//------------------------------//
// The Unexpected and Understandings 
// Story: Unfamiliar Patterns 
// by TheVClaw 
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Clenching her eyes shut in an attempt to subdue the throbbing pain in her skull, Rarity didn't try to move an inch while lying down, thinking that the slightest twitch could make her new headache even worse. As the unicorn slowly began to bring herself back into consciousness, she realized that her head wasn't the only part of her body which was aching. She felt a sharp pain shoot through her back. Even though she wanted to keep her eyes closed, Rarity still opened them slowly as she tried to process what was going on, beginning to realize that she wasn't in her bedroom.

Instead of feeling the lavish satin blankets or exotic pillows made from Gryphon feathers, Rarity felt like she was lying on a rather rough-feeling blanket on the ground, which gave off the oddest aroma of something either spicy or almost chemical. As she opened her eyes, Rarity was grateful that she wasn't assaulted by any harsh bright lights. She was instead welcomed to a pleasantly darkened room.

Rarity lifted her head as she looked around the room, taking a moment for her eyes to adjust to the darkness before she could make out the odd shapes along the carved walls. After about a minute of lying in worried confusion, Rarity's memories began to slowly come back to her, making her realize whose place she must have been at. Remembering what she had agreed to do, Rarity began to piece everything together as she recognized the exotic artifacts and decorations along the walls, figuring they all must have belonged to Zecora.

Even though she was still hurting, Rarity was no longer that worried anymore. She lifted herself off the bedding underneath her, remembering how the two of them dealt with a Timberwolf earlier. Even though she thought she handled that beast rather swiftly after seeing Zecora get attacked, the new bandages along Rarity's back were enough proof for her that she could've been more profound with her defenses.

Before the unicorn could worry about any long-lasting scars or wonder how long she was out, the sound of something bubbling from the other room caught her attention. Curious, she tried to lift herself onto her hooves. Right as Rarity was able to stand upright against the bedding underneath her, the nearby door opened. Zecora entered, a worried look on her face as she saw the now-awake unicorn.

"Rarity, you should not be standing,” insisted Zecora as she walked up to Rarity. "You might be concussed from that landing."

Lifting a hoof to her head, Rarity grimaced as she felt a sharp pain from underneath the bandage along her forehead. Realizing why she had such a strong headache, Rarity could only nod to Zecora before sitting back on the bedding.

Closing her eyes, Rarity felt the bandage along her head again and tried to remember what happened. Despite trying her best to recall anything, all that Rarity could remember was a flash of brown and green before everything went dark. Knowing how dangerous and strong a Timberwolf could be, Rarity was glad that she was even alive after dealing with one up close. Seeing how the unicorn was trying to deal with her pain while sitting, Zecora looked outside the room for a moment before turning back to Rarity.

"I have a medicine brewing as we speak. But don't try to get up. You might still be weak."

While she didn't want Zecora to think her assumption was correct, Rarity couldn't argue as she settled on the bedding, realizing that the very act of standing wiped her out quite a bit. Knowing she was in no condition to argue, Rarity only nodded and looked up to Zecora with a weak smile on her muzzle.

Grateful to see the unicorn in somewhat higher spirits, Zecora gave a smile back before she began to leave the room. Before she could close the door behind her and tend to her brew, Rarity called out faintly from the bed, making Zecora pause as she heard the unicorn speak.

"Th… thank you, Zecora. Thank you for saving me."

Sighing in a mix of relief and gratitude, Zecora looked back at Rarity with a warm smile on her face, pausing for a moment before responding to her.

"There's no need to thank me. You saved me first. I'm just glad it didn't turn for the worst."

Remembering how she used a large part of her magic to fight off the Timberwolf, Rarity knew that the zebra had a fair point. Despite trying to remember who saved who first, Rarity knew that she really helped Zecora out, and that the zebra was now returning the favor. Keeping a smile on her muzzle, Rarity was grateful that both of them were alright—at least, alright enough.

"I mean it, though. You… you really helped me out, Zecora. Thank you."

"You're welcome, my dear. It's the least I could do." Zecora then looked back to the cauldron back in the main room before smiling in satisfaction, feeling more confident as she looked back to Rarity and finished her rhyme. "And the remedy's almost ready for you."

With that, Rarity nodded before Zecora closed the door again, leaving the unicorn to rest some more as she went back to the bubbling pot before her. Looking into the steaming mixture of swirling green and blue, Zecora was glad to see that her measurements were correct for this potion, noting how the liquid was bubbling correctly.

Picking up a large mixing spoon in her mouth, Zecora carefully dipped it into the pot before she began stirring, holding it in her hooves as she thought back to Rarity's response to the Timberwolf. Even though the unicorn was starting to get on her nerves earlier that day with her incessant complaining and refusal to get anything dirty, Zecora was surprised to see how quickly Rarity's composure changed the instant she saw her in danger. While the creature could've been easy enough to subdue on her own with her staff, Zecora was impressed by how much Rarity helped her out.

With the image of Rarity's enraged face burned in her mind, Zecora chuckled to herself a little as she stirred the brew, wondering how such a petite mare like her could act so differently in the face of danger.

Of course, Zecora couldn't necessarily say that Rarity never acted like that before, remembering how many Changelings the unicorn and her friends managed to fight off during the Royal Wedding. Even though Rarity was definitely a more dainty mare, it was interesting for Zecora to see how quickly she was able to handle herself in a situation like that. Although she still felt horrible about leading Rarity into such a dangerous scenario, Zecora was still glad the unicorn was alright, and that she was able to get her back to her hut before nightfall.

Despite the recipe taking a while to get completed, time went surprisingly quickly for Zecora as she kept stirring while she thought about Rarity and her boldness.

Meanwhile, Rarity was unable to fall back asleep, despite feeling extremely tired. Still feeling a tad dizzy from her concussion, most of Rarity's attempts to think were short-lived. She wasn't really able to focus on much before her mind drifted to something else. Throughout the countless incomplete thoughts that raced through the unicorn's head, Rarity's mind couldn't stop picturing changing colors within her conscience, swirling around as they tried to form various shapes and patterns.

Among the colorful images going through her mind, some of which could actually be good inspirations for future clothing styles, the one pattern that couldn't stop going through Rarity's head were stripes. Not normal stripes, like something a pony would expect to wear on a eloquent summer dress or practical sun hat for spring; the stripes Rarity kept picturing were all unique in their own way, blending with one another as they formed a strangely harmonic image of wild exuberance.

Almost like the ones on Zecora's body.

Even though she still felt exhausted, Rarity's ears still perked up as she heard the door open once more. Lifting her head, Rarity's eyes slowly opened as she watched Zecora enter the room, smiling as she carried a small black cauldron on a handle in her muzzle. Happy to see that Rarity was still alright, Zecora lowered the cauldron down on the ground in front of the bedding and looked back up to the unicorn.

"Well, good evening, sleepy-head. Are you alright on the bed?"

Rubbing her eyes with a hoof, Rarity nodded before replying in a groggy tone, "I… I guess so. To be honest, I don't think I actually went back to sleep."

"Well, that's alright,” said Zecora in a warm tone as she picked up a towel from behind her. "As long as you are calm. I need you still when I put on the balm."

After she dipped the cloth inside the cauldron, Zecora bent forward as she motioned for Rarity to sit upright before she began removing the bandages from Rarity's back. Gripping the canvas in her teeth, Zecora was careful not to cause any pain to the unicorn as she slowly pulled the bandages away.

Looking with worry, Rarity's eyes widened as she saw layer after layer pull away from her torso, watching as the beige cloth slowly turned to a darker and deeper shade of red. When the last of the bloodied bandage was removed, Rarity winced as she felt the cloth pull at her fur a little, sticking to her dried blood like a morbid adhesive. Seeing what was underneath, Rarity looked away in agony when she saw the state of her back, trying not to cry when she saw her scratches.

Despite how much worse it could've been, it still didn't help Rarity's composure as she saw how deep the Timberwolf's scratches were against her back. Formally an impeccably pure white, her fur was now matted in a sickly tone of red along the four gashes on her back, sticking out against the rest of her body more than the three purple diamonds on her flank.

Noticing how upset Rarity was about her scratches, Zecora felt even worse as she recalled asking her to help out in the first place, not expecting anything like this to happen to them today. Before her guilt could overtake her any more, Zecora took a deep breath before turning back to the cauldron, checking on the cloth inside before she spoke.

"I'm grateful the injuries only went this far. And I assure you, this will not leave any scar."

Hearing that, Rarity breathed out heavily and felt a huge wave of relief flow through her. "Oh thank Celestia!" said the mare as she head lowered in reprieve. "You have no idea how happy I am to hear that!"

"That's good to hear,” said Zecora as she used a small stick to stir the cloth inside the cauldron. "Because the fix is an easy thing." Before she could take the soaked cloth out of the pot for this process, Zecora turned back to Rarity with a more stern look on her face. "You might need to be prepared, because this part can sting."

While she was worried at hearing that, Rarity still nodded to the zebra before she clenched her eyes shut, not wanting to witness this next part as Zecora pulled the cloth out of the pot. Glowing a bluish-green hue within the darkened room, Zecora kept the cloth held in her muzzle as she turned back toward Rarity. Being careful, Zecora slowly positioned herself behind Rarity's back before she placed the cloth between her front hooves, making sure it was fully open before she quickly laid it against her back.

"Gaaaahhhhh!!!!" Rarity screamed when she felt the burning against her scratched back, clenching her eyes even more as Zecora used her hooves to hold the cloth tightly against her wounds. Even though she knew the zebra wasn't kidding when she said it would sting, Rarity didn't expect it to be this painful. She struggled to sit upright, trying not to cry as the burning sensation kept running throughout her back.

Hearing the unicorn's breathing come out in painful gasps, Zecora kept her hooves planted on Rarity's back as she watched the cloth glow brighter in the room. Before Rarity could think the pain was going to become unbearable, the burning slowly began to subside as the cloth began to glow dimmer. Keeping her hooves on Rarity's back, Zecora cleared her throat before she spoke.

"The healing will be finished in a moment or two." As she watched Rarity try to breathe normally through her pain, Zecora grimaced a little and looked away, feeling terrible that she tried to let the unicorn help her with a project like this. Even though she knew that Timberwolves normally never came through that region of the Everfree Forest, Zecora still felt increasingly guilty.

"I'm so terribly sorry for what happened to you."

Hearing the sincerity in the zebra's voice, Rarity sighed as the pain began to lessen even more, pausing a moment before she replied, "Oh, it's not your fault, Zecora. I knew what I was getting into when I agreed to come with you. I mean, it is the Everfree Forest, after all."

"But still,” continued Zecora as she tried to lessen her growing guilt, "I should've been more careful today. It's a mistake of mine, despite what you say."

Even though Rarity wanted to make a quick retort to alleviate Zecora's guilt a light gasp escaped the unicorn's muzzle as a sudden rush of cold quickly went across her back. Due to the slight shock of a new feeling like that, Rarity was silent for a moment as a new smile came up on Zecora's face, satisfied to see that reaction from her. With that rush of cooling from the cloth, the glowing slowly dissipated completely, making the zebra grateful again as she removed it from Rarity's back.

"Here we go, Rarity. Your back is good as new!" As Zecora stepped back from the bedding, Rarity slowly turned her head to see her healed back, beaming when she saw that the scratches were completely gone. Seeing the huge grin on Rarity's face, Zecora waited a moment before she continued her diagnosis. "And the bump on your head will begin to heal too."

Suddenly remembering her back wasn't the only injury she sustained, Rarity's hoof went back up to the bandage on her head. The unicorn grimaced once more at feeling the bandage still there. Zecora cleared her throat before she kept speaking.

"Your head wounds will be cleared in a day or two." Noticing the dimming light outside from a window, Zecora sighed as she realized what that meant. "But for now, it's too late to travel for you."

"What?!" Rarity gasped as she quickly turned back to the window. Noticing how the light from the forest was already beginning to grow to dusk, Rarity's eyes widened as she realized what Zecora meant. The Everfree Forest was way too dangerous to venture at night for a skilled zebra, so for an injured unicorn to go out now would be borderline suicide.

Even though she didn't want to spend the night in a hut in the Everfree Forest, Rarity just sighed and sat back on the bedding, knowing that she would have to wait until morning despite her own worries.

"Well,” Rarity said as she looked around the room, noting all the zebra artifacts on the wall before she continued, "at least I sent Opal over to Fluttershy's before I left. I'd hate to think of her missing dinner tonight."

While she was glad to see that Rarity wasn't going to miss anything huge by staying the night, Zecora still tried not to cringe as she recalled that demon cat. Despite how often Rarity tried to be a good host for her, Zecora was sure that cat had a vendetta against her, especially after the third time it tried to trip her over. However, Zecora managed to hide her distaste for Opal before she turned back to Rarity, keeping a light smile on her face as she caught her attention.

"Speaking of dinner, I'll get some made." As Zecora headed out of the room again, she turned back to Rarity before she could get out of the bed. "You just stay here and keep that head laid."

Despite wanting to protest and help Zecora prepare dinner (and also know what kind of food the zebra had to make), Rarity's legs were apathetic enough to make her keep her spot on the bedding. Knowing she wouldn't be much help at the moment, Rarity merely nodded to Zecora's advice before she laid back down.

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In less than twenty minutes, Zecora was able to make a meal for the both of them, which was more than enough time to make Rarity feel more relaxed before joining her in the main room. With the moonlight and candles illuminating the humble space, Zecora's rather filling dish of rice and vegetables was enough to make Rarity not worry about starving tonight. After clearing her plate quickly (still maintaining a somewhat proper manner of eating while holding a wooden spoon in her aura), Rarity wiped her muzzle clean with a napkin before she gave her compliments.

"Well, Zecora, I must say! You make quite a delightful meal."

"Well, thank you, my dear. It's nice to eat with company." As she finished her bowl, Zecora kept a warm smile as she finished her statement. "Besides, it's the least I can do after you helped me."

"Well…” Rarity looked away from Zecora, attempting to hide the growing guilt on her face as she corrected, "I can’t really say I helped much." Looking away from the zebra, Rarity didn’t notice Zecora's eyebrows raise in surprise as the unicorn kept going.

"I nearly got killed by a Timberwolf, which lead you to almost get killed as well. You had to drag me all the way back here just so you can patch me up. And to make things worse, I made you lose your net before you could get a single gem."

Seeing how upset Rarity was looking as she spoke with guilt, Zecora's tone became more stern as she began to correct her in return.

"Don’t you dare say that! You still helped me out! I wasn't alert when we were about. I have plenty of nets, so it's not a large loss. And as for the gems, I didn’t get them for costs."

Confused by the zebra's last statement, Rarity looked back to Zecora as she replied curiously, "Wait, what do you mean? I thought you needed them for a brew or something."

"Well…" Tapping her hooves together, Zecora seemed hesitant to explain; however, the unicorn's insistent stare got the best of her, making her sigh as she began to continue. "It is for a brew. For a project I do."

As Rarity kept her attention on the zebra, Zecora continued, "With those gems outside, I make a brew that can be made to a pill. When the doctors make it, it's used to treat the terminally ill."

Seeing how Rarity's eyes widened at that, Zecora felt a little better about her deed as she kept speaking.

"While getting the gems is a dangerous mission, it's for a good cause, so I don’t ask commission."

"Really?" Rarity asked, looking at Zecora with intrigue. "If it's such a dangerous task, then why do you do it without payment or compensation?"

"It's usually a pricy cost to make it from the gem,” replied Zecora. "However, if the doctors don't pay me, they can’t charge them."

Realizing what it was Zecora was saying, Rarity was almost speechless as she saw what Zecora was trying to do. "You… you mean—”

"Yes, Rarity,” Zecora finished, a new smile appearing on her striped muzzle. "It's my own kind of charity. I work pro-bono, so patients get it for free."

As the hut began to grow silent, Rarity was at a complete loss for words when she heard the reason for Zecora's pilgrimage to the swamp. Even though she herself was the Element of Generosity, Rarity was still rather floored as she sat across from the zebra now, unsure of how to react to hearing of Zecora's extremely well-intentioned deeds.

"... That…"

Although Rarity was finding it difficult to keep her composure at that moment, the unicorn was still able to muster out a few words as she looked at Zecora, keeping a grateful look on her face as she managed to say something to the zebra's story.

"That… is absolutely amazing, Zecora."

Seeing how Rarity was looking at her, Zecora blushed and looked away, not expecting her to be so impressed with her actions before she tried to respond.

"It's not much, really. I jus—"

“Don’t you dare say that!" Surprised by the unicorn's quick interruption, Zecora stayed silent as the mare continued to speak.

"Zecora, that is, hooves-down, one of the nicest acts I've ever heard about! You go out of your way and risk your own life, just so you can help complete strangers without any compensation of your own. I… I’m..."

A warm smile on her muzzle, Rarity tried not to well up as she looked at Zecora, taking a moment before she finished her statement.

"I'm really grateful to know you do that, Zecora. And… I'm really glad you asked me to help you today."

Zecora smiled as she heard the sincerity in Rarity's words, feeling a lot better at admitting what she was doing. However, before she could thank Rarity for her kind words, the unicorn became slightly confused as she spoke once more.

"It's just…” Unsure of what Rarity was going to say, Zecora kept a slightly worried expression on her face as the unicorn asked, "Why didn’t you tell me this before? I mean, why were you so hesitant in telling me you were collecting gems for this?"

Remembering why she decided to keep Rarity in the dark before they trekked into the forest in the first place, Zecora sighed in relief before she responded in a more light tone.

"I wanted it to be a surprise, for you to see first-rate. And I knew it would be something that you would appreciate."

Hearing her explanation, Rarity kept her smile as she let Zecora's words sink in. Even though she would've liked to have known about the zebra's plans before they went out to the Everfree Forest, Rarity was still happy about it after knowing it was meant to be a surprise. Rarity was also pleased at knowing Zecora would understand her like that, knowing that she definitely would've appreciated doing something that generous for others.

And now knowing what Zecora did, Rarity knew that the zebra's heart was in the best possible place when she went with her for those gems, making the unicorn feel even better that she was asked to help out in the first place.

"Well..." Despite preferring to have been told upfront about why Zecora needed those gems, Rarity was still in higher spirits as she spoke to her. "I really do appreciate what you wanted to do, Zecora. And…"

Even with the bandage still on her head, Rarity only felt a slight hesitation as she thought of what to say. After a few seconds, Rarity looked at Zecora with more confidence as she spoke honestly.

“And I would love to help you out with getting those gems again."

Zecora's eyes widened, surprised to think that Rarity would be so willing to try something like that again.

"Re… really?" muttered the zebra as she tried to comprehend what was going through Rarity's bandaged head. "After all that you went through? Are you sure that's what you want to do?"

"Well, yes!" Despite her near-brush with death, Rarity now looked more determined than ever as she continued, "I know it's dangerous, and I'm sure we would have to make better preparations if we were to try that again. But if you're really willing to do something so generous for ponies in need, well… it would be a shame to not assist you! You said yourself that it takes you a long time to find the gems by yourself, so by helping you out with this, you would be able to save time and help more ponies."

Even though she was surprised to see Rarity act this forward with her plan, Zecora's shock slowly went away as she realized who she was talking with. Despite her high-class tastes and dainty attitude, Rarity was still known as being one of the most giving ponies around Ponyville. Zecora started to feel better about the unicorn's offer as she realized how helpful she could be. Even with the looming thought of another Timberwolf dormant in the back of her mind, Zecora knew that Rarity had a fair point; it would take a lot less time if the unicorn used her spells again, which would mean less of a chance to get attacked again.

After taking a moment to process Rarity's words, Zecora smirked as she looked back to the unicorn before her. As Rarity noticed the zebra's change in tone and gave a smirk back, Zecora bent in closer and spoke in a more positive tone of voice.

"So, you'd help out? Without a doubt?"

Without hesitation, Rarity nodded and gave a kind smile to Zecora. "Well, of course! You're doing a noble cause, so why shouldn’t I contribute?"

Keeping her optimistic grin, Zecora put out a hoof as she kept her gaze on her.

"Well, if your help is something you're willing to lend…."

Rarity then placed her hoof out as it reached Zecora's, clutching it as the zebra completed her rhyme.

"Then I would be honored if you'd help me….

“My friend."

With that, the two shook hooves, smiling at each other within the darkened hut as they established their new arrangement.