//------------------------------// // A Clean Slate // Story: A Clean Slate // by Ekhidna //------------------------------// A Clean Slate Rarity Belle Unicorn chewed her food with calm and poise. She swallowed before going for another serving of her Garden Flower salad. All the while she stole a few glances at her husband, Vibrant Cloth, sitting across the table eating his own meal in a similar fashion. “How was your day yesterday, Rarity?” Vibrant asked glancing at her for a moment with his warm orange eyes. The silver coated unicorn stallion, with stylish mane and tail shaded with an intense aquamarine color, took another bite of his Mushroom Casserole serving careful to not stain his white suit. Rarity smiled while she wore nothing but an tilted rosy lady hat and a golden ring on her horn. “It was rather enjoyable. Such a shame you couldn’t come with us, dear.” Vibrant hummed for a second or two. “Yes...such a shame.” Silence fell between them in the solitude of their home. “How’s Spike doing?” “Quite fine, actually. He’s going to leave for Saddle Arabia in three weeks for another diplomatic reunion. Oh! That reminds me, he’s inviting us to the annual Summer Sun Celebration Ball next Saturday.” “How thoughtful of that splendid drake.” Vibrant said with a small adorning his lips. “I don’t think I’ll be attending, though.” Rarity looked at her husband for a moment waiting for him to continue, but instead he took another bite of his meal. She stared at his face for several seconds, then she glanced at her salad and pushed it aside; her appetite gone and dead. Rarity shifted on her seat uncomfortably. She closed her eyes, took in a deep breath, and then spoke. “Vibrant I--” “I slept with Steady Ruler yesterday.” Vibrant said interrupting his wife. Rarity stopped, blinked twice, tried to say something, failed, and stayed silent while her husband continued to eat. After what felt like hours Vibrant finished his meal. “Your assistant?” Rarity asked with her thoughts collected again. “Yes.” Vibrant admitted. “That’s why I arrived late last night.” “I see.” A short lived silence fell between them. “How long?” Rarity asked. “Yesterday.” Vibrant chuckled. “Although I’ve been flirting with him for the past few months.” “Did you two had sex?” Rarity asked again with a tone that had no anger behind it. If anything it sounded almost hopeful. “For hours. It’s the first time I’ve had sex like that.” Vibrant chuckled again. “I see.” Rarity whispered letting out a weak sigh. “Vibrant, I have something to confess.” “Is it about you and Spike?” Vibrant saw Rarity freeze up for several seconds before nodding. “I always knew there was something between the two of you. Something more than friendship.” Vibrant sighed. “For how long?” “Five years.” Rarity choked out. “Really? Five years? And here I thought I was such a great detective. My guess was six months, heh heh!” Vibrant laughed confusing Rarity. “Aren’t you angry at me for...seeing Spike in a improper romantic way?” “It’s called cheating, Rarity. Or Infidelity. Adultery is such a crass way to describe it, in my opinion.” Vibrant said smiling at her. “....” “....” “....I’m so sorry, Vibrant. It was never our intention to do such a horrid thing. It’s entirely my fault for not admitting how I really feel for Spike sooner….much sooner.” Rarity sighed using a hoof to clean away a tear. “I made you waste twelve years of your life.” “I wouldn’t say that, Rarity.” Vibrant said making his way to Rarity. Using his magic he forced her to look at his sad smiling face. He leaned in to kiss her cheek. “We’ve spent several marvelous moments you and I. We’ve accomplished so much working together and standing side by side.” His smile turned nostalgic. “But you and I know that we made a mistake the moment we said yes in the altar. Despite that we did our best to make it work and our marriage has been...nice.” Rarity laughed softly. “I guess you’re right, dear.” “Besides, it’s my own fault for not admitting sooner that I, ehem, prefer stallions and their big, thick co-” “Don’t be vulgar, darling.” Rarity hushed him placing a hoof on his muzzle. “Showwy.” Vibrant mumbled. They stared at each other’s eyes for several moments until Rarity leaned to hug him. “What happens now, honey?” “I don’t know, dear.” He admitted. Silence fell once again for a few moments. “Honey...Vibrant, you’ve been a wonderful, amazing husband to me. Many mares I know would give anything to have you by their side. It breaks my heart that I couldn’t...love you properly.” Rarity whispered, her voice loud enough for him to hear. “I say the same about you, Rarity. We’re in the same boat, aren’t we?” He snorted. “What do you want, Rarity?” “I want you to be happy, Vibrant. I owe you that much.” “You don’t owe me anything, Rarity. You cheated on me, so what? I did the same last night. Plus we both know we don’t love each other that way. You’re my best friend, Rarity, I want you to be happy too.” “Vibrant…” Rarity nuzzled his neck. “You’re too good for your own good.” “You taught me to be generous, my dear.” Vibrant nuzzled her back. “So...five years? I’m not entirely shocked, Spike is quite the fetching dragon indeed.” He let out a drawn out sigh. “And handsome, too.” “Oh hush you!” Rarity nuzzled him again. “But that doesn’t answer the big question, does it?” “No...I suppose it doesn’t.” Vibrant nuzzled her again. “Rarity, do you want to be with Spike? Truly together with nothing restricting you?” “...Yes.” “By any chance, do you know if he wants the same with you?” “More than anything.” Rarity hugged Vibrant tighter. “I’m glad.” Vibrant broke their embrace, not without kissing her cheek in the passing. “Rarity, we can continue our marriage to upkeep our public image and have out little flings without remorse.” He smiled. “Or we can get a divorce and be truly free to love whoever we want, or in my case search for that one true love.” Rarity sent her gaze downward for a moment before looking at Vibrant again with sadness. “Divorce, Vibrant?” “Yes, divorce. Sure, almost everything we’ve done together would be torn apart and...our fortune…” “Would go to you.” Rarity finished the sentence. “I know the consequences.” She leaned to peck his cheek. “I have...thought about it before.” Looking into his eyes her expression turned bittersweet. “But you’ll lose your branch recognitions and your investments.” “It’ll shake me but nothing too grave. You’ll lose twenty times more than I will, my dear Rarity. And you’ll also lose your noble title and status.” Vibrant smiled. “Not to worry though, we’ll stay together and-” “I want the divorce, Vibrant.” Rarity cut him off smiling at him. Vibrant looked at her with a shocked expression for several seconds of silence. “It’s the least I can do. I was always afraid of what our peers would say, how it would...ruin me financially and socially. I’d keep some of my stores, sure, but I’d lose almost everything I’ve worked for almost fifteen years.” She pressed the tip of her snout against his. “A small price to pay if it means we can be free to pursuit our heart’s desire.” “That’s the Rarity I know and love. To be fair, you helped me more than I ever helped you. All I did was give you a noble status.” He pulled back and chuckled. “Did you know I always wanted to be like you? Both inside and outside.” “I think you managed that, Vibrant.” Rarity giggled. “Remember our first date? Your outfit was so garnish! I mean, green darling? So unbefitting of you.” “Says the pony that has emergency edible boots.” They shared a good hearty laugh for several moments. “Are you sure, Rarity?” “Quite. But...we’re still friends, right?” “Of course! We spent twelve years living under the same roof. The only thing I regret of our time spent together is that it took us so long to have this chat.” Vibrant smiled at her. “Now leave and go to your dragon and give him the good news!” “Not without you, darling. We’re still a married couple, and all big life changing decisions must be shared between the two of us!” “B-but-” “No buts! If we’re going through this then we’ll go through it together every step of the way.” Vibrant sighed and then smiled. “Lead the way then. It’s been awhile since I last saw dear old Spike.” He said with a tint of red adorning his cheeks. “Hey, is it true that dragons have two co-” “Vibrant!” The soon to be divorced couple walked out of their house closing the door gently. Laughing with merriment as they walked away. End.