The dirt was disgusting. It kept matting on everypony's coats and making their manes look extremely unkempt. How they didn't seem to have a problem with it, Rarity would never understand. The way the mud and soil would cake onto her fur made her extremely unhappy and annoyed, to say the least. It was quite possibly the worst thing that could ever happen to a pony, in her opinion.
Well, it was on that list. Maybe not the worst thing, especially considering the things she'd seen, but it was bad. The way it felt, the way it looked, and the way it made her seem like some Neanderthal that was not worth her salt. She would have never been caught going out like this just two years ago, but now it seemed inevitable. Still, there was no reason she couldn't try to look nice, even if it was pointless.
Rarity sat in the little hut she called home, using all sorts of varieties of brushes on her coat and mane. Some hurt a little, the rest hurt a lot. They all pulled and got caught in her mane. Sometimes, she'd brush out a twig, a clump of soil, or that one unlucky time, a bug. She shuddered at the thought. The only times she used to get that dirty, and it was rare, were on the friendship missions that they used to go on, or on their quests to save Equestria.
She never thought she'd miss that. And yet there she was, sitting in a ditch underground, inside a very very homey hut. No matter how many times she brushed, her mane was a frizzy mess. Her naturally pearly white coat seemed to be stained light, light brown in some areas. It was absolutely horrendous. Nothing a good bath can't fix, she thought. I'll just see if any pegasi can bring down a raincloud.
There was always the odd stallion willing to do her a favour, and pegasi were always eager to have something familiar to do. Whenever anypony needed a small amount of water, they could discreetly fly up and bring down a tuft of a cloud with enough water to fill a small tub. It was perfect.
With a self-dignified thrust of her head, she sauntered out of her home, looking as well as she could. By the standards of the current conditions, she was still stunning. But in her mind, she knew she looked awful. That's why she wasn't past using her charm to get something to go her way.
She searched for the nearest pegasus, anypony she could possibly have a chance of convincing to do a favour for her. In her haste, she bumped into somepony. "Oh, pardon me," she apologized, shaking her head quickly.
"Uh, it's fine," scoffed the pony she ran into. "Why are you in such a rush, Rares?"
Rarity exhaled sharply. "Clearly, Rainbow Dash, I am looking for somepony," she stated simply. She brushed some dirt off of her coat, picking herself off of the floor. It's not like it made a difference, considering how filthy she was.
Rainbow Dash had the same idea, except she did not put as much effort as Rarity did into brushing the dirt off of herself. She haphazardly dragged a hoof over her coat, but noticeably did try harder to keep her wings clean. Rarity assumed that it was because her ability to fly had always been a big part of Rainbow's life.
"Oh really," Rainbow Dash deadpanned. "Who are you looking for?" She stood in front of Rarity, somehow appearing interested and disinterested at the same time. "Maybe I can help you find them."
Rarity ducked her head. "Thank you for the offer, but I will be fine. It's not that big of a place anyway, I'm sure I can find whoever I'm looking for quickly," she assured her.
Rainbow Dash smirked. "It kind of sounds like you don't even know who you're looking for.” She leaned forward, grinning dangerously at Rarity. "You're not looking for another hook up are you?"
Rarity took a step back, her face reddening. "What? That is…" She shook her head, stumbling with her words. "That's absolutely preposterous! I would never do such a thing," she deflected, although Rarity's reaction only seemed to rile Rainbow Dash up even more.
"Really?" The corner of Rainbow Dash's mouth twitched as she held back a laugh. "'Cause I'm willing to go again," she teased with a wink.
That was the last straw. Rarity's cheeks flared even darker, although if it was from embarrassment or anger was a tough call to make. "Rainbow Dash! You are such an inconsiderate, improper strumpet!" Her voice was shrill as she shamelessly yelled at Rainbow Dash, causing several ponies to turn their heads in their direction.
Rainbow Dash didn't seem to mind, however. She was too busy laughing out loud like some kind of immature filly. "Oh, come on, Rarity," she spoke between laughs. "You can't insult me with words I don't know!"
Rarity huffed in exasperation, giving the ponies around them hard glares, daring them to keep looking. All of them suddenly found interest in the colours of the walls. "Strumpet is the perfect word for a pony like you, however, to tell you what it means would mean to say some rather untasteful things I'd rather not have come out of my mouth. If you really want to know, I implore you to read a dictionary for once." She eyed Rainbow Dash up and down. "I know we would all benefit from it."
Rainbow Dash shot back up to her hooves, frowning. "Hey," she whined. "That was mean!"
Rarity gave her a curt laugh. "Oh, please, darling. That was nothing," she uttered casually, observing her own hoof. "Anyway, I'm glad I ran into you," she added with a more casual tone.
"Oh yeah?" Rainbow Dash looked to the side. "And why is that?"
Rarity gave the faded cyan pegasus an impatient look. "Why must you be so brazen, Rainbow Dash? I was simply going to ask you a favour," she whined with the innocence of a foal.
Rainbow Dash turned to give her wing another round of quick preening. "And what's this favour you wanted to ask?"
Rarity gave Rainbow Dash a complacent smile. "Oh you know, it's really just a teensy favour. Naturally, I'd have to ask a pegasus, such as yourself, for assistance with this sort of thing.” She idly looked at her hoof.
"Let me guess," Rainbow Dash muttered flatly. "You want me to get you a cloud so you can use the water to fill your tub so you can clean yourself." She gave Rarity an annoyed glance.
Rarity raised an eyebrow. "How did you know?"
Rainbow Dash shrugged. "Because I know you. You just won't stand to look like that," she pointed out, motioning at Rarity's face.
Despite knowing Rainbow was right, Rarity gasped in offence. She desperately ran a hoof through her mane, having little to no effect on the mess on her head. After a few moments of pure exasperation, Rarity groaned in defeat. "Yes, well I suppose you're right," she admitted.
"Always am."
"Anyway, I'm sure only a fantastically talented pegasus could take care of it." Rarity shrugged. Her smile deepened, taking on a note of mischief. "I'm terribly sorry to have bothered you, Rainbow Dash."
Rainbow Dash took a step back. "Woah woah woah. Are you saying I'm not talented enough to bring you a simple tuft of a cloud?" She snorted in annoyance. "Any pegasus with half a mind could do something that simple," she grumbled.
Rarity leaned in close, pushing their snouts together. "Prove it.” She knew Rainbow Dash couldn't say no to a challenge. "Bring me a tuft of cloud and I may consider your-"
"Awesomeness?" Rainbow Dash interrupted. "Say no more. I'll be back faster than you could tell me how many ponies you've slept with in the past month," she spoke quickly.
"Wait, what?"
And in a flash of blue, Rainbow Dash disappeared, leaving behind a streak of colours and a confused Rarity. Within moments she was back in her spot, fur gleaming with water droplets and a considerably sized portion of cloud. The flattened mane on her head framed the smug smirk on her face nearly perfectly. It was exactly what Rarity was expecting. "So how many ponies was it?"
Rarity looked upwards, pretending to count off ponies. She muttered numbers under her breath, making for an immensely impressed Rainbow Dash. After deciding that it was enough, Rarity stopped pulling her hoof. "Just you," Rarity admitted, using her magic to levitate the cloud from between Rainbow's hooves and trotted back to her home, a pleasantly satisfied look on her face. "As I said, not all of us like to bed any pony that's willing."
Rainbow Dash stood, mouth agape. She wrinkled her nose at Rarity's subtle jab at her before setting off after the unicorn. "Okay, now you're just being cruel," she complained, taking a place next to Rarity.
Rarity laughed heartily. "I do enjoy teasing, you know. What you do on your own time is of no concern to me." She gave her a half-lidded sideways glance. "Especially when you're so good at your… craft," she teased with a playful tone.
Rainbow Dash snorted. "It takes practice, Rares. Maybe you should get some," she suggested, half-joking.
Rarity shook her head. "Oh, heavens no. I just don't see the pleasure in it myself." When Rainbow Dash snickered, Rarity's cheeks flushed. "Rainbow Dash, you know what I meant," she hissed with a friendly grin.
"Did you just say you don't see the pleasure in sex?" She held back another laugh. "I know it was a new experience for the both of us, but did I fail you that badly?"
Rarity whacked Rainbow Dash in the shoulder, causing the pegasus to complain, a smile held on her face. "No, you didn't. But I like keeping my list a bit exclusive, thank you very much." She used her magic to open the door to her home. She ignored the look on Rainbow Dash's face. "Would you like to come in?"
Rainbow Dash cocked her head. "Umm, aren't you gonna bathe?" She chuckled awkwardly. "That would be kind of weird."
Rarity clicked her tongue. Why Rainbow Dash would have a problem with that was beyond her, but she wouldn’t ask for fear of an embarrassing explanation. "Uh yes, but I'll be quick, and I can put up a curtain if it bothers you," she offered. "I just want the company to be frank with you."
"You? Be quick?" Rainbow Dash laughed loudly once. "HAH! That's hilarious." She wiped a single tear from her eye. "Everypony knows you take forever in the tub."
"Okay, okay, I suppose you have a point," Rarity admitted. "But I really do need to clean myself, and having somepony to talk to would distract me from how filthy I am." She looked at the state of her mane. So. Many. Split ends, she noticed in horror.
Rainbow Dash put a hoof to her chin. "You know, you might be right," she muttered thoughtfully. Rarity scoffed. "Uh, not about yourself. Maybe it's time I had a bath." She gave herself a quick sniff. Rainbow Dash stuck her tongue out. "Oh yeah, definitely. I'll do that whenever I have time."
Rarity floated the cloud over on top of the empty tub she had set up in the room she specialized for self-maintenance. It wasn't as impressive as the one she used to have at the Boutique, but it was what was to be expected in a home such as that one. "I'm glad that I've inspired you to take care of yourself. I was afraid I would have to tell you myself," she admitted. "Would you mind giving me a hoof with the cloud, Rainbow dear?"
With an annoyed sigh, Rainbow Dash glided to the cloud. "Will do, Rares." She gave the cloud a hard punch, causing it to rain down into the tub, filling it perfectly. "Hah, I knew I got the exact right amount of cloud," she exclaimed proudly.
"Hmm, well that's why I asked for the best of the best," Rarity teased. “I’m glad you sufficed.” With a glow emitting from her horn, the water began to bubble. She carefully stuck a hoof into it. It was a bit hot, but nothing some waiting couldn’t fix. "Oh, splendid! I knew I could remember the water heating spell," she breathed out in relief. "I guess that makes the two of us very proud ponies."
Rainbow Dash sat next to the tub, sticking her own hoof into it, and then retracting it just as quickly. "Yeesh, Rarity. You'll burn your fur right off with that. Are you sure that's the temperature you were going for?"
It most certainly was not. "Yes, of course, darling. Whatever would make you think otherwise?" She laughed nervously, trying to play it off as genuine.
With a look on her face that Rarity knew she didn't want to see, Rainbow Dash lifted an eyebrow. "Well go on, then." She gestured to the water. "Get in."
"Get in?" Rarity glanced at the steaming water. "Oh, but I haven't gotten my brushes yet.”
It was a poor excuse, seeing as how it took Rainbow Dash a matter of seconds to go and return with Rarity's entire collection of brushes. "Okay, I know you're you, but this is a bit excessive," she complained while looking at the pile of brushes.
"Nonsense," Rarity huffed. "All of these brushes have very practical uses. Some are for your mane, some are for your tail, some are for your fur." She held up different brushes as she spoke. "And then there are the ones for dry fur, wet fur, and damp fur," she explained, holding up other brushes.
"Wait, wait, wait," Rainbow Dash interrupted, shaking her head slowly. "Isn't damp and wet the same thing?"
"Ha, certainly you must be joking," Rarity spoke with a quick laugh. Rainbow Dash's expression did not change, though. "Oh, you were being serious." Rarity sighed, rolling her eyes. "It's a wonder how you've managed to be so attractive your entire life," she decided with a shrug. "You don't even know the basics of self-maintenance."
Rainbow Dash's confused expression seemed somehow even more confused if that was even possible. "First of all, you didn't even explain to me what the difference between 'damp' and 'wet' is," she started. "And second of all," she leaned on the rim of the tub, propping her head on her hoof with a sly grin, "you think I'm attractive?"
"Well of course. I'm not blind, you know." Rarity stuck her head in a drawer, pulling out some leaves and a bag full of crushed crystals. Rainbow Dash's hoof glowed with Rarity's magic as it moved to the side, causing Rainbow's head to dunk into the water. "Despite your… rather uncouth appearance, you have a certain air of attractiveness to you," she stated matter-of-factly. "Anypony with a pair of eyes could tell you that," she ended, turning back around to find a dripping wet Rainbow Dash.
Rainbow Dash shook hot water off her mane, effectively spraying Rarity with it. At the white unicorn's protesting squeals, Rainbow Dash grinned at her. "So I guess you could say I'm dripping with good looks."
"If you wanted to be obnoxious about it, then yes." Rarity dropped a few leaves and a pinch of crushed red crystals into the water, turning it a light pink. "Honestly, Rainbow Dash, if you weren't naturally like this, I would think you were flirting with me."
The now damp pegasus shook her head. "No way; we're friends, and you're a mare." She observed the water with curiosity. "As you said, I'm naturally a casanova."
"I don't believe those were my exact words."
"Besides, you're too squealy in bed," she complained while gesturing something in the air. "I could never survive in a relationship with you, apart from the other obvious reasons." She sniffed the aroma of the water, a smile lighting up her face. "Wow, this smells great."
Rarity took a moment to take in the scent herself. It did smell delightful. She knew it would feel even better. "Well, you're too rough," she shot back. "Isn't making love supposed to be gentle? Not whatever you were doing, certainly." She dipped her hoof back in. It felt nice, now that it wasn't scalding hot.
As Rarity went to fetch a bathrobe from the other side of the room, Rainbow Dash decided to sneakily test the water. With her tongue. She coughed a bit, trying to discreetly brush her tongue off with her hoof. "Uh, we weren't 'making love'," she argued, her tongue was sticking out of her mouth in disgust, although if it was from her comment, or the water, Rarity would never know. "That just sounds gross. We just banged. It's not supposed to be gentle," she stated as if that was any better. "Well it can be, but I don't like it that way. And frankly, you seemed to enjoy what I was doing."
Rarity's cheeks flared for a moment. "You think that vulgar language is more appealing?" She magically shot her bathrobe at Rainbow Dash's face. "And did I just see you drink my bathwater?"
Rainbow Dash removed the robe from her face, setting it nicely on the countertop next to her. "Nooo," she lied. "Okay, maybe. It smelled nice, alright? Can you blame me?"
Of all of the brainless things Rainbow Dash has said, Rarity immediately decided that that one was the most idiotic of the day. "Yes, I can. Why in Celestia's name would it ever be a good idea to drink anypony's bathwater?" She climbed into her nice, warm bath, neither pony seeming to care. It's not like they wore clothes anyway. Besides, there was nothing new to see. They've been friends for so long.
Rainbow Dash shrugged, mumbling something that resembled 'I dunno'. She smacked her lips. "I guess I'm just hungry," she mumbled, trying to find an excuse.
"Aren't we all, darling?" Rarity sunk deeper into her water, letting the liquid soak into her fur, lifting the dirt off. "Ah, I do certainly recommend this mixture. It's quite rejuvenating and very good at making you feel clean, although you must help it along," she explained as she rubbed the water into her fur.
"Yeah, no, thanks, but this really isn't my style. I appreciate the offer though, but I'll stick to just regular water and a lot of scrubbing." She watched as Rarity shrugged and levitated a pail into the air, then into the water, and finally poured it carefully on her mane.
Rarity gave her a discontent hum, mainly focusing on cleaning herself. She was content with how much her fur was changing, going from a muted grey with brown patches back to the snowy white that it usually was. Her fur almost instantly felt smoother to the touch. Oh, how she missed looking clean, although she knew now she'd stick out like a sore hoof in the earthy tones of the cave.
She opened an eye, doing her best to not get water in it, and looked around. She spotted Rainbow Dash snooping through the drawers, probably finding mane curlers or fashion sketchbooks by the increasingly surprised look on her face. Just because Rarity couldn't physically create things like before didn't mean she couldn't at least conceptualize them. She needed something to do, after all, and the best she could offer was itchy wool sweaters from the sheep on the Apples’ farm every so often. It wasn't her preferred medium, but it was definitely better than nothing.
"And what exactly might you be looking for, darling?" Rarity spoke in a casual tone, subtly glancing over at Rainbow Dash as she let her mane soak in the solution in the water.
Rainbow Dash closed the drawer she was looking through, looking back at Rarity with a bored expression. "Well I don't really want to sit there and watch you take a bath," she complained. "You don't have any good stuff in here. The only things of mild interest you have are those silly Shadow Spade books." Rainbow Dash held up an old copy of Shadow Spade and the Murgese Falcon and fake gagged at it.
With a sudden appreciation for her magic, Rarity forced the book out of Rainbow Dash’s grip and placed it on the drawer from which she found it. “Stop acting like a foal. If you even gave those books a chance, I’m sure you’d find that they’re actually quite intriguing,” she spat. “They’re meant for a more sophisticated audience, so I suppose it makes sense that you don’t find them enriching.”
"Wow. Okay. You're really not holding back with the shots today, are you?" Rainbow Dash slumped on the floor. "I'll have you know that Daring Do is so much better than Shadow Spade."
"In what way?"
Rainbow Dash's wings extended to her side as she jumped to her hooves. "In every way! She's so cool and awesome, just like me. And she goes on these huge adventures, just like me! And she's a total badass!"
Rarity held up a hoof, causing Rainbow to stop speaking. She took note of her extended wings with a smirk. "Let me guess. Just like you?"
"Obviously." She forced her wings back down to her side with an embarrassed grin. "We’re both total badasses. That’s why I like the books so much. I can see myself in them.”
Apart from actually having been on some of those adventures, Rarity thought. It had been completely unexpected for Rainbow Dash to be so enthralled in a book series, and all it took was for her to hurt her wing. At least she was reading something, unlike before she had that accident. Even if it was meant for foals.
At first, Rarity had to admit she was not impressed with her own favourite book series. But once she got into it, and the fashionable characters, it was a page-turner. She stayed up late for days reading, understanding the nuances and piecing together fashion-based clues to catch the wrongdoer herself. Perhaps there were certain times when it was acceptable to act like a little filly again.
She had not even noticed the water grow cold. It really hadn't felt like a long time, but having company made time fly, Rarity presumed. That and somewhat stimulating conversation, even if it was rather foalish. With a rather disappointed sigh, she stood back up in the tub, checking that she was completely clean. Once she was satisfied, she stepped out of the tub, levitating her bathrobe over her body and tying it to her.
"Rainbow Dash, would you be a dear and help me bring out the water?" She levitated it slightly into the air but was obviously struggling under the weight. "I don't quite have the energy to do it myself right now," Rarity admitted.
Rainbow Dash stalked over to the tub, helping to lift it on her shoulder. She muttered some words of annoyance under her breath as the two of them walked carefully to the back door and dumped the water in the water-filled ditch behind the row of homes. With an appreciative nod, Rarity lifted the empty tub without struggle and floated it back inside.
"Do you think Applejack and Pinkie are okay?"
Rainbow Dash's question caught Rarity by surprise. She closed the door behind them as they walked back in and turned to face Rainbow. "Well, yes, of course." She tilted her head to the side. "Why do you ask?"
Rainbow Dash kicked the floor uncomfortably. "I guess I'm just scared it'll happen again," she admitted. "I know it's silly. They can take care of each other. But I can't help but worry."
Rarity stepped forward with a frown and placed a hoof on Rainbow's shoulder. "Trust me, darling. They'll be okay." She offered her a gentle smile which Rainbow Dash meekly returned. "As you said, they can take care of each other."
The pegasus nodded, shutting her eyes. She took a quick breath in and out. “I know, I know. I just hope they come back with no bad news,” she sniffled with a weak grin. She glanced down at the floor silently and shook her head. “Worrying doesn’t help.” She looked back up at Rarity, hoping to start a pleasant conversation, which was quite the difficult task with Rainbow Dash. “Has Applejack talked to you about the farm?”
Rarity shook her head, taking a seat on one of the chairs she had received as a gift from the mare the two had turned their interest to. She gestured for Rainbow to take a seat in the other one. “Not really. She did try to tell me about corn and… gopher holes?” She shrugged, hoping Rainbow Dash knew what she was talking about. “I’m not the right pony to talk to about farming, that’s for certain.”
Rainbow Dash failed to hold back a laugh. “Yeah, no kidding.” She leaned back in her seat, coming dangerously close to tipping it over, but used her wings to maintain balance on the back legs of the chair. “She was telling me about that too when I went to go find her earlier,” she recalled. “I hope they get it all figured out. It’d be a shame to lose any crops considering that after harvest season, the cold weather will come and I just know that there’ll be a lot of ponies who will be needing some warm soup.” She leaned back even further, and by the look of panic that flashed on her face, along with her rapidly flapping wings, Rarity figured she almost fell on her flank.
Despite herself, Rarity kept the smile in, instead opting for a more passive one. “Maybe the winter won’t be so bad this year,” she hoped. “Perhaps Twilight herself doesn’t want the extreme cold she forced upon us last year.”
The year before had been one of the roughest winters that Equestria had ever faced other than the one in the Hearth’s Warming tale, at least Rarity thought so. Twilight had accumulated so many pegasi, even a few Wonderbolts, that she had complete control over the weather, and at her slightest whim, used it against the ponies that stood against her. The crops nearly all died, and they had to use the emergency reserve of crops stored for the winter seasons. It was not a fun winter, and as much as she loved them, Rarity didn’t particularly like eating as many onions and radishes as she had to. From what she had heard, the Apples had expanded the winter crops to include rutabagas and even more carrots than before, among other things. Maybe it would be a good winter after all.
“Doubt it.” Rainbow Dash’s voice cut into Rarity’s thoughts, nearly scaring her. The rainbow-maned pony now sat casually on the chair, leaving it on all its legs. “I bet she’ll do anything to mess with us,” she stated flatly as if she didn’t care. At this point, Rarity couldn’t blame her.
In fact, Rainbow Dash was probably right. No. She was certainly right. Whatever dark magic had taken a hold of Twilight, if that’s what even happened, it turned her into a monster with no remorse. As much as Rarity liked to believe that the real Twilight Sparkle was down there somewhere, she had long accepted that it was highly unlikely. There was no way to know for sure. Any attempt to get near her would certainly result in negative results. Results Rarity didn’t want to think about. Instead of replying, Rarity ran a hoof through her mane, wishing it would dry faster.
Rainbow Dash took this as an invitation to keep talking. "Look, I also just wanted to let you know that I didn't tell anypony."
Ah. Rarity was waiting to see when Rainbow Dash would bring the matter at hoof up properly instead of with foalish jokes. She decided to act clueless. "Tell anypony what?" She barely looked away from her mane.
"About… You know." Rainbow Dash cringed at herself for once. "That night," she muttered quietly. Not only was it a large change in her personality, but Rainbow even seemed smaller. Rarity took solace in the fact that Rainbow took it seriously.
Instead of being upset at it being brought up again, as Rainbow Dash probably thought was going to happen, Rarity giggled a bit. "Yes, I know. It really was kind of fun. I know that sometimes, what one needs is a distraction," she spoke, placing her words carefully. "And if that's what keeps you distracted, then who am I to judge? Especially when I myself was a guilty party," she added with a wink.
Which was true. Rarity had no time to think about romance or anything of the sort. It's not like she really wanted to, either. It was far too complicated and the risks were too high, but she knew that Rainbow Dash enjoyed the rush of adrenaline from engaging in intimacy, and to be quite honest, neither Rainbow Dash nor Rarity had ever had the chance to do anything with another mare. Since the two of them were such close friends, that was the only awkwardness they had to overcome. Really, it was a win-win situation, and both ponies came out satisfied. They even enjoyed joking about it privately. Rarity probably wouldn’t date a mare, but she had little to no regrets about the experience.
"I'm glad you understand," Rainbow Dash breathed with a relieved tone of voice. "Honestly, I thought you would think it was weird or inappropriate. Most ponies do." She leaned back in her seat again but didn't bother to extend her wings at all.
Once again, Rarity had to admit that it was true. More or less. She used to think it was rather inappropriate when she overheard Rainbow boasting to Spitfire about her quote en quote 'body count'. But she had learned that in retrospect, it wasn't hurting anypony, and Rainbow Dash was enjoying herself. What's the point of caring about another pony's interests? It's not like Rainbow Dash was committed to anypony, so she wasn't being unfaithful. Of course, she would never be unfaithful, she was the most loyal pony that Rarity knew.
And Rarity herself was generous if anything. She was also curious, and it would be a lie to try to say that she didn't want to know why Rainbow Dash enjoyed her... pastime so much. They were comfortable together and wanted to experiment, and so Rarity asked. Despite her often rude personality, Rainbow was actually quite well-mannered if caught at the right time, and so Rarity was surprised at her friend's constant need to be assured that Rarity did in fact want this.
Of course, Rarity obliged. She wanted to know, and Rainbow Dash needed it. It was good for both sides, so there was no reason to disagree. It started out unsure, Rainbow Dash wanted to make sure Rarity was okay every step of the way. It ended as something more magnificent than Rarity could have ever imagined. The best part was that it was as if nothing changed between the two. They'd still bicker, and push each other's buttons. They were friends, of course. The type of friends who had sex once, but friends regardless.
In hindsight, it didn't even matter and served more as comic relief between the two. Exclusively the two, as they both swore not to tell anyone. According to Rainbow, however, Applejack knew. Neither of them knew how, but she did. In fact, Rainbow had admitted that Applejack had never brought it up, but she was certain that their freckled friend knew. It was a stupid idea to believe it, but Rarity couldn't help but notice Applejack constantly giving the two amused glances.
"Well, at least we know that Applejack isn't one of those ponies," Rarity pointed out. She watched Rainbow Dash lean too far back and giggled as she ended up on her tail, a look of dismay on her face.
Rainbow Dash decided to stay on the floor, pretending it was her big plan all along. "That's not entirely true. She does think it's kind of weird. Something about how 'foolin' around like that is more irresponsible than leaving the chicken coop open at night'." Her Applejack impression was horrible, to say the least.
"That's not at all what she sounds like," Rarity pointed out with a laugh. "And well, if she knows, then she must think it's funny and perhaps not a big deal." Rarity shrugged noncommittally. "Honestly darling, it's not a big deal. Applejack is very trustworthy—and our friend."
Rainbow Dash's face took on an expression that Rarity had never quite seen before. Her mouth curved upwards on one side but remained a frown on the other, and her eyes pivoted over to watch the floor intently. "Yeah, I know she is," she spoke with that same look. "I just wanted you to know I didn't tell her," she repeated.
Rarity thought it was weird, but decided not to ask. Things were weird between most ponies around this time, but the upcoming harvest seemed to make it better. She got up from her seat, levitating the bathrobe off of herself, deciding that she was completely dry. Her mane was damp, however, so she decided to pick up one of her damp mane brushes and began to brush her fur with the glowing item.
"Is that one of your damp brushes?"