Chapter 1 - Fluttershy's Secret Shame

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Angel awoke, yawned and scratched. He looked around the room, the sun was not yet out but already the light of his life had arisen. The butter yellow mare that he adored above all others was already awake and was preparing for the day ahead. She was no stranger to early starts but this was extreme even for her. It must be one of those days again, he thought hopping out of his basket, which was pressed against the foot of his mistress’s bed. A quick glance up at the calendar confirmed his suspicions, he did not fully understand the device, but he knew what when the crosses stopped just before the faint pink circle that meant that Fluttershy would get up early, disappear for the morning and come back smelling strangely.

As her number one assistant it was Angel’s job to ensure that everything was ready for her to leave and that nothing went wrong while she was away. It was a heavy burden but one he accepted gladly. Without a further thought of himself Angel pushed open the door and started to hop downstairs to awake the house’s other occupants.

Fluttershy finished her quick shower and looked at herself in the mirror. She sighed at what she saw, her mane was looking limp and lifeless and she noticed that her rear left hoof was badly chipped. She stretched her wings out and examined the disordered feathers, she really did look a state, still today was the day. She always felt better after her special sessions. Then kicked her self internally, she was being selfish again just thinking of herself. She wished that she could stop being so vain, spending a whole morning each week on her own pleasure. Why couldn’t she be more like her father? She was the worst pony ever! Still it did feel good, and just a little naughty!

Sighing again at her behaviour Fluttershy left her bathroom and walked downstairs. To her surprise most of her animals were already awake and lined up ready to be fed. Walking up and down the line like a drill instructor was Angel Bunny.

“Oh, did you arrange all this Angel?” she asked, “Thank you.” She gave the rabbit a pat on the head and he practically glowed at the attention.

Thanks to this organisation it took Fluttershy less than an hour to arrange the feeding of all of her friends and to check on the few patients she currently had in her care.

“Now I have to go out early to do some... things,” Fluttershy stated nervously trying not to meet the gaze of Angel and her other helper animals, “I should be back in a few hours.” She sweated nervously, she hated lying to her friends in this way but she just couldn’t bring herself to tell them what she would be doing.

Her pets were all familiar with her behaviour by now and most only huffed, barked, mewed or tweeted a farewell to her before going back to whatever they were doing. Angel embraced one of her hooves and gently led her to the door, he know that sometimes she’d delay leaving so long that she’d have to gallop to where ever it was she went. Where ever it was she normally came back much more relaxed and in a good mood often skipping or singing. Fluttershy gave him a final pat and a scratch behind the ears, which caused his leg to twitch, before she left the house.

Outside the sun was only just rising, the faint sound of music seemed to be carried on the breeze from Ponyville. Spring was well underway and if she hadn’t been so nervous she would have enjoyed the walk into town. She tried to walk casually before ducking down next to a tree stump at the edge of her property. Looking around to make sure no animals were present she scratched at the ground near the base and uncovered a bag containing a pair of glasses with a moustache attached. Making sure her disguise was firmly affixed to her face she started on her way again.

She was about half the way to town before she heard the swish of wings coming the other way. She dashed off the path and swooped up into a tree ignoring the branches poking her. She peered out of her hiding place and saw Ditzy Doo the local mailmare gently drifting through the air towards her, she was whistling rather off key while flipping through a magazine containing colourful pictures of the Wonderbolts. Fluttershy waited several minutes after the grey pegasus had passed before coming out of hiding, her tail and mane covered in twigs and leaves. Looking around cautiously to see if anypony else was passing she started to scamper towards Ponyville.

By the time Fluttershy got into town it was just starting to come to life for the morning. Early rising ponies were already up and about. Fluttershy tried to avoid being noticed by dashing from house to house. She was almost within sight of her goal when three mares turned a corner in front of her. Two of them, both pink, one with a blond mane the other green were deep in conversation, the third with a white coat and a pink and red mane was wandering behind looking board, she looked up and mumbled a greeting.

Instinctively Fluttershy replied although she had the presence of mind to try and disguise her voice making it as deep as possible.

Blinking and looking confused the mare stared at the disguised pony, “Fluttershy, is that you?” she asked.

Panicking Fluttershy said the first thing that came into her head, “No, I’m Rose.”

“You’re Rose?” said the pony looking even more confused, “Isn’t that who I am?”

“Errr, no I’m Rose I run a flower shop with my friends. I need to go now IthinkIleftthesunongottogo!” cried the panicked pegasus rushing away.

“If that was Rose. Who am I?” asked Rose with rising panic. “Who am I?!” she cried waving her hooves wildly.

Chest pumping Fluttershy glanced around the side of the building she was hiding behind, there didn’t seem to be any further ponies in her way. The shock of meeting Rose and her friends had left the pegasus drenched in sweat. She tried to calm herself; at least she had reached her objective now. She carefully removed her disguise before concealing it in a potted plant and tried to brush her mane over her eyes. She winced as her hoof caught in a tangle. She felt a wreck; maybe she’d treat herself to the full works this time. No, she shouldn’t! That could take hours and she had responsibilities, but she would feel so gooood after.

Still fighting with herself she brought a hoof up to the door and knocked three times. The door was quickly opened by a blue earth pony mare with a shiny pink mane, Lotus the co-owner of the establishment. “Ah, ‘Mz Doe’ ve have been expecting you, come in.” she announced cheerfully in accented Equestrian.

The waiting room beyond the door was furnished with several plush chairs and decorated with fragrant plants which spread their scent throughout the building. Lotus’s sister Aloe, a pink mare with a blue mane, was busy mopping up a puddle of water which had collected in one corner.

“I’m afraid we have a bit of a flooding problem at ze moment Mz Doe,” said Lotus sounding apologetic. “Much of our facilities are closed but we should be able to fit you in. I’m afraid you vill have to share with another customer. There vill be a discount though.” She smiled brightly.

“Oh dear,” muttered Fluttershy, “Who is the other customer?” Maybe it would be somepony she didn’t know. She didn’t want any of her friends to know her dark secret, that she visited the spa each week to use the sauna and get a massage or hooficure. She knew it was wrong to spend so much time and money on herself, a whole morning each week. She could spend that time helping other ponies, but being pampered just felt too good for her to resist.

Before the spa pony could reply a while unicorn entered the room her mane done up in a cloth, “Excuse me darling, do you have any more heated towels?” she asked before turning to Fluttershy.

Oh, no not her, thought Fluttershy, not Rarity!

“Fluttershy, darling, I didn’t know that you frequented this delightful establishment. You simply must join me.”

Giving a squeak of panic Fluttershy fled from the room, pausing only to grab her disguise as she went before leaping into the air and flying away towards the safety of her home.

“Was it something I said?” asked Rarity to the cloud of dust where once a pony had stood.

My little pony...

Ah ah ah...

(My Little Pony)

Friendship sounded so off-key to me.

(My Little Pony)

But now you're here, and now I see...

A loyal backing

Honest melodies!

Songs to share

With loving harmonies!

Joyous dance --

Such a lovely feat --

And magic makes the perfect beat!

You are my little ponies...

Friends make the best music of all!

Angel was just starting to settle down for a nap to make up for his early morning when he heard the door slam. He was instantly up and hopping towards the stairs, Fluttershy was not due back for several hours, who could it be?

To his surprise his owner had arrived back earlier and she was a mess; her mane was full of sticks and leaves and her coat was sweaty and dishevelled. Even worse she was clearly upset pacing backwards and forwards across the room, panting hard as if she had just run a marathon. Most of the other animals were keeping their distance from the distressed pegasus but without a further thought Angel rushed forwards to comfort her.

“Oh Angel,” exclaimed Fluttershy taking the rabbit into a deep hug, “It was awful, she was there and she almost found out my secret. If she knew she’d tell everypony, she’s such a gossip, and they’d all know what a horrible pony I am. Or worse she’d keep it to herself to use against me later like she has my other secret.”

The butter mare collapsed to the ground sobbing. Angel climbed on to her and started to gently pull the foliage from her mane straightening it as he went. He gestured to a family of otters that were looking on and indicated the bathroom to them. Their stared dumbly for a second he gestured again and they seemed to get the idea and scampered off.

Slowly Fluttershy started to calm down and her breathing returned to normal. Angel continued to stroke her hair. “Oh, I’m being such a silly pony aren't I?” she asked the room. “Rarity isn’t really a bad pony, it’s just that I was so looking forward to this morning and now it’s all ruined. I suppose I should get up and get to work, I’ve got such a lot to do today.” She got to her hooves but Angel scampered down and tugged at one of her forelegs. “What is it?” she asked following his guidance into her bathroom.

Inside the small tub had been filled with warm soapy water and it looked like half of her bubble bath supply had been used to produce a huge quantity of foam. As Fluttershy entered the otters were just turning off the water. “Oh, is this for me?” she asked, “Thank you, all of you, you shouldn't have.” She sighed as she started to step into the bath feeling the hot water work its magic on her tense muscles. Behind her Angel reached for the scrubbing brush, he wasn’t entirely sure what had upset his friend but he knew that it was his duty to make sure she felt better.

By the time that Fluttershy had emerged from her bath she felt much better. She quickly examined the few patients she was currently treating. Mr Mouse’s leg was healing nicely and she thought the cast could come off in a day or two. She wasn’t so happy about how the tortoise was looking though, he had not been eating well and his eyes were gummy. It was probably just a minor infection but she decided to keep a close watch on him for a few days, just in case.

Her job done for the moment she quickly tidied the house and went through some papers, mostly various requests from charities. She decided that today she would focus on the new Hoofington animal shelter. It had only been set up a few months ago and was already doing a good job caring for and housing the city’s significant stray population. Still such care didn’t come cheap and they were desperately short of funds. It had been a few weeks since she had did a local collection drive so she decided to walk into town to try and raise the needed bits. She picked out some jars of honey and homemade jam from her small garden as well as her collection jar and placed them on a tray before strapping it around her neck. Filled with renewed vigour the activist set out into the world to collect for a good cause.

Fluttershy decided to start her rounds close to her home and then work outwards. Given that her cottage was quite out of the way the nearest other house was in fact quite a distance but, Jack Lumber was the closest thing she had to a neighbour. In his youth Jack had been a wood cutter working at the Scratch clan lumber mill but that had been many years ago he had long since retired to a small house on the outskirts of Ponyville.

Fluttershy found Jack to be a rather prickly customer and she didn’t consider him a close friend but he had donated to some of her various causes in the past and he carved very lovely ornaments. In fact the borders of his property were marked out with various wooden animals which looked almost real. As Fluttershy approached she heard the old stallion singing, he sounded like he was in a good mood, maybe he would be extra generous today.

“Mornin’ neighbour,” called the red and black spotted earth pony stallion standing outside of his house.

“Good morning Mr Lumber,” said Fluttershy, “You sound happy.”

“Well oi’ve just ‘ad a visit from a beautiful young mare, well two now.” Fluttershy blushed at the complement. “She was very complimentary, she was, downright flirtatious.” He stretched and thrust out his chest, “Oh, I know she didn’t mean most of it, but at my age it feels good to think that the mares still want you. Still if oi were a few years younger,” he thought for a moment, “Oi’d probably still be older than her grandparents.” He sighed, “Still oi feel younger than oi ‘ave for a long time. She was collecting for an orphanage, she was, oi think she earned her donation. Still enough about me what brings you ‘ere?”

Fluttershy’s ears drooped at this news. “This mare, she wouldn’t happen to have a white coat and a purple mane would she?”

“Yes, real fancy like she was. Like she’d walked out of a magazine or something.”

“Rarity,” hissed Fluttershy.

“That was ‘er name. Oi’d say she lives up to it, you don’t see many like ‘er in these parts. So what can oi do for you?”

Fluttershy looked down at her tray of goods. Jack wasn’t the richest of ponies and if he’d already given his bits to Rarity it was unlikely he’d have anything left for her. It wouldn’t really be right to ask anything more of him. “I just wanted to say hi and see if you wanted anything from town,” she lied.

“That’s mighty kind of you, but oi’m fine for the moment.”

“Well I hope you have a good day,” said Fluttershy turning away from Jack and heading towards town looking a little disappointed.

The day continued to be disappointing for Fluttershy as she wandered from house to house trying to collect money for the animal shelter. Although many ponies seemed quite interested few would actually donate and only her friend Bluenote bought any of her goods, a jar of honey.

It was well into the afternoon when she decided to head out of the town itself and into the surrounding farms. There were fewer ponies out there but they did tend to value homemade food like her jams more.

She was walking up to the main gate to Sweet Apple Acres when she saw a sight which made her stare. Standing in the middle of the yard was a large red stallion, Big Mac. That in itself was not unusual, it was his property after all. What was usual was what he was wearing, a silken robe with patterns of flowers embroidered on it. He was slowly turning around, apparently trying to get a look at himself.

“Big Mac,” Fluttershy called a greeting.

The large stallion immediately looked up, then lowered his eyes looking rather nervous. He could be terribly shy sometimes. “Afternoon,” he muttered.

“Where did you get that robe?” she asked trotting over to him.

He looked at the garment rather self-consciously, “Rarity.”

Of course it would be Rarity, she thought.

“Umm, it looks very good on you, very exotic.”

“Eyup, exotic. From Neighpon.”

The mention of the country reminded Fluttershy that there had recently been some terrible storms there. The city of Yokohamare had been badly damaged and many had been left homeless, maybe she should have tried to collect for them instead, but the animals in Hoofington needed support as well. Oh, there were so many good causes, it was so hard to choose. She shook her head to try and clear it, “That must have been expensive.”

Despite his red coat Mac blushed, “For a good cause,” he said defensively, “An orphanage.”

Fluttershy bit her tongue, she was tired of hearing about Rarity’s orphanage. Then she felt terrible for thinking that. Of course the poor orphan’s needed help, but so did the animals and the Neighponees and so many others.

“I guess you don’t need any jams then?” she asked a little hopefully. The apples mostly made their own but she had some flavours they didn’t.

Mac seemed to sink a little into himself, “Nope, sorry.”

Trying to hide her disappointment Fluttershy smiled at the larger pony, “Well it’s been nice talking with you, but I better be on my way.”

“Bye,” rumbled Mac as she walked away.

Finally after several mostly fruitless hours Fluttershy found herself at Carrot Top’s small farm. In a way she had left the best for last, Carrot Top had always been very generous to her always happy to help in her various collections. The orange mare had a big heart and in a away Fluttershy felt a certain kinship with her, even if she didn’t agree with all of her farming methods. Fluttershy didn’t approve of the various chemicals and devices she used on her crops, although she had to agree that they worked so secretly thought of them as unnatural.

Fluttershy carefully stepped around the large hydroponics tank with its sun lamps that filled much of the yard and walked over to the geodesic dome shaped building that Carrot Top lived in. She didn’t have to look far to find the farmer fiddling with some exotic equipment on a workbench.

“Afternoon Fluttershy,” said Carrot Top lifting her goggles, which consisted of multiple lenses, off her eyes and blinking in the light.

“Good afternoon,” said Fluttershy, deciding to get straight to the point this time, “I’m collecting for the Hoofington animal shelter and I wondered if you’d like to donate, or maybe buy some jam or honey, all profits go to the poor animals.”

Carrot Top looked awkward, “I.. I.. don’t know,” she stuttered hopping from hoof to hoof, “I suppose I could buy some jam,” she picked up the smallest pot on the tray, “How much is this one?”

“That would be five bits. Are you feeling alright?” she asked, her friend seemed nervous for some reason.

The orange mare reached into her mane for her purse and started to rummage around in it. “Um, I’m a little short right now, how about I just donate a few bits?” she held out two coins.

“Are you sure that’s all you can afford? There are so many poor animals in Hoofington and they really need all the help they can get.”

“I’m sorry, I really am,” mumbled Carrot Top backing away.

“It’s Rarity isn’t it?” said Fluttershy advancing on the farmer, her temper starting to boil over, “She got here first didn’t she?”

“She told me all about the orphanage, how much they needed the money, how badly the foals need it. She asked what would become of Sweet Wheat if something happened to me and my parents. I had to give her what I could, I had to. I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” she started to cry.

“What about the poor animals?” cried Fluttershy stamping her hoof on the ground, “I’m sick of Rarity.” Then she realised what she had just said and brought her hoof to her mouth, what was she doing and saying? Of course the orphans needed help. Then she saw the crying mare in front of her and her heart broke. No matter the need she shouldn’t be forcing anypony, much less her friend, to give her money, this was unforgivable. “I’m sorry Carrot Top, I’m so sorry,” she sobbed, “I didn’t mean it, please forgive me, I’m sorry.”

“That’s alright,” said Carrot Top drying her eyes and giving a wonky smile, “We all get upset sometimes.”

“No, I shouldn’t have pressured you like that. Here take the jam,” she held out the jar.

“You don’t have to do that.”

“I insist, please, it will make me feel better.”

“Ok, but take the two bits.”

With some hesitation Fluttershy look the coins and placed them in her collecting jar. “Thank you.”

“I better get back to work,” Carrot Top gestured at the machinery she had been working on and folding on of the lenses in front of her face, hiding her look of pain.

“Yes, I should go. Sorry again,” mumbled Fluttershy again as she walked away from the farm in a daze.

Octavia was returning from a walk through the woods on the outskirts of Ponyville when she bumped into Fluttershy, literally. She had been working all morning on a new composition and she felt like her brain was tied up in knots. She had decided than a walk would help her mind relax and maybe help her creative process. It seemed to be working and she was just starting to visualise a new section of music when the yellow and pink pegasus had crashed into her.

Both mares had been knocked off of their hooves. While Octavia picked herself up her friend remained on the ground mumbling frantic apologies while surrounded by fallen, but luckily not broken, jars of jam.

“Fluttershy, are you alright?” asked the grey mare putting a hoof on her friend. The Pegasus seemed more upset than a mere bump would normally cause. “Has something happened?”

“Octavia?” said Fluttershy starting to stand brushing her mane from her eyes. “I’m sorry, I’ve been having a hard day. Oh, it’s all Rarity’s fault. But no that’s not right, I’ve been acting disgracefully, I’m such a bad pony.”

Octavia started to collect up her friends goods. It hurt her to see the pegasus so distressed, “Why don’t we go into town and get a drink? It’ll help calm your nerves and you can tell me what happened, maybe I can help?”

“That sounds nice, you’re such a good friend.”

Octavia felt a little glow of pride at this, she was still rather new at dealing with friends and it felt good to have somepony tell her she was doing things right.

The two of them walked into town in silence and stopped at a small cafe where Octavia ordered a pot of tea and two cups. They were quickly delivered and Octavia breathed in the smell of her drink. Fluttershy started to speak but her friend silenced her with an upheld hoof and indicated she should inhale the scent of the herbal concoction as well. Fluttershy did so and felt her tension start to slip away.

Octavia took a mouthful of her drink, “Now, tell me what has happened. What is this about Rarity? I don’t know her all that well but she’s always seemed a reasonable mare to me, somewhat melodramatic I suppose.”

“She seems to be everywhere I go today. I’ve been trying to raise money for the Hoofington animal shelter but she keeps getting to my donors first and getting them to give her money for her orphanage.”

“Her orphanage?”

“The Rosey Hearts Orphanage in Canterlot, she’s always been collecting money for it as long as I’ve known her. I’m sure it’s not nice to be an orphan but it’s in Canterlot, there are probably much worse places. I think she only supports it to attract the nobility.” Fluttershy flushed, “Oh that’s such a bad thing to say, the orphans still need help. Maybe I’m just jealous she’s so much better as collecting money than me, but she’s so manipulative. She used her,” she moved closer to Octavia and looked both ways before continuing, “Feminine wiles on my neighbour. I could never do that.”

Octavia almost snorted at this, she wasn’t an expert but she suspected that if Fluttershy actually tried she would find her ‘feminine wiles’ would be just as effective as Rarity’s, if not more so. She would have to spend hours each morning to get her mane to look half as good as the pegasus’s when she’d just gotten out of bed.

“Then she talked Big Mac into buying silk clothes,” continued Fluttershy. Unnoticed Octavia’s ears perked up in interest. “Silk’s very expensive, he probably can’t afford them, and she really scared Carrot Top with talk of what could happen to her sister if something happened to her parents. But I was even worse I scared her too, I was just so angry.” She looked down into her drink, “I don’t know what to do.”

Octavia considered for a moment taking another sip of her drink, “Have you tried to talk to Rarity about this? Maybe you could find out more about the orphanage or she could help you raise money for the animals?”

Fluttershy’s eyes opened wide in terror, “Oh no! No! I couldn’t talk to her, she knows what a bad pony I am.”

Sighing Octavia slid a hoof across the table and rested it upon Fluttershy’s, “Fluttershy, you are one of the nicest ponies I know, you are not ‘bad’.”

“Oh, you don’t know what I’ve done, but Rarity knows. Once..” Fluttershy pulled her hoof away from Octavia and looked down, “Once I did a really wicked selfish thing and she knows, she could tell everypony, everypony would hate me,” she looked up again, “You’d hate me.”

“I’d never hate you, no matter what you’d done. Are you telling me Rarity is blackmailing you? Has she threatened you?”

“No nothing like that, but she could if she wanted. I suppose I deserve it really I was so wicked, but it looked so nice.”

“What did?”

“Nothing,” mumbled Fluttershy clamming up

It looked like Octavia would not get anything further from Fluttershy so she considered ways to help her friend. “Look, shall I go talk to Rarity? I’m sure I can sort this all out.”

“Would you?” she looked hopeful.

“I’m your friend, of course I’ll help you. Now why don’t you just wait here and finish your drink,” she poured another cup of tea for her guest, “And I’ll go to talk to Rarity, her shop isn’t far. I’ll be back before you know it and I’m sure we can sort something out, it’s probably just a misunderstanding.”

The door to Carousel Boutique opened with a loud jangling sound.

“I’m sorry darling,” began Rarity, “But I was just about to shut for the day, can you..” she turned away from the rack of dresses in front of her to see her customer, “Oh, Lady Philharmonica. Please come in, how can I help you?”

Octavia sighed, she did not, and unless a horrible disaster wiped out most of her family or she married up, would not hold a noble title and thus should be addressed as Miss Philharmonica. She was fairly sure that Rarity was aware of this, however, the social climber seemed to have fixated on her as the closest thing to a true noble in the town and decided to treat her as if she was only a step or two down from Cadence herself.

“Would you care to peruse my humble offerings or would you like something specifically designed for you?” continued Rarity.

“I am afraid that I am not here to purchase anything Miss Rarity. I would like to talk to you on behalf of Fluttershy.”

“Fluttershy?” said Rarity somewhat bemused, “How is she? She rushed off in such a hurry this morning at the spa. Is she alright?”

“The spa?”

“Yes I was there this morning, just my regular little pick me up. It takes a lot of work to look this fabulous you know.” Rarity primped a bit. “Fluttershy was there but when I talked to her she just ran off.”

I knew it, thought Octavia, I know her mane couldn’t look that good naturally. She shook herself to bring her back to the matter at hoof. “She is fine but she is somewhat upset about some of the tactics you have been using to obtain donations for an orphanage.”

“Well the Rosey Hearts Orphanage is a good cause,” she picked up a brochure from a side table and held it open, is showed a number of foals of various ages playing in front of a colourfully painted if slightly dilapidated building. Octavia recognised the city scape of Canterlot behind it. “There’s always something more they need, renovations to the building, new toys and so on. I do what I can and try to encourage others to do the same.”

“Fluttershy seemed to think you might have been pressuring ponies into donating.”

“Pressuring? I wouldn’t say that, I’d just say that I’m a good salesmare. I’m good at giving the customer what they want. Take Mr Lumber, he gets lonely out there in the sticks, a little feminine company and he was more than happy to make a donation.”

Octavia blushed slightly.

“It’s not like that,” said Rarity haltilly, “I am a lady. Still I’m sure he was quite the figure of a stallion back in his day.”

“And what of Big Macintosh? Fluttershy thinks you might have forced him to buy something he didn’t want.”

“Darling, no one can get somepony to something they truly don’t want. But a good salesmare can give you all reasons you need to buy something you do want. Take this for instance,” the unicorn used her horn to float a long purple formal dress in front of Octavia, “This particular style is very popular right now. The cut is quite conservative but it is still rather flattering on the flanks. It’s made out of a Neighponees silk which I have heard a certain large red stallion is rather partial to and the colour matches your eyes. I only receive the cost of making it, the rest all goes to the orphans.”

Octavia admired the dress as it sparkled slightly in the light, it did look good. She probably could do with another dress to perform in at formal events or even one of the less formal dances at Sweet Apple Acres. All she had at the moment was her sari, if you had asked her a few minutes ago she would have been happy with it but now that she thought about it, it was a few years old. She peered at the tag, the price was a little steep but it was a good cause. She dragged her thoughts back to the matter at hoof, “You are indeed very good at that,” she agreed ruefully.

“It’s a gift.” Rarity beamed, “Now should I wrap this now?”

“No. Although I may be back for it later,” admitted Octavia, “But what about Carrot Top? Fluttershy led me to believe that she was quite upset.”

Rarity’s ears drooped, “I do fear I may have overdone it a tad there. I wouldn’t want anything to happen to her but I wanted her to realise that not all foals are as lucky as her or her sister. I will apologize when I next see her.”

“Fluttershy is also worried that your own fundraising efforts, no matter how well meaning, may be distracting from more important causes.”

“Oh, and what cause would it be this week?” asked Rarity somewhat snitily. “I think that Fluttershy could do a lot more good if she just picked a cause and saw it through to the end,” she sighed, “I don’t think many of her charities really see much benefit from the little time she gives them. That mare could change the world if she would just focus her efforts. Still as a favour to you I will stop my collecting around Ponyville for the moment. I shouldn’t need to, not with Count Glitter’s ball next week.”

“I wasn’t aware of a ball,” said Octavia.

“I’m surprised you haven’t heard of it in your social position. The Count is holding it to celebrate the completion of his new summer home, it’s only an hour or so from Ponyville you know. With the recent destruction caused by Nightmare Moon and Burning Sun he’s decided to make it a charity ball in aid of the reconstruction.” Rarity looked around conspiratorially, “And you’ll never guess who the guest of honour is... It’s Prince Blueblood!” She squealed a bit and did a little jig in excitement.

Octavia frowned a bit. She had not met the Prince in person but from what she remembered from her tutors he was the ruler of the small principality of Monacolt. It, along with many of the border provinces had seceded from Equestria during the turbulent period around the fall of the twin tyrants, however unlike most it had not re-joined with the rise of Cadence, although the two countries had been friendly for well over a century now. There had even been talk of reunification although it never gotten far. “I have heard he is a great philanthropist.”

“Oh yes, his country is very rich, mostly from its diamond mines and he’s very generous. I’m sure he could make it so the orphan’s never needed for anything again. Plus he’s a very eligible bachelor. I can just see it now, our eyes meet across the dance floor, we talk all night then when it’s all finished he takes me in his strong arms and throws me down in front of the fire and...” Rarity looked rather overheated. “Err... Anyway he could really help the orphans.”

“That does seem a good opportunity for you. How did you manage to get tickets? I imagine they must be in high demand.”

“Oh, I have my sources, maybe closer to you that you think,” said the white mare enigmatically.

“There is one more thing,” said Octavia refusing to be baited, “Fluttershy seems to think you have some form of blackmail material on her.”

“Beg pardon?” said Rarity in surprise, “Blackmail, Moi?”

Octavia tried to detect if there was any dishonesty on Rarity’s part but as far as she could tell the fashionista was as surprised as she appeared.

“I can’t think of anything I’ve seen Fluttershy do that could be used against her in that way. Not that I would do anything like that even if I could. Maybe she’s confused about something, she can be a little high strung.”

“You may be right,” agreed Octavia, “Well I’ll tell her about you not fundraising in Ponyville for a while, I’m sure she’ll be pleased.”

“That’s good and if you change your mind later the dress will still be here, for a while anyway. I can’t guarantee that another mare won’t see its appeal in the meantime. Of course it won’t suit them as much as you but it is first come first served.”

Gritting her teeth against reaching for the offered garment Octavia turned and walked from the shop.

Octavia returned to the cafe to find that Fluttershy had finished her tea and was waiting nervously for her return.

“Please don’t hate me,” whimpered Fluttershy, “I know what I did was unforgivable but...”

“Fluttershy, calm down. Rarity said she didn’t know anything about blackmail and to be honest I believe her.”

Fluttershy blinked several times, “Really? But.. How..”

“She also agreed to stop her fund raising activities in Ponyville for a while.”

“That’s... That’s very nice of her.” Fluttershy perked up, “So ponies should have money for the Hoofington shelter or the people of Yokohamare?”

“Yes. Rarity said she was going to go to a charity ball and try and attract Prince Blueblood to donate for the orphanage so she won’t need to canvas Ponyville,” said Octavia a little smugly. She was considering ordering another cup of tea, she seemed to have defused Fluttershy’s problems, she was getting better at this friendship thing.

Fluttershy seemed to consider this situation for a moment then crumpled, “Oh, but think of all the good I could do if I could go to the ball and meet Blueblood. I’m sure he could pay for a whole animal shelter by himself. But there’s no way I could get a ticket,” she began to sob.

Ok, thought Octavia, maybe this will be a bit more difficult that I thought it would be.

Chapter 2 - Getting to the Ball

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Octavia was waiting.

It had taken her quite some time and an awful lot of tea to calm down Fluttershy. While she was doing that she had had an idea on how to help her friend, but she had not wanted to raise her expectations unnecessarily. So she walked Fluttershy home and left her in the kindly paws of Angel and then headed back to the room she considered home, took up her quill, and wrote to her parents. As the Duchess and Duke of Chenneigh they got invitations to many formal events, her mother’s secretary spent a good part of his day going through them deciding which ones a member of the family should go to, which a donation or apology should be sent to and which should be binned. There was a fair chance that they had one for Count Glitter’s ball.

Once the letter had been posted, the only thing she had left to do was wait. She tried not to think about all the things that could go wrong; the post from Ponyville was rather variable, it could be over a week until the letter reached Chenneigh, her parents could be busy and it could be days before they had a chance to look at her letter, they might not even have an invitation. So she waited. She did other things while waiting, her daily life continued; she jogged each morning, she practiced, she suffered joyously through a Pinkie party, but mostly she waited. It surprised her how excited she felt about the possibility of the tickets arriving, she had no great want to go to it but she knew it would mean the world to Fluttershy. Maybe this was a part of friendship she had not previously experienced, she liked it but feared the disappointment if it all came to naught.

So on the day of the ball itself she found herself by the sweet shops post box. She had taken to sitting by it after her morning run to wait for the town’s eccentric postmare Ditzy Doo. She had mentioned the urgency of her post to the grey pegasus earlier in the week her hopes were raised when she saw Ditzy rushing towards her an envelope clutched in her jaw. Of course for Ditzy rushing meant she was travelling at the speed most pegasus would fly casually and she could even have been passed by most earthbound ponies. However, it was clear to those that knew her that she was pushing her fragile form to its limits. She collapsed to the ground in front of Octavia. “P..Post for yo...you,” she panted, “I think...I think it’s what you were looking for.”

Octavia tore the letter from the post ponies grasp then remembered her manners and helped Ditzy to her hooves. “Thank you very much for this.”

“Hey, it’s my job,” said Ditzy leaning heavily on the mailbox and mopping her brow.

“And you have performed it excellently, you have my gratitude.”

“Thanks.” Ditzy almost glowed with pride before lifting off the ground a little, bobbing gently before setting off to her next delivery.

Octavia rushed into the house and up to her room before tearing the envelope open, to her joy two small pieces of paper fell to the ground, tickets to the ball. She unfolded the letter enclosed, it was written in her mother’s usual verbose style and covered almost a dozen pages. Octavia quickly scanned through it, the ball had been accepted by her house as a worthy cause but due to the distance between Chenneigh and the event itself a donation was going to be made rather than a personal visit by a scion. Octavia’s interest had been noted and the tickets forwarded to her along with a bankers draft for ten thousand bits to give to the charity. There was also a veiled suggestion by her mother that she should go to more such events to heighten her and her houses reputation as well as an update on her family's status. Her sister Viola had apparently recently broken up with a pony called Thrash. Octavia had never heard of him before, but she could never keep up with her older sister’s ever changing love life. She could examine the letter in full later as well as write a thank you in return, right now she had to tell Fluttershy the good news.

Fluttershy’s surgery was open for the day and there were a handful of ponies and their pets in the cramped parlour that she used as a waiting room.

“I’m sure Winona will be fine Ms Applejack,” said Fluttershy walking from her office with the orange mare and her dog in tow, “Just make sure you give her this medicine twice a day for a week. Remember chocolate isn’t good for dogs no matter how much she begs.”

“Ah know Fluttershy,” said the earth pony patting her pet on the head and looking embarrassed, “But she’d worked so hard herding the sheep and she gave me those darn puppy dog eyes, I just didn’t have the heart not to give her a treat.”

“Well maybe you can find some treat that is healthier for her? Anyway you could just ask the sheep to move themselves you know, I’m sure you’d find them to be happy to help if you asked nicely.”

Over the last few days Fluttershy had thrown herself into her work to try and ignore the disappointment she felt about being unable to go to the ball and bring her causes to the Prince’s attention, but the situation still stung. As she looked around her surgery she noticed that Octavia was among those waiting, to her surprise the normally reserved mare was smiling broadly.

“Octavia what are..” began Fluttershy.

“I have tickets,” interrupted Octavia, “To the charity ball tonight.”

Fluttershy stood and gawked for a moment then grabbed her fiend and brought her into a crushing hug and nuzzling her. “Oh, thank you, thank you!” she cried, “Now I can ask Blueblood for help for the animal shelter and the Neightponees and to conserve the Slithy Toad and the Buffaloes..”

Octavia looked around the room to see they were getting a number of interested gazes from the other ponies in the room. She gently tried to separate herself from the excited pegasus’s clutches.

Fluttershy seemed to be coming down off of the wave of her excitement. “Oh once surgery is over I’ll have to arrange for somepony to look after my patients tonight and then I’ll have to get ready and how are we going to get there and...” she began to work herself up into a tizzy.

Octavia raised her hoof to the babbling pony’s mouth. “You finish your job and organise your cover. I’ll look after the transport and pick you up at about six.”

Fluttershy took a deep calming breath, “Oh, thank you Octavia, this means so much to me, however will I repay you?”

“I am just doing my job as a good friend,” she smiled, gave a small bow and turned to leave the building.

Composing herself Fluttershy turned to the other occupants of the room, “Who’s next?” she asked.

The rest of the day was busy for Octavia. Her first stop was Vinyl’s place, Octavia thought that of her friends the white unicorn and her extended family were most likely to know how to arrange transport at the last minute. She was correct and the DJ mentioned that one of her cousins had a formal carriage they sometimes hired out and pulled if somepony in town needed to travel somewhere in style. The ball was close enough that she could have walked given a few hours but she was representing her house and had to meet certain standards, plus such a journey would probably ruin any formal clothes worn.

She met up with Vinyl’s cousin, a rather disreputable earth pony called Del Colt Trotter, who confirmed that he and his brother could provide transport to and from the ball. The original price quoted was astronomical but once the ‘friend of the family’, ‘saved the world’ and ‘Fluttershy was involved’ discounts were applied it was reduced to expensive, but affordable.

On her way home she was drawn towards Rarity’s shop and the stunning purple dress within, but she found the place to be closed. She assumed that the fashionista would be spending all day getting ready for the ball.

Returning home she quickly prepared for her night out, sighing as she looked at her formal sari, still it would suffice for tonight. Carefully she began to wrap the material around herself.

Fluttershy let the pen fall from her mouth and examined her work. In front of her led a list of the top five charities she wanted to ask ponies at the ball to support. She couldn’t expect even somepony of Blueblood stature to pay for everything but maybe he could support one or two and other donors help the others. She knew from past experience that if she was under pressure she would just babble about all of the good causes she supported and that tended to put off some ponies. This meeting was important so she had to be organised and write a list. It had been hard, heart-breaking work winnowing them down to just five but she had hardened her heart and eventually achieved her goal. Ignoring the dozens of previous drafts filling the bin she rolled up the scroll and carefully placed it in the shoulder bag she intended to take to the ball.

Like Octavia Fluttershy’s day had been busy. As soon as her surgery had closed she had run off to visit her assistant Cat to ask if she could look after her patients and other animals for the night. Luckily the younger pony was free and happy to work tonight. Before she returned home Fluttershy was tempted to visit the spa but she resisted the call of her vanity. While getting dressed for the night she had been reaching for one of her homemade dresses when she spotted her other shame sitting alone at the back of her wardrobe, she bad broken out in a cold sweat just thinking about it. She didn’t know why Rarity hadn’t told Octavia about it but she was sure the fashionable pony was just waiting for the right moment to spring the surprise and ruin her reputation. The tension was killing her.

She nervously took out her list again and read it though, was the habitat of the Slithy Toad really more important than reducing logging in the south Everfree? she wondered, should she include the drive to highlight the plight of the dragons? It was so hard to decide. Suddenly there was a knock on her door, she dropped the scroll by her bag and walked over to see who it was.

“Hi Miss Fluttershy,” said Cat Scratch. She was a short and pudgy off-white unicorn in her late teens. Her frizzy orange mane seemed to resist combing and her thick glasses made her eyes seem huge, her cutie mark was a set of scratching claws. She wanted to be a vet herself someday and had been working as Fluttershy’s intern for several months now.

“Good evening, Cat,” said Fluttershy letting the younger mare into her house. “Thank you for agreeing to look after all my animal friends at such short notice.”

“No problem Miss Fluttershy, I love your animals.” The enthusiastic pony thundered into the room. The nearby animals all started to back away, from the corner of the room a cat hissed at its namesake.

“Is there anything you want me to do tonight?” asked Cat not noticing how the room’s occupants were reacting to her.

“Well Mr Tortoise still isn’t feeling well, can you make sure he takes his medicine and wash out his eyes with saline before he goes to sleep? The bandages on Mrs Beaver’s tail could do with changing and make sure that Mr Eagle takes his cough medicine. Angel should be able to help you if you have any problems. Of course you’ll have to feed everybody as well.”

“Right, so cough medicine for Mr Tortoise, wash out Angel’s eyes and bandage Mr Eagle,” said Cat tapping on the side of a bird box while the inhabitants cowered away.

Fluttershy sighed, “Nearly, I’ve made a list of it all dear.” She passed over a list of her interns duties. “Now are you sure you can get home tonight?”

“Oh don’t worry Aunty Vinyl’s got a gig tonight so she said I can crash at her pad. She’s so cool!”

“Oh, umm, did she say if she’d turned off the booby traps?” said Fluttershy nervously looking at the uncoordinated pony.

“You know she didn’t mention it,” Cat sat down heavily. Fluttershy steadied a nearby vase before it could fall. “I don’t think I’ll have a problem.”

Fluttershy quickly changed the topic, “Well if you get hungry there's some salad and carrot juice in the kitchen. Thanks again for agreeing to help.”

There was another knock on the door.

“Oh, I think it’s time for me to go,” Fluttershy grabbed her bag knocking the scroll off the table. “Be good for Cat everybody, look after her Angel,” she gave the rabbit a quick hug. She opened the door to reveal Octavia.

“Are you ready to go?” asked the grey mare.

“I’m ready. I’m so excited thinking how much good I can get done tonight. You look very nice tonight... exotic.”

Octavia scowled at the rather crass term, she knew that Fluttershy was not trying to be offensive but the inhabitants of Ponyville could be rather provincial. “I suppose fashions are different here but at home every mare wears these. Your dress is nice as well.” She noted that the dress seemed slightly lopsided and looked distinctly homemade. “However, we should be off now.” She turned to reveal their transport. The carriage looked somewhat dilapidated but had apparently recently received a new coat of paint. Oddly the front axle only had a single wheel placed in the centre. It was pulled by a pair of white earth pony stallions one short and squat, Del Colt, the other tall and thin, his brother Trotney.

The two mares clambered into the back causing the suspension to creak worryingly. “We are ready to leave now,” noted Octavia.

“Lovely jubbly,” called Del as he and his brother struggled to get the aged vehicle moving.

Octavia leaned out of the carriage as it approached Count Glitter’s new home. The house was built looking out over a large lake and surrounded by acres of gardens. The building itself was easily large enough host a hundred ponies if necessary. It was built in a classic style and if she hadn’t been aware that building had only just been built she would have thought it had stood there for a hundred years or more. Her sensitive ears pricked up as she heard music in the air. It sounded like the ball had already begun, she did not recognise the band but they sounded distinctly second rate to her, it would seem that after building the house the Count was skimping on his entertainment budget, or maybe they were playing for charity.

Octavia looked over at her fellow passenger, Fluttershy had been silent for most of the trip seeming to alternate between phases of extreme excitement and extreme nervousness. Octavia assumed the pegasus was visualising what could happen tonight and running through the pitch she would make to Prince Blueblood.

The carriage came to a halt on a gravel driveway alongside several dozen other vehicles. “We’re here,” called Del Colt.

“Thank you,” said Octavia stepping from the coach, “The Ball should be finished by midnight we will meet you here again then.”

“What are we supposed to do with ourselves until then?” asked Trotney unhooking himself from the carriage.

“We can hobnob with the upper crust,” said Del, “I’ve got some business propositions that might interest them.”

“You do not have invitations,” said Octavia pointedly, “If you go round to the servant's entrance no doubt there will be food and drink put on for you and the other chauffeurs.”

Looking chastised the two white unicorns scampered away.

“Thank you,” called Fluttershy as they left. “You know, I don’t think that’s fair, they did pull the carriage all the way here, why shouldn’t they get to go to the ball too?”

Octavia sighed rolling her eyes, “Maybe you could do something about that matter after this ball, you have other things to do now.”

“I suppose so,” muttered Fluttershy.

Together they walked to the entrance of the building, there a servant opened the door for them. They walked down a richly furnished hall lined with paintings of the counts ancestors and past a cloak room for those ponies who had decided to wear them. At the far end another servant waited at a desk, stacked on and against it were various items of clothing, paintings, vases and other bric a brac. He looked up as they approached.

“May I see you tickets Madam.”

Octavia handed over the pieces of paper, “Thank you my lady and could you give me your item for the auction so I can add it with the others.”

“My what?” she asked surprised.

“Your item for the auction. As stated in your invitation each guest is expected to produce a gift to be auctioned off with the proceeds being used to help rebuilding in the wake of the recent... unpleasantness.”

Internally Octavia cursed herself, maybe she should have read her mother's letter in full. “I am afraid there has been some mix up I was not aware of this.” Behind her Fluttershy squeaked in embarrassment. “Could I not just donate directly to the charity?”

“I suppose that might be acceptable,” said the stallion dubiously, “However, there might be another option. There is a ‘slave’ auction being carried out tonight.”

Suddenly Fluttershy pushed Octavia aside and thrust her face towards the servant, “Slaves!” she snarled, “You keep slaves!”

“I... I.... I think you might have misunderstood,” he stuttered almost falling back off of his chair. “I mean some guests have volunteered to act as another pony’s servant for a day to raise money for charity. It’s all voluntary, it’s not really slavery,” he squeaked.

“Oh,” said Fluttershy returning to her normal meek self, “Oh, that’s all right then. Sorry.” She blushed and backed away.

Somewhat unnerved by the change that had come over her friend Octavia tried to recover her composure. “Then I will volunteer for that.”

“No, you don’t have to do that,” said Fluttershy, “I’ll do it, I’m the one that wanted to come here.”

“No offence, but I think that as a Duchess's daughter I may well raise more money that you, and that is what this is all about isn’t it? Plus you may need all of your time to talk to Blueblood,”

“Oh, very well then,” she muttered.

“Thank you my lady,” said the servant as he ushered them into the ballroom itself. The door opened at the top of a large staircase looking down over the ballroom itself. It was spacious and easily contained the hundred or so ponies of various tribes which huddled in small groups talking and laughing with each other. There was even a small area for foals in one corner when the guest’s children were currently being entertained or terrified by a pony in clown makeup. At the far end on a raised platform the band that Octavia had heard previously was performing, they did not sound much better up close. At present only a small number of ponies were dancing.

The duo were met by a herald, who took their details and announced them as, “Miss Octavia Philharmonica, of the Chenneigh Philharmonica’s and her companion Miss Fluttershy, daughter of The Right Honourable Thundering Posey MP.” Octavia was surprised for a moment to be reminded that her friend’s father was a member of the commons, still at least that would mean she would have some experience at how to cope in this kind of event.

Octavia gracefully glided down the steps as her tutor had taught her and stopped in front of the host and his wife. The count himself was a short, thin unicorn with a grey coat and a slightly receding blond mane. He was dressed in a grey formal suit. His wife was an earth pony both taller and more voluptuous that her husband. She was wearing a shimmering red dress. Octavia and Fluttershy both politely bowed to the host and again to the hostess

“Thank you both so much for coming,” said the Count, “It is a true honour to have another two of the element bearers with us.”

“Thank you my lord,” said Octavia.

“If it wasn’t for you girls,” said his wife with an incongruous lower class Trottingham accent, “Things could have been much worse with Nightmare Moon and Burning Sun.”

“Indeed Moonblossom’s family,” he indicated his wife, “Were saved by Cadence herself during the disaster.”

“The tyrants were lucky they left before my old gran could get to them,” joked the mare, “She would have given them a seeing to, I’ll tell you.”

“But not everypony was so lucky and it’s our responsibility to help those who were less fortunate. Hopefully we can raise a good sum tonight to help in the rebuilding.”

“Oh, so do I, sir,” said Fluttershy, “And other good causes too I hope.”

“Wait did you say another two element bearers? Who else is here?” asked Octavia in surprise.

“The element of laughter, Bluenote I believe her name was.” said the Count.

“She hasn’t mentioned anything to me about being here.” Still, thought Octavia, Bluenote did take these things very lightly, it might have slipped her friends mind. Looking around she noticed other guests were starting to line up behind them, “I think we’ve taken up enough of your time for the moment, maybe we can talk later?”

“I would be delighted,” said the Count before turning to his next guest.

From the heights of the stairs Octavia surveyed the room. At the foot of the stairs was Prince Blueblood, Rarity was right he was a fine figure of a stallion. He was a good hoof taller than average and his white coat almost glimmered. He was wearing a perfectly tailored suit with a bright red flower as a button hole, his blond mane was done in a ponytail. He was surrounded by a large group of hangers on who were laughing loudly at his jokes.

She recognised a few other VIPs around the hall but didn’t see any sign of Rarity amongst the crowds. However, as the host had mentioned she saw Bluenote standing alone near the currently empty buffet table.

The two element bearers weaved their way through the crowds towards their friend. She saw them coming and waved a hoof in greeting. The Blue earth pony was wearing a simple black dress that hung somewhat baggily on her frame. Her mane and tail were shiny and had been expertly styled.

“Hi, girls,” she called cheerily, “I didn’t know you were coming too.”

“We were unaware you were going to be here as well,” said Octavia.

“I’m mostly here for the food,” said Bluenote looking mournfully at the empty table. “Chef Ram Sea is providing the grub.”

“Ram Sea?” asked Fluttershy.

“Yeah, he’s a sheep chef from Coltland, they say his food is just to die for,” her stomach grumbled loudly, “Sorry, I skipped lunch to prepare my palate, I’m even wearing my big dress to give me extra space to fill up. Rarity wasn’t happy about that, it’s apparently unlady like, but as she’s my plus one she didn’t have much of a choice.”

“Rarity’s your guest?” asked Octavia, surprised.

“Yep, when she heard I had tickets she insisted I bring her. She owes me big now. Of course she dumped me as soon as we got in, I’m heartbroken,” she said with a smile. “Still the signs were all there, she kept going on about some big shot on the journey here, Blueblood something, how tall he was, how shiny his mane is, how perfect his teeth, how big his..” she paused holding her hooves several feet apart, Fluttershy blushed brightly, “Bank account is,” she continued, “It’s always a bad sign when your date does that.”

“How did you get tickets anyway? Mine went to my family.”

“Oh it was much the same with me, Dad got some and he thought I’d be more likely to want them.”

“Why would your father..” started Octavia.

“Excuse me madam, are you Octavia Philharmonica?” asked a uniformed servant.

“Yes, I am.”

“Count Glitter has asked that everyone participating in the ‘slave’ auction come to the stage now.”

“Thank you,” said Octavia politely. She turned back to Bluenote, “I’m one of the ‘slaves’”

“Ah, that’s another reason why I’m here. There’s a whole bunch of chores building up at home; the windows need washing, the garden needs digging, the roof fixing and so on. I’m hoping to be able to buy someone to get them all done for me.”

Fluttershy and Octavia glared at their friends laziness, “What? It’s all for a good cause right.”

“Are you sure you can afford the auction, you are not as well off as most of these other ponies,” said Octavia bluntly.

“Rarity’s going to match my bids, up to a limit, its payment for the ticket and when the host found out I was an element bearer he agreed to throw a little something in as well.”

“That sounds like you might have a chance then. Well I better be off,” said Octavia turning to Fluttershy, “Good luck with your meeting with Blueblood.” She gave the nervous pegasus a little hug and followed the servant to the stage.

“You’re after this Blueblood guy to? He must really be something.”

“Oh, I only want him for his money,” said Fluttershy. Then she realised how that sounded, “I mean I want him to donate to my charities,” she stuttered blushing.

“Looks like you might not be the only one wanting to talk to him,” she gestured towards the crowd surrounding the stallion, “You know what you want to say? You might only get one chance.”

“I’m prepared,” stated Fluttershy opening her bag with her wing, “I made a list,” she rummaged around in it and her face fell. “Oh, no,” she gasped, “I think I left it at home.”

Octavia waited patiently by the side of the stage while the band worked their way through their last number. Hearing more of their music had not improved her opinion of them, while the pianist was acceptable verging on the good the rest of the group was sub-par, the Cellist was barely professional in her opinion, his instrument did not even seem to be properly tuned. She did not want to cause a scene but decided she should have a word with the Count later.

While waiting Octavia tried to distract herself by looking over the various lots which were being set up around the stage. She almost instantly recognised several dresses produced by Rarity which were presumably her donation. There were several paintings, a large food hamper and a large vase, none of which caught Octavia’s eye. Then her gaze was drawn to an old style recording, she leaned forwards to try and read the note in front of it. It said it was a recording of the music played at the funeral of Herdi as conducted by the diamond dog conductor Art Toscanine. Octavia’s heart caught in her throat, it was said that that was one of the largest musical events ever, she had not previously been aware it had been recorded. I had occurred in her grandparent’s times, to be able to hear it today would be amazing! The quality of those old recordings was poor but maybe Vinyl would know some way to improve it and to hear even hear a pale copy of the original would be an honour. Others would likely want it as well but she would at least have a chance to bid on it.

While she was thinking the band finished their music and moved aside to give their host room. Count Glitter took central stage and stared out somewhat nervously at his guests.

“I’d like to thank you all on behalf of myself and my wife for coming here today,” he said looking about the crowd, “And for making so many generous donations to our worthy cause tonight.” He gestured down at the lots, “The auction itself will not take place until ten so you’ll have plenty of time to examine the lots and decide what you want to spend your bits on. I know I’ve got my eye on a few things. As you know in addition to the normal auction we will also be holding a ‘slave’ auction where you will have to chance to bid for the chance to win the services of some of your fellow guests. However, without further ado I will pass you over to the stallion in charge of the action itself, our guest of honour Prince Blueblood!”

Glitter scampered away as the larger stallion bounded athletically onto the stage sliding to a stop in the spotlight as the crowd stomped and sang their approval.

“Oh! It delights us to see you Blueblood” choruses the crowd
“We're so glad that you threw this ball”
“Of qualities we find attractive, Blueblood”
“We've noticed that you have them all!”
“Monacolt has a great ruler in you:”
“You're witty, you're pretty, you're spry!”
“We want our stallions to emulate you”
“And it's not very hard to see why...”

“No colt's sharp like Blueblood”
“Has such heart as Blueblood” agreed Fluttershy joining in with the rest before looking around self-consciously.
“Is as skilled on the classical harp as Blueblood!” noted Octavia from the back of the stage.
“For there's nothing about him that's phony”
“He's perfect, a pure paragon!"
“You can ask any mare among ponies”
“And they'll tell you whose chest they prefer to swoon on!" From the back of the crowd there was a flicker of magic and a white unicorn mare collapsed onto a fainting couch.

“No colt's fine, like Blueblood”
“With a mind like Blueblood's”
“In leadership nopony shines like Blueblood!”
“My reign's been described as exhilarating!" agreed Blueblood from the stage.
“What a great stallion, Blueblood!"

“Give half, a cheer”
“Then give, the rest!"
“Blueblood deserves all because he is the best!" from the stage Blueblood looked momentarily uncomfortable, before his expression relaxed into an amiable smile.

“No colt's lean like Blueblood”
“A machine like Blueblood!” agreed Rarity in a husky voice as she frantically fanned herself.
“No colt's coat has a smooth, gorgeous sheen like Blueblood's!”
“For there's no colt around half as handsome--"
“As you see he’s got beauty to spare!"
“Not a hair that is matted or knotted--"
“That's right!" roared the crowd.
“And it goes perfectly with all that he wears!"

“No colt rocks like Blueblood”
“Pony's socks like Blueblood!" several mares in the crowd peeled off their socks and blushing threw them onto the stage. In a few cases their husbands glared at them, most shrugged recognising they could not complete with the stallion on the stage.
“In a boxing match no colt cleans clocks like Blueblood!"
“As a pugilist, yes, he’s intimidating!" Blueblood put on a fighting stance and shadowboxed on the stage.
“The match to Blueblood!"

“When he was a colt he had twenty-two stylists” gossiped Rarity.
“To make him the most handsome guy.”
“And now that he’s grown he’s two-hundred plus stylists” continued Rarity sighing in wonder.
“He outshines the stars in the sky!”

“No colt's fair like Blueblood!”
“Debonair like Blueblood!”
“Nopony's cologne sweetens air like Blueblood's!” cried Rarity sniffing the air.
“His scent I've been told is intoxicating!"
“What a great stallion, Blueblood!"

“Thank you! Thank you!” Blueblood bellowed his voice carrying across the whole room. “It’s good to be in Equestria again, you have the friendliest and most musical ponies here. And thank you to our handsome host and his ravishing wife for inviting me here,” he bowed towards Glitter and Moonflower where they were waiting in the wings. “However, before we get on with the fun I think it’s important to think about where all our money is going today,” he sounded suddenly much more sober, “The attack by Nightmare moon and Burning Sun could have been much worse if it wasn’t for Princess Cadences actions and the heroism of the new element bearers, several of whom I believe we have among us tonight.” A wave of muttering passed through the crowds. “But on top of these paragons the actions of normal ponies also saved lives both those trained such as your soldiers, police and fireponies but also everyday heroes who with no thought of their own safety helped their fellow citizens. Although none were killed many were injured and even more made homeless. Although our two nations have not always seen eye to eye, today myself and all of my countryponies salute you,” he bowed low, “And I will do all that I can to aid your country in its reconstruction after the terrible damage caused by the twin tyrants.” He paused for a moment. “However, tonight isn’t all going to be about doom and gloom we are after all here to have a good time, are we not?” A cheer went out across the crowd, Octavia thought she could make out Bluenote’s voice among the others.

“Good, now as Glitter has already told you about the standard auction, I’ll skip over that apart from to say that I expect to hear some record bids here tonight and I don’t like to be disappointed. And I have my nation’s military to back me up.” There was some nervous laughter, “Just kidding. Anyway if the ‘lots’ for the ‘slave’ auction would like to come up on the stage we can show the audience what they can win.”

Octavia and about half a dozen other ponies trotted on stage.

“There they are ladies and gentlemen, can I have a round of applause for them,” the crowd stomped loudly, “Good, remember if you win one of these lovely ponies they have to do what you want for a whole day. Well as long as its legal and moral.” He winked at the audience and wave of laughter passed through them.

“Now on to the actual stars of the show, let me introduce you to our willing slaves...”

One by one the ponies next to Octavia were called forwards, introduced themselves and explained what they could do for their ‘owner’ if they were won. There were several low ranking nobles, an actress, an athlete and a weather factory owner who promised to supply personal weather for the person who won her.

Finally Octavia was called forwards and stood at the front of the stage next to Blueblood. The larger pony looked down at her and gave her an encouraging grin, “Now finally we have an unexpected addition to our program Miss Octavia Philharmonica. Now I understand you are one of the elements of harmony?”

“That is correct, I am the element of honesty.” She stared out at the crowd several ponies seemed interested. She noticed one pony in particular, he was a bulky stallion wearing a crumpled and sweaty suit who seemed to be staring at her flank most intently. She shuddered slightly.

“Well I’m afraid I’m not going to be bidding on you then. I certainly don’t want ponies telling the truth about me, the lies are much nicer. Anyway what skills can you offer the pony that wins you?”

“I am an excellent musician, a student of the princess herself. I can play the cello but am also passable with several other instruments. I also keep myself in shape and am fit for any physical tasks my ‘owner’ may ask of me.”

“Oh, I’m sure some of the ponies out there will be interested in you carrying out ‘physical tasks’.” Another wave of laughter passed through the crowd, she couldn’t help but notice the sloby pony was among those who laughed the loudest. She started to sweat slightly thinking that maybe signing up for this auction hadn’t been the best of ideas.

Since Fluttershy had left Angel had spent most of his time trying to calm the other inhabitants of the house. He could not understand while his mistress let this other pony look after them while she was away, she must have a reason but he could not grasp it. The smaller pony seemed sincere but she was clumsy and had cold hooves. She didn’t understand the needs of the animals in the same instinctive way that Fluttershy did. There was just something about her that grated on Angel, maybe it was that she was one of the pointy headed ponies. She had mixed up most of the animal’s foods but they were generally happy enough to swap, although Angel had had to intervene in a few disagreements and some were still hungry.

Now that he had a free moment the Rabbit decided to settle down under the table, where he could keep an eye out on young pony and not be underhoof. To his surprise he found a scroll lying there, he remembered Fluttershy spending a long time working on it earlier today, he was sure it was important in some way, but how could he get it to her? Screwing up his courage he took the paper in his mouth and hopped out to face the pony looking after the house.

“Hey little guy. What you got there?” asked Cat looking down at the rabbit while hugging a hamster which was trying to squirm out of her grasp. She put down the rodent which rushed to safety and took the scroll. “I guess this is some of Ms Fluttershy’s paperwork, I better put this with the rest,” she levitated it onto a desk. “Thanks Angel,” she said rubbing his fur the wrong way.

Angel gestured violently towards the door indicating that the pony should take the important document to Fluttershy.

“I’m sorry I can’t let you out tonight, if you need to go you’ll have to use the litter tray,” said Cat patting the rabbit on the head strongly enough to make his eyes spin.

Why wouldn’t the pony listen to him? Thought Angel. The scroll was obviously important, Fluttershy had spent most of the afternoon writing it. He had to get it to her, but how? He looked around at the other animals that surrounded him and a grin spread over his face.

Cat Scratch was feeling a little bored, she was lying on the settee flipping through one of the old magazines normally housed in Fluttershy’s waiting room. The animals had been quiet for the last half hour or so and they were starting to fall asleep. Maybe she should have taken up Ball Lightning’s offer to keep her company. While her colt friend being the only other pony in the house certainly had attractive possibilities she didn’t want anything to distract her from her duties. It was good of Ms Fluttershy to let her learn from her, it was a big help in college, she had to be responsible.

She was shaken from her thoughts by loud squeals of what sounded like pain from the kitchen. She jumped to her hooves just in time to see Angel stagger in his white coat stained with red before collapsing to the ground.

“Oh my gosh!” she cried grabbing one of the many first aid kits Fluttershy kept around the house and rushing to the rabbits aid, “Angel!”. She pulled out a strip of bandages, she couldn’t make out any obvious wounds on him and she bent forwards to examine him better.

Suddenly the rabbit became a whirl of activity grabbing the bandages from the air and diving between Cats legs. She wasn’t sure exactly what happened but she suddenly found herself lying on the ground with all four of her legs tied securely together. “What’s happening?” she asked.

Angel gave a whistle and a good half of the animals in the house suddenly stampeded towards the front door. A cat leapt onto the handle and after a brief struggle opened it allowing the herd to exit.

“Angel, what’s going on?” asked Cat grasping the rabbit in her aura before he could escape, “Where are they all going?”

To her surprise the rabbit started to squeal and thrash in her grasp. She suddenly remembered that Fluttershy had warned her never to use her magic on Angel. “Oh, I’m sorry,” she gasped and dropped the bunny. “Are you alright? I didn’t mean to scare you.”

Angel stood shivering for a second before pulling himself together with an obvious effort. He ignored the immobilized pony as she started to use her power to try and untie herself and ran towards the door. A few birds knocked the all-important scroll from its resting place, Angel took a second to clean some of the tomato juice from her fur before picking it up with his mouth.

Hopping to the front door the rabbit saw that the dogs in his party had already picked up Fluttershy’s trail and were eager to set off. However, they did not know how far she had gone and many of the smaller animals, himself included couldn't travel that fast. They needed a big animal to carry them, a very big animal. Inspiration struck and Angel gestured for his friends to follow him as he hopped into the woods.

Chapter 3 - Generosity vs Generosity

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In the kitchens below the mansion numerous servants and lesser chefs were slaving away to produce the treats and goodies for the great and good above them. Ruling over them all with an iron hoof was chef Ram Sea, the sheep stood out from the other staff his ginger coat glowing like the sun as he rushed backwards and forwards berating his minions.

“What are ye all waiting for?"he bellowed.
“Get that food out of yon door"
“Why are you all such fools?"

Around him his staff grumbled their dissatisfaction,
“Every day we do our best"
“Will we ever pass his test?"
“Still we get called such fools!"

“There is not a meal, not a crust can we make,"
“Not a pie, not a trifle, or crèmes,"
“That can stop us from feeling such fear"
“When he turns on us and screams"

“Fools, inglorious fools!" yelled Ram Sea tossing aside a plate of half completed aperitifs.
“You’re cretins and laggards!"
“When you’re in the mood --"
“Why not work faster!"
“Your food is disgusting"
“What next is the question?"
“You’ll give it to the gentry, colts --"
“Food Poisoning!"

“Fools, talentless fools!"

“We're worked to the bone." Complained one of the staff out of his bosses hearing.
“Three banquets a day --"
“We have to make it!" His hooves were a blur as he chopped carrots into sticks

“Just look at this pâté --" The head chef grabbed a plate containing a greyish material
“Ugly, undercooked and slimy." He hurled it at a wall where it slowly dripped down.
“Oh you fools,"
“Inglorious fools,"
“You hopeless fools,"
“Talentless fools."

“Fools, talentless fools!" Bellowed Ram Sea as he stalked through the kitchen.

“Why do we work for this monster?" Whispered the youngest of the chefs.
“Insulted, yelled at and chewed out --"
“Still there’s something we all want" Noted one of his friends.
“What is it we dream about?"
“What brings on a sigh?"
“That he will give just one"
“Word of praise!"

“Fools, inglorious fools!"
“Wrong all through the menu."
“Bland tastes for the first"
“Two courses and then you’ll"
“Ruin their appetite."
“With this ineptitude"
“You fools,"
“Once again, fools"
“Inglorious fools"
“Talentless fools."

Ram Sea walked down a line of staff each holding out a particular meal, he tasted each as he went.

“Fools, talentless fools!"
“Do you care what it looks like?"
“Burned!" He threw a pie at a crying chefs hooves.
“Underdone!" He mashed a samosa into a mares face.
“Crude!" He knocked aside a plate of sandwiches.

The angry sheep sampled a dip held up by a trembling stallion. He savoured it for a second then gave a satisfied nod before carrying on to another part of the kitchen. The staff all gathered around their favoured colleague.

“Don't care what the cook's like."
“Just thinking of getting that"
“Praise we are all seeking"
“One moment of knowing that"
“Satisfied feeling!"

“Fools, talentless fools!" thundered Ram Sea examining further treats for the party.

Behind him a number of staff huddled together.
“What wouldn't we give for"
“That extra bit more --"
“That's all that we live for"
“Why should we be fated to"
“Do nothing but brood"
“On praise,"
“Magical praise,"
“Wonderful praise,"
“Marvellous praise,"
“Fabulous praise,“"

The chef’s lined up again with their final dishes once again the sheep walked the line tasting each treat, this time each was accepted with a nod and small smile.

“Beautiful praise," they all sighed as they rushed to deliver their creations to the ball room.

“Talented fools!" mumbled Ram Sea watching the food being carried out of the kitchen with pride.

Bluenote waited patiently for her prey.

The servants had started to lay out the food for the night. Tray after tray of canapés, dips, pies and cheeses were set up. Bluenote had heard about a specific mushroom and walnut pâté that was said to be one of Ram Sea’s signature dishes. Her stomach was telling her to just reach out and grab the food now but her mind was telling her it would only be polite to wait until the tables had been filled before starting. Hopefully that wouldn’t be long now, a small herd of hungry ponies had begun to join her next by the buffet. She only just stopped herself from drooling as a platter full of pâté and golden strips of toast was placed in front of her. To Tartarus with politeness she wanted to eat now! She grabbed a plate and reached forwards for the goodies.

“Bluenote,” came Octavia’s voice from next to her, “Can I please talk to you for a minute?”

The blue mare’s eyes darted back and forth between her friend and the food for a second, then with a slight whine she put down the plate and focused on the grey mare. “Of course, what can I do for you Octy?” The two of them stepped away from the table.

“I am beginning to have second thoughts about putting myself up as a prize in this auction.”

“Well it is for a good cause.”

“Yes, I do understand that and I am willing to put myself through a certain amount of discomfort for that cause but I am afraid I have limits. There is a particular pony in the crowd, a slobbish looking stallion.” She looked awkwardly down at the ground, “I am worried what he would do if he was given control of me for a day, it might be humiliating.”

Bluenote looked over at the stallion in question who was talking to a small group of other stallions, “Maybe it won’t be that bad,” she suggested.

“I doubt that such a slovenly individual could be anything but obnoxious.”

Bluenote grimaced for a second “That’s a bit judgemental isn’t it? Anyway I don’t see what I can do about it.”

“I was planning to bid on a certain recording in the action,” Octavia looked back at the stage, a look a pain passing across her face, “But if I give you my money you can use it to bid on me so he doesn’t gain my services.”

Bluenote looked disappointed, “Aww, I was going to bid on that athlete guy. He could clean my guttering any time.”

Octavia glared at her friend.

“What, there’s no harm in me enjoying the view while he’s fixing my house up.”

“That is just the sort of behaviour I am expecting of my ‘admirer’. Please, do this for me and I will do your chores for you even if you don’t win me.”

The blue mare looked torn for a second, “Ok, fine. Give me the money. But you owe me for this.”

“Thank you.” said Octavia passing over her purse.

Bluenote stowed it away in her bag before turning back to the buffet table. While she had been talking to her friend the other guests had descended on it like a horde of locusts. Many of the plates had been emptied including the whole tower of pâté. The gourmand growled in frustration for a second, then brightened as she spied more servants starting to arrive with fresh trays.

Girding herself Fluttershy approached her target. Blueblood was mostly hidden from her view by the crowd of hangers on. She had hoped that they might have thinned out over time giving her a chance to talk to the Prince alone but the group only seemed to be getting larger.

Stepping forwards Fluttershy gently tapped the nearest pony on the shoulder, “Um, excuse me, can I get past please?” she asked.

“Sure,” said the pony stepping aside from where he had been trying to overhear the conversation.

Buoyed by her small victory Fluttershy stepped forwards and repeated her actions. However, this time the mare she had tapped seemed to ignore her. She tried again a little larger, “I’d like to talk to the Prince you see, it’s very important.”

Looking over her shoulder the mare glared at her, “Wouldn’t we all, honey. You can just wait for your chance like the rest of us.”

Blushing Fluttershy almost backed off but she steeled herself thinking of the animals that Blueblood’s donation could help. If she just waited then she could be here all night and never talk to the Prince. Observing the crowd she saw a gap open up momentarily and ducking down she pushed her way into it apologizing continuously as she did so. Several nearby ponies glared at her rude behaviour but apart from a bit of grumbling nopony complained.

Fluttershy was now close enough to the Prince to hear what he was saying. He was apparently telling a story of some sort, “And then griffin ambassador said ‘That’s not a chicken, that’s my wife!’” Fluttershy didn’t really understand what he was talking about but everypony around her seemed to think it was very funny. She had hoped there might be a lull in the conversation where she could speak up but others seemed to have the same idea and immediately several other ponies were talking.

Sighing Fluttershy looked around, maybe there would be another gap in the crowd she could use to approach Blueblood, she knew that if she could just speak to him for a minute she could convince him how important her causes were. She noticed that although many ponies were standing in front of the prince only a few were behind him. Maybe she could get round them and next to Blueblood.

Gently pushing past her neighbours Fluttershy made for the gap. To her surprise one of the ponies behind Blueblood, a stallion in a simple black suit and dark glasses stood in her way, “Excuse me,” she squeaked and tried to go around him, he sidestepped putting himself between her and the prince again. Once again Fluttershy tried to get around the silent pony and once again he blocked her, this time physically pushing her back, “Please can you stop being mean? I just want to talk to the Prince.” she asked tearing up slightly.

“I’m afraid being mean in part of Barrier's job,” came a warm plummy voice, “He is one of my bodyguards after all.”

Fluttershy looked up to see Prince Blueblood standing over her a drink in his aura and a smile on his face, “Now, of whom do I have the honour?”

“Fluttershy,” she squeaked.

“Please to meet you Fluttershy and why do you want to speak to me?”

Fluttershy opened her mouth and suddenly couldn’t think of a single thing to say, a wing reached for her bag and the scroll that wasn’t it in, “I.... errrr... I, mean...” she managed.

“You live up to your name I see.” There was a smattering of rather mean laughter from the crows, “What does it begin with A? B? C?”

Swallowing hard Fluttershy tried to marshal her thoughts. Think of the animals, she scolded herself. That was it, animals.

“I hope you....” she began. Suddenly the music from the band stopped and the lights seemed to dim. A gasp came from the side of the hall, Blueblood and most of his group turned to look what was happening.

Rarity had just entered the room from the top of the staircase. She was haloed in light and wore a flowing pink dress highlighted by strings of pearls and gems that stretched along the floor behind her. The bodice covered in silk ribbon. Her hair was done up in a beehive inlaid with further gems. A golden tiara graced her forehead resting on her horn which glowed brightly as she generated her own spot light. Her tail was held high as she strutted downwards towards Blueblood gracefully putting one hoof in front of the other.

The band started up a new tune and the white unicorn began to sing as she approached her target.

“The minute you walked in the house”
“I could see you were a”
“Stallion of distinction”
“and so big hearted”
“Good looking, so generous”
“Say wouldn't you like to know”
“what brought me here at this time?”

She reached the bottom of the stairs and a waiter glided up to her a tray with a bottle of champagne and several glasses on it held on his back. She picked them up and levitated them along behind her.

“So let me get right to the point”
“I don't act this way”
“For every guy I see”

Her gentle magical manipulation of the bottle caused the cork to pop into the air and a thick stream of bubbly white fluid to spurt out. Gracefully avoiding the stream Rarity poured two glasses and passed one to Blueblood who took it in his own aura.

“Hey Prince Blueblood”
“Make; a little donation to me”
“Wouldn't you like to be kind, kind, kind”
“How’s about a few gifts, gifts”
“I could show you a... good cause”
“Let me show you a... good cause”

Rarity curtsied in front of the bemused stallion and looked up at him a smile on her face.

“The minute you walked in the house”
“I could see you were a stallion of distinction,”
“and so big hearted”
“good looking, so generous”
“Say wouldn't you like to know”
“what brought me here at this time?”

She rested a gentle hoof on the stallion’s leg and slowly raised it until it was touching his face. He took the hoof to his mouth and kissed it.

“So let me get right to the point”
“I don't act this way for every guy I see”
“Hey Prince Blueblood”
“Hey Prince Blueblood”
“Hey Prince Blueblood”
“Make; a little donation to me”

“...” said Fluttershy, once again lost for words at the spectacle.

“That was quite the entrance, Miss...?”

“Rarity, your royal highness. I do hope you forgive me going rather over the top, I just had to talk to you.”

“Well you had my curiosity,” said Blueblood finishing his drink, “Now you have my attention. What can I do for you?”

“I had heard tales of you, your handsomeness, your power, your wealth, your generosity. But now that I meet you in person I can see they were understatements.”

“I always wonder where these stories come from, as you can see I am none of the above.”

“Oh but you are, you are the most handsome stallion I have ever seen, you’re magnificent.”

“Ah, I never tire of hearing that, say it again.”

“You are magnificent,” repeated Rarity breathily.

“And again.”

“You’re magnificent,” said Rarity again a hint of confusion in her voice.

“Hum, that’s never happened before,” Blueblood sounded thoughtful, “I am tired of that now. Oh well,” he brightened, “You can think of something else nice to say about me. I’ll be back in a bit.” With that he pushed past the bemused unicorn.

“What just happened?” she muttered.

The piece the band was currently playing came to an end and they began to pack their instruments away. Blueblood once again leapt onto the stage, “I’ve been enjoying the music so far tonight,” he called, “But after a while it gets a bit samey. I think it might need a more modern sound.” A new group of musicians started to shuffle onto the stage and set up their equipment.

By the food tables Bluenote had just started to fill her plate with various snacks. A new tray of pâté had just been set up and she scooped a generous helping of it onto a slice of bread.

“I was passing through Neigh Orleans when I came across a rather talented group that I thought I’d introduce to you all.” A sharply dressed pegasus reared up onto his hind legs using his wings to keep balance and put a clarinet to his lips blowing a single pure note.

In the crowd Bluenote’s ears pricked up and swivelled towards the stage. She dropped the bread and her head was drawn to the stage like a magnet, “Is that..” she gasped.

“Bix Bridlebeck and the Timberwolf orchestra,” announced Blueblood. He leapt from the stage as the band started their first number. From the floor a piercing squeal of joy could be heard.

For a moment Blueblood danced alone on the floor then a number of his hanger-ons began to gravitate towards him moving awkwardly.

“Come on Octy,” called Bluenote her hooves tapping on the spot. “This is real music, get up and dance.”

“I am afraid it is not my music. I do not really understand it and I do not know how to dance to it.”

“Come on, I’ll show you.” Bluenote reached for her friend grabbing her by a hoof.

“Maybe another time,” replied Octavia extricating her leg from her friends grasp.

Bluenote looked at her recalcitrant friend and sighed, “Fine, but you don’t know what you’re missing.” She turned her back to her friend and rushed onto the dance floor joining some of the younger nobles who had started to flock there.

Octavia stood watching for a moment and to her surprise her hoof started to tap with the beat. She understood this music better than Vinyl’s noise, but is still was not familiar to her, at least she recognised and could enjoy the bands skill particularly the clarinet player. It was just a shame they had chosen that particular style of music.

Fluttershy nervously stared at the boogying ponies starting to fill the dance floor. Blueblood was near the centre dancing with a group of his followers while his bodyguards slowly rotated around him. She had been so close to talking to him, if only Rarity hadn’t chosen that moment to turn up and spoil it. She glanced around and saw her rival standing like her off to one side of the dance floor looking unsure of herself. Drawing strength from this Fluttershy stepped forward and was drawn into the swirling crowd of ponies throwing themselves about with abandon.

The shy yellow pony tried to match the other dancers as best she could, bobbing her head in time with the music while avoiding the flailing limbs of her fellows. She soon found herself overwhelmed by the noise and the actions of the other dancers. This had been a bad idea, all she wanted to do was to flee but she couldn’t see a way out. Panicking Fluttershy started to hyperventilate.

“Fluttershy?” came a familiar voice.

The pegasus looked up to see Bluenote standing next to her legs tapping in time with the music. “I didn’t know you danced,” she said.

Calmed by a familiar face Fluttershy forced her breathing to slow “I can, sort of,” she said, “But not like this, the music’s so loud and it’s all so chaotic.”

“Yeah, isn’t it great?” The blue earth pony rearing up and shaking her forelimbs to the sky. “If you think this is something, you should go to one of Vinyl’s ‘raves’”

“Um, no thanks,” squeaked Fluttershy.

“If you don’t dance, why are you here?” asked the earth pony hoping in a circle around her friend.

“I want to talk to Blueblood and I thought it might be easier on the dance floor, I think I was wrong,” she yelled over the music.

“No, I think it’s a good plan, let me give you a hoof,” the blue mare grabbed Fluttershy and the two of them spun around the dance floor.

Her partner blurred in the pegasus’s eyes and suddenly disappeared, she staggered around for a moment before noticing that she was standing in front of Blueblood. “Ah, Miss Fluttershy nice to see you again.”

“Err, hello,” she said staggering around and almost falling before finally getting her hooves under control.

“What was that move? I’ve never seen it before,” said the stallion sounding intrigued.

“Uhhhhh, dizzy,” muttered Fluttershy.

“Interesting,” mused Blueblood before raising his voice, “Everypony do the dizzy!”

He began to stagger around copying Fluttershy’s uncoordinated movements, for a second most of the dancing stopped and stared at the two of them making Fluttershy wish the ground would open up and swallow her. Then a nearby pony began to sway in the same way, then another, then another and soon the whole dance floor was staggering around.

“Thank you, you have shown me a new move. What can I do for you in return?”

Fluttershy almost jumped for joy, things were starting to go right! “I’ve heard that you’re very generous..” she started.

“I don’t know how these rumours get out, I keep having such gossips killed but to no avail.”

“Killed!” cried Fluttershy.

“It was a joke,” said the stallion with a smile. “Continue.”

Suddenly Fluttershy felt a hoof on her leg and her vision blurred for a second, when it cleared she found herself in the hooves of another stallion she had never met. Her new partner looked as surprised as she was although not upset with finding a strange mare in his arms. Fluttershy’s head darted left and right in astonishment trying to figure out what had happened.

“Ah, your highness,” purred Rarity, she was standing in front of Blueblood her front hooves draped over his shoulders. She had just spun Fluttershy out of the way. “How fortunate we meet again, I do not think we got off on the right hoof.”

“Well you sounded like the standard sycophant who hang on to me all day and not even an imaginative one at that.”

Ignoring this slight Rarity continued, “On I assure you I am nothing if not imaginative. Particularly where it counts,” her voice deepened and she ran a hoof down Bluebloods back enjoying the feel of the muscles under this coat.

“You might find that my tastes are rather out of your abilities,” noted Blueblood raising an eyebrow.

“I’m sure you will find I’m very flexible,” noted Rarity bending her spine she used her hind left leg to scratch her right ear despite the cumbersome dress she still wore.

“Very impressive. I take it such skills do not relate to your day job?”

Rarity coloured for a second, “Of course not, I am a dressmaker and designer. You must let me make something for you. A suit maybe, pale blue to match the limpid pools of your eyes,” she began to warm to her subject. Suddenly she was grabbed by a hoof and spun aside.

“Now where were we?” asked Fluttershy rather surprised by her own actions.

“If I remember correctly we were talking about having gossips killed,” said Blueblood with a smirk on his face not seeming at all discombobulated by the butter mare’s sudden reappearance.

“Oh, err, yes well...” Fluttershy tried to calm herself while Blueblood spun on the spot in front of her. “I was hoping you could help me..”

“Ah, you want something from me. Most do.” His tone darkened slightly.

“Well it’s to help those less fortunate than you.”

“There are very few more fortunate than me so that doesn’t cut it down much.”

“Well I’d like you to help..” again Fluttershy felt a hoof yank her away from Blueblood, this time she gripped the hoof with one of her wings and both she and Rarity ended up tumbling away from their target. They found themselves dancing in front of each other.

“What are you doing?” asked Rarity through gritted teeth.

“I was just asking Blueblood if he would mind donating to the animal shelter, or the people of Yokohamare or the plight of the dragons, or..”

“Stop!” commanded Rarity halting Fluttershy’s tirade, “Look I agreed to stop collecting for the orphanage in Ponyville, why are you trying to spoil this for me as well? Blueblood is rich enough to set the orphans up for years. If you try to rope him into supporting all your causes you still wouldn’t get anything done in the long term. Not to mention that there are certain other benefits that I could get from such a handsome and eligible bachelor.”

“I knew you weren’t just here to help the orphans, you’ve got designs on Blueblood,” Fluttershy accused.

“Designs? I’ve practically got a scale model built, darling. I’ve been planning our wedding since I was a foal. And what a model he is...”

“Rarity!” cried Fluttershy is shock

“Well excuse me if I have needs beyond just helping others, you prude!” spat Rarity.

“Oh, you harlot!” squeaked Fluttershy flushing red before looking mortified and bringing a hoof up to her mouth.

Around them some of the dancers looked on at their show in thinly veiled interest. The music came to an end and the jazz band gave a bow before leaving the stage. Looking around both Rarity and Fluttershy saw Blueblood leave the dance floor and join his crowd of sycophants again.

Turning to each other and almost snorting steam the two mares spun on their heels and stamped away.

Bluenote had been having the time of her life swinging along with the music of the Timberwolves. She had spun from partner to partner but had ended up spending most of her time with a rather handsome stallion who had given his name as Citron. She hadn’t danced like that for years! She liked hanging out with the foals teaching them music but it had been a while since she got to party with adults for a change.

As the final piece came to an end and the original band returned to their places Bluenote found herself with aching hooves, ringing ears and a rumbling stomach. She was starving! Politely excusing herself from her partner she made a beeline for the snack tables again. While she had been dancing many of the older ponies had decided to start on the food and long queues stretched from the goodies. Grinding her teeth in frustration Bluenote joined the end of one of the lines, she hoped there would be something left by the time she got to the tables.

Fluttershy took a drink of the punch provided by a passing waiter trying to cool down after her confrontation with Rarity. She knew she shouldn't be so upset, Rarity was trying to help others as well as herself but something about what the other mare was doing was getting her so angry. Taking a deep calming breath Fluttershy looked around the room, Octavia was near the entrance talking to the host and his wife and Bluenote was waiting in line near the food tables, she looked impatient her hoof tapping on the ground as the queue moved at a snail’s pace across the floor. The original band had returned to their station and a small number of ponies were dancing more conventionally. Blueblood and his entourage were standing near the stage apparently examining the various lots of the auction. Her glance fell upon Rarity who was standing among them talking with the Prince. Fluttershy gasped, she would have to do something now or Rarity might get the money from Blueblood and then what would she do?

“And these are some of my finest work,” said Rarity proudly indicating her dresses which were hung amongst the other lots.

“They are quite fetching,” announced Blueblood and a wave of approval passed through the other ponies around him, “And the design is rather innovative.”

“Thank you,” said Rarity glowing with pleasure, “As I said earlier before we were rudely interrupted, I could make something for you, a suit. You would need to come to my studio for a filling of course. I’d need to get the measurements of everything.”

“And what would this suite cost?” he asked raising an eyebrow.

“Oh, I would do it for free. Well maybe a donation, you see there is a certain orphanage in Canterlot that...”

Suddenly Rarity found herself pushed aside as Fluttershy barged into the crowd and took up the space just in front of the prince. “Your highness,” she began, “The city of Hoofington recently set up an animal shelter to help and try to find homes for the large number of strays in the city but they desperately need more funds or they’ll have to turn away so many poor animals, please could you find it in your heart to...” she pleaded.

Rarity barged Fluttershy aside while Blueblood looked on a frown starting to grow on his face. “Obviously animals aren't as important as foals so if you could just...”

Fluttershy pushed back, “But what about the foals of Yokohamare? Many of them have lost their homes and families, they're worse off than the foals in a Canterlot orphanage.”

Rarity reached out with her aura to push her rival aside but Fluttershy resisted, with a tearing sound part of Fluttershy’s dress ripped free making the outfit peel away from her shoulder. Rarity jumped back looking appalled, “Oh, I’m so sorry,” she cried.

Fluttershy slowly looked down at her ruined dress them up at Rarity her eyes wide before calmly reaching up tearing all a strip of Rarity’s clothes as well. The white unicorn cried out as if she had been cut and staggered back tears in her eye, “Why did you do that? We have our differences but my dress was an innocent. It. Was. Innocent,” she sobbed.

Guilt rushed through Fluttershy, what had she done? “Rarity, I’m sorry, I didn’t...” she pleaded.

“Don’t look at me!” cried the distraught unicorn turning and galloping across the floor towards the exit. Not pausing for a second Fluttershy ran off after her hoping to get a chance to apologize to the crying mare.

“Interesting,” noted Blueblood watching their rapidly retreating forms.

“Ah, Blueblood,” simpered one of the hangers on, “You always have the mares fighting over you.”

“It’s a curse,” he announced, but his eyes were not smiling.

Bluenote's patients was beginning to wear thin. She had been waiting all evening to taste the mushroom and walnut pâté but it kept slipping through her hooves. Now it was close enough for her smell, and what a smell it was, layers of scents were wafting into her nostrils, was that a touch of honey? There were other treats surrounding her main target as well, salads and pastries and cakes beyond her wildest imagination. The line of hungry ponies was slowly inching its way forward and she was only a few dinners away from the front but one picky pony had seemingly taken an hour to choose their meal and it was driving her crazy! She wanted to leap onto the table and devour everything in sight, she was only just holding herself back.

“Bluenote,” came a voice to one side, she looked around and saw the stallion she had been dancing with earlier.

“Hi, how you doing?” she asked welcoming the distraction.

“You’ll never guess who I’ve just been talking to.” He sounded excited.

“I don’t know, Blueblood? Everypony seems to want to talk to him.”

“Even better, Bridlebeck and the orchestra. They’ve heard of you and want to chat.” He gestured across the room where the band stood talking to a few other ponies.

“They’ve heard of me! Wow. Give me a few minutes to grab some food and I’ll be right over, I’d love to talk, maybe even jam with them.”

“They’ve got to go soon, if you want to talk it’s now or never.”

Making a pained sound Bluenote looked backwards and forwards between the food and the band at the opposite side of the hall. In front of her the fussy pony finally decided on what to have and scooped a hoof full of pâté into her plate before taking a bite and moaning in enjoyment. “This is really good,” she muttered with her mouth full.

“This isn’t fair,” mumbled Bluenote caught between two of her loves. She dithered back and forwards for a second. Finally she decided to follow her new friend towards the band, she could eat anytime but talking to Bridlebeck might be a once in a lifetime thing. Her stomach was of the opinion that her lifetime might not be very long unless she filled it soon but she tried to ignore that.

Octavia was deep in conversation with Count Glitter when a white blur sped past her followed by its yellow twin, “Rarity? Fluttershy?” she gasped, before turning back to her host “Excuse me I should see what has upset my friend.”

“Yes,” agreed the Count looking rather shocked.

Octavia turned on her heels and rushed after her friend and the fashionista as quickly as she could while still looking proper. She arrived at the entrance hall just in time to see Rarity dash into the cloakroom and for Fluttershy to follow her. Octavia herself was just about to go after them when there was a commotion at the front door. She looked up to see a number of servants being barged aside by a stream of animals. There were mice and rats, cats and dogs, eagles and hawks, rabbits and reptiles, however, the sight that caught her attention the most was a bear which with some effort squeezed itself through the doorway and advanced on her with a roar.

The servants took one look at the shaggy brute and ran screaming from the fearsome creature. One collided with the cloakroom door slamming it shut where it automatically locked with a clunk.

Octavia stood frozen in shock for a moment, jaw hanging open, before being shocked back to reality by a further roar and turning and running back towards of the ball room. She had to warn the guests of the invasion. She fled as quickly as she could, a herd of critters at her tail.

Chapter 4 - Ball Room Blitz

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Octavia burst into the ballroom just ahead of the wave of animals. “Stampede!” she cried.

The band stopped mid note and all heads turned towards the new arrival. Then the horde of creatures poured into the room and chaos reigned as ponies ran in all directions screaming in panic.

“Wait!” cried Blueblood then suddenly he disappeared as he and several nearby ponies were encased in a glowing yellow sphere.

Ponies fleeing from its path the bear stomped towards the tables containing the remainder of the buffet. The rabbit had asked him to try and find Fluttershy but he was sure one of the other animals could do that without his help. The tantalising smells drew him on. He reared up ready a gobble down the treats when suddenly a blue pony in a black dress leapt onto the table in front of him and grabbed a tray quickly placing it on her back, “Back! Back!” she snarled clutching a loaf of prench bread as a weapon, “By Cadence and Ponyville you will have neither me nor the Pâté.”

The bear was so surprised he staggered back almost falling head over heels. For a second he turned to run then he remembered that he was a bear and the pony was a pony and about a quarter of his size. Letting out a fierce roar he turned back to the table.

“I warned you,” cried Bluenote thrusting with her loaf. Her aim was true and she caught the bear in his midriff, unfortunately as her weapon was made of bread it simply fell apart.

Both the pony and the bear looked at the bread for a second before with a growl the bear swiped at his foe.

“You’ll not have my precious,” cried Bluenote leaping off the table and fleeing into the crowd with the bear in pursuit.

Nearby Octavia was similarly running with a record held loosely in her mouth while a pack of dogs chased after her wanting to play fetch.

“I’m sorry Rarity, I’m sorry,” apologised Fluttershy, “I shouldn’t have done that to your dress.”

“Oh, all my hard work ruined,” the unicorn sobbed staggering around the room clutching the coats and scarves lining its walls.

“Maybe I can help you to fix it or something?”

“It’s ruined, ruined. Hum, actually,” suddenly Rarity calmed down and with a few flickers of magic undid various straps on her outfit and casually stepped out of it.

Fluttershy looked on in astonishment at the white unicorn’s sudden change of behaviour and the ease with which she took off the complicated dress.

Nothing the expression on the pegasus’s face Rarity explained, “Oh, I made it especially for this ball and Blueblood, I er.. made it very quick to get out of,” she blushed at the expression on the pegasus’s face, “In case he wanted to examine my work, of course.”

The unicorn walked over to a particular coat on a rack and removed a small case from it. “My portable sewing kit, I never leave home without it,” she explained before turning to her dress.

To Fluttershy’s astonishment it only took the fashionista a few minutes to make the dress look almost as good as new and to crawl back into the construction. “Now I suppose I should do something about yours as well,” said Rarity.

Fluttershy looked down at her own ruined dress, she had forgotten it had been ripped as well. The white unicorn walked over to the pegasus and began to work on her outfit, “Ow!” cried Fluttershy as she was jabbed with a needle.

“Sorry,” said Rarity insincerely, “I slipped. This dress is rather nice, not as good as mine of course, but not bad. Did you make it yourself?”

“Yes, I learned how to sew from my mother, she makes all of my father’s clothes.”

“This stitching is rather interesting.”

“Oh, I based that on the honeycombs in my bee friends hives.”

“Honey comb,” mumbled the unicorn, “I think I could work with that. Anyway I’m finished.” She stood back and examined her work, “There it’s like this horribleness never happened.”

“I’m sorry,” apologised Fluttershy again, “I don’t know what came over me.”

“I think we might be taking this whole Blueblood thing a little too far,” said Rarity in a conciliatory tone.

“Agreed. Can we call a truce?” asked Fluttershy, “We can both tell Blueblood about our causes and he can decide what he wants to support. Agreed?” she expended a hoof to her rival

Rarity hesitated for a moment then shook the pegasus’s outstretched limb. “Agreed. However, try not to get to upset when he supports the orphanage darling.” She strode towards the door head held high. To her surprise it did not open and she bumped her muzzle. She tried the door with her aura again but it remained shut. “We’re locked in,” she gasped.

Within the ballroom chaos still ruled. Ponies fled from the animals and animals fled from the ponies. All were running here and there knocking over tables, lots and instruments. Screams of panic filled the air. In one corner an old unicorn mare was trying to pull a scarf from the mouth of a dog which was playfully tugging it away from her while elsewhere Moonblossom was trying to remove several mice from her husband’s mane while he let out a series of high pitched shrieks.

“...So I can actually do something,” yelled Blueblood as the bubble around him disappeared, “Finally,” he sighed. Looking around the room he quickly trotted for the stage ignoring the chaos around him his bodyguards in tow. He detoured around a group of cats licking at a spilled bowl of punch and leapt onto the stage.

“Everypony stop!” he yelled his voice amplified by magic.

The whole crowd and many of the animals froze in place at his command.

“They’re just animals, most of them are more afraid of you than you are of them. Just calm down and let the servants gather them all up. If all the guests can line up against that wall,“ he pointed to his left, “And the animals can be corralled into one of the rooms on the right, put some of the food with them and they should be happy.”

“You may take my life, but you will never take my pâté,” came a cry from a blue pony rushing across the floor chased by a bear.

Blueblood massaged his head with a hoof for a second, “Find something else for the bear to eat and somepony, please, get me a martini.”

“I think I’ve got it,” announced Rarity trying to peer through the keyhole her horn glowing brightly. With a ping the key was ejected from the far side of the lock and fell to the ground, “I haven't got it.” She had spent the last ten minutes trying to use her magic to open the door without success.

“So we’re trapped in here?” asked Fluttershy.

“For the moment, just us and,” Rarity picked up one of the coats from the walls, “One of the ugliest coats in Equestria. What was the owner thinking? Polka Dots!” She shuddered in revulsion.

“So it doesn’t look like either of us will be able to ask Blueblood for a donation then?”

“No. No money for the orphan’s or your animals or whatever you were trying to collect for today. Thanks to you.” she grumbled.

The two mares slumped down at opposite sides of the room, glaring at each other. Fluttershy was the first to speak. “What is so important about that particular orphanage? I feel for the poor foals, really I do, but there are so many others that could use the money. It’s in Canterlot, other foals in different areas have it much worse.”

“It is important to me,” the white unicorn drawing herself up to her full height as if to challenge her inquisitor, “Because I have seen the conditions there first hoof.”

Fluttershy was taken aback, “You’re an orphan?”

“No, both of my parents are both, thankfully, alive and well. But when I was younger they considered adopting another foal. A sports injury,” Rarity reddened, “Meant that Father was unlikely to sire any more children. They took me to the orphanage with them and it was so drab, all grey walls, it frightened me. Then I saw the foals, most of them were younger than me and they had so little,” her eyes started to mist, “I thought about all the dolls and toys and clothes I had and they didn’t even have parents. I got particularly close to a filly called Lemon Drops. For a time I thought she was going to be my sister. However, it was somewhat of a surprise to both me and my parents when Sweetie Bell was conceived.” Rarity started to pace back and forth for a moment, “My parents could not afford a third child but I made sure we sent presents to the orphanage each Hearth’s Warming and when I was old enough I started to provide whatever aid I could, I visit most weekends to help out and raise money when I can. I do understand there are other orphanages out there, probably worse ones but I don’t have the same connection to them and you should see it now, it’s so colourful and the foals are so happy, and well dressed.”

“You get them clothes?” asked Fluttershy hesitantly, “Wouldn’t food or other necessities be better?”

“I provide what I can for the basics. I know they don’t really need clothes but you should see them. Some of the little ones have never had anything of their own. A dress or a coat made just for makes them feel special, shows that somepony loves them. That I love them. The same with paint or toys it’s bad enough that they’re orphans but at least I can make the place they live a little brighter.”

“I didn’t realise Rarity, I’m sorry. I just thought you were helping the orphanage because it was in Canterlot. Oh, I shouldn’t have judged you in that way. I’m a bad pony, is there something I can do to help the orphans?”

“Do you think you would have the time, you always have so many other causes to work on. What is it at the moment, an animal shelter? Yokohamare? I don’t know how you manage so many, do you really make a difference?”

“I.. I like to think I do. Maybe I don’t do much to help each cause but I can show others what they could do. It’s hard because there’s so many bad things in the world so many ponies and animals and dragons and things that need help but, as my father says, as long as you have something you can give it to someone less fortunate, even if it’s just time or effort or love.”

“Oh, Fluttershy, we’re not all like you,” said Rarity approaching the pegasus and gently taping her on the chest, “Your heart is as big as the world, maybe even bigger, Equestria would be a better place if we were all like you. But most of us have difficulty empathizing with ponies we haven't met. I’ve seen the orphanage, I’ve seen how bad it can be, I even consider some of the children my friends, I feel for them. But I’ve never even been to Neighpon, I don’t feel the same way about them.”

“But if I tell other ponies about them and show them what they can do then some of them will feel for them and will do something.”

“I do wish it would work that way.” The two of them sat in thoughtful silence for a few minutes.

“Rarity?” asked Fluttershy timidly, “Why didn’t you tell Octavia about the bad thing I did. You could have told her or any pony about my shame and they’d all hate me so you could get everything you’d need for the orphans.”

“Darling, like I told Lady Octavia, I have no idea what you are talking about. I’ve never known you to do anything wrong in my life, what is this dark secret you think I know?” her eyes glimmered with interest.

“You don’t remember the dress?”

“The one I sold you last year? The green and yellow one? I don’t think I’ve ever seen you wear it, did I mess up the sizing? I thought the barrel might be a little loose but not many ponies are as svelte as you.”

“No it fit perfectly and it looked so good on me but it was very expensive.”

“Well, I suppose so, but not overly so, that green braid didn’t come cheap and it took a long time to get those ribbons to hang correctly.”

“I couldn’t normally afford it, but I’d just sold a rare animal, a meep, to Mr Rich for his daughter’s birthday and he gave me quite a bit of money for it. I was just heading home to decide what to donate it to when I saw the dress in your window and it was just so beautiful. I can be so vain sometimes you see, I tried to fight myself but I just knew I had to have it so before I could stop myself I went in and bought it from you. It took almost half of the money I’d made. I could have used it to help other ponies but instead I wasted it on myself. I’m such a bad pony, I even go to the spa each week just to make myself look good.” She began to sob quietly.

“Darling,” cried Rarity, rushing over and hugging the butter coloured mare. “You can’t think that way, you’re the best pony I know, but you have to consider your own needs sometimes. You keep some money to buy yourself food right?”

Fluttershy nodded, “Well I grow some of my own but, yes, I buy most of it.”

“You have to buy food so you can eat and stay strong and healthy to help other ponies and you have to feel good about yourself so you can make others feel good about themselves,”

Fluttershy looked away “My father doesn’t need to wear expensive clothes or get pampered to help others.”

“Darling, you're not your father.”

“Oh, I know he’s so much better than I am.”

“That’s not what I meant. You’re a different pony to him, maybe he doesn’t need a hooficure or a full body shampoo to relax but you do. I have different likes to my parents,” Rarity shuddered, “Very different likes. But that doesn’t make me a bad pony and it doesn’t mean I don’t love them dearly.”

“I suppose so,” mumbled Fluttershy drawing patterns on the floor with her hoof.

Rarity sighed, “If you really feel this strongly, you can return the dress, I’ll give you a full refund. It is a shame, you do look so good in it, it highlights your hair so well.”

“You really think so?” said Fluttershy looking up.

“Darling would I lie to you? Just try it on again, I’m sure you’ll look stunning. Why there probably isn’t a stallion alive who could resist donating to one of your causes if you wore it.”

The animals had finally been brought under control and had been herded into one of the mansions other rooms where they could be safely contained until it was decided what would be done with them.

The band had started up again and under Blueblood’s influence the guests were starting to talk and laugh with each other again. It was surprising how quickly the events of the near disaster had started to fade. The one exception was the food, much of it had been spoiled or used to get the animals under control and Ram Sea was refusing to make anything more while the animals were still on the premises, quoting health regulations.

With the bear finally under control Bluenote slumped down in a corner and removed her precious cargo from her back. Much of the pâté had fallen to the ground as she had been running but enough of it remained for a meal. Sighing she took a deep breath feeling the odour seep into her nostrils, then she paused, something was wrong. She stared at the treat and noticed it was moving, suddenly a pair of inquisitive noses burst free of it as two mice gnawed their way through the delicacy.

Bluenote stared at the rodents for a moment, “How does it taste?” she asked before breaking down in tears.

Angel peered out from behind a vase. The other animals seemed to have gone but so too had the ponies herding them away from the huge room. He wasn’t sure where his plan had gone wrong. The bear had been happy enough to help transport the slower animals once Angel had reminded him how Fluttershy had helped deliver his cubs and the party had made good time following Fluttershy’s scent. It was only once they had reached the big building that things had started to go wrong. The bear and some of the other animals had caught scent of the food and had decided to forsake Fluttershy, the traitors! Instead they started to think only of their own stomachs. Then there had been ponies running here and there and that had scared many of the animals and that had resulted in more ponies running about and so on. He had quickly found himself alone in his search for his mistress. Still he could do it by himself if he had to, it was the least he could do for his savour.

His nose was not as sensitive as the dogs he had brought along with him but he could still smell his owner. She had been galloping around the building enough that tracking where she was now had proved difficult. His task was made that much harder when the ponies had started to gather up animals, some of them had been the pointy headed ponies who used their horrible glows to drag animals away. Angel had been forced to hide away lest they catch him to. He wouldn’t let that happen to him again, he couldn’t.

Still holding his mistress’s scroll in his mouth he tracked her scent to a door near the entrance to the building. Pressing his large ears to it he could just about make out the sound of Fluttershy’s voice from the other side. His heart rose, he had found her! He kicked out at the door but it didn’t budge an inch, how was he going to get to Fluttershy? He hadn’t come all this way just to be stopped by a door.

Snuffling around the floor he found a lump of metal which after a bit of thought he recognised as one of the devices that ponies used to open doors. He didn’t know how to use it himself but Fluttershy did, if he could only get it to her she could use it to open the door and get out. Using his front paws he grabbed the object, it was large and heavy but he would not be stopped. He sniffed around a bit more and noticed that Fluttershy’s scent was coming from a grating near the ceiling as well as from the door.

He quavered for a second, it was a long way up, but he was doing this for Fluttershy! Using all of the strength in his rear legs he leapt for a cupboard high on the wall. He only just made it, weighed down as he was by both of his precious items, his rear legs scrambled for a moment before he got his balance. The vent in front of him was blocked by a grill but it did not last long against his teeth and he was soon inside a ventilation duct. His mistress's scent was strong here and he quickly crawled towards it.

“How long do you think we’ll be trapped in here?” Rarity asked for what seemed like the fiftieth time.

“I don’t know I guess somepony has to come and get all these coats sooner or later, I don’t think it’ll be much longer,” replied Fluttershy trying to sound reassuring. She let her gaze pass around the room and suddenly saw movement up hear the ceiling. Was that a rabbit sticking its head out from a small grill in the roof? And not just any rabbit Angel!

“Angel? What are you doing here?” she asked in surprise. “Get down here, you could hurt yourself. I’ll catch you.”

Without hesitation the rabbit let himself fall from the ceiling into Fluttershy’s gentle grasp. She nuzzled him gratefully, he happily returned the sentiment.

“Fluttershy, how did your rabbit get to the party?” asked Rarity in surprise.

“I don’t know.” The rabbit held out the slightly battered scroll in his arms. “Is that for me?” she put down the rabbit and opened the scroll, “Oh, it’s my list of good causes. You brought this all the way here for me? Thank you.” She patted the rabbit on the head.

Angel made some squeaking sounds and a series of rapid gestures.

“You and the rest of the animals came to help me? That’s very nice of you all but it could have been dangerous. Where are the rest of them? Captured? Oh dear this isn’t good. What happened to Cat?”

Angel looked awkward for a moment then slowly mimed a reply, “You tied her up! Oh Angel that’s awful, how could you?”

“Why does that rabbit have a key with him?” asked Rarity grabbing it in her aura, Angel staggered back in fear.

The temperature in the room seemed to drop by dozens of degrees, “Please don’t use magic around Angel, he doesn’t like it,” said Fluttershy softly but with steel in her voice.

Rarity gulped at the sudden change in the pegasus, “Of course darling,” she said nervously while backing away. She quickly turned and took the key in her mouth using it to open the door, “Thanks to your pet, we might have the time to talk to Blueblood before he leaves.”

The two of them walked out into the hall to see the place in a mess, several servants were cleaning the area and they blinked in surprise as the two mare’s walked out of the cloakroom.

“What were the two of you doing in there?” asked a green coated stallion a smirk starting to crawl along his face.

“Oh, nothing,” mumbled Fluttershy turning red.

Suddenly Angel was engulfed in a green aura as the servant scooped him up. The rabbit squealed in shock and struggled helplessly against the magic containing him.

“Sorry about this Ladies,” said the servant moving the squirming rabbit away, “One must has gotten past us.”

“Put him down this instant,” roared Fluttershy rushing to her pet’s aid.

“But... Vermin..” stuttered the stallion cowering back from the enraged Pegasus.

“He! Is! Not! Vermin!” yelled Fluttershy. Her eyes seemed to grow huge and the servant thought he saw his death in them, and worse. He flashed back to a time when as a foal he’d broken one of his mother's favourite vases and tried to blame it on his sister, when she found out his mother hadn’t been angry, hadn’t shouted, she’d just looked disappointed and that had been so much worse. Fluttershy had the same look in her eyes.

The unicorn’s aura cut out and Angel dropped to the ground. With a squeak the rabbit, shaking violently, attached himself to Fluttershy’s foreleg, she gently nuzzled the traumatised bunny. “He is my assistant and one of my best friends.” She looked up at the unicorn, “Now apologize to him.”

“I’m sorry Mr Rabbit.” said the servant shamefaced.

Angel scurried up Fluttershy’s leg and into her mane where he proceeded to bury himself so that only he eyes and ears were visible. “His name is Angel Bunny,” she corrected softly.

“I’m sorry Mr Bunny?”

“That’s better, now go away. And don’t torment any more innocent animals,” the servant slinked away like a whipped dog. “I’m sorry Angel, the nasty pony is gone now,” she said gently.

“What’s wrong with him,” asked Rarity quietly.

“I met Angel when I was training to be a vet, one of the other students was restraining him with his magic while giving Angel a shot. He wasn’t very gentle and it took her several attempts to get it right. It’s left Angel with a bit of a phobia about magic. Don’t worry Angel, I’ll never let anyone hurt you again,” she cooed, stroking him gently. The rabbit slowly started to relax.

Rarity shuffled uncomfortably remembering the rabbit’s reaction to her own magic earlier. “I guess we should go back to the party to see how things are going.”

Octavia found Bluenote staring morosely at an empty plate near the entrance to the kitchens.

“Bluenote,” she said, “It’s almost time for the auction. Remember to bid on me.”

“I know, with your money and mine and Rarity’s help and the Count I can go as high as seventeen thousand bits,” she replied woodenly.

“What is wrong with you?” asked Octavia noticing her friend’s mood.

“Food all gone, so hungry,” she muttered and looked up staring at Octavia as if she was a plate of hayfries.

“I’m sorry about that but you can probably get something back at Ponyville, you can leave once the auctions finished.”

“So hungry,” she intoned again.

“I do really appreciate this, that slimy looking stallion has been trying to talk to me all night I’ve only just been able to avoid him. I will do your chores for you when you get home for this favour.”

The blue pony cheered up a bit, “I suppose there is that. Have you seen Rarity or Fluttershy recently?” she said changing the subject.

“No, not since the stampede. I wonder where they got to?” Before she could say anything further a servant came sidling up to her and whispered in her ear. “Ah, the auction is starting, we can look for them later.”

Octavia trotted towards the stage to take her place.

The band came to the end of another piece and Count Glitter took his place on the stage. “Thank you all for remaining here despite the unfortunate invasion earlier. I guess if the twin tyrants couldn’t break our spirits then a few animals can’t either,” he giggled nervously while the crowd remained silent.

“Anyway it’s time for the auction,” he gestured down at the lots below him. By some miracle, all had remained intact despite the earlier events. “So I’ll pass you all over to Prince Blueblood’s capable hooves.”

On the dance floor Blueblood tossed back another drink and clambered up onto the stage. “Ok, time for everypony to reach deeply into their wallets or purses, apart from me of course. I don’t carry money I have somepony to do that for me so she can reach into my wallet instead. Now on to the first lot, the use of this very house for a future social event, I don’t think the animals will come with it though. What am I bid? Five thousand Bits?”

Behind the Prince Octavia tried to tune out as much of the auction as possible. She felt a stab of pain when the recording she had been interested in was sold for eight thousand bits. The next item was a large hamper of food and she saw Bluenote glaring at her from the stage, the earth pony’s hoof seemed to quaver for a bit as the bidding started but she didn’t take part in the auction and a look of resignation passed over her face as it was sold for a few thousand bits. The athlete that Bluenote had had her eye on sold for four thousand.

“And now for the last lot of tonight,” announced Blueblood, “The ravishing Octavia,”

Pulled back to reality by the use of her name the mare took a step forwards and bowed to the crowd.

“Now Octavia is not only a skilled performer and the daughter of a Duchess she is also one of the elements of harmony themselves and a national hero. As such I have no doubt she will be one of the most expensive items here tonight. If fact I will start the bidding myself at ten thousand bits. I’m sure we could make beautiful music together.”

Looking out into the crowd she saw Bluenote’s hoof shoot up, “Twelve thousand bits,” she called.

To her horror Octavia saw the rumpled stallion raise his hoof, “Fifteen thousand.”

A mare in the crowd raised her hoof, Octavia recognised her as the conductor of a major orchestra, “Sixteen thousand.”

“Seventeen thousand,” called the stallion.

“Eighteen thousand,” called Bluenote. Octavia stared in surprise, even with help her friend could not afford that. ‘Don’t worry,’ mouthed Buenote.

“Nineteen thousand,” called the stallion after a short pause.

“Nineteen thousand,” repeated Blueblood, “Come on ponies, a national hero is worth more than this. Do I hear twenty? Twenty?”

“Twenty thousand,” called Bluenote receiving a round at applause.

At once both panic and calm passed through Octavia, there was no way the stallion could top that, but how was Bluenote going to pay?

“Twenty thousand going once, going twice,” chanted Blueblood.

“Fifty thousand,” announced the stallion calmly. The crowd gasped.

Octavia’s eyes bulged, she thought for a second that she had misheard.

“Thank you. Fifty thousand bits, going once, going twice.”

Bluenote looked at Octavia with pity and shrugged.

“Sold to the stallion at the back for fifty thousand bits. I hope you enjoy your purchase.” announced Blueblood.

Octavia felt a horrible sinking feeling in her stomach. She tried not to think about the degrading things the stallion could ask of her, she was sure he would be an obnoxious jerk. Her certainly looked like one.

Mechanically she climbed off the stage and through the crowds towards her new owner.

“It seems that you ‘own’ me Mr?” said Octavia trying to hide her uncomfortableness.

“Gates,” said the stallion, “Open Gates. It truly is an honour to meet you. Oh the things we can do together,” he effused, “This is going to be so fun.”

“I’m sure it will be,” she said with a slight scowl. ”When do you want to meet up?”

“I’m free tomorrow, how about you?”

Octavia considered for a second, she saw the benefit of getting the unpleasant task over as quickly as possible, like ripping off plaster, “Very well.”

“Good,” the stallion passed her a business card with an address in Canterlot on it, “Meet me here at about 11? Bring your cello. That should give you some time to get a good night’s sleep, I wouldn’t want you to get tired out too quickly when we play.”

Octavia shudder at the kind of games he could be proposing. “I thank you for your consideration,” she said woodenly.

The party was starting to wind down by the time that Fluttershy and Rarity made it back to the dance floor although the band was still playing and many ponies were still dancing.

Fluttershy made a beeline straight to the host to explain about her animals and to her surprise Rarity went with her rather than taking the opportunity to monopolize Blueblood’s time.

“And I’m afraid that Angel and my friends decided that I needed the scroll rather urgently and decided to bring it here themselves. Once they got here they smelled the food and it was just all so good that they just had to try some and well all the ponies here panicked and that scared the animals and I’m so sorry that I ruined your party, if there’s anything I can do to make amends.”

“Amends, Amends!” bellowed Moonblossom, “You ruined our party, Glitter will be the laughing stock of the court.”

“Now, now calm down honey,” said Count Glitter trying to placate his wife.

“I’ll calm down when this menace is thrown out of our house.” Moonblossom stepped forwards raising a hoof. Fluttershy backed away and Angel hopped into position in front of her, ready to protect her to the best of his ability.

To everybody’s surprise Rarity slipped between the angry mare and Fluttershy. “I might have a suggestion which would be amicable to both parties.”

“I’m listening,” hissed Moonblossom.

“Well this is certainly unique,” announced Blueblood accepting a drink from a tray supported by a dozen white mice.

Around the ballroom animals and ponies were working together. A number of birds were singing along with the band, rodents were carrying trays of drinks while cats and dogs helped to tidy up the mess that had been made earlier. The bear was sitting in a corner looking rather hard done by as several foals crawled over him . A particularly young filly staggered over and hugged one of its huge furry legs, her forearms only just able to encircle the limbs girth. “Teddy!” the foal giggled. A wide dopey grin spread over the bears face and it reached down with its huge claws and began to gently tickle the foals belly causing her to roll around and scream with laughter.

“Well once I talked to them most of the animals were really sorry for what they had done,” said Fluttershy, “And wanted to do their best to help.”

“And they have indeed helped, this is turning into one of the best parties I’ve been to all season. Now I understand that you mares wanted to talk to me,” he gestured to Rarity and Fluttershy.

“Well yes your Highness,” started Rarity, “We were looking for your support in our charitable endeavours.”

“And you thought the best way to do that was to flatter me.”

“Umm, well yes,” said Rarity somewhat taken aback.

“I get that every day, you’d do better to just ask me, like you friend here,” he nodded to Fluttershy. “However, both of you then decided to start fighting like school fillies. Now that was amusing I admit, but it didn’t help your causes did it? Plus I am not the only wealthy pony here, did either of you think of asking anypony else to support you?”

The two mares looked at each other in shame, “I’m sorry,” muttered Fluttershy, “I just got fixated on you and sort of wanted to beat Rarity. I’m sorry.”

“As am I,” said Rarity

“Very good, now, tell me what you have in mind?” Blueblood pointed at Fluttershy.

The yellow and pink mare started to talk about several donation drives reading her notes from the scroll Angel had brought her. She started off hesitantly but quickly warmed to her topic and talked passionately about the good that Blueblood could do.

“Interesting,” noted Blueblood when she came to a halt, “Those sound very worthy although my country is already sending aid to the Yokohamare disaster but maybe I should provide more personal support. Now how about you Miss Rarity?”

Rarity in turn talked about her personal connection to the orphanage and the good that Blueblood could do for its inhabitants. She even mentioned several of the foals by name.

When she had finished Blueblood lent back in a chair and considered for a moment. “You have both suggested some worthy causes.” With a glow of his horn two business cards materialised and fluttered down to the mares. “Bring these to the Monacolt embassy in Canterlot and I’ll have one of my assistants sort out donations for you.”

Fluttershy gave out a small squeal of excitement, “Oh thank you! Thank you!”

Rarity was likewise overjoyed, “Thank you, but I did hope we could maybe discuss this matter further personally, maybe over dinner.... or breakfast.” She batted her eyelashes.

A large blue coated muscular pegasus stallion rushed over to the group and kissed Blueblood on the lips, “Bluie,” he cried, “I managed to get away early.”

“Star,” replied Blueblood returning the kiss, “How was your show?”

“I, as always, was excellent, and the rest of the cast wasn’t bad either.”

“Modest as always then,” noted Blueblood with a grin. “Ah, how rude of me. This is Rising Star my coltfriend.”

“Pleased ta meet ’cha,” noted the large stallion nodding at the two mares.

“It’s about time for Star and I take to my chambers. Would you lovely ladies care to join us? I’m afraid mares do nothing for me personally but Star has been known to occasionally ‘dip his wick’ so to speak. If nothing else I’m sure you could amuse each other.” The Prince raised an eyebrow at the mares.

With a squeak of embarrassment Fluttershy backed away shaking her head, cheeks glowing red and her tail tucked firmly between her legs. Rarity looked intrigued and paused for a few seconds before shaking her head too, "Maybe next time your highness." she curtsied.

“Fair enough,” said Blueblood, “Come Star, maybe our handsome host and his ravishing wife will be interested in joining us tonight.” He and his coltfrend cantered off into the crowds.

“Well that was a wasted opportunity then,” said Rarity hanging her head. Then she perked up as another pony passed by her, “Ah, Lord Lucra can I talk to you for a minute about a charity I’m supporting, I have a proposition for you.”

Chapter 5 - After the Ball

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Octavia rose at her normal time the next morning and carried out her daily rituals trying to ignore what she knew was coming. All too soon she was forced to catch her train for Canterlot, she was tempted to ‘accidentally’ miss it, but that would only delay her fate. She resigned herself to a bad day, she supposed that the stallion, this Open Doors, couldn’t force her to do anything she didn’t want to do but she imagined a day of turning down his suggestions would quickly become aggravating. Still her sacrifice had raised fifty thousand bits for those who lost their homes when the twin tyrants attacked, she had to look on the bright side, it would only be a single day.

To her surprise the address on the card Open had given her led to a large timber works in one of the outer districts of Canterlot ringing the base of the mountain itself. She gave the card to one of the many ponies working there and was led to a modest flat positioned over the yard.

The door to the flat opened to reveal a well groomed stallion who Octavia hardly recognised as Open Doors, “Hi,” he said with a grin, “You’re early, nice to see you again.”

“You look different to last night, Mr Doors,” said Octavia in surprise.

“Yeah, I was a bit of a mess then,” said the stallion rubbing his head self-consciously. “I’d been working all day and didn’t have time to clean up, I was exhausted, I was lucky not to fall asleep.” He gestured for her to enter which she did cautiously, he shut the door behind him cutting off all the sound from the works below.

“What is it that you do Mr Door?”

“Please call me Open. I run a chain of builders mostly. Granddad started it all but Dad wanted me to know how the business worked so he had me learn the trade from the ground up like he did. With the recent rebuilding work business has been booming but most of our staff have been shifted to the cities damaged by the twin’s attacks. A local school needed some emergency work done yesterday and I was the only one here qualified to do it so I didn’t have time to make myself presentable before going to the party.”

Octavia flushed as Open told his story, “I am afraid I have judged your book by its cover, Mr Do.. I mean Open. I was afraid I thought you were going to be an obnoxious slob. Please accept my apology.”

The stallion was silent for a moment, “I guess I would have done the same in your situation, so apology accepted.”

“Thank you. Now what can I do for you ‘master’?”

“Well I thought that you could maybe play for me?” he looked a little bashful, “I’ve heard great things about your work, it would be an honour. I play a little cello myself and I’m fair at the piano I wondered if you could critique my performance later?”

Octavia smiled, “I would be delighted. Just don’t expect me to pull my punches just because you spent so much money on me.”

“I wouldn’t have it any other way. However, first I thought we could enjoy my other purchase at the auction together.” He walked over to the far side of the flat and carefully took out an old recording. “It’s a recording of the funeral of Herdi. I hope you don’t mind.”

“No I don’t mind at all, in fact I think this is going to be a very enjoyable day.”

A few days later to her surprise Octavia found Bluenote waiting outside of the sweet shop when she left for her morning run.

“Bluenote, this is a rather early start for you is it not? Have you come to join me on my jog?” she asked.

The blue mare yawned and looked at her blearily. “Not today. How did your day as being a ‘slave’ go?”

“It went wonderfully, Open turned out to be the perfect gentlestallion and a musician of significant skill as well. We have agreed to remain in correspondence.”

Bluenote grinned, “Octy and Open sitting in a tree..” she began to chant.

“It is not like that,” said Octavia quickly her face colouring, “But I believe we could be good friends.”

“Good. Now you know you agreed to do my chores for a day? Are you free today?”

“I have nothing on which I cannot reschedule. I can come to your house when I have finished my run. What would you want me to do?”

“I made a list,” Bluenote handed over a scroll.

Octavia opened it and began to read, “This does not look too bad.” Then she allowed the scroll to fully unroll it reached the ground and kept going, her face and ears dropped, “Oh.”

“You ok to do it?” asked Bluenote.

“Yes,” Octavia took a deep breath, “I did agree to this.”

“Good I’ll see you later, I’m back off to bed now.”

Thus Octavia found her day taken up with work on and around Bluenote’s house. She painted the fence, cut the grass, cleaned the chimney, fixed a leaky tap, cleaned the kitchen and polished her friend’s tuba. By the time the sun was sinking in the west Octavia was dirty and exhausted but had finished every last thing on the list.

“I’m done,” announced the grey mare.

“Actually there’s one thing you’ve missed,” called Bluenote from the kitchen.

Octavia scanned through the list with a groan, “No, I’ve ticked off everything.”

“It’s on the back.”

Octavia flipped the note over to reveal a last instruction, ‘Have a picnic with Bluenote’ it read. “I want to make sure I get my money’s worth out of you,” noted Bluenote with a smile as she came out of the kitchen with a large hamper balanced on her back.

The two of them set out a blanket in Bluenote’s back garden and the blue mare busied herself laying out the food while Octavia rested her aching muscles watching the moon rise and the stars come out. She liked to greet the rising of the sun with music but considered silence a better tribute to the rising of the moon. “Did you make all of this yourself,” she asked once the moon was up as she watched the pile of dishes around her grow.

“Nope, all of this is from Ram Sea.”

“The chef from the ball?” asked Octavia in surprise.

“Yep. After it was all over I went to see him in his kitchen. He’s not a bad as they say, as long as you wear earplugs. Anyway I offered to make a seventeen thousand bit donation to charity and in exchange he offered to make me up a hamper of goodies. Including his famous mushroom and walnut Pâté.”

She took out a knife and spread a generous amount of the brown substance on a slice of toast.

Bluenote bit into the pâté. “Worth every minute of the wait,” she groaned.

Aloe glanced up as the door to the spa was opened and her regular customer Ms Jane Doe aka Fluttershy entered. She had no idea why the pink maned pegasus tried to hid her identity but she had learned to respect her customer’s privacy.

“Ah, Mz Doe. Good to see you again. How can I help you today.”

“Oh, I’d like the full works please, if that’s ok,” mumbled Fluttershy. She felt like rewarding herself for the donation she had gotten from Blueblood last week. She had originally fault against that instinct, she knew it was wrong and she should use her money to help others but then Rarities words had come to her ‘you have to feel good about yourself so you can make others feel good about themselves’ and going to the spa made her feel so very good about herself.

“I’m afraid ve still have some of our facilities under repair. You vould have to share the hot tub with another customer.”

“Oh, who would that be?” Fluttershy asked timidly.

“Mz Rarity,” Aloe cringed slightly expecting the pegasus to disappear in a cloud of dust again.

For a moment it did look like Fluttershy would bolt but then she steeled herself and stood firm, “That should be alright.”

“Good,” smiled Aloe, “Let me get you a towel.”

Rarity was surprised and somewhat pleased that Fluttershy joined her in the hot tub, she had not seen the pegasus since the ball and had hoped to bump into her here.

“Darling, I haven’t seen you all week, how are you?”

“I’m fine thank you,” replied Fluttershy.

“Good. You haven't returned that dress yet, have you decided to keep it?”

“I think so, it does look very good on me doesn’t it?” she sounded a little unsure.

“It looks amazing, it’s one of my masterpieces but even the best dress can only highlight the existing looks of its wearer not create true beauty,” Fluttershy blushed at the compliment, “Oh and how are all your animals after their little expedition.”

“It look some time to get them all home but Del Colt and his brother were a big help. When I got there I found Cat Scratch asleep on the floor, my animals had tied the poor dear up. At least they gave her a pillow and blanket to make her comfortable. Oh, I know Angel meant well but he can be so single minded sometimes, I gave him such a telling off but he’d had a stressful day so I made sure to make him his favourite treat as well. Do you think I was too hard on him?”

Rarity gave a small smile, “I think you know best how to treat your son, er pet, assistant? Whatever he is to you.”

“Oh, he’s my bestest friend ever,” replied Fluttershy with a smile, “How is the orphanage doing?”

“I was there last weekend, it is doing wonderfully thanks to Blueblood. I helped the foals write him a thank you card, they’re very creative.”

“That’s nice. Have you thought about supporting a different charity now?”

“Not really, the orphan’s always need some help or another, even now. How is the animal shelter doing?”

“It’s got enough money for this month. I’m mostly helping to stop the destruction of the east Equestrian wetlands now, they have so many rare animals in them. Did you know..”

Rarity cut of Fluttershy before she would get into her spiel. “What happens to the shelter after than month?”

“Well, I or somepony else will have to raise more money for it.”

“Have you thought of working on that problem by itself for a while, make sure the shelter has a stable income?” Rarity sounded somewhat exasperated.

“We’ll I don’t really have the time to do that, there are so many other causes that need help.”

“But if you focused on one thing like I do with the orphanage you could make a real lasting change.”

“And you could try to help something other than that one orphanage,” cried Fluttershy.

The two mares stared daggers at each other from the opposite sides of the bath. Then Fluttershy’s eyes softened, “Rarity, can we agree to disagree on this?”

Rarity smiled, “I think that might be for the best darling. I would like to be your friend but I think our opinions are too divided on this issue. We can agree to talk about everything except our charity work?”

“I think I’d like that,” agreed Fluttershy.

“Good, you can tell me how your animals are doing and I can tell you about Sweetie Bell being chosen for the school play.”

“That sounds perfect,” replied Fluttershy with a smile as she relaxed back into the warm water

“Fluttershy darling, this could be the start of a beautiful friendship.”

Generosity Games

by Talon and Thorn

Chapter 1 - Fluttershy's Secret Shame

Chapter 2 - Getting to the Ball

Chapter 3 - Generosity vs Generosity

Chapter 4 - Ball Room Blitz

Chapter 5 - After the Ball