//------------------------------// // The Clinking of Cups and Slamming of Doors // Story: Halcyon Days // by Snow Quill //------------------------------// “Fluttershy!” “Rarity!” The two women crashed into an embrace, arms wrapped tight around each other and faces pressed into necks and hair until it seemed the two were trying to merge into one.  A million silent words were exchanged, speaking mostly of how much they missed and loved each other. Eventually, they separated from the hug, but held hands still as they took a seat.  Rarity squeezed Fluttershy’s hand. “It’s so lovely to see you again, and just look at you!” She looked over Fluttershy’s outfit, a simply lovely pink blouse accented with yellow and fashionable capris. “You look absolutely stunning my dear.” Fluttershy blushed softly and brushed her bangs behind her ear. “Aww, thank you. You look amazing too Rarity, I love what you’ve done with your hair.” “Oh this?” Rarity glanced down at her black sundress that hit just above her knees, a stitched belt of gems giving a hint of class. She smiled and casually fluffed her curls. “Why thank you. I did it once for a date and my darling seemed rather enamored by it. I had been wanting to change up my style anyway, and honestly it isn’t that much trouble.” “She has good taste, I can’t wait to meet her.” “And I simply can’t wait to meet your beau as well. I imagine I shall quite like her, if your letters are anything to judge by.” Fluttershy smiled bashfully and nodded. “How is the shop going, by the way? You mentioned in your last letter you had another commission for an upcoming show of sorts?” “Oh, yes, it’s going wonderfully! I am really enjoying these larger projects and the ability to stretch my creativity.” Fluttershy shifted in her seat, a worried frown on her lips. “You are getting paid well right? I know you don’t like depending on your parents but I heard that rent was getting more expensive here.” Rarity scoffed and waved her hand. “Of course darling. Though, I suppose it helps that I don’t rent my shop space at all. I was able to get quite a good deal in the Lunar District and have owned it for the past few months.” Fluttershy pulled her hand away, her worried look turning troubled, “The… Lunar District?” Rarity raised an eyebrow and was about to question her friend when Fluttershy gasped and shot up from her seat, waving with uncharacteristic enthusiasm. Rarity turned to see who she was waving to.  The woman was tall and graceful, with long, pastel hued hair. She wore a lovely yellow and pink summer dress that Rarity was certain came from one of the higher end boutiques in the Sunswept District. She looked around with a similar expression to what Fluttershy had been wearing a moment ago, until she finally glanced over to where Rarity and Fluttershy were seated. Even from across the cafe, the woman’s smile was dazzling and it became clear how Fluttershy could fall for her.  Heads turned and eyes followed as the woman didn’t so much walk as float to the table, but her gaze was firmly fixed on Fluttershy. Even though she had her own partner who could make her feel like the only woman in the world, Rarity couldn’t help but feel a bit envious. It was hard not to be, honestly. Fluttershy’s beau was absolutely stunning, with ethereal grace and beauty that would make one believe in angels. Thankfully, the ugly feeling was quickly overshadowed by the warmth of knowing her friend was in good hands.  It was something Rarity had always worried about for Fluttershy - that she would never find someone who would truly appreciate the wonderful, special girl she had grown up with. The woman hadn’t spoken a single word yet, but Rarity could feel the pure love radiating from that intense gaze.  The woman glanced at Rarity as she approached and stopped just short of the table before dipping into a graceful bow. “Ah, you must be the lovely Rarity, it’s wonderful to finally meet you.” Rarity smiled. “It is wonderful to meet you as well. I’ve also heard much about you, but it seems the one thing I don’t yet know is your name.” The woman raised an eyebrow and turned to Fluttershy with a hand pressed to her chest in mock offense. “Is this true my dear? You’ve told her everything but my name?” Fluttershy squeaked, a bright blush warming her cheeks as she stammered, “I, I just didn’t think about it, we talk about so many things in our letters and I knew eventually you would be meeting her and–” The woman laughed and pulled Fluttershy into a hug, silencing her ramble with a chaste peck. “I’m only teasing, butterfly, it’s quite alright. Why don’t we take a seat and then you can properly introduce us, okay?” Fluttershy nodded, looking a little dazed and unsteady on her feet after. They stared into each other’s eyes with such an intensity that Rarity felt she was intruding on a personal moment. She delicately cleared her throat to catch their attention again.  Fluttershy was the first to blink and break the connection, blushing harder at Rarity’s amused expression. She quickly sat down with her partner. “Ahem. Rarity, this is my girlfriend, Celestia.” Rarity smiled. “My goodness, what a lovely name to match such a lovely lady.” Celestia chuckled, glancing at Fluttershy. “You didn’t tell me she would be quite this charming.” Rarity laughed as well, about to respond when she was interrupted by a familiar voice over her shoulder. “Oh dear me, Tia? What a surprise to see you here.” Rarity’s turn in her seat was stopped by an arm wrapping around her shoulders as her girlfriend sat down next to her. Where Celestia’s grace and beauty was reminiscent of a swan gliding peacefully along a lake, the newcomer’s was like the languid rolling of muscles under a panther's fine pelt. Her medium-length hair likewise paid homage to the panther, dark and sleek, with hints of blue under the right light. She wore a sharp business jacket over a pale green top and slacks, looking all the parts of a woman in power.  The woman pecked Rarity’s cheek. “Hello, my dear.” She then turned towards Fluttershy and Celestia. “I do apologize for being the last one here, I seem to have fallen under the influence of my beloved’s ‘fashionably late’ policy.” Rarity raised her head and sniffed. “Hmph, and people say you are the one corrupting me. Fluttershy dear, this is—” Fluttershy held up a hand, an eyebrow raised as she looked between Celestia and the newcomer. “I’m so sorry to interrupt Rarity, but you two know each other?” Celestia sighed and shook her head. “Yes we do. Fluttershy, this is my sister, Luna.” Luna grinned in reply. “My darling Rarity, this is my sister, Celestia.” Rarity’s irritation at being interrupted didn’t last long. She blinked in surprise at this information and glanced back and forth between the table's inhabitants. She rubbed her temple as the full extent of the situation came clear. “Well well well then, isn’t this quite the fun little coincidence. Don’t you agree, Fluttershy?” Fluttershy finally recovered from her own shock and began to laugh, her delicate frame shaking even though her volume remained quiet. “Oh, oh my goodness, this is quite funny.” Rarity chuckled, though it trailed off as she realized Celestia and Luna weren’t laughing along. She cleared her throat and straightened in her seat. “Well I hope this doesn’t make this too awkward.” Rarity shot a miffed glance at Luna. “I was unaware she even had a sister.” Luna’s reply was stalled by the unfortunately timed arrival of a waitress, the poor girl fidgeting as she realized the tension at the table. She cleared her throat and offered a tight smile. "Good afternoon ladies, can I get you started with drinks?" Celestia smiled with a maternal softness beyond her years and the girl relaxed, her shoulders falling as the white knuckled grip on her pad and pen loosened. “Two pots of tea please, one ginger lemon and the other…” Rarity started as she realized Celestia was gesturing for her to order. “Oh, ahem, blueberry mint please.” The girl nodded with a more genuine smile and noted the order of her pad. “One pot of ginger lemon and one pot of blueberry mint, lovely. I’ll be back soon with them.” As soon as she was out of earshot, Luna folded her arms and snorted. “In my defense, I never told you because you never asked. She’s too busy with school to come around anyways.” “You know the train runs both ways between here and the university, Luna.” “You know that some of us are extremely busy keeping a business running, Celestia.” Fluttershy held up her hands. “Hey now, that’s no way to talk to each other. I know that siblings don’t always get along, but we are here to get to know each other and have a good day. Please, for Rarity and I.” Celestia bowed her head, “Alright.” She looked at Luna. “Truce?” Luna sighed. “Very well, truce. So, Fluttershy was it? You are a student as well? What are you studying?” “I’m studying to be a veterinarian with a focus on magical creatures.” “Magical creatures hmm? It takes a special kind of person to want to do that.” Fluttershy blushed, a hand reaching up to fiddle with her long hair. “Oh I don’t know about special. They are just like any other creature and it’s our duty to keep them healthy.” Luna chuckled. “Then you are already a special person. There aren’t many who would be so selfless and unconditionally kind to oft misunderstood souls.” Celestia nodded, draping an arm almost possessively over Fluttershy’s shoulder. “Indeed, she is a remarkable young woman, a proper lady one might say.” Luna responded by leaning back with a near cocky grin as she echoed, “A proper lady? Well how funny it is that both your dear Fluttershy and my darling Rarity seem to be shining examples of propriety.” Rarity and Fluttershy shared a confused glance, neither quite sure what was happening, but equally miffed at being pawns in a mental game between the sisters. Fluttershy cleared her throat, “Ahem, anyways, Luna, you mentioned a business? What do you do?” “Ah, well I am so glad you asked Fluttershy. I run an upscale establishment called the Sapphire Carousel. We–” “Here’s your tea ladies, sorry about the wait. Would you like to order any food?” Rarity smothered an amused smirk–it seemed her darling Luna just couldn’t catch a break today–and quickly glanced over the menu. “Oh, can we just get a couple sample platters please? Everything sounds so divine, I don’t know how any of us could choose what to get.” The waitress chuckled. “Of course. Those will be out soon, in the meantime, please enjoy your tea.” Celestia nodded, “We will, thank you.” She then raised a hand, golden magic swirling across her fingers as she picked up the teapots and poured everyone a cup.   Luna rolled her eyes at her sister’s showing off, dark blue magic gathering around her own fingertips as she stirred some sugar into her and Rarity’s tea. “As I was trying to say–” “The Sapphire Carousel is a theater. My sister is quite an ingenious businesswoman, to be able to run one so young. From what I hear, nearly every show sells out.” Rarity raised an eyebrow at Celestia’s redirection, but a soft elbow and surprisingly gentle smile from Luna dissuaded her from commenting on it.  Fluttershy gasped and clasped her hands together. “A theater? That sounds like so much fun! I remember Rarity mentioning you had ordered a lot of clothing from her. Oh you must be so proud to have your work on stage!” Rarity smiled into her tea cup, a sneaking suspicion forming, but she had to make sure. “Oh yes. I never imagined my pieces would ever see a spotlight but the whole experience has been rather…” She locked eyes with Celestia. “...Revealing.” Luna covered her laugh with a cough as Celestia choked on her tea. Rarity stifled a sigh as her suspicions were confirmed, her eyes flickering over to Fluttershy as she recalled her earlier reaction.  The… Lunar District?  Uncomfortable as it might be for her best friend to know the truth behind the Sapphire Carousel, she had to know. It was only fair. That, and she wasn’t a fan of Celestia trying to divert and cover her sister's business. Polite conversation be damned, she wouldn’t hide anything from Fluttershy, not any longer.  Once Celestia recovered, Rarity continued. “It’s also quite nice that our businesses are so close together. We often meet for lunch, after all it’s just a short little walk. Oh! You two simply must come by tomorrow, I would love to give you a tour of the area.” Fluttershy smiled hesitantly, the hand that was soothingly rubbing Celestia’s back pausing. “O-oh, the theater is by your shop in the Lunar District?”  “But of course, what kind of theater did you think the Sapphire Carousel was? I run Canterlot’s premiere burlesque studio and brothel.” Silence.  Fluttershy was pale, her mouth opening and closing as she struggled for words. Celestia glared at Luna. “Do you think this is funny? Embarrassing not only me but yourself like this?” Rarity scoffed, “Embarrassing herself? What, like she has something to be ashamed of? Fluttershy, darling, I know it’s a lot to take in, but you trust me don’t you? You are my best friend and–” “You are my best friend too Rarity, but…” A heavy feeling settled in Rarity’s chest at the tone in Fluttershy’s voice. “But what?” Fluttershy shuddered and wrapped her arms around herself. She let out a deep breath before forcing herself to look at Rarity, “I just… I didn’t think you were the kind of girl to hang around… those people. Much less ‘date’ one.” Her lips twisted into a grimace and she turned towards Luna, a hard edge to her voice. “And you… I didn’t think your kind added ‘business woman’ to the list of harmless nicknames to hide behind and deceive others.” Luna stood suddenly, slamming a hand on the table and leaning forward, lips pulled into a snarl. “How laughable. You talk of deceiving others, but I say it is you who has deceived me. Special person indeed… So mindless beasts deserve more respect than those who make an honest living?” Fluttershy stood as well, fury warping her features. “You leave innocent creatures out of this! They aren’t the ones breaking apart families and corrupting poor souls to think they can’t do anything but sell their bodies!” Rarity trembled as she tried to pull Luna back, fighting back tears. She opened her mouth, to admonish or plead with her friend she wasn’t sure, but Celestia beat her to it.  “Fluttershy, that’s enough. I don’t always agree with the path my sister has taken, but she is a good person. She only keeps the Carousel running, she isn’t an… entertainer.” Fluttershy melted under the hand on her shoulder and gentle tone, her anger turning to a deep disappointment that pierced Rarity just as harshly as her earlier fury. “I just, I don’t understand. How could you…?” The weight in her chest threatened to topple her, but Rarity forced herself through it and stood straight. “It seems we are in agreement on one thing then. I don’t understand either, Fluttershy, I thought,” she turned, unable to face her any longer, “I had hoped you would at least give me a chance. I, I thought you were my friend.” She sniffed and grabbed Luna’s arm. “Come on darling, we obviously aren’t welcome here any longer.” Luna nodded and tossed some money on the table, gaze burning, “Here. I may run a whorehouse, but even I have enough respect to not leave a tab unpaid.” They turned and left without another word, Luna’s arm wrapped protectively around Rarity’s shaking frame. Fluttershy sank into her seat, tears rolling down her cheeks and hands clasped over her mouth.  She knew Celestia was speaking to her, but she couldn’t hear a thing over the repeated chorus of her childhood friend’s last words to her. “I thought we were friends.” That, and the sound of a door slamming shut.  ~~  Thus, it seemed like a lifelong bond was broken, shattered by anger and swept away by confusion.  However, not all hope was lost, as two sisters met, to fix the rift between them and the ones they loved.  The study was brightly lit, but it did nothing to lift the spirits of the women standing opposite each other. They stared at each other, watching, waiting. Like two beasts ready to fight, their muscles were tightly coiled and bodies prepared for the first sign of attack; almost daring each other to make the first move. Luna broke the tense atmosphere with a soft voice. “Did you really mean what you said at the cafe?” Celestia looked away, startled by the vulnerability in the question.“I said a lot of things at the cafe Luna, what do you mean?” “You said that while you didn’t agree with my choices, I was still a good person. Did you really mean that?” “Of course I did. You are my sister and I love you.” “Aye, but even the tightest bonds, familial or not, can be easily broken.” Celestia pursed her lips. “You aren’t just talking about us, are you?” Their eyes met, old and new pain brought to the surface. With it though, also came an understanding. “Tia, we have to do something.”