Envy: it was hardly the most generous emotion. Rarity seethed with it whenever she looked at Fluttershy. Her good friend never had to try to be graceful, it just was so natural for her. Even her sneezes were dainty, for goodness’ sake! She would never admit it of course, but she envied her friend for that natural grace. Rarity had sought beauty and poise her whole life. Now that she thought about it, she supposed it was her way of rebelling against her parents. Yet every move her pegasus friend made was beautiful without conscious effort. Rarity huffed in agitation.
She had arrived at the spa early, of course; a lady never kept her company waiting. Fashionably late is for parties dear, not social arrangements with friends. Rarity smiled warmly at her friend as she approached the spa's entrance. "Darling, I am so very glad you could make it! When you said Angel had a cold earlier this week I was afraid the poor dear might be too ill for you to break away."
Fluttershy smiled back, and it was as if the sun shone only on her for a moment. She froze, staring at the beautiful sight. "Oh, he's fine now." Sweet Celestia, that smile is not fair.
"Splendid! No sense in waiting any longer, let's go in." Rarity glanced around the foyer as they entered. Interesting, they've been redecorating a bit. New bench in the waiting area, new carpet. Oh, I do like that carpet, the colors remind me of Twilight's mane. She nodded to Aloe and Lotus. "The usual please, darlings." They quickly adorned their two clients in their respective monogrammed robes and led them inside.
The trip began with a nice sit in the steam room. She luxuriated in the heat, reveling in the feeling of stress leaving her as she always did. She gazed at her friend, who smiled shyly back. Neither felt the need to speak at that moment. So Rarity let her mind wander a bit and soon enough she found herself thinking back. Given the vision of glory she had experienced when Fluttershy came in, it was only natural that she thought back to when she first realized how her feelings were developing. Ah, the fashion show! She was so beautiful that day...
"Guess it's time to see what all the fuss is about." The agitation in her voice was clear as Rarity moved her way into the crowd. She had been going out of her way not to watch other ponies fawning over Fluttershy as they had begun to do. Lately, she had been growing more and more angry with her ‘dear’ friend; after all, she managed to miss their spa appointment! For a photo shoot! Rarity had never let herself become so busy. Oh come now, really? You know she would have understood if you had missed one, surely you can afford her the same courtesy. Try not to be so blatantly jealous.
The audience grew quiet as the musical introduction began, but Rarity didn’t pay much attention yet; it always started a bit early. Instead, she looked around at the stage itself. Oh my, this is marvelous isn't it? I'll give Photo Finish credit. She may not know true fashion when she sees it, but she does know how to run a fashion show, or at the least how to hire the right ponies. I just wish she'd seen fit to use my designs, how can she not see how wonderful everypony would look in them?
She chided herself mentally, shaking herself out of the jealous funk. Now now, be fair, dear. She did see something in Fluttershy. Let's be brutally honest, there is a lot to admire about the mare. Still, why does it have to be her? Why not me? I work hard, I deserve this kind of attention! The lights focused on the stage. Jealous or not, her heart fairly leaped at how wonderful her friend looked on stage. Oh, it's starting! The lights, the cameras! Oh my, she looks... Why, she looks utterly gorgeous!
She smiled just a bit, Fluttershy looked so incredibly cute as she hesitantly walked down the runway. However, her smile quickly turned to a frown. Wait, something is horribly wrong! Is she having some kind of episode? Why is she moving like that? Murmurs of confusion were coming from the audience, as they all seemed to be thinking the same thing. Why is she on her head? Now she's sliding forward on her face by flapping her wings? Oh.Sweet Celestia. Did she just bray like a mule? She could not quite stop a small chuckle as she watched her normally graceful friend, of all ponies, picking her nose! Oh, this is priceless!
The murmurs were turning to outraged cries, the crowd was clamoring and complaining. About her. About Fluttershy. Poor, defenseless Fluttershy. "Oh no..." The crowd is turning on her, she looks so scared and alone up there! She began clopping her hooves on the floor in furious applause. "Bravo! I say, bravo!" Everypony stared at her like she was mad, but she cheered and cheered. Nopony is going to make my Fluttershy feel this way!
"Bravo! Bravo!" The crowd joined her, after a time and she smiled grimly. Crisis averted! But if that was the case, why did her friend look so sad?
"How are the new designs for the spring line coming, Rarity?" Fluttershy asked in her quiet, sweet way.
Rarity shook herself out of the vision. She had apparently drifted off a bit, enough to be noticed, so she laughed (a bit of a manic laugh, if she was frank with herself) to cover. "Oh, you know, well enough I suppose. I just need that little bit of inspiration to hit."
They were finished with the steam room now and were being led to receive mud masks and the “specials”; a horn filing for her and a nice preening for Fluttershy. To think, they resisted the idea of learning how to handle preening! Their clientele went up by twenty percent the day they added it to their list of services offered. The two sat in relative silence, only the occasional note of appreciation emitting from the others lips. Fluttershy always seemed so embarrassed to have her wings done, but in the privacy of the baths she had admitted it was nice to have them done by somepony else.
She wasn't certain what to do when she realized that her feelings were more than just envy. Maybe it was the way Fluttershy constantly hid behind her hair, as if it were a shield she could duck behind. Perhaps it was the hesitant way she always spoke. It might have even been the way Fluttershy could be devastatingly observant, yet simultaneously so very unwilling to express what she saw. Whatever it was, Rarity found that jealousy was not quite the emotion she was feeling about this mare. She didn’t feel jealous, nor was it quite envy. No, she wanted more than anything to possess her. Or to be possessed. The difference was a thin one, in her mind.
Next was a nice massage. Oh, yes! Right there! Now more to the left... YES! Oh Celestia! Thank the sun, the moon and the stars! That knot was driving me mad! Admiration was hardly a new emotion to her. She felt it whenever she looked at any of her friends in their own personal niche, or witnessed a piece of glorious inspiration, or saw a fine uncut gem. Aloe, you are a goddess! Now, more on the right... Her feelings for Fluttershy, however, went beyond admiration. She wanted to possess her, mold her, shape her. If she could shine so brightly in her natural state, what brilliance would result with polish? She recognized this was selfish of her as well. Fluttershy did not need shaping, certainly not her shaping. She was a wonderful and amazing pony just the way she was.
Rarity took off the robe for the moment. They were being led to the mud bath. It wouldn't do to get it anywhere near that. Think of the stains! They both shared a warm smile, getting ready for the immersion in the healing herbal mud. They settled into their mud bath, Rarity in her seaweed wrap, Fluttershy au naturale.
"We will come for you when it is time for your hoofbath," Aloe said as she was leaving.
"That will be fine dear, thank you," Rarity replied gratefully. She really appreciated how Aloe and Lotus let them just be alone together for a time. The spa date they kept every week had become her favorite day. With the exception of the intrusions by the sisters who ran the spa, Fluttershy was all hers. Although the intrusions were really more of a kindness, given how often they broke Rarity out of a dazed stupor, caught staring at the pegasus mare. None of the others particularly cared to pamper themselves on a regular basis. She encouraged Fluttershy to accept any and all of the services, paying for it all out of her own purse. Anything to spend more time with her.
Even so, she knew these emotions were hardly fitting for the very spirit of Generosity. It was so very selfish to want to keep that lovely mare for herself, even for a little while. And on this particular day it seemed she had forgotten herself and had spent too long gazing at Fluttershy. Again. She was daydreaming of what could be. She sometimes did the same when looking over a new bolt of fabric, thinking of all the potential in one piece of cloth.
"Rarity, is everything all right? You have a far-away look in your eyes," Fluttershy inquired, her voice soft and quiet.
Rarity smiled apologetically, trying to think of an excuse for her rude behavior; she really had been looking at her friend longer than was socially acceptable. "Terribly sorry, dear, just remembering a joke Pinkie told the other day."
Fluttershy gave her that smile, that accursed smile. Somehow it managed to convey shyness while also seeming proud in some little way, as if to say ‘I know I’m cute and I am very sorry about that’. "Oh, I see. Do you remember how it went?"
Rarity's laughter turned slightly nervous. "Ahahaha! Um, no, I just recall being amused." She thought quickly, scrambling for a lifeline. "I believe the punchline was something about... oatmeal?" She gave a nervous grin, hoping Fluttershy would not pursue the matter.
Fluttershy went back to relaxing in the mud. "That's nice."
Rarity winced again; such personal desires were hardly generous, or even ladylike. Do stop staring, dear. How will you explain it if she notices again? She lifted a couple of cucumber slices with her magic and laid them over her eyes, if only to prevent further faux pas.
Envy: it wasn't a very kind emotion. Fluttershy gazed at her friend as she lay back in the mud bath, eyes covered with cucumber slices. Not a care in the world, not now. Every time we come in, she manages to relax so much. I wish I was like her. At times she wondered if Rarity had any idea how lucky she was. She was so confident, so sure of what she wanted to do with her life.
Fluttershy had such trouble with confidence. When she tried to assert herself it always seemed to backfire on her. The Gala had shown her she did not do well with rejection.
“YOU'RE GOING TO LOVE ME!”
Iron Will had shown her how easily she could take being assertive too far.
"I can't believe that the two most frivolous ponies in Ponyville are trying to tell new Fluttershy how to live her life, when they are throwing their own lives away on pointless pursuits that nopony else gives a flying feather about!"
She winced at the memory. When she tried confidence, or anything really— She could never find a balance. It was all or nothing.
Fluttershy was certain Rarity would never spend a moment mooning over another pony she admired. Well, her prince maybe, but who doesn't have their idealistic ‘perfect somepony’? I know I do. Rarity would immediately ask the pony of her affections out, without a second thought. Fluttershy would probably squeak and run away. She dearly wished she could ask her friend for advice, but how to explain who the object of her affection was?
She sighed, shifting into a more comfortable position in the mud.
Rarity lifted one of the cucumber slices with her magic and peered at her. "Something the matter, dear?"
Fluttershy squeaked. "Oh no, just settling into the bath."
"It is lovely, is it not?" Rarity chuckled as she allowed the slice to cover her eye once more.
Fluttershy sighed again, looking at her friend admiringly. "It really is..."
"Do you really think it will work?" Fluttershy was so nervous their plan would fail, but she would do anything to end all this attention.
Twilight nodded. "They love you for being you. So all I have to do is make you not be you. Just leave it to me."
She stepped out into the blinding light. There were so many ponies and every single one was watching her. Watching her every move. She hated it, but she couldn't bear to disappoint Rarity by telling her so. She walked hesitantly onto the stage. That was when she felt the magic wrap around her.
Twilight’s magic made her flail wildly. She had no control over her own actions. She was having second thoughts at this point, but if this was what it took to end her modeling career she would do it.
Oh... my... They are really angry aren't they? Oh, I’ve disappointed everypony.
She tried to say something, but it came out as a bark instead. She felt perhaps she would just die of embarrassment right there on stage.
This was a mistake, Twilight, stop! Just stop. Oh, I'm so sorry everypony.
From the back of the room a sound rang out, louder than the cries of shock and anger. A single pony, clopping and shouting.
"Bravo! I say, Bravo!"
Rarity? What are you doing? You're applauding me?
"Such attitude, such pizazz! She's invented an entirely new kind of modeling! Bravo!"
The realization struck her hard. Oh, I am a horrible friend. I get the chance of a lifetime and try to throw it away. I must go on, for her! I must...
The audience's attitude quickly changed when they saw who was cheering her on. Soon the whole crowd was cheering along with Rarity.
I wish I had your confidence Rarity. It should have been you, you would have loved this. Oh dear...
The crowd only loved her more, they called her an innovator! Fluttershy's eyes had teared up in that moment. Her friend was there, supporting her, as she did all she could to throw her career away like so much trash. At that moment she was truly jealous of Rarity. Had it been her, she would not have shunned the attention, she would have reveled in it.
She had been so relieved to hear Rarity didn't want her to stay in fashion, but she still felt so guilty at times. If only she wasn't so uncomfortable in the spotlight. If only she had half the confidence her friend had. She looked at her friend with... affection? Yes, it was definitely affection. If only she had the courage to speak up. Before she could speak, they were led to the hoofbath. Rarity smiled at her as she eased in. She smiled back.
Oh, sweet Celestia, what was she going to do? She was falling in love with somepony and couldn’t even ask her best friend what to do. Because it was her best friend she was falling in love with! Life really was unkind at times...
She felt like a new mare as they left the spa, which is not to say she felt entirely pleased. After all, she had just spent another hour, alone, in the baths with Fluttershy. And even with all that time, even with utter privacy, she could not spit it out. Rarity sighed and continued to trot back to Carousel Boutique. Too nervous to confess to the shyest pony Equestria had ever known. Life certainly was not being generous with her today.
Rarity stared at the pristine sheet of writing paper, willing ideas to come. The paper remained blank, naturally. Inspiration always came to her when she least expected it: a chance comment, a sunset, a cloud formation, a soft pink mane, a pair of deep blue eyes— No! Stupid sexy Fluttershy. How long till our next spa date?
Sweetie Belle barged in, effectively ending any chance of regaining her concentration as she babbled something about tree sap. The fashionista looked at her calendar, seeking the next day circled in red. Three days, far too long. "—so can they spend the night, Rarity? We'll try not to pester you or break anything. Oh, and definitely no fixing things."
The unicorn shook herself visibly. "I'm terribly sorry, Sweetie. What was that just now?"
Sweetie looked irritated, but repeated the request. "I wanted to know if Apple Bloom and Scootaloo can spend the night. We'll try not to bother you, but we want to have a planning session on how to get our cutie—"
Oh, it's that again. Those three are always so impatient. It comes with time. True talents don't present themselves so easily. She thought of her own mark, those three lovely gems. When her time had come she had simply been dragged to her destiny, literally. Her pegasus friend had fallen into hers, those three little butterflies. She wondered at times if her friend was as ticklish around the cutie mark as she was. Maybe I could take lessons from Aloe and Vera on massage? She tapped a hoof to her chin. Come to think of it, Fluttershy is quite skilled with massage herself, if Twilight is to be believed. I wonder how it might feel to be under those hooves—
"Rarity!"
Oh, I did it again, didn't I? "I'm so incredibly sorry, Sweetie. Yes, you absolutely may have your friends over tonight. Would you mind terribly going to play with them for a bit? I just remembered I need to go see Fluttershy—" Oh, I have no real excuse ready for this. Quick, make something up! "—to discuss something we talked about during our last spa visit." Oh yes, very smooth. She glanced at the clock. Dear Celestia, have I been staring at this drawing board for three hours? Noon already?
Sweetie hopped around the room, very happy. "Of course, Rarity! I'll be back in time for dinner!"
Rarity hugged her sister. "Take your time, dear. I may be a little while."
Well then, if I can't get any work done, perhaps I can go visit the source of my distraction.
Fluttershy's morning was not going well. It had started with a carrot to the face. Angel Bunny glared down at her impatiently. She yawned. This was not a new development. He had been trying to reassert his dominance lately. She let him have free reign a bit, at least until he got out of hoof again. "Good morning, Angel."
He stamped a foot impatiently, pointed to his mouth, and then the kitchen. She sighed and got out of bed, remaking it after she did so. Angel sneezed as a small cloud of dust was kicked up from the floor. "Oh my, Angel, are you sick again?" He shook his head vehemently, but she still felt his forehead and checked his nose. Still a bit warm. I should stop by Zecora's today. She should have a potion to help him get over the last of the cold.
Fluttershy let him squirm away and he looked up, slightly less annoyed. He gave her a questioning look and pointed to his mouth again. "Coming, Angel, we'll make you a nice salad, then I need to visit Zecora." She followed him downstairs and made him breakfast, then began to feed the rest of the animals. It normally took her until around lunchtime to feed all her friends, so she had to get an early start. She was was just getting to the mice when she was interrupted by a knock on the door.
The walk to her friend's cottage was a pleasant one, all the more so because her mind was finally not split between two tasks. Granted, this is being accomplished by ignoring my work, but it wasn't exactly fruitful to spend hours staring at a page willing inspiration to come, now was it? She arrived at the cottage door and knocked. A hesitant voice answered. "Hello?"
"Fluttershy, it's me, darling. may I come in?"
The door opened a crack. "Oh, hello, Rarity, it's nice to see you. I wasn't expecting you today, or anypony for that matter." A horrifying thought crossed her mind. "Oh no, I don't have the dates mixed up, do I? Did I miss our spa day? Oh, I'm so sorry! Let me get ready!"
Fluttershy all but slammed the door in her friend’s face. She looked around frantically, finally finding her sack of bits. The now-frazzled mare shoved the sack into her saddle bag and rushed back to the door, opening it to be greeted by a very hurt looking unicorn rubbing her nose with a hoof.
She looked in shock at her friend. "Rarity, are you all right?!" She did not look all right, she was in fact the furthest from all right one could be at the moment. She looked as if something might have been broken, or at least bruised. Fluttershy instantly felt maternal concern welling up inside her.
"Quite all right, dear. I really should watch where I am going."
"Come inside, let's have a look at your poor nose! Oh, I am so sorry. First I forget our spa date, now I slam a door in your face!" She led her friend inside where she could sit down, finding a good location with natural sunlight.
Angel Bunny hopped in and looked at the intruder. He shot an exasperated look at Fluttershy, who countered with a threatening one. Angel huffed, then hopped off to his hutch. He threw a look over his shoulder that clearly said he felt there was just no dealing with her at times. She hoped he wouldn’t make any more of a fuss.
She turned back to the injured unicorn, examining her nose carefully. "It doesn't seem to be broken, but we should ice it down before it swells."
"Ob, id's fie, Fluddasy... Don trubba yasel—Ob no!" Her friend's face was pained, and she looked concerned about the swelling that was clearly beginning to interfere with her speech.
"Stay right there. I'll be back with an ice pack."
Some time later, after the swelling had reduced, the fashionista was finally able to explain the misunderstanding. "Darling, I am so very sorry to have worried you. Our visit is still three days away."
Fluttershy looked relieved, although still a bit guilty. "Oh thank goodness, I was worried I had forgotten. I know just how much the visits mean to you."
Her friend's voice took on a hesitant tone. "You... do?"
She nodded, a smile ghosting across her lips. "Oh yes, they mean a lot to me too!"
The unicorn’s voice was full of repressed emotion. Oh, she sounds so grateful. She really does love our time together. That makes me so happy! "Oh, Fluttershy, I didn't dare hope—"
She placed a hoof over her friend's lips. I understand, Rarity, I love our visits too. I just wish I could tell you why. "It's all right, I know how stressed you get running the Boutique. I don't mind in the least helping you relax. The truth is, I enjoy them too. Sometimes Angel Bunny gets a little demanding, and a nice soak is just right to take my mind off of things." Things like beautiful unicorns.
Her friend laughed suddenly, the manic-sounding laugh of somepony desperate to pretend they had just gotten a joke. She really needs to relax, the poor dear. "Stress, yes of course! Stress all the time dear!"
The pegasus got up. "I'll make us some tea. You keep that ice pack on."
Rarity watched her get up to make tea, trying not to be too obvious that she was doing so.
Her friend came back after the water was boiled and her favorite infusion of Earl Grey added to the steaming liquid. She sat down and carefully poured two cups, holding each one steady with a hoof and pouring with her mouth. The unicorn marvelled, not for the first time, at just how skillful one needed to be to perform such a task without magic. So very elegant, even in so mundane a thing.
After the tea was poured both ponies sat in relative silence and contemplation, simply and surreptitiously delighting in each others company. Finally, Fluttershy asked the question she had no answer for. "So, not that I mind you calling, you’re always welcome to come see me. But, if not the spa, what brings you to visit?"
The fashionista sat in silence for a moment longer. "I—" Nothing, no excuse came to mind. Just tell her the truth! Well, as much as you can. "I am having a bit of a creative dip, truth be told. I just spent three hours staring at a blank easel with absolutely nothing to show for it. I can't quite say what's come over me—" Oh yes you can, you wicked liar. Say it! Say it! "—but I thought a change of scenery and some company might help. I hope I’m not imposing." Coward!
Fluttershy sipped her tea and nodded with understanding. "It's no trouble, really. I was just about to leave to visit Zecora when you arrived. Angel still feels a little feverish you see. Would you like to wait here until I get back?"
The unicorn leaned over and clasped her friend’s hooves with her own. "Oh no, darling. That simply won't do. I wouldn't dream of imposing in such a way. Besides, I know how much you care for the—" Angel Bunny popped his head into the room, catching the unicorn’s eye. He made a rude gesture before leaving as abruptly as he had entered, his hands in the air as if condemning all females as insane. "—dear little... thing. Goodness knows, when my poor Opal gets sick I am an inconsolable wreck! No, dear. I insist on accompanying you. Besides, perhaps my inspiration awaits us!"
Walking into the Everfree was, as always, terribly frightening. Fluttershy had remarked to her friends on more than one occasion that, if the animals did not need her, she would prefer to live anywhere else than on its outskirts. Still, perhaps she felt more confident with a friend beside her. Rarity trotted next to Fluttershy in companionable silence. She worried a little about their lack of conversation, recalling the many discussions they had shared in the past. Tut tut! What would Applejack say? You talked, she listened, just as she always does!
Still, Fluttershy did not seem to mind the silence. Rarity was actually quite shocked to find she did not mind it herself. It was a rare thing to find somepony you did not feel compelled to make small talk with. So much unneeded nonsense, just to fill that dreadful silence. Being with her lovely friend just... calmed her. In her presence she always felt that things would work out, that no problem was too great.
The pegasus walked around a root in the road and briefly brushed flanks with her, blushing as she did so. "Sorry, Rarity. I didn't want to trip." The besotted unicorn felt soft fur brush against hers for the briefest of moments and started to blush herself.
"No trouble at all dear. The woods are full of roots and branches just waiting to catch the unwar—yaah!" The rest of her statement went unfinished as her front hoof caught one of the very roots she was referring to and sent her sprawling face-first into the dirt. She spat dirt from her mouth as she righted herself. "Does the universe just have it out for my nose today? I mean really, first the door now—oh hello there, what's this?"
They were the most delicate little blooms, largely pink in hue but shot through with streaks of yellow and orange. She had spotted them only when she was eye level to the ground. Seeing them brought to mind the first morning of spring, as the sun rose over the town on the day after Winter Wrap Up. "Gorgeous..."
A concerned voice came from above her. "Rarity? Are you all right?" The unicorn's horn flared as she delicately picked one blossom from the plant, shearing it expertly from the stem so as to cause as little damage as possible. She got to her hooves and carried the flower with her as she did so. Fluttershy gasped at the flower she had levitated with her. "Oh my, how lovely..."
Rarity smiled, rubbing her nose once again. "Isn't it? I believe I may have found my inspiration! It just stimulates the senses! Yes, I believe I can design now."
The rest of the trip went without incident, save for Rarity having to take it slowly to favor her bruised leg. When the two arrived at Zecora's hut, as luck would have it, she was just returning from a herb-gathering trip into the forest.
"Fluttershy, my kind young friend, is dear Angel on the mend?"
The pegasus smiled shyly. "He's doing better, Zecora, but I hoped you might have something to help him past the last of his fever."
Zecora nodded sagely. "Ah yes, some willow bark tea should surely do. Come inside while I mix the brew."
She looked at the unicorn, noting the bruised nose. "Ah, but what is this I now do see? A bruise on poor sweet Rarity?"
The injured fashionista covered her nose, a little abashed. "I... had a little run in with a door and later the ground. Gravity seems to be quite vindictive today."
Zecora stepped inside her hut and re-emerged with a potion. "Drink this down, but hold your nose... a foolish request, I suppose. Try not to smell it as you drink. It should do just the trick, I think."
Rarity eyed the potion dubiously, even stoppered she could smell its pungent aroma. Still, if it was a choice between a moment's discomfort or having a bruised nose to deal with for the next few days, she would choose the potion.
She unstoppered the flask with her magic and tipped the liquid directly down her throat, swallowing as she did so. The aftertaste was horrid, but as advertised, in but a moment or two her poor nose felt as good as new. In fact even her shin, which had been throbbing since her fall, was feeling fine now. “Thank you darling, that was indeed just the trick."
The two set off on the return trip, once again walking side by side in silence. Rarity was the first to speak up. "Darling, do you suppose— No, never mind."
Fluttershy's ears perked up. She had heard that tone before, she used it herself when she was not comfortable making a request, which was frequently. "Yes, Rarity?"
Rarity gulped, but soldiered on regardless. "I hesitate to ask this, but the colors I'll be working with complement yours so well. Would you be willing to model my new design?" Fluttershy was instantly apprehensive. "Privately of course, dear. I just want to see how it looks on the ideal wearer before I release it to the public. Please?"
She wanted to say no, every part of her screamed quietly in protest. Yet somehow, Rarity asking in this way was even more irresistible than when she was being demanding — especially when she looked at her in just that way, her eyes wide and pleading. You’re really not playing fair. "Okay, Rarity. When would you like me to come by?"
The lovely unicorn cocked her head to the side, obviously deep in thought. "Tomorrow if possible. I should have a basic design worked up by then. I'll need to retake your measurements, naturally. Nopony goes a year without some slight changes."
Fluttershy nodded. Only for you. "I'll come to Carousel Boutique tomorrow morning then."
Rarity concealed a small grin as they walked to Fluttershy's cottage. She wanted to hop for joy but managed to restrain herself.
Yesyesyesyes! She's coming over to the shop!
Oh wait... I just promised to design a new dress overnight didn't I?
Idiot.
Rarity knew something was wrong the moment she entered the Boutique. Her mind was full of thoughts for a certain somepony, and possible dress designs for said somepony. As such, it took her a moment to register what exactly it was that was wrong. Where do I know that smell from? Oh, it's somewhat pleasant in its way... incense? No, that's not it, it's a bit like the s'mores we made during Twilight's sleepover... Why would I think that though? It's not the smell of chocolate melting, that's not it... Perhaps the marshmallows roasting? Roasting, not exactly. Ah yes, burning, it smells like something is... NO!
She ran to the kitchen, her worst fears realized. Sweetie Belle was cooking! She immediately galloped to the fire extinguisher, only to find it was already off the hook. She spotted Apple Bloom and Scootaloo, the latter precariously balanced upon the former. Scootaloo was holding the hose with her muzzle, directing the foam to put out a fire on the curtains, while Apple Bloom was holding the canister and pressing the handle. Sweetie Belle meanwhile was attempting to douse the flames from the stove. The poor dear was attempting to heft a bucket of water with her magic, but somehow she kept managing to set the water on fire. Rarity idly wondered if she should be proud at her sister's improvements in magical control or horrified because her kitchen was ablaze. She set that argument aside for the moment, as she had more pressing matters at hoof.
Turning to the sink she made a split second decision. The fire was blazing merrily wherever it chose. It was minor plumbing damage or replace the whole kitchen. Strike that, the walls were now ablaze. She might lose the whole shop at this rate. Her horn began to glow, and she quickly sliced the faucet off with her magic. Water was soon spraying everywhere. She used her magic to control the flow carefully, splitting it into twenty separate streams. These were aimed precisely at the base of each flame, and the blaze was quickly and efficiently put out.
She eyed the wreckage dubiously. The table would have to be replaced, the curtains were a lost cause, and her sink would need fixing. She opened the cabinet doors under the sink and turned off the valve to prevent more water from flooding her kitchen. The walls would need minor repair as well. Still, the shop was saved and the fillies were unharmed.
Sweetie Belle eyed her sister nervously. "Um... Surprise?"
Rarity held her head in her hooves. She had gone to see the local plumber, who had promised to arrive early in the morning to fix the damage. The three fillies were sitting quietly on the couch. She did not like the fidgety look they had. She would have to think quickly lest they apply that energy to something potentially more devastating than what had already occurred.
Apple Bloom nervously spoke up. "We're real sorry Miss Rarity, we jus' wanted to surprise ya with dinner on the table. I shoulda probably insisted on doing the cooking, but yer sis was mighty persuasive. She said she's helped you cook recently and everything."
Scootaloo looked to the side in annoyance. "I still say it would have cooked faster if she just had turned the flames up higher."
Apple Bloom shushed her. "Please don't send us home, Rarity. we'll behave!"
Sweetie just sat there, miserable. Rarity sighed. She wanted to be upset, but her mood was still far too good to allow it. Besides, the damage was done, and the girls had attempted to fix their own error. She did however wish to talk to her sister privately, before the poor dear collapsed into a puddle of sadness. "Girls, I am not angry; I am far more relieved you are all all right. Granted, the table is a loss, but I had been meaning to replace those curtains anyway. The walls will need fixing, but the important thing is nopony was hurt."
She smiled at them encouragingly, letting them know she was not truly angry. "One moment, my little fillies. I will be back shortly." She left the room for a moment, going into her petty cash and filling a sack with bits. Then she returned, presenting it to the fillies. "Now then, we still need dinner. Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, would you two please take these bits and get us a meal at Chez Ponnise? You know the one, it just recently opened. Some dandelion salads should do. Oh, and please stop at Sugarcube Corner as well if you would be so kind, ask Pinkie for a slice of MMM. You may get what you wish for dessert as well."
The two fillies grabbed the sack of bits and hurried off to Scootaloo's scooter. That left only Rarity and Sweetie Belle alone. Sweetie Belle was crying softly. Rarity quickly rushed to her sisters side and smoothed her hair with a hoof. "Now now, none of that, dear. I know you meant well."
Sweetie sobbed openly now. "I'm so sorry Rarity! I don't understand how I can find so many ways to mess up when I can't seem to find the one thing that makes me special!"
Rarity continued to stroke her hair. "Everypony was young once dear. Did I ever tell you of the time I managed to set the living room of our house in Hoofington on fire?"
Sweetie Belle looked up, eyes wet with tears, but her sadness had been replaced with curiosity. "No, what happened?!"
Rarity tapped a hoof to her chin as she recalled. "Goodness, I think you were all of one year old at the time. It was cold, and I took it upon myself to attempt to restart a fire in the fireplace. I stacked the logs as best as I could and rekindled the fire, but one of the logs rolled out. Before I could react, the carpet was ablaze. Our parents were quick to react, thankfully. Father was furious of course, but Mother was quick to point out if he had not let it go out I would never have gotten the notion to restart it. Do you understand why I’m telling you this?"
Sweetie wanted to understand, but did not. "Um... Maybe?"
Rarity chuckled a bit. "The point I am making is that had I been here making dinner you would not have taken it upon yourself to attempt it, or at the least I would have been here to supervise. So no, sister. I don't blame this on you. Well, not entirely at least. Now, I have a favor to ask, assuming you wish to make up for your part in this mishap?"
Sweetie jumped up, so excited her voice cracked a bit. "Of course!"
Rarity pointed a hoof at her inspiration room. "I will be working with specific shades for the spring line. Would you please be a dear and separate the fabric by color? You recall, the same way you did for me on the day of the social?" She levitated the bloom from her hair to show Sweetie Belle. "Lay out these colors specifically. I shall be cleaning the kitchen while you do so."
Sweetie hopped happily into the room, pleased to have been given a task she could accomplish without making a mess. Rarity, still levitating the flower, placed it delicately into a vase. She looked at the kitchen and sighed heavily. Grabbing a broom and dustpan with her magic she set to work. She had a long night ahead.
Fluttershy could not sleep. Normally the sounds of the forest animals lulled her into a deep slumber, but tonight sleep would not come. She had agreed to model again. This was exactly how it had begun last time. The lights in her eyes, the ponies taking pictures of her everywhere. The wonderful friend cheering me on from the back of the crowd! They all cheered for me in the end, but her voice was loudest!
Fluttershy sighed happily. The same mare wanted her to model again, but only for her this time. No other ponies making her walk a certain way, no scary photographers, no screaming fans! Maybe just one fan... She blushed. I can do this! I will do this! It will make Rarity happy! When she's happy she might smile for me again... That radiant, excited smile... I wonder how else I might make her excited? She blushed even deeper. She giggled into her pillow.
She got up, turned on a light and looked in the mirror, striking pose after pose. "Um, how’s this one, Rarity?" No, not like that, be confident! She thought back to how Rarity had shown her how to flirt in the marketplace. "Hey there, beautiful! Do you like what you see?" She giggled again.
Angel Bunny hopped in, having been awoken by Fluttershy's movement, he came to investigate. Seeing her giggling and blowing kisses at the mirror, he groaned softly. Annoyed by the crazy mare, he threw a carrot at her.
She had been standing on her hindhooves holding her hair up in a pose. The carrot struck her on the nose and made her topple over. She scrambled to her hooves. "Angel! You're going to wake everypony else up! Do you know what time it is?"
Angel stamped a foot and pointed at the clock as if to say: "Do you know what time it is?"
Fluttershy looked at the clock. Only a few hours to go until she had to be at Rarity's. She blushed. "Sorry Angel. I guess I'll get some sleep now." Fluttershy climbed back into bed, turning off the light. She hugged her pillow, blushing and giggling as she did so.
They would not sleep! Rarity was close to tearing her mane out of her head. Her sister and her two incorrigible friends kept reporting back to be assigned more tasks. It had become a game to them! She supposed it could be worse. Looking down at the plumber's bill however, she had to keep reminding herself of that.
Apple Bloom and Scootaloo had returned with the salads, her slice of cake, and a baker's dozen cupcakes. They had all eaten their meals and Rarity had instructed them to not set anything else on fire. Then she had retired to her inspiration room. Once out of sight, she immediately attacked the slice of cake. It had become such a guilty pleasure. Inside the box the cake came in was a note from Pinkie Pie. Poor Rarity! All three at once? Hope you make it through the night okay. Consider this an invitation to the "My Friend Rarity's House Almost Burned Down" Party. Come by the Sugarcube Corner and we can decide a time and day. Try to have fun! Pinkie.
Rarity smiled slightly. Pinkie could cheer her up even without being there. That was talent. She massaged her left temple with her hoof. She set to work; she had the basic designs in mind but the creation was always the majority of the fun. Soon enough the entire room was in motion: fabric being cut, sewing machines being run, and dress palettes being laid over dummies. Despite frequent interruptions, she had made eight prototypes ready to be fitted to Fluttershy by the morning. The Cutie Mark Crusaders, meanwhile, had managed to clean the entire kitchen. They had also torn down her old curtains, removed the burnt remnants of the table, and one of them had even re-plastered the damaged sections of the walls. They were now sitting in a circle suggesting more implausible ways to try to find their special skills.
She looked over the dresses in satisfaction. She hadn't felt this much "in the zone" since she'd designed her friend's gala dresses. She always worked her best when she was designing for somepony specific, and she'd had a certain mare's curves in mind all night. She couldn't wait to see how they looked on her.
Fluttershy awoke with a start, her friend the rooster having just greeted the morning sun with his signature crow. She opened the window. "Thank you, Chanticleer! Have a good morning!" She hummed to herself as she got her brush. Fitting the strap of the brush over a hoof she began the long process of brushing her mane, coat, and tail. Next came a hot, relaxing shower. It was just the thing to work out the kinks from a night spent tossing and turning. Will I have the courage to say it today? What will she say? What if she says no? Will she still want to go to the spa with me? Oh... If she says yes maybe... Oh my... She blushed hard. She carefully dried her mane and tail, glad nopony was there to see her flustered. Then she walked downstairs to began her morning's chores.
Angel Bunny was hopping up the stairs as she trotted down. He yawned and followed her back down. Apparently she had woken up by herself after all. He was feeling generous this morning, so he only glared slightly as she made him a salad.
She broke into song occasionally as she fed the rest of the animals. It was a songthat had no words; it was purely an expression of her joy in the morning, surrounded by all her friends. She smiled warmly as she finished feeding the ducklings. Now she could return to have her own breakfast, then off to Rarity's shop. She squeed just a bit at the thought. She made herself a nice light breakfast of toast covered with preserves and some apple juice. After she finished eating, it was finally time to go see her friend. I can do this! I'll tell her how I feel! I'll show her how I feel! But what if... She shook her head. No! No “buts” Fluttershy, she's going to love you!
Fluttershy knocked on the door of Carousel Boutique. She heard a crash, followed by three giggling filly's voices, and Rarity's voice quickly following. The door opened and a very frazzled Rarity opened it with a smile. Three fillies rushed past her, off for today's adventure. They stopped when they saw Fluttershy.
They all said in unison, "Hi, Fluttershy! Bye, Fluttershy!" Then they ran off, giggling, to the scooter.
Rarity stifled a yawn and greeted her friend with a warm hug. Fluttershy buried her face in Rarity's mane a moment to cover the blush. "Good morning, darling! You're just in time; I need your adjusted measurements in case any alterations are necessary." Fluttershy was led to the fitting room where the measuring tape waited. Rarity's horn flared and the tape began to move in the soft glow of her aura. She began with the barrel measurement. No real changes there. Fluttershy barely has an ounce of fat to spare.
Next was the waist measurement. Hmmm, she's a bit thinner since I measured her last. Perhaps I should encourage her to make a stop with me to Sugarcube Corner every now and again. Goodness knows she burns it all off tending to that menagerie of hers! Measuring the hip, she noted something interesting. The tape had brushed her friend's cutie mark and she distinctly heard a stifled giggle. She is ticklish there! Rarity grinned wickedly.
For completeness sake she took the inseam again. Really darling, be honest, if only with yourself. You just wanted to touch her thighs while you took the measurement. An interesting response occurred when she held the tape against her friend's thigh. Her wings sprang open. Hmmm, reflex reaction, I suppose? "That's fine, dear. keep them open. I need to measure around the base of the wing next, for the back of the dress. We wouldn't want it to pinch." Fluttershy was thinking very hard about anything but where her friend was touching her right now.
The measurements done, and Rarity at last satisfied that no adjustments were necessary, Rarity led her to the dressing room with the prototypes on display. Fluttershy was always so amazed at what her friend could design from a simple idea. Her dresses were always more than just clothing, they evoked feelings in the wearer and the observer. These were no exception. The dresses were laid out on display, the designs meant to bring to mind specific images of spring. one was all in the colors of early sunrise, with light blues, oranges, and pinks. Another was meant to show the observer the budding plant life, all light greens and brown tones. Each one was beautiful in its way.
Rarity beamed with pride. "I daresay it's some of my best work to date. Come, dear. Let's get you dressed. I can't wait to see how it looks." After getting the first dress on her friend she stood back, frowning. "It's missing something... WAH-HA-HA! Yes, that would accent it perfectly. I'll need to make recreations of it in silk and wire-frame, of course, but for the moment... Yes, Au Naturale."
She trotted out of the room and returned with the blossom in her teeth. She used her magic to part Fluttershy's hair a moment, and reached up to place it delicately in her mane. She got back down to eye level with Fluttershy, their muzzles only inches apart. "There, much better, don't you agree?" Fluttershy said nothing. She hid her eyes in her hair, blushing furiously.
Rarity mused to herself wryly. If this were a romance novel, this would be the moment, wouldn't it? A quick peck on the cheek or a deep passionate kiss? Would she kiss back, or shy away? Keep dreaming, dear. nopony can blame you for those, can they?
Fluttershy was deep in internal conflict. Reach out, take her face in your hooves, and kiss her! Oh, its too daring! What would she think? What would she do?
She was just about to give into her more confident side when the decision was taken from her. "Ahem! Terribly sorry, am I interrupting something?" Rarity and Fluttershy looked at the room’s entrance. A unicorn dressed very stylishly had just walked in without announcing herself. She coughed. "Sorry, dears. The door was open but nopony would answer my knock. I am Lady Starlight of Baltimare. I am visiting family in the area, and was given to understand somepony in this shop knows a thing or two about dress design?"
Rarity was not planning on a showcase, but she was nothing if not a master of improvisation when she put her mind to it. Fluttershy gave the lady a private fashion show of each design, with Rarity showcasing the outfit with the appropriate lighting and illusions. Starlight was very impressed. She sat sipping the tea Rarity had prepared for her, enjoying the show.
Fluttershy gritted her teeth throughout. This was not supposed to be happening. Still, it was only one more pony. She simply pretended Starlight did not exist and simply strutted the stage for Rarity. The only trouble Starlight had was with the execution of the stitching, it was not to her expectations. After all the designs were shown she adjourned with Rarity to a table in the fourier. She told Rarity what she expected of her if she was to make an order. "Miss Rarity, I would like to commission three copies of each of these designs for my personal collection. However, I have a condition. My gowns must be hoofstitched. I accept nothing less in my clothing. These are clearly machine stitched."
Rarity was thrilled to have her first commission before the line was even on display in her shop or in Canterlot. Celestia knows it will help offset the cost of repairing the kitchen. "Darling, that's wonderful! How soon do you need them?"
Starlight sipped again. "Two weeks should suffice."
Rarity's jaw went slack. Twenty four dresses, in two weeks, hoofstitched. She barely kept the stammer out of her voice. "I-I see, and the commission payment?" Starlight lifted a sheet calmly from her saddlebags and set quill to it. She jotted down a figure and slid it across the table.
Rarity had not seen so many zeros in quite a while. Certainly not for a single order. Forget the kitchen, I could redo the whole shop. In gold plating! She whinnied in distress. She wanted to take the commission but she wasn't certain she could finish them by the deadline. Hoofstitching was ever so much slower than machine. She finally sighed. "I am sorry, m’lady. I do not think I can finish them in the time allotted."
Starlight frowned. "For the fee I propose, surely you could afford to hire a seamstress?"
A voice spoke from the side, a small, shy voice. "I'll help."
Rarity turned in surprise. "Fluttershy? What do you mean, dear?"
Fluttershy raised her head and tried to speak with a bit more confidence. "I mean, I'll help. Lady Starlight clearly knows the benefits of fine haute couture. I would be delighted to help." She blushed, realizing how brazen she appeared. "If... that's okay with you, I mean..."
Starlight nodded, satisfied. "Do we have a deal, Miss Rarity?"
Rarity smiled. "Yes, I believe we do."
Fluttershy had a few appointments for check-ups that afternoon, but promised to return to help with the dresses in the evening. Rarity could not believe her good luck. This order would easily make up for the fire damage, and give her her ready capital to replace her materials. She was concerned, however, that she might be taking advantage of poor Fluttershy - the dear thing would do anything to help a friend. She had offered, of course, which soothed Rarity's guilt a little. She badly needed the help to meet the deadline...
It will be an excellent excuse to spend more time with her, too. She sighed and shook the thought off. Fluttershy is... precious to me, of course I want to spend every moment with her! I just worry about taking her for granted. It's nothing at all to do with the fact that every time she smiles I want to kiss that gorgeous mouth, and every time she laughs I want to tackle her and drag her up to my boudoir. Nothing at all!
Rarity sighed again. I really need to talk to somepony about this or I’ll keep going round in circles. Who can I tell? Who can I trust? My usual confidant would be Fluttershy, naturally, but in this case...
She lay back in bed and thought. Twilight Sparkle would normally be her go-to mare if Fluttershy was unavailable, but she stressed out far too easily when she had a secret to keep. Really now, betraying poor Spikey-wikey's confidence as she did. Certainly his feelings for me were plain as day, but that's no excuse. Whoever I tell needs to be totally discreet.
She pondered Rainbow Dash; certainly loyalty went a long way when keeping a secret. Rarity shook her head. Rainbow may not be able to relate to the problem at hoof. I don't think I have ever even seen her date. No, I need somepony who can give me advice as well.
She tapped a hoof to her chin. Applejack would truthfully give Rarity her opinion, but she was a horrible liar. For her, keeping secrets was nigh-on impossible. If confronted, anypony could tell Applejack was covering for somepony, and that's nearly as bad as shouting out the secret.
All of which left only one possible alternative. Strangely enough, she fit both categories perfectly. Pinkie could keep a secret like none other, and as for understanding her attraction... well, Pinkie certainly understood subjectively how two ponies could be happy together, after all. She was a master at getting ponies to smile and had also played matchmaker on more than one occasion. Yes! I even have a socially acceptable excuse to visit her this very moment! She asked me to see her about planning my party!
She pranced about, happy to have finally found a solution to her dilemma. Her poor heart felt close to bursting as she anticipated finally telling somepony. Well then, off to Sugarcube Corner!
Rarity casually trotted into Sugarcube Corner. She needed to ascertain if Pinkie could speak privately, so as not to give anypony the wrong impression. It simply wouldn't do to have somepony else ask her why she looked anxious, that would lead to questions that Rarity was not prepared to answer.
As she entered the shop, her nostrils tingled with the mingled scents of fresh baked goods. Muffins were piled in a neat stack on the counter along with doughnuts, bagels, and popovers. Cup was manning the counter this morning, which meant Pinkie was likely still asleep. "Good morning, Mrs. Cake! Do you mind if I check in on Pinkie? She asked me to come by to schedule a party with her."
Cup smiled, ringing up a customer. The bakery was swimming with activity as per usual. "Yes, of course, go right on up!"
Rarity smiled dazzlingly. "Thank you, Cup, I shan't be long. Be a dear, would you, and bag me a dozen muffins? Oh, and the cake was wonderful, darling!"
She trotted up the stairs, intent on carefully waking her friend. It seemed, however, that her concerns were premature, as she could hear Pinkie's voice coming from upstairs. Hmmm, why is she standing in the hallway?
"Last night was awesome! When do you want to 'experiment' again?"
A naggingly familiar voice responded; who was that?
"Let's plan for say... Thursday night?" A suggestive giggle followed.
"Okie Dokie Lokie!"
Experiment?
Rarity peeked up the next flight of stairs, but Pinkie's back was to her and she couldn’t see her companion. She and another pony were clearly in a passionate embrace, kissing deeply. She could not with certainty determine the identity of the other mare. I do have my suspicions however. After all, how many ponies in town have a purple coat?
Rarity ducked her head down, trying to give the lovers some warning of her approach. She loudly cleared her throat. "Pinkie Pie? Are you up, darling? I came by to discuss the party details with you!"
She heard a loud pop, and smelled ozone. Unicorn, that further reduces the list of suspects.
Pinkie Pie scrambled back into her room, quietly closing the door. She opened it again with a crash. "Rarity! Good morning!" She bounced over to her friend and caught her up in a huge hug.
Rarity coughed a bit as the air was squeezed from her lungs. "Darling, I appreciate the enthusiasm, but I can't breathe..."
Pinkie quickly released her stranglehold on Rarity. "Sorry, Rarity! Wow, I’m super-duper excited about planning your party! When do you want to have it?"
Pinkie led her into the bedroom, where they both sat on her bed. As she glanced around the room for a moment, her eyes latched onto a hairbrush left on the nightstand. A hairbrush with purple hair in it. And that leaves us with one.
Rarity smiled sweetly. "First things first, dear, how was your evening with Twilight?"
Pinkie froze mid-bounce. "W-what do you mean?"
Rarity looked abashed. "Darling, I didn't mean to intrude on a private moment, but I heard you talking just now. You said you wanted to "experiment" again?"
Pinkie's eyes went wild. "Um... Dream experiments! Twilight was studying my dreams!"
Rarity pointed a hoof, trying not to smirk triumphantly. Oh you are good, my friend, clearly I can trust you to keep my secrets. You try so hard to avoid revealing things, even when caught dead to rights. "That hairbrush has purple hair in it. So, she's studying you, and leaving her belongings here?"
Pinkie nodded enthusiastically, seeming relieved that Rarity was buying her story. "Yeah, she stays all night so she needs to freshen up in the morning!"
Rarity huffed in exasperation. "Pinkie, I also saw you kissing."
Pinkie’s expression began to look increasingly frantic. "Um... we were... practicing how the fancy ponies say goodbye!"
Rarity chuckled mirthlessly. Really darling, do stop panicking. I won’t tell anypony, I just want to hear you say it. "You normally kiss on both cheeks dear. Also, not quite so much tongue."
Pinkie sighed, defeated. Then she got down off the bed and onto her hind legs, holding her front hooves up in supplication. "Please, you have to swear not to tell anypony. Twilight isn’t sure about what we're doing yet. She doesn't want anypony else knowing until she figures it out herself!"
Rarity crossed her chest in the customary manner. "Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye. Now out with it, darling! I want details!"
Pinkie smiled brightly, her fears assuaged by the most solemn of promises. "There's not much to tell. Twilight found a book that mentioned "friends with benefits" and asked me if I’d be willing to study this "new area of friendship" with her. So now we fool around every chance we get!"
Rarity smiled warmly. There, was that so hard? "I am so happy for you two!"
Pinkie grinned and blushed slightly. "To tell you the truth, I'm kinda glad somepony else knows now. I have all these feelings trying to burst out and nopony to talk to about them."
It was Rarity's turn to blush. "Pinkie, I have a confession to make..."
Pinkie stared at Rarity. "Wow... You and Shy?"
Rarity slumped down on Pinkie's bed; it felt so good to finally let her feelings out to somepony. "I hope it goes without saying, dear, but I must ask you to tell nopony until I have resolved how to approach this problem."
Pinkie smiled, "Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye!"
Rarity nodded, satisfied. She stared up at the ceiling and just let her stress pour from her with every word. "I have been bothered to distraction thinking about her lately. It's getting to be too much. I want to tell her how I feel, but I worry what that would do to our relationship. Every fiber of my being is screaming with longing, but is it fair to endanger our friendship over my own selfish wishes?"
Pinkie pondered the potential problem. "You keep talking about how selfish you feel. Do you want to make Shy happy?"
Rarity sat up and smiled warmly, dreaming of what that would be like. "I would love to devote the rest of my life to doing just that."
Pinkie prodded the pony ponderously. "If she said she didn't feel the same, would you still want to be her friend?"
Rarity looked wounded. "Of course, darling, I would never let that affect our friendship!"
Pinkie beamed beatifically. "Sounds pretty generous to me! You're offering everything and asking nothing in return!"
Rarity felt as if the world had dropped out from under her. Could it truly be so simple? Have I simply been creating irrelevant obstacles to my own happiness - and perhaps Fluttershy’s? "I've... never thought of it that way!" She scrambled to her hooves and hugged Pinkie with such ferocity that if she were not an earth pony it might have caused her serious injury. "Thank you Pinkie!"
Pinkie grinned, lying back on the bed and crossing her forelegs behind her head. "So what’s it like for you? Is it a warm butterflies in your tummy sort of feeling, or more of a mule kicked you in the head and you can't see straight around her kind of feeling?"
Rarity settled down beside her and chuckled. "A little bit of both, at different times. How is it with you and Twilight?"
Pinkie tapped a hoof to her chin. She turned to Rarity and spoke frankly. "Well, the making out is fun, but sometimes I just want to feel her next to me when I sleep. I like to snuggle. Gummy is kinda not all that great for that, and I miss her when she's not around. I like to talk to her about... anything really. Sometimes I just go to the library to listen to her talk about magic, or science, or how I make a mockery out of physics, or whatever she wants to talk about."
Rarity sighed, looking wistful. "That sounds wonderful! I would like to have that with Fluttershy myself."
Pinkie smiled widely as she poked her friend playfully in the ribs. "You already have most of that, you just want the kissies and the snugglies too. That's not selfish, Rarity. That's normal! Just tell her how you feel!"
Rarity looked unsure. "But... what if she doesn't like me that way? What if—" She was cut off by a pink hoof pressed lightly but firmly to her lips.
Pinkie patted her head with the other hoof. "You're either going to get the snugglies or you won't. Stressing out never helped anypony. If she doesn't like you that way you still have a wonderful friend. If she does... you still have a wonderful friend, and YAY SNUGGLIES!"
Rarity blushed. "Hurrah..."
Pinkie sat up poked her in the chest. "So! When are you going to tell her?"
Rarity was at quite a loss. She had no idea when or where to break this news to her friend. At the Boutique perhaps? No, that won't do, Sweetie Belle tends to barge in at inopportune moments. She needed it to be someplace more controlled. At our next spa visit? No, similar problem, lack of privacy. She supposed the most private location to talk would be Fluttershy's own cottage. Oh, but she'll be busy with her vet check-ups all afternoon... Wait, that's it!
"I have the perfect idea!" She slipped off the bed, clasped hooves with Pinkie and trotted excitedly on the spot. "Thank you, Pinkie, for everything." She kissed Pinkie lightly on the cheek, then she galloped out of the room and down the stairs. She stopped only briefly to pick up her muffins from Cup Cake before resuming her headlong dash back to the Boutique.
Pinkie held up a hoof in farewell. "Awwww, we never did set the party time..."
Fluttershy smiled as she completed the follow-up examination of Mr. Otter. "Now you be more careful about what you eat, okay? There is a difference between rocks and crabs, even if they kind of look the same," she chided as she sent him on his way. An omnivore’s eating habits could lead to trouble at times; no herbivore would mistake a rock for a plant.
Her next appointment was for Winona. Applejack was supposed to be bringing her by right about...
"Hay, there, sugarcube!"
Fluttershy smiled. "Hay, Applejack! Hay, Winona! How are you two feeling?"
Winona barked happily. Applejack smiled, reaching a hoof over to pet her dog. "Doin’ just fine Shy, so just a regular checkup today if ya please."
Fluttershy patted the examination table and Winona jumped up onto the padded surface. She began carefully examining Winona's foot pads for any signs of injury or damage. So many rocks and thorns on the ground... poor Winona wouldn’t even be able to tell Applejack if she hurt herself. Satisfied, she then checked all the basic health signs for anything that seemed unusual.
Applejack cleared her throat; she'd heard a story from Apple Bloom and thought Fluttershy might be able to supply a few more details. "So how's Rarity doing?"
Fluttershy, busy checking Winona's ears, jerked just slightly at the question. "S-she's fine. Why do you ask?"
Applejack noted the reaction, but wrote it off as Shy just being in her own little world. She was probably startled to be pulled out of it. "Apple Bloom told me she saw you coming in this morning as she an' her friends were runnin' off. ‘Bloom was mighty disappointed she didn't get a fire fighting cutie mark last night."
Fluttershy looked up in alarm. "Fire?"
Applejack smiled and nodded, it had been quite a tale. "Yeah, Sweetie tried to cook an' set the whole kitchen alight."
Fluttershy wrung her hooves. "Oh, I hope Rarity is okay. Oh, wait, I saw her this morning and, um, she was fine. I mean I hope she wasn't too upset when it happened. Well I guess she must not have been, because the girls seemed happy when they left and Rarity looked so pleased to see me and—"
Applejack held a hoof up, chuckling. "Shy, no need to get all worked up. She's fine. Heck, ya remind me of my Ma wringing yer hooves like that. She always seemed to go into fits whenever Pa had the sniffles. Ah’d almost think you're sweet on Rare or something."
Fluttershy blushed deep red.
Applejack stared at her. This was news. Hello! Really? "You are?!"
Fluttershy nodded, blushing furiously, unable to bring herself to speak.
Applejack was not sure what to do in this situation. As Fluttershy moved round towards Applejack, Winona took the opportunity to jump down from the table. The farmpony sighed and heaved herself up onto the table, hind legs swinging off the side. Fluttershy silently took a place beside her. Applejack supposed Shy would normally go to Rarity about something like this. Kinda hard to ask your friend how to deal with how you're feeling about... well, them. Celestia knew it took Dash long enough to come clean. Danged nuisance having her nap in the apple trees all the time until she finally got up the nerve to say why she was doin’ it. Still, Shy was a friend, and what was she if not the most dependable of ponies who would help a friend with anything? Even this. First things first though. "Have you told her?"
Fluttershy squeaked.
Applejack leaned in. "Run that by me again, sugarcube?"
Fluttershy took a deep breath. "I've wanted to for ages but I can never summon up the courage I want so badly to just take her in my hooves and kiss her she makes me think naughty things I want to be with her every waking moment I have to tell her but I just can't!"
Applejack whistled. Not a pause in that whole tirade. "Yeah, Ah'd say you got it bad, sugarcube."
Fluttershy slumped; it felt like a valve had been released. "What do I do?"
Applejack put a hoof on her shoulder. "Look, Rarity's yer friend. Ya need to walk up, look her in the eye, and tell her."
Fluttershy looked up, her eyes shining with some unknown emotion. "What if she doesn't feel that way about me?"
Applejack sighed, turned to Fluttershy and moved her hoof to encircle the pegasus’ slim shoulders. She looked her friend dead in the eye. "Look, sugarcube, it's better to be honest to her. You'll either end up with a new relationship, or a stronger friendship. It's not fair to Rarity to keep everything bottled up. She'd wanna either return your feelings or help you past ‘em so you can find somepony else. Ah know it's probably hard to think that way, but Ah think that's how Rarity would react if you told her."
Applejack got up to leave; she had trees to buck. She held up her outstretched forelegs. Normally she wasn't this touchy-feely but Fluttershy looked like she could use a hug. Fluttershy started crying and hugged Applejack gratefully.
Unseen by them both, Rarity had arrived, carrying her pampered pet Opalescence in her magic. She didn’t have an appointment, and in fact Opal was completely fine, but she hoped to catch Fluttershy alone and her cat made for the ideal cover story. She paused; Fluttershy seemed to be finishing a visit at the moment. Rarity peered in through the window curiously, trying to discern who was inside. Rarity recognized Applejack, who was now getting up to leave, and embracing — No... Oh no! She turned on the spot, mortified, and rushed off with stinging tears pricking at her eyes.
Rarity galloped home, let Opal out of her carrying cage and rushed over to Sugarcube Corner. She barely spared Cup and Carrot a glance as she ran up the stairs to Pinkie's room.
Pinkie took one look at her friend's tear-stained face and rushed to meet her. Rarity embraced Pinkie desperately as Pinkie hugged her comfortingly back. "Rarity! What's wrong? Did she say no?"
Rarity shook her head, which was now buried in her friend's pink mane. She leaned back and took a breath, her voice broken and hoarse. "She didn't have to say anything, she's clearly in love with Applejack! I saw them embracing as I arrived to have Opal checked out."
Pinkie now found herself in a bit of a pickle (and she was fresh out of barrels, too). She knew for certain Applejack was not dating Fluttershy; she’d been dating Dashie for months now! The big problem was that Pinkie was sworn to secrecy until the pair decided to come clean to the rest of their friends themselves. She couldn't break that promise, even to help Rarity now. "I'm sure that's not true Rarity! Think back, you saw how Twilight and I hugged, was Fluttershy hugging her like that?"
Rarity sniffled, but replayed the scene in her mind. It hadn’t been the same, had it? Fluttershy had been crying...
Applejack must have rejected her! That minx!
"I-I suppose you're right, Pinkie. Um, if you don't mind, could we plan the party for the early evening? Could you get invitations out by then?"
Pinkie nodded, relieved. "Of course! As the guest of honor you choose the time and day. As the hostess I will invite everypony else."
Rarity smiled. "Thank you, Pinkie, perhaps a party will be just the thing to cheer me up." Also, it will be the perfect opportunity to confront Applejack! How dare she reject such a wonderful mare!
The invitations were delivered promptly, and thankfully everypony was free to attend. They all made an effort to attend Pinkie's parties if at all possible. Dash had not been clear what precisely had happened the day she went to fetch Pinkie for her birthday party, however she had made it clear that it would be best if they did not miss a party of hers in the future unless it was absolutely necessary.
Rarity sat with Pinkie and Twilight, her mien one of calm good humor while inside her mind seethed with blind fury. How could anypony reject such a pure, sweet mare as Fluttershy?
Twilight leaned in closer to her. "Rarity, Pinkie told me you saw us—"
Rarity shook herself. It would not do to have her mood soured outwardly during the party. She smiled at Twilight. "I wouldn't dream of betraying her confidence or, by extension, yours. Have no fear, dear. That secret will remain with me until you two decide to come forward with the news, and I expect an invitation to the party when you do!"
Twilight nodded, relieved.
As they had been chatting the rest of their group of friends had arrived together. She smiled warmly at Fluttershy and quickly embraced her friend. The pegasus eagerly returned her embrace. "Hi, Rarity, do you think I could talk to you later? If that's alright with you that is..."
Rarity nodded absently. "Yes, of course, darling, we'll have plenty of time at the shop to talk."
Poor thing probably needs a shoulder to cry on. You will not take advantage of your friend in a moment of weakness, Rarity! No matter how tempting it may be!
The party was soon in full swing, and Rarity was quite enjoying herself in spite of how upset she had been feeling earlier. Fluttershy will need comfort, but perhaps I shouldn’t hate Applejack for this, it’s not her fault she wasn’t interested. The guests played games, danced, drank punch and generally enjoyed each others company. Things were going rather well until Rarity idly watched as Applejack brought Rainbow a drink... and then pecked her quickly on the cheek!
Rarity shot up from her seat. "Excuse me a moment, darlings." She strode across the room, planted herself in front of Applejack and smacked her across the mouth. Her voice came out in a barely audible hiss. "You two-timing scoundrel! How could you do that to poor Fluttershy!"
Rainbow Dash immediately jumped in between the pair. "Rarity, what the hay?!"
Applejack rubbed her face; for a unicorn that was quite a wallop. "Rare, what in tarnation are you on about?"
Rarity raised her voice slightly. "I saw you two this afternoon at her cottage. Did she confess her feelings to you? Why was she crying? Why are you kissing Rainbow Dash?"
Applejack held her temper in check for the time being. "What Fluttershy and I talked about ain't for me to tell. As fer me and Dash... well that's nopony's business but ours."
Rarity lunged again, giving up on any pretence of discretion and shouting for all she was worth. "So you don't deny it, that poor sweet innocent thing told you she loved you and you rejected her! How could you, Applejack?!"
Applejack held her hooves up. "You got it wrong! Rare, it ain't me she loves! It's... somepony else."
A voice rang out across the room. "Rarity! Stop!"
Fluttershy stood, glaring over at the three ponies. "Stop this at once. Applejack was just giving me some advice; she didn't hurt my feelings or anything remotely like that. Now please, can't we all just enjoy the party?"
Rarity breathed in heavily. She looked around the room at the shocked faces of her friends. Rainbow still looked ready to fight, but the confusion on her face was plain, while Applejack just looked wounded. Rarity hung her head in shame. "I am so sorry, everypony. My head is just... elsewhere today. I believe I will take my leave of you all before I make a fool of myself any further. Fluttershy, will you still be joining me tonight?"
Fluttershy nodded. "Of course."
Rarity held up a hoof to Applejack. "I have wronged you, Applejack. Will you accept my apology?"
Applejack grinned, glad the problem seemed to have been resolved. "No harm done, you were just being protective of a friend." She took the hoof and clasped it in her two of hers, shaking vigorously.
Rarity wished her friends good night and walked slowly back to her boutique, feeling very alone and foolish.
Rarity sprawled on her bed, one foreleg over her eyes. She could not believe what a fool she had just made of herself over a simple misunderstanding! This was simply intolerable. She had struck Applejack with no better proof of wrongdoing than a chance sighting of her two friends hugging. What a selfish, jealous thing you are, Rarity! Why bother telling her now? You don't deserve her!
She nodded to herself; it was true. However, she knew something concrete now - she knew her dear Fluttershy definitely loved somepony. Maybe she herself didn't deserve to have her, but Fluttershy deserved to be happy. She would secure her friend that pony, whoever it was. As Celestia is my witness, even if I have to move heaven and earth to do it, Fluttershy shall have her special somepony!
That could have gone better.
Pinkie sighed heavily. She once again found reason to regret how she had handled Rarity's plight. She had hoped simple reassurance would be enough; after all, she knew that Applejack could not possibly be in love with Fluttershy. She just couldn't tell Rarity why she had known! But instead, it had only made things worse.
Secrets and lies... they never help anypony. Still, a promise is a promise... even if the truth would solve everything.
She looked across the room at Twilight Sparkle. Everypony else had left, but she had stayed to help Pinkie clean. She watched in fascination as Twilight performed three tasks at once, marveling at how effortless she made it look. Pinkie took advantage of her concentration to creep up behind her slowly, before tackling her in a sudden embrace. “Gotcha!”
Twilight squeaked just a bit as the air was squeezed out of her. "Pinkie! Warn me first!" She laughed and twisted around in Pinkie's grasp, kissing Pinkie on the nose.
Pinkie blushed and kissed her back deeply. "Do you have to go right away?"
Twilight took a moment to catch her breath as she considered the question. "The party ended earlier than anypony expected. Spike won't expect me back until much later."
Pinkie looked at her, eyes shining and expression playfully pleading. "Soooooo?"
Twilight burst out laughing. "That's not fair, Pinkie, you know you can talk me into anything when you give me that look!"
Pinkie pouted. That doesn’t answer the question! "Answer me or I get the feathers out!"
Twilight tried to back away, but the pink pony only held her tighter. "You wouldn't dare!"
Pinkie gave a predatory grin. "Just try me."
Twilight twisted out of Pinkie's embrace and trotted casually to the party pony’s bed. "I suppose we can fit a study session in, but I can't pull an all-nighter. Is that okay?"
Pinkie gave her lover a warm, seductive smile. "Okay, but this time you play the damsel and I get to be the ravaging pirate."
The bed was cold now that she was gone. Pinkie stared up at the ceiling. Her head told her this was all just a game, that she was having fun with her friend. Fun is always good. I love fun!
Her heart only cried out that the bed was cold with her gone. Does she know what she's doing to me?
She quashed the thought. Twilight was her friend, they cared for one another. They were playing games together to make each other happy. Twilight would never knowingly hurt her. What about unknowingly? Neither of us can pin down what we're doing. It's fun, but is it love?
Pinkie was startled by the thought. She hadn't been bothered by any of this until Rarity had come by to talk to her. The idea of wanting more just... it hadn’t registered up till now. She had been so focused on helping her friend that she hadn’t thought much about it.
"Do you want to make 'Shy happy?"
"I would love to devote the rest of my life to doing just that."
Pinkie's heart skipped a beat. The rest of my life. Making one pony happy. Do I want that?
"I miss her when she's not around. I like to talk to her about... anything really."
Her heart surged. That was a yes, apparently. Okay, I did not know this about myself. Fine, heart, why Twilight?
Her heart only beat silently.
Oooh, a guessing game huh? Okay, is it her smile? The way she has a special laugh she only seems to use around me? How about how she can mix chemicals for potions super-well but get her in a kitchen and she's lost? OOOOH, I know! It’s that look she gives me when she thinks I'm not looking, right?
Her heart, quite naturally, remained taciturn. The thoughts she was entertaining were making it race, however. So what do we do about it, heart? Do we tell Twilight, or keep it a secret to keep on keeping her happy?
The heart offered no opinion, but it did seem to spread warmth all through her tummy when Pinkie thought about telling Twilight. Yeah, I think we should tell her too.
Her heart leapt again. Calm down already!
She smiled as she looked up at the night sky; one of the stars sparkled just as she looked up at it. It reminded her of a certain mare's flank. No more secrets. No more lies.
She got up, putting a little steel in her spine. This was not going to be fun; she had to do it now while she still had the resolve. For them to have any sort of future, they needed a proper beginning. She hoped Twilight would give her that chance after what she had to say.
Twilight lay back on her bed, exhausted. She spat out a feather that had caught in her teeth. That was certainly... interesting.
Pinkie never ceased to amaze her. They'd been doing this for months now, and she always managed to come up with some new game to play. Is … is it still just a game?
She groaned. This was not the first time she had had this argument with herself. Of course it is! I know that, Pinkie knows that! The book said this is a nice, comfortable, casual relationship you can have with a friend you trust! It’s elegant in its simplicity - skip all the things that might be disappointing in a relationship. Dating, courting, love... Twilight sighed. That all sounded fine on paper, but she did want somepony to love. This... just felt safer. There was no risk, and lots of reward.
What about the big reward? What about what Shining Armor and Cadance have? Twilight snorted. Love was complicated. Love could hurt. Anyway, I’m not studying love, I’m studying friendship! This is just one more aspect of friendship, the book said so!
So why can't I stop looking at her when I think she's not paying attention? Why did I watch her sleep for three hours? Why can't I stop thinking about her?
Well, she's fascinating! She does things that should be impossible! She can find happiness in anything! Those blue eyes... they twinkle when she laughs, which is often. When I look into them I can see her soul! She's just the most amazing mare I know!
Would I say I love that about her?
That and more! She has a way of thinking that makes mere logic stand on its ear and bark! I don't think I have ever known a more infuriating and wonderful pony in my life.
Would I say I love her?
That question gave her pause. She wanted to discount it immediately, but she was compelled to follow it to a reasoned conclusion. She got up out of bed and fetched a clipboard. Dipping her quill in ink, she set it to the paper and began writing, pausing thoughtfully here and there to consider.
Things I love about Pinkie:Interesting
Fun
Illogical
Intelligent
Parties
Cooking
Ticklish
(She blushed at that one, finding out where her lover was ticklish had been a game in itself.)
BraveMakes me feel brave around her.
Makes me happy
That’s a good start, but let's list the downsides.
Things I can't stand about Pinkie:Illogical
She knows where I am ticklish.
She sometimes doesn't know when I need space.
She tries to get me to cook
My poor stove, I still need to replace it. Spike got so frustrated with me after that.
She faltered... Are there really so few things I don't like about Pinkie? She looked down again. There were other minor annoyances of course. The hyperactive mare bounced everywhere, for instance. She often forgot to pause when talking, leaving Twilight concerned she would pass out from lack of air... Nothing more she could really say she couldn't stand.
She flopped back down heavily on her bed. Her ear twitched as something tapped her window. What could that be? She glanced at Owlowiscious on his perch. Nope, he didn’t go out for a flight, hmmm.
She got up and looked out into the darkness. There, in a pool of light cast by her open window, stood a pink pony. She had been tossing pebbles at Twilight's window, trying to get her attention.
Recovering from her surprise, she hissed. "Pinkie, what are you doing? It's late, go home!"
Pinkie replied equally softly. "Twilight, I have to talk to you. It's important!"
Twilight grunted in annoyance; they were going to wake up Spike if they went on like this. She whispered, "Meet me at the door!" Carefully closing the window, Twilight walked downstairs and opened the front door with her magic.
Pinkie stood waiting, a miserable look about her and her hair falling limply to the side of her head. Twilight had only seen her friend like this twice: once when she had thought everypony in their little group of friends had abandoned her, and once more when Gummy had been sick.
Twilight went to hug Pinkie, but was gently fended off. Twilight gave her a wounded look, but Pinkie just set her mouth in a firm line and motioned to the table. Apparently, this was not the prelude to a game.
Once they were both seated, Pinkie took a deep breath and launched straight into what she had to say. "Twilight, we can't do this any more."
Twilight felt like the ground had just dropped from under her feet. "Pinkie, what—"
Pinkie laid a hoof on Twilight's lips to still her protest. "It's been fun, but I want more from a relationship than just fun and games. We started all wrong, that's why it needs to end now. This is just hurting us both."
Twilight stammered. "But... wait... I..."
Pinkie stood up, ignoring her pleading tone. "I'm so sorry, Twilight, but it has to be like this. I-I'll go now."
Pinkie walked out of her door, out of her sight, out of her life. Twilight closed the door with a distracted thought. Over? Forever? “I think I love you,” she whispered to the now-empty room.
Twilight lay her head down on the table. She had just made some headway on how she really felt about Pinkie! Had she really lost her chance at happiness, all because she decided to take a shortcut past the scary parts of a relationship? She wept silently. It seemed so.
Her ear twitched as she heard a small knock on the door. She stood up heavily. Whoever or whatever that is had better have a very good reason for interrupting a darned good cry. She sighed, made a futile attempt to compose herself and opened the door with her magic.
There was Pinkie, still looking morose - but her eyes twinkled with hope. "Um, hi, Twilight! I was wondering, are you free tomorrow? There's this little bistro that just opened up called Chez Ponnise. I thought we could go have dinner?"
Twilight stared as a million responses fought to muscle their way out of her mouth. "... What?"
Pinkie scuffed a hoof sheepishly. "Please?"
Twilight couldn't think of anything else to say. So she tackled Pinkie and threw her hooves around her instead. Pinkie gasped with pleasure and brought her muzzle up to meet Twilight’s, as they kissed more deeply and passionately than they had ever done before. As she at last came up for air, Twilight whispered in Pinkie’s ear. “Thank you for coming back! I was so afraid I’d lost you. I... I love you, Pinkie.”
Pinkie quivered underneath her, but smiled widely at her new fillyfriend. “I love you too, you silly filly!”
Some time later, after they had dusted themselves off from rolling on the ground, Pinkie turned to Twilight. "So, dinner? Or do I have to get the feathers out to make you talk?" She slipped an eye-patch out of her mane and pulled it over one eye.
Twilight chuckled. "Yes, Pinkie, dinner."
Pinkie's hair poofed up as a grin burst onto her face. "Great! Pick you up at seven!"
The two shared a goodnight kiss. Watching Pinkie trot into the night in the direction of Sugarcube Corner, Twilight's eyes shone with excitement as her heart leapt in hope. This... felt right. There was no argument from her mind this time.
Rarity spent the evening quietly, laying out fabric and materials for the labor ahead. After she finished getting everything ready, she sat waiting anxiously for her friend. She just hoped she hadn't managed to cause a rift in their friendship with her foolishness. While she waited she carefully laid out her best silver, took out her favourite blend, and poured herself a cup of tea. It was good, very calming and soothing. She nibbled lightly on a scone.
Rarity looked over the scroll she had been given for the occasion. After some research, she had gotten instructions from Twilight about a spell that would help her with the task.
Hoofstitching was common enough amongst earth ponies. They simply gathered the magic in their bodies and focused it on a single point, giving them the grip necessary to manipulate a needle. Their mouths were quite dexterous of course, but one could hardly expect to sew with one's mouth.
Pinkie seemed to be able to use the grip at will. She had demonstrated it on numerous occasions by pulling balls out of trees and an eye-patch out of a chimney. Applejack had also shown no difficulty holding sticks on which to roast marshmallows during Twilight's first sleepover. However, the control required was taxing and because of this, even though they were capable of holding items with a hoof, most earth ponies preferred to use their tails and mouths instead.
Much like the cloudwalking spell, earth pony grip was something that could be replicated by unicorn magic. Thankfully the spell version was not nearly as taxing, else it might have been beyond her. Rarity planned to use it on both herself and Fluttershy to ease the difficulty for the pair. Frankly, she was not entirely certain how Fluttershy had managed to aid in the sewing of Rarity's own dress for the Grand Galloping Gala without that ability, though she supposed Twilight might have cast the spell. She had always wondered though, how did a pegasus come to cultivate such a refined taste in sewing technique? Had she studied under somepony? Or perhaps she avidly perused fashion articles? It was a mystery.
Fluttershy arrived about an hour after Rarity had excused herself from the party. She cursed her hot-tempered idiocy yet again. Had she not overreacted, she would have been able to walk Fluttershy back from the party. She had also cut short her attendance at her own celebration, which was unforgivable considering the time and effort Pinkie had put in.
Perhaps it was for the best that she had decided against pursuing her feelings. Not only had her runaway emotions caused her to injure herself amidst distraction, but she had also struck one of her closest friends purely as a result of her suspicions.
She hugged Fluttershy gently as she arrived. "Thank you for coming, dear. I want to apologize again for my actions earlier. I was afraid my horrid behavior might have offended you. It means so much to have you here, and to have your help on such a demanding project."
Fluttershy hugged her back, but not as warmly as she had previously. Shy had seriously considered just going home, as she wasn't sure what to think of Rarity now. Her behavior had brought back unpleasant memories... memories of her own actions while under Discord's influence. "It's no problem, Rarity, but exactly what brought that on? Um, if you don't mind explaining I mean..."
Rarity blushed. She released her friend and motioned for her to sit while she poured a cup of tea for her guest. "I had decided to take Opal for a quick checkup;the poor thing seems so testy of late. When I arrived I... saw the two of you hugging."
Fluttershy looked startled; had she heard? What would that mean? Fluttershy wasn’t sure if this was good or bad. "Did you hear what we were talking about?"
Rarity shook her head. "Not in the slightest! I just saw the two of you... embracing, so I decided that Opal's checkup could wait. I'm afraid I assumed you two were having a... private moment. I jumped to a conclusion I shouldn't have. Then later, when I saw Applejack kiss Rainbow Dash, I jumped to another one."
"You thought me and Applejack were..." Fluttershy blushed furiously.
Rarity nodded ruefully. "Truth be told, I was more than a little jealous... b-because you're my friend, you see! I do so enjoy spending time with you, and I was afraid she would take you away from me. N-not that I would not be overjoyed to see you find somepony to love, I would be thrilled! I also would never forgive you if you failed to have me make the wedding dress. But then, when I saw her kissing Rainbow... Well, I just decided to march right up and smack that hussy in the face for ever denying you!” The fashionista blanched at her own vehemence. “W-what I mean to say is, I felt that way, not that Applejack is a hussy... Oh, I am making an absolute fool of myself again." She began to cry a bit in frustration.
Fluttershy stood up and gently embraced her friend. "I forgive you, Rarity." It was true. She could see now that Rarity had been trying to save a friend from being hurt. She could also tell that the jealousy Rarity spoke of wasn't because of romantic feelings. "Not that I would not be overjoyed to see you find somepony you love." If only you knew, Rarity. She sighed a bit. At least I didn't have to ruin our friendship by telling you how I felt about you. I do love you, but it would hurt so much to ruin what we have now. Applejack was right; Rarity was a good friend. However, knowing what she did she saw no point in confessing feelings that weren't returned.
She gently stroked her friend’s mane. It felt good, and Fluttershy herself felt better than she had in quite a while. She didn't have to feel tense around her friend anymore. It was true that she was disappointed, of course, but she didn't need Rarity to love her. It was enough they were the closest of friends, and she would always love her regardless of how their relationship took shape.
Rarity snuffled into Fluttershy’s mane briefly before pulling back from the embrace. "Darling, I don't mean to pry, but Applejack did mention something. She said you were not in love with her, obviously, but that you do love somepony else. I love you so very dearly, darling... A-as a friend of course! As such I would love to... volunteer to help in any way that might assist you in landing your special somepony. If you'll have my help of course."
Fluttershy wanted to laugh, and also to cry. Applejack had been right again. Rarity didn't love her, but instead wanted to help her find somepony to love. Fluttershy held her friend's shoulders and looked her deep in the eyes. "You don't have to do that, Rarity. I'm over it now. I want you to know I love you very much too. I couldn't ask for a better friend."
Their tea finished, work began on the order. Rarity cast the grip spell on herself and marveled at how well it worked. Granted, this was not going to be as much fun as using her sewing machine, but there was something very satisfying about hoofing the material every step of the way. It felt more visceral. She decided then and there to hoofstitch much more in the future, just not for large projects, which would be too time consuming. She was going to cast the spell on Fluttershy next, but somehow or other she had already started.
"Fluttershy, dear, h-how are you doing that exactly?" She watched as her friend threaded a needle by holding the thread with her teeth and bringing the needle up with a single hoof.
Fluttershy daintily released the thread after tying it off at one end, doing so with a quick and deft twist of her mouth. "Oh, holding the needle you mean?"
Rarity nodded, stupefied. The needle was firmly attached to her friends hoof.
Fluttershy held up her hoof, letting Rarity see a small arc of electricity running down the length of her horseshoe. "It's a pegasus magic technique. We're taught it as foals to help us get a hold on metal objects. You focus your magic into lightning energy and it magnetizes the horseshoe." She thought for a moment. "Do you remember the Hearth's Warming Eve pageant?"
Rarity nodded again, fascinated. "Yes, of course..."
"That's why the pegasus tribes worked with metal armor so much. Cloth would have been lighter to fly in, but they could work metal very easily. Some of our more practiced craftsman of that age could shape it however they chose just by running the right currents through it." Fluttershy demonstrated by holding a hoof over the needle, making it rise and fall from the garment.
Rarity watched the needle dance. "So... when you talked about haute couture, it wasn't just something you'd heard about in a fashion magazine, was it?"
Fluttershy smiled. "Oh no, my grandmother taught me. I've known how to sew since I was very small."
Rarity watched in fascination at the practiced and graceful movements as her friend pieced the garment together. Stop it, Rarity! She is your friend, nothing more. You will stop mooning over her like a lovesick foal! Just because you've learned something new and interesting about her, even if it does make her that little bit more perfect...
They worked in companionable silence until it was dark. As the evening grew late, Rarity looked in satisfaction at their progress: six dresses complete. They would be done in plenty of time.
Fluttershy yawned. "I'm sorry Rarity, I have to go home now. We can work more tomorrow after the spa visit, if that’s okay?"
Rarity opened her mouth to reply but instead yawned herself. Giggling a little, she replied, "Yes, I suppose it is late, isn't it?. Come, dear, I will walk you home."
The two trotted amiably together to Fluttershy's cottage. Along the way Fluttershy became tired enough to lose her balance a bit, so the rest of the trek was spent with Fluttershy leaning on Rarity's shoulder for balance. Feeling the delicate mare shift against her, Rarity could barely suppress the urge to squeak as her heart began to race. Why must you tempt me so, my love?
Finally reaching the cottage door, Rarity opened it and guided her charge upstairs. She helped Fluttershy into bed, foregoing her preferred method of sliding under the sheets in deference to Fluttershy’s overly-tired state and simply letting the pegasus shuffle under the sheets.
Fluttershy looked up at her friend sleepily. "You're such a good friend, Rarity. I wish I could find somepony like you to be with," she murmured before yawning and snuggling further into her covers.
Rarity caught her breath, swallowed very slowly and very carefully, then leaned over and kissed her friend gently on the forehead. She whispered just under her breath, “Goodnight, my darling.”
She walked home, deep in thought. "Somepony like me... very well! If Fluttershy wants to meet somepony like me, then as Celestia is my witness she shall!” She pondered... how could she accomplish this? Who was sufficiently like her to suit Fluttershy’s needs?
Fancy Pants was rather like her in temperament and outlook, but he was taken, for the moment anyway, as he was currently with Fleur de Lis. Thinking further, Rarity also did not like the idea of exposing her friend to the same uncaring crowd that had upset her during her brief modeling career. If she was courted by Fancy Pants, Fluttershy would definitely have to run that particular gauntlet again, and a mare of her tenderness and kindness was far too good for the ponies that circulated in that social stratum.
Perhaps one of the sisters who ran the spa? They were certainly elegant and sophisticated without being part of the so-called ‘elite’. The things they can do with their hooves are not to be ignored either, Rarity thought with a grin.
She sighed as she reached the front door of the Boutique, temporarily stumped. She had no doubt that she would find the right pony for Fluttershy, it would just take time. After all, her most cherished friend couldn’t be dumped off on somepony unworthy of her like a dress fit only for seconds! Once again, Rarity felt a twinge in her heart at the hopeful notion that she herself could be the one, but entertained the thought only briefly before dismissing it guiltily. She couldn't do that to Fluttershy; she wasn't worthy of a mare such as her any more than the ponies she had just mentally rejected. I just wish I could tell her about my feelings for her in some way without risking our friendship.
Her head snapped bolt upright. I can be the one, in a fashion. An anonymous love letter! Yes! I can tell her how I feel under the cover of being a secret admirer! Perhaps I can find out more about this pony she loves. I could ask her to leave me a response!
Rarity smiled happily at the notion of finally unburdening herself, maybe not directly, but she could at least relate her emotions to Fluttershy in a tangible form now. Wasting no time, she ignited several candles at her writing desk and got out a sheet of paper. Oh, but Fluttershy might recognize my writing...
She briefly considered writing with her mouth, but she was long out of practice. All she would be likely to produce would be an illegible scribble, and that would not work at all. Unfortunately she could not force her own writing to look different when it was being penned by her magic, either.
She looked down at her hoof consideringly, then picked up the pen with it experimentally. Her grip spell was still active, and would persist for several more hours yet. She held her hoof to the paper and began to write; the penmanship was shakier than her normal style, but still legible. Marshalling her thoughts, she began to write.
"Dear Mare of my Dreams,You do not know me, and I have only seen you from across a
crowded room. The vision of your beauty captivated me..."
The letter finished, she folded the paper neatly with her magic and slid it into a blank envelope, then lifted it to her lips and sealed her hopes into the letter with a soft kiss. Setting a dollop of wax over the fold, she warmed it with a simple spell, one she normally used to reheat tea if it had gone cold while she worked. Rarity then quickly threw on a few darker pieces of apparel and went back out into the night, sneaking out of the village back to Fluttershy's cottage. She crept up to the door quietly, the envelope clutched to her chest. Looking down at it, she thought of how much of herself she had put into the words on those pages, her hopes and dreams and desires. Then she reached up carefully and pinned the envelope to the door, along with a red rose.
Shining eyes in the darkness blinked as they watched the shadowy figure arrive and leave. Angel grunted with disinterest and went back to sleep.
Rarity galloped back home in a rush. She felt so very good! She had poured her heart out in that letter. If it failed to inspire her friend back to the path of romance then she was certain nothing could do so. Fluttershy would never know who her anonymous suitor was, but being courted in such a way would surely make her more open to love in general. A lady needed romance in her life, after all, and what greater romance could there be than to be wooed from afar by a dashing paramour?
Reaching her workroom once again, she began penning a second letter. Then a third, and a fourth. Perhaps she was not meant to be with Rarity, but Fluttershy would be made aware that she was loved. Then she would find her the perfect pony to be with. She giggled. Fluttershy would be happy, and Rarity would be happy for her. She deserves love; I will find it and make it hers!
She bent to her task until the early hours of the morning before fatigue forced her to retire to her bedroom. Lying back in her bed, Rarity smiled as she thought of the letters ready and waiting to be sent. Fluttershy would hopefully never know the lengths Rarity had gone to in order to secure her friend’s happiness, but she would, and that was enough. She slept deeply that night, and dreamed of her love happily surrounded by letters and red roses.
Fluttershy blinked sleepily. Chanticleer had woken her with his crowing, signaling the start of her morning. The sun was just barely pushing up from the horizon, like a foal playing peekaboo. She briefly considered simply staying in bed, and snuggled more deeply into her covers. Soon enough, however, her sense of duty reared its ugly head once again. After all, her animal friends depended on her, so she had to be responsible. Even if it would feel nice to just curl up and hide from the world for a bit.
She pushed back the covers with a sigh. The world somehow seemed a little less wonderful this morning. She remembered this feeling well: the sensation of not being loved, or more specifically of not being loved by somepony in particular.
It just hadn't hit her yesterday, when all she had experienced was a sense of relief in having the constant tension settled, even in that fashion. Today however, in the cold light of dawn, she just found herself disappointed that things hadn't gone the way she'd hoped. She had been so happy when love has still been a possibility for her, experiencing the snuggly feeling of warmth that made her feathers all tingly. Now she just felt... an absence. She sighed heavily. At least her animal friends still loved and needed her.
That’s not fair and you know it. Rarity loves you too, just not that way. Remember that! She straightened her shoulders. C'mon Fluttershy, buck up. You have friends, and they all love you. There will be plenty of time to find a special somepony. She wasn't the one. It's... okay. She's still a good friend, and she wouldn't want you to be unhappy. Shy took comfort in that. She could be strong. She would be strong, for Rarity.
She grabbed her manebrush in her teeth and slipped it over her hoof. As she tended to her mane, her mind rattled off the list of chores for that morning... but it wandered as she looked over to the calendar, today’s date marked in red ink. Poor Rarity, if I had only thought to look at the date! Maybe I wouldn't have panicked and slammed the door in her face the other day.
Thinking about Rarity just led to more feelings of emptiness. I wanted so badly for there to be something between us... That moment when she put the flower in my mane... I wanted to kiss her, and I was sure she wanted to kiss me! She shook her head, dispelling that fantasy. The heart sees what it wants to see, but you can't make her love you. Oh, I could just scream! That wouldn't help at all though...
Fluttershy thought for a moment. Still, it also couldn't hurt. She took a deep breath and proceeded to let out the quietest, cutest scream in recorded history, gasping for breath afterwards. Okay, maybe that helped a little. She smiled. She was feeling slightly better; still sad, but better. Besides, there was still the spa to look forward to, and those visits always cheered her up. She lay down the manebrush and stepped into the shower. The water seemed to wash away her sadness, leaving her feeling renewed. She toweled off briskly. Yes, today will be a good day. Spa with Rarity, then helping to sew dresses. Helping is good. Sewing is fun. She smiled as she she walked quickly downstairs to begin her day.
Angel blinked blearily at the offending light as it slinked its way into his hutch. If the light had any sense it all it would have slunk right back out again. However, it was just light, and quite immune to his hatred. As such, it stayed right where it was, taunting him.
The Yellow One was apparently already up; he could hear her singing something while she showered. He yawned and stretched. It would probably be wise to go and remind her who came first in the pecking order - and he didn’t mean Elisabeak.
He blearily looked out from the comforting darkness of his home as the cursed daylight continued its assault on his senses. He examined his surroundings. The rest of the animals were all beginning to show signs of life, waiting expectantly for their caregiver to make the morning rounds. He hopped over to the front door and gave it a swift kick, causing it to crack open widely enough for him to hop in. His kick also caused a couple of objects to fall on his head. Fortunately for him, the white thing hit first, and it cushioned the prickly red flower.
He looked up in annoyance at the offending objects. He had assumed that the strange goings-on from last night had been a dream, but now it seemed something had been left as evidence of the crime. He carefully picked up the white thing, smelling it briefly; it carried a scent he was somehow familiar with, but couldn’t quite place. He picked up the flower as well, and briefly considered eating the petals, but decided against it - lettuce sounded much more appetizing.
His ears perked up as he listened intently for her location. She was apparently coming down the stairs. He tapped a foot impatiently, eager to show her what he had found.
The Yellow One glided past him, humming a soft tune. He stared after her, marveling at her temerity. Was Angel going to have to smack a mare? Truly, this female was far too assertive for her own good sometimes.
He glanced at the objects in his paws, briefly considering the rose, but thought better of it. She had been giving him that look lately whenever he went ‘too far’, and tossing a thorny flower would probably be considered a bit much. So he chucked the white thing at her instead.
Fluttershy was fetching water when it happened. She had bent down to grab the pail handle in her teeth when she heard something flapping in the air, and watched in bemusement as an envelope sailed over her head to land squarely in the bucket.
What's this? She reached in and grasped the letter with her teeth before releasing it gently into her hooves and examining it. A letter? There's no postmark. No return address either. She turned it over and saw the wax seal.
Shy turned to be greeted by Angel angrily tapping a foot at her. "Oh, good morning Angel! Did you sleep well?" Something was very odd, however. Angel appeared to be holding something. Oh my, it's a rose! "Oh Angel, did you pick me a flower? Roses are prickly, you know, you might have hurt yourself! Still, thank you, that's very sweet."
She laid the letter down absently and went to fetch some water.
Angel stared at her retreating form, jaw slack with disbelief. She had blatantly ignored him again! Oh, this would not stand. He bounded forward into a running leap, turned in mid-air, and kicked her in the flank with both feet. Of course, he failed to account for the landing, or the principle of equal and opposite reactions, and bounced backward to smack his head on the wooden floor.
Fluttershy was not hurt, but being attacked by a flying ninja rabbit definitely got her attention. She turned and looked at him, concerned he might have hurt himself. "Angel, what's gotten into you this morning? Why are you so impatient?"
He stood, rubbing his head briefly, then pointed at the white thing that had fallen on him earlier.
She took a better look at it; wrapped up in her plans for the day, she had dismissed the odd envelope as unimportant. "You want me to open the envelope?"
Angel, in fact, wanted food. However, the white thing seemed like the type of thing she would worry about. Since the food did not seem to be materializing, he may as well get her to look at it and get it out of the way. Maybe it would be important enough to make her forget he'd just kicked her. He certainly was in no danger of forgetting - the lump on his head would see to that. This decided, he nodded, smiling ingratiatingly.
She picked it up in her hooves, clasped it carefully between them, and ripped it open with her teeth. A piece of parchment fell out. Something else fell out as well, unnoticed for the moment.
She stared at the letter on her floor for a long minute, while her brain processed what she was seeing. She noted something else; a scent coming from the envelope. It made her happy, but she wasn't sure why. It just seemed so familiar and comforting.
Turning her attention back to the envelope in her hooves, she carefully inspected it for anything unusual, peeking inside briefly to see if it held more secrets. Looking it over more closely, she noticed something odd about the wax seal securing the flap; it had the impression of lips pressed into it.
She dropped the envelope with a start. She'd received only one of these before. It was during Flight Camp, and had been quite unexpected at the time, but in retrospect she knew she should have seen it coming. Poor Rainbow Dash... they'd befriended each other quickly. Fluttershy had admired Dash’s skill and speed, and Dash had seen her as somepony who needed protection from bullies. They'd grown closer and closer, until one day she came back from class to find a note left on her pillow. It was very sweet, and flattering; but as much as she liked Rainbow as a friend, she didn't harbor any romantic attraction for her. It was easy to see why Rainbow had felt there was something there; she had mistaken her own feelings of friendship for something else. Added to that, the poor thing had had no idea how to process kindness, and had mistaken Fluttershy’s attention for romantic inclination. Fluttershy had let her down gently, and they remained close friends, of course, but she had just never felt that way about Dash.
Even if she hadn't ever gotten that letter, however, she would know this for what it was in an instant. Somepony had written her a love note.
She touched the letter on the floor nervously, as if it might bite her. The expected attack failed to come, of course. Thoughts were piling up in her mind uselessly, filling the section of her brain allocated to panic. Just when she thought her head might burst from all the pressure, her train of thought was derailed by an impatient tapping sound.
Angel watched the pony have her little breakdown. He was annoyed, but decided it might speed breakfast up to try to help her past it. Seeing he had gotten her attention, he looked at her questioningly, waiting for the torrent that was to come.
"Angel, where did you get this? Did you see anypony leaving it? Did they leave the rose with it?" Fluttershy looked at him pleadingly, hoping for answers.
Angel sighed, shaking his head as he began to pantomime the events of last night.
Fluttershy nodded intently as he mimicked somepony sneaking up to the door, leaving something on it, then sneaking away. She cooed in sympathy as he walked outside, stepping back in and showing her that something had fallen on him. This changed to a slightly angry look as he reenacted stamping his foot behind her, then tossing the envelope at her. He had the good sense to look apologetic, so she smiled in forgiveness.
So, somepony snuck up to my door and left this for me. Who could it have been?
She looked again at the letter. It had inexplicably failed to move, so she picked it up nimbly in her teeth. It was then that she noticed the object on the floor; it looked like a single eyelash, very thick and black. She laid the letter down on top of the envelope, then carefully picked up the fiddly object. It was fake, likely from a set of false eyelashes, and something about it triggered a feeling of déjà vu. She laid the lash down on the table, then picked up the letter and carefully unfolded it.
Dear Mare of my Dreams,
You do not know me, and I have only seen you from across a
crowded room, but the vision of your beauty captivated me in an instant.
You looked so small on stage, yet somehow your presence was
the most striking of all. All at once I wanted to protect you, and to hold you up for
the world to see. Is it possible you do not know how unbearably beautiful
you are? How you somehow manage to look both shy and reserved,
yet confident and demure? There is so much to admire about you, so much that I
cannot bear not expressing it to you.
I realize this must seem horribly forward of me; a stranger to you, writing
as if I know you. Yet I do, I know you so very well. I recognize that this may frighten
you - somepony just leaving a confession of affection at your doorstep.
Please, do not be afraid of my intentions. I would never in my life harm you,
or allow you to come to harm. Know this, darling; I love you with all of my heart.
I would never ask it of you, but I would be the happiest pony alive were I to
be allowed to spend the rest of my life bringing a smile to your gorgeous lips.
You mean so very much to me.
I recognize how strange it must seem for a stranger to profess love without showing
you their face. I must beg your forgiveness for approaching you in this way. I fear
I have placed you on a pedestal. I apologize for that, it must be terribly drafty up there.
If it pleases you, you could perhaps write me back. If you wish, you may return
my letter by addressing it to Sugarcube Corner. I have acquired a temporary
mailing address there, and a very nice mare named Pinkie Pie agreed to notify me
of any mail received in my name. I shall only be in Ponyville for a short time,
as my travels take me far and wide. However, I could not resist leaving a note of
affection for you while I was here. Please, I beg your forgiveness for indulging my
romantic hopes. I am a fool in love, and wished only to tell you of it. If I you do not desire
to write back, know only that you have my undying devotion.
Signed,
Elusive.
She gasped in shock. Who is this pony? How could they know me, if they have only seen me once? She sat down heavily. The displaced air sent a waft of scent from the letter. And... where do I know that scent from?
She stared at the letter. Then the envelope. Then at the inexplicable fake eyelash. Something was tickling the back of her brain. The letter was so very personal. The writer called her darling and dear. That scent... where....
It clicked. Caro’s ‘Ponivre,’ exclusively available from some of the most high-class perfumiers in Canterlot. Eight hundred bits per bottle, and Rarity's favorite perfume. The fake eyelashes; Rarity had sworn her to secrecy about them. The letter is signed ‘Elusive’... Rarity, you wrote me a love letter!
Fluttershy was floored. Why? Why do it like this? Why not confess in person?
Rarity could ask you the same, you know. It takes a lot of courage to come right out and say it.
She replayed the events of the day in her mind. Something had bothered her while talking to Rarity about Applejack. She had just assumed it was Rarity being Rarity, frustrated that she had made a faux pas at the party.
"I love you so very dearly darling... A-as a friend of course!"
That hitch in her voice... It's so obvious now...
Fluttershy’s first response was shock at the revelation her deductions had brought her to. Then there came an outpouring of all the emotion she had thought securely locked away the day before.
"Know this, darling; I love you with all of my heart. I would never ask it of you, but I would be the happiest pony alive were I to be allowed to spend the rest of my life bringing a smile to your gorgeous lips."
She loves me!
Fluttershy squealed like a filly and clutched the letter to her chest. She felt like she was floating on air! Oh, I am... She landed and sighed happily.
Then reality came crashing down again.
But she doesn't know I know... I don't want to embarrass her! I would hate the idea of forcing her to confess...
She needed advice. She quickly grabbed a saddlebag, stuffed the letter inside, and galloped out of the door in the direction of Sweet Apple Acres.
Angel stomped his foot in annoyance. He waited for her to come back, but gave up after a few minutes, hopping back to his hutch to take a nap. When she was done with her little trip to crazy town she would be back.
Fluttershy raced to Sweet Apple Acres, searching for Applejack. She just didn't know what to do! She wanted to run to Rarity and tackle her in an embrace. The letter had made her so happy! On the other hoof... Rarity hadn't told her, she'd just written a letter! Maybe she didn't want to say it to her? She was so confused. She hoped Applejack could offer some advice, she felt so very lost right now. She finally spotted her, and dove at her at a speed that would have had Rainbow Dash herself impressed.
Applejack reared back to deliver a precise kick to the trunk. She nodded in satisfaction as the apples fell into her basket perfectly. She walked casually to the next tree, feeling a sense of satisfaction only a hard morning's work could bring. She looked around as a strange sound made its way to her ears. It sounded like a far-off squeal of joy. She shrugged, seeing nopony around to make the noise. Her progress was abruptly cut short by a surprise Flutterhug.
They both tumbled for a moment, their colors blurring into a pinwheel of pink and yellow and orange. Applejack had just enough time to be surprised, and just a little impressed, before they both landed heavily against a tree trunk. She shook her head a moment to clear it, she had taken the brunt of the impact and was just a little shaken. She looked down at the happy pegasus that had tackled her, worried whether she was okay. Seeing her friend none the worse for wear, she smiled. "Um, sugarcube, Ah'm glad to see you too! Do Ah get to know why yer hugging me? Not so much Ah mind, Ah can always go for a good hug, but can we start with the hello and howdoyado's before we start hugging?" Applejack chuckled.
"Oh Applejack! I've got such wonderful news!" Fluttershy beamed.
"Ah take it things went well with Rare?" Applejack smiled gently, happy for her friend.
"Oh no, she told me she was just jealous of you, and loved me as a good friend." Fluttershy was still beaming.
Applejack scratched her head in consternation. "Um, well Ah'm glad yer happy an' all but I admit to being a might confused what's so good about being brushed off into the friend zone."
Fluttershy looked confused, then realized what had gone wrong with the conversation. She reached into her saddlebag and produced a letter. "Here, read this!"
Applejack took the letter from her. She read it over, her look of puzzlement slowly changing to worry, then anger. "What in the hay? 'Shy this sounds like it’s from some kinda weirdo. Why in tarnation are ya so happy about this?"
Fluttershy looked around, but nopony else was nearby. She leaned in and whispered: "It's from Rarity."
Applejack stared at her for a moment, not sure how to respond. If this were any other pony she would be convinced it was a joke at her expense. She looked again at the letter. "Huh... Okay, well I guess Ah'm a little relieved then. So... Yer thinking Rare sent you this? Ah thought she told you she just wanted to be friends. Ah mean, you did tell her how you felt, right?"
Fluttershy kicked her back hoof. "Not exactly..."
Applejack facehoofed. "Sugarcube... You just keep making this whole love thing complicated. What did you tell her?"
Fluttershy hid behind her hair. She took a deep breath. "Well she said she loved me as a friend and I kinda told her I loved her as a friend too and I thought I was okay with that but then the next morning I was all unhappy and then I saw the letter and I went ‘yay’ and then I got confused about what to do and so I came here." She gasped.
Applejack sighed. "So, you put yerself in the friend zone."
Fluttershy nodded. "I didn't mean to! I just didn't want to confess how I felt when I was sure she didn't feel the same about me..."
Applejack nodded. "So now she's writing you love notes... Probably scared of the same thing you are, that you don't feel the same. Yer in a bad spot there, 'Shy."
She looked down at the note again. "Rare's got it bad too... Huh. Well, you got two choices hun. First; you can confront her about it, but that might be a big ol' scene. She might deny it, might bust out crying over it. Thing is, I think she'd be kinda mortified if you called her bluff before she laid down her cards."
Applejack held up a hoof to her head, and in a perfect Manehatten accent said; "Oh, woe is me, my beloved has found me out! Would that I had the chance to properly confess! Now I feel mortally shamed! I shall have to consign myself to exile! This is the WORST POSSIBLE THING!" She mock swooned.
Fluttershy looked worried, Applejack nodded, seeing her point made. "Probably be a big ol' mess. Not the best way to start things off. Second; and mind, I don't usually cotton to falsehoods... You can let her play things out a bit till she gets up the nerve to tell you herself."
Fluttershy whispered, "Would that work?"
Applejack looked abashed. "Well, I can only speak for mahself, but that's what I did. Worked just fine."
Fluttershy perked up. "What do you mean?"
Applejack pawed at the ground nervously. "I mean... Okay, Ah'm gonna take you into mah confidence. Don't go telling nopony what Ah’m about to tell you, alright?"
Fluttershy nodded. "C-cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye."
Applejack nodded, satisfied. "Me and Dash... We been together for months now."
Fluttershy gasped. She tackled Applejack in another Flutterhug. "Oh that's so nice for you two!"
Applejack blushed. "Yeah well, point is... Dash kinda did what Rare's doing. Kept leaving notes around, sleeping in my trees, generally being a pest... Always had rain when I needed it, and sun when I didn't." She smiled fondly. "Ah kinda had her figured out from the first note. I just waited for her to finally get the guts to come out and say it. She finally did one day, and it made the waiting worth it." She blushed harder, remembering the kiss that followed. "Point is, you got her pegged now. She thinks she's bluffing, but she showed you her hand by mistake. Play along, let her set the pace. Heck, write her back.”
Fluttershy giggled. "So, I just play along with her letters?"
Applejack smiled. "Yep, heck, do you one better. Say this was from a stranger, what would ya do?"
Fluttershy considered. "I would show it to Rarity and ask her advice."
Applejack nodded encouragingly. "So do that. Heck, ask her what she thinks this pony might be like. Tell her you wanna meet the pony that wrote it. Tell her you appreciate how much feeling went into it. Ask her what to do about it."
Fluttershy nodded. "O-okay..."
Applejack continued. "Thing is, this will kinda confirm your guess. If she wrote it, she'll be kinda nervous being asked about it. On the other hoof, she'll probably expect you to come to her about it. If ya don't, she might wonder why. Might just decide ya don't care."
Fluttershy gasped. "Oh no! I don't want her to think that!"
Applejack gently patted her head. "Now don't get all upset, you were right, this is a good thing. She's kinda doing it all wrong, but she definitely cares about ya." She looked at a couple of passages from the letter. "Okay, she's pretty much head over hooves about ya, if she's telling the truth. Ah got a knack for picking up lies and well... this strikes me as honest to goodness swear to Celestia outright truth. Only thing false is her claiming to be somepony else."
Fluttershy nodded. "I think so too. O-okay, so show her the letter and s-see how she reacts."
Applejack smiled and nodded. She carefully refolded the letter and returned it to Fluttershy. "Go enjoy your spa date, hun. Tell me how it went later. I don't mean to hurry ya none, but I got apples to buck. You probably got a few chores to finish yerself."
Fluttershy, finally at ease, realized she had completely forgotten to tend to her animals. "Oh my gosh! I need to feed all my poor friends! Thank you, Applejack!"
Applejack smiled and waved goodbye. She eyed the next tree, wondering if this was the one Rainbow would be napping in.
Rarity woke with a start. She removed her sleep-mask and stared at Opalescence, who had seen fit to jump on her chest. The cat was even now making herself comfortable, with little regard for her owner's feelings on the matter. Rarity carefully lifted the feline with her magic, holding it aloft as she rose from her bed. "Good morning, Opal. Mommy has to get up now. Give me a moment and I'll set you down." She yawned.
She languidly stretched each leg. Opal yowled in fury, promising retribution for the affront. "Such impatience, dear. Very well." She set the cat down gently in the middle of the bed. After balefully glaring at her, Opal promptly curled up and fell asleep.
She hummed to herself as she went about her morning grooming. Today was going to be a good day. Today was spa day. It would be a red letter day under normal circumstances, but today in particular she expected to relax. She just felt so relieved to have it off her chest, even if it wasn't the way it should have been. Committing the words to paper had been very cathartic for her. Now the business of the day could begin.
She went to her kitchen, but found she had forgotten to restock after poor Sweetie's cooking attempt. She did hope the dear had fun staying with her friends at Sweet Apple Acres last night. Speaking of, I must remember to escort her to mother and father's house this afternoon. They should have arrived home yesterday evening. She winced a bit at the thought. Visiting her parents was always a bit painful. She loved them dearly, but they were so very tacky!
She tapped a hoof to her chin. Very well then, breakfast at Sugarcube Corner. I should pick up something sweet for Fluttershy as well. Perhaps we can fill her out just a bit, it's truly not healthy to be so thin.
She walked back to her room and put on her favorite sunhat. Before she left she carefully attempted to pet Opal goodbye, for which she was rewarded with a vicious swipe in her direction. It came within inches of slicing across her nose. The implication was clear: leave me alone or I will cut you. "M-mommy loves you too sweetie."
She hurried out the door before the cat woke herself enough to make good on the threat.
Sugarcube Corner was bustling with activity. She nearly bumped into the mailmare as she walked inside, the poor thing was carrying what appeared to be a week's supply of muffins. "See you tomorrow, Cup!" Derpy called from around her bags. Oh, I see, breakfast, of course it’s just for breakfast. She was mightily impressed at the volume Mrs. Hooves could consume. Even accounting for her two children, that was an impressive feat.
She gently spoke up. "Please excuse me, Mrs. Hooves. I know it may be hard to see me around your bags."
Derpy swiveled her head, her eyes focusing on what was ahead of her with concentration. "Oh, good morning, Rarity!"
Rarity smiled. "Would you, perhaps, like a bit of help distributing those amongst your saddle bags, dear?"
Derpy grinned sheepishly. "I suppose that would have been a better idea than walking around with my hooves full of bags, huh?"
Rarity chuckled, lifting the bags carefully. Goodness, six dozen muffins? Derpy opened the bags with her wings and Rarity deposited three bags to each side. "There we are, dear. Tell Dinky Sweetie Belle says hi. Oh, and tell Sparkler I am still considering what she asked of me last week. I am not certain I am ready to take on an apprentice, but once I decide, she shall be the first to know."
Derpy smiled. "Will do, Rarity!" She left the store and took off, a little unsteadily.
Rarity walked up to the counter, smiling at Cup. She considered her choices, and finally decided on a few croissants for herself. Better make that six, Fluttershy may have been too busy with her friends to feed herself. She added two strawberry tarts to the order. As an afterthought, she added a slice of carrot cake as well. The little white rabbit's dislike for her was no mystery, she sometimes wondered if Angel liked anypony except Fluttershy. She sighed, she sometimes wondered if Opal liked anypony but Fluttershy as well. Of late, she had been trying to get on the rabbit's good side with little treats here and there. At the least, it seemed he tolerated her presence a bit more.
After giving her order, she leaned in close to Cup conspiratorially. "Is Pinkie available? Or shall I knock first?"
Cup gave her a surprised look. "You may want to knock just to be safe..."
Rarity nodded, taking her bag in her magic. She began her ascent up the stairs.
Rarity approached the door, and was about to knock when voices drifted through it.
"Arrrr, raise the mizzen mast, yo ho! Laddies, I be calling first dibs. C'mere, ya wench!"
"Please, Captain Sparkle, I am but a poor maiden trying to make her way to her beloved! Do not shame me so!"
"Ah lass, have no fear. I would ne'er harm thee. Come, I will teach thee a thing or two to make the fine lad smile!"
"Oh no!" This was followed by the sounds of cloth tearing, and giggles.
Blushing furiously, Rarity decided to give them a few more moments.
When the commotion inside had calmed down, she gently knocked. Hushed voices spoke to one another. She heard the rushed sounds of somepony hurriedly making themselves presentable. Pinkie's voice spoke up, just a little breathless. "Who is it?"
Rarity raised her voice just a bit. "It's Rarity, darling. Could I trouble you a moment?"
The door opened a bit, Pinkie peaked through. Her hair was a bit mussed, for Pinkie Pie anyway, and she was wearing a torn costume. "Oh! Hi, Rarity!”
Rarity smiled at her friend graciously. "Are you certain you don't need a moment to freshen up? Your blouse appears to be a bit torn."
Pinkie smiled sheepishly. "I'll be fine, come in. Twilight has to leave to go open the library anyway."
The door was opened and Rarity stepped in. Pinkie was removing the shredded remnants of the peasant blouse and skirt. Twilight was the deepest shade of red purple could get. She hadn't felt this embarrassed since Celestia had caught her with a collection of anatomy books under her bed. Twilight kissed Pinkie goodbye and walked towards the door, hurrying out before the inevitable questions began. Rarity gently rose her voice to get her attention before she left. "Darling, you seem to have forgotten something."
Twilight looked around in alarm. "What?"
Rarity pointed a hoof to her eye. She gave Twilight a knowing look. "You may want to remove the eye-patch, dear."
Twilight blushed an even deeper red. "Oh, I managed to hurt my eye again. I was checking the sky for a star that comes out very near dawn. I got the sun in my lens..."
Rarity tittered. "Whatever you say, ‘Captain’ Sparkle."
Twilight stammered. Rarity laid a hoof on her shoulder. "Only teasing, dear. In all seriousness though, you seem to be getting a bit rough with your costumes. Do drop by the shop with them sometime and I will repair them. If you like I can provide you with a few more as well."
Pinkie clasped her hooves together, her eyes twinkling, "That would be awesome! I was thinking a nice princess dress and a suit of armor—"
Twilight muttered something that may have been thanking her. She took the eye-patch off, handing it to Pinkie, who placed it inside her mane. She gave Pinkie one last kiss and trotted down the stairs.
Rarity laid her bag down on the floor. Turning to Pinkie, she smiled warmly. "So, things are going well, I take it?"
Pinkie’s smile took a small downturn, from an eleven to about a nine. "Better now, talking with you really got me thinking about what I wanted. I decided just playing around all the time wasn't good enough, so I broke up with her."
Rarity looked flummoxed. "But you... and her.... Dear, at the risk of stating the obvious I have to say I think you're doing it wrong!" Please tell me I did not cause more heartache amongst my friends!
Pinkie's smiled went back to an eleven. "Well duh! That's why I broke up with her. You can't ask somepony out if you're already dating them, that would just be silly!"
Rarity just sat down heavily. "What?"
Pinkie went on, wrapped up in her own little world. "Sometimes you just have to stop doing it wrong then start over. I mean, if I added a cup of salt instead of sugar to my cupcakes, I can't fix that with a cup full of sugar. I know, because I tried that once, and those cupcakes were awful. No, if you mess up bad you have to toss it out and make a new batch."
Rarity nodded, beginning to get the sense of it now. "Well, I am very happy for you two. That was a surprisingly well thought out conclusion to come to." For Pinkie Pie anyway. Still, one cannot argue results...
Pinkie grinned. "So how about you and 'Shy? How did it go?"
Rarity grimaced. "Not so well, I'm afraid. I did a little thinking of my own after my dreadful display during the party..."
Pinkie stopped her. "What was that about anyway?"
Rarity grinned nervously. "Um... I sort of jumped to a bad conclusion after we talked. I decided since they weren't in a passionate embrace, Fluttershy must have been crying because she'd been rejected. I... did not react well to that thought."
Pinkie cursed inwardly.
Rarity hung her head. "Then I saw Applejack kissing Rainbow Dash. All I could think was how this wretched farmpony had turned down the love of poor sweet Fluttershy, and I just lost control of myself. You saw the result."
Pinkie bit her lip and looked away from her friend, her eyes watery and unfocused.
"And you were doing so well." She chided Twilight disapprovingly.
Twilight spat out the dirt she had swallowed. "This was so stupid, I could have saved them days of heartache, just by telling them to talk to each other!"
Pinkie shook her head. "It wasn't your place. Sometimes ponies need somepony to confide in. They need to know that their confidence won't be broken. Losing their trust is not worth it, even if it might hurt to watch something happen you could have stopped."
She still believed that! At times however, times like these, she wished she hadn't been asked to keep a confidence. A little information would have prevented this. "I'm sorry, Rarity."
Rarity raised her head in surprise, she had never intended Pinkie to feel the least responsibility. "Darling, you have nothing to be sorry for! I was the selfish, jealous brute. I overreacted to something I knew nothing about!"
Pinkie nodded, her eyes still teary. "If I had just told you... but I couldn't at the time. They asked me to keep it a secret, I swore! Nopony breaks a Pinkie Promise."
Rarity looked at her morose friend. "You knew... You knew Applejack and Rainbow were together?"
Pinkie sniffed loudly.
Rarity seethed, that lack of information might have cost her... Cost me what exactly? It's true I would not have made an ass of myself, but the flaws in my personality lead me to overreact. I am just... bad at love.
She reached a hoof over Pinkie's shoulders. "There there, none of that now. As you said, you had sworn to keep it secret. That very trustworthiness is why I sought you out to begin with. I cannot fault you for keeping other ponies’ confidence, even if it might have allowed me to avoid embarrassment. My actions are no reflection on you."
Pinkie nodded sadly, she couldn't do anything about it now. "So, you were thinking after the party..."
Rarity nodded. "Yes... I decided against telling her. When I explained what happened at the party, I told her I loved her as a friend. I just feel she needs somepony nicer than me. She's very precious to me, what if I hurt her someday? I could not live with myself if I made her cry. So I decided I would help her find somepony worthy of her instead." She laughed ruefully. "You know, she actually said she wished she could find somepony like me to be with. My heart fairly leapt at the thought."
Pinkie just looked at Rarity. "She told you she wants to be with somepony like you, and you didn't tell her how you felt?!"
Rarity backed away slightly, looking slightly wounded. "I couldn't have! Don't you see? She deserves better!"
Pinkie nodded impatiently, not wanting to argue the point, but she sensed there was something more. Her left haunch had a particular twitch that told her. "What else aren't you telling me?"
Rarity looked a bit ashamed. "I couldn't quite bear to keep my feelings bottled up anymore, so I wrote her a love letter. I left it for her, on her door. I pinned it there with a rose. I-I made up a name on the spot. She might write back, so please, if you get any mail under the name Elusive..."
Pinkie considered, then brightened as a thought struck her. "Rarity, that's it! You just need to tell her it was you who wrote it! She already said she wants to be with somepony like you, right? Who is more like you than you?"
Rarity shook her head sadly. "I can't—"
Pinkie shoved a hoof in her mouth. "Listen, stop doing this to yourself. You are not a bad pony for overreacting. Nopony is perfect. 'Shy deserves somepony exactly like you."
Rarity just shook her head again.
Pinkie kept her hoof in place till she was done. "Who stood up for her against Applejack, the pony most likely to be able to break your face if you insulted her?"
Rarity, finally able to speak, said, "I did."
Pinkie prompted further. "Who cheered her on during her fashion show, when she felt so frustrated with fashion she tried to throw it all away?"
Rarity, a little louder, said, "I did."
Pinkie, with even more energy, said: "Who kept her from feeling bad about wanting to stop her fashion career?"
"I did!"
Pinkie nodded. "Who loves her more than you?"
Rarity was getting excited now. "Nopony, that's who!"
Pinkie stood up and cheered, she pulled pom poms out of nowhere and shook them in the air. "Now, who's gonna go tell Fluttershy how she feels?!"
Rarity shouted: "I am!"
Pinkie cheered louder. "I can't hear you!"
"I am!"
Pinkie grinned from ear to ear. "That's right! Now go kiss that mare!"
Rarity practically flew down the stairs. A few moments later she came back upstairs.
Pinkie looked exasperated. "What now?"
Rarity grinned nervously. "I... forgot my breakfast."
Pinkie shoved the bag into her hooves. "Go!"
Rarity nodded. She bolted downstairs. She had a pink maned beauty to confess to. Now if only I can manage to string two words together about it without freezing up...
She watched Fluttershy leave hurriedly, shaking her head. Seems like she got so wrapped up in herself she forgot her animals. Truth be told, it was kind of nice to see 'Shy wanting something bad enough to lose focus like that for once. She gave so much of herself, she deserved to get some back. Applejack huffed a sigh. She really hadn't enjoyed telling 'Shy to play along like that. Trouble was, if Rare wasn't ready to tell her, yanking it out of her like a stubborn tooth wouldn't help much either. Life would be so much simpler if ponies would just say what was on their minds. Hay, Applejack had half a mind to head over to Rare's shop and shake some sense into her. It wouldn't be right though, that's her and 'Shy's business. Celestia knows she was burrowed far enough into their business as it was. She moseyed on for a time, thinking those kinds of thoughts, her heart not quite in the harvesting for the moment. After a few more trees were bucked she finally spotted what she was looking for: a rainbow colored tail hanging from the branches of one of their Granny Smith trees.
She snuck up quietly, careful not to wake her quarry. Gotta time it just right...She lined up her haunches on the tree, noted Rainbow's relative position to her, and gave a single violent buck. Right away she got up on her hind legs and waited, forelegs outstretched. Dash never had a chance; she tumbled down, wings frantically trying to catch air. But there was no time, the fall was too short. With a thump, she landed somewhat awkwardly into the waiting forelegs of the farmpony below.
After a few seconds, Dash’s shocked expression grew calm. Should have seen that one coming, girl... After that, she just yawned and looked at her sleepily. Applejack looked down into those rose colored eyes and her heart melted. "Morning, Sugarcube."
Dash blinked at Applejack blearily. A look of annoyance and accusation was clear on her face. "Too early. Lemme sleep some more."
Sleeping late again; Dash must have been up to something to keep her up so late. Applejack chuckled at her sleepy marefriend, bending her neck down to give her a quick kiss. "Up practicing tricks again? Got any new ones to show off?"
She blushed, but Rainbow returned the kiss enthusiastically, if a little clumsily, thanks to her position and fatigue. "Well yeah, I got some new stuff if you wanna see, but that wasn't what had me up late. You said you were worried about the weather schedule this week being light on rain? Well, I borrowed a couple clouds from a system headed for Hoofsdale..."
Stealing from another weather system... Applejack sighed heavily, Rainbow took dang near everything she said as a request to fix things. She gave her a disapproving look, but could tell Dash wasn't buying it. "Sugarcube, you gotta stop doing that. Ah appreciate the help and all but yer gonna get in trouble messing with the weather for my little farm."
Rainbow somehow pulled off looking defiant. AJ had to admire that: it was a neat trick to pull ‘defiant’ off while being held in somepony else's forelegs. "They'll never miss it. You would have missed it. But you can always thank me for it..."
Laying it on a little thick there, Dash, and yer timing ‘aint the best either... She blushed mightily, a flush of pleasure rushing through her. "D-don't try changing the subject, no sense in losing your job over me."
Rainbow gave her a knowing look, heat blazing in her eyes. "It would hardly be the first thing I lost because of you..."
Her cheeks went beet-red at that. They were both silent for a little while, lost in a shared memory until AJ shook herself. Dang it, Ah did it again! "Dash, not right this second. Ah kinda wanted to talk to you about something."
Dash pouted, but relented, wiggling until the flustered farmpony finally put her down. Applejack found herself more than a little hot and bothered, and she needed a second or two to get her composure back. Best way to do that was to relax. She leaned back against a nearby tree, sliding onto the ground. Dash lay down next to her, head over one of her hindlegs. She looked up and cocked her head to one side quizzically. "So what's on your mind, AJ?"
Silence stretched on for several seconds. Applejack started. Ah got caught up in those danged eyes again! "Sorry Sugarcube, was a little lost just now. Ah got a little visit from 'Shy. It got me thinking is all."
Dash perked up, genuinely interested now. "Really? What did 'Shy want?"
She hesitated, but figured it couldn't do any harm to tell her. Might be good to tell her to keep a lid on it though. "Well, first of all, don't go spreading this around. She's got a crush on Rare."
Rainbow turned her head a bit... "Rare and 'Shy? Huh! Okay yeah, I guess I can see that."
Applejack grinned. Dash looked so danged cute trying to think hard. "Thing is, Rare feels that way ‘bout 'Shy too."
Rainbow's eyes flashed: She looked more upset than Applejack had seen her since... Come to think of it, she'd been acting pretty mad at Rare even after the party was over. "Whoa! So that was why—"
Her face took on a grim expression. "Yeah, she saw me and 'Shy hugging—"
The pegasus looked a little alarmed, but her wings shot out stiffly. The look she gave was half angry, but half... heated? "AJ, you got something to tell me?"
She was quick to try to settle Dash's ruffled feathers. "Now before you get all upset, lemme explain. I took Winona in for a routine checkup, and 'Shy and I got to talking. She told me about what she had going for Rare. I could tell she needed somepony to talk to about it, so I lent her an ear."
Dash muttered darkly. "Those are my ears..."
She smiled sweetly. "Yours, and yours alone. Anyway, Rare spotted us and thought I rejected 'Shy, I guess. We were hugging and 'Shy was crying. I suppose I can't blame her, if anypony ever hurt you I'd probably bust em in the chops too."
The pegasus smiled warmly at the thought. "My hero... Oh hey! Speaking of heroes, you still got that suit? Making out with Mare Do Well might be kinda hot!"
She looked at Rainbow incredulously. Which Mare Do Well did she have in mind? "Um, I think I still got it in the attic somewheres..."
Dash grinned mischievously, so she was clearly up to something. "Good."
AJ was quick to change the subject to something else. "So um, anyway. Guess she can't quite get up the gumption to say it to 'Shy. She left a note on her door."
Dash squirmed uncomfortably. "A N-note huh? That's silly, she should have just told her."
Applejack laughed maliciously. She had her now! "Yep, but I guess she's a little scared. Kinda reminds me of somepony... I wonder who..."
Her marefriend looked offended at the comparison. "Hey, my notes were awesome! I bet Rare was all sappy."
Applejack poked a hoof into Rainbow's ribs. "You were plenty sappy yerself!"
Dash blushed at the memory. "Yeah well..." She scuffed her front hoof nervously on the ground.
She shook her head, smiling smugly at the pegasus. She had her dead to rights. "Dash, you are a piece of work sometimes."
She gave Dash and nudge and stood up, stretching. "Anyway, I got apples to buck. You mind lending a hoof, or do you need to grab a few more winks?"
Rainbow followed, lining her back hooves up with the nearest tree that needed harvesting. "Just try to stop me."
They continued on for some time, just bucking in silence, each admiring the other just a bit. AJ had to hand it to Dash, she was no earth pony, but still had a kick that could give a mule pause. Dash was the first to break the silence. "I thought I loved her, once."
Applejack missed the tree completely and fell on her face. She spat out a tuft of grass, looking up in shock. "What?! Rarity?"
Rainbow looked startled. She backpedaled quickly, almost suspiciously so. "No, Fluttershy! I mean Rare is nice and everything, heck of a flank on her, you gotta admit—"
She glared at her as she struggled to her hooves. Dash held a hoof up. "Whoa, whoa, I didn't mean it like that! I just mean, c'mon, the girl is a looker."
She still looked miffed, but let it slide for now. Dash, you’ll get yours, just wait. "So, you and 'Shy? When was this?"
Lost in thought, Rainbow began her little story. She looked down at the ground, abashed. "Back in flight camp. She was so nice, she was my first real friend, you know? It just kinda happened before I really knew it: I started crushing on her bad."
She nodded, understanding the feeling well. "Foalhood crush, those always feel real strong. Had a thing for Braeburn mahself."
Dash started, looking a little ill. "Your cousin? Ewwww..."
Applejack laughed, remembering the talk her parents had with her when they found the two of them "playing doctor."
"Second cousin, really; I’ve got a big family, remember? Yeah, nopony bothers to tell kids about genetics and all. Never would have worked anyway, he's always been happiest out on the range."
Dash seemed a little nervous. She didn't have to be; AJ wasn't worried about her past, just her present and future. "I kinda wrote her a love note. She let me down really nicely, but yeah... It made me a little scared to be feeling that way about you. Sorry I beat around the bush so much, AJ."
Applejack waved a hoof dismissively. Water under the bridge. "It was danged cute, Sugarcube. Ah mean c'mon, you don't think I noticed you were hanging out all the time? It doesn't take a fancy mathematics degree to put two and two together."
She laughed, it was a warm, comfortable laugh. Then Rainbow's face took on a serious look again. Seems like she had a little more to get off her chest. "Truth is, after 'Shy I was really pretty heartbroken for a long time. I mean, I found ponies attractive, but I was afraid to really call it love, you know? I think that's why I couldn't tell you. I mean, you were hot. I mean like, smoking hot. I kinda wanted to jump you quite a few times."
She cocked an eyebrow at that. "Yeah, I kinda thought you felt that way. You've always been a real huggy pony. Course that kiss you snuck in front of the camera during your superhero kick told me pretty clearly."
Dash blushed beet-red. Heck, she almost turned purple just now! "Hey! I was high on the moment, you know?"
Thinking back brought the same rush of emotions it had brought her at the time it happened. She'd pretended disgust to cover up what she was really thinking. Applejack looked down at the ground, scuffing a back hoof. "I kinda liked it."
Rainbow blushed even deeper. "So, when did you, you know, start looking at me that way?"
When, huh? She considered the question seriously. She bucked another tree, watching the fruit cascade into the basket. She always thought better when she was working. When had it started anyway? It might've been all the way back when she fixed the bridge rather than follow her dream. Maybe seeing her not act so danged sure of herself during the Best Young Flier's Competition? That stolen kiss sure hadn't hurt. She'd always been fond of the cocky mare, but the attraction... "Probably started around the ‘Running of the Leaves’ a couple years back. At first it was purely a physical thing, admiration for a fellow athlete in top form, you get me?"
Rainbow seemed even more hesitant about her next question. "When did you know? I mean when did you decide you... loved me?"
No question about that one. She didn't even have to think. "Dodge Junction."
Rainbow looked curious. "Why?"
Seriously? You didn't know what that meant to me? She looked her dead in the eye. "You would have trailed me to Tartarus itself, if that's what it took, that right?"
Dash didn't hesitate in the slightest. "Yeah."
"That's why," She said in a tone that would accept no arguments.
She look pleased, some of that constant cockiness showing through. There she goes again, acting like the cock of the walk. "So that's why, when I asked you, you said yes?"
There was only one response for that. Applejack stopped bucking for the moment, she walked over to Rainbow and took her chin in a hoof. "Sugarcube, if you had waited one day more, I would have jumped you myself. I gave you as long as I could stand to give."
With that, she kissed her deeply. Dash looked surprised at first, but returned the kiss with equal passion. They wrapped their hooves around each other tightly. AJ broke the kiss with her and began biting aggressively on her marefriend's neck. It was rivalry, dominance, and love, all in a single act. Dash was putty in her hooves. Her marefriend hesitated, knowing where this was going, and apparently wanting it badly. But it seemed she was still worried. "Out here? What about Big Macintosh? Apple Bloom could come looking, Granny Smi— MMMPH!"
Her words were silenced with another deep kiss. Applejack lay down on the soft earth, pulling Rainbow after her. "Hush now. Mac's in the southern orchards this morning, and Bloom is off with her friends in the clubhouse. Nopony around for a good ways. Just don't scream your fool head off and we should be fine."
Dash still looked a little scared, but those wings shot straight out again. She took the opening offered by the farmpony and went right for the ears. She began nibbling hard, lashing out a tongue every now and again. AJ reveled in the rough biting, losing focus. Not so much, however, that she didn't feel Rainbow's hooves roam lower... She darted her head forward, out of Dash's licking and biting grasp. With the same motion, she gripped the base of her lover's wing in her teeth, eliciting a gasp from the pegasus. She chuckled hotly. "Not so fast. You wanna take this bull down, you better wear me out a bit more."
Applejack pressed the advantage now, biting in all the areas she had learned could make Dash go wild. It was surprising just how sensitive the wings were, especially. Dash's whole body went limp in reaction. "N-no fair, going after the wings like that..."
Smiling, Applejack gave her a heated, almost predatory look. "C'mon now, Sugarcube, you took advantage of these beauties to win the Iron Pony events, it’s only fair I get to take advantage now..."
Dash's eyes flashed, and she grappled her in a sudden rush and began tugging her mane aggressively in her teeth. At the same time, she whipped her tail around AJ's, pulling them tightly together. Applejack gasped at the twin sensations. "S-so, you wanna get serious huh?"
Like all things between them, this was quickly becoming a game. The two of them competed, trying to get the other to submit.
But in this game, both parties planned to lose.
Deciding what to say was the hardest part. Rarity was making progress to Fluttershy's cottage, but had stopped galloping when she realized she had no idea what to say. Scenarios kept playing themselves out in her mind... Treacherous thing that her mind was, they never went well for her.
Good morning, Fluttershy, how are you this morning, dear? I've brought breakfast! I thought we might chat for a bit before we visit the spa, would that be all right?
You see, darling, I have a confession to make. You likely found a letter on your door this morning. I wrote that.
Oh, darling, I am so sorry! You were frightened, thinking you had a stalker?
W-well yes, I suppose it was a bit disingenuous of me to claim to be somepony else—
Oh my sweet, please stop crying!
Please, I meant nothing by it...
Well, I mean yes, I meant everything in it!
N-no, I never meant to toy with your emotions!
She winced, clearing her head. Well, that was an abject failure. There must be some better way...
Good morning, Fluttershy. How are you this morning, dear? I've brought breakfast! I thought we might chat for a bit before we visit the spa, would that be all right?
You see, darling, I have a confession to make. I-I love you. I have for some time.
N-no I didn't realize you don't like mares that way...
Well, certainly Big Macintosh is a nice pony, but what does he have that I do not?
Oh, well, if that's all, there are... well, devices. Ah, not quite the real thing. Spells, possibly? Although I don't actually think I have the potential to do anything that complex... I could ask Twilight for assistance, I suppose...
She shook herself. She dearly hoped that wasn't the case! Perhaps she could try...
Good morning, Fluttershy. How are you this morning, dear? I've brought breakfast! I thought we might chat for a bit before we visit the spa, would that be all right?
I-I actually have something to confess, but it might be easier to show you—
Oh, darling please don't back away, it was just a kiss. I would never in my life wish you harm—
Oh. Oh. So you realized it was a kiss, and still reacted as if... I see. Yes. Yes, I suppose I should leave. No, I, uh, don't think I will be bothering you any further. I'm so, so very sor—
SLAM
She wrenched herself from the vision, almost feeling the impact of the door on her muzzle. This mental self torture was getting her nowhere... I will go to her, I will tell her, and I will hope for the best.
Knocking on her door was proving a very difficult task. Fluttershy was her dear, dear friend! She was nothing to be frightened of! Rarity's visions notwithstanding, her lovely pegasus spa buddy was the very epitome of pacifism. So why this fear? She had faced Nightmare Moon and Discord, surely she could face one pink maned pegasus and say three words! Now, knock on the door, march in, and tell her! She knocked, and soon enough heard a flurry of activity from inside. A very harried-looking Fluttershy answered the door. "Oh, hello, Rarity!"
Speak! Say something! You’re staring at her! "Um, g-good morning, darling. I've brought breakfast." Good, now tell her you want to talk to her. "I-I have it here, see?" Say it! "Um... Croissants and some tarts..." Hopeless...
Nodding her head in understanding, the graceful mare opened the door to let her in. "I'll make some tea. We can eat together before we go to the spa. Is that what you had in mind?"
Part of it. Now get the words out! "That would be lovely, darling, thank you." Say the words!
The frazzled fashionista sat down on the couch, grateful for a chance to let her frozen mind thaw a bit. She would tell her, it was just not coming easily. Rarity nervously scanned the room, as if expecting an attack to come from any point. There was the usual small movements here and there, small birds hopping about in birdhouses, mice scurrying about... Ah, there he was: the troublemaker.
Angel watched the two of them staring stupidly at each other through the door. His pony left for the kitchen, the fussy one sat down on the couch. The air seemed thick with pheromones. Not exactly though, different somehow, but not exactly dissimilar. Some strong smell with emotional ties. And it was coming from the fussy one.
Scent is linked strongly to memory, and this scent was nagging at him. Trying to recall where he had smelled it last, he sniffed the air curiously. The scent was sweet, a little like flowers, but not like the prickly flower from this morning.... That was it, she smelled like the white thing he chucked at his pony!
He looked at her accusingly, and pointed a claw directly at her, threateningly. His pony had gone crazy after getting that, and breakfast had been delayed, unforgivably so. There would be a reckoning. Oh yes, there would be a reckoning.
The rabbit was pointing at her. Why? Had she committed some crime she was not aware of by sitting down? She could not cope with additional stress at this moment. Was it not enough that she was trying to say the hardest thing she'd ever had to say? Must I now deal with the accusing stares of pets as well? "And what, pray tell, is your issue with me?"
The white rabbit stamped a foot in frustration. He began to pantomime. "You... saw... me... walking? No, slowly walking? Oh! Sneaking? I see... Sneaking, up to her... door... and leaving... Oh." It dawned on her, quite quickly. This...
This was intolerable. She would not let this upstart reveal what he knew to her beloved before she had a fair chance to do so herself. She lifted the white rabbit in her magic and brought him to her eye level. "Listen to me very carefully. I have come here to tell her exactly that. I am going to be as polite as possible about this. I know you don't care for me, even though I have never done you any harm. That's fine, I don't require your approval of me, only hers. I will not demand you keep your little mouth shut. I will ask you politely, as one being who cares for her to another. Allow me to tell her in my own way, and in my own time."
She had a sudden thought: She had an item on hoof might help, in fact she had bought it for this very bunny. "If you accept my proposal, I have a gift for you. I picked up something you might like while I was getting breakfast." She lifted the carrot cake from her saddlebag and showed him. "Do we have a deal, Angel?" She looked the rabbit dead in the eyes. He held her gaze, defiant, and unflinching.
"Rarity, is Angel Bunny bothering you?" The graceful pegasus had finished the tea and was now entering with it, carefully balanced on her front hooves. She set the tea down and glared at her pet. "Angel Bunny, you behave yourself!" The rabbit looked over to her guiltily, he lowered his head in shame.
"Not at all, dear! I was simply showing your dear pet a treat I had brought him from Sugarcube Corner. He's going to go eat it now. Isn't that right, Angel dear?" Smile and nod for the pretty pony. She raised Angel a bit higher till she could look him in the eyes again, and gave him a penetrating look. The gaze gave him no illusions: there would be consequences should the answer not be in the affirmative. Sweating a bit (or was she imagining that?) Angel smiled and nodded.
Rarity breathed a sigh of relief. She placed the cake on a plate, and in turn placed the plate in the rabbit's paws. She then set Angel down on the ground. Angel looked at the plate, then at the suddenly very scary-looking white unicorn. Giving one last look at his pony, he gave up. He hopped quietly from the room to eat. One potential disaster averted. Shall we try two for two? She brought out the croissants and tarts while her host poured tea. The two ate in companionable silence for a time. After a few moments the silence was broken.
"I needed to—"
The words came out of both their mouths in almost perfect synchronicity. They looked at each other, each realizing the other had something to say, but neither one sure what that something might be. Rarity finally found her voice and spoke first: "Please, darling, I can wait. You had something to tell me?"
Nodding, Fluttershy reached for a piece of paper. A very familiar looking one. Rarity's teeth ground just a bit. She should have foreseen this. Of course her shy, reticent friend would want advice about a secret admirer. And who would she ask first but her spa-trip friend and confidant? "Um, I wanted you to look at this, Angel found it on my door this morning, with a red rose." Fluttershy pointed at the rose in her vase. It was hard to tell if she was saving the delicacy for later, or keeping it aside out of worry that it may have been tampered with. Good going, Rarity, phenomenal way to fuel paranoia in both of you. Grand job.
She passed the letter to Rarity, who pretended to scrutinize it. There was no need, of course, she could have recited it in her sleep. Had recited it in her sleep at least once, in fact. She had agonized over every word.
"Please, do not be afraid of my intentions. I would never in my life harm you, or allow you to come to harm."
Really now, Rarity, you couldn't come up with something to write that sounded less creepy? "I promise not to defile your corpse," perhaps? The poor dear must be terrified! She put on a look of true concern for her friend, false only for its timing, not for her concern for her beloved’s feelings. "My dear, are you all right? Did this frighten you in any way?" Please, let me not have scared her with this selfish nonsense.
The timid pegasus shook her head. "N-no, I just wanted your advice. What type of pony would write this? They act like they know me. Maybe I should write back?" She looked so cute, wringing her hooves together nervously, telling her friend she had a secret admirer. Rarity would have felt proud helping her right now, were she not the one to have caused the distress in the first place. You have nothing to feel proud of, you cowardly mare. Not yet. Speak up, it's not too late!
Rarity stared at the offending missive, considering. This had seemed like such a good idea when her words were furiously flying from her quill. She still had a stack of similar letters in her office, locked inside a disused drawer, in the bottom of a small box marked “Beware of the manticore.” "What do I think, hmmm? Well, this pony is clearly very much affected by you, dangerously so."
I know this, because it’s me.
"He, or she, is deeply in love with you. Delirious with it I should say."
I should know, I wrote it. Have I mentioned I love you by the way?
"I don't think they are, well, dangerous per se, but they may be delusional, possibly a bit deranged. This bit about wanting to spend the rest of their days making you smile strikes me as particularly crazy. Not the intent, mind you, that all seems nice enough. But who writes that to somepony they don't know?"
Says the pony arguing with herself about confessing to having written the thing. You are just trying to sabotage yourself now, aren't you?
"I don't think I would advise writing back, let them have their little fantasy, it's hurting nopony."
You are! Stop it at once! Just tell her. anything, anything but this. She deserves to know how you feel if nothing else. She is your friend!
"I can't really tell more from this, other than... the name 'Elusive' strikes me as a very shady sort of name. It's likely a nom de plume. Then again, if it's truly their name, how can you trust somepony with a name that screams you can not?"
STOP! Just tell her! You may be ruining everything forever!
"No, just leave well enough alone, my darling, I don't believe they will bother you again."
"Um, okay, if that's what you think Rarity." Her friend said, disappointment sounding heavy in her voice. She certainly hoped her shy friend would recover from the trauma, this had to have been so hard for her. She was glad the pegasus had come to her, because who better than the author to tell her what to do? This was best.
No, it's not, what's best is telling her what you're feeling! Didn't you hear anything Pinkie said? You can be happy either knowing she feels the same, or knowing she doesn't. You will never be anything but miserable if you don't tell her!
She stood up and hugged her friend gently. "Don't worry darling, that letter was written by a lovesick fool. Clearly they had no idea what they were doing at the time. Love drives us all to do irrational things, I suppose. Consider it a compliment, and forget it."
Fine, fine, so you don't want to confess to having written the letter, at least tell her how you feel! You cannot do this! Don't you see? Not telling her is driving us mad! I mean me, me mad!
She released her friend, and began clearing the dishes from the table. "Let's clean this up and go to the spa, darling. I feel like I could use a good soak just now."
Oh, go soak your head, you coward! How can you do this to her, to us? Say the words! Say them!
They finished cleaning up in silence, both lost in thought. After finishing, Rarity turned to her friend, about to ask her if she was ready to leave yet. The shy pegasus had a frozen look to her, her face fraught with warring emotions. "Fluttershy, is something the matter darling?"
Now you've done it, you've traumatized the love of your life. how do you feel? Just... say them, three little words. I LOVE YOU!
She went to say it, but still stumbled. Fluttershy was muttering something under her breath, but try as she might, she couldn’t make it out. The most progress she had made was that the second word was probably “sorry”. How strange. Why would she apologize in a whisper to nopony— And then her train of thought derailed. Her vision was full of yellow and pink, her lips met with those of another. Fluttershy was pressed close, kissing her, forelegs draped around her neck. Rarity froze, and tried to think.
Rarity brought out the croissants and tarts while Fluttershy poured tea. The pegasus was silent while eating, trying to decide how best to approach the subject of the letter.
Just show her, it will be okay.
"I needed to—"
The words came out of both their mouths in almost perfect unison. They looked at one another, each realizing the other had something to say, but neither one sure what that something might be. Her friend spoke first: "Please, darling, I can wait. You had something to tell me?"
Nodding, Fluttershy reached for a piece of paper. "Um, I wanted you to look at this, Angel found it on my door this morning, with a red rose." Fluttershy pointed at the rose in her vase. She was already nervous, and nothing had even happened!
Please, just admit you wrote it. Don't make me pretend it wasn't you.
She passed the letter to the her friend, who began to scrutinize it. "My dear, are you all right? Did this frighten you in any way?"
Oh, she's worried. She thinks she scared me!
The timid pegasus shook her head. "N-no, I just wanted your advice. What type of pony would write this? They act like they know me. Maybe I should write back?"
Just say the words. Tell me you wrote it. Please.
The fashionista stared at the letter, looking thoughtful. "What do I think, hmmm? Well, this pony is clearly very much affected by you, dangerously so. He, or she, is deeply in love with you. Delirious with it I should say. I don't think they are, well, dangerous per se, but they may be delusional, possibly a bit deranged."
You... think you're delusional for loving me? Why would you say that?
"This bit about wanting to spend the rest of their days making you smile strikes me as particularly crazy. Not the intent, mind you, that all seems nice enough. But who writes that to somepony they don't know?"
I loved that part... Oh please, please don't lie, just tell me!
"I don't think I would advise writing back, let them have their little fantasy, it's hurting nopony."
It's hurting me! Can't you please admit it?
"I can't really tell more from this, other than... the name 'Elusive' strikes me as a very shady sort of name. It's likely a nom de plume. Then again, if it's truly their name, how can you trust somepony with a name that screams you can not? No, just leave well enough alone my darling, I don't believe they will bother you again."
You want me to forget it?! No, no I won't!
She listened to her friend lie through her teeth, and she was gritting her own the whole time. She... She didn't say it! Why won't she say it? She didn't want to force her; She wasn’t going to break anypony’s trust by revealing that she knew.
"Um, okay, if that's what you think, Rarity." She said, disappointment heavy in her voice.
Maybe she just doesn't want to say it... was it just a fantasy to her? Playing at being somepony else?
Her friend stood and hugged her gently. "Don't worry darling, that letter was written by a lovesick fool. Clearly they had no idea what they were doing at the time. Love drives us all to do irrational things, I suppose. Consider it a compliment, and forget it." You are the fool! A fool and a liar!
Why can't you—
And then she understood.
It should have been clear earlier, it was staring her in the face. It was her friend’s body language. Everything about her posture, the way she acted... it was screaming pain. Even before being acknowledged as the spirit of kindness, the pegasus had always had... something, some little talent Twilight would probably call empathy. Whatever it was, she just knew when something or somepony was hurting. Her lovely friend was in agony. Every word she was speaking was killing her. She could feel the unicorn trembling slightly as she hugged her.
No! Stop doing this to yourself! I don't want this!
Her friend released her, and began clearing the dishes from the table. "Let's clean this up and go to the spa, darling. I feel like I could use a good soak just now."
How can I... You need help, don't you? You poor thing!
She was frozen with warring emotions, and Rarity looked back at her. "Fluttershy, is something the matter, darling?" Her friend looked concerned, and she couldn’t blame her.
Everything is the matter! I can't let you do this to yourself, I won't!
The pegasus whispered softly: "I'm sorry, Applejack, but... she needs me."
She made a decision then and there. Her beloved couldn't do it. she couldn't say the words, not without help. Maybe she was a fool, but she was a fool because of love.
And she's my fool!
She heard the unicorn trying to say something more.
Shhhhh, it's okay, let your Fluttershy fix this. I'll make it all better.
Then she kissed her, draping her forelegs around her fool's neck as she did so.
The kiss went on to the point where Fluttershy could not bear the lack of air any longer, and then a bit longer still. The fashionista seemed frozen, certainly not shying away, but her body language said she simply had no response for this course of action. She gazed into those sapphire eyes lovingly, wondering what her reaction might be. The fashionista seemed to have awoken from a daze. She glanced about the room in confusion. "I'm terribly sorry, Fluttershy. I believe I lost focus just now. Did I miss something?"
The pegasus giggled a bit, apparently her intended lover (If Fluttershy had anything to say about it) was convinced she had slipped into a daydream just now. "Um, well, you were asking if I was ready to go, and then I kissed you." She punctuated this sentence with another quick peck on the white coated unicorn's cheek.
Rarity still seemed a bit confused. "Wait, what was that just now?"
The pegasus kissed her again, full on the lips. Oh, this is fun! "I said, you asked me if I was ready to go—"
The puzzled unicorn nodded understanding. "Yes, I remember that, and then?"
Fluttershy smiled and leaned in. "And then I did this." She kissed her lovely friend again, followed by two pecks for good measure. Do you get it now?
Her lovely friend smiled a little stupidly, then shook herself. "So what you are saying is... The things that are going on now... it’s all really happening. This is, in fact, real."
Fluttershy nodded her head, kissing her again. This is so nice, I should have done this ages ago. "Very much so. If you like, I could give you a little love nip on the neck. If it hurts, that would prove you’re awake, right?"
The befuddled unicorn nodded. "That... might be best. If this is not real, I am going to be very upset. I will likely shout very angry, hurtful things when I do wake up. I hope for my sake and yours this is happening."
Fluttershy gamely bent her neck, and nipped her friend, just hard enough for her to feel the pressure. Then, feeling naughty, she suckled on the spot she’s bitten, enjoying the feeling of the unicorn’s shuddering breaths. She stopped, and raised her head to look at Rarity again. "Convinced now?"
Rarity looked wonderingly into Fluttershy’s eyes, touching her neck with a hoof, seemingly unsure whether to trust her own sense of touch. "So, this is real then."
Fluttershy looked her in the eyes and nodded slowly. "Would you like me to give you another love bite to prove it?" Because I would like that, I would like that very much. Please ask me to do that.
Rarity shook her head. the enamored pegasus kissed her again. The unicorn's expression went slack and daydreamy once more. She visibly tried to regain composure. "Darling, please, do not take this as a complaint... I should be forever grateful if you continue what you are doing for the rest of my days, but why are you doing it?"
Fluttershy smiled mischievously. She had done it, she had taken her fate in her own hooves. It feels... powerful. "Because I wanted to. Because you make me want to. Because I was tired of seeing you hurt yourself."
Rarity looked nonplussed, and just a little worried. "Have you been listening to Iron Will again?"
Fluttershy paused. Am I going too far? I don’t want her to be worried...
No, she needs me to be assertive. You can do this, be confident, be sexy!
The pegasus shook her head. "This is not about New Fluttershy, or Old Fluttershy, this is about Rarity's Fluttershy." She pouted, quivering her lips. "Now you have to promise me something. You have to promise me you will stop doing that. Stop hurting yourself."
"I— I promise, just don't make me Pinkie Promise. I don't know if I want her involved in... well this." The graceful unicorn's eyes shifted, as if thinking of something.
Fluttershy laughed warmly. Pinkie? Why would she look aside when talking about— She looked almost guilty just now... why would she— Oh. OH! Hmmm... that might not be bad, actually. I wonder if Pinkie would mind? We'll talk about that little look later. "A plain-old promise is enough for now."
The unicorn smiled happily, seemingly not believing her good fortune. "But... what brought this on, why so suddenly?"
The pegasus kissed her again. She batted her eyes and said: "Rarity, do you love your Fluttershy?"
Rarity melted in her hooves. "Oh yes, yes I do love you— I... said it!! I finally said it!" She looked positively elated at the exclamation. Her eyes were full of tears that had gone unshed during her ordeal. Fluttershy held her tightly and gave her another quick peck.
The pegasus sighed. She still doesn't understand. "You said it perfectly well yesterday. It was written in ink. It was lovely."
The unicorn stammered a denial, Fluttershy silenced it with another kiss.
"I know you wrote that letter. Your perfume was all over it. I wanted to give you time to tell me yourself. I would have waited until you could. But you were hurting yourself, Rarity, you were berating yourself for writing something from your heart. I won't have anypony hurting you, least of all yourself. You mean too much to me." She looked her beloved in the eyes and smiled.
Her befuddled friend looked at her, her eyes huge and still wet with tears. "You knew..."
Fluttershy nodded, kissing her again. "I knew. In case I need to make this more clear, I feel the same way. Now you have one question to answer: What would Rarity like to do with her Fluttershy?"
Rarity was, quite simply, floored. What is one supposed to do when everything she wants is presented on a silver platter? "Um... darling... this is completely embarrassing. You see, I had this plan. It was a good one, or so I thought at the time. Well, a series of plans really. Only they got all jumbled up in my head, and everything kept going wrong. You have this effect on me, thinking of you, being around you... Then there was your pet Angel, that sneaky little fink knew what I had done. Oh, sorry, I know he is your pet, I didn’t mean to... But I couldn't have that, you see! This was mine, I was supposed to confess and then sweep you off your feet. It's all gone wrong! I-I don't know what to do now!"
The pegasus nodded understandingly. "It's okay, Rarity, I know it went wrong. I watched you talking about ‘Elusive’ and I just wanted to cry. You are not crazy, you are a wonderful pony who did some foolish things. You are kind, you are generous, and you are going to be mine. If... that's okay with you."
There really are no words for how okay that is. I will really need to show you how very okay that is in the near future.
She hid behind her pink mane just a bit, coyly batting her eyelashes.
You... you're flirting with me! Doing a truly wonderful job at it too... If my knees weren't quivering I would be telling you just how much. But... why this sudden change? When did you get so very bold?
Rarity smiled shakily. For the moment, she locked the worries up in a small box. "I would love that, you have no idea how much. Well, maybe you do, since you know what I wrote. I-I just don't know, darling. Please, tell me what you want, won't you?"
Fluttershy's eyes widened. Being asked what she wanted seemed to put her just a bit off guard again. Rarity relaxed just slightly. The awkwardness her dear friend always showed was back with a vengeance. Maybe I was just imagining it... "Um... you could kiss me back?"
The unicorn stared, not understanding how she had possibly not done that yet. That may well be the best idea in the history of good ideas. "Um, yes of course..." Rarity looked the lovely pegasus in the eyes; leaned forward, and pressed her lips firmly, but gently, to hers. The fashionista suddenly felt something pressing against her pursed lips, and opened them slightly. She now found the pegasus' tongue warring with hers. Ah yes, like they do in Prance. This continued well past the point both of their hindlegs felt the urge to buckle. The kiss was finally broken, both of them breathing heavily. So... aggressive! She's become so daring and confident! I should be proud but...
"D-darling, are we moving too fast? We have not properly had a first date yet. I am finding thinking very difficult right now, but I think etiquette frowns on that." She was gasping, her voice ragged and hoarse, her whole body flushed and sticky. Is she doing this solely for me?
The pegasus had caught her breath now, and kissed her again. "Do spa dates count? Because we've had about a hundred of those, and you never let me pay for it. So... I think those count."
The flustered fashionista was quite enamored with the idea, but she was also hesitant. This all seemed too perfect, like her fantasies come to life. "Um... I don't know, I think a date can be anything in which both parties enjoy themselves for the sake of romance." Stop worrying, this is perfectly normal. Whirlwind romances can be very intense. All the books say so... Oh but those rarely end happily... No, stop fretting over nothing. This is love, enjoy it!
Her lovely friend smiled triumphantly, and then seductively. "Then they count. I've had a huge crush on you for ages."
Oh sweet Celestia, why didn't I ever ask her before now? "Then we actually have a lot to make up for..."
Fluttershy kissed her again, hard and insistent this time. "Yes. Yes we do." She replied, disentangling herself from Rarity and walking up the stairs. She looked back over her shoulder. "I need a shower, it wouldn't do to arrive at the spa like this, would it?" Rarity calmly sat back, reveling in the sensations, prepared to wait as long as needed. Watching Fluttershy leave, it became very clear she was swishing her tail back and forth as she walked. The pegasus mare turned back and looked at her, winking. "Are you coming?"
The unicorn gulped. Oh... OH! "Yes, darling!" She galloped up the stairs.
Oh... My... She hadn't been aware just how nice it was to have somepony else there to get the hard to reach places. Fluttershy turned her head and kissed Rarity as the unicorn lathered around her wings. Rarity seemed determined to do everything by hoof, not that she minded. She'd dreamed of exactly this on several occasions, but the dreams had never been this... detailed.
Fluttershy gasped as her beloved’s hooves brushed past the butterflies on her flank, then moved on to other areas. Now she's just teasing. She pouted just a bit, but there would be time for that later. The rest of our lives. She was determined it would be so.
She twisted from Rarity's grasp, giggling as the unicorn brushed her flank again. Rarity looked at her quizzically, so she decided to explain. "Let's go to the bed."
Rarity flushed blood red. "Um..."
The pegasus giggled. So its on her mind too... Soon enough, my lovely. "No no, not that, not yet. You're carrying way too much tension in those shoulders. I felt it when I was washing your back. Aloe would have a fit if she felt you like that. Let me give you a massage to get those kinks out."
They stepped out from the shower, the pegasus wrapping a towel around herself modestly. She handed one to Rarity and watched in fascination as it was wrapped around her in the soft glow of her telekinesis.
She had Rarity lay down on the bed, kissing her softly as she did so. One for every time I ever wanted to. Oh, that's still a lot, I better kiss her more often. She began kneading the white coat under her, working the muscles gently, but firmly. Rarity groaned when she hit the right spots. She slowly moved down the back, to the flanks.
Rarity's froze. "Darling, that's— OH!"
Fluttershy cooed. "Just lie still, let me work."
Rarity relaxed, letting her marefriend's (Oh mercy, is that what we are now?) hooves wander across her. She calmly melted into the mattress, eventually blushing brightly and preparing for... something when the pegasus reached her flanks...
And then Fluttershy was finished, patting her on the side and helping her up. She chuckled nervously, wondering if she had really expected Fluttershy to do anything like that so quickly...
After they had cleaned up again, they left for the spa. They leaned on each other, sighing happily. The trip seemed so short to the pair, who could barely keep their eyes on the road, because it might have meant sparing an eye from each other. When they arrived at the spa, Rarity gallantly opened the door, and gestured for her marefriend to enter. Upon entering herself, Rarity, grinning hugely, walked up to the counter. "The usual, please."
Lotus took one look at the pair, smiled happily, and gestured for them to enter. She ran to find Aloe, and whispered something in her ear. By that point, their clients had already gone into the first prep room, so they were alone.
Aloe looked back at her and sighed, half-romantic and half-exasperated in tone. "At last."
Lotus grinned back. "Right? What's it been, a few years?"
"Easily. Well, let's not let on we know. I'm sure they wish to tell us about it."
"They had better after all the times we had to watch them dance around the issue."
The two began to collect their tools of the trade, more excited about their work than they had been in quite a while. This promised to be an interesting session.
The spa sisters’ plan was rather simple: separate the two, then ply them for information with casual inquiries. Aloe and Lotus were not normally so devious, but these two were more than just clients to them. Over the years they had become like their private charges. At first it was merely about ensuring that Fluttershy was comfortable, or that Rarity was successfully made to unwind after her latest bout of overworking herself. But as time went on, they could not help but notice shy glances turning to blushes. They each looked at one another more and more when they thought the other was not looking. They never seemed to pay attention to the spa owners and operators, who, in turn, took it upon themselves to ensure their privacy during their visits.
Rarity's "usual" was hardly normal for a spa that saw so many clients throughout the day. Entire portions of the spa were closed off to the general public during "their day." The fact that Rarity made such accommodations lucrative was immaterial, they would have done it for them regardless. The bits just made the decision easier to justify. They had questioned each other many times as to just what in the hay they were trying to accomplish after all this time.
It was also unusual for a masseuse to pick up an entirely different skill set at the request of one client. Aloe had called Lotus a fool for taking lessons in preening, but understood why she had done it. The increase in clientele had eventually quieted the complaints entirely, so there was that. And they were very grateful to Rarity for that advice, and Fluttershy for being the first pony they could practice on... But grateful or not, they did not wish to directly interfere in the two's romance (or lack thereof). Instead, they had done everything they could think of to give it room to grow.
The sisters had come to care greatly for their charges. They wanted the two to be happy. How their friends (and yes, even Rarity and Fluttershy themselves) were so blind as to miss the obvious was a mystery. But it was not a mystery they concerned themselves with. Their concern was simply to provide a stress-free and, above all, private environment in which the two could bond together each week. Having aided the two for so long however, they were hungry for the final reward. They wanted to hear from their charge's lips that the two had at last found the love that should have been staring them in the face all along.
Aloe approached Rarity, and Lotus Fluttershy. Aloe cleared her throat somewhat loudly to get the two lovebirds’ attention.
Aloe gave an apologetic look before explaining herself. "Ladies, I am terribly sorry. The main room we normally reserve for your trip is occupied by other clients. we will have to move you to another room." And this was absolutely true. The clients were Cranky and Matilda Donkey, here for the first time since their accommodations were paid for as a gift. Pinkie Pie had been rather generous with the couple on their first anniversary.
"Unfortunately, only private rooms are open right now, so we will have to separate you for a time." That, however, was a small lie; there was another large room available. However, she felt, and Lotus concurred, that their clients might not be as inclined to dish about their new-found relationship when together.
The two were quick to protest, but Aloe was ready for this. "It will only be for a short time until the other cou—" She coughed loudly to cover her near-slip. "Pardon me ladies, dust in my throat. That is to say, until the room clears. Fluttershy, if you will follow Lotus, we will begin with your weekly preening. Rarity, will you follow me for your horn filing?"
The two reluctantly followed the spa ponies. Aloe chuckled to herself internally. How cute! They already seem to be joined at the hip. I must have details!
The unicorn followed the spa pony, giving the occasional longing look back to her newly declared marefriend. Every step away, however, seemed to have a clarifying effect on her mind. She found that “box of things to worry about later” inside her mind suddenly springing open, and concern for her friend began anew. It was not so much that she was bothered by the idea that Fluttershy could find it in herself to be so self-confident as to dominate her... She actually found that prospect rather exciting. She had simply not expected it, and it, to be totally frank, it very much made her hot under the collar (and certain other places a lady does not think about in public) just thinking about it.
Aloe opened the private room and gestured for her to enter. Rarity laid down on the pillow provided and waited patiently for the filing to begin. She just wished she could be sure her worries were justified. Was her beloved throwing herself into another role? Was she trying to satisfy some idea of what she thought Rarity wanted? Or was she truly this aggressive when it came to the physical pursuit of love? What to do what to—
“So, has anything interesting happened since last week?”
Rarity shook herself from her reverie - that remark had been from Aloe, apparently. Rarity glanced up at the amused spa pony as she prepared to begin filing.
Aloe’s eyes twinkled. “I hate to pry dear, but... there appears to be a change in demeanor between you two. Care to share?”
Rarity latched onto the sentence like a life-raft in a raging river. “You noticed it too? Oh, I am so worried. I mean yes I am very very— oh I’m just going to say it — I am incredibly attracted to her behavior! But she just seems to be throwing herself at me with such abandon. I don’t want her to move things forward in our relationship more quickly than she is truly comfortable with!”
Aloe dropped the file in shock. “Um... perhaps you should start at the beginning. What happened since your last visit? Maybe start with why you have bite marks on your neck?”
Rarity slapped a hoof up to her neck and groaned. “Goodness, I suppose she did bear down a bit... Well, let’s see. It began earlier this week—”
Lotus opened the door to the private room, and gestured for Fluttershy to lie down on the pillow. After a few moments of secondary adjustments, the shy pegasus spoke up. “Lotus, can I ask you something?”
Lotus spat out a loose feather and nodding, smiling. “Anything!” Maybe this was it, the shy little thing was going to spill without any prompting! I bet that unicorn just swept her off her hooves! Oh this is going to be good. Now now, stop it, let her tell you!
The pegasus smiled warmly. “I really like Rarity, I want to make her happy. I was wondering if I could ask you for some advice.”
There it is! This is the moment we’ve worked towards! Aloe will be so thrilled! “That’s wonderful dear! Please, ask away!”
The incredibly cute lovebird blushed a bit, but went on regardless. “You're a very talented masseuse. I know you don't use this information in your professional life, but... I was wondering if you could give me tips on pressure points, places that would make a unicorn happy.”
Lotus considered the question carefully. “Do you mean you want to help Rarity relax more? Do we need to up the ante on her massage?”
The pegasus shook her head. “'Oh no, quite the opposite; I don't want her to relax, I want to excite her.”
Lotus froze. I couldn’t possibly have heard that right. “I’m sorry, you want to do what exactly?”
Fluttershy looked her dead in the eye, and spoke very slowly. “Lotus, I would like to know how to stimulate a unicorn. I need guidance in the correct methods of arousing and pleasuring Rarity. In short, I want to make her happy in every sense of the word. Can you help me, Lotus?”
To say the spa pony was shocked would be the same as saying that Princess Luna was throwing a naughty tantrum when she became Nightmare Moon. This was not the reserved and demure pegasus Lotus had come to know and care for. This mare was straightforward in her wishes. She had heard love could change a pony, but this much? She trod carefully on her next words. “You... want my help... in learning how to... please your marefriend?”
The suddenly anything-but-shy pegasus nodded, glad to see she was understood. Lotus quailed at the thought. “While I admire your straightforwardness, I don’t know how comfortable I am in helping you in your... intimate life.“
Fluttershy fretted. “Oh dear, I was really hoping... She needs me, you see, I have to be the one. She couldn’t do it... I had to show her the way. If I stop leading her she might not love me anymore. I had hoped you might be able to show me... Maybe Bon Bon would know, she’s with Lyra after all... Perhaps I should just ask them both to join us? I could watch what they do...”
Lotus dropped everything. “Please excuse me, Fluttershy. I have to go get some oils for your wings, I will be back shortly.” She fled from the room in shock.
Aloe wasn’t sure what she had expected when she prompted the unicorn for information, but it wasn’t this. She busied herself while she listened, carefully applying makeup to cover the love bite. “So you smacked Applejack in the face for not wanting to be in a relationship with Fluttershy?!”
Rarity nodded in embarassed frustration. She clearly hadn’t meant for this to all spill out at once but she needed somepony to talk to about her worries. “Then I told Fluttershy I was just jealous of the time I would be losing with her. I said I loved her ‘as a friend.’ As a friend, Aloe! Celestia, what a fool I was. I have done so many foolish things of late. I just... I didn’t know what to do, don’t you see? Flirting with stallions is foal’s play, but I couldn’t do that with her! At some point I got it into my head that I couldn’t be the one for her. And there was that letter. Sun and moon, the letter... She saw through it of course. I should have known she would. She’s a very smart mare. Then I was going to confess to having written the thing and... I just couldn’t! I heard such nonsense spilling from my mouth, telling her that the pony who wrote it must be mad! True enough I suppose... And then...”
Aloe absorbed all this in silence, not judging, but trying to understand. “And then?”
The fashionista whispered softly. “She kissed me. It was so... wonderful. At first I thought I was dreaming, Aloe! But she kept doing it... then she told me she had known all along, and I felt so ashamed for not having the strength to tell her myself. She asked me what I wanted to do now, and I confessed I had no idea anymore. So I asked her what she wanted and... her whole attitude changed! Up to that point she had been this hungry, aggressive mare, seeming to crave my affection like a starving pony would gobble up oats. Then, after I questioned her... oh, it was as if I had my Fluttershy back! She said she would just like me to kiss her back, and for a moment all was well. But then...”
Aloe nearly fell onto her face; she’d been leaning forward to hear the tale, and at its interruption she found herself aware of her surroundings again. “Yes?”
Rarity looked so confused and lost. “She stuck her tongue in my mouth. I am not saying I didn’t enjoy the experience, but this is Fluttershy, darling! I was all worried again, she was just so very forward. I found it... thrilling, but ever since Iron Will I do not trust abrupt attitude shifts in my dear friend— no, marefriend now. Then there was the shower and the massage... Don’t tell a soul this, but things were progressing so quickly I thought she meant to... Well, she didn’t, but that’s not the point. in that moment I was convinced she would!”
Aloe was very confused. Who is she talking about exactly? “What do you mean? Who is Iron Will?”
The fashionista looked up, startled. “You never ran into Fluttershy during that time?”
Aloe shook her head; she couldn’t recall seeing Fluttershy act any differently than she always did. “Care to fill me in?”
The unicorn grimaced. Not exactly a happy memory, I see. “I won’t go into full details, because frankly they were embarrassing for all concerned. Suffice it to say a popular self-help guru came to town and made our dear shy pegasus friend his pet project. He got her to unleash years of repressed emotions. Irritation doesn’t just go away, you know; it festers. She called herself New Fluttershy, and she was a beastly creature. She became a bully. That’s another reason I’m worried! She’s been calling herself ‘Rarity’s Fluttershy’ and ‘Your Fluttershy’. If anypony else said such things I wouldn’t be concerned, well not as concerned. But that, combined with her aggressiveness... I think she’s trying too hard to become what she thinks I want!”
Most ponies with a new marefriend would dream of that, think it a good thing. Leave it to Rarity to worry more about the other pony than about being happy purely for herself. “So what do you think triggered this? She had to have had some reason, surely?”
The unicorn laid her head down on the cushion in shame. “She did it for me. She said she couldn’t bear to watch me hurting myself.”
The spa pony comforted the worried unicorn. She’s so worked up. Can it be she does not see the obvious solution? “So what are you going to do? You can leave well enough alone and have what many would consider to be the perfect marefriend, somepony who does anything and everything to please you. Is that what you want?”
The fashionista looked up indignantly. “Not at all! I want her! Not some mask she puts on because she thinks I won’t love her without it!”
There was a knock on the door. Aloe gave an apologetic look to the fashionista before answering it. “Lotus! We are busy in here, why aren’t you with Fluttershy?”
“I think there’s something wrong with her! She just doesn’t seem herself!”
"What do you mean, not herself?"
"She... I don't want to talk about it. It was rather embarrassing."
Rarity’s voice spoke up from behind Aloe. “Lotus, which room is she in?”
“Room seven.”
“Fine. Good! Girls, if you will excuse me, I shall have to beg your forgiveness. Can you see that we have privacy until we come out?”
Aloe stepped out of the way. There we go, just tell her what you do want. “Of course, you know we will.”
She opened the door to room seven and stepped inside. “Fluttershy, dear—”
She was quickly covered in kisses. “Rarity! I missed you. Did you enjoy your special?”
Rarity grinned happily, then shook herself in slight annoyance. “Darling... I need you to stop for a moment.”
The pegasus halted her smooching storm in surprise. She looked wounded, and just a little scared. “You don’t... like me kissing you?”
The unicorn was quick to embrace her beloved, since the poor dear seemed on the verge of tears. “No, no! That’s not what I mean at all... I just find it incredibly difficult to think while you are doing that, and I need my faculties for a moment. Please, sit while I compose myself.”
She took a moment to let her heart rate settle. “Darling... just now Lotus came to my room in a bit of a panic. What did you say to her?”
“Oh, I asked her for advice. You see, I don’t know anything about... well, anything and I wanted her help. I wanted to know how to make you happy.”
Rarity tried hard to hide her look of shock. “You asked Lotus how to... please me?”
The pegasus nodded. “I’ve never—”
Rarity mirrored the gesture: she had suspected as much. “Darling, I'm worried about you. I appreciate that both of us seem to have existed in self-perpetuating torment for some time now. But that doesn’t mean we have to do everything now. Please, you don’t need to go at this pace for me. There will come a time for us to... express our feelings for each other in more, ah, intimate ways ... but I fear that you’re rushing things, and trying to make me happy over your own inclinations.”
Fluttershy shook her head vehemently. “No, it’s okay, Rarity, your Fluttershy just wants you to be happy.”
She grimaced. Fluttershy was doing it again... “And who do I address at this moment, darling? You see, what I want to know right now is, what does Fluttershy want? Not my Fluttershy, but just... you.”
The pegasus went still, and seemed uncertain. All trace of the brazen mare who so captivated her attention was gone for a moment, leaving behind only the wonderfully shy creature she had fallen in love with. She realized at that instant, she loved neither side of Fluttershy less than the other. They were two halves of the same whole. She simply needed help to balance them. “Um...”
The fashionista nodded, going on. “You see, darling... I feel you might think that all this is what I want. I worry that this... new attitude of yours may just be entirely to please me. I can’t in good conscience accept such a thing. I love you as you are, so please do not change so much to suit what you think I want from you.”
Her beloved looked sad and lost, but at least not quite as hurt. She seemed to be desperately trying to understand. “You don’t... want me to be assertive anymore?”
Rarity laughed and gave her an amused look, tinged with heat in her eyes. “Not at all! This... boldness, I love it. I am not saying you should not be bold, but temper it, darling. You do not have to be ‘my’ Fluttershy, that's not the pony I fell in love with. Just be Fluttershy. That's all I will ever ask of you, and in return I will love you for the rest of my days.”
The pegasus leapt off the table and swept her into a tight embrace before pausing, clearly embarrassed. “Oh... I’m doing it again. I’m sorry. You just... make me want to be like that.”
Rarity kissed her lovingly on the forehead. “Never apologize for desiring me. I am so very glad I affect you like that! Although... What led you to try and behave so... boldly?”
Fluttershy started blushing again. “Well, I... I haven’t been in a relationship before, of course, and... I tried to figure out what I would enjoy, or what you would want. And I wanted to be assertive without being mean, and I realized I could do that...” Her voice trailed off.
“By being sexy?”
She hadn’t expected the mare’s blush to get any brighter, but it happened regardless. “Yes.”
“Well, there is nothing wrong with that. But rather than guesswork... Let’s just take things a little slower, do what we each want to do, not what we think the other wants.”
The pegasus met her lips with passionate fury, kissing her deeply. She blushed just as furiously. “That sounds wonderful.”
The rest of their session passed largely without incident, the two chatting quietly and openly with the spa sisters. They seemed well pleased to see their charges so happy, even if they encountered a little hiccup at the beginning of the relationship.
Aloe sighed dreamily as the happy couple left for the day. "I think they will be okay now."
Lotus nodded, smiling happily.
Upon leaving, a thought occurred to Rarity. They were coming a little easier now that her beloved was not covering her in kisses at every opportunity. “Sweetie Belle! Fluttershy, I’m sorry but our plans for the evening will have to be postponed. I have to escort her back to our parents’ home tonight.”
The pegasus looked a bit disappointed, but nodded in understanding. “It’s okay, we’ll work on the dresses tomorrow.” She leaned forward and kissed Rarity goodbye.
Rarity watched her friend walk away, and another thought hit her... maybe too easily, as her mouth articulated it long before her mind was consulted on the matter. “Darling, would you like to meet them?” As Fluttershy stared at her in shock, she blanched. What in Equestria did I just say?
“Girls, it’s been fun playing tonight, but I think we better git before we cross Rarity’s last nerve. Ah already got the okay from mah sis for ya’ll to spend the night in the clubhouse. let’s head out!” Apple Bloom had Sweetie and Scootaloo in a huddle discussing this morning’s plans. The other two nodded, smiling. Apple Bloom raised her voice. “Rarity, the girls ‘n me are headed out for the clubhouse, thank ya kindly for a fun night!”
Rarity yawned from the other room. “It’s no trouble at all girls. Sweetie Belle, do behave yourself while you are at the farm, won’t you?” She entered the room, rubbing her eyes with a hoof. She hugged her sister goodbye.
As the Crusaders opened the door, they saw Fluttershy about to enter. The three fillies shouted in unison, "Hi, Fluttershy! Bye, Fluttershy!" before they ran off, giggling, to the scooter.
Scootaloo hooked her vehicle up to its cart, clambered into the driver’s seat and looked back at her friends as they got in. “So we tried ziplining, bowling, skydiving, hang-gliding... what’s next on the list?”
Apple Bloom pored over the list, trying to find anything that wasn’t already checked off three or more times. “Um... deep sea diving... that one is gonna be tough.”
.
Sweetie Belle sat in silence, since Scootaloo and Apple Bloom normally decided what to try when they were crusading. She usually went along rather than cause a fuss, but today she decided to interject. “Girls...” Her friends both turned towards her in surprise. And she didn’t blame them, since she rarely had much to suggest that didn’t involve dressmaking or makeovers. “Call me crazy, but... just for tonight, could we try doing something that doesn’t involve us getting blown up, covered in tree sap, or nearly arrested? ...Or all three?”
Scootaloo laughed loudly. “Hey, c’mon now, the rocket assisted catapult nearly worked, and we only have to work for the Cakes for three more weekends to pay for the damages. Besides, we had fun, didn’t we?”
The unicorn scoffed. “You had fun, you mean, those wings helped you glide, at least. Bloom and I just crashed right through their roof! Look, I’m not saying we give up, but couldn’t we think of something fun to do for a night that isn’t so... dangerous?”
Apple Bloom considered carefully. She hadn’t known Sweetie felt like that... Still, she was willing to do anything to make her friends happy. “Well, we could spend the night in the clubhouse, Ah guess, break out some board games or somethin’.”
The orange pegasus stuck out her tongue. “Board games? Try bored games!”
Apple Bloom gave her a look of utter disgust. “Filly, that joke was old when Granny Smith was our age.”
Sweetie giggled. This might work after all! Well, they weren’t rejecting the idea outright, which was a start. “Um... My sister told me about a pretty fun night she had once. Bloom, your big sis probably told you too, they were caught in a storm and Twilight let them stay in the library. But then she pulled out a book...”
The earth pony nodded. “Oh yeah! Slumber One-Oh... somethin’. AJ said she had a heck of a time. Well, after they cleaned up the tree, a’course.”
The pegasus perked up. “How exactly does a slumber party end up with a tree inside your house, which is also a tree?”
Apple Bloom grinned a bit; that had been quite a story. “Mah sis yanked it inside to save another house.”
Scootaloo did her best not to look impressed, failing miserably. “Well, at least it’s better than bored games.”
The other two gave each other a look, seeming to come to a joint decision. As one they leaped onto the pegasus and began to tickle her mercilessly. Underneath the fillypile, Scootaloo managed to squeak out between laughs, “O-okay, okay! No more puns!”
A short and very harrowing scooter ride later found all three fillies on the doorstep of the library. Rather than an open door, maybe the sounds of Spike cooking, the three fillies found the entrace to the library firmly shut, with a note:
Scootaloo read it impatiently. “Well, this was a bust... deep sea diving after all?”
Sweetie Belle gritted her teeth slightly. This was not going to fail because of a lunch break. She looked down at the lock, trying to move the mechanism inside with telekinesis. She then had to step back as the whole thing melted, leaving a steaming puddle of molten iron on the ground. Not again! Every... single... time... She still couldn’t figure it out. Maybe she was using too much magic? It had happened again last night, whenever she tried to lift things with her magic it always set them on fire! The worst part was how hard it made cooking... But that wasn’t here or there. The young unicorn gave a shaky grin to her two friends. “Um, I meant to do that...” They just groaned.
“Anyway, we can get inside now. Maybe we can find the book we need for the party.” She pushed the door open, looking around for anypony, but it seemed the Library was empty for the moment. No Spike, no Twilight... straining her ears just a bit though, she heard something coming from upstairs. It took a bit of effort to make out the whispers...
“Come, fair knight, thou hast slain the demon. My life is yours, do with it what thou wilt.”
“Ah, my princess, I ask but one thing. Your wondrous beauty has captivated me … would it be overbold of me to ask a dalliance?”
“Oh, Sir Pie... You are so very bold to ask such a thing, but in reward for your valour I grant your request!”
From there they heard nothing but giggles and squeals. Apple Bloom’s ears drooped in embarrassment. Not this again! Ever since she had gone looking for Applejack and spotted her doing... something to Dash... It was still hard to forget how red her face got. She hadn’t understood at the time, but she’d had more time to think about it, and now she was pretty sure what had been going on then... and what was going on now. She still wasn’t quite sure how she felt about what her sis had been up to. That day had made her look at Scootaloo in a new light though. “Um... girls, Ah think maybe we should wait for a bit. Ah think Twilight is... busy. We c’n ask her ‘bout the slumber party later...”
The muffled sounds abruptly stopped, and suddenly a pony in shining armor was just... there. Bloom was pretty sure she had seen that armor before. It looked just like the suit Rainbow Dash wore in the Hearth’s Warming Eve play the previous year. Pinkie Pie, trying her best to smile normally — or what passed as normally for her — peered out from the helmet, her expression spoiled somewhat by the fact that she looked... well, as tired and sweaty as if she had been in the middle of bucking a whole orchard by her lonesome. “Did somepony say party? I got this twinge in my right shoulder that said somepony nearby was talking about a party! Oh, hi, girls!”
By this point Twilight too was peeking down at them from the balcony. She wasn’t much better off than Pinkie; In comparison, it looked like she’d just finished the Running of the Leaves. The lavender unicorn had a costume on too. Princess Platinum’s dress by the looks of it. “Pinkie! I wasn’t finis— Oh! Girls! Um, hi...”
Bloom did her best to ignore the implications; she’d rather not think too hard about what was going on. Ain’t ya supposed to do this stuff with stallions? She looked at Sweetie Belle for a moment or two, automatically picturing her with a face as flushed as Twilight’s. It took a second to clear that image out before she could respond. Dangit! “Um, hey, Twilight! Ah was wondering, the girls and Ah were thinking of havin’ a slumber party and mah sis told me ‘bout a book you had that might help out.”
Twilight perked up noticeably before she teleported to the ground level and began searching her shelves. “I know just the one! “Slumber 101: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Slumber Parties But Were Afraid to Ask.” Yes, we used it for my first slumber party. Oh that was so much fun!”
As quickly as Twilight had brightened, Pinkie just seemed to wilt. “I... I missed a party? Did you have fun?”
“Oh, we had a blast! We had a pillow fight... well that got a little out of hoof... Oh, but we made s’mores, and Rarity made us wear a mud mask. That wasn’t quite as much fun, but it was in the book, you can’t just skip around. Then we told ghost stories! The tree falling into my house made a big mess, but we cleaned it up. I really need to have another one soon!”
The other mare was looking at her a bit sadly, a distant look in her eyes. “W-will I be invited this time?”
Twilight paused as if she had forgotten something, then quickly turned from her searching and rushed over to Pinkie, grabbing her into a hug that made Bloom blush again. “Oh, of course Pinkie! We couldn’t exactly send out invitations, after all. There was a big rainstorm that night, so it was safer to have Applejack and Rarity stay with me. You know it’s not a real party without my favorite pink pony!”
Pinkie sniffed, but looked much happier, and the two of them stayed embraced.
Apple Bloom coughed a bit. The pink and purple ponies seemed to snap out of a daze and step apart a moment at her interruption. “Um... so... about that book?”
Twilight nodded, heading back to the “S” shelf. In just a moment she triumphantly produced the book. “Here you go, girls, have fun!”
They all smiled and said in one voice, "Thanks, Twilight. Thanks, Pinkie. See you later!" Then it was off to the clubhouse.
“So what do you suppose they were up to?” Scootaloo asked as they arrived at the clubhouse. Sweetie had to admit it had her curious as well. Playing “let’s pretend” didn’t usually make a pony look like they’d just run the Sisterhood Social on one hoof!
Apple Bloom looked uncomfortable. “Just... don’t question it. Ah think some things we’re just not gonna get quite yet. Ah never really thought about that before... grown-ups’re always saying it, but it’s true.”
Now Sweetie was curious. “What do you mean? What wouldn’t we get?”
Scootaloo perked up as well. “Bloom, spill it, did you ‘get’ what was going on there?”
Bloom cringed visibly. “Ah don’t know for sure mind, but... Ah’m pretty sure they were, ah, messing around.”
Sweetie and Scootaloo looked at each other in confusion, then back to Apple Bloom. They both laughed as if she’d made a great joke. Sweetie finally gasped enough air in to say, “That can’t be it! They’re friends, you can’t do that with your friends. That’s not how it works.”
Bloom glared at Sweetie in irritation. “Look, Ah don’t claim ta get it, but that’s tot’lly what it was. Didn’t ya see how Twilight was so quick to hug Pinkie the second she looked sad? That weren’t no ‘friend’ hug.”
Sweetie just stared at her Apple Bloom — no, not her Apple Bloom, just Apple Bloom of course... You... can do that? No, that’s silly, you’re not supposed to think that way about your friends. “O-okay, calm down. I believe you! I don’t get it, but I believe you.” In the aftermath of that realization, the three fillies became fascinated with pieces of furniture, unwilling to look the others in the eye. Sweetie broke out of the stupor first, flipping the book over onto the table. “Anyway, lets see what the book says to do. This should be fun, right?”
Scootaloo and Apple Bloom exchanged glances, faces both rosy from blushing. They seemed happy enough about the distraction, and were quick to agree. “Yeah, that sounds just fine,” Apple Bloom replied with a little hint of embarrassment still in her voice.
“Whatever, but this better not be boring girl stuff all night,” Scootaloo added impatiently, with more than a hint in hers.
“Ah think we’re doin’ this wrong,” Apple Bloom declared, spitting out a clod of dirt. They were seated outside the clubhouse at the picnic table. Sweetie Belle had suggested that if they were going to apply mud masks then they might want to do it outdoors.
Sweetie giggled, her face also covered in mud. They look so cute — I mean ridiculous! “I tried to tell you girls, it's not the same stuff. My sister uses some kind of clay and herb mix, it’s sort of like mud but not actual mud.”
Scootaloo glared at her in exasperation. “So why did you let us do it?”
“I… didn’t think you’d actually go through with covering your faces in dirt?”
The other two looked to each other, nodded, then reached deep into the bowl of muck and pelted the unicorn with it.
“Hey!” Sweetie Belle scraped a hooffull off her face and glared at her laughing friends, then flung the mud she had scraped off right back at them. All three fillies were now completely covered in muck, so there was only one thing for it.
They grinned, and in one voice cried, “Mud fight!”
Once Luna’s night fell, the three continued their little party inside the clubhouse. Apple Bloom finally managed to dislodge a wad of mud from her ear and, with a grimace, said, “Well, that was fun! What’s next?”
Sweetie Belle scrutinised the book’s checklist. “Makeovers...”
Scootaloo stuck out her tongue. “Girly! Let’s skip it. What comes after that?”
Sweetie Belle read further. “Ghost stories... Either of you want to go first?”
Scootaloo raised a hoof. The other two settled down on their pillows to listen. “Okay, so I heard this story from a cousin of mine visiting from Cloudsdale. Apparently a bunch of foals were getting ready to take a test to graduate from flight school...”
The two wingless fillies shivered, holding each other tightly as the tale ended. “I-is any of that true?” Sweetie Belle squeaked out in fear.
Scootaloo scoffed. “Nah! But it didn’t stop me from asking to sleep with my parents for a week after I heard it. I kept dreaming that it was me being... not that I would ever be scared of something so stupid and if you girls ever tell anypony I said that.”
Apple Bloom laughed, thankful for the break in tension. She also found herself just a little uncomfortable clutching the unicorn beside her, now that story was over. She gently pried Sweetie’s hooves away and stood up. “Mah turn, I guess. It starts on a farm. This farmer gits real worried about tresspassers, and at tha same time needs a way to keep his trees growin’ good. So he gets a messed up idea fer how to do both...”
Both Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo looked ready to throw up. “Fertilizer? He murdered all those poor ponies and mulched them into—?” Scootaloo’s face had turned a distressing shade of green.
Sweetie was beginning to recover. That had been horrifying. Which, she guessed, was the point but... “Apple Bloom, where did you hear that?”
Apple Bloom looked a little sick herself. When she’d first heard the story she hadn’t been able to sleep right for a week. “Well, Ah wasn’t meant to... AJ and I went to visit some cousins one summer. Ah wasn’t supposed to be awake, And after I heard that, Ah kinda wish Ah’d gone to sleep. So... Ah guess yer next, Sweetie?”
Sweetie quailed just a bit; the story she had in mind had always scared her, but it wasn’t anything like the ones she’d just heard... Either way, she stood and cleared her throat. “Okay... There’s this undersea kingdom of seaponies. One day, a princess of the seaponies spies a handsome stallion from the land about to drown...”
Apple Bloom and Scootaloo listened intently, trying to be polite, at least until Scootaloo ran out of her short supply of patience. “How is that scary?”
Sweetie Belle looked wounded. “Well, that sea witch is pretty scary!”
Apple Bloom, trying to keep the peace, stuck up for Sweetie. “Well now, sure it wasn’t really scary but it was interesting at least—” She was cut off as she felt a pillow smack her in the side of the head.
Scootaloo laughed uproariously. “I got you good, Bloom! Enough with the boring stories, let’s have a pillow fight!”
Apple Bloom shook her head to clear it, then picked up her own pillow with her tail and bucked it into the air, straight for Scootaloo. “Whoa!” Scootaloo dodged to one side quickly as the missile flew through the air at speeds that made even a pillow dangerous.
Fwoomf! Both of them looked towards the source of the sudden noise. Sweetie had three pillows held in a weak telekinetic grip, all of them on fire. She grinned. “My turn!” Bloom and Scootaloo quite sensibly ducked for cover, looking for more ammunition.
Three gasping fillies lay on the floor, exhausted. Their fight had been grueling, and pillow casualties had been high, but at last a truce had been reached. Sweetie Belle was the first to regain enough strength to get up and check the book. “Next is... um... s’mores, then truth or dare.”
Sweetie looked dubiously at the graham crackers and chocolate, electing not to try to pick those up with magic. Then inspiration struck. She used her telekinesis to lift the marshmallows, which began to merrily burn, then quickly laid them down on the chocolate and covered them with a second graham cracker. The flame was extinguished, leaving perfectly melted chocolate and marshmallows. She smiled happily. “S’mores are done!”
While the fillies munched away on their treats, Sweetie explained the basic rules of the next activity. “So the idea is, when you get called, you ask another pony to tell the truth. They can do that, or they can decide to do a dare instead.”
“But that means one of us gets left outta each question,” Apple Bloom complained.
Scootaloo was trying to not look bored and failing miserably. “Okay, well, what do the rules say about... I dunno, all of us answering the same question? Or all of us doing a dare together?”
“Um... lemme check.” Sweetie Belle looked over the rules, not finding anything on doing simultaneous questions. “Huh... they didn’t write anything about that.”
“Well, then what are we supposed to do?”
She put her hoof down on the page, looking triumphant. “They did talk about this other game though. Ahem... ‘Two Truths and a Lie, a game wherein ponies take turns asking questions of one another, at which point the pony answers thrice- But one answer is false! The other ponies may then guess at the true answers, and have a great deal of fun.’ So maybe we can mix that with Truth or Dare! Like, we do the questions that way with normal dares?”
Apple Bloom thought a moment... it did sound more fun than just sitting there waiting for a turn. “Ah’m fine with that. Scootaloo, is that okay with you?”
“Whatever! Let’s just get to it. I wanna do some fun dares already!”
“Fine, Ah’ll start with you then Scoots. What’s yer fav—”
“Dare!”
“Wait a minute, y’all dint even wait fer me ta finish mah question!”
Scootaloo smirked. “Fine, finish the question, then I’ll do the dare anyways!”
“Ah, forget you then, just do the dare. Ah dare ya to... put ten marshmallows in yer mouth at once!”
“Pfft, easy! Sweetie, hand me those marshmallows!”
Sweetie Belle helpfully picked up the wooden bowl with her magic, promptly setting it on fire. “Ahhhhh! Put it out!”
Apple Bloom yelped and threw one of the blankets over the bowl, beating it with her forehooves to snuff out the flames. “Okay, no marshmallows.”
Scootaloo pouted, she had limbered up her jaws and everything. “Fine... ask your dumb question.”
“Right. What’s yer favourite animal? Y’know, as a pet an’ such?”
Scootaloo thought a moment. “Well, I’d want it to be fast. Something that can fly, but can also stay on the ground with me until I can fly too...”
“Oooh!” Sweetie squeaked. “How about an owl, like Twilight Sparkle’s pet?”
Thinking about Twilight inevitably led to thinking about the flushed look on Twilight’s face and Apple Bloom’s assurance the two friends were more than friends. I wonder what that would be like... No, stop it! They’re your friends, you can’t think of them like that. “N-nah... it would be sleeping all day. I need something that’s awake when I am. Let’s see... Dash almost picked a hawk, that might be cool. But it kinda bailed on her when she got in trouble. I gotta go with Dash on this one, I guess. I’d want a pet that’s loyal.”
“Robins’re pretty loyal. They stay in their territory all the year ‘round, an’ they don’t migrate with all th’ southern birds.”
“Robin? Oh cool! That sounds like the sidekick of that comic hero... Batmare, I think? I always wanted a sidekick!”
Sweetie laughed. “You mean you always wanted to be a sidekick.”
“You take that back!”
“Girls, let’s not get all fired up about a lil joke here. We’re supposed ta be answerin’ questions still. Ah know y’ didn’t give three answers like we talked about, but Sweetie still got ta play so Ah think that’s all right. So will we jus’ go round in a circle ta pick who’s next? That would mean it’s Sweetie’s turn.”
“Um... Okay. Apple Bloom, truth or dare?”
“Truth, a’ course!”
“Well then... tell me who you like, anypony in our class.”
“Uhhh …” Apple Bloom fidgeted a little as she realised her mistake. An Apple had to be honest, but … “Well, Ah like Miss Cheerliee, an’, um, Ah like … Sweetie Belle … an’ Silver Spoon!”
Scootaloo stuck out her tongue. “Lame! It’s obvious which one is the lie. What kind of question was that? We all like Miss Cheerilee. And of course you like Sweetie, she’s our best friend!”
Sweetie was silent for a time. The way Apple Bloom had hesitated made her worried. “Apple Bloom, why did you pause when you said my name? Do you really have to think about whether you like me?”
The earth filly blanched at the hurt in Sweetie’s voice, and she nearly tripped over herself to reassure her friend. “No! No, Ah, Ah was just tryin’ ta — Ah mean, Ah din’t wanna leave either of ya out, so I hadda think about which one ‘a ya ta pick.”
Scootaloo looked angry now. What the hay?! “Some loyalty there! You have to pick between us and you choose her?”
“It ain’t like that! Ah just, Ah like ya both just as much as each other so I just hadda pick at random! Honest Scootaloo!”
Scootaloo grumbled, but then she smiled wickedly. So what was it like then? Oh, I’ll get them back, let’s see them squirm when I dare them to do this! “You know what? It’s my turn. Sweetie, I dare you to kiss Apple Bloom! After all, if she likes you so much she may as well kiss you!”
“What?!” Sweetie’s voice cracked. “What happened to picking truth or dare?”
“Okay fine, kiss Apple Bloom, or tell me three ponies you want to kiss. And I mean three ponies you like like.”
Sweetie just looked mortified, unable to choose. Apple Bloom leaned over to put a hoof on her shoulder, murmuring, “It’s okay, Sweetie Belle, Ah... Ah don’t mind if ya wanna skip—”
Her voice was cut off by a pair of soft lips pressed against her own. It was feather light, but nothing like she’d ever felt. Apple Bloom’s eyelids fluttered shut almost of their own accord as she surrendered herself to the sensation.
Scootaloo stared, unable to look away. She hadn’t wanted to believe it, but it must be true. When two ponies kissed, it meant they loved one another... Where did that leave her? It’s not fair! They did it! I can’t believe they did it... She ran from the clubhouse, slamming the door on the way out.
The two fillies broke out of their shared trance and looked at the suddenly-closed door.
“Scootaloo! Where are you? Please come out!” The two remaining Cutie Mark Crusaders searched through the gathering darkness.
“Scootaloo! Where are ya, ya silly filly? Come back an’ let’s talk about all ‘a this!”
She heard quiet sobbing in the distance. Apple Bloom’s heart plummeted as the sound reached her ears, and she tried to locate the source of the disturbing noises. “Just leave me alone! I’ll find a Cutie Mark by myself. I bet yours are gonna be each other’s faces.”
Sweetie Belle pointed in the direction the voice was coming from, nodded to her fellow searcher, and ran towards it.
They found her angrily scrubbing her face with her hooves, trying to make the tears stop. Sweetie sat down beside her with a thump.
“What are you two doing here? Go have fun with your game.”
“Aw Scoots.” Apple Bloom sat down on the other side of their pegasus friend, ignoring her obvious discomfort. “Ah’m sorry that y’all were weirded out by us kissin’, but...we weren’t doin’ anything wrong. An’ you were the one dared us to anyway!”
Scootaloo looked up, tears streaming. “I didn’t think you would do it! You do like her, don’t you? You like her more than me!”
Sweetie touched Scootaloo’s cheek softly. She pulled her face towards her own and kissed her lightly. “There, now you’re even again.”
Apple Bloom swallowed nervously. “No we ain’t.” She gently turned Scootaloo’s face towards her and pressed her lips to the orange filly’s mouth. “Now we’re even.”
The three fillies sat in silence, the moment stretched on for what seemed like an eternity. Scootaloo was the first to break it. “Um... okay. So this wasn’t boring.”
Sweetie smiled warmly, punching Scootaloo lightly in the shoulder. “I told you it would be fun.”
Scootaloo looked a little dazed. “Girls... does this all mean something?”
“Do... do we want it t’ mean somethin’?”
Sweetie looked nervous, but said it anyway. “I-I dunno, but I think I wanna have another slumber party sometime soon.”
Scootaloo blushed. “Y-yeah... that would be cool.”
Apple Bloom laughed, relief flooding through her. “Y’all can stay at Sweet Apple Acres an’ we can camp out!”
Scootaloo nodded, then stammered out quickly, “Can we play truth or dare again? I mean, we don’t have to do the kissing but... that would be okay with me...”
The other two smiled, nodded to each other, and kissed Scootaloo on opposite cheeks. Sweetie whispered softly, “I think we can.”
Apple Bloom snuggled up against Scoots and giggled. “Well, we did promise t’ do everything together…”
Rarity bit her lip, trying to recall the words from the air between them, but of course it was too late. It wasn't so much she did not want Fluttershy to meet them. Quite the contrary. The problem was her father... "What I meant was... if you wished to meet them at some point—"
Fluttershy cut her off. "I would love to meet them! Oh, this is going to be fun, what are they like? Is your mother as graceful as you? I bet your father is a handsome stallion. He would have to be to have a daughter as pretty as you." She beamed, apparently very pleased at the invitation. Oh Goddesses, I can't back out now. Really, I shall have to have a long introspective moment at some point and determine why there seems to be such a disconnect between my mind and mouth lately.
"Yes... they are wonderful ponies, I'm sure they will love you." Now if I can only convince him I’m serious this time...
"Father, I would like you to meet my fillyfriend, Snow," she had said, proudly presenting the love of her life. Snow had looked so lovely that day. Rarity had made her a lovely white gown to complement her light blue coat, it set off her luscious pink eyes nicely. They had been dating for several weeks by then and Snow had been quite insistent that she be allowed to meet Rarity’s parents. She had been a little nervous about telling them about the mare — she was an earth pony after all — and was not certain what the reaction might be. They both looked expectantly at Rarity’s father.
"Oh, that’s nice, Rarey. It’s nice to meet you, Miss. Any friend of Rarity's is a friend of ours."
That was not the reaction she had expected in the least. Still, she pressed on. "Father, I mean I love this mare." She hugged the mare in question to demonstrate her meaning. There, surely he will understand.
"Oh sure, I love my friends too. Especially after a few drinks, so much love in the room." The uncomfortable silence stretched on. Somepony might have coughed at one point, but nopony would own up to it.
Snow whispered to Rarity in disappointment. “We should just go, he obviously doesn’t like me.”
The unicorn smiled nervously. She hadn’t known what to expect; Father had always gone on and on about the unicorn stallion prince who would one day sweep her off her hooves. Indeed he seemed quite enamored with the idea. But after actually meeting the cad she had quite given up on finding love with the rougher sex. She’d bumped into Snow at a local cafe and they had hit it off quite nicely. Now, standing here, it seemed the whole thing might be doomed. Not because the relationship could not work, but because of an issue she’d never even considered: her father was an idiot.
“Well, this was fun. Father, Snow and I have things to do now. I love you.” She hugged the stallion goodbye and left with her fillyfriend.
The relationship petered out a few weeks after that; Snow just seemed to grow ever more irritable with her. She never said so, but Rarity could tell her father’s lack of approval was the issue. They remained friends of course, and Snow had ended up with a rather nice pegasus mare named Sun Catcher. They occasionally met for lunch to just dish a bit. The fashionista had always considered Snow the one that got away, and from that day on she had resolved to be very careful whom she brought to meet her father.
The walk to the Boutique was a rather silent one, on Rarity’s side at least. Fluttershy seemed to be babbling (in an excellent imitation of Pinkie Pie) about how excited she was. She supposed she did not blame the poor dear; from her perspective everything was going perfectly. Their longstanding relationship as close friends had gone from platonic to romantic in a matter of days. And now she was being introduced to her fillyfriend’s parents, further cementing the relationship as a valued and stable one. To Rarity, however, this was practically a death knell for her hopes. She kept trying to think of ways to delay the meeting but, having offered, saw no way out now but to go through with it.
She just wished she knew what had gone wrong! Was it that Snow was not a unicorn? If so, Fluttershy would face similar rejection. She’d never brought herself to just ask her father; it was far too painful to do so with the memories of tearful pink eyes fresh in her mind. Her father had never struck her as a tribalist, but perhaps that was the issue? She had to find out, preferably before another scene developed as it had with poor sweet Snow.
As they arrived at the Boutique she noticed her sister being dropped off by her friends, Sweetie stepping down from the cart Scootaloo always used to give the other two rides. She expected the trio to give each other a nice hug goodbye. what she saw instead was Apple Bloom and Scootaloo giving her little sister a kiss on either cheek and three sets of suddenly-rosy faces looking into each other’s eyes. They broke out of their shared trance and the other two clambered back into the scooter and cart respectively. They all waved at Rarity and Fluttershy as Scootaloo sped off, faces still very red.
Hmmm, that’s an interesting development. Sister, you and I may need to have a little talk in the near future. She filed the issue away for another day, however. She had other concerns at the moment. “Hello, Sweetie, did you... have fun with your friends?”
Sweetie Belle blushed furiously. “Yeah, we had a slumber party! We made s’mores and told stories and played truth or dare!” Then she began to look a bit evasive. “So, how was your night, Rarity?”
And now it was the older sister’s turn to look evasive. “F-fine, just fine, the spa was relaxing as always. Are you ready to go back home now?” She wasn’t quite sure if it was appropriate to explain how her night had gone. Sweetie was getting older, but Rarity had yet to see her show any interest in anyp — oh my. “Sweetie, did something happen between you and your friends?”
Sweetie looked startled. “Um... n-no?” She began looking around as if expecting attack from all sides. Then she latched on to something. “Say... Fluttershy seems to be getting awfully close to you all of a sudden, did something happen?” She grinned knowingly.
Rarity sputtered. The pegasus had been hanging close to her the entire walk home. They quickly and self-consciously stepped apart. Silence reigned for a moment as the two unicorns regarded each other.
“Never speak of this again?” Rarity finally offered. She really did not wish to explain herself to her sister until she’d first figured out what to do about their father. No point in fighting a two-front war after all. Still, one day, little sister, we shall have to have a discussion.
“O-okay.”
The walk to her parents home was a slow and painful one. The ill-fated, frazzled fashionista found herself wrapped up in thoughts of how she could possibly fix this situation before it became an issue. I will not tolerate anything more going wrong. I love Fluttershy, he is going to accept that if I have to beat him to a bloody pulp and get him to write “Welcome to the family” in his own drool. She, of course, would never truly injure her father. However, anger — not just for the potentially upset Fluttershy, but also on behalf of her unfairly dismissed Snow — was making it difficult to remember that.
If he didn’t approve, he could have had the courtesy to say so! Acting the foal like that... She fumed darkly. Fluttershy nuzzled her as they walked, apparently not knowing what was bothering her but wanting to be supportive. She smiled gratefully at her love. Definitely an advantage to dating a long-time friend. She understands me like nopony else can.
There had to be some way to head off the dreaded confrontation, some means by which she could discover what had gone wrong without upsetting her father in the process. Some — Wait... somepony who understands him? Who would understand him better than Mother?! She was aghast, how had she never thought of this before? Mother could surely tell me what problem Father has with the other tribes. Maybe it was all just some horrid misunderstanding! That would be rather nice to report at their next lunch. Oh Snow, darling! So nice to see you again. And how is Sun doing? Oh, promotion higher up in the weather team? How lovely! Say, do you remember that day I took you to meet my father and he treated you so horridly? Turns out he just dislikes the color blue. Isn’t that silly? Okay... perhaps not, but at least it would avoid a similar problem with the current love of her life. She deserved a chance at happiness. Snow had found her happiness after all; nopony could blame Rarity for wanting her own.
Finally, they reached their destination. Sweetie’s horn flared just as her sister gave her a warning look. We cannot afford to keep replacing burned doors. “I think a simple knock would do, Sweetie.”
At her abashed nod, Rarity knocked quietly. To her relief it was her mother who answered the door and she embraced the older mare warmly. She would be wearing the golf pants, of course she would. “Hello, Mother, I’ve brought Sweetie home. Did you enjoy your little trip?”
“Oh it was great, Manehattan was wonderful. Your father picked up a load of new knickknacks for our collection.” Ugh... Must they always do that? Those cheaply made trinkets are at best fit for starting a fire.
“That’s lovely, Mother. Sweetie, you should take your things up to your room now. Mother... could I talk to you for a moment? Privately?”
“Well sure honey, but what about your friend here?”
“Um... well I suppose she’ll have to come with us. It concerns her after all. Mostly I wish to speak with you without Father for just a moment.” She grinned nervously, not sure how her mother would take that.
“Rarey, you know you can talk to me about anything, but why wouldn’t you want your father to know?” Rarity cringed at the childhood nickname her mother had saddled her with and inexplicably continued to use.
“Well... that’s what I wanted to talk to you about.”
“Okay, honey, but I reserve the right to tell your father if it’s really important.”
“I intend to tell him as well, but I need your advice first... However, proper introductions are in order. Mother, I would like you to meet my fillyfriend, Fluttershy.”
“H-hello,” Fluttershy managed to squeak out.
“Oh my! Well, it’s lovely to meet you, Fluttershy. She’s gorgeous, hon, but... is this the secret? Why should your father not meet her?”
“Let me explain... do you remember the mare I spent so much time with a few years back?”
“Oh Rarey! I am so sorry, I had no idea you and that pretty little filly were dating. Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Well, I wanted to, but things went so abysmally with Father I decided not to. She broke things off with me shortly afterwards.”
Fluttershy put her wing over her fillyfriend comfortingly. She remembered the unicorn crying over Snow that same week. She’d never said what went wrong, just that the mare had left her.
Rarity visibly composed herself. “That’s the trouble, you see, I don’t know why everything went south. Do you have any idea why Father was so dismissive?”
The older mare bit her lip slightly, deep in thought. “Rarey... I don’t think he meant anything by it. We grew up in a very small town, built on older values. It’s not so much that we weren’t aware fillyfoolers and coltcuddlers existed, it just wasn’t done there. When you grow up in a small town, your parents tend to fill your head with ideas about having a family. While you two can adopt, it’s much more practical for mares to be with stallions in a town that small.”
“Wait... so it was nothing to do with her having been an earth pony. Father just couldn’t wrap his head around the fact I was dating a mare?” The revelation was staggering. Was that what it was? Thinking back, it did make sense. Every story he’d ever told her featured a handsome prince, not a beautiful princess who married her equally beautiful duchess or some such. “So what do I do then?”
“Rarey, your father loves you. He may not understand what you see in another mare, but just show him you mean it when you say you’re in love. He’ll come to accept it. Just give him some time.”
The fashionista cringed. This was turning out much like the first time, the only difference being that now she knew what was wrong. “Very well, is he out back then? I suspect he is grilling at the moment, I smell tofu-dogs.” Goddesses, its always tofu-dogs. I never could get him to sit down to a nice healthy salad.
“You know your father, Rarey, he does love to grill. Go out back and talk to him. It’ll be okay.”
Rarity hugged the older mare gratefully. “Thank you, Mother, I badly needed some perspective. I love you.”
The older stallion was in fact cooking at a small patio in the back garden. The smell of searing vegetable byproducts and barbeque sauce wafted to her nose. No wonder he could eat Sweetie’s cooking, everything he eats tastes like ashes. “Hello, Father!”
He turned with a grin, dropping his implements on their hooks at the side of the grill. “Rarey honey, good to see you. You really need to make time to come visit more often.”
“Yes, Father, I know. I have something to tell you actually.”
“Oh?”
"Father... I would like you to meet my fillyfriend, Fluttershy"
"Aww, that's nice honey, but that's a weird way to call her a friend. I mean I can see she's a mare. She’s a little old for you to be calling her a filly."
“I’m about a year younger than her actually.” Fluttershy interjected into the exchange. She blushed when Rarity looked at her in mild irritation and mouthed ‘Not right now.’
"No, Father, I mean I’m in a relationship with her."
"Well sure, friends always have great relationships. Why, my buddies down by the bar are just swell."
"Father, I showered with her!"
"Oh, that's no big deal. I shower with my buddies at the tennis club all the time. Don't tell me you're worried about that!"
"Ugh... Father... I am in love with this mare, I intend to have relations with her..." Seeing the lack of understanding in his eyes frustrated her to no end. "Fluttershy, could you come here for a moment?" Her fillyfriend trotted to her side, clearly curious as to what Rarity wanted. The unicorn then grabbed her shoulders, dipped her into an embrace and stuck her tongue down Fluttershy’s throat. She looked up at her father, smiling, just a bit breathless. "Do you understand now, Father?"
"....What?"
Lex v Stee:
* flipflopping sweetie
Silence reigned for a long moment. Rarity stared at her motionless father. It was almost as if time had stopped.
“Psst!” She looked down into her forelegs. Fluttershy was looking up at her. “Rarity, I don’t think he understands yet. Quick, make love to me right here!”
“What?!”
Rarity shook her head. There was Fluttershy, as before. “I said... Um... I think your Dad might be a little shocked, maybe you should check to see if he’s okay?” Rarity laughed at herself internally. Really, darling, a fantasy now of all times? Still, I wish it had lasted a moment or two longer...
Her father finally moved, even if it was only to slump onto his rump on the patio. “Fine, Rarey, you win. You wanted my attention, you got it. We’re going to talk like adults about this. But first, I need you to go chat to your mother for a bit.”
It was too much to hope for to have him be able to discuss the matter so soon after finally understanding. But as a start, Rarity was willing to work with it. “Very well, come with me, darling. Let’s go visit Mother for a while, my Father needs time to collect himself.”
“Rarey, I said you should go. I need her to stay here.”
She looked back in shock. “But whatever for? I’m the one you need to be talking to!”
The stallion shook his head. “Rarey, you tell me you’re in love with this mare. You want me to accept that? Then I need to talk to… her,” he said through gritted teeth.
Rarity opened her mouth to protest, but was silenced by the soft touch of a yellow hoof on her lips. Fluttershy smiled gently. “Rarity, go speak to your mom. I want to talk to your dad. Is that okay?”
She nodded dumbly, unable to say more. Kissing Fluttershy’s cheek softly, she left to go talk to her mother, giving one last worried look back before entering the house.
Rarity’s dad sat down on a bench and motioned for the pegasus to sit next to him. He grunted in annoyance at the sight of charred tofu-links on the grill. No saving them now.
The pegasus sat down primly, waiting for him to speak. Polite, graceful, respectful, all good points in her favor. He sighed. This was not as easy as it should be. Time to come clean, I guess. “Kiddo... Sorry, do you mind if I call you that? I’ve already made a complete idiot of myself today, I’d hate to insult you with a nickname you don’t like.”
The pegasus mare shifted a little uncomfortably on the stone bench. “My name is Fluttershy, but I don’t mind if you call me Kiddo. It sounds... nice.” She gave him a dazzling smile. Okay... definitely understanding what she sees in this girl. If I were a younger stallion, and had never met my Wishes... He shook himself. These were definitely the wrong thoughts to have about his daughter’s... fillyfriend, get used to the word.
He sighed. “Kiddo, I want to apologize for that scene just now.” He rubbed a hoof through his mane nervously. “I... honestly have no idea how to cope with... this. Please don’t think I dislike you. You’re just not who I expected my daughter to bring home.” He sighed. “You must think I’m an old fool.”
Fluttershy put a hoof over his shoulders and hugged him gently. He looked up with surprise and gratitude. “Shush, you have nothing to apologize for. I think Rarity might owe you one instead, that was a mean trick to play on you.”
He shook his head sadly. “No, I definitely owe her one. Two really. This is the second time she’s brought home somepony she loved. I dealt with it badly the first time, too.” He lowered his head in shame. “I have a horrible sense of humor. When something makes me uncomfortable I laugh it off. I laughed at my own daughter, Kiddo.”
“You’re sorry, aren’t you?” The pegasus hugged him a little tighter. It felt good. Relaxing. A bit of penance after all the little (and not so little) mistakes.
“Of course I am. Sorry, this wasn’t how it was supposed to go. Let’s start the way I always intended to, when she brought home her special somepony.” He cleared his throat noisily. “Ahem! Young col— errr, sorry, filly: what are your intentions with my daughter?”
Fluttershy giggled. It was a good sound. To be honest, he looked forward to hearing it more. “Really? Um... Okay fine.” She put on a more serious face. “Mister Rarity’s Dad, I’ve loved your daughter for a long time now. Longer than I can even remember. She’s been my friend for years, now she’s agreed to be my fillyfriend. I want to make her happy. Maybe, if she’ll let me, I want to marry her someday. Is that okay with you?”
He jumped up, making a big show of looking her over. He leaned in close to her eyes and looked into them appraisingly. Then he put a hoof on her lips and checked her teeth. She sat stock still during all of this, somehow knowing an inspection when she saw one. Finally he nodded, satisfied. “It’s okay with me, Kiddo. All you gotta do now is talk my Rarey into it. I’m guessing from the way she listened to you that it won’t be too much of a problem. Neat trick, by the way. I wish I could have gotten her to mind me so well when she was a filly.”
“I wish I could tell you what I was doing, I d-don’t quite know myself,” she stammered out bashfully.
He reached up and ruffled her mane a bit. “Just joshing you a little, Kiddo, my wife has the same effect on me. I guess that was the first sign in your favor. A couple needs to listen to each other. Not just talk, but listen.” He straightened his back once more, slipping into the voice he used to command young colts to attention as he gave his pep talks before the big hoofball game. “So, young... filly. Tell me about yourself.”
“Um... let’s see. I grew up in Cloudsdale. I was always a weak flier, so other pegasus ponies made fun of me. They called me mean names, like ‘It’s Too High’ or ‘Klutzershy.’ One day my friend Rainbow Dash spotted two colts picking on me, so she challenged them to a race. But she got a little excited when she sped away from the starting line and missed that I had fallen off the cloud I was standing on. I panicked and my wings wouldn’t open...”
“...Then after I had gathered all the animals again, I got my cutie mark! But I was still a very weak flier, and I couldn’t get back to Cloudsdale by myself, so I went to try to find some other ponies. I came across Ponyville, but I was very frightened and obviously didn’t know anypony there. My parents and teachers had always warned me that the ground was a scary place, and that I should never go there without an adult. I was stuck here and I had nopony to help me get back home. I wanted to ask for help, but everytime I tried to speak up, all that came out was a little squeak. I was lonely and hungry, and I had nowhere to go. Much later that day I found a nice spot by a pond in the park and lay down there. I fell asleep and woke up the following morning. That was where I first met her...”
“Hello there! Are you new in town?”
Fluttershy turned her weary face towards the voice. She was being addressed by a cute little unicorn filly with a coat of pure white and a short purple mane. The filly’s cutie mark was of three blue gemstones. Fluttershy wondered what kind of talent that might signify. She opened her mouth but nothing came out. She sighed.
“Oh dear, is something wrong with your voice?”
Fluttershy shook her head ruefully. She tried again. “...”
“I think I almost heard that... you said you’re lost?”
Fluttershy perked up. Somepony finally understood her! She nodded in excitement. Then she was sad again, remembering why she was excited. She was still lost, only now somepony knew it.
“Oh, that simply won’t do, darling! Where is your home?”
The lost pegasus filly pointed up. The unicorn followed her hoof and laughed in self-depreciating humor. “Oh, of course, most pegasus ponies live in the sky. How very silly of me. But why are you down here, darling? Can’t you fly back home?”
Fluttershy began to cry. The unicorn looked startled and bit her lip in thought. Then she lay down beside the pegasus and put her foreleg around her gently. “There there, darling. It’s all right. So you’ve come down here and have no way to return?”
Fluttershy screwed her face up in concentration. The closeness of the filly should have made her cringe, but she found herself calmed somehow. “I fell.”
The unicorn looked at her in shock. “So you can speak! Oh, that’s good. That will make things much easier. So you fell from your home then? Are your wings injured? Can you not fly back?”
Fluttershy shook her head. “I’m too weak.”
The unicorn filly nodded in sympathy. “Don’t despair, darling, not everypony has a special talent that fits their tribe perfectly. Look at me, for goodness sake! I just found out I have a talent for finding gems hidden in stone. Now what good will that do me in life? I couldn’t have had something more practical like a talent for sewing. Oh no, my destiny was a rock! Mind you, I do sew very well regardless, but to my shame my magic has never been the strongest of my class. Those are lovely butterflies, by the way. What is your special talent if I might ask?”
Fluttershy found herself warming to this strangely talkative filly. She seemed content to carry on enough of a conversation for both of them, which was good, because the shy pegasus found it difficult to contribute much to it. “I can, um, talk to animals.”
“Oh my goodness, that sounds interesting! Hardly practical for you either though, sadly. Not many animals up in the sky. A few birds I suppose, but few indeed live as high up as you pegasi live. Look at us, we are a pair are we not? You, a pegasus with weak wings and a talent for communicating with animals you will rarely see, and me, a unicorn with weak magic and a talent for finding rocks in the middle of nowhere! Oh my, I daresay destiny has played a cruel prank on us.”
The unicorn blanched a bit as a thought seemed to come to her. “Oh, how rude of me! I haven’t even asked your name! I am Rarity, pleasure to make your acquaintance.”
The pegasus strained hard, and finally forced out the words. “Um... my name is Fluttershy.”
“Fluttershy, you say? Oh that’s a lovely name. But then you are a lovely filly so I suppose it fits, doesn’t it? Say, I was just about to sit down to lunch, would you care to join me?” She busied herself pulling a packed lunch from her saddlebag. Soon a nice picnic blanket was lay out, with a repast consisting of a daisy sandwich, a tossed salad, and a bottle of juice spread on top of it. Fluttershy eyed the meal hungrily, but said nothing. Rarity set about carefully divvying up the meal into two halves, then motioned for Fluttershy to eat.
“So tell me, what’s flying like? I’ve always wanted to try it but, needless to say, I lack the equipment. Do you ever get scared living up so high? Well, I suppose not since you have the wings. Oh but how did you fall so far? Are you sure you’re not hurt?” She got up and began looking over the pegasus filly, trying to check for bruising or signs of injury anywhere. “No, you look okay. Are you able to fly at all right now?”
Fluttershy let the questions and prods wash over her. She was making quick work of her half of the meal and felt a bit better now. “Thank you.” Then her stomach grumbled loudly. She blushed bright red.
“Please, darling, have mine as well. You must have missed a meal to be so hungry!”
The pegasus nodded gratefully, and daintily finished the food. “Thank you again.”
“Oh you’re quite welcome, darling. Sorry if I’m nattering on a bit, I must be coming off as a bit of a ninny. I hope you’ll forgive me.” She flashed a grateful smile at Fluttershy’s nod. “Thank you, dear. I suspect we’ll need to find you an adult now, won’t we?” Rarity’s grin looked strained. The prospect didn’t seem to appeal to her.
She... doesn’t want me to go?
“Um, well... we don’t have to leave right now, if you don’t want to.”
“Oh! Well I wouldn’t want to impose, darling, I suspect your family must be worried about you. My parents are a bit... busy at the moment. They were rather wrapped up so I thought I would go outside to get some sun.”
“Oh, my parents sent me to summer flight camp. The camp counselors will likely be looking for me, but nopony would think to look for a Cloudsdaler down here. Anypony else would have been able to fly back up, or wouldn’t have fallen at all. Only a weak flier like me would fall all the way down here.” She suddenly realized she was speaking normally to the pony, and shrank back again, hiding her face in her front hooves.
Rarity laughed, a warm friendly laugh. Fluttershy peeked up from her hooves curiously. “Oh good, you just made a little conversation yourself! Oh thank you, darling! I was quite afraid you would never come round. Please don’t be bashful around me anymore, it’s been so lonely for me without my little sister to play with.”
Fluttershy lifted her head in alarm. “What’s wrong? Is she okay?”
Rarity nodded sadly. “It’s nothing terrible, just an attack of the pony pox. Thank goodness I’ve had it already or I would be lay up too. Without her I really have nopony to play with. The other children find me... odd. They like to get dirty and dislike it when I correct their horrid abuse of the Equestrian language. Oh, sorry, I keep dominating the conversation. It’s a bad habit.”
Fluttershy gave a small laugh. She’s almost as self-conscious as me! “I don’t mind, I’m a much better listener than a talker. Would you like to spend some time together before we tell somepony that I need to get back to Cloudsdale?”
“Oh, would you mind? I could use a friend right now. Just for a little while. We don’t want to worry anypony excessively.”
“We spent the rest of the day together. It was... nice.” Fluttershy smiled happily at the memory. “We finally flagged down a pony from the weather team here and they got word to Cloudsdale. I was picked up that evening. She promised she would write to me, but I never got any letters. Still, after repeatedly failing in flight school, I decided maybe I should just embrace my true talent. I came back to Ponyville and started a veterinary clinic. I was in town buying some animal feed one day when I saw her again.”
“Excuse me, darling, I hate to bother you, but you seem so very familiar. Have we met before?”
Fluttershy turned, confused. Then she saw the gems on the mare’s flank. “Rarity?”
“F-Fluttershy? It is you, darling! Oh but what are you doing down here again? Don’t tell me you slipped off another cloud!”
Fluttershy shook her head, smiling just a little. “I live here now. I decided to live on the ground with my animal friends because I missed them too much. I also missed my unicorn friend. I thought you forgot about me...”
Rarity grimaced dourly. “Darling, I’m so sorry! I tried to write but nopony would believe me when I said I had to get a letter to Cloudsdale. My parents both assumed I had made up an imaginary friend because I was lonely. Oh but it’s all right, you’re here now! To stay, I hope?” At the pegasus’ nod she smiled brilliantly. “Oh, are you busy, darling? There’s a lovely-looking spa that just opened a few months back, I wanted to give them a try; a lady does love to be pampered you know. Would you care to join me? My treat of course, as an apology for my lack of correspondence.”
“O-okay.”
Rarity’s dad had been following along until he finally remembered something. “You! It was you she was talking about! She kept going on and on about how she had to get a letter to the sky. She talked about a pegasus with butterflies for a cutie mark. Oh, Kiddo, I am sorry. I thought she made it up! In my defence, working with animals is a pretty uncommon talent for a pegasus to have! All that time...”
“It’s okay, really! If she had written I might not have missed her as much as I did. Maybe I would have stayed in Cloudsdale.” She smiled gratefully.
Their first trip to the spa was memorable. Fluttershy kept marveling how beautiful Rarity had become when compared to the filly she had met that fateful day. She was so eloquent now, so refined. The mare before her had clearly spent years polishing everything about herself to a dazzling luster. For a time, as they lay back in a relaxing steam bath, all she could do was bask in the other mare’s presence.
“Fluttershy, are you listening?”
“Eep! I’m sorry, Rarity! What did you say?”
“That’s quite all right, darling. I asked if you wouldn’t mind making this a regular thing. I... don’t have many friends you see, and fewer still would I call close. I-I am a very sociable mare, but I have some... foibles that can make me difficult to like. Maybe it was just missing you after that fine day we spent together. But I somehow knew we would meet again one day, and now that the day has come... I won’t lose you again. Please?” She pleaded with a look of sadness in her eyes, as if expecting that this too would be denied her.
Fluttershy waded over to Rarity and put a foreleg around her in a hug. “I’m here now. Thank you, Rarity, thank you for being my friend.”
“So that’s it?” Rarity’s dad smiled as the story ended. It had been quite the moving tale, and quite new to him. His older daughter rarely talked about her friends in detail.
“Um... well there were other things. I met other friends, they’re all very nice. One of them is Princess Celestia’s personal protege! Oh and I met the princess, um... seven times? She’s very nice. I also met Princess Luna a few times, she’s a little scary, but nice. Oh, and I might have maybe saved the world a few times.”
If he hadn’t already heard about all of those events, often from the newspapers before Rarity herself, he would have laughed. But this... Friends with royalty, a national hero, and modest too! He shook his head in wonderment. “You’ve led quite the life, Kiddo.”
“Um... yes.”
Rarity stepped quietly back into the house, trying not to fret over what was going on out there. She had faith in her Fluttershy, however; the mare had shown such great strength of character. She will be fine. I daresay she’ll win him over.
She found her mother busying herself about the kitchen, no doubt trying to make something edible as an alternative to tofu-dogs. “Hello again, Mother.”
Her mother turned, setting down the salad bowl she had been tossing chopped vegetables into. “Oh Rarey! How did it go?”
Rarity grimaced in frustration. “Well, I had to take some extreme measures to get him to pay attention but he is at last convinced I meant it when I said I was in love. He insisted on talking to her alone.”
Her mother nodded excitedly. She gestured for Rarity to sit, which she did gratefully. “Oh that’s wonderful news! He probably just wants to get to know her better.”
Rarity smiled, that would be nice. She did want him to like Fluttershy, after all. "Yes, I suspect you’re right. So, what do you think of her Mother?"
The plump older mare began to make daisy sandwiches. She turned her head back to her daughter as the ingredients flew about the room. "Oh she's lovely, my dear, but I have to say I'm surprised!"
Rarity watched the display, quite impressed. When it came to cooking her mother was no slouch. If only she could teach Sweetie Belle. Poor dear. "Really? How so?"
Her mother smiled in amusement, clearly getting ready to taunt her daughter just a bit. "Well after years of you going on and on about finding ‘Him,’ to see you falling in love with one of those is just a little..."
Oh I don’t like the sound of this. Mother please don’t be saying what I think you are... "’One of those?’ Mother, please don't tell me you have a problem with me dating a mare... I just got past that with Father, my heart could not bear another showdown!"
The older mare made calming motions with her hooves. "Oh not at all, to each their own after all, I just mean she's not a unicorn!"
Rarity froze. What could she possibly mean by that? "... Mother, are you a tribalist?"
The older mare wrinkled her muzzle in distaste. "Young lady! Such language, I raised you better than that! I'll have you know before I met your father I dated a very nice pegasus in college!” She paused, reminiscing with a dreamy expression; clearly some happy memories. “Oh, there was this one spot right below the primary coverts that just drove him wild..."
Rarity clapped her front hooves to her ears and closed her eyes, but the mental images would not stop. "Mother, please! I... I cannot hear any more for Celestia's sake!"
Her mother grinned saucily, but relented. "Oh fine fine, but yes, she is a wonderful mare. I'm sure you'll be very happy together."
Rarity took her hooves down thankfully. "Thank you, Mother. I know we haven't always seen eye to eye — my fault, mostly — but your opinion means a lot to me."
The plump mare nodded in appreciation of the intent. "I understand dear, just know that I always love you and want the best for you."
Rarity hugged her mother warmly. "I love you too, Mother."
The hug went on for some time. Rarity squirmed a bit. Don’t ask her don’t ask her she might actually answer stop thinking about— Augh! She just had to know. "... Mother?"
Her mother, still hugging her, mumbled into her mane. "Yes?"
"Where on the wing was that spot exactly?"
There can be no greater horror than finding out too much about your mother’s sex life. Why oh why had she asked? She knew this was going to terrify her! Still, when the time comes for Fluttershy and I to be intimate, I shall be ready! My head is full of disturbing but useful information. And all it cost me was my peace of mind and sanity. A bargain!
Still, the ordeal left her with a newfound respect for her mother. She had of course heard that the older mare had been a cheerleader; that was how her parents had met after all, on the hoofball field. She still wondered at times if her poor father hadn’t taken one too many blows to the head during his hoofball days. Apparently that’s where she had met the pegasus colt as well. Rarity’s heart sang at the descriptions of the ways in which her father had tried to woo her. But she was still committed to her first coltfriend at the time. The things her mother had described doing with her pegasus beau... and in flight no less. I wonder if Twilight would teach me the cloudwalking spell, that might be interesting. Making love on a cloud... Apparently it all came down to the school dance, when her coltfriend left her for another mare. And there was her father, waiting in the wings, wanting only her love and willing to wait forever for her to finally notice him... Oh my, quite romantic.
She sat patiently waiting for her fillyfriend and father to return. The clock ticked at a maddeningly slow pace. She watched her mother craft a fine casserole as it floated in midair, nodding and humming along to a song only she heard. She realized with some amazement that she recognized the tune, and wondered what the lyrics were in her mother’s version. And the infernal ticking continued, each second another blow to her sanity. “Rargh! What’s taking them so long?”
Her mother chuckled while assembling the various ingredients in the pan. “Have patience, Rarey, your father is not cruel stallion. He’s not going to make your fillyfriend cry. I’m sure he’s just chatting with her. You know, trying to get to know her, to see what you love about her.”
Rarity held a foreleg up to her brow in a gesture very familiar to any who had seen her dramatics. “Oh, but it’s not fair, Mother, he’s supposed to be talking to me! I fretted over this moment! It’s important to me! I want his approval! It was hard enough just getting him to acknowledge there was something to approve!”
Her mother nodded patiently as she set the oven to bake the dish, then started to slice mixed fruit into a bowl for dessert. “Let’s try to occupy that mind of yours for a while, shall we? Tell me a bit about the first filly. What happened with her? You must have cared for her if you brought her home...”
Rarity looked pensive, Snow had been weighing heavily on her mind during this entire visit. Not fair at all to Fluttershy. It felt like such strong and healthy love at the time, and yet it failed over something so simple as my father not showing his approval of us. “I did... at the time. It was very important to her, you see, that you both give us your consent. Truth be told I felt pressured into it. We’d only been dating a matter of weeks at the time, we’d yet to do more than hold hooves really. I was rather embarrassed after Father just seemed to... misunderstand everything I tried to tell him. But, thinking back, I was rather relieved. Isn’t that horrible? I mean I cared quite deeply for Snow... but some little niggling part of me just knew... she wasn’t the one.”
“Oh? Was that why you didn’t fight for her the way you did with Fluttershy?”
“Oh my, no, I would have fought just as — no, actually I think you are right... Poor Snow Drop, I could have stood my ground and made him understand, even then, if I had loved her as dearly as I thought I did.” She sighed sadly. “I should have just told her I wasn’t comfortable pushing things along so fast. She deserved better from me. Still, she found her special somepony eventually, so perhaps things worked out as they were meant to. I really should have known my own heart better. Even then I found such comfort going to Fluttershy to cry my eyes out after it had ended. How was I so blind as to have missed this for so long? I was always going to Fluttershy... except for the one time it would have meant the most! How was I such a fool as not to have told her how I felt?”
“Don’t beat yourself up over it too much, Rarey,” the older mare said, putting a comforting hoof on her daughter’s shoulder. “You got it figured out eventually. If it makes you feel better it took me a while to realize the difference between infatuation and love too. Well, okay, between lust and love, if we’re being totally frank.” Her mother blushed. Thank you Mother, something else I shall have to repress. Aloe will be so pleased, it’s going to take hours to get these knots out of my back.
Rarity’s dad let out a huge guffaw. “Really? You stared down a dragon? With the fire and the claws and the rar?! Wow, Kiddo, that’s something.” That one certainly didn’t make the papers. “Not saying I doubt you or anything, but that’s impressive, I mean you just seem so... meek.”
“Oh I am, but nopony hurts my friends.” She puffed up her chest proudly, then shrank back as she apparently realized she probably sounded overconfident. “What I mean is, I am pretty weak and helpless by myself. My friends make me feel stronger.”
“I’m kind of relieved actually; a father likes to know his daughter has someone who can back her up when she gets into a bad situation. Social or... well, having to face down a dragon I guess. I’m proud to know she’s fallen in love with a filly who can draw on so much strength when she needs it.”
“Um... thank you.”
The two chatted for a while, just sharing little bits of their lives, getting to know one another. He found himself more and more impressed with her with every word. She was kind, humble, loving, and so determined to make his daughter happy. I guess the equipment is not so important, it’s the heart that matters most. He hugged her fondly. “Thank you, Kiddo, I've never seen my little girl looking so happy. Do you have any idea how often she cried on our shoulders after that Blueblood prick broke her dreams? I could see it in her eyes when you walked in with her, she’s found her special somepony at last."
After some time Fluttershy grew a little silent, seeming to want to ask something but not quite sure how to do so. "Um... Mr. Rarity's Dad?"
He laughed a bit. So formal all the time! I gave you a nickname Kiddo, it’s okay to relax a bit. "Just call me Dad, Kiddo.”
She blushed hard, but forced herself on regardless. "Oh, okay, um, Dad. Can I ask you something?"
"Sure, Kiddo, what's up?"
“Well, you and Rarity's mom, you're both unicorns..."
"Yeah, horns and everything."
"Right... well I was wondering...” She rubbed her hooves together nervously. “I've never been with a unicorn... or, um, anypony really. I know about pegasi, a little... but what would make Rarity happy?"
"Just keep being yourself Kiddo, you seem to be doing all right."
"No... What would make her happy... that way."
"Oh... um...“ He looked around to make sure nopony was nearby to overhear. He saw nopony, but even so, his voice dropped to a whisper.
“You’re gonna have to figure things out as you go of course. I can’t claim to know what it's like for two mares to be together...” He stopped, not quite sure he was comfortable with this. Who else does she have to ask? Help the poor kid out. “Okay, Kiddo, let me tell you a little bit about horns..."
Twenty minutes later both of them were blushing hard and giggling madly. Well, I just told my future daughter-in-law how to seduce my daughter... yeah, that's not weird at all. “Now remember, I never told you anything. If she asks, take that secret to the grave.”
She nodded happily and hugged him again. Yeah, I could get used to these. “We should really head inside, Kiddo. Dinner will be about ready, and I expect Rarity will be fretting by now.”
Fluttershy scuffed a hoof on the patio. “Okay... but... oh, this is awful...”
“What’s up?” He was genuinely curious now.
“Um... I once helped sew her a dress, and she played a mean trick on us... I always wanted to get her back for that... but we shouldn’t, it would hurt her feelings...”
“What did she do?”
A few moments later he was grinning. “Okay, but we gotta play it straight, and you should probably be ready to soothe her ruffled feathers. Uh, no pun intended, Kiddo.”
As Rarity was just about to go mad for roughly the third time, her father and her love finally walked in from the patio. Her first glance was of course to Fluttershy. She did not seem happy. Oh no... Then she shifted her increasingly angry gaze to her father, who looked grim. Rarity proceeded to ask the most difficult question she had ever had to ask in her life. “H-how did it go?”
Father gave her a gruff look, but there was something more there, some tiny twinkle in his eyes. “Rarity, I’m sorry, hon, I really am, but I don’t like her.”
And the bottom fell out of her world. “Y-you don’t? You don’t?” She put fire in her voice, real anger made her advance on him like an enraged bull. “How could you not like her?! Explain yourself this instant! She is the sweetest, most wonderful mare I have ever met! How could you not adore her? You will tell me this instant or... I don’t know what I shall do but it will not be pleasant!” She backed him into a corner, her voice getting more and more shrill. “Tell me!”
“Young lady, control yourself!” He was grinning now, although his smile was tinged with just a bit of intimidation. Fluttershy had a very worried look, but let him continue with the charade. She seemed ready to jump in at any moment however. “I don’t like her... I love her! You better take care of her, because if you make her cry I might just disown you and adopt her.”
“You... do... Oh, that’s nice.” Rarity smiled in relief. Then she fainted dead away.
“Rarity!” She heard Fluttershy’s voice as she fell. Be right with you, darling, I—
Rarity awoke sputtering as she felt water splash over her face. A very concerned yellow visage was looking back at her. She tried to remember what yellow was, and what it might mean to her now. “Rarity? Are you okay?”
Rarity... that’s me, isn’t it? I should probably respond. “Buh.” Ah yes, well done. She shook her head to try to clear it.
“Oh Rarity, I’m sorry! We didn’t mean to upset you so much. Oh, Dad, I told you this was too mean. Please be okay!” She found the yellow thing hugging her. She reached out absently and stroked the pink mane with a hoof. She spent a few more moments just gathering her faculties. Did she just call my father Dad? I must have misheard.
“Shhhh, I’m alright, darling. I am sorry if I overreacted. This is just very important to me and I could feel it all crashing down around me for a moment. I am glad you two like one another.” Rarity stood carefully, feeling a few scrapes and bruises from her collapse as she did so. This would have to happen without a handy couch nearby, wouldn’t it? She disentangled herself from Fluttershy, giving her an apologetic look as she did so, then faced her father.
“Rarity... I’m so sorry.” He gulped nervously, clearly prepared for another verbal tirade. He needn’t have worried. She ran to him and hugged him tightly, squealing like a filly.
“Thank you, Daddy!” Then she blanched; she hadn’t called him that in years. “I-I suppose after that stunt I pulled earlier this was the least retribution I could expect. I won’t hold it against you.”
He stroked her hair lovingly. “Well, that was Kiddo’s idea, she said you pulled a trick like that on her once and I agreed to help get you back for it a little. Really, Rarey, messing with your friends like that! But that’s not what I’m sorry for... I should have told you I was uncomfortable when you showed up with that pretty filly. I could have taken you aside, done anything other than what I did. Will you forgive your old dad for not being supportive when his daughter needed him?”
Rarity was touched, she truly was. That’s all it was, then? Oh what fools we both were. “Yes, yes you should have. But then I likely should have broached the subject with you before just showing up with Snow like that. She was just so excited and insistent that she meet you two...
“It’s quite all right Father. Truthfully, Mother and I were talking about that very thing just now. Thinking back, I felt things were moving a little fast and was somewhat relieved, although it hurt at the time. As for Snow... well you might apologize to her at some point. I could arrange a dinner date for everypony to clear the air. I suspect she might appreciate that much. Speaking of dinner, shall we eat? I find myself famished.”
He nodded, satisfied she had accepted his apology. “I’m glad for you, Rarey, I really am. You found a good one. And... tell your ex I’m sorry, and I’d be glad to say that in her company sometime. I owe her an explanation, too.”
Her mother had blissfully ignored the entire conversation, and as they took their places at the table she pulled the perfectly-cooked casserole out of the oven. Drama, fainting and overall theatrics, yet she still managed to time it all just right. We may not share the same sense of taste, but in her own niche she is fabulous.
After Sweetie Belle was called down from her room and joined them in the kitchen, everypony began to eat. It was a quiet, pleasant meal, very much helping Rarity to feel a sense of rebonding with her father that she had, quite frankly, needed. She’d been just a bit resentful of him since the incident with Snow and it felt wonderful to forgive him in her heart.
“Psst.”
Rarity turned to the sound of the noise. Her sister was leaning close to her. “Yes, dear?”
“Is Fluttershy going to be my sister-in-law now?”
Rarity panicked just a bit, but actually... the thought appealed. “I’m not certain quite yet. You’ll have to give me time to ask her first.”
Sweetie playfully poked her in the ribs. “I knew it! You’re in loooove with her!”
“Yes, but I thought we agreed not to discuss the matter. Still, if that’s off the table, care to discuss your special somepony?”
Sweetie looked confused. “Somepony? Why do I have to pick just one?”
Rarity was about to respond to that when her father raised his voice. “Rarey, do you have plans for this afternoon?”
Rarity considered; there was the order of course, but that was going well. “Nothing pressing, Father.”
“Well, your mother and I had hoped you’d join us for a round of minigolf? You used to love to play when you were a filly.”
Yes... when I was a filly. “Oh, sadly I seem to have forgotten—”
“I’d love to.”
Rarity turned to Fluttershy in surprise, trying to hide her annoyance. “Fluttershy? You play?”
“Oh my, yes, it’s very relaxing. I haven’t played in a while though.”
Sweetie Belle piped up playfully. “Are you the world champ of that too?”
“Oh no, just regional. I had to retire, apparently the other players found me distracting.”
And now we’re all wearing the horrible golf pants. Lovely. Still I suppose it is the accepted fashion of the sport, so for being horrible they are... fashionable here? No... they are still horrible. She huffed a huge sigh. At least everypony else seemed happy. Get into the spirit of it. Yes, it's a tacky game, but it has its own charm. She carefully lined up her shot on the first hole. She’d never managed to do better than a birdie on this one, but maybe if she tried chipping it off the corner just so... “WahaHAha!” It’s going straight for the hole, a hole in... “It stopped... “ Go in the hole, you stubborn ball! Oh, of all the things that could happen... this is the worst possible— “Fluttershy, what are you doing, darling?”
Fluttershy eyed the layout carefully, her tongue stuck out in a cute expression as she thought about her shot. She held out a wing just slightly, feeling for air currents. Then she did something very familiar to Rarity; she stared. Rarity was about to ask what she was up to when the pegasus nodded, gripping the club carefully in her wings. She wiggled her flank a bit. Yes... I see, a distraction. I suppose that does qualify. Then she struck the ball in a very precise motion, sending it racing off at precise angles to finally line straight up with the hole. Her ball struck Rarity’s, tapping it in, then seemed to spin backwards for a moment, coming to rest just shy of falling in the hole.
Rarity had finally torn her gaze away from the wiggling flank long enough to notice her birdie had just turned into an ace, at the expense of Fluttershy getting one. “Darling, that was marvelous! But how did you make the ball do that?”
Fluttershy took a deep breath. “Well, I had to account for wind direction and velocity, then adjust the angle so I could line up the shot. It had to hit yours at just the right angle and speed to knock it in, but also have enough backspin to stop mine from going in afterward.”
“I... see, but if you can exercise that much control over the ball why not knock both in?”
“Oh... I like birdies.”
Father interjected, having recovered from witnessing that display of sheer skill. “Technically if you’d gotten the hole in one it would be called an eagle on this hole...”
“Yes... but eagles are too loud, I like birdies better.” Fluttershy looked panicked, realizing what she’d just said. “Oh, please don’t tell Mr. Eagle I said that, he’d be so sad.”
“I believe your secret is safe, my dear...” Rarity shook her head in wonderment.
The rest of the holes went much the same. Rarity’s shots were consistently turned into aces for the first few holes. She eventually asked Fluttershy to stop doing that, as it took any real challenge out of the game. While she did enjoy seeing her balls get chipped in with such precision, the novelty quickly wore off. The pegasus seemed content to force her ball to come just short of a hole in one every time. It was actually growing quite maddening. How can she be happy being second best? She looked at Fluttershy appraisingly, and realized she was not just content, she was genuinely happy. Rarity could not help but smile.
Finally they arrived at the last hole. This one had always given her no end of trouble. It was a horrific looking parody of life. It’s colors garish to behold. The teeth of the thing were constantly gnashing down on the path to the best shot. The worst was that ridiculous red nose. That wretched clown. I will beat you this time, you evil thing! She lined up her shot carefully; going through the mouth was a guaranteed hole in one but the timing was nearly impossible. She shifted her stance to aim for a tunnel off to the side where she could at least get under par. A feather tickled her nose, and she sneezed slightly. She looked back in annoyance and found Fluttershy studying her stance.
“Um... you should aim for the mouth,” was whispered very softly in her ear, the warm breath tingling every nerve.
“I can’t make that shot, the teeth close every time.”
“Trust me, aim for the mouth.” She felt hooves on her flank adjusting her stance and shivered as Fluttershy brushed her cutie mark for a moment. Fluttershy melded her body around her. She could feel every breath the pegasus took, every heartbeat in her chest. “Swing gently when I tell you.” The moment stretched on for an eternity for Rarity, who was finding it difficult to remain standing. “Now.”
Rarity gently struck the ball towards the obstacle. She watched in fear as the teeth closed... and opened for the brief millisecond needed for her ball to pass through unmolested. She heard a satisfying plunk from the other side of the clown as her ball rolled neatly into the hole.
At first she just stared, unable to believe what had just happened. Then she dropped her club, grinning like a maniac. “Eeeeee! I did it! I did it! I finally did it!”
She turned to Fluttershy, who was rearing back and taking a deep breath. “Ya—” Her cheer was cut short by Rarity pouncing into her forelegs and kissing her hard.
A polite cough came from behind them. Father and Mother were each blocking one of Sweetie’s eyes while Sweetie tried desperately to get their hooves off so she could see. Rarity immediately extracted herself from Fluttershy’s embrace, blushing furiously. “Sorry.”
The game finished with Rarity solidly in the lead and Fluttershy trailing by one stroke. The fashionista laughed at the idea of keeping score after being shown that Fluttershy could and did control everything that little white spheroid was capable of. Still, her family had enjoyed watching Fluttershy carefully make every hole seem like foal’s play.
The goodbyes had been heartrending. It felt so very good to embrace her dadd— err, father without feeling distant from him. Rarity and Fluttershy walked back to the Boutique together, feeling all the more close for having weathered a difficult social situation together. Rarity mused as they walked, going over a checklist in her mind. They were really more Twilight’s forte but she found them useful on occasion.
Let’s see: find love, check. Confess love... well, check, although it took some gentle prodding from Fluttershy. Take her to meet the parents, check. But I feel I missed a crucial step along the way... “Dating!” Fluttershy looked at her, startled. She had after all only uttered that one word out of the blue.
“Oh I am sorry, my dear... it just occured to me we skipped a step in all this. Do you have plans this evening? I should like to wine you and dine you a bit.”
“Come, fair knight, thou hast slain the demon. My life is yours, do with it what thou wilt.” Twilight lay back on the bed, inviting her gallant knight to ask whatever she wished for the noble deed performed.
“Ah, my princess, I ask but one thing. Your wondrous beauty has captivated me … would it be overbold of me to ask a dalliance?” Pinkie slowly approached her reclining lover, trying her best to keep her face straight but unable to stop her usual infectious grin from overtaking it.
“Oh, Sir Pie... You are so very bold to ask such a thing, but in reward for your valour I grant your request!” And then they were embracing, the costumes as usual getting in the way but enhancing the whole experience nevertheless. Twilight squealed just a bit as Pinkie began kissing her under her chin, her lips traveling down the neckline—
And then she was gone in a flash; the flustered unicorn looked around in confusion and frustration. She got up from the bed and threw open the door to her room, which Pinkie seemed to not have used. How did she — you know what, never mind.
Pinkie was downstairs now, trying to find the source of the word that had drawn her attention from Twilight. It was a very important word. “Did somepony say party? I got this twinge in my right shoulder that said somepony nearby was talking about a party! Oh, hi, girls!”
Twilight, more than a little frustrated, stomped down the stairs and started laying into her fillyfriend. “Pinkie! I wasn’t finis— Oh! Girls! Um, hi...”
Apple Bloom looked at her with a disconcerted expression, causing Twilight to fret that she’d heard a little more than she should have. “Um, hey Twilight! Ah was wondering, the girls and Ah were thinking of havin’ a slumber party and mah sis told me ‘bout a book you had that might help out.”
Aha! Twilight was distracted from her worries by the opportunity to share knowledge, and knowledge of friendship at that! “I know just the one! ‘Slumber 101: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Slumber Parties But Were Afraid to Ask.’ Yes, we used it for my first slumber party. Oh that was so much fun!”
Pinkie turned to look at Twilight in dismay. “I... I missed a party? Did you have fun?”
“Oh, we had a blast! We had a pillow fight... well that got a little out of hoof... Oh, but we made s’mores, and Rarity made us wear a mud mask. That wasn’t quite as much fun, but it was in the book, you can’t just skip around. Then we told ghost stories! The tree falling into my house made a big mess, but we cleaned it up. I really need to have another one soon!”
Pinkie sniffled just a little, imagining to herself how superific Twilight must have been as a hostess. “W-will I be invited this time?”
Twilight paused as Pinkie’s attitude and comments finally clicked in her mind; she rushed over to Pinkie and grabbed her into a hug. “Oh, of course, Pinkie! We couldn’t exactly send out invitations, after all. There was a big rainstorm that night so I had Applejack and Rarity stay with me because it was raining too hard for them to make it home safely. You know it’s not a real party without my favorite pink pony!”
Pinkie sniffed, but looked much happier and hugged Twilight back. Apple Bloom coughed a bit, interrupting the two adults from the very serious task of gazing into each other’s eyes and making them step apart. “Um... so... about that book?”
Twilight nodded, heading back to the “S” shelf. In just a moment she triumphantly produced the book. “Here you go girls, have fun!”
They all smiled and said in one voice, "Thanks, Twilight. Thanks, Pinkie. See you later!" Seeming a little more subdued than normal, they trooped out of the wide-open front door.
Pinkie watched them leave, still a little breathless. “Um... Twilight, I think I can see how they got in.”
Twilight gasped, seeing the hole in her door where the lock and door knob had been. She looked around for these items but did not find them. “What happened to my lock?”
Pinkie walked carefully over to the doorstep and prodded a cooling puddle of metal with a hoof. “I... don’t think it’s going to be doing its job when it's all melty like this. Unless you're using the latest in molten lock technology.. or Salvador Poni brand locks?”
Twilight glared at the door, before she focused her magic and cast a shield spell around it. “There, nopony else is coming in. Now, Sir Pie, I believe we hath a dalliance to finish in my bedchambers?” She sauntered up the stairs, swishing her tail back and forth. “Wilt thou not collect thy prize?”
“Yes, milady. Right away, milady!”
Even more breathless, but much happier, the couple lay together on the bed. Pinkie sighed just a bit — happy, but also a little melancholy.
Twilight turned to her, still basking in the afterglow. “Something troubles thee, Sir Pie?”
Pinkie frowned, which was not a good sign; if her curls deflated next Twilight might be forced to take extreme measures. Where would I even get another stove at this hour?
Pinkie spoke quietly, and a little sadly. “We’re doing it again. We just keep slipping back into playtime. It’s super fun, but I need more, Twilight. I want to spend my life with you; we have to do more together than just sneak away and play games all the time.”
Twilight’s heart skipped a beat. This was getting too much like the speech Pinkie gave her when they ‘broke up.’ She reached a hoof out to Pinkie’s muzzle and turned her face towards her own. “So what do we do? I really want to make this work, you know. I’m sorry if I get a little excited around you, but it’s hard to be near you without wanting to... do things.”
She sighed heavily. “I think the problem is me, Pinkie. I know we relate well here, but outside of the bedroom... we’re just very different. We don’t have much in common besides a mutual love of roleplay and... well, each other. You remember what a disaster that first date was! I got all nervous, the waiter misunderstood the order and before I knew it the table was on fire! Who ever heard of Daffodil Flambe anyway?”
“Twilight, it was one date. It went a little bad but we didn’t have to give up on the idea altogether. Maybe we just aren’t the restaurant types? C’mon, break out the clipboard, let’s brainstorm!” Pinkie jumped up excitedly, shedding her armor so quickly Twilight had to ask herself yet again how she did it without magic.
Stop thinking about it, that way lies madness. She nodded, fetching the clipboard and quill with her telekinesis. “Ready!”
“Okay, let’s make a list of all the things we love to do, and we’ll each choose two things from the other’s list we wanna try!”
Twilight thrust hard at Pinkie, not holding back in the slightest. "Take that! And that!"
Pinkie winced. “Not so hard, Twilight!”
Twilight grinned saucily. “Then learn how to riposte properly! Now then, allez! Fence!”
Pinkie pouted, but took position, returning her mask to its position over her face. “Can’t we just make out?”
“Not until you master your Ponetti Defence! Now, en garde!”
Hoof-blade fencing... it had sounded fun. How was Pinkie supposed to know it was something Twilight had studied and mastered as a hobby throughout her young life? How was an amateur swashbuckler like her supposed to compete?
Twilight scored a touch again, inner foreleg this time. She raised her mask in triumph, but hesitated when she caught the sad look on Pinkie’s face. “Pinkie, I’ve seen you do some amazingly dextrous things, how is it you don’t seem to show the least aptitude for this?”
“I can’t be good at everything! I never expected there to be so many rules and specific places to stand... I expected us to be fencing furiously, maybe swinging on tapestries... You know like in the movies! Plus these things are so flimsy! Give me a good Bat’leth or greatsword any day!” She waved the sword around madly, demonstrating how wobbly it was.
Twilight scratched her head with a hoof. That explained a lot actually. Pinkie was imitating the movies she’d seen instead of using proper technique — none of those depicted real fencing. She tried to remember how the movies went. Such an unrealistic depiction of a wonderful sport! Still, we aren’t competing, we’re trying to have fun... We need something simpler, more enjoyable. “Okay fine, new rule: no rules.”
“What?”
“Épée. It’s a much older variant of the sport. There isn’t any right-of-way, no specific places to target. First blood, or rather touch,” she corrected quickly, trying to assure Pinkie they would not actually be harming anypony, “is awarded the point.” She grinned widely as another thought struck her. “Losing pony has to pay a forfeit. Does that sound like fun?”
PInkie grinned so wide it seemed her mouth had transcended the physical limitations of her face. Her stance shifted subtly, more properly mirroring Twilight’s own. She nodded, and slammed her mask back down, taking an en garde position once more. “Ready when you are, Captain Sparkle.”
“Have at thee, Sir Pie!”
Twilight studied her opponent, looking for any openings. The spells on their jackets were set to award the touch to any point on the body now, and first pony to score three points would win. So all she needed was an opening, any opening at all.
... Weapon ramrod straight at shoulder level, hiding the entire foreleg and hoof behind the bell guard... Never waiver in my coverage as I advance and retreat in small, coiled spring steps... Classic!... Pinkie is definitely mimicking the old movies she was talking about. No cheap, easy touches here!... Maybe if I invited an attack to...
In a flicker of movement, Pinkie struck, not with an explosive burst of energy but almost seeming to collapse as her sword dropped and...
BZZZ!
"Halt! One light! Touch is right! Score, one to zero! Fencers ready?"
Twilight barely heard the call from the tracking spell as she mentally raged at herself.
The hindleg! She had been hit on her leading hindleg! Of all the...
“I have you now!” Pinkie smiled like a mad pony.
She slammed her mask back down, saluting Pinkie for the first touch. “Much much better, Sir Pie! It seems I have your attention now. Allez! Fence!”
The next exchange was far more heated, their thin blades crossing again and again. It left Twilight wondering which movie Pinkie was imitating. The Mare in the Iron Mask? No, the hoofwork is wrong. Robin Hoof: Princess of Thieves? Closer, but not quite. This mental cataloguing left her distracted enough to miss the light scrape of Pinkie’s blade on her foreleg during the last exchange.
BZZZ!
"Halt! One light! Touch is right! Score, two to zero!"
She looked down at her vest, startled. Really? I never felt anything. Oh well... They were just having fun, but Twilight was mildly upset now. This was her hobby after all; she couldn’t let Pinkie show her up entirely. In truth she had planned to hold back a bit to get the pink pony motivated enough to actually try, but now that there were no rules and there was something on the line, Pinkie showed a disturbing amount of skill for somepony who had never picked up a hoof-blade in her life.
Twilight tried a different tactic this time, trying to at least even the score. During their exchange she stomped a hoof down loudly on the mat. Pinkie tensed for the briefest of moments, but it was enough.
BZZZ!
"Halt! One light! Touch is left! Score, two to one!"
“Oooo, that was a good one!” Pinkie saluted graciously.
“Don’t get cocky, I’ll catch up soon.” Twilight readied her stance for the next exchange.
Two to one now. Better, Sparkle, but you have to get your head in the game now. Pinkie is fast. You won’t be able to match her speed, so you have to outthink her. She looked over her opponent once more. Pinkie seemed content to wait for the next strike, but something was missing... Her form is off, the guard is just a little too high. All I have to do is strike below and....
BZZZ!
"Halt! One light! Touch is left! Score, two to two!"
Yes! Caught her just under the guard. We’re tied, so now to press the offensive just a little more... Her guard is too high again, didn’t she notice? She struck for the mark.
BZZZ!
"Halt! Two lights! Double touch! Score, three to three! Tied match."
Three to... three? How... The leading hoof. Pinkie had caught her again. She took off her mask and saluted the grinning pink pony. “Fine, tie it is.”
Pinkie doffed her own mask, “So did we both win?”
Twilight laughed lightly. “A tie is usually considered a double loss.”
“Okie Dokie! You lost, so I’ll be collecting my prize now.” She grasped Twilight and swung her down into an embrace, kissing her deeply as Twilight melted in her hooves.
Some time later, when both came up for air, Twilight smiled at Pinkie and gently corrected the misconception. “Technically, you’re right, I did lose. But you lost too, Pinkie.”
“Yeppers! So you get a prize too!”
“I’ll collect mine later. I’ll tell you when.” She smiled a little deviously at the thought of where she would collect.
“Okie Dokie Lokie!”
The two ponies put away the equipment, warmed up in more ways than one. Twilight was still deep in thought, but finally broke their companionable silence. “Okay, I have to know, which movie were you imitating?”
“The Princess Bridle.”
“Ah, good choice.”
“Hello! My name is Indigo Monponya! You stole my cupcakes! Prepare to dine!”
Twilight grinned at her lover. “You can’t see me smiling right now, because of the mask, but I am. And it’s because I... am not an earth pony!”
They both laughed as they trotted to the lab.
“I still don’t understand why this was on your list, Pinkie.”
“You said it wasn’t quite the same as baking. I wanted to try it with you sometime and you picked it off my list so it’s fine. I do have one question though; how is this not potion brewing?” Pinkie poked at the flask curiously as the unicorn made shooing motions away from the experiment.
Twilight explained yet again. “Potions involve herbs and extracts. This is wet chemistry, we’re working with solutions here.”
“And we’re trying to make what again?”
“Well, if the solution comes out right, it will be root beer.”
“So why aren’t we baking then?”
“Because the last time we tried baking together my oven exploded. I haven’t been able to replace it yet.” She picked up another solution in her magic and eyed it, carefully stirring the liquid with a glass rod. She poured a half measure into the main flask and stood back as a puff of smoke erupted from it. “Get me that flask will you?”
“Thif wum?”
“Thank you.” She poured a small measure into the main solution, then had to shield her eyes as a beam of light shot upwards, effortlessly slicing through the roof of the library. “What?” She glanced down at the flask she’d been presented with; it wasn’t the right chemical at all! “Pinkie, what is this?”
“I dunno!”
“So why did you pick it out? I had all the chemicals right where I needed them!”
“Well, duh! It’s pink.”
They both watched in fascination as the beam continued to shoot upwards from the flask. “So...” the pink pony asked in passing, “when will it be ready?”
Twilight looked on in amazement. Pinkie could just barely make out the words “confusion” or maybe it was cold... something? Anyway. It didn’t look safe to drink. Not that that would normally stop her but it also didn’t seem to be a liquid. She didn’t mind if something didn’t taste quite right but last she knew you couldn’t drink a beam of light. The little incident with the industrial-strength laser she'd built atop the roof of Sugarcube Corner had taught her that. “Is it going to stop sometime? It looks dangerous.”
The unicorn finally got over her initial reaction, realizing that documentation would be needed to have any hope of understanding or reproducing this reaction. “Get me a stopwatch, I need to find out how long the output lasts. This is truly amazing! I need to figure out what mixture was used, of course, but it could revolutionize energy production!”
“So... no root beer then?”
Twilight grabbed a nearby clipboard and furiously wrote the names of the chemicals she’d used, and the measures for each. She checked the unidentified bottle, irritated that she’d failed to label the ingredients in the pink solution. “Pinkie I think you stumbled onto something incredible here! Can you please pay attention for a moment?”
"Awww... but I wanted root beer."
“This is way more work than I normally put into pranking, Twilight.”
“If we’re going to do it, we’re going to do it right! Now get me that wrench, please.” The device was huge. In total it consisted of one hundred and twelve separate moving pieces, all designed to activate a relatively simple switch. Twilight had insisted the idea was foolproof. The tripwire set the entire contraption in motion, and as the final item rolled into place it activated the pie catapult, flinging the desert at the precise location the victim(s) would be standing by that time. “They’ll prank themselves!” Twilight had insisted. Which was hardly the point. Still, if it made her happy...
Lyra and Bon Bon were passing the activation zone now, totally unsuspecting of the baked-goody doom about to rain down upon them. “Ack! Quick, do you see any loose wires or bolts?”
Pinkie turned a dial just slightly. “This could use just a liiiiittle adjustment. Everything else seems okie dokie!”
“Okay! Let’s sit back and watch the fun!” The tripwire set off the fan, which began to slowly oscillate. When it hit the anemometer, the wind speed meter climbed just enough to tap the ring. This in turn held a balloon in place, which was now freed from its nail. The balloon rose to bump against a small compartment, tipping a boiled egg down a chute. The egg in turn fell into the cage of a live ferret, borrowed from Fluttershy’s home for the occasion. The ferret grabbed the egg and the whole cage shifted, activating a series of mouse traps. The final mouse trap snapped upwards, startling the flying squirrel. As he left his perch the firing switch was tripped by the lack of weight. They both watched silently as the mechanism ran its course, one uncertain of the result, one very certain. Finally, after the entire, over-engineered causal chain had run its course, the catapult launched! The pie was flung high into the air... only to land on Twilight’s head.
Twilight, covered in pie, watched in silence as the couple passed by unmolested. She glanced at the chalkboard again and double-checked several equations, factoring in new estimates for the average weight of the animals and other variables. “I don’t understand! All my calculations were flawless! The pie should have landed squarely on the target.”
Pinkie pounced on her, almost as if she had expected this to happen. She began to lick the pie from Twilight, paying special attention to the ears as she whispered softly into them. “It did.”
Twilight looked up in annoyance and confusion, then gasped as Pinkie licked her horn clean. “Can’t you see t-them walking by? They were supposed to be covered in p-p-pie!”
“Oh I see them, but trust me, the intended target totally got hit!” Pinkie continued to lick Twilight clean of every crumb and berry. Twilight sat back, getting the idea. She shuddered, quite unable to move while Pinkie’s tongue roamed her head for every speck of the baked good. “Mmmm! Boysenberry!”
Twilight desperately clung to sanity long enough to whisper, “Pinkie, I think you missed some on the horn.”
Nightfall was fast approaching, and it was time for the last thing on the list. So far this had been a truly wonderful date. Twight had to admit that this had been a far better idea than just sitting in some restaurant. Pinkie laid out the picnic blanket while Twilight made the adjustments to the telescope. One final adjustment of the focusing screw and she was ready.
“Luna promised me there’s going to be a spectacular show tonight, so I think you’ll really like what you see.” Twilight settled down on the picnic blanket next to Pinkie, snuggling close. She broke out a thermos of hot chocolate and poured a cup, blowing on it carefully. Winter may have been wrapped up, but the nights were still a little cold. Pinkie had produced cupcakes... somehow. Twilight had long ago given up inquiring into such mysteries, and now it was just another thing she truly loved about Pinkie. Twilight could solve all the great mysteries of magic, but the pink party pony’s ways would forever remain an enigma to her.
They both watched the moon rise and the stars begin to become visible in the fading light. Twilight described various constellations to Pinkie, who in turn pointed out to Twilight shapes in the sky that had no official recognition in any astronomy book. “I call that one Kumquat.”
Twilight squinted but failed to see a shape in the mass of stars Pinkie pointed to. “Why?”
“Because its a fun name to say, silly!”
When the night grew to its darkest, Twilight motioned for Pinkie to take her place at the telescope. Pinkie looked at her questioningly, but looked into the device regardless. “Oooo, pretty!” The meteor shower had started, just as Luna had promised. In her replying scroll she had seemed a little surprised to get a letter from Twilight, but had been only too delighted to divulge her plans for the night sky. Twilight smiled happily, watching Pinkie’s tail swish excitedly while she watched the show.
Pinkie watched with wide eyes as the stars fell from the sky. It really was beautiful, but she couldn’t quite focus on the scene. Why is my back so itchy? How can it be my lucky day? It’s nighttime! Then she saw plenty of stars as she felt Twilight lean in behind her to nip at her neck. “T-Twilight, what are you—”
“Shhhhh, time for my prize. Relax and watch the show.”
Pinkie squirmed and whinnied under the attentions of her fillyfriend. Soon enough the itchy back gave way to a full body shudder. This is gonna be a doozy!
Twilight chuckled hotly while she lovingly nipped at Pinkie’s mane and neck. She transferred her attention to other areas, delighting in the little yelps Pinkie gave. Hopefully, It'll be a good while before Pinkie notices the ink ring around her right eye.
Rarity had selected a small French restaurant that she often favored going to on a first date, as the tables tended to be relatively secluded from each other and the food was excellent. There was an obstacle she had not counted on, however.
“What do you mean we need a reservation?” Rarity pleadingly asked the maître d’. She leaned in close and spoke quietly. “Monsieur, please don’t embarrass me like this. I would like to have dinner here with my new fillyfriend. You have been so kind to me in the past, surely you can find us a table somewhere?”
The maître d’ gave her an apologetic look. “Madame, as I have already explained, we have a very important guest tonight. He has booked much of the restaurant to ensure his privacy.”
“‘Much’ does not mean all, surely you can find us something!” She fluttered her eyes at him flirtatiously. Feeling a small pressure on her shoulder, she turned back to see Fluttershy was touching it just slightly to get her attention. “Yes, my darling?”
Fluttershy stepped to her side and swept her forelock aside just a little, to better address the stallion who seemed to be holding up her fillyfriend’s plans. “Excuse me, sir, I hate to be any trouble, but couldn’t you find us anything at all? I recall having lunch here some time ago and the food was quite good. Plus, my fillyfriend seems to have her heart set on this restaurant. Would you be so kind as to accommodate us in some way? I know it’s a bother, but I am certain an intelligent stallion such as yourself would not have this position without being clever and adaptable.”
The maître d’ gulped just slightly; few indeed could remain unmoved by the full force of Fluttershy’s cuteness. However, it was more than just her demeanour causing his discomfort; he recognized this filly. His daughter had admired her greatly when, for a short time, she had been the darling of the fashion and advertising world, appearing at the most exclusive photo shoots and fashion shows. Her face had been everywhere and every single magazine and billboard had been plastered with her image. There had even been buzz of a possible movie deal with UniVersal or Pony Pictures. Then, as quickly as she had appeared, she had disappeared from the public eye. The gossip rags had provided no details for why it had happened, simply reporting that she had retreated from fashion. Even now, years after her departure, her image was still used for various advertising campaigns. His little girl, to this day, kept the filly’s picture on her dresser, to inspire her in her own budding modeling career and remind her that she too could be a glamorous model without being arrogant and shallow.
“Madam, I would be happy to find you a table; in fact we will do so now.” He hesitated, but continued, a slight stammer in his voice. “This is embarrassing. I normally hate to intrude on the privacy of any of my patrons... however, if you will grant a doting father a simple request, you could make a filly very happy if you’d be so kind as to sign an autograph? Please, I don’t mean to cause you any discomfort, but my daughter admired your brief career so. It really inspired her to know that somepony so shy and reserved as yourself could not only succeed in modeling, but take the fashion industry by storm! It would mean the world to her if her hero would acknowledge a fan.” He looked at her pleadingly. “This is not ‘quid pro quo’, you understand, but would you consider it?”
Fluttershy wilted at the jarring reminder of her traumatic time as a model. However, if it was for a foal, and one who found some inspiration in what to her had just been a horrid time... “Um... okay.”
“Thank you! I’ll have a table for you momentarily.”
The two were eventually seated at a quiet corner of the restaurant. Just as they were told, the majority of the main dining room was empty. Rarity was actually rather pleased; whoever this pony was, his actions had indirectly set up the perfect date environment for herself and Fluttershy. She could make out the party going on for the ‘V.I.P; it seemed to be in its own little section of the restaurant, blocked from view by strategically placed topiary. The lighting at their table was low and romantic, and the location somewhat secluded. It was distressingly close to the bathrooms, but with the majority of the restaurant empty that should not prove any great difficulty. She looked to her fillyfriend, cringing to see her still curled in on herself. “Darling, are you all right?”
“Yes, I’m fine. I just don’t like being reminded of that time. Everypony was always staring at me, I hated it.” She brightened a bit. “But if it made some little filly happy, maybe it was worth it. I don’t think I’ve ever been somepony’s hero before. Well, maybe the Cutie Mark Crusaders’, but I think they were just being nice.”
“Actually, Sweetie went on about you for weeks after you saved them from that horrid beast in the Everfree. Trust me, you have other fans.” Rarity smiled warmly while reaching a hoof across the table to rub Fluttershy’s own gently. “I am sorry, my dear. I never intended things to go so far, had I known you were unhappy I would have asked you to stop much sooner.”
“I was happy, at first.” Fluttershy blushed hotly, remembering the feeling of excitement she had experienced. “I-I agreed because I liked the way you looked at me!” She pushed her forelock aside and gazed levelly at Rarity, heat in her eyes. “I loved the way you asked me to pose. It made me feel strong, confident. I-I was fine with it when it was only you watching. Then she came in. She wanted me to act like... me. Then she wanted me instead of you, and she stuck me in front of other ponies, she made me late for our spa appointment—”
“Wait a moment, ‘late’? You mean you still made it?”
“Rarity, I would never miss it! I got there just after you left! Didn’t Twilight tell you?”
Rarity grumbled loudly. This had a familiar ring to it. “No, but then I suppose I did ask her not to share the fact that I was upset with you. I made her promise. I suspect you did the same, yes?”
“Um, yes.”
“There we are then, not talking to each other and our only source of cross information sworn to secrecy. I cannot blame Twilight then, only myself. I am sorry, my darling, I got quite upset with you for missing that appointment; so upset that I went to your fashion show, despite avoiding your career out of petty jealousy up to that point. If I am being perfectly honest, I went there hoping to watch you fail. What I actually saw quite shocked me! What came over you on stage?”
“Um... Twilight tried to make me look foolish in front of those ponies so they wouldn’t want me to model any more. But everypony got so mad instead, I thought they were going to start throwing things at me! But then... you saved me. I was... sad, because Twilight’s plan had failed, but I was happy because you were there!” She blushed again, caressing Rarity’s hoof softly. “I like it when you watch me. You make me want to be sexy for you.”
Rarity’s mind went blank a moment, but she rode it out. She was getting slightly more used to the effects Fluttershy had on her; they were delightful, but did make rational thought difficult. “I am sorry if I spoiled your plans, but I could not let those ponies ridicule my Fluttershy — I mean my friend... Oh, you know what I mean.”
Fluttershy looked at her in amazement. “You mean... you felt it too, even then? I thought it was just me. You were always daydreaming about your prince, so I didn’t even hope you might like mares back then. But when you started dating Snow after the Gala... I thought maybe... but I never had the courage to ask!”
The fashionista grimaced. I didn’t really know what I wanted back then. “I felt... something, that at the time I could not define. I was so certain of the idea of love before the Gala! When I was a filly, my father filled my head with dreams of a kind, gentle prince, and I was so certain that Blueblood was all I had dreamed of. Then I met the bastard, and needless to say my hopes were quite dashed. I did try to find somepony else, but all the stallions I met were such uncouth ruffians, so not what I had always envisioned.
“I just threw myself completely into my work after that, growing ever more certain that I would be a lonely old cat lady who could never find love. I never would have considered the idea I might be a fillyfooler if not for an timely discussion with... with a dear friend.”
Rarity squinted in concentration at the design planned out on her easel. She laid some patterns across the ponnequin, trying to envision how the fabric would fall. The fashionista motioned to Spike, who ran to the pattern and pinned it in place. She tapped her chin with a hoof, shaking her head in frustration. “Still not quite right. I can’t seem to make it work!”
“You okay, Rarity?” Spike looked at her in concern.
She sighed heavily. “I am fine, just... distracted is all. It will come to me.”
“You don’t sound fine. You sound really stressed out. I could get you some tea if you want; I make really good tea. Or maybe I could go get cupcakes?”
She chuckled ruefully. “No, thank you, but I don’t think baked goods will solve the problem.”
“So there is a problem then? Do... you want to talk about it?”
She started a bit, wondering at just how transparent she’d been just now. “Spikey, I am sorry if I am worrying you. I do have problems. However, meaning no offence to you... I do not think you could understand, much less help.”
Spike looked hurt. He glared at her for just a moment. “I can so help! You’re my friend too you know! Don’t you trust me?”
Rarity backpedalled quickly. “I do not mean to imply that I cannot trust you, or that you are not my friend because you cannot help. You are a wonderful friend, Spike. I simply do not think you have the experience to understand what I am going through. Goodness knows I barely understand it myself.” She patted him on the head consolingly.
“So you don’t really know what’s wrong?”
“Well...” She looked at him, his eyes pleading to be trusted with her burdens, but he couldn’t possibly understand what she was experiencing... Perhaps if I explain it in as general a way as possible... “Spike... have you ever had a dream, a desire, something you always wanted... Then one day fate sees fit to place that dream within reach of your hooves— err, claws in your case— only to find it was not at all what you expected?”
Spike nodded in excitement. “I have dreams sometimes. Usually about giant mountains of ice cream! I can eat all I want and never get a tummy ache... but when I try that when I’m awake it really hurts!”
Rarity tittered in amusement. “Well, I suppose that fits. I found out my... ice cream made me sick. And now I have a dilemma; I would still like to find something nice to make me happy, but none of the other flavors seem to please my refined palate.”
“Huh... so you have a favorite flavor, but ice cream makes you sick?
“It... It’s more like I haven’t found my favorite. Oh, a few I like here and there. But not the one.”
“Maybe ice cream is just too cold for you? Pinkie makes lots of different cakes, in all different flavors. Maybe the flavor you really want is in one of those instead, and you don’t have to worry about the cold?”
“Wait... you mean that perhaps the problem is not so much that the flavor is bad, it is the ice cream itself?”
“I dunno, but I never seem to get sick eating too much cake. Well, not as sick.”
Rarity was dumbfounded. Could it possibly be so simple? Maybe... No, that can’t be it. Yet the more she thought, the more sense it made. I can find what I want... just not where I am looking now. If no stallion seems to appeal to me, then maybe the problem... is that I’m looking at stallions in the first place?
From this, her mood brightened considerably. Unknowingly, Spike had led her to a solution, of sorts. She smiled happily and kissed him on his forehead. “Thank you, Spikey! I think that maybe I see a solution now!”
“Wait, uh, just so we’re clear. Was this one of those meta, um, metaphorical conversations? Or were we actually just talking about desserts?”
“Never mind that now, let’s go get cupcakes!”
“I did a lot of thinking after that. A bit of experimentation too, if I am being quite honest. The bookstore where I normally get my romance novels caters to all tastes, so I picked up a couple of books that dealt with fillyfoolers. I thought I would find myself repelled but... I found romance is still romance, regardless of the forms of the partners.” She blushed heavily. “I also found myself more than a little affected by the imagery. The authors were quite tasteful, but as always the love scenes were written in a very sensual fashion. I could easily envision myself in the scene in place of either mare and find it very exciting. Very... very exciting. B-but one does not discuss such things in public.
“Shortly thereafter I met Snow, and you know well how that ended. I really find it rather funny now. all my life I was looking for the things I admired in my imaginary prince. But without that push, I might never have come to the conclusion that what I was really looking for was a princess.” She leaned forward slightly and kissed Fluttershy chastely on the lips.
“After things fell through with Snow I withdrew again. I knew then that S— my friend had been right, I was attracted to mares. But the relationship had failed, and I did not know why at the time. Mother and I were talking it over while you and Father were chatting and plotting to give me a heart attack. I came to realize... I let it fail. There was nothing stopping me from standing up to Father and making him understand. Though I knew what I wanted by that point, it took me some time to at last realize who I wanted. When I finally did so, my troubles only got worse, because it was you I wanted.” She looked down in sorrow.
Fluttershy reached forward and tilted her head back up, kissing her lightly. “Rarity, no, if anypony understands what you went through, it’s me! You think it’s bad to want to be with somepony you’ve fallen in love with for two years? I think I fell for you... well, the day I fell to the ground! You were so unlike anypony else I had ever met. I was far too shy to try dating like you, but I knew what I was looking for, and it was somepony like the kind filly I had met that day.
“When I came back to Ponyville I hoped you might still live here, but when you found me in the marketplace I was so happy that you remembered me too! You asked me to spend time with you! I wanted so much to be with you, even as a friend, so of course I said yes when you asked me to join you at the spa each week. It was so easy to be your friend, and yet so hard at times, because I desperately wanted to tell you how I really felt about you. I wish I’d been bolder, but it’s all been worth it now. You’re here, with me.” Tears of happiness ran slowly down Fluttershy’s cheek.
Rarity got up, walked to Fluttershy’s side of the table, and held her gently. “I am here. I am not going anywhere.” She leaned Fluttershy’s head back and kissed her softly but firmly. “Neither are you. I spent my life trying to find you, and I won’t lose you now.”
A quiet cough sounded from behind them, causing them both to turn their heads. A light blue unicorn stallion in a tuxedo was studiously looking anywhere except at them, but nevertheless had finally been forced to get their attention. “Ladies, I am sorry to disturb you, but are you ready to order?”
Rarity nodded, making a mental note to tip this stallion handsomely for his discretion. She gave her fillyfriend a final peck and sat back down. “I believe I shall start with a dandelion salad aaaaand.. the ‘Pommes duchesse’, please.”
“I see, and to drink?”
“Do you have any of the Apple Family’s Finest on hand? Something well-aged, mind.”
“Of course, madame. And for your guest?”
“I’ll have the dandelion salad as well...” Fluttershy glanced at the pictures, finally recognizing what looked like an apple tart. Her French was a little rusty. “Um, and ‘Tarte Normande’ for my main course please.”
“Would either of you care to order dessert?”
Rarity nodded. “I believe we’ll have two orders of ‘Mousse au chocolat’ please. Does that sound good, my darling?”
Fluttershy merely nodded, smiling happily. Mousse was her favorite.
“Very well, your starter course will arrive shortly.”
Dinner was pleasant; while eating their conversation turned from the past to less weighty matters as time wore on. Fluttershy was at first reluctant to try the hard cider, but after some gentle persuasion (and a few little playful caresses of her calves from Rarity’s hind legs) she at last tried a cup, then two, then a few more. Now they were both more than a little rosy cheeked - for a reason other than embarrassment for once.
Fluttershy was beginning to have a little trouble with her coordination. She was down to eating with her muzzle now, no longer quite able to control the currents of her magic to allow her to grip the fork through magnetism. She was also having difficulty holding a cup, and was daintily lapping at her drink, something Rarity was finding increasingly distracting for less than pure reasons. “Darling, let me help you with that.” Rarity began to feed Fluttershy bites of salad, gently maneuvering the fork to her fillyfriend’s lips with her magic. Fluttershy nodded gratefully.
“I’m sorry, I -hic- don’t normally drink. But this is so nice. Thank you for -hic- helping me.” She pushed the fork aside and leaned forward to kiss Rarity. Unfortunately she lost her balance, slipped and fell from her seat, only to be caught in Rarity’s magic. Thank goodness she is so light, I don’t know if I could have held anypony else up. Fluttershy was looking at the floor above her in amazement, apparently not realizing she was upside down. Her wings fluttered about in confusion.
Rarity laughed lightly at her dumbfounded expression. She was going to set her back down when she had another idea and instead floated the pegasus gently towards her. When she was close enough Rarity held the upside-down face gently and, once they were properly aligned, kissed her passionately. She lovingly savored the taste of cider and fruit on her fillyfriend’s tongue. Fluttershy urgently returned the gesture, giving happy little squeals as she did so. Rarity at last broke the kiss, gave Fluttershy an affectionate little peck on the cheek, and gently floated her back down to her seat. Do remember you are in public, darling, you have a bedroom for such things.
This went on for some time; Rarity feeding her fillyfriend, Fluttershy expounding on the relative virtues of intoxication and how much she liked the sensation, Rarity leaning across the table to steal more than one kiss when the mood struck her. Her thoughts were quickly turning to conversations with her mother about the erogenous zones of the wing and what she might do with that knowledge tonight if Fluttershy were so inclined. Celestia please grant that she be so inclined!
Dessert was where things got even more interesting. Fluttershy wobbled just a bit as she was being spoon-fed her mousse, causing a fairly sizable dollop to land on her chest pelt. At first Rarity sought a napkin, then she grinned and stood up. “Hold still, darling, no need to waste good food.” She began to gently lick the dessert from Fluttershy’s chest. When she had removed the majority of it, Rarity reached up and kissed her, putting her tongue and the remnants of the dessert into her fillyfriend’s mouth.
Fluttershy licked her lips, breathing heavily. “Um... t-thank you. Could I have some more?”
Rarity smiled salaciously. “Shall I feed you by spoon? Or would you prefer to be fed like a baby bird again?”
Fluttershy blushed heavily. “I do like birdies...”
Dessert had never been so very enjoyable. The mood was beginning to be spoiled, however, by raucous laughter and loud conversation coming from the other side of the restaurant. Rarity did her best to ignore it, paying attention only to Fluttershy, but was finding herself thoroughly irritated by the grating tone and utter boorishness of the speaker. It reminded her of somepony she would really rather have forgotten all about.
The voice rose now, and she could make out what was being said more clearly. “I need to go relieve myself. When I return I had better not find you’ve finished the wine without me. You’d do well to remember who is paying for this meal.” Grumbles of assent were heard, not a few of them sounding grateful their companion would be gone for a few moments. No... fate would never be so cruel as this. I am dreaming, yes, that’s it. Any moment now I shall wake up in a cold sweat. Perhaps Fluttershy will be in the bed next to me. Yes, please let me wake up now with Fluttershy. She closed her eyes tightly and opened them.
But it was no dream; walking towards them was none other than Prince Blueblood, looking quite drunk. She straightened herself and tried to put on a brave face. Be civil, he did manage to avoid making a scene at the airship ceremony. Even if he did try to stroke my flank. “Blueblood, darling, you're looking well. I haven't seen you since we christened the Stellar Dreams together. I must say you look much less ‘tired and emotional’ today. I am sorry I had to take that bottle from you, but we needed it for the ship after all." She pointedly omitted his title; as far as she was concerned he was not worthy of it.
Blueblood’s bleary gaze snapped from Fluttershy’s rump up to Rarity’s face in shock, then he sneered. "You! I thought I smelled cheap perfume and shame. Tell me, have you given up pretending you’re a noblepony? Perhaps one day the stink of peasant will wash off you, after all. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go take care of some royal business. Perhaps you'd like a bottle of it to hide your scent?"
Oh, it. Is. ON!
Turquoise considered himself a patient colt. He could (and frequently did) put up with screaming foals and drunken idiots for several hours on end. He gave impeccable service to anypony who could afford the restaurant’s prices. Tonight, however, that patience was wearing thin.
The V.I.P. insisted on using the foulest language possible for even the simplest things. Turquoise could hardly believe royalty had fallen so far. “What exactly does a prince have to do to get a bucking drink in this squalid excuse for a restaurant? One of you useless peasants had better get me a new bottle now, or I swear to Auntie somepony is going to the dungeons for a fun weekend of hay and water.”
And the jokes, the horrid jokes. “S-stop me if you’ve heard this one! How many zebras does it take to light a candle? Six; one to light it and five to dance and chant for no apparent reason!” On and on it went. His guests were all clearly sick of it, but nopony would say a word against ‘his majesty’.
Finally, after what seemed an eternity, he stood unsteadily. “I need to go relieve myself. When I return I’d better not find you’ve finished the wine without me. You’d do well to remember who is paying for this meal.” Everypony nodded gratefully, glad he would be gone for even a few moments.
Turquoise watched for glasses that needed refilling, tracing the prince’s path through the nearly-empty restaurant. Oh Celestia, that can’t be good. He cast his gaze around and caught the attention of a busboy, beckoning the other employee over with a hoof. Somepony needs to get word to the manager. V.I.P. or not, if the prince starts accosting the other patrons there’s going to be trouble.
Blueblood lumbered past them, stumbling into a chair on the way. Rarity was upset, but desperately trying to maintain composure. At least he didn’t insult Fluttershy. I can forgive anything but that. “I-I am sorry about that, my darling. I should have just kept silent and let him pass by without speaking, but I really did not like the way he was staring at your flank.”
Fluttershy made what she hoped were reassuring motions with her hooves, but something seemed to be wrong with them. She looked at them, wondering what was missing, then in a fit of coherence realized that she had a cup right in front of her that would fit perfectly between them. She grasped it in both hooves and gulped down some more cider. All was right with the world again. “Shhhh, it’s okay. Um... why was that stallion saying those things, though? Do you know him?”
“Well, it’s more that he knows of me. You stayed almost entirely in the garden at the Gala, but while you were out there trying to fulfill your dream, that oaf was supposed to have been mine. You must remember me describing my night with him.
“I expected a Prince Charming right out of the storybooks. What I got was... that. Well, admittedly he wasn’t as drunk as he is tonight; he was more unpleasant than outright insulting. I think this little tiff is more because it upset him to have Fancy Pants foist me onto him at one of my recent Canterlot soirees. I was not thrilled either but... it was a socially important event. Sometimes being a Very Important Pony means having to smile and laugh with somepony you’d rather never see again. To do otherwise would be unseemly.”
Fluttershy followed along as best as she could, which at the moment was not well. “So wait... um... that was him? The him your dad said made you cry? Do you want me to make him cry?” She stomped a hoof down on the table in emphasis, causing a worrying vibration in the water glasses. “I know I said I wouldn’t do it any more, but I still remember how to make ponies cry. I-I could do that. Um... if you want me to?”
That does sound rather fun... No! I will not stoop to such things! I will certainly not have my new fillyfriend calling on her horrible training just to take my own petty revenge. “Darling, much as I appreciate the thought, no. He didn’t make me cry; the loss of my dream did that. I will not hold him responsible for failing to be what I wanted him to be.”
“Why was he talking about how you smell? He said he smelled... cheap perfume and shame? Rarity, I love your perfume. If I hadn’t smelled it on the letter you wrote, we might still be blushing at each other over tea! I needed that, I needed to know you loved me. I would never have been able to kiss you without knowing first! It’s why I could be brave for us both! He - he’s insulting the perfume that helped bring us together!” Her eyes were getting wider, her breath coming in angry little snorts.
Rarity began to feel very cold, and more than a little afraid. She did not fear Fluttershy herself — never that! — but rather what this angry little pegasus might do. She’d seen this look on several occasions, the most terrible of all being the day Fluttershy had disparaged her life’s work as frivolous.
“I can't believe that the two most frivolous ponies in Ponyville are trying to tell new Fluttershy how to live her life when they are throwing their own lives away on pointless pursuits that nopony else gives a flying feather about!”
Rarity looked about her in disgust. Fabric, patterns, it’s all pointless isn't it? I am a petty, selfish, vain thing. It had been three days now and the words still hung over her like a vulture, waiting for her to lie down and die. Fluttershy had stood up to that monster, and had learned from her experience; but Rarity had learned too, and her lesson was far more harsh.
Meaningless, petty, frivolous. You’re the very spirit of Generosity, and you give what exactly? Fashion, to a town where almost everypony goes without clothing for most of their lives.
The revelation was bad enough, but the source of the lesson hurt even more. Who better than your closest friend to know you? Rarity needed something though, some reason to keep going. Maybe the effort I put into my creations makes it worthwhile? The calendar leered at her. It was the day again, their day, and for the first time she considered not going. She’d tried yesterday to go without her, but it had felt hollow, lonely, pointless. Yet how could she relax around Fluttershy now? How am I supposed to maintain composure around her after her words shattered my world?
A gentle knock on her door interrupted her train of thought; she trotted downstairs to turn the caller away. “The Boutique is closed for the moment. Please, come again some other time,” she called softly through the door.
“Rarity, will you please open the door?”
Fluttershy!
“Yes of course, my dear, one moment!” Locks opened, the pegasus stepped inside.
“You’re late,” Fluttershy accused. “You’re never late. Why weren’t you waiting at the spa? What’s wrong?” She glanced around the room; a layer of dust had settled over the designing table and the elegantly-proportioned equinniquins.
Rarity looked as if she was wilting — her mane did not have its normal bounce and sheen, and her makeup seemed caked-on, with no real effort made to accentuate her best features.
“Why is the shop closed?”
Rarity looked away, not wanting to address the question. Instead, she asked one of her own. “Do you really think I am... petty and frivolous?”
Fluttershy stared at her, shame warring with something like anger in her eyes .“I knew it... you said it didn’t bother you, you lied to my face, you hugged me. You pulled me out of my home where I couldn’t hurt anypony else. But it was already too late, wasn’t it? ‘We all said things we didn’t mean’, you said. Why didn’t you tell me you felt this way? Was I too fragile to know I had hurt my best friend?”
She tried to hug her, but Rarity pulled away.
“It’s not your fault you said what you did, but... did you mean it when you said it? You—” she pushed a hoof at Fluttershy, “hurt me. I am not Pinkie Pie... she recovered within moments. It took three renditions of the ‘Smile Song’ to get me to stop crying. She held me, she helped me, because we needed to try to help you... I need to know, did you mean it? Do you feel I am frivolous and petty? Is my work worthless to you? Or were you just trying to hurt me?”
“Which answer would be worse? That I said it to hurt or that I meant it? I was trying to get you two to back off; I did say it to hurt you. But I didn’t mean... You make beautiful things, Rarity. They make you happy and they make other ponies happy. That’s not petty, that means something to everypony. I-I need us—“ she began to cry a bit, ”—to be okay. I need you; please...”
Rarity smiled sadly. “Thank you, for being honest about it, at least.” She looked away. “I-I was hurt — you made me cry my eyes out. I wanted so badly to hate you, but I could not lay the blame on you. Yet the words still hurt me! You were given bad advice and you used it to hurt other ponies.” She turned back to her friend, looking her in the eyes once more. “Do you understand that?”
Fluttershy flinched at the sad gaze, but did not look away. “I know, I went too far. Please, can I make it up to you? I just want us to be okay.”
The fashionista snorted derisively. “I’m not sure how we can be okay. You asked why I wasn’t at the spa? I didn’t go because I couldn’t face you, Fluttershy. I even tried switching my spa day, but then I found I couldn’t relax without you there!”
Fluttershy nodded slowly, “I wouldn’t like that very much either. That’s our day together. I love that.” She was silent for a time. “Please, how—” She sobbed, and scrubbed a hoof across her eyes quickly to clear them. “—how can I make things right with you again?”
“You can’t.” Rarity looked away from her friend, unable to face her. “You can’t fix this. I have to get over it on my own, I have to try to forgive you. But it’s hard!” She stamped a hoof in frustration, and looked back at Fluttershy. “And yet if I don’t forgive you, I will lose my best friend. No, more than that... so much more than that. ”
“Please, isn’t there something I can do? Something to make it easier?”
“Nothing! Everything! Promise me you won’t do this to me again!”
Fluttershy spoke in a low, barely audible voice. She approached Rarity again, badly wanting to comfort her, to do anything that would somehow undo the hurt she had caused with those words. “You want me to make a hollow promise not to do something I had never planned to do in the first place? That will fix things? Please Rarity... I-I'll do anything if it will make us all right again. I won't lose you!”
“No!” Rarity pushed her back, not wanting comfort, needing to somehow convey just how badly she had been affected. The look in Fluttershy's eyes made her burst into tears. There was pain in those eyes, and deep remorse. “You hurt me!”
Fluttershy nodded sadly, “I-I’m sorry. I’ll go now.” She turned away then, walking to the door.
Rarity watched her go, some small, petty part of her actually glad. Then she desperately lunged after her and hugged the mare, unable to do anything else. Fluttershy turned in her embrace, a bit alarmed, but quickly returning it.
“Don’t—” Rarity squeezed Fluttershy harder, causing her to briefly squeak in the embrace. “Don’t do it again, my heart couldn’t bear it.”
Fluttershy just held her, letting her cry.
Something very primal had been unleashed within her friend, something dangerous and cruel. Rarity had never seen her deliberately attempt to hurt another pony since that day, but now... She had to do something or she might be witness to the assault of a noble, at the very least.
“Please, darling, don’t get upset with him for that either. He’s a drunken stuck-up noblepony poking fun at somepony who annoyed him once. Come, let’s just go home, I’ll get the check.” She motioned for the kind pony who had been so discreet earlier to bring them their bill. He seemed, however, to be occupied with the large party Blueblood was hosting. Her eyes cast about for some other means of escape. “Let’s just pay the maître d’ directly; he’ll be able to give me an estimate, I’ll double it and any difference will go to our waiter.”
She stood, walking in the direction of the maître d’. Their discussion, however, had taken long enough for his Majesty to finish his ablutions and re-emerge. He was smiling, his charm turned up to eleven as he approached the unguarded pegasus at the table, little realizing he was bringing about his own doom. Rarity rushed back to the table. All thought of mocking Blueblood was set aside now, as she addressed him as respectfully as she might if he were a proper example of nobility. It wasn’t his life she was trying to save; it was Fluttershy’s. Bastard though he may be, murdering him would definitely have some repercussions for her fillyfriend. “Your Highness, let me escort you back to your group.”
He looked up in annoyance, “You again? I wanted to talk to your companion, I don’t have time to worry about you any more! Be a good wing-mare and introduce me, won’t you? She seems quite lovely.”
“Your Highness really shouldn’t worry about her, she is a commoner as I am, and quite unworthy of your time. Come, your group must miss you by now.” She gently steered the drunken prince away from her fillyfriend.
“Molest me not, peasant! I will decide who is worthy of my notice.” He sat down next to Fluttershy, curling his foreleg around the back of her chair as he leaned in towards her. “Hello, you delectable creature. Would you care to attempt to court royalty?”
Fluttershy’s answering voice was low and melodious, and her gaze intent. The hazy, unfocused look of inebriation was suddenly gone from her eyes. Any animal caught up in that gaze would either flee or be paralyzed in terror. Her words were terrible in their portent, her tone dangerously pleasant, the kind of conversational tone a predator might employ during an idle, pre-devouring chat with its prey. “Why did you insult Rarity’s perfume?”
”Because I’ve passed pigsties that reeked less!” came the aggressive, slightly slurred answer. Blueblood seemed to lack the sense to see his own end reflected in those gorgeous blue eyes, or was, perhaps, too heavily intoxicated for the proper fight-or-flight instinct to kick in. The fact that a large portion of his alcoholized blood supply actually resided elsewhere than in his brain, courtesy of Fluttershy’s shapely flank, probably also had something to do with it.
“Come, sweet cheeks, shall we ditch your smelly, wrinkly old... aunt?” Blueblood looked at Rarity with visible distaste, then winked at Fluttershy in the most unsubtly suggestive way imaginable. ”You can ride in the Royal Carriage with me, and perhaps if you’re a good girl you can ride me in the Royal Carriage afterwards!” He laughed raucously at his own joke.
The way he flicked his tongue across his lips while he pulled Fluttershy’s tail aside with his eyes disgusted Rarity, and angered her far more than the crude, ill-conceived insults. She opened her mouth to accost the infuriating clod of a prince some more, but was stopped cold by a simple hoof-gesture from her date.
Fluttershy smiled demurely. She seemed unfazed by the prince’s unsavory suggestions, but Rarity felt the fine little hairs of her coat stand on end at the sight of her love’s superficially ingratiating expression, thinking that, if looks that could kill truly existed, that smile could have wiped out entire cities. “She is actually my fillyfriend,” Fluttershy explained with infinite patience.
“Oh?” Blueblood said with a frown, trying to keep the bitter jealousy out of his voice. He quickly recovered from this minor setback, however, regaining his former bravado and continuing to gleefully dig his own grave. “Well, while your taste in mares is debatable, cutie-flank, I can put your mind at ease, my tasty little morsel: a bit of filly-fooling generally doesn’t offend His Royal Highness. As long as he is able to watch, of course!”
More laughter followed that incredibly offensive statement, with Fluttershy actually laughing along this time, encouraging Blueblood to add, with a wink, “Or join in. I do hope you’re not one of those sad, misguided fillies who has convinced themselves that they can only get off with other females, at least.” He snorted dismissively. ”But no, of course not, you’re quite attractive for a commoner, unlike your friend here. Lovely piece of tail like yourself, it is highly unlikely you would ever grow desperate enough for romantic attention to sink quite that low.”
“Oh, I’m nothing special. You flatter me!” Fluttershy tittered fillyishly, pressing an unsteady hoof to her muzzle. She was suddenly acting quite drunk again and, strangely, more like her shy, modest self.
But she wasn’t blushing, Rarity noted. She desperately tried to make eye contact with her lover, struggling to understand where Fluttershy was going with this act. She looked urgently around the room, looking for anypony who could provide support if things turned violent. The other patrons were all occupied with their own meals, however. Oh please, my beloved, don’t do anything foalish.
“Now now, do not gainsay your lord and sovereign, little filly,” Blueblood said with a roguish grin, pleased that his mastery of the art of seduction was having the expected effect, and put at ease by the comfortingly familiar and air-headed reactions the previously inscrutable mare was providing him with. “When I say you are supremely ruttable, I mean it! So, what say you, my dear? Will you accompany me tonight, so that you get finally get tended to properly and be cured of your unhealthy attraction to the same sex? Satisfaction is guaranteed.”
“Oh, I simply cannot wait, my lord!” Fluttershy cried softly and submissively. “I crave the, um, ‘royal sceptre’ so very badly. Perhaps I could accompany you to the gentlecolt’s room, instead? Right now?” Her convincing performance slipped a bit during those last two words, which had sounded colder than absolute zero, and sent shivers down Rarity’s spine. She couldn’t believe Fluttershy had managed to utter those words without throwing up in her muzzle a little. What was she plotting? Suddenly, Rarity’s eyes widened in shock. Surely she wasn’t going to...?
“My, aren’t we in a hurry,” Blueblood said, a little taken aback by this eagerness. He recovered quickly though, his over-inflated ego puffing up a little more. He licked his lips again, grinning lasciviously, his sluggish brain overflowing with all the lewd things he could do to this obviously willing, delectable and naive little pegasus. And as an added bonus, he’d be doing it all right under that insufferable, uppity commoner’s snooty white nose!
The table the stallion was seated at would have lifted an inch or so, if he hadn’t been at the back of the line when nature had been handing out certain endowments. “Your urgent desire is perfectly understandable, though. I could tell you were simply gagging for what I had to offer the moment I saw you. And you will be, quite literally, momentarily.” Blueblood got up and staggered unsteadily towards the door for the bathrooms again, not even bothering to look over his shoulder. ”Come along then, er... what was your name again? Ah, it doesn’t really matter, I suppose...”
“Fluttershy, darling, what on earth are you—” Rarity hissed the moment the doors closed.
“I’ll be riiiiight back,” Fluttershy cut her off in an adorable, sing-songy voice. She sashayed over to the door with the larger, more angular stallion silhouette depicted on it and, without a word, went inside.
Rarity could feel a bead of cold sweat trickle down her forehead. Her imagination ran wild with the horrible, unspeakable things Fluttershy could be doing to Blueblood right now. She had thought that seeing the meek pony angry had been scary, but this new, unsettlingly calm, lethally mild-mannered, polite, calculatingly seductive Fluttershy was much more frightening still. Her friend was obviously beyond anger right now, filled with such seething stillness and tranquil fury that Rarity honestly feared for Blueblood’s life.
Any second now, the blood-curdling, agonized screams would begin... Would there be anything left to identify the mutilated remains, after he had been torn limb-from-limb? Wild plans to escape to the border together in a stolen carriage popped into Rarity’s brain; morbid visions of being chased down by the Canterlot Guard and having to drive the carriage over the lip of Ghastly Gorge, hoof in hoof, flashed through her imagination.
There was only sustained silence, however, which was somehow scarier.
It only took a few minutes before the door swung open again and Fluttershy emerged. Oddly, her fur was still pristinely yellow and as well-groomed as ever, rather than caked and matted with the blood of her slaughtered victim.
It was several minutes after this before Blueblood, too, returned to the restaurant. He seemed a shell of his former self, a broken pony; his swollen ego not merely popped and deflated but actually reduced to nothingness, crushed into a singularity and utterly erased from existence. He dragged himself over to Rarity and, with hanging head and teary eyes, whimpered, “Please excuse my abhorrent behavior this evening, and any past misdeeds I have done to you or your friends. I have been shown some terrible things about myself, and have much to consider. Enjoy your evening, and consider your tab paid for. I wish you two all the happiness in the world... Oh, and your p-perfume smells wonderful.”
Rarity watched him stagger back to his guests, her eyes and mouth wide with disbelief. “What did you do to him?”
“Me? Oh, nothing...” Fluttershy said nonchalantly. ”We just had a little chat, that’s all.”
“No, seriously darling, what—”
“You don’t want to know.”
They bid the maître d’ good night; it was late and they both needed to get home to their beds. The pegasus had her animals to tend to and Rarity still had dresses to sew, a task Fluttershy would help with later in the day. Both were quite sober by now, the incident with Blueblood having spoiled everything.
I wanted so much more for you, my love, Rarity thought as they walked the route leading to the outskirts of Ponyvillle. She intended to walk Fluttershy to her cottage and then return home herself. Fluttershy nuzzled her gently, reassuringly. She needed that. They had gotten past what could have been a bad situation tonight, and somehow did so unscathed and in a way Rarity still did not understand. But Fluttershy had not hurt anypony, or at least, had not done so physically.
“Rarity... I’m sorry,” Fluttershy murmured. They were nearly to her door now, trotting up the path to her cottage. “I had to do something to help him see what—” A white hoof stopped her.
“I don’t want to know. You didn’t hurt him, that’s enough.” A storm broke overhead, showering them with unexpected rain. NonoNO, my mane! “This wasn’t on the schedule for the week!”
Fluttershy nodded. “It’s from the Everfree, let’s get inside before you get soaked!” They rushed up to the cottage, quickly becoming thoroughly drenched in the downpour. Rarity looked enviously at Fluttershy’s mane. Mine should look so good wet, she pouted.
Safely inside, Rarity looked out through the small window. The storm showed no signs of letting up, and attempting to leave now would just have her walking home in the rain.
“Don’t even think about it, Rarity. You’re staying here.” Fluttershy pointed upstairs. “You’ll take the bed. Go run a shower to warm up. I’ll be right there.”
Rarity trotted up the stairs, noting a lack of white bunny in the house. Stuck in the rain in his hutch, I suppose.
She began the shower, feeling the hot water washing away the weariness and tension of the evening. Her mane and tail had lost their normal bounce, flowing from her in pretty purple streams as the water washed through them. She reached for the shampoo, only to find it was being poured over her. Looking up in surprise she found yellow hooves massaging the shampoo into her mane. “Oh hello, darling, I didn’t realize you wanted to join me again. Could you get my back, please?”
Fluttershy began to massage her shoulders and back, lathering her coat and tail. Her voice was low, and her breath hot against Rarity's ear. “Rarity... um... voulez-vous coucher avec moi, ce soir, mon cherie ?”
It had seemed like such a normal day when she had gotten up this morning. True, the previous evening had been spent leaving an anonymous love note for her best friend, but she had not expected to go from pining over her to showering with her in a single cycle of the sun and moon. Yet here she was. And now, the mare of her dreams had just uttered a phrase from her fantasies. “Rarity... um... voulez-vous coucher avec moi, ce soir, mon cherie?”
There was a long pause as Rarity’s nethers fought against her brain for control of her blood supply. The brain was not faring well. She froze, uncertain if her own senses could be trusted. She can’t possibly mean... Oh, please let her mean! “Darling... did you just ask me if I would like to sleep with you tonight?”
Forelegs wrapped around her and a warm wet tongue began to lick her ears. “Um... yes. If that’s okay with you...” Fluttershy began to lightly nibble and kiss Rarity’s ears lovingly.
Rarity melted into the embrace, all thoughts of her mane forgotten. “A-are you certain, my beloved? I would love nothing more, but I don’t want you to rush into—” Again, further thoughts were thoroughly disrupted by the tongue inserted into her ear.
Fluttershy giggled a little at Rarity’s sudden lack of focus. “I’m very certain. I have never been so certain. But are you certain? We’ve been on a real date and I’ve met your parents, so we’re past ‘too soon’ now, right?”
Fluttershy bit lightly into her neck, then whispered breathily into her ear. ”You see, dinner made me very excited. I loved kissing you and being fed by you. I’m either going to spend the night pleasuring myself, or pleasuring you. Which would you prefer I do?”
Rarity was positively drenched now, and not just because of the shower. She laughed a little frantically. “I think the whole concept of ‘too soon’ can be forgotten, my love.” She gasped as Fluttershy caressed her flank, then turned her head to face her lover and put on what she hoped was a serious face. “This is you now, isn’t it? I don’t want any artifice. I will not make love to ‘New’ Fluttershy or ‘My’ Fluttershy or any of that nonsense.”
Fluttershy tittered a little in embarrassment, but wasn’t embarrassed enough not to steal another kiss from the frazzled fashionista. “I don’t need them anymore. I’m just... me. I would really really like to do some of the things I’ve been dreaming about doing with you, if that’s all right.” She resumed nibbling lightly on Rarity’s ear as the water continued to pour over them.
Rarity closed her eyes and exhaled shakily. “Yes, yes, a thousand times yes!” She turned in Fluttershy’s embrace and kissed her passionately, her tongue exploring Fluttershy’s mouth in quick, darting movements before she pulled back to pant heavily. “Do you have any idea how much I have wanted to hear those words? I confess, I had even hoped that our massage might have led to a, how shall I put it, ‘happy ending’ earlier.”
Fluttershy leaned forward to redirect her nibbling to Rarity’s neck, humming happily. “Oh, you are a naughty filly, aren’t you Rarity? You should have told me... I wouldn’t have minded.”
Rarity felt her knees weaken. “Um... Fluttershy, as much as I am enjoying this... perhaps we should finish our shower and move to your bed? If you keep doing — aah yes, that — I am going to collapse. I should like for that to be on a bed, please.”
Reluctantly pulling apart, they finished cleaning up with only a bare minimum of teasing from the pegasus. After drying off they headed towards the bedroom, Rarity getting her own back by putting the tiniest extra bit of sway into her hips and lifting her tail high as she walked, which was very well received if the blush on Fluttershy’s cheeks was anything to go by. Satisfied that her love wasn’t getting it all her own way, Rarity lay down on top of the bed, more aware than ever of just how very naked she was. Oh my love, do with me what you will, make me yours!
However, no ravishment came. She looked up at Fluttershy in some confusion; the need was clear in her eyes, but no action was forthcoming. She seemed frozen in indecision... Oh, right, she’s never done this before either. Hmmmm. Well, no help for it then. “I am sorry, my love, I suppose I expected you to take charge because of the sheer passion you have been showing tonight. Come, lay with me. We’ll discover our bodies together.”
And then came the pounce. Rarity quite suddenly found her mouth full of happy squealing pegasus tongue as forelegs wrapped themselves around her in a crushing embrace. She broke the kiss after a good few seconds of divine tongue-wrestling, gasping for air. “P-please, my lovely, not quite so rough. I am excited as well but we don’t have to rush.” She re-initiated the kiss, but more lightly this time. “How would you like to progress matters, my dear? I will admit to never having been with another pony myself, but as an avid reader of romance I believe I know a few things at least. Or would you prefer to explore me for yourself?”
“Um... I think I want to... do that second thing.” Fluttershy smiled shyly, but not innocently. “Um... lie back please.” After she complied Shy began to trail hot, wet kisses along her neck. Rarity groaned at the sudden display of aggression, reveling in the sensations of warmth and wetness pressing into her fur, and shivered as the cool air wafted over those areas already lavished with Fluttershy’s attentions.
“Y-yes, darling, that’s wonderful. Do with me as you wish, I welcome it!” In truth she more than welcomed it; she hungered for it. She had been attracted to this mare for ages. Many had been the nights spent in lonely seclusion, reading about the scandalous romance of Princess Platinum and Private Pansy (hardly historically accurate but who was she to complain) and imagining the two of them playing out the same scenes — in full costume of course, ones lovingly created by her own hooves. Pity about her sheets, but she’d managed to get the stains out most of the time.
While she kissed Rarity softly about the chest and neck, Fluttershy’s hooves began to softly stroke her coat, drawing little circles on her belly fur. “Rarity, um... I sort of have a confession to make.” Shy kissed her lightly on the muzzle. “I’ve never been with anypony else, but... well, do you know Cloud Kicker?”
“Well, yes. Weather team, very brazen as I recall. Likes to have relations with casual partn— Fluttershy, you surely don’t mean you slept with her?!” Don’t panic! She is clearly in love with me. I-it is okay if this is not her first time.
“Oh, oh no! Nothing like that! But she loved to make me blush by telling me the things she would do with mares... in detail. Um... I’ve never tried it myself but... I think I know a few things too.” She blushed heavily at this confession. Now Rarity will think I’m terrible for not being innocent! “Please don’t hate me...” Oh Fluttershy, you’re so loose.
Rarity leaned up to comfort her with a nuzzle. “Fluttershy, that’s nothing to be ashamed of! You hardly had a choice in the matter after all. I am minded to thoroughly chastise that mare for treating you so. I must admit I never expected you to be the more worldly of us, but this is hardly the first time you have surprised me. Very well, if you know the techniques I suppose now would be an opportune time to apply them. Please, darling, make love to me, make me your mare!”
“Okay!” the pegasus chirped, smiling happily. She began to lightly caress Rarity with her hooves again, but then she remembered something Cloud Kicker had mentioned doing. Oh, that was so embarrassing! Steeling her resolve, she began to drag her wing slowly across Rarity’s thighs.
Rarity was quite enamored with the way Fluttershy’s hooves felt as they lightly stroked her chest, but when the wing touched her... “Oh!” She began to giggle madly. “Oh my, I —haha!— am sorry my dearest, I know that wasn’t likely the reaction you were hoping for but I am—” she laughed even more loudly, “—quite ticklish there!”
“Oh, um, sorry. Let me try something else?”
Recovering from her giggling fit, Rarity shook her head at their foolishness. “Oh this is silly. Here, let’s just kiss for a bit and stop trying to force the pace. I really don’t expect you to be a skilled lover, my darling. Just love me, and that will be perfection enough.” She wrapped her forelegs around Fluttershy. “Come here, my lovely mare.”
The two began to kiss each other, slowly and tenderly at first, then more passionately as they warmed up. Rarity ran her hooves through Fluttershy’s soft pink mane, her tongue dancing and swirling around the other mare’s in a sensuous waltz. They broke the kiss, both quite breathless. “L-lie back, my sweet, I believe it’s my turn to play with you for a while.”
Rarity suddenly had the utmost sympathy for Fluttershy’s earlier attack. Seeing her lying there so vulnerably, looking up with those huge aqua eyes full of nothing but love and trust, the unicorn just wanted to dive headfirst into a sea of passion and make her cry out with delight. She shivered with anticipation. This is no dream. My beloved is here before me, waiting to be made love to. She gave an excited little squeal of happiness.
Now, where did she say— Rarity began to kiss the leading edge of Fluttershy’s left wing, causing the pegasus’ eyes to widen in surprise as she gasped a bit. Hmmm, yes, on the right track then. Let’s try... Kissing further and further down, she reached and llightly nibbled at the base of the wing joint. Suddenly, her lover’s wings both snapped rigid. Oh! Yes, I believe we have a reaction! Hmmm... what about... Rarity gently massaged the inside of the wing, at a spot just below the coverts.
This time Fluttershy’s whole body went rigid, eyes scrunched shut and mouth open in a silent scream; then she melted into the bed, her muscles seeming to relax all at once as she turned to jelly. Fluttershy slowly opened her eyes and gazed up at her lover, panting heavily. “R-Rarity... um... d-do that again please?”
Rarity stared at her own hooves in shock. Oh... Mother you really weren’t kidding were you? So focused was she on attempting to please her partner (and trying to decide on how to proceed further) that she scarcely noticed Fluttershy move - that is, until a very warm tongue began to lick her horn.
“What—”
“Shhhhh. Um, keep doing what you’re doing.”
In the pounding rain outside, Angel lay huddled in his hutch. He hated the rain, all the more so for having trapped him in here instead of the warmth of the cozy home he shared with the Yellow One. An ear perked up suddenly as he heard a high pitched squeal of joy, followed closely by a booming, instantly recognizable voice.
“FLUTTERSHY!”
A flock of birds burst from the nearby tree in fright, and all the animals woke from a sound sleep to look around fearfully for predators. Finding none, they uneasily settled back down to sleep.
Angel flopped back onto his straw in disgust, grumbling to himself. Of all the bad luck, now they were mating! That meant the fussy one would be around even more.
The storm raged on throughout the night. Everfree storms were feared for a reason; they were unexpected, uncontrolled, and dangerous anomalies in an otherwise orderly weather system. This storm was no exception. Gale force winds damaged trees, blew down fences, and in some cases caused serious damage to homes. Even worse was the torrential rain, which flooded riverbanks and washed out roads. But on this night, the worst aspect of the storm was the lightning strikes.
Thunderlane flew hurriedly through the brutal winds, trying to get to the next reported fire to help put out the blaze. This was the real danger of the uncontrolled storm: it was dumping rain in some areas while others were left bone dry. In the areas untouched by rain several fires were burning unopposed by the elements, and ponypower was spread thin as they attempted to extinguish them all. A call had been put out to all members of the weather team and the volunteer fire brigade, but with so many asleep during these hours the situation was looking grim.
He reached the library to find that blaze being snuffed out by Twilight Sparkle. Thunderlane watched in fascination for a moment as she cast a shield around each fire, presumably cutting off the air supply to each. She turned as she caught sight of him. “I’ve got this one! Go help somepony else!” she cried through the howling winds. He saluted and hurried on.
Ugh, this would happen on my shift. Boss is gonna wring my neck if anypony gets hurt. He worriedly scanned the horizon for signs of smoke. All the while the shearing winds buffeted him, making it difficult to even remain aloft.
In the distance another fire was burning merrily. The roof of the afflicted structure had collapsed, giving the conflagration an opportunity to spread to the inside. He gasped; for just a moment he was sure he had seen the figure of a pony on fire just outside the window, but he quickly realized it was just some ornamentation on the outside of the building. As he flew closer he recognized Carousel Boutique, home of the town’s resident fashion designer; and the boss’s personal friend. Buck me, I am gonna get fired. From a cannon.
He began gathering storm clouds, trying to direct enough rainfall over the fire to put it out, but couldn’t corral enough to make a difference. He could see the rolls of fabric inside going up in flames, and the bed was ablaze. I am so screwed! She’ll never forgive me if I let her friend’s home burn down!
Then, salvation; a prismatic blur of colors sped towards him, colors so bright they somehow stood out even against the night sky. Thunderlane could barely make her out as she passed, but the expression on her face was filled with determination and panic.
Rainbow was running out of energy reserves quickly. When Icy Rain had roused her from a sound sleep she’d known something was terribly wrong. Rainbow trusted her team with the information on where she slept at night because she knew she wouldn’t be bothered unless it was a dire emergency. It had better be if she was going to leave the embrace of her farmpony for the night. Lightning strikes all over Ponyville definitely counted.
She’d been zipping back and forth across town as fast as she could fly, and that was amazingly fast. At some hotspots she quickly gathered clouds to put out blazes; others were so bad that she’d had to create her own mini-tornado to put them out. She could do the work of ten pegasi, but even she couldn’t be everywhere at once. The damage was going to be devastating even with her help.
Flying past the library and seeing that Twilight had it under control, she scanned the horizon for more trouble. She saluted her friend quickly as she buzzed by.
Is that...? The shape of the closest burning building was unmistakable. Rarity! Nononono! She flew as fast as her wings could take her; rocketing into the vertical to reach the cloud layer, she looped round in a tight circle, gathering storm clouds in her wake. Please be okay please be okay! Faster and faster she flew, her lips drawn back in a snarl of defiance at the elements as they bent to her will. I’ll save you! I won’t let you down! She dove towards the ground, the cloud funnel behind her likewise drawn down to the shop, gale force winds and pouring rain all centered on the top story of the Boutique. Thrown violently forward, she spun away from her creation, desperately trying to slow her momentum. Fortunately, her flight was halted by a feathery obstacle in her path.
“Gotcha, boss!”
She looked up, her exhaustion etched on her features. “Good save, newbie. Now shake a tailfeather and help the team over Whitetail Woods. I gotta make sure Rarity is okay.”
Thunderlane snapped a quick salute and banked away to help the pegasi trying to quell the forest fire.
The funnel having dispersed without her present to give it form, but having served its purpose in extinguishing the inferno on the top floor, Rainbow judged that she could now safely enter the Boutique. The door chimed as she entered, but all else was still. She shivered slightly. The ponniquins had a very eerie look at night. “Rarity?!” She searched the bottom floor, looking around for her friend. She desperately wanted to believe she was down here... not up there.
Finding the lights to be nonfunctional for the moment she blundered about in the dark, banging her hoof on a table and wincing loudly. “Rarity?” There was no answer. She kept looking, straining her eyes into the darkness. Her ear twitched. What is that? “Rarity! If you’re hurt say something, make a noise! Anything!”
She opened the door to the kitchen, trying to make anything out in the near blackness. Something white flitted past the far table leg. “Rarity?” Suddenly her face was full of angry, wet, yowling feline. She reached up desperately to get the clawing cat off her face. “Opal! Where’s Rarity?”
The cat didn’t have an answer for her, naturally. Rainbow didn’t expect one, but then she already knew the answer to her question, didn’t she? If she was upstairs... in that... No, she... She can’t be! Rainbow held the cat at foreleg’s length and set her down gently on a chair in the main room of the Boutique.
Steadying her nerves, she crept up the stairs, barely seeing the damage done by the fire and subsequent rainstorm. The door was severely charred and still warm to the touch. She opened it.
Inside was a hellish disaster. The fire had gutted the beautiful room; all the curtains had burned to ashes, as had the fabrics and... the bed. Oh, Rarity, no! The bed was a smouldering heap of charred material. A strong smell of burnt feathers was in the air; Rarity had a feather bed, of course. Princess Prissy would sleep on nothing less. She had always— No! She has always! Not past tense! She’s not! She can’t have been in...
She punched one of the bedposts, as if it was the bed’s fault somehow, then fell to her knees and wailed at the uncaring sky. There was no more denying it. If Rarity had been asleep in this room when the fire took hold, she was now part of the ashes on the floor.
Rainbow Dash continued flying throughout the night, redirecting the worst of the storm and helping ponies wherever she could. She did not let herself think. She just acted. Thinking was for later.
Against her will, however, memories of the many times she’d interacted with Rarity bubbled up into her consciousness. Had there ever really been a time when she’d just relaxed and hung out with her? Not at first, anyway. Modeling for Rare is torture. But yes... there had been some good times. Even their few trips to the spa together had been fun. It wasn’t enough. There should have been more time. They were friends! Maybe not the closest of their group, but all five of them were irreplaceable. And now...
It was too much, she couldn’t process it right now. The storm was finally clearing up; now she had to deal with the aftermath. Speaking of which, there was a very angry cat that was going to need somepony to take care of her, now that her owner— Stop! She flew back to the Boutique, intent on at least saving the one life in there that she could.
The cat complained loudly from her carrier-prison; Rainbow did her best not to jostle her about as she flew to Fluttershy’s cottage. She had briefly entertained the idea of taking the cat to Sweet Apple Acres with her. She badly needed to feel AJ’s hooves around her right now, but the farm was no place for this cat. Fluttershy was the best bet, at least until somepony could contact Rarity’s parents. She just... couldn’t handle that prospect right now.
Oh Celestia... Fluttershy... She... and Rarity... Tears ran down her cheeks. She’d have to tell her. Tell her she’d failed. They’d both lost a dear friend, but Fluttershy... she just lost her chance for a happy life, the chance to make her feelings known to the pony she loved! Rainbow wanted to crawl into a hole and just stay there forever.
It should be me who tells her; I’ve been her friend the longest. I’m not Rarity, but I can be a shoulder to cry on. Shy deserves that and more. She resolutely flew on, her heavy heart making her body feel like it was made of lead.
Fluttershy yawned, blinking her eyes at the sunlight streaming through the window. Oh goodness, Fluttershy, you over-slept! The animals must be hungry! Still, it was hard to regret sleeping in when she felt so very good this morning. She attempted to get out of bed but found herself unable to do so. Curious, she lifted the blanket to see a white-coated foreleg clutched possessively around her. Huh... somepony is holding me.
It took a full three seconds for panic to set in. It took another five before her screams were audible in the range that ponies could hear. It took one second after she heard them for Rarity to wake up with a start and clutch Fluttershy even harder to herself as she looked around for the source of the fear in her fillyfriend’s cries.
“Darling, whatever is the matter?”
“R-R-Rarity?”
“Yes, my love?”
“Why are you— why are we— what’s going on?!”
“Shhhhh, darling, it’s all right! Did you have a bad dream or something?”
“Oh no, I had a wonderful dream. I’ve never had one that detailed before, it was so vivid and real! I could even taste—” She froze again, blinking at the friend currently sharing her bed. “R-Rarity, did I... Did we— Oh Celestia! I didn’t dream it, did I?!”
Rarity was silent, but after a few moments Fluttershy felt a wet spot growing on the fur of her back. She turned around in the unicorn’s embrace. “Rarity? Why are you crying? Please stop crying!” She kissed her fillyfriend’s face in every spot she could reach and nuzzled her urgently.
Rarity cringed away from her. “You don’t remember? The most exciting and fulfilling night of my life and you don’t remember?!”
“Rarity, I—”
“Oh goddesses! You were still... the cider! I took advantage of the love of my life! Darling, I am so sorry, please forgive me! You were just so very convincing and sure of yourself and, and forceful and I just melted! Oh Celestia, I am the worst pony ever!” She turned away from Fluttershy and buried her face in the pillow.
Fluttershy ran the events of the night back in her mind. Everything had just gone so perfectly that by morning she was sure it had just been one more fantasy in a long line of them over the years. She did remember, but how... how had she done those things? How had she been that brave? “That... was me? That was me! I... I made love to you! Rarity, I did it! I told you what I wanted and we did it and it was wonderful!” Squealing softly with happiness she hugged Rarity’s back to her chest, kissing the nape of that slender white neck. “I’m so sorry. I’ve dreamt of doing that with you for so long, and... it wouldn’t have been the first time I woke up alone afterwards.”
“You do remember? Oh thank the goddesses! I had no idea what one would pack when going into exile this time of year.” Rarity wriggled round in the embrace, returning the kisses urgently. “You don’t have to wake up alone anymore, darling. Neither of us does.”
“Oh Rarity, thank you! It was so perfect and special!” They kissed deeply, pouring into the gesture all the pent-up passion from long years spent in frustration. “Can we, um, do it again, please?”
“Ah... perhaps we should have breakfast, then discuss it later?”
“Breakfast... oh my goodness, the animals!” Fluttershy leapt out of bed and rushed to the door. She turned back to give her lover an apologetic look. “Oh, sorry, I need to go tend to my friends. I can make breakfast afterwards?”
“Go, my lovely. I will make us something. Go tend to them.”
“Okay!” She paused at the door, then rushed back to the bed and pressed her lips to Rarity’s, making happy little squealing noises while she did so. Pulling back, she positively beamed with joy. “I- I love you.”
“I love you too, dearest. Go now, you have other loved ones who cannot cook for themselves.”
The unicorn rose stiffly and stretched her tired muscles; last night had taken a lot out of her. I wasn’t even aware I could bend that way. She laughed at her reflection in the mirror. Oh my, I look exhausted. How is it running a marathon with your sister is somehow less strenuous than making love? On the bright side I daresay it will help me keep my figure. And no, Rarity, that is not an excuse to indulge in cake more often! Though, if all diet plans were like this...
She briefly considered showering and making herself presentable, then decided against it for now. If Fluttershy could spring up and take care of her household without worrying about herself first, then it would hardly be proper for Rarity to do less. Besides, if I wait till she’s not busy she can join me. She giggled at the thoughts that sprang to mind at that.
She eased her way carefully downstairs, her legs feeling as unsure as a newborn foal’s. The unicorn caught sight of Fluttershy out in the back yard, hurrying and scurrying to feed the menagerie that shared her home. Smiling, she made her way into the kitchen.
Knock Knock
She cocked an ear and turned around; somepony was knocking on the front door to the cottage. A brief glance confirmed that Fluttershy was still going about her chores and so, curious, she trotted to the door and opened it.
In front of her was Rainbow Dash, looking for all the world as if she had just seen a ghost. That’s peculiar. Well I suppose she wouldn’t have reason to expect to see me here. Dash was carrying... Oh, a pet carrier. Perhaps she had brought Tank for a checkup? "Oh, good morning, Rainbow! I am glad you are here, I wanted to apologize properly for my behavior—" And then she was enveloped in a crushing hug.
"H-how? How are you alive?!" Tears were streaming down the pegasus’ face, and for once she was too preoccupied to scrub them away with a hoof as she poked and prodded at Rarity as if making sure she was real.
"Rainbow, what do you—"
She was hugged even more forcefully. “I thought I’d lost you! I couldn't stop the fire in time, it took out the whole bedroom!” She sobbed hot tears into Rarity’s chest fur. “Rarity, I’m so sorry we haven’t hung out as much as we should have! Um... maybe I could come with you the next time you go to the spa, it wasn’t so bad. Or I could... try on dresses.... Rare, we need to find some way to hang out that doesn’t involve being so girly.” Rainbow burst into fresh tears. “Please tell me you’re okay? I need you to be okay! If I’m dreaming this, I don’t wanna wake up. Please be okay!”
Rarity winced a little as her lungs were compressed again. Goddesses, she hugs nearly as hard as Pinkie Pie! “Rainbow, I am fine, I am well, please stop worrying. What has you so upset?”
Rainbow just continued to hug her, snuffling into her coat. She gradually calmed down, but did not let go for some time. She’s okay! She wasn’t there... she’s here!
Dash hadn’t yet brought herself to set eyes on Rarity since she grabbed her; it almost felt like if she did so she might break the spell and Rarity wouldn’t be there at all. When she did finally look at Rarity, really look at her, she was very surprised. Rarity’s mane was messy - that alone was another shock. Rare never leaves the house without spending hours on her hair. More surprising was how tired she looked. Yet somehow, despite these facts, she looked happy.
Gradually it dawned on her. Rarity... had not been at home, Rarity had been here. She was here, at Shy’s home. Her mane was unbrushed, and she looked happy! Omigosh omigosh... Good for you, Shy! “You... were here? Last night, with Shy? Did you two—" The look of confusion slowly morphed into a lopsided grin.
Rarity looked down at the red-eyed pegasus. Her first thought was to deny it; she didn’t want to embarrass her fillyfriend. No, I won’t hide my feelings anymore, from anypony. I love her and I do not care who knows that. "Oh, to Tartarus with it. It's exactly what it looks like. Now what was this about a bedroom?"
Rainbow slumped wearily into a seat at the kitchen table. She set the pet carrier down on the tabletop, prompting an angry yowl to emerge from it. Rarity turned in shock at the familiar sound of rage. “Opal? What are you doing in... Rainbow, why do you have Opalescence with you? You still haven’t told me what had you so very upset! What happened?”
Rainbow nodded. “Sorry, Rare, I’ll tell you. I just... I was very happy to see you here. Not in... there.”
She went over the events of the night: being woken up (omitting who was holding her at the time), the lightning strikes, flying all night to help everypony deal with the storm. Then she paused.
“Rarity... I’m so sorry, your shop...”
“What? What happened to the Boutique?”
“I stopped it from burning down, but the whole top story is just ashes and soot. I- I looked for you after I put the fire out. Your bed was just a smouldering pile of burnt feathers and fabric. That’s why...”
As her shoulders heaved she felt forelegs slide around her neck. “Shhhh, you did everything you could, I am certain. The Rainbow Dash I know would move heaven and earth to save a friend. You’ve already done so many times in the past. Thank you again for saving me from my fall. I cannot say that enough times. Had I been in that fire, I would certainly not have blamed you in the slightest for not being able to help everypony at once.”
Rainbow snuffled. “I’m just glad you were here.”
“Now now, enough of that. Finish your story; why do you have my Opal with you? How on Equestria did you ever manage to get her in there?” She rose and began to make breakfast while she listened to the rest of the story.
Rarity laughed loudly as Rainbow described chasing her cat around the house, trying to herd her into the carrier. “Oh goddesses! If I didn’t have magic I would never be able to get her in that thing, she despises it. So you brought her here thinking it would be the best place? Good thinking, Fluttershy is the only pony Opal really seems to like. Me... she just seems to tolerate.” As she spoke, she laid out three stacks of pancakes and three glasses of apple juice on the table.
Unnoticed by the two ponies talking, a third had joined them. Fluttershy smiled apologetically. “I’m sorry, I heard voices and didn’t want to interrupt.”
“How much did you overhear, darling?” Rarity inquired as she looked up from her pancakes. Not feeling very hungry at the moment, but I will need my energy. After all, there will be much to clean when I get home.
“I heard enough. I need to talk to you about something, Rarity. I—”
Rainbow leaped up excitedly. “Shy! You did it! AJ told me about you two, but I never believed you would actually do it!”
Fluttershy backed away just slightly. “D-do what?”
“You told her! That’s why she was here, isn’t it? I gotta say Shy, I am impressed! I never expected you to be the type to give it up on the first—”
“Rainbow Dash!” Rarity glowered at her. “I will not tolerate that language! One does not speak of such things in polite company.”
“Oh c’mon, I’ll tell you about me and AJ! It was sooo awesome! She does this thing with her tail and she knows right where I wanna be bitten and—”
“Please stop,” Fluttershy pleaded in a desperate whisper.
“—you would not believe how well she preens me, it’s like she grew up with wings! And she gets this look when I nibble on the tips of her ears—” Rainbow halted and blushed, seeing Shy’s look of growing horror. “Um... sorry. B-but good for you two. AJ told me about you crushing on each other. Lemme tell ya... it feels good to just come out and say it! I mean c’mon, Rare... letters are soooo lame!”
“Yes, well... be that as it may, I think I may have to excuse myself. I’ll need to go and assess the damage to my home. I suppose I can use my couch as a temporary bed, that or stay with my parents for a while.” She got up and kissed Fluttershy on the cheek. “Thank you, my darling, for the most wonderful night of my life.”
“Rarity...”
Rarity marched resolutely to the door. She paused and turned her head back toward the table. “Oh, darling, I am sorry to ask this, but could you keep Opal here for a short time? I think the shop might be a bit drafty without a roof, and I want her to be someplace warm and safe.”
“Rarity! Stop!”
Rarity had little choice; Fluttershy had wrapped herself around the unicorn, physically restraining her from leaving the cottage. “Darling, please, w-we have a guest!”
“Yes, we do, because this is your home too! I want you to live with me!” Shy blushed heavily, but did not let go. “Please? If that’s okay with you? Stay here with me!”
A long drawn out fan-mare squeal came from the table. “Omigosh you two are so cute! Are you gonna make out now?”
Rainbow was briskly pushed out of the cottage. “Hey! I’ll let you watch next time me and AJ make out!” She pounded on the door. ”C’mon! I didn’t get to finish my pancakes!” The door opened again and a plate of pancakes was shoved into her hooves. “Mmmm!”
“Y-you want me to move in with you...” Whirlwind romances... seldom last. Nonono, this will not fail. Granted, much has happened very quickly but this is not a new relationship. This is merely a new facet of our long-term bond. “I don’t know, my love, I think that might be too forward of both of us.”
Fluttershy appeared ready to back down, but then she stood up taller and looked Rarity right in the eye. “I didn’t ask you to marry me, Rarity!” Yet. “I asked you to stay with me. Take our relationship out of the picture; as nothing more than your friend, I would ask you to come live with me if you lost your home. Why would I do less for the pony I love?”
Rarity was frozen with indecision for a moment, but only for a moment. How can I refuse such a, well, generous offer? “You’re right... I’m sorry, my love, I got nervous for a moment. Everything seems to have been going so well lately, and I have been waiting for the other horseshoe to drop. Strange as it may sound, I am relieved something bad has finally happened.” She offered her foreleg. “Well then, let’s see how just how bad the damage is, shall we?”
“Rarity?”
“Yes, my love?”
“Um, maybe we should... shower first?” Fluttershy flicked her tail and sauntered up the stairs.
“Oh... oh my, yes. Um, coming, darling.”
A long shower (and all that typically entailed for them) later, followed by a trot to Ponyville, brought them to the shop. “I am no longer relieved.” Rarity slumped down on her bedroom floor. Everything was charred and unsalvageable. The walls had suffered heavy damage, and the furnishings were unusable. Rolls of very expensive fabric were now burned beyond recognition. Repairing this was going to take every bit she was making from her advance, and now she did not even have the fabric to complete that order! “What am I going to do? Lady Starlight expects her dresses to be completed by the end of the week! We only have six done, and the fabric I needed for the rest was stored in this room!” One of the support beams for the wall creaked loudly as a section of it caved in, scattering a cloud of ashes into the breeze.
Forelegs surrounded her, imparting a feeling of love and support, and a warm chest pressed against her back. “We will just have to work harder, won’t we? You were planning to make the dress line public next week, so you have the designs done. Let’s go to Canterlot and convince some ponies to place orders, then we’ll use the advances to buy more fabric.”
Rarity shook her head. “I’ve never worked on credit before, you cannot rob Celestia to pay Luna like that indefinitely. I would eventually run out of material to make the new orders and be left in the same situation. No, I am going to have to find capital to rebuild.”
“What you need is an investor!”
They both turned in surprise to see Spike standing at the bottom of the stairway. “Sorry,” he murmured sheepishly, “the door was open so I wanted to make sure everything was okay.”
“That is quite all right, Spikey— sorry, that foalish nickname. I do not mean to treat you like a child.” While it was true that Spike was far from adult, he had grown considerably in a few short years. He could now look a pony straight in the eye while standing, and his carriage had lengthened to stretch that baby fat taut over a well-sculpted body. Yet he still sported the same grin he always gave her, the one that seemed to say she could do no wrong in his eyes.
“From you, milady, I never mind.” He swept into a deep bow. ”Ahem, anyway; you need somepony to invest in your business. I think I know of quite a few ponies we could talk to... I’d be happy to introduce you to some of them. I have a party to attend tomorrow night in Canterlot; the invitation was extended by somepony you’re very familiar with, and I have standing V.I.P. privileges to bring guests that I believe will make the evening more interesting.” He grinned again, this time with definite slyness.
“Spikey-wikey, there is no need to be so formal! I think all those trips are getting to be a bad influence. Why, I’m of a mind to tell Fancypants so myself.”
“You can if you like. He’s the one hosting the party.”
“... Very well then, I shall accept your gallant invitation. Do you mind terribly if it is plus two?”
“Well sure, you can bring a friend.”
“Oh... Spike, about that...”
Spike listened with interest as she told him all that had happened, biting his lip in consternation at her tale of misunderstandings and near misses. He waited politely for her to finish, then spoke up. “Wow, you’ve been through a lot lately! Still, I guess it all worked out in the end.” The little dragon smiled warmly. “Well, I need to go pack. Just be ready at noon tomorrow; I’ll have tickets waiting for you at the train station. Oh, and talk to Hard Hat when you’re ready to fix the Boutique, he owes me one! Anyway, get ready. Tomorrow we dine in Canterlot!”
Applejack was waiting by the window when Rainbow swooped in. They’d been sleeping together for a while now, but AJ still hadn’t quite gotten up the nerve to explain to her family that they were together. She hated lying, even by omission, but there was no other choice if she wanted to share a bed with Dash. Kinda wish we could spend the night in her place for once, but that would require unicorn help. It wasn’t that she thought Twilight wouldn’t help out, it was just a matter of explaining why she needed the cloudwalking spell cast on her.
Rainbow wrapped her forelegs around AJ and kissed her. “I missed you...” she muttered hotly as she began to kiss her lover’s neck.
AJ nickered softly at the kisses. Somepony’s feeling frisky tonight! The farmpony just enjoyed the attention for a bit, then nipped at the base of Rainbow’s wing playfully; she gasped in response.
“Shhhh, not so danged loud Dash. Yer gonna wake everypony up.” She giggled a bit as Dash got to her ears. “Mmmm, that’s nice. Mind if we lay down for this? Mah knees are getting a little wobbly.”
“Sure... Um, AJ would you mind—” Rainbow’s voice trailed off into inaudibility.
“Wanna run that by me again, Sugarcube?”
“C-could you do my wings?” Rainbow blushed heavily.
Applejack smiled. Never knew it was so danged embarrassing for her. Would explain why she moans when I do it... Sure thing, Sug, just relax.”
Applejack was just about finished preening Dash when they both heard a quiet knock on the window. Annoyed, AJ released the wing and let her lover get up to see what was going on. A very red-faced pegasus fluttered just below the window ledge, trying to look anywhere but the window. “Um... boss, I am so sorry to bother you while you’re with her, but there’s a freak storm blowing through Ponyville. There’s lightning strikes everywhere... We’re doing our best but we can’t keep up with the fires—”
“One sec, Icy...” Rainbow looked apologetically at the farmpony. “AJ, I hate to leave you hanging just as things are getting good—”
“Go on, Rainbow, they gotta be havin’ trouble if they sent somepony for ya in the middle of the night. I’ll be waiting for ya. Go play hero a bit.” The words stung her to say; she hated the idea of her special somepony out there at the mercy of the elements. Unpleasant images of seeing her laid up in the hospital sprung to mind. That was just her showing off; yer turning into a worrywart. She knew Rainbow would return to her safe and sound. Besides, she lived for moments like this. Maybe if I let her have enough of ‘em, she’ll finally forgive me for putting on that danged costume. Applejack snorted at the thought. Yeah, and pigs might start flyin’ again...
“I’ll be back soon, then we can pick up where we left off.” Rainbow kissed her goodbye before climbing out of the window. Applejack watched the two weather ponies fly off into the night, trying not to worry. Don’t go doin’ anything stupid, Dash.
The wind began to howl as the edge of the storm rolled over the farm. A blinding flash filled the sky; when her vision finally returned to her she stared in shock at the sight of the tall shade tree just outside her home burning fiercely.
She ran out into the hallway and began to pound on her siblings’ doors. “Horseapples! Big Mac! Apple Bloom! Wake up! We got a fire outside!”
Rainbow wearily flew back to Sweet Apple Acres, feeling physically and emotionally drained after the long night spent fighting the flames and the storm. She should have been relieved; there was really no reason not to be relieved... Rarity was okay the whole time, everything’s fine! So why was her heart still heavy with this sense of dread?
This is so stupid! Not only was she okay, she and Shy finally hooked up! Rainbow squealed just a little bit again. So cute! She ignored the hollow feeling, flying resolutely back to join AJ. She’ll be up by now. Rainbow scanned the farm urgently. I-It’s not like I need her, I just... miss her. That’s all.
Flying over the Apple Family’s barn, she spotted something that made fear clutch her heart in an icy grip. A tree not ten strides from AJ’s bedroom was blackened and bare of leaves. Visions of the whole farmstead on fire sprang to her mind, and she shook her head angrily. E-everything is fine! Nopony got hurt, I need to stop stressing over this! Ohh, where are you, AJ?
Finally spotting Applejack, Rainbow dove quickly to meet her. She landed with a flourish and grinned her best ‘I’m awesome, I know it, and you know it’ grin. “I’m back! Sorry I had to leave so quickly last night, AJ, but we did it! We saved everypony!”
“Land sakes, Dash, that’s mighty good to hear. As y’can see, we had a little trouble out near the house ourselves.” She took off her hat and solemnly lamented. “Poor ol’ Linden. He was a good shade tree. Granny Smith planted him herself. We’re gonna miss him come summer.”
Rainbow took two steps towards her before stopping herself. “... You okay AJ? I could, um... hug you if you wanted, but only if you want...”
AJ waved a hoof to placate her fillyfriend. “Ah’m fine. Sorry, Dash, ya know how it is. Ya plant a tree and watch it grow, ya can spend yer whole life tending to ‘em, but they’re gonna outlive ya. Ya get to thinkin’ ‘bout ‘em like foals, and it makes losin’ one like losin’ a member of the family...” She chuckled at Dash’s look of confusion. “Guess it’s an earth pony thing. Oh hey, did ya eat yet? We finished breakfast a while back but there’s some leftovers in the kitchen. Granny made up some apple fritters.”
“No... I already had pancakes. Uh... so you’re sure you don’t need that hug? I don’t mind! I know it’s gotta be bothering you to lose a... tree.” Dash smiled weakly.
Gosh, she looks tuckered. Nice to know she cares, though. “Nah, Ah’ll be fine. You gotta be tired, Dash, you wanna go grab a nap at the house while Ah finish up here?”
Dash looked oddly disappointed. “...Okay. B-but if you need that hug, it’s waiting!” She sped off without another word.
AJ scratched her head. “Where in the hay did she get pancakes?”
Rainbow Dash flew desperately to the Boutique. The wind howled and wailed around her as if it was trying to attack her. She could make out the shop in the distance easily through the gloom, however. The hellish flames were spreading across the whole structure now, and there was nothing she could do to stop it. Rarity opened with window and gasped for air. “Rainbow! Please, help me! I don’t want to die!”
She flew faster than ever, but no matter how fast she flew the Boutique got no closer to her. “DASH! HELP ME!” The fire spread into the interior and backlit Rarity with dancing tongues of heat. First her mane ignited, then the rest of her, and she began screaming, and screaming, and SCREAMING!
Dash woke with a start, realizing the screaming in her head was coming out of her own lips. She sat up in AJ’s bed, panting. It was so real! Why? She’s okay darnit! The door burst open and AJ stood there, chest heaving. “Rainbow! What’s wrong?”
Rainbow clutched the blanket to herself and huddled underneath it. “I-I’m fine! Sorry I scared you, AJ. I’ll be okay. It was nothing!”
AJ stared at the shivering — almost cowering? — pegasus in her bed. That ain’t fine, that’s about the furthest from fine Ah’ve seen ya in a good long time. AJ lay down behind Rainbow and embraced her carefully. “Sugarcube, ya don’t sound fine. Ya think Ah can’t spot a lie this close?”
Rainbow shuddered again. “I-I’m okay, really! I just... had a bad dream.”
Applejack sighed into the multihued mane. Like pulling teeth. “Oh yeah? Sug, Ah ain’t never heard you make that much racket. What’s got you worked up? Ah won’t tell nopony but can Ah at least know what’s wrong?”
“Nothing! I’m really okay now. J-just leave me alone!” Without warning, Rainbow tensed her hind legs and kicked AJ out of bed, propelling her into wall and causing her to slump to the floor with a dazed expression. Dash’s eyes blurred with sudden tears. “I’m sorry! I... I have to go!”
AJ rubbed her head where it had struck the wall. “Dash...” She lay there for a moment, still dizzy and unable to follow her lover.
When her eyes finally realigned themselves, AJ wearily stood up and rubbed her head ruefully. What’s gotten into that girl? She shook her head in annoyance, wincing a little as it caused the pain to flare up again. Much as she loved her, AJ just couldn’t understand Dash sometimes. Something is up. Ah ain’t never had a dream that had me screamin’ at the top of mah lungs like that.
I gotta find her. She may not want ta say it, but she needs somepony bad right now....
“... you okay, AJ? I could, um... hug you if you wanted, but only if you want...”
“No... I already had pancakes. Um... so you’re sure you don’t need that hug?”
“... okay. B-but if you need that hug, it’s waiting!”
She facehoofed in frustration. Dangit, AJ, how’d ya miss that? Dash don’t ask when she wants a hug, she’ll come up and get it. She didn’t want one, she needed one! Too danged wrapped up in mah own self to see she was shook up about something.
Ah can feel sorry for mahself later; right now Ah got a fillyfriend to find. Trouble is, Dash has wings. My options are kinda limited in the whole searching department. She could cover a lot of ground before she got tired, but that was just it; ground. She sighed. Having a pegasus fillyfriend wasn’t easy at times. If she don’t wanna be found, she’s probably up in the clouds somewhere. Dang it all, what I wouldn’t give for a set of wings right n—
Well hay, there’s a thought! I bet Shy would help me find her! Satisfied, she grabbed her hat from the floor and set it back on her head. Hold on, Dash. Ah don’t know what’s eatin’ ya, but Ah aim ta help ya through it. She quickly trotted off to find Shy.
Just mah luck, she’s off gallivantin’ somewhere! She’d searched Fluttershy’s cottage high and low, but she wasn't anywhere to be found. Finally, Angel had taken pity on her and pointed towards Ponyville, annoyance clear on his little face. She waved in thanks and ran in that direction, only to realize she was no better off trying to search for Shy than she was searching for Dash, albeit Fluttershy tended not to roost the way Dash did.
Horseapples... Ah don’t have clue one where she might be. Granted, Shy’s more likely to be down here but Ah need to find Dash! Huh, need a new plan Ah guess... She still had to find some way to search the skies. Got it! Twilight’s balloon! She ran at full gallop towards the library.
Arriving at last, she noticed some scorched branches high up on the house-tree. Huh, guess that storm was a real bad one. She looked around town, noting several buildings with signs of fire damage. Dang... Dash wasn’t kidding! Least nopony was hurt. Regaining her focus, she banged on the door with a hoof. “Twi, Ah need your help!”
She heard movement inside, followed by a crash and some muffled cursing. The door opened and a very tired-looking Twilight Sparkle stood in front of her. “AJ, what’s wrong?”
“Ah don’t have time to explain; can Ah borrow your balloon?”
The librarian gave her a look of concern and confusion, but did not waste time before answering. “Well certainly, but it’s still in storage and it’ll take awhile to reinflate it. What’s going on?”
The farmpony grunted in frustration. “Consarnit! Ah need to find Dash. She just flew off after having some bad nightmare. Ah’m worried about her. T’aint like her to run away like that.”
“...How did you know she had a nightmare?”
AJ blushed hard. “N-nevermind that, Ah need to find her! Horseapples, where’s a pegasus when ya need one...”
Twilight cocked her head to one side in bemusement. “Um... well, I have been practicing the spell I cast on Rarity—”
“The one that gave her butterfly wings?” Horrifying images of Dash laughing her head off ran through Applejack’s mind. Ah swear to Celestia, if you laugh at me Ah’m gonna buck yer teeth in, Dash. Applejack threw herself down at Twilight’s hooves. “Please, Ah gotta go find her! Can you cast it on me?”
“Um... sure. Let me get the book out...”
AJ fluttered the wings at her sides in amazement. They were nothing like what she remembered Rarity having; they looked like normal wings, only you could see through them a bit, and for some reason they were blue. "Hay... these are kinda... well, they ain’t what Ah expected. What gives, Twi? You mess up?"
Twilight was trying hard not to blush. "No... the spell worked fine, AJ. I did some more research into the spell after I had a similar experience... it turns out the spell manifests itself a little differently for everypony."
AJ scratched her head. "Huh, okay. That's kinda weird."
Twilight nodded. "It creates wings as a sort of reflection of what you view wings to be. For most ponies it just ends up looking like a pair of normal pegasus wings with their own coloration, made of mist and magic. However, sometimes certain, um, differences show up."
"How do you mean?"
“Well, the magus major who created the spell was courting a very beautiful pegasus general. He wanted to flatter her, so part of the spell’s design lets your heart dictate how the look and coloration will come out...” Seeing AJ’s glassy look she grunted in frustration. "Okay, let me put it to you like this: when I cast it on myself I ended up with cotton candy pink wings, and for some reason they looked like they were made out of twisted balloons. Pinkie's were giant purple alicorn sized wings. Rarity's— I think she was thinking of something very specific when I cast it. You saw how she reacts to Fluttershy, right? Do you see the connections here or do I have to spell it out?"
The farmpony’s face was starting to resemble her brother’s in hue. "So wait... Rarity? Butterfly wings... she was thinking about Shy’s—” Then she somehow blushed even harder. “Horseapples... Did Ah just get outed by a spell?"
Twilight had the good sense not to laugh, but she couldn’t quite keep the smile from her face. “If it makes you feel any better you’re only the second pony I’ve told about me and Pinkie. Also I’m probably the only pony alive besides the princesses who would know that you having blue wings means something.”
AJ blushed. “Sorry, Twi, A-Ah woulda told you awhile back but Ah was kinda worried about what everypony else might think. Mostly Ah was worried about Bloom and Granny. Ah just wanted ta keep mah mouth shut about it until Ah could get my head on straight—”
“AJ, it’s okay, I understand, I felt a little weird about being with Pinkie at first too. We can talk about it later. You should go find Dash.”
The farmpony nodded gratefully. “Thanks, Twi.”
This... this is how Dash feels all the time. She’d been flying for several hours now, but still could not believe how freeing it felt. Maybe it was part of the spell, making her body feel like it was meant to be in the air, but it felt wonderful. It’s like the first time Ah bucked a tree and managed to get all the apples to fall. Like the first time Dash and Ah... okay, not quite that good but Sweet Celestia... Just wish Ah could enjoy it properly. Getting dang near sunset, not gonna be easy to find her in the dark.
She scanned the clouds below her, looking for signs of the prodigal pegasus until... There! AJ dove for one particular cloud and gently alighted next to her. Dash was sleeping fitfully, mumbling broken phrases: “I’ll save... No! NO!”
The farmpony shook Dash urgently. “Sugarcube, wake up!”
Dash woke with a start, looking around in confusion. “Rarity! Where... what? AJ?” At first she seemed happy, but quickly let out a frustrated groan. They were both standing on a cloud, and AJ had a pair of wings, so... “Awww, I’m still dreaming! This sucks!” She flopped down onto the cloud heavily. “I don’t want to dream anymore...”
Applejack lay down beside her and gently bit her ear.
“Ow! AJ, quit...” Dash rubbed her ear with a hoof in irritation, then stopped as a thought hit her. “Wait... that hurt. Things aren’t supposed to hurt in dreams...”
“You ain’t dreaming, Sug.” The farmpony kissed the top of her head softly. “Ah got worried about ya, so Ah went looking. You didn’t make it easy for me.”
“Sure, I’m not dreaming. So you just happened to grow a pair of wings?” Despite feeling the pain of the bite, Dash still looked skeptical.
“No, Ah got Twi to use the spell she cast on Rarity. How else was Ah gonna find ya?”
Rainbow turned and studied Applejack, her expression curious as she looked over the blue, ephemeral wings that fluttered nervously at the farmpony’s side. “Huh? I thought that made butterfly wings. Those look pretty awesome on you. Shouldn’t they be orange though?”
AJ laughed nervously and quickly changed the subject. “Uh, yeah, Twi kinda got it wrong, must have had a cold or something. Look Dash, much as Ah enjoy chatting about spells that definitely messed up and have nothing at all to do with how Ah feel about ya, Ah kinda wanted to figure out what had you screaming like a foal fer its momma earlier.”
Dash looked at her quizzically, but made no further comment about the wings. “I-I’m fine, just lemme get some sleep...”
“Sure, ya got a nightmare calling yer name, right? C’mon Dash, what’s bothering ya?”
“It’s nothing, everything was okay after all. She was fine!”
“Who was fine?”
“Rare.”
“Okay, Ah’ll bite; why would she not be fine?”
Dash mumbled something inaudible.
“Try that again?”
“Her house was on fire okay?! I thought she was inside it. But she wasn’t.”
“Uh... yeah, let’s back that up a bit. What happened?”
Horseapples. Dash told her every detail of the night. How she found the Boutique on fire. How hard she worked to put it out. Dash shuddered a bit as she described the room, then she burst into tears. AJ held Rainbow tightly, soothing her with caresses and murmured endearments as she slowly calmed down. Dash went on, telling her about catching the cat and taking it to Fluttershy’s house, then about her complete breakdown in front of Rarity. “That’s why this is so stupid! Everything was fine. Rarity was with Shy the whole night!“ She angrily tried to wipe the tears from her face.
“Sug, let it out, it’s okay.”
Rainbow snorted, and fresh tears streamed out from her reddened eyes. “No, it’s not! I shouldn’t feel like this! She was okay the whole time, I-I worried for nothing!”
“It wasn’t nothing! You were pretty dang sure you lost her. It’s okay to be a little freaked out about that.”
Dash finally let herself cry freely. “She could have died, and I couldn't have saved her! I couldn't even stop the fire in time to prevent it ruining her home! What kind of friend am I? I caught her after she fell from five miles up, but I could have lost her because of a measly bucking lightning strike!”
A new and more horrifying thought struck her. “It could have happened to you too! That tree was all of ten strides away from your house. I couldn't have saved you either!"
AJ shook her head ruefully. "Don’t go thinking like that. Even y’all can't be everywhere at once!"
Dash sobbed into her shoulder. "I should be able to be! I’m the fastest flier in all of Equestria, what's that worth if I can't even save my friends?"
AJ was silent for a time, mulling it over. She wanted to reassure Dash, but it would just be false comfort. Bucking Element of Honesty. "Dash, I hate to say it, but... yer right."
Dash tilted her head up to look at AJ in confusion, and a touch of anger. "Right about what? B-being useless?"
"No, not that.” AJ stroked her mane gently, pushing the forelock from Rainbow’s face. “Fact is, one of these days something's gonna happen ta one of us. We live dangerous lives, Dash. Discord might get out, the Gates of Tartarus might break open. Heck, maybe Ah fall off’ve a roof and break my fool neck. Yer not gonna be able to stop everything that might ever happen to us. So Ah need ya ta do something fer me."
"...What?"
"Love us all while we're here. Don't take us for granted. All yer friends are alive and well today. Tomorrow, who knows? But ya got us right now. Make it count."
“AJ?”
“Yeah?”
“That’s the corniest thing ever.”
“Don’t make it less true.”
They were silent for a long time, just huddled together on the cloud. AJ finally broke the silence. “Ya asked me a question once, and Ah didn’t have an answer for you then. Ya asked me about that whole Mare Do Well mess. Remember?”
Dash rubbed her nose angrily with a hoof, not quite sure where AJ was going with this. “Yeah, I asked you why you went through with it. The other girls I guess I understood, but we were always pretty close, and I thought I knew you better than that. The rest I can get trying to teach me a lesson because I was ‘going overboard’. But I thought you at least understood how a pony can get a little proud of what she does. I was a hero to those ponies, and you took that from me.”
AJ sighed heavily. “Sugarcube... do you know what happens ta heroes?”
“Sure, they get plaques and applause and all kinds of awards.”
“Well, sometimes all they get is a stone marker, and a lonely filly wondering why her parents had ta be heroes. A filly that wished she’d cherished ‘em a little more while she had the chance.”
Dash was stunned; she hadn’t expected to ever get an answer. The question was asked mostly to show just how hurt she’d been. I don’t get it, AJ never talks about her folks... “AJ, what happened to..?”
The farmpony stroked Dash’s mane absently. “Ah’ll tell ya sometime, Ah promise. Fer now, let’s just say Ah know how it feels to lose somepony, and have nightmares about how ya could have stopped it.”
She sighed, deep in remembered sadness. “Ya got this idea in your head that ya can save anypony from anything. Yer good Dash, but yer one pony. Ah helped the girls with Mare Do Well because Ah needed ya ta stop trying ta be a hero all by yerself.”
Rainbow snorted in irritation. “I was doing fine! I didn’t need help!”
“Yeah, ya were, but eventually you were gonna get yerself hurt. Ya know how we showed ya up? Wasn’t because any one of us was faster, stronger, and smarter than ya. We worked together. Ah’m mighty proud ya want ta be a hero, but ya don’t have to go it alone. We’ll always back ya up, if ya let us. Ah’ll always be there. Make no mistake about that.”
Rainbow drew a long, shuddering breath. “I-I never knew. I always wondered if you just hated me showing off that much...”
AJ nipped at Rainbow’s ear playfully. “Nah, that’s part of yer charm. S’like we told Twi: it’s fine ta have talents, and ta be proud’a those talents. Ya just got a little wrapped up in praise. Heck, Ah went a little overboard once myself, if ya remember. Thought Ah could help the whole town and harvest the whole farm all by my lonesome. Didn’t turn out so well. Good thing mah friends were there.”
Silence reigned again for a time.
“AJ?”
“Yeah?”
“That costume...”
AJ chuckled and blushed a bit. “Still on about that? Ah guess Ah can dig it out if ya really wanna make out with Mare—”
Dash turned around and silenced her with a long kiss. She finally broke the contact and smiled. “Don’t need it. I already have a hero to make out with.”
The farmpony had no response for that.
Rainbow grinned cockily. “You know, we could settle something here. You keep going on about how nice it is to make love on the ground. Let me show you how soft a cloud is...”
Dash began to kiss her gently.
AJ pulled herself up to lie beside Rainbow. They both snuggled into each other’s embrace, kissing tenderly. AJ’s wings had returned to her side, relaxed and furled. Rainbow extended one of her own wings and wrapped it around the farmpony. Together they watched the sunset, allowing the tranquility to calm them down. Ah... could get used to this.
When she finally caught her breath, Rainbow leaned in for another kiss. “Convinced now?”
AJ smiled and returned the kiss. “Ah reckon so. Any place is home with you in it.” She lay happily in Dash’s embrace, deciding then and there that tomorrow night she would be sleeping in Rainbow’s cloud house.
Spike left the Boutique, feeling quite pleased with himself. It had been hard to hide his total lack of surprise. But he’d managed it. “Love is in bloom. A beautiful bride, and a happy... huh... which one will be the groom? Oh! And who will I throw the bachelor party for?” He giggled softly.
His heart ached a bit when he saw her, even now. He supposed it always would. At least she’s happy; it’s better than watching her drive herself crazy.
His shoulders slumped just a bit, before he made a conscious effort to straighten them. Still wish it could have been me. Ah well. I guess we were always star-crossed, milady.
“Rarity, why did you stop me?” Spike asked her in all earnestness.
“Sorry, why did I stop what, exactly?” Rarity looked up from her design in confusion.
His face screwed up in frustration. He’d been trying to ask her this question for a while now; this was the first time he’d managed to make the words come out. “I tried to tell you I had a crush—”
“Stop, please.” Rarity sighed heavily. “Because it didn’t need to be said. I’ve... known for some time.” She went back to going over the design concept.
They were in her boutique, working on a small order for Fillydelphia. Spike was playing pin cushion as usual, and had taken the opportunity to ask her the question that had been on his mind since his greed-growth rampage.
“So... what do you think?”
“What do I think about—” Rarity stopped, realizing what he meant. “Spike, you are very sweet. I am honored to count you as a friend.”
“But—”
“But that’s what we are.” She shook her head firmly, allowing no argument from him. “And that’s what we shall always be. I am sorry, Spike, I should have talked to you about this some time ago. I hope you can forgive me for being weak-willed, but I hated the idea of hurting your feelings.”
“W-why do you have to hurt my feelings? What’s wrong with me? Why isn’t it okay for me to have a crush on you?” Spike suppressed a sniffle and rubbed at his nose a little angrily.
Rarity set down everything she had in her telekinesis and went to him, giving him a comforting hug. “There is nothing in the least wrong with you, Spikey. I am the one to blame here, for not addressing this long ago. I’ll admit I misjudged how deep your feelings went. I had expected it would pass naturally, as most crushes do.”
“You thought I would just stop having a crush on you?”
Rarity said nothing for a time, uncertain of what to say. “No, I suppose not. I only hoped you would.”
“I don’t understand! What’s wrong with me? Why is it wrong for me to love you?”
Rarity sadly stroked his head with a hoof. “Spikey, there is never anything wrong with love. Always know this in your heart: I do love you. It’s just not the type of love you want me to have for you. I am sorry about that, but I cannot change how I feel. You are a dear and wonderful friend to me, but nothing can come from holding on to feelings of that type for me. It’s unfair to let you hold that hope in your heart when it won’t ever come to pass.”
“But... why not?”
Rarity paused, considering her words carefully. “There are many reasons, Spikey— No... Spike—” She put extra weight on his name. “The age difference is a bit of a factor, as is the expected longevity. Let’s face it: you will, in all likelihood, be sharing tea time with the princesses and reminiscing about the six of us long after we are gone. I don’t begrudge you your long life, but it would be unfair for you to saddle yourself up with somepony who will die long before you even reach maturity...
“But... even ignoring all of that, I still couldn’t consider having a relationship with you in that way. You see, I am in love with another.”
“T-that Blueblood guy you talked about?”
“What?! No! Not... she doesn’t even know...” Rarity exhaled carefully before she revealed more. “I-I envy you, Spike... Things didn't work out the way you wanted them to, and for that, as I said, I am sorry. But at least you possess the courage to say what is in your heart...”
She held him for a while longer, then stood up resolutely. “I'll be right back, Spike.” She trotted upstairs. Upon her return, she deposited the heart shaped ruby necklace in his claws. He looked up in surprise. “Please do not misunderstand, Spike.” Here she seemed to place affection in the name, trying to show that she did care deeply for him. “I am not rejecting your generous gift, but neither will I keep it under false pretenses. Do you wish to take it back, knowing that I do not return your affection? I would not think less of you.”
He looked at the ruby, and then at her, sniffling. He held it out to her. “I still want you to be happy. Take it, please.”
She took the necklace in her magic and fastened it around her neck. “Thank you, Spike. It means all the more to me now.” She hugged him again. “You are a true gentlec— Well, dragon, I suppose. I am so very honored to count you as a friend.”
“Spike, I don’t understand. Why would you want to go back to Canterlot?” Twilight was concerned about him, which he appreciated, but it was also frustrating;he was having such a hard time making her understand.
“Twilight... I just need to get away from Ponyville for a while. I sent a letter to Princess Celestia, asking if it’s okay if I come visit her at the castle. I will be back.” He smiled in what he hoped was a reassuring fashion.
She gave him a doubtful look. “Does this have something to do with why you’ve been moping around for the last few weeks?”
.
Guess she didn’t buy the smile. Sorry to worry you, Twilight. “Like I said, I don’t really want to get into that. It’s not something you can fix, Twilight. Not this time. I need some time to get over... things. Ponyville just... is not helping right now.”
“What ‘things’?” she pressed, still unsatisfied.
He hardened his face, unwilling to say more.
She relented reluctantly. “Fine. If you don’t want to talk about it, that’s okay, I guess. I can’t say that I won’t miss you, though. It just won’t be the same, running things without my number one assistant.”
“I’m not leaving for good, Twilight, I just need some time away. And hey, I kinda miss hanging out at Pony Joe’s; I miss the friends I made while you were in your room studying.”
Twilight's protest died on her lips and she smiled sadly. “I guess I can understand that...”
He waited for the train impatiently, staring at Canterlot — resplendent as ever — in the distance.
“Spike!”
He winced, and turned around to face a very angry unicorn. Rarity looked at him resentfully. Her chest was heaving, as if she had run all the way from the library to the station. I really hoped I could avoid this...
“Were you ever going to tell me you were leaving? I know you needed some time and space after our talk, but I thought we were better friends than this!” Rarity huffed and blew a sweat-weighted forelock from her face.
Spike stood silently, frozen by indecision. Half of him wanted to apologize, half of him wanted to scream at her for breaking his heart.
She nodded sadly. “I guess that’s my answer then. Goodbye, Spike.” She turned and walked away, weeping softly.
He almost let her go. He wanted to let her go, but his heart refused to allow it. He cursed inwardly, and called out to her. “Rarity, wait!”
She turned back, her big blue eyes framed in red. “Yes?”
“I couldn’t... I know— Urgh!” He stamped his foot in frustration. “There was never anything between us, I know that now. We were friends, but that was it. You never promised anything, you never said anything... But I hoped, and I dreamed, and now... that’s gone. I loved my dreams, I loved loving you, and now I can’t anymore. I don’t expect you to understand what that’s like...”
Rarity nodded sadly. “Oh, but I do. I understand only too well. You dreamed of Princess Rarity, to match your Sir Spike. Then your princess rejected you. I am no better than Blueblood in the end. I-I should go. I am sorry.” She turned away again, walking back towards Ponyville slowly.
The train pulled into the station. Spike looked at the train, then back to Rarity. “Rarity, have you told her?”
She stopped dead in her tracks. “T-told who?”
“You said ‘she doesn’t even know.’ You should tell her, whoever she is.”
She began to stammer, unable to keep the panic from creeping into her voice at the very prospect. “I-I can’t... She’s too— I can’t risk—”
Spike looked at the train again; any further delays, and it would leave without him. “I have to go, but... if you want to make it up to me; if you feel you owe me anything... promise me you’ll try? I meant it when I said I want you to be happy. Please try?”
“I-I will try, Spikey.” She ran back to him and hugged him firmly. “Be well.”
He boarded the train, and picked a window-seat which was facing Ponyville. He waved to Rarity sadly as the train pulled out of the station.
Huh, I miss it already. He could see Ponyville in the distance. He’d spend hours, at times, just staring at the town and wishing he was still there. It had been several weeks since he had left and, contrary to his accertations to Twilight, he’d been doing exactly what he always used to tease her for.
“Spike?”
He turned. A towering mountain of the purest white met his gaze; he kept looking up until he reached the familiar face. “Oh, hey, Princess.” He went back to moping for about two seconds before his mind realized whom he had just ignored. “Princess! Sorry, I was a little lost in thought just now...”
She nodded graciously, seeming amused by his inattentiveness. “That’s why I am here, Spike. You said you missed Canterlot, but instead I find you here, gazing at Ponyville. You are always welcome here, my little dragon, you know that. But why aren’t you there if you miss it so much?”
“Sorry, Princess, I guess I should get out more, huh?” He smiled weakly, “Hey, you wanna go out for a donut or something?”
She looked at him sternly. “You’re deflecting, Spike. I know you well enough to see that. Don’t try to put a brave face on for my sake.”
“Sorry, Princess.”
Her expression lightened and she smiled warmly. “What’s bothering you, Spike?” She levitated a pillow and set it down near to him, laying down on it.
Spike looked back out the window at Ponyville, not answering right away. “Princess... Have you ever been in love?”
Her voice sounded bemused, but the tone implied she was answering openly. “Oh my, more times than I can count.”
He turned back to her. “Did they ever... not love you back?”
She didn’t answer at first, studying his face for a moment. She nodded, seeming to see something in him that answered a question she hadn’t even asked. “Ah... that explains much. Yes, Spike, I know that pain very well. It’s a lonely existence at times, living so long, knowing the friends you make will leave without you in less than a century. That thought is very intimidating to some. When they turn old and grey, I will still remain as I am now. It has caused me more heartache than I care to admit.”
Spike left the window and lay down beside her in the curve of her body. He looked up in interest. “So, what did you do?”
“I kept loving them, and I wished them a happy life. Some I bestowed land and titles on, because I loved them so that I wished for them to want for nothing in their entire life. I can be a sentimental foal at times.” She sighed heavily, deep in memories. “I never stop loving them, even long after they are gone.”
Spike considered this, “Did any of them love somepony else?”
“Some did; one in particular comes to mind, actually. She was so afraid to tell me... At first, she agreed to a relationship with me, but I could tell her heart just wasn’t in it.” She gazed off into the distance, then looked back down to him.
“I have to be very careful when I love somepony, Spike. Some are afraid to deny me, fearing some imagined punishment. Some do it out of worship; but I don’t want to be treated like a goddess, I want to be loved.” The look on her face spoke of countless heartaches.
“When I discovered her deception, I was deeply saddened. Despite this, I helped her confess to the mare she admired. When they were ready, I married them myself. They lived a long and happy life together.”
Spike looked up in confusion. The idea of helping a romantic rival just didn’t sit well with him. His draconic instincts cried out, declaring that rivals were to be fought tooth and claw to the bitter end. “Why did you do that? Didn’t you want to be with her yourself?”
She smiled again, though it seemed bittersweet. “Of course I did. But I loved her, Spike. Can you imagine watching somepony you love live in misery their whole life, never having known the love of the pony they truly loved themselves?” She shook her head sadly at the thought. “I could never do that to anypony I claim to love.”
“Huh...”
She nuzzled him gently. “So, did you want to talk about what is bothering you, Spike?”
“Actually, I think I might be okay. At least I have something to think about now. Thank you, Princess.”
“Anytime, little one.”
“Gimme another round, Joe!” He slapped his claws down on the bar.
Joe smiled at him in amusement. “Don’t you think you’ve had enough there, Spike?”
“I’ll tell you when I’ve had enough!” He grabbed another half dozen of the steaming hot donuts and downed them in one shot. “I’m telling you, Joe... women.”
“I heard that.”
“Can’t live with ‘em, can’t live without ‘em!”
Spike continued to drown his sorrows in doughnuts. It did feel good to be out and about, at least. He loved Canterlot, its sights, its smells and its ponies. And the lack of a certain, specific one.
“Hey, Joe!”
The dorsal fins on the side of Spike’s head twitched. I know that voice.
“Hey, kiddo, what can I do you for?”
“Two dozen powdered, please. The girls and I have a test in the morning, so we really have to cram today.”
Spike felt a hoof in the small of his back. He turned. “Hey there Spike! How’s Ponyville treating you? I keep hearing wild stories in the paper. Can you believe that rampaging dragon just crushing everything? Was he, like, your relative or something?”
He just sat there in a mild state of shock. He hadn’t seen her in a while, but he’d recognize that cutie mark anywhere. Crescent moon and stars... it’s her! “Oh hey, Moondancer! Yeah... um, that was pretty wild, but I— he was caught just fine. How you been?”
“Oh you know, pretty boring around here. Well, except for that whole Gala fiasco. Oh, and Discord of course, but he was everywhere... Say, you got taller! Little bit cuter too! Listen, I gotta jet, but tell Twilight I said hi, kay?” She picked up the donuts she’d ordered in her aura and trotted off, waving goodbye and even blowing a little kiss.
Spike waved, still feeling a bit dazed. “...Cuter?”
“SURPRISE!”
He jumped back through the door as a wall of sound hit him from the library. Nopony had been there to meet him when he’d arrived at the station, and he hadn’t been able to find any of them on the way here either. It shouldn’t have surprised him to find them all here instead; this had Pinkie Pie planning written all over it.
“T-thanks, guys. I missed you too. I thought you were all too busy when nopony met me at the station...” He smiled widely, sitting down with his friends.
Rarity nodded apologetically. “Well, we would have been there, of course, but Pinkie insisted on a surprise party instead. She was quite distraught when she found you had left without giving proper notice, robbing her of the chance to throw you a proper going away party. But never mind that. How was Canterlot, Spikey?”
“Good, although I spent most of my time missing Ponyville. Canterlot just doesn’t seem like home anymore. I missed you all.” He picked up a slice of cake and dug in.
He sat silently for a time, watching his friends dance and play. Pinkie, as usual, was attempting to draw Fluttershy onto the dance floor, with limited success. Rarity sat with him in silence, amused by her friend’s antics.
It took some time for him to realize what looked so familiar about the look on her face. He had, after all, never really studied himself while he was looking at Rarity, before. When he recognized it, however, it brought him no small amount of confusion. Rarity was looking at Fluttershy... with clear infatuation.
Rarity’s past mentions of a mysterious “her” played back through his mind suddenly.
“—she doesn’t even know...:”
“I-I can’t... She’s too— I can’t risk—”
He whispered softly, “Have you told her yet?”
She seemed distracted, answering almost as if she was voicing her thoughts. “No... I tried so many times... Aloe would come in, or Lotus, always somepony...” She shook herself. “I’m sorry, what did you say just now?”
“I said ‘Can you pass me another slice of cake?’”
He put the finishing touches on the miniature, dabbing the pink paint gently to her mane. “There we go, Fluttershy. You go next to Rarity.” He looked at his cabinet in satisfaction. Various pairings were on shelves together, some marked “happy couple” others marked “could be happy together”. Shy and Rarity were on a shelf marked “could be happy” along with Applejack and Rainbow Dash. He wasn’t sure exactly when he’d begun ponywatching with an eye for romance, but the cabinet was built when he had made so many miniatures to play with that he could no longer reliably hide them under his bed.
He held the Fluttershy miniature carefully. “I know how she feels about you... but what about you? How do you feel, Shy?” The miniature, naturally, said nothing. Not that I would expect the real one to be forthcoming either...
Twilight was off visiting Sugarcube Corner, working on some new friendship studies with Pinkie Pie. Spike was nominally in charge of the library for the moment, but the moment in question tended to be the slowest time of day. As such, he had simply left the door of his room open so that he could hear anypony entering, whereas normally it would have been locked while he was working with the dolls in his cabinet.
The front door creaked open, and a voice called out hesitantly into the empty library. “Hello? Is anypony here?”
Spike hastily put Shy back on her shelf and closed the cabinet. “One sec!”
He entered the main room of the library to find a blue-coated earth pony with a pink mane poking around the various stacks of books. “Oh hey, how can I help you, miss—”
She turned and smiled at him gratefully. “Lotus. I need some research materials. My spa is considering offering a new service, but before we can do so we will need to learn how to perform it correctly. Do you happen to have any texts on preening techniques?”
“Well sure! Hey, I remember you now; sorry I didn’t know your name at first. You run the spa that Rarity and Fluttershy go to, don’t you?”
She blinked, then nodded. “Yes, Miss Fluttershy is the reason why we are considering adding this service to our repertoire.”
“Oh, that’s nice of you! Boy, they sure go there a lot, don’t they?” Spike began pulling books from the appropriate sections. ‘Mood Wings’? How did you get in here? You belong in languages... He set that one to one side on the library cart and laid out the others in another stack.
“Every week, like clockwork.” She chuckled lightly. “Miss Rarity is one of our best clients, and certainly the most frequent.”
“Yeah, Rarity mentioned you in passing recently.” Huh... “Kamare Sutra”? Blushing slightly, Spike set that on top of “Mood Wings” to be reshelved.
“Oh? What did she say?”
“She said she kept trying to tell Fluttershy something, but somepony always came in before she had the chance,” he muttered, trying to sound as casual as possible. He finished checking the remaining textbooks on the shelves, then dusted off his claws.
“I see...”
“Well, I think that’s everything you might find useful. Let’s get you checked out!”
There... maybe now you’ll have time to finally say it, Rarity. Good luck.
He looked back at the cart, trying to find the books he’d set aside that needed reshelving.
They weren’t there.
Oh... Well, um... Lotus is in for some interesting reading, I guess...
Shaking his head, Spike came out of his reverie. Geez, hard to believe it was Fluttershy, of all ponies, who finally made the first move. They did look cute together. Glad to see it worked out. He made a mental note to make the necessary changes in his collection when he got to the library. I think I’ll put them next to AJ and Rainbow.
A rumbling off in the distance alerted him to a scooter, occupied by three filly-shaped clouds of dust. Oh no... He flew back from the impact when they ran into him.
“Ow! What in tarnation did we just hit?”
Sweetie Belle coughed and waved her hooves to clear the dust. When it had settled a bit she finally recognized him. “Oh, hey, Spike! How was Canterlot?”
Spike painfully picked himself back up and dusted himself off.
“It was fine... ‘til I came home and got hit by the CMC express. Where are you girls off to in such a hurry, anyway?”
Scootaloo righted her scooter and beamed. “Well, we heard there was a lot of storm damage last night, so we thought we might try getting our cutie marks in carpentry!”
“And Ah told ‘em we already tried that.”
Sweetie clucked her tongue at Apple Bloom. “That was a table; maybe it’s different with houses. Besides, it might be nice to try to help ponies fix things, instead of breaking them all the time. It’s worth a try.”
Scootaloo chuckled, clearly remembering some fine crashes. “Yeah, I guess so. Least they can’t blame us this time.”
Spike shook his head ruefully, remembering several accidents these three had caused in the library alone. “Well, you may as well start at Carousel Boutique. I’m sure your sister wouldn’t mind a little help cleaning up.”
Sweetie Belle’s head snapped up. “Is my sister okay?”
“Oh yeah, she was just checking the damage. The roof caught on fire and—”
“Scoots, hurry! We need to go check on her!” They all piled into to cart, with Sweetie Belle clutching Applebloom tightly.
“Nice seeing ya, Spike!”
Spike shook his head in amusement.
“Twilight, I’m back!” He closed the door behind himself softly. He could hear soft giggles coming from upstairs. She really needs to keep the door locked when she has Pinkie over— Oh, nevermind, she needs to buy a new lock. Huh.
“Who?”
“It’s Spike, dude. You know me... Oh right. Hey, Owlowiscious.” He nodded to the bird in passing. “Took good care of Twilight while I was gone, right?”
“Who.”
“Twilight. You know: purple unicorn, kinda dorky—” He laughed suddenly. “Right, sorry. Anyway, I’ll be in my room for a bit.”
“Who.”
He carefully closed and locked the door of his room behind him. Producing a key, he then unlocked the cabinet full of detailed wooden dolls, which had gotten much fuller over time. Picking up Rarity and Fluttershy, he placed them on a shelf that had acquired a thick layer of dust. The shelf was labeled ”Fluttershy and Rarity, reserved.” It was next to the one set aside for Applejack and Rainbow Dash, along with other couples from around town. He nodded in passing to the lone shelf marked “No idea what happened here.” upon which he’d placed Pinkie and Twilight.
Other shelves were spread out in the cabinet, with various labels. He labeled a new shelf “unconfirmed but suspected”, and made a mental note to have three new dolls made. Sweetie Belle had been holding Applebloom awfully tightly in that cart. Might have been my imagination.
He picked up another doll, the only one in the collection that wasn’t a pony. He held it in front of the Rarity and Fluttershy figurines and made it kiss them both. “You two try to make each other happy, okay?”
He set the small figurine down next to a unicorn with a red mane. The cutie mark on its white coat was carefully detailed — a crescent moon and stars. He smiled and closed the cabinet. He had some packing to do. And maybe, just maybe, a friend to see.
The three fillies pulled up to the Boutique and gasped collectively. It was as if an Ursa had stopped by and bit the top half off, leaving only charred remains to show what had been. Fluttershy and Rarity were exiting the building, chatting amiably about material costs and repairs.
Sweetie watched her sister coming out, relieved that she seemed to be okay. She tried to say something sane like “Good morning” but with her mind focused on what would assuredly be something she would be blamed for could only manage to stammer out, “Rarity! I-I didn’t do it!
Rarity took one look at her distraught sister’s face and had to suppress a snort of laughter. “I know that, Sweetie Belle. This was just bad luck. Although I do count my blessings I was not there when it happened.”
Sweetie rushed to her sister, nearly bowling her over with the force behind the jump, and hugged her fiercely. “Are you okay? I mean that must have been scary—” Something Rarity had said struck Sweetie as odd just then. “Waaaiit a second... why weren’t you at home?”
Rarity glanced about nervously. “Well, you see, that is...”
Fluttershy spoke up quickly. “Your sister and I went out to dinner after we visited your parents Sweetie. She walked me home, but we got caught in the rain so I asked her to stay with me.”
Rarity nodded hurriedly. “Yes! That was all!” She laughed a little manically. “Simply staying over!”
Sweetie eyed her sister suspiciously, before she finally she brightened in realization. “Oh, you had a sleepover! Was it as much fun as the sleepover with Applejack and Twilight? Which book did you use? We borrowed ‘Slumber 101’ for ours. Me and the girls played so many games! What games did you play Rarity?”
Rarity blanched and began to stammer. “I-I, well we, um...”
The three fillies looked on curiously while the older unicorn had a private moment of panic.
Fluttershy laid a hoof on Rarity’s shoulder to calm her down. “Yes, Sweetie. We had such a good time. Um... I don’t think what we did is in that book. We’re actually planning to have more sleepovers now. Isn’t that right, Rarity?”
Apple Bloom perked up. “That sounds lahke fun! Can we come too?”
“No! Absolutely not!” Rarity clamped a hoof over her mouth and blushed heavily. “What I mean is—”
“Rarity just means the games we play are more for grown mares. You wouldn’t have very much fun.”
All three filles looked down in sadness. “Awwwww...”
Sweetie looked up suddenly as another question struck her. “Wait... what kind of games do grown mares play together?”
Rarity was quietly going mad, the gears in her mind spinning out of control and making her stammer once again.
“Sis? You okay?”
Fluttershy covered for her yet again, although she, too, was starting to get a little nervous about the direction the conversation was taking. “She’s fine, Sweetie. So you played games? What games did you play?”
Sweetie kicked her hoof against the ground bashfully. “Well, we had a pillow fight, and played truth or dare, and then we—” She was distracted by both her friends waving their hooves and shaking their heads frantically. “And that was it, we went to bed after that. I’m glad you had fun too. But... where are you gonna sleep now?”
Rarity breathed a sigh of relief. Thank Celestia that line of questioning is past.
Fluttershy smiled happily. “That’s wonderful, Sweetie. And you don’t have to worry about your sister. I asked her to stay with me for now until she gets the Boutique fixed.”
Sweetie looked up with unsuppressed awe. “Wow... you moved in together?”
Rarity had finally collected herself enough to rejoin the conversation. “Well, no, not quite. The shop has a rather inconvenient problem with ventilation at the moment—” Fluttershy stifled a giggle, “—and Fluttershy felt it would be best for me to stay with her for now. Not that I would be averse to the idea of making more... permanent arrangements in the future.” She blushed as Fluttershy nuzzled her.
Scootaloo looked back and forth at the two mares, trying to figure out what seemed so odd about them. She leaned in close to Apple Bloom. “Bloom... does something seem different about those two?”
Apple Bloom leaned in closer to her friend, dropping her voice to a whisper. “What do ya mean?”
“Well they seem a little more mushy, kinda like how Twilight and Pinkie were acting.”
“Ah thought ya lahked mushy now...” Apple Bloom said, nuzzling her gently.
Scootaloo blushed, but did not push her away. “Q-quit it, Bloom... So you mean you don’t think they’re acting different?”
Apple Bloom studied the pair closely. They did seem to be hovering around each other a little more than the last time she’d seen them. “Oh yeah! Huh, maybe they’re datin’ now?”
“Huh... could be.” Scoots looked up at the half-burned building curiously. “Is setting a building on fire something you do while you’re dating?”
“What? Scoots how’d you get a dodo-headed idea like that?”
“Well, we know we didn’t do it this time... and who’re you calling a dodo-head?”
“Ah’m pretty sure that ain’t what you do. Fire department would be pretty busy round here if it was. And Ah called you a dodo-head, you dodo-head!”
“It was just a question! They’re all lovey-dovey and the house caught on fire!”
“Well, that don’t mean—”
Sweetie Belle hissed back at them. “Shhhh!”
Apple Bloom and Scootaloo suddenly found themselves the center of attention. “Um... we weren’t talking about setting anything on fire, honest...”
“Yeah! We were just talkin’ about something totally unrelated to setting things on fire, because that’s bad.”
Scootaloo and Apple Bloom shrank back. “We’ll just be back here... not setting fires...”
Rarity gave them both a suspicious look, but dropped the subject for the moment. “So, little sister, what brings you three out today? Staying out of trouble I hope?”
Sweetie Belle turned back to her sister guiltily. “Of course! We thought we could get our cutie marks helping ponies fix their homes after the storm!”
Rarity smiled warmly. “Well, that’s certainly a noble endeavour. However, this—” she said, gesturing to the wreckage, “—will take a little more than three well-meaning fillies to fix.”
Sweetie nodded sheepishly. “Yeah. I just had to check on you first. We’re gonna try to go find ponies to help around town.” She hugged Rarity again. Leaning closer to her sister she whispered, “I-I’m glad you’re okay. I was scared you might have been hurt!”
Rarity nuzzled her sister gently. "I'm... fine Sweetie Belle, there's no need for you to worry about me." She leaned up against Fluttershy. "In fact, I think I should be the one worrying about you."
Sweetie looked confused for a moment, but decided that was just Rarity being Rarity, something she was used to by now. She ran back to the cart and clambered back into it. “Let’s go, Scoots!” She waved goodbye to Rarity, smiling happily.
Rarity waved goodbye, her eyes wet with unshed tears. “I love you too, little sister.”
Rarity nuzzled Fluttershy once more, enjoying the feeling of it. “Well then, my plans for today rather included having a working shop and material to work with. Since that seems to be a bit of an issue, and we won’t be leaving for Canterlot until tomorrow—”
“Rarity, um, about that...”
“—I must admit I am at a bit of a loss about what to do.” She looked at Fluttershy in surprise. “Oh sorry, my love. Is there a problem?”
Fluttershy scuffed a hoof nervously, but then stiffened her backbone. “Um, it was very sweet of you to ask if I could come too, but I can’t leave my friends without a caretaker. I think you and Spike should go without me.”
Rarity looked wounded. “Well, I thought... since we had just gotten together... I was hoping to perhaps take you out to dinner again in Canterlot... Oh, I am sorry, I presumed too much.”
Fluttershy smiled in that I forgive you sort of way that Rarity adored. “It’s okay. We can spend time together when you get back.” They both felt an awkward silence linger; this might be considered their first fight as a couple, even though neither had been angry.
Fluttershy nervously broke the silence, trying to ignore that feeling of tension in the air. “But since you're going to Canterlot with Spike tomorrow... Um, shouldn't we tell the girls about us today?”
Rarity considered for a moment. “Well yes, we should tell them, of c—” She stopped herself dead.
“Wait, darling, what about your parents?”
Fluttershy’s eyes went wide in fear. “You w-want to meet my—” She cut off with a squeak.
Rarity waved a hoof in front of Fluttershy’s unblinking, horrified eyes. “Darling? Are you all right?”
The pegasus stood quaking for several moments before she answered. “We don’t really have to go see them, do we?”
“We have told my parents, shouldn't we tell yours as well? They might be offended if we left them for last.”
“Well, I don’t think they'll mind; we should really tell the girls fi—”
Rarity looked up at her questioningly. “Now that you mention it... I've been wondering about what Rainbow Dash said. Granted, I was distracted at the time because she was a little out of sorts and I'd just heard that my house had burned down..." She smiled sheepishly. "But did she say something about 'knowing about us'?"
Fluttershy breathed a sigh of relief. Thank goodness, she distracted herself. “Um... yes. Applejack sort of guessed I had a crush on you and she told me to tell you about it... Then there was the mess with the letter and she told me to let you tell me first... It was all very confusing. I was going to follow her advice but—”
Rarity nodded in understanding. “Yes, I went a little overboard with my... behavior. So you mean to tell me that Applejack figured out you had a crush on me, even though I apparently missed it for years?”
“Oh, don’t think like that! We were both so wrapped up in what-if’s that we forgot to just talk to each other. I hated that. I was in love and I couldn’t even ask my best friend about it! At first, it was so exciting! But then I got worried; what if you didn’t like me? What if I ruined everything we had because of wanting to be with you? It was even worse after you broke up with Snow; before that, I didn’t even know you liked mares in that way!” She snorted with remembered frustration.
Rarity hurriedly tried to change the subject, since it seemed to be making Fluttershy upset. “Yes, well, enough about that. You are correct, we should tell them. But getting back to your parents, I really do need to meet them at some point. Do I need to get Twilight to cast the cloudwalking spell on me so that we might go and visit them? I’m assuming they live in Cloudsdale?”
Fluttershy froze up again. “I really don’t want to do that, if that’s okay with you...”
Is she shaking? “Darling? Are you all right?”
Fluttershy tried to steady herself. “Y-yes, I’m fine. I just really think that it’s a bad idea.”
Rarity shook her head in irritation. I’m sorry, darling, but we need to talk about this. “Come with me. we are going to have some tea, and you are going to tell me why you are worried about me meeting them.”
She walked back into the boutique, grabbing Fluttershy’s tail with her magic and dragging her inside. “Wait! I just remembered, I’m an orphan! S-so it’s fine! Please stop?” the pegasus pleaded pitifully.
Thankfully, power had been restored to the boutique, so the ground floor was habitable at least. Rarity’s kitchen proved largely unaffected by the rain, although she noted with irritation that random items had been scattered everywhere. Opal, no doubt. The poor dear must have been frantic. Rainbow took the correct course of action in bringing her to Fluttershy, of course, but she will undoubtedly not be pleased with me when I finally let her out of that carrier... I shall have to get her a treat to make up for that. Tea was brewed in due time, and then she sat down with her frightened marefriend. “Now then, what am I up against? I daresay that, unless you turn out to be half dragon, I can stand up to anypony for your love.”
Fluttershy sipped her tea nervously. “Well, no, neither of them are dragons. Why would you even think that?”
Rarity waved a hoof impatiently but smiled all the same. “I was joking, dear. So, what are they like?”
Fluttershy took another sip of tea. “My parents... are nice.”
Rarity gritted her teeth, trying to remain patient. “Yes, darling, I am certain they are. However, you have also used that word to describe, amongst other things, a manticore and a cockatrice, if memory serves. Coming from you, in other words, this could mean they merely have a horrible disposition, or are, in fact, actively murdering ponies. Perhaps you could elaborate slightly?”
Rarity blinked, and looked around in confusion. “Fluttershy? Where...?” Then she spotted a pink tail poking out from under the chaise lounge. “Darling, what are you doing?”
Fluttershy peeked out from under the furnishing. “Um.. sorry... N-no, my parents aren’t like that.” She climbed out from under the lounge and took a deep, steadying breath. “My father... well, he’s a lot like me.”
“Sounds pleasant enough, then,” Rarity said, nodding. ”I take it your mother is the one who set off the panic attack?”
Fluttershy nodded in response, but said nothing more.
Rarity tapped a hoof to her chin. “I see... overprotective, I take it?”
“No, that would be my dad. If it wasn’t for my mom, I might have never even gone to flight camp...”
Fluttershy tried to make herself as small as possible. Granted, she was already pretty small compared to the two ponies in front of her, but at the moment she was going for nothing short of microscopic.
She hated it when they argued.
“Silver, we have to let her leave the nest sometime.”
“Don’t you give me that! She’s fine right here with us, aren’t you, Shy-shy?”
Fluttershy nodded hurriedly to her father. She gave a small, weak smile. Then she tried to make herself disappear again. Her father’s behavior confused her. he seemed angry, but also scared. It made her scared too.
Her mother looked at her father in exasperation. “Honey... she barely even flies. How can we ever expect her to make any friends if she stays cooped up in this house all day?”
Her father glared back, obviously fuming on the inside. Fluttershy knew better than to be worried about that. Her father looked big and scary, but he was nothing but a big puppy dog around her mother.
Her mother simply stared back, unwavering in her resolve. That stare did haunt Fluttershy’s dreams; she hoped she would never have to bear the full brunt of it. Her mother tended to joke about how she had once reduced a new recruit to tears with just a glance. Fluttershy had had nightmares for a week after that, although she’d never had the courage to tell her mother why.
“Don’t you ‘honey’ me! this is serious!” her father sputtered. ”Why flight camp of all places? I could get her a tutor; she’d be fine!”
Her mother stood her ground. She appeared saddened, rather than truly upset, by her husband’s reluctance. “She needs to meet other ponies—”
Her father reared up slightly. “Don’t. You. Dare. It was other ponies that got her sick to begin with!”
Fluttershy cringed again. I didn’t mean to get sick. I’m sorry, daddy.
“That was years ago. Foals get sick, they recover. You know full well that every checkup since then has come back fine.”
“That’s not the point, and you know it. We almost lost her. You promised I could take care of her at home! She doesn’t need anypony else. Please, don’t ask me to do this, I— she’s not ready yet. Maybe... maybe next year?”
Her mother sighed heavily “Silver, I’m putting my hoof down. She’s going to flight camp. I’ve already signed the paperwork.”
“You come back from Canterlot for one week out of every month and suddenly you know what’s best for her?”
“Yes, I do think I know what’s best for her. If you would stop coddling her so much for just a moment, you would, too. She needs room to grow. She’s a tough girl, she can handle it.”
“Um...” Fluttershy squeaked, but quickly silenced herself.
They both turned to her. She closed her eyes tightly, hoping they wouldn’t see her.
A large warm body sat next to her suddenly; she recognized her father’s scent. “Shy-shy, we’re sorry. This wasn’t supposed to turn into an argument.”
Her mother’s smaller warmth joined their little huddle on the couch. Her wings wrapped around little Fluttershy, shortly followed by her father’s much larger wingspan. “Your father is right... about that, at least. We shouldn’t be arguing in front of you.”
Fluttershy finally opened her eyes, smiling gratefully at her parents. “Um... Daddy? Please stop being mad at Mommy...”
“Shy-shy... please don’t...”
Fluttershy cringed. “I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to make you upset. I asked Mommy if I could go to flight camp this year. She said ‘yes’ and I was so happy! But then she came home and you were angry... Please don’t be mad at her anymore!”
Her mother was nodding silently, giving her the courage to say what she wanted. She did her best to look her father in the eye. “C-can I please go?”
Her father’s lip quivered. “O-of course, Shy-shy... Of course you can go!”
Rarity sat next to Fluttershy, feeling puzzled. “Darling, I don’t understand. Why the concern? She sounds wonderfully supportive.”
Fluttershy nodded quickly. “She is! It’s just... she has never been happy with anything I’ve done; she was always saying I could do better. I was second in my class in flight school, and she asked why I wasn’t first. I was regional champion in golfing, she wanted to know why I wasn’t competing on a national level. I even got a letter after I quit modeling, asking me why.”
Rarity nodded. “So she has high standards for her daughter, that’s nothing to be afraid of.”
Fluttershy shook her head vehemently. “She has impossible standards, Rarity! I don’t want to have you feel hurt if it turns out that you don’t meet them.”
Rarity put a hoof to Fluttershy’s cheek. “Love, let me worry about that. It was up to you to show my own father what sort of pony you were. Leave your mother to me.”
Fluttershy gave her a worried look, but did not protest.
“So, she’s in the Royal Guard, is she? Could we arrange to meet her while we’re in Canterlot?” Rarity paused in embarrassment. “I’m sorry, darling. I am presuming again. Will you come with me so that we can see them together?”
Fluttershy wanted more than anything to say no, but in the end she could not deny Rarity the chance to try, even if she could see no good coming of it. “Yes, I’ll come with you. You can meet both of them; my father moved to Canterlot after I left home for Ponyville.”
Rarity squealed in excitement. “Splendid! That’s settled then. Now, what were we talking about before all of this—” Rarity looked up in sudden, embarrassed realization. “Pinkie Pie! She must be wondering how it all went. She was such a dear, trying to rile me up to go and tell you. I really should go talk to her!”
Sugarcube Corner was just a short walk away, and soon enough the two of them were pushing their way into the crowded bakery. Mrs. Cake was at the counter, ringing up what appeared to be at least three dozen muffins. Who would ever need... oh. Rarity waved at Derpy cheerfully. “Good morning, Mrs. Cake, Ms. Hooves!” She pointed to the bags with a grin. “Let’s get you situated, shall we, Ms. Hooves?” She lifted the bags up in her magic and, after Derpy had lifted the flaps on her saddle bags, deposited them inside. “There we are.”
Derpy smiled happily. “Thanks, Rarity. Oh, hey, Fluttershy!”
Fluttershy gave the other pegasus a small, bashful grin. “Um, hi, Derpy...” She stood just a little behind Rarity, seemingly wanting to hide. Then she spotted the mailmare cap on Derpy’s head, and it reminded her of something important. “Oh! Derpy, how quickly can you get a letter to Canterlot?”
“Post it this morning and we can have it there this afternoon, if you pay for same day delivery!”
“Rarity... um, can I leave you here to talk with Pinkie? I need to get to the library and write a letter to my mom.”
“What? Oh, yes of course, that would simplify matters wouldn’t it? Hurry back then.” She hugged Fluttershy goodbye, and gave her a kiss on the cheek.
A pink blur appeared in the doorway, followed by words that seemed to only just be catching up with it. “Sorry I’m late Mrs. Cake I was just finishing off Twi— I mean finishing up with Twilight and—” The voice broke off, only to be followed by the sound of an entire room’s worth of air being drawn into a single set of lungs. “Rarity!”
“Pinkie Pie!”
“Um... Fluttershy?”
Pinkie grinned at her two friends. “I have no idea what’s going on, but, Rarity, maybe you’d like to talk to me about something upstairs?”
“You read my mind, you silly thing.”
Pinkie pulled a bubble pipe out of nowhere. “Merely deductive reasoning, my dear Rarity.” She bounded up the stairs. “I’ll be down soon, Mrs. Cake! Shy, you coming?”
“Um... actually, Pinkie, I have to go mail a letter. You two go ahead.”
“Okie dokie!”
Stairs were climbed, and doors were secured. A pink earth pony regarded her unicorn friend with a grin. “Phew! Okay, Pinkie promise preserved. So either you told her, or the two of you just got reeeally chummy all of a sudden. Which is it?” Pinkie sat down on the bed and motioned for Rarity to join her.
“Well... I did try to tell her,” Rarity explained as she gracefully sat down on the bed next to Pinkie Pie, ”but things did not go quite as planned...”
Pinkie listened intently as Rarity told her how the day’s events had unfolded. She only stopped Rarity by letting out the occasional cheer or gasp, at which time Rarity would take a bow or cheer with her.
“So you worried for nothing, then? Shy had you figured out the moment she got the letter?”
Rarity nodded happily. “Apparently, my favorite brand of perfume tipped her off. I have never been so grateful to have been inattentive to minor details before...”
“You sure you told me right, though? I mean, first the kiss, then the parents, then the date? Oh well, I guess I can’t complain. Me and Twilight started with the games, then dating, then trying to find out if we had any interests in common...”
Rarity smiled knowingly. “Dating a good friend certainly does leave room for interesting mishaps, yes. And oh, you were so right, Pinkie! The “kissies and snugglies” are wonderful!”
Pinkie grinned. “Um... unless my Pinkie sense was acting up, you two were up to a lot more than that...”
Rarity blushed heavily. “A-a lady never kisses and tells!”
“Fine, fine! Just tell me one thing: can you hear her when she... you know?”
Rarity sputtered a bit in embarrassment. “I think you may in fact be worse than Rainbow Dash! But... um... to answer your question, no, not quite. I think she hits an octave beyond the range of my hearing...”
Pinkie snickered. “Thought so!” Then she gave a sheepish grin. “Not that I’ve ever given serious thought to what she - or you - might sound like in bed; I mean that would be—”
Rarity hurriedly derailed that particular train of thought, before it could make a stop in creepytown. “So then! Enough about me. How are you and Twilight doing?”
Pinkie’s smile faltered. “Um, good!”
Rarity’s ears perked up. “Just ‘good?’ I thought you had things worked out!”
Pinkie sighed. “Well, I still love her, and we’re spending more time together, but... I dunno. I still feel like something is wrong...”
Rarity nodded encouragingly. “Have you tried talking to Twilight about it?”
“Twilight gets all upset when I starting talking about things like that. She keeps saying I simply need a cupcake, or suggests that we break out the costumes again.” Pinkie slumped onto the bed heavily. “Maybe I’m overthinking it?”
Rarity mused on her words for a moment. “Well, what makes it feel... wrong?”
Pinkie put a hoof up to her chin, stroking an invisible goatee. “Well, I love doing things with her, that’s fine. When we snuggle... that’s good too. I think it’s when we’re together, and doing more than just snuggling. I dunno, I just feel like it’s never really me and her! It’s always ‘Sir Pie’ or ‘General Hurricane’ or ‘Pinkamena the inexperienced but curious peasant girl...’”
Rarity blushed heavily at that last description. “Ahem. Well then, have you tried doing that without the costumes?”
“Well, no, except for when we first tried to play together. Twilight was all nervous and scared; she kept saying she wanted to try, but just couldn’t. So one time, I just borrowed a couple costumes from the pageant, and suddenly we were ‘Puddinghead’ and ‘Clover the Clever.’ We had so much fun! But after that it was always one role after another... She even started using spells to create illusions around us! It’s a lot of fun but... I kinda just want to play with... No!” She smacked one of her forehooves against the other for emphasis. “I want to make love with Twilight! No more games, no more pretending...”
Rarity smiled warmly. “I think, perhaps, you already know what you need to do then. Now go and tell her how you feel. She loves you; I think she will understand.”
Pinkie sprang up and wrapped her hooves around Rarity. “Thankyouthankyouthankyou! Sometimes it really helps to talk with somepony outside of things.”
Rarity nodded quickly. Then she squeaked. “Um, Pinkie... Thank you for the hug, but... could you stop fondling my flank, please?”
Pinkie sprang back and gave her hooves an accusatory glance. “Bad hooves! I’m going to put extra weight on you today... Um, sorry Rarity, I just got a little... excited.” Her voice dropped to a whisper. “But, um... if you and Shy ever want to try something new... well, a party’s still a party, even when there are four guests instead of two. It’d just be, y’know, a bigger party.” She waggled her eyebrows suggestively.
“Pinkie Pie!”
“Hey, I said I love Twilight; I never said I never thought about anypony else who might be fun to be with!”
Rarity turned away, trying to hide her face. “I have just barely begun dating her, so that’s hardly appropriate to think about.”
Pinkie turned Rarity’s face with a hoof. “Rarity, I’m super sorry if I made you uncomfortable. I never said you have to think about it now. Just think about it, um, later! I think it would be fun, anyway.”
“Yes, well... a decision to be made another time then, when I have had the occasion to discuss it with Fluttershy.”
Pinkie nodded happily. “Hey! We should have just a normal, non-foursome party, though! We could have a “Everypony has somepony” party! Where all of us can stop hiding from each other and talk like friends instead of keeping secrets!”
“Well, that does sound lovely, Pinkie dear, but Fluttershy and I are actually leaving tomorrow morning. That leaves little time to plan.”
Pinkie frowned. She looked off into the distance and had what appeared to be an animated conversation with somepony only she could hear. “Oh! Got it! Twilight said we could have a slumber party sometime, and invite everypony, instead of just you and AJ like last time. That would work, right?”
Rarity gave it some thought, and finally nodded. “Yes, that would be perfect.”
Both mares abruptly had their attention diverted from the ongoing conversation by a sudden knock on the door. There was a muffled voice on the other side, which could barely be made out as belonging to Mr. Cake. “Pinkie? I could really use you down here. Say, five minutes ago?”
“I’m sorry, Mr. Cake, Twilight says I’m not allowed to time travel anymore. Something about potentially destroying the universe.” She leaned in closer to Rarity for a moment, dropping her voice to a whisper. “I just wanted to see how good of a kisser I was!”
“I... don’t even want to know,” a flabbergasted Mr. Cake replied, after a brief pause. ”Just get down here now, please.”
“Okay, Mr. Cake!” She bounced up off the bed. “Rarity? You coming?”
“What?”
“C’mon, it’ll be fun!”
Rarity watched in amazement as her friend leaped through the air and snatched ingredients from the levitation fields. How exactly did I let her talk me into this?
“Mohr ecks!”
Rarity reached out with her magic and added another few eggs to the already-crowded airspace of the kitchen. “All right then. Next?”
Pinkie flipped through the air again, fetching butter, eggs, and milk. “Geht te behter retty!”
Rarity nodded and turned on the mixing machine. This was not quite as complicated as sewing in her shop, but it was a close second. “Anything else, darling?
“Mohr buhter!”
Several more sticks were magically made to hover over that particular portion of the kitchen.
Pinkie wiped the sweat from her brow after she closed the oven door. “Okay! Ten more batches to go!”
The fashionista whimpered, but obligingly got yet more ingredients airborne.
In what was almost certainly breaking several laws of physics, and not a few laws of Equestria proper as well, Pinkie was now spinning like a top while flipping crest-over-fetlocks and, simultaneously, striking several eggs with the tip of a hoof. This somehow broke the shells at the center of the egg and propelled the contents into a waiting bowl, afloat on the other end of the kitchen.
“Pinkie... are you certain you are not simply a deformed pegasus?”
Pinkie grinned around a stick of butter. “Mohr milch!”
Pinkie was just pouring vanilla into the selfsame bowl when she looked behind Rarity and suddenly began pointing frantically. "Teh behter!"
Rarity looked around in confusion. There appeared to be an entire constellation of sticks of butter already out and about. "Surely we have enough now, don't we?
Pinkie shook her head and waved her hooves around frantically. "Nuhhnuu! Teh behter!"
Rarity turned in the direction Pinkie was pointing. She was just in time to watch a bowlful of batter surging forth from the mixing machine. In detached fascination, she observed its contents flying — of course — directly towards her. I see now, she either meant ‘beater’ or ‘batter’.
At the last possible moment before impact she closed her eyes, and the gooey substance instantly covered her from head to hoof. In a remarkable show of fortitude that could only be attributed to her extreme state of shock, Rarity maintained her composure and turned calmly back to her friend.
"Pinkie, am I, in fact, currently covered almost completely in cupcake batter?"
Her friend nodded, even though Rarity couldn’t see for the sticky mask that had plastered shut her eyes. "Uh-huh!"
"I see. Well, fair warning then, I am going to begin crying soon. You may perhaps want to be a dear and fetch me some tissues."
"Okay!" a perfectly chipper Pinkie agreed.
"... And a towel."
"Gotcha."
"We mustn't forget a comb. That is crucial."
"Right!"
"Oh, any maybe some of that nice chocolate, to cheer my inconsolable, ruined-forever self up a tad afterward?"
“Sure, no problemo!”
Rarity considered this brief list of necessities, but could not think of anything else she might need to mitigate the inevitable outburst that was to follow. She did, however, carefully lay down all of the ingredients to avoid making more of a mess.
Seeing that all was now in order, she nodded resolutely, completely satisfied with her thorough preparations.
"Right then. We have our list. Are you ready, Pinkie?"
"Yeppers!"
"Very well then."
Rarity collapsed into a miserable, wailing pile of pony.
Fluttershy crumpled her latest writing attempt into a ball and stacked it carefully on top of the growing pile of rejects. How do I break the news? I’ve never even really told her I like mares. She huffed in frustration. She’d better not make Rarity sad, or else I’ll... She had no idea what she would do, actually. Please like her, Mommy... For once just tell me you’re happy for me.
She laid her head down on the table, sighing quietly with misery.
A concerned voice came from the other side of the library. “Fluttershy? Are you okay?” Twilight had offered to help her with her letter, but she had declined, merely asking for a quill and a single scroll. And then another scroll. And then a lot more. Things had reached the point where Twilight could no longer hold back her curiosity. She walked over to the table to find out what the pegasus was up to, looked down at the last blank sheet and cringed. Time to make another run to Quills and Sofas. “What exactly are you writing, Fluttershy? Are you sure you don't want me to help?"
Fluttershy looked up and scrambled to cover the sheet she was working on, only to relax when she realized she hadn’t written anything on it yet. “Um, I’m trying to write a letter to my mom about...” She paused, realizing that Twilight was one of the ponies who didn’t yet know that she and Rarity were dating. Well, it’s only been one date so far, but that counts, right? “Sorry, I just... Okay...” She took a deep breath. You can do this Fluttershy! “Well, uhm... you see... me and Rarity — we're sort of... together?”
Twilight took it in stoically. “Wow, okay. When did that happen?”
“Um, yesterday.”
“That’s great! But...isn’t that a little sudden?”
Fluttershy’s eyes blazed. For a split second, she could hear her mother’s voice echoing Twilight’s words, and she snapped out a quick and vehement response. “Sudden? Sudden?! Let me tell you something, missy: I’ve been trying to figure out how to let Rarity know that I loved her for years, scrambling for a way to tell her that I needed to be with her, and that I wanted to throw her onto a bed and do things with her I didn’t even know the names for. There is nothing sudden about it!”
Twilight took a nervous step backwards, making placating motions with her hooves. “Calm down, Fluttershy! I didn’t mean to say it was a bad thing. I just meant I never even got the impression you two felt that way about each other, much less that you were dating.”
The pegasus was instantly contrite for her outburst. “Oh, Twilight, I’m so sorry! I’m just really worried about having to tell my mom about Rarity...”
Twilight sat down, looking over the blank sheet. “You don’t seem to have made much of a start here.”
Fluttershy waved a hoof at the impressive-looking pile of discarded missives. “I have plenty of starts. Nothing sounds right.”
Twilight uncrumpled the top note and looked it over.
Dear Mom,
Sorry I don’t write more.
I’m doing well, Angel Bunny says hi.
I hope you and Dad are well.
Oh, remember how you keep asking if I am dating?
Well, I am now. But... you said I need to find a nice stallion.
I found a nice pony... does that count?
It was followed by scribbles and slashes.
The following few showed no more promise.
Dear Mom,
I am dating a mare. Please be nice.
Dear Mom,
I need you to not be you for once.
Dear Mom,
How would you feel about going on vacation this week?
How does Las Pegasus sound? My treat!
She picked up another that wasn’t even addressed to Fluttershy’s mother.
Dear Princess Celestia,
It’s me, Fluttershy. I was wondering if you could do me a favor.
One of your guardsponies, Sergeant Posey, could really use a vacation.
Could you arrange for her to have some time off at Neighagra Falls this week?
Your loyal subject, Fluttershy
The one after that would have made Celestia laugh, Twilight was sure of it.
Dear Princess Celestia,
I've recently discovered that there's a fatigue-related illness spreading throughout Canterlot, which mostly targets pegasi. As a precaution I recommend that you give all pegasus guards a mandatory week of absence.
Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle
The writing didn't remotely resemble her own elegant horn writing, or even Spike's handwriting; the mouthwriting of the letter was so shaky it looked like it had been authored during an earthquake. Twilight would have laughed herself, if the letter hadn't made it clear just how nervous Fluttershy was. "Do you want me to write the letter for you, Fluttershy? I'm sure I could make up something that will ensure you don't have to go visit."
Fluttershy slumped back onto the table. “It wouldn’t matter. Rarity would just want to go visit her in the hospital, or on the moon, or wherever we tried to hide her.”
"But your mother is Drill Sergeant Posey, right?" Twilight smiled widely. "Then why don't we make sure she's somewhere dirty? With lots of mud and muck! That would make Rarity want to avoid her, right?"
Fluttershy’s eyes lit up for a moment, then she slumped again. “She’d just take it as a challenge to prove herself to me. I’m doomed, Twilight. I mean, I knew I’d eventually have to tell my mother about Rarity, but I figured that maybe the wedding invitation would be the most opportune time...”
Twilight laid a hoof on Fluttershy’s shoulder. “I think that might be a little late. Why don’t we just write to her and let her know what day you’ll be there, and ask her to meet you?”
Fluttershy raised her head from the table. “Maybe... I don’t have to tell her right now. Maybe I can just tell her...” She furrowed her brow, thinking hard. ”Yes. Take this down please, Twilight.”
Dear Mom,
I am coming to Canterlot tomorrow. I am dating somepony now,
and I want you and Dad to meet them. Can you please make time
around two in the afternoon?
I love you both,
Shy-shy
Twilight giggled. “And I thought I was the only one saddled with a silly nickname... Oh, erm, sorry, Fluttershy.”
Fluttershy nodded however, smiling serenely. “I don’t mind, I know it’s a little foalish. I just need an envelope now, please.”
Twilight shook her head. “No, I’ll have Spike send it, and Princess Celestia will add it to her outbox to be forwarded to your mom. Goodness knows she has sent missives through me to the local government enough times; it’s only fair for me to be able to do the same, once in a while.”
Fluttershy hugged her friend suddenly, causing Twilight to squeak as the air abruptly left her lungs. “Thank you so much. I’m sorry I got upset earlier. It’s been a stressful few days...”
“N-no problem, Fluttershy. I’m just sorry I didn’t notice you were that stressed out before now. Of course, I was probably lost too deep in my own forest to pay attention to the trees around me...” Twilight stopped herself, realizing she had very nearly blurted out something she herself had sworn Pinkie to secrecy over. “Forget I mentioned that last part, Fluttershy.” She took a seat at another study table and sighed heavily. “I’ve been having a rough few days myself...”
“Are you having romantic troubles too?”
“No, no, I’m fine,” Twilight replied, with an unconvincing air of nonchalance, ”what makes you ask that?”
“Well, um, you don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to. But it kind of sounded like you didn’t notice how two of your friends felt about each other because you were too caught up in your own troubles... and, well, it’s hard to pay attention to anypony else when you have love on your mind.”
Twilight said nothing at first, but the need to talk to somepony about her problems was getting to her. She looked around nervously, as if somepony was going to pop up out of nowhere and overhear her. “Um... purely hypothetically, suppose you were dating somepony... Well, okay, you are dating somepony, of course, so let’s say you were dating somepony else. Hypothetically, remember. You love them, you love being with them, but you can’t seem to make them completely happy. What would you do?”
Fluttershy smiled warmly. This would really help take her mind off her own troubles with her mother, and she was grateful for it. “Well, first I would ask them what it was, exactly, that was making them unhappy.”
“But I already — erm, let’s say you already tried that. You’ve been trying really hard to work out what is causing this, but you can’t seem to pinpoint the real problem. It’s like you’re... treating the symptoms without really identifying the underlying sickness.”
“Oh my, are they sick?” Fluttershy sat up suddenly, her ears flattened in concern. ”Uhm... I mean, are you — or am I — Twilight, I’m sorry, but this is getting confusing. Is somepony sick?”
“No, Fluttershy, nopony is sick. But somepony is certainly unhappy, and she’s normally so full of life and joy! Seeing her so sad... it’s just killing me — I mean, you.” Twilight took her turn to slump down on the table, her face falling at the mere mention of a depressed Pinkie. “You feel like you’re out of options. You don’t know how to fix things, and you’re afraid that, if they aren’t fixed soon, you might lose her forever.”
Fluttershy nodded her head, thinking things over. “Well, have you tried talking with Pinkie about it?”
“Well, of course I—” Twilight’s pupils dilated and she began to hyperventilate. “Who said anything about Pinkie Pie?!”
“Oh, I’m sorry, it’s just, when you started talking about how happy she normally is, and how you’re worried that she isn’t smiling anymore, it was kind of obvious. Am I not supposed to know? I could just pretend to have no clue who you’re talking about, if it would make you feel better...”
Twilight’s mouth worked silently, her brain sending through at least one thousand dissenting sentences, none of which quite made it all the way to her vocal cords intact. Finally her brain just halted all activity for a few seconds, leaving her to jabber on by herself.
Fluttershy pushed her lightly with a hoof. “Twilight?”
No response.
The perplexed pegasus pondered the poleaxed purple pony. Finally, Fluttershy had an inspired idea: she wet the tip of a hoof and gently inserted it into Twilight’s ear.
The reaction was immediate. Twilight squealed, half in delight and half in annoyance. “Gah! Pinkie, I told you not to put your tongue in there—”
Fluttershy stifled a giggle with a hoof.
Twilight looked around for her pink tormenter-slash-lover, but could somehow only spot a very red-faced Fluttershy. The unicorn’s former elation came crashing down like a poorly worded metaphor. “You’re not Pinkie.”
Fluttershy solemnly shook her head.
Twilight sighed heavily. “I suppose it’s too late to deny that it’s her I’ve been talking about this whole time, isn’t it?”
“Well, you could,” Fluttershy pointed out politely, ”but it wouldn’t be very easy for me to believe you now. I could try believing really, really hard, if you want me to...”
Twilight grumbled in annoyance. “I really am lousy with secrets. I can’t even keep my own...”
Fluttershy gently steered the conversation back onto its original course. “So, you’re afraid Pinkie is unhappy?”
Twilight shook her head violently. “No, I know she’s unhappy. When we first got together she had so much fun, enjoying every moment we played together, but now... now it’s like she’s merely going through the motions for me.”
The pegasus looked mildly confused. “You play games? Have you tried... making love?” Fluttershy’s face flushed crimson again, but she found it was somehow easier to talk about this subject now. “Because it’s wonderful! So very wonderful!”
Twilight blushed heavily, too. “Um, that’s... kind of what we do. But we do it in costume, with illusions to set the scene.”
Fluttershy considered this for a moment, her eyes lighting up. “Oh, that sounds like fun!”
The unicorn smiled brightly for a moment. “It is!” Then her face fell. “Or it was.”
"Pinkamena," she called out to the mare, "come join the Captain in her quarters."
The peasant mare looked up from her accustomed place at the ship's aft deck. She nodded silently.
Once inside, the captain began to disrobe. Her mare, however, merely waited for instructions. The captain looked at her with concern. "What troubles ye, lass?"
Her mare said nothing. She was so cold, so stiff...
The mighty pirate-captain strode over to her and kissed her gingerly, hoping for some sign of passion in her face.
The kiss was returned, but it was wooden and uninterested.
"Have I given offense, lass? Is there aught I can do to make it up to ye?"
The mare simply shook her head.
Twilight smacked a hoof down on the table. “I just want to see her happy again. I miss the time when we weren’t worried about being a couple. We just got together; no stress, no strings attached. We were doing just fine!”
Then she let her head fall back onto the familiar wooden surface, because, try as you might, you can only lie to yourself for so long. “We weren’t fine. It was cheap and unsatisfying; every time we parted ways I wanted to beg her to stay. But I don’t know how to break it down in order to fix it! She tried dating me, she tried spending time with me... but now, whenever we... m-make love... I can’t see her there with me anymore. It’s like... like I’m alone.”
Fluttershy sniffled loudly. She realized Twilight expected some kind of reply from her now, but she could offer nothing. “I’m sorry, Twilight... I wish I could do or say something to make it better for you. It sounds like you two really do love each other, but you don’t seem to really know how to show it...”
Twilight waved a hoof dismissively. “I know, I know, but it felt good to get it out of my system, at least. I’ve been so afraid to ask Pinkie about it. Her idea of fixing things is breaking up then immediately asking me out again.”
Her friend looked at her curiously, unsure if she was serious. “So... how do you fix things, normally speaking?”
“I just told you,” Twilight said brusquely, ”I don’t know how to fix things with Pinkie.”
“No, I mean... if it were something else. Oh! I’m sorry, I’m afraid I’m not very good at this... Um, I was just hoping that if I got you to think, then maybe you could find the answer on your own? You always seem to have one for us, whenever we need it the most...”
Twilight groaned. “You don’t think I’ve tried? The book that mentioned the whole ‘friendship with benefits’ thing doesn’t say anything about what you should do if you want to go and turn that into a real relationship! And every other book on romantic advice I’ve read assumes I’m on the other end of the spectrum! Pinkie and I basically started at the finish line... at home base. The problem is that I don’t know how to back up from there and find where we went wrong.”
Fluttershy put a hoof on Twilight’s shoulder. “You need to stop overthinking things, Twilight. If that’s all right. Just let go. You’ll find a way to do what’s right. I have faith in you.”
Twilight’s lip quivered. “L-let go?”
Fluttershy would have elaborated on that statement further, but the door opened at that very moment, and before she knew it the pegasus was covered by a pale blue magical aura and dragged off with barely enough time to squeak out, “Um... I guess I’m going somewhere else now?”
“What?!” Twilight ran out the door after Fluttershy, but froze shortly after setting hoof out the door. Wait. Is that... Rarity? If it was, she had obviously seen better days: the usually pristine pony appeared to be covered in a very sticky substance, her muzzle was smeared with something that Twilight hoped was melted chocolate, there was a towel literally stuck to her coat, and a futile comb was inextricably embedded in the enormous mess that had once been her finely-coiffed mane.
Rarity continued to telekinetically carry Fluttershy away from the library, making sounds that were half cries of sorrow and half shrieks of utter madness.
Fluttershy shrugged helplessly. “I don’t know what’s going on, but it looks like Rarity needs me right now. Really, really badly. So, um... bye, Twilight! Good luck!”
Twilight nodded sadly. “Goodbye...”
Fluttershy looked back in concern at her half-mad fillyfriend. “Rarity, are you okay?”
Rarity, however, was anything but. She trotted quickly away from the library, heading towards some unknown destination. After several moments of being carried around, Fluttershy finally concluded that her fillyfriend was simply too distraught to produce coherent speech. “It’s going to be all right, Rarity! I’m here for you...”
After an abrupt halt the aura pulled her into a crushing embrace. The smell of cupcake batter assaulted her nose while nonsensical, sobbing wails filled her ears. “Um... there there?”
Before she had a chance to pat Rarity’s back or otherwise comfort her, Fluttershy was lifted up by the aura and whisked off once more. She decided to just let the magic carry her along, hoping that, at some point, Rarity would perhaps calm down enough to explain what had happened. Soon enough, the ponynapped pegasus could spot the spa in the distance. Of course, she runs there whenever she gets so much as a pimple. And this... this is a fashion emergency...
Rarity’s magic roughly shoved the front door open, and Fluttershy nearly got a nasty crack on the head as she was yanked through the entrance, forcing her to quickly tuck her head down into her chest just to pass through a hair's width under the doorway.
Rarity approached the counter and babbled incoherently. Lotus only stared at the soiled fashionista, trying to make out some semblance of language. She shrugged helplessly. Then Fluttershy found herself being levitated over to the counter, instead. She smiled sheepishly. “Um... hi, Lotus. I think Rarity is having a teensy-weensy little mental breakdown right now. Do you have an opening for... um, nowish? She looks like she really needs a full treatment session to help her recover from... whatever happened.”
Lotus nodded quickly. “Aloe! Prepare the mineral bath! Miss Rarity is having a crisis!”
Aloe poked her head into the room. “Another one?!”
“This one is serious! Break out the heavy-duty shampoo, the one we use on the heifers.”
Rarity blubbered gratefully. Fluttershy gravitated back to her, and was immediately pulled into another hug.
Fluttershy ran her hooves through Rarity’s matted mane soothingly. “Shhh. It’s going to be okay now.”
Twilight watched in bemusement as Fluttershy was lovingly abducted by Rarity’s magical aura. As unusual as that sight was, it still wasn’t enough to distract her for long. Those two would work out whatever was amiss themselves. Twilight’s own conundrum remained the same: what to do about Pinkie Pie.
If only I could approach this mess logically! Every time I try to think about her, my brain just seems to seize up and melt into pudding. She walked back into the library and closed the door behind her. Still need to replace that lock...
Books have failed me; there seems to be no existing solution— She looked around suddenly. Solution...? Twilight considered how she normally arrived at solutions for mathematical or logical problems. Chalkboard! Need chalk, loads of chalk... Okay!
Twilight began sketching crude drawings of herself and Pinkie. Under Pinkie’s sketch she wrote: ‘Current status: unhappy.’
So, we have to change that. To do so, we must determine the underlying cause.
She pondered for a moment. Pinkius Piecus’ normal modus operandi is best described as ‘exceedingly happy’. Known causes for a change in that demeanor, based on field observations, are thus far: A. being abandoned by friends, and B. Discord.
She patiently ticked those options off, eliminating them. But now there is new data, which introduces a whole new variable. She drew an x- and y-axis between the two blob-like chalk ponies on the board, and charted out the known data points between them. Yes. Her unhappiness appears to be directly proportional to her proximity to... me. Ergo...
“Just let go. You’ll find a way to do what’s right.” Fluttershy’s words replayed in Twilight’s mind, but she ignored them.
There has to be something else. We can still be happy together, can’t we?
“...let go...”
“No! I don’t want to! I can... well, I don’t know what I can do, but I’ll find some way...”
“...find a way to do what’s right...”
“But... it’s not right! She’ll be miserable without...”
Twilight froze; her eyes darted around the room, before her gaze landed back on the chalkboard.
Current status: unhappy.
“She’s miserable with me.”
She slumped down onto her rump. “I-I’m the problem? I can’t fix us... because I’m the one that is making her sad.”
She stared at the chalkboard for a long time, trying to think of something, anything that wasn’t...
“Letting her go...”
The words tasted like ashes in her mouth. Her heart railed against the idea, but her mind coldly refused to pay it any heed.
She began to weep gently.
It’s not fair! I just want to love her, and be loved back. Why is this so hard?!
She glared around the room at the countless shelves of books. “Useless, every single one of you! Romance, psychology, philosophy - none of you have the answer!
W-why don’t you,” she sobbed heavily, “have the answer?”
The books offered no response. Her heart continued to plead with her to find some other solution, but her mind kept insisting that she had to accept the truth. She was only making it worse by letting it drag on needlessly. Pinkie had been right. They had started out all wrong, but after a false start like that there seemed to be no simple way to just begin anew. The error was buried too deep in the equation. There was only one choice now...
Twilight picked up the eraser and, slowly and methodically, removed all trace of her own image from the chalkboard.
Aloe put a little more pressure into the motion of the scrubbing brush. “Fluttershy, I assure you, there is no trace of dough left on her body.”
Rarity, however, continued to lie completely catatonic inside the cocoon of suds that covered her from water level all the way to the very tip of her horn.
Fluttershy hummed happily as she applied shampoo to Rarity’s mane for the fourth time. “Um... I’m pretty sure its all gone now, Rarity. You should be fine... Please say something?”
There was no response from the fashionista.
Fluttershy looked helplessly at Aloe. “Are you sure you got everything?”
Aloe patiently listed the places she had cleaned, once again. “Yes, Miss Fluttershy. I cleared the ears, nose, horn, coat, mane and tail. Every spot on her body has been thoroughly cleansed and recleansed multiple times now. A particle of dirt wouldn’t dare to so much as look at her at this point in time.”
Think Fluttershy, think! She had a nasty shock... How do I bring her out of this? “Okay, I need you to finish rinsing her. Then I’m going to try something.”
They carefully rinsed Rarity down and dried her off, then laid her down on a soft towel. “Okay, Aloe, you might want to look away.”
With that, she took Rarity’s face into her hooves and kissed her fillyfriend thoroughly.
At first Aloe did as instructed, but eventually she became curious about what could possibly be going— Oh. Oh my... She stared, slack-jawed, as she found herself witnessing a very impressive display of lung capacity at work. H-how did she learn to do that with her tongue? Unable to tear her gaze away, she watched, wishing she had a notepad on hoof. Also, was it getting hot in the room, or was that just her?
Eventually, Rarity’s eyes began showing signs of life, and she enthusiastically returned the lengthy, passionate kiss. When they finally broke away from each other she smiled languidly. “Fluttershy, darling, I had the most horrid dream! I was... filthy.” She shuddered at the mere thought. ”Every part of me was covered in something horrible. It felt like I would never be clean again!”
Fluttershy breathed a sigh of relief and smiled. “Well, you’re fine, so you can stop thinking about it now.”
Rarity looked around the room. “Why are we at the spa? Last I remember, I was baking things together with Pinkie—”
Thinking on her hooves, Fluttershy interrupted Rarity before she could suffer a relapse. “Yes! And you were very, very tired afterwards, so I took you to the spa to unwind. Isn’t that right, Aloe?”
Aloe was blushing furiously. “Yes, Miss Fluttershy. Miss Rarity was... tired.”
Rarity looked curiously at the embarrassed earth pony. “Aloe? Are you all right, darling? You seem a bit red in the face; is the steam getting to you?”
Aloe turned her face away, trying to hide her expression. “I’m... I’m fine!”
Rarity’s expression turned pensive. “Are you sure? I believe I, for one, am fully recovered now. Pinkie can be a bit draining, but I have never had her tire me to the point of passing out before... I feel most embarrassed to have apparently collapsed from the exhaustion, but now that I see how the humidity and heat are affecting you, my dear, I wonder if the ovens might perhaps have played a part in my little episode. I would hate to see the same happen to you!”
Aloe looked askance at Fluttershy, who nodded imperceptibly. “Perhaps, yes, I do feel a bit... heated. I should be okay as soon as we leave this room. Come, let us continue to the mud baths; it will be nice and cool in there.”
Fluttershy shook her head. “Aloe, I think that maybe we should skip—”
Rarity smiled. “That does sound wonderful right now.”
Her fillyfriend looked at her incredulously. “But—”
Rarity stood up. “Come, darling! A little mud never hurt anypony.”
They both lay back in the mud, letting the coolness of it ease every little ache on their bodies. Nothing was said for some time as they simply soaked in pampered bliss.
Finally, Rarity broached a question that had been weighing on her mind. “How did the letter-writing go, darling?”
Fluttershy flinched. “Um... fine. I-I didn’t know what exactly to write, so I only asked if she could make time to see me around lunch.”
Rarity lifted one of the cucumber slices from her eyes and smiled encouragingly. “Don’t worry, my love. I understand it must be very difficult to discuss some things in writing. It’s best if we just explain things to them face-to-face. I’d rather meet your parents before any false impressions or preconceptions have a chance to form; mere text can only convey so much, after all.”
Her fillyfriend did not respond immediately. “How were things with Pinkie Pie?”
The fashionista frowned. “Not as well as they could be. She’s having some relationship issues with—” She stopped just before blurting the name, remembering her promise. “—somepony...”
Fluttershy tittered into her hoof. “It’s okay, Rarity. Twilight told me.”
“Oh, thank Celestia! Yes, they seem like such a cute couple, but they are having trouble figuring out what, exactly, their relationship is. Pinkie feels too distanced from Twilight when they make love due to all that roleplay they apparently do. It makes her feel like she’s not really there with Twilight at all.”
Fluttershy looked up in confusion. “But... that’s exactly what Twilight said! She felt like Pinkie was just going along with everything to make her happy. She said the last time they played together it was like Pinkie wasn’t even there!”
The fashionista smiled grimly. “Really now. Well, that just won’t do! However, I did tell Pinkie to go and talk things over with Twilight. I’m sure they will work it all out together.”
Fluttershy seemed significantly less certain. “Twilight seemed really upset... I was trying to tell her to calm down and think things through, since that’s what she does best, but then I had to, um, go...”
Rarity raised an eyebrow. “Oh? Pressing engagements elsewhere?”
The pegasus shook her head. “No. Well, yes, actually. You needed me.”
“Yes, about that, how did you know to meet me here? Did Pinkie Pie—”
“Twilight hates me!” cried a pitiful voice from inside a nearby bucket.
Pausing, they both turned slowly to stare at the offending object, only to recoil in unison as Pinkie sprang forth from it without warning and dived muzzle-first into the mud bath, spraying a deluge of mud all over the place. She wrapped her forelimbs around Rarity in a crushing embrace and promptly began crying her eyes out.
How did she.... never mind, she’s Pinkie Pie. “Pinkie! What happened?”
Pinkie wailed into Rarity’s mane. “I don’t know! She came up to my room saying she had to do what was right and that she needed to just let go and then she broke up with me but she didn’t come back right away to ask me out again!”
Rarity murmured soothing inanities to her friend. Oh, my poor Pinkie Pie. We’ll fix this, you’ll see. “There there, Pinkie. We’ll get her back.”
Pinkie sniffled. “Y-you promise?”
“Cross my heart, darling. I don’t know how just yet, but we shall find a way.”
“Rookie!”
Stardust bristled at the insulting nickname. He’d been in the Guard for a few months now, and had survived long enough to be called something other than—
“Rookie! You daydreaming or what?”
He sighed and gave his senior a look of annoyance. “I have a name you know...”
“Yeah, yeah. Some mail came in for the Sarge. Directly from Princess Celestia. Needs to get to her five minutes ago.”
“So why aren’t you taking it to her?” Dust would never admit it but the Sarge scared him, in a way not even the princesses did.
“Because you’re here. Now march it up there like a good rookie.”
Dust grabbed the envelope in his muzzle and stalked off, grumbling around it. What in the hay was so important that it had to come from the Princess directly? Somepony like the Sarge wouldn’t normally even be on the Princess’ radar. What could this possibly be about? She was scary enough, but knowing the Princesses were sending her a message made him wonder just what it would take to make that necessary. It wasn’t like the changelings were back...
Oh ponyfeathers, what if they are? He’d heard the rumors; who hadn’t? But if even half of them were true, he wasn’t sure how she’d survived. How exactly does one lone pegasus take down a squadron of griffons and live to talk about it? That was completely ignoring the impossible tale of her making a fully-grown drake back down. He was certain that one was true, as he still broke out in a cold sweat whenever he remembered the look she'd given him the first time he'd messed up in a big way. Looking her in the face was dangerous for more than one reason; if she caught you staring at the fine network of scars you were in for a hard week of kitchen work, assuming she was in a good mood. But if all of those rumours were true, she might be getting a directive to return to active duty instead of this semi-retirement she’d chosen for herself. Enemy movements would account for that.
He shook his head in agitation. If that was the case, he would be informed. He did not need to know. He marched resolutely to the Sarge’s office. He was a good soldier, and good soldiers did not read letters not addressed to them, even if they might contain details of changeling activities. Besides, that would require opening the envelope, which was already coming open because it wasn’t sealed properly—
Wait...
He dropped the envelope in shock, and out slid a folded letter. He looked down at the offending missive, averting his eyes from the actual contents therein. Reading an officer’s mail was a good way to get one’s self in deep trouble. Reading the Sarge’s mail... He’d had to face her disapproving stare once. That’s all anypony needed. It was like having somepony strip your soul bare and point out every flaw.
He was busy trying to scoop the letter back into the envelope, failing miserably and generally cursing his heritage as an earth pony when he heard hoofsteps approaching. It could have been anypony, but with unshakable certainty he knew that it was the Sarge. He had clearly done something wrong in a previous life, and this was his punishment. Two sets of hooves stopped in front of him. Maybe I punched a kitten? I hope that was it. At least that would account for why life seems to hate me. Despite his best efforts, as the letter flopped open, he ended up reading the very last line involuntarily.
I love you both,Shy-shy
“Who’s Shy-shy?” he blurted out in panic. His brain was trying frantically to tell him to run from his approaching doom, and had apparently missed the message the eyes had just passed directly to his big fat mouth.
“That... would be my daughter, recruit Stardust.”
Oh buck me... I murdered somepony, didn’t I?
His foreleg snapped upwards into a hasty salute. “Ma’am!”
“Recruit, if that letter is from my daughter, clearly it’s addressed to me. Why is it open on the floor?”
“Ma’am! The missive was improperly sealed and peeled open from the heat of my mouth!”
There was silence above him. He kept his gaze locked on the offending letter, unable to move for fear of meeting her eyes.
He heard her sigh heavily in front of him. “Just go. I’ll get it myself.”
He hastily snapped her another salute and turned to go, trying not to gallop on the way to the door.
“Recruit.”
He stopped dead in his tracks. “Ma’am!”
“I recognize it was not your intention to read any of this. If I thought you had been reading my mail deliberately I would have you kicked from this unit so quickly your grandchildren would be born with their head spinning.”
“Yes ma’am! I would never—”
The voice lost some of its harshness for a half-second, and it was all he could do not to stare in wonder at the speaker. “I know you wouldn’t, Dustie. You’re a good kid. You’re worth more than ten of your seniors, who undoubtedly saddled you with this little chore to avoid having to deliver the message themselves. This is a personal matter, so I can’t order you, but I would prefer it if the name ‘Shy-shy’ didn’t make its way around the barracks.”
He gulped nervously. “Never, ma’am!”
“Good. Now go hit chow.”
He turned in her direction and snapped off one last salute, then used every shred of willpower not to break into a run as he made for the door again.
“Oh, and Dustie?”
He stopped dead once more. “Ma’am?”
“Don’t allow a little praise to give you the mistaken idea that I’m going to go easy on you. I expect the best from those who show promise. You’d better live up to my expectations.”
“Yes, ma’am, thank you, ma’am!”
“Dismissed.”
He marched away, making double time. I guess I only punched a kitten after all.
Fluttershy watched her fillyfriend comforting Pinkie, trying to suppress a twinge of jealousy. She shook the reaction off. This was a scene she remembered well. When she herself had needed comfort and forgiveness, these two had enveloped her in a group hug. Now, she waded over to the pair and enfolded them both in her wings.
Unfortunately, as before, it was she who felt the need to ask for forgiveness. “Pinkie... I’m very sorry.”
Pinkie looked up from inside their little huddle in surprise. “You didn’t do anything, Shy!”
Fluttershy squirmed a little, but did not back away from the embrace. “I don’t think it’s something I did... it’s something I said...”
“Darling, you only tried to help her. What could you possibly have said to provoke what happened?” Rarity asked.
Fluttershy allowed her bangs to fall more completely in front of her eyes. “Well... you see, I didn’t know exactly how to help her, so I told her maybe she just needed to let go and stop stressing so much. Then I said I trusted her to figure out how to do what was right for her and Pinkie... I think maybe she took the wrong message from that.”
Pinkie processed that information for a moment. “What did you do?!”
Fluttershy flinched away from the accusing tone. “I-I’m sorry, I was trying to help.”
Rarity quickly intervened. “Pinkie, I know you are very distraught right now, but Fluttershy meant well. Let’s hear what Twilight told her, it might help us figure out why everything went wrong.”
“—and then I had to go.” Fluttershy finished.
Pinkie was bopping herself on the head repeatedly. “You’re such a dummy, Pinkie! I should have told her how I felt, or maybe I told her too much. I keep expecting her to fix things and now she hates me because I can’t just be happy for her! I was so pushy that I pushed her right away from me!”
Rarity was trying to restrain her friend from self-injury, without much success. “Darling, please stop this. It’s going to be all right!”
“No it’s not! She’s gone now and it’s my fault! I should have stayed in character for her. But I was upset! I can make anypony smile, so why couldn’t I just be quiet and smile for her? She needed me, and I let her down...” She finally let her hooves fall, and wrapped them back around Rarity. “I failed my Twilight...”
Rarity stroked Pinkie’s mane, murmuring soothing inanities. “Shhhhh. It’s really going to be okay. You just need to talk it out with her, so let’s go find her. Do you know where she went?”
Pinkie shook her head into Rarity’s mane. “She just asked me to talk with her in my room, told me she had to let me go, and then poof, no more Twilight.”
The fashionista looked a bit concerned at that revelation. “I do hope she is all right! I cannot say how a pony of Twilight’s caliber would react, but when I am distraught my magic can prove... erratic.”
“Erratic?” Fluttershy asked, curious.
Rarity nodded emphatically. “My gem-finding spell starting pointing out common fool’s gold. I was a bit upset at the time. I had almost managed to tell you that I loved you that morning, then Aloe came in to give us some towels and I froze up.”
Fluttershy nuzzled her softly. “I’m sorry, I never meant to cause you such worry.”
Rarity blushed and stammered for a few moments before she continued. “The point is, that was a relatively simple spell. Teleportation is much more complex and apt to go wrong to begin with. I think I should go check on her; hopefully she ended up in the library. Fluttershy, perhaps you could take Pinkie back to Sugarcube Corner for now?”
Fluttershy nodded, stroking Pinkie’s mane absently. “Um... we should probably wash off first.”
Rarity looked down. “Oh yes, I suppose we should.”
Rarity bid the two of them adieu and walked quickly to the library. Outwardly she was her usual calm and self-possessed self, but inwardly she seethed with self-reproach. She had known that Pinkie and Twilight were on the rocks, but was so wrapped up in her own budding relationship that she had missed a clear opportunity to help her friends before it could come to this.
Arriving at the library, she was alarmed to find the door wide open and a hole where the doorknob and lock would normally be. “Hello? Twilight? Are you in here?”
A voice called to her from across the library. “Rarity?”
“Spikey?”
The dragon rushed to the library door.
“Have you—”
“—seen Twilight?”
They blinked at each other in consternation for a few moments before Rarity hesitantly spoke up again. “You haven’t seen her either?”
Spike frowned and glanced over his shoulder. "She was here for all of three seconds. She walked in, told me that I was in charge of the library and just teleported!" He picked up a couple of books and started reshelving them on autopilot. "I hope it's not as bad as I think it is."
"Do you have any notion where she would have gone? Pin— somepony was very upset by her leaving so abruptly, so we were hoping to talk with her and maybe get her to see she is overreacting."
"Pinkie Pie?" Spike flipped over a blackboard containing a series of complex calculations as well as a fairly accurate image of Pinkie Pie. "I found this just after Twilight left. What happened?"
Rarity hemmed and hawed for a moment, trying to decide how best to explain without breaking her promise to Pinkie and Twilight. "They... have been having trouble with their friendship of late. There have been some problems defining how they wish to be... friends. Apparently it came to a head and Twilight told Pinkie she would rather they end... what they were doing."
"Being marefriends?" Spike arched an eyebrow. "I already knew that. I live in the library, remember?" He pointed to Twilight’s bedroom door with a thumbclaw. "They're not exactly quiet..."
"Oh thank goodness. It is not easy to explain without revealing things about which I was sworn to secrecy. Pinkie and Twilight... well they weren't marefriends in the traditional sense. They sort of started with the... well, the physical aspects of love and went from there. Twilight apparently picked up on how unhappy Pinkie has been of late and made a very rash decision." She looked over the chalkboard with growing horror. "Very, very rash. She seems to have come to the conclusion that she is the problem. Where could she have gone if not here?"
Spike looked at the floor in concern. "I don't know." He groaned and started pacing, looking more like his foster sister than he'd prefer to believe. "She has this... 'thing' where she teleports randomly when she's upset; last time we found her in the Canterlot caverns and I had to talk her out of trying to make a home there."
Rarity fretted; this was the moment when she would normally run to Twilight and ask her what to do. “How do you normally find her?”
“Celestia uses a scrying spell. We should probably just send her a letter and ask her to find Twilight before she ends up on the castle roof or something.”
“Wait, wait, scrying, you say?”
“It’s advanced stuff, though Twilight mentioned it’s kinda like your gem-finding spell. It lets you see the residue of a particular magic signature, and any spell a unicorn uses leaves some trace of magic behind. Then you just track the direction of the trail.”
“Well then, since she started from here... it would be more useful to check from this location, would it not?”
“Well yeah, but I’ve only ever seen the Princess cast it. Like I said, it’s advanced stuff.”
“Spike, I may not be a magical savant, but my talent does relate to finding things. Maybe I could give it a try? It seems better than bothering the Princess unnecessarily.”
Spike hesitated, then nodded slowly. “If anypony can do it, it’s you.” He pulled the ladder over to one of the bookshelves and climbed up to get an old but lovingly-restored tome, laying it flat on the table for her. “Okay, here we go.”
Rarity flipped through the pages, trying to find the correct spell. “Let’s see... ‘Read Magic Runes’, no... ‘Reveal?’ Not quite... ‘See Invisibility?’ Interesting, but not useful here... Aha! I went too far. ‘Scrying.’” She looked over the entry, nodding. “Twilight was right; in principle this works very much like my gem-finding spell.” She noted the specifics, making the necessary changes to the runes she envisioned when casting. “Spike, you may wish to stay back... this requires a larger charge of magic than anything I have tried before. Actually, it would be wise to move everything easily flammable at least five hoofsteps away from me.”
Once everything was moved to safety, Rarity attempted to cast the scrying spell. Frowning slightly as she let the requisite charge of magic build up in her horn, she concentrated carefully on the unfamiliar runes and was gratified when the spell successfully shimmered into being around her before fading into the air. It was supposed to show her the residual magic of anypony who had cast a spell in the vicinity. Needless to say, she was rather shocked to find the library awash with traces of glowing purple light. How am I supposed to sort this out? Rarity squinted for a few moments as she left her gaze wander around the main room. Oh, I see. Having adjusted a little to what she was seeing, she could make out a much stronger residue in the center of the room. Whatever had been cast there was therefore quite powerful. She could see a thin line of power leading from that spot and away from the library. Following it outside, she found that the tendril of light pointed directly towards...
“Canterlot... She teleported all the way there?”
Spike followed her outside. “Oh boy. She must have been really upset if she went there...”
Rarity said her goodbyes to Spike, promising to meet him at the train the following morning. All along the way to Sugarcube Corner she noticed splotches of color dotted everywhere she looked. How do you turn this off? The effect was troublesome, but not quite as bad as the library had been.
As soon as she pushed her way through the shop’s front door she looked around eagerly for Fluttershy and Pinkie, but didn’t see them seated at any of the tables. Seeing Mrs. Cake at the till, she waved hello and trotted up to the serving counter. “Excuse me, is Pinkie up in her room?”
The baker nodded. “Fluttershy is up there with her. Did you have any luck finding Twilight?”
“Well, yes and no. We know where she went now.”
“You’d better go tell her, then. She’ll feel better if she knows Twilight is all right, at least.” Mrs. Cake frowned worriedly. “It’s bad enough that Pinkie has to deal with a breakup like this, but if she thought Twilight didn’t want to see her ever again it would crush her.”
Rarity nodded knowingly. “It’s definitely not that bad, Cup. Twilight is very confused at the moment and has somehow convinced herself that it’s best for Pinkie if she ends their relationship. I’ve talked to both of them, and I am convinced that they really do care for one another. I’m certain Twilight just needs a friend to talk her through whatever is going on in that head of hers.”
“I hope you’re right. It breaks my heart to see my little Pinkie so upset...”
“I’ll do everything I can to ensure that Twilight sees reason, have no fear. I need to go tell Pinkie the news.” Rarity trotted upstairs, trying to look as confident as she had been attempting to sound. She certainly hoped she could fix things, but that would largely depend on getting a certain panic-prone unicorn to see that she was not making things better by her actions.
Entering Pinkie’s room, she was once again astonished by the sheer amount of purple everywhere, no small amount of which seemed centered on Pinkie; especially around Pinkie’s lower body. The fashionista blushed at the implications.
Fluttershy and Pinkie were both huddled on the bed, the former embracing the latter in a warm winghug. Both looked up at Rarity’s entrance. The fashionista smiled at the sight; sad though this occasion was, they did look adorable together. This of course brought unbidden images and improper suggestions to mind, which had to be beaten back into the closet where they belonged with a mental broom. It is hardly the time for that, Rarity.
“Is she okay?” Pinkie asked quietly, seeming afraid of the answer.
“She seems to be, although I think getting her back might prove more of a chore than I’d originally envisioned. She appears to have teleported to Canterlot.”
“Oh my... Twilight loves Ponyville, why would she leave?”
Pinkie put her head in her hooves and sobbed. “She hates me! She hates me so much she had to leave Ponyville to get away from me!”
Rarity rushed to her other side and hugged Pinkie fiercely. “No! It’s not that at all! Twilight is just confused. Look, Fluttershy and I have to go to Canterlot tomorrow; we’ll find her and talk some sense into her. In the meantime, I want you here planning the biggest ‘Welcome home, Twilight’ party ever. Can you do that?”
“But... I want to go to her! I need to get her to ask me out again, you can’t wait too long with these things, and she did it all wrong.” Pinkie looked at her pleadingly. “Don’t you see? I need to be there so she can ask!”
Fluttershy hugged her a little harder. “Pinkie... I don’t think that’s what she was doing. It will be okay, we’ll send her back to you. Just cheer up until then, okay? It’ll be all right.”
“You promise?”
Rarity smiled wryly. “I already Pinkie promised. Now, start planning. Actually, you may as well make it a party for all of us.”
Pinkie smiled weakly. It wasn't one of her usual smiles but at this point Rarity would take what she could get. "Sure, Rarity, I'll make it the best party ever."
Exiting Sugarcube Corner with her lover, Rarity mentally ticked off the remaining things they would need to do to prepare for their trip. Fluttershy would need to arrange for somepony to watch her home and feed her animals for a few days. Then came packing. After that, they would need a good night’s rest, then allow sufficient time the next morning to get ready in order for them to be at the station to catch the noon train. Looking up at the position of the sun, she realized that somehow she had let a good chunk of the day pass by, as it was nearing sunset. Odd, I don’t recall spending very much time in the kitchen with Pinkie... Come to think of it, that all seems rather a blur. Ah well, I am suffering from a little heat exhaustion perhaps; I am sure it will come to me.
“Darling, we should find Rainbow and Applejack. Surely one of them could tend to your animals in your absence, if that sounds agreeable?” She looked back to Fluttershy, who seemed very distracted all of a sudden.
“Darling?” She waved a hoof in front of her fillyfriend’s face.
Fluttershy looked dazed for a moment longer, blinking as she finally acknowleded Rarity. “Oh, I’m sorry. Did I miss something?”
Rarity clucked her tongue in irritation, then looked closer at her fillyfriend. “Darling, are you quite all right?” She looked in the direction that Fluttershy had been staring, but saw only Canterlot in the far distance.
“I’m fine...” She winced as Rarity gave her a doubtful look. “Okay... maybe not so fine. Um... do you suppose, if it’s not too much trouble... maybe we could just go see my father instead? He’s a very nice pony, I’m sure he’ll love you. My mom is very busy and I don’t think she’ll be able to make time.”
Rarity put a steadying hoof on Fluttershy’s shoulders. “Darling, I need you to stop worrying about this. Believe in me, won’t you? I will do whatever it takes to earn her approval.”
The pegasus took a long, steadying breath, then exhaled quietly. “You’re right. I’m worrying over nothing. It’s going to be fine. She’s going to love you, too.”
They chatted quietly on the way to Sweet Apple Acres, Rarity carefully avoiding the subject of the upcoming visit. It was early evening now, and they were searching for Rainbow and Applejack to ask them to cottage-sit for a few days. Upon arriving at the Apple family home, however, they were informed by a weary-looking Big Macintosh that neither had been seen since this morning.
“How curious! I do hope everything is all right... Well then. Thank you, Big Macintosh.”
“Eeeyup.”
Turning from the front door, Rarity collected herself for the moment. She had really counted on finding the two and getting their help for a few days. Fluttershy didn’t need the additional issue of whether her animals would be tended to on top of her worry over the coming meeting.
“Dangit! No more tonight! Aintcha tuckered out after all that? Mah family’s gonna hear us!”
Rarity looked left, right, backwards and forwards, but could not find the source of the voice. Finally, on a whim, she looked up, and found a rainbow tail entwined around a blond tail, both trailing over the edge of a low-hanging cloud.
She called upwards, hoping they could hear her from below. “Ahem, girls? I hate to interrupt... whatever you are doing, but I have been looking for you both.”
“Was that Rarity?”
“Dash, keep your hooves to yerself, we got company!”
A moment or two later found both the pegasus and the farmpony landing on solid ground. Rarity looked in surprise at the semi-opaque cyan wings attached to Applejack’s back, wings which she was even now attempting to force into a closed position at her side. The earth pony’s cheeks were adorned with twin spots of red the color of her brother’s coat. “Dang things won’t go down...”
Dash leaned in close and whispered to her. “Just think about Granny Smith taking a bath.”
Fluttershy blushed heavily. “I-I find thinking about dragons helps...”
A moment later and the red on Applejack’s checks was a sickly green, and the wings snapped shut of their own accord. “Ugh... Thanks, Ah guess.”
Rarity rushed forward and examined the faux wings. “Why, these are exquisite! I was under the impression that that spell was limited to delicate, ephemeral wings. Did Twilight develop a new version?”
Applejack coughed nervously. “Uh, yeah! It’s brand new! Yep, nothing more than that!” Her eyes shifted around nervously. “So, uh, you were looking for us, Rare?”
Rarity was busy cooing over the wings, extending one carefully in her aura. “The things I could do with these! Are they a bit sturdier than with the original spell? Goodness, it mimics the feathers down to the last detail! Oh I simply must get Twiligh—”
Fluttershy tapped Rarity’s shoulder. She shook her head sadly.
Rarity looked confused, then frowned. “Oh, right. She’s not available at the moment.”
Applejack looked at her in annoyance, Dash trying to stifle laughter to the side of her. “Uh, Rare, you mind letting go? They’re kinda delicate, if you remember.”
Rarity nodded apologetically. “Yes, of course, do be careful not to fly too high... Well, I suppose Rainbow would be nearby to catch you as she did me. Still, best to not take risks.”
“Uh, yeah, Ah’ll keep that in mind. So ya’ll were lookin’ fer us?” Applejack carefully refolded the wing back along her side.
Rarity pried her eyes away from the sparkly wings guiltily. “Yes... You see Fluttershy and I will be going to Canterlot for a time and she was concerned about her animals. Would you two mind terribly checking on them at least once a day?”
Applejack nodded slowly. “Yeah, Ah can do that. Dash, you mind helping out?”
Rainbow started guiltily. “Huh? Oh yeah, animals, right. I’ll bring Tank by for a visit, watch him bump into things for a bit. It’s cool.”
Fluttershy cleared her throat a moment. “Um... the chickens need exactly one scoop of feed each, except for Henrietta, she’s on a diet, so she gets three-quarters of a scoop. The mice and birds have enough seed for three to four days, so they should be fine on their own. But you should visit them anyway, they get lonely if nopony comes to see them. I’ll leave a list of instructions for the rest. Oh,” she trotted forward and hugged them both tightly, “thank you, I feel so much better knowing my little friends will be okay.”
Fluttershy had gone to her cottage to pack, and had returned to the Boutique to see what was taking Rarity so long. Not finding her in the main reception room, Fluttershy searched nearly everywhere else in the Boutique, finally hearing Rarity moving around in the bathroom.
Rarity was rummaging furiously for her favorite comb. Certainly she had dozens of them, and brushes as well, but this was her favorite. The way it parted her locks was nothing short of magical, probably because she had embedded enchanted gems throughout its surface that helped to unweave tangles and even aided in drying her hair after a nice bath; which was why she had expected to find it in the bathroom. But while she found many other things she would surely need, her comb was nowhere to be found.
“Celestia, don’t let me have left it on the nightstand! I’ve lost so much in that room, don’t let that be another casualty!”
Fluttershy poked her head into Rarity’s bathroom. “Um... what’s missing?”
“Oh, hello, love. Packed already? Yes, well, it’s my jewel-encrusted silver comb! I was certain I had left it in the bathroom but I can’t find it anywhere!” Rarity continued going through the various beauty supplies, wondering where it could have gone to.
Fluttershy quickly went through her saddlebags. Silver... jewel-encrusted... yep, that was the one she had stuck in her mane. “Rarity, I found it.”
Rarity had been looking under her sink to see if she had for some reason placed it with the drain cleaners. She looked up abruptly, banging the top of her head on her kitchen counter. “Ow!”
She turned, rubbing her head with a hoof, and found the object of her search in her fillyfriend’s mouth. She took it in her aura, examining it closely. “Yes! Where did you find it?”
Fluttershy paused, uncertain how to respond. Oh dear, I suppose I should explain now. I hope she doesn’t panic again... “Um... about that.”
“So you mean to tell me I stalked down the streets of Ponyville covered in cupcake batter, with a comb stuck in my mane—”
Fluttershy nodded earnestly, “You had a towel stuck in there too.”
“... Yes, thank you. And somehow, in this catatonic state, I went to fetch you?”
“Um, yes. I think you knew I would understand what you needed. I told the spa twins you needed to be cleaned off thoroughly, but you were still... stuck. So I did this.” She reached forward with both hooves and took Rarity’s face between them, kissing her for several moments. She broke the kiss with a little gasp. “And then you came back.”
Rarity was in a daze a moment or two longer. She smiled dreamily. “Yes, I suppose that would work, wouldn’t it? Well, thank you, love. Once again I am in your debt.”
Fluttershy smiled from behind her mane, finding herself slightly embarrassed at the praise. “Oh no, I just did what anypony would have done!”
Rarity giggled and pecked the pegasus on the cheek. “Nopony but you, my love, they are not allowed.” She carefully placed the comb in one of her bags. “Well, that’s sorted at least. Come, let’s gather these bags and get some rest, we have a big day tomorrow.”
The night passed relatively uneventfully. Both of them found themselves too wound up to do much more than kiss and snuggle before bed, although that was certainly thrilling enough as it was. The following morning, Fluttershy checked her food stores and wrote out instructions for Applejack and Rainbow to follow, also informing all her animals to behave themselves for their temporary minders.
Angel was proving the most difficult; he seemed insistent on going with his caretaker, clinging to Fluttershy’s leg and shaking his head violently. She looked down at him helplessly, not wanting to punish him, but unable to separate him from her foreleg. After much cajoling and half-hearted shakes of her leg, Rarity finally pried him away in her magic. He stared at the two of them insolently, seemingly ready to revolt again. However, when Fluttershy explained who she was going to see his eyes widened in fear and he seemed quite content to be left behind. Rarity regarded the exchange in amusement, then trepidation. Apparently even the little troublemaker feared Posey.
Rarity in turn carefully petted Opalescence, who was curled up around her feet and purring loudly. Ever since the fire she had gotten much more affectionate, to Rarity’s delight. She resolved to buy several treats for the mercurial feline for being so very good in a crisis.
Finally, with all the animals fed and their caretakers having eaten as well, the two fillyfriends headed out to the train station. At first Rarity was worried they were late, but a quick glance at the schedule showed the train was as well. Rarity spotted Spike waiting patiently, and waved to him as she approached.
Spike held out their tickets, which Rarity took gratefully. “Thank you, Spike. Twilight is very lucky to have someone like you around to tend to things like this.”
The dragon nodded graciously; in the past such praise would have had him simpering, but those days were long gone. Truth be told, he found their new relationship as friends more rewarding than their old one. He had once loved Rarity with his whole heart, but now he simply respected and admired her. True, he was no longer blind to her imperfections now, but some flaws only served to increase the value of a gem. “Yes, she is. Oh!” He pulled out a scroll that he had burped up overnight. “I got this from Princess Celestia. She says Twilight is okay!”
“Oh my goodness, she’s staying with the Princess then?” Fluttershy inquired from behind her bangs curiously.
“Yeah! She kinda caused a big old fuss when she got there, though...”
Princess Celestia was hearing a proposal on a new tax form to add to the other four thousand, five hundred and forty two currently in use when she had a surprise land in front of her. It was a pony, and she quickly ascertained to no small surprise that it was in fact her faithful student.
Twilight looked around wildly at the assembled court, clearly panicked and not a little bit dazed. “I-I’m sorry!” She scrambled off Celestia’s throne and teleported quicker than the guards could protest, much less react, to her presence.
The assembled throng looked back to Celestia, unsure what to make of these proceedings. “Everypony, I apologize. It seems an emergency has arisen. We’ll resume this discussion during day court tomorrow morning. Please excuse me.” Before anypony could make the usual protests, she herself teleported to Twilight’s tower.
The Princess of the Sun found her student huddled in her old bed, weeping silently. Guards burst into the room moments later, calling the alarm as wards unbroken since Twilight’s departure to Ponyville were tripped. One glance from their princess and they knew all was well, bowing their heads respectfully before they silently closed the door.
She approached the bed cautiously, but Twilight quickly threw up a shield, cowering back from whoever had come to check on her. Upon lifting her head and seeing who it was, however, she quickly dispelled it. “Princess! I’msorryI’msorryI’msorry!!”
Celestia nodded carefully, trying not to spook her protege further. "Twilight? Are you all right?"
Twilight shook her head.
Celestia climbed up on the bed and lay down beside her student. "Shhh. I'm here, it's okay."
Twilight nodded silently, stifling another sniffle and pressing against her mentor as if trying to disappear into Celestia's side.
“Do you want to talk about it?”
Twilight shook her head again. She buried her head in her pillow and let out another sob.
The princess smiled gently at her student. “Twilight, I know that whatever is bothering you seems impossibly big right now. But I will be here when you’re ready to talk.”
She mentally made adjustments to her schedule to include comforting a distraught Twilight. “I have some matters to attend to before I lower the sun. Will you be okay here for now?”
Twilight looked up at her and shook her head violently, hugging her mentor’s barrel. "Please?" she pleaded. "Please don't—" She took a deep breath and swallowed. "Can you please stay with me? For a little while?"
Celestia smiled and gently nuzzled Twilight's forehead. "Of course."
Twilight's crying subsided slightly as she calmed down somewhat. "I-I’m sorry... I-I want to tell you what’s wrong, b-but...”
Celestia placed a hoof on her student’s lips to silence her. “Shhh, it's all right. I understand, it’s too soon. I’ll make sure the staff knows you’re here. We'll have meals brought to you and you can take it easy until you feel you are ready to talk.”
She draped a wing over the unicorn and squeezed lightly. "Rest now, and you’re free to join me for breakfast in the morning, if you wish.”
“Thank you, Princess.”
“Would you like me to send word to Spike that you’re safe?”
Twilight looked up in alarm. “Spike! I just left him there! I barely told him anything!”
Celestia inclined her head. “I will send word, then. Just try to rest for now.”
Twilight nodded gratefully. “I hurt somepony, Princess... I thought I was doing the right thing... but I broke her heart!”
Celestia sighed almost inaudibly. “I suspected it might be something like that; I know a wounded heart when I see one.”
“How?”
“You are not the first, Twilight Sparkle. Ponies have been making fools of themselves for love since the first pony walked the earth and saw the second. It will seem clearer in the morning.”
Twilight looked doubtful but said nothing more, instead laying her head back down on her pillow. Both ponies lay together for a time, until Twilight nodded off into an exhausted sleep. Celestia quietly got up, tucking her student into under the covers, and left just as silently.
The train finally pulled into the station fully half an hour late. After waiting for the incoming travellers to disembark the trio boarded, Fluttershy and Spike with their single bags, Rarity with a small mountain of assorted suitcases. She was deliberately packing light for this occasion, which was why it was not a large mountain.
A few hours into their journey, Fluttershy looked out of the window at her approaching doom. She had never before so feared Canterlot, even during their second gala visit, which she had dreaded for fear of how much she had frightened the castle’s animals during her first one. But where that had led to a joyful occasion of the animals finally accepting her apologies and flocking to her, this visit seemed to promise only a broken heart for both of them. And that was assuming her mother was in a good mood. On a bad day Rarity might come away from the meeting scarred for the remainder of her days.
While it was true that they could continue dating even without her parents’ approval, Rarity seemed determined to win it nonetheless. And Fluttershy wanted to see her achieve it, if for no other reason than to see if her mother was even capable of expressing approval. It was hard sometimes, being her mother’s daughter. She wanted with all her heart to believe her mother loved her, but the way she expressed it seemed so alien, it was hard to tell. Her father was very open with his feelings. He always encouraged her, but simultaneously seemed to dread her leaving his side. Her mother on the other hoof... Well, she supposed her mother was not heartless, but the first time she saw a baby bird pushed from the nest to fly or fall on its own... she had scolded the bird because its actions had reminded her so much of her own mother’s.
The train hissed off its reserve of excess steam as it pulled into the station, and that was when she realized there was no getting out of this. They were here, this was going to happen. She looked at Rarity, who was squealing with the excitement of being in the capital again. “Rarity, are you sure you want to do this? We could reschedule with my mom. I think she has some time next year?”
Rarity stopped her antics, turned, and embraced Fluttershy warmly. “Darling, it’s going to be okay. I can face this. You can face this. We will be all right!” The fashionista gave her a winning smile and pecked her on the cheek. “Now, where do we meet them?”
Fluttershy cringed. “I-I asked them to make time in the afternoon to see us. But it’s too early right now, my mom will have drills until at least two o’ clock.”
Rarity nodded. “Very well then. We shall arrange for accommodations and find a way to pass the time until it is more convenient to call.”
“Ahem.”
They both turned to see Spike, gently polishing his claws against his scales. “I’ve already arranged for rooms in the castle, Rarity. Did you really think I would invite you and not plan for where you would be staying?”
Rarity squealed anew. “You are officially the best little dragon in Canterlot!”
“Like I have any competition. You’re up in the east wing, so just let the guards know who you are and they’ll see you to your room. I'll see you later.”
Rarity began picking up her bags. “Later? Oh dear, I never asked if you had plans. That was terribly rude of me, Spikey, my sincerest apologies!”
Spike waved a clawed hand in dismissal of her faux pas. “That’s okay, I just have a lunch date. See ya later, girls.”
Rarity watched him go, feeling an irrational wave of jealousy wash over her. This is what she had wanted, after all; he had moved on. But the thought of him dating... He’ll always be my little Spikey, I suppose. Good for him! I hope that lucky mare, or stallion, makes Spike happy.
Fluttershy seized on the concept of food like a drowning pony finding a rock in the middle of a raging river. “Lunch! We should get lunch too!”
Rarity nodded, distracted by her thoughts. “Yes, I suppose so. Then we could meet your father at least, if your mother is too busy...”
Fluttershy nodded emphatically. “Yes! That’s exactly what we should do. You’ll want to take your time talking to him, Rarity. He’s very nice.”
“Well then, off we go. Taxi!”
It had been a long night for Applejack. Much as she had enjoyed spending the night in Dash’s cloud home, she had decided it was not something she needed to repeat on a regular basis. In addition to being a blanket hog, Dash had a nasty tossing and turning habit she’d never shown in Applejack’s bed.
The farmer was beginning to wonder if the problem might be that the cloud bed was too comfortable for the pegasus. It would explain why she seemed to rest so peacefully up in the branch of an apple tree, or in Applejack’s own bed.
Applejack did love that bed — it had belonged to her Ma and Pa after all — but the years had not been kind to the mattress and it was now more lumps than softness. Of course, Dash could also be tossing in search of a specific lump. Either way, they would need to come up with a better solution for bedding in the future.
So, after a very fitful night of dodging the speedster as she rolled, Applejack finally ended up giving up and going downstairs to make breakfast. Or rather, what passed for breakfast. Cereal, cereal, oatmeal... Poor Dash,I need to cook fer ya more!
She shoveled food into her mouth and eyed the rising sun. There was a lot to get done today, and applebucking was only the start of it. After finishing her breakfast, she snuck back up to Dash’s bedroom and kissed her marefriend goodbye. She'd leave Dash to nap; she had chores to do.
It should have been a short flight home, and it would have been if AJ could have brought herself to leave Dash’s cloud. What she hadn’t counted on was just how high up Dash’s home was. Flying up here with her marefriend had been nothing. She always felt like she was flying when she was around the speedster, so doing it literally was no big deal. And when searching for Dash yesterday, she’d been far more focused on finding that telltale rainbow mane and tail than the height she was flying at.
But eyeing the ground so far below now, she couldn’t quite work up the courage to do it. It felt too much like jumping off a cliff with nothing to catch her. She backed away from the edge of the cloud platform nervously. Maybe it would be best to wake Dash up, just in case these shimmery magic wings decided to up and poof on her halfway down to the ground.
How long do these things last anyway? She thought about it, and realized she had no real idea. She didn’t recall Twilight mentioning how long the spell normally lasted. Rarity’s wings had burned up from catching too much sunlight, not from having worn off, so no help there. These wings seemed sturdy, but trusting her life to them seemed foolish in the cold light of the new day. She curiously reached to her side and ran a hoof along the edge of the wing. She didn’t feel it as a part of herself, but she could feel the feathers tickling her hoof. She would have felt better if they did feel like a part of her, then she might be able to trust them more. For all she knew, they could disappear any second—
She galloped upstairs and jumped on top of Dash.
Rainbow snorted under her, waking with a start. “Applejack? What are you— If you wanna mess around, that’s cool, but can I wake up first? You’re kinda heavy.”
Applejack gingerly stepped down with a blush. “Ah’m sorry, sugarcube. It’s these things on my back. Ah tried to fly on home but... well, Ah don’t know when these things are gonna unravel on me and Ah figured if they disappear if Ah was on top of you at least Ah wouldn’t fall through your floor.”
Dash stared at her incredulously, then started laughing her flank off.
Applejack snorted in frustration, eyeing the “floor” in trepidation, as if it would give way if she didn’t watch it. “Tain’t funny, Dash! Ah ain’t no pegasus, without these things Ah’d just go right through—”
Rainbow finally calmed down enough to talk. “AJ, I am soooo sorry. I should have explained a couple things about my house. You’ll be fine. A cloud home is not quite the same as a regular cloud. I mean, I keep stuff up here, you know? Like the dress Rare made me, and Tank. That propeller thingy gets a little uncomfortable for the poor guy to wear all the time. The floor and the furniture are all crafted with pegasus magic to be solid for anything... or anypony. Heck, I could have brought you up here anytime.”
Applejack looked at her in confusion. “Wait... so why did we need that cloudwalking spell in Cloudsdale?”
Rainbow grinned. She patted her bed fondly. “Because this stuff is not easy to make. Most of Cloudsdale is just regular clouds; no point in making it all solid, just the buildings and homes have to be. Everypony up there can fly, after all! I mean sure, the foals and old fogeys walk around, but they can walk on clouds, so no big deal, you know? Sorry, I didn’t even think to tell you...”
Applejack chuckled slightly, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. “All right, so I’ll be fine in here, that’s good to know. But Ah’d still be much obliged if you could help me get back down. Much as Ah loved joining you up here fer a spell, Ah still feel better with some solid ground under mah hooves.”
Dash yawned and stretched all six of her limbs. “Sure, we can do that. I think I’m gonna catch a nap once we get to the farm though, I feel like I barely slept...”
After finishing the morning chores, Applejack bucked Dash down from the tree she was napping in in order to head to Shy’s cottage with her. She gave a whistle for Winona, figuring the pup could get some playtime in while they tended to the animals’ needs. Rainbow pointed Tank in the direction of the cottage. The tortoise knew the way, as he often made his own way to Shy’s to visit his original caretaker.
The cottage was abuzz with activity the moment they arrived, the animals amassing curiously around them. Within seconds Dash acquired a small entourage consisting of a bat, an eagle, a hawk and an owl. She grinned and flew a couple of laps around the yard with them. “Hey, guys, staying awesome?” The bat nuzzled her. Dash may not have chosen them as her pet, but that didn’t mean she didn’t visit whenever she came to see Shy.
Applejack followed Dash’s flight in amusement. She could have joined them, but still preferred the comfort of the ground for the moment. Feeling a tap on her hind leg, she looked down to see what it was and discovered Angel looking up at her, motioning furiously. “Oh, hay there, little guy. Shy said she was gonna need to leave town a couple days and asked us to come by and check on ya’ll to make sure you get fed.”
Angel nodded; he motioned for the earth pony to follow him inside, pointing towards his stomach piteously.
“No worries, we’ll have you all tended to pretty quick. Lemme just check on these outside ones first.” She went back to pegasus watching.
Angel stomped his foot in impatience.
Applejack turned back to the rascally rabbit. What, you think that’s a tantrum? You ain’t got a thing on ‘Bloom. “Now look here little guy, Ah know you’re hungry, but we got a whole mess of critters out here who need food, too. Ah promise we won’t forget ya, okay?”
Angel shook his head. This was not how it was supposed to go; he got fed first! He pointed to the kitchen again.
“Enough of that! Ah know Shy favors ya, and she’ll be back soon enough to spoil ya rotten like she usually does. Ah ain’t her. Ah’ll take care of ya, but don’t expect me to mollycoddle ya. We clear, little guy?”
The rabbit looked ready to protest further, but something in the orange mare’s tone and demeanor would not brook further argument. She was very unlike the yellow one and the fussy one. He had not had much occasion to interact with this mare, but she seemed competent, and smelled of hard work. He nodded slowly. This mare could be trusted. She might not cater to him the way the yellow one did, but she would tend to his needs.
Applejack smiled, satisfied. She reached down with a forehoof and gently scratched between the rabbit’s ears. “Ah get it, little guy. You miss her. But we’ll get you all tended to. She’ll be back soon, shouldn’t be more than a couple days.”
Angel huffed a sigh. He knew where she was going. She’d be back all right, and as usual she’d be traumatized. It happened every time that monster visited the yellow one’s home.
“Good hanging with you guys, but I got chores to do.” Dash scuffed a hoof nervously along her scalp. The bat and owl looked forlorn; they were giving up sleep to fly with her. “Hey, don’t do that!” Dash looked around nervously. “Okay, fine!” She held out her hooves and they all crowded in for a group hug. “Shy better not tell me about the other animals calling me mushy though...”
As she landed in front of Shy’s cottage, Applejack was just exiting, heading towards the main yard to the feeding shed. “AJ! You got things out here?”
Applejack nodded to her in passing, heading for the chicken coop. “Yeah, you check on the ones inside. Shy left her list on the counter, so make sure you look it over.”
“Got it!”
Dash walked inside, looking for the list of carefully-penned instructions Fluttershy had left for them, only to find it absent. Instead the counter held a white bunny who was, at present, pointing to his mouth and pantomiming making a sandwich. “Yeah, yeah, in a bit, Angel. We have the whole house to tend to. Now where is that—” Dash spotted the poorly concealed list behind one of the birdhouses in the kitchen. She snatched it up and ignored the bunny as she read over the list, much to his annoyance.
“Okay, so the mice need feed pellets... the birds have enough seed to last a week. Gotta check on their water, though. Change out the newspaper in the birdcage? Ewwww.” She wrinkled her nose in distaste.
Angel fumed at the pegasus. It was bad enough his pony had abandoned him, but this one would be tending to him? The colorful one was ignoring him entirely! He decided it was time to take matters into his own paws. He was not going to be ignored any longer. Looking around, he noted a cup drying near the sink. He filled it with water, and threw it at the colorful one’s head.
The cup flew true, miraculously not simply dumping water everywhere, but rather turning in a slow arc to empty itself right on top of her head. Rainbow blinked through her soaking mane, glancing down at the ruined paper in her hooves. The ink was smeared and had become largely unreadable. She turned, not quite sure how to react at first. Finally, the synapses finished connecting. “Angel! What the hay?!”
The bunny laughed at her mockingly. Rainbow advanced on him with violent intent.
Applejack’s voice came through the nearby window, halting Rainbow’s attack... for now. “Sugarcube? You okay in there? Ah heard a shout.”
Rainbow growled at the rabbit maliciously, raising her voice in turn. “Just fine until this little pest dumped water all over me!”
Applejack had finished tending to the chickens by this point, and while there were others to care for outside, she decided it would be best to go tend to this little tantrum next, before it escalated. As much as she loved Rainbow, the lack of younger siblings left the pegasus unprepared to handle things like this. Heh, better teach her sometime. What am Ah gonna do when it comes time to have a foal of our own?
That thought gave her pause. She wanted a little foal of their own someday, but how did Rainbow feel? Applejack decided it was a discussion they would need to have in the near future.
She arrived to find a bunny and a pegasus glaring almost solid beams of hated at each other. Seeing Applejack, the bunny began furiously miming. Applejack quickly discerned this was, again, about Angel’s insistence on being served before all others. She stepped in between the two before Rainbow actually tried attacking the rabbit. “Angel, Ah told you we’d take care of all of ya’ll critters. Why are ya causing a fuss? Ah know we’re not going about it the same way Shy does, but we’ll still get it done.”
Rainbow glared from behind Applejack. “Yeah, well, I’m gonna have trouble. Thanks to Mr. ‘I want my lunch now,’ Shy’s notes are ruined.”
Angel scowled at both of them and leaped from the counter, running out of the door.
Applejack followed his progress in bemusement. “Dunno how she puts up with that varmint.” She turned back to Dash, looking at the ruined notes. “Well shoot, most of it’s just common sense anyhow. Ah do kinda wish we had ‘em now though. Truth is, Ah don’t have much of a clue what to feed a beaver. Do they eat wood?”
Rainbow glanced down at the notes, trying to make some sense out of the smearing. “Shy says they eat... ‘bick?’”
The farmer scratched the back of her head, squinting at the paper in hopes of getting it to make more sense. “Ah don’t think that’s what it says... Gonna guess that’s fish, then. Well, time to get a rod, Ah suppose. Think you can manage in here?”
Rainbow scowled over the notes. As they were drying, it became easier to make out the letters. “Yeah, I should be okay now. Good luck. Try not to be too long.”
Applejack gave one last look at the speedster, just a little worried. Was this what raising a foal with her was going to be like? Applejack shook the thoughts from her mind like she would rain from her coat. That’s just stinkin’ thinkin’. She’ll be fine. Even Shy has trouble with Angel... Besides, it’s not like either of our special talents has to be parenting for us to learn how to manage. Ma and Pa did just fine by me. We’ll just have to learn together. She nodded, satisfied for now.
Pinkie put the wrench down, eyeing her party cannon with trepidation before moving to her workbench to get a power drill. The work area was strewn with half-finished projects and makeshift prototypes. She would have preferred to work on this particular project in her bedroom, but after having to dump Rocky outside for continually making snide remarks about her marefriend—
“Ex-marefriend!” Rocky’s gravelly voice called out to her from the yard.
“Shut up, Rocky!”
“Sorry...”
—she had decided to escape down to her workspace before Madam Leflour, too, weighed in on the breakup. She was trying to focus; she had to throw the best welcome-home party ever. As long as she kept focused, she could keep the bad thoughts at bay. But it was getting harder. She had loaded the streamers into the balloon shell, and filled the streamer shell with cake dough.
Upstairs, poor Mrs. Cake was still trying to scrape the melted balloons out of the oven.
Mr. Cake, meanwhile, was busy cleaning up the already-expended payload of the Party Cannon Mark II, which was going to have to be redesigned again. The cannon had fired just as intended, but the timing of the blast had been off, Pinkie believed, on the quantum level. A basic mistake. After its apparent failure, Pinkie had walked away, dejected, to double-check the design specs. Mr. Cake had opened the bakery five minutes later, and then it had happened. The entire bakery had been spontaneously covered in decorations, and nopony had had any idea where they had come from. This had caused a bit of a panic at first, until Mr. Cake quickly covered it up by explaining he was having a sale today.
So, all in all, Pinkie was not having a good party-day. But she kept at it, because as long as she focused on the party, she didn’t have to think about how Twilight now hated her forever and how parties wouldn’t ever be fun again and why did she have to go and—
She stopped and took a deep breath. The bad thoughts were not going to win; not on her watch!
…Invitations! She needed to make invitations! The first pony to be invited was Twilight, of course—
But what if she won’t come? She’s the guest of honor! You can’t welcome somepony home when they won’t come home! She might decide to stay there and just forget Ponyville. Oh no! I ruined Ponyville for Twilight! I should tell her it’s okay. I-I can go back to the rock farm! She doesn’t have to miss all of her other friends just because she hates me—
She bopped herself on the head, trying to dislodge the offending thoughts. “Stop it! She’ll come back. Rarity promised to bring her back!”
Rarity promised to try. But Twilight didn’t promise anything, and Rarity won’t be able to keep her promise if Twilight won’t even talk to her.
Pinkie stomped a hoof in frustration. “She has to! She just has to! If she won’t talk to Rarity, how can I tell her that I’ll do anything to keep her? I’ll keep in character with the costumes if that’s what she needs. It’ll be okay! I just want her to be happy!”
It’s too late. She’s gone, and you promised not to follow her. A promise is a promise.
Pinkie sobbed into the side of her cannon. A promise is a promise...
“Pinkie?” Mrs. Cakes voice floated down to her from the door at the top of the stairs. “I think we could use your help up here. Be a dear and watch the twins for a while, won’t you?”
Pinkie raised her head, wiping the tears from her eyes as best as she could. The twins, right. Not everypony’s life is falling apart. “Coming, Mrs. Cake...”
Returning triumphantly with a basket full of fish that she had no earthly clue what she was going to do with, and sans a pair of magic wings which were apparently not waterproof, Applejack stepped into mayhem. The mayhem in question was what appeared to be an animal civil war. On one side was Rainbow, flanked valiantly by Winona, Opalescence and Tank, who served as a first line of defense. In the little airspace available, air support was being provided by the selfsame hawk, eagle, owl and bat that Dash had been flying with earlier.
On the other side was every other animal she had ever seen in Fluttershy's cottage, ranging in size from a family of mice and assorted birds, to Angel, to Harry the bear.
“What in tarnation?!”
All eyes turned to her, and suddenly a chorus of roars, chirps, and other animal noises all created a cacophony of noise in her general direction. "Everypony simmer down right now!" She stamped a hoof, and suddenly silence reigned. “Would somepony care to explain?”
“I don’t know! They all just went nuts!” Rainbow paused for a moment, noticing something missing about her marefriend. “Hey, where did the wings go?”
Applejack motioned for her to get on with it. “Fell in the river, they melted. Now will you please tell me what this is about?”
“I tried to follow the instructions and then he," Dash thrust a hoof in Angels direction, "said something to them and they all went mad!"
Dash's wings quivered in agitation as she continued, "I threw him out, but he came back with that bear and started demanding sandwiches—" Harry roared in protest. “Hey, no offense, big guy, but you did come in and start roaring at me.” The bear quieted, looking abashed. “No hard feelings, Harry. We’re still cool.”
Applejack sighed heavily. Oh mah dear Celestia... Dashie, what am Ah gonna do with you? The critters around her were beginning to stir discontentedly again, but she stomped a hoof and they quieted once more. “Okay, Harry,” she nodded to the basket at her side, “this here is for you. All Ah ask is that ya keep that there bunny occupied while Ah straighten this out. Sound good?”
The bear sniffed the air and found the scent of fresh fish on the wind. He nodded, scooping the struggling bunny up in his paws.
“The rest of ya hush up and Ah’ll get ya sorted in due time. Dash, Ah think maybe you might wanna scoot for a bit.”
“But AJ—”
“‘But’ nothing. Look, this ain’t yer fault; not like you got butterflies on yer flank, nopony expects you to know how to take care of these critters.” She pointed Harry in the direction of the door and walked over to the feeding cabinet. “Ah may not be Shy, but Ah know how to tend to animals on mah farm, at least. Ah can handle things here. Why don’t you head on down to Sugarcube Corner, get us some lunch for after Ah finish here?”
Dash nodded, finally dropping her defensive posture when it looked like her marefriend had all the animals following the rules. “All right, AJ...”
“Thanks for trying... But I’m just not feeling very smiley right now,” Pinkie said to the Cake twins as they tried yet again to make her laugh. Pumpkin gave one last halfhearted swing at her brother with the rubber chicken, then dropped it, looking to him for guidance. By mutual consent, they both crowded into her lap and hugged her. Pinkie nuzzled the tops of their heads fondly. “Aww, I love you guys too.”
Pound looked up at her, concern showing in his eyes.
“No, I’m fine. Just kinda sad.”
Pumpkin looked at her doubtfully. She pointed up at her horn, then at Pinkie.
“Twilight just left for a little while. She’ll be back soon. You’ll see. She needed to get away from Ponyville for a while.”
The twins gave each other a look, and hugged her harder.
“T-thanks, but I’m really okay.”
“Pinkie?” Mrs. Cake’s voice came from downstairs. Pinkie could hear a curious tone in her voice. It was one she usually reserved for when one of the twins were sick. She’s worried about me. I need to pretend better.
“Yes, Mrs. Cake?” She called down in the most cheerful tone she could manage.
“One of your friends is here. Why don’t you let me watch the twins for a bit while you two talk. Would that be okay?”
“Hey Pinks! Got a sec?”
“Dashie!” She scrambled to her hooves, calling downstairs to answer. “Are you sure you’re okay without me watching them for now?”
Pinkie could hear Mrs. Cake climbing the stairs as she replied, “The lunch rush is over, so go ahead and take some time for yourself. We’ll be fine.”
Pinkie nodded to nopony in particular and scooped the twins up, passing them to Mrs. Cake. She kissed the twins on their foreheads. “Thanks again, guys!”
“Pinks? You okay?” Rainbow looked at her friend in concern. Over the years she had seen many sides of Pinkie. While this was hardly the lowest she had seen Pinkie’s mood dip, there was something off about her friend. The only thing keeping Rainbow from outright panic was that her friend’s hair was still bouncy, as a limp mane was usually the indicator that things had gotten as bad as could be imagined.
“Just super, Dashie! Any day is a great day when my friends visit!”
Geez, lay it on a little thicker, Pinks. “Okay... then maybe you could explain why that bag of flour has a gag on it?”
“Because she needed a timeout,” Pinkie said with a grunt of frustration, her earlier cheerful expression darkening.
“Pinks... spill it. Something’s up.”
“I-I’m fine. Just a little tired, that’s all.” Pinkie flashed her an unconvincing smile. Pinkie had a wide arsenal of smiles for various occasions; this was not one of the better ones.
“Tired,” Dash replied in a deadpan voice. “Pinks, you don’t get tired. Other ponies get tired, hay, I get tired. You’re still bouncing around and singing while everypony else is sitting in the corner half-dead. Try again. We didn’t forget your birthday, did we?” She paused. “Or maybe my birthday? Did I miss an invitation?”
Pinkie cracked her smallest real smile at that. “Thanks for caring, Dashie. But I promised. I can’t tell you.”
Dash stared at her incredulously. “Okay... not party related. Did somepony hurt your feelings?”
Pinkie flinched, but shook her head quickly.
“That’s it, isn’t it?” Rainbow cracked her hooves menacingly. “That’s okay, just tell me where I can find them. I’ll make sure they never do it again.”
“Dashie!” Pinkie held up her hooves in a placating gesture. “Please, don’t. I’m sure she didn’t mean to.”
“So it’s a mare! What did you promise her?”
“N-no! It’s not— I mean yes, but no...”
“What kind of friend would ask you to keep that kind of secret? Not one worth having.”
Pinkie looked on the verge of tears. “Don’t say that! Not you too!” She flung herself at Rainbow and hugged her desperately. “Not you too... Please no.”
Dash looked down at Pinkie, her anger ebbing, but her confusion only mounting. She reached a hoof up to Pinkie’s mane and carefully stroked it. “Pinks, p-please let me help. You’re scaring me.”
Pinkie buried her face into Dash’s pelt. “Don’t hate her. Please don’t hate her.”
“Hate who? Just tell me.”
“I can’t! She made me promise I wouldn't tell anypony until she was ready.”
“Who? Why would you promise something like that?” Rainbow tilted Pinkie’s head up to look her in the eyes. “Just... can’t you tell me anything? I don’t like seeing you like this.”
Pinkie shook her head. “A promise is a promise. I still— She’ll be back. It’ll be okay when she’s back. But I have to have the party ready! She’s the guest of honor!”
“When she’s back? Rarity, or Fluttershy?”
“Them too!”
“Wait, Twilight?!” Dash pried Pinkie away from her midsection and held the earth pony’s face in her hooves. “You’re going to tell me what she did right now!”
“She didn’t do anything! It’s just a big misunderstanding. She didn’t do it right! She was supposed to ask me out again, but she ran away instead! I have to wait, and have the party ready, and then everything will be okay again!”
Dash was physically restraining herself from shaking her friend. “What party?”
“Her welcome-home party!”
Rainbow mulled all of this over in her head. “Twilight broke up with you, and ran away...”
“No! Nononono, that’s not right! S-she was just confused!” Pinkie slipped through Dash’s grip and clutched Rainbow harder than ever. “I can’t tell you any of this, she made me promise!”
Rainbow shook her head. “Pinks, if she made you promise not to say you’re dating... If she broke up with you there’s nothing left to keep secret—”
“No! It’s not like that! Please don’t say that...” She wept into her friend’s chest. “I just have to have the party ready. I promised Rarity I would stay here, and she’ll bring her back.”
Rainbow just held her for a while. She wasn’t very good with this, but if Pinkie needed somepony’s shoulder to cry on, that was okay. They stayed like that for a while, Pinkie slowly calming down. Rainbow finally dared to try to speak to her again. “Okay, so nopony is supposed to know you were—”
“Are.”
“—are dating. But I know now, so can you please talk to me?”
Pinkie didn’t answer for some time. “I messed it all up. We were playing pirate captain and peasant girl and I couldn’t—”
Rainbow interrupted her before she got too deeply into that description. “She broke up with you over some game?”
Pinkie nodded. “It’s a special game. We dress up and act like somepony else. The pirate captain captures the peasant maiden’s ship, and then she’s his—”
Rainbow blushed heavily. “Whoa! Um... let’s back that up a couple steps. What’ve you two been up to?”
She listened while Pinkie explained, her blush only getting worse by the moment.
“Oh, Pinks. I’m so sorry...”
Pinkie snuffled into Dash’s mane. She’d gotten to the sad part, and needed another hug. “It’s not your fault, Dashie. I messed up, not you.”
“Stop that! Pinks, those games sound fun but there is nothing wrong with wanting to be you for a change. You love her, and you want to be with her, not somepony else.”
“I don’t mind, really! I’ll play whatever games she wants if she’ll just come back...”
Dash held Pinkie’s shoulders and stared her straight in the eye. “If she loves you, she should understand what you need from her. I dunno what I would do if AJ wouldn’t have me as me. I mean, I would start to wonder if she loved me at all.”
Pinkie shook her head. “I know she loves me. It’s not more important than being with her. She never could... She always needed to be somepony else. She got all nervous when we tried without them. It made her so frustrated, and I just wanted her to be happy. And we were happy... until I found out we could be happier. And suddenly what we had wasn’t enough anymore. But we had enough!” She smacked a hoof into the pad of her other hoof for emphasis. “It was enough...”
Rainbow looked at her sadly. “Pinks, love doesn’t settle for second best. Love wins. If you love her, really love her, then you should take what you want.”
Pinkie had no response at first. “I wanted to be with her as me... but it’s not like I was missing much. I mean, we kissed as us, and we snuggled as us. It was just... that one little thing. It seemed so important then. And now she’s gone. And I don’t care anymore.” Dash had to strain her ears for the rest of the sentence as Pinkie imitated Fluttershy. “I just want her to come back.”
Dash enfolded Pinkie in her wings. “She’ll be back. How could she stay away from somepony as awesome as you?”
Outwardly, Dash was trying to be comforting, but inwardly she seethed with raw anger. She’d thought Pinkie had seemed unusually happy lately, even for her. Now she knew why. To finally have a special somepony, only to lose them because of something so minor... it was cruel. Pinkie didn’t deserve this. The feathering problem was she couldn’t really be mad at Twilight. From what Pinks had described, Twilight hadn’t left her to hurt her. She’d left because she was convinced she was already hurting her. Full points for loyalty there, that had to be tough to do, but minus several million for lack of common sense.
Rainbow didn’t get it; it had been pretty easy for Applejack and her. Sure, they’d had that rough period when Dash hadn’t wanted to come out and say it. Leaving notes had just seemed the best way to express her feelings when she hadn’t yet been able to work up the courage to tell AJ directly. I wonder... was that why Twi suggested that? She is kind of a nerd. For her to suggest that Pinkie have casual sex with her seems off... Then again, it is always the quiet ones... and the crazy ones...
“Okay, so she’s coming back... what’re you gonna do when she gets here?”
“I’m gonna throw her the biggest and bestest party ever. Then I’m gonna tell her I’ll be happy no matter what as long as she stays with me!” The imagined scene seemed to brighten Pinkie’s expression by several degrees.
Rainbow facehoofed. “So you’re gonna pretend to be happy?”
“Well, yeah. She left because I wasn’t good enough at pretending to be happy, tha—”
Rainbow covered Pinkie’s mouth with a hoof. “That’s not why. Pinks, Twi wouldn’t leave you over a s-sexytime argument. From what Shy said, she was convinced you were miserable around her. If you want her back you need to show her what will make you happy! When she gets home you take her face in your hooves,” Rainbow took Pinkie’s face in her own, “you pucker up,” Rainbow puckered her lips, “and you kiss her good and hard like you mean it.” She then pressed her lips firmly to Pinkie’s. Pinkie seemed uncertain at first, then she kissed back with equal pressure. Dash broke the kiss, smiling and panting slightly. “Then you tell her you want her to meet you upstairs.”
“B-but we’re already upstairs, Dashie...” came the breathless reply.
“Even better—” Dashie stopped her tirade suddenly as the implications hit her, her wings spreading out with an audible fwoomp. Ohmygosh I just... “Sorry Pinks, I-I got carried away. I really shouldn’t—”
“S-so what then? That’s usually when we get dressed up...”
“T-then you make love... you know...”
“Um... we usually do a lot of giggling and touching and kissing...”
What’s that on my— “R-right...”
“It makes me happy, and it makes her happy...”
She’s touching them! “Pinks?”
“Yeah?”
“Y-you’re touching my wings.”
Pinkie looked down at her hooves, which were indeed caressing Dash’s wings. She dropped them down to the floor and took a couple of steps back. “Sorry! Twilight doesn’t have those, and I was thinking about how soft they must be and how I wanted to... sorry...”
Rainbow took a moment to calm down and get her wings under control. “It’s cool. I got wrapped up in the moment too." She looked around nervously; this had very quickly gone too far. I almost... Oh, AJ is gonna kill me. "I need to go, AJ is expecting me. I-I’ll be back later.”
Pinkie nodded, the ghost of a smile she had been wearing a second ago now dropping back into a frown. “Sorry I made you uncomfortable. I didn't mean to— I-I get kinda hoofsy sometimes...”
Rainbow stepped forward and hugged her. “No, Pinks. It’s all right. Seriously. But I promised Applejack I would get lunch, she needs my help.” She paused, hesitating, then quickly kissed Pinkie again on the lips. “I'll be back after I talk with AJ, okay?”
Pinkie nodded sadly. “You promise? Please promise.”
“Pinkie promise. I will, soon. Don’t beat yourself up, Pinks. Okay?”
“Okay.”
Dash took her bags from Mrs. Cake with a nod of thanks. She fairly galloped out of the door, and was airborne the moment she hit open sky. The whole flight to Shy’s cottage was plagued with self-recrimination. Why did I do that? I almost did it. Another second and I would have laid her out on the bed and showed her how it was done, just to see her smile again.
That was what hurt the worst. Applejack had not been at the forefront of her mind then. The sight of Pinkie looking sad had crushed her. The idea that her marefriend had only been an afterthought in the wake of nearly cheating on her—
But I didn’t! That’s what counts, right?
Suuuuure it does. Cheating is always okay as long as you stop with the wings.
She winced. It’s not like I would have done it for me, it would have been to help Pinkie!
Uhuh; and the way her hooves felt, that didn’t do anything for you, did it?
She arrived at the cottage a few moments later, finding all the animals content and happy. Angel had been let back into the cottage, and was even now enjoying his sandwich. Applejack, meanwhile, was kicking back on Shy’s couch with her hat tilted forward to block the light. She lifted the brim as Dash came in. “Bout time you got back. Was beginning to worry about ya.”
The pegasus winced. “Worried? Nah, I was fine.”
Applejack chuckled and stood up, walking over to Dash to embrace her. “Ah don’t mean like that. Ah figured you jes’ decided to grab a nap or work on a trick or something.”
Dash cringed. That accusation hit pretty close to home, even if she knew Applejack was just picking on her. “AJ... I was talking to Pinkie.”
The farmpony raised an eyebrow curiously. “Oh? How’s she doing?”
Rainbow’s ears flattened to her skull. “Not good. Apparently she and Twi had a thing going... not quite dating, but a whole lotta playtime, if you get me. But Twi broke it off and left town.”
“Wait... Who? Playtime? Where did Twi go?”
“Later! I gotta... tell you something.”
Applejack clutched the brim of her hat in both hooves and brought it down to her chest. “Sugarcube, you’re looking like you just stole a barrel of cider right out from under mah nose.”
Dash bowed her head guiltily. "I bucked up, AJ...”
“Bucked up? How?” Applejack scratched her head in increased agitation. “What’s that gotta do with Pinkie and Twi?”
Rainbow wrung her hooves together nervously. “I was talking to Pinkie... I never told you, but I saw her in a really bad place once and I couldn't stand seeing her like that again."
“Okay, so Pinkie was down; why would Ah be upset with you for trying to cheer her up?”
Rainbow took a deep breath, and the words came tumbling out in a rush. “It’s what I did while I was trying to cheer her up... I swear, I never meant for it to happen, AJ!”
Applejack gave her a confused look, though it felt like the world grew darker and colder to the farmer. "What'd you do?" she asked in something approaching her normal no-nonsense manner, but there was a quiver in her voice that would have been missed by anypony that hadn’t been her marefriend for a while.
Rainbow let out a choked-sounding laugh. It just slipped out in a moment of hysteria. "Y-you know how I talk with my hooves sometimes? I-I kind of talked with my lips too. And then she had her hooves on my wings—"
Applejack sat down heavily, eyes downcast and taking deep breaths. “Yer... lips...”
"I'm sorry, AJ! I didn't— I mean, I stopped before it got any further, but..." Dash moved forward and sat down in front of her marefriend. "She was— is so sad, AJ..."
Applejack just shook her head. “Ah can’t believe it. Why?” She looked up at Dash, anger and hurt warring in her eyes, accompanied by something a pony didn’t see very often on Applejack’s face: fresh tears. “Was Ah not enough for ya? You gotta go off and be Pinkie’s rebound? If ya wanted to break it off this is a f-feathered up way to tell a girl!”
“No! I don’t want that, I just... that’s why I came to tell you. I love you, AJ. It just hurt seeing her like that! I got a little into it when I was trying to tell her how to get Twi back, and then I noticed what she was doing and I asked her to stop!”
“At least yer bein’ honest...” She paused, wearily wiping the tears from her eyes. She cocked her head to the side slightly as a thought occured. “Back up a tick. How exactly was this gonna help her get Twi?”
Dash cleared her throat and took a deep breath; this was going to take a while. “Well, it’s like this...”
“Huh... So they were fooling around, but not datin’? Ugh, cousin Braeburn does that too, leaves a big ol’ string of broken hearts behind ‘im...”
“Well, they were trying to make it work, but you know Twi. If it’s not laid out in step-by-step instructions she goes nuts trying to figure it out.”
“So what did ya have in mind, then? Wanna give Pinkie a little hooves-on experience?” Applejack asked, a little venom in her tone.
Dash looked up as if Applejack had slapped her. “N-no! That’s— I-I mean... that’s what I was trying to stop!”
Applejack nodded, pleased with Dash’s response, but it hurt her heart to see Dash flinch like that. “Ah get it, Dash. You were tryin’ to be loyal, you just slipped. Ah forgive ya, sugarcube. If ya really wanna keep feeling guilty ya can make it up to me somehow, Ah’ll let you decide just how guilty ya feel.” She winked, bringing a purple hue to her marefriend’s face. “But Pinkie needs some help, right? She wants to be with Twi for real, no games, no playing around. But she’s not quite sure how to do that without playing at being somepony else, is she?”
“She did seem pretty clueless. Didn’t even seem to realize she was stroking my wings.” Dash kept her eyes downcast when mentioning that again, not quite able to face Applejack.
Although she wanted to keep Dash on her toes to prevent this from ever happening again, Applejack could easily see how it had happened now. The fact was that both Dash and Pinkie were pretty physical. She appreciated that in her marefriend, but had never expected to have to deal with that from Pinkie.
Now she was in a bit of pickle. On the one hoof, Dash had screwed up. She knew it, and Applejack knew it. On the other hoof, Dash hadn’t tried to hide what she’d done. She’d owned up to her mistake. Hadn’t lied, hadn’t tried to keep it secret. That counted for a lot in Applejack’s eyes.
Pinkie sure as hay would have kept that secret if she was asked, but Dash cared enough to tell her, even knowing it would upset her. It didn’t make it okay, but it put their relationship back on solid footing in her mind again, for the most part.
The real question now was: what to do about Pinkie? She could forgive Dash her slip, and even Pinkie for reciprocating, but their friend still needed a very special kind of help. Time to put up or shut up. You gonna be a good friend or not?
“Okay.”
Dash looked up in surprise. “Okay what?”
“Okay, let’s help her.”
“What—”
Applejack leveled her eyes at her startled and apparently oblivious marefriend. “Sugarcube, do Ah need to spell it out? Little miss Pinkie needs a proper lesson in how take care of her marefriend. Ah ain’t sayin Ah want to have her join us on a permanent basis, but if she needs help, what kind of friends are we not to pitch in?”
“I-is that okay? I mean—”
“There’s two votes in this relationship that count. Ah vote we help the little missie learn how to win Twi back. What’s your vote?”
“I want to help her! But I mean... hooves-on? You sure, AJ?” Despite herself, Dash’s wings rose to the occasion.
The farmpony chuckled knowingly. “Don’t go getting your hopes up, lovergirl. Ah just mean we could sit her down and talk her through some things her ma and pa should have gone over. Maybe even have her watch us. We’ll play it by ear.”
Dash hugged her suddenly. “I have the most awesome marefriend in the world!”
Applejack hugged her back. “Darn right you do, and you better not forget it. But, uh...” She looked really embarrassed for a moment, causing Dash to cock her head curiously. “Dash, Ah gotta take care of something real quick before we talk with Pinkie. Gotta get my head straight again.”
“Uh...”
“Look, it’s just tit for tat. Ah’ll explain later.”
“O-okay.”
Pinkie Pie lay on her bed, trying not to be sad. Her friends wouldn’t like seeing her that way. Dashie had left her some time ago; she had said everything was okay, but Pinkie could tell she’d messed up again. She hadn’t meant to do it, but when Dashie kissed her, it was the exact way she’d always wanted to be kissed. She could feel how much Dashie cared about her, how she trembled just a little because she was worried about her. And then Dashie had said they should go upstairs. She was asking Pinkie, not some imaginary knight or peasant girl on a pirate ship. Well, maybe not really, but it had felt so real. So real she’d forgotten it wasn’t supposed to be happening, and then her hooves had just started moving on their own.
Twilight had never minded when Pinkie was being grabby— she’d laugh and grab back, then they would kiss and snuggle and go to the costume closet. Rarity had minded. She had acted like Pinkie had done something bad. Dashie had minded too...
She sighed heavily. Stupid Pinkie Pie... You’re gonna drive all your friends away. If she hadn’t already. Rarity and Fluttershy were both gone now. Twilight was gone, Dashie had just run away... And if Dashie got in trouble with Applejack then Applejack would hate her, too.
There was a quiet knock on her door. “Pinks? Got a sec?”
“Dashie!” She leapt up and opened the door. Dashie had come back! But the pony standing next to her gave Pinkie pause. “Applejack!” She got down on her knees and looked up at the farmpony pleadingly. “Pleeease don’t be mad at Dashie, she was talking to me and I got all hoofsy and it wasn’t her fault and—”
Her words were cut off by Applejack’s lips. The kiss was gentle, but firm. It was so different from Dashie’s, but it still felt nice. Pinkie leaned into the kiss, unsure of what was going on, but happy nonetheless. She looked up in confusion after the contact was broken. At least Applejack wasn’t mad, but now she wasn’t sure what was happening at all. “Applejack?”
Pinkie glanced at Dash and saw she was blushing furiously, looking like she’d just had an argument with a thundercloud. Every pinion was extended to its fullest length. “Dashie?”
Pinkie turned back to Applejack. She didn’t say anything more, but her look of confusion and delight made the farmpony laugh lightly. She smiled, trying to show Pinkie she wasn’t upset. “Jes’ retrieving what’s mine, sugarcube.“
“D-does this mean you’re not gonna be mad at Dashie?”
Applejack laid a foreleg around Pinkie’s neck and pulled her close. “Look, Ah can forgive you and Dash, but there’s a tradition in mah family about theft.”
She kissed Pinkie softly on the cheek, then softly nuzzled her neck, making her giggle. ”It dates back longer than any of us can remember.” Pinkie blushed again, feeling Applejack’s hot breath on her neck as the farmer talked. “Before we let bygones be bygones, we gotta get back what’s ours, don't matter what it is.”
She gave Pinkie one last kiss on the lips and helped her to her hooves, leading her to her bed. ”Sit a spell, we wanna talk to you about a couple’a things.”
“O-okie dokie...”
A few moments later, Applejack barked in irritation. “Dash! Snap out of it, girl!”
Rainbow blinked, looked at Pinkie and Applejack snuggled together on the bed, and had to force her wings down. “Sorry, AJ!”
“Twilight!” a very cheery voice called out to her in the darkness.
Twilight stirred from her sleep, looking around for its origin. The owner of that voice should have been several hours away, but logic never seemed to bother her. Indeed, she sometimes suspected logic to be in cahoots with the pink mare. “Pinkie?”
“In here!” the voice called again, followed by a giggle. “C’mon, you can find me!”
“Where are you hiding...?” Twilight looked around the room, and finally found the source of the voice: it was coming from her mirror. “Pinkie!”
“Hi!” The earth pony waved happily from the glass pane. “Are you ready to come home yet?”
Twilight shook her head, trying to clear it. She looked again, but against all reason Pinkie was still there, exactly where Twilight’s reflection should have been. “Pinkie! You’re not supposed to be here!”
“Pfft! You’re here, so I’m here!” She flashed a wide grin at Twilight. “Come home, Twilight. I miss you.”
Twilight shook her head. “I want to, you have no idea how much. But I can’t! I-I’m what’s wrong with us.”
Pinkie giggled in the adorable way that had always made Twilight’s heart sing, but now it only brought a sting of pain. “Silly filly, you worry too much. I’ll be fine.” She leaned up against the glass, looking as if she planned to push through it, as if passing through solid glass were no more inconvenient to her than easing into a pool of water. “Here, let me just come through the mirror and you can ask me out again.”
“No!” Twilight surrounded the mirror with a forcefield, causing Pinkie to butt her head against it when it blocked her exit. She rubbed her head with a hoof and looked at Twilight in confusion. The unicorn sighed heavily. “That didn’t work the first time, it’s not going to work now. We can’t just pretend and make all our problems go away.”
Pinkie brightened at that. “I can pretend really really really hard!”
“I-I don’t want you to have to pretend to be happy, Pinkie.”
Pinkie looked at the glowing barrier, then pounded a hoof on the glass. “This isn’t funny anymore! You need to come home now. I’ll be fine!” Pinkie began headbutting the glass, causing it and the forcefield to ripple like a pond being struck by a skipped stone.
“Pinkie, I can’t. I’m sorry!” She sent another surge of energy into the shield to strengthen it. “Just find somepony else, be happy again.” Twilight sobbed as Pinkie paused in her assault of the mirror. “I-I love you, that’s why I had to let you go. Please just stop. I can’t... I don’t know where I went wrong, and I won’t watch you suffer because of me.”
Pinkie again put her hooves up to the glass, renewing her efforts to push through. “Don’t say that! Please don’t say that! I love you too! Just come home, and I’ll be happy, I Pinkie promise!”
Twilight stubbornly held the shield on the mirror. “Go home!”
The earth pony stomped a hoof on the glass. “No! Not without you!”
Twilight squeezed her eyes shut in pain. “I’m sorry.” She sent a bolt of energy at the mirror, shattering it. The shards covered her floor like glittering gems. “I’m so sorry...”
Thousands of voices called out to her from the glass. “Twilight...”
Her eyes snapped open and she looked down at the floor in horror; every piece of glass held an image of Pinkie. “No...” Every image was pounding on the face of its shard, trying to get out, but unable to. “Pinkie! I’m sorry!”
She tried piecing the mirror together but, try as she might, she could not reform the glass into a single pane. “Just hold on, I’ll get help!”
The individual images all put their hooves up to the glass, trying to reach her. Every image spoke in Pinkie’s voice. “I love you!” One by one, the images left the shards, leaving only her own reflection.
She woke with a start, sitting bolt upright in her bed. The unicorn looked around frantically, finding her nightstand mirror holding nothing but her own terrified face. She sagged in relief, then laid her head down on her pillow and cried silently.
She woke again several hours later, having fallen into an exhausted but thankfully dreamless slumber. Once again she glanced at her mirror, but saw only the reflection of her room in it. Gingerly, she climbed out of bed and approached the mirror. Her eyes were bloodshot, her cheeks were puffy, and the pelt around her eyes was matted with her tears. She hated the reflection before her. She hated it for being weak when she needed to be strong. She hated the tears that streamed down from her eyes. But most of all, she hated that reflection for not being Pinkie Pie.
Twilight turned away from the mirror in disgust. She needed to make herself presentable, and apologize to the Princess for burdening her with her problems. This was no friendship issue; it wasn’t even properly a love issue. What did Twilight really know about love, anyway? She couldn’t get it right, so she didn’t deserve to have it.
But Pinkie... Pinkie deserved all the love in Equestria and more. The thought of Pinkie finding happiness with somepony else filled her with both joy and an immeasurable amount of dread. She wanted to be the one to make the pink pony happy, but she’d screwed it up. Twice.
Enough; she’ll be okay. I just need to give her some time to get used to the idea. Twilight nodded tiredly. She had eliminated the error, therefore the equation should correct itself with time. Granted, the division had been painful, but better a clean excision than having to watch their love die because of a flaw in its inception. Pinkie would find somepony new, who could treat her the way she deserved to be treated.
She deserves better than somepony who cheated to get her.
After a nice hot shower and a good mane brushing, Twilight finally felt like she could present herself to the world again. She opened the door to her room, nodding in passing to the newly appointed guards stationed there. They smiled at her, but she could see sympathy in their eyes, and she winced inwardly because of it. Nothing quite like a pony pitying you because they heard your early morning yell of horror...
She buried the thought, and the subsequent feelings it brought. She had to maintain her composure around her mentor. Yesterday had been an embarrassing slip for her, and she had to reassure Princess Celestia that she was okay.
Reassure her, or yourself?
She dismissed the errant thought irritably. She could do this. It was just breakfast. The Princess would likely ask her if she was ready to talk. She just had to explain that she was all right now. Then she had to go back to her tower and stay there until the urge to run back to the pink mare and beg her forgiveness subsided. There would be time for that later; first the separation had to set in for both of them. Going back now would be too painful.
She walked the halls purposefully, nodding and even attempting to smile at each of the guards. There were some new ones she did not recognize, but she smiled all the same.
“C’mon, silly filly, I wanna see that grin. I’ll keep tickling you until I see it!”
She choked back a sob and tried to smile again, but her face refused to cooperate.
Pinkie!
She stopped and slumped down against a nearby wall. She could do this, she just had to be strong! Going back to Pinkie meant seeing her be sad again, and Twilight loved her too much to do that to her.
But... it was okay to cry for a while longer, she supposed.
Twilight opened the doors silently, or as silently as she could being that they were giant double doors intended to allow banquet carts in. Her face was composed once more, her eyes were no longer red from crying, and she felt ready to blatantly lie to her mentor about how she was now fine.
“Good morning, Twilight.” Celestia nodded to her courteously, gesturing to an empty seat.
“Good morning, Princess.” She put up her best fake smile for her mentor. What she hadn’t counted on was her mentor’s sister.
“Twilight Sparkle! How art thou this fine morning? Better rested, we hope?” Luna pulled out the seat next to her with her magic. “Sit, please!”
Twilight nodded politely, trying to shake the ringing from her ears. “T-thank you, Princess.” She sat down and picked up the first thing she recognized as edible to place on her plate. The two sisters were chatting amiably about some matter of court, although occasionally the discussion made Luna pound the table for emphasis.
“Charlatans and thieves, the lot of them! We set down a simple flat tax over a millenia ago; how did it come to this morass of forms and rules?”
Twilight remained silent throughout their bantering, using the extra time to come up with viable excuses for those questions she knew they would inevitably ask. Eventually the talk moved onto more agreeable matters, but despite her fears, she was never directly asked about what had happened, or whether she was willing to talk yet. It was almost as if they had other things on their mind, more important things than the life of a single unicorn!
She sighed in relief. Maybe she would be okay after all. Neither sister seemed to be meddling in her life without being asked. She was now free to go back to her room and stay there until she felt like she had punished herself enough for her failure.
Still, in some tiny, selfish part of her mind, she wished she had been asked. It seemed an awful waste of time to have spent the whole morning worrying over nothing. Her mentor could have at least have had the courtesy to ask about her, so she could use all the wonderful obfuscations she had been devising to deflect those very questions!
Maybe they just don’t care...
“—these dreams, Twilight?”
Twilight paused mid-chew. “Wha?” She finished the bite quickly. “I’m sorry, Princess Luna. What was that?”
Luna looked at her with thinly veiled concern, although it was tinged with a hint of amusement. “We were certain we asked for less formality the last time we spoke at length, Twilight. We... I suppose I am asking for that when I slip into old habits... I don’t mean to pry, but your friend... the Element of Laughter, the one who dressed as a chicken and led the foals...”
“What about Pinkie?!” She hadn’t realized she was shouting until the words left her mouth. “Oh! I’m so sorry, Luna...”
“‘Tis nothing, we assure you. When mine sister still used the Voice I had to devote a good bit of energy into a constant eardrum regeneration spell.” She chuckled at the memory while Celestia harrumphed good-naturedly.
“But yes... Pinkie. Her dreams are normally quite inviting things, if extremely odd. However, she seemed beset by nightmares last night. We normally do not speak of such things to any save the subject themselves, but your own dreams seemed of similar bent this morning. With two of you being so subjected to nightmares, I was concerned that the Elements might all be under attack. Is everything well?”
Twilight's breathing hitched, and she took a deep breath to compose herself before replying. "I’m sure it’s nothing... What kind of nightmares was she having?" she asked in a pleasant conversational tone, though her heart was hammering in her throat even as the icy grip of fear squeezed it with unyielding claws. It was taking every bit of mental strength she had left not to break down crying again. Pinkie is having nightmares, because of me—
“That’s the strange thing... She was on an ocean-going vessel, being made to... ‘walk the plank’ I believe its called. Stranger still, the captain of the vessel looked exactly like you.”
Twilight’s complete and total breakdown could be heard well outside the dining room.
“I am beginning to think you are stalling again, darling. I know this confrontation frightens you, but it wouldn’t do to stand your parents up, would it?” Rarity asked gently of her marefriend, who was busy giving yet another set of directions to the driver of their coach.
Fluttershy did not respond at first, perhaps thinking that if she ignored the question it would slink away on its own. After an uncomfortable length of time she turned back to Rarity. “Um...”
“You do remember your own parent’s address, don’t you, love?”
Fluttershy sighed heavily. She turned and gave an entirely different set of directions to the coachpony, who turned the vehicle around with no small amount of grumbling.
The pegasus settled back in her seat, not able to look at her marefriend. Rarity snuggled up to her and kissed her on the cheek. “That’s my brave love.”
“I’m... sorry.”
“Shhhh, no need. It is nerve wracking, I am well aware. I promise you that no matter what happens, I will still be at your side when we return. But I want their love, just as I have yours. And I am willing to earn the right to be called their daughter... errr, someday,” Rarity finished quickly.
“I just...” Fluttershy took a steadying breath. “I want them to like you. Really like you. And my mom doesn’t like anything, ever. I don’t even know if she likes me! I-I want to believe she loves me, but I can’t tell. Oh! That’s so horrible to say! But I love her, and I want her to be p-proud.”
They arrived in due time at an unassuming cottage on the outskirts of Canterlot. It was of simple enough design, as were all the others around it. Rarity guessed that these were mass-produced for members of the military that were stationed in Canterlot, away from their families. The thing that made this home stand out was a lush flower garden on either side of the path to the front door.
A rather large pegasus was out front watering the flowers, his coat the uniform grey of a storm cloud; Rarity supposed this must be Fluttershy’s father. He... is certainly... The sheer size of him was what stuck out in her mind. He looked like he could easily wrestle a manticore. She began assessing him mentally, taking rough measurements almost by habit. I might have to fit this stallion for a suit at some point, after all. Sisters, I’d be hard pressed to say if he would dwarf Macintosh. His mane was a very aesthetically pleasing silver, and he was wearing some sort of tool belt that obscured his cutie mark.
He looked up as their carriage approached, and suddenly Rarity was made aware of whose eyes and smile Fluttershy seemed to have inherited, for the resemblance was unmistakable. For that fact alone Rarity found herself liking this giant of a pony, and hoping he would like her in return.
He rushed forward as they got out of the carriage, and picked Fluttershy up bodily. “Shy-shy!” He spun her around in the air, he laughing in a loud, deep voice, she squealing in fillyish glee. Rarely had she seen her marefriend so unabashedly happy, save perhaps for certain private moments. It made her all the more determined to coax that expression from the petite pegasus’s face in the future.
When they had finished their father-daughter bonding, he looked at Rarity with evident curiosity. “Well, hello there. You must be Shy-shy’s friend, Twilight Sparkle?”
Fluttershy blushed at his mistake. “Um... no, Daddy. This is Rarity.”
He blanched suddenly. “Oh gosh, I’m sorry, I knew she had two unicorn friends and I figured I had a fifty-fifty chance. She talks about you, but, well, she never really goes into great detail about how you look...” He looked to the side in embarrassment. “Please, I hope you can forgive the mistake.”
Rarity giggled slightly at this huge, imposing giant looking abashed. “Think nothing of it! You must be Silver Lining then. Goodness, Fluttershy had mentioned you were quite handsome, but I had assumed that was merely a daughter’s love for her father. She clearly has as good a taste in stallions as she has in mares.”
Silver actually blushed at that, and Rarity was struck again by just how odd that expression looked on this particular pony. It was clearly something she would have to get used to. “Well, my wife always thought so. Everypony else always seemed kinda scared of me.” He shook his head ruefully. “I have to say this is a nice surprise, Shy-shy, you talk about your friends all the time, but this is the first time you’ve brought one by to meet us.”
Fluttershy smiled happily. “She’s a really really close friend, Daddy, that’s why I wanted her to meet you. I hope that’s okay...”
The large stallion snorted good-naturedly. “Of course it is, Shy-shy. I love meeting your friends. I liked that one you met in flight school... Rainbow Dash? Tough kid, stuck up for you. My kinda pony. But I keep hearing from your mother that you made a bunch more, and I barely know anything about them! I'm glad we can finally do something about that.”
He set the watering can down and gestured indoors. “Well, let’s go inside, then.”
“—and the whole time, if we’d just talked to one another, she would have known I was as unhappy with her modeling career as she was!” Rarity finished dramatically. “Oh, goodness, I felt so foolish when I finally broke down and told her.”
Silver laughed uproariously, smacking his knee with a hoof. “So that’s why you quit? Your mother always wondered about that. You would not believe how she ranted at me about it, as if I had had a hoof in your decision.” There was a flash of some other emotion in his eyes at that moment. Rarity wasn’t quite sure what to make of it.
“Um... sorry, Daddy. I never meant to make you two fight...”
“Oh no, Shy. It wasn’t a fight. Sometimes your mother just needs to get things off her chest. Kinda like how she felt when you turned down following in her hoofsteps. You showed so much promise, Shy...” He shook his head sadly. “Well, at least you’re happy, right? You can’t let us dictate your life forever.”
That flash again. Resentment? Rarity decided she had to be seeing things.
He took a sip from his glass, eager to change the subject. “Hey, what happened to your new coltfriend? Did he stand you up or something?”
“Um...”
There was a long, uncomfortable silence. In all of history, its length had only been rivaled by the silence that fell between the royal pony sisters, shortly after Celestia had commented about how beautiful the night sky was one fine evening. Luna had remarked that she was glad, since she did not intend for it ever to end. This moment came a distant second, but was impressive nonetheless.
Rarity noted this with some trepidation. When neither spoke, she finally cleared her throat noisily. “Sir, I believe I should more properly introduce myself. I am your daughter’s marefriend.”
The silence continued; when it was finally broken again, it was by Silver Lining. “I... see.” His expression had gone from jovial to quite stricken. “It seems I owe you another apology, miss.”
Fluttershy finally found a voice. “Daddy, I’m sorry. I wanted to tell you, but I was nervous—”
He flashed her a smile that did not touch his eyes. “Y-you have nothing to be nervous about, Shy-shy. You didn’t do anything wrong.”
Fluttershy didn’t seem to notice his odd behavior, and hugged him joyfully. “Thank you, Daddy! I just... I didn’t know how you would feel about— I love her so much, and I was worried you wouldn’t like her.”
His expression softened, and he finally hugged her back. “I’m sorry, I do like her, Shy-shy... I-I hope you’ll be very happy together. Um... I should make something to eat, your mother will be home soon.”
“Oh, I’ll make us something! You two should sit down and get to know each other some more!” She kissed her father on the nose, having to stand on the tips of her hooves to reach, then skipped into the kitchen.
Rarity nodded graciously, watching Fluttershy leave the room. “That sounds like a lovely idea. Please, Mr. Lining, perhaps you can tell me about your daughter’s foalhood?”
“Oh yes, we really do need to talk.”
She turned, and found Silver staring at her with that same expression he had displayed earlier.
“So, marefriend. How exactly did that happen?”
She felt a bit uncomfortable with the tone of his voice, but passed it off as his being shocked. He didn’t know Fluttershy even felt that way towards mares, after all. “Well, we’ve known each other for several years, sir. I’ve had a bit of a crush on her for some time now. I was just worried she didn’t feel the same, so I kept silent.”
“How long...”
“I’m terribly sorry, how long since what exactly?” She smiled at him, trying not to show how nervous she was.
He flared his wings back in a sudden motion, then closed them again. Rarity at first misunderstood the body language. However, in a moment it was clear this was agitation, not arousal, that he was displaying. Rainbow Dash had similar reactions when she was upset.
“Why?”
Rarity looked at him in concern; she wasn’t sure what was going on, but this meeting did not seem to be going well at all. Looking at the kitchen door hopefully, she decided that perhaps they needed a mediator. I should ask Fluttershy to come back.
“Sir, I think I should go help Fluttershy in the kitchen. I am really very sorry to have dropped this on you so suddenly.”
“Wait!”
She turned, and found herself facing an entirely different stallion than the one who had spun his daughter around and laughed happily.
“What do you think you’re doing with my daughter?”
This was an entirely unexpected reaction, as was the cold way in which the stallion, who had seemed so very friendly, now regarded her. The question took her off guard badly. “Excuse me?”
The stallion glowered down at her. “I didn’t stutter. I asked what you think you’re doing. What did you do to her?”
Rarity put a hoof to her breast. “Do to her? Sir, I love her! And if you had listened just now you would have heard her tell you she feels the same for me!”
He drew back his upper lip in distaste. “Oh, I’m sure she thinks she does. I have no doubt you told her the same. Maybe you even meant it. Well, if you think I’m going to stand by while some pony like you swoops in— ”
“Daddy?”
They both turned. Fluttershy had a pan in one hoof, and the doorknob in the other. “I-I needed some sage... Do you know where—”
To his credit, in his daughter’s presence, he had the decency to look apologetic. “Shy... I never meant for you to hear—”
“I-I’ll be in the kitchen...” She walked back inside, looking stunned and saddened.
Silver watched her leave, pain etched in his expression. He turned back to Rarity. “Look what you made me do!”
“What I—” Rarity stood up straighter and glared at the stallion. “All I ever wanted to do is love your daughter! I had hoped to have your love as well, because you are important to her, and by extension, to me!” She poked a hoof into his chest. “You were the one being hateful.”
He backed away from her glare and her hoof, finally stopping when his rump hit the wall and staring back at her incredulously, his voice rising in volume in his anger. “How dare you! You come to my home, tell me you’re dating my daughter, and have the guts to say I’m being hateful?”
She glared right back at him, refusing to be intimidated. “Yes, hateful. You should be ashamed, sir! Your daughter told me you were a nice stallion, and I quite believed her. You were kind and courteous when you believed I was her friend, and the moment you found out what I truly was to her you treat me like some villain who has corrupted her! Shame on you!”
Silver opened his mouth several times, on each occasion closing it without saying anything. When he did finally speak again, he was no longer shouting, but his voice was very cold. “You don’t have the right... I raised her, I took care of her when she was sick. She needs somepony to be there for her. Somepony to be strong when she is weak and helpless. Not some prissy little thing like you.”
Rarity stared for a moment, unable to believe what he had just said. “Prissy little... I’ll have you know I could mop the floor with—”
The fashionista took a deep breath. The shouting had ended for the moment, that was a small victory, but she still wanted to salvage this meeting that had gone so horribly wrong. She couldn’t do that by giving into her frustration, justified as it was. “Sir, I realize I am not what you expected. But love doesn’t always come in the form you were looking for. I found out recently that your daughter felt strongly for me for many years before it even occurred to me to look in her direction with that in mind. What would you have me do? Shall I leave her heartbroken to satisfy your notion of what should be?”
He did not answer for some time, but the look in his eyes spoke volumes. This was a stallion at war with himself, and words alone would not end that battle. “Just... don’t talk to me.” He turned and went into the kitchen to check on his daughter.
Rarity stared after him, uncertain whether to follow or not. She finally elected to go back outside; suddenly this house seemed very uninviting. The garden, however, was bright and friendly. The flowers were having no issues about who should be allowed to pollinate whom, it seemed. She slumped down in front of the flowerbed, loudly exclaiming to nopony in particular, “How did this go so horribly wrong?!”
The flowers in the garden refused to respond, leaving her alone when she so desperately needed an answer. Still, she was grateful for the silence. At least the plants did not resent her for being what she was.
“Daddy, please...”
Silver snorted in irritation. “Don’t. Just... don’t. I can’t. I won’t!”
“But Rarity didn’t do anything... I kissed her, Daddy. S-she needed me. She loves me.” Fluttershy’s voice fell on the last sentence. She’d been pleading with him to make up with Rarity for several minutes now, and was making no headway. She’d never expected this from her father, and it hurt her badly to see two ponies she loved not getting along.
“Oh, I’m so sure she does. I bet she just pleaded her way into your b-bed. Smooth as silk, I have no doubt. I just can’t believe after all this time, after I worried about some colt sweet-talking you into something you weren’t ready for, it was a mare that did it.” He slammed a hoof down on the counter. “You know, I was happy to hear you’d made so many mare friends. I figured they’d protect you from the wrong type of pony.”
The pegasus mare let out the choked sob that she’d been holding in for some time now.
Silver looked up in alarm. “Shy-shy, it’s not your fault, honey! You’re so nice to everypony, I’m sure you just couldn’t help yourself. But it’s not right, Shy! Who’s gonna watch out for you? She can’t do that; you need a big strong stallion that can stand by you, not some weak little thing like that... unicorn.”
Fluttershy just looked at him sadly. “She’s not weak. She’s one of the strongest ponies I know.”
Silver either ignored her words or simply had no response to them. “This is because of those bullies, isn’t it? I wanted to go beat their flanks and both you and your mother said I shouldn’t. Shy-shy, not all stallions are like that! I’ll help you find a nice one. He’ll be kind and gentle and everything you could want!”
“I-I don’t want a nice stallion, Daddy, I want my Rarity.” Fluttershy gave him a pleading look, which he quickly looked away from. She let out a small sigh. “I just want you to give her a chance. Is that too much to ask?”
The silence in the room at that moment said more than Silver ever could.
Rarity, her face a picture of dejection, sat in the front yard contemplating the beauty of the flower garden, in a fruitless attempt to distract herself from the argument she could clearly hear going on inside. It was breaking her heart to hear Fluttershy’s pleading words fall on deaf ears.
This was a mistake. I never should have expected any different. Being a fillyfooler carried no real stigma in Ponyville, as she’d quickly found out herself. In a town with such a low male population it was almost expected. Canterlot and Cloudsdale, on the other hoof, were still very traditional with respect to relationships.
It was actually something she’d worried about when dating Snow — that it might ruin her professionally — until she’d found out that Hoity Toity was a coltcuddler and Photo Finish was a fillyfooler. But then, the fashion industry could be expected to be on the cutting edge of all things. The city as a whole, however, adhered to the standards of the Canterlot elite. And those ponies, while their family trees were suspiciously bereft of branches in some cases, very much favored stallion and mare partnerships, and frowned on anything but.
“They’re nice to look at, aren’t they?”
Rarity turned in alarm at sound of the quiet voice. At first she was convinced Fluttershy was behind her, but she quickly realized this mare was years older, though no less striking physically. “They are! I’m more fond of roses myself, but these are lovely.” Pleasantries having been observed, the logic centers of her brain kicked into gear. It’s her... “Terribly sorry, mademoiselle. You are Posey, I presume?”
The mare was looking past her at the garden, and did not respond right away. “You presume correctly. Should I guess your name, then?”
The fashionista blanched at the faux pas. “My most sincere apologies, I am Rarity. I’m actually here to meet you.”
Posey swept her gaze to Rarity, and suddenly the fashionista knew how her clients must feel when she was eyeing them for a new outfit. “Hmmm, fit. Well groomed. You’d look good in uniform. Did you want to sign enlistment papers now or should I tell you more first?”
“N-no, mademoiselle, I am not here to enlist!” Idiot, why would she know you are here to meet her as Fluttershy’s marefriend? Her father was clearly expecting a colt.
“Pity. Unicorn recruitment is down, and we can always use more combat casters. So then, you’re not here to see Sergeant Posey. What can Posey the civilian do for you?” She pointed at her flower garden meaningfully. “Perhaps you needed gardening tips?” A very small smile graced the other mare’s mouth for just a moment.
Rarity actually snorted in laughter for a moment before she caught herself. “Oh dear, I am having the worst difficulty with first impressions today! My apologies again, madam. I don’t mean to disparage your gardening skills, and I would love to talk at length with you about them at some point. I’m actually here with your daughter. I am her—”
She hesitated; brief as this meeting had been, she was already growing to like this mare. The fact that she so resembled her daughter, or rather the other way around, did not hurt. But mostly it was the wry sense of humor she’d just displayed, and the no-nonsense way she carried herself. However, if her husband’s reaction was any indication, any goodwill she had with Posey would evaporate the moment she revealed she was dating the mare’s daughter. “—friend! Yes, Fluttershy and I are very close friends and she wanted me to meet you.”
“Friend...” Posey looked over the unicorn in a different light now. “Yes... the dressmaker. She speaks of you often when I visit. I had you pegged as more of a frail thing... Hmmm. Well, good to meet you then. I take it my daughter is inside?”
“Well, yes, but she and your husband are in a bit of a tiff at the moment over... something, and they needed some privacy. I hate to impose, but could you and I possibly go somewhere so we might chat while they work it out?” Rarity smiled her very best ingratiating smile.
The older pegasus looked at her coolly, clearly not impressed by the display, but just as Rarity was beginning to give up hope she nodded slowly. “Fine, I have an office I maintain nearby for paperwork and recruitment drives. We’ll give them some time to work things through.”
“Oh, thank you, mademoiselle!” Rarity fought an urge to hug her right then and there. Perhaps if she had a moment to really get to know Posey, and vice versa, she might have a chance with at least one of Fluttershy’s parents. She gestured for Posey to lead on.
Oh! I bet she has some wonderful stories! She still felt cheated that she’d missed out on tales of her love in her foalhood. Blast you, Silver. You could have at least chatted a bit before blowing up like that. So much for civility. She let that thought lie for the moment; she didn’t care to be angry right now, it would be rude to Posey. “Tell me, what was your daughter like as a foal? I really only had a chance to know her as an adult. Was she always so adorable?”
"Twilight?" Celestia gently nudged the softly sobbing unicorn with her wing. "Can you please tell us what's wrong?" Twilight would eventually snap out of it, but for the moment she remained unresponsive. Luna had long since sent their kitchen staff away, and they were patiently trying to cajole the distressed unicorn into talking with them.
“Really, Luna, you had to ask her about a nightmare of all things? Do you have any idea how badly upset she was yesterday?” Celestia gently held Twilight as the other mare wailed into her chest, looking at her sister with barely-disguised annoyance.
“No, actually, I didn’t know. I was sleeping at the time. Please excuse me for having a different schedule than the rest of the world!” Luna rolled her eyes at Celestia. “I was concerned for her safety and that of her friends, of course I was going to ask about it. Would you care to fill your sister in on whatever you might know about our Twilight’s problem?”
"I..." Celestia paused and looked down at the wailing unicorn. "I don't know what the problem is."
“What’s this?” Luna raised an eyebrow with just a hint of disbelief. “Surely such a thing does not just occur out of the blue? Have there been no friendship reports that might shed some light on the subject?”
Celestia leveled her gaze at Luna and frowned slightly. “Sister, I apologize for suggesting you might in some way magically know that day court was interrupted when Twilight showed up... breaking through several of the castle's wards, I might add. But there has been enough talk about it that you could have found out some other way. There's no need to be rude.”
“Well, I was... busy... last night, visiting a friend. I certainly thank you for your apolo — wait, she did what now?”
Celestia ran a hoof gently over Twilight’s mane. “She... never mind, just come here a moment.” Celestia looked down at Twilight and gave her a gentle squeeze before offering her horn to Luna, who in a practiced fashion touched it with her own. In a flash Luna saw the events from Celestia’s perspective, up to the moment her sister had left the unicorn sleeping in her bed. “There, do you see now?”
Luna nodded, nearly as distraught as Twilight looked. “My poor Twilight, what possessed you to leave a lover forlorn?”
Twilight’s sobbing had not diminished. In fact, it seemed she was determined to disappear entirely under Celestia’s wing if it was at all possible.
The Princess of the Night pursed her lips thoughtfully. Twilight had not entered the room crying; Luna’s question about the dreams had set this off. She wished now that she had looked in on Twilight’s dream as she had Pinkie’s. Unfortunately, she had been searching the dreams of the other four, and had missed Twilight’s nightmare until she woke from it very jarringly. When Twilight had gone back to sleep Luna had placed her in a dreamless state, in order to provide more rest than she had gotten during her troubled night. Now she nearly wished she had allowed the unicorn to dream again, realizing that Twilight’s dream might have helped her to know what was causing her distress.
Wait...
Of course! The crying had begun after she had mentioned Pinkie’s dream... Twilight was the one forcing her off the ship. The imagery had confused her, but with the context her sister had provided, it all clicked into place. “Twilight, the mare whose heart you broke... Were you dating Pinkie Pie?”
The sobbing stopped as Twilight’s head snapped up in alarm. “W-we’re not—”
Gotcha. Luna nodded in triumph. Now she was getting somewhere.
“Twilight?” Celestia was looking down at her now. Twilight turned her head to face her mentor’s eyes, then looked away from the confused and slightly hurt look in them. Celestia sighed heavily. “My poor, heartbroken student. I had hoped you could tell me anything that was bothering you. Was it too much to tell even me?”
“Be not so harsh with her.” Luna’s eyes had softened, recalling all the many crushes and loves of her long life. Still, however many loves a pony had, each only ever had one first time. “Assuredly, her first love felt a bit too important to discuss in such a manner. Is that not so, Twilight?”
The unicorn was silent at first, but Luna was glad to see that the tears had ended. Twilight spoke at last, though very haltingly. “She... I didn’t know what to do. She was so confusing, bouncy, adorable... I wanted to tell her how she made me feel.”
“I would have been happy to talk to you at length about how to court her, Twilight...” Celestia trailed off sadly.
“Tia, not now. Let her speak.”
Celestia glared daggers at her sister, but nodded in acquiescence. “What happened?”
Twilight sobbed again, but continued after a moment. “I messed it all up. I couldn’t find anything in the library about how to say it. It was all useless stuff about flowers and restaurants and all of it was written for stallions trying to date mares, or for mares being courted by stallions. It didn’t seem right. Then I found an entry in the ‘Complete Egghead’s Guide to Romance’ that mentioned rules of etiquette for ‘friendship with benefits’—”
Luna had been listening with her head resting on her hooves; she loved hearing about the first stirrings of love. At the mention of the book’s title, however, her eyes lit up. “Oh! I’ve read that one!”
Celestia looked at her in shock. Luna smiled back at her, winking. “What? It’s a perfectly valid lifestyle. Since rejoining pony society I have found myself with certain urges that badly needed fulfilling after a long time spent living solitarily! I’m not quite ready for a proper consort, but I have found several discrete friends with whom I spend my nights.”
The Princess of the Sun nodded carefully, eyes still wide in shock. “Yes, well, I’m... happy to hear you’ve acclimated to modern dating practices so well, Luna. I certainly hope the press never catches wind of the stallions—”
“And mares,” Luna interrupted, grinning. “Oh, and a griffon! Feisty thing she is—”
“Thank you for clarifying... but while that is valid for somepony who isn’t ready for love, it’s probably a bad choice of methods to start things off with somepony you want to have a more meaningful relationship with.”
Luna tapped a hoof to her chin. “Well, I don’t know about that. Certainly, it’s not the ideal way to go about it. The more traditional methods of courting were, after all, designed to allow you to get to know one another prior to actually having intimate relations... but it’s not impossible to transition, it just presents certain challenges.”
Twilight had been watching their exchange in growing confusion; she was learning things about Luna she wasn’t certain she wanted to know, but this last statement made her sit up from Celestia’s embrace and demand clarification. “You know a way to go from casual to a proper relationship?”
“Well, yes. It’s not so much different than asking a friend to be your mate. You already care for one another, you just need to talk it through and be honest about what you need. Having casual relations with a friend is less about emotional needs and more about the physical, but that does not negate the feelings you already have for one another.”
Twilight nodded sadly. "I... I was selfish. When I found that book, I thought it was the easiest way to get what I wanted. But when I realised it wasn’t just a crush, that I loved her, I got so scared." She swallowed a few times, trying to get her heart to vacate her windpipe. "I don't know what happened... she always enjoyed our playtimes. But I..." She choked back a sob. "Lately, I could see it in her eyes... I was just hurting her."
“Playtimes?” Celestia shook her head in mild disapproval. “Twilight, we’re all mares here, it’s okay to say what you mean.”
Twilight refused to be distracted, her whole demeanour seeming hopeful for the first time since arriving. “It’s much more literal in our case.” She sat up straight and held her head high. "I broke it off so Pinkie could find somepony she could really be happy with." She shook as the tears again rolled from her eyes. "I just... I just wished I could have been the one to make her happy. But maybe now... if you help me, maybe I can be! Princesses, please, let me explain everything. If you can help me get her back... Oh please, help me!”
Their discussion went on for some time. Celestia listened intently, trying not to blush. She was fairly certain she’d tried just about everything two ponies could do together in the bedroom by this point in her very long life, but it seemed Twilight was fairly inventive in her loveplay. Luna, meanwhile, had acquired a notepad and quill. Her next session with one of her friends was going to be memorable.
At a pace that would have made Pinkie Pie proud, Twilight had been explaining herself in explicit detail to the princesses. Celestia listened patiently to the stream of information flowing out of her student at the astonishing rate. Various scenarios were reenacted in words, techniques used were given explanations, and toys got their time in the limelight with graphs written in an impromptu magic display that impressed both rulers. At the same time, though, Celestia was also a little put off; never in all her days had she had such a thorough presentation of somepony's sex life.
And still her protege was showing no signs of slowing down.
If anything, the words were flowing faster and faster, to the point where the huge grin on Luna's face dropped as she could no longer keep up with her scribbling. Most worrisome, Twilight was beginning to sound hysterical. Celestia placed a hoof on Twilight's shoulder gently and the stream of words dried up almost instantaneously. "Slow down, Twilight, please?”
Twilight looked up in startlement. She had been in a zone of sorts while she related this to her mentor, and the physical contact took her out of it. “But if I don't explain everything you won't be able to help! I didn't even get to the costume closet yet!”
Celestia nodded slowly in understanding. You’ve told me everything but what I need to know, Twilight. Much more than I ever needed to know, to be completely honest. "Twilight, this is all... fascinating, but I can't help but notice a theme. Let’s try looking at this from another angle. How does she respond when you make love without all the illusions and costume changes?"
Twilight blanched. "She doesn't—wouldn't—It's...it’s just a game to her." Her student deflated. "One she doesn't like playing anymore."
Twilight was silent for a time. "Princess? Why am I such a screwup?"
Celestia shook her head slowly. So self-judgmental. "Surely even with a variety of settings and costumes you get...well, bored? Maybe that’s all this is?"
Twilight chuckled mirthlessly. "I don’t know... Pinkie was sad, not bored. Role-playing was the best way for us to be together. But then it wasn’t enough anymore, so we tried to add other activities, shared hobbies."
Twilight stopped, and shook her head. “When I say it like that it’s like I’m blaming her, but I’m really not. She just wanted to be a normal couple. I should never have asked her to be friends with benefits. I thought it would be okay, but I even screwed that up.” She studied the remnants of her breakfast listlessly.
Celestia gently lifted Twilight’s chin to look her student in the eye once more. “You never answered my question,” she said with another chuckle that was anything but happy. Seeing Twilight flinch, she removed her hoof. “But I suppose your silence on the matter tells me what I need to know.”
“I-I can’t, not without being in costume.”
Luna had been apparently been growing increasingly bored now that the tirade of sexual history had ended, but the statement caused her to rejoin the conversation. “Assuredly you are jesting with us. You most definitely know how!”
Twilight snorted. “I know how, I just can’t. I get nervous. It’s easier when it’s not really me.”
“Odd, you seem to have no trouble with needing a persona when you dream. You are very bold, perhaps even overly so at times.”
The unicorn looked up in alarm. “That’s different! Life can be cruel at times, dreams tend to either be wish fulfillment at best or nightmares at worst. Nightmares you fight, the pleasant dreams you enjoy while they last. The waking world isn’t as predictable.”
“You know what I mean, Twilight. You have many dreams of leading your dear friends, standing up to your foes. You always exude confidence. Why would your love life be different?
“In your dreams, even your nightmares in a very...literal sense...” Luna intoned, looking sheepish, “I see you as you were when we first met. Confident, even though you did not have the information you needed to win, or rather, despite knowing the most likely outcome of our battle.
“And even when you yourself are not the main focus of the dreams, your friends always paint you as a true leader. Bold and confident where needed. Gentle and modest where not.” Luna’s voice became ever more full of awe, as if she saw Twilight on a pedestal which the unicorn felt was undeserved.
“I would think that being yourself is the best thing you could do,” Luna concluded, stealing another piece of cake from her sister who, at some point in Luna’s monologue, had checked out and was staring out of the window with a pensive look on her face.
“I-I’m not, though. I can be confident when I know my friends are there. When it’s me alone... and it’s always that way, when we’re together. Sorry, I mean...she was there, but she expected me to lead her, and I couldn’t do it! I studied so much...and when I looked in her eyes she scared me so badly, because of what I saw. She’d never...not with anypony. And she trusted me, she l-loved me, even though I never asked for that. Even though I didn’t want that at first.”
Celestia had to respond to that. “Why would you not want love? It’s a wonderful feeling.”
Twilight didn’t answer.
“Twilight?”
“Because...love is a big risk. You never know if they... l-lo—” Twilight almost choked on the word “—love you too. If they don’t love you, it feels like your heart will break into thousand pieces. If they do, you’re responsible for their heart, and run the risk of breaking it yourself. I can’t say for sure which one terrifies me more...” she trailed off and stared at her own empty plate looking sullen.
She pushed herself away from the table, nodding to both princesses. “I-I’m sorry, your majesties. I think I need to go use the little pony’s room. Thank you for trying to cheer me up. I’ll just have to figure this out on my own.”
Celestia nodded graciously, ever the elder statesmare, but her gentle smile did not touch her eyes. There is something more here, but how would you know the pain of rejection, Twilight? Before Ponyville, the only pony you would talk to at all was... me...
The walk to Posey’s office was an uncomfortable one. Rarity was uncertain what to make of the taciturn mare, and her usual modus operandi of filling silence with her own voice wasn’t something she felt would serve her well here. Her pleas for stories had gone unanswered; this mare did not seem to be the walking and talking type.
It truly was difficult to reconcile in her head the fact that this mare was related to Fluttershy. Looks aside, their mannerisms were like night and day. Where her daughter tended towards timidness, Posey oozed confidence from her very pores. Getting a better chance to look her over, she could see that Fluttershy’s mother had suffered several injuries in her time. On another pony, the various lines of scars just below the pelt would be considered disfiguring. On Posey... It only made her look more striking. She is beautiful. The thought came unbidden to her mind. But in the right gown, she knew, this mare would look like royalty.
“Mademoiselle, have you ever modeled before?”
Posey stopped and turned, shooting Rarity a withering, if slightly amused, glance. “Filly, I don’t like flank-kissing. And for the love of Celestia, it’s Posey. Even ‘Ma’am’ would do.”
Rarity wilted under the glance. “Yes, ma’am. I am terribly sorry. But I didn’t mean to offer you false praise. You have a look and a presence about you which others, myself included, would enjoy and admire. I can see now why my darling Fluttershy can look so intimidating when the need arises. She is apparently emulating her mother.”
The older mare cocked an eyebrow at her. “You think I’d make a good model because I’m scary?”
Rarity shook her head quickly. “On the contrary! You are striking. Bold, even. I have no doubt you could be quite scary when you choose to be. But in the right gown, and with the right makeup, you’d be utterly regal!”
Posey snorted. “I have enough trouble trying to keep those idiot recruits in line as it is. If they started hanging up pin-ups of me, I’d have to start actually beating them to maintain discipline.”
She turned, and they walked on in silence again, leaving Rarity unsure if she had helped or hindered her cause. She desperately hoped that it was the former, but her track record today left her certain it was the latter.
A relatively short walk through the outskirts of Canterlot brought them to a squarish building which, presumably, had served as a guard station earlier in its life. Posey opened the door and gestured for Rarity to enter. The insides were sparsely decorated, a simple wooden desk, a few filing cabinets. Recruitment posters crowded the walls. Seating options were few, the simple wooden chairs on either side of the desk and thankfully, an overstuffed couch.
Posey nodded to the couch and went to a nearby ice box, pulling out two juice boxes. She grasped the straw of one in her teeth and drove it into the box with a long-practiced move. The other she tossed to Rarity, who caught it with her magic and proceeded to do the same with her straw, albeit telekinetically.
She levitated the box to her mouth and sipped demurely.
“Thank you, ma’am.”
“So, how is my daughter doing?”
Rarity sputtered a bit. She had intended to have this conversation go the other way. Still, she could hardly refuse now, could she? “She’s doing quite well! But surely you don’t need me to tell you? She mentioned that you visit on occasion.”
Posey sat down, tapping a hoof on the couch. “Shy-shy only tells me what she thinks I want to hear. She likely tells you much more. I only just found out she’s been dating, for Celestia’s sake! Bet you knew about that before I did.”
Actually, I knew the very moment it started.
“Well, yes, we are rather close.” Goddesses, I hate dancing around like this... but better safe than sorry. No need to alienate both of her parents within the first hour.
Posey waved a hoof impatiently. “So she tells me! You come up pretty often when I ask about her friends, you know.” At this point, she leaned forward a little, her tone becoming both more gruff and strangely conspiratorial. ”So, what’s he like?”
“Excuse me?” Rarity replied, blinking profusely. ”What is who like?”
“The stallion she’s dating.” Posey clarified.
Rarity began to sweat; she should have known Posey’s prodding would turn down this path. “Ma’am, I think perhaps I should leave that to your daughter. I wouldn’t want to take such an, ah, important moment away from her.” And I think I would prefer to have her nearby, should I need somepony to hide behind.
The older mare sighed. “Fine. But can you at least tell me if she’s happy? That’s the hardest thing to get out of her. Everything is always ‘fine’ with her; it drives me mad.”
Rarity paused, trying very hard to hedge her answer so as to reveal no more than necessary. “She certainly says she is. I dearly hope she is telling me the truth. But I have every reason to believe that she is.”
The pegasus smiled, then, a much warmer smile than she had shown earlier. “Thank goodness for that, at least. Well, I suppose I have grilled you enough. You wanted to hear about my Shy when she was younger? Anything in particular you want to know?”
Rarity considered this carefully. Now that the conversation had moved away from more dangerous subjects, she could at last move on to that which was most dear to her heart: Fluttershy. But where to begin? She thought for a moment, but then something in particular came to mind. “Actually, I was rather wondering, do you recall... Oh, well, of course you would. In any case, your daughter had a bit of a mishap during flight camp. She had fallen to the ground.”
“Yes, she came back to us talking about critters and a friend she had made.” Posey set her drink down for a moment. “What about it?”
Rarity cleared her throat nervously. “Well, you see, that is...I was that friend. I always wondered what happened afterwards. I did see her years later, of course, but I never asked what happened and she never brought it up. Could you, perhaps, fill in the blanks a bit from there? Her father seemed a bit upset that she had not chosen to follow in either of your hoofsteps thereafter. That statement struck me as a bit odd. I mean, weatherwork I could see...but you work in the guard!”
Posey’s entire demeanor changed. She turned, and the look she gave Rarity told her that she now had the mare’s full attention. “That was you? She kept bothering us to check the mail, always hoping for a letter from her friend. It was quite a while before she finally gave up.”
Rarity’s ears drew back in distress. “I...I tried to write, but I had no address for her. I sent letter after letter, over the course of several weeks, only to finally have the first one returned to me. I assume the rest of them are sitting in some dead letter office somewhere.”
Posey said nothing at first, but seemed deep in thought. “So you did try, then. She’d be glad to hear that. You were all she could talk about for weeks after she had gotten home. Apparently you made quite an impression.”
“Oh? I was rather shocked that she remembered me at all, to be honest. We only spent the one day together.”
The older mare chuckled. “You were her hero! You’d think she’d been saved from death’s door, rather than merely having spent the night in an unfamiliar environment. Oh, Silver was furious... I thought it did her good, myself. She had a smidge more confidence in herself after that. Tell you what, I’ll trade you. You tell me what happened that day, and I’ll tell you what happened afterwards.”
Rarity smiled, delighted. It seemed things would turn out the way she had hoped after all. “Well ma’am, I had been planning on a little picnic lunch for myself. Then I found her sleeping by the pond. It took some time and effort, but eventually I got her talking. I offered to find her some help right away, but she graciously agreed to spend some time with me...”
“Please, darling, have mine as well. You must have missed a meal to be this hungry!”
“Thank you again...”
“Oh, you’re quite welcome, darling. I hope you’ll forgive me my curiosity...”
Fluttershy nodded, and Rarity flashed her a grateful smile.
“Thank you, dear. I suspect we’ll need to find you an adult now, won’t we?” Rarity grinned, though her face wouldn’t fully cooperate. If only she could stay a little while longer...but then, holding her here when she clearly wants to go wouldn’t be very ladylike.
Fluttershy studied her newfound companion for a moment before smiling demurely. “Um, well...we don’t have to leave right now, if you don’t want to.”
“Oh! Well I wouldn’t want to impose, darling; I suspect your family must be worried sick about you. My parents are, ah, busy... So I thought I ought to go outside and catch some sun.”
“Oh, my parents sent me to summer flight camp. The camp counselors are probably looking for me, but I don’t think anypony would think to look for a Cloudsdaler all the way down here. Anypony else would have been able to fly back up, or, more likely, wouldn’t have fallen at all... Only, only a weak flier like me would end up stranded on the surface.” She shrank back again, hiding her face in her front hooves.
Rarity smiled, remembering how Fluttershy had looked that day. “She seemed so embarrassed that she wasn’t strong enough to make it home on her own. I don’t know that I ever told her, but I envied her those lovely wings. I still do, in a way. I had a chance to attempt flight myself once. It did not end well. I suppose they fascinate me. I’d never seen a pegasus filly up close until that moment. The weather team didn’t tend to settle in town, they would just fly in from another larger city.” She started, realizing she might soon go too far if she continued on that tangent. “Well, in any case, we headed towards town.”
Rarity laughed—a warm, friendly laugh, causing Fluttershy to peek out from between her hooves curiously. “Oh good, you actually just made a little conversation yourself! Thank you, darling; I was quite afraid I’d talked your ears off. Please don’t be bashful around me anymore. It’s been so lonely for me without my little sister to play with.”
Fluttershy lifted her head in alarm. “What’s wrong? Is she okay?”
Rarity nodded sadly. “It’s nothing terrible, just an attack of the pony pox. Thank goodness I’ve had it already, or I would’ve been laid up too. But without my sister, well, I really have nopony else to play with. The other children find me...odd. They like to get dirty, generally dislike it when I correct their horrid abuse of the Equestrian language, and don’t get me started on their—” Rarity stopped and smiled sheepishly. ”Sorry, I keep dominating the conversation, don’t I? It’s a bad habit.”
The pegasus, however, laughed quietly. There was a nice, musical quality to the sound of it. “I don’t mind, really; I’m a much better listener than a talker. Would you like to spend some more time together, before we tell somepony that I need to somehow get back to Cloudsdale?”
“Oh, would you mind? I could really use a friend right now. Just for a little while. We don’t want to worry anypony excessively of course.”
“Um, no, I don’t mind.”
“Splendid!” Rarity carefully gathered the dishes and packed them away in the basket, together with the blanket. “I had planned to spend the day at the park, but I suppose we can take the long way back to town and find you somepony there.”
The gregarious unicorn kept up a steady stream of small talk as the two of them made their way towards town. Rarity decided she rather liked the idea of playing tour guide for her new friend. To that end she lead them towards a glade she rather thought the pegasus would enjoy. When they arrived at last she gestured dramatically. “I thought you might like this. I come here sometimes with Sweetie Belle. It’s very quiet and peaceful here.”
The change in the pegasus was startling. She took wing and flew into the clearing, and began animated conversation with the wildlife. She wasn’t joking. They understand her... Fluttershy looked up in alarm and turned to Rarity with a look of mild rebuke.
“Um...Rarity, they say you make your sister cry sometimes. You should be nicer.”
Rarity stared in slack-jawed amazement. Wonderful, I take her here because she enjoys talking to animals and they rat on me. “I-I’ll try, darling.”
“Well, um, okay. Try very hard, please. And maybe...”
Rarity waited for some time before prompting her. “Yes?”
“...you should apologize for being mean. It might help her feel better. Being sick is no fun.”
Rarity considered for a moment, and nodded. “You’re right, sometimes I just get a little angry with her, but I do love her. And if hearing an apology would help her get well quicker, then by Celestia I’ll do it gladly.”
Neither spoke for a moment, embarrassed by what had been said. Rarity finally cleared her throat nervously. “Here, let’s continue on, shall we?”
“Um, okay.”
Rarity grumbled silently while Posey tried her best to keep a straight face. The fashionista frowned at the older mare, then finally gave in and smiled, albeit grimly. “Yes, yes. That backfired on me. At least she enjoyed the locale. I was in no small way surprised to find that was the spot she later chose for her cottage. There was plenty of room for her friends to roam there. I stopped going myself, I couldn’t help but think the little pests were laughing at me.”
Rarity had expected she could find several pegasi who could get word to whomever would need to come claim her new friend, so they were now headed to the center of Ponyville. They passed by a rundown building with interesting design on the way to town hall. She clucked her tongue in distaste as they passed. The shop had belonged to a failed business. The owners had sold outfits from Canterlot at dreadful prices. They looked wonderful, of course, but nopony actually bought them. The owners had long since gone back to Canterlot, declaring Ponyville a lost cause for fashion.
She looked to her side to comment on the building only to find her companion lagging. “Fluttershy?”
“I-I’m fine,” came the panted reply.
Rarity hurried back to her friend, who had apparently been doggedly following despite being exhausted. “Darling! You should have told me you were getting tired! Or at the very least you could have taken wing instead of walking.”
Fluttershy shook her head. “I wanted to walk with you, but I don’t normally walk this much. I just thought it would be rude to fly over you.”
“Well, that’s very sweet of you, but I think we should take a brief respite.” Casting her eyes around, she spotted an ice cream vendor with a cart parked nearby. “Come with me, we can stop by that cart and cool off.”
Rarity strode up to the cart ordered a single scoop of chocolate with chocolate chips. She looked up at the lanky filly next to her, or rather, where she would have been. She had to look around as Fluttershy seemed to have disappeared. Finally, she thought to look behind her and found her new friend cowering and shaking slightly. “Fluttershy? Are you all right?”
The pegasus had made herself as small as possible on the ground behind Rarity. She shook her head.
Rarity stared, unable to discern what could be so terrifying about their vendor, then she recalled Fluttershy’s trouble talking to the other ponies in town as related earlier. “Oh, right, new pony. Well...do you like chocolate with chocolate chips?”
Fluttershy looked up from her hooves and nodded very quickly before hiding behind them again.
“Another scoop, please,” Rarity said to the vendor.
They found a nice shady spot under a tree and began to eat. Fluttershy held her cone with both hooves, licking daintily. Unfortunately, the scoop was melting too quickly and after a slightly more aggressive lick, it fell off the cone.
The scoop of ice cream toppled end over end, eventually stopping in mid-air, caught by magic. Rarity was straining to keep it lifted, but try as she might it finally fell to the ground with a splat. “Ugh, stupid magic. What good is it being a unicorn if it won’t do what you need it to?”
Fluttershy stared at the ground in silence. “Um...that’s okay. Thank you for trying to save it.”
Rarity pouted. She had really hoped to impress her new friend, but as usual her horn had its own plans. Stupid horn, first you drag me to a rock, now you embarrass me. She glared down at the fallen scoop as if this were all its fault as well, then her expression brightened. “Here, you can help me finish mine!” She held the cone up between the two of them, and motioned for her friend to lick the other side.
Fluttershy was hesitant at first, but soon enough the two of them were wearing away at the cone. The proximity to the other pony was a bit awkward, so both kept their eyes firmly closed to avoid embarrassing the other. This worked fine, until one last lick had them bumping noses. Rarity held the cone up to Fluttershy. “Please, you finish it.” She dearly hoped she wasn’t blushing, but the burning in her cheeks told her otherwise. Had she been able to face Fluttershy she would have noticed the other filly was similarly afflicted.
“I really am a fiend for chocolate.” Rarity said unapologetically. “But I felt horrid that I could not save her cone. There was a bit of an...awkward moment for me when we met in the middle.”
Posey snorted in amusement, but had no comment otherwise.
Rarity busied herself with nothing in particular while trying to regain her composure. What is wrong with you? You just bumped noses with her. She’s going to think you’re weird. Then she might not want to be friends with you anymore.
Fluttershy finished the last bit of the ice cream, taking time to calm her fluttering heart. She didn’t understand why, but the slight contact just now had affected her in some manner she hadn’t ever experienced. “Um...thank you,” she finally squeaked out.
“Yes, no problem at all, darling.” Rarity said, still not able to turn to face her friend. Fortunately, that meant that she was looking in just the right location to spot somepony flitting by that she might have missed otherwise. “Miss Hooves!” She shouted, startling Fluttershy anew.
Derpy looked around for the source of the squeaky voice addressing her, finally looking down. “Um...hello?”
“Excuse me, ma’am, could you possibly get word to the weather patrol station that I found a lost filly from Cloudsdale?” Rarity gestured behind her to the miserable ball of yellow and pink.
“Lost filly?” Derpy looked down and spied Fluttershy cowering behind Rarity once again. She scratched her head and reached into her saddlebag where she was keeping her lunch, bringing out a poster that had been put out to the weather service that morning. “Oh! They’ve been looking for you since yesterday! Stay here! I’ll get somepony!”
Rarity breathed a sigh of relief, watching Miss Hooves fly towards the weather station. “There, help is on the way. You can relax now.”
Fluttershy nodded sadly.
“Darling, this is the moment you are supposed to be happy. You’ll be with your friends and family again soon!” Rarity smiled, hoping that it would be returned.
“I know...”
“Then why aren’t you happy?”
Fluttershy didn’t answer at first, seemingly afraid to give voice to her reasons. “I-I’m going to miss you!” She blurted out finally.
“Well, I shall miss you as well, but you can’t just stay here.” Rarity was touched, she had felt the same, but had not realized her feelings were shared. Truth be told, this filly was a closer friend to her in the short time they’d spent together than any of the other children she went to school with. “Everypony you know will surely want to see you again!”
Fluttershy sniffled. “I know... I just hate the idea that I might never see you again.”
Rarity lay down beside Fluttershy, gently embracing her with a foreleg. “Well, that may be true, but that doesn’t mean we can’t ever talk again. I could write you.”
Fluttershy looked up suddenly. “You’d do that?”
Rarity smiled, happy to see the gloom lifted from her friend. “Every week, if you like.”
“So you see, I didn’t do anything particularly special. I didn’t even have the foresight to ask for her address! Foolish filly that I was, I thought I could just address it to her in Cloudsdale.” She snorted in frustration, remembering her parent’s disbelief and subsequent refusal to aid her, and the letters apparently sent to some office to lie unopened for all time. “Still, she came back to me one day, and I have loved her ever since.” She smiled, remembering all the various spa dates, and more recent events. Then her eyes widened and she quickly corrected herself. “That is to say, I loved her company and friendship!”
If Posey noticed the slip, she said nothing. “I think you underestimate the impact. That wasn’t the first time we thought we had lost her. Shy didn’t stay in a bunk all week, she came home on the weekends. She was supposed to be home that night. Silver had the entire staff of the camp in a search party with him, and I commandeered a local guard unit.”
Rarity’s eyes bulged and she coughed up her juice. “Ma’am, I never meant to cause more worry to you or your husband. Celestia, what a selfish foal I was to not rush to the nearest pegasus I knew—”
“At ease!” Rarity stopped, staring at Posey, who was staring back at her with a look of intensity that the unicorn could not look away from. After a moment, Posey relaxed, and Rarity slumped back in her seat. “You calmed her down,” the older mare said softly, “you found her help. You were more than welcome to spend some time with a new friend.”
Rarity nodded very slowly, feeling drained. “Thank you for being understanding, ma’am.” They were both silent for a moment. “Wait, what did you mean, ‘not the first time’?”
Posey did not answer at first, leaving Rarity concerned that she has asked too much. “My apologies. I didn’t mean to pry—”
“No, you’re fine. I did offer to tell you, after all.” She took a sip from her drink, and took a deep breath. “My daughter got very sick when she was a young foal. She caught the feather flu from another little foal and well...it hit her hard. I’d never had it myself, and immunities are passed from mother to daughter. I really wish I had, her life might have been so different...” She sighed heavily.
“She was a happy and healthy foal, she used to talk up a storm, and we were both so proud of her. I was sure she was going to end up a weather pegasus like her dad. I even dreamed she might want to join me in the guard. Then when she got sick it was like she burned up all that excess energy all at once.”
“Silver took it the hardest. Nothing the doctors or I said would convince him she was okay. He quit his job with the weather service, devoting his world to Shy. For a time, that was fine. Not what I would have wanted, but she was happy. I was starting to get a little worried about her, to be honest. But eventually she wanted to spread her wings, which thrilled me. The problem was, he wouldn’t let her out of the nest.”
Rarity nodded thoughtfully. “She told me some of this. She asked you if she could go to flight camp, and you interceded for her.”
Posey considered what Rarity had said, and nodded. “Interceded. I like that. I would have said I went to my husband and demanded he stop coddling her, but what you said makes it sound more...”
“Civilized, is the word you want, I believe.” Rarity said with a chuckle.
Posey nodded. “I tried to keep my hooves off when it came to Silver raising her. I just haven’t been a very good mother figure. The guard keeps me busy, I can’t help that. But I tried to stay involved where I could. I’d come home whenever I had leave, and Silver would bring Shy to see me at least once a month. Silver and I had more than one argument about how he was raising her, but I always let him make the final call, until flight camp.” Posey fell silent at that, looking out the window to the clouds beyond..
“Of course, because I pushed for it, he was furious with me when she actually had something happen. He wanted to pull her from camp and keep her at home again. But something amazing happened. My little Shy-shy stood up to her father and told him that she was okay, and wanted to go back! It was like she found a backbone down there with her cutie mark! I wonder if a little friend of hers might have inspired that.” She looked at Rarity meaningfully.
Rarity waved a hoof in dismissal. “Thank you, but I don’t think I could cause that sort of change in her.” At least, not back then. Surely not, we were too young. Still, there was something.
Posey stopped, looking at the clock on the wall. “We’ve been at this a while, we really should go check on them.” She got up to lead them back.
“Please!” Rarity flushed in embarrassment; that had come out much louder than she intended. She lowered her voice, smoothing her mane as she did so. “I’m sorry, it’s just that they really needed to work it out between the two of them. You did say you liked seeing your daughter fend for herself, did you not?”
Posey raised her eyebrows at the outburst, eventually nodding slowly. “Fine. We’ll continue if you think they need more time.” She sat back down. “Well then, flight camp... ”
Posey listened patiently while Silver ranted and raved about the staff’s inattentiveness. “—If that Rainbow Dash friend of hers hadn’t happened along, who knows how bad it could have gotten? I’m pulling her out for good this time. She’s not getting hurt again.”
“It’s a black eye, Silver. She’ll survive.”
“Sure she will, and those colts will survive too, I’ll make sure of it. Just let me explain to them very firmly how I feel about my daughter being bullied. I’ll make sure they—”
Posey laid a hoof on his shoulder. “You can’t do that.”
“Oh no? It would be easy!”
Posey shook her head. “You know what I mean.”
They stared at each other for a moment, Silver finally looking away. “Fine!”
Posey put a hoof up to his cheek. “Put her in a self defense class.”
Her husband looked at her in disbelief. “No! I’m not going to have her getting hurt there either. She’ll be safest with me at home.”
Posey sighed. That had been her last attempt to reason with him. “I’m taking her with me when I go. She’ll stay with me. I’ll show her how to take care of bullies.”
Silver snorted in frustration. “That’s not going to work either—”
Posey stopped him with a gentle shake of her head. “This is not a discussion. I need to spend some time with her anyway. It's been too long between visits, Silver. You’re both coming with me, and I’m going to put her through basic hoof to hoof training. Pack your things.”
“She could get hurt in training even easier than in school or self defense classes!”
“And if she does, I will be there to discipline the idiot who dared hurt my daughter. I’m going to train her myself, Silver. I’ll have her in shape in no time.”
Silver set his jaw firmly, his gaze unwavering from hers. “You’re not throwing our daughter in a class with those idiots you train—”
Posey’s gaze turned cold at that. “Those are my idiots. You don’t get to call them that.” Her look softened as he turned away. “Silver, I know you want to keep her safe. I do, too. We’ve tried your way until now, and all she’s learned is to hide behind you, or somepony else. I can teach her how to be the one that others trust to shield them. I need you to trust me to do that.”
“Don’t make this about whether I trust you! It’s the world I don’t trust, and those—” He flinched at her warning look, “—recruits of yours are part of that world. I won’t have her hurt again!”
“It’s going to happen, Silver. She’s going to get hurt in life.”
Silver grunted in frustration. "So what if one of them breaks her leg? She could end up swaybacked for life!"
"Silver..." Posey sighed. "Do you really think I would let that happen?"
"You can't stop it if it does!"
"And neither can you." She replied coolly.
"But I...and..."
"Silver, I know you want to keep her safe. But keeping her cooped up inside the house isn't going to help. What is she supposed to do when we're gone, hmm?"
Silver ground his teeth but didn't reply.
"You're both coming with me to Canterlot. And I'm enrolling her in the royal guard training program."
"Posey, I—"
She silenced him with a hoof. "That's final, Silver, she needs to toughen up."
Silver sagged. "And what if she doesn't like it?"
"Silver, we’re her parents. If she doesn’t like it, that'll be too bad. Foals don’t get to decide what’s good for them."
“Neither do fathers, apparently...”
Posey finally gave him a small smile. "She's going to be fine, dear. She always enjoyed doing runs with me when she was younger, remember? Besides, I’d like to have you both with me for a while. A mare gets...lonely, Silver." She smiled in the same way she had when she had informed him they were going on a date the first time. “Wouldn’t it be nice to share a bed for more than a night or two for once?”
Silver blushed, and nodded reluctantly. “Fine, we’ll try it your way.” With the decision made, he let himself relax. “I’m sorry, I don’t mean to be so stubborn.”
Posey leaned in and kissed him. “I know, you really get wound up about ponies you love. That’s why I married you. Great big softy.”
“Fluttershy? You put her through guard training?” This revelation was even harder to reconcile. Hmmm, she might look quite dashing in uniform. Oh, who am I kidding, she looks good in anything. “I’m guessing she did not fare well.”
“Actually, she advanced faster than anypony else I trained. But then, I pushed her harder than I would have pushed any normal recruit. She would have done well,” Posey said as if announcing that water was in fact wet.
“B-but she’s so...”
“Weak? Timid? Helpless?”
“I was going to say dainty, but now that you mention it...”
Posey sighed. “She's all of those things. But she can be strong when she wants to be. At first, having her join the guard was just about teaching her her how to defend herself. But at the rate she was progressing? You'd think she was born to fight."
Posey reached back and set a picture frame on the table, depicting Fluttershy smiling at the camera while the big burly stallions were all eyeing her warily. "She quit after this was taken. I pitted her against six trained guards. Two of them had fractured ribs, one needed his leg splinted, the other three lost a few teeth. She didn’t even know she’d hurt them. When she found out, she was devastated. Wouldn’t even hear of going back.” She looked at the picture and sighed wistfully. “Wasted potential...”
Rarity looked at the picture doubtfully. That was indeed her love, but what she was hearing seemed so incompatible with the mare she knew as to be unbelievable. “I don’t understand... I have seen her in so many situations where things turned physical, and she simply cowers...”
Posey snorted. “You’re surprised she’s unwilling to raise a hoof to defend herself? Filly, how well do you know my daughter?” The older mare pointed to the picture. “She was okay with the idea of blocking attacks, but the moment she found out she could hurt others... No, I’m not surprised to hear that at all. She would rather get hurt herself than hurt somepony else.”
The older mare reached for her drink again. “I could have trained it out of her, given time. But that was another failing of mine, I suppose. I didn’t want her to stop being her. If I had taught her not to care that she was hurting somepony...I think I would have taken something pure and good from the world.”
Rarity considered that, and nodded in understanding. “I honestly can’t imagine my Fluttershy willingly hurting somepony. But she is capable of cruelty, much as it distresses her after the fact. I would like to thank you for not pressuring her like that.”
“Don’t thank me for coddling her. She’s had her hoof held far too much.” Posey shook her head ruefully.
“Well, there was no dealing with Silver after that, so I packed them up and sent them back to Cloudsdale for Shy to enroll in flight school. She did good, but her grades started slipping again after her friend dropped out. Next thing I know she up and quits herself and moves to Ponyville of all places.” She sighed heavily.
“Still wish she’d given the guard another shot, I could have found her a position in espionage; communication with animals is a rare talent. But she made the call, and I can’t complain.” There was more than a hint of pride in her voice. “You probably know more than me what happened after that.”
Rarity marveled at all she had heard. It certainly shed some light on various mysteries about her love. “Thank you, ma’am. I certainly hope none of that was too painful to recall.”
Posey waved a hoof dismissively. “No, it’s fine. I do have another question for you though, since we’re both so frank with each other now. When did you start dating her?”
“Oh just a few days ago—” Rarity clamped her mouth shut. “I-I mean I have no idea why you would think—”
Posey laughed lightly. “Filly, give it up. Every time you talk about her you slip just a little.”
Rarity shrank back at first, then sat up straighter and looked the other mare straight in the eye. “Fine, you had me at a disadvantage, but no longer. Yes, I am in love with your daughter, and she with me. I won’t apologize for it, not to you, or anypony.”
Posey stomped her rear hooves in a sort of half applause. “Good! Don’t lose that fire. You should be passionate about somepony you love.”
Rarity stared at her. She had been prepared for a fight, verbal or even physical. This she was totally unprepared for. “Y-you don’t hate me?”
The older mare bristled a bit, her wings flaring slightly in agitation. “My daughter is a good judge of character. If she picked you, she had a reason. I might have wished she had followed other paths in life, but she has a good head on her shoulders. Honestly, I saw this coming a while back, glad to see she finally acted on her feelings.”
There was really only one response to this. Rarity dutifully made it. “What?”
“I did say she talks about you a lot. I meant it.”
“But, you asked about her coltfriend... ”
“Well, you seemed dead set on not calling yourself her marefriend. That was a little cowardly of you. I wanted to watch you squirm a little.” Her eyes shifted to look more directly at Rarity, and her tone darkened. “That being said, if I catch wind that you are ashamed to be dating my daughter, I will whip your flank on general principle, assuming Shy doesn’t beat me to it.”
Rarity glared back, unflinching. “Never! I am so very proud she would have me!”
Posey smiled brightly, showing her teeth. It seemed as threatening as it was friendly. “Glad to hear it. You know, I had a feeling the filly who wrote all those letters would turn out to be an interesting mare.”
Rarity grimaced at that. “I just wish a single one had made it to her. I hate the idea that she thought I had forgotten her.”
“I want to show you something.” Posey got up, and rummaged a bit through her filing cabinet. She pulled out a stack of letters, all of which had been opened. She laid them down on the table carefully . “You’d be surprised what can get delivered. The Equestrian Mail Service takes its job very seriously.”
Rarity stared at the stack of letters, postmarked a good decade back. Newer postmarks marked occasions the stack had been forwarded, first to Cloudsdale, then to Canterlot. “Those are my—”
“They arrived some time ago. I kept meaning to bring them along with me when I went to visit her, but I misplaced them myself for a time. I’ll have to apologize to her, and I suppose to you, for reading them. I was curious what that little filly had written.” She looked at Rarity unflinchingly. She may have said she owed Rarity an apology, but none was being offered now. If anything, the mare seemed a bit smug. “I had you at more of a disadvantage than you thought.”
Rarity stared at the letters, then at Posey, completely at a loss for words. She finally regained enough composure to speak. “Ma’am, could I beg your indulgence for a brief moment?”
Posey looked at her curiously, then nodded. “Permission granted.”
Rarity lunged forward and hugged her. “Thank you! I-I am so glad something has gone right today. I’m sorry I was evasive, but after your husband’s reaction—”
Posey had stiffened, but had not pulled away, much as the embrace seemed to make her uncomfortable. Rarity carefully pulled herself away afterwards, nodding in thanks to Posey. “I needed that badly , thank you.”
The older mare grumbled to herself good naturedly, but did not seem overly bothered by the invasion of her comfort zone. “Warn me next time. It’s a bad idea to make sudden moves at a pony’s midsection. Good way to get tossed across a room.” She smiled again, but this one seemed less threatening than before. “Okay, that out of the way, I need a quick debriefing. What did Silver do that had you spooked?”
Rarity collected herself for a moment, then began. “It started amicably enough, he was so happy to see Fluttershy, and she was so adorable as he spun her around...”
Posey pursed her lips thoughtfully as she stared at the wall, considering. “Silver...that temper of yours...” She turned back to Rarity. “He’s not a bad stallion, you know. Not really. It’s not even you he dislikes. It’s what you represent.”
“What do you mean exactly?” Rarity’s heart was still racing a bit recalling how upset she had been. “He seemed absolutely infuriated by my mere presence.”
The older pegasus nodded slowly. “Oh, he was angry, but he doesn’t hate you as a pony. He hates you as a mate for Shy. He’s been protecting her from the world for a long time now, he’s never been ready to stop. Shy having a mate means you have to take on his role now. She’s been the most important thing in his life for a long time now. He won’t give that responsibility up willingly.”
“So then, the solution is to hit him until he recognizes I am strong enough to protect her? I rather like that idea.” Rarity grinned in a predatory fashion.
“Maybe something a little less bloody. Although I can’t say I blame you for saying that.” Posey said with a chuckle. “Let’s head back to the house. I have an idea. We can discuss it on the way.”