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Post by Firefly on Dec 10, 2011 21:44:37 GMT -5
Location: Sugarcube Corner
* ^ * ^ * ^ --- SUGARCUBE CORNER --- ^ * ^ * ^ *
Located in the heart of Ponyville, this tasty-looking establishment is the town's patisserie, or bakery-confectionary. It boasts a gingerbread-patterned roof, a cupcake-shaped turret, and striped poles reminiscent of candy canes. The color scheme is pink, brown, cream and white, the architecture flaring. A sign hanging over the street depicts a pink-frosted cupcake.
Sugarcube Corner is owned by Mr. and Mrs. Cake, and houses their employee, Pinkie Pie. The first floor is taken up by a colorful storefront and an almost as colorful kitchen and dining room. The shop sells cakes, cookies, muffins, cupcakes, and a variety of other sweet treats, and the dining room provides space for Pinkie's frequent parties. There is a taffy puller in back. The upper floors are where Pinkie lives, along with her baby pet alligator, Gummy.
The cast (in alphabetical order):
Name Species
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bardigan M Pegasus Diamond_Dancer F Pegasus Firefly F Storm Pegasus Mirage F Unicorn NightRaven F Pegasus --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Diamond_Dancer slams in through the front door, only a few scant inches from the ground- as if somebody pitched the pegasus into the room at mach ten. She skids to a stop, however, sliding on her behind up to the front counter, and manages to come to a complete stop before crashing into anything , much to her credit. New tricks for young flyers often come with crashing results. "AHHHH HOTHOTHOTHOTHOT! Da ONE place I still have feeling!! Owowowowow!" She squeals, immediately hopping up and dancing about- a brilliant blazy of friction burn on her butt! She pauses when she notices the other ponies in the room and immediately sits down, blushing brightly. "...Hello."
Firefly starts to add something about being the only Storm Pegagus in the land to Mirage and NIghtraven when the doors burst open and Diamond comes skidding in. She pauses, stands up and snersk. "Diamond, there are easier ways to make a hot entrance." Tucking her own wings away. "And what brings you here in such a manner?" tilting her head.
NightRaven glances back to Mirage and nods with a slight smile seen. "Yes.. It was. Thanks." She offers before blinking and looks to Diamond Dancer. A faint "er" escaping her and she shifts, trotting back over to the counter, quickly picking up an empty pie tin, and fills it with cold water before pushing it over to Diamond. "Quick, sit down.. It'll help your.. um.. hot seat there." She offers while wondering how she managed to do this it would seem.
Mirage GASPS! and ducks for cover behind the counter as a pegasus blasts through the door and threatens to smash everything in her path. Only after it's clear she's managed to stop before hitting the opposite wall does Mirage slowly peek over the countertop and breathe a sigh of relief. "Good day," she offers, managing to not let her voice quiver. "Something cool to drink?" she starts to offer, but NightRaven has the situation under control and she just watches her take charge. She glances over at Firefly and wonders if this new one, Diamond -something, wasn't it?, is another storm pegasus.
Diamond_Dancer Shrugs her head. "Ahh, kinda woke up in da middle of a free fall," She explains sheepishly. Freefall? Well anybody who knows her probably has a good idea of what lead to that. "I didn't crash though! Totally gettin' better at it!" She says impishly, as if trying to say it outloud would make it true. She immediately takes to the seat of the pie tin with a hot burst of steam rising behind her while she continues her story. "AHHHHHHHHh Anyway, barreled out of control, banked pretty hard, leveled out, went too fast, couldn't stop, yadda yadda yadda, but avoided hilariously wacky levels of property damage dis time! "She explains brightly. "...Ahem! W, what are you guys up to?"
Firefly steps back as Nightravern gets the water, moving aside again as Mirage dodges to take cover, then walks up to Diamond as she explains. "Ah, flying deep back again are we?" grinning a bit, sitting to face the steaming pony in a tin. "I am going to have to teach you how to airbrake...this is becoming certain.
Mirage listens to Diamond Dancer with no little astonishment. That's at least three of them in Ponyville, counting Firefly and Rainbow Dash. Crazy barnstormers! How is this village still standing? Questions for later, to say the least. She looks around, and notices Pinkie has gone upstairs, and several fresh cheesecakes are missing. Which seems to leave her to run the counter, which would be the only polite thing to do for Pinkie in her absence. A faint glow of sea green magic dances around her horn, and a floating towel begins cleaning the countertop. "Cheesecake?" she offers.
NightRaven "ohs" softly and nods while tilting her head and peers at Diamond. "Well.. I'm glad you didn't crash.. And does the water help then?" She questions with a curious tone and tilts her head, ears perking forward. A glance is offered over to Mirage before she looks back to Diamond.
Diamond_Dancer tsks and waves an arm. "Hey, no problem. Air brakes! I totally brake stuff from da air! I know all about air brakin!" She explains, and blushes faintly towards Nightraven's question. "Erm...y, yes. Danks! Real soothin! I'm up and off. Gotta get higher dis time! I must be tired! I dink I've been higher before." She explains and turns towards the door- but before she leaves she glances at her wings, and frowns, slowly sitting down. ".....Oh....maybe...maybe I'll hang out here for a while. "She sputters quietly. "You guys don't mind, right? I'm not intrudin' or nothin, right?"
Firefly says "Diamond, this is Sugarcube...I do not think Nightraven nor Mirage or anypony here would by upset if you came in, too," grinning. "That's what this is, a friendly meeting and eating place after all."
Mirage glances back at NightRaven, obviously quite puzzled as to how Diamond Dancer seems to have almost burned her whole body. She shakes her head quickly at Diamond's question. "Oh, you're not intruding. Pinkie would be upset if you thought otherwise," she offers, echoing Firefly.
NightRaven blinks while watching Diamond and tilts her head, looking a bit confused it would seem. A soft "ah" escapes her. "No, you're more then welcome to stay. Really." She offers with a smile and nod. "I was actually getting ready to leave before you well... crashed in so to speak." A glance is offered back to Mirage and a slight shrug of her shoulders is seen.. Night still can't figure out how Diamond manages to pull it off.
Diamond_Dancer smiles thinly and trots over to sit next to irefly...tenderly. "I'm Diamond Dancah...don't know if I met youse guys yet. I'm da higher flyah' from New Cloud City! Broke me a buncha records n' rules, heh! Younger flyah in history to evah reach da uppah atmosphere!" She says proudly, flaring her wings a bit, and ruffling her feathers. "Who are youse guys?"
Firefly says "I'll have another bit of cheezecake, Mirage," smiling. "And another one for Diamond here. Only pony in history to fly into a planet."
Mirage is starting to like NightRaven. She's so much easier to understand than the other pegasi. She returns the shrug with a shrug of her own and offers a gentle smile. "Lucky you weren't closer to the door just a moment ago," she says. Then she remembers where she met Diamond Dancer before, though the meeting was brief. That downtown Manehatten accent is unmistakable. "Nice meeting you again, Diamond," she offers politely. She watches Firefly, though, since last she saw, Firefly was acting very aggressive towards Diamond Dancer. She breaks out of her thoughts and nods to Firefly. A little more magic from her horn, and two servings of New York style cheesecake on a floating serving platter make their way to the customers. "Fly into a planet. Does that mean hitting the ground?"
NightRaven grins to Mirage and nods a moment. "Yes well.. For once I'm not in a spot getting myself in trouble," she offers with an amused tone, her tail swaying a few times in the process. A glance is offerd back to Diamond, seeming curious to the answer that she'll give after Mirage's question. A soft "oh" soon escapes her and her wings flutter slightly. "I'm Nightraven. Nice to meet you both," she offers with a smile an slight bob of her head.
Diamond_Dancer waves a hoof. "Naw, I'm da first pony ta crash into a planet!" she giggles. "Oh, yeah, hey, yeah I remember youse! You helped me look fer my missin toof! Yeah! Danks for dat!" She says cheerfully, as if it were an everyday occurance. "I found me a dentist and got it all fixed up! See!?" The young filly beams and flashes a bright and toothy smile. "He even fixed a buncha broken and cracked ones I had in dere before! Oh, uh, bye Firefly! Hmmm...Firefly says I'mma elite flier! I've been practicin' a bit, but havn't quite got da skills of ya know, Rainbow Dash oh anyding like dat. One day though...I'm gonna be da highest flyah in da whole world! ...Actually... technically speakin'...I am right now!" She giggles.
Mirage blinks and then chuckles softly, realizing that she's just met NightRaven, and hadn't introduced herself, either. "Pleased to meet you, NightRaven. My name is Mirage," she offers with a polite bow. Then she listens to Diamond Dancer. "Oh, I'd forgotton about the tooth." She looks carefully as Diamond shows off her dental work. "Looks very good," she says politely, wondering how long they'll last under all the punishment Diamond seems to go through.
NightRaven smiles and nods to Mirage. "Nice to meet you." She offers softly, her tail slowly swaying while she peers back to Diamond. "Hey I remember when you did that.. I'm glad you found someone to help you fix 'em." This said with a nod, a soft "oh" soon escaping her as she listens to Diamond talk about her being an elite flier. "I.. bet that must be fun."
Diamond_Dancer rubs a hoof against the back of her head. "Kinda...I, uh, don't really know much bout bein' an elite flyah. Firefly says da mark of an elite is dat we leave a contrail. I thought it was just some pretty stars and sparkles n' stuff, right? But apperently it's somethin' special...I mean, I'll hafta ask her," she says thoughtfully.
Mirage returns NightRaven's smile, then it occurs to her she forgot about something Diamond said. She almost forgets about it again as Diamond explains the strange contrails Firefly and Rainbow Dash seem so proud of. "Oh, I never knew that. It's something that just happens?" she asks then she remembers and looks very puzzled. "Well, if you didn't hit -this- planet, what planet did you hit?"
NightRaven hums softly at this and nods a moment, her mind wandering it seems on the subject of the elite flyers. A soft sigh escapes her and she shifts on her hooves glad for a change in subject it seems. A ear twitching while she peers at Diamond.
Diamond_Dancer shakes her head. "Ahh, it happens when I go REAL fast. Most of da time when I'm plummeting!" She explains cheerfully. "Like, uh, out of the sky. Most of da time I hit DIS planet while tryin' ta leave!" She explains thoughtfully. "I dink dats what she musta meant when she said I hit planets...I slam into dis one all da time!"
Mirage watches NightRaven's reaction but listens to Diamond Dancer. "Ah, I see. I've heard some say that the contrails are magic that affects we ground dwelling ponies, some sort of mind control conspiracy, but of course that's just silly," she offers with a chuckle. Then she can't help but ask, "But Diamond, dear, you mean you fly as high as you can, then you just fall out of the sky? That's so dangerous!"
NightRaven peers over to Mirage at the talk of the contrails being linked to some mind control conspiracy. A soft "oh" escapes her. "I hadn't heard that before.." She ponders before glancing over to Diamond and tilts her head. "Are you still trying to get a star?.. Firefly told me the other day."
Diamond_Dancer's ears flicker slightly and she rubs a hoof against the back of her head at the question. The young filly flashes a nervous grin and nods her head. "Oh....Uh...I...I know. I just...s, sometimes when you get really high da air gets really hard ta breath so...Uh...I Don't 'fall' I uh...I pass out," she mumbles weakly, and blushes terribly hard at Nightravens comment- before she nods quietly.
Mirage laughs softly to NightRaven. "Oh, it's just nonsense, from the Tin Foil Hat Herd that hangs out at some of the little coffee houses in Manehattan," she replies. Then NightRaven's comment to Diamond Dancer explains a lot. And she tilts her head as Diamond explains the rest. "Like air gets thin on a high mountain?" she asks in a puzzled tone. "You're a weather pegasus. Why not just take some extra air with you?"
NightRaven ponders this before shifting to flick open her saddle bag and noses around in it a few times before pulling out a large diamond and sets it on the counter. She noses it on over to Diamond. "Firefly gave this to me.. She said that Princess Luna didn't want it because something was wrong with it.. But Firefly gave it to me because I really liked it.. Its all shiney and stuff." She pauses and clears her throat before smiling at Diamond. "I know its not a star.. but.. You can have it. Its sorta shiney like a star.." A nod is offered at what Mirage says. "Ya that's right.. An its not that easy to take something like air with you."
Diamond_Dancer shakes her head quietly. "I'm not a weather pegasus...at least I don't think I'm a weather pegasus. "She says thoughtfully. "I mean, How would I know if I was a..."She trails off, and bites her lower lip. She's said too much. Still, she turns towards Nightraven and smiles so hard it hurts. "...D, Dat's so sweet....Dank you."She whispers quietly, nosing at the diamond. "But I can't take dis. If you really like it, you should have it! It's hard ta git what we want...so if you manage to get it, you should hang on to it!" Say says, nodding her head.
Mirage is very touched by the sweet sentimentality shown first by NightRaven and then by Diamond Dancer. And NightRaven is so insightful. Mirage shrugs, wondering how she herself didn't see what Diamond is about. She gives an apologetic smile to Diamond. "Oh, don't mind me," she offers. "I don't know anything about the weather." Then she watches quietly as the pretty diamond is offered.
NightRaven smiles to Diamond, her ears perking forward. "Well.. I do like it.. But I'd like you to have it though.. I mean.. Maybe you could keep it or something and it would be sorta like having your star and then you wouldn't have to try and fly up and get one?" She questions while tilting her head. "Just a thought really.." This said while she glances over to Mirage and then back to Diamond. "I know some about weather pegasus.. There not always so impulsive like Firefly and Rainbow.. Not that anything is wrong with that.." She offers rather quickly.
Bardigan has arrived.
Diamond_Dancer grins softly. "I'm pretty sure I'm not a weather pony. At least I don't DINK I'm a weather pony! What would my element be....snow, I suppose. Oh, oh! Maybe rain! I could be a rain pony...oooo a thundah pony! Crack! BOOM! ...or maybe a sky pony...hahaha, dad' be cool....but I dink I'm just a pegasus...I don't feel special," she says softly, looking at her reflection in the diamond. "And...Yeah, I've been tryin' ta git a star...no luck yet. It gets real cold up dare...real thin up dare. Real scary up dare. "She says softly and idly glances down at the black, inky parts of her hooves- which are not natual occurances.
Bardigan pokes his head inside. "What's this about not being special?" He smiles at Diamond Dancer. "You? Who's been spreading such baseless accusations?"
Mirage just stands quietly as NightRaven talks to Diamond Dancer, but can't help but to chuckle warmly as Diamond lists the kinds of ponies she could be. And then it's easy to see just how much courage Diamond Dancer has to pursue, what seem to the unicorn, a completely hopeless dream. She begins to speak, but stops short of saying one of the Princesses could make Diamond's dream so. No, that really doesn't seem to be the answer. So she looks at the battered pegasus and ponders. Mirage ears perk and she looks to see Bardigan. She nods a 'hello' but says nothing just now.
NightRaven nods to Diamond, her tail swaying while she shifts on her hooves. "Nothing wrong with that! I think your just fine how you are," she offers to the other pegasus with a happy tone. "I bet it is really scary up there, you're really brave for continuing trying to get up there." A glance is offered over to Bardigan and she offers him a smile and nod back. "I should get going.. I hope to see you all later." She offers while she turns and moves to leave, humming softly as she goes and leaving the diamond there on the counter for Diamond.
Diamond_Dancer's ears wilt momentarily and she turns towards the door where Bardigan pokes his head though. "Hey...uh...hey dare. I know you...don't I know you? I dink I know you...uh, right. I was jus sayin I don't dink I'm a weather pony. Dose are rare...I'm just a regular pegasus...err, ok, not quite I guess. Oh, right I'm Diamond Dancah....do, do I know you?" She asks quietly looking slightly confused. "Anyway, I've been trying to git a star for... a...for a long time now. I came ta Ponyville ta see if Princess Luna could help me git one. Ya know- Princess Luna? She used ta be Nightmare Moon? Really creepy pony...wanted ta take over da whole world...well at least make it nighttime all da time, which wouldn't have been so bad. I like night time. Dats when the stars come out...but she said....w, well, it's not important what she said. I just gotta go up dare and git one myself! So I keep reachin!" she says brightly.
Mirage gives NightRaven a gentle smile. "Have a good evening," she replies, glad that she was here to talk to Diamond. She can't help but notice Diamond's reaction to Bardigan's comment, which was in a jestful mood but of course Bardigan couldn't have known what the conversation was about. "You should talk to Firefly, then. She works for the Princess herself," she replies.
Bardigan raises an eyebrow more and more as Diamond Dancer goes on... and on... about whether they know each other. "Yes," he says simply, looking quite concerened. "I'm Bardigan... do you not recall? We've spoken. Rather frequently in fact..."
Diamond_Dancer quickly nods her head, although it's obvious she's a bit fuzzy. "Oh. Y, yeah right! Bard! Right! You talk funny! I...I remembah! How ya doin' Bard? Ole Buddy," she chuckles nervously and rubs a hoof along her short little spiked mohawk. "Wh where...where did we meet again? Just...just curious," she says, and then quickly perks up and holds up the diamond she was given. "Look what uh....um....who was it....oh, uh.....Look what I got! Miss Nighrhamarha gave it to me Isn't it shiny? ..." She pauses and her ears wilt sadly. "...I'm ...I'm sorry. I hit my head a lot today," she sniffles.
Mirage watches Bardigan's concerned expression. With all the apparent injuries Diamond has sustained, a little memory loss is probably the least of her troubles. She listens to Diamond Dancer's explanation, and then her horn glows with a little sea green magic, and two small goblets filled with fresh juice, complete with straws, float gently over to a table by the two. "On me," she offers with a warm smile.
Bardigan moves forward and gently lays a hoof around the youngster's shoulders. He can't help but admit he's rather fond of her, what with her guts and grit and tendency to literally spring back from hits that put normal ponies in the hospital. "Yes, it is quite shiny. Don't worry. I think you just need some rest, Diamond Dancer." He looks up at Mirage and the drinks she conjures up. "Oh! Thank you... thank you very much, Miss Mirage."
Diamond_Dancer gives a little snort, and stands up with a flicker of her tail over her well burned bottom. Long story. "I...I remembah!" She says defensivly. Rebooting...searching through files...She pauses and shakes her head again with a little huff. "Y...you was dare when dat big bird attacked! You was at Fluttershy's place! You have a crush on Rainbow Dash! You wanna marry her n' everyding!" She says with another little haughty huff. "See! I remembah! I know you !! W, we're friends....right?" She squeaks quietly, ears wilting again as if ashamed of her inability for her brain to function correctly. "...I'm sorry." She squeaks the last part.
Mirage gives a soft "You're welcome, Bardigan," and then goes quiet as Diamond struggles with her injury. Well, there has to be Someone around here that can heal that damage, and that Someone will be found, the unicorn thinks to herself. She doesn't intertupt the two, though. Bardigan seems to be doing well on his own. And he's got a crush on Rainbow Dash. Wow.
"Friends? Of course!" Bardigan says, smiling. Inwardly, he heaves a sigh of relief. He pushes the drink Mirage gave them towards Diamond Dancer, encouraging her to drink. "You're *only* the bravest young flier I know, destined to have escapades I will happily immortalize forever. Why *wouldn't* I want to be friends with you?" He gives her shoulder a little rub. "And, ah, it's a bit more than a crush now..."
Diamond_Dancer Smiles brightly. "Hey, Danks! I'm sorry I got a little confused...err, how ya doin' Bard? I haven't seen you in..."She ponders. "I don't remember? I got real high today, but I dink I've been higher! Been rough goin' as of late! What have you been up to?"
Mirage decides to quietly tidy up the counter while the two talk, using her little magic to remove the debri of the many cheesecakes that literally met their maker earlier today. She feels a little like a bartender in one of those old romantic noir films, working in the kind of place that serves only cheap fruit juice and straight milk to a hard drinking herd. Over at a table are the only two customers, a mare with problems, and a stallion with a shoulder big enough to cry on. She nods a little as Diamond explains her latest attempt, and certainly the stallion can see the burns the mare earned for her efforts.
Bardigan can see it. It is not a pretty sight. It makes him feel bad for his *own* bottom! "Well, it was only a couple of days ago," he reminds Diamond Dancer gently, taking a sip of his juice. "I'm going to guess that going so high you flew a little too close to the sun... are you *sure* that simply flying up as high as you can is the best way to get a star?"
Diamond_Dancer shakes her head, blushing brightly, hips giving a little wriggle. "N, no, no, I uh...it's a long story. Flying trick got outta hoof," she stammers softly. "And I can't dink of any other way ta git a star other than flying up dare and snatchin' one outta da sky! I dink I can manage it though! Just....just need more practice at holdin' my breath when I git so high!" she explains.
Mirage nods a little as Diamond talks. "She needs a way to take more air with her," she says quietly, as she cleans a sundae cup. Yea, the mare had problems, and the stallion was trying to be reasonable, but no one said the world was reasonable. Outside, a cold rain was coming down, streaking the dirty windows....
"Well. Did you know that sometimes, the stars fall back down to us?" Bardigan asks, raising his eyebrows. "*Tell me you've never heard of a falling star... most of the stars up there are *supposed* to be there, after all. Otherwise the night wouldn't look quite as nice." He smiles and leans in a little closer, narrowing his eyes. "I don't think Princess Luna would like it if ponies were able to just run up and snatch stars out of her night sky willy-nilly."
Diamond_Dancer shakes her head. "Y, yeah I've heard of Falling stars! I can't find none though! I've LOOKED!" She explains. "Sides, Princess Luna says I don't want none of dose. She says dere all burned out and cold...dead on de inside...kinda like me. "She explains and taps one of her blackened hooves against the table. "If I don't..."She tails off and shakes her head again. "But I -WILL!
Mirage frowns slightly as Bardigan tries to use logic. Logic doesn't always work against a dream, espicially if that dream is tied to one's special talent. But, surely, Diamond Dancer's destiny can't be just to end up as a wreck in the hospital, or worse, broken in the wilderness where no one can find her. Her eyes go wide and she nearly drops the malt glass she's putting away as Diamond reveals she's already met Princess Luna! And the part about the falling stars; so sad. And worse, what Princess Luna has apparently said what will happen if Diamond Dancer can't meet her destiny. The cold rain intensifies outside, a cold and lifeless rain falling on a cold and lifeless city....
Bardigan headtilts, looking almost put out by what she says. "Dead on the inside?" he asks. "Who's telling you such rubbish?" He reaches out to put a hoof under the little filly's chin, to have her look up at him. "If anything, Diamond Dancer, you've got as much fire in you as any of those stars up above! Listen to yourself! You want to touch the stars! The real ones! What other pony dreams of things like that? None of them, that's who. You're *special,* Diamond Dancer. Don't let anypony say otherwise. Including yourself." He smiles, very gingerly touching her mane and the back of her head. "You don't need to put burns on your body to prove that."
Diamond_Dancer shakes her head quietly. "N, no...you don't understand," she says quietly. "It's not...I'm not...it's not on purpose," she says sadly. "I don't know how dare gettin' dare...I...I mean I do...I dink. I fly too high. I dink," she explains. "I don't dink pegasus ponies are supposed to go DAT high...every time I crash ...da black places git bigger," she explains, fluttering her wings sadly to show the inky markings along her beautful coat, her hooves, her ears, her wing tips and most of her muzzle. "D, dats why I talk like dis...can't feel my tongue...can't feel my mouf...all dead. "She explains quietly. "Dats why I can slam into trees and not feel it. I...I dink I messed up my sense of radar...I get lost easily and ..." she trails off, and forces a smile. "Hey! Did I show you my diamond? Um...Nightwing gave it to me!...no, Nightwing? No no, days not right...um...Flybynight? ...No, she was in New Clou- OH! Raven Moon! S...wait no, dat wasn't it...what was I talkin' about...oh! OH! Did I show you my Diamond?!" She Beams Brightly.
Mirage gives a little nod to Bardigan. "She's from downtown Manehatten. She's.... " the unicorn trails off, trying to remember the right wording, "got moxie, I think is what it's called." Mirage is finding herself surprisingly disturbed though, at the thought of one the Princess actually saying those things to Diamond Dancer. Diamond's reply to Bardigan does more than disturb the unicorn; it geniunely frightens her. Maybe her destiny is to be like a diamond? Hard, unfeeling and cold? No, that is certainly not true. She puts a few more things away then walks quietly over to the two, ending up at Diamond's side opposite Bardigan. She bumps shoulders with Diamond Dancer. "Is that diamond like a star? The way you think star would be like?" she asks simply. The rain continues unabated outside.
Bardigan is now getting more than a little worried himself. He's glad when Mirage comes over; he needs some support to deal with something like this! A filly he's known such a short time... only scratched the surface of a friendship, and she's making herself worse. "My dear," he says quietly, glancing up at Mirage. "Stars shine, Diamond Dancer. They don't go black,now do they?"
Diamond_Dancer nods her head sadly. She tries not to get into conversations like this- she can't help herself though. "Stars always twinkle...b, but...one day I'll be all black." She explains, tears welling up in her eyes. "I won't be able to fly anymore...I won't be able to get my star. I'll be worthless." She shudders, rubbing her nose, and tries to stop the tears rolling down her cheeks by shaking them away. "AHEM! And -DAT- is why I gotta hurry! Fly everyday! Practice holdin' my breath so I can fly extra high when da air gets thin! Gotta...gotta work real hard! Quitters don't get stars! Quitters don't get first place! ...Quitters don't get...Dey don't get wishes granted..." She trails off and takes a deep breath. "Yeah. Hey, so I gotta catch one! Follow yer dreams, am I right? Course I'm right! Ha!" She beams. Her biggest, brightest smile- even if she's hurting like crazy on the inside.
Mirage has to credit Bardigan for tenacity, but he's fighting against something that is ingrained in pony society: the mantra of following your dream, finding your special talent, meeting your destiny. It's almost all your hear when you're a colt or filly. She nods gently as Bardigan gives the best reasonable argument anyone could, and nods again as Diamond Dancer repeats the lessons that everypony knows by heart, even if they can't live up to them. But to see Diamond physically changing, well, this just speaks of a magic Diamond Dancer possesses that is doing ill. There must be a way of determining her true destiny. "Well," she replies softly, not too disappointed her question was lost, "maybe Bardigan and I can see if what you want is really what you need." Then she almost cringes, hoping this doesn't cause more trouble. Outside, the wind picks up and the rain pelts the windows.
This is almost too much. Seeing a little filly hurt herself in pursuit of something that is, in fact, fatal to any normal pony, and seeing her body... is damaged the right word? He can't decide. He shakes his head, as if trying to shake off the notion that she's not actually getting anywhere with this. "Yes... perhaps it's not so much your goal, as... the way you are going about trying to attain it."
Diamond_Dancer glances towards the window where it rains and squeezesher wings around herself. Her beautiful, broken wings. Sad and cold, like she is. Turning dead and broken and worthless... "What I really need? Whadda mean? I...I'm after a star...it's my Cuti- "She trails off, and blushes sheepishly. Oh Celestia. She got so caught up in the conversation she made a mention of her -missing- cutie mark...
Mirage honestly had not noticed Diamond Dancer's lack of a cutie mark until this moment. She pauses, quite surprised, and decides not to make an issue of it. "Cutie marks are overrated, in my opinion," she says evenly and firmly. Then she picks up on what Bardigan is saying. He is better at expressing himself than she is. "Are you after a star, or are you after what a star means? A wish to be granted? A point of beauty in the velvet dark? A place away from this place?"
Diamond_Dancer's cutie mark isn't -quite- missing as one might expect. Her rump displays a prominent black marking along the gentle alabaster curve- revealed when she went skidding into shop on her hind side. She -dyes- her flank...or at least covers it up with something. It looks like a long back mark extending to one of her hips- the tail end of a shooting star. When
Mirage asks about what the star -means- The spunky little filly looks away, mumbling quietly. A point of beautiful. No. A place somewhere? No. A -wish- ......
Bardigan caught that last part! "What do you wish for, Diamond Dancer?"
Diamond_Dancer's ears flatten on her skull suddenly, and she has tears again- big wet ones that roll down her cheeks. "D, D, Dat's none of your busniess!" She snaps suddenly, sniffling.
Mirage gives Bardigan a little nod, then leans against Diamond Dancer to try and comfort her. "It's alright, Diamond. You don't have to say anything," she says softly. "We just want to help you is all. We want you to be happy."
Bardigan can't take it anymore! He reaches out with both hooves, trying to draw Diamond Dancer into a hug. Which sort of includes Mirage since she's right there. "She's right, dear one," he says quietly. "We're here for you."
Diamond_Dancer is crying freely now, shaking her head while she tries to get the words out. "I...It's...You can't help me! Nopony can, ok?! S, so just...just...forget it! I just hafta get a star...is just dat simple...Get a star, get the wish...You can wish all you want on shooting stars but if you actually catch one...den it HAS to grant you a wish right?" That sad little romantic dream... She finds herself shuddering and crying into Bardigan's arms when he draws her into that hug, which makes her cry even harder. It's been almost years since any pony hugged her- aside from Fluttershy that one evening...
Mirage is a bit surprised as Bardigan includes her in the hug, too, but it's for Diamond's sake she she doesn't pull away. She's relieved as Diamond falls into the stallion's hug, though, but she still stays close to offer comfort. "Yes, that's what I've always heard," she agrees with Diamond as she sobs about the stars and wishes. How many times has Diamond wished on stars and not had this wish come true? What wish is so important that you'd hurt yourself, perhaps permantently, to obtain it? The unicorn sighs softly, just letting Diamond cry and release the emotional tensions. Outside, the wind dies a bit but the cold rain continues falling on the uncaring pavement.
It's not so hard to figure out, given the clues Diamond's been trying so hard not to leave. What kind of filly flies on her own from a place far away- New Cloud City- to this little town in the middle of nowhere? By herself. No letters from her parents? The way she reacted from that hug is like she hasn't had many her entire life. What could be so important to a little girl that she's willing to risk everything to get it? It just doesn't make any sense... ...Hey...d, danks...b, but I'm fine. "She stammers and tries to pull away, shuddering quietly. She's good at this lying thing...
So it seems they've gotten to the heart of the matter. In a way, Bardigan is glad. At least he won't actually have to expect himself to encourage a small filly to fly into *space* of all places. He gently rubs Diamond Dancer's back, between the wings. "It's all right," he says quietly. "You're not alone, Diamond Dancer."
Mirage lets Bardigan comfort Diamond Dancer. He's much better at this than she is, and a mare in distress tends to want a stallion to look to for protection and solice. She watches Bardigan's expression, and wonders just what the playwright is making of all this. It's obvious he knows Diamond much better than she does. Still, she stands by Diamond, touching shoulders with her.
Diamond_Dancer's ears wilt sadly to either side of her head and the little filly gives a sad sigh. Always been alone and in more ways than one. Still she smiles softly, and takes hold of the diamond that was handed to her and holds it against her chest. "D, dan....Th...Thaaaank. you. "She says softly.
Bardigan's chest swells and his eyes widen, as does his smile. Is it the lighting, or are his eyes a little moist? "You needn't catch a star to know I'll always be your friend. No thanks necessary." And he envelopes her in another hug.
Diamond_Dancer tries to pull away, rubbing her deadened hooves over her eyes and sniffles again. "D, dis is gittin' mushy...o, ok...ok...I'll...I'll try to remember dat. "She says softly, not quite sure what to do now but feels fairly awakward- so she slowly backs up, and out into the rain!
Mirage tries very hard to suppress her sigh of relief as Bardigan's hug, and the honest concern behind it, finally seems to make a breakthrough with Diamond. But why in the world would Diamond feel friendless? She's a sweetheart. All she has to do is extend a hoof and anypony would be happy to touch their hoof to hers. Mirage hides her puzzlement behind a warm smile.
Outside in the pouring rain, a figure watches Diamond Dancer pass, hiding as she goes by. They've heard enough... she knows what she has to do. The pony turns, and heads into the stormy night.
Mirage watches Diamond Dancer go. "You know where to find us," she calls out, hoping Diamond will come back before something bad happens to her.
Bardigan wants to follow the filly, really he does. In fact, he probably wouldn't say no to adopting her. Like right now. What with the way his emotions seem to be roiling just under the surface, he's probably thinking it! "Don't... uh, be careful!" he calls after her.
Mirage gives a sideways glance at Bardigan. She's seen that paternal look on stallions before. "Oh, for pity's sake, go after her," she says in an almost exasperated tone as she bumps her shoulder against his. "She needs you."
Bardigan needs no second bidding, scrambling off the chair into the rain. "Thanks for the juice!" he says over his shoulder. "Diamond Dancer, wait. You're going to catch a cold!"
Diamond_Dancer Is well on her way towards the square, walking in the rain, head down, sniffling quietly- your typical pony with a shattered reality. What in Celstia's name is she DOING?! Trying to go after stars, making friends...she must be crazy. REally, totally, mock-me-up-and-throw-away-the-key crazy. She shakes her spiked little mohawk and looks up at the drizzling clouds. She doesn't even feel like flying over the storm, She doesn't deserve to- not until she figures out whats going on in her own head...
Mirage watches from the shelter of the doorway as Bardigan chases after the slowly walking Diamond Dancer in the rain. "Oh, there's so much more than meets the eye here," she mutters to herself. "Diamond has no real reason to feel lonely; she a wonderful mare. We need to find out why she's willing to hurt herself for a wish. As if a mere wish could really solve anything."
And then Bardigan's wing settles over her, stopping most of the downpour. "You look like my old Smarty Pants doll when I dropped him in a puddle," the playwright says, gently admonishing.
Diamond_Dancer laughs quietly. "YOU had a smarty pants doll?!" She giggles, and forces another smile. She's resiliant in more ways than one it might seem. She leans in against the big stallion while she shields her and sighs. "Sorry bout that...all that. It's really not yer problem, ya know," she explains as she wanders along through the heavy rain. "Geez...it's cold out here..."
Mirage continues to watch the two pegasi walk down the street away from Sugarcube Corner. She's still disturbed and a bit frightened by all this, and she pauses only to change the sign in the door window from 'Open' to 'Closed'. "And maybe she just needed some simple kindness," she says to herself, then shakes her head. "No, I'm sure there's more to it than that. I need to see a pony."
"Then let's go somewhere warm," Bardigan says blithely. "You know, I have the loveliest little fireplace at my house. Sure to warm you up in a jiffy." He nods down the street. "And yes. I had a smarty pants doll. Him, Mister Monocle and Miss Pigglesworth were my very first audience."
Diamond_Dancer Laughs quietly, and nods her head. "I'd like that!" She shudders under her dripping feathers. "I'd like that a lot! Please. A, and hot coco? I've never had hot coco before I've always wanted to try it...w, with marshmallows!"
Mirage watches until the two are almost out of sight. At least Diamond Dancer is walking close to Bardigan and that is certainly better now than she'd hoped. She'd expected Diamond to just take off and try for the stars again. The unicorn chuckles softly. Bardigan is so paternal and protective, and so caring. And he has a crush on Rainbow Dash. Wow.
"As many as you can eat," Bardigan promises.
The End.
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