Birthday parties for the young often went about as you'd expect. Lots of excitement, loud music that you can barely hear yourself think over, a great deal of laughter either genuine or nervous from those invited, and a whole bunch of confectionaries so high in sugar content that it would make your teeth hurt just to look at it. But, Diamond Tiara's party did have grandeur at the very least, with her Father having rented out a local place that was usually kept for high-end functions for adults, and was now redecorated to suit his daughter's tastes. The party was in full swing right now, and despite Diamond's reputation for gruffness, there were many who seemed to be happy to be here. Among them was none other than Apple Bloom and Scootaloo, both of whom were dressed just as fancy as they were during the Fall Formal some time ago. It took a while, but eventually, both girls came across their host.

"Nice to see you made it," Diamond declared.

Scootaloo chuckled.

"Thanks for inviting us, Diamond."

The other girl couldn't help but smirk a little.

"Yeah, well, that's what friends are for, right?"

The conversation pretty much ended right there, as Diamond, naturally, had other guests that she needed to go and greet. Now alone together, Apple Bloom and Scootaloo both giggled to one another. It was a strange thing, being invited here like this, as there was once a time when they and Diamond would have tried to openly avoid each other. But, these days, that past enmity was gone, and instead there was friendship, albeit a somewhat hesitant and occasionally stumbling one. But, there was time to dwell on such thoughts later, because they had a party to enjoy. And enjoy it they did. The music was nice to listen to for now and, as the two girls reached the table where the drinks were being served, they each got themselves a small glass of soda. After downing them, they let out simultaneous sighs of contentment.

"Not bad. Not bad at all," Apple Bloom commented.

Scootaloo nodded in agreement, but then looked down to her empty cup, seeming just a little down.

"I wish Sweetie could have been here."

Apple Bloom nodded.

"Yeah. Me too. But hey, she can't help when she has a family reunion ta go to."

Scootaloo shrugged her shoulders.

"I guess."

She perked up.

"Let's remember to bring her some cake afterwards, okay?"

Apple Bloom smiled to that, and together, the two clinked their empty cups against one another. With that matter settled, they turned, looking out to several of their fellow party-goers. They recognised many as they passed through the doors and joined the fray. There was Silver Spoon of course, which was unsurprising. There was Twist, Snips, Snails, a slew of their other classmates. And then, their eyes turned to the ones who had come here with them; Tender Taps and Rumble. Apple Bloom regarded her date with particular amusement.

"Ah'll always get a giggle outta seein' Tender wearin' a tie like that. That boy jus' ain't built fer suits."

Scootaloo chuckled.

"Yeah, although..."

She grimaced slightly as she looked to her own date.

"...better yours than mine."

Naturally, Apple Bloom turned to look at her, raising an eyebrow in clear confusion.

"Somethin' wrong with Rumble?"

Scootaloo, who now elected to lean against the drinks table, let out an exasperated sigh before looking to her friend.

"Well...I was hoping to wait until you and Sweetie were both around so I could tell you both, but..."

She paused, but only for a moment.

"...Rumble and me...we've decided...to call it off."

Though Apple Bloom was, at first, unsure of what her friend meant by that, understanding soon came to her, and her eyes widened with shock.

"Y'all...y'all have broke up?!"

Scootaloo said nothing, merely nodding in confirmation. As one would expect, Apple Bloom was utterly taken aback by that, looking from Scootaloo, to the far-away Rumble, and then back again. Then, after a long and incredibly uncomfortable silence, she spoke.

"But...but...why?"

The other girl thought long and hard on that question before finally deciding on an answer.

“Well...it was great at first, him and me, but...after a while it just stopped being as much fun as it used to be.”

She looked her friend right in the eye.

“I talked to him about it and, well...he feels the same way. So, we decided to call it off.”

Apple Bloom, for a time, didn’t really know how to respond to that, but after about a minute or two of just fumbling with her empty cup, she finally broke the silence between them.

“So...are ya okay, Scoots?”

Scootaloo chuckled.

“Yeah, I’m fine. It’s kind of a relief, you know? I mean, who wants to be stuck being part of an unhappy couple?”

Hearing that, Apple Bloom nodded.

“Yeah, ah guess ah can understand that.”

Then, Scootaloo looked around, making sure nobody was close enough to listen in on them, before leaning over and whispering to her friend.

“Plus, I don’t know if you noticed, but Rumble was getting kinda grumpy the last few months. Pretty hard to have fun around a boy like that.”

Apple Bloom raised a hand to her mouth, stifling the giggle that threatened to escape her. As for Scootaloo, she looked to Apple Bloom with a slight smirk.

“So...how about your boyfriend?”

Looking over to her fellow Crusader, Apple Bloom considered that.

“Well...ah’m havin’ fun with him. Ah mean, sure, it can get a little tirin’ with his nerves an’ all that, but he’s really nice. We’ve had a good time so far.”

Scootaloo nodded.

“Glad to hear it.”

Apple Bloom suddenly gained a more concerned look.

“Are...are ya okay with that?”

Scootaloo raised an eyebrow.

“What, because my relationship didn’t work out?”

Though Apple Bloom didn’t really give an outright answer to that, Scootaloo could tell that this was indeed the reason she’d asked. The other girl, thinking on that for a few moments, let out yet another sigh.

“Well...if we’re being honest, I suppose some part of me is a little jealous. I mean, you have a boyfriend you're still having fun with. It didn’t work out for me, even though I wanted it to, but...”

Then, slowly, she stated to develop a warm smile.

“...but nah. I’m actually fine with it. I hope you two keep having fun together!”

Apple Bloom smiled widely, moving forward and embracing her friend in an unexpected hug. Scootaloo, though a little taken aback by this, soon returned the embrace, and the two giggled together in this moment. However, when they parted, Scootaloo started to develop a look of curiosity.

“So...how do you think Sweetie will react when I tell her about me and Rumble?”

Apple Bloom shrugged her shoulders.

“Dunno...”

Then a smirk came to her.

“...but ah do know that yer brother will be pretty happy.”

Thinking on that, Scootaloo slapped her forehead, grunting in frustration.

“Ugh! Don’t remind me! I can just imagine the look on his face when he finds his baby sister doesn't have her unworthy boyfriend anymore!”

Apple Bloom giggled again.

“Hey, that’s what big brothers do. Y’all should see the stern look Big Mac gives Tender when he comes over. That boy shakes worse than a rattlesnake when that happens.”

To that, Scootaloo gave a similar laugh.

“Hehe...now that I'd like to see.”

Mischievousness came to Apple Bloom at that.

“Ya know...ah did take a photo on mah phone when it happened, if ya wanna see?”

Briefly, Scootaloo placed a finger to her chin, considering that offer, before breaking out into yet another smirk.

“Yeah...I think I'd like that.”