//------------------------------//
// Discoveries (Part 1) 
// Story: Unfamiliar Patterns 
// by TheVClaw 
//------------------------------//

As Luna's magnificent night began to disappear beyond the horizon, Celestia's sun started to rise from the east, illuminating the quiet town of Ponyville with its first rays of sunlight. While ponies began to wake themselves and prepare to go about their days, the Carousel Boutique laid completely still. Inside the Boutique, not a single sound could be heard from the showroom. However, up the stairs on the second floor, the faint sounds of light breathing could be heard from Rarity's bedroom.

Resting on her luxurious, king-sized bed, Rarity was resting in utter bliss underneath her massive lavender covers. Because of the thick curtains covering the windows, the unicorn didn’t even need to place a blind over her eyes to get a peaceful rest. As her breathing came out faintly, Rarity rested as she held onto the other figure in the bed.

With her hooves wrapped around the warm mass next to her, Rarity didn't show a single sign of unease or hesitation as she snuggled closer to the source. Slowly, the hooves from the other figure wrapped themselves around Rarity, hugging her tightly as they both slept.

Zecora, who was resting better than she ever could've imagined, was also laying soundlessly as she held onto Rarity. Keeping her hooves around the unicorn, Zecora's head moved in closer as she breathed in Rarity's mane. Smelling the faint aroma of lavender and perfume, the zebra sighed in bliss, smiling through her unconscious state as she slept.

As Zecora's warm breath slowly escaped her muzzle, it gently brushed against Rarity's soft fur, making the unicorn begin to stir awake. Twitching her muzzle, she tried to reposition herself in the bed while still hugging the sleeping zebra. After making herself more comfortable, Rarity's tired blue eyes slowly began to open. As soon as she adjusted to the darkness, the unicorn's eyes shot wide open when she saw who was next to her.

Even though part of her wanted to shoot off the bed at that instant, Rarity was frozen at the spot while she laid next to Zecora. Blinking a few times, the gears in her head began to turn as she thought about the previous night.

Slowly, Rarity began to remember what exactly happened after her date with Thunderlane, and how that escalated to her now being in bed with another mare. Remembering that first sober kiss she shared with Zecora, Rarity's heart began to beat faster with each second of recollection.

After she made her spur-of-the-moment decision to kiss Zecora, Rarity didn’t really stop. For most of the night after that, the two just kept going, kissing deeper and more passionately with each passing minute. Eventually, Rarity and Zecora made their way back to the unicorn's bedroom, but that didn’t really stop them from intertwining their muzzles every chance they had.

By the time they finally got into Rarity's bed, the rest of the night just melded together into a blur of passion and ecstasy as the zebra and unicorn continued to kiss while holding each other tightly.

But now, with the veil of Luna's night gone and the reality of morning setting in, Rarity's mind was completely blank on what to do now. Even though she couldn't really say she regretted anything that happened the previous night, Rarity still felt a huge weight in her chest as she let everything set in. Less than a month ago, the unicorn never would've even imagined doing something as unusual or scandalous as taking a female zebra to bed. But now, with Zecora resting next to her silently, Rarity could only lie beside her and try to think of a sound decision.

However, before she could try to get out of bed, the unicorn felt Zecora's breath gently brush against her coat again. Feeling the faint warmth against her skin and fur, Rarity paused  and savored the moment. Her heart began to beat even faster when she realized that she couldn't bring herself to leave if she tried.

Thinking back to how the night had gone, Rarity seriously couldn’t deny how amazing everything felt. After all these years of chasing after the perfect stallion, and realizing how fruitless her efforts turned out to be, Rarity was now at a crossroads as she looked at the zebra beside her. No other experience from any other pony ever made her feel as warm or as special as her moment with Zecora.

After about a minute of deep thought, Rarity slowly closed her eyes again, letting this good feeling set in as she moved in closer.

As the morning light tried to come in through the thick curtains, Rarity didn’t give any thought to the upcoming day as she rested beside the zebra. Feeling Zecora's warmth, Rarity smiled to herself as she settled in beside her, realizing how great this really felt right now.

Pushing any insecurities or worries aside, Rarity began to let herself settle back into slumber, wanting nothing more than for this moment to never en—

"HEY RARITY!" shouted Sweetie Belle as she kicked the door open and trotted into the room with an excited grin.

Shocked by the sudden intrusion, Rarity screamed herself back awake and shot up from the bed. Almost instinctively, Rarity threw the covers up over herself and Zecora. Despite the zebra also being jolted awake in confusion, Rarity quickly covered her whole body underneath the blanket.

Now sitting upright with the blanket over her chest, there was a full-blown red blush on Rarity’s face while she glared at her little sister.

"Sw-Sweetie Belle!!" Rarity shouted, completely flustered, "What have I told you about barging into my room like that?!"

"Ummm…" Sweetie Belle put a hoof up to her muzzle and looked down to the floor, pondering the answer. After a few seconds, the filly looked back up to Rarity as she remembered and gave her response:

"Don’t come in if I hear buzzing?"

"N-NO!!!" shouted Rarity, her blush growing even deeper in embarrassment.

Despite the thick blanket over her, Zecora heard Sweetie Belle's answer clear enough to try not to laugh. While the zebra covered her mouth with her hooves to keep any snickers from escaping, Rarity sputtered a bit before she scolded her sister.

"N-not that! Sweetie Belle, I told you that you need to knock before entering a lady's bedroom!"

Sweetie Belle's eyes widened in clarity as she remembered. "Ohhhhh… that's right!"

Sweetie Belle then quickly exited Rarity's room, closing the door behind her. After a second of silence, the filly knocked on the door, making Rarity groan and put her head in her hooves.

"Urrrrrghhhhh… what is it?"

"Can I come in now?" asked Sweetie Belle from the other side of the door.

"Sure, fine. Go ahead."

Due to experiencing frustration so early in her day, Rarity said that with her head in her hooves, almost forgetting that Zecora was still under her covers. Realizing her mistake, Rarity's eyes widened in fear as she threw her hooves up to take back her statement.

However, she was too late. Sweetie Belle reopened the door and walked back in.

Keeping a hoof over the lump in the blanket where the zebra was, Rarity had a worried look on her face as she looked at her sister.

"So, Rarity…" began the filly in a more cautious tone than before, "Mom wants to know if she could borrow one of your luggage bags."

Rarity blinked a few times and let her sister's question sink in. Grateful that was the only question the filly had for her, she sighed in relief before pointing a hoof to the closet. "S-sure, Sweetie. I have some in the closet over there."

"Thanks," said Sweetie Belle with a smile as she trotted over to the closet. After taking a large, pink suitcase by the handle in her muzzle, Sweetie began to walk back out of Rarity's bedroom. 

However, before she left the room, Sweetie Belle put down the suitcase in front of the door. With a curious look on her face, the filly looked back to her sister with a skewed eyebrow before noticing the striped tail hanging outside of the blankets.

"Hey, sis?"

"Y-yes, Sweetie Belle?" asked Rarity in a worried tone.

"Why is Zecora in your bed?"

Rarity's heart almost shot up in her throat. With her eyes as wide as dinner plates, the unicorn began to sweat bullets. Although Rarity wanted to say something, anything to make an explanation, nothing came out of her open mouth.

Slowly, the blankets beside Rarity began to move. Zecora came into view with an embarrassed look on her face.

"Hhhhhellooooo… Sweetie Belle…" said the zebra in a faint and bashful tone as she kept the blanket held against her chest. "Are… you feeling well?"

"Ummm… I guess so." Keeping her confused stare on her older sister, Sweetie Belle looked between the two on her bed as she waited for an answer.

Blinking a few times in petrified silence, Rarity looked over at Zecora, hoping that she had something to say. Seeing that the zebra looking back at her was just as lost for words as she was, Rarity looked back at her sister and bit her lip.

"Well, Sweetie Belle, you see…" Rarity began in a shaky tone, "Zecora…"

Since she was drawing a complete blank, the unicorn took another second before opening her muzzle, blurting out the first thing that came to her head.

"Zecora was helping me make the bed."

With Zecora staring at her like she just said the stupidest thing imaginable, Rarity forced a large smile on her face as she looked at the confused filly. Blinking a couple times, Sweetie Belle looked at the bed and Zecora before turning back to her sister.

"But… you're still in it. And so is she."

"… Yes…" Rarity kept her fake smile up, even though it was becoming creepier with each passing second due to how panicked she was getting. Before she could worry Sweetie Belle with her odd behavior, Rarity slowly turned her head over to the zebra beside her. Looking at Zecora—who was now staring back at her with an equally confused look on her face—Rarity desperately tried to think of a suitable follow-up to her sister's rebuttal.

In an instant, Rarity felt like a light bulb turned on above her head. She quickly changed her expression to one of annoyance and stared at the zebra.

"I… I told you, Zecora!" Rarity pointed a hoof at the zebra with an upset look on her face. "I… I need to be out of the bed… before you can make it!"

Despite how unsure she sounded as she made her fake complaint towards Zecora, Rarity hoped that it was convincing enough for the filly staring at her. Nevertheless, despite how dumbfounded she was by how stupid Rarity's excuse was, Zecora knew she had to play along. 

With an annoyed and deadpan stare back at the unicorn, Zecora replied in a low and unenthusiastic tone, "Oh… so that's how it should be…" Zecora narrowed her eyes on Rarity as she added, "How very silly of me."

Despite Rarity's worried tone and the zebra's glare, Sweetie Belle didn't seem to notice either as she replied cheerfully, "Don't worry, Zecora! I tried doing that, too. It doesn't work."

Zecora sighed to herself before she looked back at Sweetie Belle, quickly putting up a smile of her own as she said cheerfully, "Well, since you have the bag, you should be on your way."

Sweetie Belle's eyes widened as she remembered the suitcase next to her. "Oh yeah! I almost forgot!"

The filly quickly grabbed the handle by her mouth before she made her way to the door. "Thee ya, Rar-ee!" muttered Sweetie Belle through her muffled muzzle. "Bye, Thecora!"

"Farewell, Sweetie Belle," added Zecora with a more chipper tone, "and have a wonderful day."

Sweetie Belle closed the door behind her before making her way downstairs. Before Zecora could turn back to Rarity and question what she was thinking, the filly's voice could still be heard from the hallway faintly.

"Oh, hey Opal—"

RRROOOWWWRRRR!!!

"AAAAAHHHHHH!!!"

The sound of small hoofsteps thundering away from the cat's loud hissing before the front door opened and quickly slammed shut could be heard. After a moment of silence to ensure that Sweetie Belle was really gone, Zecora stared at Rarity with a disdainful look on her face.

"I was here to make your bed?" muttered the zebra in a deadpan tone, making Rarity blush and look away in guilt. "Did you get bumped in the head?"

"I'm sorry!" said Rarity with sincere shame. "I just didn’t know what to say!" Rarity took a second before she looked back to Zecora and spoke with a more insistent tone of voice. "And I didn’t want to tell Sweetie Belle what really happened! I really doubt that she would understand that well!"

Zecora looked away for a moment and thought it over. Knowing how young Rarity's sister was, it made sense to not tell her the truth like that. Closing her eyes, Zecora sighed before she looked back at Rarity. "I guess that makes sense…"

Before Rarity could say anything more, Zecora pointed a hoof at her as she added, "But your excuse was really phony. And I seriously doubt that she bought that bologna."

"Well, it got her out of our manes, didn’t it?" said Rarity flatly. "Besides, Sweetie Belle might be adorable, but she's still rather gullible for a filly her age."

Rarity hopped off the bed, leaving Zecora staring at her in a perplexed state as she began her morning stretches.

"I remember for the longest time," began the unicorn as she stretched her hindlegs out, "Sweetie Belle was convinced that carrots were magical, because she couldn’t figure out how they survived in the wild without eyes."

While Zecora sat in the bed, trying to figure out the logistics of what was just said, Rarity did some more light stretches before yawning softly. "Besides," she continued, "if I told her what really happened, she would probably tell my parents about it, and I would hate to think what they would have to say…"

While Rarity shuddered to herself about that idea, Zecora blinked a few times before she replied, "So… you know that she still saw us together, didn't you?" Even though Rarity's back was to her, the sudden twitch from the unicorn was enough to let Zecora know she didn't think that through. "So if they asked, she could still say I was in bed with you."

Rarity gritted her teeth to avoid wincing as she let that realization sink in, which lead Zecora to grow more worried about what might happen. Even though the sudden wake-up from Sweetie Belle was quite a distraction, Zecora still couldn't help but remember how everything went the previous night.

Recalling every second the two shared in embrace, the last thing that the zebra wanted was for it to be seen as some mistake to Rarity. Hopeful that this wasn't some one-night-stand or "experimental phase,” Zecora cleared her throat before she spoke faintly.

"Rarity, this… this wasn't a mistake, was it? Because I don’t want this to end from a small fit."

"Zecora, wha…" Though the fact that she spent the night with Zecora was still a shocking turn of events for her, Rarity was even more surprised at the zebra's statement. Not wanting her to think that she thought that sort of thing, the unicorn put up a hoof and tried to protest. "Zecora, I… I don't think what we did was… a mistake! I mean…"

Rarity paused and took a moment to reflect. Despite still being unsure about how to feel about this, Rarity was certainly not feeling much regret about it. Confusion? Yes. Surprise? Definitely. A looming uncertainty about how her life would change due to being with a zebra? Well, of course.

But regret? Shame? Calling it a mistake? Certainly not.

"I mean… yes… This… certainly wasn't what I expected to happen, but…"

Rarity bit her lip for a second, thinking it over before she spoke to Zecora.

"But I certainly don't want to call it a mistake. I mean… if I thought that, then… I probably would've stopped a lot sooner, wouldn’t I?"

Zecora looked away from her bashfully, pausing for a moment before she slowly nodded. Remembering how passionate the unicorn was just a few hours ago, Zecora knew that anything else would've been a lie. However, before the zebra could say anything, she noticed Rarity's look of hesitance as she continued to think everything over.

"I… I suppose that… I might need a bit of time to let all of this sink in." Zecora slowly looked back to Rarity, who was looking down to the floor as she continued, "I mean… to say that what happened was unexpected would be a bit of an understatement, wouldn't it? I… I never would've even attempted to think that one day, I…"

Rarity bit her lip as she paused. She took another deep breath before she resumed speaking.

"I mean… I always imagined myself with a stallion! Ever since I was a filly, that was what I wanted for myself! But.. but now I'm here and… well…"

Knowing what Rarity was trying to say, Zecora sighed in agreement. While she wasn't biased over alternative relationships at all, the zebra never would've thought she would be in a situation where she would be in one herself. However, before Zecora could utter a reply, Rarity's voice came out in a faint and whimpered tone as she looked to the ground in worried realization.

"I… I never thought that there was even a chance that I'd be a… a… "

Seeing how uncomfortable the unicorn was looking, Zecora put up a hoof as she finally managed to speak up. "Rarity, it's alright to feel unease over something new. I mean…"

Looking around every inch of the bedroom that didn’t include Rarity, Zecora breathed in as she thought it over. Realizing how drastically things changed for both her and Rarity over the past few weeks, Zecora knew that she was definitely in an unexpected spot.

However, the zebra also knew she couldn't let her own worries affect the unicorn, making her sigh as she replied honestly, "… I'd be lying if I said I wasn't surprised, too."

Hearing the sincerity in Zecora's voice of reason, Rarity slowly nodded and kept her eyes away from her. Looking at the floor, Rarity still felt a wave of different feelings regarding all that happened.

However, she knew she couldn't avoid how she was feeling about everything. Behind the veil of doubt and worry in her conscience, which was dissipating with each passing second as she thought it over, Rarity couldn’t deny that she enjoyed her night with Zecora. Knowing what this meant about herself, the unicorn wanted to at least say that one nagging word out loud.

Although she felt more than slightly uncomfortable about actually saying it, Rarity knew it was at least fitting for her situation. Taking a deep breath, Rarity pursed her lips for a moment, pushing her uncertainties aside as she uttered in a low and weak tone of voice.

"… Lesbian."

A quick and deep breath escaped Rarity as she heard herself say that out loud. While it felt like a weight had been lifted off her back, she still felt a growing tension in her chest at actually saying that, knowing that it was technically right for the moment.

Zecora tried to say something before Rarity spoke up in a more surprised tone, "Wow! I… I'm definitely going to need some time to adjust to that word!"

"Rarity…" Hoping to alleviate any distress Rarity might be feeling, Zecora waited until she looked back to her before she spoke sincerely, "I never wanted to give you any unrest. And… "

Despite wanting to speak openly about this in an attempt to nullify any leftover tensions, Zecora couldn't help but feel uneasy herself. After realizing how she felt, Zecora knew what she wanted. Even though it was a rather sudden thing to even think about, let alone ask for, the zebra knew it was something she wanted to at least try.

Looking down to the bedding underneath her, Zecora's head slumped down as she finished her rhyme in a more morose tone, expecting that Rarity would say no. "I'll understand if a relationship isn’t the best."

Rarity's eyes widened as she looked at Zecora, realizing what she was suggesting. While she was still a bit mixed-up about everything that happened in the past twelve hours, Rarity didn’t even consider what this would mean in the long run.

But now, with Zecora looking away from her in guilt, Rarity was speechless for a moment as she realized what she was being asked for: a relationship.

Looking down to the carpet underneath her hooves, Rarity blinked a few times and thought Zecora's statement over. While this was the first time she even considered the option, the idea of being in a relationship with Zecora was creating even more conflicting feelings.

On one hoof, she had no idea what this sort of thing would mean in relation to her friends and clients. Rarity also knew that, behind how worrying the concept felt, there was another feeling that Rarity couldn’t steer away from.

Curiosity.

"Zecora, you…" Wanting to clarify that the zebra was really suggesting what she thought she was, Rarity looked back to Zecora before she said, "Are you really asking for us to be in… a relationship? Together?"

Even though she looked even more worried at hearing Rarity's response like that, Zecora breathed in slowly before she nodded. While Zecora looked away from Rarity, the unicorn sighed softly before she spoke again.

"Well, I… I never thought about that…" At saying that, Rarity could see that Zecora looked more disheartened, despite trying to keep herself away from the unicorn's gaze.

"But!" Rarity said she tried to keep the zebra's attention, "I… I don't really want to say that I… well… oppose the idea."

Zecora's eyes widened in surprise before she slowly looked back over to Rarity. "Really? Your words are true?"

Despite feeling her heart thundering in her chest, Rarity took a breath and nodded to Zecora. Keeping a cautious, albeit more uplifted tone, Zecora wanted to make sure this was something Rarity really meant.

"This… doesn't worry you?"

"Well…" Rarity said she looked away from Zecora, "Of course it worries me, Zecora!"

Before Zecora could react, Rarity quickly turned back to her before she clarified, "But! It… it's not necessarily a… bad… form of worry."

Zecora's eyebrow skewed in slight confusion, making Rarity sigh again as she explained further, "What I mean is… I get worried about things all the time… When I get a new dress made for a picky client… When I'm working on a big fashion show to get more positive attention… When I'm around ponies of high class or reputation in Canterlot or Manehatten …"

Seeing that she had Zecora's attention, Rarity paused for a moment before she continued.

"But… All of those worries were good in their own way. I was unsure about how things would end up, and I was always worried about the worst happening… but it was a good kind of worry… It was the kind of feeling that I wanted to continue with, because it was something that always had a lot of potential."

Realizing what Rarity was getting at, Zecora looked more hopeful and sat upright on the bed. Knowing what she had to say, Rarity looked away from Zecora when she became more nervous. The unicorn began to blush as she thought about her words, knowing what she had to say as she finished her statement.

"And… I can see some potential here as well… I don’t know what to think about being in a relationship, but…"

With that, Rarity looked back to Zecora, keeping a clear, yet faint smile on her muzzle as she gave her answer.

"I'm… I'm willing to give it a shot."

Hearing that, a smile grew on Zecora's muzzle as well, making Rarity feel better about her decision. Taking a deep breath, Rarity walked back over to the bed before she placed her forelegs on the mattress. Lifting herself on the bed so she was at eye level with Zecora, Rarity kept a nervous smile behind her blushing face as she moved her head in.

Even though Zecora was blushing heavily as well, neither of the two faltered as they bent in, closing their eyes as they shared a tender kiss together on the bed.

Feeling the zebra's soft, warm lips against her own, Rarity blush grew deeper as she realized how nice this felt. Despite it coming from someone she never would've imagined, she knew that this didn’t feel wrong in any way, shape or form. Keeping her in embrace for another warm moment, Rarity knew that this would definitely be something difficult to get used to; it was also something she was excited to try, knowing that there definitely might be something good that could come from this.

After finally pulling her lips away from the zebra's, Rarity's eyes opened in a half-lidded gaze and looked into Zecora's as she spoke softly. "So… you want some breakfast?"

Zecora merely nodded in approval before moving in again, kissing Rarity for another moment before letting her pull back. With a heavier blush against her white coat, Rarity giggled a little before she began to step off the bed toward the bedroom door.

"Oh, one more thing…"

Hearing Zecora's voice, Rarity paused as she looked back at the zebra, who now had a more devilish smirk on her muzzle.

"There was a question that I wanted to ask you for later…" Narrowing her eyes on the unicorn, Zecora's grin became more mischievous as she asked her question. "But when Sweetie said that thing about buzzing…"

Rarity's eyes widened in panic. She froze, immediately remembering what Sweetie Belle said when she first came in. Looking like she was seconds from having a light heart attack, the unicorn was close to physically shaking in embarrassment while Zecora finished her rhyme in a playful tone.

"…Was that about a v—"

"AN ELECTRIC TOOTHBRUSH!!!" Rarity shouted as her blush grew to a shade deeper than Big Macintosh's coat. "I… I have an electric toothbrush!"

Zecora narrowed her eyes on Rarity for another moment before she hopped off the bed and walked over to the bathroom with a smirk.

"I mean it!" continued the unicorn in a more insistent tone. "My… my toothbrush is very loud sometimes, and… sometimes I cannot hear when…"

Rarity trailed off as Zecora walked back into the bedroom. With her eyes now as wide as when Sweetie Belle first walked in, Rarity was unable to utter a word as she stood frozen in a panic. Zecora, on the other hoof, kept a cheeky grin as she stood with Rarity's toothbrush in her hoof.

A normal, red, non-electric toothbrush.

"… Um… Which… is being repaired right now!" With her right eye twitching a little, Rarity attempted to make her claim seem somewhat truthful as she stood before the smirking zebra. 

Struggling not to laugh, Zecora took another moment before she went back to the bathroom and put the toothbrush back. Without saying a word, Zecora walked past Rarity with a sultry smirk as she left the bedroom, waiting until she was out of sight before she bursted out laughing.

"Great," muttered Rarity under her breath as she stood in her room alone, "now I need to get an electric toothbrush."