When Rarity discovered that a solid streak had begun to show its face in the mirror, she at first didn’t know what to think.
She twisted her head, examining the streak from every side. Mayor Mare’s words echoed back at her: she supposed the color went quite well with her natural mane. Through this examination, she also saw that there were lines appearing under her eyes, and she noted a stiff neck and stiff joints, stiffer than they were yesterday or yesteryear.
She lifted the clump of silver with her magic, and poised a set of scissors right up against it. She paused, considering. Then, with a short sigh, she lowered both and allowed the silver to curl gently into the rest of her mane. It was like something in her had been released. She smiled, and though the smile felt tired, it felt right and whole. It was a welcome change from what the past week had entailed.
From downstairs she heard knocking. She exited the bathroom and trotted up to the door. It was Fluttershy. “Oh,” she said, her pink mane just a little bit dimmer today—but that could have been the effect of the sun. “I was worried that you were going to miss our spa date today.”
“Miss it? Oh, never, darling,” Rarity said. “I was just preoccupied with something.”
“Really? With what—if you don’t mind me asking, that is.”
“Oh, it was nothing, really.” Rarity smiled. “It’s just that I found myself graying today.” She showed Fluttershy her mane.
Fluttershy gasped. “Oh, Rarity. It… it doesn’t bother you too much, does it?”
Rarity paused. There was no doubt that that would be a question she would be getting in the future. And, so thinking, she realized that her friends would be curious as to what had happened to her, why she had been so despondent. Twilight, no doubt, must have been confused ever since that Council of Friendship reunion. She would need to write her a letter; or visit her in person; explain what she was feeling, but moreover, explain what she meant to do about it.
But she had all the time in the world for that, didn’t she? All the time to live.
Rarity stepped outside and closed the door behind her. She smiled, graceful and poised. “Not in the slightest, Fluttershy. Not in the slightest.”