//------------------------------// // Sleepover // Story: The Beauty and the Nerd // by HattieForest //------------------------------// Twilight spent the night with Fluttershy in the hospital room. Pinkie, Rarity, and AJ stopped by once together and several times by themselves over the course of the night. Twilight knew that wasn't allowed and had a sneaky suspicion that the nurses were allowing it since both she and Fluttershy were daughters of renown. Rarity also had great sway, and perhaps even AJ. Pinkie... Twilight laughed. Pinkie would be able to do anything. Suddenly early sunlight was waking Twilight and she tried to remember when she fell asleep. It had to have been after the pie AJ snuck in for the friends to eat. Fluttershy had refused to nibble, too outside her safety zone for anything, but healing. AJ tried to reason with her - it was a broken leg, not stomach surgery - but Twilight had backed Shy up and AJ ended up splitting the pie in three, reserving one third for Shy when the pegasus was better. "Good morning," Fluttershy said quietly. Twilight looked up at her, then flew awake as she realised she had fallen asleep with her everything from the shoulders up on Shy's bed. She scrambled away, berating herself for taking a sick pony's resting area. Shy gave her a smile and Twilight realised she was being slightly stupid. "Er...mornin'." AJ said from somewhere. Twilight shook her head, trying to clear the sleep away. She saw AJ sprawled on the floor, half asleep. Pinkie was using AJ as a pillow, and Rarity was snoozing by the window. "Five more minutes, Gummy," Pinkie mumbled. "Oh goodness, my back is going to give me grief for sleeping in such a position," Rarity greeted everyone. "We should do this again tonight, but at my place!" Pinkie shouted, springing up from her place on the floor. AJ yawned. "Yeah," she said. She brightened. "We can do games in the yard!" "Yard?" Rarity asked. "The garden," AJ explained. "We can set up an obstacle course!" She looked at Fluttershy. "Scratch the course." "Oooo, we can order food, and swap stories, and - wahooooo!" Pinkie hopped around the room happily. "Shhh, girls, we're in a hospital," Fluttershy pointed out. "Right." Pinkie stop mid jump, hovering in the air like it was normal. "I hope I wasn't hopping on someone's head." She plopped down and pushed her head through the floor, as if the floor was nothing but a hologram. "Pinkie!" Twilight gasped. Pinkie pulled her head out of the floor. "Nope. Empty room. Phew!" Rarity did a dainty morning stretch. "Well, this was wonderful, but I do hope none of us end up in the hospital again any time soon. I shall stay the night again if I must, but I much prefer we gather in a more friendly place." "Agreed. Like a barn." AJ gestured to the room. "No nature at all! How can they expect a pony to heal with no plants in the room?" "A barn?" Rarity echoed. "Surely not." "What's wrong with a barn?" AJ asked. "Girls!" Fluttershy warned. Twilight watched with amusement as AJ and Rarity ceased their bickering. "Oh no!" Twilight yelped. "I need to go home! Mum doesn't know I'm here!" She checked her phone. "Dead!" she wailed. "I'll get you home!" Pinkie took hold of Twilight and sped them away. When the world became solid again and not a blur, Twilight found herself in front of her home. Pinkie let go of her hoof. "Thanks, Pinkie." "No problem. Remember, sleepover tonight at my house!" And she was gone in a blur of pink. Twilight wondered if Pinkie recalled it was a school night. Twilight walked into the modest foyer, only to jump at her mother's voice. "I am very disappointed, Twilight Sparkle." "I - " Twilight began. "You skipped school twice, you used my position as Mayor General to receive favours from teachers - " "No!" Twilight shouted. She gasped. "I mean, I didn't -" "That is enough, Twilight. Now you are gone for a night without telling me where you are? You are grounded until further notice." "But - " "No buts, Twilena Light Sparkle! For talking back, you are grounded to your room, except for bathroom breaks, meals, and school! And I want your laptop and Ipod on my desk, now!" "Yes, Mum." Twilight whispered. Grounded! She'd never been grounded before. "Oh, and your phone." Twilight dutifully handed over her phone. With a resigned sigh, she headed for her room. Halfway there a shadow blocked her path. She hesitantly looked up into the face of her Auntie Luna. Instead of seeing disapproval, Twilight saw confusion. "Twilight Sparkle, you have never missed a class, even when ill. You have never lied nor cheated, so pray tell why you have done so." "I...it's so much, Auntie Luna." "What is?" Luna gently guided her niece into kitchen. Twilight sat at the table and watched her aunt prepare tea. Twilight wondered where to begin, and it seemed prudent to start at the very beginning, so she did. She explained meeting Rarity, and becoming her best friend. Each detail of Pinkie's party, and each sentence of Twilight's conversations with Rainbow Dash, was shared with Luna. Twilight even told Luna her feelings for her friends, the deep love she had somehow found for each of them, even Dash - a pony she barely knew. What surprised Twilight the most was her forgiveness and her wish to help Gilda after recalling Fluttershy's encounter with the Griffon, even though Fluttershy had ended up in the hospital. "And what of Glitter Rain?" Luna asked. "I..." Twilight floundered. "What about her?" "She seems to me as a young mare who is lost, and battling herself." Luna sipped her tea. "I believe you have a giant mess on your hooves, dear niece. What Rarity's father has done is certainly horrific, but I fear it is not the end of the conflict. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy are also within their own private war - of which Gilda may or may not hinder the peaceful resolution, and I have great dread that what Gilda says or does will determine Rainbow Dash's entire life." "And Pinkie? AJ? Are they alright?' "For the moment, I have far too little prudent information for them. I do know Pinkie has not had a normal or easy life, but then, who has?" "I have," Twilight said softly, almost ashamed. "I've had such an easy life, Auntie Luna, I - how can I help them? I can't relate outside the written word." "You are relating to them far more than you realise. And I know for a fact you have not had an easy life." Twilight looked at her aunt in surprise. "I haven't?" "You are brilliant, Twilight, and your brilliance has brought you a hollow pain that Fluttershy barely kept at bay throughout your childhoods. You grew up in near isolation. Your mother saw nothing wrong with it, as you buried your nose in books, but I couldn't let your soul die and your mind flourish. I'm the one that signed you up for each school year. I'm so glad I did because you met Fluttershy. And this school year is the first year I have seen you truly alive, dear niece." "If you signed me up, why has my mum been after me to get friends?" "One does not need to go to school for friends, it just is much easier to have friends if you leave the house. Your mother wants what is best for you, Twilight, and she thought perhaps when you were older you would want to join clubs or the life. I know that would be too late. The longer you are in isolation, the longer you cannot speak to other ponies with a degree of normalcy." Twilight swallowed her tears. It struck her she knew nothing of her Aunt's, or her mother's, life. "Twilight," Luna said suddenly. "Go to your friends. Go to the sleepover." "What?" Twilight was flabbergasted. Skipping school and now sneaking out of the house when grounded? "You must go. They need you, Twilight. Rarity the most of all. Go. I shall talk with your mother so she does not see you leave. Use my phone. I hate the thing, anyway." Twilight nodded. "Thank you Aunt Luna." "You're welcome, Twilight. I know if someone had done this for me all those years ago, things might be different." Luna swept from the room. Twilight sat still for a bit, her mind working over her aunt's words. What did her Aunt mean? What had happened years ago? Shaking off her natural curiosity, Twilight rushed to her room, snatched her bag and stuffed what she thought she needed (no time for lists!) and hurried out of the house. Pinkie's house was in a different neighborhood, one that Twilight did not know the way to, so she phoned a cab. She waited impatiently, jumping at each sound or movement in the shadows. The cab coming into sight was the greatest thing she had ever seen. "Who knew I was scared of the dark?" she muttered to herself. "Howdy, kid. Where ya headed?" the driver asked. "Um..." Oh drat. "Er... Pinkie Pie's place?" He raised an eyebrow. "You're lucky she has so many parties and we drive her guests there. Hop in, kid." Twilight let out her breath, unaware she had been holding it in worry. She settled into the cab and watched her home disappear as she rounded a corner. Pinkie's place was almost exactly the way she remembered it. No mass of school ponies or snacks on the tables, and the music equipment was gone. The driver said roughly: "Here we go, kid. 45 bits." Twilight handed the bits over and climbed out of the cab. "Thanks, sir." "Sir? Well!" He seemed to puff up in pride. "It was a pleasure, my lady." Twilight watched the cab leave. Was she really here? Did she really break so many rules the last two weeks? Her stomach twisted. "Well, I'm here," she told herself. She turned to the house and trotted to it. She raised her hoof to knock, but the door swung open. Pinkie stood in the doorway, grinning. "I thought you weren't coming, so I was sad, but you're here so I'm happy, and you know we were worried about you, and Fluttershy is here 'cause they let her out on good behavior!" "Good behavior?" Applejack said with amusement. Twilight thought of all those things she had read about in Sleeping over: the thorough guide to nocturnal fun, the most respected book on sleepovers she had been able to find. Walking in, Twilight looked around. The place was a little messy, but she wasn't surprised- she had not really expected Pinkie to be a paragon of order. Happily chattering away, Pinkie took led her to the living room, where games and snacks had been spread all over the table. Twilight looked around- this place was nice, hardly cheap... and Pinkie had it all to herself? She shook her head- analysis could wait. For now, having fun was priority number one, and she would commence having fun in a rational, orderly manner- Twilight realised Pinkie had gutted the inside of the house to make for a better party room. Where had Pinkie gotten the money? Rarity was lounging on the sofa, sipping ice tea and warily watching AJ demonstrate to Fluttershy how one "lassos" a runaway "critter". Twilight had no idea what a critter was, but judging from AJ's quick movements, critters were fast little boogers. "Twilight is heeeeeeeere!" Pinkie sang. Rarity looked over to them with a small smile on her face that nonetheless lit up her whole features. "How wonderful! I felt for a horrible moment there you were not coming." "My mum and I had a talk. I'm grounded, but my Auntie Luna told me to come, so I did... I'm kinda confused, actually..." The rope AJ was "lassoing" fell onto Twilight's shoulders. She looked down at it. "Am I a critter, then?" she asked cheerfully. "I hope not, critters are filthy," Rarity said. "Critters are not filthy!" AJ shot back. "Girls!" Fluttershy wailed softly. "Sorry," AJ and Rarity said together. Twilight giggled. She took the rope off and trotted to Rarity. Pinkie cleared her throat. "Now that we are all here, I wish to say thank you for coming over!" Pinkie began. "As you know, Rarity is living with me now, and that Fluttershy was in the hospital. So this sleepover is veryveryveryvery important! We are here to solidify our friendships - " "What is this, some sort a meetin'?" AJ asked. "- but more importantly, to help Fluttershy and Rarity through their dark times." Pinkie nodded. "Who wants lemonade?" "Smooth transition," Twilight laughed. "Lemonade will be delightful. I . . . I'll help you," Rarity said. She got up. "Oh no, it's okay - " "I live here, no?" "Of course!" "So aren't we both hostess?" Pinkie thought on this for a moment, tapping her nose and studying the air. "You're right!" she burst happily. "Come on, Rarity!" The two disappeared (as much as possible with the indoor window showing the kitchen), and Rarity's voice wailed: "We have to make it? I don't know how to make lemonade!" Then in a much calmer voice: "Oh, that is so simple!" Twilight smiled. Her best friend was so cute! Also, Twilight could think of no other pony that could change worlds so gracefully. She was proud of Rarity. For standing up to her father. For being brave enough to start a new life. For so many things. "Thank you for showing up, Twilight," Fluttershy said. "I hope you don't get into too much trouble with your mother." "She was pretty mad..." Twilight shook her head. "But forget about it, Shy, tonight's about you and Rarity! Right, AJ?" "Yep." AJ winked at Fluttershy. "It's about the adorable ladies." Fluttershy blushed. She took a deep breath. "What should I do about Rainbow Dash?" "Forgive her!" Pinkie shouted from the kitchen. Then: "Ohhhh, that's a good idea, Rarity!" "Obviosly something we can't see," AJ laughed. She turned to Shy. "I'd say be honest with her. Talk it out, tell her what you feel and why you feel that way. Invite her to do the same, and get ready for a shouting match. Whenever my family works things out we end up shouting, but eventually we're better, 'cause we don't keep stuff bottled up inside." Pinkie and Rarity came back with the lemonade, and a plate of cookies. Rarity spoke next. "I do not know what you could do, Fluttershy. On the one hoof, how could Dash do such a thing? It is contemptible! But she is a loyal pony, so why would she do it if it meant she would be disloyal to you? There must be a reason!" "It's Gilda!" Twilight blurted. They stared at her. She cleared her throat, and said: "Gilda is Rainbow Dash's only family. She did what she could to get Gilda away from Fluttershy, but she couldn't stand up to her. She was too frightened, too torn, too... too..." "Oh Rainbow!" Fluttershy cried. "My poor Dashie!" "Oh lord," AJ scoffed. "She left you broken on the floor! You should be spittin' mad!" "But she didn't want to!" Pinkie chirped. Suddenly the room was filled with debate. Twilight nearly had whiplash trying to keep up with what was said. She didn't know who was saying what. "We simply cannot let this go without comment or consequences - " "If she's a frightened critter when it comes to her family, and she can't stand up for what she believes in, then - well, I don' know, but I agree we need to give her another chance - " "She needs our help too! We are her family!" "We are? Since when was I a family member with a pegasus?" "Poor Dash!" That one had to have been Fluttershy. "We can't sit on our hoofsies and pretend this didn't happen!' Twilight's eyes began to spin in confusion. She shook her head. This was getting the group nowhere. Only one thing to do. "SHUT UP!" Twilight hollered. Silence. "Ow," AJ said, though her voice was stoic. Twilight took a calming breath. "Look, we can't decide things if we are shouting at each other. So... Fluttershy, please, you first, since it is you that ended up in the hospital." "I..." Shy hung her head. She shifted on her pillows. "Alright, I'm hurt. No, that's too easy. I feel like my insides - they are burning up with despair! What do I do? How can I face Rainbow Dash again? Should I forgive her?" Fluttershy raised her head. "Rainbow has had such a hard life. She needs somepony to love her, truly love her, and Gilda... she is so horrible! Gilda hurts things for fun! Rainbow Dash... maybe I see her through... through a fractured window, and all I see is the wonderful pony I ... I can't just leave her! Even if she ... she..." Fluttershy puttered out. "Okay." Twilight patted her friend comfortably on the shoulder. "Who wants to go first?" Rarity held her head high. "I shall. Fluttershy, I know from experience what is to live with someone who doesn't know how to show love. What you need to ask yourself is this - is Rainbow Dash worth it?" "Yes!" The word was explosive coming from such a small pony. "She tries her best to act like she's tough, but she isn't, not really. She's nervous, and so frightened of not winning, scared of becoming useless." "Then my advice is to show her she isn't useless, and she does not need Gilda to make her better. Show her she is worthwhile. If you believe all she needs is love, then give her love. But do not forget - if she does not return the love, perhaps it is time to move on." Fluttershy nodded. AJ glanced at her friends. Deciding it was her turn, she pushed her hat back and began. "Honesty is one of the things that make this here world worth livin' in, Fluttershy. I recommend chattin' to Dash, and talkin' out your problems. Tell her you're hurt far more on the inside than the outside. Tell her why, and tell her what she needs to do to fix it. Tell her you love her." AJ sighed. "And tell her she has to choose between Gilda and you. I know that ain't gonna be a popular thing to do, makin' someone choose between their family and you, but you gotta remember Gilda could have hurt you far worse than she did, and Rainbow wasn't gonna try an stop her. Tell her she has to choose becuase if she doesn't, it just ain't safe for you to be her friend, never mind her love." Fluttershy swallowed nervously, and whipped some tears from her cheeks. Pinkie energetically hopped around the couch. "Lemmethinklemmethinklemmethink!" She zipped to stand between Rarity and Applejack. "Love is the most important thing in all of Equestria, love and forgiveness but you can't go forgiving horrific things - oh hey, a bunny!" Pinkie bent down and touched noses with a real live bunny. Twilight felt her jaw drop. Where had that bunny come from? Pinkie laughed and looked back to Fluttershy. "ANYway, what I mean is, love is stronger and louder than anything else! It's flexible, understanding, and so many good things!" Pinkie spring-boarded in one place. "Love fills you up and makes you glow with a wonderful intensity! Like a balloon made of chocolate that glows from those red candy hearts!" The friends shared an amused look. Glowing red candy hearts? But Pinkie wasn't done, yet. "Love is like WOW, and it makes you HAPPY but it can also make you SAD, but mostly it is what gives us a reason to LIVE. Don't throw it away, Fluttershy! Never throw love away! Fight for it! Gobble it up like your starving and in the Sugar Kingdom!" The Sugar Kingdom was a dessert palace in downtown Canterlot, where a pony could buy all kinds of sweets. Pinkie nodded happily. "If Rainbow Dash truly loves you, fight for her!" "To the point where Gilda tortures Shy? Nah-uh." AJ shook her head. "No way, sugar cube!" Rarity broke in: "We have given our opinions. Twilight?" Twilight bit her lip. "I don't know. I've seen how distraught Dash was, and is. She loves you, Fluttershy, and she sees herself in such a bad light!" "As she should," Rarity insisted. "How mean!" Pinkie replied. "Dashie!" Fluttershy wailed. AJ slumped to the floor. "Go on, Twi." Twilight thought for a moment. "I think Rainbow Dash needs us. She needs us more than anypony really understands. She is truly alone, I think. If Gilda does not accept that Dash has friends that are "losers" or "eggheads" or whatever else, than Gilda isn't really Dash's friend, is she?" "True enough," Rarity agreed. "I know those ponies I used to associate with were never my real friends." "We gotta make sure she wants us as friends, first! I think she does." AJ nodded. "Okay! TIME FOR A MOVIE!" Pinkie blurred around the living room, setting up the TV and handing out little bowls of popcorn. One movie later, the girls were sprawled about the room, half the snacks were gone, and they had devoured two pizza's the AJ had brought over. 'Who knew apple pizza would be so good?' Twilight wondered to herself. "PILLOW FIGHT!" Pinkie hollered, lobbing a pillow at Rarity. The pillow impacted with a soft "thud", and Rarity turned around. "Pinkie, I am warning you-" Another pillow was lobbed, followed by a second one. "Oh, it is ON!" Rarity declared, magically tossing all three pillows back at Pinkie. The fluffy projectiles hit the pink pony with enough force to knock her over, and Twilight would have worried she had been hurt if Pinkie hadn't laughed hysterically. Twilight took a careful look at Rarity- she did not seem angry; there was in fact a triumphant little smile on her lips. Deciding that it would be safe to indulge, Twilight smiled and lifted a pillow- Pinkie had stacked them in a large pile, apparently planning this from the start- and lobbed it right at Rarity. "Oh really, Twilight Sparkle?" Rarity said, in a mock menacing voice. "Clearly, you have no idea who you are dealing with!" "I think I know perfectly well who I am dealing with!" Twilight shot back in the same kind of jokingly angry voice. "Oh REALLY?" "Yes, REALLY!" "I am Queen Rarity, master of pillow-lobbing! All shall bow before me or suffer the consequences!" "Bring it on!" With that, Rarity sent a pillow at both Pinkie and Twilight simultaneously. Chuckling, Applejack bucked pillow after pillow from the pile, loudly declaring: "FREE FOR ALL!" Soon, pillows flew back and forth, feathers sailing through the room. It was probably the most mindless activity Twilight had ever engaged in, and it was so much... fun. All of them- minus Fluttershy, who sat on the couch next to the table, giggling wildly at the intense, fluffy warfare- were lobbing pillows right and left. The feather-shed was immense; it was war unlike any other. After some fifteen minutes of tossing, lobbing, bucking and throwing, Twilight was knocked over by a particularly fearsome barrage. Laughing uncontrollably, she fell over on her back. "I surrender, Queen Rarity! Please, spare my wretched life!" Smirking confidently, Rarity put a hoof on her chest. "And why should I do that, hmm?" "Please, I'll do anything!" Twilight giggled. "My, my..." Rarity said, smirking. "maybe I'll just take you as my prize for winning? You'll make a fine trophy." Not knowing why, Twilight blushed. Any awkwardness there would have been, though, was quickly interrupted by Pinkie Pie. "I'LL SAVE YOU!" Launching herself into the air, she barreled into the two of them. Not wanting to be left out, Applejack followed, and the four of them ended up in a chaotic dog pile on the floor, all laughing. As they calmed down, breathed out and let the delirious haze of sheer fun wear off, they noticed Fluttershy, laughing just as hard as they were. Twilight felt happy; the yellow pony was feeling so comfortable with them all. Rarity nodded to her, and whispered, "It's working quite well, don't you think?" Twilight nodded. Make Fluttershy forget about Rainbow Dash for a while, and just have fun. It was working quite well. As the evening progressed, Twilight felt herself lost in the endless joy of just never stopping to think, just doing things. Baking, telling stories, eating said baked goods, gossiping a little... she reminded herself on how the chemistry in her brain that regulated emotion was responsible for all of this, but somehow it didn't seem to matter. Not that she would want to do this every day, but it was a wonderful change from the everyday life of studying, schooling... Eventually, night came and it was late enough that they should all go to sleep. Pinkie, finally having run out of steam, collapsed on top of Applejack, who was relaxing on the couch. Not bothering to make a bed, Applejack just asked for some covers, and as Rarity handed her a blanket, she pulled it over herself and Pinkie, closed her eyes and went to sleep. Fluttershy, tired from all the excitement, simply lay down on a mattress Pinkie had prepared, smiling happily as she pulled some covers over her. Twilight, herself tired, climbed into the bed of the room- Pinkie's, presumably. Realizing Rarity had nowhere to sleep, she looked around, feeling guilty- "We can share, can we not? I am too tired by far to fuss with finding a resting place for myself or you separately." "Y-yeah..." Twilight said. "Hop on in, I guess." "You're a doll." Rarity said, lying down next to Twilight. Twilight did not know why, but her heart raced a little faster, feeling Rarity's warm body next to her own under the covers. It felt so... nice. Soothing, relaxing. "This was rather a good idea, you know." Rarity commented, sounding sleepy. "I feel as if though I have been missing out, not having had a sleep-over like this until now." "Well, a lot of it was Pinkie..." Twilight mumbled, yawning. Too tired to do much in the way of conversing, they lay face to face, looking into each others eyes. Neither was sure when asked later on how it happened, or who started it, but suddenly Twilight felt Rarity's lips on her own, kissing her gently. Not objecting to the new feeling, not thinking of what it meant, only of how it felt right now, Twilight kissed her back. They both giggled nervously. "That was... unexpected." Twilight said, hushed. "But... not an experience I wish to be singular." Rarity chuckled. "You are the most adorable pony in the world, Twilight Sparkle." Twilight blushed. "You're the most beautiful, Rarity." Sleep was coming up fast now, and the two young mares murmured their good-nights and drifted into sleep. *********** The two slept soundly through the night, leaning on one another. As the dark hours passed peacefully, wonderfully, slowly night gave way to dawn. The chirping of birds woke Rarity in the earliest morning- she had always been an early riser, and she rather liked Pinkie's back yard, which she had a good view of. A serene garden, birds chirping... and an adorable Twilight Sparkle next to her. Smiling, she gently swept aside Twilight's bangs- talk about bed hair. She truly looked adorable, though, even with that trail of drool out her snoring mouth... Then, it hit her. She sat bolt upright, one hundred percent awake. She had... kissed Twilight. Twilight Sparkle. Twilight Sparkle kiss. With her. Rarity. Slowly, she blinked. Oh no! Oh no, no, no! This was bad, terribly so! Hopping out of the bed as if stung by a white-hot iron poker, she made haste to the kitchen, trying to gather her thoughts. Oh, what was she to do? She had taken advantage of the poor, defenseless young pony- oh for shame, how could she? She was so naïve, so sweetly innocent of how the world worked, and for whatever reason Rarity had... kissed her! She might as well have violated her! "Oh hi Rarity. You gonna get breakfast too?" It was Pinkie's sleepy, cheerful voice, just now entering the kitchen. "SosorryIhavetogonow!" Rarity blurted out, bolting away to the door. Pinkie blinked. Rarity could be such a weird pony sometimes. Rarity ran, ran through the neighbourhood. A bit of physical exercise was good- it eased the stress, took the worst off the fact that she had just kissed her best and only friend oh my gosh- Unfortunately, Rarity was anything but athletic, and her run- useful though it was- was a short one. Slowing down, she breathed heavily. Cursed indoors lifestyle! If only she was a confident, bisexual simpleton like Applejack, and not an aspiring fashionista who had given no thought to romance or sexual identity! Wait, what was she thinking? She was fabulous. She would not stoop to thinking as if being Applejack would be the better option. Huffing, Rarity looked around. She had not run far; she was still in the classier neighbourhood of town. With an insight that nearly brought about depression, she realized she had run only two blocks before tiring out completely. Snorting, she turned around. What could she do? She could not possibly go back- she would have to face Twilight. Oh, she'd die of shame! But where would she go? Where could she go? With inexplicable timing, her stomach rumbled. Right. She had not had breakfast. Frowning angrily, she hung her head. Freaking perfect! “Oh, Rarity? What are you doing out so early?” “I- nothing.” It was Diamond Vector, apparently out for a morning trot. “If you say so.” Rarity's empty stomach rumbled again. “You sound positively famished, though. Have you missed breakfast?” “I... yes, I suppose you could put it that way.” Rarity said, her voice tired. “Well it was nice seeing you, Diamond, but I really must be-” “My house is around the corner. You could come in for some toast.” “I'd hate to impose-” Diamond giggled. “Let's not make pretend, Rarity. Both our families have more money than they could possibly spend. Now, if our pool colt can eat a decent breakfast, then I see no reason you shouldn't either.” “...right.” Confused, Rarity trotted after Diamond. Some breakfast would be nice... Was Diamond really this friendly, though? In her head, she reprimanded herself- Diamond had treated her respectfully even after she had broken off. She should not assume; if she did she would be no better than her father and his judgemental attitude. A short walk and some fried hay toast later, Rarity felt a little better. Being upset on a full stomach was definitely not worse than being upset on an empty stomach. Downing her juice and wiping her mouth carefully, she thanked Diamond for her hospitality. “So what is the story, hmm?” Diamond said, leaning forward with a curious smile. Her white coat and turquoise mane looked good in this light- she would make an excellent model... but now was not the time to get sidetracked. “I am... upset.” Rarity said in her most regal voice, dramatically flinging her mane to the side. “For some very particular, very important reasons.” “Are you going to tell me, or do you intend to stay mysterious all day long?” Diamond chuckled. Was that sarcasm, Rarity wondered? “...oh, I'd better not.” As it happened, she really wanted to talk about this. Badly. But to whom? Pinkie, perhaps? She would keep a secret- but Twilight was there. Oh brother, Twilight! “Sounds juicy.” Diamond mused. “Did somepony get pregnant by an underage colt again?” “No, no, nothing so crude as that!” Rarity exclaimed. Seeing Diamond's giggling face, she realized the mare had been joking. “Look... I could tell you, but if you tell anybody- anybody- I will END you.” “You got it.” Diamond said, her giggles slowly dying out. “No, you don't. Tell anypony, and I will hack your corpse up and feed it to the pigs.” Rarity said, ice cold. Sobering up, Diamond replied, “I got it. Stick a cupcake in my eye, hope to fly, all that.” “...I kissed somepony.” Rarity said quietly. “The shock!” “Somepony who is a mare.” “Is it an older mare? Come, you have to give me something scandalous.” “This is no joke!” Rarity snapped. “It's somepony who is also a... friend.” “Ooooohhh...” Diamond said, as if a light was dawning on her. “Oh. OH!” “Are you-” “So that is why you stood up to all of them! You left your friends behind... for LOVE! That's actually adorably romantic, Rarity!” “Y-you don't know it is her-” “I'm not Sherclop Pones, but I can put two and two together.” Diamond retorted, grinning. “Don't worry, your secret is safe with me.” “You simply do not understand!” Rarity exclaimed, exasperated. “I was taking advantage of her! She will hate me and never want to see me again! Ever! Oh, of all the worst things that could happen, this was the worst possible thing!” “Taking advantage of her?” “Oh, yes! I am the lowest! No base, lewd act is beyond me now!” Rarity wailed. “So were you holding her down?” “No actually we were, um, in bed together- DON'T GO THERE!” She yelled, as she could see the smug grin forming on Diamond's face. “We were sleeping together! That's what you do together on sleepovers!” “So you were NOT holding her down?” “Well, technically, I suppose I wasn't... but I still took advantage of her, I am sure of it. She is such an innocent young mare-” “Did she tell you to stop, or run away in tears, or tell you you were awful?” “...” “Well?” “...we actually fell asleep together after that...” Rarity said, her voice growing smaller as she realized how ridiculous it all sounded. “You know, given the circumstances- but by all means, this is only going by what I know from what you told me, it sounds like she wasn't particularly against the idea.” “Yes, but still-” “Look, Rarity, you make too big a deal out of this. Just talk to her. One kiss could make it awkward, but if she really is the great friend you were ready to dismiss all your old friends for, then what you have should be strong enough to move past that. Am I right?” “...I've been a very foolish mare, haven't I?” Rarity sighed. “We're all foolish a lot of the time. Now, go back there and settle it. Here, have some toast to go. You could use a little more meat on your bones.” ****** Twilight woke up when Rarity bolted from the bed. For a few moments everything seemed groggy, undefined as though Twilight had her eyes pressed to frosted glass - the kind some ponies put in their bathrooms, with decorated waves right in the window pane. She shook her head. What had she done last night? Oh, right, the lemonade had given way to movies, which had gave way to a pillow fight, and then it was bedtime - "Oh!" Twilight yelped, falling backwards right off the bed. THUMP. She laid there on the floor, feeling her face heat up. The warmth in her chest shared space with a slightly embarrassed heart. "Twi?" AJ asked. "Is this some kinda city-folk morning ritual?" Twilight let her eyes slide from the ceiling fan to AJ's concerned face. "Uh...no?" "Is that a question, or are you answerin' me?" "Both?" AJ smirked. "Uh-huh. Come on, Pinkie's wanderin' around the kitchen, ready to make breakfast." AJ trotted away. Twilight sat motionless for a bit, thinking on how best to react to last night. Rarity must have had to go the bathroom something awful, and when she came out, Twilight would... What? Talk to her? Kiss her again? "Okay, logically, what should you do?" Twilight asked herself. "Go to the toilet?" Fluttershy supplied. Twilight jumped up and dusted herself off. Shy gave her a small smile. "What are you doing, Twilight?" "I kissed Rarity!" Twilight blurted. She clamped her front hooves over her mouth. Fluttershy's eyes squeaked up in joy. "Yay!" "Yay?" Twilight repeated. "Yay!" Fluttershy confirmed. She gingerly walked to the kitchen. "Come on, Twilight!" Twilight hurried after her. She went into the bathroom, and realized Rarity was not in the house. "What?" she asked the mirror. She sped up, doing her business then whipping to the kitchen. "Pinkie, has Rarity left?" Twilight asked. Pinkie was in the middle of eating a cake double the size of her head. She swallowed the cake. "She left just a few moments ago! Or was it half an hour? Anyway, she'll be back. She just had an errand to run!" Pinkie giggled. Twilight began to much the breakfast Pinkie provided. They could choose between junk food or breakfast foods. AJ was eating the apple pancakes, and drinking apple juice. Fluttershy was eating some English Muffins, and Pinkie... Pinkie was eating another cake. Twilight chewed thoughtfully on her toast. Did all best friends kiss? No, if all best friends kissed, then she would see best friends kissing. She saw best friends giving each other kisses on the cheek sometimes, for good luck or if they hadn't seen each other in a long time. So...Did the kiss mean anything? It was so casual, yet it wasn't. It had to have been more, but why did Rarity run? Twilight had never kissed before. Was she that bad a kisser? Did Rarity mean it to be nothing, and she ran before explaining it to Twilight? But why Rarity do such a thing? "Wow, Twi, you look intense," AJ said. Twilight nodded absently. "I'm back!" Rarity cheerfully said. She gave Twilight an awkward smile and settled in beside Fluttershy. "CAKE!" Pinkie shouted, planting a large chocolate cake in front of Rarity. "Nomnomnom!" "Uh...thank you Pinkie." "Where'd you go?" AJ asked. "Out for a morning run. Stopped by Diamond Vectors house. Had a chat." "Really?" Fluttershy said. "Hmmm. We...talked about something that was bothering me." "I'm sorry!" Twilight interjected. Rarity raised an eyebrow. "Er... I ate the last pancake..." "Oh, no, silly, I have more!" Pinkie chirped. To prove her point, Pinkie zipped around the kitchen then planted the pancakes on the table. Rarity gave a small cough. "Okay, this tension is killin' me," AJ announced. "Did Rainbow come by last night or something?" "Dashie?" Shy asked. She looked up from her scrambled tofu. "I don't think she did." Grateful for the turn of conversation, Twilight jumped on the subject. "Rainbow Dash is probably doing her morning workout. Should we go talk to her?" "Oh nonono, not all of us at once." Fluttershy retreated behind her hair. "Poor Dash. She'll think we're ganging up on her." "She needs a talking to," AJ muttered. "I've talked to her. Before I went to see Shy in the hospital. I... okay, I take back what I said. All of us going to Dash would make her nervous, scared." After breakfast, Fluttershy made to walk home. Despite Rarity and Twilight's protests, Fluttershy insisted. At least accepting Applejack as an escort, she walked. Twilight was about to join her, when she felt Rarity's hoof on her wither. Seeing the look on her face, Twilight said, “Go on you two! I'll catch up.” Nodding understandingly, Applejack walked out the street with Fluttershy. Rarity took Twilight out in the garden, taking a seat on a conspicuously placed divan. “So...” Twilight began. “I...” Rarity said, having a hard time saying anything. Where to begin? Where to stop? “Look, I didn't-” “I'm not sure,” Rarity said apprehensively “I'm not sure... why we did that. And I think we should maybe talk about it.” “Y-yes.” Twilight said, blushing. “It was so... oh, I can't even describe it!” Dimly, she noticed she was smiling. The memory of that kiss was enough to make her giddy inside, giggling, happy, bubbly... “I'm not sure at all.” Rarity said. “We should talk about it, but... I think we both need some time to think about this. So let's wait a while. Carry on as usual, and... maybe. I don't know. I have no clue, Twilight Sparkle, and it is a very new and unpleasant sensation.” “Y-yes... that makes sense. Very logical.” Twilight said, nodding as her high spirits sunk. “Maybe you should go now. You will probably do your thinking best by yourself.” “...yes.” Twilight said, her voice meek. She turned around, and began walking. “You are precious to me, Twilight. That will always be true.” Rarity said. Nodding quietly, with a faint smile still on her face, Twilight walked away. ******* Meanwhile in a rougher part of town, on a worn football field, Rainbow Dash was pushing herself to her very limits. “Two hundred ninety-eight! Two hundred ninety-nine!” Gilda hollered. “Just one more push-up!” Grunting, Dash pushed one final time and collapsed on the grass field. “Awesome, Dash.” Gilda grinned. “You're getting fitter every week. You'll be a wonderbolt easy at this rate.” “Yeah...” Dash said,sitting up, wiping the sweat from her brow. “Listen Gilda, we need to talk. And I mean like, we need to bucking talk.” “What? What's so serious?” Gilda said, opening a soda. “It's simple. Easy, really. You know that lame pony with the gorgeous cream yellow coat and the pink mane?” “Uh huh.” “If you touch her again, I'll buck you in the face so hard, your beak will come out your ass. That's all.” “...what?” “You heard me.” “Excuse me just one bucking second,” Gilda said, throwing the soda away, “but what the buck, Dash? What the buck-” “I mean it.” Dash said, grinding her teeth. “What's so special about her?” Gilda snorted. “It's you and me! It's always been you and me against the whole damn world!” “She's lame, right? A dweeb?” “Total dweeb!” “Well, she's my dweeb. She makes me feel like I can be something better. So there.” “So... you and her? Like that?” “Uh huh. Yeah. Got a bucking problem with that?!” Gilda ran a paw through the feathers on her head. “What if I said you had to choose between the lame dweebs and me, huh?” “You don't wanna go there.” Dash said, snorting. “You'd pick them over ME? I looked after you ever since-” “You don't wanna go there, because somebody who makes you choose between your friends is not a friend! Yeah, it's been you and me all along, but you don't own me! I'm my own, and there's lots of space for more people than you, and if you can't take that-” Dash was shouting now, tears at her eyes, “then you can just go buck yourself! I don't care!” Gilda sat down on her haunches, a stunned expression on her face. They were silent for a while, then Gilda's face split in a grin. “See, this is the Rainbow Dash I saved from bullies when she was just a tiny little filly. You've got the guts to stand up to anyone. Fine, have it your way. I'll leave your precious little mare alone, but I'm not gonna try to be pals with her. Okay?” Dash just threw herself at Gilda, pulling her into a hug, crying openly. “Yeah, yeah, I get it,” Gilda said, sounding annoyed. “Sheesh, no need to cry about it.” But despite herself, she hugged Dash back. ****** Twilight trotted down the street, going over in her mind the events of last night. Obviously it meant nothing. Obviously it meant something. Obviously she was confused. Her ears picked up a great whooshing sound. She looked up in time to see a rainbow dissect the sky. A griffon followed. "Gilda?" Twilight asked aloud. "But..." What if Rainbow Dash told Gilda about Fluttershy, and now Gilda was seeking revenge? "Oh, don't be an ignorant twit," Twilight snapped at herself. "All because you're having a rough...." She sensed someone was watching her and looked over. Derpy was sitting serenely by a closed food stand, her head tilted to one side, and her eyes strangely focused. "You okay?" she asked. "I'm fine." "People say that when they aren't fine." Derpy looked to the ground. "I know that 'cause when I help people, I make a mess of things, and then they say they're fine and I should go." Twilight shuffled. "I just saw Rainbow Dash and Gilda, and I thought maybe Gilda was chasing her, but that's silly." "They're probably racing!" Derpy said excitedly. "They do that a lot." Twilight walked over to Derpy and sat down. "Can I ask you a question?" "Sure." "Do best friends kiss?" "Sure. On the cheek, mostly, but sometimes they'll kiss each other's foreheads, and I once saw someone kiss their friend on the hoof, but they were being sarcastic." "That's what I thought." Twilight mulled this over. "Can I ask you a personal question?" "My eyes are my what makes me unique! I make them go weird." Twilight stared at Derpy then laughed. "I wish I could that," she said. Derpy smiled. "Thanks." She looked shy. "Most ponies make fun of it, saying it's useless." "Nothing is ... well, okay, I can think of some things that are useless. Like bullies." "No!" Derpy said sharply. Twilight jumped a bit. "No one is useless. Everyone has their reasons, and while their actions might not be good, I promise you, understanding will get you farther than hate." "I didn't mean... I - " "I'm sorry," Derpy sighed. "I over-reacted." She sniffed. "Muffins!" She got up. "Come on, Twilight. My mother should have her breakfast muffins ready!" Twilight followed Derpy, aware that she should probably go home, not go to Derpy's house. "I love muffins. Do you like muffins?" "Yeah." Twilight noticed was the house was freakishly clean, and orderly. The lawn seemed too perfect. Nothing was out of place in the foyer. Derpy was very careful to put her scarf on a particular hanger. "Here is my guest's hanger," she said politely. "If you come back, that's where your scarf or cloak or whatnot would go." "Got it." The kitchen was modest, and a mare with Derpy's coloring was going about. She had a cutie mark of neatly stacked bed linen. "Mother?" Derpy asked. "Yes dear - " she turned around. "Oh! A guest!" She smiled warmly. "The muffins are ready, too. Have a seat." Twilight slid onto an island seat. Derpy joined her. Mrs Doo gave them muffins. "Um... so, what do you do?" Twilight asked. That dratted awkwardness had come back. "Oh, I'm a housemare. My husband is a lawyer." "Pardon?" Twilight asked, an idea slowly forming in her mind. "I'm a housemare, you know, I stay home and keep house? My husband is a lawyer. He represents - " "I'm sorry, I don't mean to be rude, but what kind of lawyer?" Yes, oh yes, this could work! Mrs Doo tilted her head. "Do you need a patent lawyer?" "No. But thank you! I think you've fixed a problem my friend has." Mrs Doo sat up straight. "You're welcome dear. But what problem?" Derpy's eyes lit up. "You mean Rarity?" "Yes." Twilight replied excitedly. "When I get home I'm going to contact my mother's lawyer. I'm sure there's something legal that will help her!" "Help her?" Mrs Doo sighed. "Fillies, I'm afraid I'm lost. But no matter. Please put your dishes in the sink when your done. And Derpy, please inform me of when a friend comes over. It's a little disquieting to turn around and see a pony you don't know in your house." "I'm sorry, Mother," Derpy said. "Oh, don't apologize." Mrs Doo waved a hoof. "Now, I must begin on the living room. You're father entertained some clients last night and they didn't leave till past midnight." Twilight and Derpy finished their muffins, engaging in small talk and generally looking about the room. "This is silly, isn't it, us sitting here all awkward like this?" Derpy asked. "Socializing is such an important part of life yet so many ponies fail at it. Funny, sort of." "Yeah." Twilight used her magic to put their plates in the sink. "Your mum makes delicious muffins." "Thank you." "Um... do you want to walk to school with me?" Derpy's smile nearly broke Twilight's heart. Were Pinkie and Shy the only ponies that were truly nice to Derpy? Another friend to add to the list. Twilight rather enjoyed that notion. *** Derpy ran into a mail box, a tree, and a fence on the way over to school. Since her eyes were not the problem, Twilight concluded Derpy must have a balance problem. Once at the school, Derpy and Twilight parted ways. Twilight was tempted to just go home and contact her lawyer, but she knew she had missed too much school to miss any more. "Hey Egghead!" Rainbow Dash shouted. She landed beside Twilight. "So...um... I was thinking, and I told Gilda to not touch Fluttershy. She won't bother her again. If she does, I'll do the right thing." "Why are you telling me?" Twilight wondered. "Because you were there for me, even after what I ..." Dash swallowed. "I want you to know it wasn't for nothing, okay? But it's not a big deal, or nothin'. So don't get it in your head you're special." "Whether or not you count it, I'm your friend. And I don't want to be treated special, either. I want nothing from you but for you to be you." Dash hesitated. "Why do you have to be like that?" she asked fiercly. "You and Fluttershy, what are you doing? Don't you know the world doesn't work like that?" "You have to be what you want the world to be, Dash." Dash glared at the school. "What if you want the world to disappear?" Twilight blinked, and looked Dash in the eye. “Rainbow, I know your life hasn't been as easy as mine, and I know you have issues- you should see a therapist, speaking of which- but things are going to get better. They are better. You have us now, and you have Fluttershy.” Upon hearing Fluttershy's name, Dash hung her head. “Yeah... Fluttershy.” She said timidly. “Have you talked to her yet?” “I- I'm gonna. At lunch, or something. Mind your own business!” Twilight nodded, and the two trotted off to class.