During that same day, Ponyville would be bustling with activity. With Nightmare Night off the calender, the next step would be to prepare for the upcoming winter season. Rainbow Dash would occasionally leave during the next period for Cloudsdale's weather team, Fluttershy would be busy trying to get her creature friends ready for hibernation, and everypony would be busy purchasing coats.
But that night, one pony's work always stayed the same.
"It still doesn't look right," Rarity noted. "Perhaps a little more ribbon...Spike, could you be a dear and place three ribbons around the neck?"
"Will do!" Spike replied. He grabbed a bucket of ribbons and placed three of them where needed on the dress, placed on a mannequin. The dragon pulled back and placed his claws behind his back, awaiting the next order.
"That's perfect. I believe it's finished. Thanks so much for the help, I never would have thought I could make this many in a day."
Spike smiled, looking back at their work. It had taken all day to reach this point, but they had seven completed dresses to show for it. And yet there stood three more mannequins at the end of the row, awaiting their own dress.
"Can I help with just one more dress, Rarity?" the dragon asked.
Rarity shook her head, even if she did enjoy having her Spikey Wikey around. "I appreciate your eagerness, but it is rather late. When does Twilight usually have you off to bed?"
"Around 10. Just one more dress."
"I'm afraid not. Twilight should be back at any moment, and she'll want you home by then, I suppose. Maybe I'll let you come back tomorrow to finish up, if she hasn't scheduled anything then."
Spike looked disappointed, but nodded and fixed the ribbons on the last dress of the night. Rarity did give him a goodbye hug before opening the door.
Yet they were both surprised, as Twilight was there ready to knock on the door, in a dress neither one had seen before, Rarity even experiencing envy at how marvelous her attire was, and that she didn't design something that amazing.
Adding to the confusion, the unicorn didn't look alert at all at the front step. She seemed to be looking off into the distance, lost in her her thoughts. And rubbing her left cheek longingly was the weird cherry on top.
"Hello, Twilight. I didn't expect you to be here. Do you want me to send Spike your way?" Rarity greeted.
"That moment, I can't forget it if I try," Twilight wandered. "Oh...hi Rarity. Did you ask something?"
Twilight, not thinking straight? What had happened in Canterlot? And what was with that dress? The rubbing with the cheek? I have to find out!
"I was asking if you want Spike to travel home with you. It is almost 11, and you do have him in bed at 10, right?"
"I...I guess. Spike, you go on ahead of me. It might be a while before I'm there. Just don't stay up too late, OK?"
Spike did as he was told and made his way to the house, more than a little confused as he went past Twilight. Was that...lipstick on her cheek?
Once he was gone, Rarity took careful mental notes of Twilight's state. She didn't seem upset, thank Celestia. But Twilight's glances to the side, almost behaving like the designer wasn't there, hinted she was confused, lost in her thoughts.
There was a lot more to this than Rarity was seeing.
"What happened in Canterlot, deary? I understand you traveled to Canterlot so Luna could show you some neat things in science, but did something else happen while you were there? Did you bump into your parents while you were there? Or did some stallion give you a hard time? I must know, you're acting strangely right now."
Twilight blinked, shaking her head to clear her thoughts. "Don't worry about it. Nothing bad happened to me. It's just...something did happen, and I don't know what to make of it. I'm not sure if I should be thinking about it like I am."
"What do you mean? Twilight, I don't have any idea what this is, and I'm starting to worry about you."
Nodding, Twilight placed her left hoof on the ground, and then it was all clear to Rarity. The only clue she needed was the black lipstick stain on her cheek, which said enough.
"I don't know, Rarity. I'm starting to get sleepy. Could we talk about it some other time?"
"Oh, I have some other idea in mind. You see, thanks to Spike I will have an order finished ahead of the deadline, and I could spend a few hours tomorrow on a spa date. Fluttershy's occupied with her winter job, do you mind coming with me that day? You can explain everything then."
"I guess...I'll have to check my schedule, but if there's nothing on the list I'll be there. This feels weird, I'm not sure if you know how this is like, but I don't know what to do."
"Twilight I think I know exactly how you feel. You came to the right pony for your dilemma. But let's wait until the spa to discuss the matter, shall we?"
"Yeah, maybe I'll be able to figure it out in my sleep."
"One last thing Twilight, you have something on your cheek."
The unicorn didn't fully listen to those words, instead making her way down home. She kept rubbing on the cheek, coming to realize she liked how it felt that moment. It was the first time anypony outside her family gave her a kiss like that, and it was...amazing? Yes, amazing.
She opened the door to see Spike left the place dark, already sleeping in his bed and snoring. With the moonlight giving her the all the sight she needed, she made her way to the bathroom, taking off the dress and placing it to an adjacent closest. It was nice enough of a dress that she wanted to wear it again when an occasion came up.
But then she looked in the mirror, and gasped in horror at the sight before her eyes. How could she let Rarity see something like this?
She had a black lipstick stain on her cheek, imprinted deeply despite her hoof smearing it a little.
Oh Celestia no! Rarity knows I've been dating a mare, but not just any mare, she might already know it's Luna!
No...there's no way....just keep it together and say it was your mother...who has a white mane...that wouldn't mix with black lipstick...and still likes to kiss her grown daughter on the cheek...
I'm finished...this is so embarrassing...
She washed the lipstick off the cheek and went to her bed, collapsing in the sheets. Tomorrow could very well be the most uncomfortable day of her life.