Chapter 10: Take Your Time
The workload seemed to flow smoothly that day. I had restocked the quartz gems and cherry ribbons. Base design dresses were all set for the next two seasons. Two big orders, one small order, and five medium orders were already taken to the post office to be shipped out. Plans to meet with the out-of-town estate agent were made for the next Wednesday.
Non-business essentials were also all set. The kitchen was stocked, including my backup, emergency stash of frozen comfort. Sweetie Belle left with our parents earlier. Opalescence was in her own chambers with the temperature set just so. And I just finished scrubbing and sweeping the floors. After eating a sandwich and drinking some jasmine tea, it was one o'clock and I was suddenly free of both must-dos and probably-should-dos.
"Hmm... what to do..." I muttered to myself. "The Boutique has been fairly empty for customers today. Maybe it wouldn't hurt to head out for the rest of it." I gasped. "Idea! I should see if any pony else is open to a spa day."
I started to pull out a parchment and a pen to write down the emergency numbers, when it occurred to me that I didn't actually have a phone. I had a chuckle, glad that Desmond's instincts were still in me somewhere to add a little unpredictability to my day. My pocket watch went into my invisible inventory somewhere on my person, like it always did whenever I went out.
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As it turned out, my usual friends were having some things to sort out in their own lives. Twilight was writing some letters to the wife of her human self. She knew she'd never receive them, but she felt the need to put those thoughts out in writing anyway. I agreed with Spike that he should probably stay with her to make sure she remained in an okay condition. Fluttershy had signed up for a narcotics 'nonymous group to help her old memories come to terms with her current, sober life. I respectfully decided not to ask for more details and wished her well.
Pinkie Pie had taken the day to make paper doll art. She called it a constructive direction for her scissor-happy side. She insisted that would take more time than she could spare. I learned to not question her unique logic a long time ago. Applejack did her best to sound polite as she declined the spa day offer. It seemed she was still mad at herself for even daring to live like a spoiled offspring and wanted to distance herself from that lifestyle as much as possible.
"But you're not that same person anymore, Applejack." I pointed out. "Who you are now is some pony who is proud of the hard work they accomplished through her own work and effort. That's far different than wanting everything handed to you on a platinum plate."
Applejack sighed before opening the pig sty. "I appreciate what you're saying, Rarity. Really, I do."
"Hmm..." I flicked my tail a little. "What if you thought of this not as ordering special treatment, but as a passing exchange for the work you've put in? Obviously, I'm not expecting you to do this every day. Just... once in a couple moons?"
"Maybe..." She finished her pouring task before coming back out of the sty. She turned around and whistled a low note and the pigs suddenly came running over. "Tell you what, let me go tell Granny where I'm going and I'll come right back out."
"Splendid." I smiled. "I just know we'll enjoy ourselves."
---
Rainbow Dash didn't answer the buzzer attached to her mailbox. I supposed it was a little too much to expect her to publicly show any desire for the delicate things in life. Still, it wasn't a complete loss.
There was a short line for the steam bath when we arrived at the spa. While Applejack held a place, I looked into getting a hooficure and a gentle nudge massage. The Blossom sisters even washed my face and applied fresh makeup free of charge. I hadn't realized that Rarity had come in so often. When I checked back in with the steam bath line, Applejack was toweled up and we were ready to go inside.
I sighed happily and made myself comfortable in the warm steam flow. My eyelids drooped of their own accord.
...
"Say, uh... Rarity?"
"Hmm?" I peeked over with the right eye.
Applejack rubbed her hooves together before holding them in front of the center of the room. "I was just thinking about... uh... hmm..." Her face did a half-frown. "Oh shoot. There's no gentle way to say it, so can I just say it?"
"Of course, Applejack." Both of my eyes were open now. "You've rarely required permission to speak your mind any of the other times we're together."
That got her to smile again. "Eh-heh, true. Have you had any more of those nightmares involving forced special ponies or life partners?"
I blinked. "Which nightmares are we talking about?"
She shook her head. "I don't know. I didn't have them. I just thought you had mentioned that the first two involved me in some way. So... uh... are you okay with me being here... in the same room as you... and no pony else?"
"Hmm..." I glanced at the steam source for a couple seconds. Nodding once, I said, "I am. I know the real you isn't going to try something that deceptive. In fact, I'm even more confident in your trustworthiness now than I was before."
"Really?" She adjusted the towel over her mane.
I nodded again. "We've been through a lot of the same circumstances and I've grown to rely on your straightforward attitude, your reassuring presence, and most importantly... that we are friends. I refuse to doubt that for a minute."
She smiled and sat back. "Thank you. That means a lot. I guess I was worried for nothing."
I rubbed the sleeve on my robe for a stray piece of lint. "It's a fair worry to have had. I never did get around to letting you know if that was all okay."
"Maybe my recovered human memories had a part in bringing my worries to the forefront." She held her hoof up and swiveled it. "With twice the brains, I've found myself thinking a lot more about stuff than ever."
"I do partly understand that." I chuckled. "Sometimes I have to mentally tap myself to remember who I currently am."
"In my case, it's more of a mental buck."
This encouraged us to share a laugh. Perhaps the steam was getting to me. I didn't mind.
---
"I need you to do me a favor. Come at me at full speed."
"Oh! Are you practicing your last-second dodging?"
"Kind of... but not exactly. Listen, if something goes wrong and I don't quite avoid the impact right, promise me something."
"Huh?"
"When I come to, no matter what I say or do, convince me to go with you to see Twilight Sparkle. Tie me to your scooter and drag me if you have to. Just make sure you get me to her."
...
"What?"
"Squirt, please! This is important! Promise me!"
"Wait! If you actually get hurt, wouldn't it make more sense to go to the hospital?"
"Only if you injure my wing, and that's not the area I'm planning on leaving to chance."
"Now I'm really worried."
"I'll take full responsibility for whatever happens."
"Getting in trouble isn't what I'm worried about. I'm worried about you."
"It's a really small chance that you'll actually hurt me. So can you just promise the part about taking me to Twilight?"
"O...Okay... I promise I'll take you to Twilight if something goes wrong."
"Thanks, little buddy. I knew I could count on you."
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