Rarity had nearly cornered her prey. She smiled as she set two places on her kitchen table. These would be her traps. She hummed a bit as she arranged bowls and plates of food on the table. They would serve as bait. And now, she, as the hunter, need merely wait for her game to wander in.
The bell above the front door rang. “I’m home!” Sweetie Belle yelled. Rarity’s smile grew wider.
“Do come in. I have some snacks, if you’d like,” Rarity said. And now, the hunt began in earnest. Sweetie Belle burst into the kitchen. Her eyes went wide.
“Did you make all that for me?” she asked, looking at the spread. Rarity had set out crackers,cheeses, pastries, cookies, apples (freshly harvested, courtesy of Sweet Apple Acres), and even some daffodils (Which she knew were one of her sister’s favorites).
“Well, I decided that today, I wanted to do something special for my precious little sister,” Rarity said. Sweetie Belle smiled
“You didn’t have to…” she said.
“I wanted to though. Come, and have something to eat, and you can tell me about your day.” Rarity sat down at the table, and beckoned. Her smile grew wider. Her prey suspected nothing. Still, even a moment of carelessness could ruin all her preparations. She kept her smile steady, and nodded as Sweetie Belle began to talk about her classes.
Rarity waited for just the right moment. Sweetie Belle often paused to take a bite of something, or to catch her breath, or even to think about what to say next, but none of those times were quite perfect.Once Sweetie Belle was winding down, Rarity saw her chance appear. She pounced.
“You know,” she said, “I’ve been thinking a great deal lately. Applejack and Applebloom are really wonderful. As sisters, I mean.”
Sweetie Belle nodded so fast, she nearly didn’t swallow the mouthful of food she had. “They sure are!”
“It’s wonderful how open and honest they are with each other. Why, I’m sure that they could tell each other anything at all.”
Sweetie Belle paused before answering. “Yeah, I guess so.”
“I think it’s just wonderful. They trust each other so much.” Rarity’s smile threatened to grow too big. That wouldn’t do at all. It was obvious from her expression that Sweetie already suspected something was going on, even if she wasn’t quite sure what exactly it was. However, Rarity had been preparing this particular trick for days. She wasn’t going to spoil it now, not when her prey was almost brought to bay.
Sweetie Belle looked down at her now-empty plate. Rarity leaned forward, just slightly. Now was the pivotal moment. There would be a struggle, but it was not one she would lose..
“They don’t have any troublesome secrets between them. And I was thinking that it would be truly marvelous if we could be the same way.”
“Uhm, Rarity…”
“Yes, Sweetie Belle?”
“I kinda have something to tell you…” Sweetie Belle looked to her side, to the window, anywhere but at Rarity’s face.
Rarity let the edge show through her smile. In the end, it was her victory. Not that she’d ever seriously doubted that it would be.
“I’m all ears.”
“Well, you remember that big storm we had last week?”
Rarity shuddered at the memory. “I most certainly do.”
“Uh...well...we sorta…”
Rarity put her smile back into place. “Go on, you can tell me anything.”
“MeandtheotherCutieMarkCrusaderswentoutandfoundaponyafterthestormbutitwasn’tjustanyponyshesaidshewasahippocampusandshelivedintheseabutshegotwasheduponshoreandshedidn’tknowwhereshewasandshecouldn’tgobackrighaway so we said we’dhelpheroutand…” Sweetie Belle gasped for breath.
“Sweetie?” Rarity asked.
“Yesh?” Sweetie Belle gasped.
“Could you say that again, but just a teensy bit slower this time?”
Sweetie Belle took a deep breath. “We found a pony on the beach. She said she lived in the sea, but she got caught in the storm and didn’t know how to get back. So, we’ve been helping her out everyday after school.”
“A pony?”
“Uh-huh”
“From the sea.”
“She’s got flippers and everything!”
“That’s...very unusual.”
“You don’t believe me.”
“No,” Rarity said, “it’s not that. I’ve always thought that sea-ponies were mythical. To think that one would be discovered in Ponyville of all places. Twilight would be thrilled.”
Sweetie Belle looked up at Rarity. “So you do believe me?”
“Well, I don’t think you’re playing a joke. In fact, I would like to meet this…”
“Galatea’s her name.”
Rarity levitated the empty dishes towards the sink. “I would like to meet this Galatea. I’m glad that you told me, Sweetie Belle.”
“So, you’re not mad?”
“Well, I’m a little concerned that you kept something like this a secret. But, that’s in the past. Now the question is, what are we going to do?”
Sweetie Belle broke into a smile. “I could take you to go see her, right now! I’m sure you two would have lots to talk about.”
Rarity blinked. “Right now?”
“Yeah,” Sweetie Belle said, “We could go down to the river, and I can introduce you.”
Less than an hour later, Rarity and Sweetie Belle had made their way down to the river bank. Sweetie Belle led them to a bend in the river hidden behind a curtain of trees. The ground sloped down, turning into sand just by the water’s edge. Sweetie Belle slid down, and trotted over to the water. Rarity picked her way down, avoiding the debris and rocks. Once she reached the bottom, she looked over at her sister. She was rubbing her eyes with her front hooves.
“Are you alright?” Rarity asked.
Sweetie Belle stuck her head out over the water, and let a few tears drop into it. “This is how you get her to come out,” she said.
The water underneath her head began to swirl. Rarity darted over to the river’s edge, nearly stepping in it.
“Here she comes,” Sweetie Belle said.
A pony’s head emerged from the center of the whirlpool. Her coat was black, and her mane hung down in a dark green curtain. She looked at Sweetie Belle, and then at Rarity.
“Hello, little one,” she said, “I see that you’ve brought an audience for today’s lesson. I assume that this is your sister?”
“Uh-huh. Galatea, this is my big sister Rarity. Rarity, this is Galatea.”
Galatea rose from the pool. Her front legs looked like a pony’s but the ends did not have hooves, instead they resembled flippers. She stood on top of the water, and bowed low.
Rarity noted that her rear legs had normal looking hooves on them. Also, there were half a dozen strands of seaweed woven into her mane.Their color was just ever so slightly off from that of the mane itself. Rarity put on her third best smile, and returned the bow.
“What a pleasure to meet you. Sweetie Belle just couldn’t wait to introduce us.”
“I have heard much about you. Your sister’s admiration does you credit.”
Rarity straightened up. “She’s the most precious thing in the world to me.”
Galatea slid over the water and sat down on the beach. Rarity turned to Sweetie Belle, “Was that something about a lesson, I heard?”
Sweetie Belle look stricken. “Uh...well…”
“I have been teaching her a few songs. My kind are noted for their singing. She is a very attentive student,” Galatea said.
“I see,” Rarity said, “Sweetie, why don’t you sing something for us?”
“Here? Now?”
“If you’re uncomfortable, then I understand…” Rarity let her voice trail off softly.
“Hmmm,” Galatea said. Sweetie Belle glanced at her. “Your sister would adore hearing you sing the song we practiced yesterday, I think. Do you remember what it is called?”
Sweetie Belle sat down, and rubbed a hoof under her chin. “It was named ‘Capall’, right?”
“Very good. Sing it for us.”
Sweetie Belle straightened her back and took a deep breath. Rarity glanced at the sand, and opted to remain standing. Galatea rolled over onto her side, and sang a long note.
Sweetie Belle closed her eyes, and listened. As the sound faded away, she began to sing. Rarity didn’t recognize the language, but it sounded beautiful. The words flowed into each other, rising and falling as Sweetie Belle sang them. Rarity closed her eyes, and listened. She had the impression that she was standing underneath the night sky, and that she could see the stars shining above her. There were no other lights to spoil the view, revealing more stars than Rarity had ever imagined. They formed constellations that she had never seen before. Sweetie Belle’s voice faltered slightly, and Rarity’s eyes opened. The feeling stayed with her though, and as Sweetie Belle recovered, she could nearly see the stars even though it was afternoon.
Eventually, Sweetie Belle took a deep breath, but didn’t sing anymore, just letting the final sound linger. It faded away, and Rarity shook her head. The normal sounds of the stream had almost disappeared, and she couldn’t hear any of the normal animal sounds either.
Galatea clapped, bringing her front flippers together. The animal sounds resumed. Rarity stomped her hooves on the ground. “Bravo, Sweetie Belle, bravo!”
“Well done. Although…”
“I know,” Sweetie Belle said, “I didn’t get the glissando right.”
“It was otherwise very well done.” Galatea stood up, and cocked her head. “Hm, that took a bit longer than I anticipated.”
Rarity followed her gaze. The sun was just beginning to set.
“That certainly was enjoyable,” she said, “but it’s…”
“I would like to talk to you two more though. Would you give me the pleasure of your company over dinner?” Galatea said.
Rarity raised on hoof to her chest. “I wouldn’t want to impose.”
“It is no trouble for me. Preparations have already been made.”
Rarity’s eyes narrowed. Sweetie Belle walked over to her, and asked, “Can we?”
“If you insist, then I suppose there’s no reason for us not to accept.”
Galatea smiled. “Quite.”
She turned to the river, and waved her hoof over it. The water drew back, clearing a path across the river. Rarity could see the stones that made up the riverbed clearly. They rose up, forming themselves into a series of steps that led up to the shore.
“Wow,” Sweetie Belle said.
Rarity nodded. “That is impressive.”
Galatea chuckled. “Our magic, my magic is old, but well-suited for it’s purpose. Please, enter into my home.” She stepped forward, and descended the stairs.
Rarity looked at her sister. Sweetie Belle went for the stairs. She followed.
Once on the steps, Rarity couldn’t see any sign of Galatea. Sweetie Belle continued down without any signs of hesitation. After several more steps, Rarity noticed that the riverbed didn’t seem to be getting any nearer. She went down one more, and then the sides of the river burst into light. She stumbled, but her hoof came down on solid ground. She blinked away the afterimages, and saw that she was no longer in the river.
She was now inside a house, Rarity moved her head from side to side, taking everything in. The walls were made of pinkish coral, with windows cut into them. She could see water through them, although there didn’t appear to be glass, or indeed, anything else to keep it from leaking in. As she watched, a school of fish swam by the window, their scales shining in the sunlight. Rarity glanced up. The ceiling had the same coral texture, but was colored with yellow and blue swirls, a pattern that was echoed on the floor. The furnishings were sparse, but Rarity picked out several benches, made from a very dark wood, as well as seats made from more varieties of coral, in a variety of colors.
Galatea coughed, drawing her attention.
“Welcome, to my home. I hope you find it to your satisfaction.,” she said.
“It’s so pretty!” Sweetie Belle said. Rarity found her reaching up to one of the far windows, her hooves resting on the sill.
“This is…” Rarity began, “Quite breathtaking. Is this really at the bottom of the river? It doesn’t seem that there would be enough room for all of this luxury.”
Galatea chuckled. “This is nothing compared to the dining room. Come with me.”
She turned, showing that she had been standing in front of an opening in the wall. Rarity and Sweetie Belle followed her into the next room. On the way in, Rarity noted that the material around the portal was carved to show ponies in many different postures, some rearing up, others at play. All of them had the features of fish incorporated into their bodies, as flippers, tails, or scales.
“This is where I take meals with my guests,” Galatea said. She lifted her front legs and waved them. Rarity’s eyes went wide. She wasn’t sure how she had not seen it through the door,, but the room would be appropriate for a royal feast. In the center was a long table, inlaid with gold and silver filigree. Rarity’s eyes moved beyond the table, and she saw that the rest of the room had more carvings, even more elaborate than the ones around the entrance, with countless precious gems integrated into them.
Rarity was dazzled. She blinked, and shook her head. “Is it, perhaps a bit much?” Galatea asked. This pony, Rarity thought, could give teach the Canterlot nobility something about sounding smug.
She said, “Oh no, It is quite opulent, but sometimes that’s the only thing to do.”
“Indeed. Come, it is time to eat.” Galatea gestured at the table. Three places were set, each with numerous dishes and bowls, as well as many different pieces of silverware. Rarity circled around the table, and by the time she had sat down, Sweetie Belle and Galatea had both taken their seats opposite her.
Rarity didn’t recognize any of the food in front of her, but it was all styled to resemble objects found in the sea.
“You do not need to stand on ceremony. Please, eat,” Galatea said. Rarity looked up at her. Her seat was placed so that her head was exactly in the center of the window cut into the wall behind her.
“You’re sure this is okay?” Sweetie Belle asked.
“Of course. This is my provender, and I may give it out as I will.” Galatea smiled.
Sweetie Belle nodded. “Okay. Thanks for the food.” She leaned over a plate, and took a bite of something that looked like seaweed, but was too brightly colored. “Ooooh, Rarity, you have to try this.”
Galatea’s smile grew wider.
Rarity nibbled at her own food. It was quite good, although the taste wasn’t at all familiar.
Galatea let her guests eat for a brief while, and then began asking questions about their life in Ponyville. Between bites, Rarity answered as best she could. Occasionally was able to ask a question herself, but Galatea seemed uninterested in talking about her self. She steered the conversation towards Rarity’s work, and she found herself talking more and more about her designs and inspirations.
Before she realized it, Rarity realized that she had finished everything in front of her. She blushed, and stole a glance at Sweetie Belle. She too, had eaten all her food.
“Now,” Galatea said, “Perhaps some music would be to your liking?”
Rarity didn’t look directly at Galatea, but at the window behind her. The water had turned dark, and she couldn’t make out any sign of the fish that had been swimming by.
“I wouldn’t want to impose any further,” she said, nodding at Sweetie Belle, who nodded back.
“I do have school tomorrow…”
“Ah, of course. I would not want to keep you longer than necessary. I do hope you remember to practice our song, even if you find yourself busy.”
“Of course! I’ll sing it over and over, until I’ve got it just right,” Sweetie Belle said.
Rarity stood up. “You’ve been a most gracious host. Would you mind if I told one of my friends about you? I’m sure she would love to meet you.”
Galatea’s eyes shone. “If you could visit again, with your friends, I would be delighted.”
“I’m sure that she would feel the same way.”
Galatea stood up. “Then, if you must take your leave…”
Rarity raised her hoof and placed it on her forehead. “There is ever-so-much still to do. I hope though, next time I can return your hospitality.”
“And Me and the other Crusaders will be by tomorrow,” Sweetie Belle added.
Galatea turned, and went through the door. Rarity and Sweetie Belle followed. Galatea stood by a section of the wall that was carved into a pair of pillars, although the span of wall between them was the same as the rest of the room.
“Head through here. You will reach the surface, again,” Galatea said, as she bowed her head at them.
Rarity nodded her head, and placed a hoof on Sweetie Belle’s shoulder. She imitated the motion.
“Then, until next time,” Rarity said. She stepped towards the wall, and once again, a flash of light blinded her.
She was in the water. Rarity almost let out her breath, but she stifled her instinct to yell. She was completely in the water. She didn’t know which way was up. She kicked out. Her hooves didn’t make contact with anything, but she moved.. Her eyes wanted to close, but she thought she could see moonlight above her. She swam towards it.
Her head broke the surface.She could breath. She shook her mane out of her eyes, and whipeed her head around. Her sister was nowhere to be seen.
“Sweetie Belle!?”
Rarity spun around, treading water.
“Sweetie Belle!”