> Time To Model
>  by Jhoira
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Ambush Minuette (June 7th, Friday morning.)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Minuette tossed the ball of yarn in the air again, catching it in her hooves as she watched Rarity work on her dresses. It had been a month and Minuette had almost moved in with Rarity, for the times Minuette was in Ponyville, which was more and more recently. She’d been streamlining her generic duties to be able to spend five days a week in Ponyville. She was technically always on call but when nothing happened that was that. And she much preferred being here near Rarity. Truly a gem in Minuette’s eye the other mare was truly beautiful, talented, and kind. She was also very easy to flatter and fluster which gave Minuette no end of fun. She also couldn't rule out that Rarity was more... Open minded than Minuette would have thought coming from Ponyville. ”How much longer Rarity?”

Rarity rolled her eyes but smiled as she looked back at the pretty mare on her bed. "Darling, just because you don't have to work doesn't mean that the rest of us don't. Why not go and see Pinkie Pie?"

Minuette grinned as she looked at Rarity. "Because I don't like staring at Pinkie's flank. At least, not as much as I like staring at yours."

Rarity let out a little chuckle and stuck her tongue out at her marefriend. "Oh, you're terrible darling. If for a moment I thought you were serious..."

Minuette grinned and rolled over, bouncing off the bed and walking over to Rarity, leaning up over her shoulder to see what she was doing exactly. "And besides... You didn't seem to be so jealous last night wh..."

"Stop right there darling!" Rarity blushed brightly and glanced around the room despite knowing there weren't randomly other ponies lurking in the shadows. "What happens in the bedroom should stay in the bedroom!"

"We are in your bedroom."

Rarity flushed a little brighter but couldn't help but giggle. "You know what I meant Minuette!"

Minuette grinned but let it go, teasing was all fun, but she didn't want to beat too hard on that drum, Rarity was open-minded, but she very much had things to her that were proper and improper, and poking her on them made her very grumpy. "This is pretty, what's it for?" Rarity was using her smaller sewing machine in the bedroom to put the finishing touches on the dress. Minuette couldn't help but grin, it was quite cute. Rarity wouldn't admit it but she was in here instead of her design room to spend more time with Minuette. She figured she shouldn't tease Rarity too much since she was putting in that extra effort.

Rarity smiled at Minuette, she always liked talking about her work. "Oh! Oh! Well, you see Coloratura is looking for something a bit fancier than what she'd been having recently, but still not overly dramatic like what she did when she was "Countess Coloratura." So I came up with this..." Minuette smiled as she walked back to the bed and climbed back up,  letting Rarity go on with her explanation. She got very into the clothes she made and while Minuette appreciated that she didn't really get all the minutia of details that she could go into when Minuette asked about them. Rolling back onto her back she patiently waited for Rarity to finish.

"So, what's the big deal with the party this afternoon? Coco wouldn't stop talking about it."

"Oh, they're going to announce their engagement."

"WHAT!?" Minuette sat up instantly, a rather impressive feat as she had been laying on her back moments before.

Rarity giggled. "Oh yes, they think they're keeping it a secret but I know all the jewelers in town darling. It didn't take long for talk of Applejack buying an engagement necklace got around... Though of course only to the most discreet ears."

Minuette grinned. "Wow, Applejack works fast."

Rarity giggled and shook her head. "I'd put it more down to Applejack being -very- upfront. Where we haven't yet spoken of a few important things, like an interest in foals, Applejack got all that out of the way before the first date. I'm pretty sure that this is a lot less impatient and much more practical in Applejack's eyes."

Minuette nodded and fell into contemplative silence as she watched Rarity. Waiting for her to finish up with her current work. Minuette was planning on ambushing Rarity but not in the middle of her work, that would not only risk the dress but put Rarity in an extremely bad mood because of it. And Minuette wasn't one to waste time. She smiled and snuck down off the bed as Rarity finished with her dress, leaning back with a sigh she grinned to herself and turned around to find an empty bedroom. "Minuette? Oh, she must be getting water or some... EEK!"

From underneath Rarity's desk sprang a blue blur tackling her and rolling a few time to end up with Rarity stuck under a triumphant Minuette, grinning down at her. "Hello there beautiful!"

Rarity giggled gently. "Really darling, must you do that? Or could you at least be predictable about it? I mean once a week and I forget that you do it!"

Minuette grinned widely as she climbed off her marefriend. "But that's the point! If I did it too much you'd know to expect it, then I couldn't be ambush Minuette!" She grinned and crouched down like Opalescence stalking a grasshopper.

Rarity got up smiling faintly at her silly marefriend. "Mhmm, you know ambush Minuette seems a lot like silly Minuette if you ask me."

"Nonsense! I wasn't silly earlier I was ambush Minuette this entire time, you just couldn't tell because of my amazing stealth skills!"

Rarity couldn't stop her faint giggle at Minuette's antics. "Very well ambush Minuette, I concede your point. However, might I make a request?"

"Of course, my beloved, beautiful, most radiant marefriend. You who are the light of my eyes. See? That was ambush Minuette pretending to be poet Minuette."

Rarity smiled and leaned in, rewarding her marefriend with a gentle nuzzle. "I know Minuette, I know. But since this party is so important to Coco and Applejack could I request that serious Minuette come out for the rest of the day?"

Minuette smiled and nodded. "Of course! Serious Minuette I shall be!" The glint in her eye, however, said that Rarity had just opened up an unexpected can of worms on herself.
> Serious Minuette (June 7th, Friday morning.)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Minuette hopped up on the bed and laid down, crossing her hooves over each other as she looked at Rarity. "Alright, serious Minuette so time for some serious talk. What is your opinion on having foals then Rarity?"

Rarity blinked and then frowned. "You tricked me."

"You're the one who brought up both subjects dearheart. I'm just being serious Minuette. And also, it is about time we talked about more than just having fun after all."

Rarity sighed and nodded. She was enjoying just having fun but Minuette was right, neither of them were getting any younger. Not that Minuette or Rarity was yet an old mare, but she supposed putting off such a discussion wouldn't really help them. Rarity climbed up next to Minuette and snuggled up against her marefriend. "Okay, how about you go first?"

Minuette grinned. "Oh? Shifting the buck are we? Very well. I would enjoy having a foal or two, though it's not a deal breaker for me with you." Minuette nuzzled into her marefriend's neck. "And you dearheart?"

"Wow, that was... Quick..."

"I've had this talk before dearheart. I told you I've had a few perspective mates over the years."

Rarity blushed brightly, Minuette was Rarity's first marefriend, and the first somepony special that she'd gotten to this point in the relationship with so she hadn't given the entire situation a whole lot of thought before. She bit her bottom lip before she realized there was something else that seemed slightly out of place in that first statement. "Wait, not a deal breaker with me?"

Minuette smiled. "Yes, I really enjoy you Rarity. I've had special somepony's that I enjoyed, but wouldn't be willing to forgo having foals for. You..." She nuzzled again into Rarity's neck. "You are more special than that." Rarity flushed crimson at the thought that Minuette would give up her intentions of having foals to continue dating, and possibly marry in the future.

"Th-That's very flattering Minuette. But I must admit I wasn't quite ready for this conversation." Minuette blinked then her ears flattened, scowling slightly. 

"Well shoot, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have brought up the for you party if you didn't have your own ideas set, now I've colored your stance probably."

"Only if that stance was against having foals, which, you're right I can't be sure of, but I don't think it ever was. And," Rarity smiled at her marefriend. "That was about the best thing I've heard in the past few weeks. It was very touching." She leaned in kissing Minuette on the cheek, who grinned, well she had another surprise for Rarity, but that was for later tonight. "To be perfectly honest darling, I would probably lean towards having a few foals, yes."

Minuette grinned. "Well that's good, they are cute aren't they?"

"Oh they're endlessly frustrating."

Minuette raised an eyebrow at that. "That doesn't sound like you want foals dearheart..."

Rarity giggled gently. "Oh, don't get me wrong, I completely believe that they are endlessly frustrating. But I helped raise my little sister, I speak from experience when I say that's true, but also it is greatly rewarding. Seeing her grow up, the cute little things she does to try and help... Though not always successfully, the pure joy they get from your approval. Oh yes, now that I talk more, I do want foals Minuette." She grinned widely. "Though maybe I could convince you to have more than two then? I mean... If you have so much free time because of your duties you could raise more foals while I worked... It'd help you not be bored while I'm working too!"

Minuette burst into a small fit of giggles, grinning at Rarity. "Oh, you clever mare!" Minuette reached up and booped Rarity on the muzzle. "You want more responsibility but then you dump it all on me so you can make pretty dresses! That is what I call being irresponsible!"

Rarity smiled back at Minuette. "Well if all you do is watch me while I sow and throw my yarn around you could be doing something productive."

"It's not my fault your friend the princess doesn't have me do anything!"

"She's your friend too dear."

"Well yeah but that doesn't help my argument here, obviously!"

Rarity giggled and got up, opening her wardrobe dramatically. "Now that we have gotten that talk out of the way we must decide what to wear darling!"

"I wasn't planning on wearing anything."

"Oh but you simply must darling! It's an important day for Coco and Applejack, we simply must look our best for them, darling!"

Minuette grinned, well if Rarity was going to make her dress up she was going to make Rarity regret her choice of words at the very least. "Oh! I get it! I agree completely!" Rarity smiled as Minuette got off the bed and walked over, but her smile faded slightly and she blushed as Minuette continued. "If we have any hopes of getting them interested in us we will have to dress up extra fancily, with how conservative Applejack is we'll have to try extra hard!"

Minuette thought that Rarity was the most fetching tint of red as she responded. "Y-You know I didn't mean that Minuette!"

"Oh, I know. But with how red you are I'm putting my bits on you've thought about it." Rarity shook her head but continued to blush. "Hm... About the cute timid Coco...? Or maybe your longtime friend, the strong and reliable Applejack...? Or maybe even both...?"

"Th-That's enough teasing Minuette!"

Minuette grinned, feeling like she hit a nerve there. "Ooooh, they are both quite cute aren't they." She leaned in and whispered into Rarity's ear. "Don't worry, I'll keep your dirty little secret."

Rarity whirled away, huffing loudly, and managing to sound completely indignant. "I don't know what you're talking about Minuette!"

"Uhuh, why are you blushing so much then?"

"The mere thought is so inappropriate!"

"Inappropriate but tantalizing."

"St-Stop that Minuette!"

Minuette giggled faintly. "Alright, alright, I'll let up. Now, what do you want to wear?" Rarity eyed her suspiciously for a moment before trotting back over to the wardrobe with a small huff and started to plan out their outfits.
> Party Minuette (June 7th, Friday evening.) (Overprotective Marefriend Crossover)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rarity wished Applejack and Coco well as they entered the party. Minuette returned Coco's welcome hug just a little too long, not enough that anyone besides Rarity would notice. She glared sideways are Minuette as she caught up. "Don't you even think it darling."

"What? She was the one who offered a hug, I was just being polite. Besides, you hugged her too."

"Yes, but don't think I didn't notice how you lingered. Really Minuette, I know you've... Convinced me of a few things, but do not try to bring poor Coco in on any of that, she'd have a heart attack."

Minuette grinned, she'd had no intention of doing so of course, she could tell when a pony wasn't interested in more untraditional relationships, but if she used Coco as an unknowing little poke at Rarity no harm no foul. "I would never do such a thing Rarity! I am serious Minuette as you requested, not lascivious Minuette."

Rarity rolled her eyes, they both knew that Minuette knew exactly what she had done and that she'd done it on purpose. But Rarity had to also admit that Minuette both meant no harm, and was careful to respect the boundaries of others, Coco didn't even notice the extra few seconds, and no one else did, so there really wasn't any harm done. "You're terrible dear."

"And you love it don't you dearheart?"

Rarity blushed gently. "It has its moments I must admit." She turned her head at the flash of blue she thought she recognized, that wasn't Minuette. Rarity grinned, thankful for the distraction. "Rainbow Dash! Flitter!" She grinned and trotted over to her two friends, causing Minuette to chuckle as she followed.

"Opportunist."

Rarity smiled at her two friends as Minuette came up behind her. "Hello darlings, how are you two?"

Flitter looked up at Rainbow Dash, pushing up against her side but not speaking. "Uh... We're... Ok Rarity. But that's a pretty dress."

"Oh thank you, darling! I spent hours on it! Minuette and I match now!" Though Rarity was pretty easy to divert it seemed Minuette was not so easily distracted.

"What's the matter?"

Flitter frowned a bit but Rainbow Dash used a wing to pull Flitter closer into her side, cooing to her softly before looking back to Minuette, waving a hoof absently. "Oh, nothing to worry about Minuette. Just came from visiting Cloud Chaser, Flitter's never the best after that for obvious reasons."

Minuette nodded, accepting that explanation, it made perfect sense obviously. Rarity nodded, being a bit more empathetic than Minuette. "Oh I'm sorry dear, how is she doing?"

"Fine...!" The harsh word came from the scowling Flitter who looked away for a moment. "Sorry... She's ok..."

Rarity nodded but dropped that topic of conversation wisely. "Well darlings, I do think I should have you both over to the boutique some time! I haven't taken your measurements recently and in case you two want any new dresses it would be good to have your numbers at the ready!" Rarity was sure that Coco would come to Rarity for the dresses, and having such an idea beforehand would make Rarity look very clever.

Rainbow Dash grinned, though, to her knowledge, Rarity didn't know it she had just hit onto a great idea, they would need to come anyway and agreeing to such an idea would make Rainbow Dash look very clever. "Good idea Rarity! You never know when you'll need a new dress."

Minuette had obtained an apple from somewhere and was snacking while the two old friends made plans, and she looked at Flitter who reluctantly came over to Minuette at a proffered apple. Minuette leaned in and whispered into Flitter's ear. "I bet that Rarity just makes dresses so she can cop feels on other ponies. Can't blame her though, I mean Rainbow Dash is a hottie."

Both Rarity and Rainbow Dash looked over at the other pair as Flitter actually burst out laughing. While Rainbow Dash grinned, happy to see the jokester second only to Pinkie had gotten Flitter to cheer up a bit, Rarity rolled her eyes, trotting over to Minuette and hissing. "I thought we agreed that serious Minuette would be at the party?"

Minuette grinned, she couldn't get Rarity to set her up better if there had been a script involved. "I promise you what I said I was completely serious." Flitter couldn't stop herself from letting out another guffaw at that comment, sitting down and continuing to laugh as so that she wouldn't fall over.

Rainbow Dash trotted over as well, giving Minuette a wide smile as she trotted up to Flitter and sat down next to her, prodding her with a hoof. "Hey, don't bogart the joke there." But Flitter could only shake her head as she laughed. "Man, you're good Minuette."

Minuette grinned. "Oh, I know."

Rarity sighed in exasperation. "Don't encourage her Rainbow Dash!"

Minuette trotted over to Rainbow Dash and grinned wickedly at Rarity and leaned in to whisper to Rainbow Dash. "I told Flitter that Rarity only makes dresses to cop feels from other ponies." Rainbow Dash let out a spurt of laughter before Minuette added the second part. "Then I called you a hottie." She grinned and got up, giving Rainbow Dash a wink before trotting back to Rarity, Minuette was, of course, looking inordinately proud of herself.

Rarity glared at her. "Do I even want to ask what you said?"

"Probably not!" The answer came from Rainbow Dash who was beating her hoof on the ground as she busted a gut, though Rarity was sure she saw a faint blush on Rainbow Dash's cheeks, that could be attributed to her exertion of laughter. "Oh, man. how did Rarity ever find you? I mean... seriously? You and Rarity?"

Rarity sighed, she'd had this conversation before. "Minuette is a very complex pony Rainbow Dash!" Minuette grinned and Rarity realized that the question had not been an actual criticism of their relationship, she blushed gently at the fact she had made a small bit of a fool of herself at that moment. "Well, my statement is true either way!"

"Either way what Rarity?" Minuette grinned, giving Rarity her full attention. Rarity blushed a bit brighter.

"W-Well never you mind!"

Minuette snickered and looked back at Rainbow Dash. "Isn't she adorable when she's flustered?"

Rainbow Dash nodded, still chuckling, and though Flitter had calmed down she was still grinning in genuine amusement. Rarity huffed and got behind Minuette, pushing her hard and causing her to stumble a few steps forward to end up next to Rainbow Dash, looking back and raising an eyebrow, Rarity rarely got physically angry, but then she noticed the slight grin on Rarity's muzzle. "Well if you two get along so well how about we switch, you two go off and crack more jokes." She trotted over slightly to stand next to Flitter. "And I will take the beautiful, and more importantly civil and proper Flitter around the party. We all win."

Both Rainbow Dash and Minuette had a good chortle over that one, Rainbow Dash smiled. "I dunno Rarity, Flitter's pretty adorable, I don't know if you can handle her."

Flitter rolled her eyes but smiled. 'Well certainly, it's not like she's used to anything adorable in her life otherwise." Minuette faked getting shot through the heart and landing dead on the grass. But  Rarity wasn't about to rise to such an obvious bait, at least, not on their terms.

"Oh, my dears you misunderstand me. Minuette can't very well be expected to beat Flitter's adorability quotient but I assure you she makes up for it in... Other ways." And after a few moments, long enough for both Flitter and Rainbow Dash to register their surprise, and even Minuette opened an eye from the ground to look at Rarity appraisingly Rarity finished the thought. "You know, she's an excellent gofer and her time magic makes her very useful for meeting deadlines."

All three other ponies had to laugh at the turnaround, Minuette getting to her feet and trotting over to give Rarity an affectionate hug. "I told you my bad manners would rub off on you."

Flitter smiled, it was still only slight but she did feel better after all that. She trotted back over to Rainbow Dash, sitting down next to her as she chortled. Rarity smiled and nodded to the other pair. "Well darlings we should go mingle more, we will see you later."

Minuette grinned and gave them both a wink, from the eye hidden from Rarity of course. "Yeah, see you two about."

Rainbow Dash smiled and waved. "Yeah, you two have fun."

Flitter hesitated then raised her own hoof in farewell but didn't say anything to the two, as she leaned in and whispered to Rainbow Dash. "Minuette's a little weird."

Rainbow Dash smiled and nodded. "Yeah, but she's fun."

"Was she flirting with us?"

Rainbow Dash blinked, blushing a little, she'd thought she was imagining it but if Flitter had picked up on that too. "Naw. Couldn't be, probably just her sense of humor. I mean... That would mean she and Rarity..." Rainbow Dash paused then her eyes widened as she remembered a few jokes that Minuette had made and then how Rarity reacted... And some off-hand comments she had made... "Oh goodness..."

Flitter raised an eyebrow before blinking. "No... You're kidding."

Rainbow Dash nodded. "Yeah... I think they swing... Or something like it."
> Rhyming Minuette (June 7th, Friday evening.) (Secret No More. Romance Galore. Crossover.)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pinkie pointed her hoof at a very well dressed pair of ponies. "Ooh! Ooh! There's Rarity and Minuette! Let's go tell them!"

Zecora smiled at Pinkie Pie. "Ahh, I missed them at first pass. Lead on to the pompous..."

"Zecora!"

Zecora leveled a gaze as Pinkie. "...Lass."

Pinkie flushed, though it couldn't be seen under the paint, and stuck her tongue out at Zecora. "Well, you still shouldn't call her pompous."

"I mean it in fun. My beloved one."

Pinkie giggled a bit and hopped over to Minuette and Rarity, waving at them wildly to grab their attention. Though Rarity stared at her previously pink friend Minuette had no such reservations. Throwing her forelegs around Pinkie in a greeting hug. While Rarity continued to gape Minuette smiled. "So what's this all about Pinkie Pie?"

Pinkie began to hop happily, grinning at her two friends. "Oh, me and Zecora are courting!"

Minuette nodded like this was the most reasonable explanation she'd ever heard, but Rarity blurted out. "Courting!? But you're not even dating!"

"Au contraire. One who is rare. Long have we been together. We just told no other," Zecora said as she walked out of the slowly forming crowd. "Goodness, I must say. I hope they have enough hay."

Pinkie nodded happily. "I know! Coco invited a third of Ponyville!" Rarity and Zecora looked at Pinkie questioningly and she just grinned. "Special talent!"

Minuette took a sip of her drink, the drink she hadn't had a moment ago. "Really you'd think that you two would be used to Pinkie by now."

Zecora blinked in surprise, taken aback by the fact that Minuette had somehow gotten her hands on a drink. "Pray tell friend of blue. Who got that drink for you?"

Minuette grinned, inordinately proud of herself. "Special talent." Causing Pinkie to burst into giggles.

Rarity had to groan. "Don't encourage her darling! She will just start showing off." 

Zecora grinned. "Showing off is it? Could she take a rhyming bet?"

Minuette grinned widely and passed Rarity her drink, rubbing her hooves together as Rarity sighed in resignation, taking a sip of Minuette's cider as she watched the events transpire. Pinkie slid over next to Rarity and grinned. "Isn't Minuette fun?"

Rarity sighed and nodded. "Oh yes, a little too fun at times."

Pinkie gasped loudly and grabbed Rarity by the cheeks, pulling her muzzle over to press against hers. "You two are having trouble!? Tell me! I'll help you fix it!"

Rarity pushed Pinkie off of her, scowling at her friend for a moment before smiling. "No worries dear we're fine. Just she likes to show off a bit."

Pinkie giggled and nodded. "Definitely!"

Rarity and Pinkie returned their attention back to their mare friends, who seemed to have struck some deal while they were talking. "The deal is struck! Talking like this I am stuck!" Minuette said as she grinned proudly at Zecora.

"Indeed, if you can do this all night. I will get you that... bug," Zecora said.

"And if I do unable. I bring you an edible. You be careful there. You escaped by a hair," Minuette grinned, she'd almost won the bet in the first second.

Rarity let out a loud groan. "Zecora, Minuette! What is this going to prove?"

Minuette looked at her and grinned. "That Minuette can do anything! I have never felt failure's sting!"

Zecora smiled and shrugged. "My ego is not that size. I just seek the... winnings."

Pinkie snickered and hopped around the two. "Ooh! Ooh! I like this competition! Do we get to ask you questions and you have to answer them properly?"

Minuette smiled. "That would speed this up. I will take that cup."

Zecora gave Minuette an appraising look. "You are better at this than I thought. Perhaps those bugs will get... Captured."

Pinkie giggled while Rarity just shook her head, then stood up, speaking first. "Alright, then you two. What is your favorite color?"

Minuette looked at Zecora. "If it pleases you. I shall say blue."

Zecora smiled. "I would have to say pink. Just like my... Love."

Minuette snickered a little. "Well, this doesn't seem fair. All she must do it not pair."

Zecora smiled a bit. "Well, you who wished to fight. It is not my fault your challenge is... Hard."

Minuette snickered and looked at Pinkie. "Well, I shall have to win. Pinkie slip the next question in."

This contest stretched out to ten minutes until Rarity let out a loud exasperated sigh. "Okay, okay, I have a challenge for both of you!" The two raised their eyebrows but nodded. "I challenge you both to remaining silent for the next minute!" Two nods again, eyeing Rarity suspiciously.

"But tell me my mare. What do we get for this dare?" Minuette smiled, still proud of her rhyming skills.

"Well, I'll make Zecora and Pinkie new dresses if she remains silent. And your reward will be a cake." Minuette nodded, she liked cake, and Zecora nodded, she wasn't hugely into dresses but Pinkie liked cute things. "However! If you make noise, you not only lose our bet, but you lose each other's bets, got it?" 

Zecora nodded. "Agreed on that rule. When shall we start this... Challenge."

Rarity smiled. "Right now darling." Both the challenged mares nodded while Pinkie watched on curiously. Rarity first smiled at Zecora. "Do forgive me darling but watching you two compete was not exactly what I had in mind for my party experience." Zecora raised an eyebrow when her eyes widened and she felt her own tailed being raised up and tickling her belly, only able to fight it a few moments Zecora burst into laughter, causing Rarity to grin. "I noticed that when I measured you last time darling." 

Minuette, on the other hand, grinned as Rarity defiantly, despite Rarity's best efforts she'd found out that Minuette wasn't ticklish. Rarity, however, had a different plan for her marefriend, sashaying over to and leaning up to Minuette's ear she whispered something for only her ears that caused Minuette to grin wide and say without thinking. "You bet Rarity!... Gah! Dang it! You tricked me!"

Rarity smiled and trotted back over to sit next to Pinkie. "Well, darling that's what happens when you promise to be serious Minuette and start that little contest."

Minuette sighed and walked over to Rarity, giving her a kiss on the cheek. "Fine, you're right, my apologies my lady."

Zecora laughed gently. "Then our bet is done. We both have won. I will catch what you wanted. Bring to me the dessert so vaunted."

Minuette nodded, smiling as Rarity gave her a small nuzzle in return for the apology. "Sure thing, it'll be probably Tuesday evening, that good with you?"

"It is indeed my friend." Zecora looked over to Pinkie, now that the game was over they could see her bouncing and looking expectantly at where Fluttershy and Twilight were chatting. "Shall we call this to an end? Pinkie and I have news to spread. We should pick up our tread."

Rarity nodded in return. "Of course darling, you have a good party."

"YAY!" Came Pinkie's outburst. "I'll talk to you girls later! I gotta go tell Twilight and Fluttershy!" And with that, she shot out towards her two friends with Zecora following her at her own pace.

"Well, they're cute together," Minuette observed, grinning at Rarity. "Not as cute as us though."

"Heh, well, shall we talk to more ponies? That game took a while."

"I'm still holding you to that offer." 

"Darling you can't have seriously thought..."

"So you lied?"

"Uh... Well..."

Minuette grinned widely. "So you're not going to break your word."

Rarity groaned slightly. "We can talk about it later Minuette."

Minuette nodded, getting serious. "Very well, I won't hold you to it. But if you don't then you can't legitimately say you won, because that'd be cheating."

"Well that will require some careful consideration then darling, now won't it?"
> Lovely Minuette (June 7th, Friday night)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Minuette smiled as she and Rarity ascended the stairs to Rarity’s room in her boutique. They'd done away with the pretense of Minuette even asking to stay the evening last week and now just took it as a granted. Minuette smiled as she finally got to take off the floofy dress that Rarity had made for her. She really did appreciate the work and the beauty but sometimes Rarity did go overboard at times. Minuette smiled at her mate who was carefully removing and hanging up her own dress. ”Dearheart, Coco and Applejack weren't the only ones with something big to talk about tonight.”

Rarity looked back at Minuette and smiled. ”Oh! Well, something else big to talk about on top of talking about foals this morning?” Rarity climbed up onto the bed and laid down, smiling as she propped her head up on her forelegs. ”Do tell darling!”

Minuette was fighting hard to keep her face straight as she turned to Rarity. If she could keep a straight face it would completely ruin the joke. With an impressively grave tone, Minuette said, ”I’m pregnant.”

Rarity’s face went through an array of emotions in a mere ten second before settling on outrage. ”YOU’RE WHAT!?” Rarity was suddenly very glad that Sweetie Belle wasn't staying with her tonight. "You two-timing good for nothing!" Rarity jumped to her feet and looked like she was about to strangle Minuette. "Just because I'm open to... Ideas doesn't mean you can go around behind my back and... And..." Rarity loss some steam as her mind overcame the blinding rage and thought about who it was talking to. Rarity glared at Minuette, who smiled at her weakly. "That was a terrible joke Minuette."

Minuette hadn't been intending to actually upset her marefriend like that, it was meant to be a small poke at her. Some surprise, some anger, then a good laugh, but it was obvious Rarity had not taken it like that. Minuette bowed slightly in apology at Rarity calmed down slightly. "I'm sorry Rarity, that was a bad joke. Forgive your errant knight?"

Rarity huffed in annoyance as she sat down. "You know darling, it becomes a lot harder and a lot less satisfying to be mad at you when you readily apologize." She let out a low sigh. "And I have to admit, earnestly." Minuette gave a small smile as she glanced up from her bow and Rarity paused a moment longer before she nodded. "Oh alright Minuette, I'm still annoyed but you are forgiven."

Minuette grinned as she climbed up onto the bed and gave Rarity a kiss on the cheek, who made a begrudging sound of ascent at the other mare's intrusion on the bed. Minuette grinned a bit, it was hard to keep the blue pony from being happy. "Sorry again Rarity, but I do have something actually to discuss with you, no joke, I promise." Rarity raised a single eyebrow, not willing to speak on the topic yet and Minuette chuckled gently. "I deserve that. But seriously Rarity." She got up and trotted up towards the head of the bed, before pausing and stretching slowly for the other pony to see. "I think you'll like it."

Rarity blushed gently at the display of the athletic mare, following her mate slowly, smiling as she arrived at the luxurious pillows that made up her bed. She snuggled underneath the covers and in with her pillows, looking up, realizing that Minuette hadn't joined her under the covers she sat up a little. "Okay Minuette, what is the serious topic you're wanting to talk about then?"

Minuette smiled and laid next to Rarity, but stayed on top of the blankets for the time being as she looked her marefriend in the eyes. "Well, how would you feel about me officially moving in here with you? While in Ponyville of course, I'll still have my own house up in Canterlot." Rarity blushed a bit at the question, she looked to the side as she thought on it. She's toyed with the idea, that was how it was more or less working at the moment, but making it official was a big step. Even if Minuette still had her own home moving her in was a big step... "Hey, Rarity..." Rarity's eyes snapped back to Minuette as she spoke again, "it's ok if you don't want to."

Rarity smiled a little, biting her bottom lip before shaking her head gently. "It's not a no darling I promise. I just had only given it a little thought, and you shouldn't make such a decision so quickly..."

Minuette nodded, she'd thought about it and she was all for the idea, but this was Rarity's home, and she hadn't lived with a marefriend before, Minuette had so that might be what made her think the decision would have been an easier one for Rarity. "I understand, we can talk about it tomorrow then? Sleep on it as it were?"

Rarity smiled and nodded, snuggling up to the blue mare after she slid under the covers with the white mare. "Minuette, have you been thinking about the future a lot recently...?"

Minuette turned over so she was face to face with the other pony and nodded. "I tend to do that a lot Rarity, don't worry though, I'll let you go at whatever pace you need to be comfortable."

Rarity flushed at that reassurance. She couldn't think of any pony she'd rather have been in a relationship with at that moment than Minuette, either she was the most patient and kindest pony around, which while she was both of those things, seemed unlikely. Or, the other option, was that Minuette was one o the smoothest, always ready with the right thing to say, save for when one of her jokes went awry. "I know you won't darling, thank you."

Minuette grinned and raised a hoof to gently rub over Rarity's upper chest, right in her floof. "I wonder how tired my beautiful marefriend is tonight. That was a busy party and all..."

Rarity flushed a little brighter but smiled at Minuette, a little shyly. They had been together a month now, she'd let Minuette... Share her bed on the first night, and she was still just the slightest bit timid when it came to their intimate times. "You know me Minuette, I'm very used to parties... They don't take almost any energy from me."

Minuette grinned a little wider as she leaned in, giving the other mare a gentle kiss before pulling back. "Oh good, I was hoping to show you some of the benefits of having your marefriend as a roommate..."
> Mourning Minuette (June 8th, Saturday morning.)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rarity yawned as she sat up in bed, frowning as she saw that Minuette was missing. Rarity grinned as she stretched a little, that was somewhat uncommon but not unheard of by any means, sometimes Minuette got a little restless and went out in the morning for a walk. But much to Rarity’s surprise Minuette pushed open the door to the bedroom. Grinning Minuette floated two plates of breakfast into the room, climbing up onto the bed and floating one in front of Rarity. “Breakfast in beeeeeeeeeed.” 

Rarity giggled absently as she lifted a piece of toast and nibbled at it. “Still extolling the virtues of having you move in darling?” Minuette grinned as she made a kissy face at her marefriend before starting to eat her eggs. Rarity giggled a little as she continued to eat her toast before leaning over and kissing her marefriend on the cheek. "It's cheating if you don't talk quiet Minuette." Minuette grinned as she silently continued to eat her eggs. Rarity rolled her eyes slightly but couldn't stop her smile. "Yes, Minuette."

Minuette grinned even wider and in a flash was suddenly holding an engagement necklace and raising an eyebrow at Rarity. "Oh, really Rarity? I didn't think you'd be interested in moving so fast..."

Rarity flushed, though she knew it was a joke to Minuette the possibility for even a moment that she wasn't joking did throw Rarity off. "Don't make me retract my offer for you to live here, darling. Why do you even have that?"

Minuette grinned and put the engagement necklace aside, smiling at Rarity, though Rarity could detect that it was a little less carefree than usual. "I told you I've had special someponies before Rarity..."

Rarity nodded but gave a very slight scowl. "Yes, but you never said you were engaged darling, that's a slightly large oversight."

Minuette let out an uncharacteristically harsh laugh. "I'll do you one better for the oversight Rarity. I've been married before."

"Min...!" Rarity's response started off harsh until she saw her usual up and at 'em marefriend looking a bit deflated, looking out the window. Rarity scooted over to Minuette, cooing to her gently. "Darling... What happened?" Rarity nuzzled up behind her marefriend, wrapping her forelegs around one of Minuette's.

Minuette looked at Rarity with a sad smile. "Oh, it's not a very fun story Rarity."

"But it's an important one isn't it darling?" Rarity leaned in, gently pressing her forehead against Minuette's neck, just in the crook of her neck.

Minuette chuckled and leaned down a moment to nuzzle Rarity in return. "You're getting better at this."

Rarity couldn't help but grin at the compliment. "I have a good teacher."

Minuette took a deep breath, leeting out a resigned sigh. "We met about four years ago. Swift Gold was a royal guard and I was a knight. We instantly started competing against each other to show off our orders superiority. He'd win some, I'd win some. We went back and forth like that, though I had the slight lead it was only about 6/10." Rarity smiled as she laid down, next to the sititng mare, allowing Minuette to go at her own speed. "He looked quite dashing in his guards uniform you know." She smiled as she leaned down, nuzzling gently into Rarity's mane.

"We started dating on a dare really. One night Shining Armor took the knights and the guards out in one of his many inter-departmental 'get to know each other' things. I was the newly minted Grand Master of the Knights Of The Early Stars." Minuette chuckled at Rarity's raised eyebrow. "I didn't pick the name Rarity. Anyway, I was, and still am, its only member, so defacto I'm in charge. So I might have drunk a little too much in celebration and challenged anyone who could out drink me to dinner! Only Swift Gold was stupid enough to take me up, I'm still not sure who ended up winning, there were conflicting stories."

Rarity couldn't help but giggle, it would be hard to think of a less dreamy and romantic first date than one that resulted from a drinking contest. Minuette looked down at her raising an eyebrow, but smiling, relieving Rarity's immediate concern that she had offended her marefriend. Rarity smiled up at her in return, "Oh, it's just not the most romantic start darling."

Minuette chortled as she shook her head, raising a hoof and gently running it through Rarity's beautiful mane. "Right you are there Rarity. But we enjoyed the dinner, much to our surprise." Minuette stopped petting the other, much to Rarity's chagrin. That was until Minuette nestled down,  resting her neck over the other mare's. "We had a lot in common, which is probably why we tried to compete so much with each other." She grinned a bit wider. "Then we got engaged in secret."

"Secret darling?"

"Yes, his parents weren't exactly ecstatic about him dating "a common mare" but he didn't care."

Rarity frowned. "But... So you kept it secret? That must have been..."

Minuette snickered. "Oh no, dearheart, I wasn't offended. There were political reasons to keep it quiet, and it's not like we needed the world to know. If we were just dating and didn't end up spending our lives together, why should we cause fighting with his family? His parents were jerks, but they were his parents." Minuette smiled as Rarity made soft cooing sounds up at her, scooting back a little Minuette leaned in to nuzzle her marefriend before finishing her story. "Well, we got married in secret, hoping that announcing it to his parent at the Friendship Festival might be the best way to soften the blow."

Minuette took a long pause there, causing Rarity to snuggle in a little closer to her, closing her eyes as she let out a small yawn. Nuzzling into her marefriend and waiting patiently for the conclusion. "Well, we never got to make the announcement." She sighed, pushing Rarity over making her meep slightly but it Minuette grinned down at her, letting her roll back over. Rarity chuckled and poked her marefriend in the side, assuming Minuette was distracting herself from the story. "He died during the attack by the storm king."

Rarity leaned up, kissing her marefriend on the cheek. "I'm sorry darling."

Minuette took a long moment looking out the window before she turned her head, grinning at Rarity, though after a month Rarity could tell it was a little forced. "Well even though it wasn't public knowledge all the papers were filed. I still get his pension."

Rarity gasped, taken aback before giggling gently, shaking her head. "That was terrible darling!"

Minuette smiled, kissing her marefriend gently. "He's in a better place now dearheart. And I have a beautiful new prospect to spend my life with."

Rarity smiled in return, she could tell that Minuette wasn't quite as at peace with it as she was claiming to be, but she obviously had accepted it and moved on with her life. "And who you're now living with. Well, partially living with."

Minuette grinned a bit wider, this time completely genuine. "Dang straight, and I have to say." She leaned in whispering to Rarity. "You're a lot hotter than Swift Gold." Minuette grinned as Rarity blushed, and Minuette pushed her over onto her back again, climbing over her marefriend.
> Cautious Minuette (June 8th, Saturday afternoon) (Not Every Song... minor crossover)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Rarity Rarity Rarity!” Fluttershy galloped into the boutique and over to her friend veritably vibrating with excitement. Rarity was taken aback by her normally shy friends excited manner. Even Minuette opened an eye from her supposed nap on a nearby couch to watch the two mares. Rarity grinned and blew a kiss to her marefriend before looking back at Fluttershy.

“Yes, I’m right here darling. What has you so excited?” Rarity has rarely seen Fluttershy like this, had she discovered some new animal?

“I have a date!” 

Rarity’s polite smile turned instantly genuine. “Oh, that’s great news darling! You finally told Muffins how you feel!”

Fluttershy shook her head. “It’s not Muffins.” Fluttershy bounced excitedly up and down but didn’t continue.

Rarity tried her best to ignore Minuette’s snickering. In her overexcitement, Fluttershy apparently forgot to say who her date was with. Rarity couldn’t help but grin, quite pleased to see her friend so pleased. “Care to tell me whom it is darling?”

Fluttershy giggled and nodded. “Sorry! I’m excited!”

“I noticed that. Now, her name Fluttershy?” Rarity rolled her eyes good-naturedly, wondering slightly if she’d be asking a third time.

“Oh oh oh! It’s Octavia!”

Rarity was surprised, but pleased. Octavia was a kind mare, if a very proper one. “She’s a very fine mare. Kind and a very skilled musician.” Rarity pointedly ignored the fact Octavia was filthy rich. Rarity made a mental note to work out some joke about being filthy rich but not being Filthy Rich. However, Rarity’s planned questions were interrupted by Minuette, who had apparently given up in her nap, or attempted nap.

“You said Octavia?” Minuette was frowning as she walked over to the only other ponies in the boutique. At Fluttershy’s enthusiastic nods Minuette managed to catch Rarity’s eye and motioned off to the side with her head.

Rarity frowned but nodded. “Well, why don’t you take a look around the shop dear? You want a new dress for your date?”

Fluttershy oblivious to the secret conversation between the other two shook her head. “No, we’re meeting up in an just a little bit! I’ll just look around?”

Rarity smiled and nodded as she followed Minuette into her storage room. She glanced back out at Fluttershy humming and perusing around the store. “What’s the matter Minuette?”

Minuette frowned as she too watched Fluttershy. “There’s something going on here Rarity.” She shifted her eyes to Rarity. “Is Fluttershy distantly related to one of the old pegasi generals?”

"Not that I know of darling... Why?"

Minuette shook her head. "I know Octavia's family Rarity, they're old money, old nobility types. They wouldn't give me the time of day, and I'm a freaking Grand Master! Well, at least her mother wouldn't, her father's also as arrogant but at least he's not a prick about it."

Rarity frowned, Octavia was a bit standoffish but she wasn't rude. "Darling Octavia's nothing like that."

Minuette smiled, reaching up and gently rubbing her marefriends chest. Rarity liked to think she understood the nobles, but there were two tiers of the nobility and Rarity only understood the ones who were willing to associate with her. "I'm sure she isn't dearheart but... She has responsibilities to her family to put on the proper airs."

Rarity frowned and pushed the other mare's hoof off of her. "The nobles aren't like that darling, well, at least not most of them. I'm sure Prince Blueblood is."

Minuette shook her head. "No Rarity. There are nobles and then there are nobles. Octavia's family falls into the later."

Rarity frowned, still irritated with her marefriend but she didn't think Minuette was lying to her. "Very well darling, what of it? Octavia obviously doesn't think like her parents."

Minuette grimaced a little. "Well keep your eye out, there's either a misunderstanding, or there's going to be a big fight between Octavia and her parents sometime soon. Since I've not heard of her being disowned."

Rarity blinked and tilted her head to the side. "Disowned?"

Minuette sighed and patted her marefriend consolingly on the shoulder. "The brighter the glamor the deeper the shadows Rarity."

Rarity frowned and glanced out at Fluttershy. "This is going to... End poorly isn't it Minuette?"

Minuette nodded. "Unless Fluttersy's secretly related to royalty, oh yeah."

Rarity shifted a bit. "So... what should we tell her?"

"Nothing."

Rarity wielded around and stared incredulously at Minuette. "Nothing!? Fluttershy is my friend!" Rarity glanced out the door again, glad to see that it seemed that Fluttershy had missed her raised voice.

Minuette cooed gently to Rarity. "No dearheart. We don't know enough at the moment to do anything."

Rarity let out a small breath smiling at her marefriend. "Sorry, darling."

Minuette grinned. "You're just protective of Fluttershy." She reached up and booped Rarity on the nose. "It shows me how you'll be with our future foals."

Rarity blushed brightly but still smiled gently at the teasing. "Don't get ahead of yourself there darling, it's Coco and Applejack who are getting married, remember?"

Minuette grinned and raised an eyebrow. "Are you hinting at something?"

Rarity chortled and shook her head as she started to head back out to Fluttershy. "I'm fond of you darling but I'm going to make you work for it for a bit longer, I mean we just moved you in here, and that's not even full time."

Minuette smiled as she followed after Rarity, but keeping her voice low. "Anyway, it's not like Octavia's parents are going to show up today. Let Fluttershy enjoy her date then we can have a chat with Octavia about what's going on."

Rarity nodded and smiled as they got back into earshot of Fluttershy. "Did you see anything you might like darling? Like a new hairpin, or a hat?"

Fluttershy shook her head and smiled. "Oh no, but that's ok! We're going shopping anyway!" Fluttershy blushed a little as she continued. "And... Octavia said she wanted to buy me something cute."

Rarity smiled, slightly forced after the revelations from Minuette. She tried to think of another way to change the subject before Minuette saved her, pointing out the window of the boutique. "Isn't that Octavia?"

Fluttershy looked out the window and meeped quietly. "Oh! Oh! Oh! I should go talk to her! Right?" At the nods from both the other ponies, she rushed out the door to approach her date, at least, who she thought was her date.

Minuette looked at Rarity, a small grin despite the coming issues she assumed were on the horizon. "She's really bad at this isn't she?"

Rarity chortled and nodded. "She's shy and she's never actually had a special somepony except for two days when she was a teenager, what do you think?"

Minuette smiled, she remembered her younger days of putzing around fondly because she heard her call. Time magic was a powerful special talent and she felt blessed to have it, but it certainly hadn't helped her decide what she'd wanted to do with her life. And she’d found her calling in her knighthood. Glancing over at Rarity Minuette grinned. It was still early and they still had a lot to talk about but she hoped she might have found one she’d be spending her years with. “I think that I’m a lucky mare.” Rarity turned to ask about the change in topic to receive a kiss on the lips.