Princess Luna's moon was already high in the sky when the last train from Canterlot rolled into Ponyville. A mare stepped out onto the deserted platform, peeking over her pair of tinted glasses and giving a station a good look over before hurrying off, the scarf covering her features swaying in the wind behind her.
Rarity had considered returning home that night, just rushing to the train station directly from the restaurant in her ruined dress and demanding a ticket to the first train to Ponyville, like some mare in a fairytale trying to return home before midnight struck. Instead, Rarity's need for a shower won out, and it was during her wash that she realized that the station was likely closed at this hour, that she still had to check out of the hotel, and that she'd be leaving several bits worth of luggage behind. Plus, Ponyville wasn't expecting her back for another couple of days, and ponies, in a mix of heartfelt concern and idle nosiness, were bound to ask questions. Thankfully, she could at least avoid her parents and sister, them vacationing in the Crystal Empire after all
No, Rarity couldn't just return home. She still had to find the perfect souvenirs for her friends, not to mention a present for certain upcoming birthday. Perhaps another day touring the city's many shops would raise her spirits. She couldn't let one lousy date couldn't ruin her entire trip, after all.
A fitful night brimming with nightmares and repeated memories of the evening swiftly changed her mind, and after a late start, a hurried packing session, and a vain attempt to convince the hotel into refunding the last night she had reserved, Rarity found herself on the next train to Canterlot, where she would make the transfer home.
And so, here she was, dodging lit windows and light posts like some sort of thief with several suitcases of bounty. All she had to do was get home without anypony recognizing her, and she'd be safe, free from having to provide explanations and to eat herself into an ice cream coma.
Carousel Boutique came into view. Even in the dark, her home and business, with its poles and decorative dancing ponies, was a familiar and welcoming sight. If it weren't for her bags, Rarity would have broken into a sprint. Still, the unicorn found her luggage suddenly lighter as the door drew closer. She stopped with her hooves at the threshold. Taking a deep breath to steady herself, Rarity turned to one of her smaller bags and reached inside.
Even under her white coat, she turned noticeably paler. Rarity reached further, shoving in her entire foreleg up to her shoulder. Still no key.
The bag flew to the side. Rarity opened a suitcase and rummaged through the gowns. She moved to the next one, then to the next one, then to the one after all. Her search became more frantic and more careless, and soon the ground became littered with fabrics and cosmetics. Had she forgotten her key at the hotel? Did she drop it during her return trip?
Rarity sighed. Well, there was no helping it now. She had to find another way inside. As unlikely as it was, perhaps she could find an open window. Failing that, she'd have to find the ones she left her spare key with, which would mean unwanted questions, like:
"Rarity? Is that you?"
Rarity's blood ran cold. Slowly, with her glasses slipping and scarf unraveling, she turned. Nopony to be found, perhaps, but there instead stood a dragon, still young if size was any indication of age; he stood maybe a good head taller than Rarity. Cradled in his arms was a grumpy looking feline whose pout lifted slightly at the sight of the white unicorn. Something was tied around the dragon's neck.
Most ponies would've fled, for fear of claw, flame, or fang, only to ponder the cat's presence weeks after the encounter. Most ponies did not hail from Ponyville. Rarity, like the rest of Ponyville populace, was not most ponies, so instead she simply felt like disappearing on the stop or melting into a puddle.
"What are you doing here?"
Rarity swallowed. "I live here," she managed to say.
"Oh." The dragon blinked. "Yeah, but I thought you wouldn't be back until..." His claws curled as he counted. "...the day after tomorrow. Did, um, did something happen?"
"Something happen?" Rarity let out a strangled laugh. "W-what in Equestria gave you that idea, Spike?"
As Spike reached out to rub the back of his neck, the cat in his arm squirmed. He gestured to the mess of clothes and makeup still lying about.
Try as she might, Rarity could not fight the rising blush. "It's, it's a long story," she replied quietly. Hoping to deter additional questions, she quickly added, "And you? What are you doing out so late? And with my cat?"
Spike and the cat looked to each other, then quickly turned away. "Well, Opal was supposed to have a grooming session with Fluttershy this morning, and I went to pick her up after lunch, and, uh, it's kind of a long story."
As if directed, the moonlight shifted onto the dragon, revealing the long white lines marring the purple scales covering his arms and face.
Rarity's hoof rose to her mouth. "Did Opal do all that."
"Huh? What? I thought Zecora got rid of the black eye."
"What?"
"I mean, it's nothing," Spike assured hurriedly. "Thick scales, remember? I hardly felt a--"
With an impatient grunt, Opal wiggled her way out of the dragon's hold. Spike and Rarity watched as the cat walked over to the door and start to scratch at it.
"Oh, right." Spike reached for the cord that was hanging around his neck, revealing a small silver key. He made his way to the cat's side and, with great care, slid the key into its slot below the door handle. The key turned and the lock pulled back with a single solid click.
The door had only opened just a crack before Opal squeezed inside. Instead of following, Spike turned back to Rarity.
"So, you need some help cleaning?" he asked.
Rarity followed Spike's gaze to the luggage scattered about her yard, leaving it more cloth than grass. Another sigh was released, carried by the cool night breeze. She shivered.
"If you could be a dear, please."
Inside the boutique, Opal had been keeping herself busy. The small ring of cushions and blankets that served as passable bedding had lost the warmth they had in the morning. A mystery to solve tomorrow, Opal told herself, as she told herself every evening before the final nap of the day, but for now, there was the matter of the cold sheets.
As she snuggled the pillows, twisted around in the blankets, and stomped about to rid the cushions of lumps, the chime of a bell rang through the building, an indication that the boutique's front door had opened. Laughs followed footsteps.
"Well, I'm glad you found it funny," Spike grumbled. He stumbled in with several bags and suitcases tucked beneath his arms. Rarity was right behind, and the door closed shut once she had entered.
Rarity cleared her throat and tried to hide her smile with her hoof. "I'm so sorry, Spikey. I promise I didn't mean to laugh, I just never thought my cat would, I mean, I do apologize."
"Nah, it's alright." There was a small chuckle. "I guess it was kind of funny, now that it's all over. Where do you want these?"
"Hmm? Oh, the bags!" Rarity looked around. It took her a moment before she replied with a defeated, "Just leave them anywhere."
Spike shifted from one foot to the other. He frowned. "You sure?"
"It's been a rather busy day, and I don't have the energy to unpack properly." Rarity waved her front hoof dismissively. "I'll deal with them tomorrow. Just," she quickly added as Spike began to bend over, "if you could be a little gentle with the red velvet bags, please. Those hold gels."
"Right, red velvets." The dragon looked down and bit his lip. "Could you turn on a light or something?"
"Oh, of course!" Rarity hurried to the side and ran her hoof along the wall until it found a switch. The boutique brightened, forcing the two to shield their eyes for a moment. Shadows and silhouettes of foreign objects became familiar pieces of furniture, old tables that had seen a multitude of tea parties and coat hangers that had held numerous coats. Framed photos of ponies on the walls, of a white filly with a light pink mane, of a mustached white stallion in a straw hat and a mare with her purple mane permed, welcomed her home.
Rarity sighed. "It's good to be home."
"Manehattan didn't treat you right this time around?" Spike asked as he carefully set the unicorn's baggage to the side.
"Oh no, Manehattan was wonderful, as always," Rarity assured, forcing a smile. "Yes, wonderful, lovely, wonderful."
"Hey, Rarity?" Spike started slowly. His raised claw settled around his own arm, tightening around the opposite wrist. "Are you alright?"
"Hmm? Oh, yes, I'm fine," Rarity answered. "A little tired perhaps." She made a show of a yawn. "Why do you ask?"
"Well, I mean..." Spike rocked back on his heels. "It's just, you're back early. I'm not complaining or anything," the dragon added hurriedly with his arms up and palms forward. "But I can't remember the last time you'd cut a trip to Manehattan short unless there was an emergency. Not to mention, you look kind of, well, sad." He pointed a claw at his eye. "They're red."
Rarity shut her eyes and turned away. "As I said, I'm just tired. Admittedly, this trip wasn't as, relaxing as it should have been. It's, well, it's a long story." She looked up, pleading silently for no further inquiries.
"Oh."
Her begging gaze became a glare, hoping to discourage Spike's curiosity. The dragon didn't seem to notice.
"Can I help?"
Rarity blinked. "Excuse me?"
Spike rubbed the back of his head. "I don't know what happened in Manehattan, but it's clearly bothering you. Is there anything I can do?"
"That's sweet of you to offer, darling," Rarity said, giving him a small smile, "but I'm afraid there's little you can do. Unless, hmm." The unicorn tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Do you think Starlight Glimmer still has her time traveling spell?"
"Uh."
"No, no, never mind." Rarity shook her head. She walked over to Spike's side and set a hoof around his claw. "You're a wonderful friend, Spikey, but I'll be fine. I just need a few days to recover from my, trip. Please, don't worry for my sake."
She felt Spike's fist harden. "If you say so," he conceded. The smile he presented her was just as fake as the one she wore. Slowly, with evident reluctance, he slipped away. "Well, I guess I should--oh!"
Rarity jumped as Spike jumped. Confused, she watched the dragon march deeper into the boutique. A light appeared in, Rarity frowned as she tried to determine the location, the kitchen? Her confusion grew. "Spike?"
"Just give me a moment. Ah, here!" A moment following, Spike reappeared with a heap of letters and a large parcel wrapped with a pink bow.
"What's all this?" Rarity asked. She followed him to a table.
"Just something I remembered back from the old days in Canterlot." Spike laid the envelopes in a spread over the tabletop, with the package separate from the rest. "See, back when Twilight was Princess Celestia's student, she'd meltdown whenever, well, just about anything happened. If she had a test or had finished a test or couldn't find a book or the cafeteria's porridge was too cold, um, don't tell Twilight I said any of this."
"Very well, though I'm not too sure I see how this has to do with..." Rarity lifted one of the envelope. Her name and address was scribbled in the center. A picture of a glass statue was glued to the corner. "Is this my mail?"
"Yeah. I kept an eye out for letters from Sassy Saddles and Sapphire Shores, like you told me, but those never came. Anyways," Spike continued, clasping his claws together, "Twilight would always keep the letters her parents and brother sent her at her desk. Whenever she got too stressed, she'd read them and calm down a bit. I remember Twilight always looking happier after reading those letters, and I figured, maybe these could help you."
"So these..." Rarity looked back down to study the letter more closely. There was nothing special about the envelope itself, just simple white paper. The address and her name remained unchanged, and while that specific stamp wasn't something readily available in Ponyville, there was nothing remarkable about it. The return address was largely unfamiliar, except for the final line: the Crystal Empire. Her horn lit, and the flap was lifted. A folded sheet of paper fell out.
Rarity straightened the paper out, revealing a small picture hidden inside. The white, mustached stallion who had greeted her from the boutique wall was there, frozen in a march around a large track and field surround by rows upon rows of empty bleachers. Rarity turned to the letter.
"'My little gem,'" she read aloud, "'I hope you're doing well. Can't be better than your father, though. I swear, he's more excited about visiting the Crystal Empire than Sweetie Belle. Before we even checked into our hotel, which, by the way, was real ritzy, thanks for the recommendation, your father had to see the coliseum. You know, where they had the Equestrian Games all those years ago? The one where Sweetie Belle and her friends got to carry the flag? What a proud moment. Anyways, we hear the Crystal Empire will be hosting the Games this year, and your father had to try the track himself, went off on one of his old sporting days, you know how he gets about those days.'" Rarity shook her head. "Of course he would. Hmm. 'Had to drop your name before the guard let us in, so sorry. Anyways, hope you're doing well. Love, Mom.'"
She set the letter down. "They do realize I would've been in Manehattan when this arrived here, right?"
"Dunno." Spike shrugged. "Maybe they forgot?"
"Hmm." Rarity turned to the parcel. "This was from them as well?" A sharp tug at the bow released the brown paper wrapping, revealing a tall wooden box. The image of a grapevine was burned into each of the side. She picked up the little blue card that had fallen out.
"'Hey Sis. Hope you're doing well. Dad was supposed to write this one, but he and Mom had a few too many free samples after the tour, and now they're sleeping it off. I doubt they'd be able to write anything tomorrow either. Anyways, the Crystal Empire's great, next time you could come with us. Feels like it's been forever since we've had a vacation with the whole family. Enjoy the souvenir. Maybe you could save some for me? Just don't tell Mom and Dad. Sweetie Belle."
Rarity's magic encased the wooden box, lifting it up and giving it a gently shake. "A souvenir, hmm?" The lid slid off. "I wonder, what could--"
Two corked bottle fell out of the box. Rarity's heart leapt as she grabbed for them with her magic, releasing the box and letting it drop. One bottle stayed afloat in the air, held up by a faint blue glow around its neck. The other bottle found its way into the claws of Spike, who, in his dive, found himself nose deep in Rarity's front.
The dragon pushed himself away. "S-sorry!" he exclaimed. "I just wanted, was trying to, here." As he presented the bottle, a red glow spread over Spike's features.
Rarity smiled at the familiar scene, though the dragon was now much larger than she remembered. "It's quite alright, Spikey dear," she said, taking the bottle. "Thank you for saving the..." Rarity took a glance at the bottle's label. "Crystal Empire crystal berry late harvest wine!" she gasped, her grip on the bottle flickering. "Spike, this is Crystal Empire crystal berry late harvest wine!"
"Oh." Spike frowned. "Um, is that good?"
"Good? Good?" Rarity began to frown as well. "Well, I've never actually tried it myself. Crystal Empire crystal berry late harvest wine is impossible to make outside the Crystal Empire, making it extremely rare and rather expensive to order. I've heard that it's incredible, however, and if it's anything like Vanhoover ice wine..." Her lips suddenly felt very dry.
"Do you want me to grab you a glass or something?" Spike asked.
Rarity quickly swallowed the water building up in her mouth. Now, now, Rarity my dear, you know how late it is. If not for yourself, think of your guest. Can you imagine how tired Spike must be right now?
It's not that late Rarity argued back. A small glass of wine can't hurt. She turned to Spike. And besides, I haven't offered Spike anything yet. As a hostess, the least I can do is provide him with some sparkling water.
She set the bottles back into the box and gathered the remaining letters. "Would you join me in the kitchen for some refreshments, Spike?"
"Huh? I mean." The dragons coughed. "Yeah, sure, if it's not too late."
"Oh, don't worry." Rarity hid her yawn with a laugh. "It'll only be for a few short minutes."
"Okay then." Spike followed her and the floating box through the boutique. As they entered the kitchen, the dragon mentally kicked himself for leaving the light on and for the mess of mail. Prompted by Rarity's gesture, Spike took a seat at the table and tried to tidy up the other envelopes, making room for the bottles which Rarity removed from the box.