//------------------------------// // Things That Remain // Story: Bugs, Fluff and Other Stuff // by Silent Whisper //------------------------------// It was a terrible terrible thing that happened, really. The fireponies said that there was nothing that could have been done, and that she was lucky to escape with the few things she’d managed to grab. That was all well and fair. It wasn’t as though Carousel Boutique was the only business Rarity had by this point, but the point remained. It was truly a terrible thing that happened. One’s house burning down can hardly be anything but. So it was with dignity that Rarity slumped on the doorstep of Twilight’s castle, clasping a slightly-singed saddlebag full of personal effects to her chest. It smelled of smoke. Sweet Celestia, she still smelled of smoke! Would it ever wash out of her mane? She supposed Twilight would let her borrow some shampoo to attempt the feat, but Twilight’s taste in shampoo wasn't exactly up to par. Last time Rarity had to use Twilight’s personal bathroom (it was the closest one to her at the time, and Rarity resented any jokes otherwise. Whether or not they had any truth to them, she’d never say. Rarity was a lady, and ladies had dignity, even when they’d spent hours giggling with a certain princess in front of a mirror) she’d seen a bottle labeled “Hairs and Feets Two-in-One Shampoo and Conditioner”. Two in one! It was a problem that must be corrected, but not at this time. At this time, Rarity would be lucky to have the sort of soap one found in the locker rooms of a gym. It was there, moping more about shampoo and less about her house in cinders, that Twilight found her. Of course she’d let Rarity stay the night, as long as she needed. Did she need a loan? (Not at the moment, she had insurance, and they’d better do their job or else she’d find where they lived and give them an earful.) Did she need a shower? (Rarity shuddered. She would, it was only a matter of time.) Did she need to write a letter to her sister? (Yes, though it could wait until tomorrow; Sweetie Belle was off doing Crusader stuff, and had been, er, having more than a few extended sleepovers with one Babs Seed out of town.) Which left Twilight’s bedroom, a room Rarity was decently acquainted with (since she’d helped pick out the curtains! Everypony needed to get their mind out of the gutter! Even if they may have spent the amount of time couples do in that sort of space, while requesting privacy!) It left Twilight, giving Rarity concerned looks but respecting her space until the moment Rarity requested it. It left Rarity, sifting through the few things she’d managed to take with her before her home burned down. “So…” Twilight began, trailing off as she wasn’t quite sure what to say. Rarity didn’t blame her. What was the right way to start a conversation when one pony nearly burnt alive? “I couldn’t save everything,” she mumbled, opening the buckle on the bag. “The books you lent to me are most likely ash, darling. I’ll replace them… later.” Later, when everything else that needed doing got done. That wasn’t a priority right now. Later could wait a night, couldn’t it? “What did you manage to save, if you don’t mind me asking?” Twilight settled next to Rarity on the floor next to her bed, looking as though she was doing her best to not peek into the bag. “Well, first of all, I saved this. Just promise me you won’t judge me?” Rarity’s horn glowed, shaking the item in question gently in the bag to knock off some of the ash. It wouldn’t do to get Twilight’s room dirtier than she could help it, guest or not. The item in question sloshed slightly. Twilight gave her an encouraging smile, one that made Rarity’s heart flutter and magic surge for a split second before she regained control. “Of course not, Rarity, I understand the situation was urgent, and… is that… alcohol?” “Alcohol is for desperate mares, Twilight. This is Marelot! Vintage, older than both of us put together, darling!” She smiled and sniffed the cork. Still sealed. That may change by the end of the night, though, if past sleepovers were any indication. Twilight was giving her a funny look, and Rarity cleared her throat to bring her back into the moment. “Yes, well, when I smelled smoke, I just grabbed whatever I could think of that was nearby. Wouldn’t you? I also have a few knicknacks mixed in.” She levitated a few paper scraps from her bag, one after the other. A foal’s drawing of two ponies, surrounded by a heart made of blue gemstones. The paper was worn a little soft on the edges, having been picked up and hugged enough times to make it delicate. A couple of ticket stubs to see Star Mares; Twilight had insisted that Rarity go, and Rarity admitted that she had a good time, especially upon seeing Darth Shy’s cloak and outfit. The best part was, by far, seeing Twilight’s enthusiasm after exiting the theatre. A heart-shaped gemstone from Spike. It had always sat at her desk, a reminder of friendship and sacrifice. A couple of books, none of them the ones Twilight had lent her; one poetry book, lightly toasted, and a few trashy romance novels that Rarity couldn’t let any newsmares find the blackened covers of in her house. Clearly, that was the only reason she’d saved them. Not because she’d planned to show them to Twilight and read them together, curled up by the fire on a cozy autumn evening one day. Nothing of the sort. Well, she hadn’t planned to show them to Twilight until a few more dates in, of course. One wouldn’t want to appear crass, after all. “Of course, I saved the best for last, dearest,” she murmured, before pulling out a small box, coated in a fine layer of ash that made it look the same off-white that Rarity’s pelt was. Twilight picked it up in her magic, shook it a little, and sneezed. She peered at it, squinting. It looked just like a jewelry box, but one she seemed fairly hesitant to open, despite her curiosity. “I’d meant to save this for a later time, Twilight, but I suppose now there’s no better time.” She took a deep breath, coughed a little, and tried again to regain her composure. “It’s for you.” Rarity shuffled, awkwardly. This wasn’t her planned venue, not by a long shot, but a lady makes do with what she has. “Would you, Twilight Sparkle, do me the honors of-” “Yes.” Both mares blinked at each other, both seemingly surprised at the whispered answer. Twilight’s muzzle broke into a grin. “Yes. Yes! I’ll marry you, Rarity!” She pounced on Rarity, who toppled over to the floor. Their shared smiles were broken only by a quiet sneeze from Twilight. “I do believe, darling, that I’d like to take a shower now.” Rarity picked herself off the floor, dusting Twilight off as best as she could. The shampoo would have to do. She had time to change it. They had time, together. “Would you like to join me?”