//------------------------------// // Dancing beneath the Stars // Story: The Beauty of the Rock // by ItsMrCapey //------------------------------// The conversation between Rarity and Sweetie Belle was an awkward one.. Her little sister had found out about Rarity’s possible newfound love for Maud. Rarity was sure she wouldn’t sleep tonight. What she didn’t know was that.. Maud couldn’t sleep either. She tossed and turned. She couldn’t fall into the embrace of sleep no matter what she did. What she had seen in The Crystal Empire stuck with her throughout her entire ride home. Little did she know that Rarity was in the same boat. The white unicorn couldn’t sleep. Her eyes were on the ceiling. Thinking.. Thinking about her.. Her violet mane.. her gray fur.. her turquoise eyes.. everything about made Rarity’s heart melt. Maud had a grasp on her mind.. her heart was racing. Her confusing newfound feelings for the geologist made her heart race.. she was pretty sure that Rainbow Dash would envy the speed. Her dress may not be as… fashionable as Rarity produced but.. she wouldn’t change a thing about her. This must be how Lyra felt about BonBon.. Maud sat up and stared at the shining moon in the sky. All of those stars reminded her of Rarity’s glistening blues and how they glistened. They were beautiful.. Maud knew beauty and Rarity was that. As if by coincidence; the two mares fell asleep in their own confines. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Pinkie Pie hopped over the path, excitedly talking about Maud meeting her five best friends as the gray earth pony following behind. When Pinkie Pie hopped out of Maud’s field of vision, she heard the shrill excitement of her ecstatic sister. When she walked over the hill, Maud saw her sister with five other ponies. A cyan pegasus with a rainbow mane, a lavender alicorn, an orange earth pony with a brown hat, a timid looking yellow pegasus and a.. a white unicorn with a curly purple mane and tail. The minute she stepped in front of the six mares, Maud could hardly pull herself away from Rarity’s eyes. They were glistening unlike any sapphire Maud had seen before. The six ponies fell away into a blackish goop that landed on her hooves. Maud’s inner thoughts were in both confusion and turmoil. What was going on here?! The goop finally took shape into a dark blue alicorn. Princess Luna.. she stood in front of the gray earth pony, her head held high. “We’ve heard thy call, Maud..” Luna looked down at the monotone mare, their eyes focused on one another. “Thy do not have to fear.. thee emotions are at high levels despite the large wall of deadpan that they hide behind.” Maud tilted her head. Why would the princess of the night come to see her of all ponies? Had the inner turmoil signaled her? How was that possible? She would never understand alicorn magic.. “My… emotions..?” Maud questioned as she stared up at the dark blue princess. “With all the respect, your highness; I don’t show my emotions as most ponies do..” Luna chuckled lightly. “You are funny as Pinkie Pie says.. you may not show your true emotions but inner emotions are easy to see. I here to offer advice.” “Advice..?” Maud questioned. “What advice do you think I need?” Luna sat down in front of Maud with a gentle smile. A motherly aura radiated from the princess. “I have heard your confusion.. about what you have seen during your trip..” How did Princess Luna know? This was both very confusing and interesting. “The Crystal Heart has powers to see into a pony’s future or rather destiny. You saw a.. wedding, yes?” Maud gave a nod, her ear every now and again twitching from intrigue. “And your future spouse had a white coat?” Maud gave another nod, confirming everything Luna needed to know. “My confusion is.. who? Who is that pony..?” Princess Luna wanted to tell Maud deep down but she knew Maud had to figure it out for herself. “All I can say is; they are a very special pony.” Maud thought for a minute.. would her figure significant other be.. Rarity? How? Despite the numerous trips, visits and the occasional admiring; Maud was still slightly doubtful. She knew Rarity was special! She was one of the elements of harmony for Celestia’s sake! Before Maud could speak; Princess Luna lifted a hoof, temporarily silencing her. “Whatever your future holds, you will be happiest you have ever been.” That statement alone had Maud smiling softly. She was destined to have a happy marriage! Whoever her future spouse was, Maud couldn’t wait to feel the happiness of holy matrimony. “Your wedding will be most beautiful occasion of your life.. your future will be filled with love and happiness, Maud Pie.” Maud could feel her worries melting away at the soothing words.. Princess Luna knew her time with Maud was over. “I hope you rest well tonight.. goodnight.” Maud waved to Princess Luna as she faded away. “Goodnight, your highness..” The words, assurance and grace had Maud smile as she slept. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Rarity has finally fell asleep with many thoughts rushing through her mind. The white unicorn found that she was in the prestigious Canterlot hall where the Grand Galloping Gala was always taken. Rarity found herself wearing a dark blue dress with a lighter shade of blue trail.. the dress was held together by a white feathered trim underneath a necklace with a diamonds studded letter ‘R’ as the pendant. A star studded hair pin in her curled mane. She looked amazing as she looked into the window, seeing her reflection. However, she was broken out of her self admiring gaze by a gray hoof tapping her on the shoulder. Her jaw dropped when she saw Maud standing next to her in a shiny plain black sleeveless dress and a choker that had a silver heart attached to the thick string that held it all together. “You look beautiful.” Maud’s words made Rarity melt. The gray pony’s sweet words didn’t stop there. She extended her gray hoof, holding it out as if she wished Rarity to hold it. “Would you like to dance with me?” Rarity could feel her lips turn into a soft smile as she stared in Maud’s turquoise orbs, she lifted her white hoof onto Maud’s. “I’d love that..” When Rarity gave her answer, she found herself in Maud’s arms like she was at the ice rink. Her sapphire blue orbs staring up into Maud’s as they slowly danced together.. “I can’t take my eyes off of you.” Maud smiles softly; a faint blush appeared onto her gray cheeks.. Rarity’s heart was racing, she even laid her head onto Maud’s chest, listening to her head beat. She was careful not to accidentally impale Maud with her horn. The two mares could hardly look away from one another, fuelling their desire to kiss each other.. Rarity thought ahead and placed a white hoof onto Maud’s cheek, staring into her eyes with a smile. “You’re perfect, darling..” As if by instinct, Maud slowly leaned closer towards Rarity’s awaiting lips, her turquoise eyes slowly closing.. her eyes shielded by violet eyeshadow.. Rarity took her own step and gently leaned towards Maud’s own lips.. her sapphire orbs closed.. ready to seal the gap between them.. Before that slight gap could close.. the two heard a very familiar scream! The two mares looked away from one another towards the source of the agonising scream. Rarity’s heart cracked slightly when she saw him.. Spike. He stood there.. watching the duo almost lock lips. Tears streaming down his scaled cheeks.. it was unlike Rarity had ever seen on the little drake’s face.. “Sp-Spike.. I.. don’t.. before..” Rarity stuttered but was interrupted by the young drake running out of the hall. His heart was completely shattered by the mare of his dreams. Her rejection hurt enough but finding her with another mare hurt greatly.. Spike sat outside, hearing Rarity cry into Maud’s chest.. his jealousy was fuelling.. he dislik- no.. he HATED that gray mare. He stared at the crying object of his affections cry into the arms of another. It was like Maud mocked him without even doing anything! How dare she.. All Spike knew was.. Maud was his love rival. The young drake woke up in his basket, the plushie of Rarity on the cold floor.. Twilight’s snores echoed throughout the hallway.. “What does the most beautiful mare in Equestria see in a pony like… HER?!” Spike gritted his teeth in anger. It wasn’t fair on him. Rarity must’ve been brainwashed by that monotone mare! It made sense! “Don’t worry, Rarity! Your knight in shining scales is coming to save you from the sake clutches of.. Maud Pie!”