//------------------------------// // Freefall // Story: Timed Ramblings // by Midnight herald //------------------------------// Rarity awoke to a cold, empty bed. The duvet beside her still held the telltale wrinkles that were par for the course, and the dented pillow beside her still held the faint, alluring aroma of sweat and fresh rain. She found the bathroom to be just as empty, the bottles of hair product and perfume untouched, the shower curtain still dry. And no sound came from downstairs. Still, with the uncrushable optimism that came from living with the highs and lows of popular fashion, she trotted into her workspace and looked around, checking the couch and kitchen for a glimpse of blue or that telltale mane. Only the wine glasses from last night greeted her, glinting dimly from the dishrack. Not hide nor hair nor feather of the brash aerobat could be found. She distractedly threw on a base of makeup, just some eyeshadow and a ghost of blush, enough to be presentable to the world. Then she was straight out the door, searching the clear morning skies through her misty breaths, the light snowfall crunching below her hooves. Breakfast could wait, as could the backlog of custom orders put in place for the early Spring debuts. What she and Rainbow had was about comfort and stability, and this sudden change in routine was a warning sign, almost a cry for help. Rainbow Dash had caught her so many times, saved her more than anypony could know, and it was clearly time to return the favor. Time to step up and help before the ugly fear of a freefall could catch up to Dash’s fearless, free spirit. [h/r] The dirt road to Sweet Apple Acres, although clear of the snow that dusted Ponyville, was freezing. A zinging ache set into Rarity’s hooves and spiked with each step, causing her to shudder and shiver as she passed the last of the dormant trees and reached the barn. Sure as the sun was out, so was Applejack, checking over her brother’s plow with a practiced eye. “Well, Rarity, I sure wasn’t expecting you,” she greeted, letting it rest against the wall. “What can I do ya for?” Rarity smiled and stamped her feet a bit. “I was wondering if you’d seen Rainbow this morning,” she hedged. “I think something’s bothering her, and I know how she goes to you for advice sometimes.” Applejack shook her head. “T’weren’t me she went to for advice today, sugarcube.” Her bright green eyes clouded with worry. “I saw her on her way to Fluttershy’s ‘round about sunrise.” Rarity thanked her and went on her way, worry compounded. If this were a ‘Fluttershy-grade’ problem, then Rainbow must be in quite a state. She sped up to a brisk trot, ideas bouncing around her skull like vengeful hornets. What if I caused this? Am I pushing her too far? Does she want out? Am I not enough ny more? Or a more sobering possibility - Has she found somepony? As much as she was content with their arrangement, Rarity was becoming far too used to seeing that confident, open grin in the mornings, with a husky greeting and a few minutes of relaxed cuddling. When Rainbow had approached her with those feelings of loneliness and worthlessness months ago it had been a favor, freely given. But now, it had become a comfort, a vice, a way of life. It was hard to tell who needed it more, sometimes. And she would gladly end it for Dash’s happiness, but it would take a while to feel herself again should that happen. She knocked politely, then insistently, on Fluttershy’s door. Finally, after several minutes of nervous waiting, the door creaked open to reveal Fluttershy, concerned and on edge. “Oh, Rarity? What are you doing here?” “Is Rainbow here? I need to talk to her about things.” Fluttershy’s ear twitched at that, and she ushered Rarity in with a faint, mysterious smile. Rainbow sat at a table with an abandoned tea set, drooping with a heavy melancholy. Rarity approached slowly, as she would Opal on a bad day. “Rainbow? Are you alright, dear?” Dash’s head snapped up to meet her, those lovely scarlet eyes of hers brimming with tears and a strange intensity, somehow familiar. “Rarity, I-I’m sorry, about this morning,” she stammered, flushing. It was odd for this much emotion to show freely on the pegasus’s face. “I needed to get out and think... I’m not sure we should do this anymore.” Rarity took a deep, calming breath and forced back the impending tears. If this is how she wants it, this is how she gets it. “Whyever not?” she choked out. “Look, Rarity, I know what this is for us, for you... And I’m really sorry, but I’ve... I mean, I think I’m...” She trailed off, swallowing heavily.It finally clicked, where she had seen eyes like that before. A year ago, with a young dragon in freefall, about to profess his love. Rainbow steeled herself, the fire that Rarity had come to respect and love filling her eyes. “Rarity, I think I love you. Sorry.” “I know, darling,” she murmured, moving closer to within striking distance. “I think we’ve been headed that way for a while, Dash.” She surprised rainbow with a soft, chaste kiss, a simple reassurance. “And I wouldn’t have it any other way.” Perhaps I can’t catch you, Dash. Perhaps I don’t have to. Perhaps, together, we can fly.