Twilight stared out at the dark building. Without anypony there, the snow had piled up around it making it look even more untouched. A flurry of snow whirled around making the tattered flag fly for a second. Bad memories began to stir, and Twilight looked away. "Why didn't I say anything? I should've told her right then." she looked back. "I should've told her not to go."
One Year Ago
One year ago from our present, Ponyville looked quite the same. It was close to Hearth's Warming and that feeling was in the air. The snow was falling on a dark night, and Twilight was making her way to the Carousel Boutique. "I wonder what Rarity wants to talk about?" Earlier while Twilight was studying, Rarity had stopped by and gave Spike a message to give to Twilight. "She said when I get a chance to come and see her. That she has something important to talk about." The snow crunched with each step while Twilight continued in her thoughts. "It's not like Rarity to not just come in and start talking to me," she smiled, "Not that I mind, she's always so cute when she visits. But this must be pretty important. Maybe she'll measure me for our holiday outfits" Twilight eventually got to the boutique and knocked.
"Just a minute" she heard Rarity call back in a sing-song voice. It made her smile. The door opened revealing Rarity all put together as usual. "Hello my darling. Please please come in, oh you'll catch cold out there." Rarity hurried her and closed the door. Twilight kissed her marefriend's cheek.
"Hello my beautiful." Rarity smiled and together they walk into the main room of the building. Unlike its usual organized chaos, it was very neat and organized. "So? What did you want to talk about?" Twilight asked smiling. "You know you can interrupt my studies if you want to talk."
"Oh yes dear, but this requires a focused talk...just the two of us." Rarity looked uneasy. She was a hard pony to read but after dating for a while Twilight had picked up on a few things. This definitely wasn't about holiday outfits.
"Ok" Twilight responded warily. Rarity floated over her couch and they both took a seat. Rarity let out a sigh.
"Ok, so my boutique up in Canterlot has been getting a lot of attention as of late, and recently a high profile designer came and loved what they saw. They are currently working on a touring line for the biggest names in Equestria, and..." she hesitated.
"And?" Twilight asked, a slight hint of fear in her voice. A fear of where this was going.
"And they have asked me to also design for the tour."
"That's great Rarity! What an amazing opportunity!" Rarity silently nodded. "What's wrong?" Rarity looked over to her organized desk.
"I will have to leave Ponyville." There was a silence in the boutique that had never been heard.
"Oh..h-h-how long?" Twilight asked, "Like until the tour is over?" Rarity shook her head.
"It would be a fulltime thing so, forever. I would have to move. I...I wanted to ask you what I should do." Twilight didn't know what to say. "I know that you need to stay hear for your studies and I don't want to leave you without hearing what you have to say. If I go, I need to be there before Hearth's Warming" Twilight's mind was racing faster than it ever had, and that is saying something for her. She wanted to say
'No! Stay here with me! You can do all that and still be here.' But looking around Twilight realized that Rarity had already had packed many of her things. 'I can't tell her not to go...this is her dream. To design for the most famous ponies in Equestria.' Twilight looked to her marefriend. She was sitting there waiting for Twilight to say something. 'I think she's already decided.' Twilight thought, taking into account the packing, how soon she needed to leave, and the timing of this conversation. Twilight smiled though it was not sincere.
"Rarity, this is your dream. How can I tell you not to go, this is a huge opportunity for you. I think you will do great things." Those words hurt to say, but she said them believing it was best for the pony she loved.
"But what about you?" Rarity asked. "You are one of the best things that has ever happened to me, if you don't want me to go just say so and I'll stay." Tears started falling from Twilight's eyes.
"I can't just say that Rarity, how could I feel happy here with you, knowing you gave up your dream for me? Wouldn't you forever question 'What if I went?" She stood up and hugged Rarity. Twilight pulled away and began walking to the door. "This was a dream Rarity, but not your dream." She smiled as she opened the door. "Thank you Rarity, I hope it is all you ever wished for."
Present Day
Twilight found herself staring out at the boutique. The winter night air made the tears streaming down her face cold. "I did say something." She sniffled "And I told her to go." She hung her head and walked back into the library. The fire was still lighting up the study area. All the memories, good and bad were swirling in Twilight's head. She finally got back to her desk and stared at her notes. She couldn't focus. Her eyes kept straying, but it wasn't to the photo. It was to the quills and scrolls. An urge was flowing through her hooves. "Ok I'll write to her."
Making the decision was easier than doing it. After getting a blank scroll, she had sat their for 15 minutes just staring. "I don't even know where to begin...last time I spoke to her was that night. Where do I even start?" She stared for a few more minutes. "Ok let's just start with 'Hello Rarity." Just that greeting was enough to set off her mind.