Twinkling, Shimmering, & Glimmering

by JustNewHere


Book 1: Shadow. Chapter 1: Happy New Year! Part I

“Okay Twilight, you can do this,” she began, mentally psyching herself up as she stared at the plain white oak door. A cool breeze went past her, making the purple girl shiver as she pulled her scarf tighter. She was standing outside for nearly an hour now and though the owners of the residence would gladly let her in, all she had yet to do was announce her arrival.

…Which she still had yet to do.

“Come on! You just knock on the wood, wait for her- or her adopted mom or aunt- to open the door and get inside. Why is that so hard?” Twilight groaned in frustration as she hastily adjusted and readjusted her glasses, huffing as she bounced on her toes. “It’s not rocket science for Pete’s sake,” she muttered, glancing at her shoes.

She could distinctively hear Midnight Sparkle’s laughter, yet she chased that thought away. Sunset Shimmer and her friends helped her banish the demon, by the power of friendship no less. Twilight let a smile form despite her shivering as she was reminded of that fact. She glanced at her mitten covered hand, letting warmth seep in as she recalled the feeling of how she was saved by that special kind of magic, by a special kind of girl. Warmth continued to spread as she felt a blush rising all the way.

Twilight shook her head, steeling her resolve. She made a move to raise her arm once more, willing herself to knock but hesitated at the last second.

Curse you nerves!

A frustrated groan made her jump as she whirled around to find four of her friends, all staring at her with mixtures of disbelief and incredulity.

“Really Twi? We’ve been standing here for an hour now!” Rainbow began as she pulled at her hair, “Just knock already?!” Beside her, Applejack nodded lightly albeit less annoyed than the rainbow haired girl as she shot a pitying glance at Twilight.

“Now, now, Rainbow, we mustn’t rush her,” Rarity placated as she stood next to the farmer, doing her best to suppress a shiver from the breeze that went past them in the cool night air. She shot an encouraging smile at the nerd, “Even if it takes freezing ourselves for Twilight to work up the courage to confess, we as her friends must stand beside her darkest hour.”

Pinkie Pie jumped down from the patio’s roof, “Huh, I thought Sci Twi’s darkest hour was that time at Camp Everfree? Or that time at the Friendship Games? Or-OH! OH! Or that time when Timber Spruce broke up with Twilight because he thinks she’s not taking their relationship seriously so he told her to confess and she told him that she’s really in love with-

The hyperactive girl stopped to take a deep breath as she slowly slithered down and went back to standing beside Rarity, who was still glaring at her. “Yes that,” she said as she marched up the steps and took hold of the blushing girl’s cheeks, “and it made her stronger than ever.” She brought her friend close as Rarity stared up, “Oh what a wonderful tale of sorrow, yet amidst it all, she found light in the one who saved her!”

Stars seemed to shine in the fashionista’s eyes as she twirled, Twilight unfortunately in tow, “Sunset and Twilight. Two aspects of the sun and interconnected by fate alone!”

Applejack huffed at the girl’s theatrics, “Right, well can fate be so kind and open the darn door already? I’m feeling colder than our cider on Winter break and I ain’t planning to waste all Sunset’s family’s hard work by missing their food.” Rainbow agreed with a furious shake of her head, Pinkie nodding beside her.

The food hidden behind the door was homemade and the rare treat baked by the night’s chef was famous throughout Canterlot (yet still believed to be a town legend) for the mouthwatering goodness inside the modern Victorian home.

Rarity sputtered in disbelief, still gripping Twilight who was dangerously turning blue. “How can you prioritized food at a night like this!?” Rarity asked, aghast and not seeming to be aware of the flailing girl in her arms. The farmer merely huffed in response as she walked over and pushed the doorbell, ignoring her friend’s plight.

The lavender haired girl let out an offended ‘humph,’ crossing her arms while simultaneously letting go of Twilight who was now struggling to breathe properly again. “You have no ounce of Romance in you, Applejack. I am simply appalled.”

“Yeah yeah, ya’ll can give it to me later. Right now, I ain’t so keen at freezing out here for long. Won’t do Twi any good for a confession anyway if she turned blue,” The apple farmer took a glance at the wheezing girl on the floor, “either from the cold or you.”

Rarity had the decency to blush and turned to apologize and help the poor girl up. Pinkie bounced over and helped, giggling as Sci Twi wobbled and groaned. Rainbow Dash sighed in frustration before helping as well, “Really, Twi. You’re such a wimp,” rolling her eyes at the frown aimed at her from their very own fashionista, “Hey, I waited for an hour. That’s the longest I can wait for my friends to finally pony up and ask someone out. Cut me some slack, Rares!”

There was a sound of shuffling as Rainbow and Pinkie managed to sling Twilight’s arms over each of their shoulders just as the door swung open and Principal Celestia greeted the teenagers with her signature sun-rivaling smile.

“Why hello girls! Thank you for coming and –oh, Twilight, are you alright?” The older woman’s eyebrows shot up with worry as she took sight of the girl’s state. Applejack tipped her hat in greeting, “Nothing to worry bout Ms. Celestia. O’le Twi here just got taken by them nerves.” Rarity hurriedly added, “It is our first time celebrating New Year’s Eve with you all and we are grateful for you letting us partake in your time and humble abode.” The explanation seemed to be received with little hesitation before Celestia nodded and beckoned them inside.

The two eldest Rainbooms let their disoriented band mate in first as Pinkie and Rainbow passed through the doorway and looked for the couch to place Twilight on.

Passing by the farmer, Rarity lightly swatted at the other girl’s shoulder, “Why must you ruin love, dear Applejack?” She added with an exaggerated expression of exhaustion complete with her head lightly facing up as one palm draped itself atop her forehead.

The blonde merely sighed and closed the door.

As they both headed to the living room, their purple friend finally managed to come to as she blushed furiously while simultaneously sputtering out apologies and explanations to-lo and behold- the object of her affections. Sunset Shimmer simply grinned while the bespectacled girl continued to let out a series of incoherent babbles. Rainbow Dash groaned before moving away, probably to look for something to drink.

Pinkie Pie happily bounced towards her two older friends, bringing both her arms around them as she let out a whisper, “Twilight can’t talk straight…and I don’t think she ever did.” The farmer chuckled at that as she fidgeted with her Stetson, the hat still in place regardless of Rarity’s obvious attempt of having her friend wear anything else to match the ensemble she made for them.

The alabaster skinned student merely sighed, no longer able to bear the sight of the hopeless scene before her. Twilight’s blatant attraction towards the former pony was as obvious as the ‘friendship’ of Bon Bon and Lyra. It was even voted as the second worst kept secret in CHS for goodness sake! Yet here she was stuck, along with the other students (and faculty, if she were to trust the rumors) who proceeded to bet on the chances of Twilight ‘Not-so-subtle’ Sparkle finally asking Sunset ‘Oblivious-than-thou’ Shimmer out. Truly, element of Generosity or not, Rarity had enough of giving her friend time.

A lady must now take action.

“Hold your horses now, Rares-

Pinkie Pie snorted. Applejack glared. The pink haired girl bounced away with a broad grin. As their animated friend vanished towards the kitchen, the apple farmer turned to the peeved girl.

-I’ve seen that look. Now I want you to think about it before doing something RD worthy.” That got a small smile from Rarity. Applejack smiled back, “Remember about all that hooey you’ve been griping us about giving Twi time? What about doing that, huh?”

Rarity, for her part, attempted to look bashful once she’s been caught. She sighed before deciding to sink into the velvet cushions of the matriarchal household. “I know what I said Applejack,” she began with a sigh once more as she stared across the wide room, hearing the melodic laughter coming from Sunset as Twilight proceeded to blush further and looking like she was wishing to sink deeper into the couch than the hole she dug herself in, if Rarity were to follow the conversation.

Knowing the Equestrian’s affinity and type of humor (Rarity still blamed Rainbow’s influence) and how easily the genius girl gets flustered, it doesn’t take one to easily connect the dots. How she wished Sunset could have used her sense of intuition for those types of jokes to sense romantic interests. One can still dream.

“I do wish it wasn’t so painful waiting for love to bloom though.” Sunset have now brought a hand on the other girl’s shoulder to stop the onslaught of unintelligible words, offering a comforting smile as she took the other girl’s hand and led them towards the dining room connected to the kitchen. Green and azure blue eyes followed the two teens as Pinkie and Rainbow Dash walked out with a fresh tray full of cookies with the rainbow haired girl’s mouth already filled to the brim with the delectable goods.

Choosing to ignore the slew of cookie gibberish from her athletic friend, Rarity stood to follow once Luna, clad in a midnight blue dress with the words “Desserts Shall Last Forever!” stitched on the apron over it, walked out with another tray of cookies as she announced that dinner and the dessert were ready.

“Wow! Them food sure smells great, Ms. Luna,” Applejack complimented as took in the mouthwatering sight of the dishes laid out on the dining table. Principal Celestia finished placing the last of the utensils, clapping her hands together as she observed that everyone was here.

“Oh my gosh, Fluttershy!” Pinkie exclaimed as she instantly teleported to the meek girl’s side and ensnared her into a hug, “How did you possibly get here and without telling us even?!” She bounced up and down as she waited for the reply.

“Err, Pinks. I don’t think she can answer you when you’re jumping with her in tow,” Sunset commented as she bemusedly observed the two, Twilight giggling beside her. The pink one blinked before lifting her hands to the sides, releasing the disoriented girl. Celestia gave Luna a concerned glance as she watched Pinkie grab another handful of her sister’s beloved confections.

“Yes Darling. While not as enthusiastically as Pinkie has put it, I’m also curious,” Rarity began as she walked over to her friend, greeting her with a hug. Fluttershy was thankful it was more subdued than the greetings she got from Applejack and Rainbow who both have unceremoniously clapped her on the back. The fashionista did not miss the brief glance Fluttershy threw over her shoulder as she replied with her signature demure voice, “I decided to…help make the food. I…umm, wanted to surprise you all.” She then lightly threw her hands up, “Surprise.” That got a chuckle out of everyone present, making the shy girl smile.

Rainbow then threw an arm around Fluttershy as she pumped a fist in the air, “Oh yeah! Since you helped make the food I bet it all got 20% yummier!” Pinkie nodded as she tried to reach for another platter, with Luna finally deciding to fend her off. As they all began choosing their seats, Rarity lightly stayed behind to go over to Twilight’s side, who stood rooted at her spot and seemingly lost in thought.

“Dear, let me start off by saying how dreadfully awful it was for me to do what I did,” Rarity’s brow furrowed as the bespectacled girl jumped lightly in fright. “Wha-Oh no, uh, that’s fine. It’s fine,” She followed this off with a distracted hand wave as she giggled nervously. Celestia disappeared into the kitchen and reappeared a few minutes later with a new steaming platter of food. Applejack, Fluttershy, and Luna helped with passing the trays around the table.

“I never meant to make you jumpy. Have I upset you greatly?” The keytar player asked but received no response from the other. Rarity frowned, watching as Twilight continued to stare over her shoulder. Slowly following her line of sight, she let out a tiny “Oh…” as she watched Sunset walked over to Fluttershy and pulled out the chair for the meek girl.

Turning back to see the smart girl’s crestfallen look, Rarity bit her lip. She wondered how to assure her friend. Surely Sunset was just being the chivalrous girl she is, nothing to fret over. She snapped her fingers in front of Twilight, breaking the anxious girl’s gaze on the two chatting girls. “Now now Twilight, try not to think too much about what you saw,” Rarity said in a hushed tone as she pulled the fretting girl towards the long dining table. She took a seat next to Applejack who immediately shot a worried look at them. Rarity waved a hand, signaling that she can handle it. Shrugging, the farmer turned back and started a conversation with Luna about the food.

As she made sure that no attention may fall on them once she saw Pinkie distracted by the cookies and briefly heard Rainbow Dash beginning to tell a funny story from her practice to Celestia, Sunset, and Fluttershy, Rarity gave her full attention to the distraught girl. “Twilight, are you still with me?” The girl blinked in response before shaking her head with a sad groan, slumping down in her seat. “Twilight,” the tone Rarity used made the girl sit up again but a frown stayed as she watched Sunset laugh and shake in barely repressed mirth next to Fluttershy who covered her laughter against the Equestrian’s shoulder once Rainbow finished the joke with a proud smile, even if the athlete received a half disapproving/mirthful look from Celestia.

“I shouldn’t be jealous,” Twilight began, as she furrowed her brows, “my brain is telling me that I’m being irrational. I shouldn’t be jealous. Sunset is being a good friend. Fluttershy did nothing wrong.”

“Yet you still feel this ‘icky’ feeling, like an uncomfortable sensation in the pit of your stomach?” Rarity supplied with a soft smile, helping the confused girl sort out her thoughts and emotions. Another groan was her answer.

“It’s normal to feel envy, dear. You have this crush and she’s giving time to another and enjoying this person’s company. Right now you’re wishing that it was you in Fluttershy’s place, correct?”

A nod was Twilight’s reply as the Rainboom’s singer sighed, “Yeah and I don’t like feeling angry at Fluttershy of all people.”

“No one does actually, if you were to ask everyone in town,” Rarity said with a wry smile. “It’s like if you so much as think of an ill thought against her, the guilt is overwhelmingly ten times the gravitas than that of one kicking a puppy.” A particular unpleasant memory popped up, specifically something in relation to modeling, making Rarity wince, “It is really unbearable.”

Twilight groaned, the dull thud of her head meeting the table went unnoticed due to the boisterous laughter coming from the others as Pinkie Pie joined in the conversation. A sudden pang of guilt shot through her, making the young genius look up at her generous friend, “I’m sorry. Here I am bringing your mood down when you could be having a good time with our friends.” Hands suddenly gripped her around the shoulders, making her stare at narrowed azure eyes, “Now just wait one moment. I may not be having the ideal evening but it would not sit well for me to allow one of my best friends to suffer alone.” At that, Rarity’s gaze softened, “I wouldn’t really call myself a true friend if I let you wallow like this for the rest of the night,” she said as the fashion designer determinedly took a hold of her glass while her other arm pulled the nerd closer to her. “We shall bear this burden of yours until you have found the courage to admit your feelings!” Stars once again twinkled about in the purple haired girl’s eyes. Twilight was still amazed that all the theatrics and the volume used by her friend remained overlooked by the other people across the table.

A different kind of warmth bubbled into surface as Twilight lightly sniffled with a small smile. Rarity immediately let go, “Darling! Oh was it too much? I’m sorry dear I-

-No,” Twilight interrupted as she wiped a tear away yet few more continued to leak. Her friend offered a handkerchief to which she gratefully took. “You…I just…is it sad if I told you that no one has ever done that for me before?” Twilight weakly admitted, but it was certainly the truth. Aside from maybe her family, Spike, and Cadence, she knew she never had someone to call a real friend who was willing to do what Rarity did…or what any of her other friends would do if given the opportunity. At that thought, more tears leaked out but the smile remained on Twilight’s face. She dabbed at the cloth again as she distinctively heard a quiet, “Oh Twilight,” before she was engulfed in a hug.

Rarity made a few motherly pats on the younger girl’s hair; the action warranted a memory about how she would do this to Sweetie Belle and a small smile formed. “We’re here now Twilight. True you may have encountered a dozen or so hurdles that made you think of giving up but never forget that amidst those obstacles, there are people who you love and trust waiting for you. Either to catch you when you fall or simply show you how to get past them.” The alabaster skinned girl felt the other’s arms hug her back, along with a soft whisper of, “Thank you.”

A tinkling sound broke through the chatter and eating in the room, allowing all eyes to turn to Sunset as she remained standing just as she put down the silver folk she used and pointedly ignored the disapproving glance her adopted mother gave her in the mishandling of the utensil. She cleared her throat as she raised the glass further up, “I would just like to make a toast to honor this occasion,” she began.

Pinkie Pie gave a sidelong whisper to Rainbow Dash seated at her right, “I still don’t get why they call it ‘toast’ if there aren’t even toast involved.”

Sunset, being the one seated on Pinkie’s left, ignored the remark as she continued, “First, I like to thank the mar-err-the woman who decided to adopt me, even in my most stubborn and difficult times-

“Don’t forget ‘troublesome!’” Luna quipped from her seat across her niece, earning a chuckle from the Rainbooms and Celestia.

“-and troublesome times, she still found something in me worth adopting,” the former pony said with a light chuckle before self-deprecatingly adding, “even if it took a rainbow laser to the face for me to straighten out.”

Rainbow Dash mock coughed, “’straighten out,’ she says.” Her comment merely earned her a pointed stare from both Applejack and Fluttershy.

Choosing to ignore another remark again, Sunset carried on as she stared into the warm and gentle eyes of her mother, briefly seeing a flash of a horned and winged creature reminiscent of a familiar pony close to her heart, “You helped make me into a better person. You didn’t give up on me and most of all,” here she let out a watery smile, “You gave me something I wanted for so long that not even a million magical crowns could ever provide.”

Celestia, having teared up even before Sunset finished, brought her hands close to her chest as Sunset put the glass down to make her way to the Principal. The school administrator immediately met her halfway, finishing the hug as the older woman felt a touch of liquid against her blouse. She ran her fingers through red and yellow tresses in a calming gesture.

Pinkie Pie sniffed as her giant watery eyes leaked like a waterfall, gripping Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy close. Applejack tugged at her hat, smiling proudly at her friend and principal before noticing at the corner of her eye that Vice-Principal Luna started tearing up as well before the farmer’s shoulder was unceremoniously used as a tissue. From her seat, watching the bass player awkwardly consoling her friend’s aunt, Rarity dabbed at the corner of her eyes with a handkerchief. “Oh what a heartwarming display,” she uttered with a beaming smile before turning to the bespectacled girl, making her grin widen. The fashion designer had seen many expressions similar to Twilight’s current one. She’d seen that look before, like the time when Fluttershy brought in a poor injured kitten, and when she caught Applejack talking about her day to a large winding tree of pears and apples.

To simply put, she had seen the look of love before and right now, seated in a tastefully decorated dining room with her friends and the maternal authority figures of her school, the expression painted on one Twilight Sparkle’s face could not be mistaken for anything other than pure admiration and affection.

Rarity sighed to herself, happy that her friend felt this strong surge of emotion towards another yet frustrated at the same knowing it would take a while (maybe even until graduation if they were lucky) for even the young genius to take the leap. She decided to not even count Sunset Shimmer to be the one to make the first move seeing as this was the same girl who did not even know about the Friendship Games…even after studying at CHS since freshman year for pete’s sake!

She surveyed the room, deciding that it would do well to calm her nerves before she get worked up once again at the thought of Sunset being oblivious to an important annual school event and it still irritated her but a memory of a session with Rainbow Dash and her drilling all the activities into the Equestrian’s head lightly soothed the annoyance. Her eyes flicked over to the athlete’s grimace as she tried to pry herself from the sobbing pink girl, to Applejack’s awkward attempts of a consoling, and to-

Her eyes widened into pinpricks before she blinked, as if to confirm what she was seeing. “No, it couldn’t be. She’s not really-Is she?!” were currently her thoughts as she gazed at the shyest member of their group. Fluttershy, animal loving and the kindest person anyone could ever meet, stared at the mother-daughter duo with the same expression she’s seeing on Twilight. Rarity even made sure to glance to and fro from the bespectacled girl and the element of kindness. As Sunset pulled away with a sniffle, Fluttershy stood up and hugged the girl as she led them back to their chairs. The Rainboom’s lyricist smiled with a proud little grin in her face, eyes shining with a glint that made Rarity think Fluttershy believed Sunset raised the sun herself.

There was no mistaking it, the expressions on Twilight and Fluttershy’s faces were identical. The fashion designer gulped, hoping that Twilight was too love-struck to notice. She nervously chanced a glance and her heart broke at what she saw. Twilight simply stared at her untouched plate, refusing to glance up yet Rarity could see the storm brewing behind those framed glasses. The purple haired girl bit her lip, suddenly at a loss. She did not wish to jump to conclusions but now seeing Fluttershy feeding Sunset from her plate, she has her doubts. “No!” Rarity lightly shook her head. Until it was official and the news of them dating came from them, she would not believe that-

“I…um…would also like to make an announcement,” Fluttershy’s voice cut through Rarity’s reverie, and she did not miss the wince that came from Twilight. She placed a hand on the girl’s shoulder, as if urging her to stay strong and don’t panic.

Because Rarity was certainly not panicking in the inside, nor on the brink hyperventilating.

The animal lover stood up, not showing the anxiety she’s feeling as the spotlight was now on her. She suddenly contemplated of backing out but the orange hand gripping hers under the table made her steel her resolve. Fluttershy took a deep breath as her determined eyes scanned each and every person (her gaze lightly faltered when they fell on her nerd friend but an encouraging smile from Rarity made her move her gaze along) and mustered up the words she had been practicing for some time now. She practiced in front of the mirror in her room, she practiced in front of Angel bunny, and she even said what she wanted to say earlier before the Rainbooms arrived in front of a mirror in Sunset’s room.

“Winners can’t be beat, just go and say it! She repeated the words she heard from the motivational videos she started watching.

“I…am dating Sunset Shimmer.”

All of them lightly strained to hear. Luna looked on with a patient smile as Fluttershy hid behind her pink hair, “Could you please repeat it, Fluttershy? I’m afraid we didn’t catch that.” The girl in question peeked out from her safety curtain and repeated, “I…am dating Sunset Shimmer.”

Rainbow Dash blinked as she brought a finger inside her ear and cleaned it out, to Rarity’s absolute horror and disgust, “Uh Shy? Still can’t hear you.” Her worried expression threatened to split between her nervous best friend and to Pinkie’s sudden jovial and crazed shaking.

“I…” Fluttershy began again but her bravado was slowly starting to disappear as the others held their gaze on her.

The hand gripping hers instantly slipped their fingers in, intertwining them and bringing warmth to the shy girl.

Applejack, upon spotting the hesitation from her friend, looked on encouragingly with a placating gesture, “Go on, sugar cube.” At that statement and seeing the supportive looks around her, Fluttershy puffed out her chest and finally said in an even tone, “I…am dating Sunset Shimmer.”

She closed her eyes after uttering those words but a great weight left her once hearing them out loud. “I am dating Sunset Shimmer!” a happy squeak escaped her. The hand rubbing comforting circles with hers brought her eyes open, staring into loving cyan eyes. A blush formed on her cheeks as Sunset moved to peck her on the lips. Fluttershy inwardly panicked, torn between reminding the other of their audience and the pull she’s feeling as she slowly leaned in.

The sudden sound of a confetti cannon going off interrupted the gesture, making Fluttershy let out a startled, ‘Meep!’ before ducking under the table.

Sunset glared to her right, the innocent looking grin of Pinkie Pie did not falter even amidst the gaze of the other girl. Before the pink one could even be introduced to an earful and a hand, Luna scooped her niece into her arms and spun her around. The laughter of the younger adult brought everyone out of their surprise.

“Well, that was…unexpected,” Applejack began from her seat as Rainbow and Pinkie got off theirs to go under the table and congratulate the frightened girl. Rarity nodded absentmindedly, inwardly fighting the urge to go under the table herself (either to congratulate or strangle one can never know) as she decided to simply stay put and…try not to think about the money she lost to the bet.

The money…that she confidently wagered…

Rarity twitched in her seat.

Applejack allowed the other older girl to wallow in her confusion and loss for a while, her attention now going to the quiet bespectacled girl. The farmer decided (after cleaning her shoulder) to get up and pull the nerd out of her chair and into the living room, away from the noise.

Twilight did not resist even as she was gently placed down on the velvet cushions. Her mind went over what she had seen and replayed the words uttered by her friend over and over again. Her brows knitted with a frown etched in her expression, “she…dating…they’re…dating.” The apple farmer rubbed the back of her neck as she surveyed her friend’s state.

The laughter of the two authority figures and Sunset’s mixed in between provided a bittersweet feeling in the pit of the young genius’ belly. She honestly should be feeling happy for both her friends. She should not even have the right to be angry…or jealous. She should…but she couldn’t.

“I’m…really sorry, Sugarcube.” Applejack’s pitying voice brought Twilight’s focus to the farmer’s worried green eyes staring into teary amethyst ones. Twilight blinked as she placed a hand to her eyes and wondered when she started crying.

Applejack continued to rub the back of her neck, not exactly knowing what to do. On one hand, she can honestly say to her friend that maybe it wasn’t meant to be (even if a certain fashion designer will disagree and might even smack her head for that) or she can lie, say something about everything might get better and Sunset might change her mind but again, that would be a lie. Hearts aren’t that easy to control and right now, as she stared at her shy friend and her school’s former bully laughing and smiling to each other, Twilight would just have to find the time to heal because Sunset’s heart is in the hands of another.

As AJ turned back to her distraught friend, she opened her mouth to begin until the words died instantly as pink arms wrapped around her neck and brought her to bend down, ears now ringing due to Pinkie’s loud proclamation of, “PARTY IN SUNSET’S ROOM!” before the party planner disappeared…along with all of Luna’s cookies.

Taking a moment to recover, the apple farmer stood with a confused and annoyed expression before RD clasped a hand on her shoulder, “We’re going to move the food to Sunset’s room coz the P and VP’s friends will be showing up and we ain’t allowed for their adult party yet.”

Seeing the usual expression of Rainbow Dash when her fun’s been cut off, she could agree that it was a good call. She once heard from Sunset how her family’s friends were ‘not the most ideal type of adults that teenagers should be witnessing’ and left it at that.

Nodding to the athlete, Applejack made a move to call Twilight but belatedly noticed she disappeared from her spot on the couch. “Uh, where’d Twi go?” AJ asked as Rainbow led her to the flight of stairs with Sunset and Fluttershy behind.

“Bathroom, Rarity followed after for ‘girly girl things’ so they might be in there for a while,” Rainbow gestured towards the hallway leading to the apparent lavatory before making a face as a sudden realization hit her, “Wait, they’re not talking about ‘girly girl things’ are they?” She glanced at the farmer for confirmation, frowning at the head shake she got.

Rainbow discreetly shot a glance over her shoulder and immediately turned back, “Okay, now I’m torn.” She got a wry chuckle in response followed by a quiet, “You’re not the only one, RD.”


“Twilight, please just breathe. Breathe.

Rarity held out a placating hand but was lightly batted away. She can only helplessly watch Twilight pace about from her seat at the edge of the porcelain bath tub.

“I can’t Rarity! Like how can I go to school with them both knowing that they’re officially dating?! Now I’m beating myself over it because that sounded bad out loud! But honestly, how long were they even going out? How? When? Why?! Argh!!!” Twilight gripped her head as she keeled over, sitting on the closed toilet seat cover.

“I have no right to be jealous! I mean they’re even perfect for each other! Really, Fluttershy’s nice, sweet, and smart and Sunset’s nice too, a bit short tempered and snarky but she can been kind, funny, smart and-

“GAH!” Twilight threw her hands up, her back leaning against the tank, “Bad Twilight! Bad! Not allowed to think of a taken girl like that! Bad!”

Rarity bit her lip, unsure of the course of action to take as she can only watch as the nerdy girl berate herself for even thinking about their now unavailable friend in a manner, even it is harmless and more of describing than fantasizing.

Pinkie Pie popped up from the drain of the bath tub, unfazed at nearly giving Rarity a heart attack as she slid out and hugged the bespectacled girl. “Oh silly Twi Twi! This isn’t Sunset’s room, why’re you’re in here being a Frownie Brownie when you could be in Fun Land!?” Confetti shot down from the ceiling at Pinkie’s words but they seemed to be magically sucked back into the pink girl’s hair at Twilight’s detached words of, “Not now Pinkie.”

The party girl blinked before teleporting to the fashion designer’s side, “I think Twi’s upset,” she harshly whispered as she observed the girl.

With her hair in a fritz due to the girl’s sudden entrance, Rarity let out a deadpanned, “You don’t say,” before she turned to face Twilight with knitted brows, “Darling, it’s not going to get any better if you hide here all night.”

“Yeah and it’ll be awkward because what if someone else’s gonna use the bathroom if they got to go, you know?”

Rarity resisted the urge to mind that one. Placing a hand on Twilight’s shoulder, she drove the point home, “and I know how it is to face someone you are attracted to and could do nothing about it. It will get awkward yes…heartbreaking even and sometimes you will feel this uncontrollable burst of anger when they walked past you, oblivious to your feelings and going about their day like everything’s fine, like everything’s ‘right and dandy’ and don’t get me even started on-

“Uh, I think she gets it Rarity,” Pinkie Pie said before nibbling at a cookie.

“Right, ahem. What I mean to say is,” the fashion designer’s eye softened at these words, “You’re not alone in this. We’ll be here to help but we can’t do so when you shut us out.” Pinkie nodded beside her with an encouraging grin. The two waited for the other to respond but after a long moment of silence and tense shuffling, they decided to leave the girl to ponder their words with a hug and a few pats.

Closing the bathroom door, Rarity sighed as she hoped that Twilight can finally come to a decision. For now, they would simply have to wait and hope for the best for their comrade. Right now, she has questions that needed answering. She turned and barely repressed a dignified shriek (because a lady do not scream) as she faced a serious looking Pinkie inches from her. “She’ll be fine, right Rarity?” the pink haired girl asked the older one.

Calming her beating heart, Rarity let out a small smile grace her haggard features before patting her friend’s head, “Not to worry, Miss Pie. Twilight’s strong. I have full confidence that she’ll get past this.” Pinkie was not convinced so the Key tar player decided to divert the attention away, “Now, where is Sunset’s room again. I still have room for Luna’s delightful confectioneries.” At the mention of the legendary sweets, Pinkie’s grin appeared once more as she all but left cloud dusts in her shape.

Rarity shook her head at her friend but she decided to follow after the girl. Casting one last glance at the bathroom door, Rarity made her way to the room filled with the sounds of laughter.

She has work to do.