Celestia has been dating Rarity for a few months now and was under the impression everything was perfect. Except, for some reason she cannot understand, Rarity has taken to… keeping her distance.

Literally.

Read this story and others on my website, Hollow Shades!

Hunting for gems is hard work, especially in the heat of midday sun. Needing to cool off, Rarity seeks the shade, unknowing of what waits for her.

A look into Rarity's stream of consciousness as she struggles with her desire to open up to her lover, the Princess of Equestria, and her fear of what will happen if she stops working.

Set in the continuity of Tailor of the Crown, though if you haven't read it, all you need to know is that Rarity took a job to work as a tailor in Canterlot Castle.

Avoiding social entanglements at Canterlot galas can be quite a tricky business for Rarity.

Luckily, Rarity has a very beautiful alicorn princess to help with that.

amazing cover art by apricalico!

Celestia and the sun are connected, to the point where when something happens to Celestia everypony can immediately see the sun acting up as well. What few ponies know is that this connection works both ways, and those times when the sun acts up, this has... certain effects on Celestia.

Celestia wants nothing more than to keep it a secret so as few ponies as possible worry about her. But keeping a secret from her stubborn, curious and loving marefriend might prove to be more difficult than she expected.

Cover image by the wonderful Silfoe, which also inspired the story idea alongside Carapace's story She Dap.

Rarity gives Celestia a very special, very generous gift for their anniversary.

Maybe too generous.