//------------------------------// // Chapter Seven; Fallout // Story: Guilty Pleasures // by Kodeake //------------------------------// Guilty Pleasures Chapter Seven; Fallout “I can’t believe the nerve of them! When I get my hooves on those two, I’ll-” “Applejack, please.” Applejack looked up from her angrily pacing hooves. Rarity sat in the middle of carousel boutique, her bloodshot eyes the only evidence that remind of her tears. Fluttershy was next to her, wrapping the unicorn in a hug and shooting a glare at the farmer. “That’s enough.” “I…” AJ sighed, kicking her hoof and grunting when it failed to bleed any of her anger. “You’re right, Fluttershy. I’m sorry. I just… what they did to you, Rarity, I-” Rarity lifted her head slightly, a pained smile on her lips. “I appreciate it, Applejack, but… I didn’t tell you all what happened so you would get angry on my behalf.” There was a slam, and Pinkie Pie marched through the front door like a soldier, hooves stomping in perfect lock-step. “Here,” she said gently, offering a brown paper bag in her extended hoof. “You medicine, Lady Rarity.” “Medicine?” Rarity asked, accepting the bag into her magic and giggling as she pulled out a tub of mint chocolate chip ice cream. “Thank you, Pinkie Pie.” “Only the best,” Pinkie said, smiling when she heard Rarity laugh. “No sign of the enemy either-” her voice dropped, and the act dissipated “-What they did is horrible, Rarity. Take all the time you need to feel better. I’ll bring you as much ice cream as you want.” Rarity’s lips twitched upward. “I appreciate it.” Spike wandered out from the kitchen, a perpetual frown on his face and a tray in his arms. “Tea,” he said quietly, offering Rarity a cup on a saucer. “We’re here for you,” Fluttershy said and Rarity blew gently across the cup. “If you ever want to talk, we’ll listen.” Rarity lifted her head properly, smiling gratefully at her friends with all the poise she could muster. “Thank you girls, really - I’m glad I can count on you all,” she paused, looking out the window at the darkening streets. “But you all really should be getting home; it’s late.” “Horesapples,” Applejack spat. “We’ll stay as long as you want us to.” “You shouldn’t be alone right now,” Fluttershy agreed. “If you want, maybe we could stay the night with you? Keep you company?” “I’ll stay,” Spike volunteered without a second thought.  “Oh, no, I couldn’t ask that of you,” Rarity urged. “Really, I insist; you all go on home. I’ll be fine. I just… need some time, you understand.” Pinkie Pie didn’t seem the least bit convinced, but was the first one at the door. “If you’re super-duper-sure,” she said, opening the front door and allowing the light from within to spill into the shadowed street. “I’ll be back tomorrow with a refill,” she chirped, stepping outside with a hopeful smile thrown over her shoulder. Rarity turned, hardening her gaze. “Applejack,” she said shortly. “I know for a fact you need to get some sleep; the farm needs you, and if you’re with me all night you’ll be far too tired to do your chores.” “Like I care about my chores at a time like this!” Applejack argued. “I can’t just leave you - not after what happened. I-” “Have your own responsibilities. I promise, Applejack; I’ll be fine. Please go. I’d feel even worse if I made you or Big Mac have to work harder on my account.” Applejacked tossed her head between the door and Rarity, chewing her lip. Eventually, she gave in with a defeated sigh. “Fine. But I’ll be back soon as I can.” “Thank you.” Rarity waved as the farmer walked out the door, leaving only her and the mare who hadn’t stopped hugging her since she’d retold the story that still felt foreign. “Fluttershy…” “I’m going,” the pegasus said quietly, her hooves tightening slightly. “I need to talk to her.” Rarity raised an eyebrow. “I told you, I don’t want to-” “I’m not mad,” Fluttershy said, before shaking her head slightly. “Well, I am angry, but that’s not why. Don’t worry.” Nodding, Rarity couldn’t help but shudder as she was finally released from Fluttershy’s warm embrace, watching as the pegasus followed the rest of her friends out the door. “I’m not leaving,” Spike said, failing to entirely temper his gruff tone. “Where would I even go? I’m not going back to… her.” Rarity sighed quietly, nodding her head. “I understand how you feel, Spike, but you have to go home. I’m sure Twilight misses you, and-” “I don’t care about her!” He yelled angrily. “Why should I!?” “That’s enough,” Rarity snapped firmly. “I know you’re upset but I already told you not to be mad for me. Now go home.” “Rarity-” “I won’t hear it any further,” Rarity said simply. Her horn lit at the front door opened. “Please; for me. Go be with Twilight. She’s all alone and needs her number one assistant.” Spike gawked at her for a moment, but when she said nothing further, his shoulders slumped. “Fine,” he muttered. “But she can find another assistant. I’m not helping her anymore.” Rarity watched from the corner of her eye as he left, a frown on her lips. “Oh, Spike… I’m sure we’ll both forgive her in time…” For a moment Rarity sat in the desolate silence of her shop, before turning and climbing the stairs to her bedroom with heavy hooves. The day had taken its toll on her, and she was bound and determined to get a good night’s rest. A lady needed her beauty sleep. She was back on the market, after all. Rarity felt her chest tighten in that familiar way it did whenever she thought of what had happened. It didn’t loosen until she all but collapsed into her bed, instinctively rolling and wrapping her satin sheets around herself. Her horn flashed and the lights clicked out, and she found herself staring out the window at the moon rising into the sky. She rolled, facing her bedroom door. Groaned and shifted onto her back. Waited. Counted her breaths.  Rolled again to the window, connecting the stars with her eyes and forming imaginary constellations. She’d never been interested in such things, and didn’t know any real ones. Maybe she should have paid more attention when Twilight was rambling on about astronomy or- Rarity huffed, kicking off her blanket. But that only made her too cold, the hairs of her coat standing on end. The clock told her twenty minutes had passed. With a sigh, Rarity resigned herself to her fate and fell out of bed, landing on her hooves and leaving her bedroom. She made a brief stop at her desk, scribbling on a piece of paper. She stared at her words for a good, long while, before crumpling the sheet and grabbing a fresh one. Again she wrote on it, and regarded it. Nodding to herself, she folded the note and slipped out the door into the evening streets. “Another!” The bartender raised a single eyebrow. “Ma’am, I closed ten minutes ago.” Rainbow growled. “Shut up and give me another!” The stallion across from her rolled his eyes and walked away. She watched him go, grumbling under her breath. “Don’t you know who I am?” The question wasn’t directed at anypony in particular - not that there was anypony there to answer. The back alley bar was all but abandoned, the only ponies left being her and the owner. That was fine, though; she wanted to be alone. “I remember this place having better service…” Rainbow mumbled, her chin hitting the surprisingly soft counter. Though everything was soft when it was made of clouds. Cloudsdale was like that - padded. Like the cells in a loony bin. Made crashing a lot better, at the very least. Though Rainbow would be lying if she said she didn’t miss the sound of a proper crash into a tree. Made of crystal and filled with books. Always a satisfying sound, even if the twenty minute lecture after only made the headache from the crash worse. Still, she supposed, it would be worth it to hear Twilight’s voice- “I thought you’d be here.” Rainbow jolted at the all-too-familiar voice, swiveling around in her chair. Her eyes landing on one of the last ponies she expected to see. “Fluttershy?” “Uh-uh! No way! We’re closed, lady!” Fluttershy smiled gently. “We’ll only be a minute, sir.” Her voice lowered as she leaned down. “I talked to Rarity.” It was impressive how fast the blood drained from Rainbow’s face, leaving her stark white and gaping like a fish out of water. “I-” “How are you?” Fluttershy asked, her tone soft as she took the empty seat next to Rainbow. Her nose wrinkled slightly, the pungent smell of alcohol wafting over her, but she kept up a smile. “Fine,” Rainbow muttered, crossing her hooves on the counter and laying her head atop them, eyes scanning the bottles along the shelves. They landed on the bartender, glaring daggers at them, his hooves folded over his chest. “We should go.” “You should talk to me,” Fluttershy responded simply, watching from the corner of her eye as the other mare fiddled with her hooves. “What happened?” Groaning, Rainbow buried her face into her forelegs. “Nothin’ ‘Shy! Rarity told you what she-... we did. That’s it. End of story. Show’s over.” “Bar’s closed!” “We get it!” Rainbow snapped, staggering to her hooves, squinting as the room wobbled slightly. She took a few steps forward, and nodded to herself; tipsy, but not drunk. Needed to find another bar. Rolling her eyes behind her bangs, Fluttershy stood as well, following a step behind as Rainbow lead them out onto the street.  “How’d you find me, anyway?” Fluttershy raised an eyebrow. “I’ve known you for a long time; you always end up here when you’re upset.” They turned, seemingly aimless, and started down the road. The moon had long since taken over the sky, bathing the pure white city in a pearlescent glow. Rainbow snorted. “I’m not upset. Why are you here? Wanna chew me out? Think I got off too easy?” “Honestly? I’d like to.” Fluttershy paused and sighed, noticing the way Rainbow’s ears were pinned to her head. “No, Rainbow Dash. Rarity made us all promise not to act out for her. I just wanted to make sure you were okay.” “Me? You’re kidding.” Rainbow spun around, throwing out her hooves. “I’m great! Never been better!” She landed back on all fours with a grunt. “Good enough?” Fluttershy stared at her flatly. “Talk to me.” Teeth grinding together, Rainbow turned her back on her friend and continued down the street. “Talk? About what!?” With a huff, Fluttershy jumped and flapped her wings, flying around and landing directly in front of Rainbow. “Tell me how it happened.” Rainbow’s eyes narrowed. “I seduced her,” she said simply. “Wha-” “Twilight. I thought it’d make a pretty good prank, so I seduced my friend’s marefriend. Who was also my friend. Great idea, huh? Fell right into my hooves. You shoulda seen the look on her face, ‘Shy, it was-” “Don’t try and protect her,” Fluttershy interrupted harshly, her cold tone throwing Rainbow off. “What Twilight did was horrible - both to Rarity and to you.” Rainbow’s mouth opened before she could stop it. “Leave her out of it,” she snapped. “Twi didn’t do anything wrong.” Tilting her head, Fluttershy raised an eyebrow. “Rainbow-” “It was my fault!” Rainbow yelled, almost angrily. “I should have stopped it. Should have said no - but I didn’t. Twilight… Twilight just felt alone - I’m the one that let it go too far.” “You’re saying Twilight had nothing to do with it?” “Of course she didn’t!” Rainbow snapped, falling back onto her haunches with a groan. “Don’t you remember how she was, back when Rarity was traveling all over the place? She was so sad, all the time, ‘Shy. At first, I just wanted to drag her out of her castle to go flying with me, but… I found her crying over a letter, one day. “It was from Rarity,” she spat the name with more venom than she thought possible - more venom than Rarity diserved. “She was so upset. So lonely. I just… I just wanted to be there for her, y’know? But Rarity kept ignoring her, and I kept being there, and I don’t regret that.” Rainbow frowned, eyes falling to her hooves. “I don’t regret any of it.” Fluttershy’s frown grew, and she ducked her head in an attempt to catch Rainbow’s gaze. “You don’t feel bad about what you did? How much you hurt Rarity?” Rainbow’s head snapped up, and there was a fire in her eyes Fluttershy hadn’t been expecting. “Why should I!? Does Rarity ‘feel bad’ about pushing Twilight away? Do you have any idea how much it hurt her every time Rarity would abandon her, forget about her? I just did what I always do; I was there for my friend. And yeah; maybe it went too far, but why is that my fault? “Unlike her, I was there for Twilight. Can Rarity say that? Can Rarity say she put anything aside for Twilight’s sake? Do you know how many citations I got for sneaking out of practice early so I could be with her? Rarity couldn’t see what she had right in front of her, so she lost it. Her loss. I felt so guilty for so long about this whole mess, but you know what? It’s not my fault. And it sure as hay ain’t Twilight’s.” “Rainbow-” “But it doesn’t matter anymore; it’s all over. Rarity knows, me an’ Twi are done - everything can go back to normal.” Fluttershy stepped forward, forcing Rainbow to look at her. “I’m sorry,” she said, quietly. Rainbow’s eyes widened as she found herself wrapped in a hug she wasn’t expecting. “You really do love her, don’t you?” “Doesn’t matter,” Rainbow mumbled. “It’s over.” Twilight sat on the crystal chair that bore her cutie mark, looking out across the map room. Five other cutie-mark emblazoned chairs sat before her, empty. The castle was silent and cold, and she found it fitting. The door slammed open and Twilight jumped as a small purple dragon walked in. His head turned away as though just looking at her would make him sick. It probably would. “I forgot my toothbrush,” he grunted, passing her without another word. Twilight watched from the corner of her eye. “Where are you staying?” Spike snorted. “None of your business.” With a frown and a flash of magic, Spike leg’s were rooted to the floor. Twilight sat up properly, leaning forward. “You have every right to be mad at me, but I need to know if you have somewhere to stay. I need to know you’re safe.” After feebly struggling against the magical might of an alicorn, Spike huffed. “Scootaloo’s parents are letting me stay over. Sweetie Belle’s there too.”  Twilight nodded, and Spike’s feet were released. “Thank you.” Spike just snorted again, disappearing into the twisting halls of the crystal tree. Twilight watched him go, heard his footsteps across the cold crystal floor. He returned a moment later, then went back out the door without a further word. “I’m sorry,” Twilight whispered.  Again the castle was empty. The Castle of Friendship without any friends. Twilight almost chuckled at the thought, before catching herself with a sigh.  “It’ll be okay,” she said to herself. “It’s a fresh wound; they’re angry and confused. Give them some time, then start working to earn their forgiveness, right?” Her eyes fell on her reflection in the arm of her crystal chair. “Right.” Her own voice sounded hollow in the empty throne room, and she wished with all her might for time to pass more quickly.  Slowly, Twilight stood, deciding it best to pass the time sleeping rather than sitting and thinking. As she turned, however, her ears perked, and she heard the door open again.  “Forget something else?” She asked, before glancing over her shoulder and choking on her words. “In a sense,” Rarity said quietly. She stepped into the room, shutting the door behind her and meeting Twilight’s gaze - the alicorn quickly looking away. “Rarity, I-” Rarity hissed through her teeth. “Don’t. Please. Not yet. I’m not ready.” Hesitantly, Twilight nodded, facing her… friend? No, not anymore. Maybe one day. “What can I do for you?” Instead of answering, Rarity looked around the room, scuffing her hoof along the floor. “Spike?” “Scootaloo’s. He’s pretty angry with me.” Rarity sighed. “I told him he should stay with you. And…” she shuddered, twisting her head away. “Rainbow Dash?” “Cloudsdale, I think. Said something about visiting her parents,” Twilight answered slowly, her frown deepening. “She… we broke it off, just so you know. Didn’t think it was right, to keep seeing each other after… everything.” “Just so I know?” Rarity asked sharply. “Is that supposed to make me feel better? That you-” she caught herself, pursing her lips shut and taking a few deep breaths. When she opened her mouth again, her words were measured and level. “That’s actually what I’m here to talk to you about; I… thought that might have been the case.” Twilight glanced up, tearing her gaze away from her hooves for the first time. “Huh?” “Look…” Rarity sighed, pinching the bridge of her muzzle. “I am… unbelievably hurt. I don’t even really think I’m angry; not yet, anyway. What you did to me, Twilight, I-...” she trailed off, unable to put words to her thoughts. “I’m sorry,” Twilight whispered in the void, and she saw Rarity flinch away. “Stop. The point I’m trying to make is that you’ve already caused a lot of pain. Make sure you’re not doing the same to Rainbow Dash,” Rarity explained. “What you did was wrong, but I don’t think your life should be destroyed over it, either. Especially because I’m not blameless in this.” Twilight’s eyes widened. “What? Rarity, what are you-” “I keep going through it in my head, over and over. What did I do wrong? What could I have done better.” She frowned. “At first I decided nothing; it was all your fault, and I’d done nothing to deserve it, done nothing to cause it. “But I was wrong, and… I’m sorry; I should have seen what I was doing to you, how much I was hurting you. Looking back…” Rarity chuckled, shaking her head. “Well, it’s easy to see why you found somepony to give you what I wouldn’t. You deserved better, Twilight. I just wish I realized that sooner.” She lit her horn and a small folded note floated forward, landing on the table in the center of the room. “Give that to Rainbow Dash for me. And…” she sighed as she turned away. “As a sort of parting gift I’ll honour your request; I don’t blame her for what happened.” Rarity stepped out the door, pausing before she closed it. “Just make sure you don’t hurt her like you hurt me.” With that she left, leaving Twilight staring curiously at the letter.