//------------------------------// // It is Never too Late to Apologize // Story: I Need to Talk to You // by Victoria_the_dragoness //------------------------------// “My dear, hide here, quickly,” Rarity called as she wrapped her hoof around Spike’s hand and hopped into a bush. Once the two were safely hidden, they looked above as the remains of the disturbed bats flew past them. The seamstress sat close with the dragon with one hoof on his shoulder, confident that they had not been seen entering the bush, but still prepared to act if a bat should spot one or both of them. After the commotion dissipated into the usual serene twitters of the birds and bees buzzing around the beautiful flowers nearby, Spike managed a relieved exhale. “Phew, thanks, Rarity. That was close.” Finding that the danger had passed, Rarity set her hoof on the grass and smiled. “Oh, not at all, darling; I have developed a bit of a strategy when dealing with them, since our friends aren’t very capable of remaining quiet in these sorts of situations. It isn’t exactly clean, but it has been effective,” she added, plucking the leaves from her mane and tail. Spike chuckled and rubbed at his spines to brush away the leaves that had been caught there in their desperation as well. “Oh, I see what you mean. Where is Pinkie Pie?” The two looked about beneath the safety of their shrub. Shaking her head, Rarity locked gazes with her bodyguard and hummed sadly. “I’m not sure, dear. I called to her too, but she was galloping and screaming so loudly, I almost didn’t hear myself.” Spike laughed. “Well, that sure sounds like Pinkie.” “Indeed,” she supplied, smiling despite her circumstances of being here again. Well, at least he is here with me this time, she thought cheerily. Rarity did miss Spike’s laugh. “Well, now that things have settled a bit, I suppose that we should return to Ponyville. Perhaps we can enjoy an afternoon at the spa or a bit of a game or read at the boutique, hmm?” She stood from her position before the dragon and was about to step out from the bush when the sweetheart cleared his throat to have her attention. “Wait, Rarity,” he called, and she turned to stare at him quizzically. Spike seemed to be struggling with something, and that alone was enough to have her worrying for him as well. “I didn’t come here just to spend time with you. I-I mean I did mean to, b-but it wasn’t only that.” Rarity simply grinned as he continued to speak swiftly and worry when he said something that he thought she might take offense to. He did do that often with her, didn’t he? Well, the fashionista certainly didn’t mind; not about his other clandestine reason for being here or because he could be so flustered over her. Goodness knows that I have done the same thing with him on many an occasion. Spike didn’t behave like this as often as he did before and she honestly liked that. It meant that he was simply comfortable with her, but she did like to see it once in a while, especially after the unfortunate situation with Gabby. When he seemed to be lacking the ability to apologize further for something or other, the alabaster unicorn merely settled her right hoof on his left shoulder to calm him. She sat on her haunches and smiled her brightest smile her repertoire had. “What is it, Spikey? You can tell me anything, remember? If you wish to cancel our day together tomorrow to see Gabby, I understand.” “No, it isn’t that, Rarity. I want to go with you tomorrow. I can’t wait. It is simply that I…well…mmm.” The dragon clenched his jaw and looked away from the mare, which only caused Rarity’s amusement to become genuine concern for her dragon. “Spike, what is the matter? Spike, please talk to me,” she beseeched, delicately placing her right hoof against his chin and lifting his head to look at him in his sweet emerald eyes. “Have I done something?” It was instant. His eyes widened and he took her right hoof gently, but firmly with both hands. “No, it is nothing like that, honestly,” he assured, suddenly calm and focused. “I wasn’t even upset with you after you explained why you did all of those things for me.” “Well, then, whatever is the matter, darling?” she queried, pressing her left hoof to his chest. “Honestly, if you are unhappy then I am unhappy too, precious, and if there is something that I can do to change that, I want to hear what it is.” Spike swallowed, still daintily holding her hoof. “I want you…I mean, I would like you to accept my apology too, please.” It was her turn to look astounded. She scooted closer and cast her head to the side, before removing her stylish gem cave hat and placing it wherever. “Spike, what could you possibly owe me an apology for? You have been nothing but charming and helpful since we met.” “I wasn’t charming or very much of a gentledragon when I completely ignored you.” His answer was prompt; like he couldn’t say it any other way and simply needed to say it. Try as she might to think of something to say against that, when she did think about it, the feeling of neglect still stung a smidge. It only hurt more because it was Spike. “I wasn’t helpful when I didn’t tell you why I was busy and when I flew away with Gabby while you were still speaking. When you asked me to Power Pony Palooza, regardless of why you did it, you didn’t try to snatch me away from her and I managed to say what we were doing and goodbye to her at least. I didn’t do the same for you, Rarity.” Rarity beamed affectionately. Honestly, she was simply happy to have him in her life again, and what he was saying, however sweet and generous it was of him and whether it was true or not, didn’t matter to her in that moment. “Oh, Spike, it is fine-” “No, it isn’t,” Spike interrupted immediately and instantly regretted it. The charming gentledragon held her hoof tighter and leaned closer. The fashionista didn’t remember the last time that the two of them were this close to one another, other than the constant hugs and snuggles that she prompted. She couldn’t deny that being alone with him at that moment, in a shrub, holding hoof and claw, was rather…intimate. Rarity swallowed, having thought of the word and felt her face heating. Yes, it was the proper word for it; she had felt it before with him, after all. The lithesome unicorn had a plethora of opportunities to think about what she felt for him over the years and through several clandestine dinner and lunch dates. She couldn’t help but feel a touch like that now, after not having the debonair dragon as a comfort and companion for so long. Arching her eyebrows and trying to quell the emotions a tad, Rarity bit her lower lip and gave him her full attention. “I also didn’t need to spend every day with Gabby. I have simply never had many friends outside of our circle, I suppose. It felt good to have my own friend that I found without anyone else’s help, you know? I could have asked you if you wanted to spend a day together at least once as well, Rarity. I simply had so much fun with Gabby, which sounds silly when you think that I was just giving letters to ponies. I do that every day with Twilight. Hmm, perhaps she conditioned me to like it no matter who I am with.” He tapped his right claw on his chin in serious thought, a behavior that Rarity thoroughly enjoyed. She giggled cutely, seeming to receive his attention again from her entertainment and he returned his hand to her hoof. “Well, it does sound a bit peculiar. Perhaps I should have tried that to have your attention again. I will have to save that idea for when the next griffon or pony crosses your path.” Her friend gave her a level stare, yet she could tell that Spike knew she was only fibbing. Again, she giggled in her lilting voice and watched as he smiled knowingly, before giggling too. She quite enjoyed his laugh, and that she could retrieve it from him using her melodramatic flare. Rarity also couldn’t help but realize that she enjoyed how he held her hoof like that. It felt rather lovely, having her hoof held by him. She had no idea why she hadn’t let him do that before all of this, given that she basically let him lick the cucumbers off of her eyes while they relaxed together in the spa. He was very careful, of course, but Rarity wouldn’t permit any other friend to be that close. Before this fiasco, they hadn’t ever held hoof and hand together, but when she placed her hoof on his palm in the gem cave, she shared a glance with Spike that seemed more than what it was for both of them before they pointedly looked away from one another. Now, the warm, cozy feeling of the little embrace only seemed more poignant to her, but she wasn’t about to remove her hoof from the shock of realizing it. She was also wondering whether he had ever accidently contacted her fur or mane when he ate the cucumbers and she didn’t know or care. “Yes, well, that, of course, is only a jest.” She laughed again as she waved her left hoof dismissively, to distract herself from her prompt elation. Rarity placed the hoof over his right hand after, unable to resist after his becoming little apology. “I do so appreciate your apology, Spikey. Honestly, I do. Thank you for allotting that courage I know you have to tell me. Although I wish to forget it and say that in some large fashion I deserve it, for ignoring you many times before and many other things besides, I must admit that it was heartbreaking. You never did anything like that before and I did not fail to notice that you took the time to bid Gabby a farewell. You didn’t simply fly away with me, as it were, but I know that I do not have wings.” Once again, ever the chivalrous dragon, Spike shook his head adamantly, not shrinking an inch from the difficult subject. “You do not deserve it, Rarity, and I want you to know that I truly appreciate the length that you went to in order to thank me for always being there to help you. I sort of understand the gem trip, because we always enjoy that type of outing, as you call them, together, but you even let me keep all of the gems from it.” She shut her sapphire eyes and smiled cutely when he used her term for their delightful gem endeavors. Rarity opened her eyes again to see the brightest smile that Spike had ever given her, which truly was saying something. “However, when you held those passes in your magic and invited me to accompany you to Power Pony Palooza, I thought that I was in a dream. You even seemed interested in learning about what happens at conventions, and you knew some of what was there without having me explain. I couldn’t believe that you would ever want to do something like that with me.” The two shared a laugh at the memory of the event. “Well, of course I was interested if you are, darling. I honestly value your opinions and presence above any of our friends, Spike.” “You do?” I do? she questioned herself, managing to prevent herself from blinking in slight confusion. Yet swiftly, Rarity composed herself and nodded, knowing now that that was unquestionably true. Yes, yes, I do. “Oh, most definitely; why, Spikey, no creature could replace you. I don’t simply mean that you are a better basket holder, bodyguard, sounding board or gem tester. No, what I mean is-” she began, but hesitated, like Rarity only now realized what she was saying; what she had been saying and thinking all along, and most importantly that she truly meant it. The pristine mare saw the dragon swallow, that mostly forgotten look of sparkle and awe in his eyes despite him desperately trying not to look too needy or hopeful, as they both waited for what she would say. Her smile was discarded for now, but it was only replaced with nervous determination for what she felt she had to say to Spike. “What I mean is, I couldn’t and wouldn’t trade you and your time with me for the brightest diamonds or softest silks in all of Equestria and beyond, my sweet, precious dragon. I don’t think that I could be truly happy without you, Spike.” “Do you really mean that, Rarity?” he asked, a sizable amount of amaranth hue painting his cheeks for the first time since they first held claw and hoof. It was a tad hot inside this shrub for her as well now, neither of them ever before broaching a conversation of this fashion with one another. The elegant mare felt butterflies in her tummy and a warmth in her heart like never before. She dipped her head, unwilling to retrieve her sapphire orbs from his emerald pools. Rarity politely removed her hooves, confusing the dragon a little, before she carefully lit her horn and levitated him onto her comfy and welcoming lap for a hug. She felt him relax into her embrace, and when he settled his chin on her right shoulder and wrapped his arms around her slender form, Rarity happily melted into him. After remaining motionless for a few moments, she felt him gently rubbing her back. At that moment the designer honestly regretted wearing the comfy ensemble of hers, not being able to feel what his claws would feel like on her pristine alabaster coat, but it felt divine nonetheless. “My dear, I do value your interests,” she cooed, returning the attentions in kind by caressing his supple green spines and purple back. “Do you remember the large box that I pushed into the Ponyville post office?” “Yes, I was surprised that you had so many comics in there; how many gems and other things that you were willing to give me even when you didn’t know what we might have had an argument about. You even had a gramophone and proper lighting for the mood.” Rarity giggled and retrieved herself from the hug to look at him in the eyes again. “A mare has her ways, Spikey. Out of all of my past scuffles with our friends, not knowing what had you upset with me hurt me the most and it had me wanting to reconcile more fiercely than I ever have. I didn’t think that you and I could ever have a fight, but I was really so distraught that I might have hurt you.” Spike dipped his head emphatically. “Yes, I didn’t think that we could have a fight either. Well, we still haven’t, Rarity. It was a misunderstanding, I could never be upset with you, because I…I…w-well…” She beamed at him, shut his open mouth with a touch of an aura and placed a delicate hoof over his lips. “Spike, would it be easier if I admitted it first?” The silly dragon swallowed, flushed and inclined his head. “Very well, my Spikey-Wikey,” she said, but hesitated again. She did want to offer him that, truly, because of all of the years that he had wanted to confess to her. Yet now that it was her responsibility to start, she felt a faint hint of a cute pink hue in her cheeks, developing until a bright red stood in proud bloom on her face. “Mmm, well, oh…precious, I think I know why you never told me how you feel. It is rather hard for me to say it to you too. Even so, with all of my frivolity and melodramatics, all of my style, finesse and charm, I do have feelings for you, dearly and beyond a doubt, Spikey; more than just friendship.” He practically glowed with glee, admiration, and embarrassment. “Do you really?” “Yes, sweetheart, I truly do,” she assured, stroking his back in a soothing way. “I can’t believe this. I should have tried something like this years ago.” On this occasion, it was her turn to give him a withering stare. He shrunk on her lap and smiled in embarrassment, but he also seemed to regard that her irked countenance was purely feigned. Spike chuckled and relaxed again. “Sorry, I’m only joking, Rarity.” In answer, she giggled, creating pleasant shutters through his body too. “Oh, you had better be, darling. You have seen what I can do when I have been mistreated or ignored, after all, this time from your own experience.” Her dragon nodded. “Yes, I won’t do that again. I promise. Well, speaking of what happened at the post office, and before I say it, I know that you aren’t weak at all, Rarity, but you must be really strong to be able to push a box of that size.” She nodded at his remark. “Well, my dear, I do need to stay slim and fit. I not only exercise my body, but I have improved my magic too. I don’t think you failed to notice that I managed to wrap you in my magic and lift you without effort, did you? Of course, I am not saying that you are heavy, darling, perish the thought. You and I keep quite strong from our activities together and separately after all. Thank you for saying that I am strong as well, precious scales. However, speaking of what we do with one another, I would like to expand our repertoire of activities.” “What do you mean, Rarity?” he quizzed, lifting his arms. “Don’t you include me in most of your daily routine?” “Why yes, of course, Spike, but that is precisely the issue. Until I realized how much I missed having you with me every day, I rarely indulged in any of your interests,” Rarity clarified, tracing his body with her hooves, which promptly had him nervous again. It was a becoming behavior that she was honestly beginning to fancy seeing again. “Y-your interests are m-my interests, Rarity.” That received a giggle. “I believe it is rather that I am your interest, Spike,” she corrected, sighing delectably when he absentmindedly rubbed her back. “Whatever I do becomes something that you want to help me with, and in a way, in doing so, it became an activity that I couldn’t change either. It became something that you and I do together.” “I understand. Even if you didn’t exactly know that you have feelings for me, it was still hidden there and neither of us could dissuade ourselves from having the other around for it.” “Precisely, darling, that is exactly correct,” his elegant mare indicated, pointing a hoof in the air before returning it around him. “Now, because of how much fun it honestly was to experience what you fancy for entertainment, I want to share what we like with each other. After all, we will be dating if everything continues to be like this.” Under these circumstances, she wasn’t in the least bit surprised or melancholic to see that he was excited for the first time, rather than abashed, to hear about their swiftly developing relationship. “W-what; you want to date me, Rarity?” “Mmhm. Well, that is, if you still desire to court me, Spike.” She turned slightly to the side and pouted cutely, garnering his attention like she knew that the provocative behavior would. Now with Spike’s shimmering green eyes transfixed upon her, Rarity hid herself delicately behind her raised right shoulder, before fluttering her eyelashes at the purple dragon like they both fancied. Spike dipped his head quickly, drawing nearer to her and strengthening his hold around her, almost like she would gallop away or vanish from his sight if her friend turned more didn’t hold her tightly. “Yes, of course I do, my lady.” With a giggle, she stopped acting melodramatic and took a moment to enjoy his renewed caress. “Once again, my darling Spike, we have had little soirees together before; little lunches, breakfasts, the occasional dinner at the Carousel Boutique when it was far too late for either of us to be meandering about around Ponyville. Even the gem excursions could be regarded as special occasions meant only for us.” “You did start making a habit of dressing rather nicely on those occasions after a while. I love this outfit that you have now, Rarity.” “Thank you, Spikey. I have always appreciated your subtle and…not so subtle glances at my slender figure. I did grow accustomed to having your eyes on me, so to speak. I also didn’t mind how strong that you have become, my dear, physically and otherwise, especially with those magnificent wings of yours. I suppose that you always had my eyes too. You grew those wings to save me, Spikey-poo, how could I not fancy them and you? Well, what I am saying is that, truth be told, we have been in a sort of special relationship for years and didn’t really know it. Speaking of which, I will need to fetch that fire-ruby necklace from my dresser.” “Do you mean that you still have it?” Spike questioned her, eyes alight with amazement. “Oh, darling, throw away the most generous gift that I have ever received? I cannot believe that you would even think that I would behave in such an uncouth fashion. Honestly, have you been listening to me throughout my confession to you?” She placed her muzzle against his to demonstrate that she was purely joking. In answer, the sweet dragon chuckled and turned a most endearing shade of red. “Of course, but just to be sure, can you say it all again?” She huffed indignantly, retrieved her muzzle and shoved him a touch for his cheek. “Oh, shush, you,” she laughed. “I can see that neither of us is ever tired of being complimented, at least not by the other.” The two remained silent for a moment now, neither of them glancing away. Spike sat straight on her lap and carefully stroked his hands along her back, like he only now realized that he didn’t have her in a gentle caress or was too nervous to before. Rarity continued her ministrations along his back, bolstered by his sweet qualities. “There is one more thing, precious scales. Will I still have to share you with Gabby since I told you about my feelings?” Hearing that, he frowned and cast his head to the side like she often did. “Share me? My dear, Gabby and I are just friends, but from me giving you all of my attention for three days, I thought that it would be safe to say that you will always be my Rare and I will always be your Spikey-Wikey.” “Ooh hoo hoo, darling, such a sensuous response. Is that perhaps my sobriquet, precious?” “Mmhm, if you want it to be. I also think that it will be the only one for quite a while. I still can’t think straight from you saying that you have feelings for me too, or that I am on your lap.” Rarity giggled vivaciously, holding him against her and rubbing his back. “Mmm, you are, aren’t you, my little Spikey-Wikey?” She chuckled again and stopped staring in an alluring way. Instead, she looked utterly lugubrious as she released her hold on him, dropping her hooves to the grass with a surprising lack of elegance. “Oh my goodness, Spike, you must think that I am such a silly mare.” Her gem date tilted his head to the side again, perplexed by her change in demeanor. “Why would I think that?” “Oh, after all of these years of searching for the perfect stallion, my dear,” she started humorlessly. Spike looked sad and glanced at his hands, which they both now seemed to notice were absentmindedly placed on her tummy. Rarity simply smiled sympathetically and raised his head with a touch of magic. “After all of my past suitors, if you could call them that; from that despicable Prince Blueblood to Trenderhoof, it took me so many years of having you as an assistant, a dear friend, an absolutely magnificent comfort in any situation, a very capable bodyguard, me wearing a Maneiac foam hat and appearing unannounced in your bedroom over you while you slept…which, mmm, is not something that I am particularly proud of doing given the matter of your privacy, to keep your attention firmly placed on me, to realize how much I need you in my life.” He looked positively and adorably crimson, but he couldn’t stop beaming either. Noticing how hot she felt now, the seamstress did not doubt that she looked much the same. “Well, I did think that you looked cute with that Maneiac hat and your other accessories.” Rarity looked surprised at first at his boldness, but smirked at him seductively once she felt accustomed to hearing that from Spike, hearing a secret invitation. “I wouldn’t mind seeing you wear that again.” “Naturally; oh, but perhaps we will have a bit of a rest from that sort of thing for a while. I do enjoy O and O and I was quite flattered when you so abashedly explained that Princess Shmarity is meant to be me. Oh, I couldn’t help but be her and meet my usual dashing and handsome savior on the battlefield, but perhaps we may begin with some less extreme endeavors of yours, hm?” “I think that you’re right, Rarity. I still can’t believe that you ignored your mane for me so you could enjoy a special day with your Spikey-Wikey.” “Believe it, dear. I am all yours,” she assuaged, as she leaned toward him, intent on giving him a proper kiss. She placed her left hoof on his side and the other on his right cheek. “Oh, dear,” was all that Spike managed as he followed in kind. “Oh, so that’s how that works,” Pinkie spoke from behind Rarity. The proper lady and the dragon flinched and huffed at being interrupted and turned to reprimand the intruding party mare for her terribly timed entrance. “Pinkie, how long have you been there listening to us?” Obliviously, Pinkie simply shrugged her shoulders and waved to Spike as he was still on Rarity’s lap, giving a similar unimpressed expression for the affair. “I don’t know. I didn’t bring my watch to the gem cave, or a sun dial…or a marker, but goodness am I glad that you two finally became a couple. You have no idea how much Twilight and I tried to pair you two together over the years,” she finished, hunching a bit tiredly. Rarity and Spike began to protest, lifting a hoof and hand respectively, yet they stopped and thought for a moment. “Hmm, they did try to do that come to think of it now, didn’t they?” Rarity inquired, while staring at Spike with a cute tilt of her head. “Mmhm, they did.” With some thought of her own, the pink pony sat and clapped her hooves together excitedly. “Ooh, I can’t wait to tell Twilight that you two are thinking of dating, wee.” Before she could stand and prance away, Rarity lifted a hoof again. “Wait, Pinkie Pie. Please, do not tell Twilight.” “Why not?” Pinkie questioned, tilting her head perplexedly. “Well, first of all, because I believe that I speak for both Spikey-poo and me when I say that we wish to tell her about this auspicious occasion ourselves when the time is right.” Rarity took a deep breath and let it out, before turning to regard Spike with a solemn expression, but also with certainty over her imaginings. “Besides, although we know of the others’ feelings, I think that we should take it slowly, Spike. We only really started sorting that debacle from a few days ago now, are still a bit emotionally drained and starved from the events, and I think that we still need to do a bit of maturing. I know that I don’t want to hurt you anymore, precious scales. I honestly think that sharing a kiss like that wouldn’t improve things, so thank you, Pinkie dear, for stopping us in that sense.” Pinkie beamed and hopped to her hooves. “That is a great idea to wait, Rarity. I always thought that you were smart and sly.” “Oh, stop it, you flatterer,” the fabulous designer answered with a bat of her hoof. She turned to the dragon once she felt him shifting his weight on her lap, seeing him carefully stand from their earlier positions. Spike was blushing, likely for many reasons that they shared at this point, and fretted with his hands. “I agree with you, Rarity and thank you, Pinkie. This closeness has been…what I have wanted from you for such a long time, but you are right. It is still a bit too fresh what we both did to benefit ourselves instead of realizing what we were doing to others. I don’t ever want to do that to any creature again. While having a first date would be amazing and lovely, I think that we should simply try to return to being friends, but who share in each other’s interests for the sake of learning about one another.” “Mmm, well, perhaps on occasion we could also share a bit of a snuggle; a bit of warm attention,” Rarity offered, red once again flourishing on her cheeks and muzzle. She quickly waved a hoof and laughed a touch awkwardly. “Of course that is probably far along that road, darling.” “I wouldn’t mind still receiving hugs and snuggles when one of us helps the other, as long as both of us are comfortable with them, that is. Both of us are rather…affection starved, I think. I also still hope that you are comfortable with using my nicknames.” Nodding along with his offers and speculation, the seamstress stood on her hooves, no longer prevented as she was from standing by the comfy dragon. “Well, Spikey, I think that we will have to establish some rules later. This friendship that we have right now, while beautiful and strong, is still rather fractured and in need of careful fixing.” Spike nodded and flexed his wings a little. “I would be okay with that. Well, now what?” “Whatever do you mean, dear?” Rarity asked, tilting her head at the same time as Pinkie tilted hers. Spike lifted her mining hat, tucked it under his right arm, and pointed in the direction of the cave. “We needed to leave the gem cave because of the bats and that was our scheduled activity. We don’t have anything planned unless you and Pinkie want to return to collect the gems.” “I don’t mind either way,” the party planner affirmed with cheer. Rarity touched a hoof to her lips and thought a moment. “Hmm, well,” she started, smiling and lowering her hoof to the grass again, “I think that things worked perfectly for all of us. Honestly, I don’t want to return to the cave today. What I do want to do right now, is treat two of my dearest friends to a delicate delight at the Sugarcube Corner. After that, we can do whatever you two would like to do, either together or apart for that matter.” In response, Spike lifted his wings and took to the air just above the shrub and watched from beside it as Pinkie appeared from the leaves, followed by the fashionista. Flying close, the dear lifted the leaves and scattered branches from Rarity’s purple mane and behind her ears as she did the same using her magic, earning a polite thank you from her as she carefully took her hat from his grasp and settled it on her head. Before either of them could offer their help to the bouncy mare, she wiggled and shook the additions from her body and bounced once as she finished. “I think that that would be a good idea, Rare, as long as I can treat you to some food too, perhaps tomorrow…as friends, of course.” With a pleased giggle, Rarity pranced near and cuddled herself to the low flying dragon and hummed lightly. “I would like that, Spikey, very much.” “Can I still throw a ‘Spike and Rarity are finally together after so long without any kind of romance-y stuff happening and I can finally have a ‘Spike and Rarity are finally together after so long…without any kind of…party’…party?’ Ooooh.” As the two parted from their impromptu but thankfully welcomed snuggle to attend to her, Pinkie set a hoof on her head. She looked suddenly dizzy and it didn’t take them much conjecture to understand why. The two approached worriedly, both arching their eyebrows. Rarity placed a hoof to her lips and Spike set a hand on his cheek. “Ooh, that even seemed to catch you unawares, darling. Are you quite alright?” Rarity quizzed. “It did, but I am okay. I think that I may have sprained my funny bone, oh, and it really doesn’t like it when I do that.” “Hmm, come along, Pinkie,” Spike said as he flew to her other side and landed to lend his support. Rarity seemed to understand what his plan was and offered her side to the unsteady mare. “We will help you on our way to have our treat.” “Yes, of course, Spikey-Wikey. I think that we should first help Pinkie to bed. You need your rest, my dear. I can treat you to some confectionary delight once you are rested.” The three conversed as they walked, or rather, Rarity and Spike conversed about what they could do tomorrow, while they watched their friend for any further signs that they were needed and periodically asked her how she was feeling. Thankfully, when they arrived and ordered, Pinkie seemed completely recovered and the three chatted about their plans for the week, giggles shared between them as the unicorn and dragon sat beside one another cozily, tails cascading from their seats.