//------------------------------// // Chapter 1 // Story: Let the Rumors Fly // by Baron Von Clop //------------------------------// Rarity huffed loudly as she read the article written about her in the gossip column of the Equestria Daily, floating the newspaper in front of her face with her unicorn magic. Element of Harmony Out of Her Element was the title of the short clip, featuring her latest awful date with an important stallion - including pictures! Even right down to her downright embarrassing exit, complete with the front of her coat stained with red wine thanks to the clumsy stallion she’d reluctantly decided to go out with. “Gah! How did somepony even know about this? And they took pictures? The nerve!” She stamped a hoof and crumpled the paper whole with her magic, tossing the ball of discarded paper into a trash bin near the register of the boutique. “This is the last thing I needed before the Grand Galloping Gala. More rumors about me being a... fillyfooler.” She shivered at the thought, turning her attention to an unfinished dress in need of stitching. “With all this gossip, how will I ever find a date? I’ve only four days, now!” Still miffed about the expose into her personal life, the magic-powered sewing machine sprung to life as Rarity set to work. She wouldn’t let something as silly as more rumors about her sex life get in the way of her work. This is beginning to get bothersome, though, Rarity thought to herself. Ever since she gained any small amount of fame as a seamstress and fashion designer, she found herself the center of gossip around Canterlot and other fairly high-class establishments. She just couldn’t escape it! And though she was famous for her dresses, she was equally famous for her frequent mishaps when around the opposite gender. At first, it wasn’t so bad. Awful dates happen to even the highest-class of pony, and when it did, it was no secret. But for her, it happened often. Very often. In fact, Rarity hadn’t been on a date with a stallion that didn’t end in total disaster - and no stallion ever got a second date with her, either. And that is where the serious rumors began to come from. The Canterlot Chronicles was the first to peg her as a lesbian. It was even on the second page, which was the only part that pleased Rarity. The article came after her sixth attempt at romance with an important pony at a fashion show. One of her dresses was on display at the show, worn by a model she’d picked herself. The show went fantastic. Almost perfect, even! Not a thing had gone wrong, and it finally seemed like she was going to make it though a date with a stallion without bucking something up so badly there wouldn’t be a second. That was, of course, until he tried to walk her home... only for him to get hit by a pony-pulled carriage and break a leg. He was promptly rushed off to a hospital, and paparazzi was all over that. Fashionista Flubs Another Date! the title read. Why can’t Rarity find the stallion for her? Anger rose up inside the unicorn as she flipped through all the articles written about her in her mind, the sewing machine picking up speed as her magic grew more powerful with heavier emotions. She was trying, damn it! It wasn’t her fault every stallion she’d gone out with was horrible! Of course, working entirely in female fashion and being a part of the all female Elements of Harmony didn’t exactly help prove to people that she was straight. Rarity yelped as the needle of the magic-powered sewing machine snapped and tore a small hole in the fabric she was stitching together. As her emotions flared up, her focus waned until she was truly pumping too much magic into the small machine, causing it to fail. With a heavy sigh, she leaned in and inspected the damage she’d caused during her mental rant. It wasn’t enough to need complete replacing of the swath, but it was enough to warrant a decent repair. This is no use. I’ll finish it tomorrow. It was dark out by the time the unicorn had given up. Night had fallen some hours ago, and she had tried staying up late in order to get these commissions finished... but it was pointless. She was far too angry and unfocused to get any real work done - all she was doing was making mistakes and tearing holes. Leaving her work where it was, she turned and trotted up the stairs to her bedroom, throwing herself into bed. She was tired, and a good night’s rest would give her the energy she needed to focus on her work instead of mean-spirited journalists. )()()()( “Oh! Fluttershy! It’s... good to see you here, darling.” Rarity smiled wide as she turned and saw the yellow pegasus entering her boutique. “Hello, Rarity. I, um... I came here to, ah... talk about something, if that’s, um, okay,” Fluttershy barely managed to squeak out. It was clear that something was bothering her greatly - though she was very shy, this was beyond awkward even for her. Something was up. “Come closer, then, dear! You know that you can tell me anything,” Rarity said, gesturing the pegasus closer with a hoof. Fluttershy trotted farther into the boutique, nodding quietly as she walked right up along side Rarity. With each step her face burned a brighter red, the blush starting off small but gradually glowing hotter as she closed in. “I... I...” she stammered as she pulled herself up, standing only a nose away from Rarity. “...Whatever is the matter, Fluttershy? There must be something on your mi-mmph!” Rarity’s sentence was cut off by the pegasus pressing her lips against her own, yellow eyelids shutting as she planted a kiss on the unicorn’s lips. Rarity quickly recoiled... but then leaned in herself, not allowing nor wanting the kiss to break. No, she liked this. Reaching up with a hoof, the unicorn wrapped a foreleg around Fluttershy’s neck, stroking a smooth, shined hoof through her soft mane as the kiss held. Fluttershy’s wings slowly spread out, the blush on her face only turning redder and redder as their lips locked. Moments later, she gained the courage to actually part her jaws as well, warm tongue moving out to tease at the unicorn’s luscious lips, pushing her to join in an even closer embrace. Rarity didn’t resist even the slightest. Completely fueled by lust and emotions, the unicorn opened up and allowed the pegasus’ tongue to invade her mouth, wrapping together with her own as the love peck turned into a full blown make out session. Saliva swapped as the two embraced, Fluttershy’s wings growing fully erect as they kissed. For a long while, they remained there, both of them tugging at the other’s wet lips as they remained close - the sickeningly sweet sound of their mouths smacking with the other filling the room. Minutes passed, both simply exploring the other, before Fluttershy finally pulled back. Ducking her head, she looked up sheepishly at the unicorn. “W-wait, what’s wrong, ‘Shy? Whatever are you doing?” Rarity asked, swallowing hard. Gods, no... did I do something wrong? “I was just thinking that maybe we could, um...” The pegasus gulped, her vocals seizing up at the question. Rather than ask, she simply glanced upward and towards Rarity’s bedroom, before giving a tiny smile. “Y-you know...” “Y-yes! Yes, of course we can! Let’s g-” )()()()( Rarity almost literally shot out of her bed. The unicorn startled awake, nearly flinging her blanket across the room as she realized what was happening. A cold sweat had just about soaked her body, her entire pelt feeling damp from the perspiration. Even more embarrassing, the side of her face was soaked with drool, a huge wet spot having been left behind on her pillow where she was laying. Breathing heavily, she reached up to wipe at her forehead with a leg. “W-what in the world... That dream again...” She growled at herself, tossing her blanket aside with a hoof as she pulled herself out of bed. With her sleep disrupted and her heart racing, there was no use trying to go back to sleep. It was still early in the morning, the outside sky still dark with night, but it wouldn’t be long before the sun began to rise anyway. Trotting downstairs to work on something quick and simple for breakfast, she couldn’t help but think back to the dream - or nightmare, as she considered it - that had been plaguing her sleep for over a month now. It was the same dream every night, recurring time and time again. At first, she thought it was a result of people’s rumors getting to her. This simply won’t do, the unicorn thought to herself as she opened her icebox, selecting a bagel which was floated into the air. If I can’t get a good night’s rest, I’ll never get this work done. I know just who to talk to about all this fillyfooler business, though... )()()()( “Rainbow Dash! Oh, so glad you could make it!” The pale unicorn smiled wide as the rainbow maned pegasus landed near her table outside Sugarcube Corner. “I am very glad you were not too busy with this weather business to meet me here.” “Of course not, Rarity!” Dash pulled herself up onto the chair across from Rarity, plopping herself down into it with a big smile. “I don’t mind takin’ a break every once in a while. It’s been a long day, anyway. So, what is it you needed to talk about? Your letter said it was urgent!” Rarity levitated a teacup up into the air, tilting it to her mouth to take a sip from it’s contents before speaking. “Well, I had a rather personal matter I wished to discuss, actually. You see, I’ve... well, on second thought, darling, let’s start with you. When, exactly, did you figure out, your... preferences?” Rainbow Dash lofted an eyebrow, starting intently at Rarity. “What do you mean, ‘my preferences’?” “Oh, I think you know exactly what I mean. Come, now, you don’t need to be shy about this. It’s perfectly acceptable.” Rarity nodded, taking another sip of tea. “Rarity, I really have no idea what you’re tal-” “Lesbian. Gay. You’re gay,” Rarity said, cutting off the pegasus mid-sentence. No reason to beat around the bush anymore. “Really, now. There’s no reason to lie to me, darling, we’re basically best friends. Honestly, I’m a little hurt you’ve been hiding it for so long from all of us.” Rainbow Dash ducked her head down, ears flopping forward. Her gaze rested on the table, staring down. “I thought I’d been keeping that kind of hidden. What gave me away?” “I’m sorry, darling. I didn’t mean to upset you - and truth be told, you were doing alright with staying hidden!” Rarity raises a hoof to her mouth, hiding a giggle. “It’s just... you know how it is. Rumors get around, gossip spreads... I’ve known for a while.” She gave a warm smile, trying to comfort the pegasus and make her aware that she really was okay with all of this. Dash huffed and glanced up, fixing her posture slightly as she noticed the kind smile. “Yeah... alright. I don’t even know why I’ve been hiding it, you know? Just kind of thought some wouldn’t be as accepting... glad that isn’t the case with you, though!” She nodded quickly, rainbow mane swaying slightly. “But, to answer your question... well, I don’t really know. I mean, I kind of just always knew! Just never found stallions all that interesting...” Rarity nodded. Part of her was relieved to hear this, as it lined up with her feelings almost exactly... though part of her was riled by this news, as she knew what this implied. “Go on.” “Well, before I do that...” Dash said, raising her head back up fully. She stared intently across the table at Rarity, eyebrow raised high. “Why are you so curious about this, anyway?” Rarity visibly flinched at the question, clearing her throat with a cough. She expected that inquiry to come, but not that quick. She clicked her tongue and shook her head. “Mm. Well, I knew that question was going to come. Let’s just say I’ve been having some conflicting feelings and leave it at that, alright?” “Oh-ho... Rarity, I never would have guessed! Those newspapers are right, huh? You’re a f-” “I said no such thing!” Rarity snapped back a little too quickly. She gulped and immediately felt the dread wash over her like a wave. Good one, Rarity. Might as well just wear a sign. “I... I mean, I said no such thing, darling! And those are simply rumors. ...Evil, crude rumors written by horrible little ponies,” she quipped, practically spitting out that last sentence with seething hatred. ...And since when did Rainbow Dash, of all ponies, read newspapers? “It... sounds like they get to you a little bit, with the way that sounded,” Dash said. Rarity huffed again, reaching with a hoof into one of the bags at her flank. Pulling out a small flask, she hugged it against her chest with one foreleg as she twisted the top off the opposite hoof, dumping a good bit of it’s contents into her teacup. It was going to be one of those days. “I won’t lie, all the rumors bother me. Maybe. A little bit.” She shrugs, levitating her drink to take a sip. A long sip. The empty cup clicked against the plate as it was set down. “Let me guess, then...” Rainbow Dash tapped at her chin with a hoof, before she pointed it at Rarity. She visibly shrunk back as she was gestured at. “You’re starting to put some thought into them, aren’t you? Why all your dates with stallions are awful and never go well, huh?” Rarity kept quiet for a long moment. Biting at her lower lip, she scratched a hoof against the seat she was on lightly in thought. “...Maybe. I trust you, Dash, to not use this against me.” “Rarity, why would you think I’d even do that to you?” Dash pulled her hoof back, setting it down on the chair. “We’ve had our disagreements before - all friends do - but you can trust me here! Besides, I wouldn’t mind someone who I can sit and stare at mares with.” Dash moved her head forward, giving a sly wink at the unicorn. “Hmph!” Rarity crossed her hooves, leaning back in her chair. “I’d never do something so... crude, as to stare at flanks out of some lustful desire to grab them!” That’s what she said, anyway. If her dreams were any indication, however... Dash wiggled the eyebrow of the winking eye, giving a snicker. “I kind of figured you’d say that. But, hey, can’t blame me for trying!” Dash sat back in her chair, flipping a strand of mane out of her eyes. Awkward silence fell over the pair for a moment, prompting Dash to speak up. “So, um, I’ve gotta ask... why’d you come to me about this? You and Fluttershy are like... best friends. I figured you’d speak to her about this before me, yeah?” “Um! Well, I just... I didn’t think that, well... I thought that perhaps... ah...” Rarity stumbled over her words, front hooves nervously clicking against her seat as she squirmed. “Well, that isn’t what’s important, either! I just figured you’d have a better understanding than she would, maybe!” She huffed, narrowing her eyes at the rainbow maned pony across the table from her. “But if I’ll keep getting assaulted with questions like this, maybe you’re right!” “Rarity, woah! Calm down!” The pegasus shook her head. “I was just asking, I didn’t mean to upset you! You gotta relax. You’re way too stressed out about this. It’s alright!” Rarity grumbled to herself as she dropped her head. She does have a point, Rarity. Calm down. You are blowing this out of proportion. Her horn glowing, she levitated the flask from before out of her pack, twisting it’s lid off and taking a long swig. Her face twisted out of disgust at the taste of the alcohol inside, but she kept it down. Anything to make this conversation easier. “Let me just get this out of the way, then, Dash. I came to you because she’s the one I’m having thoughts about. Alright? There. I said it. Are you happy now?” Dash nodded quickly, a big, beaming smile appearing on her face. “Very! That’s great, Rarity! You’ve got a crush on Fluttershy~” she mused, grin still plastered across her face ear to ear. “Shut up! Shut up! This isn’t funny!” Rarity angrily stomped a hoof against her chair, the wood creaking slightly at the strike. “This is seriiiiious, Dash!” she whined, face turning into a pout. “Okay, okay, fine. I’ll try.” She cleared her throat, nodding. “Really, Rarity. I’m here for you. What are we going to do about this, then, anyway? I’m sure you probably want to tell her, right? Just let me handle that part. I’m smooth as silk when it comes to the ladies, if you catch my drift.” “I ‘catch your drift’ perfectly, and that is exactly the opposite of what we are going to do.” Rarity narrowed her eyes, glaring across the table. “I don’t even know if she feels the same way. I might be threading the entirely wrong needle.” “...Huh?” “...Putting the shoe on the wrong hoof?” “You’re confus-” “Never mind. This is what we’re going to do...” A/N - Thanks for reading! This is my first thing to ever do with romance in general, let alone shipping. Haters gonna hate, I’m having a total blast writing this even though it’s entirely out of my element. I don’t mind critique - please, if you have any, let it out in the comments.