//------------------------------// // Chapter 8: A fresh start (properly edited) // Story: Somepony to Love // by Jet Storm //------------------------------// "Sweetie Belle. Darling, have you seen my scissors?" "No I haven't, Rarity," replied the young unicorn filly as she was pretending to read a book. "Did you try the chest drawers? Where they are usually kept?" "Sweetie Belle, I don't appreciate that sort of tone," huffed Rarity, "and of course I did. It was the very first place I looked." "Top drawer?" "Yes, I already said-" "Underneath your diary?" she asked not looking away from the page. "Well um.... no I didn't," Rarity admitted, feeling particularly foolish. "Maybe you should go check then?" smirked Sweetie Belle. "Hmm... Ah yes! There they are, thank Celestia," smiled Rarity happily before curtly adding, "And I guess you too, Sweetie Belle." "You're welcome," Sweetie Belle remarked with a sarcastic grin. Sweetie Belle continued to watch Rarity work on some super secret project that she wasn't permitted to know about. Not that she cared mind you, for she had her own (more important) plans that would soon to come to fruition. The plan, she and her friends had formulated was simple. Spike would invite Rarity out for the day, giving him the chance to show off his mature scales and for Rarity to see the young dragon in a different light. In order for the plan to be successful however, he would need mature topics of conversation. That is where Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon came in. The two girls had been tutoring Spike in the basic principles of business, pony economics and trade, every afternoon for the past few days at the Crusader's clubhouse. The Crusaders were present at every lesson providing Spike with moral support. Groaned Diamond Tiara as she rubbed her temples in a circular motion. "What?" asked Spike incredulously. "It's a perfectly logical point." "I won't deny that but," Diamond Tiara began, "the difference between macro and micro economics is not just a single letter!" she huffed. "Well I know ... but it is an interesting fact," Spike said proudly. "Will you be serious!" snapped Diamond Tiara. Sweetie Belle chuckled at the memory. All jokes aside, Spike was genuine in trying to understand and learn this tediously boring subject, all for a chance to be with the pony he loved. She admired his tenacity, and hoped that his efforts would be rewarded. Despite her sincere wishes and goodwill in supporting Spike’s endeavors, something was annoying Sweetie Belle. She couldn't quite understand it. She felt agitated whenever she thought of Rarity and Spike spending the afternoon together. Unable to understand these feelings towards her sister, and not wanting to share them with her friends, she found other 'creative' outlets to vent her frustration. "Oh sweet Celestia," Rarity muttered before she screamed in frustration from behind her closet door. "SWEETIE BELLE! HAVE YOU SEEN MY SEWING NEEDLES?" Sweetie Belle giggled. "Did you check your desk?" Knock, Knock, Knock, Knock. Rarity groaned. "Sweetie Belle, can you please get that? If it is a customer, please tell them that we are closed for the time being, thank you." Sweetie Belle placed the magazine down, and curtly walked down stairs. She opens the door and smiles at Spike who was waiting nervously. "Umm ... Hey there, Sweetie Belle." "Oh, hi Spike," said Sweetie Belle very loudly so that the mare upstairs could hear her. "Why don't you come in." "Eek!" Could be heard in response. Spike accepted walking in stiffly. "So is everything going to plan?" he whispered nervously. Sweetie Belle nodded with a satisfied, devilish grin and winked. "Yep, I've hidden Rarity's rubies and jades so she'll need to get some. Why don't you go upstairs." Crash. Bang. Spike chuckled. "Umm ... no. I think I'll give her a minute." "Ah, sure thing," replied Sweetie Belle. The two stood around awkwardly, not sure of what to say to the other. "So.... how are things at the Castle?," Sweetie Belle asked, hoping to ease her nerves. "Have you made up with Twilight yet?" The dragon looked glum. "Uh... I – I…yeah no I haven't," he admitted. "To be honest I haven't seen her in awhile. Or Starlight Glimmer for that matter. When I came home the other day, I was ready to apologize but I only found a note saying: Sorry Spike. Friendship Mission. Let's talk when I get back. Gems in the fridge but don't spoil your dinner. Twilight. "Heh, wonder if she's still mad with me?" Sweetie Belle looked at Spike sympathetically. She moves closer and wraps her hooves around Spike, taking him by surprise. "I'm sure it'll be fine," she says sweetly, "you mean the world to Twilight. I know you guys will make up. You guys are practically family after all." "You think so?" he asked weakly. "Well, take it from me," she replied with a bit of sass. "Big sisters can be annoying but they eventually come around." Spiked smiled warmly. "Thanks Sweetie Belle." "You're welcome," she beamed. The pair glanced at each other briefly before turning away blushing. "So..." Smash. Slam. Placing a hoof over her forehead, Sweetie Belle shook her head. "Yeah," Spike began clearing his throat, "I better go upstairs and see Rarity." "O-Of course" Sweetie Belle blurted before mumbling sadly under her breath, “you should ....” After taking a couple of steps, Rarity came bolting stopping the dragon in his tracks. She was huffing, her mane was unruly and sweat was running from her brow. "Spike, what a pleasant surprise,” stammered Rarity as she looked at him nervously whilst trying to catch her breath. “What can I do for you?" Spike and Sweetie Belle both stared at Rarity momentarily. Sweetie Belle was smiling devilishly. Spike coughed into his claw and pulled back his green scales hinting at Rarity to do the same. “Umm … Rarity.” “Hmm?” she responds questionably. She took a glance at her reflection in a nearby mirror and immediately blushes. “Oh my, please excuse me for a moment,” she chuckled sheepishly as she grabbed a brush using her magic from the nearby counter to fix her mane. “Rarity, I going to Sugarcube corner to catch up with Scootaloo and Apple Bloom,” called Sweetie Belle. “Okay, Sweetie Belle,” acknowledged Rarity as she focused on her reflection in the mirror. “I’ll see you this afternoon.” “Bye, Spike,” said Sweetie Belle, before whispering, “Good luck.” “Thanks,” he responded and turned his gaze back to Rarity fondly as she straightened her hair. He then quickly shakes his head to clear his thoughts and focus at the task in claw. "I'm um... want to say that I am sorry for the other day," he began. She whips her mane back into position before turning to Spike, smiling warmly. “Oh darling, there is nothing you need to apologize for. If anything it is me who should be apologizing to you.” “Thank you, Rarity.” “Anyway, Spike, I do appreciate you coming by but I am very sorry, as I do have to get back to work,” Rarity said apologetically. “Wait!” “Yes, Spike?” replied Rarity shocked by Spike’s sudden outburst. “I was wondering if I could help you?” “I-ah, come again?” stammered Rarity. “Yeah, I think it would be great, if we could go out some and get a fresh start on our relationship,” he proposed optimistically. "Friendship?” She corrected him. “Yes, that’s what I meant of course,” he chuckled nervously. "Ummm … I don’t know ..." "Unless you don't want to," he sighs sadly, looking at her with large puppy dog eyes. "No! Of course, I do,” Rarity blurted out, not wanting to upset Spike. She sighed, and looked back at Spike apprehensively. This would be a perfectly good chance to make a fresh start and ensure they were on the right hoof. “... I need to find more gems anyway." Spike was dancing happily inside. “Great, I’ll go get the cart.” “Thank you, dear,” she replied warily. “I’ll just get myself ready,” she added as she grabbed a nearby violet hat. “Here let me get that for you,” Spike said with a mock bow, opening the front door as gentlecoltly as possible. “Thank you, Spike.” As they walked down the street, Rarity turned to Spike. “You know Spike,” Rarity began. “I don’t understand why but as of late all lot of my possessions have been disappearing.” “Oh really?” he chuckled nervously. “I wonder why?”