inside. “I don’t know about you dear, but I think that we’ve had more than enough excitement for tonight. A quick shower for the both of us, and then to bed.”

Sweetie Belle wasn’t in the mood to argue. “I guess Mom and Dad are gonna hear about this once they get back from their trip, huh?”

Rarity gave her sister a sympathetic frown. “I’m afraid it’s unwise to keep the truth from them, Sweetie Belle. They are our parents, after all.” She seemed uncomfortable as she closed the door behind her, then gave her sister a pleading look. “Sweetie Belle, forgive me for asking, but do you ever feel… envious of me?”

The younger sister looked to the older in surprise. “Rarity, you’re the best big sister I could ask for.”

“And I appreciate that sentiment, but it doesn’t change the question.”

Sweetie Belle got a little uncomfortable as she sat on her haunches. “Well, I don’t know about envious, but… there are a few times where things happen, and it feels like you hog all the attention.”

Rarity raised her eyebrow for a brief moment, only to make the connection. “Oh, that one birthday you had, where you were taking so long to greet your guests…”

“And you gave out all the party favors.”

The elder sister took the younger into a hug. “Sweetie, I wasn’t doing that to show you up! I did that because your guests were getting restless waiting for you to greet them and the party to start! So restless in fact that they almost left!” She loosened her hold and added, “And I didn’t want you to be devastated by something like that. You are my little sister, after all.”

Sweetie Belle’s eyes widened at that realization, and she suddenly felt even worse. “So much for wanting to make a big entrance.”

“Oh hush, dear! That was so long ago! Don’t let past mistakes trouble you, or you’ll be bogged down by them forever!” She gently nuzzled her sister and added, “And why ever would you want to make a big entrance anyway?”

“Well, you do things like that.”

“True, but you don’t have to be like me.” She gently cupped her sister’s muzzle with her hoof and explained, “You’re you, Sweetie Belle. That’s all you need to stand out and be unique next to anyone, especially me. I have my talents, and you have your own. The day will come when you find them, and it will be wonderful indeed.” She smiled. “Because then the world will see what I and everypony else who loves you has known all along.”

Sweetie Belle smiled back as she nuzzled her sister. “Thanks, Rarity.” Her smile grew a little wider as she added, “Hey, do you think you could help me with something?” At her sister’s curious expression, she explained, “I want to make something for Mister Quiver, as a thank you for all he’s done.”

Rarity laughed. “Oh dear, you don’t need to do anything like that.” She then smiled warmly and noted, “But I’d be more than happy to help you, provided it’s something simple.”

“I was thinking something like a scarf.”

“Ooh! That is well within my capabilities!” Their embrace ended, and she prompted her little sister onward. “But for now, we clean up, and then get some sleep! We’ve a big day ahead tomorrow, and I’ll need your help in the shop!”

Sweetie Belle paused as she went on her way to the bathroom, and turned back to her sister. “That Primrose mare that Mister Quiver was talking about. Do you think she’s still as bad as he said?”

“I’ve no idea, but I’m hoping that she has turned things around for herself.” She smiled hopefully. “Time has a habit of making all things possible, after all. But that’s for tomorrow, so go on and get cleaned up!” As Sweetie Belle scampered off, Rarity called, “And save some hot water for me!”

-

All was quiet within the Rich mansion as Diamond Tiara put away her finery. That she’d managed to keep it despite everything that had happened during the night would seem like a miracle if not for the fact that her mother had insisted that it be made in such a way that it couldn’t easily be removed. Which was more than she could say for her friend’s accessories. “Silver, is that repair spell on your glasses still holding up?”

“Yeah.” The silver filly’s spectacles still showed signs of the evening’s adventures, with a tiny chunk of glass missing from one frame, but the spell used to restore them had held more than long enough for Silver Spoon to retrieve her spare pair from her luggage. Her spare in place upon her face and the damaged set held like a trophy, she put aside her necklace and noted, “Not the worst thing to remember a big night like this by.”

Diamond bowed her head. “Guess not.” She then turned to her friend with a sad look on her face. “Silver, I’m really sorry. About tonight, about almost getting us killed, about…well, about everything.” She frowned and admitted, “You deserve a better friend than me.”

Silver responded by hugging her. “Nopony always gets what they deserve. Or what they want.” She backed off and admitted with a smile. “But sometimes, they get what they need.” At Diamond’s curious expression, she admitted, “Something I heard in a song once.” The two giggled before she continued, “Anyway, I’m just sorry about everything that’s gone on with your mom. How do you think she’s taking it?”

Diamond rolled her eyes. “Knowing Mother, she’ll start accusing Daddy of having an affair or something, and using this as an excuse to get a trophy wife.” She then frowned again. “I really feel bad for saying that. And I’m gonna feel worse if I turn out to be right.” She held up a hoof and noted, “Not about Daddy having an affair, he’d never do that, but…”

“I know what you meant.”

A knock sounded at the door as Filthy Rich poked his head in. “Diamond, can I speak with you for a minute out here?”

Diamond went silent, but quickly answered her father’s summons. She exited her room, but left the door open a crack. “I’m in a lot of trouble, aren’t I?”

A disappointed frown was on the stallion’s face as he nodded. “I’m afraid so, Diamond.” He shook his head, and his tone of voice suggested that he was doing everything in his power to avoid shouting. “What in Celestia’s name were you thinking, going into the Everfree like you did? I was worried sick! You put yourself in danger! Worse, you put your friend in danger! That was terribly reckless of you! And that’s ignoring everything else that you’ve been up to, all of this bullying and abuse that you’ve given to your classmates and attacking other ponies!” He read the look on his daughter’s face, saw the glint of shame in her eyes that nopony could fake, and softened his tone. “But you know all of that.”

Diamond nodded. “Sorry isn’t good enough, is it?”

“No, but it’s a good place to start.” He gently brought a reassuring hoof to her muzzle. “Diamond, did you know that I was bullied when I was your age?” At his daughter’s surprise, he noted, “A name like ‘Filthy Rich’ doesn’t do you many favors on the playground, even if you happen to be one of the wealthiest stallions in town. It ended with time, but it’s not something that I’ll soon forget. Especially as none of them saw fit to recognize their sins, like you did tonight.” He frowned and admitted, “I only hope that we can both atone for our misdeeds.”

Diamond took up her father’s hoof and pleaded, “Daddy, no! You didn’t do anything wrong!”

“Yes, I did. I left you alone with…” He paused bitterly and spat, “…with her.” He sighed and remarked, “I should have seen it a long time ago, but I didn’t. I loved your mother, and I believed that she loved me, but…” He shook his head. “Never mind. Regardless, I’ve neglected you, far more than I should. If I hadn’t, perhaps we wouldn’t be in this mess.”

Diamond leaned into her father’s hoof and asked, “How long until Mother gets out of jail?”

“I’m not certain. I suspect that she’s used her one message to contact her parents and see about legal arrangements. A hearing could take place as early as next week, and I imagine that they’ll pay whatever bail is set by the judge, regardless of how high it will be. And knowing Legalhawke, she’ll argue for a high price. Victims of domestic abuse have little sympathy for domestic abusers, after all.” At Diamond’s surprise, he explained, “You didn’t see her limp? Her first husband gave her that limp, while she was pregnant with their unborn foal. He survived. You met him tonight.”

“That Guardspony, Pop Fly’s big brother.” Diamond’s mind flashed back to that day in the Crystal Empire, and things became far clearer. “So, will she just pay a fine and come back?”

“No Diamond, she won’t. If Spoiled is sensible, she’ll take a plea agreement, but given everything tonight, she’ll probably fight tooth and hoof to get custody over you.” He gave her a smile and promised, “And I’ll fight even harder to keep you. And don’t think for one second that you aren’t worth keeping, because that’s not true.”

Diamond looked at him in surprise. “But all the stuff I’ve done, bullying the Crusaders and Gabby Gums and saying mean things about Granny Smith…”

“Diamond, you already paid the price for that last one.” He took on a stern tone as he continued. “As for the rest, I’ll admit, I’m disappointed now that I’ve gotten the full story about the Foal Free Press. When I found out that you’d been put in charge, I was thrilled, and so very proud. You were in a position where you could use your talents to their fullest.”

“What talent? All I’m good at is bossing ponies around.”

Filthy shook his head. “Diamond, your talents are in leadership, and there’s a lot more to that than bossing ponies around. A good leader gets to know the ponies in their charge, their strengths and weaknesses, and helps them to best utilize their talents. I may not know the names of every employee who’s ever worked at Barnyard Bargains, but I’ve never failed to say hello to them, or treat them with the decency that they deserve. And forcing those three into writing that gossip column, blackmailing them to continue despite their protests, that’s not something a leader does. At least, not a good leader.” He noticed his daughter’s growing despondency and added, “But good leaders, like good ponies, learn from their mistakes, and make up for them. That’s what separates a good pony from a bad.”

“But there’s stuff I’m not gonna be able to fix though.” She frowned as she admitted, “That assignment from Miss Cheerilee, for one thing.”

Filthy smiled. “I think Miss Cheerilee and I can work out an arrangement about that.” At his daughter’s surprise, he explained, “I can’t and won’t get her to change her mind about your suspension, of course, but I’m certain she’ll be willing to accept your assignment regardless, so long as it’s completed and handed in on time by someone she trusts. And I can easily drop it off, provided that you finish it tomorrow.”

Diamond’s surprise turned to relief, then to concern. “What about Silver?”

“Well, I’m afraid that her parents will have to hear about what happened tonight. And I can’t have her here with you distracting her from the assignment, so I’ll have to ask somepony else to look after her during the day. But come the evening, she’ll be back here for dinner with you. And if the assignment’s done before the end of the day tomorrow, then the two of you can do whatever you like on Sunday, provided that you stay on the grounds.”

That gave the filly some relief. “What about Randolph?”

The elder stallion turned regretful. “He and I will be having a few words regarding what he hasn’t been telling me about certain events around the household, but I wouldn’t expect to see him go away anytime soon. For whatever faults he has, Randolph is devoted to this family, and to you. As am I.” He smiled as he took her into a warm embrace. “Never forget that I love you, Diamond, and that I’m proud of you.”

Diamond smiled. “I love you too, Daddy.”

With that reassurance, he ushered her back to bed. Diamond re-entered her bedroom and closed the door behind her to find Silver sitting in bed waiting for her. She climbed in beside her and smirked. “Go on, get it over with. I deserve whatever crack you’re about to make.”

Silver just smiled and set aside her glasses. “I’m glad things are okay with you and your dad.”

Diamond smiled back. “Me too.” She got herself comfortable as she noted, “Of course, now we can’t be mean to the Crusaders anymore. They did help to save our lives.”

“Glad you realized that.” Silver got comfortable and admitted, “I’d feel bad if we did. So, you think your dad will ask Princess Twilight to look after me?”

“If he does, and she tells you anything else about that chest, will you let me in on it?” At Silver’s surprised expression, Diamond admitted, “If my friend thinks something’s interesting, then they’re probably on to something.”

-

“You should’ve seen it!” Scootaloo looked to be burning off the last of an adrenaline high as she related the story of what happened to her and her friends in the Everfree to her mother and surrogate sister. “The timberwolves were all around us, growling and snapping and stuff, and Mister Quiver was going at them left and right with his torch! It was awesome!”

“Hey, you don’t have to tell me how awesome Quiver can be, Scoots.” Rainbow Dash playfully mussed up the filly’s mane as she remarked, “I’ve seen it for myself.”

“Well maybe the two of you should start dating or something!” The filly suddenly paused, and nervously covered herself. “I mean, I get he’s kinda unavailable and stuff, but it would be cool if you got together.”

“I don’t think Rainbow Dash needs any dating advice from you, little filly.” Gilded Lily smirked as she added, “We all remember the last time you tried to set a couple up.” At her niece’s embarrassed look, she nuzzled her with an apologetic smile. “Not that it isn’t sweet of you to try.”

Dash rolled her eyes at the sappiness before her, but otherwise kept her thoughts to herself about it. She instead grinned and remarked, “Just shows that your kid wants her big sister to be with someone as awesome as her.” She turned serious as she noted, “I mean it, Miss Lily. Scootaloo’s a great kid, and you’ve done great raising her.”

“Thank you, but I wish I could do more. Anyway, you have a good night.” Dash nodded, then waved to Scootaloo as she flew off for home and left the two to continue on, while Lily continued, “And don’t pretend that you’re going to get away with putting yourself in harm’s way, little filly. I’m sure between me and your aunts Lofty and Holiday, we can find plenty to keep you occupied tomorrow.”

“I know. It’s worth it, though.” She sighed and admitted, “I kinda feel like things should be different though. I mean yeah, Diamond Tiara’s probably gonna be nicer to us now, that’s good, and it’s even better that her mom’s out of the picture…”

“For now, at least. But what more did you expect?”

“I dunno, maybe the three of us all getting our cutie marks at once, or me being able to fly or whatever.”

Gilded Lily sighed. “Scootaloo, I’m afraid life doesn’t always work out that way. It would be nice if it did, and I’d be happy for you if either of those things had happened, but…”

“But my cutie mark will come when it comes.” The filly sighed as she realized, “At least I know the odds are better for it than they are me flying.”

“Hey, don’t you talk like that! There’s still plenty of hope that you can fly someday! You remember what the doctors said about thaumic anemia, don’t you?”

“That everypony’s born with magic in them, but not everypony’s born with the same amount of magic. But the magic inside of everypony grows as they grow up, and mine’ll get a boost once I get my cutie mark.” She looked up at her aunt and asked, “But what if my magic isn’t the problem? What if it’s something with my wings, or…?”

The mare took her niece into a warm embrace. “Scootaloo, whatever it is, we’ll figure it out. But what brought all of this back?”

The filly bowed her head as she admitted, “Hearing about Mister Quiver’s brother. It sounded like there wasn’t a lot his parents could do to help him.”

Lily gave her niece a firm look. “You aren’t Mister Quiver’s brother. And I’m not his father. And for all the faults your father has, he isn’t Mister Quiver’s father either.” She smiled. “And Maker willing, you’ll fly someday. Even if you have to get prosthetic wings to do it.”

       Scootaloo grinned. “Okay, that would be kinda awesome.” She then put on her best Hosstrian accent and joked, “Und then I wouldn’t have zhe puny problems, just zhe big ones.”

The mare grinned as she fought back giggles. “Like going out all the time for oil on your big metal wings.”

Scootaloo cracked a grin as she kept up the terrible accent. “But Aunt Lily, I would be back!”

The two laughed and continued on their way home as the moon shone down from above. The night was young, but it promised to be a peaceful one.


to be concluded...