//------------------------------// // Consideration // Story: Shining Dash // by Ianpiersonjdavis //------------------------------// Once again, Twilight found herself outside Rarity’s room, only Spike had accompanied her this time around as they agreed this matter involved him, as well. “Ugh….I think I ate too much….” He groaned, clutching his stomach. It was quite rare for him to be allowed to eat so many gems at once. Fortunately, Celestia and Luna would often be gifted with valuable jewels from their wealthier subjects, which they didn’t have much use for given the healthy state of the royal treasury and the fact that some businesses would insist on giving Celestia items-much to her chagrin. Twilight speculated that perhaps Luna appreciated the attention after being ignored and then hated and feared by her subjects for so long. Still, the five-star dining was something Twilight hadn’t realized she’d missed until she came back to Canterlot. After a while, she supposed she just took it for granted-when Celestia chose her as her pupil, her parents were no longer charged for room and board. The same thing must have happened when she got to Ponyville. Twilight lightly knocked on the door and waited as the door opened to reveal Rarity in a bathrobe with a towel wrapped around her head. “Good evening, Twilight.” She looked past her. “Hello, Spike.” “Hey, Rarity…” Spike groaned, still clutching his stomach. “May I help you?” “Maybe…” Twilight lowered her voice. “Is it alright if we come in? The issue we need to ask you about is kind of private.” “Well, I just started a bath so….I wouldn’t mind if you came in, but Spike is a boy-it would be improper for him to see me naked in such an intimate setting.” “So?” Twilight pressed. “It’s not like most of wear anything aside from special occasions anyway, and it doesn’t seem to faze him…besides, I’m never that self-conscious about it-and I live with him and back when we were kids our parents would bathe me with Shining Armor.” “Yes, but you and they have a more familial relationship, to a lady like myself it feels more than a little….uncouth in such an intimate setting-especially when it comes .” Twilight merely shot her a look that said; ‘I still think you’re being weird, but whatever….’ before turning to Spike. “So, we can come in to talk with her, but you’ll have to wait in the bedroom while Rarity and I talk in the bathroom.” “Okay…it would probably best if I lie down…” Spike groaned as his stomach gurgled a bit. “Is he going to be alright?” Rarity asked anxiously. “Will he need a bucket? I may not be staying here permanently, but it would be a dreadful shame if the carpet was ruined because he became ill…” “I don’t think so, but it probably wouldn’t hurt to be on the safe side.” Twilight agreed as Spike followed them into the room. Twilight’s ear twitched at the sound of the faucet running-that was probably the water for Rarity’s bath. She felt a little guilty for taking so much time debating with her over whether or not it would be acceptable for Spike to be in the same room with them during their discussion. Fortunately, it didn’t sound like the tub was overflowing-the ones here in the castle were quite large, after all. Rarity entered the bathroom before swiftly returning with a metal bucket magically levitating in front of her before placing in on the floor next to Spike, who had climbed up on top of the bed and was curled up into a ball. “There we are-hopefully, you won’t need it, but if you do-one of the castle’s cleaning staff must have forgotten it. The bucket was actually lying on its side when I first entered the room along with a mop and filthy water spilled all over the floor, which I found odd and had to request someone to come and take care of it….so please, please, please make sure you don’t miss.” “I don’t think you’re going to have to worry about that, I think he just has indigestion-we probably spoiled him a bit, I mean we are in Canterlot-gems are far more common here that in Ponyville after all and things have been tense for everyone latetly. So, I figured why not?” Twilight replied, following Rarity into the bathroom and shutting the door behind them. “I assume that means you’ve learned your lesson then, I hope?” Rarity asked, removing her robe and sliding into the tub. “So, what was it you wished to speak with me about?” “I wanted to speak with you about Rainbow and Shining Armor.” Twilight replied, resting on her haunches. Rarity froze as she felt her heart skip a beat. “Rainbow Dash and Shining Armor, you say? What makes you think I know anything about them?” She pressed anxiously, the heat from the water and rising steam doing nothing to alleviate the increasing amount of sweat being produced by her body. “Rarity, you can relax-I ran into Rainbow after she spoke with you earlier and she told me everything.” “Say what now?” “It’s kind of complicated, but the gist of it is that I made an assumption, overheard you two talking, and now I’m not sure how to deal with one of my best friends and by B.B.B.F.F. dating.” “Come again?” “’Big Brother Best Friend Forever.” Twilight explained. “Oh, so you have more than one brother?” Rarity pressed. “What? No, it’s a name I came up with for him as a filly because he was the only one I trusted enough to be my friend. Why would you think I would have more than one brother by that?” “What made you feel the need to specify that it’s your big brother, who is your best friend forever?” “It doesn’t matter,” Twilight growled irritably. “Can you help me out or not?” “Well, I hope you are not mad at Rainbow-I’m not sure if you’ve realized this-but, your brother appears to have grown into quite a handsome stallion with a great personality to match-something I’d certainly desire in a potential suitor.” “Yeah, I know Shining’s great….and I can’t really fault Rainbow Dash for liking him-but, it just feels kind of weird…” “Well, what are you worried about, specifically?” Twilight took a deep breath. “I’m worried that if they begin dating and get serious, things might not go so well and the relationship could end badly-I’m worried about how that will affect my relationship with Shining Armor and my friendship with Rainbow Dash. I mean, I didn’t even know he was dating Cadance, never mind the fact that they broke up until long after the fact.” “Cadance broke up with him and they both seem to be handling it quite maturely-they still seem friendly towards each other, based on what I’ve seen.” Rarity pointed out. “Yeah, but this is Rainbow Dash we’re talking about.” “Hmm, true….she does have a history of acting rashly….” Rarity conceded. “But, isn’t that even more reason to be there and support them? At the very least, I think you should speak with them in private and let them be aware of your fears.” “Well, I don’t think they’ve even actually started flirting yet….” Twilight muttered. “Just give them some time, I doubt Shining and Cadance’s relationship bloomed overnight, either.” “Good point.” Twilight agreed. “But, what should I do in the meantime?” “Well, I would start looking at the positives that could come out of their relationship. Of course, it probably wouldn’t hurt if you spoke to Shining Armor himself to see if he even feels the same way about Rainbow Dash before getting too worked up about this-that way you can either comfort her if it wasn’t meant to be or try to support them if it turns out the attraction is mutual.” “I see, thank you Rarity.” Twilight stood up on all fours once more before Rarity stopped her. “Oh, and could you be a dear and bring my robe back-I hate it when I stay in the water too long and get all pruney.” Twilight levitated it back towards her as she stepped out of the tub. “Thank you.” They returned to the bedroom to see Spike sitting up with only a single claw over his stomach. “How are you feeling, Spike?” Rarity prompted. “I think I’m mostly over it….” He replied before burping as an emerald green flame shot out of his mouth. “Sorry,” he looked up at the mares apologetically with his fin-like ears drooping slightly. “It’s alright, the sheets appear to be perfectly intact….they are quite expensive and I would be quite remiss to allow something happen to them during my stay.” “I have no idea what you just said, but you don’t seem mad-so, I’m just going to assume that you’re cool with it.” Spike replied, staring at her blankly. “Yes, Spike. I am ‘cool’ with it.” Rarity replied with an exasperated sigh. “Thanks again for all of your help, Rarity…Spike and I will get going now-it’s getting pretty late and I still have a lot to think about.” “Anytime, Twilight.”