//------------------------------// // 117. Stay Safe // Story: Azure Edge // by Leaf Blade //------------------------------// Rarity sat on a bench in the Moon District train station, listlessly waiting for her train to arrive. She hardly noticed the passersby going about their business around her as she sat solemnly, finger tapping against her cheek. She sat alone; she was taking an earlier train than that of the rest of her group, so she saw fit to arrive at the station early; the less time she had to spend pining over Twilight Sparkle, the better. “Hey, Rarity!” Applejack’s voice calling out to her made Rarity’s ears shoot right up, and she attempted to affect a cheerful expression as Applejack walked up to her— but the key word was ‘attempted’ and it was not a lovely sight to behold. “Woah,” Applejack said with a cringe, “don’t look too excited.” “I’m sorry, dear,” Rarity groaned and pouted. “I’m not in a good mood today, I’m afraid.” “Yeah, I feel ya on that,” Applejack grumbled and took a seat next to Rarity, putting her arm around Rarity’s shoulders. Rarity thought to protest, but decided against it; she could use the comfort. “I’m sorry I haven’t been able to be there fo—” “Don’t apologize, hon,” Applejack chuckled and rubbed Rarity’s arm, and while Rarity did feel somewhat guilty still, she appreciated Applejack’s support. “We’re all reelin’ from this, it’s only natural we’d all need some time to get our heads on straight ‘fore we can really be there for each other. Especially you.” Rarity said nothing, just let the truth of Applejack’s words fill her like water being poured into an empty vase. “So hey,” Applejack cleared her throat and Rarity’s ears flicked up again, “were you gonna tell the rest of us that you’re takin’ a different train?” “Uh, well,” Rarity stammered sheepishly, her face turning a bright red. Truth be told, it just slipped her mind that she should probably inform the others of her change of plans. “I apologize, I haven’t quite been myself as of late.” “That’s fine, sugarcube,” Applejack laughed and brought Rarity in close for a side-hug. “I’m just teasin’ ya. Rainbow told me the whole story.” “Oh, okay,” Rarity sighed. “I certainly hoped one of you informed Pinkie Pie. You know she’ll be distraught if the news is dropped on her at the last minute.” “Yeah, she wasn’t happy about it,” Applejack hummed. “But she gets it too. You need some time and space to clear yer head, we all do.” “I hope she wasn’t too upset,” Rarity mused. “She said it’s fine,” Applejack chuckled into her hand, “but that next time she sees ya she’s gonna make you eat one of her strawberry-cinnamon-cilantro cupcakes.” “Oh goodness,” Rarity held her hand up to her mouth and laughed, “certainly a punishment worse than death.” “I’ll eat one with ya,” Applejack said, “cuz I wanna go with you on the manticore mission.” “What,” Rarity said stiffly, looking at Applejack as though she had told her that the earth was flat or some other such nonsense. “I know you need your space,” Applejack gently tapped her knuckles against her palm, “so if u don’t want me to come, that’s fine. But I don’t wanna leave you totally on your lonesome. I want you to have somepony to talk to if you need to.” “That’s—” Rarity blushed, and she chewed on her thumbnail to stall for time and think of what to say. She was flattered, honestly. She was touched by Applejack’s concern for her; it always surprised her when her friends showed genuine concern for her wellbeing. To some degree, there was a part of her that always assumed her friends were only friends with her because of what she could do for them, so to be reminded that no, her friends really care about her, it was— It was difficult to handle. Rarity made a loud hacking cough to try and dissuade the emotions she was feeling, and the tears welling up in her eyes, from fully coming to the surface. Unfortunately, the rest of their little group arrived at the station just in time to see Rarity pretending to hack her lungs out. “Oh no! Applejack did you tell her about the cilantro thing?” Pinkie gasped, hands over her mouth. “That was just a joke, Rarity, I’m not actually gonna make you eat those nasty things!” “You’re very—” Rarity coughed, her pretend hacking fit bringing on a real one, and Applejack patted her back. “You’re too sweet, Pinkie Pie. Thank you.” “So you two work out your travel arrangements?” Rainbow asked, crossing her arms and cocking her head. “You gonna go together?” “Yes,” Rarity nodded, putting her hand on Applejack’s leg and looking up at her with a tender smile. “Yes, we are. I would like that very much.” “Happy to do it, Rarity,” Applejack replied with a beaming smile. Applejack looked at Rainbow Dash and winked at her. “I hope you’ll be okay without me for a day or two.” “I think I’ll manage,” Rainbow rolled her eyes. “But you’d better brace yourself, cuz next time I see you, I’m gonna kiss you like super hard.” “Lookin’ forward to it,” Applejack licked her lips. “I, um,” Fluttershy if all po—creatures—muttered, “I hope you two have a good time.” “Thanks, hon,” Applejack said politely, though Rarity refused to say anything at all as she stood to her hooves. And she looked directly at Twilight Sparkle, who took a step toward her. For a moment, it felt like the two of them were all that existed in the world, as they simply stared at each other in silence, Spike anxiously holding onto Twilight’s hand. “Stay safe,” Twilight said, her tone betraying zero emotion. “You too,” Rarity choked out, speaking before having a chance to think better of it, and then walking away from Twilight Sparkle to the train platform, as the whistle of the oncoming train pierced through the air and shattered the silence.