//------------------------------//
// Episode 23: Aftermath 
// Story: EoH Evolution: Season 1 
// by Bahamut0 
//------------------------------//

Rarity was pretty nervous. It's only been a week or two since my...incident. She then looked at Inferno inspecting his Duelist Arms. As she looked at him, images of his wounded body flashed in Rarity's mind. Specfically because she was the one who had hurt him so badly when she'd been turned into Nightmare Rarity. However, as she was reflecting on her past actions, Inferno had taken notice of her staring.

"Something I can help you with Rarity?" Inferno asked. Instantly snapping Rarity out of her thoughts. "You were staring at me pretty hard. Is everything alright?"

Rarity shook her head. "Oh...nothing major darling." Rarity then looked Inferno right in the eye. "I was just wondering if there's something you'd like to do today. You know, together with me?"

"Rarity..." Inferno said with a sigh. "That moment's still on your mind, isn't it?" Inferno saw the sadness in Rarity's eyes, and walked over to her. "Maybe we should talk about it. Specifically, over lunch." Inferno offered a kind smile to Rarity. "It'll also help us to get to know each other better."

Rarity wiped her eyes. "I'd like that...darling." Sure enough, both Rarity and Inferno were sitting at a table with their orders. "You know, I'm surprised you and the others were so quick to forgive." Rarity then held herself tightly. "You especially."

"I won't lie. It hurt all of us to see what Night Terror had done to you." Inferno said sadly. "But can I ask you something? What's bringing up all this regret now?"

Rarity sighed. "I guess you could say it was seeing Arctic Ace and Dark Ice reuniting. When I was Nightmare Rarity, I wanted to hurt my friends because I felt like they were trying to take away my happiness. And I wanted to hurt them back. Which was in part why I wanted to take Spike. But there was another reason why I wanted to take Spike. I wanted the people who were dearest to me to be with me. It's an offer I even wanted to extend to Sweetiebelle. All because I was so selfish and thought of only my own wishes. My own happiness." Rarity then looked at Inferno. "So, does Spike still have a crush on me?"

"How did you know he had one for you in the first place?" Inferno asked.

Rarity gave him a small smile. "As a fashionista, I have quite the eye for detail. But then again, Spike certainly wasn't trying to hide the fact he liked me. I could always see it in his eyes. I just didn't know if I had the heart to tell him I didn't feel the same. And while I was under the influence of the nightmare essence, part of why I offered him to join me was guilt. He'd always been by my side."

"Well, to answer your question, Spike still likes you a lot." Inferno replied. "But as far as I can tell, it's strictly on the friend scale." Inferno then sighed. "I know you're still pretty hard on yourself for letting Night Terror trick you like that. But you want to know why we all went to save you? It's because we were selfish ourselves. We couldn't live with ourselves if we let you go without a fight."

Rarity blushed at hearing this. "That's awfully nice of you to say darling. And for what it's worth? It's been nice knowing you so far. It's a shame that your stay here is only temporary."

"Yeah." Inferno said with a small smile. "Well, now that we've gotten the rough subject out of the way, how about you tell me a little more about yourself? I risked my life to save you, and I'd hate to have done it without knowing you more."

Rarity giggled. "Well, you know most of what there is to know about me. I adore fashion and making garments. I enjoy being with my friends. Even if a few of them are a bit uncouth for my liking. But above all, I have a deep love for my little sister. She drives me crazy, as most siblings do, but that's how you know the love is real."

"I'll say." Inferno said with a chuckle. "The two of you are so close, I almost thought the two of you were mother and daughter if you hadn't mentioned you were her big sister."

Rarity smiled. "Well, our parents are away quite often. So the responsibility of caring for Sweetiebelle has fallen on my shoulders for the most part. Though I can't imagine what your childhood must have been like for you to become a rockstar."

"Actually, I guess you could say I wanted to follow in my dad's footsteps." Inferno said with a smile. "See, he used to be a pretty big rock star back in his day. Chances are that your parents probably listened to his music." Inferno and Rarity laughed at the remark before continuing. "But when I was born, my dad dropped everything to raise me alongside my mom. The two of them were always around me. And I guess I inherited my love of music from my old man. I was a natural when it came to playing, and I got my singing from my old man too. Heck, my mom met my dad at a concert. She didn't surprise him with being an Avatar until they started dating. One thing led to another, and here I am."

"Maybe I should have you serenade me sometime." Rarity said with a giggle. "Anything else I should know?"

Inferno smiled. "Well my parents named me Inferno because of the fiery passion I have in everything I do. Music. Protecting my friends." Inferno then blushed as he tried to avert his gaze from Rarity. "Y-You..."

Rarity lightly blushed at Inferno, and giggled. "No wonder we get along so well. I'm quite the passionate one myself. Especially when it comes to fashion. But I guess the biggest passion project I've ever thrown myself into is romance." Rarity sighed fondly. "It's been my dream since I was little that a handsome prince sweep me off my feet like a fairytale. But it would seem what I wanted wasn't what I needed." Or maybe... Rarity thought to herself as she looked at Inferno. I was just looking in the wrong place.

"Well, I wouldn't worry about that." Inferno said with a smile. "You just might find what you need standing right in front of you someday." Inferno was about to tell Rarity something when his stomach and Rarity's growled. "Speaking of things we need, I guess our stomachs are telling us what they need." The redirected their attention to their lunch and soon headed home. "I don't know about you, but I'm gonna crash."

Rarity blushed. "Actually darling, would you mind if I joined you?"

"N-Not at all." Inferno replied nervously. As he and Rarity lay down, Rarity accidentally brushed her hand where she'd slashed him as Nightmare Rarity. "Careful. It's healed, but still a little sore."

Rarity looked at where her hand was, and gently rubbed it against the area. "All wounds heal in time. I should know. You're helping me get back together." Rarity laid her head against Inferno's chest, and soon fell asleep.

Inferno nervously wrapped his arms and wings around Rarity. Even if you break...I'll still treasure you. Inferno thought to himself as he drifted off to sleep as well. Meanwhile, a certain princess of love picked up on the forming bond between the couple.

"Well. Looks like I'm going to be busy shipping this time."