> How Rarity fell in love with a Flying Purple Hippo
>  by Thought Prism
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> << {1} >>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	I stepped through the threshold and into Twilight's castle, eager to confront the day's events. Said princess was standing in the center of the castle foyer, holding a book in her aura. My hooves clacked delicately on the crystal floor as I approached. It appeared as if I was the first one to arrive, judging by the lack of other ponies standing beneath the gorgeous chandelier. 

I trotted up next to Twilight, tossing a hoof through my coiffed mane dramatically.

She didn't look up from her book, eyes still scanning over the pages with fervor.

Sighing internally, I decided to catch her attention with a greeting. "Hello Twilight, dear."

Twilight visibly flinched from the surprise, dropping her text. She grinned at me sheepishly. "Ah! Sorry, Rarity. I didn't see you come in!"

"Well, I had discerned as much," I said, slightly deadpan. Then, I leaned in closer. "So, doing a bit of last-minute studying?"

"Oh, yes, more than a bit. This is such a momentous occasion, I just have to make sure I'm as ready as I possibly can be. Which isn't easy considering the lack of information we have about the Hippos." Twilight grabbed the book off of the floor, angling the cover towards me. "I'm on my second read-through of Hippopolis: a History, and there's practically nothing here to go on at all."

A slight crease formed on my brow. "Why is that, anyway?" I asked. "You mentioned as much beforehoof."

Twilight sighed. "See, the Hippos live on the opposite side of the world from Equestria. We essentially lost all contact with them once we abandoned our ancestral homelands. And what records existed of the few interactions our peoples did have are either sparse or lost. Supposedly, the Zebras still trade with them on occasion, but they mostly pass on information by word-of-mouth; there aren't any good first-hoof sources."

I nodded in understanding. "That does indeed sound like a problem, darling. It certainly explains why you were so stunned upon receiving that letter through Spikey-Wikey."

She snorted. "Shocked is more like it. Somehow, they actually caught wind of my ascension, albeit over a year later, and their prince is coming to all the way here to meet us and establish diplomatic relations! Nopony alive has so much as met the current prince before, not even Celestia!"

"Really?" That would explain the excessive fretting Twilight had been subjecting herself to, I thought. Then again, it might not be that much more than her usual level of enthusiasm regarding research. I usually don't stay in her company for too long when she gets like this.

"Yes, really!" she exclaimed. "It's a big deal!" 

I recoiled a bit at that. "In no way was I implying it wasn't, darling. I was merely surprised by the facts is all."

Twilight blinked. "Oh. Sorry."

After a brief, awkward silence passed between us, she groaned with impatience, then started fidgeting with her hooves and leaned over to peer around me. Seeing nothing of import, I watched her pull out a faintly glowing scroll, eyes widening as she examined it. I recognized it as the same scroll the Hippos had sent. 

"So? When does that fancy scrying rune of yours say they'll be arriving?" I inquired. "Should I go check on the others to make sure everything's shaping up smoothly?"

"They'll be in Ponyville in fifteen minutes!" was her frantic reply.

Oh my. That was soon.  "I'll head over to Fluttershy's. She's the most likely to have been held up," I stated with a sudden surge of determination.

Twilight's reply was a vigorous series of nods.

With that, I galloped back out into town, ignoring the state of my hooficure for a greater purpose: helping my friend. Well, that and ensuring a good first impression with a prince. A potentially eligible prince. But mostly the former.


*  *  *


As it turned out, Fluttershy had indeed been held up quelling a heated dispute between a snake and a mongoose. After practically crashing into her on the way to her cottage, I informed Fluttershy of the pressing urgency. The two of us then hastily made our way back to the castle, only to spy Rainbow Dash hovering outside the open gates, keeping vigil.

Upon seeing us, she turned around and hollered to those inside. "Fluttershy and Rarity are here!"

"Great!" came Twilight's reply from inside.

I slowed my pace to a walk, Fluttershy landing beside me. "Is everything ready?" I asked Rainbow in-between panting breaths.

She flashed me a smug grin. "See for yourself!"

Mentally scolding myself for not thinking to do so on my own, I did just that. High in the air within the massive room was a series of fluffy clouds sculpted into letters that read 'Welcome Prince Phelddagrif' in all caps. Directly below the message was a large table stacked with all manner of local delicacies, including a tower of cupcakes, numerous apple pastries, and some hayburgers for good measure. Nothing else about the castle seemed different decoration-wise, but then again, I suppose it already looked both welcoming and attractive to begin with.

I noticed Pinkie was in the process of rapidly tying bundles of balloons to each of the many pillars. Twilight and Applejack were standing off to the side, having some sort of discussion.

Fluttershy gasped, then smiled. "Wow, everypony, amazing job."

"I know, right?" Rainbow confirmed, prompting some quiet giggles from Fluttershy.

I smiled and shook my head at their antics. However, when I scanned the room again, it seemed that none of our other friends had heard the compliment. Though, Applejack and Twilight were heading over to greet us now.

As I waved to them politely, I felt a tap on my shoulder. It was Rainbow, still airborne as she is wont to do. "So, any idea what these hippo guys are gonna be like? Because I hope they'll be more sociable than the yaks," she said.

"Me too," I replied. Then, propping up my mane with a hoof, I added: "Though, if it turns out they actually are brutes, my feminine charms should be able to put them at ease." 

She snorted. "What, like with those Diamond Dogs?"

When she brought that up, I grimaced. "Ok, perhaps I did go a little too far that time."

Thankfully, before Rainbow could draw out the uncomfortable conversation topic any further, Twilight and Applejack arrived. The latter had a quizzical expression on her face.

"Heya, Rainbow?" asked Applejack, "Are ya sure you got the prince's name spelled right on that there sign? Because it sure don't look right."

Rainbow's brow creased, and it seemed like she was about to burst into a tirade, but she was interrupted.

"Of course it's spelled correctly!" Twilight exclaimed. "I must have checked it over a dozen times! It's just... that weird. Don't you trust her?"

Applejack flinched back a bit. "Of course I do! I was just checkin'. Sheesh."

"Umm..." Fluttershy began, "Not that this isn't important or anything, but weren't we in a rush? We should probably get ready... if that's ok."

"Fluttershy is right," said Twilight. "Once Pinkie is-"

"Once I'm what?" asked Pinkie, who was suddenly standing in between Twilight and Applejack wearing her trademark smile.

Neither mare even flinched, both well accustomed to her antics at this point.

Twilight blinked, glancing around the room. It was now fully adorned in the customary Pinkie Party décor. "Never mind; it looks like you finished setting up all the decorations."

Pinkie nodded vigorously.

"Then that's everything!" Twilight confirmed. "Let's go wait outside for the prince!"

"You heard the princess!" shouted Rainbow Dash. "Alpha formation, ladies! Move, move, move!"

Twilight groaned. I couldn't help but roll my eyes. She had to know by now that Twilight didn't appreciate us treating her like royalty. Perhaps she was trying to get Twilight's thought's off the subject of Phelddagrif so she wouldn't freak out while waiting? Although, it was unusual for Dash to put that much thought into anything.

Still, the six of us made our way outside. Without any further discussion, we formed into a line, watching the skies along the horizon for anything unordinary. For a short while, nothing much seemed amiss, with only the standard local pegasi flitting here and there.

But soon, a shape became visible. I stared as closely as I could while it approached. As it neared, I could make out a blob-shaped form, carried aloft by wings of great size. Said wings could accurately be referred to as angelic, as the two slowly flapping appendages glowed with a comforting white light. Underneath, they appeared to be of a greenish hue. Other ponies milling about town stopped to stare, heads tilting upwards.

In a few moments, the form was upon us, and I got my first glimpse of a Hippopotamus. The first thing I noticed, apart from its bright purple skin, was its sheer size. This being was at least as tall as Princess Celestia, but many times more massive, possessing a long barrel bulging with muscle and fat. This was accentuated even further by the stocky nature of its legs, which looked almost like purple tree stumps. From the shape of its snout, it appeared to be male, or a 'bull'. As he landed directly in front of us, the sound he made reverberated throughout the entire area. For a moment, I found myself unable to look away from the spectacle. It seemed like ages until the magic faded from his wings, which were now neatly folded at his sides.

Then, there was movement on his back, and I noticed a second, pony-sized green hippo who had been riding upon the first, likely Phelddagrif. However, this small but equally proportioned gentlebeing did not have wings like his counterpart. He also wore an ornate headdress of pure white silk, studded with all manner of multicolored gems, while the larger went au naturale. Phelddagrif dismounted from the saddle upon which he had been sitting, a most clearly royal thing formed from gleaming gold and lined with red velvet. His cape, the same color purple as his fellow, billowed in the wind as he did.

As he waddled forward, I bowed deeply, and could see out of the corner of my eye that the others has as well, with Rainbow Dash taking slightly more time to get the hint. When we rose as one, Phelddagrif was standing at attention, glancing at each of us in turn.

"Great prince, I am Twilight Sparkle, and these are my friends, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Rarity, fellow bearers of Harmony," she proclaimed, gesturing to us with a sweep of her hoof. "It is our honor to formally welcome you to Equestria!"

"The honor is ours, Princess of Friendship," he replied, expression stoic.

"Very much so," added the purple bull. Both spoke in an exotic accent the likes of which I couldn't quite place. I just knew I'd heard it before somewhere, though.

"You must be quite tired after the long journey here," continued Twilight. "If you would please step inside my castle, we have a number of scrumptious local refreshments prepared."

"Scrum-diddly-umptious is more like it!" Pinkie suddenly exclaimed.

I barely managed to keep myself from cringing at that. And Twilight was doing so well, too; she wasn't visibly frazzled at all!

Luckily, Phelddagrif didn't seem to mind the outburst, merely nodding.

"I suppose I could try a bit of something, if you're offering," added the other hippo.

Hmm. That one seems awfully talkative for a chauffeur, I thought. He does make the appropriate impact, though.

"Well come on in, then!" exclaimed Applejack, snapping me out of my reverie.

With that, we each turned around and led the pair inside. I watched their expressions as they plodded over and took in the interior of the castle. Phelddagrif showed little emotion, his wide mouth set in a firm line as he shifted his gaze around the room. I only hoped he was taking things as well as his servant, who was currently smiling politely and nodding appreciatively.

"Everything looks wonderful. In particular, the architecture on display here is quite unique," the servant stated. "Very dissimilar to the rest of town. Who, may I ask, constructed this palace?"

"Oh, no one did. It just grew right out of the ground. Like, BAM, and there it was. Long story," said Rainbow Dash.

His brow raised at that. "Well, I'd love to hear about it sometime."

It certainly would have to wait, since Pinkie suddenly broke out into a long-winded explanation of all the culinary delights available and what they were composed of the moment we came up to the buffet table. I could have sworn she never stopped to take a breath the entire time.

The pair of hippos hummed to themselves as they deliberated on what to try. Phelddagrif decided first, and, unable to reach the table with a foot, merely popped a whole fritter into his mouth. As I watched him chew, his eyes rolled back in sheer bliss. Soon, he had chomped on three more, practically swallowing them whole.

Applejack curtsied. "Shucks, I'm glad you like 'em, but slow down, would ya? You're gonna choke!"

"Don't worry, he'll be fine," insisted the purple bull. He then grabbed a cupcake, a surprised smile blooming on his face as he chewed.

Once they had finished eating, Rainbow trotted over to take her own food, with Fluttershy and Pinkie quickly following suit. They ate next to the servant at the other end of the table in what I assumed was an attempt to avoid any potential faux pas. Not hungry myself, I turned my attention to the smiling Twilight as she once more approached the prince.

"Well, Prince Phelddagrif, we can move on whenever you're ready. I could show you around the rest of the castle, if you're interested, or we could show around town give you a sample of what life is like here in Equestria for the common pony. I have so many things planned!"

However, Phelddagrif did not seem to share her excitement. Rather than reply, he adopted a look of profound confusion.

This confusion bounced back to Twilight, who surely did not expect him to become this befuddled by her proposition. 

It fell onto Fluttershy to ask "Is everything alright, Prince Phelddagrif?"

Rather than reply, Phelddagrif turned sideways and upwards to make eye contact with the purple hippo. Slowly, huge, toothy grins spread across both of their faces and they began chuckling to themselves. Soon, they burst out into raucous laughter, their booming tones echoing to my ears.

Wait, what just happened? Why were they laughing? I looked to my friends for clarification, but they all wore expressions which suggested they were all as out of the loop as I was. Applejack, in particular, had raised her eyebrow to quite a height.

Eventually, the hippos' guffaws died out, and they turned back towards us.

"I am so, so sorry," Phelddagrif said, bowing. "It seems you misunderstand."

The purple bull nodded. "With everything to take in at once, it appears we completely forgot to introduce ourselves." 

His bejeweled fellow then cleared his throat and gestured to him dramatically. "Presenting the Steward of the Delta, the Caretaker of the People, Master of the Great Magicks, and largest of us all, His Royal Highness, the Legendary Prince Phelddagrif!"

I blinked. What. 

The hippo I had thought to be a chauffeur crossed a foreleg over his chest. "It is truly humbling to finally meet you all."

What. WHAT?

I managed to tear my eyes off of the true prince long enough to see that everyone else appeared equally flabbergasted.

Rainbow recovered first, hinging her lower jaw closed. "Wait, seriously? You're Phelddagrif?" she said, throwing her forehooves down in his direction.

"Indeed I am."

"B-But then who's that in the cape?" stammered Fluttershy.

"Yeah, who?" added Pinkie.

The hippo in question bowed to us. "My name is Suraj, and I am but a humble servant."

Now that was surprising. "Really?" I asked, skeptical. "In those silks?"

That prompted another laugh from Phelddagrif. "Why, that is the standard uniform I provide to all members of the palace staff!"

My eyes widened. "Well. That's quite generous of you."

Smiling, he locked his eyes - deep brown and striking - onto mine. "I wouldn't have it any other way."

I couldn't help but shy away, rendered quite stunned and suddenly antsy. Was I blushing?

Nevertheless, the string of inquiries continued. "Wait a minute," began Applejack, "If you're the prince, why are ya haulin' your own servant around in a fancy golden saddle?" 

Phelddagrif opened his mouth to reply, but Suraj cut him off. "My prince did not have a choice. Only those fit to rule Hippopolis are blessed with wings. And, considering the distance between our lands, flight was the only way we could visit."

"In that case, why would Prince Phelddagrif go out of his way to bring a servant?" Twilight asked.  Then, turning to him, she added "Surely is wasn't because you doubted our hospitality?"

The prince shook his head. "Quite the opposite in fact. I bought him here to thank you for your hospitality. I assumed that, being relatively newly coronated, you would be in need of a few more helping hooves to keep your castle in shape."

Twilight's brow slowly knit itself together. She took a deep breath. "Let me get this straight. You brought Suraj... as a gift for me?"

"That's right."

"T-That's not something you can just do, though!" she asserted, massaging her temple with a hoof.

Phelddagrif tilted his head. "Why not? I gift hippos to the deserving all the time. And Suraj gave me his permission."

"That is correct," Suraj confirmed. "I have always wished to see far-off lands, and now I can do so while still being able to perform my duties."

"I've even prepared a pension to be sent home to his family," added Phelddagrif.

"So, I will be working with you from now on, princess." Suraj bowed to Twilight. "May you find my service exceptional."

Twilight seemed at a loss regarding the proper response, clearly trying to come up with some way to let him off gently. She shot me a pleading look, but I didn't really have any experience turning down prospective servants, so I shrugged. Eventually, Twilight replied "Oh, um, that's ok, but I already have a very capable assistant."

"Just the one? Surely you could benefit from another," said Phelddagrif.

She glanced from the prince to Suraj and back again. "Well, I feel bad about declining, but Spike would probably get jealous if I didn't. It was bad enough when I got an owl."

"Then perhaps I could meet this 'Spike' now to see if that is the case," posed Suraj. "I will be quite disappointed if I can't stay."

Pinkie raised her hoof. "On it!" Without further warning, she then whizzed up the stairs at a nearly invisible speed, returning seconds later with a bewildered baby dragon on her back.

"I thought I wasn't supposed to inter—" Spike began, before trailing off when he noticed the massive prince.

All traces of joy vanished from said prince's face, only to be replaced by a look of contempt. Suraj's face paled, and he shuffled backwards to hide behind his sovereign.

"That is a dragon," stated Phelddagrif.

"I have a name, you know," said Spike, narrowing his eyes.

"On second thought, maybe I will go back home," mumbled Suraj.

"What's gotten into you two?" I asked. "Sure, Spikey-Wikey is a dragon, but he's just a baby. He wouldn't hurt a fly unless it was made of diamonds or somesuch."

Twilight nodded. "He's been living with me ever since he hatched. The foals around town aren't even scared of him."

"If anything, I'm too well behaved most of the time," finished Spike. "The other dragons all think I'm crazy."

Suraj sighed, then turned to Spike. "Oh, you're civilized. That's a relief."

Spike raised an eyebrow, turning to Twilight for clarification. However, it was Phelddagrif who explained. "You see, we hippos are easily taken advantage of by dragons. You could say that we are their natural prey, of a sort."

"Why's that?" asked Pinkie. "I thought dragons were sorta like my family in that they mostly ate rocks."

"That's right," he clarified. "But rarely do they actually bother to mine for themselves. Every generation, huge numbers of dragons return to our lands, their sole goal to bully us out of our possessions. We never resist, despite our growing fear and resentment."

"What? You don't even try to fight them off?" blurted Rainbow Dash. She had a point.

Phelddagrif shook his head. "It is not in our nature to do so. Hippo magic is essentially the inverse of theirs; we grow larger and more powerful the more selfless we become."

That's interesting, I thought. If that's true, along with those titles from earlier, then that means Phelddagrif is... oh my.

"Anyway, Spike," began Twilight, "Suraj here wants to stay in Equestria and help tend to the castle. I tried to decline, but he insists. I was wondering: do you approve?"

Spike beamed at this. "Are you kidding? That's great!"

"Really? I know you're over Owlicious, but Suraj isn't a pet," Twilight said.

Spike snorted. "That was back when we lived in a two-room tree. Now we live in a castle, and Starlight lives here too now. Trust me, I approve."

This elicited a giggle from Rainbow.

"Then it's settled," Phelddagrif said, smiling.

With that, my friends broke off into two groups. Twilight and Spike began working out the details of Suraj's new residence within their home, while the others talked animatedly with the prince about our adventures and our country at his request.

I, however, zoned out from the scene, becoming lost in my own feelings. Whenever I thought of Phelddagrif, something stirred in my chest, like a fluttering touch, or a warm breeze beneath the skin. I watched him talk, unable to look away.

At the same time, I focused inwards. This feeling was... the prospect of joy, an urgent longing, a spark in a dark room. And yet, the emotion was reminiscent of others, of the sort I once experienced regarding Trenderhoof, only somehow deeper. Much deeper. Almost as if...

Oh, sweet Celestia, I'm in love. At first sight, practically. 

Deep breaths, Rarity. If I wasn't blushing before, I definitely am now. This was crazy, curse my foolish heart! We've barely met, he isn't even a stallion, and I'm already smitten! Moreover, he'll only be staying for a few days, not nearly enough time to get to know him properly. 

But I know I'll regret it for the rest of my life if I don't share these feelings with him while I have the chance. Maybe I could even bring out his own love in return, with the proper steps. I had to get him to myself for a short while, somehow. Even if my love is unrequited in the end, at least I'll have closure, and won't end up pining after him for the rest of my life. Hopefully. The question is, how do I accomplish that?

If only Cadance were here! I just had to turn this diplomatic meeting into a one-on-one rendezvous! My heart was beating faster from the pressure, and I wracked my brain for answers, stooping to drawing upon years of previously read romance novels for examples, to no avail. After what felt like ages, my face lit up, for I finally had an ingenious idea.

I cleared my throat, loudly but politely, turning everyone's heads. Whatever they were discussing surely wasn't this important. "I just realized something. Phelddagrif, dear, you must be awfully tired after your long flight, so why don't you visit the local spa? I'm sure you'll feel much better once all the knots in your back are worked out."

His brow furrowed slightly, and he flexed his magnificent wings. "You know, now that you mention it, I am fairly sore from the journey. That's a great idea... Rarity, was it?"

"Indeed," I replied, flashing my best smile.

Phelddagrif let out a barely perceptible sigh of relief. "No sense in dallying, then. I take it you have directions?"

Just as I was about to respond, Twilight cut me off with a huff. "But we were just about to start drafting an international trade agreement over tea! I brewed three kinds and everything!"

"Legislation can wait, princess. Honestly, I didn't wish to come all this way just for politics," he said. "I came so we could be friends. I will be glad to build a bridge between out nations, but only until after I get to know yours a bit better."

"He has a point, Twi," said Applejack.

"Actually, to answer your earlier question," I began, my nervousness hopefully completely hidden, "I believe it would be best if I accompanied you there, prince. As a local, I know what to expect, and can assist in heading off any potential cultural misunderstandings."

Phelddagrif's eyes met mine again, and a shiver ran up my spine. "A good point. Very well, we will go together."

I barely managed to stop myself from squee-ing in delight. It worked!

"Would anyone else care to join us?" Phelddagrif asked.

Everypony, as well as Spike and Suraj, shook their heads in decline. 

"I already have an itinerary for a tour of Ponyville and Canterlot to follow once you're done, Prince Phelddagrif," said Twilight.

"I should probably doublecheck that Mr. Slithers has calmed down," murmured Fluttershy. 

"We'll get all this cleaned up while you're gone!" Pinkie exclaimed.

"Excellent!" Phelddagrif bellowed. "Rarity, if you would?" He swept toward the door with a foreleg.

"Of course, darling," I said, trotting past.

I couldn't help but grin back at him in sheer delight as we stepped outside.
> << {2} >>
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	"Trust me, you'll simply adore the Ponyville spa. Not even in Manehattan will you find a level of relaxation more sublime!" I said.

Phelddagrif nodded, taking in the sights. "That's Equestria's largest city, correct? Such high praise."

As we walked along the road to our destination, accompanied by a gentle breeze, I maintained an air of composure. Inside, though, I was prancing about like a schoolfilly on her birthday, and it probably showed on my face. The townsponies stared back at Phelddagrif and myself as we passed, each drawn to him for different reasons. Foals watched him pass in awe, while some of the mares and stallions shied away. Phelddagrif did not seem to be put off by the latter, however, and merely appeared curious.

"Back home, we actually don't have such a thing as a 'spa'," Phelddagrif said. "We do have bath houses, however."

"Oh? I believe we don't have those here anymore," I said. "Being washed by another pony is treated as something somewhat... intimate now." Aaand, I was blushing again.

Pheddagrif was mildly surprised by this. "Really? I suppose with hair that would be... hmm. I apologize if I've made you uncomfortable."

I waved it off. "No need for that, dear, you didn't know." So considerate!

"That's true," he said. "There is much I wish to learn, though. Your home is so unique!" He let out a short laugh. "Not only the sun and moon, but controlled weather? Will the wonders never cease?"

I smiled up at him wistfully. "Oh, I'm sure Hippopolis has its own charms."

He nodded. "That's certainly true. Though we cannot do something so impressive as bend the greatest forces of nature to our whims, my people are quite talented with the arts." His eyes gleamed with recollection as he spoke. "Even in the most dire of circumstances, I often see beautiful new mosaics and tapestries popping up."

"Really? That's a productive way to cope if there ever was one. The average pony usually just starts running around in circles and screaming whenever there's a monster attack or the like, at least before they get used to it," I said.

This brought forth his deep laughter again. "Not that dire! I was thinking more along the lines of poverty or grief."

"I figured; I just couldn't resist. Miss Pie must be rubbing off on me." I shook my head. "I can only imagine what those mosaics must be like, though. Equestrian artists these days rarely employ the medium."

"Then picture this: from naught but tile and grout are formed sprawling displays of unimaginable variety, from nigh-flawless portraits to abstract landscapes in off colors."

I snorted softly. "Well, if you put it that eloquently, of course it's going to sound marvelous!"

"Ha, I suppose so."

"Anyway," I began, stopping to turn away and gesture with a hoof, "we're here."

The spa was a large building with two sections, each with its own pointed blue roof. The sign depicting a mare with a long, luxurious mane made the business contained within wholly apparent.

"Are we?" Phelddagrif asked, rhetorically. He then reached over with a wing and pulled open the door. "After you."

"Why, thank you," I said, beaming as I trotted inside.

I watched Phelddagrif's expression as he took in the sights. Though I had of course been here countless times, the spa was new to him. He hummed in appreciation at the welcoming décor, complete with plush lounges for ponies waiting for their appointments. The wallpaper bore a purple diamond pattern, which, aside from matching my taste perfectly, went nicely with the golden curtains.

He hummed in appreciation. "At first glance, this seems quite lovely."

Before I could reply, the receptionist - Lavender Essence - cut in. "Oh, Miss Rarity! Welcome! And I see you have brought a guest."

"I suppose I have. I hope it isn't too much trouble to squeeze us in unscheduled."

"For you, my dear, it is no trouble at all," she ensured. "I take it you two want the full pampering, yes?"

Raising my snout a bit, I proclaimed "For Prince Phelddagrif here, I will allow nothing less."

"A prince, you say?" She curtsied. "It is an honor."

"There's no need for any sort of genuflecting on your part," he said. "I'm just another customer. Who happens to be of a race you've almost certainly never met. Actually, now that I think about it, you're taking this in stride rather easily."

Lavender laughed at that. "Here at the Ponyville Spa, we serve all kinds, up to and including sea serpents."

In response to his small frown of confusion, I added "Oh, it's just the one. I've known Steven for quite some time actually. He's a sweetheart."

"Friends with a sea serpent? That must be quite the story," Phelddagrif said.

"It certainly is," I confirmed. "Though, it was actually only a small part of our very first quest to save Equestria."

Lavender walked off, waving us along. "Don't just stand and talk; relax and talk."

Seeing her point, we followed, and I began recounting the story of how I first met Twilight, as well as how she led our newly-formed group into the dangerous - and extremely unsanitary - Everfree to stop Nightmare Moon. By the time I had finished, we were already halfway done with our hooficures, and Phelddagrif seemed to be enjoying his.

As a quiet attendant mare scrubbed his soles, he asked, "So, this Steven was so moved by your gesture that he helped you cross the river even though your tail was a completely different color than his mustache?"

My grin widened. "Like a stallion in the Cantucky Derby."

"What?"

I turned away in embarrassment. "Right, you wouldn't get that simile."

Phelddagrif smiled warmly. "It's fine. So... that means it was deeply moving, right?"

I giggled twice. "Yes."

"Ah," he said.

As I was at a loss for what to say next, there was a lull in the conversation. Phelddagrif wriggled a bit atop the oversized padded table he rested upon, and I tried in vain to focus on the sensation of hoof polish being applied to my foreleg instead. 

After a polite cough, Phelddagrif spoke up. "Actually, there's something else I'm wondering about, now. Why is it that only Twilight Sparkle became a princess when it seems like all six of you share similar responsibilities?"

My eyes widened in surprise, and I stifled a most unladylike noise. "W-Well, I'm honestly not sure either. Of course I've thought about it, but as nice as such a title would be, I don't really want it. I feel as though I haven't earned the right, not yet anyway. Plus," I said, regaining my smile, "having wings would probably add another hour to my morning routine."

He chuckled at that. As if she had timed it, a pegasus mare with a feather cutie mark chose that exact moment to walk up and begin preening his wings. Seeing this, I joined in, and our uninhibited laughter rose in a crescendo.

By the time it completely left our systems, both of our hooficures were done, and Aloe was rubbing her special shine-and-repair oil blend into my mane.

"So," I began, "I think it's only fair that I get to ask something of you now."

Phelddagrif's smile remained, but in his eyes I could see a tad bit of seriousness. "Ask away."

"What are your duties as a prince?"

"Me?" He scratched his chin. "Well, they're mostly the same as Celestia's, from what I've heard. With provincial governors and the like managing the smaller tasks, I mostly just make sure said governors are doing their jobs properly, occasionally altering the laws or writing new ones if problems are brought to my attention."

I blinked. "Really? But that's... so mundane!"

He shrugged. "I guess some things in this world are constant no matter what."

Ok then, let's try this from a different angle, I thought. "I suppose so. In that case, what do you do in your free time?"

He was at a loss for a moment, absorbed in the contentment-inducing preening. "Actually, I barely have any that I don't spend doing charity work."

"Charity work?" The words came out before my mind caught up with them. How dedicated did a sovereign have to be to actually do charity work instead of just donating to said charities?

"It's true," he said, his mouth setting into a resolute line. "Most of the time I'm working at the hospitals. I have much more magic than other hippos, so my healing spells are far more potent. I can't just stand by and let citizens with critical injuries die on my watch now can I?"

Wow. "That's... wow." Smooth, Rarity. Very articulate.

Phelddagrif snorted. "It's not that impressive, really. You should see what my soldiers can do with their magic."

Aloe switched to my tail. Now free to gesture, I tilted my head slightly to the side. "Hippopolis has an army? But what about the dragons?"

"Of course it does; even Equestria has one, after all. It's just that our magic happens to affect only liquid water. Great for defense when you're bordered by rivers and seas on all sides, but useless if the enemy can fly."

"Ah. I can see why that would be an issue."

He nodded in agreement. "It's not so bad. That said, I do try to keep my hippos' spirits high by visiting them, spreading assurances of safety. Sometimes, my presence alone is enough. Why, just last month I was invited to recount history to the calves at a schoolhouse," he said, visibly calling upon a joyful memory. "I wish you could have seen their faces."    

“Oh my,” I said, swooning. “Why, all that makes my achievements seem dreadfully self-centered in comparison.”

He smiled over at me. “Really? What is that you do when you aren’t out spreading friendship?”

I straightened myself. “Why, I run a successful chain of boutiques. No customer leaves without a unique, fabulous garment that matches their tastes to a 't'!”

"You're a clothing designer? I wouldn't have guessed."

"I know it isn't much," I said, glancing away. "But it's fulfilling, you know? Making ponies feel beautiful, is... I change lives, sure, but not nearly as much as you do."

A touch of solemnity showed on his face as Phelddagrif placed a reassuring foot on my shoulder. “Don’t sell yourself short. It seems to me like you spread no less joy than myself, just in a more… superfluous manner.”

And he was doing so well until the end there. I huffed. “Superfluous? Ok, I’ll admit dresses aren’t as essential to survival as good health or an education, but no less important! What sort of life is there without a sense of self-worth?”

Phelddagrif’s expression turned ponderous. “I suppose you’re right. Perhaps later I could stop by and commission something from you. None of the shops at home make anything even close to my size.”

My heart skipped a beat. He actually wanted me to design something for him! And to do that, I’d have to carefully measure every one of his exotic curves…

“Are you ok?”

I flinched. “Yes! And thank you, I’m overjoyed by the prospect!”

"When are you available?" he asked.

"Oh, I should be free for the most of the day tomorrow, barring any unexpected rush orders."

"Excellent, then assuming Princess Twilight hasn't booked me completely I shall—"

A polite cough from Aloe interrupted him. In her accent, she said "You two are finished now. The massage tables are waiting."

An appraisal my surroundings yielded that, yes, Phelddagrif and I were indeed done with out treatments in here. All the supplies had been put away. How time flies!

"We'll hammer out the details when we're finished," I said to him. "In the meanwhile, enjoy!" I added in a sing-song voice.

I reluctantly pulled my eyes away from his as we were escorted away in different directions to our private massage rooms. In short order, I was enshrouded in luxury as my usual masseuse began to gently work the knots out of my muscles.

While my body was now blissfully free of stress, lying there under the tender touch of a trained professional, my mind, however, was still quite tied up. No matter how hard I tried to just 'chillax', as Rainbow would put it, images of Phelddagrif's smile kept rearing themselves up within my memory. Oh, how I longed to occupy as much of that hippopotamus' brief time here in his company. What felt like ages of this perhaps-not-wholly-savory train of thought running amok eventually led me to ask myself one simple question: would it be appropriate to make a move yet?

The answer I quickly arrived at was also another question: what's stopping you, societal conventions? Really, when have you ever let such an outdated notion limit your actions, Rarity? 

And so I resolved myself to declare my intentions once the opportune moment presented itself. This was happening, one way or another, and no force on Celestia’s green earth could stop me!

Shortly thereafter, my massage was finished, and I returned to the spa proper. Next up was the mud bath, and I delicately slipped inside one of the many small pools, allowing the totally-different-from-mundane-filth therapeutic mud to sink into my skin. Phelddagrif was not yet present, which was understandable considering how much more area there was to massage in his case.

As I lounged there, I could acutely feel my own elevated pulse, pressed down as I was. The heat in my veins stood out in sharp contrast to the coolness of the surrounding mixture. I nearly reached out a hoof to fuss with my mane, before I realized that would just get mud on it.

Thankfully, that was when Phelddagrif arrived. As his escort slipped away, he glanced at the mud, a look of surprise quickly replaced by a delighted smile. “Why, Rarity, look at you! I’m surprised!”

“What, you don’t approve?” I asked. “I know it looks appaling at first, but it actually does wonders for the skin.”

“I know, we use mud pits like this quite often at home! I’m just surprised that you’d be willing to partake.”

I smiled coyly. “Oh, there are likely many things you don’t yet know about me which you would find surprising.”

“I’m sure that’s correct,” he replied. Then, he slipped into the mud pool next to mine with nary a splash, sighing in contentment as he craned his short neck so we could be face-to-face. “Well, care to indulge me?”

I made a show of pondering which of said myriad things to reveal to him. "Well, just to start, I'm proficient in the art of Karate."

Phelddagrif snorted in disbelief.

"It's true! A lady has to stay in shape somehow, and Celestia knows dressmaking is terrible for exercise. If my choice in fitness regimen also happens to allow me the ability to fight off an army of changelings for a time, so be it."

"But you're a unicorn. Can't you fire off energy beams or somesuch?"

"Yes, that is true, although..." I trailed off. My heart knew for certain before the rest of me did, but I nevertheless came to a realization: this was the perfect moment. Regaining my wits, I spoke, taking a plunge into the unknown waters of true courtship. "I find that physical expression of one's standing can often be far more impactful."

Then, I closed my eyes, stretched over, and planted a kiss on his lips.

As my muzzle parted from his, all my attention lay squarely upon Phelddagrif. He had to take a moment to let what I had just done sink in. It was cute. I watched with a silly smile as a blush crept onto his cheeks. “Rarity, I… I can’t believe I didn’t notice your signals. I’m quite flattered, and… potentially interested in reciprocating your affections, but I’ve never been in a romantic relationship before.”

I leaned in closer, my voice soft from the tension of his indecision. “Neither have I, though not for lack of trying. We can learn together.”

Phelddagrif returned my smile. "I think I'd like that."
> << {3} >>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The rest of the day flew by, every moment I spent away from my paramour stripped of that intangible joy I didn’t know I needed. I reluctantly parted with Phelddagrif back at the castle, allowing Twilight to take over. Borrowing the materials in her study, I left her a note stating what had happened at the spa, and our intentions for the next day, in case Phelddagrif failed to tell her himself. Phelddagrif had agreed to meet me in the afternoon so I could tailor his suit, and we would then proceed in a serendipitous manner from there.
Then, along with the others – save Pinkie Pie – I returned to my place of business to tend to my responsibilities. It was a weekday, after all, and couture waited for no pony. The pointlessness of my note was confirmed almost immediately, as the first customer to enter after I opened asked if it was true that I was dating Phelddagrif.
When I sighed reluctantly and confirmed that, yes, we were going to try for a relationship, the mare immediately dashed back out to inform the whole town.
Needless to say, I didn’t get much actual business in the next hour.
So, I closed up early, shooing the gossips out. I tried to get some actual work done, but found I couldn’t focus on anything save the day’s events, and thus turned in for the evening.

*  *  *

My mental preoccupations refused to fade the next morning. I suppose that’s as much a sign as anything. At the same time, I knew that the decision I made yesterday to would likely impact my businesses. Actually, it already had. But if this worked out, closing down a boutique or two might very well be worth it. 
This was no mere crush. My affections towards the likes of Blueblood and Trenderhoof had both been based on what I had imagined them to be, not on who they were. But this was different. Phelddagrif was different. What little I already knew about the prince was through first-hoof experience. Oh, how I yearn for more time we can share. 
Thoughts such as these reared themselves repeatedly as I went about freshening up. In all likelihood, I spent much more time preparing my mane this morning than was usually necessary. I worried nothing I did would be enough. Why, if Spike were here, he’d probably say I was acting like Twilight, fussing over some insignificant failing nopony else would care about.
Staring at the pristine reflection I cast onto my vanity mirror, I took a deep breath. While the demure, shy look worked for some – Fluttershy comes to mind – I needed to be confident, trust in myself. Default Rarity was more than enough, I merely needed to rise to the occasion.
Now, the last remnants of doubt having faded from my eyes, I cantered off to face the day. And, hopefully, my special somehippo.
The first thing I did was give the boutique a bit of light cleaning. Wiping the windows, dusting the shelves, that sort of thing. It was a bit early in the week, and the place didn't really need tidying up quite yet, but I had a royal guest to impress. Next, I preemptively began gathering the materials for Phelddagrif's suit, and piling them onto my workbench. Of course, it wouldn't do to make any final decisions regarding color until he was present, but trotting back and forth from my storeroom with bolts of fabric would be a touch awkward. That, and I would be making a rather simple garment, at least compared to my usual.
Since Phelddagrif was already an exceptional sight, I was thinking I'd just go with the mainstay Canterlot style for his suit. That called for wool for the jacket and cotton for the undershirt. Oh, plus some silk for the tie; custom-made given his wide neck and all. Walking over to the shelves in question, I pulled out a few options for each.
Now that I was thoroughly 'in the zone', I made sure to tackle some of the other outstanding orders before I found myself unable to pry my mind away from another inward spiral of longing. Nevertheless, It wouldn't do to lose a creative breakthrough either, which left the garment repair orders. Blossomforth had brought in one of her old dresses the other day, having unfortunately been wearing it as she was scratched heavily by her cousin's enthusiastic cat.
Opal, though, acted as polite company as I worked. The commotion regarding the prince also seemed to have died down, as business was usual. I was still quite excited for the afternoon, of course, but I didn't show it, and made sure to provide my customers with my full attention. After all, everything had to be chic, unique, and mignifique.
It was after my lunch break when the anticipation truly began to build, an ever-present tug at the back of my mind. The tea wasn't doing me any favors either; I probably should have gone with herbal. Prince Phelddagrif was coming over to my boutique! For a suit, and then, a date! Was this the sort of feeling Pinkie coined the term 'nervouscited' to describe?
And then, suddenly, it was time. The sound of heavy steps coupled with a flash of purple through the window alerted me to Phelddagrif's arrival, and I was already making my way over to the door when he knocked a few times.
“Rarity?” Phelddagrif inquired.
“Coming~!” I replied.
The bell above the door chimed as I pulled it open with my magic. Phelddagrif filled the entire frame, a dashing smile on his face. I could already feel the heat rushing into mine.
"Good afternoon, Rarity," he said. "May I?"
"Of course; come in, come in. Would you like some tea?" I asked, stepping to the side.
Phelddagrif waved a hoof in polite dismissal as he entered. "No, thank you. How's your day been?"
"Oh, a little of this, a little of that." I gestured to my establishment. "What do you think?"
His smile brightened. "It's lovely. Though not as lovely as you, my dear."
I barely managed to suppress a chortle, hiding my silly grin with a hoof. "You really are new at this, aren't you?"
He blushed. "There's a first time for everything. I thought that was the appropriate thing to say..."
"I'm not saying I didn't appreciate the complement, darling. It was a bit cliché, though."
Phelddagrif smirked. "Ah, but don't clichés become such because they merit repeated use?"
"Touché." I smiled and shook my head. "Well, come on now, let's get started on your suit." 
I ushered him over to the platform I usually stood ponies on when taking their measurements only to realize that he was simply too big to fit. "Hmm. Let's just slide this out of the way."
Once there was room, Phelddagrif moved to stand in front of the three-fold mirror. "So, how has your day been going?"
Levitating over my tape measure, I was thankful for the opportunity to make small talk. The less civilized portion of my brain would likely require distracting. "Well, it was fairly average compared to yesterday, at least before you walked in, darling. Can you believe this town? Not ten minutes passed before inquiries regarding our private lives graced my doorstep."
"Such is one of the many perils that comes with associating oneself to royalty," he said, chuckling.
As we conversed, I jotted down Phelddagrif's proportions into my notepad as he stood, still and unfazed. "Don't I know it. You would not believe how many letters I've gotten from acquaintances asking for some favor or other involving Twilight. How is she treating you, by the way?"
"She is... quite enthusiastic about her work. Pinkie as well, though in a much more literal sense. Princess Twilight would make an excellent teacher. Why, I believe I've learned more about ponies just this morning than every day previous put together!"
"Haha, yes, that does sound like her. And she actually does have a student. Maybe Twilight can introduce you later."
"That would be nice. Though enough about her; you're the mare of the hour." This statement was accompanied by a sly smile.
I rolled my eyes, along with my tape measure now that I was finished with it. "Nonsense, dear prince. This is our day." I then punctuated my statement with a quick peck to his cheek, stunning him to silence.
Getting back to business, I hovered over the fabrics I proffered earlier. I draped them over his back in various arrangements, checking to see how they looked against his skin. "Now that I'm seeing it, I don't think either chestnut or emerald quite work. Are you alright with charcoal?"
"Whatever you think is best. You're the expert. And the one who's going to be looking at it once it's done."
"True." It didn't hurt that I had also been hoping he'd say something to that effect. He would look stunning in a dapper black. Spike will surely get jealous.
And so I got to work assembling the suit piece by piece. Phelddagrif was impressed by my ability to precisely maneuver the various tools with my magic, and we continued to flirt a bit as the garment came together. Since I obviously didn't have a hippo-shaped form, I stitched it together directly onto his body, playfully chiding him whenever he tried to peek in the mirror. After about an hour of delicate labor, it was finished.
I stepped back, wearing a satisfied smile. "Well? What do you think?"
Phelddagrif shifted to admire my latest masterpiece. The smooth contours of the jacket seemed to steal just as much breath as light, and he gasped in wonder. The light green undershirt matched his wings, the sharp collar popping in contrast to his rounded physique. It was held in place by a sleek bow tie, also black, and covered about a third of his body. Inky Rose would approve if it weren't for the shirt, but Phelddagrif seemed enraptured, which was the important thing.
"I... don't know what to say. Rarity, this is perhaps one of the finest garments - nay, finest gifts - I have ever received."
"All you have to say is thank you."
He laughed that deep, booming laugh of his. "Then thank you. Truly. But, as they say, the night is still young. Where were you planning on taking me this evening?"
I immediately blanched. I hadn't thought that far ahead! Why oh why hadn't I thought that far ahead? I managed to maintain my composure, save for perhaps a stray bead of sweat. Off in the corner, Opal meowed, sensing my discomfort. 
Think, Rarity, think! Where to take the prince of a foreign nation out on a date? Ideally, I’d take him out to a fine dining establishment for dinner, one with a suitable amount of romantic ambiance, but there aren’t exactly many of those around here. The only city close enough to reach from Ponyville on short notice is Canterlot, but all the restaurants there are terrible, except for—
My eyes widened in realization. That was where I’d heard Phelddagrif's accent before: the Tasty Treat! Saffron and her father must have been from the same area as Hippopolis, if not the nation itself, which implies the exotic cuisine they serve is actually Hippopolan. It was perfect!
"I know just the place, darling," I said, brimming with newfound enthusiasm. "But first, you must excuse me as I get ready. As you can see, I'm woefully underdressed."
"And whose fault is that?" Phelddagrif winked. "But yes, I shall wait down here."
"Good, I'll just be a few minutes." I caressed his chin with a hoof, leaving Phelddagrif with a wink of my own as I sauntered upstairs to my room, and my armoire.
It didn't take long to find the right outfit once I realized it would be cute to wear matching colors. Using my magic, I slipped on a short, ebony dress with lines of faceted jade running down each side, followed by a matching necklace and shoes. 
The sound of my hooves on the stairs heralded my return, and Phelddagrif turned away from the ponnequins he was examining to look. His jaw immediately unhinged itself.
I posed dramatically. "How do I look?"
It took him a bit to remember he could speak. I simply loved it when ponies were stunned speechless by my presence. Hippos too. "Marvelous," he said.
I beamed at the praise. "Flattery will get you everywhere."
As he blushed some more, I led Phelddagrif outside. "So, how do you feel about spending the evening in Canterlot?" I asked, gesturing to the gleaming city on the mountain in the distance.
"Oh! Yes, that would be lovely," he said. Then, he spread his enormous wings. "May I fly us there?"	
I waved that idea off. "Pish posh. You flew halfway around the world yesterday, and I won't be responsible for straining you any further. No, we'll take the train."
"You mean that steaming vehicle that runs on metal rails?"
I nodded. "The very same. It will be far more relaxing anyway."
With that, I led Phelddagrif over to the train station, only drawing the attention of about half the town along the way. Phelddagrif insisted on paying for our tickets once he realized they cost money, which was a kind gesture, before realizing that he had no bits. Hippopolis apparently used these little green jewels called rupees instead.	
During the ride, Phelddagrif acquiesced that, yes, it was much more comfortable than flight would have been, especially once I nuzzled myself against his flank. There really is nothing quite like watching the hills roll by in the company of one dear to you.
Phelddagrif was suitably awestruck once we arrived, his eyes bouncing from one gilded tower to the next as we set out on a stroll. While not magical in the literal sense like the Everfree Forest, Canterlot had an aura about it that make it seem that way, and this selfsame aura had me in its clutches from the first time I set hoof there. Now though, that feeling was smothered beneath my fluttering heart. 
Soon, we came to the famed restaurant row. A few still bore the tacky and tasteless qualities necessary for Zesty's approval, but most had thankfully started producing quality food since the last time I had been here. The smells permeating the air were enticing, and I couldn't stop my stomach from rumbling.
Phelddagrif heard this and chuckled. "Somepony's hungry."
I raised my eyebrow playfully, nudging him in the side. "You're one to talk, given how you probably eat ten times as much as the average pony."
He feigned a shocked gasp in response, holding a hoof to his heart. "Are you calling me fat?"
"I said nothing of the sort! It's unbelievable you would even think I'd imply such a thing!"  
"I know, I know. I was merely teasing," said Phelddagrif. He then surprised me with a kiss on the muzzle, and my nose scrunched up on reflex. He saw this and smiled. "You are adorable."
Adorable? That's not true! Elegant and beautiful, yes, but adorable? I tried to correct him, but all I could manage was a blush and some stuttering. However, I didn't have to stew in embarrassment for very long, as we had reached the short alley which led to the Tasty Treat.
Phelddagrif sniffed at the air, and his eyes widened. "Is that...?"
Instead of confirming his suspicions directly, I trotted over and pulled the door open. Inside, the restaurant was bustling, with ponies of all stripes enjoying the fragrant cuisine amidst the vibrant ribbons of color.
My date was soaking it all in, amazed. "Rarity, this is a Hippopolan restaurant! I can't believe it!"
"I know, right? I didn't even realize it myself until I connected the dots back in Ponyville."
That was when, before either of us could say anything else, I spotted Coriander Cumin walking out of the kitchen towards us. He noticed Phelddagrif almost immediately, and froze in shock, the bowl he was holding clattering to the floor with a splash.
"Oh goodness, are you alright Mr. Cumin?" I asked, already galloping over to his aid.
Thankfully, he seemed unharmed aside from a bout of hitched breathing. Hearing the commotion, Saffron emerged from the back as well. "Father, what's—" she began, only to also lock eyes with the hippo in the room.
Phelddagrif stepped up beside me. "I'm sorry, it appears that my presence has startled him."
Saffron blinked in astonishment. "Are you...?"
"P-Prince Phelddagrif!" Coriander suddenly exclaimed, dropping into a deep bow. "You h-honor us with your presence! What are you doing here in Canterlot?" 	
"If you know who I am, sir, then you should also know that bowing to me is not necessary," Phelddagrif said. "To answer your question, I am here on a diplomatic visit. But, at the moment, we would like to eat."
Coriander rose on shaky legs. "O-Of course. Are you eating alone?"
I coughed politely and waved. "We will be dining together this evening."
Both unicorns turned to me, having completely missed my arrival until that moment. Saffron's eye's lit up. "Oh, Miss Rarity! How good it is to see you again! Were you assigned to escort the prince?"
I smiled wide. This was going to be good. "Actually, I'm his date."
Saffron's jaw dropped.
"It is really such a surprise?" quipped Phelddagrif.
Saffron made a show of pondering that for a bit. "No, not really. From what I know of her, Rarity is quite the catch. She helped save our restaurant, in fact."
"Really?" Phelddagrif asked.
"It's true!" said Saffron. "Actually, I think it's only fair that your meal be on the house."
"Oh, you don't have to do that," I said.
"It's fine, really," she insisted.
Since it would be impolite to object further, I allowed the still-nervous Coriander to seat us on the promise of a free meal. When I inquired as to the cause of his disposition, he told me that he was, as a matter of fact, half hippo on his mother's side and was told many stories of the prince's good deeds in his foalhood. 
As we seated ourselves, I smirked across the table. "Wow, Phelddagrif. It seems your exploits are famed the world over."
"So they are. Though when I return, I suspect the same will be true for you."
"Going to regale your subjects with accounts of my beauty and grace, are you? Being recognized as an artist is one thing, but I'm still not quite used to all the hero worship. That's more Rainbow's department."
Phelddagrif paused to stare at me, taking me in as he thought. "Perhaps you should. Get used to it, that is."
"Are you sure you won't become envious if that happens?" I asked, flipping my mane.
Phelddagrif blinked. "A good point. Never mind, I take it back. I may be generous, but sharing you? I couldn't, you're simply too magnificent."
He wanted me all to himself? That was... unf. How romantic! I didn't have a mirror to check, but I must have looked incredibly flustered.
Now he was resting his elbows on the table, grinning mischievously. Quickly, Rarity, change the subject! "So, um, how is Suraj doing? Has he gotten settled in with Twilight and Spike yet?"
My question obviously caught him by surprise. "Ah, yes, I believe he has. Yes, quite settled."
Hmm. Well, I just succeeded in killing the mood. Better than stewing in my own affections for too long, though. Everything in moderation. "Good to hear. Say, I was wondering, how—"
"Sorry to interrupt, but your food is ready!" exclaimed Coriander, carrying a tray on his back. "Today's special is biryani; we made a triple portion for you, Prince Phelddagrif."
His face lit up. "Biryani? That's my favorite!"
"Glad to hear it. Enjoy!" Coriander then set the plates down and retreated into the kitchen.
Phelddagrif's mouth watered as he sized up the food. It did look scrumptious, with vegetable dumplings and cashews mixed into spiced rice. "Oh, I'm sorry, Rarity, what were you about to ask?"
"Oh, it wasn't important, darling. Let's just eat before it gets cold."
And eat we did. Since they didn't use silverware here, I just levitated the bite sized portions directly. It tasted even better than it looked. Phelddagrif, meanwhile, grabbed the edge of his plate with his wings and tipped it into his mouth, barely chewing between bites. It was cute, watching him eat with such gusto.
Once we had finished, I was feeling a bit frisky. Maybe it was all the compliments earlier, the warm spices in my core, or some combination of the two. Regardless, in that moment, I knew I needed to show my prince exactly how much I cared.
So, with lidded eyes, I reached my hooves across the table and pulled him into a deep kiss, which he did not hesitate in returning. He tasted of clean earth and more spices. When our mouths separated, it was with reluctance on both ends. My heart felt like it was about to burst from my chest in happiness.
My elated state persisted even after we thanked Saffron and Coriander for their hospitality and left. As we journeyed back to Ponyville, pressed against eachother for reasons beyond the chilly mountain air, I felt that everything would work itself out in the end. Because this bond we now shared was worth it.
> << {4} >>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

I parted ways with Phelddagrif once we returned to Ponyville. He offered to escort me home, myself expecting nothing less from him at this point, but I alas had to politely decline. Luna had already ushered in the night, and I knew Twilight would make a fuss if he did not retire to his temporary lodgings soon. Plus, it was only our second date, and I didn't want to fan the flames of rumor any further.

Reentering my boutique, I gleefully cantered upstairs. Elation outweighed skepticism as I processed just how fabulously dinner had gone. The evening was everything I had ever wanted in my wildest dreams and more, yet it actually happened! Unable to contain myself, I quickly levitated the dress and jewelry off of my body and flopped onto bed, cartwheeling my legs and giggling like a foal. 

"Hi, Rarity. What exactly are you doing?"

I sat up with a start, whipping to face the door with a blush. "Sweetie Belle! What are you doing here?"

Sweetie hopped up unto the bed with me, wrinkling her pastel green pajamas. "Mom and Dad kicked me out again for one of their 'private nights'," she said, rolling her eyes. "If they're being weird like you just were, I can definitely see why they would."

I scratched the back of my head sheepishly, as always trying not to think too hard about what exactly occurred on a 'private night'. "I don't think that's the case, dear. You're all settled in the guest room, I take it?"

She nodded. "Uh-huh. But that's not important." Sweetie then propped up her chin with her hooves. "What is important is that you tell your sister all about your date with the handsome prince! Did you guys kiss? Were there rose petals everywhere?"

Rose petals? Celestia, her naiveté was simply precious. My grin returned in full force. "No, I'm afraid there weren't any rose petals. But we did kiss."

"Aww..." she cooed. "I wish I could have been there." Then, she smirked. "I guess I'll have to wait for the wedding."

My eyes widened. "W-wedding?"

Sweetie nodded. "You do love Phelddagrif, right? And he actually loves you back? So doesn't that mean you're gonna get married?"

Almost as soon as the shock from hearing Sweetie bring up this line of inquiry wore off, the weight of that last question hit me like one of Applejack's kicks. What was my future with Phelddagrif, exactly? He would be leaving for Hippopolis the day after tomorrow, and I couldn't very well go back with him; I had my work, as well as my duties to Equestria. He certainly couldn't stay here, either; he had a whole kingdom to run! Good heavens, was I really so lovestruck that I never even once considered that a relationship between us might not work out? Moreover, if given the opportunity, did I actually want to tie the knot with him?

"Rarity?"

"Hmm? Oh, I'm sorry, Sweetie Belle, I must have zoned out for a minute there."

"Yeah. You did. Well?"

I couldn't stop my ears from folding down a bit. "Honestly? I'm not quite sure right now. It depends on a lot of things going right. But I do love him."

Sweetie's brow tightened. "That's not really an answer."

Sighing, I patted her on the head. "Why don't you go to sleep so I can think about it some more, hmm? Perhaps I'll have a satisfactory reply for you later."

She sighed. "Oh, all right. Good night, sis."

"Good night, Sweetie." 

As I watched her leave, the weight of her words once again settled in, and I became thoroughly lost in thought.


*  *  *


Phelddagrif and I sat together on a blanket in the middle of the park. I leaned softly against his side, soaking in his warmth through my coat. The rest of me was basking in the sunlight as it filtered through the clouds. A little ways away, Lyra sat in her usual spot, the melody of her harp wafting along on the breeze. In short, the atmosphere was practically perfect.

And yet, my fear lingered. This was the last day I would be able to spend with Phelddagrif in the foreseeable future. Could we keep this relationship going? Should we? For all the charisma my aura tends to project, I haven't any real experience making this sort of decision.

That was when Phelddagrif turned. "Rarity, my dear, what's wrong? You've seemed distracted all afternoon."

I reflexively shied away a tad. I suppose I'd just have to rip the proverbial bandage off now. "It's... what exactly is going to happen when the day's events conclude?"

Phelddagrif processed this. "You mean, when I must return to my homeland."

I nodded, pressing myself more tightly against him. "This whole experience... meeting you, falling in love... it was magical. It was all I ever wanted. But..."

Phelddagrif sighed, boring his sharp gaze into mine. "You don't think it will last."

The beginnings of tears began to well up behind my eyes. "I so very much wish it could. You're my... my prince. Though I know I could never keep you all to myself. We're both much too giving for that. You have your subjects to look after, and to be separated by such a distance..."

"Yes. I too have been thinking along those lines for a short while now, though I tried my best to stamp them out and just... enjoy the moments as they came." He wrapped a strong foreleg around my barrel. "In wracking my brain for answers, I remain at a loss. Even a land guided by a hoof with far more wisdom than any I have met is not true paradise. If I stayed, the hippos would be just as unhappy as you would be if I left."

"No," I said, shutting my eyes. "I cannot believe that. I would be more unhappy."

"Rarity... be reasonable. The time we spent together was sublime, and I know I will never forget you. But for both our sakes, we must move on." Phelddagrif then forced himself to smile. "I hear that young dragon actually has a crush on you. And I know you have a thing for purple."

"Haha, those are both true statements," I replied with a soft sniffle. "Really, though, I appreciate what you're trying to do, cheering me up and all. You don't need to put on a brave face for me, I know the same turmoil is wrenching your heart as is mine, Phelddagrif."

After a silence as profound as any words, he turned away, staring off into the distance. 

In that moment, surrounded by great calm yet filled with budding sorrow, I was sure that nothing short of a miracle could prevent the heartbreak in both our futures. As sure as I could feel Phelddagrif's heartbeat through his chest.

"One regina ex machina coming up!"

I practically leapt out of my skin in surprise, or at least I would have if Phelddagrif's hoof hadn't been on top of me. Head spinning rapidly, I quickly came face to face with one of the last ponies I expected to see today and let out the breath I was holding. For crouching inside a bush was none other than the princess of the Crystal Empire herself: Cadance.

"Princess Cadance!" I exclaimed. "What are you doing here?"

The princess in question extricated herself from the bush, shaking off a few stray twigs. "I go wherever my heart leads, Rarity. And by the looks of things, you two need some royal intervention."

Phelddagrif, meanwhile, blinked in disbelief, eyes flickering back and forth between Cadance and the bush. "Umm, it's a pleasure to meet you, your highness."

"Please, no need for formalities," said Cadance. "To couples in love, I'm just a steward, helping ensure blissful days to come."

"In that case, by all means, welcome," said Phelddagrif.

"You've come a long way, Cadance," I said, still in a bit of a shock. "And I'm grateful, of course. But did you really have to jump out like that?"

Cadance smiled playfully. "Yes. Yes I did. Anywho, I've been keeping tabs on you two, and I must say I'm impressed. You're practically made for eachother, which is why this whole set of circumstances is so unfortunate. Luckily, I have just the thing."

She then conjured up a pair of silver lockets with her magic. Each bore her heart-shaped cutie mark, and were identical save for the much longer chain on the second. "These lockets are linked by a charm of my own design. If at any time both are open at once, a two-way portal will appear, allowing the owners to visit eachother. The spell takes a lot of power, though, and draws that power out from the mutual love of the wearers."

I gasped. "Really? That sounds perfect! And you're just giving them to us?"

"Yep, they're all yours," Cadance replied, beaming.

Overwhelmed with gratitude, I did not hesitate in lunging for Cadance, tackling her to the grass in a hug. "Thankyouthankyouthankyou!"

As Cadance laughed, Phelddagrif faux-pouted. "Hey, what about me?"

Cadance rolled her eyes at him. "What, are you jealous? Or would you like to join in?"

After a long pause, Phelddagrif began stuttering incoherently. Cadance giggled madly.

"Oh, you big sillyhead, she was joking," I assured him, parting from Cadance with a blush. "Besides, she's married."

"I do swing both ways, though," added Cadance as she wiggled her eyebrows.

Really, Cadance? I suppose princesses can just get away with that sort of behavior.

Apparently my expression showcased my disapproval, as Cadance moved to leave before things could get more awkward. "Anyway, I'll leave you two lovebirds alone now. Take care, and may your love never fade," she proclaimed. Then, her horn lit with power, and she vanished in an explosion of multicolored hearts.

"Well, she seems quite the character," said Phelddagrif. He then scooped the two lockets off the ground with a wing. "These really were exactly what we needed, though."

I returned to his side, wholly content. "Regina ex machina indeed. All our fears, eradicated in an instant! That's why she's the Princess of Love, I suppose."

Phelddagrif smiled. "Now nothing will be able to keep me from you, darling."

"I'm your darling now, eh?"

"To me, you are that and more," he replied, pulling me in close.

Goodness, that line was cheesy. Surely he should not be allowed to continue. Fortunately, I knew just the thing to shut him up. Locking my eyes onto his, I dove in for a deep kiss, my lips pressing tightly onto his. Heart aflutter, I reached out with my magic and grabbed the longer necklace, clipping it around Phelddagrif's neck as we continued to kiss.

Regrettably, it had to end sometime, and Phelddagrif eventually broke away. Taking a few shallow breaths, he reached over to place the other locket around my neck. Then, he knelt down and softly nuzzled my cheek. My tears from earlier finally escaped, but now as those of happiness.

"I love you, Phelddagrif."

"I love you too, Rarity." 

Suddenly, there was much applause.  A crowd had manifested nearby, with Lyra, Bon Bon, Roseluck, Thunderlane, and more all stomping and whooping in approval. Too overcome to be embarrassed at this point, I just embraced my prince once more and continued to weep in joy as everything else melted away.


*  *  *


"Well, I guess this is goodbye for now," I said.

I stood alongside my friends outside the castle once more, the early morning light making everything pop in sharp contrasts. All eyes were on Phelddagrif as he readied himself for the long journey home. A small bag containing his suit and other souvenirs now rested on his back where Suraj's ornate chair once sat. 

"Oh, I'm sure I'll be giving you and your friends a tour of Hippopolis soon enough," replied Phelddagrif.

"I'm so glad you're willing to reciprocate," said Twilight. "This was a monumental occasion, and I hope to extend our newfound friendship to the whole of our respective nations."

"Indeed. I must thank you for your hospitality, Twilight," said Phelddagrif, smiling. "I'm very glad I came to visit. Even though your company in particular was not the highlight of the trip." This statement was accompanied by a lingering glance in my direction.

Everypony quickly took notice, with Pinkie, Fluttershy, and Starlight audibly cooing in approval. Rainbow and Applejack averted their eyes, as if the very idea of anything 'mushy' was off-putting. Spike just looked disappointed, the poor dear.

"Hehe. Just because lectures are my default method of conveying the wondrous possibilities connecting with others brings doesn't mean it's the best method for everyone," said Twilight. "I couldn't be happier for you and Rarity."

"Likewise," added Suraj, who had done a remarkable job of blending in until now. Then, addressing Phelddagrif: "I may soon have to start calling you King."

"Oh no, not you too," I groaned. Why is rushing things suddenly the order of the day?

"Yeah, let's not be too hasty, here," said Pinkie. "After all, I'm gonna need oodles more time than usual to make sure your bachelorette party really takes the cake!"

Not being able to stop myself form picturing what events might occur at such a party had me doing my best Fluttershy impression. The actual Fluttershy was equally flustered. "Umm, I'm not sure I'd be comfortable attending an ordinary bachelorette party, let alone one of Pinkie's," she said. 

"Don't worry, I'll be sure to talk some sense into her one o' these days," assured Applejack.

"I dunno, I'm not sure Pinkie would be Pinkie if she suddenly had sense," said Starlight.

This got a chuckle out of Dash. "Yeah, definitely. Just like how Rarity wouldn't be Rarity if she suddenly stopped putting lace and junk on everything."

At this, Phelddagrif's eyes narrowed. "I'll not have you insulting my marefriend's craft, Rainbow Dash, even if you are friends."

Upon witnessing this display of chivalry, I swooned, nearly losing my balance.

Rainbow raised an eyebrow at me and smirked. "Whatever you say, big guy. But it looks like it worked out for you."

Not bothering to reply, I galloped over to Phelddagrif and initiated one last cuddle for the time being. Slowly, I leaned over to whisper in his ear. "I'll keep my locket open every night."

Phelddagrif just smiled and gave me a kiss on the cheek. No more parting words were needed between us.

Then, he pulled away. "I suppose I shall be going now. Take care, everyone."

A chorus of well-wishes echoed back in reply. As he waved back, Phelddagrif and I locked eyes, and I saw a new warmth in them not present when we first met.

Watching him fly off into the distance on wings of light, I grasped the locket around my neck, feeling with certainty in my heart that this was a new, beautiful beginning for the both of us.