Rarity packed several large beach towels into her bag. It was possible that in the forest, they would possible get wet or cold. In either case, the towels would be useful to either help dry off or use as a blanket if necessary. They were neither her newest nor her best quality towels. After all, she did not wish to risk getting them filthy or ruined.
Packed up, the mare decided to get properly attired for the occasion. She put on boots to keep her hooves from getting too dirty, wrapped a scarf around her neck, and set a hat on her head. She considered sunglasses for a moment, but since it was dark out, they would be redundant.
As she was getting ready to leave, something caught her eye. The light was on in her sister's room. Moving in, she reached up to flip the switch and turn it off. As soon as she did, a small squeak reached her ears.
"Sweetie Belle?"
From beneath the bed popped out the head of a white unicorn filly. She had a tightly curled mane that was split in two pastel colors: lavender and pink. She looked up at Rarity with large green eyes.
"Sweetie Belle," Rarity said as she moved closer, "What are you doing here?" Using her magic, she took a hold of the small filly and pulled her out from under the bed to set her on it.
"After all that happened, I got scared," the filly explained. "The boutique was closer than home, so i ran here. Can I stay here with you?" She shifted her head and opened her eyes as wide as she could, trying to be as cute and pitiful as she could.
"Normally I would," Rarity replied, "but I'm not going to be here. Some friends and I shall be heading into The Everfree Forest in hopes of finding an artifact to help us."
"What?" Sweetie Belle shrieked. "You were going to go into The Everfree Forest and not tell anypony?"
"Calm down Sweetie," the older unicorn responded. "Now I can understand where you are coming from, but that is simply not the case. I would like to say explain what is going on, but I am in a bit of a time limit. Now come on. I'll take you home so that mother and father will not be worrying about you at least."
"But what about you?" Sweetie Belle asked as she jumped off the bed to chase her sister. "You're talking about going into a big scary forest full of monsters all alone."
"I shall not be alone, dearie. I shall have my friends going with me. Besides, I am a mare who is capable of taking care of herself. I will be fine."
"I still don't like it," Sweetie grumbled. "Why do you have to go? Isn't there somepony else who could instead?"
"Perhaps," Rarity said after a moment, "but what would happen if those same ponies were to decide to do nothing in the hopes that somepony else would?" She turned to look at her sister, letting the question sink in.
Sweetie Belle looked at Rarity, then away. It was not the look of a pony that was shamed or embarrassed, but one of consideration. The filly was thinking about what she was just told. She looked down at the floor as she walked, letting her sister's words work their way through her mind and trying to come up with an answer.
"I still don't like it," she finally stated.
"And I can understand that," Rarity responded. Reaching out a hoof, she placed around her shoulder. "I know you're worried and I appreciate it, but you and mom and dad are important to me. I have to do something to try and keep you safe, and right now, this seems like the best chance." She gave her sister a kiss on the forehead. "Now, let's get you home."