Diamond Tiara was glad to let revenge go, for now.  After all, she needed to focus on the real important things in life.  Looking good and being a proper filly were far more important than putting those ponies who had messed with her in their place.  They would, however, get theirs.  She couldn't just let such insolence go by without payback!  Meadow Lark would get his, but he would get just a little less than the filly who had dared to hit her in the face.

"What do you think?  Should I wear the purple this time, or maybe the red?" She queried as she thought over her ensemble for tonight.

"Purple.  Meadow Lark is an orangey-yellow, so it'll compliment well, plus red clashes too much against Princess Luna's dark color scheme." Silver Spoon advised as she turned her attention to the wardrobes.  An important part of looking good was making sure you looked good with others as well, after all.  She was lucky though -- monochromatic as she was, it let the gray filly wear whatever she liked in terms of colors.  "Ooh~!  Let me borrow your blue skirt~!"
This message was last edited by the player at 18:25, Mon 07 May 2012.

"I forgot about him." Diamond Tiara glared at the purple outfit, as if it had betrayed her somehow, "At least it's a little easier to keep clean...."

She waved toward the blue garment as if saying 'here, have it.'  It didn't really suit her, as far as she was concerned.

"I might even look a little less like I'm trying to upstage him, too.   Not much I can do for looking better than him, though.  Even in the most pithy rags, I'd look like Canterlot Royalty beside him." She giggled, "The red look makes my tiara look so much better, but the purple will have to do.  What about mane styling?  I think you'd look best with yours down, as always, but I just can't decide.  Up and extravagant or down and simple?"

Though she fussed so much, there was an excitement about her that could not be denied.  This was her realm of expertise (though she'd claim it was one of many), and she was getting fired up.  The fact that the Princess was involved was just another reason to throw herself into this fully.  She'd have to compensate for Meadow Lark, as well.  This was no normal party.  If she played her cards right, this could be the best night ever!

Silver Spoon gave an adorable 'squeaky toy' sound as she was allowed to borrow her desired dress, quickly moving to toss it across her back for a quick glimpse at how she'd look in it in the mirror.

"Hmm... maybe a French braid?" she suggested on the topic of styling.  "I really wish we knew how the Princess was going to look for this... I feel like we're going in half-blind."

"So we just have to be confident.  A french braid will do just fine...the Princess came wearing her hair normally last time, right?  A french braid would be just the right balance of proper and simplicity..." Diamond Tiara was just making things up, now, but she sounded so confident that she might have sounded like she knew what she was talking about to a normal pony, "Hopefully, her dress won't clash with ours..."

As the fated hour approached, the two fillies came to look far more like what their own self-images were; beautiful, powerful, and graceful.  Well, at least in their own heads.  Still, they were pretty great looking, though.  They were young stunners and show stoppers, and they knew it!  Even with Meadow Lark following her around and only eighty bits to spend, this could still be a great night.  She had hurried through her preparations, hastily pulling on her purple dress.  Frilly, but just frilly enough!  It'd be fine for walking around outside in.

"Silver Spoon!" Diamond Tiara cried in irritation, fussing with her own dress, "Are you ready yet?  It's almost time to go!"

"Almost done~!"  Silver Spoon called back.  One of the unicorn maids was handling her hair for her, though her attention was more dedicated to the task at hoof.  Since her smithing kit had arrived she'd been busy buffing, polishing, and shining up Diamond Tiara's namesake accessory to a lustrous sheen, undoing any harm that had befallen it that day.  She knew how important it was to her friend... though not precisely why... and wanted to make sure it gleamed as brightly as the Moon would that night.  Besides, a little general maintenance helped focus her mind for the evening to come.

"Girls, are you decent?" came a familiar voice from outside followed by a knock.  Once given confirmation that it was safe to intrude on the sacred ground that was fashion-prep, Filthy Rich poked his head into the room and smiled fondly at the sight of his daughter all done up.  He was still miffed at her for her antics that afternoon, but it was hard to stay too mad as the day rolled along and when she looked so darling.  He paused at Silver Spoon's side and curiously regarded the work she'd just completed.

"Well, you really did a great job there, Silver.  Looks better than new." the stallion observed.  Silver Spoon beamed proudly at the compliment.  Filthy gently lifted the tiara from its conditioning mat and held it up to the light on his hoof, smiling absently as he watched the gemstones glimmer brightly.  He looked over to his daughter and beckoned her over with a smile.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:54, Wed 09 May 2012.

Diamond Tiara smiled at her father when he first entered, though she was anxious enough about what Silver Spoon was doing.  Yes, Silver Spoon's talents were not to be denied, but that didn't make it any easier to just hoof the head piece over and not look anxious as it was worked with.  She nodded worriedly as he inspected the work, but eased up a little as he gave it his stamp of approval and beckoned her over.  For all of her trust, she scrutinized the work carefully even more as she got closer.  The tiara was the last piece of her kit that needed to be sorted before she could call her outfit complete...and then she'd be completely all right.

She stepped over, smiling at him.  Though she could remember the punishment and dreaded it still, she could not scowl at Filthy Rich the way she could just dress down just about any pony else, "It really does, Daddy?"

"Of course it does.  I know my stuff."  Silver Spoon crooned as she packed up her kit and hopped away from her mat, quickly setting about straightening up her dress.  She'd had to put on an apron and hoof gloves while she worked with chemicals, but thankfully hadn't mussed her borrowed outfit at all.

Filthy just chuckled and gently set the tiara down atop his daughter's head, making sure not to mess up her mane as he adjusted it in place like one would crown royalty.  There, much better, he mused internally -- not at the addition of the accessory, but at the smile from his filly that was sure to follow.  The stallion leaned in and placed a fond kiss on her forehead to boot.  "There you go, my little diamond.  Prettier than Celestia herself." he smiled and reached into his lapel to withdraw a tidy purse of Bits to hoof over as well.  Her budget for the evening.  "Meadow Lark is already here and waiting in the foyer.  Now you girls behave yourselves tonight, okay?  I know this is a festival, but I don't want to hear about any trouble."

The aforementioned Pegasus colt was indeed waiting in the large foyer of the mansion.  He'd been quite wide-eyed at the sight of the place... just the front hall was bigger than his entire home!  However, he was left shifting uncomfortably under the scrutinizing gaze of the head butler -- a tall, pearly white Unicorn in a dapper black suit.  Unlike the girls, Meadow Lark hadn't bothered dressing up at all for the event.  He chanced an awkward smile the Butler's way, but it was returned with a frown as the caretaker's horn lit up.

"Gah!  Hey, leggo!  Bad touch!" the Pegasus squeaked as he was caught up in a magical aura.  A conjured brush and rag appeared around him, making quick work of scrubbing the boy down of road dust and putting his hair and coat into some semblance of order.  He was set back down on his hooves looking much more presentable than before, but rather shell-shocked all the same.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:49, Wed 09 May 2012.

Diamond Tiara smiled brilliantly, first at the resetting of her tiara and second at her father's compliment.  She took the bits without any complaint, "We wouldn't think of doing anything troublesome!"

It would have been a beautiful lie, most of the time, but she knew she was in hot water if she thought of doing anything untoward, "Love you Daddy, bye!"

The pink filly found herself watching the butler buff Meadow Lark up.  She had been long since clean and thought even his (rapidly vanishing) dirt was disgusting.  The butler was usually only there to make last minute fixes, like the mares who helped them to get ready.  For Meadow Lark, however, he would barely look presentable with all of the fixes.  It'd take the finest suit and preparations to make him look even half ready.

Still, she had their eighty bits, and she knew she had to go with him.

For better or for worse, she had to make the best of it.  Huffing quietly as the colt was set down, she strolled into the room and looked him up and down.  He'd never look good enough to stand beside her, but he'd have to do.

The use of his name was a token show of politeness, "Are you ready to go, Meadow Lark?"

Silver Spoon was fast at her friend's side as they scampered along for the entrance and shared a good snickering as they found Meadow Lark getting fussed with by the Butler.  Maybe next time he'd know better than to show up looking like a common plow pony.

"Yes, let's." she sidled along the other side of their companion, leaving the boy boxed in between them looking rather uncomfortable in his position.

"Y-yeah, sure..." was the Pegasus' reply.  He wasn't looking at the girls -- his attention was on Filthy Rich, who lagged behind and caught the boy with a glare.  He made a quick gesture to his eyes with a hoof, then pointed to Meadow Lark, then back at his own eyes again.  The boy gulped softly and kept his head down as he hurried out of the foyer as quickly as he could to get away from the glaring adults.

Once the kids were gone, the Butler closed the main door behind them and cast a look to his employer.  Some of the maids had eased in to watch the girls go and were giggling at the sight of them all cantering off.  "Aren't they just darling?" one cooed, getting a nod from her fellow maid.

"Alright everypony, tidy things up and take the night off.  You all earned the break.  Go enjoy your evening." Filthy Rich called.  That got a sound of approval from all except the Butler, who merely accepted the information with a curt nod.

--> Meadow Lark and Silver Spoon exit, with Diamond Tiara, to Event - Moon Raising
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:49, Wed 09 May 2012.

<-- Enter from Summer Song Cafe

On the way back from town, the trio had stopped by Silver Spoon's home to drop her off safely.  The filly had said her goodbyes and left Diamond Tiara with a hug, but she was obviously distracted by her own thoughts.  Soon Filthy Rich and his daughter were back on the road again heading toward home, traveling the quiet side streets where the sounds of the party were faint and distant.  Luna really had done a great job -- it was a beautiful night and the pair were free to appreciate the stars to their varied degrees.

"Penny for your thoughts, princess?" Filthy eventually asked his daughter as they ambled along together.

Diamond Tiara was quiet, even as she hugged her friend and let her go home.  She was even really quiet as they headed towards their own home.  Really, the most she did was say 'mm-hmm' or shake her head if spoken to.  The world had pretty much flipped itself on its head, even if today had been really, really exciting.  It had been a really good night, even if it ended up in a crash.  She spent a great deal of time pondering just what to say to her father.

She bit her lip after her thought was over, staring up at the stars instead of down at the ground like she had been most of the time, "Daddy...what do you do with your money after you're done getting it?  And...giving me my allowance, too, I mean."

Filthy raised a curious brow over that sort of question.  He'd explained his business to Diamond before, but then realized he'd never really addressed the profit margins and distribution of Bits in anything more than a broad generalization.  He thought it odd she'd ask such a specific sort of question but indulged her all the same.

"All sorts of things, actually.  Naturally there are overhead costs to pay so that business can continue on and we keep making money.  Wages for the employees as well, of course.  Additional spending as need be to acquire assets and investments.  Taxes... but that's all part of the assumed gain and loss." Filthy Rich mulled on the different facets of business.  "After subtracting all those costs, we're left with the profit; money gained that doesn't automatically go toward sustaining the continued flow of business.  It's the money I use to supply our lifestyle, give you your allowance, and otherwise make sure we're comfortable.  Also from that comes the altruistic distribution.  Donations to Town Hall, your school, the hospital, charity funds outside of Ponyville, and the like.  And, though it should go without saying, tucking a safe amount of Bits away for a rainy day."

He let all that sink in for a moment or two before looking down to his daughter.  "Why do you ask?"
This message was last edited by the player at 00:24, Thu 17 May 2012.

Diamond Tiara listened intently, but seemed to be most intently paying attention after the words 'altruistic distribution'.  Her eyes widened for just a moment, before narrowing.  She knew business was an up and down thing, but he never had actually mentioned that some of the down was giving to charities and other ponies.  Maybe he had mentioned it once before or maybe he had even showed her, but it never really seemed all that significant until now.  Until now, she never really worried about those things.  His question fell by the wayside as she descended into her thoughts.  Why did anypony with good things have to give them up for other ponies?  Why was that a good thing instead of just suffering for others?

That left her with a burning question.

"So...why donate money to other ponies?" It seemed like she was asking him about something far more grave and a little more foul than charity.  Her blue eyes bore nothing more than confusion.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:34, Thu 17 May 2012.

The obvious consternation on his daughter's face brought a fair amount of deserved concern from Filthy.  He didn't like the idea of his little girl struggling on her own and wanted to offer her any aid he could to ease her mind, but he still wasn't sure what exactly was bothering her.  He wished he'd known what sort of 'chatter' Merriweather had been referring to.  Had she and Princess Luna been talking politics in front of the kids?  Princess Celestia had recently raised taxes on Canterlot importing fees and diverted the money toward a public reform effort in Stalliongrad... perhaps that had been a topic of discourse?  Such a thing would be far over the head of a mere filly.

"Hm... well, I suppose it boils down to a long and short answer.  The long answer is that it's important for ponies to support each other for our own continued stability.  Helping one another strengthens our friendships and allows our communities to grow, becoming bigger, stronger, and more stable.  The Apples, for instance, supply the town with food.  True that they make a profit off their crops, but they don't farm solely for the sake of money -- they do it to ensure the town's well-being.  Wealthy ponies like us can do the same, but by using our wits and finances to contribute." he explained at length.  "Because I give money to your school, Miss Cheerilee can buy new books and keep the building maintained, which lets all you kids get a good, solid education for the future.  Because I, and other ponies like me, donate to the hospitals and research centers, sick ponies are able to get the care they need but may not be able to afford on their own, and doctors can find new ways to help everyone live better lives."

Filthy paused in his stride and turned to properly face his daughter, catching her eyes with his own.  He smiled fondly and reached down to brush her bangs away from her face a little.  "The short answer is: because it's the right thing to do."
This message was last edited by the player at 02:17, Thu 17 May 2012.

Diamond Tiara wanted to smile back at her father. In truth, though, this just confused her.  Her father was saying the same thing.  However, he said it differently.  The workings of economies and motions of money, of course, were a bit beyond her.  She couldn't imagine another pony having not enough money to afford food or nice things as being a problem that she should care about.  It was their way of being different.  It was something inferior about them.

It was clearly a lot for her to process, even if she wanted to believe it from him.  To be fair, at the start of the day (and many days before it), she would have been more focused on Blank Flanks or the latest fashion accessories than any issues like this.

Right and wrong usually weren't thoughts she had, as childishly as she had behaved up until now.  After all, until now, it had been 'right' for her to bully other ponies.  Now, she wasn't so sure about that.  Her whole world view was based on a bunch of things that she wasn't so sure about.  The dread of the thought of having to face having no friends came back in a more insidious form.  What if they ever ran out of money to give to other ponies?  Would they be wrong, then?

She tried to smile for him, "O-okay."

There were few ponies around more amiable than Filthy Rich.  Despite his wealth and success he remained humble, standing in a rather harsh contrast to his daughter.  But her brashness was because of youth.  She didn't have the same experiences or any time to have learned them in the first place, and while he tried to impress certain values on her growing mind, such concepts were often too much to encompass for a child.  Her peers saw her as an antagonist, but the adults just saw her for what she really was -- a girl who was in the midst of figuring out the world she lived in and her place in it.  Filthy had always been there for his daughter and he wasn't about to let her stumble about blindly if he could help it.

"Now that said, how about you tell your old man what brought all this on?  You normally don't show much interest in these sort of things." he prompted as he turned to begin down the road again, intent on walking and talking since it was getting colder out.  He didn't want Diamond Tiara to catch anything in the chill.

Diamond Tiara sighed sadly before running over the whole night (and parts of the day, too).  It was probably more favorably referencing Meadow Lark than he would have expected (especially when she spoke of how bad it felt to have her tiara taken from her), but she still mentioned the fight, all the points he made, and how she felt some of them were right.  The revelations of the night and this day were heavy on the young filly.  They hadn't had time or the whim to come one at a time.  Tears began to run down her face as she began to speak of the next point more worriedly than the last.  It was a lot to have to think about all at once, especially so introspectively.  Fillies her age probably didn't have to really worry about who they were and who they were becoming, but now everything was thrown before her.

The good news was that the filly wasn't lost.

The bad news was that she felt lost...
This message was last edited by the player at 05:15, Thu 17 May 2012.

The lengthy, if emotional, explanation that Diamond Tiara rattled off with cleared up a lot of her father's questions.  He'd hoped that the kids would learn something from each other by spending time together and it seemed the plan had worked, though he hadn't expected the new concepts forced into Diamond Tiara's world view to be quite so hard on her.  By the time they'd reached the broad steps of their manor home the poor filly was in tears -- rather than head inside, Filthy Rich just sat himself down on the steps.  Without a word he gathered his little girl into a warm embrace, letting her stain his lapels with tears until she'd managed to calm herself down.

"My little diamond... it's really been quite the night for you, hasn't it?" the stallion murmured comfortingly.  He withdrew a silk kerchief from his pocket and held it up for his weepy daughter to use.  "I understand that these sort of things can be confusing.  But you're a smart girl.  I know you'll make sense of all this in time.  You shouldn't let it weigh on you all at once though.  Take it piece by piece."

He mused for a moment on what she'd explained and continued.  "I don't think you need to worry about what Meadow Lark said before about not having any friends.  You've always got me, of course.  And Silver Spoon: she got her Cutie Mark before you did, but she didn't turn her back on you." he stroked her neck and back soothingly as he worked to reassure her.  "And from the sounds of it, you may have even found a new friend in Meadow Lark himself.  I'm proud that you were big enough to do something nice for him.  Think about that though.  Earlier today you two were at each others' throats.  But things sure changed in just a few hours, didn't they?  And all it took was a little kindness and generosity."

Diamond Tiara was glad to wipe herself clean of tears once her sobs began to slow.  It was still a lot to fall on her all at once, but it felt all the lighter with the way her father spoke.  She felt like she might be able to deal with this kind of stuff...though not tonight.  To be truthful, she wasn't sure she'd be able to be nice, kind, or generous to just any pony.  It had really only worked for a scheme against an unsuspecting pegasus colt, but all those other ponies out there wouldn't be so kind.  They wouldn't be forced to listen to her.

"They really did change, but...it was only because we had to be nice to each other..." The filly gasped softly, "That won't really work with anypony else, right?"

Filthy Rich canted his head aside and shrugged.  "Well... there will be times in life when you have to smile and be nice to somepony you may not like.  It's part of being an adult, I'm afraid.  But that's not the case here." the stallion gave his daughter a warm nuzzle to try and calm her further.  The poor thing had really gotten herself worked up.  "Merriweather and I asked that you two spend time together to get to know one another, not that you had to be friends.  But you talked with one another, got each other gifts, of your own volition.  When Meadow Lark said he'd see you tomorrow, that didn't sound forced to me.  If anything, I think the boy is a bit too simple to be dishonest.  I think you made a good impression on him."

He didn't mean to be rude over a foal, but his tone was just playful enough to try and get a smile out of his saddened filly.  "Think of Merriweather too.  She didn't have to let you kids join the Princess tonight on stage, or serve you dinner for free.  But she did and without batting an eye, didn't she?" Filthy continued.  "She's the sort of mare that knows the value of kindness.  Even if you two got off to a rough start, she was looking out for you all evening anyway."

"Okay." Diamond Tiara nodded at long last, trying to be at ease, "I think I need to think..."

She wanted to be happy and enjoy her life.  Even with all of this stuff about to fall on her, things still seemed like they could be dealt with.  It'd just take a while to put everything together.  However, she did understand everything.

Nuzzling him lightly, she pulled away and smiled happily, "If you didn't make me go to the Festival with Meadow Lark, I never would have gotten to see the Princess and have all that good food.  So, thanks...for everything, daddy."

A soft and dainty yawn escaped her lips.

It wasn't the best night ever, but it would do...

"Well, I can't exactly take credit or anything.  It's not like you getting to hang out with the Princess was planned.  But I'm glad you had a good time.  And just always remember that I only want what's best for you."  Filthy Rich said as he kissed Diamond Tiara softly on the forehead.  With a soft grunt he raised up off the stairs and fished his key out from his saddle bag.  "Come on then, all princesses who aren't in charge of the Moon should have been in bed by now.  Let's get you settled in."

Diamond Tiara nodded and giggled softly.  With all of the butterflies in her stomach from what she had experienced, she was sure that she would not be sleeping in any time soon.

However, fatigue could claim any foal in the Princess's beautiful night...