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// Chapter 6: A Generous Lesson Part 2 
// Story: Lake of Reflection 
// by Richer19 
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Man…I am like completely surprised. Not even out of my first plot cycle and I already have over eighty favorites. I never thought that I was that good at writing, but I do appreciate you taking the time to read my story. In case you haven’t picked up on it yet, I do try and keep a more humble approach whenever I do these comments. Anyhow, here is the next chapter…

A Generous Lesson Part 2

One month ago: Twilight’s library
Twilight was currently reading up on some of Star Swirl the Bearded’s more advance spells when she heard a knock at her front door. Thinking that it was her dragon assistant, she marked the page she was on and made her way to the door. However, when she opened it, she found that it was actually her friend Rarity.
Rarity appeared to be somewhat out of breath but she appeared to still retain her beauty and grace. Nervously, Twilight tried to recall if there was a reason for Rarity coming here and her mind instantly flashed towards the cape and hat that was located back in her room and she started to feel the grips of fear choking her throat. However, Rarity said in a tone that both showed her control of her image and her apparent lack of breath after running through the streets “Twilight, do you mind if I come in for a while? I haven’t seen you in days and I was starting to get worried.”
On the outside, Twilight gave a small, sheepish smile but on the inside she was breathing a massive sigh of relief. She then started to wonder why she was so worried about Rarity being here in the first place and why she thought of the cape and hat. Maybe Spike was right, and she needed to do something with it but no matter how much she tried, she couldn’t think of anything other than just leaving it where it was at. Breaking herself from her thoughts for a moment, Twilight replied “Of course you can Rarity.” She then open the door far enough so that Rarity was able to enter before closing it again. Twilight asked “Would you like something to drink?” Rarity gave a grateful smile before replying “A glass of water would be nice darling.”
Twilight nodded her head and made her way towards the kitchen. Once she had passed through the threshold, Rarity dropped her grateful smile and it was replaced with a more serious expression. She then said to herself “Okay, now where would Twilight keep that awful garment.” She started looking around the main area, checking various drawers and closets. However, her search ended up in vain and she decided to try the bedroom next. She knew that she was not being a very good guest right now but her thought process was a little out of it at the moment. She was only thinking about that cape and hat that now seem to be engraved into her mind. Slowly but surely, she made her way up the stairs to her friend’s bedroom and opened the door with the smallest nudge of magic. It only took her one look before her eyes rested upon the item she so sought.
At first, she was rather miffed with Twilight for using a mannequin to display the cape and hat. To her, it felt as if it was being wasted on something whose only location should be buried in a drawer or burned. It looked as if it was freshly washed and pressed and even the sapphire had a shine to it. Still, despite how innocent it looked, it still represented the pony that caused her such grief. Even on the mannequin, she was able to imagine that smug unicorn with that show-boasting grin. It only served to cause Rarity’s blood to boil a bit and she said in a rather treating tone “I’ll show you; you poorly dressed mare.” Rarity used her magic to pull out a pair of scissors that she had been hiding in her mane and slowly made her way towards the helpless clothes.
Meanwhile, Twilight was still back in the main room looking for Rarity. She was still holding the two glasses of water and her mind was starting to get a little nervous. It was then that she heard the sound of scissors cutting fabric and her mind instantly went into panic mood. Losing her concentration and dropping the two glasses with a loud crash, she bolted to her bedroom to find the door slightly ajar. She quickly busted in and her eyes widen in horror.
Rarity was sitting on the bed with what appeared to be the tattered remnants of Trixie’s cape in her lap and on the floor. She was currently holding onto the hat with her magic and was about to make the first cut with the scissors but stopped the moment that Twilight entered the room. Twilight was at a loss for words as she saw the destroyed cape littered the floor. She was unable to see past the sudden tears that were treating to flow from her eyes as she continued to stare at Rarity with a mix of confusion and sadness.
Rarity, for the most part, was a little surprised by Twilight’s unusual reaction. She believed that the clothes were having some kind of effect on her and by getting rid of them; she would be helping her friend. Now she was looking at a mare that looked like her heart was ripped in two. In fact, the more she looked at Twilight, the more she was reminded of the way she felt when she found out that Prince Blueblood was less of a gentlestallion then she thought. Slowly, a series of mental connections were forming in Rarity’s mind as she watched the purple unicorn doing her best not to let the tears forming in her eyes to fall. As she was still trying to piece together what was going on, her mind started to register the strange, but familiar feel of the fabric that she was holding in her magic. Taking a closer look at the hat, she saw a strange material that seem to ebb and flow in the fabric. With a delicate touch, she traced the fabric with her hoof and felt the soft but firm fabric on her hoof. Her mind instantly ran through its mental list of fabrics to try and determine the identity and it came as a complete shock when she realized that the hat she was touching and so close to destroying were made with the rare and priceless Canterlot silk.
Though not an actual rule, those in the fashion industry were so in awe of Canterlot silk that any destruction of clothing that is made with the god-like fabric was considered a sin in of itself. Rarity felt the horror inside of her as her eyes quickly shot to the destroyed remnants of the cape. Immediately, her eyes saw the Canterlot silk spread out among the regular fabric like fallen soldiers. The anger long gone now, Rarity was now overcome with immeasurable guilt and sadness. She realized that she abused the hospitality of her friend, entered her private room and destroyed a cape made with Canterlot silk. For the first time in memory, Rarity felt completely and utterly dirty.
Slowly, she placed the hat back on the bed and said in a quiet tone “Twilight…I…I’m sorry.” Twilight looked at her friend and asked in a chocked voice “Why?” Rarity gave a tired sigh and said “I guess…even after all this time…I was still angry for what happen. I shouldn’t have let it got to me Twilight but I did and I know that there is nothing I could say to change this.”
Twilight, still feeling the pain of sadness, asked “Rarity, why did you really come over to my library?” Rarity let out another sigh and looked over at the mannequin that once held the cape and hat. She didn’t meet Twilight’s eyes as she responded “At first, it was because I wanted to get my vengeance on Trixie for ruining by mane. However, now I see that there is something more going on here then I had originally thought.” Rarity was glad that Twilight had at least not kicked her out of her house yet but she knew that she was treading on a very thin line and once false word could ruin their friendship.
Twilight, on the other hand, was unsure what she was feeling at this moment. A part of her understood why Rarity went and did what she did and yet there was another part of her that felt as if she should never forgive Rarity for this act. Still, Rarity was her friend and looking back on it now, it might have been a bad idea in the first place to keep the cape and hat a secret from her friends. At least then, they could have gotten whatever satisfaction they needed and could move on with their lives.
Slowly, Twilight made her way to her friend and pulled her into a gentle hug. Rarity, thankful that she was forgiven for what happen, returned the gesture. The two unicorns sat in silence for a few minutes before Rarity said “Twilight is there something that has been troubling you lately?” Twilight felt a jolt of fear flash in her and quickly replied “N…no Rarity. I’m fine…good…great even.” She then put on a smile to try and convince Rarity. However, she was not so easily swayed and Twilight eventually had to drop the smile and say “Well…maybe there is something…” Rarity gave a small smile and gestured for Twilight to continue.
For Celestia knows how long, Twilight told Rarity about what she was going through these past few months. She told her about the strange dreams, the weird smells, and a feeling of emptiness in her heart. As Rarity listen, her expression remained subtle but in her mind she was overcome with a mixture of surprise and shock. Once Twilight was finished, she looked at Rarity with a hopeful expression, hoping that the fashion unicorn would be able to give her the answer she was looking for. Rarity knew she couldn’t lie to her friend and this was something that she needed to be aware of. So, after taking a deep breath to calm herself, she said “Twilight, from what you have told me; it appears that you have somehow fallen in love with Trixie.”
Hope you all enjoy this chapter and keep an eye out for the next one.