There's only one who never slept.
Not in Canterlot, home of the eternal princesses, nor in Manehatten, the city that never blinks, but in a small unremarkable village called Ponyville. Her mornings were spent making breakfast for her sister—fresh toast, sliced cucumbers, apple squares, and a bowl of oats and raisins. Sometimes there would be a bowl of begonias, sometimes a glass of lemonade.
Her sister never gave much thought or showed an ounce of gratitude. Instead, she would take a few nibbles, possibly share her latest concern in life, and then rush off to school. Meanwhile, Rarity would clear the table, wash the dishes, clean the kitchen, have a quick bite of her own, then head back to work. The entire day she would toil on fashion design, always making time should a friend come asking for help—a dress that needed to be made, a plea for advice on a delicate matter, or a shoulder to cry on. With a smile and a sigh, the mare would endure.
When evening came, Rarity would prepare dinner—aubergines with carrot garnish, a salad of freshly picked daisies, a pitcher of apple juice, and two servings of strawberry ice cream. Finally, once the meal was over, after she had washed the dishes, tucked her sister in, and groomed her cat, she would quietly go to her room, dim the lights, and spend the whole night working on new fashion designs... never resting a wink.
A day of sleeplessness isn't too much for a pony to handle. Most have gone through that at least once, from schoolfillies to the princesses themselves. There are some who have gone on for days, possibly a week, rushing to keep deadlines, or kept up by troubling thought. Only one has managed to remain awake for months on end: Rarity. The name itself describes her well: unique, exceptional, extraordinary, out of this world yet of it. In all of Equestria, there isn't—nor has there ever been—a creature such as her.
In all of Equestria, never has anyone rejected me so...
The clock chirped seven. Rarity glanced at it over her shoulder, then went back to her designs. She had spent the last three nights doing and redoing her latest masterpiece—a summer outfit for none other than the Princess of Love herself.
The poor thing looks simply ghastly, Rarity had thought during the last visit to the Crystal Empire. Those baggy eyes... that messy mane... and her wardrobe is simply horrendous! No, for the sake of the Crystal Empire, and Equestrian fashion as a whole, I'll take it on myself to correct this atrocity!
...Right after I finish with my backlog of orders.
The latest version of the dress was simple, yet elegant; light, yet stylish; ideal to allow her enjoy the few moments of freedom motherhood permitted her.
Just a few more lines. Ruler and pencil levitated slightly to the left, completing the final touches with surgical precision. The was no doubt once the dress was done that the world of haute couture would find the final product enchanting beyond compare. Sadly, Rarity had no time to admire her work. Adding a brush of makeup to cover the bags under her eyes, she rushed to the kitchen.
"Meow." An annoyed white cat greeted her at the base of the staircase. Giving her an indignant look, the feline turned around with an unspoken humph, then demonstratively went to the milk bowl and started licking its paw.
"Why, Opalescence, I'll certainly fetch you a bowl of warmed milk, just as soon as—" A deathly glare from the feline made her stop. "Of course, I could do both at the same time," Rarity offered with a weak smile.
The white feline frowned some more, considering the offer. A few seconds later it looked away indignantly getting back to licking its paw. Rarity let a sigh of relief. Thank you for the compromise, Opal, she thought as she trotted by the cat and into the kitchen. I'll be sure to fetch you some extra cream for your understanding.
The cat never noticed the care it was receiving—nor did anypony else who went to seek Rarity's help. They were always preoccupied with their own devices to bother with her thoughts or feelings. As for Rarity herself, she never turned anypony away, never voiced a complaint, and only seldom made a remark.
Her mind raced ahead. I do hope the turnips are fresh. Vegetables, dishes, and table utensils started floating about. Two sets of sandwiches formed: butter, carrots, and rose petals for school, as well as turnip-carrot melange with mayonnaise for breakfast. Nothing sweet—Rarity knew that her sister was spending too much time in Sugarcube Corner and needed a well-balanced diet.
I might make a note to visit Twilight today. Warm slices of bread—triangular, naturally—arranged on the spotless plate. I could definitely use some magic to help me with my work schedule. Why there are so few days in the week, I really don't know.
"Mmmrow!" An annoyed sound came from the living room.
"Just a moment, darling." Rarity whisked a bowl of cream, added a pinch of sugar, then levitated it to her hungry feline. "And please be careful not to dirty your lovely fur." Something akin to a grumble confirmed that the cat had been appeased and would take her request into consideration.
Well, Rarity chuckled behind a hoof. That's one content customer.
"Hello, Rarity!" Sweetie Belle rushed into the room, sitting at the table, seconds after it was set.
"Good morning, Sweetie Belle." The mare smiled. "I trust you have brushed your teeth and mane? Good hygiene is of vital importance for a young lady such as yourself."
"Huh? Oh, yes," Sweetie Belle replied as she absentmindedly took a bite from the rose petal sandwich.
Oh, Sweetie Belle. That was supposed to be your lunch. We both know you'll never eat something as common as turnip-melange at school. Oh, well. Guess I'll have to make some more. A new set of ingredients floated about.
"Rarity, am I ugly?" Sweetie Belle asked, causing Rarity to almost drop a dish.
"What?" She looked at her her sister, eyes wide with panic. Is it that time already? You're still too young to be thinking about such things! Then again, when I was your age...
"Photo day’s this week, and Miss Cheerilee said that I can't be in the front row anymore." The filly took another bite from the sandwich then pushed it aside. "Diamond Tiara said that it's because only the beautiful ponies are in front, and I'm no longer beautiful."
"Oh, hogwash!" Thank the stars! Of course it would be because of photo day. What was I thinking? "Sweetie Belle, ponies are arranged based on height, not beauty." She went to her sister and patted her gently on the head. "You've simply grown taller. There's nothing to concern yourself with."
"Ohhhh." Sweetie Belle pulled the plate back and took another bite of her sandwich. "Can I put on some makeup on, just in case?"
Not again. Rarity rolled her eyes. "Sweetie, we've discussed this. You are beautiful as it is without needing to resort to makeup."
"You use makeup." Sweetie Belle narrowed her eyes.
"Sweetie Belle, it's just that—" Rarity stopped. What would you think if you knew the reason I use makeup was to hide the sleep I've been missing? she wondered. "It's just that as refined as I am, I'm not as nearly as beautiful as you."
The filly tilted her head. Compliments such as this were uncommon, as far as she was concerned. Usually they would be followed by a 'but' or 'except.' No such thing happened.
"I guess," Sweetie Belle said, tapping her chin with her forehoof.
"Of course you are!" Rarity packed her sister's lunch neatly in a paper bag, then levitated it in front of her. "Now go—" The mare's attention fell on an ivory white letter on the table, which hadn't been there only a second ago. Rarity was certain of that; she always remembered the precise arrangement of the table, and there most certainly hadn't been anything in that particular spot. "Sweetie Belle, did you leave that letter there?"
"Huh?" The filly looked at the envelope. A glint of confusion flashed in her eyes. Moments later, Sweetie Belle surrounded the letter with her magic, but before she could levitate it, a stronger magic took hold.
"I'll take that," Rarity said sharply as she pulled it away. "Now please get your saddlebag ready. You don't want to be late for your class photo."
With a sigh and a growl Sweetie Belle trotted out of the kitchen, her breakfast barely touched. Rarity waited to be certain she was alone, then looked at the envelope. Unlike most she had seen, this was perfectly white, unblemished by stamp or address. Isn't this peculiar? she thought. Whoever had sent it had done so in a most unusual fashion. There was no smell of dragon breath, no static of unicorn magic, no claw or talon marks... as if somepony had just brought it in and disappeared.
Overflowing with curiosity, Rarity opened the letter. The only thing inside was a white card, no larger than the envelope itself, all covered in specks of silver.
You say you want us to be together.
I wait for you, and yet you hide.
You could embrace me but you don't.
I come to you in the darkest hour,
And you reject me all the same.
"Oh my." Blood rushed to Rarity's cheeks, giving them a pinkish tint. This wasn't the first love letter she had received, nor was it the best, but definitely the most unusual. "Sweetie Belle," the mare shouted loudly, putting the letter on the table.
"What?" Her sister shouted in reply from outside the kitchen. "I'm getting ready!"
And sneaking into my room again to put on some makeup, I'm sure, Rarity thought, rolling her eyes. "Was the letter on the table yours?"
"Huh?"
"Oh, never mind, darling. Just be careful with the mascara. We don't want you to look like a clown on photo day." That should get her to think twice. Rarity smiled, then returned her attention to the letter. "So, somepony sent you to me," she murmured, sliding her hoof over its surface. "Yet you'll have to wait for another day. I'm behind on Cadence's dress, and my Manehattan order is due by the end of the week. I simply have no time to waste on frivolities." The letter was safely put away on the top shelf.
Rarity's daily routine continued. She put the uneaten food in the fridge, washed the dishes, went to check on Opalescence—who by now was sleeping peacefully next to her bowl of cream—then started working on her latest latest order of dresses. Five minutes in, Sweetie Belle galloped by and with as little as a goodbye she left the boutique. Rarity sighed.
You forgot your lunch again, little sister. She placed the final ruby gem on the outfit. I'll have to go through your school again. And maybe I'll also go visit Twilight on the way back.
"There!" Rarity levitated the dress onto a mannequin. It seemed just as fine as all her other designs, if a bit more pompous than her usual work, but such was the request. "Only three more to go. I just need to..." Rarity yawned.
For a moment, it seemed she would give in to sleep's gentle touch. It had been weeks since she had taken even a wink of sleep, so if anypony deserved it, it was her. Alas, it wasn't meant to be. She brushed it away with a shake of her head.
"No, no, Rarity, you have ponies relying on you!" she said loudly. "Once the order is done and Cadence's dress is complete, you can sleep all you want. Until then, you'll have to put up with a few minor inconveniences."
Minor inconveniences... the phrase seemed strange when spoken out loud. The mare had said the same thing a month ago. It had started as a temporary measure to help her meet a deadline, and had… simply never ended. No matter how much she worked, something else always came up—a friend in need, a new deadline, a friendship emergency—forcing her to remain awake just one more day. And another. And another...
"This is nothing more than a temporary rough patch," the mare continued, trying to convince herself. "Everypony has them." Another yawn, this time deeper. Her eyes closed. For the slightest of moments, she surrendered, letting sleep take her away.
"No pain, no hurt," a voice whispered in Rarity's ear. "Only dreaming..."
The unicorn's head tilted forward, legs relaxing, bringing her off balance. At that precise moment, her body's natural reflexes kicked in. Rarity's head whipped up and her tail flicked twice, restoring her to a modicum of awareness.
"A proper lady does not fall asleep during work hours," she stated, stifling a yawn. "What would ponies think if they saw you in such an abysmally horrendous state?" Opal let out an annoyed hiss. Unlike Rarity, the feline disliked her sleep being disturbed. Rarity, of course, disliked disturbing her pet. "Yes, yes, you are quite right, Opal. I need to go to Twilight immediately. I'll just finish one more—"
The boutique door swung open, followed by a thunder of hooves. Rarity looked up. Standing at the entrance, breathing as heavily as a locomotive, mane messy and full of twigs, was her friend Pinkie Pie.
"Rarity!" Pink hooves grabbed her before the mare could even blink. "It's an emergency!"
"Huh?" Rarity managed to say, before Pinkie Pie stuck her face in hers.
"I'll say it's huh!" Pinkie Pie nodded. "Lyra told me that Minuette told her that Fancy Pants asked her if I could organize his son's cute-ceñera." The words made Rarity dizzy. They were too many, too long, and too confusing. Still, she bit her lip, trying to focus her attention on the matter. "Which is easy, because I'm the best party planner in Ponyville, but I've only done a few good parties outside of Ponyville, and this party needs to be extra-mega-special, and in order for it to be extra-mega-special, I—"
"Pinkie Pie!" Rarity hissed, pushing the pink pony away. "I am in the middle of some very important—"
"I know, silly," Pinkie laughed. Rarity's eye twitched. Pinkie Pie was difficult to deal with at the best of times, let alone days away from a deadline.
Pinkie Pie, I appreciate your confidence, but now really isn't the best time! Rarity wanted to say. I am way behind schedule as it is, and I promised to go to the spa with Fluttershy this afternoon, not to mention my urgent visit to Twilight. Instead, the unicorn smiled, coughed politely, and took a step back.
"What exactly is the nature of the emergency, darling?" Rarity said, with the utmost politeness. "I hope it's not another of your confetti throwing... performances." A slight frown started to tug at her lips.
"Nah." The pink pony waved a hoof. "I just need a dress to be allowed in his home." Pinkie dashed next to Rarity, her muzzle almost touching the unicorn's ear. "He insisted on it," she whispered, Pinkie-style.
"Oh." Well, it's hardly surprising, keeping in mind the reputation Fancy Pants must uphold, Rarity thought. At the very least Pinkie Pie would need an appropriate vest, and maybe an elegant dress as well—though not too formal. Possibly something in an elegant white, with a touch of pink for character, and— What am I thinking?! I can't possibly find the time for this. I have three costumes to finish, not to mention Cadence's dress, and I was hoping to finally craft something for Rainbow Dash, which is a challenge in itself! "Well, Pinkie Pie, as much as I would love to help you with your endeavor, I simple cannot—"
"A-ha?" Pinkie Pie looked at her, eyes wide with anticipation.
"—finish it earlier than tomorrow morning." Rarity's smile stretched.
"Really?" Pinkie Pie's mane puffed up even more.
"Yes. I—"
"Really??" Pinkie Pie shoved her muzzle against Rarity's.
"Yes..." Rarity made an attempt to pull back.
"Really???"
"Pinkie Pie!" Rarity shouted. Her friend instantly froze. That was very unladylike of me. Pinkie Pie is not to blame for my overcrowded schedule. And I can't just refuse a dear friend. "I understand you are excited, darling, but please give me some space to breathe. Just come tomorrow morning and the dress will be ready."
"Okie dokie lokie!" Pinkie Pie said cheerfully, then hopped out of the boutique. She didn't say a word in thanks, she didn't offer anything in exchange. Rarity didn't seem to care, she had a new dress to design, and so little time to do it.
If I make two dresses at once, that might leave me enough time to work on Pinkie's outfit, she considered. It wasn't a pleasant experience, but nothing that she hadn't done before. Of course, it would go much better if Rarity could cast another sleeplessness spell on her. The mare knew full well it was unhealthy to replace sleep with magic—even if it was alicorn magic—but there were times in which she needed a slight boost.
"Right!" Rarity said, heading for the stairs. "I better get—"
Her hoof tripped. The prolonged lack of sleep caused her body to lose balance. Her body dragged her tumbling to the floor, her head flying towards the edge of the staircase. Seeing the inevitable crash, the mare closed her eyes, bracing for the pain.
Yet it never came. Instead, her head landed on a cloud of softness.
"What by the stars just happened?" she asked, eyes still closed. Every fiber of logic in her being screamed that she should have bumped her head hard. And yet, here she was—perfectly unharmed.
I watched her lie still, eyes wide as saucers with confusion, as she floated in the cloud of mane—my mane.
"Hello,"I said to her.
Rarity blinked, and then I was gone.