Chapter 3: The Flowers of Romance
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Rarity ran. She didn't know where, or remotely cared for that matter. All she knew was that she had to get away from the dance, no matter where it led her. In her head, she imagined what the next morning would be like. Every pony on the ship would look at her whispering to others nearby. She could almost hear their words.
"Oh look, it's Ms. Empty Bottle."
"I bet she's already started her day with a glass or two... or three."
"Careful, dear. Don't want to stand too close to the railings."
She fought back tears. Save them, whispered the voice in her head. Wait until you've stopped. But she didn't want to. She wanted to keep running and running, away from Twilight, away from Fancy Pants, away from Jack...
Jack.
Rarity almost stopped to turn around. The voices in her head were yelling a jumbled mess of messages, trying to get her to listen.
Go back to him. Face the music and apologize.
You could just as easily keep running.
But that isn't what you want, is it?
Why should you care what he thinks?
Why do you care what he thinks?
That made her stop. Slowing down, Rarity finally opened her eyes, looking around at the area she had gone to. Of course, her head said. Of course you come here.
She was at the stern of the ship. Moonlight shone down, illuminating the area in brilliant silver light. Walking a bit further, she found herself at the railing of the ship. Looking down, Rarity saw churning pools of white froth where the propellers were. Looking further out, she could see clouds in the distance. Oh how I wish I were a pegasus right now. It made sense that she was here. It was furthest from the party, and no one would bother to look for her, let alone here. She was surprised that she had, or even could, run that fast, having traveled the ship's length in what seemed like seconds. She stepped closer to the edge of the railing and continued to look out at the night, soaking in its darkness.
You could jump. The thought passed through Rarity's head in such a way that she looked around at her surroundings to see if anypony had said it. Seeing no one, she turned her head down to the waters below. It was only a quick little jump, and she wouldn't need to worry about it anymore.
Rarity realized that the thoughts going through her head were actually hers. Good lord, she thought. Maybe I am drunk. She stepped back from the railings, turning to start the long walk back to her room. The sound of hoovesteps made her stop.
Peering through the darkness, Rarity saw a figure galloping towards her. Oh Celestia don't let it be him. Her voices started to argue whether or not she meant to say that. It didn't matter in a second.
Slowing to a trot, Jack stepped out of the shadow of the ship and onto the stern. Floating beside him was a mask. Rarity recognized it as her own. He moved closer to her, but Rarity moved away. Sensing her discomfort with his following her, he spoke.
"You forgot this."
"It isn't mine. I was simply given it by a friend."
"You should still wear it."
She looked at him with disgust. "What, so ponies can recognize me as your drunken whore?" The moment the words left her lips she regretted them. She turned away from him so he would not see her tears.
The hurt in his voice made her wince. "I didn't mean for that to happen, and you are most certainly not a whore."
"Then why do you want me to wear that accursed mask?"
She felt him trot up next to her. The mask levitated in front of her face. She could hear his hesitation.
"Because... because it matches your eyes."
Rarity placed the mask on her face to hide her blush. Without a word, she began to walk away from Jack. She stopped when she heard him laugh. She turned, her eyes glittering with tears she refused to shed. She didn't understand him. He was confusing and alien to her, and she could not see through him. Everypony has a motive, her mother had told her, and if you look carefully, you can see it in their eyes. She stared at the two dark beads shining out from the ruby red mask, trying desperately to see his true intentions.
She could not.
Jack moved toward her, and she did not move back. He still had a small smile on his face, and Rarity wanted to slap it off his face. How dare he laugh at my sadness! her thoughts hated him, but her words wanted to forgive him. "Why did you just laugh?" He stopped, still smiling, still staring.
"You're exactly as I thought you'd be."
"What?"
"You aren't like the other mares I've met." He trotted up next to her. Rarity didn't move away. Jack continued to walk past her, and she reluctantly followed. Fine, her head told her. Play his little game. When he breaks your heart, you'll be sorry!
"It's a beautiful night for a stroll, isn't it?"
"Don't change the subject. What do you mean I'm not like other mares?"
"Oh, you're just... different. You speak your mind to me."
"Oh?" Rarity's uncontrolled tears had long stopped, and she had regained her haughty, insulted manner. "And how does that make me any different from 'other mares?'"
Jack chuckled again. "Glad to see you aren't on the verge of tears anymore. I much prefer this version of you over that one. I hate it when I make a beautiful mare cry."
Again, Rarity found she was glad that she was wearing a mask under her face. She was sure that it had turned beet red by this time. She hid her flattered look, and simply said, "Answer the question."
Jack sighed, looking out at the ocean. They had stopped at the railing of the ship. "I've tried to find a lady for myself, but everypony I meet has the same problem: They will do anything to get to me. I could tell them their outfit is trash when its luxurious velvet, and they would agree and go to find something else to wear. I don't know why."
It's because you're charming, kind, intelligent-looking, and, above all, sexy. Her head had decided to work with her, it seemed, and Rarity was not sure if she had only thought those words, or actually spoken them out loud. When Jack didn't respond, she determined they were merely her thoughts. She didn't bother to try and deny them. "Oh, I think I may have an idea why," was what really came out of her mouth. She looked over at him. He was still staring out at the sea. He acknowledged her statement with a mumbled "Yes..."
"Jack?"
"Yes?"
"Why did you really bring me back my mask?"
"I didn't. I brought you back a mask that somepony else gave you."
She stared at his eyes. Nothing. I can't see anything in him.
"I brought it back because it matched you."
"I'm sorry?"
Silence.
"Jack? Can you hear me?"
"Yes."
"Why are you doing this?" She moved closer to him, trying to get him to stop staring at the ocean. No reaction. She continued. "Why do you say something, then act like we've only just started talking? Why are you so obsessed with staring out at the ocean, and WHY," Her last question shocked him out of his trance, " wouldn't you stop staring at me when Fancy Pants introduced me to you?" She found herself once again on the verge of tears, and once again began to walk away from Jack. It appeared her head had not wanted to help her.
"Because of how it represents you. Alluring and, admittedly, entrancing."
This is getting old. She turned again, not bothering to hide her anger at him. She didn't speak, merely watched, as Jack turned and said, "I'm sorry if I've been acting strange. You weren't the only one embarrassed at the party. I'll answer your questions, if that makes you feel better, and if you'll walk with me a bit." He tilted his head, as if he were a little filly looking at something for the first time. "Would you?"
Rarity sighed in defeat. She gave up. There was no point in trying to figure him out. She walked over, and nodded. Jack smiled at her, and offered a hoof. Rarity turned her head up, and began walking along the side of the ship. Following, Jack cleared his throat.
"You asked why I followed you here. I thought you would have figured that out by now. I did it because I needed to apologize. And because it was the gentlemanly thing to do. I hope you understand."
Rarity huffed, then lowered her head, the haughty air about her disappearing. "Thank you," she said, letting her stuffy attitude drop. "I didn't really know what I was going to do after I stopped running. I suppose if you hadn't shown up, I wouldn't have shown my face around the ship for the rest of the cruise."
Jack grinned. "Ah! So I will be able to see more of you! Wonderful!" Looking up at him, Rarity couldn't help but smile back at him.
"Yes. I suppose I'll be fine in the morning. Now, you keep-"
Jack snapped his head back into position. "My previous behavior was a mistake. I'm sincerely sorry if I made it seem like I was ignoring you. I had my attention focused on the beautiful scenery." As he said this he motioned a hoof towards the ocean. Rarity looked out, and had to agree with him. "Luna most certainly knows how to make a night beautiful. I heard it was made especially for the ship's first night on the ocean."
He continued. "I suppose that answers your third question, but not all of it. When I stared out into the ocean, it gave me something to look at besides you."
Rarity turned her head to him again. "Why on earth would you do that? Is there something wrong with my face?" She began searching her face with a hoof, dislodging her mask and making it fall to the floor. Jack picked it up with his magic, and stopped her frantic face-rubbing with a gentle hoof. Rarity stopped, and for a second they stood there, eyes locked, the noise of the waters beneath them the only sound. Looking into the flames of his mask, it was at that moment that Rarity realized why she had acted strange. She knew why she had locked up during her dance with him, and why she had been able to forgive him so easily. The answer came to her in one simple sentence.
I am in love with him.
Her blush was not lost on him, and Jack placed the mask over Rarity's face again. Leaning closer to her, he whispered in her ear.
"The same reason I couldn't take my eyes off of you when we were first introduced."
Rarity shivered as Jack pulled away. He began walking again, and for a few minutes, they simply walked in silence, looking at whatever they could to avoid each other's gaze. Every time Rarity looked out at the sea, Jack would look at her, taking in all of her features. Rarity's snow-white coat shone in the moonlight where it could, and her dress accentuated her supple curves and straight posture. The dress itself was a magnificent display of gemstones and fabric, the moonlight reflecting in every facet. The result was a vividly shining image of an angelic white mare, her face hidden by a cascade of violet. Her long, curled mane lay out across her face, slightly frazzled from her running, and it covered part of her face. He knew that she had put it this way to try and hide the tears she had shed while running. The rest of her mane rolled down her neck, and rested on her back. The faint scent of lilac drifted from it, and he closed his eyes, letting the scent envelop his senses. When he opened his eyes, again, Rarity was staring back at him. He jumped back, startled, and fell over.
Rarity giggled. "Were you..." she could hardly speak, trying hard not to laugh at his reaction. "Did you smell me?" She stopped trotting, watching Jack scramble back up to his feet, blushing.
"No, I.." He was stopped by a hoof on his lips. Rarity smiled up at him. "Don't answer that," she said. He nodded, and she removed her hoof from his lips. They continued to walk in silence. This time, though, Rarity would not allow it. She turned to him, and asked, "Is Jack really your name?"
The question had come out of nowhere, and he paused, thinking a bit. Then he spoke:
"No, not really. It's just a name I've grown so used to that I don't use my real name unless absolutely necessary, which is rarely. How could you tell?"
"Just a hunch"
"Well, I got the name because I am, according to every pony who's ever played me in poker, the greatest card player in Equestria. The whole reason I'm here is because I won the ticket in a poker game. I even got my cutie mark from playing poker, see?" his coattails lifted up, revealing his cutie mark. A playing card was pictured, with green flames spouting from the top of it. Looking closer, Rarity saw that the card in question was a Jack of Hearts. Of course it is. She drew back when she realized how intently she was staring at his flank. Good lord, she thought. What am I doing? Staring at his flank like an obsessive schoolfilly?
He asked you to.
He did not!
He offered it to you.
Shut up!
She was pulled from her thoughts by the sound of Jack's voice. He covered his flank again, and kept speaking. "As you could see, my name, Jack, comes from the card on my flank. Some ponies even suggest I change my name legally to Jack Hearts, but that would be wrong."
"So what's your real name?"
He stopped, and mumbled something.
"I'm sorry?" She was stifling a giggle.
He hesitated. "...Gemstone Hue."
She didn't laugh, instead walking up to him and nuzzling his neck. "It's a very handsome name for a stallion such as you." She was surprised when he pulled back from her, an uncomfortable look in his eyes. He retreated into the shadows cast by the ship's tall chimneys. She tilted her head, smiling gently. "What's the matter? I won't bite you." She stepped towards him again.
He shuffled his hooves nervously, not looking her directly in the face. "I... Er..."
The faint sound of drifting music turned his head, and he silently thanked Celestia for the distraction. "Ah," he said, gesturing towards a faint light in the distance. "It appears we've arrived back at the scene of the crime. Would you care to dance?" He offered a hoof.
The mood had been killed. Rarity's haughty expression returned, and she drew away from him. "I don't think you understood what I meant when I said I'll be fine in the morning. I don't plan on going back to that party." She was once again surprised to hear him laugh. She watched him step out into the moonlight, a soft smile etched on his face, dark beads glittering with the same look he'd had on when he'd first asked her to dance. She suddenly wanted desperately see the face behind his mask, to see that she wasn't imagining his perfection.
He spoke softly, quieter than the music playing behind them. "I didn't ask if you wanted to go to the party," He continued to hold out his hoof for her. "I asked if you wanted to dance. You never gave me the one you promised."
Rarity looked at his outstretched hoof. The music had changed to a slow-paced waltz, and she could imagine Fancy Pants and Fleur dancing with one another, her head resting on his shoulder as he held her close to his body, warm and comforting. Her mind changed their faces, and it was suddenly Jack and she, dancing together, in a world all their own. The thought comforted her, and she nodded, accepting his hoof.
Once again, Jack pulled Rarity and himself up onto their hind legs, and wrapped one foreleg around her waist, the other still holding her hoof in his. They moved with the beat, dancing in the moonlight. Rarity closed her eyes and let Jack lead, her movements becoming an unconscious mirror of his own. She rested her head on his chest, and felt him pull her closer.
Oh please, Celestia, she thought through the calm bliss. Don't let this be a dream. Let me really be in the arms of my perfect stallion, dancing in the moonlight on the deck of a romantic cruise. She opened one eye, not seeing any pillows or bed sheets, and feeling only the softness of his coat and the rise and fall of his chest as he breathed. She closed her eye again. This is really happening. It's just like a dream, a fantasy, but Oh! it's really happening. She was pulled by her thoughts as Jack's movements suddenly became more fast-paced. She heard the change in music, becoming a faster, fierier dance, and she smiled at Jack, copying him and moving quicker, spinning and twirling herself in his arms. He lifted her up, and for a second he was holding her above his head, spinning her like she was nothing. Then she fell back down in front of him, and she bent back, letting Jack hold her up as they leaned closer to each other. The dance ended, but neither of them moved from their positions. He was looking down at her, one hoof holding her up, the other resting on one of her hind legs, which was raised above their heads. Both of them were panting lightly, and neither showed any sign of losing their balance.
Do it.
Rarity saw Jack moving closer to her head, his hat tipping over and falling off. It revealed a small, spiked mess of dark green hair, and she slowly rested her hoof on the exposed mane. Jack didn't react, only moving closer to her face.
Please.
His warm breath washed over her, and she shut her eyes.
Oh Celestia, yes! Kiss me!
Their noses touched, and the scent of his sweat from their dance, enveloped her, intoxicated her. She desired it, she needed it.
NOW!
Their lips met in the moonlight, briefly, hesitantly, as if waiting for something to tell them to continue...
And then Jack pulled away, and the magic was gone, and Rarity was back on the deck of the ship, in the arms of a mere gentlecolt. He stood up, and lifted Rarity upright, and separated himself from her. They both returned their forelegs to the ground, and Rarity was left with a tight pressure in her chest from what had almost been. She stared at the gentlecolt before her as he collected his hat and placed it on his head, covering his dark mane once more. He finally looked at her again, and spoke in a quiet, almost childish voice:
"I apologize. I must have put you in an uncomfortable position. I-"
"Don't apologize for that."
He looked up. The mare he had been honored to dance with was crying, this time because of him. He had hurt her, and he knew why. Turning away, Jack tried again. "I apologize for doing that to you. I was the one uncomfortable like that. Please don't think I don't like you. I really do." He turned again, back to her. "Really."
"Then why did you stop?" Her voice was hardly a whisper. He winced at the pain in it, and trotted towards her. She didn't move.
"Because I was afraid."
"Of what?"
He stopped, mere inches from her. He wanted to close the gap and kiss her, hold her in his arms and apologize and comfort her. But instead, he leaned in and whispered:
"The same thing that keeps me from taking my mask off."
He moved back, looking at her, expecting to be slapped, or shouted at, or to have his mask grabbed at. Instead, he felt Rarity push her head into his neck, nuzzling up to him. He could feel wet spots on his neck where she was crying, and wrapped a foreleg around hers. He comforted her as best as he could, wishing he could take back his mistake. When her sniffling finally died down, he leaned close to her ear, and whispered:
"I would make it up to you, if you gave me the chance to."
She lifted her head up. Sniffing, she looked into his eyes. She wanted to see behind his mask, to see what his eyes really looked like. Was he afraid of her being disgusted by his face? Was he disfigured? No, it couldn't be! She sniffled again, and nodded, not wanting to speak. His face lit up again, and he hugged her.
"Thank you," he said, pressing his face into her hair. "I know I can make this better." He released her, and turned to return to his room. A small cough stopped him. He turned, realizing his mistake. “Oh, I'm sorry. I forgot to say-" He was silenced by Rarity, as she forced her lips to his.
She pulled away as quickly as she had come onto him. Jack stared straight ahead, eyes somewhere only he knew. His sentence finished itself absently. "... good night."
She smiled, and walked past him. She spoke over her shoulder. "If you can impress me tomorrow, then perhaps you'll get more than that. But that's all for tonight. You're lucky to still have a chance with me."
Jack grinned. She had gone back to her normal self. Or something close to it. He watched her leave, then turned again to find his own room. As he began walking, he heard a voice call over his shoulder.
"Why won't you take your mask off, and show me your face?"
Now it was his turn to smile. Without looking behind him, he pulled the mask off, not showing his face to Rarity as he waved it above his head with his head.
"Because, my dear..."
He replaced the mask and faced her. She was closer than he had thought, and he was glad he hadn't turned. He grinned, and waved his hoof dismissively.
"That would ruin the illusion."
And with that, he was gone.
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Rarity shut her bedroom door behind her. Twilight had not yet returned, and she was glad she would be alone to think for a while. Walking towards her bed, she used her magic to unzip her dress and remove her mask. Letting the dress fall to the floor, Rarity faced the mask towards herself. Staring into it, she saw herself in the mirrored face of the mask, tinted blue.
It matches your eyes.
He had been right. The mask was the same deep azure that Rarity's eyes were. Her mother had always told her that her eyes were the most beautiful thing about her. Never let anyone hurt your eyes, she had said. They can mess up your hair, they can stain your coat, and all of that can be fixed. But never let them damage your eyes. It would break my heart. She had promised her mother that day that she wouldn't let anyone do that to her. Looking in the mirror next to her bed., however, she saw that she had broken her promise to her mother. Not the first time, a voice in her head told her.
Rarity's eyes were red, bloodshot from crying. Jack had gotten to her, it seemed, and she had paid the price for it. Her entire composure seemed to be gone, stolen by a colt with a flaming red mask. She didn't care at the moment, though, and, sighing, she hung the mask over the mirror and got into her bed. The soft, ruby sheets relaxed her the moment they were pulled over her head, and she pressed her face into the pillow.
I would make it up to you, if you gave me the chance to.
She had agreed, almost immediately, without considering once how rude Jack had been to her. He had taken advantage of her, tricked her, had passed through her shield of grace and inner strength and hurt her where it could not heal.
Hadn't he?
She had asked him why he would not remove his mask. She had already guessed that he was hideously disfigured, and his answer had only confounded her more.
Because, my dear; that would ruin the illusion.
What illusion? What was he hiding? What did he have to hide that was so embarrassing that he could not tell the one mare that he had fallen in love with.
No, Rarity, not him. You.
She had not lied to herself when she had told herself she was in love. There had been no doubt at the moment, and there was no doubt now. Perhaps that's why I didn't hesitate to give him another chance. Her thoughts were a swirling cauldron of long-forgotten emotions, boiling inside her, and heating her up. Perhaps I really do want something to happen with us.
Another thought shouted at her. Of course you do, you dolt! Were you sleepwalking when you were dancing with him? Rarity closed her eyes, pressing deeper into the pillow. She was confused. She didn't know what to do or say anymore. I just hope, more voices chimed in, that you'll be normal once you figure things out with him. She resigned to let Fate take her where she needed to be tomorrow, and, with a relieved sigh, drifted off into a deep, dreamless sleep.
She was not awakened by the sound of another pony opening her bedroom door, or by the two figures that tiptoed through the dark to the other bed, giggling almost drunkenly. Pulling back the bed sheets, the two ponies climbed on top of each other, still giggling, and pulled the covers over their heads. Rarity didn't even stir.
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When Rarity woke up, it was to the smell of baked goods in the other room. Rolling over, she opened her eyes to look at the clock on her bedside table. 10:30, she read. She silently thanked her conscience for being on time with her wake up calls. Her stomach rumbled, and she sighed. So much for resting in bed.
Sitting up in bed, Rarity looked across the room at Twilight's bed. She saw somepony sleeping in the bed, but it most certainly wasn't Twilight. Shocked awake by the stranger in the room, Rarity let out a yelp and fell out of bed. This woke up the sleeping pony in the other bed, who groaned and sat up, rubbing her forehead. The violently blue coat stood out like a sore thumb with the crimson bed behind her, and a cascade of silvery hair instantly jogged Rarity's memory.
Trixie groaned again. "Just who so you think you are, disturbing The Great and Powerful Trixie's beauty sleep? You-" She stopped when she saw the shocked and confused look on Rarity's face, then laughed. "Ah yes, the snooty one. I didn't realize you didn't know Trixie was here. Surprised?" She lay back down on the bed, and stretched. Rarity simply stammered, trying to make sense of the situation. "Bu-but you-you- when- what- ha?" Trixie laughed at her attempts to speak, then sat up again, sniffing the air. "Mmmmm. By the sound of it, Sparkle will be here to explain any second. Trixie's starving."
As if answering Trixie's call, Twilight Sparkle opened the bedroom door, levitating a plate of various pastries, several cups, and a pot of freshly brewed tea. She had an uncharacteristically seductive look on her face. "Oh Trixieeee..." She trotted over to the bed, swinging her hips back and forth. "I brought you somethinnnnnng..." Rarity's thoughts only became more entangled as she watched the purple unicorn strut over to her bedtime companion and climb up on the bed. She set the tray down on the other side, poured some tea for herself and Trixie, and brought one of the many pastries up to Trixie's mouth. "Here it coooomes..."
Almost gagging at the sappy, lovesick sight, Rarity watched, not making a sound, as Twilight fed Trixie the pastry, unaware of Rarity's wakeful presence. Looking over Twilight's shoulder, Trixie winked, then closed her eyes and pushed Twilight's mouth onto the pastry, leaning forward so that their lips met around the pastry. With a soft moan, Twilight shut her eyes, wrapping her forelegs around Trixie's waist and biting down on the pastry. Pulling Twilight down onto the bed, Trixie started to lick Twilight's lips free of the leftover crumbs from the pastry. Twilight took the hint, and let Trixie's tongue slide into her mouth, pulling her closer and moving a hoof down the length of Trixie's body, letting it rest on her cutie mark. They continued like this for several minutes; Rarity simply stared, shocked that Twilight had an ounce of passion in her at all. When Twilight pulled herself on top of Trixie, sliding a hoof down between her rear legs, Trixie pushed her away. Twilight fell to the side of her, confused. "Trixie?"
Laughing softly, Trixie pecked Twilight on the lips. "As inviting as it may seem, it appears you've already brought Trixie some pie. And tea with a slice sounds very nice right now. Wouldn't you agree, Rarity?" She called to her over Twilight's shoulder, and Rarity suddenly remembered the reason why she was laying on the floor tangled up in her bed sheets. Spinning around, Twilight locked eyes with Rarity. Her cheeks turned beet red, and she immediately jumped off of Trixie, getting out of bed, and almost shouting, "Rarity! I hadn't realized you were awake! I-er- I thought you might like some tea? I brought a cup for you, if you-" Her attempts to convince Rarity that Trixie was not laying in her bed laughing her horn off were stopped when Rarity stood up. Hanging her head, Twilight trotted over to the other side of her bed. She poured a third cup of tea while Trixie levitated her own cup over to herself, still snickering at Rarity's reaction to her foreplay with Twilight.
Bringing the cup over to Rarity, Twilight finally spoke again. "I guess you want an explanation for why Trixie is in my bed, and not Seth." Seeing Rarity nod, her mouth still open in amazement, Twilight continued. "I suppose it really all started back at the party last night. It was just after that stallion went running after you. By the way, who-?" Twilight was stopped by Rarity. In a distant voice, she whispered, "You first."
Twilight nodded, and Rarity lowered her hoof. "Like I said, you had just run off, and Seth convinced me not to chase after you..."
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Twilight sat down, panting. The fast-paced tango that she and Seth had just danced had taken the breath out of her. She looked across the table, where the tan unicorn had sat down, looking out into the crowd. He wasn't as exhausted as she was, but she could see sweat running down the side of his face all the same. In the back of her head, Rarity's words from earlier ate away at her inhibitions.
You have to tell him.
Of course. And I will.
Now.
No!
Yes!
"Enough!" She realized that she had spoken out loud, and several heads turned toward her, including Seth's. She blushed, and quietly said, "I'm sorry. I was preoccupied. A lot is on my mind."
He nodded. "I know how you feel. Sometimes I get so overwhelmed by my work I just blow up inside, while on the outside my mind shuts down. I get over it soon enough, but it’s a long time before that happens usually, and I can barely handle it while it lasts." He pulled two glasses of champagne off of a tray from a passing waiter with his magic. He handed one to Twilight, and raised it in a toast. "To the Ship of Dreams."
She raised her own glass, and for a second she was lost in his eyes. Oh, he's good. Then she mimicked him. "The Ship of Dreams." She sipped her drink, marveling in its strong taste. She placed the glass on the table. "Wow, they didn't spare any expense with the drinks here."
Sethisto laughed. "Yeah, I guess so. I've gone to so many fancy dinner parties for news stories, I've kind of gotten used to the taste of expensive drinks. I really should try cutting ba-" He paused. For a second, he was frozen in time, his mouth still wording his sentence. Then he stood up, and began to walk towards a pony nearby. Twilight stood and followed him. "Uh, Seth?" She stopped when she saw who he had walked over to. Her jaw dropped. Seth had walked up to the pony, which she could now see was a mare, and was leaning down to kiss her hoof. The mare paid him no attention, though, instead staring at Twilight. Trixie grinned smugly, and trotted over towards Twilight, leaving a drooling Sethisto behind her.
No. Not her. He can't like her. She saw Trixie moving closer to her, the star-covered cape twirling behind her. "Oh shit," Twilight cursed under her breath. She turned and ran. She couldn't face Trixie. Not Trixie. How? Of all the mares in all of Equestria, he chooses Trixie to choose over me! Dammit! She could hear Trixie calling behind her. "Twilight Sparkle! You come back here! The Great and Powerful Trixie has something she needs to say to you!"
Twilight turned a corner, hoping to find a closet to hide in or a stairwell to hide under. No such luck. Instead, she slammed into a solid wall of metal. It had not been a corner she had turned at all, but simply part of the ship's design. Twilight fell back, and, cradling her nose, looked back behind her. Trixie had slowed to a trot, and stopped when she was directly next to Twilight. Her horn glowed, and suddenly Twilight was on her feet again. She moved her hoof away from her face, and turned her head away from the blue unicorn. Trixie snorted, and said, "Is your nose messed up, or are you just happy to see Trixie?"
Dabbing at her nose, she found it to be bleeding profoundly. She began to look around frantically for something to staunch the flow, but Trixie's hoof held her head in place. Using her magic again, Trixie concentrated on Twilight's face, and Twilight gasped as she felt the warm flowing blood disappear, and the pain in her nose disappeared. Prodding it with a hoof, Twilight found it was completely fixed, not a bruise in sight. Trixie inspected her handiwork, and nodded, satisfied by her job. "There. How's that for something to boast about?"
Twilight looked up at the blue unicorn. Something about her seemed different. Looking her in the eye, she saw a different Trixie than the one that had gone running off out of Ponyville all that time ago. "Uhhhh, thank you?" Twilight wasn't entirely sure why Trixie had followed her, or had even wanted to talk to her in the first place. She was about to get an answer.
"Trixie has been waiting a long time to you, Twilight Sparkle. To have a little chat with you about the little 'lesson' you taught me the last time we saw each other." Trixie stepped closer to Twilight, pushing her up against the wall she had run into. "And now, I can finally give you what you deserve." Twilight shut her eyes, ready to take any pain Trixie could deal out.
She was shocked to feel a pair of lips on hers. Opening her eyes, she saw nothing but blue. Trixie had stood up on her hind legs and pinned Twilight to the wall, forcing their lips together. Twilight pushed her away. "Trixie! What in Equestria are you doing!?" Trixie huffed, surprising Twilight even more, and she sat down on the deck, twirling a lock of her silver hair in her hoof. "Trixie is thanking you for helping her."
"What?"
"You really don't remember, do you, Sparkle? No, of course you do. When you destroyed Trixie's business, Trixie had to run. She had nowhere else to go. Without her stage, Trixie was simply a powerless unicorn. On her own, Trixie decided to make you her rival. Trixie scrounged, sure, but that was the easy part. The hard part was finding books to study, spells to learn. Eventually, Trixie got good enough to secure a job. After that, she simply learned more and more. And it's all thanks to you, Miss Twilight Sparkle." She leaned in again, but Twilight stopped her with a hoof. "Wait," she said, confused. "That's all fine and good, I'm happy for you, really, but why are you trying to kiss me?"
Trixie laughed haughtily. "Weren't you listening? Trixie made you her rival. At first, it was because Trixie wanted revenge. Trixie realized, though, that it was definitely more than simple vengeance. No, Trixie didn't want revenge anymore. Trixie simply wanted you, Sparkle." And with that, Trixie kissed her again. Twilight struggled, but Trixie held her arms to her side. Their horns rubbed together, and Twilight felt a wave of unwanted pleasure wash over her. Trixie pulled away, and whispered, "Trixie knows you want this. Why else would you have run away from Trixie?" She lowered Twilight's head, and she felt something warm on her horn. Something warm, and wet. She jumped back. Trixie giggled, and spun Twilight around. She leaned in again, but stopped suddenly. Looking up, Trixie's face turned redder than Rarity's had been when she fell during her dance. "Who dares watch Trixie indulge in her private affairs?"
Turning, Twilight gasped when she saw who had been watching. Sethisto stood in the shadows, practically hidden in the darkness. She could see his jaw hanging open, and suddenly she was filled with rage.
First, he plays me for a fool.
Then, he chooses Trixie over me without even seeing that I like him.
And now, he's watching me kiss somepony?
Her anger reached a boiling point, and she turned back to Trixie. Wrapping her forelegs around the mare's waist, Twilight forced Trixie's lips against her own. Trixie pulled back. "Sparkle! Somepony is watching us!"
She brought Trixie's face close to hers, rubbing her horn up against Trixie's. "Let him watch," she whispered.
Trixie's eyes went wide at Twilight's suggestion, and Twilight mashed their lips together again. Forcing her tongue into Trixie's mouth, she heard a small moan escape Trixie's lips. As she began caressing Trixie, only one thought went through Twilight's head:
How do you like these apples, Seth?
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"...And I guess we just sort of stayed like that until Seth left. Then I brought Trixie back here, and... well, you fill in the blanks." Twilight set down her tea cup, now empty. Trixie still had a smug grin on her face, and was chewing on a slice of pie. Rarity simply stared into space for a short time, then slowly said, "... I see."
Standing up, Rarity fixed up her bed, using her magic and not moving from her spot. Finally, after several minutes (hours?) of silence, she trotted over to the door, her face unchanging. In a monotone voice, she said, "Well, I'll be going. I really would like to see the spa here."
Twilight frowned. "I know it's hard to accept, Rarity. She did turn your hair-"
"Oh no. That's not why."
"Then why are you leaving?"
"I do believe Trixie mentioned something about pie?" Opening the door, she stepped out into the main room of their suite. Turning, she gave Twilight a coy smile, and winked. Then she left.
Realization hit Twilight like a library book in the face. Her blush didn't go unnoticed by Trixie, who trotted over to Twilight and wrapped her forelegs around Twilight's waist, speaking into her ear, "She seems to know what she's talking about, doesn't she? Well," her hooves moved down Twilight's body, and she finished in a whisper, "shall we?"
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Rarity closed the bedroom door. She waited outside, and smiled when she heard the sound of two mares giggling coming from the inside. Well, Twilight. I suppose anypony's better than nopony. She turned, not wanting to eavesdrop on the "business" in the bedroom, and made her way to the kitchen. She was wondering if there were any leftover pastries when she heard several voices talking in the kitchen. Peeking in, Rarity saw four mares sitting around the kitchen table, each involved in their own plate of food.
"Oooooooooohhh, look! Rarity's finally awake!" Pinkie Pie bounced off of her chair, hugging Rarity tightly. Pushing her away, she drew up a chair and sat down in between Applejack and Rainbow Dash. "I suppose Pinkie Pie made those pastries for us?" She picked up a croissant and took a bite, savoring the familiar taste of Ponyville's well-known baked goods. Rainbow Dash laughed, and grabbed an eclair. "Of course! Who else could make something so good?" Fluttershy nodded in agreement, quietly chewing on a piece of cake (somehow that was possible). She swallowed, and explained that two of Pinkie's suitcases had been stuffed with baking supplies, ingredients, and the like.
Ah Pinkie Pie. As random as always. It’s almost like clockwork. Walking over to the stove, Rarity found a pot of hot water left from Twilight's tea. After getting herself a cup of tea, she walked back over to the table, only to find Rainbow Dash and Applejack using the spot where she was sitting as an arm wrestling arena.
Applejack grunted out something unintelligible. Rainbow Dash stared her down. "What's that?" she asked, putting her free hoof to her ear in a mocking gesture. "I can't hear you over the sound of me winning that last... piece of... pie!" She punctuated the last word by slamming Applejack's hoof on the tale. Dash stood on her hind legs in her seat, cheering for herself. "And the crowd goes wild! Ha ha ha!" She sat back down and smiled smugly at an angered Applejack. The earth pony glared at her. "Yeah, well, ya'll can go on and enjoy that little treat. Ah myself don't want to be ruinin' my muscle with trashy sweets." At this, Rainbow Dash laughed. "Pfffft." She scooped up the slice of pie and tossed it into her mouth, chewing it up and swallowing. "Tell that to Pinkie Pie. She's lived off of sugar her whole life, and look at her! She's perfect!"
Pinkie Pie giggled and scooted up close to Rainbow Dash. She pecked Dash on the cheek and whispered, "You don't look so bad yourself, sweet cheeks." She rubbed a hoof on the pegasus' flank. Dash blushed, and her wings shot up. Applejack broke out laughing, while Rarity simply stared. "YOU TOO?" The anger in her voice was enough to stop Applejack's laughing and put Fluttershy underneath the table. The 4 mares could see steam blowing out of Rarity's ears as she continued to rant.
"Of course! How could I not have seen it before! Of course you two are perfect for each other. And of course Twilight finds Trixie here! Of course! How could I not have guessed it already! This is the Ship of Dreams! And I suppose that dear Fluttershy has confessed her long-buried love for our favorite little cowpony here, too!" She was hyperventilating, trying not to completely lose control (things could turn violent).
To her surprise, Applejack snorted. "You okay, Rarity? Somethin' happen at that party last night? 'Cause ya seem like ya've had a hard time wooing yer "Prince Charming". And no, Fluttershy and ah ain't confessed our love for each other. For, as strange a notion it may seem to ya, ah'm most definitely, most fantastically straight." Rarity was shocked by Applejack's use of vocabulary. It was completely unlike the cowpony to speak that way. Just as she was about to say something, Fluttershy spoke up from beneath the table. "Erm, Rarity? I'm also straight. You know that for a fact, remember? Unless you've forgotten, which is completely alright." She turned her head down again, covering her face with her hair.
Rarity put her head in her hooves, embarrassed that she had lost her temper. Had Jack really been so much of an influence on her that she could no longer stand to see her friends in any relationship at all? She had even called Fluttershy out on her crush on Big Macintosh, a secret she had Pinkie Promised not to talk about in front of anyone else, especially Applejack. Looking over at Fluttershy, she began to apologize. Before she could, however, Pinkie Pie's face appeared in front of her.
"Wow, Rarity, this Jack guy must have really done something bad to you! I haven't seen you this sad since Spike-" Rarity stuffed a hoof in her mouth. Regaining her composure as quickly as possible, Rarity spoke in as calm a voice as she could. "Yes, Pinkie. I remember what happened. That isn't important right now. What is important is how you knew who Jack is, and how you knew he and I had any relations last night?"
Pinkie Pie gasped and zipped out of the room, returning in a flash with three envelopes in her mouth. "Oooh goh fum may!"
"I'm sorry?"
Pinkie spit the envelopes out onto the table. "You got some mail! Three letters! Well, one isn't really a letter, and one isn't really for you, but they all have something to do with you, sooo..." She pushed the three "letters" over to Rarity. "Go ahead and read 'em!" She sat down and watched Rarity shuffle the envelopes. One had already been opened, and was addressed to Twilight. Rarity saw that her name was scrawled in smaller font just below Twilight's. Looking up, she saw that Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy were all staring at her. She coughed, and they all jumped and went back to doing various jobs, Fluttershy picking up dishes from the table, Applejack claiming she dropped something under the table, and Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie claiming they wanted to look at the main room of the suite. Rolling her eyes at their terrible excuses, she returned her attention to the letters. She chose to open a red envelope with a golden embossed seal on it. Tearing it open, Rarity found it to be an invitation. She read:
Esteemed Guest:
You are formally invited to a port-side brunch, held by Sir Fancy S. Pants. Please dress formally. The event will be held from 11:30 to 3:00, and we hope to see you there.
Looking at the envelope Rarity shivered. If she went to the brunch, how long would it be before Fancy Pants asked her about the events of the night before? Would other ponies at the brunch recognize her? Surely she didn't have to wear her mask again? And Jack! If Jack were there, would he avoid her, or try and make it up to her, as he had promised? His words echoed in her head.
That would ruin the illusion.
That had been is reason for not removing his mask that night. Would he wear it to the brunch, if he were there? Did he know that she had been invited, too? She brushed aside the torrent of questions racing through her head, and put the invite aside. Picking up the already opened letter, she slid a piece of parchment paper out of the envelope. Opening it, she was surprised to find that it was from Spike.
Spike sent a letter to me? Why? How? The latter question was answered when Rarity remembered that Spike could send letters wherever he wanted with his sending flames (as he so called them). She unfolded the letter completely, and began to read:
Dear Twilight (and Rarity),
Surprised? I bet you forgot that I can still send you letters with my sending fire! Ha! I'm going to send a letter every day, and I hope I can get a letter back from you, too. It'll be great to hear about the cruise, and I guess it'll be the closest I get to actually going on the cruise.
The library has been very easy to take care of. The bird hasn't caused any trouble as far as I know, but I'm the one who does all the work, anyway. I still wish I could have gone on the cruise with you. I miss you two a lot.
I'll be glad to see you again. But until then, tell me all about the cruise when you write back.
Love,
Spike.
P.S. Rarity, you left this back in Ponyville. I hope it gets you a look or two. You deserve it.
Rarity sighed happily as she folded up the letter and placed it back in the envelope. How sweet of him. He- She stopped, and looked around the table for the object she had apparently left behind in Ponyville. She called out to Pinkie Pie. "Er, Pinkie, darling? Was there a package of some sort that came with one of the letters?" Almost immediately, Pinkie came into the kitchen again, this time with a small gift-wrapped box in her mouth. Laying it in front of her friend, Pinkie said, "Whew! I finally get to see what's in there! It's been eating at me all day!" She sat down next to Rarity, and watched with building anticipation as Rarity untied the ribbon on the box. Neatly unfolding the wrapping paper ("you never know when you'll need it" her mother would say), she found a small cardboard box beneath the paper. She opened it and gasped. "Spike, you..."
It was the Fire Ruby. She had forgotten the one thing in the world that had ever gotten her to think about her feelings for Spike. Pinkie Pie ooohed, and said, "Wow, you really did forget something important, Rarity! That's like your prettiest necklace ever! It was so nice of Spike to send that to you! Now you can really impress that Jack guy! I bet-" She stopped at the sound of Rainbow Dash's voice in the other room. "Oh Pinnnnnnkiiieeee..." the voice echoed into the kitchen. "You left me here to test the couch out. Alone." Pinkie gasped. "Ohmygosh!" She began backing into the living room again. "She's right!" The pink pony ran into the living room, leaving an emotionally strangled Rarity sitting at the kitchen table.
He sent it to remind me. Her first thoughts had been of how selfish Spike was to have tried to keep her from meeting anyone on the ship. Then she reread his letter. And read it again. And again.
I miss you two a lot.
You two.
She had ignored the fact that the letter was addressed to her as well as Twilight, and had thought he was talking to the six of them as a whole. She had been wrong. Rarity lifted the Fire Ruby out of its box and placed it around her neck. She had not worn it since the day it had stopped Spike from destroying Ponyville. Like a film reel, the memories came rushing back to her, and played over in her head...
Rarity shut the door to the Carousel Boutique, sighing with relief. After hours of dealing with Pinkie's "Spike's Not Crazy And A Monster Anymore" party, she had finally been able to get away from the loud noise and boisterous partying ponies throughout the town. She trotted towards her kitchen, ready for a soothing cup of tea before getting into bed. She would have to be well rested for the next day. Repairs would begin on the town as soon as the party ended. She took off the party hat she had been forced to wear, along with the Fire Ruby that had inadvertently saved the day. Spike, in his monstrous greed-grown form, had recognized it and changed back to his regular size, having reminded him of his selflessness in his darkest moment of greed-filled destruction. Rarity had been put in the spotlight as the hero of the day, and Spike hadn't minded, even though it was his gift that had saved him and the town.
Rarity was about to begin boiling the water when she heard a knock at the door. She sighed and headed to the door, wishing that she could be having her tea instead of dealing with a customer at this time of night. She opened the door, ready to explain that the Boutique was closed for the night, but saw that it was not a customer.
It was Spike. The dragon had followed her to her home. "Hello, Rarity," he said quietly. "Can I come in?" Looking at him, Rarity knew she couldn't say no. Smiling, she nodded. Spike smiled back at her and stepped inside, walking over to a chair and sitting down in it. Rarity headed back towards the kitchen, and called over her shoulder, "Would you like some tea, Spike? I was just about to make some when you knocked."
"No thanks," was his reply, and she knew something was wrong. He was here for a reason, and Rarity had a terrible feeling she knew what it was. Setting a pot of water on her stove top, she set it to boil, and went back out into the living room. Spike was holding the Fire Ruby in his hands, staring at it with a surprisingly depressing expression on his face. Rarity smiled uneasily. "You weren't planning on eating that, were you?" she joked, hoping to get him to cheer up. Her joke was in vain; however, as Spike shook his head and set the Ruby down. "No. I just wanted to look at it." There was a silence for the briefest of moments, and Rarity suddenly had a flight of fear. Why had Spike wanted to come in, and why was he so upset? Why wasn't he happy that he was no longer a monster? She opened her mouth to voice one of the questions when Spike asked one instead.
"You're never going to wear it again, are you?"
The question shocked Rarity. She looked at Spike like he was something else, something that didn't belong in her house. "Why, Spike, why would you think something like that? Of course I'll wear it again! I'll just save it for special occasions. It isn't simply any piece of jewelry, you know." Spike looked up, and smiled for the first time that night. She smiled back at him, happy that his melancholic attitude was gone.
Spike spoke up again. "Rarity, about what happened while we were falling." He got up and took a step closer to her. She did not move away. He looked at her, his eyes filled with hope. "I was wondering... Why did you stop me when I started to tell you..." He trailed off, simply staring her in the eyes now. She trotted past him, moving up to the Fire Ruby and picking it up with her magic. She spoke as she brought it over to a nearby dresser. "I think you know why I did that, Spike." She opened a glass case that she had placed above her dresser, and set the Fire Ruby gently down on the satin resting pillow inside the case. Closing the case, Rarity stepped back to admire it. "There. A nice little place to put it, don't you think?" She turned, expecting his response. Instead, she felt something warm press against her lips, and saw nothing but purple. Spike had walked up to her while she was putting away the Ruby and kissed her.
For a second, Rarity didn't know what to do. Spike's arm wrapped around her neck, pulling her deeper into the kiss. Then she shut her eyes, and, to Spike's great relief, pressed back. They stayed pressed together for a time, and only separated when the sound of the tea boiling over broke Rarity out of her trance. She blushed and began walking back towards the kitchen to fetch the pot, and when she returned she found Spike in the same spot he had been left in, his eyes glazed over. She walked over and gently pecked him on the cheek.
"Spike? Are you there?" Her words brought him back to earth, and he responded distantly.
"Yeah?"
"Did you get what you wanted?"
Spike looked up at her. "What do you mean?"
Rarity sighed. She poured two cups of tea and brought them over to her couch. "Spike, as much as I want to believe it can work between us..." She paused, and set down the tea on her coffee table. Spike didn't move from his spot. "Yes?" He sounded wounded, and Rarity knew that she was about to hurt him terribly. Without turning, she continued. "Someone your age is simply too young for me. And that's ignoring the fact that you're a dragon and I'm a unicorn." She turned towards Spike. "I personally don't care about that anymore, and I pray to Celestia that nopony else does, but-" She stopped when she caught sight of Spike's face.
The purple dragon had still not moved from his place in front of the case with the Fire Ruby. He was no longer smiling, instead showing no emotion on his face. His eyes, however, were filled with a cold rage that scared Rarity. When he spoke again, she could almost see the poison dripping of his tongue.
"I said I didn't want any tea."
He walked past her, rushing towards the door. When he reached the door, he threw it open, and for a second he simply looked out into the night. Then he spoke again, almost whispering, "I shouldn't have come here. I knew, deep down, that this would end badly. Don't worry." He turned to her, his face still void of emotion, his eyes matching now. "I won't tell anyone about this if you don't. It'll be like nothing ever happened." He turned to go.
Rarity was shocked. She'd never seen Spike this way before. He seemed almost a different dragon when he spoke, almost in a different accent. Seeing him about to leave, she moved quickly over to him, and put a hoof on his shoulder. He did not turn, so she moved around to face him. Looking him straight in the eyes, Rarity said, "Spike. Listen to me." He stared through her, and she shook him. He didn't move. She sighed, and continued. "I don't care what anypony says about us. I really do want to try and start a relationship with you. But you are still just a child, and-"
"I'm 14 today."
For a second, Rarity wasn't sure if she had heard him correctly. Looking at him, she couldn't tell that he was any age older than 10. Without missing a beat, she replied, "And I'm 23. It would be wrong like this. I'm almost a decade older than you, and we both know that it couldn't work like this. Wait, Spike. Spend time growing up more. Learn about the world, and when you're old enough to be called a true gentledragon, I'll be here, waiting." She leaned down, and pecked him on the lips.
Spike sighed, and smiled for the first time since he'd come in. "Okay, Rarity," he said, accepting things for what they were, "I'll wait. And I promise that I'll be the best I can when I get that chance." He turned and walked out the door. He stopped, and turned back to Rarity. "Oh, yeah, and about the age difference thing? I'm working on that. Then he disappeared into the night, back to his home across town.
Rarity laughed and shut the door. "He can be so silly sometimes," she said to the empty space around her. She walked back to her tea, but found she didn't want it anymore. With a frustrated sigh at having wasted perfectly good tea, she brought it back to her kitchen and set it on her stove. "I'll reheat it in the morning." She waked over to the staircase leading up to her room, but stopped, and turned back to the Fire Ruby. Staring at it, she noticed for the first time (amazingly)that it was on the shape of a heart. A sudden burst of emotion caught Rarity off guard as she thought back to all the times Spike had tried to do something nice for her, helping her with chores or her work.
Sighing, Rarity levitated the case over to herself and walked up the stairs. Entering her room, she trotted over to her dresser and placed the case on top of it. Then she opened it up and pulled the Ruby out. She stared at it, and thought of how funny it was that the stone in her hoof had brought them together. Finally, the dam broke. Letting her emotions get the best of her, Rarity kissed the gem, and placed it back into its case. Letting tears come, she got into her bed, and slowly drifted off to sleep.
Now Rarity stared at the Fire Ruby in the mirror. It had been years since she'd worn it. After that day, she would always wake up and see the gemstone sitting in its case, waiting to be worn again. Eventually, she had moved it, unable to cope with feeling guilty whenever she looked at it. It was moved to a higher perch, actually above her bed's canopy where she could not be reminded of how much she had hurt him that night.
Spike returned to normal after their talk, though Rarity did not see him for several days. When she saw him again, he acted in a much friendlier mood toward her. He hadn't been lying when he said he was working on their age difference, and for her birthday the next year he had presented her with what appeared to be bath salts, a container of large, fine-smelling beads that were colored a light turquoise.
"Just use one," had been Spike's warning. That night, Rarity had taken a bath with them, and when she emerged, she found herself years younger. He had told the truth. She was now five years younger. "And you still have more," he said, sipping a smoothie at the local cafe the next day.
Though she had been open to a relationship that day, it was Spike who stopped her this time. He had come to terms with their previous agreement, and didn't want to ruin their friendship with something that wouldn't work. And so Rarity found herself on the end of her agreement intended for Spike. Now she was the one being impatient, and Spike was willing to take it slow, trying to do his best to learn all he could. He learned to sing and play several more instruments, and he regularly played at Ponyvilles' night clubs to earn money that he saved for Celestia knew what.
Then she'd given up. She convinced herself she'd ruined her chances, and was almost thoroughly convinced when she saw Spike and Scootaloo one day, kissing by the lake side. She had been heartbroken at first, but resigned herself to letting Spike live his own life. She hadn't complained about his relationship with Scootaloo, or when it ended a year later (they had come to terms on it, and were still very close friends). She had forgotten her feelings for him completely. Until they'd gotten the tickets to the Titanic, that is.
And now Jack comes into the picture. Her thoughts were a mess as all the memories of herself and Spike rushed her through a hallway of her memories, abruptly ending at a large image of the azure unicorn. Where was he, in all of this? Was he a buffer, someone who was there to keep Spike from her for even longer? No, he had no idea who Spike was. It didn’t matter, anyway. If she came back with news that she had found a coltfriend on the ship, he wouldn’t be upset. Like his letter said, he wanted her to find somepony, right? He wouldn’t care, he’d be happy for her.
Wouldn’t he?
She was shocked out of her thoughts by the sound of a bell chiming, announcing the time of 11:00 a.m. She gasped, looking at the invitation to Fancy Pants’ brunch. “I’m going to be late!” she shouted to nopony in particular. Rarity rushed towards the bathroom, desperate to look her best for the brunch in the short time she had before departure. She had completely forgotten the other letter she had received, left by itself on the table. The letter was written on stationary paper that the rooms were all supplied with, and Rarity’s name was written neatly on the front. The letter had been partially unfolded, and anyone who looked at it would have seen the name of the sender written on the bottom of the paper:
Jack.
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Once more, we present: A Note From The Author.
Oh, Rarity. Why are you so complicated? You make writing your character so much harder for me. I don't mind, though. I like a good challenge every once in a while.
Ha! Surprised? The story is about 5-6 years ahead of the current season! What a twist I've put in! It makes adding in back story so much easier, because I get to make stuff up! Lots and lots of stuff!
As the name of the chapter suggests, there's been a lot of coupling up in this one: we got, of course, Jack and Rarity (for the last time, Spike is not Jack! Jack is Jack! Well, Jack is Gemstone Hue is Jack, but they're one and the same!), our favorite unicorn Trixie stepped in to capture Twilight's heart (exeunt Sethisto, stage left), we have Dash getting a little Pinkie Pie (wink wink nudge nudge), and I even went so far as to hint at a previous relationship that many have condemned because of Rarity's presence: Spikaloo! Fortunately, I got rid of that ASAP, so we never have to talk about this again.
What's with the chapter length, man? I keep adding on, like three thousand words each chapter. Which means you can expect 13,000 next time (not really). If all goes well this weekend, I may be able to get the 4th chapter up by tomorrow night (after the Oscars, of course). I'm also working on two more projects, which is why this took twice as long to make as the last chapter. Don't expect me to publish those until this is over, though. That is, supposing you care what I make next, of course.
Expect drama and (somehow) action in the next chapter! Oh, an innuendos! And more Spike flashbacks! And I'll finally get Fluttershy (or AJ) shipped! Talk to you then!