//------------------------------// // Beauty is in the Eye of the Bean Holder // Story: The Sphinx's Paw // by Lingo //------------------------------// Late that night, Twilight had an idea. Or well, part of an idea. But it was good enough. She stopped by Sweetie's room before breakfast the following morning, to thank her and ask for a favor.  When the royal family arrived for their morning meal, Twilight joined them as she usually does. Nothing was out of the ordinary. Nothing except for the large wool socks she wore on each foot, extending part way up her leg. She gained some curious looks but most of those in attendance brushed it off as her feeling chilly. All except for the two sisters, the younger who barely contained her giddy excitement and the elder who squinted in suspicion.  Rarity knew that Twilight did not and never had owned a pair of socks. And those look terribly like an oversized pair her little sister received from their grandmother for Hearth's Warming a few years prior. She restrained herself for the meal, intent on extracting the information from them both once they were finished.  But when the meal came to a close, her sister ran off sputtering something about meeting with her friends. And Twilight disappeared from the table as she usually does. No matter, Rarity knew just what spots to look. She found her soon-wife in one of the palace reading rooms, lounging on a couch with her face in a book. And she was still wearing those socks.  Ears tilted and a tail swished as Rarity entered. "Cold, Twilight?" We can commission you a fetching scarf and a jacket if you'd like." "No thank you, Rarity. I'm fine." No stutter. No trip on the name. Just even, articulate speaking. Very much too nonchalant to be normal.  "Are you sure? The palace can become so chilly as the seasons change." "I'm warm enough already." Ohoho no that won't do. "But Twilight, dear, we could even have your own socks made so you do not have to borrow my sister's. The floors must be so rough on your soft little…" She couldn't see the beans, concealed as they were under the thick material. Was that the game she was playing? Or.. Or could she have made Twilight that uncomfortable? She may have gone a little overboard with Fluttershy before, but she didn't think it was enough for Twilight to erect this new wall between them. She could have inadvertently taken a step backwards in their relationship, after how far they'd come! Her chest was squeezed in a vice. "Twilight.. I.. im sorry if I made you uncomfortable with my antics yesterday. If there's anything I can do to.." "Books." "Pardon?" "I'd like some new books. Preferably about magic" A lifeline. "Y-yes! Of course! Your own library's wor.." "And a set of combs and brushes." Interrupted twice in one conversation? By the normally so shy sphinx? What had gotten into her? "I.. absolutely. I'll have one purchased right awa.." For the first time since Rarity approached, Twilight looked up from her book. "And I want you to brush me once a day." Rarity was struck speechless, surprised. "Do that…" Twilight swallowed, a blush creeping into her cheeks. "..do that.. and I'll let you have some bean time this Friday." The young princess's face contorted in the most brilliant mix of confusion and surprise and a little bit of excitement. It's the kind of face that creates diplomatic incidents and inspires tabloid trash. The kind of face Rarity does her best to never make, ever. She ended up holding it for a full fifteen seconds. Twilight counted. "You…" Her fiance rasped, her face turning to a nearly a scowl. Her eyes narrowed at the sphinx. "..you… you dirty little cheat!"  Twilight effortlessly smiled at her. "This should be illegal! I should have you arrested! Blackmail! That's what this is! You're blackmailing me!" She points an accusing hoof at Twilight. "I am a princess and I shall not be denied what is rightfully-" "You have hoof-butts." Rarity's tirade sputtered to a sudden halt. She blinked owlishly at Twilight.  "What?"  "I said that you have hoof-butts." "I don't.. where do..?" Rarity stammered, completely befuddled. Had Twilight gone mad? Twilight rose from the couch and padded over to the princess on soft, sock-clad paws. She leaned down to Rarity's still outstretched hoof, gently turning it over so the frog was up. She lightly kissed the soft pad on the bottom of Rarity's hoof, sending shivers racing up the princess's spine. Then Twilight passed by to leave the room, pausing for a moment to whisper in the mare's ear.  "Hoof. Butts." And swiftly made her exit. Rarity stared at the couch, then at her hoof, and back again. She did this silently for some time, realization slowly blossoming inside her.  A giggle sounded from the doorway behind her. She whipped her head around, catching sight of the end of her sister's tail as she dashed away, still giggling.  It all made sense now. "Twilight! TWILIGHT! GET BACK HERE THIS INSTANT!" And off she galloped through the palace, starting a chase that would last until sundown, with short breaks for lunch and dinner. They fell asleep mere inches from each other in a random study. At some point, someone came by to light the fireplace and drape a blanket over the pair. The young princess would most certainly complain about her sleeping place the following morning, but it would pale in comparison to the berating she would give to anyone who dared to wake either of them up right then.  Because even though it may not seem like it, this was an important step. She vowed to make it work with Twilight. This was a sign that it was working.