An elegant hoof stroked the brim of her glass. It was her fourth glass for the evening; it was slowly doing the job to drown out the sound of the blaring music. A warm smile brightened her face as she looked into the centre of the hall to see a small filly. Unlike her mother, her coat was a light grey and a mane that curled beautifully at its pale mulberry and rose pink ends. Rarity gave a small sigh of relief. Her daughter, Sweetie Belle, didn't resemble her father.
"Oh Hello, Miss Rarity" The ivory unicorn sighed. She purposely had sat at one of the furthest tables from the centre of the party at the centre of the Princesses ballroom to get away from all the drama. The only reason she had decided to attend was due to Mr Zephyr Breeze Shy nagging her to come. He was a sweet Stallion and was adamant that she should meet his sister.
"Hello, Filthy" She spat out his name as though it had dirtied her tongue. Completely ignoring his wife Mrs Spoiled Rich, adorned in over the top attention seeking jewellery.
"We couldn't help but notice you were sitting here by yourself so I thought we could keep you some company" He smiled at her sincerely as if he hadn't noticed her tone of voice.
"Though the drinks seem to be doing a fine job of that already, isn't that your fifth glass now" Mrs Rich sneered at her. Rarity nodded with a nasty smile of her own which failed to mar her beauty.
"Why yes, Spoiled! it is." She looked sadly at the half eaten lettuce sandwich on her plate. "Though I can't seem to finish this sandwich. Tell me Spoiled would you like these leftovers as well?" Bringing her icy blue stare to Mrs Rich's stubborn and robust opal. She felt a small slither of satisfaction when she noticed Filthy Rich visibly flinch at her snarky question.
"Yes, it like you can never keep sandwiches satisfied. Oops! I meant that the other way around" The pink earth pony covered her mouth in mock surprise.
"Careful, Spoiled. We wouldn't want you hurting yourself with such big words like Satisfied and Oops. Speaking of satisfied I see you settled for the last years Sassy Saddles ensemble." Rarity shot Filthy a spiteful look "What's the matter, Filthy? Falling on hard times again?" A look of guilt passed on Filthy's face. Causing his wife to look between him and his accuser.
"How dare- Wait. What on Equestria is she talking about?" Whether he hadn't heard his wife or wisely decided to keep his muzzle buttoned, he didn't answer. Instead, Rarity took another jab at the couple.
"Oh my, vache gâtée. I'm sure your husband would love to entertain you with such a story, but I have neither time nor the crayons explain to you."
With an exaggerated gasp and a hoof clutched tightly to her chest the earth pony whipped her head around to her husband "Are you going to let that-that old maid talk to me like that?!"
Old maid!? Rarity screamed internally. "I suggest you walk away, Spoiled. You couldn't handle me if I came with a set of instructions and an emergency kit. Oh and before you have the audacity to call anyone old might I suggest looking in the mirror?" Trying to maintain her calm and aloof façade she used her magic to pick up her glass to her lips and stated "Bags are accessories. Not things to go under one's eyes" before Mrs Rich could utter another word Mr Rich took his wife by the elbow and ushered his wife through the tables back to the party.
"Come, dear. It is obvious that Miss Rarity has no need for our company" Filthy said his voice shaking as he tried to stop his wife's' emotional explosion.
Finally taking a sip of her grape wine she set the glass back down on the table gracefully, a weary sigh on her lips. "I know you were listening by the way" The Pegasus sitting at the table beside her bit down on her bottom lip.
The butter yellow mare blushed as she shook her head. A half smile made it's way to Rarities face, "Really, Darling?" She turned to face her. "It's kind of hard to ignore a conversation like that." Her eyes took on a half-lidded look. An ashamed nod followed the statement before the Pegasus rose to leave. Rarity's hoof settled on her new acquaintances' foreleg. "Don't worry sit with me." The mare hesitated before sitting at the table. "I'm not mad, though I simply must know why a beautiful creature like you is sitting so far from the crowd."
When the only response she got was a curtain of hair swinging between the two of them, her eyes took on a slight edge, after all, she could never turn down a mystery, and this mare was undoubtedly mysterious. "The shy silent type, my, my, my." Rarity sat back lifting her wine taking another sip, her gaze analysing the Pegasus, "a puzzle then, what makes a mare as breath-taking as you avoid a crowd?" She let out a slight chuckle as the mare tugged at her hair with a blush, her eyes darting about with embarrassment.
The subconscious gesture reminded Rarity of somepony, but who? "Maybe you like quiet places? Or maybe you are avoiding your past lover, the dashing Lockheart who is rushing over here right now to win back the hoof of the only mare he loved!" Rarity sighed dramatically a hoof to her forehead mocking a faint. Stealing a quick glance at the young mare trying to hold in a giggle she let out a sweet laugh of her own. "Or maybe, now this is just a guess. Are you perhaps the young Lady Shy?" giving the pale gold Pegasus another teasing smile.
Her embarrassed demeanour now replaced with shock, confusion and a little fear of being caught off guard. "I'll take that look as a yes. But I have no doubt you are wondering how I knew?"
At her company's puzzled expression she started to relay how she had discovered her identity "Well, sometime ago-your brother, Zephyr Breeze needed some help picking out a few gifts for the, and I quote. 'The worlds best older sister'"
Fluttershy felt her cheeks warm. Feeling tempted to roll her eyes at her brother. "So I suggested a few limited editions from his description. Something soft, understated yet finely detailed"
Sweeping her purple locks out of her face and under her headpiece Rarity beamed at the younger mare. "And I must say you compliment the dress wonderfully." Receiving a small nod of thanks.
"I do hope we can become good friends Miss Fluttershy." She received another nod, this one more enthusiastic than the last.
Before they could agree to pour another glass in celebration of their new friendship Rarity looked down when she felt a slight tug on the blue lace hem of her soft eggplant dress. "Why! Hello Spike."
The young drake smiled bashfully at his vision of beauty. "U-um. Hi Rarity! I was just uh, w-wondering if you are free right now."
"No dear." A look of disappointment flashed across the purple dragon's face. "I am still incredibly expensive." His expression changed to pure relief as the three of them smiled and laughed at the silly joke. "Oh! Spike, have you met my new friend? The lovely Lady Fluttershy?" She gestured with a hoof.
Minding his manners, he offered Fluttershy a low bow and formally introduced himself. "Would you mind if I steal Miss Rarity for a dance" at the ladies smiles he took her hoof into his claw and started to guide her away from the table. He stopped and looked back up to his to-be dance partner who had paused to offer her motherly smile to Fluttershy.
"Miss Shy, would you like a word of advice?" The Pegasus mare tilted her head to the side with a raised eyebrow donning curious pout. "You and I both know as ladies that this gala is not just a debut for you. It is also courting session. Might I suggest that you talk to somepony who has caught your eye or at the very least do the world a favour and show off that beautiful smile your brother and I adore." Rarity turned to leave letting Spike eagerly pull her towards the centre of the room.
Leaving a red-faced Pegasus to her thoughts.