Sparkles and Gems

by Arpeggio


Chapter 1

"Hmm, perhaps a deep blue." Rarity whispered aloud to herself as she finished putting the finishing touches on her latest work. With one more stitch and a sharp tug, the fabric gripped tight onto the mannequin. "Wonderful, wouldn't you say?" beamed Rarity as she looked to her left for Opal's approval. The small white feline let out a "mrawr" of acknowledgement and agreed before his ball of yarn won his intrigue once again. The dress glittered and shone with wonder as the deep blues, purples, pinks and reds wrapped themselves around one another as if they belonged in that harmonious mesh.

Rarity admired her work "My, my, you've outdone yourself this time, Rarity! I can't wait to see what she thinks.." she allowed herself that moment of self-praise before she was brought back into the real world by somepony ringing her bell. "I'll be with you in a moment!" Rarity checked to make sure her hair wasn't in a tussle after her hours of work as she quickly picked up a large piece of black cloth and hung it over the new dress so it would remain a secret from prying eyes. Once satisfied she made her way to the door with her sweet smile and began her welcoming pitch; "Welcome to Carousel Boutique! Where every garment is chic, unique and- oh, Twilight darling! I didn't see you there." Twilight smiled as she stepped into the designer's beautiful shop "Hello Rarity" Relax Twilight, relax, just ask "I was wondering, could I ask you a favour?"

Twilight began to tremble a little bit, good start, just keep it going. "But of course, what can I do for you?" Rarity sang in her sweet tone with a curious smile, causing Twilight to lose her composure slightly. "Well, there's this.." Twilight's tongue refused to move as she looked at Rarity, her beautiful eyes; that stunning mane. Get a hold of yourself, she managed to remind herself of the situation. "Yes dear? There's what?" Rarity chirped with her eyelids closing slightly at Twilight's rather cute behaviour, not helping Twilight's predicament. "There's.. a task! Yes, a task. I need to get something from town and I was wondering if you would want to..join.. join me for..lunch..please?" she whispered out almost desperately as the sentence carried on.

"Why, Twilight, that sounds lovely! I'll fetch my hat and we can be off." Rarity smiled wonderfully as she cantered into the bowels of the shop, finding the best hat for the beautiful day outside. Twilight smiled and waited for her friend trying not to show the firework display of wonder, joy and relief going on in her mind. Not only had she finally asked her, but she said yes! Okay, Twilight, first part is done. No time for partying yet. Rarity emerged in a wonderful thatched hat with pink cotton coating the rims, Beautiful.. Twilight shook herself from her daze and smiled "You look... wonderful, Rarity.." Please don't read into that, please don't read into that.. "Why thank you, Twilight." Rarity smiled in her lovely tone with a flutter of her oceanic eyes. Oh thank Celestia.. "You're welcome, I have the perfect place for our meal if you're ready?"

"Wonderful." Rarity smiled with her as she took a deep breath and began walking towards Ponyville's main street Calm, calm thoughts. Think calm and you feel calm, that's what the book said. Twilight repeated internally, but being around Rarity was just fantastic. She felt like she was watching a goddess as she walked. It was terrifying to the point that she almost felt unworthy, but it was beautiful to the point that she felt nothing else could match up to the feeling. Her beautiful mane flowed in the wind, her soft eyes like smiles, and her wonderfully soft coat; Twilight just wanted to lay on it and feel its softness against her cheek. Rarity looked at Twilight's oblivious, gawking expression and giggled softly, bringing Twilight back into the world with a slightly more startled expression than before, "Wh-Wha? What's.. What's funny..?" Rarity's giggling only became louder; "Twilight, for somepony who reads so much you don't seem to have many words at your disposal." Rarity joked. Oh you don't know the half of it. She thought, "Oh.. Oh I'm sorry, I was just..." She wasn't sure what she was doing.

"Don't be sorry, darling." Rarity smiled as a pale and faint pink smear appeared on her cheeks Is... is she.. "Well, is this the place?" Rarity interrupted with a slight cough, averting her eyes Sweet Celestia did we really come all that way in such a short time? "Y-Yes.. this is the place! Heh.." So far, so good.. she halfheartedly told herself. Twilight sat down at the table by the flower beds at the small restaurant. Rarity placed her hat on the table for a moment to adjust her mane before putting it back on again and getting comfortable. "Mm, such wonderful weather." Rarity beamed as the sunbeams danced around in her eyes, making them almost glitter. Twilight was beginning to lose it. "Yes..." through sheer strength of will alone she pushed on. "Rarity, I actually invited you here because.. because I want to talk about.. something."

Rarity said nothing, she simply nodded and smiled at the purple unicorn; letting her continue her thoughts. "Well." Come on, you can do this! "What I wanted to tell you is...we're close friends, right?" Rarity almost looked confused "Of course, darling." All the more intrigued in Twilight's ramblings. "Well, I've.. I've been having some feelings lately and... and some dreams, too." Rarity seemed to be smiling widely Oh I hope she doesn't think I'm crazy for this... "..About you.. and.." Twilight wouldn't be able to cope with Rarity's response right now, so she closed her eyes to finish her thoughts "I think I'm in love with you.." she breathed out with immense relief. Done.. now no matter what she says at least I can live with myself knowing I said it.. Rarity's happy expression seemed to remain, only now she was crying. Why is she crying? "Oh Twilight..." Rarity leaned in and placed a tender hoof on Twilight's shoulder as she pressed her lips gently against Twilight's. A single tear began its journey descending from Twilight's eye, as did an identical droplet from Rarity's.

The two tears converged and met at each of the mares' lips. Rarity was smiling, no.. beaming, as her lips tenderly graced Twilight's, and as for Twilight's feelings... If Rarity saying yes to lunch was a fireworks show, then this was New Years in Manehattan with a shuttle launch as the grand finale.

Rarity looked into Twilight's eyes after a quick eternity of emotional release and whispered tenderly "I think I'm in love with you, too.." as she softly rubbed her nose against Twilight's. Her mind was empty, there was this one moment, nothing else; nothing could touch her now, Discord's challenges could not phase her, Nightmare moon's revenge would not strike fear into her. She could live the rest of her life in absolute bliss knowing there was this one moment.

Twilight put her hoof in Rarity's and smiled as more tears let themselves free, whispering "We should do this again soon." Which earned her a giggle from Rarity "Yes, how about my place, tomorrow, three o'clock?" She tried to keep the quiver of happy sobbing from her voice as she spoke. As Twilight went through a similar conflict she replied breathlessly "It's a date."