Rarity experiences an inspirational drought following the Fall Formal, one that Rainbow Dash relieves with the chance to design a new baseball uniform for her team. However, a series of strange encounters leave Rarity feeling attracted to Rainbow Dash, for all the wrong reasons.

And when one they know quite well disappears under tragic circumstances, she begins to question whether her future is worth struggling for...

Big thanks to Cynewulf, RazedRainbow and Azusa for pre-reading.

What lengths would you go to for family? Would you care for them? Be honest with them? Keep a secret for them? Sometimes, family relationships can become strained or volatile. But once you feel love towards your kin, it never truly dies. A certain dress-maker from Ponyville can attest to that fact, in more than one situation. But when a secret she and her sister tried to hide begins to fall apart, a secret that hides a past so painful it brings tears to her eyes just to think of, will she be able to tell the ponies she loves the truth?

Co-Authors: Ghosttown Brony
Editor: Prophet
Cover art by: Ragethebatfox

EDIT: FEATURED 1/7/14 5:13 PM

Being subtle isn't Rainbow Dash's strong suit. At all. So when Applejack asks her point blank what she thinks of Rarity, she doesn't hold back.

Not her best idea.

Pre-Read by: SapphireColors | LoneUnicornWriter

Reading by LandonWho

Rainbow Dash knows one thing for sure, she is definitely not a barbarous, uncivilized dolt who doesn't know polite conversation from a hippopotamus's rear end. And also that she's definitely not the one who's wrong. Rarity is wrong. Rainbow Dash is absolutely, totally, a hundred percent sure of it.

But then why did Rainbow just buy a wagon load of apology bouquets?

Rarity had everything she ever thought she wanted. The recognition of the Canterlot high society, a booming career, and the love of a loyal and dashing prince.

Of course, none of those old dreams accounted for the prince being another mare. Not that there is anything wrong with that of course, but a proper mare does not go flaunting such things. That's just good manners.

Right?

Cover Art by Exranion

Part of the Shelf Cleaning Initiative.

Rarity is no stranger to working late nights and burning her fair share of midnight oil to finish orders. Tonight is no different, except that her project isn't a last-minute order for some noblemare in Canterlot. It's for somepony far closer and far more important to her than any customer she's ever had, or ever will have, and for that reason, it needs to be perfect.

For her, she'll burn all the oil in the world just to do it right.

Cover art by Ruirik

Rainbow Dash can outrun just about everything in Equestria--everything, it seems, except apathy. The mundanity of her job drives her further out of her mind each day. None of yesterday's comforts can soothe her. Even fighting off monsters feels routine.

When Rarity mentions plans for a tropical vacation, Dash sees green (and blue, and whatever sandy color the island is), and sparks a plan. What kind of friend wouldn't accompany Rarity to a remote tropical island for a long weekend of fun?

What kind of friend indeed.

Inspired by Antonio Carlos Jobim's "The Waters of March." Cover art by Paintrolleire.

All Rainbow Dash and Rarity seem to do is bicker and argue. Doesn't matter about what, not a day goes by where they don't seem to be at each other's throats eventually.

Yet they've been dating for several months and couldn't be happier. Weird, isn't it?

Proofread by Rares

Friendships grow and change. That's how life works and it's usually a good thing in the end. Rainbow Dash and Rarity once saw their friendship more of a friends by association sort of thing. It was a total surprise to both of them when they realized that had changed. It took them a while to realize they'd become best friends even among their other friends. But that was still as far as it went, right?
This is the story of a growing friendship and how truly unexpected love can be.

I got this idea after reading the story "Hope You Dance" by PapierSam. So if you like this please go check out their story too. In fact, go check that one out regardless.
Check it out here.

Like all my Equestria Girls stories I'm setting this at some unknown time after the second movie where the third movie still hasn't happened, mostly because it's an easy and convenient timeline to work in.
This will be a new challenges for me as most of the story is going to take place in flash back form and keeping that specific narrative focus is going to be different.
As always, let me know how I'm doing. All comments are welcome, good and bad.

All things considered, Rarity finds a bitter prom better than a lonely one.

Still, it doesn't make watching her dream school dance from afar any less pitiful. Neither does Rainbow Dash's insistence on hanging around.

Or; misery loves company, and no one loves rejection -- it's a bitter slow dance, really.