Ch. 6
Generosity?
Rarity finally relaxed. She had decided to take the day off and unwind. It was perfectly appropriate after spending most of the previous day outmaneuvering mordant monsters. It had taken two showers just to remove all of the poisonous residue from her mane, but now was the perfect opportunity to get some R and R.
As she sat down on her very plush couch, with a very vintage drink and a very new magazine, everything was perfect: calm, peaceful, and absolutely no acid anywhere. Her glass was within easy reach, the page was positioned perfectly, and her haunches had sunk into the sofa just so.
Then Sweetie Belle stormed in.
Sweetie shattered the sublime setup in an instant as she flung herself at the foot of Rarity’s chaise longue, sobbing quietly.
Rarity reluctantly put her things down. She loved her sister, but everypony needed some time to themselves. She’d say so in a mildly indignant, but still comforting way. Sweetie would understand that.
“Sister, darling, what’s wrong?” Less annoyed than she had intended, but she could build up to that.
“Oh, Rarity, it was awful! I was working on a banner with the Crusaders, and when we asked Applejack for advice, she told us we were the worst painters she’d ever seen!” Sweetie wiped a few tears out of her eyes, but it was a futile gesture.
“Oh, come now, I’m certain she didn’t mean to be so harsh.”
“No! She meant it! She said she was just telling us the truth, that it was just that bad…” A fresh wave of tears interrupted her sentence.
Rarity sat up. “She was probably just tired. We certainly had a full day yesterday.”
“Didn’t sound like tired to me…”
“She just wasn’t herself. Everypony needs time to wind down and return to normalcy after big events.” Yes, a perfect lead-in to her own downtime.
“Really?”
“I’m absolutely positive of it.” Rarity put a hoof on her sister’s shoulder, only temporarily, until she asked her to leave, obviously. “Does that sound like Applejack at her best to you?”
“I guess not…” The tears had started to slow down. That was a good sign.
“You know what might make you feel better?”
“What?” Sweetie’s ears perked up.
Now she just had to tell her to take some time to herself to calm down, then ask Applejack about it later. It was perfect. “What if I helped you do your mane?” What? That wasn’t what she had intended to say.
“Really? You’re not busy or anything?”
“Don’t be silly, I always have time for my sister.” She did?
“Well, sure! That sounds great!”
Rarity headed towards her bathroom, and Sweetie followed, decidedly less dejected.
Well, a quick brushing won’t hurt. I do have plenty of time, Rarity thought to herself.
Sweetie sat down, while Rarity opened her brush drawer and selected one of the smaller ones. She took a quick look at Sweetie’s mane, then began to comb it carefully.
“How’s that feel?”
“Great! Thanks, Rarity. Sorry I barged in. Guess I was just surprised by what Applejack said…”
“I’m sure it was a momentary lapse. Just relax and don’t overthink it.”
Sweetie Belle’s mane was well-kempt, aside from numerous flecks of paint. Rarity barely had to do anything at all. It was almost boring.
Isn’t that what I wanted? A quick gesture to make her feel better? Rarity asked herself.
“Rarity? Are you okay?”
“Hmm? Oh, yes, just picking out this piece of paint.”
I could do so much more. I have the resources. If this little gesture makes her feel better, then wouldn’t a big gesture make her feel much better?
“Say, Sweetie Belle, have you ever considered a new manestyle?”
“What? I dunno, I like my mane fine the way it is…”
“Oh, but it could be so much more fabulous! Just let me try something, I promise you’ll like it.”
“Uhm, ok, if you say so.”
Twenty minutes later, Sweetie Belle stared into the mirror Rarity handed her and a grimace spread across her face. A thick curtain of wavy, purple hair hung off the right side of her head. The weight of all the products in it caused her neck to droop noticeably.
“It looks just like yours!”
“I know! Isn’t it wonderful!?”
“I can’t see anything to my right…”
“Oh, don’t be silly. Your mane is hardly as dense as mine, and I can see perfectly fine.”
“I mean, I’m not… It’s just…”
“Do not fret, my dear sister. It will look impeccable with the dress.”
“…Dress?”
“Yes, I thought up a lovely ensemble while I was working. I just have to measure it and you’ll look so precious. Your self-esteem will go right through the roof!”
“Well, uhm, gee, Rarity, that sounds great and all, but…”
“But what?”
Sweetie Belle couldn’t think of a way to tell Rarity the obvious, so she did the next best thing.
“Oh my gosh, what’s that behind you!?” she shouted, jabbing her hoof dramatically at the window.
As Rarity turned around Sweetie Belle bolted.
Rarity was confused. Why wouldn’t Sweetie want such a thoughtful present? she asked herself. No, impossible. She must just be…embarrassed that I’m giving her so much attention. Yes. It’s really my fault for neglecting her so much. Yes, that must be it. I’ll go find her and explain that it’s really no trouble, and apologize for not doing all these things for her sooner.
Her mind made up, Rarity headed for the door. As her hoof touched the handle, she paused. It felt like she was forgetting something.
“Oh, of course! Silly me.” She walked past her couch, her drink and magazine still sitting next to it, and grabbed her bag. “I’ll need my purse in case I need to buy anything!”
She smiled and trotted out the door.
It was easy to tell which direction Sweetie had gone: all those hair products left a noticeable odor trail. Rarity walked leisurely along, certain Sweetie Belle would come to her senses at any moment and run back to her.
Sorry I ran off, Rarity. I felt guilty for taking up so much of your time, Sweetie would say.
Oh, nonsense, Rarity would reply, what are sisters for?
Really?
Of course! Let’s go shopping!
Oh boy!
Rarity chuckled to herself. That’s exactly how it would go. Good thing she had remembered her purse.
In the midst of her musings, she caught a particularly strong whiff of strawberry conditioner. She scanned the area, and noticed an unmistakable unicorn filly catching her breath against a nearby building.
“Ah, Sweetie Belle! There you are!”
Sweetie froze, then ran off again, perhaps hoping to pretend she hadn’t heard her sister.
Alright, now this is getting silly, Rarity thought to herself. It’s perfectly proper to be reluctant to accept such amazing generosity, but the way she’s acting, one could misinterpret it as…
No, that’s absurd. My gifts are amazing and thoughtful, and I’m going to prove it!
Rarity quickened her pace. “Sweetie Belle, darling, come back!” Rarity was tempted to sprint after her, but it was unladylike to chase things. Besides, they still had some shopping to do, and she didn’t want to tire herself out.
Sweetie dashed past Sugarcube Corner, and Rarity saw her friends gathered outside the building. She slowed down, curious why they were there, in a group, without her.
“Oh, hello, girls! What are you up to?”
They dodged the question. Were they avoiding her? Were they hanging out without inviting her? Were they sick of her?
“Hey, Rarity, want a hug?” Dash put her hooves toward Rarity, who leapt at the opportunity to show her friends how much she cared about them.
Fluttershy said something about germs, but Rarity was quick to defend herself. Why shouldn’t she give her friends some attention? Of course! The spa! Why hadn’t she thought of that before?
They were noticeably less enthused than Rarity had hoped.
That’s okay, she thought to herself. They’re just polite and modest like Sweetie. I’ll just have to be insistent.
And then Applejack mentioned a problem. Rarity was shocked. Concerned. Elated. Now she’d be able to prove just how much she was willing to help everypony.
Applejack muttered something as Rarity was listing her resources.
“What was that, dear?” Rarity asked.
“I said ‘parently insanity is contagious today,’ because y’all are insane.”
“Oh, my poor Applejackey-wacky, don’t be so dramatic.” Rarity put a hoof on AJ’s shoulder, despite the fact that Dash was still draped around her. Pinkie giggled and put a hoof around Dash, and Fluttershy gasped and tried to pull the chain of ponies apart, muttering “germs, germs, germs” under her breath as she tugged on Pinkie’s flank.
“I know what will make everypony feel better,” Rarity declared.
“A stiff drink,” AJ grumbled.
“No, no, a shopping trip! My treat! We can replace this dirty hat of yours, for starters. I always thought you would look stunning in a nice sunhat, with a matching dress and shoes. And I’ve always said that none of you ever know what to do with your mane! I wonder what five sets of curlers costs…”
“Oh, Rarity, you don’t need to buy curlers! Bananas are much cheaper,” Pinkie suggested.
“Oh my, that can’t be sanitary,” Fluttershy said.
“Sweetie ran away from you after you styled her mane, I’ll pass,” Applejack huffed.
“Rainbow Dash, don’t you think Applejack could use a makeover?”
“Well, I trust your opinion and all, Rarity, but AJ is already perfect,” Dash said.
“Oh, well, she’s certainly attractive, but a little conditioner never hurt. I have some spare bottles in my house, you know. I’d be happy to—”
“Ugh, haven’t y’all forgotten about Twilight!? We don’t have time to sit around here talkin’ about your uppity attempts at charity, Rarity!”
“Hey, that rhymed!” Pinkie laughed. “Charity, Rarity, dexterity, disparity, clarity, popularity, posterity, familiarity—”
“Pinkie, shush! You might inhale a bug, or bite your tongue, or worse!” Fluttershy stopped trying to pull everypony apart and clamped Pinkie’s mouth shut.
“Oh, yes, Twilight! Of course. You’re right, she needs help. I always thought those chairs in her home were so tacky. She should know better, considering how much time she spends in Sofas & Quills. Where’d I put my Equestrian Express…” Rarity rummaged through her purse. Good thing she’d remembered it.
Applejack rolled her eyes. “She doesn’t need new furniture, Rarity. She’s gone on a studyin’ bender, not some kinda furniture-destroyin’ rampage.”
“Studying addiction, you say? So I should get her some books? No, that’s absolutely absurd! I should get her a date!”
“Ooh, I’m available!” Dash volunteered.
“Well, that’s nice of you to offer, dear, but I was thinking a stallion would be more socially appropriate,” Rarity said.
“I’m a way more interesting friend than some stallion! What’s a stallion got that I don’t?”
“Ooh, ooh, I know the answer to this one!” Pinkie shoved her hoof into the air excitedly, but let it slowly drift back down. “Oh, nevermind. I lost it. Wait! Nope, still gone.”
“You shouldn’t be going on dates anyway, Rainbow. All the terrible food, and cheapskates, and boring small talk, and social awkwardness…” Fluttershy shuddered, stroking Pinkie’s mane protectively.
“What’s so dangerous about social awkwardness?” Applejack asked. “I’ve had plenty of it today.” A moment of silence followed. “Applesauce, now they got me doin’ it…”
“You don’t want to know,” Fluttershy said ominously.
“Wow, Rarity, your mane is really soft. It’s like a blanket, or a cloud.” Rainbow had started slowly stroking her own face with Rarity’s mane.
“Why, thank you, Rainbow. I could do yours the same way, if you like,” Rarity offered.
“Really!?”
“You shouldn’t do that, Rainbow,” Fluttershy chastised. “You might scratch yourself, or give Rarity split ends, or—”
Applejack’s hoof made a soft thunk as it made contact with her own face. She turned to leave, hoping that none of her friends would notice her go.
A few steps after she started walking, and a few seconds after the other four noticed she had gone, a loud, bright explosion burst out of the library’s upper floor.
“OOH, pretty!” Pinkie exclaimed.
“Eek! Nopony breathe! All that dust might clog your lungs!”
“Oh my!” Rarity gasped.
Rainbow Dash leapt into Rarity’s arms.
“Oh, cmon! How many cherry-pickin’, butter-churnin’, completely unnecess’ry explosions are going to happen today!? It’s downright cliché and excessive, is what it is!” Applejack was tempted to throw her hat off her head dramatically, but that would have only compounded the problem. “Guess we better go see what that shortsighted fanatic has gotten herself into…”
“Rainbow Dash, I like you, but you are rather heavy…”
“Oh, sorry, Rarity.”
“Not to worry, dearie. Perhaps we can buy you some sort of harness…” Rarity examined Rainbow’s stomach briefly. “or diet pills!”
“You really shouldn’t use diet pills. They cause brain damage, and weight loss!” Fluttershy reprimanded.
“Haha, good one, Fluttershy! I buy diet pills all the time!” Pinkie produced a plastic bottle. “Placebo brand. Delicious and effective!” Pinkie poured a few into her mouth before Fluttershy snatched the bottle from her.
“Don’t eat those, Pinkie! They’re pure sugar!”
“I know!”
Applejack sighed and began walking back toward the library.