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// Show, Don't Tell 
// Story: Show, Don't Tell 
// by Smjames 
//------------------------------//


Show, Don’t Tell


Rarity inhaled deeply, savoring the rich, sweet smell of her morning tea as she watched the random wanderings of ponies traveling here and there along the street. The morning itself was utterly gorgeous, with a perfect placement of cute, fluffy clouds and wonderfully blue sky poking in between. So nice was the weather that Rarity had decided to eat with the window open so she could enjoy the calm breeze wafting through the air and fluttering through her mane. Truly, nothing could make this morning any more excellent than it already was, for what could improve upon perfection after all?
“Good morning Rarity!”
Rarity felt her heart stop as her question was answered in a most unexpected but most appreciated way. Standing just under the eave of her window sill was Rarity’s dearest friend Twilight, looking up at her with her standard resting grin. Suddenly Rarity was exceedingly glad for the breeze as she felt her face heat up.
“O-Oh… Twilight, darling, I didn’t see you there.” She winced at her bout of nerves but forced herself to remain composed. There was no reason to be hesitant around her friend after all. 
Yes, keep telling yourself that, one day you might believe it. 
“How are you dearest?” she said before she could reprimand herself further.
“Great! I just got a letter from Moondancer about her progress with friendship. Apparently she’s becoming really close with Lemon Hearts, even inviting her over for tea last week! I’m so proud of her, she’s really come a long way.”
Rarity smiled at Twilight brightly as she said, “That’s excellent news Twilight. I’m glad to see that your old friends are still doing well. The fact that you sought them out and wanted to make amends speaks volumes at how much you care about ponies.”
And explains why it is that I’m… 
Rarity shook off the thought as she listened to Twilight continue on about the contents of her friend’s letter. Now was not the time to get distracted by daydreams after all.
“... and then Dancer had to pull Lemon’s head out of a fountain drain. Celestia knows why that mare keeps getting her head stuck in small openings. But that’s not what I came to talk about.”
Rarity’s interest peaked again and she listen to her friend’s words more closely, instead of staring longingly into her gorgeous and soulful ey-
“What is that Twilight?” she asked in a rush.
Twilight did not seem to notice anything amiss as she said, “Seems that an old unicorn tradition has started becoming popular again in Canterlot just recently.”
Rarity felts a rush of excitement wash over her that was entirely unrelated to her speaking partner for once. “A new trend in Canterlot? Oh do tell, darling, do tell.”
A gleam entered Twilight’s eye as she went into teaching mode, and Rarity found herself falling head over hooves all over again. The purple alicorn just looked so alive when she was relaying new knowledge to eager listeners. Her smile would grow just a smidge as she spoke, her wings would start to articulate her words for her in just the right ways, and most of all her aura would brighten until it shone like the stars sparkling in the early evening. It was so enthralling just watching her speak that Rarity had to deeply focus to actually hear her words. 
“A long time ago, back before Equestria was founded, the Unicorn Kingdom had a tradition shared amongst its populace of using magic to form deeper connections with each other through a spell called Aura Melding. It’s a fairly simple spell to use, but the effects of it are rather unique and special, such that it was only used between two ponies who were extremely close and wanted to know each other more intimately than just talking and spending time together would allow.”
A pang struck Rarity as her sense of wanting raged madly within her. If I could use that spell myself, then maybe I could finally convey what words fail to express…
“How does it work exactly Twilight?”
Twilight’s horn lit up with her magenta aura as she said, “Like I said, it’s pretty simple to do. What happens is two unicorns both concentrate on their magic for a moment, then shift their thoughts to what it is they’d like to convey to the other pony. It could be just thoughts or surface mood, or it could dive deeper into true emotions depending on what the pony focuses on. Then, when both unicorns are centered, they touch horns and will their magics to combine, causing their auras to mix together and their minds to touch and meld. At its strongest, the two ponies can become almost one.”
Rarity marveled at the thought, at the concept of sharing her mind so strongly with another that the difference between the two was hard to see. “That sounds… fascinating,” she allowed, trying not to let her actual fantasies overwhelm her attention to the moment.
“It really is,” Twilight said eagerly. “Being able to see direct thoughts of another pony is very intriguing. Would another pony’s mind be similar to your own, or would it operate totally differently? How much of their emotions and feelings would transfer over? I just have so many questions about it, I can stop thinking about it since I read the letter!”
Rarity grinned. Of course Twilight would let her curiosity about a new and exciting piece of magic consume her mind. Why, Rarity was exactly the same way when it came to new fashions or ideas. Just another one of the traits they shared: a strong and unyielding passion for their interests and a desire to push the boundaries of knowledge and experience. If the two of them worked together… She could hardly imagine the wonders they could produce.
But then, maybe she wouldn’t have to imagine it, at least not alone…
“Well if you’re so curious darling, why haven’t you tried it for yourself yet?”
Twilight froze in place for a moment, her mouth falling up and down as if trying to speak words the mind was not actually sending. “Oh… Well, um… That’s, uh, that’s a good question! And I have an answer to that question… Yes.”
Rarity couldn’t be sure, since the sunlight was shining directly on Twilight’s face, but she would have sworn she could she elements of a blush staining the alicorn’s cheeks. With a teasing grin she said, “Oh, that’s excellent then,” and spoke no further.
Both ponies sat in silence for a moment, Rarity smiling patiently down at Twilight, whose grin was rather more strained. My, she is very nervous about something, but whatever could that be? Might it be that she doesn’t know how to use the spell yet? Hmm… that doesn’t sound quite right. Twilight does get bothered about not knowing something, but never hesitantly or nervously. She charges forward and corrects her lack of knowledge, same as myself when I get an idea. So why is she being so cagey about this?
“So…” Rarity began, drawing the word out and secretly enjoying Twilight’s nervous expression. “What is the reason exactly, dearest?”
Twilight hemmed and hawed for a few seconds more before stopping herself and taking a calming breath, moving her hoof to her chest and waving it away in that adorable manner she always used. “Sorry Rarity. It’s just… this is a bit personal to me, as you could no doubt guess given the nature of the spell.”
“Oh of course, Twilight,” Rarity agreed. “I perfectly understand that this could be a sensitive topic for you. Still, there’s no need to be so nervous, darling. No matter what you tell me I could never think less of you, you know.”
Twilight seemed to mutter something to herself, but it went by too quickly for Rarity to catch. “I know Rarity, and I thank you for that. It’s just… well, to be perfectly honest, I’m just not sure who I would want to use the spell with.”
“Really?” Rarity said, tilting her head in confusion. “I would have thought that this is something you’d share with Starlight, since it’s a rare form of old magic and she is your student after all.”
Twilight nodded along with Rarity’s words and admitted, “She was my first thought, but she’s out of town right now visiting with Sunburst in the Crystal Empire, and… well, when I did a bit more research on the history of this spell, most accounts said that it was almost exclusively used between ponies who were very close to each other. As in, the kind of relationships that they would go to Cadence for advice rather than me…”
“So lovers then?” Rarity clarified, smirking at the minor jump Twilight made at the comment.
“Yes,” Twilight said, her face turned away with a slightly stronger blush covering her cheeks. “Leaving aside the fact that I don’t feel that way about Starlight, especially since she’s my student and I’m her teacher, which would make things weird, there’s also the fact that so much is shared. I do trust Starlight now, but there are some things I’m not really comfortable sharing with her. Very personal things…”
Rarity nodded and gave Twilight a comforting wave. “I completely understand, darling. Everypony has a few secrets that they wish to keep to themselves, things that would be disruptive if others knew about them.”
And if only I were brave enough to try then maybe I could find the result beyond the worst possible outcome…
“I’m glad you understand Rarity,” Twilight said with a sincere grin. “Talking about your feelings can be really hard sometimes.”
“Oh, you have no idea darling…”
… And I really wish you did.
The two shared a calmer moment of silence this time, Rarity working to wrestle her feelings and fantasies back under control while keeping up a smooth demeanour.
Say something! Now is the perfect time! This spell could be the best chance we ever get, don’t let it slip away.
Twilight just said that she has secrets she wants to keep, even from her own student. If I were to use this spell with her I might violate her trust, or worse, overwhelm her with my feelings when she’s unprepared for them.
And when will she ever be prepared if you refuse to ever speak to her about it hmm?
I… I just need to wait until the right time.
The right time will never come if you are always waiting for it…
Rarity closed her eyes and tried one last time to contain her thoughts. The well of painful feeling in her stomach wasn’t helping matters.
“Rarity?”
Startled from her internal battle Rarity looked down at Twilight, who had a concerned frown on her face. “What is it darling?”
“Are you okay? You looked like you were thinking really hard about something…”
“Oh…” Rarity scrambled, trying to think of something to cover her lax attention. Swiftly and without considering it too deeply, she went with a version of the truth. “I was just wondering who I’d be willing to do the spell with myself and was having trouble thinking of anypony who’d be worthy of that level of trust.”
“Oh, okay.” Twilight’s ears flicked in what Rarity thought might be agitation, but she couldn’t be sure. “I can see why that would be a difficult thing to factor out.”
Say something now! Be brave for once in your romantic life!
Rarity coughed to give herself a moment to build up what courage she could. “If I were to be honest, dearest, out of all my friends, you would be at the top of the list of  ponies I would trust.”
Twilight’s answering smile was weak, but happier than Rarity had seen on her face in a long time. “Really?” the alicorn asked in a small voice, sending Rarity’s heart fluttering and threatening to melt.
“Yes,” she answered, with every ounce of honesty and feeling she could give.
For a single, heavenly instant, Rarity stared into Twilight’s eyes as Twilight stared back, and Rarity could feel her chest turn to goo and her knees go weak.
Oh Twilight… if only I could tell you how much I love you.
“Rarity…”
“Yes Twilight?” she asked in a tiny volume. She didn’t know what was happening but her heart was begging and pleading for it to continue.
“I…” Twilight’s eyes shone for but a second more before her face became drawn and she turned away, her voice going hollow and shaky. “I’m glad you trust me that much,” she ground out.
The world seemed to drop out from underneath Rarity, and somehow the day’s light seemed less bright. “Oh… well of course, Twilight. You are one of my closest friends…”
Don’t say friends! Say more damn you!
“I feel the same,” Twilight said, her face still turned away. Twilight’s wings were hanging down limply and her ears were splayed out. “Anyway, I need to get back to the library. Have some organizing to do. Have a nice day Rarity.”
“You too,” Rarity responded. She watched Twilight trod off, a dark cloud seemingly cast over her despite the bright ambience of the day. The breeze began to die, and with it went any hint of the good mood she’d had just minutes ago.
Why do I feel like I’m not the only one who is suffering in silence…


****IW****


“Rarity, I’m heeeere!”
Sweetie Belle used her magic to close the door to the Boutique behind her as she entered, still carrying her carefree smile from a fun and productive day with her fellow Crusaders. She barely managed to step a few feet into the room though before her grin faded at the grim atmosphere around her. The windows were all closed and curtained, and only a small number of candles were lit to keep the shadows at bay, their scent spreading a pungent feeling of confinement that made Sweetie feel small.
“This isn’t a good sign,” Sweetie said to herself, immediately heading to the stairs at the back of the store. “I wonder what it is this time. Did a client cancel at the last second again?”
Reaching the top floor she turned right and trotted to the master bedroom, her sensitive hearing picking up the sounds of a muttering voice and hooves banging on wood. “Huh… Maybe this is more serious than usual. Normally she doesn’t get out the Frustration Table.”
Waiting for a quiet moment on the other side of the door, she knocked and said, “Rarity, it’s your sister. Can I come in?”
An agonized groan that vaguely sounded like a yes came from within, so Sweetie pulled on the handle and stepped in. Rarity’s bedroom was just as dark as the rest of the house, with a few scattered candles preventing it from being completely dark. In the center of the room was Rarity, leaning heavily on a battered and abused wooden table that looked like it had seen better days. Sweetie watched as her sister banged her hooves on the dented surface a few more times before turning to look at her with a strained smile.
“Oh, hello Sweetie,” Rarity said in a remarkably normal voice given how flushed her face was. “How was your day?”
“Fine,” Sweetie answered. “And yours?”
“Wouldn’t you believe me if I said it was fine?”
Sweetie mutely shook her head.
Rarity sighed. “I thought not. I have made something of a mess of myself right now haven’t I?”
“You could say that,” Sweetie said with aplomb. “So… what’s the problem? Anything I could help with?”
Rarity groaned and let her face fall onto the table side-on. “I rather doubt it, dearest. This problem is very personal, and at this point I’m starting to wonder if a solution is even possible…”
“Is it about your crush on Twilight?”
All at once Rarity’s lethargy disappeared as she turned an aghast face at her sister. “Wha-where… how… How did you know about that?! Sweetie Delilah Belle if you have been snooping through my diary against I swear to Celestia I’ll-”
“I haven’t been reading your diary, sis,” Sweetie said quickly.
The wind stolen rather suddenly from her sails Rarity faltered and settled back on her hooves. “Y-you haven’t? Then where did you find out about… that?”
Sweetie smiled weakly and rubbed the back of her head. “You, uh, you kinda talked about it a bit in your sleep. Heard it the last time I had a sleepover and you fell asleep on the couch.”
Rarity thought it odd that the light level of the room didn’t rise in conjunction with the massive blooming of heat in her face. “Oh,” she said in a small voice.
“If it makes you feel any better, I haven’t told anypony about it.”
Taking a moment to breathe and center herself, Rarity gave Sweetie a thankful smile. “That actually does make me feel better, darling, thank you. But yes, my current distress has to do with my… crush isn’t a strong enough word I think to describe my feelings for Twilight.” Rarity tapped her chin with her hoof, suddenly engrossed by this question. “Hmm, how would I describe it?”
“You really like like her?” Sweetie suggested.
“No, that’s far too juvenile,” Rarity said with distinct disapproval. “My feelings are far too in depth to described in such terms.”
Sweetie tilted her head. “Well what would you call it then?”
Rarity settled down on her haunches, letting herself dive into her creative heart and directing the stream of thought and feeling outward for the world to see.
“She is a Star. A gorgeous shining star lighting up the sky with singular, astounding beauty. She is an artist of knowledge, taking the most boring and mundane topics and making them enriching to listen to. She is a wondrous soul… as kind and loyal and happy and true as I could ever hope for. She’s simply perfect, there’s no other word for it.”
Rarity felt lighten and calmer than she had for days, with a subtle fluttering in her core the brought a smile to her face. I truly do love her, don’t I?
“Wow,” Sweetie said, her eyes glittering so brightly Rarity almost thought they were glowing. “That’s so beautiful. Why don’t you just tell her that then?”
A scoff escaped Rarity’s lips and she had to restrain herself from facehoofing. “Were it so easy, little Sweetie.”
Sweetie scrunched her face in confusion. “Isn’t it though? They’re just words, all you have to do is say them to her.”
“Easier said than done,” Rarity said, turning away.
“What do you mean?”
Rarity sighed, sitting on her haunches and leaning against the leg of the table she had so recently been beating on. “I have desired to tell Twilight my true feelings for some time, but with each attempt I fail before I can even begin. And I cannot for the life of me determine why.” Her gaze moved upwards, looking past the ceiling at the invisible sky beyond. “Is it fear of rejection? Terror at change? Lack of resolution? I can’t find an answer, and every time I try the feeling only gets worse.”
“That sounds horrible,” Sweetie said, her face drooping. “You want to say something but you can’t, but you really want to…”
“Tis my curse it seems,” Rarity said, devoid of her usual dramatics. What more could be added to the truth after all…
Sweetie stood and pondered the predicament for a moment, before her mind happened upon a potential solution. “Well… what if you just don’t tell her?”
Rarity blinked for a moment in confusion. “Sweetie what in Equestria do you mean? Not telling her is my entire problem, so how can I solve the problem by perpetuating it?”
Sweetie was bouncing in place as she explained. “Because you tell her by not telling her. Instead of telling her with words, why don’t you show her how much you feel about her?”
“Show her? But how could I show her how much I…” Rarity fell silent, her thoughts turning to Twilight’s tale from earlier. Was it mere coincidence that Twilight had gifted her with the perfect way to solve her problem? Or was a higher hand guiding the path of fate leading them both to this moment? Either way, Rarity could see her path clear as crystal now, the fog over her mind lifting and the weight on her shoulders falling away.
“You know what, sister, I think I have just the way do exactly that…”
Rarity stared to the window, seeing beyond the curtains to where Twilight’s magnificent castle was waiting. What better time than the present to enact her new pla-
“What way?”
Rarity was jolted out of her thoughts. “Uh… pardon?” 
“What way are you going to show Twilight how you feel about her?” Sweetie repeated more clearly this time.
“Um…” 
“Can it include crayons and posters? Cause I’ve been practicing my art skills lately and I really want to help!”
This might take some time to explain… oh Twilight, darling, please wait for me.


****IW****


Rarity trotted slowly towards the Friendship Castle, taking her time to enjoy the last rays of sunlight reaching out over the horizon. The sunset was truly a beautiful sight here in Ponyville, with all the clouds arranged by the weather team to catch the dying light and reflect it with amazing melding of the colors. It was almost as magnificent as the twilight that followed it…
Was I getting distracted? Oh curses I was! I’ve wasted so much time already, I can’t dilly dally! I must go to her and reveal the truth once and for all!
Rarity picked up her pace, holding her head high and proud as she moved to her destiny. “It will be the simplest thing. Just walk in and use the spell with her, and everything will be perfect!”
She walked a few steps more with confidence before a thought occurred to her. “Oh, but how will I get her to use the spell? I mean, I would have to ask her permission would I not? And then I’d have to tell her why I’m willing to share the spell with her now and…”
Rarity shook her head to clear her mind of distractions. “Don’t waste your time thinking about it, you’ll only ruin your confidence. You just need to go in there and do what needs to be done. Whatever that ends up being…”
She paused at the bottom of the steps leading to the door. “Suddenly I am finding myself drastically unprepared for this.”
That’s what love is for, darling! You dive in headfirst and see what happens!
Let’s just hope the water isn’t shallow then…
With one final calming breath and internal cheering on, she began to ascend the steps. “It’ll be the height of simplicity darling,” she whispered. “Just knock on the door, ask to talk to Twilight, and say you’ve reconsidered about the spell. Easiest thing in the world. Just go up to her and say-”
“Rarity!”
Rarity’s feet flew out from under her at the sudden shock, but before she could fall she felt herself being lifted up and set down safely. She barely had a moment to catch her breath before it was forced back out of her by an intensely crushing hug gifted by her purple savior.
“Oh my Celestia, are you okay Rarity? I didn’t mean to startle you like that, I was just walking outside to… I mean I came outside and you were here, but I was going to see you, and I wasn’t expecting you here… I mean-”
“Twilight, darling,” Rarity squeaked out, “it’s perfectly fine. I know you didn’t mean to startle me. But right now I would appreciate being allowed to breathe a bit more than hearing you apologize.”
The pressure disappeared and Rarity took a great big gulp of air, in a ladylike manner of course.
“Sorry Rarity…”
Rarity looked up at Twilight, only to see her love looking much too distraught for her tastes. She had to act.
Without thinking, she wrapped her hooves around Twilight’s neck and drew her close, taking care not to embrace her to strongly. “I’m fine Twilight. Truly, there’s nothing to apologize for. If anything, I should thank you for your quick reactions. That would have been an unpleasant fall to say the least. Why, my mane might have been mussed!”
Twilight giggled and said, “We definitely wouldn’t want that. You work so hard to keep your mane pretty, it would be a shame for all that work to be wasted.”
“You think my mane is pretty do you?” Rarity asked smartly, flicking her eyelashes at her princess while smiling.
“Uuuuuuh… Well, yes of course. I’ve always thought you were… pretty, Rarity. How could I not, when you…”
“Yes?” Rarity was deeply enjoying this, whatever it was, and she dearly hoped it was exactly what it looked like.
“Wheeeeeeeen you put so much effort into looking as good as can be!” Twilight finished with a nervous grin. “Yes… that’s what I meant. Definitely.”
“Most certainly, dearest,” Rarity agreed.
“So… what exactly were you doing at my doorstep just now?”
Now it was Rarity’s turn to be nervous. Relax darling, just tell her a bit of the truth and let the rest flow naturally. Be calm.
“Oh. Well I was planning on knocking on your door of course, darling.”
A bit more than that perhaps...
Twilight’s eyebrow lifted while the rest of her face was still. “And when you’d done that?”
“I would have talked with whomever had opened the door. Which happened to be you, dearest.”
“Sounds reasonable.”
The two stared at each other with admirable poker faces for several seconds, neither budging an inch.
“Rarity, what are we doing?”
“For the life of me Twilight, I could really not tell you.”
Finally they both broke down laughing, unable to feign being serious anymore. With an amused grin Twilight said, “Why don’t you just come inside?”
Rarity returned the expression and bowed dramatically. “I’d be delighted to darling.”
With exaggerated flourishing of her magic, Twilight opened her doors wide enough to admit them both. Rarity gazed with longing at the gorgeous purple magic, knowing that it held the key to her goal within its sparkling depths. She had only to reach out…
“So, what brings you here tonight Rarity?”
“What’s that?” Rarity said before realizing the moment had come. In a millisecond every thought she had of her plot came to fore, every hope and dream and prayer that her love would be returned if she could only do this one simple thing.
And then just as quickly all thought left her as she caught a glimpse of Twilight’s curious eyes and her heart became softer than putty.
“Why did you come to visit me?” Twilight asked more softly, almost eagerly.
“Do I need a reason to visit you?” Rarity answered without thought.
The alicorn froze, her mouth hanging open ever so slightly. “I… I suppose you don’t. You… you can visit me anytime you want, Rarity… For any reason.”
Rarity’s smile came of its own volition, not any command of its owner. “I know… But! As it stands I did have a reason to visit you this evening, and it has to do with that topic we were discussing earlier today.”
Twilight still seemed to be reeling from being thrown out of her trance so suddenly, but she recovered fast at hearing Rarity’s words. “You mean the Aura Melding spell? Um, sure, what did you want to talk about?”
Just stay calm, girl. Focus on the goal and be straightforward.
What was that? I was distracted by Twilight’s mane. Isn’t it remarkable how perfectly it fits her?
Uuuuuuuugh.
Ignoring her arguing internal monologue, Rarity decided to improvise. Something she was thankfully quite good at. “Ahem, yes. Well, I was giving more thought to the spell, and I found myself a bit more curious about it. When two ponies are using the spell together, how exactly are their thoughts shared? What do they feel and see?”
“I’m… still not sure actually,” Twilight admitted. “The research I had available on hoof for the spell only covered its societal use and implication, along with a brief description of how to use it. I’d have to go and find some personal accounts of somepony who used to the spell themselves to learn more about how it worked mechanically.”
At that moment Rarity realized she had an opening, beginning to piece together the threads she needed to form her pattern. “Hmm, I suppose that makes sense,” she said. “But that would almost certainly take a long time and much searching, and as much as I know you enjoy going knee deep into library foundations… perhaps there is a faster way?”
Twilight blinked at Rarity in the same way her pet Owlicious would, and Rarity had to constrain a shriek at the adorableness. “Faster way?”
“Oh, but it’s so simple, Twilight. All you’d have to do is use the spell… with me perhaps?”
And there it was. She’d said it. By tricking herself into making it a teasing game, Rarity had finally laid her cards on the table. Now the result was entirely up to Twilight. And if Rarity’s suspicions from the last few minutes were at all true...
Best not to get your hopes up yet darling.
Twilight herself was completely still, appearing to have gone into shutdown.
Feeling just a mite concerned, Rarity gently placed a hoof on her shoulder and lightly shook the alicorn. “Um… Twilight? Are you alright?”
Finally the poor mare showed a sign of life as her eyes moved to mirror Rarity’s, her face stiff with such tension that she resembled a statue. “Y-you want to use the spell with me?”
“Yes Twilight. I will gladly use the spell with you.”
Twilight was still only a second longer as she absorbed the words, then broke out into the hugest smile Rarity had seen on a pony outside Pinkie Pie. “Oh. Okay. That’s… that great. Thank you very much Rarity.”
Rarity could see Twilight was barely holding it in and decided to indulge her. “If you want to hop around celebrating, dearest, don’t feel any need to hold back on my account.”
Twilight’s smile weakened just a tad as it was colored with an embarrassed blush. “Um… that’s okay Rarity. I’m good without.”
“Are you sure? I would find it extremely cute if you did so.”
Rarity counted it as a minor victory that Twilight’s blush grew stronger even as the alicorn let out an amused sigh. “Maybe later Rarity. For now, let’s move to some place more appropriate to use the spell?”
“The throne room?” Rarity suggested.
Somehow Twilight’s blush grew even deeper, but this time it mixed with a confidence that sent Rarity’s spine shaking. “My room actually. That is, if that’s okay with you?”
Celestia and Luna above, beat steady my racing heart. 
“That sounds… that sounds lovely, darling. Lead the way.”
Twilight did just that, heading for the stairs at the end of the entrance hall as smooth as could be, her hips swaying more prominently than usual. Normally Rarity would exercise restraint and refrain from openly ogling her friends… but just this once she felt it was alright to indulge in devouring the delectable sight. And with any luck, she might get to see a lot more than that in the future.
If my poor heart can handle the strain, that is.


****IW****


As they stepped into Twilight’s lavishly beautiful bedroom - almost as beautiful as she was, of course - Rarity wasn’t sure how much longer she could contain her excitement. This was it. This was the moment. Soon, oh so very soon it would happen, the secrets would be revealed, and-
“So Rarity…”
And her train of thought was quite thoroughly derailed. “Yes Twilight?”
“I… I just wanted to say… thanks a lot for doing this with me.” Twilight rubbed her hoof along the carpet, a small grin on her face. “I was actually going to go and ask you if you wanted to try out the spell with me when I met you out on the stairs.”
Rarity’s eyebrows raised at that. “Oh?”
“Yeah. I was thinking about what you said earlier, and what I wanted to say but didn’t.”
“Wanted to…” Rarity’s eyes widened and her breath vacated her. “What do you mean exactly, darling?”
Twilight turned to her with a small smile, her horn lit with purple magic. “It might be easier to show you rather than tell you.”
Rarity stood quiet for a moment, then smiled herself. “My thoughts exactly darling.”  She recalled Twilight’s explanation from earlier and started her part of the spell with what she knew. Her horn ignited with shining cerulean, brighter than she could remember shining in a long time. “Like this Twilight?” she asked.
“That’s a good start,” Twilight confirmed, “but the spell requires a bit more than just generating your magic.”
Twilight aligned herself with Rarity, standing directly across from her with only a few feet between them. Rarity felt her anticipation building and struggled to keep the giddy grin off her face.
“The spell is simple,” Twilight whispered, taking a step towards her. “Focus only on your magic. Let your entire being collapse into that one, singular focus.”
Rarity followed the command, turning her artist discipline and control inward to center herself. Her magic drew back into a tiny point at the tip of her horn, but the point shone stronger and deeper than any candle or lantern could hope to match.
“Now, apply the same tight focus to yourself. Think about what makes you who you are, what defines your soul, and concentrate it into your magic.”
Memories and thoughts whirled through Rarity’s mind as she took stock of herself. She judged each instant and feeling for how they reflected herself, how they had made her who she was today. Her cutie mark’s appearance, graduating her apprenticeship in Manehatten, opening her boutique, her first sale, finding her friends for the first time. 
Discovering her love for Twilight…
The point of her horn continued to shine, but now it was more than a single bright blue. It was a cascade of different shades and hues, all reflecting the diamond blue of Rarity’s mark. She opened her eyes for an instant and saw Twilight horn sparkling in the same way, with a parade of purples, violets, and lavender. It was captivating, and Rarity almost lost her focus before she caught Twilight’s next words. Twilight was much closer to her now, mere hoofsteps away. Her lips almost looked close enough to touch, and Rarity couldn’t help but watch them move as Twilight spoke further.
“Now that you can see yourself for who you really are, open up to see another the same way. Let your essence pour out into another, and accept their presence equally. Know who you are, and who they are. Know yourselves together as one.”
Twilight took one more step and leaned forward, her horn pointed to Rarity in open invitation. Rarity gazed into Twilight’s eyes, taking this last chance to ask if this was what she wanted. Twilight smiled and nodded gently, and she had her answer. Rarity leaned forward while closing her eyes, her horn contacting Twilight’s.
And then everything became color.


	****IW****


All around was a sea of perfect blue and a sky of endless purple. On one side there was warmth, smooth and inviting, while on the other there was intensity and passion, strong and enticing. There was nothing physical, nothing static or steady, only the churning of emotion and feeling.
The blue sea shook as great waves flew across its surface in agitation. There was so much, too much, more than could be handled. A storm raged and sliced through it, destroying calm as it went. But just as quickly as it formed, the disturbance faded, pushed aside by the sky with a lilac breeze. There was much, yes, but it could be handled together. Anything could be done if it was done together.
The sea grew still under the sky’s ministrations, then moved with renewed fervor. Slowly, the sea reached up into the sky, massive geysers towering up into the far reaches of the open expanse. They expanded further and further, lancing out in a sewing lattice to connect the deeper violet stars dotting the sky’s farthest reaches.
For an instant the sky resisted, hesitant and confused, but the sea did not falter. Together they could do amazing things, but to be truly connected they could not refuse each other anything, even their deepest selves. The sky was still, then moved of its own accord, guiding the sea’s path between the stars and strengthening the bonds between them.
Sky interlaced with sea, ocean wreathing itself into space, and blue and purple faded into a single hue. The color of elusive dusk…


****IW****


When Rarity came out of the meld, she felt tired and drained, as if some of her very self had been taken and squeezed of all its energy. Her eyes had trouble staying open, and she sunk to her knees with less than graceful motion. And yet she could not give less care to her state, for she knew one great fact that made it all unimportant.
She loved Twilight, and Twilight loved her back just as much.
Remarkably, Twilight was somehow still standing, her eyes closed and her legs wobbling beneath her. “Rarity…”
Taking all her remaining energy Rarity managed a titanic feat and stood, moving to Twilight’s side and letting the alicorn lean on her for support. “Hush now, love. No words right now. Just rest.”
Tears leaked down the sides of Twilight’s cheeks, but her smile was unmistakeable. “Okay…”
Together, the two slowly made their way to the nearby couch, neither making a sound aside from their breathing. Getting up on the couch was a bit of a chore, but working together they managed it. Once they were settled, Rarity allowed her exhaustion to catch up with her, resting her head against Twilight’s neck and curling into the alicorn’s side. Idly she noted in her mind that Twilight was more comfortable than any of her quite expensive pillows back home, deciding to chalk that up to how warming Twilight’s fur was. A wing settled itself over Rarity’s back, causing her to hum with pleasure.
A pillow certainly can’t do that either…
“Can we talk now Rarity?” Twilight asked, an amused tint in her voice.
“You may if you wish,” was Rarity’s answer, and she delighted at the snort that brought out of Twilight.
“Gee, thanks for the permission…” Twilight sighed, rubbing her wing along Rarity’s side. “I just… What can I even say after that? What words are there that can describe what we just went through?”
Rarity shrugged. “To be honest I don’t know. Perhaps you will just have to make some up yourself, darling?”
Twilight lifted an eyebrow at her. “Make up words? That doesn’t sound very professional or academic does it?”
“No, but it is very artistic, is it not?” Rarity countered with a grin.
Twilight knew she’d be beaten, so she just poked at Rarity’s stomach with a feather, eliciting a giggle from the unicorn. “You’re very funny Rarity, but seriously… Is there anything that we should say right now? Anything at all?”
Rarity was becoming annoyed with all this talking when all she wanted was to snuggle deeper into her Twillow. “The only thing I can think is that I wish I had done this earlier, but I will not waste time remorsing what could have been and focus on what is. How does that sound, love?”
Twilight smiled and leaned down, resting her head in Rarity’s curls and closing her eyes. “That sounds wonderful, love.”
Rarity shook deeply, but managed to retain enough wit to say, “If you mess up my mane, Twilight, I will tickle you.”
“Not if I tickle you first,” Twilight threatened completely non-threateningly.
They fell silent, enjoying the feel of each other being in their grasp and quietly remembering the experience they had shared. Twilight kept moving her wing slowly over Rarity’s side, her feathers lightly straying over her love’s flank, where the trio of blue diamonds now bore a slight purple tinge at the edges. On her own flank Twilight’s six pointed star remained its royal purple, but its outline was no longer a lighter lavender, but a calming blue. Both had made their mark on the other, a permanent sign of the melding they shared, the bond that ran deeper than love and through their very souls. By their own choice, they were forever a part of the other, never to be apart again.
“Just a question darling, does this now make me the Princess of Fashion?”
“Oh Rarity…”
Whether they can survive together is up to them.