“…and that’s how it all happened, from start to finish. It all sounds a bit far-fetched when I say it out loud like that, I must admit,” Rarity set her chopsticks down at the top of her plate before turning and smiling at the pony who sat next to her, “but it couldn’t have worked out more perfectly for the two of us.”
Octavia nodded, her eyes sparkling in the low light of the White Lily as her own chopsticks stirred her noodles idly. “I could not agree more,” she said softly before turning her gaze to the pony who sat across the table from the couple. “After that night, Rarity made the decision to spend an extra week or two here in Canterlot so that we could see more of one another. She told me that to leave when she was supposed to would not feel right and I told her that I agreed. We–” the earth pony’s cheeks flushed demurely as she stole a glance at the unicorn next to her once more and Rarity felt her own cheeks grow warm at the adoration in the other mare’s eyes, “–we needed more time together before we had time apart.” Octavia finished finally, her soft words carrying easily in the quiet of the empty restaurant as she reached up with her free hoof and touched the amethyst that hung at her throat.
Rarity’s smile grew as she turned back to Silver Blossom, the third pony at their table. “We wanted to figure a few things out before we parted ways, the most important of which being how we were going to go about this long-distance relationship and then how long we may have to do it.” The unicorn gave her mane a gentle toss and, not for the first time, she was happy that the restaurant was deserted. It can be a bit awkward to spill ones innermost feelings with strangers listening. “Since we confessed our feelings a week ago, Octavia and I have spent almost every waking moment together. She took time away from the quartet to be with me and, since my business here in Canterlot is complete, I didn’t have anything to do but be with her.”
“We have spoken on many things,” said Octavia, taking up the lead once more. “How often we should see one another, how long each of our visits should be.” She gave Rarity another smile. “Rarity has been very insistent that we take things slowly because we still need to be our own mares, as she so rightly put it, and I learned enough from Vinyl to know better than to move in with a pony too quickly.”
“Quite right,” said Rarity. “And besides, you have the Grand Galloping Gala to rehearse for now! That must not be sacrificed for time with me,” she reached out with a hoof and touched Octavia’s softly and, at her touch, Octavia brought her gaze back to Rarity’s, “because I am going to be here for you no matter what.” Rarity finished breathlessly, her heart pounding in her chest at the love that she could feel coming from the other mare. No matter what we realized about making a pony into an idealized version of who they are, she is perfect and there is nothing that can make me believe otherwise.
Silence settled comfortably between the pair as they proceeded to gaze lovingly at one another, but before Rarity could get hopelessly lost in Octavia’s eyes once more, the pony sitting across from them spoke.
“Well it certainly took the two of you long enough,” said Silver Blossom as she lifted another bite of rice with her own chopsticks, her eyes bright as they darted from Octavia to Rarity and back again. “I was beginning to wonder if Octavia-chan would ever gather the courage to confess her feelings to you.” The silver mare popped the rice into her mouth nonchalantly as her words sank in, and in a heartbeat, Octavia tore her eyes away from Rarity to level a flustered glare at her cousin, her cheeks coloring even brighter than before.
“S-Silver Blossom, urusai yo!” she hissed, her ears folding back towards her mane. Silver Blossom arched an eyebrow at Octavia as she chewed, and in return, Octavia’s eyes narrowed as her muzzle scrunched indignantly. Rarity felt her lips quirk into a smile and she had to bring a hoof to her mouth to stifle the giggle that was trying its best to wiggle its way out of her throat. I may not know much Neighponese yet, but you don’t have to be an expert to know ‘shut up’ when it’s said, she thought.
Blossom swallowed her bite and rolled her eyes at her cousin. “Gomen, Octavia-chan… but it’s true.” She sighed softly and gave Octavia a small, repentant smile before turning her deep brown eyes to Rarity. “Rarity, you are getting to know Octavia-chan very well, yes?”
The unicorn grinned behind her hoof and the giggle that had threatened her earlier slipped through her lips. “I’d like to think so, yes,” she said, her smile growing.
“And you wish to continue getting to know her, yes?”
Rarity’s eyes went to Octavia once more and, without hesitation, she reached her hoof out and looped it around Octavia’s. “Until there is nothing more to know,” she said softly.
Blossom nodded sagely, her chopsticks still held firmly with her forelegs despite the fact that she had eaten the last morsel of food from her plate. “Then as a pony who cares for Octavia-chan very much, I will do something for you: I will tell you her deepest, darkest secret.” Octavia’s eyes widened, and, as one, she and Rarity turned their gaze to Blossom. Before either of them could say anything, however, the dark haired earth pony nodded and spoke again. “Her deepest secret is… that she always puts other ponies above herself. Her dreams, her goals, her happiness – they have always come second to somepony else’s dreams, goals, and happiness.” Blossom’s eyes softened as she offered her cousin a gentle smile. “She is my sister, no matter our birth parents, and it brings me great joy to see her happy.”
“Silver Blossom…” Octavia whispered, and Rarity glanced at her just in time to see a tear start its way down her cheek.
“However,” Silver Blossom’s voice suddenly became very calm and, when Rarity turned back to her, the other mare’s expression was cool and emotionless. “This also means that Octavia can and will sacrifice her happiness to make you happy, Rarity.” The earth pony finally lowered her chopsticks to the table and, as Rarity watched, she pressed them firmly against the table top with their tips pointing directly at the unicorn. “You must promise me that you will do whatever it takes to ensure that this does not happen.” Blossom arched an eyebrow at Rarity. “Do you promise?”
Next to her, Rarity heard Octavia let out a sort of strangled half-gasp that bespoke surprise and shock. Rarity blinked in confusion, but finally she nodded and gave Blossom a strong smile.
“Of course I do,” she answered confidently. “I would never allow the mare that I love to sacrifice for me while I do nothing to help her.” She squeezed Octavia’s hoof with her foreleg. “If we are in this we are in this together, and if there’s one thing my friends in Ponyville have taught me, it’s that if one part of a team suffers, the whole team suffers.” Her smile became a grin. “Is that enough of a promise for you, Silver Blossom?”
The earth pony’s eyes searched her own for several long seconds and, just when Rarity was beginning to feel a creeping sense of discomfort in her chest, Silver Blossom’s lips curved into a soft, satisfied smile.
“More than enough,” she said quietly. Her hoof suddenly moved her chopsticks to the top of her plate and Rarity felt more than saw Octavia relax next to her. “But that brings up another important subject,” Silver Blossom continued, withdrawing her hoof to her lap. “When will you be meeting each other’s friends and families? Certainly before a marriage proposal, I would hope.” She leveled a pointed gaze at Octavia and, in spite of the look not being directed at her, Rarity blushed right along with the other mare.
“M-marriage!” breathed Rarity with a giggle. “S-Silver Blossom, give us a little bit of time! I… I love Octavia, to be certain, but marriage–”
“–is something that we both must be ready for,” Octavia finished for her. Rarity nodded briskly, but when her eyes met Octavia’s, she saw glowing eagerness and desire that mirrored her own and, somewhere deep inside her, Rarity felt that perhaps things may not move quite as slowly as she thought they might. “But you are right about one thing, Blossom,” Octavia continued after a moment. “We will most certainly have to meet with our families before anything permanently and legally binding happens.” Her hoof squeezed Rarity’s firmly and the unicorn felt another thrill race up her back.
“So, you will be traveling back to Neighpon to visit your home, then?” Blossom asked quietly, her eyes full of concern. “To have Rarity meet your father, Lilac Shimmer, Maple and… her?”
“Of course,” Octavia said with a nod, “though, it will have to be after the Gala is complete. I’m certain Frederick would die if I tried to leave before that.” She turned a smile to Rarity. “But perhaps I can meet your family sooner than that? I would love to come to Ponyville and see your home.”
The unicorn grinned broadly. “And to meet my friends, of course – they’re practically my sisters now, after all!” To her delight, Octavia’s cheeks colored and she smiled happily.
“Nothing would make me happier.”
“Soon, then?” asked Rarity with a wink.
“Very soon,” replied Octavia with a giggle.