//------------------------------//
// Chapter Two: Je Ne Sais Pas 
// Story: Weekend in Pearis 
// by Fleur de Lis 
//------------------------------//

	Fleur de Lis flipped her pink mane by Rarity's face and flashed a bright smile, "Bonjour, Rarity! It has been quite some time, no?" She hummed in her soft Prench accent.
The two unicorns stared at each other for a moment before Rarity was finally able to catch her breath.
"Fleur," Rarity repeated, "It is, what a wonderful surprise." She managed a smile of her own in return.
Fleur nodded, "I assume you have my dress finished, oui?" she glanced around at all of the different outfits strewn about various mannequins and work tables.
Rarity blinked and moved to the side, "Oh, Fleur. Come in! Come in! I have your dress right over here."
It took everything she had to stay calm, Fleur? But... Why? she hummed in her head.
"Hi there!" Twilight introduced herself, "My name's Twilight Sparkle, I'm a friend of Rarity's." she smiled cheerfully.
Fleur nodded slightly, "A pleasure to meet you, Mademoiselle Sparkle. I am Fleur de Lis, an older friend of Rarity's." she returned the cheer.
Rarity sighed deeply and slaped a smile on her own face as well, leading Fleur over to her new dress. She lifted it up and hovered it over to the white unicorn. Fleur took the dress in her own magic and gave it several once-overs, her face growing brighter with each detail she spots.
"Oh, Rarity! It is perfect!" She giggled softly and gave her a small peck on the cheek.
Rarity's heart welled up in her throat once again and she seems too startled to speak. Fortunately for her, Fleur took the initiative to allow her to gather herself.
"I will go try it on right now!" said Fleur, trotting upstairs to the bathroom and closing the door.
Rarity's heart still didn't lower itself. The thought of seeing Fleur in an outfit like that makes it only beat faster
What's wrong with me? Rarity thought to herself, She's a mare! She's dating Fancypants! How could you possibly become so... unprofessional around her?!
Then she thought back. Back to the days when her and Fleur attended the Art Academy together. The perfect mare was only an Exchange student then, but Rarity couldn't help herself. She was confused. She was so absolutely infatuated by her. She still was. The thought crossed her mind and she tried desperately to push it out, but she couldn't. She couldn't lie to herself and deny it.
Each second that she waited felt more like hours, years even. Her heart raced as it had before, growing impatient to indulge her senses and look again on the gorgeous mare that she loved. Love. It didn't even make sense to her anymore. The swirl of emotions that ran through her had begun to be too much for her. The room began to spin and she was forced to take a seat. She had forgotten all about Twilight still standing right beside her when she felt a nudge on her shoulder.
"Rarity," Twilight asked in a concerned tone, "Are you alright?"
She blinked twice and stared at Twilight for a moment before answering, "What? Oh, yes. I'm fine, darling." she smiled, blushing softly in embarrassment.
The sound of the door unlocking was heard. Rarity and Twilight both looked toward the staircase to watch the Fleur descend back into the main studio. Rarity still felt weak and nervous.
What will Twilight think about the outfit? I can't imagine how she'll think of me designing such an erotic gown. She thought to herself anxiously.
Fleur de Lis beamed brightly as she walked slowly down the staircase. The dress came up right up to her flank, showing off her cutie mark slightly.
Rarity couldn't help but to gasp aloud. She trembled nervously as Fleur walked ever so calmly over to the two. Twilight gave Rarity a puzzled look before returning her attention to the pink maned mare.
Fleur spun about a couple times before exclaiming, "Oh, Rarity! C'est magnifique! It's gorgeous!" she smiled.
Rarity cleared her throat, "Ahem, yes, quite." she blushed deeply, hiding it with a turn of her cheek.
"It's, well, very... arousing." said Twilight, also blushing with her friend, "Rarity, I didn't take you for one of such... fashions." she manages a laugh, trying breaking the tension in the air.
It was even worse than Rarity could imagine.
I can't believe how... attractive she's become over the years. Rarity thought, How could you possibly bring yourself to think such things about her! She scolded herself.
Unfortunately, no matter how hard she tried to bury her feelings away from sight, she couldn't keep them off of her mind for very long. Rarity's heart began to race and she felt her face becoming hotter by the second. She seemed so concentrated on Fleur's features; Her amazing, violet eyes; Her flawless, white coat; Her perfect, silky mane. All flowing together so seamlessly. It maked Rarity sick with envy. Her head spun again with more emotions than last time.
How could you ever be so selfish? You don't deserve her. You never did! Rarity berated herself once more in her mind.
She felt light headed and sick. She hadn't experienced anything like this before. Rarity blinked once, then twice, then a third time. Her head throbed as she comes out of her daze.
She was lying on the floor, Twilight and Fleur standing over her, yelling her name out.
"Rarity! Rarity! Talk to me!" shouted Twilight, "My goodness, are you alright?!"
Rarity blinked again and sat up slowly, "What in the world?" she muttered, "What happened?" she looked up at the two.
Twilight shook her head, panting slightly, "I don't know. You just froze and passed out after a minute. Are you okay?" she seemed frantic.
"Yes, darling. I'm alright." nodded Rarity, "I'm not sure what came over me. It must be a bit too stuffy in here."
Twilight shook her head and sighed deeply, "I knew you weren't feeling good. You look like you're going to be sick." she pursed her lips.
Fleur nodded, "Rarity. I think it is best that you go rest yourself. You have done such a wonderful job on the dress. You deserve time to take it easy."
Rarity rubbed her head and nodded in affirmation, "Yes, maybe you're right."
Twilight smiled and gasped, looking at the time, "Oh no! I need to get back to the Library, stat! Spike is probably worried where I am!" she looked to Rarity again, "I hope you get to feeling better, Rares. If you need me, you know where to find me." she managed a soft laugh, lightening the mood.
"Thank you, Twilight." Rarity smiled in return, "I'll call you over should I need your assistance."
Twilight leaned in and gave her friend a great hug before turning toward the door and trotting out, waving goodbye, "See you later, Rarity, and it was a pleasure to meet you, Fleur!" she beamed and exits, closing the door to the boutique behind her.
Without skipping a beat, Fleur giggled to herself, "Do I still have that effect on you, Rarity? It seems like nothing at all's changed between us."
Rarity blushed again, her embarrassment welling up now, "Not at all, Fleur. I just... don't feel well. That's all." she scratched the back of her neck with her free hoof.
"Rarity, dear." The unicorn began, "You know that you can tell me anything."
Could she really though? Could she bring herself to simply throw the truth out onto the table? Could she really explain her feelings for her? Rarity didn't think it was quite that easy.
"Why didn't you tell me that you were the one who ordered the dress?" said Rarity, looking up at Fleur.
She laughed, "It wouldn't be much of a surprise visit if you were expecting me, no?"
Rarity shook her head softly, "No. I guess you're right." she could barely think. She was still recovering from her spill a few moments ago.
Fleur leaned down and sat beside Rarity, "You didn't think I came all the way here for a dress, did you?" she smiled to her.
Rarity knew the answer, "No, but why did you?" she asked.
"I wanted to stop by and actually invite you to a little fashion show that's being held in Pearis in a few weeks." Fleur shrugged, "It's up to you whether you want to go or not, but I wanted to have a friend accompany me. That and we haven't spoken in years."
Rarity looked toward the floor, thinking for several moments, "A Prench fashion show? That does sound wonderful." she returned her gaze to Fleur, "But I thought you and Fancypants were dating?"
Fleur de Lis laughed heartily, as if what Rarity had said was a joke, "Oh, Rarity. Fancy and I broke up a while ago. He was just so stuck up in his business, he never gave any time for us to be together. It was like being with a brick at times. Actually," Fleur giggled, "that would be an unfair judgement," she paused again before laughing, "for the brick."
Rarity blinked as it began to dawn on her, She's single? Is she doing all of this for me? We haven't even spoke in some time. Why would she come for me now? she processed to herself.
She didn't know what else to do but ask her directly. She feared the answer she might get, but she couldn't stand not knowing. She couldn't take the suspense any longer.
"Fleur?"
The mare perked up and responded, "Yes, Rarity?"
Rarity cleared her throat and took in a deep breath, letting out a long, drawn out sigh, "Are you..." she stammered, unable to finish her sentence.
Fleur de Lis simply giggled, "Je ne sais pas, Mademoiselle. You'll just have to join me for a weekend in Pearis to find out."
Rarity's heart skipped another two beats...