//------------------------------//
// Track Delay: Middle of Nowhere 
// Story: Aether Express 
// by MagnetBolt 
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“Another two days?” Rarity gasped.
“Sorry, that’s just how long it takes,” the Conductor said. “We might seem to be going in a straight line, but the path to the next stop is actually rather complicated. Just not in a way that’s easy to explain, like, um…”
He rubbed his chin, trying to think of the best way to describe it.
“Imagine a really long rope with an ant crawling around it, and there’s a knot in the rope…”
“That is entirely unhelpful,” Rarity sighed. “Thank you anyway, I’ll just accept that it’s magic and I don’t understand.”
She trotted back to her seat and sat down heavily, looking at Diana. The taller mare was either asleep or resting her eyes, and in either case managed to do it while sitting upright with the kind of dignity usually reserved for pharaohs and cats.
“Hmm…” Rarity considered.
“Worrying won’t make the time go faster,” Diana cautioned her, proving she hadn’t been asleep, or that she was particularly skilled at talking in her sleep.
“I wasn’t worrying. I was thinking. Isn’t that cloak uncomfortable?”
Diana had worn a cloak most of the time Rarity had known her, aside from a few hours on the beach when it had been so inappropriate even Diana hadn’t managed to get away with it. It made the tall pony look practically like a witch or wraith. The thick material muffled sound and hid her form, as if she didn’t want ponies to look at her despite her beauty.
“It’s fine,” Diana said. In truth it was starting to get a little ragged around the edges and needed a good wash. Still, it was clearly comfortable and well-worn. Like a security blanket.
“Yes, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have something else,” Rarity said. “I have all this fabric, and it’s difficult to make anything for myself when I can’t be my own model, but you! You’re practically perfect!”
Diana started to feel worried. “What did you have in mind?”





“I think this is a bit much,” Diana said. She stood as still as possible while Rarity worked. The mare was circling her like a shark with a needle and thread. She adjusted seams, folded things just so, and made adjustments as she thought, using pins to mark measurements.
“Don’t be silly,” Rarity said. “Everypony in that last world was wearing a suit.”
“That doesn’t mean I need a fitted suit,” Diana said. “I’ve been standing here for three hours.”
“Everypony looks good in a suit,” Rarity countered. “Besides, all you’ve had to do is stand there. It’s not a difficult job. Just a little longer so I can get the rest of your measurements? I’ve got all this wonderful fabric and I want to use some of it.”
Diana sighed and steadied herself, trying to stay still. It wouldn’t be that much longer.





“Is this the last one?” Diana asked. Rarity tested the temporary seam of the soft, plush fabric. It was loose around her, but in a deliberate way that flowed without making her look like she was wearing a tent.
“Sleepwear is important,” Rarity said. “I wish I had a bit more elastic. I barely have enough for a sleep mask!”
“Yes, but I don’t need pajamas, and Kyanite gave us both blankets and pillows.”
Rarity frowned. “Yes, and no offense to her since I’m sure she didn’t pick them out, but the pillow is a bit… well, it’s not quite right for my complexion. I worry I’ll break out if I don’t sleep on silk! I should make a pillow case after we’re done.”
“Are we nearly done?” Diana asked.
“Almost, darling. Next, socks!”





“A sundress?” Diana guessed. Her legs hurt from trying to stand still.
“I invented something new! A moondress!” Rarity grinned madly. “It’s not exactly the opposite of a sundress, you see, that would be an evening dress. One is casual, the other is something worn to an event. A moondress is like a sundress, but for places sundresses wouldn’t be practical!”
“I see?” Diana had no idea what Rarity was talking about.
“Exactly. So stay still while I work out how to make a half-length raincoat that will still keep the skirt dry.”





Diana yawned. Her eyes were still closed when the heavy fabric was draped across her back. She blinked in surprise at the familiar feeling. “Hm?”
Rarity was fastening the cloak around Diana’s shoulders, smoothing out the thick fabric and tugging at the edges. It smelled like roses and lavender, somehow, whereas when she’d taken it off, it had smelled like… well, like less than fresh laundry, the way a very comfortable shirt got after a few days where a pony was too depressed to change out of it.
“The edges were getting a little frayed, but I think I repaired it quite well,” Rarity said.
“It’s… thank you,” Diana said, touching it gently.
“No, thank you for letting me indulge myself,” Rarity said. “I know I can get carried away, but I just find it hard to sit still. If I was back home… Well, I had to worry about rent, and food, and my reputation. I never had enough hours in the day.”
“Didn’t you tell me you spent a lot of time in the spa?” Diana asked, smiling.
Rarity scoffed, tossing her mane. “Part of my job is taking care of myself! I had to sell myself to my clients! I could hardly meet Sapphire Shores looking slovenly!”
“I doubt you’ve ever looked slovenly,” Diana retorted.
“Of course not, but that’s because I make the effort. Now, I think I’ll just put these away for now.” Rarity carefully packed away the half-finished suits and robes and hats.
“You’re not going to finish any of them?” Diana asked.
Rarity shook her head. “They’re all perfectly fine designs, but none of them quite sparked with you. I saw you weren’t terribly enthused. Putting that robe back on you… that was what made you happy, not a new suit or fancy dress.”
“But it made you happy to make them.”
“Mm. A bit. But nothing makes me as happy as bringing a smile to a friend. There’s no better way to spend time.”