Chapter 4
A Generous spirit
Rainbow Dash finally emerging from her home was nothing short of a miracle, especially for her friends. However, it was obvious that she still wasn't herself. As they all sat together in the throne room, nervously fiddling with their front hooves, it was clear that nopony knew what to say. When the silence became too awkward to be maintained, A.J. was the first to speak up.
“Uh...” She stuttered, taking her hat into her hooves, “it's good to see you Dash. Look, about before...”
Rainbow grinned, and for just a moment, Rainbow was almost herself again.
“No, no, Applejack...” She said, “It was my fault. Can...you ever forgive me?”
She looked around at her friends, waiting for them to tell her that they never wanted to see her again, that she was an awful pony who didn't deserve their forgiveness. Thankfully, they all smiled back at her.
“Aw, of course I do, sugarcube.” AJ's smile was especially warm. “I could never stay mad at you, even you're bein' stubborn.”
Rainbow glanced around at her other friends, who had yet to speak up. Her ears drooped.
“And...I'm sorry I ignored you all. I'll never do it again.”
Their smiles were the only answer she needed.
Rainbow was awoken the next morning by a loud, but polite, knock on her front door. A gray pegasus in a mailmare's uniform grinned at her, presenting a letter to her. Once Rainbow accepted it, the mare saluted and flew away.
Rainbow shut the door and took the time to examine it more closely. The letter was in very nice stationary, probably from some expensive print shop in Canterlot. Come to think of it, she thought she'd seen this very stationary somewhere in Ponyville before. On it was a note:
Rainbow Dash,
I'd love to see you today, Darling! Why don't you come down to the shop and we'll catch up!
Your Friend, Rarity
Rainbow was confused. Sure, the fashionista had invited her over before, but never with a hand written note first.
“What in the hay would she do that for?” Rainbow muttered.
Rainbow turned away from the front door and faced her living room, wincing at the state of it. Pinkie's trip out of the house had been just the thing she needed, but now she was left with...this. Seeing the mess reminded her of how much of a spiral she'd been in...and that only reminded her of why she had spiraled in the first place...
She gasped, squeezing her eyes shut against the unwelcome wave of memories...Soarin falling...Soarin screaming...Spitfire's final words to her.
She wasn't going to be able to handle the mess right now. It was too much. Usually, she could wash a dish so she could eat off of it, or fill a trash bag with empty cider bottles and pizza boxes, but that was as far as she could get. After that, she'd take out the trash bag to the garbage can or throw the sponge back into the sink. She might be talking to her friends again, but...she still wasn't ok. Maybe seeing Rarity would be a good idea.
* * * *
Rarity looked up as the bell over the door of Carousel Boutique chimed, and smiled.
“Oh, Rainbow! I'm so glad you're here. I suppose you got my message, then?”
Rainbow Dash nodded, and then raised an eyebrow.
“What was up with that, Rarity? I mean, it's cool that you sent a note, but I don't get why?”
Rarity chuckled nervously, and her smile slipped. “Oh dear, I had hoped that I could be a bit more subtle. I suppose I should be frank with you.”
Rarity locked eyes with Rainbow Dash, a concerned and saddened look on her face. “Why don't we go have some tea and sit down?”
Rarity entered her kitchen and put a kettle on, Rainbow following closely behind. During the few moments of awkward silence, Rarity levitated two cups and saucers, a sugar bowl and a pitcher of milk onto the table. Rainbow was too nervous to sit down. Rarity was probably going to scold her for leaving them hanging. It had to be the reason she had wanted to talk privately. By this time, the kettle whistled and Rarity smiled, gesturing for Rainbow to sit down.
“I'll get right to the point, darling,” Rarity stated, pouring the hot water into each of their cups, and adding a teabag to hers, and then Rainbow's, “Like the others, I was quite concerned about you. I still am, in fact.”
Sipping delicately from her cup, she continued, “So, I invited you here to ask if I can provide you with any assistance?”
Rainbow was about to say that she didn't need any help, that she was fine. But then, she thought of the state of her home. That same deep feeling of overwhelming dread filled her. Sighing heavily, she stared into her teacup, and nodded. “There's one thing...though, I wouldn't blame you if you didn't want to. It's...pretty bad.”
“Oh, no no no, my dear,” Rarity said quickly, waving a hoof dismissively, “I said I wanted to assist you, so whatever you need help with, I shall do it!”
For what felt like the umpteenth time that day, Rainbow sighed again. She needed help with cleaning, and Rarity loved making things need and tidy, so she was the perfect choice. Still...
“Please, Rainbow Dash,” Rarity said, smiling sweetly, her eyes gentle. “I would be remiss if I couldn't do something for you.”
“Ok, ok...,” Rainbow groaned, “But, promise you won't laugh. Or freak out?”
Rarity nodded, sipping from her tea cup again. My house is...trashed! I mean, I'm not much of a neat pony normally, but ever since...” She froze. No, no...she couldn't go there yet. Wait, yet? Where did that come from. “Well, it's gotten to be...too much...and it makes everything worse.”
Rising from the table, Rarity levitated a basket of cleaning supplies over from a nearby closet, a look of confidence on her face. “Say no more, my dear! We'll make short work of this! Onward!”
Rainbow couldn't believe it. Rarity actually wanted to help her! She wouldn't have to tackle this mess all alone now. The fact that she had some help made her feel as if a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. For the first time, she was feeling a glimmer of happiness building within her.