//------------------------------// // Prompt #403-Liebe Ist Für Alle Da // Story: Ponywatching // by ThunderTempest //------------------------------// Rarity sat on the very comfortable couch in the wine lounge, one of her favourite spots in Canterlot. As much as she loathed the social game that the majority of ponies played here, she had a few friends that she adored almost as much as her Ponyville ones, and it was to see them that she travelled all the way up here every other weekend. Fancy Pants and Fleur sat opposite the designer, laughing at a particularly funny anecdote that Rarity had just related. “My my, Rarity! And you say that she had no idea until she finished?” “Oh, yes. It was rather hilarious. As much as I love her as a friend, she can be a bit...obtuse, the dear,” said Rarity, taking another sip of the wine, and smiling pleasantly as it slithered down her throat and gently warmed her. “But, Fancy Pants, I do actually have a question to ask, if I may?” “By all means, my dear.” “Why did you introduce me as your friend, all that time ago, at the first Wonderbolt Derby I attended?” Rarity placed her glass down onto the table between them, a sign of how serious she was. “Were we not friends, Rarity?” asked Fancy Pants in return, putting his own glass down. “I ran into you in the street, dear. I knocked you down. And yet, you invite me to one of the major social events of Canterlot, introduce me as your friend and knowingly expedite my rise in the Canterlot social scene.” Fancy Pants nodded with every point that Rarity made, and once she was done speaking, he turned to face the mare fully. “I believe that everypony is deserving of my time, but few are deserving of my friendship, Rarity. You are one of the few,” said Fancy, giving a sigh and then continuing on, “But so many ponies in this city are obsessed with their ‘social status’ and being popular for no other reason than being popular. When I introduced you as my friend, Rarity, it was because I believed that we were. There is something about you, something that other mares here don’t have. Despite the fact that it was your mention of staying in the castle that attracted my attention, I very much meant it when I told you that I thought you were somepony worth bumping into.” Rarity looked ready to interrupt Fancy Pants at this point, but the stallion held up a hoof to forestall any counter-arguments for the time being. “I have been trying for years to get the ponies here to begin to accept actual friendship, like you and your charming friends have, into their hearts. I know that some here do not deserve it,” Fancy Pants gave a cough that sounded oddly like ‘Prince Blueblood’ at this point, then continued on, “But despite this, I have not yet given up. I offered you my friendship that day, Rarity, and you accepted it. Unconditionally, unquestioningly. You expected nothing in return for simple friendship. And I’d say our relationship has worked out for the better, wouldn’t you?” Rarity was silent for a moment, then nodded her agreement and understanding and picked up her wine glass again. “Now, Fancy Pants, I do believe I have something interesting for you. You recall my friend, Rainbow Dash? Well, she told me the other day...”