//------------------------------// // Mortal Deleted Scenes: Tea // Story: Lunar Orbit // by Benman //------------------------------// “Remind me again. Do I put the leaves in now or after?” “Boil the water first, then add the leaves,” Rarity called from outside the kitchen. “I’m surprised you don’t remember. That’s how many times you’ve done this for me?” “I dunno,” said Rainbow Dash. “A bunch. Tea’s not exactly my special talent, though, y’know?” She put the kettle over the stove, then went back out to the lounge of the Carousel Boutique and sat down across from Rarity at a mahogany table. “Thank you nevertheless,” said Rarity. “I’m glad you came by, and not only because of your mobility. We don’t see enough of each other. I know getting back up to your house isn’t easy on your wings.” Rainbow Dash shuffled her hooves. “I can use the exercise anyway. Besides, I don’t want to leave you alone in an empty house like this.” “I’ll have you know this is highly unusual. My husband is seeing the doctor about his stomach, but he should be back before too long. My son is off doing… well, I don’t know what, but it’s high time he did it. That colt spends entirely too much time around the house.” “Hey, you can’t blame him for taking care of his mom.” “I know,” said Rarity, “and I don’t know how I’d possibly manage without him. I just wish Sunstone could be living his own life instead of waiting around for mine to end. A colt his age ought to have children of his own. Anyway, if you can worry about my living situation, then I get to worry about yours. Moving back into that old cloud house? Really?” “It’s fine.” Rainbow Dash shrugged. “I’ve always been a pretty independent pony. I just need some space lately, is all.” “If you say so.” An uncomfortable quiet descended on the two ponies. The silence was broken by a high-pitched whistle. “Oh, hey, there’s your tea. Be right back.” Rainbow Dash hurried into the kitchen and found Rarity’s porcelain tea set. Not for the first time, she found herself wishing Rarity could get tea bags like a normal pony instead of insisting on this loose-leaf stuff. Soon enough, she returned, bearing a kettle of what hopefully tasted like tea. “Thank you, darling.” Rarity levitated the kettle and poured herself a cup. “Would you be a dear and fetch that pamphlet on the shelf, there? I think you might be interested.” Rainbow Dash went to the shelf. “The Wonderbolts Derby? Why do you have a Wonderbolts Derby schedule?” She grabbed the pamphlet and returned to the table, only to find Rarity had poured her a cup of tea. Rainbow Dash suppressed a sigh. Rarity meant well, but Rainbow had never managed to acquire the taste for the stuff. “I was thinking we could all take a trip to Canterlot,” said Rarity. “It will be such fun, now that Twilight is an actual princess. Can you even imagine? And we’d be just in time to attend the big race, of course. The Wonderbolts would be thrilled. You know how much they look up to you.” “All the way to Canterlot? Rarity, you can’t even make it to the kitchen.” Rainbow Dash took a polite sip of her tea. She instantly regretted her decision as the drink scalded her tongue. “I know, I know. But Sunstone is so helpful. I’m sure we’ll make it work.” “Weren’t you just telling me how he needs to live his own life?” “I suppose,” said Rarity. “It’s just that I haven’t been anywhere in ages. I try to be gracious, but it can be hard. It’s like life has slowed down, somehow. We used to go everywhere. We used to be so free. It’s just so frustrating.” “Yeah.” Rainbow Dash flexed her wing muscles, feeling the too-familiar twinge deep within. “Yeah, I know what you mean.”