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// A Certain Ring to it 
// Story: Alone Time 
// by Rose Quill 
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I was heading for the parking lot after an impromptu shopping trip with Sunset when I saw it. It called to me, pulling me in slowly with its scintillating radiance. It sat nestled on a velvet lined pillow in the shop’s display window. I actually placed a hand on the wall next to the window as I gazed at its golden gleam.

“You alright, ‘Shy?” I heard Sunset ask.

I nodded, still captivated by the sight. Something about it spoke to me, immediately calling images of Rarity to my mind. From the marquis cut of the sapphire center stone to the two flanking tapered cut diamonds, it screamed elegance and sophistication. I stepped inside the store and quickly caught the attention of a store clerk while Sunset seemed confused.

“How can I help you, Miss?” the clerk asked, brushing her hair behind her shoulder and smiling brightly.

“I, um, was wondering if I could see the ring in the display case for a moment?” I asked. “If you don’t mind, that is.”

“Oh, not at all!” she exclaimed, pulling a key from her coat pocket and opening the window, withdrawing the ring. When she handed it to me, I felt an electric tingle as the cool gold touched my skin. It lost none of its luster under regular light as opposed to the display lights.

“It’s so beautiful,” I breathed, turning it slightly to examining it closely. Up close I could see some light engraving along the band, simple filigree that only added to the overall look rather than detracting from it.

“That’s pretty, ‘Shy,” I heard Sunset say, coming up behind me as I slipped the ring on. I knew Rarity and I had the same ring size and when I saw it slip onto my finger and sit securely but not too snug, I felt a tear slip free.

Taking the ring from my finger, I handed it back to the clerk, though reluctantly. “How much is it?” I asked, almost fearing the answer.

The clerk consulted a list on the display door before responding. “It’s actually on special,” she said. “It was custom ordered a while back and never claimed. It has a balance owed of $695.”

I blinked. I knew a little about jewelry from my time dating Rarity, and that was nearly half the cost I thought it would be. I pulled my phone out and checked my balance, wincing when I saw how close it would be, since I still had pending bills.

Sunset patted me on the shoulder. “Go ahead,” she said. “Twilight and I are well enough off since my first novel sold that we can cover you.”

“Oh,” I said. “But you have the baby to look after, and you’re starting to look at houses, I couldn’t…”

The taller woman turned me to face her, a look on her face that was both smiling and serious at once.

“First, Middy is a year old,” she said. “And remarkably well behaved, at that. Secondly, we’re only looking at houses because very soon that two bedroom condo is going to be a little crowded, but we can make do with it for a while yet.” Her hand drifted across her abdomen as she spoke.

“Still,” I hedged. “I wouldn’t feel right.” 

“Fluttershy,” she began. “The way you looked at it lets me know it means something to you. Now, since it’s not your style, that means you intend it to be for Rarity. And since you’ve been preoccupied lately, I can only guess what’s been bothering you.”

I looked at her. “You sounded like Twilight just now,” I teased.

“I know,” she sighed. “I’ve noticed lately how similar we are. And no changing the subject.”

I ducked my head again, an old habit coming back for a moment. “I’m sorry,” I squeaked. “But I wouldn’t feel right having you pay my bills for me.”

“Actually,” the clerk spoke up. “If it helps, we do have a payment plan.”






Two months later, the summer sun beaming down into the apartment Rarity and I had moved into flashed on the glass coffee table she set the tea tray onto.

“Fluttershy, darling,” she said, sitting on the couch next to me. “You seem a little tense. is everything alright?”

I nodded. “I just didn’t get a good night’s sleep last night,” I said. “Some of the puppies Glory had have a touch of a cold and a hawk was brought in that had been hit by a car. I was up late.” I didn’t mention that I had laid in bed running over a hundred different ways to present the ring to her that was nestled in my purse.

“Well, that certainly explains it,” she said, pouring us each a cup of tea. “Are you sure you wouldn’t like to rest before we go out? I can call the restaurant and have them move our reservation back. It’s your birthday, after all.”

“No, I'm fine,’ I said, waving my hands. “Besides, I know how hard it is to get a private table at places like Mavericks.”

“Pish-posh, dear heart,” she said. “I wouldn’t forgive myself if you were to fall asleep halfway through your birthday dinner.”

I took her hands in mine, snuggling into her side. “I’m fine, Rarity,” I whispered into her ear. “So stop worrying.” I rested my head on her shoulder, reaching across her waist and sighing happily.

“Is my little care-bear having a good birthday?” Rarity asked in a teasing voice, pulling a giggle from me.

“There is one thing I want that I haven’t gotten yet,” I said, sitting up. “Would you like to see what it is?”

“Of course,” she said, adjusting her skirt. 

I pulled my purse up into my lap, pulling out the mirror that I used to have in my locker and handed it to her.

“I’m not entirely sure what this means,” she said as she looked into the mirror, giving her hair a quick primp like I knew she would. “You already have me, you know…” her voice cut off when she lowered the mirror and saw the opened ring box I was holding behind it.

“I want you more than that, Rarity,” I said, voice starting to tremble slightly. “I want to see you when I open my eyes in the morning and I want to feel you next to me as I fall asleep. Every day from now on.”

“Fluttershy,” Rarity whispered.

I plowed on, nerves controlling my actions now. “I saw this when I went shopping a couple months ago and I couldn’t help but think of you when I looked at it,” I grinned sheepishly.  “I’ve been trying to think of the best way to ask you and when I saw that ring, I just knew, that was the one.”

I took the ring out of the box and held it out to her, her hand sliding out automatically, her face still encompassed by shock.

“Rarity Belle,” I whispered, voice threatening to flee from me. “Will you marry me?”

The ring slid onto her finger, and it may have been a trick of the light, but I swear it started to glow and sparkle under its own power. She reached up with both of her hands and cupped my face in them, her azure eyes gazing deep into mine.

“Yes," she whispered, leaning forward and kissing me.

That was probably the second best night of my life.