There was a tightness in her heart that threatened to choke it.
“Fluttershy, darling, if you have something to say, please do speak it now.”
If Fluttershy had heard the question she didn’t reply. Instead she let out a low hum, scrutinizing the menu in her hooves carefully. “Oh, what was that dish that Twilight recommended? The carrot stew I believe?” Her facade helped ease the pain, but even as she sat there Fluttershy felt something slowly churning in her stomach.
Rarity scoffed, slapping her menu against the table. “Are you even listening to me, dear?”
Again, Fluttershy didn’t respond, holding the menu up to her face. “I know Angel would love that dish,” she giggled to herself.
The waiter paused by their table, notepad ready in their magic. But Rarity waved them off, squinting across the table. “Fluttershy.”
“Yes, Rarity?” asked Fluttershy without putting down the menu.
Rarity seized the item in her magic and yanked it away.
A shadow of anger flashed over Fluttershy’s face but it quickly dissipated. She folded her hooves on the table, staring across at her friend intently. “Yes, Rarity? Are you ready to order?”
“Oh damn the food!” Rarity hissed. “What has gotten into you?”
“What do you mean?”
Rarity held a hoof to her chest and narrowed her eyes. “Please, don’t play the fool with me. You’ve barely looked at me this entire time.”
“Oh, is that hurting you?” asked Fluttershy, tilting her head to the side. “Left you feeling ignored? Is that it, Rarity?”
“Fluttershy--”
“I can’t imagine how that’d feel,” Fluttershy said, her voice keeping the volume but growing icy.
They stared at each other, the atmosphere of the restaurant lost around them.
Rarity cleared her throat. “Perhaps we should drop the subject and just have a nice dinner together.”
“But you were the one who wanted to talk,” Fluttershy said. “And I do have something to say, you know.”
“Oh, now you do,” muttered Rarity.
Fluttershy’s smile grew terse. “It’s nothing you haven’t heard before, you know.”
Rarity raised an eyebrow.
“I’ve been saying the same things for a long time now, Rarity. I guess you just haven’t been listening.”
That drew a scowl out of her. “Oh, don’t play the guilt card on me. You know quite well I’ve been incredibly busy--”
“I do know!” Fluttershy slammed her hooves on the table in a manner that was anything but soft. “But you don’t know how that’s been affecting me!”
“How can I when you never say a word?” Rarity countered, raising her voice to match. “You can’t possibly expect me to hear you when you barely speak above a whisper! I have asked you so, so many times what you think of matters and you’ve barely said a word!”
Fluttershy scoffed. “Actions speak louder than words, Rarity. You should know that by now.”
“As if that justifies your dismissal of every question I ask!” Rarity shot back. “I’ve asked you dozens of times if you are okay and I’ve never gotten a reply!”
Fluttershy leaned back in her chair, folding her forelegs over her chest. The weight in her stomach felt lifted now, and it was a brilliant, vindicating feeling. She wished she could hold onto it forever.
The clatter of utensils around them wavered, the candles present at each table flickering and waving. Several other patrons glanced in their direction discreetly, whispering to one another.
“Seriously, darling, just… why didn’t you say something?” Rarity asked, rubbing her temples.
“Why didn’t you notice I did?” spat Fluttershy.
The waiter lingered at the edge of the table again but quickly and quietly excused themselves.
“I’d like to just have a nice dinner,” Rarity said, straightening herself up.
Fluttershy giggled. “What’s the matter? I thought you were always happy when you were making a scene.”
The ice cold glare from Rarity startled her, but Fluttershy’s fear was snuffed out by a bright burning anger free of its cage. “Well I’m sorry, but I’m not hungry anymore,” she replied.
She stood, the chair scraping against the floor.
Rarity watched her, the unicorn’s face unreadable.
Fluttershy held her ground, her mind a mass of seamless, shapeless thoughts. “In fact, I think this was a mistake,” she heard herself say. “I thought I was having dinner with someone I knew.”
Rarity glared at her. “My mistake then,” she spat venomously. “I suppose you weren’t impressed by my glamorous attempts, and of everything I’ve already done for you.”
Fluttershy smiled, feeling light-headed. “You should keep that glamor for yourself. You’ll need it when your lights go down.”
With that, Fluttershy turned and felt her body guide herself out of the restaurant.
Rarity sat still for a minute before sniffing and signaling for the waiter. “Your finest wine, please,” she declared. She glared towards the door before adding: “And if you would, I’ve no need for those utensils. A table for one will suffice for tonight.”