//------------------------------//
// "It's just a phase, darling." 
// Story: I'm sorry, Twilight 
// by the7Saviors 
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I frown at Rarity's dismissive response, not at all happy with the way she's treating the situation. After some deliberation, I'd decided to talk to a couple of my friends about what's been going on between Spike and I. I wanted to get some additional input before I sent a letter to Luna about Spike's dreams, and was hoping they could give some insight into any other options or solutions I'd missed. Given who the subject of the issue was, the first pony I came to was Rarity. She may not care for Spike in the same way he does for her, but she's almost as fond of the little drake as I am.

With that in mind, I left Spike back at the library and made my way over to Carousel Boutique to talk with Rarity. Despite how busy she was, the mare was more than willing to listen to what I had to say and I certainly had plenty to say. Her reply, unfortunately, left a lot to be desired. 

"While this recurring dream does sound rather strange, I don't believe it's cause for any concern," Rarity says, ignorant of my growing irritation as she continues to carefully push whatever fabric she's working on through her sewing machine, "all that brooding, the dirty looks, the secrecy, it's clearly a sign that our favorite little dragon is growing up. I acted much the same way as a filly, and I'm going through something similar with Sweetie Bell right now," she pauses in her work and turns to give me a sympathetic smile, "it'll all pass eventually, Twilight, just like that dream. And like a dream, it'll be as if nothing ever happened between you two."

"I'm not so sure it's that simple, Rarity," I reply with the utmost patience, "it's not just the dirty looks and secrecy I'm worried about. Lately, he's been vanishing off to who-knows-where without warning and when he does, I can't find him anywhere. It's never for more than half an hour or so, but when I ask him where he's been, he just... gives me this blank look and says things like 'I just went out for some air' or 'I took a walk around town for a bit'. Most of the time he doesn't say anything at all. When was the last time you saw him just take a walk around town, Rarity?"

Rarity raises an eyebrow and looks at me over her red-framed glasses. 

"Every time you or I ask him to run an errand for us?" she replies slowly, "I'm sorry, Twilight dear, but I'm still not seeing the same problem that you are. Forgive me if I sound rude, but from my perspective, all I can see is a 'mother' trying to deal with her rebellious 'son'."

I stare back at the other mare in disbelief, my mouth flapping uselessly as I struggle to find a response. I actually take a moment to play everything I've told Rarity back in my head and realize she's right. I do sound like a concerned mother, and I can't even deny it. The truth is, in some ways, that's exactly what I feel like. The realization does nothing to deter me from my suspicions, but I make a mental to tweak my explanation so that I'm taken more seriously when I write my letter to Princess Luna. A sigh snaps me out of my thoughts and I focus back on Rarity just in time to see her shut off her machine and fully turn to face me.

"I may not understand your thought process here, Twilight, but I can see that this is important to you," she says with a reassuring grin, "why don't I talk to Spike for you? Perhaps see if I can find the root of the problem. Would that put you at ease?"

It wouldn't.

In fact, I'm afraid of what might happen if she does. Still, I did ask for help, and if anypony else could get through to Spike I would assume it'd be Rarity. Aside from that, and despite what she says, I can see from her earnest expression that she's also worried about Spike and truly does want to help. She's a lot like Fluttershy in that way, but I suppose kindness and generosity tend to go hoof in hoof. I have my misgivings, but it doesn't take me long to agree to let her talk to Spike.

"Very well then, I still have some work left to do here, but I'll stop by the library in say... half an hour?" she asks. 

I tell her that's fine and she nods before lighting up her horn and pulling a small purple bit pouch from one of the shelves near the wall of her workroom. I watch in bemusement as she pulls out a few bits and floats them over to me.

"What's this for?" I ask, taking the bits into my own magic and casting a quizzical frown at Rarity.

"It's obvious that this whole affair has taken its toll on you, dear. Baggy eyes, ratty mane, horribly crinkled tail, and your coat is as coarse as badly spun wool," Rarity replies, shaking her head and setting the bit pouch aside. She reactivates her sewing machine and begins her work anew as she speaks, "You look absolutely dreadful, darling. I'll deal with Spike, but I want you to take that and pay a visit to Aloe and Lotus at the spa. Tell them I sent you and they'll take good care of you."  

I drop the floating bits into an upturned hoof and frown at them, then look back up to Rarity.

"Rarity, I appreciate the offer, but—"

"No excuses, Twilight Sparkle," Rarity interjects, snapping her machine off and whipping around to face me again. Her tone is hard and her glare harder, "I want you to march right down to that spa and I want you to treat yourself. Stop for nothing and don't you dare come out of that building until your coat, mane and tail are all shining with the radiance of Celestia's brilliant sun, is that understood?"

Caught off guard by her intensity, I flounder for something to say—some kind of objection. I open my mouth to speak, but Rarity's glare sharpens and I shut it again, let out a long resigned sigh, and nod once. I let the irritation drain out of me and give Rarity a grateful, if tired, smile.

"Alright, you win, Rarity," I finally reply, feeling lighter than I have in the past few weeks, "I'll go and pamper myself like a proper mare should. Would that be to your liking, my lady?"

"It very much would, yes," Rarity replies, raising her muzzle and speaking in a snooty tone. We share a small laugh and she gives me another reassuring smile, "in all seriousness, you don't need to worry so much, Twilight. All Spike needs is time and a caring word or two, and things will be right as rain, you'll see."

"I hope you're right, Rarity," I reply quietly, "because I'm not sure what else to do at this point."

I don't tell her about my plan to write to Luna, nor do I tell her about the eyes that watch me or the strange sense of foreboding that seems to have settled over the library lately. Visits to the library are scarce normally, but nowadays, it's like nopony wants anything to do with the place. I can't blame them, and I know Rarity will find out for herself soon enough, so I hold my tongue on that matter, we say our goodbyes and I turn to leave the boutique. Just as I reach the door to her workroom, a sudden thought hits me and I turn back to the hardworking seamstress.

"Hey, Rarity?" I begin tentatively, "can I... ask you something?"

"What is it, dear?" Rarity calls back, keeping her eyes on her work, "is something else the matter?"

"No, it's just..." I pause for a second as I try to find the right words to say, "this is probably going to sound strange, but have I... acted or done anything you thought was suspicious lately?"

The machine dies down yet again and Rarity looks back at me, completely bewildered.

"I'm sorry, but I don't quite follow," she says, "can you give me a bit more detail?"

"It's about what Spike said," I explain, "how he thinks I'm hiding something, not just from him, but everypony. I have no idea what he's talking about, but maybe... I don't know. Maybe I just don't remember."

"Ah, I see," Rarity replies, nodding her understanding. She lifts a hoof to her chin and hums in thought for a few seconds, "well... I can't think of anything right off hoof, but..." she suddenly gives me an oddly sardonic smile, "...you're an incredibly smart mare, Twilight. If somepony like you really wanted to keep secrets, I doubt even Celestia herself would be the wiser."

My first instinct is to deny the claim, but I stop myself and really think about what Rarity says. I am a capable mare, I won't deny that, but am I really capable enough to keep a secret from myself?

"Maybe," I mutter, though I no longer know whether or not I'm talking to Rarity or myself, "I guess... I guess that's something to think about."

Rarity says something else as I trot out of the workroom, but I don't hear her, lost in my own thoughts as I am.