Despite their current multitude of issues that they needed to iron out sooner or later, the first reaction Starlight and Sparkling had to entering the familiar eatery known as Sugarcube Corner was one of surprised bemusement.
For such a big event as a free indoor picnic for fillies and their female parents, you'd have thought they'd be more of an uptake on the offer. The place was virtually deserted, aside from the Cakes with their foals giving them a friendly nod from the counter, and Pinkie gesturing to a centralised table where two chairs were handily positioned.
"Make yourselves at home please, I shall return with your orders post haste." The party pony was truly at her manic best today, whizzing around like a miniature hurricane to seat both Sparkling and her mother before rushing off into the kitchen area, almost blowing the door off it's hinges in her wake.
"W-Well, er... you have to say, the service here is pretty exemplary..." Starlight grimaced slightly at the sound of drinks and cakes no doubt being heaped inelegantly onto a single tray. "...I just hope she doesn't drop the food all over my head like last time I was here. There is one thing that confuses me, though: how can she 'take our orders', when we didn't even say what we wanted yet?"
"That's Pinkie for you, I guess." Sparkling simply shrugged off the older earth pony's behaviour. She might not have known Pinkie as well as Starlight, but her perpetual randomness was legendary to all residents of Ponyville. "I'm more puzzled by the fact that we seem to be the only ones eating here, on a day when such a great promotion is on offer."
"U-um... we didn't have enough time to advertise. I-It was all done at very short notice. Y-Yes that's it, nothing suspicious here at all!" Mr Cake heard this part of the discussion, and for some reason began to act like he was hiding something.
"T-That's right, dearies. We'll probably get a bigger turnout later on." Mrs Cake interjected, somewhat unconvincingly. "So, we'll leave you two alone now to to talk thing ou... I mean, enjoy your time together. The diapers need to have their twins changed... w-well, you know what I'm trying to say. Ta-ta for now!"
You didn't have to be Shadow Spade to figure out something mightily odd was going on as the married couple hastily reversed course to make their way upstairs. Starlight together with her daughter gave each other a skeptical look in recognition of this.
"Do you think that Twilight..."
"Most likely."
"She went to all this trouble..."
"Friendship is kind of her thing, you see."
"I don't know how to feel about this."
"Just do what I do, and go with the flow. Try to stop her, and it'll only lead to bloodshed and ruin in the future."
"R-Really?"
"Well, disappointed glances and long silences actually, which can be even worse. Let's just give it a try, and if it doesn't work out... hey, free food!"
"I-I guess..." Sparkling finally gave into the blatant overtures at reconciliation that had been put in motion by a certain princess, as Pinkie returned at that precise second staggering under a predictably leaning tower of delectables.
"Whoa! This is even more difficult than I ever imagined!" She opined, doing some kind of bizarre shimmy en route just to keep her balance. "Who'd have thought that stacking up half the items on our menu higgledy-piggledy and then carrying them halfway across the restaurant would prove to be so darn hazardous? I don't really think I thought this through. How unusual for me! Never mind, what's done is done. Here comes Delicious in for a smooth landing!!"
"Pinkie, isn't that rather too much for just two ponies to digest?! In case you hadn't noticed, this isn't the Grand Galloping Gala!" Starlight asked with concern of her struggling friend, making sure she moved her chair away from where any potential spillage might occur. "I hope you don't mind being on washing-up duty all night, either."
"Never mind all that..." Sparkling's attention was apparently drawn to something other than Pinkie's usual antics. "T-That's the thing I'm most worried about...!"
The worried filly jabbed her hoof anxiously at a 'JUST MOPPED' sign sitting nearby, which caused instant panic in both of the diners' minds. Without further delay, they scrambled to shelter underneath the table, absolutely sure that any minute now Pinkie would come tumbling down, bringing with her a slurry of food and drink which would mess up their manes and fur something awful.
For Starlight, Pinkie would merely be a repeat offender if the worst should happen, but Sparkling dreaded this looming disaster most of all. She'd already been scrubbed in the tub red raw this morning on account of her 'little accident', and she had no intention of experiencing that again so soon, no sirree.
"What are you both doing cowering under there, you silly billies?" Pinkie found the pair's terrified reactions quite amusing, and continued to lurch forward clutching her huge load with all the poise of a trained tightrope walker. "I'll have you know I practiced this exact scenario more than a hundred times, in the event we got a sudden high volume of orders. Yep, that includes the possibility of there being a wet floor, too. So get out from under there, and ready yourself for an assault on the tastebuds you'll never forget!"
Just as Starlight and Sparkling were somewhat reassured by Pinkie's confident tone and even tentatively poked their heads out from under the furniture however, disaster struck. No, it wasn't the slippery floor that caused mayhem this time, nor was it Pinkie nattering when she should've been concentrating on making sure her unruly mountain of goodies remained upright.
No, it was Gummy who'd somehow materialised right in the middle of her path that did the damage. Pinkie seemed to have no idea her precious pet was there, and as soon as her hind leg made contact with the baby alligator, the next few seconds were inevitable. Here they are in slow-mo for those who wish to preserve the memory:
A loud nnnooooo from Pinkie.... an acrobatic tumble... plates and dishes flying everywhere... Starlight and Sparkling bracing themselves for impact... Gummy blinking once, twice... a mysterious dark shadowy figure watching from outside...
Okay, maybe that's a bit too much detail. Let's skip the rest, and go straight to the outcome of this impending calamity, shall we?
Starlight, with her eyes firmly shut for the best part of a minute afterwards, was most surprised to not hear the telltale sound of smashing glass and crashing china, and so opened them up a scooch. What she saw made her jaw drop, rub her eyes in amazement and nudge a slightly trembling Sparkling next to her, who'd been repeating on an endless refrain "Please not the loofah. Anything, but the loofah again."
Both parent and daughter gazed in awe at the beautifully stacked table in front of them. There was not just the promised ginger beer and cupcakes, but as many different flavours of muffins as you can conceivably imagine, a large array of freshly baked pastries from the oven and even napkins helpfully engraved 'DT' and 'SG' to go along with the feast.
Of course, Sparkling Glimmer now had the same initials as her mother (at least currently) so this might have to be updated for future special occasions, but the filly in question was too relieved right now to be too concerned about such trivialities.
"We're alive! We're safe! And best of all, we're still spotless! Woo-hoo!" Sparkling just couldn't help herself as she dive-bombed Starlight in a spontaneous moment of sincere relief, hugging the older mare's fetlocks tightly as she hysterically laughed with sheer abandon.
Somewhat taken aback, both at Pinkie's 'unique' ability to setting a table perfectly when on the verge of hitting the dirt, and her daughter's unexpected show of affection despite earlier heavy disincentives to the contrary, it was all that Starlight could do to pat the snuggling filly gently whilst staring with wonderment at the delightful banquet sprawled out in front of them.
In the meantime, a pink party-lover and her scaly sidekick had quickly made themselves scarce to retreat into the kitchen, rabidly giggling at the success of their 'plan'. Well, one of them was... the other seemed far more interested in dangling his forked tongue lazily from his mouth for no reason at all.
"We did it, Gummy!" Pinkie announced to her unmoved pet, as she gallivanted around the room in excitement. "I told Twilight that the old 'make 'em think they're about to get immersed in gunk' scheme would be an ideal addition to her strategy to bring them closer together, but did she believe me? Of course not, but look at all the huggles and snuggles that are going on out there! Nothing brings estranged families together better than a staged food-related catastrophe, and there's the proof in the pudding that's about to be eaten. Oh Twi, she of little faith! Now, how's about we have some yummy horsefly ice cream to celebrate? What? A new flavour? Don't be silly Gummy, the horseflies are for you! Unless..."
.......................................................
"BURP! O-Oops sorry, that was a complete accident! It won't happen again, honest!" Sparkling remarked apologetically as she polished off the last of her strawberry sundae from a now much emptier-looking table.
"What? Oh, you don't have to worry about that sort of thing around me, darling." Starlight stated with amusement, as she dabbed a few stray cookie crumbs from her muzzle by use of unicorn magic. "Let's just say my table decorum standards aren't quite on a par with Spoiled's, so feel free to express yourself flatulently to your heart's content. Within reason, of course."
"O-Oh okay, thanks." Sparkling chuckled nervously, remembering with an elevated shiver all the occasions she'd even so much as clear her throat during a meal resulting in Spoiled almost screeching her ears off, whilst Filthy hid behind his newspaper. "So, that was pretty much the most I've eaten all at once in my entire life. I hope Twilight hasn't got anything big in store for lunch. Or even, dinner. I'm stuffed."
"Twilight? Nah. She'll either be too busy reading to eat at the proper time, or she'll just grab a late night snack later." Starlight reclined in her seat with satisfaction, wishing she wore a belt so she could loosen it. "She has this big idea at the moment, for a school? Not quite the same as Miss Cheerilee's class, though. It's a bit impractical right now, but one day she hopes to get one of every species in Equestria and teach them about the ways of friendship to show that universal peace is achievable. Mad I know, but she really has her heart set on it! Whatever next... me as a guidance counsellor?!"
"Y-Yeah... that is pretty funny!" Despite it being a chore to budge an inch right now, Sparkling couldn't help but find the prospect of the often apprehensive mare in front of her giving advice to youngsters most amusing. "But if there's one thing I've learned about Princess Twilight, it's when she really wants something to happen, it tends to work out for her no matter what."
"I suppose. I mean, if anypony told me this time a couple of years ago I'd be sitting here having a casual conversation with my daughter instead of manipulating a bunch of ponies into giving away their Cutie Marks, I'd have probably laughed in their face. I have quite a good 'evil' laugh, you know. Perhaps I ought to demonstrate it to you sometime. Bwhahahaha!!" Starlight winked conspiratorially at her bloated filly, before gradually rising to her feet. "Well, I guess if all this stuff was free, there's no point in paying or even leaving a tip, so shall we see if we can fit through the front door to leave now? Or would you like me to get you a doggy bag, Sparkling... oh dear."
Referencing the unwanted name Starlight had assigned to her daughter was a bit of a mistake on the unicorn's part, as she'd been trying to avoid using it for the better part of the morning since the filly's mini-rant about it outside. She'd hoped to bring up the subject again later, when things were a bit more relaxed between the pair, and they could discuss all the pros and cons rationally like civilised equines.
It was too late for that now though, and the next words to spring forth from her daughter's lips were destined to be ones of condemnation and chastisement, that would almost certainly ruin the wonderful gourmet of sweet treats they'd enjoyed together. The nervous unicorn prepared herself for what she was about to hear next...
"S-Starlight?"
"Y-Yes, dear?"
"C-Can you tell me about the rest of your family at some point, please? I-I-Including perhaps, my birth father?
"H-huh?!"
YAY.
9103301
Thanks, looking forward to seeing what you think of the next one...
9103621
Let's hope so....
9104293
Yep, hopefully now more than ever.
9104565
Hope the quick update has sated your eagerness.
Normally I would say the same, since i tend to believe that their duties start somewhere, but have to end somewhere too, kind of like where their powers are allowed and when they should better hold back.
I don't remember who her birth father was, I think it was probably that Diamond guy from her village, since I don't know if I liked him and since I kind of want this to be between daughter and mother, I hope that either the father is an idiot or isn't living anywhere they know about it.
I hate it if I get the feeling I wasn't thinking everything trough, but I know that I don't want a father to be added here later, just claiming that Starlight and he still love each other and then we have a family of three people. I would need a few chapters showing something likeable about the guy and between this pairing before i would want it. However I seriously hope she isn't getting back together with the guy, whoever it was again.
9105376
Remember, DT said she hear about Starlight's family "at some point" not right away. It'll probably be a while, if at all, she even meets her birth father. So don't worry, nothing is being rushed...
9105392
Well, I'm in a place where I think I can continue it 'til the bitter end, so that's what I'm trying to do. Hope you stick around!
...I'm a little wary of Starlight's word choices there about the School of Friendship. 'Indoctrinate'? That just has all sorts of negative connotations.
9105498
I actually meant it to be a subtle reference to Starlight's past as the leader of a cult-like village where everypony was told to think the same way, and her perhaps still not quite getting the difference between that and Twilight teaching ponies the valuable lesson of friendship which is universal. (Remember, this fic is still set in season 6 when Starlight's still developing as a character) I'll change the dialogue so it has less unhealthy connotations for now, but I'd be interested in hearing what others think.
9105439
OKay and I have nothing against the meeting if I think about it again, but they should not get together again depending on who it is or at least not for a while.
Ahhh I think I get it, we don't know at this point who it is right?, well I think I would like it if her birth father already has a relationship with someone else, I didn't had that situation in a story till now.
I was talking about a situationl where birth mother and father weren't thrown together into a shipping again after not seeing each other for a while. Pretty much what I already described I think.
Long story short, I want many informations about the character instead ot the "he't there , so deal with it" kind of shipping.
Well okay i wait for now, but I honestly hope it's not going to end up in a shipping at least not in this story, maybe if I get to know that char i will think differently about it.
9105503
I hope you make your own Starlight with maybe her keeping some of her old point of view even if I shouldn't have said anything about it till now. I like the show and some episodes more than others, but I don't think every decision the show makes is pure gold either.
I hate the cutie map for once or at least how they acted around that and how everyone get's suddenly called by it and I don't really know what to think about that anymore.
I still like Starlight in the show and loved her moment as a counceler? in the schoolf of friendship with her derp face. Some stuff maybe get's a bit to far with how they call their stuff like friendship cocoa or was it cuddle cocoa?
i guess if it is under the ponies itself you can do it, but I always love it if there are some characters that show Twilight and other characters that their point of view mabye isn't working for everyone.
9105512
Actually if you read the first chapter again, you'd see who it is. And you don't have to worry about shipping, it won't be a big part of this fic, if it's going to occur at all.
One thing that can be universally agreed upon throughout Equestria:
"It's Pinkie. Don't ask questions."
9105517
Alright, but that's only more the reason to hope they won't get back together since it will look halfhearted.
Could be because of that one story suggesting they where just friends with benefitswhile I prefer meaningfull relationships in stories, but that would be not a pairing I would like. He is not my kind of character as far as I remember.
9105516
Well, Twilight isn't perfect, but then again no character is, because that would be kind of boring, right? No-one likes a Mary Sue.
Starlight's personality in this fic will probably be an amalgamation of her Season 6 self, and new elements bought on by her reuniting with her daughter, such as her newfound maternal instincts and occasion overzealousness. You've read the fic until this point, so you should have a good idea of what I mean. Hopefully, anyway.
9105523
I think that has been hinted in canon by now...
9105528
Not sure if I understand you right, because to me it feels like that is supporting my reasoning. If she is not perfect then why not showing it or letting some ponies fight a big against getting harmonized as if they would be introduced in a cult. There where two situations in a show or stuff we talked about in this story, where it felt like they overreacted on what some ponies or creatures did.
Yep and while I still would like a Starlight not getting influenced that much, if I cared for it that much before this chapter, then I already said it in the beginning, if not then i don't need to say much right now.
9105721
Well, it's still early days in this fic so you don't know what'll happen later regarding Twilight and company. I was making a more general point about fiction in general where characters who have no visible flaws are tedious to read about. I think we can all agree with that now...
9105739
i thought it was the opposite that perfect characters can get boring sometimes, but yes I think we are good for now.
You know that raises a valuable question: Has Starlight informed Double Diamond about the child she conceived and gave away in secret?
well thats intresting
That moment when you realize Starlight probably learned her table manners form Twilight.
derpicdn.net/img/view/2015/2/5/821895__safe_screencap_coco+crusoe_twilight+sparkle_twilight+time_alicorn_drink_female_hay+burger_hay+fries_mare_pony_twilight+burgkle_twilight+sparkle.jpeg
9105973
Hmm...
9106012
Thank you for saying so
9106017
I'm sure she'd object most strongly to that.
You know what deadpansnarker?...... as of this moment..... I am adopting this as my new headcanon.... as of this moment, i shall only see Diamond Tiara aka Sparkling Glimmer, as the daughter of Starlight Glimmer....
in case you are confused, it means i LOVE your story and looking forward to more of it
I can’t wait for Diamond Tiara to meet Doubled Diamond!
To be perfectly honest, I just can't get over the name change. I think it might actually be more of a disruption to my immersion than sci-fi authors too eager to make up new words for semi-familiar concepts and it's definitely more of a disruption than authors of gender-bending fiction who use pronouns following the characters' physical forms rather than their self images.
Every time I read "Sparkling", my immersion screeches to a stop as I get a mental "No such record" error and have to manually inject "See 'Diamond Tiara'". (It's like when you keep tripping over something new in your house because you can't just forget years of built-up muscle memory in an instant.)
9107431
If you think it's tough here, try reading this fic (spoilers though).
I basically changed the name in the text to show how differently DT is perceived by Starlight now that Star has more-or-less fully assumed the role of being her mother, and also to create a schism between the old DT and how much things have changed for her since the discovery of her heritage. Plus, that is her name (at least for now) so I am kind of duty bound as the writer to reflect her identity this fact as much as I can.
This is the first comment I've had along these lines, but I'd be interested if anyone else feel the same way. Looking forward to hearing from you all.
I get why Starlight renamed DT, but DT’s new name actually ruins the immersion. As bad as Starlight was a villain, she would probably be just as worse as Spoiled Bitch if she is going to force her ideas down DT’s throat all the time. If she won’t end up like her father, she just might end up being more like Sunburst’s mother.
Never! It will go on forever!!!
Well, that’s a good start to things for sure and I’m eager for more.
Love this story and have been tracking and reading it since the beginning
Ooh, this is interesting!
Don't let it die agrain already
9134172
Update coming soon. Don't fret!
9138970
Well, you can't please everyone. I just took her worst qualities and ramped them up a bit, which some obviously object to but plenty more seem to enjoy. She might undergo some changes later or have a reason for doing what she did, but who knows? Plus if you get to the later chapters there's a lot less Spoiled, but regardless... thank you for giving it a try.
Are they going to meet Sunset Glimmer's and Diamond Tiara's father Stellar Flare?
9139096
That doesn’t sound right
"Twilight? Nah. She'll either be too busy reading to eat at the proper time, or she'll just grab a late night snack later." Starlight reclined in her seat with satisfaction, wishing she wore a belt so she could loosen it. "She has this big idea at the moment, for a school? Not quite the same as Miss Cheerilee's class, though. It's a bit impractical right now, but one day she hopes to get one of every species in Equestria and teach them about the ways of friendship to show that universal peace is achievable. Mad I know, but she really has her heart set on it! Whatever next... me as a guidance counsellor?!"
Ahh Foreshadowing the the school of friendship in season 8 That will be freaking awesome to see 😀
"S-Starlight?"
"Y-Yes, dear?"
"C-Can you tell me about the rest of your family at some point, please? I-I-Including perhaps, my birth father?
"H-huh?!"
Oh wow I didn't see that coming she started to open up a little but its a good start