Rarity looked up from her romance novel, "Led Astray", and glanced out of her window. Water droplets streaked the surface of the glass, distorting her reflection ever so slightly. It had been raining for a while now, and it didn't look like it was going to stop any time soon. Raine slept soundlessly on the seat across from Rarity, a slight smile playing across her lips as she dreamed. The carriage had dropped them off at the train station little more than an hour ago, and they were now on they're way back home to Ponyville. Boarding the train, however, had proved a little awkward for Raine. Ponies all around her stared and grimaced at her, sneering as they turned back to whatever they were doing previously. Rarity had told her to ignore them and to keep her chin held high. But Raine was still uncomfortable, so Rarity had gotten them a private compartment on the train, where prying eyes would not cause Raine any more discomfort. And it had proved to be a good idea, as Raine had passed out not ten minutes into the train ride home.
Rarity looked back to the filly she had adopted into her life and family, smiling to herself. She looked so sweet when she was dreaming. Her nose crinkled in the cutest way as her forehoof twitched. Stifling a giggle, Rarity looked to the hills in the distance. She could just barely make out the silhouette of the mountains near Hollow Shades. It would be another hour and a half before she would see the Foal Mountain. If she were to guess, they wouldn't reach Ponyville for another six hours, so it would be close to nightfall by the time they arrived. Sighing to herself, Rarity stood up from her seat and stretched her legs, working out the stiffness in them. Deciding to stroll down the train car, she would go to the concessions car and get her and Raine something to snack on until they reached Ponyville.
Stepping out of the compartment, she shut the door quietly, so not to disturb the slumbering filly. Hearing the door click, she set off in search of food. As she walked, she began to wonder how her friends would react to Raine. The ponies in Manehattan had been absolutely dreadful towards her, and she would hate to have to put that upon the poor filly if her friends were the same way about her. If her friends and the rest of her family acted rashly towards Raine, what would she do? She very well couldn't move as her boutique was her source of business income as well as her home, and she was most definitely not taking Raine back! It would be incredibly wrong of her to put so much hope and happiness into the poor dear, only to shatter those hopes with a most unforgivable act of betrayal. And she just couldn't give up such a kind and adorable little filly. She was well mannered, she kept her physical appearance very well maintained, and she was exactly what she needed to bring her dull life out of the black and white.
Rarity shook her head, chiding herself. How could she think so ill of her friends? They had been through so much together, been on so many grand adventures, and saved Equestria on multiple occasions. They were more like sisters to her than friends, and she was absolutely sure that they would not show any prejudice to Raine for her unique appearance. Fluttershy would definitely love her, as they're personalities are almost alike. Rainbow Dash would undoubtedly find her... erm, what were the words? Radical? Awesome, maybe? Twilight would definitely find her interesting, though if she tries to conduct any kind of experiment on Raine, then she and Rarity would most assuredly have words. Applejack.... Rarity wasn't sure. She didn't know where Applejack would stand on the subject, but if she sees Raine just as she did, then there surely wouldn't be a problem. Pinkie Pie? Oh sweet Celestia, Pinkie Pie. Rarity would have to warn Raine about her, as to avoid the poor dear having a heart attack.
As Rarity walked back to the compartment she and Raine shared, two apples in tow, she began to wonder about her sister. What would Sweetie Belle think of Raine? How would she deal with being an Aunt? And at such a young age. Raine was just barely younger than Sweetie. Hopefully they would get along.
Opening the door to the compartment, she found Raine still sleeping peacefully. Her mouth was slightly open, and her hooves stuck out over the edges of the seat. Rarity's lips curled into a soft smile as she looked at the filly she would come to call her daughter. Setting the apples down on the compartment table, she quietly brought herself up onto the seat with Raine, and, positioning herself carefully, laid with the young filly, curling her body around Raine's small form, her head resting on one of Rarity's forelegs, while Rarity draped her tail softly over Raine's tiny body. Laying her head down, Rarity closed her eyes, and soon after, fell asleep.
* * * * *
Twilight was in her basement, carefully tilting a vial of green liquid into a beaker of orange liquid. She had to be very careful not to add to much of the green to the orange, or the results could end up worse than last time, and she did not enjoy being three inches tall. Climbing the steps up to the library had been an all day effort just to get to spike so he could help her reverse the effects of the chemical mistake. Tilting the vial ever so slightly, she watched a drop of thick green liquid liquid slowly drip into the beaker. Quickly snapping the vial back up straight, she levitated a quill and parchment to her side and jotted down a few notes while she watched the orange liquid in the beaker change blue. Squinting her eyes, Twilight watched feverishly as the liquid changed again. "Please don't be yellow, please don't be yellow, please don't be yellow!" Eyes growing wide, she bolted out of the basement as fast as she could as the yellow liquid in the beaker started to glow brightly, before exploding in a cloud of dandelion smoke.
Spike was in the library, reading a magazine, when Twilight suddenly burst through the basement door, slamming it shut. Spike cocked an eyebrow as he saw a steady stream of yellow smoke trickle out from under the door way.
"Too much green?" The young dragon asked.
Twilight rolled her eyes as she caught her breath. "Yes, Spike. Too much 'green'."
Spike chuckled as he set his magazine down. Hopping down from the couch, he walked into the kitchen and shortly after returned with a glass of water. Twilight gratefully took it in her magic and drained the glass in seconds. Gasping for air, Twilight smiled and slid her back down the door until she was in a sitting position.
"Maybe you should take a break, Twilight. We need to go get the others and head to the train station to welcome Rarity back."
Twilight looked tat Spike, then at the clock, and let out a sigh. "Your right Spike. Besides, I can't wait to see who she brought back with her." Twilight smiled as she remembered the conversation she and Rarity had a week prior. Standing up, she walked towards the door of the library. "Come on, Spike. The sooner we get the girls, the sooner we can get to the station!"
Spike smiled widely and ran up to Twilight, jumping onto her back. With that, they left the library, and started off for Sugarcube Corner, the towns favorite sweet shop.
* * * * *
Raine woke up slowly to the sound of the trains wheels click-clacking on the tracks. Smacking her lips in a futile attempt to bring moisture to her mouth, she raised her her up a few inches, looking out the window. It was considerably darker than when she fell asleep, and it wasn't raining anymore. Stretching her legs outward, she noticed something blocking her advance. A set of snow white legs with very shiny hooves. Tilting her head in confusion, Raine followed the legs until she found the owner. Rarity was asleep on the seat she was in, and she was wrapped around Raine in a way that reminded Raine of how mommy lions protected they're babies. Raine also took notice of the expertly styled and flawless tail spread across her body. 'No wonder I'm warm.' Raine thought to herself. Figuring she might as well enjoy it while it lasted, Raine snuggled into the warm mare surrounding her tiny body. With a contented sigh, Raine smiled. She was finally going to have a home, and real food, and maybe ever friends! Raine giggled to herself at the thought. Friends. She definitely could go for some of those.
As raine giggle, Rarity stirred from her slumber, raising her head from the compartment seats cushion. Fluttering her eyelids to clear the slight fog in her vision, she yawned, startling the filly in her embrace.
"Oh, your awake! Sorry, I didn't mean to be loud." Raine looked up at Rarity, worried she might have done something to make her angry.
Rarity yawned again. "It's quite alright, dear. It looks as if I woke up just in time." Looking at the lush green hills, Rarity could see Ponyville in the distance. "It seems we are but a moment away from our destination."
Raine hopped up quickly, looking out the window to see the small town nearing them with every passing second. Suddenly, a frown split across her face. "Miss Rarity..."
Rarity looked to see the troubled face Raine had taken upon herself. "What is it, darling?"
"Do you think I'll make any friends here?"
Rarity looked at the young filly with a smile. "Of course you will. I know for a fact a certain three fillies would love to be your friend."
Raine looked back to Rarity, worry still written on her face. "But what if no one likes me? What if they get scared of me like everypony else?"
Rarity bit her lip, trying to think of a way to reassure the filly. Rarity sighed and smiled. "Don't worry about that, darling. If someone doesn't like you, there is still a whole town of those who just might. And if anyone tries to lay they're grime covered hooves, I have enough sharp objects in my boutique to 'persuade' them to apologize." Rarity said this as several sewing needles flew from her bag, floating before Raine in a field of Rarity's magical aura.
Raine giggled at this and smiled up at Rarity. "Thank you Miss Rarity."
Rarity held in her own giggles. "Oh darling, just Rarity is fine. I didn't hire you, I adopted you." Rarity pulled Raine gently closer into a hug to emphasize her point.
Smiling, Raine nuzzled into the embrace. This is what she waited for all her life . Someone to show her that they cared about her. Someone to hold her and keep her safe. Rarity may not know it, but this simple hug meant more to Raine than anything in the world. Just the feeling she got from it, a gentle warmth, was enough to make Raine's every worry melt away.
As if on cue, the train whistle blasted through the silence, snapping the two from they're moment of affection. The train had stopped and the window no longer held an image of rolling hills and trees, but was now a train station, full of ponies in suits or tourist garb. With a bright smile, Rarity sat up and stretched out her stiff legs.
"Shall we then? Rarity asked, looking back at Raine.
The young filly looked out the window, and with a look of determination and a smile, she looked back to Rarity and nodded.
* * * * *
The train station was packed, but not to bursting. Just enough to make it uncomfortable for a certain group of ponies, plus one dragon. The train had arrived and the passengers were stepping off the platform. Everybody knows that five pair of eyes were surely better at finding somepony than one pair, but when it came to Rarity, anyone who knew Spike the Dragon would definitely be placing they're bets on him. And without much surprise, it was aforementioned dragon that spotted Rarity first.
"There she is, Twilight!" Spike said with wide smile and a sparkle in his eyes.
Twilight giggled as the dragon swiftly weaved through the crowd of ponies, trying to keep up with him and not bother anypony else by bumping into them, the rest of her friends following close behind. Withing seconds, the 5 mares (plus one dragon) were standing at the platform with gleeful smiles.
"Welcome back Rarity! Did you find what you were looking for in Manehattan?" Twilight asked curiously.
"I most certainly did, darling, and she is the sweetest young thing ever."
An orange mare with a straw colored mane stepped forward. When she spoke, it her voice carried a thick southern drawl. "Well then, lets see her! Applebloom's been all excited 'bout makin' a new friend and it's been a might difficult to keep her calm this past week."
"Yeah! Scoot's has been pretty excited herself. Hard to keep up with her once she starts buzzing around." A Pegasus mare with a prismatic mane and tail said, flying just barely above the crowed.
Rarity smiled brightly at her friends enthusiasm. Looking behind her, Rarity spoke to the young filly behind her. "It's ok darling. You can come out now."
The five friends watched eagerly as a small form stepped out from behind they're sixth. When she finally stepped out for them to seem, a pink blur shot out and scooped her up into a hug.
"Welcome to Ponyville! I'm Pinkie Pie, the official go to party pony of Ponyville! I can't wait to start throwing you a party so we can be best friends because I'm friends with everypony in Ponyville and I mean EVERYPONY! So whats your name?" When Pinkie finally stopped talking she set Raine down and looked at her with a grin so wide it hurt Raine's mouth just looking at it.
"I-I'm Raine." The stunned filly replied. Looking behind her at Rarity, she saw the fashionista give her an apologetic smile. Deciding it would probably be a good idea to save Raine, Rarity stepped forward and introduced her to the five smiling mares (and puzzled dragon).
"Raine, these are my friends, Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Applejack, and you've met Pinkie Pie of course, and last but not least, Spike." Spike perked up considerably as she pointed out her friends as she named them, her hoof stopping at the young drake.
Raine stood in awe as she looked at the faces of Rarity's friends, noticing that not one of them held a look of disdain or disgust. Before she knew it, the mares stepped forward to properly greet her. She hardly heard them though, as she was still in shock. No one was looking down on her, or giving her a cold stare. All she could feel from the present company was genuine interest and what she hoped so very much to be friendship. As these realizations took hold, her smile only grew wider as tears slowly sprang into her eyes.
"Darling, whatever is the matter?" Raine heard Rarity say as she wiped the tears from her muzzle with a hoof. Raine looked at Rarity, and without saying a word, she rushed forward and hugged Rarity tightly.
Looking down at the filly who held her tightly, she noticed that these were not tears of sadness or fear. Rarity soon overcame the surprise as it dawned on her. Placing a hoof around the filly, her filly, she hugged her closely as her friends looked at her and smiled warmly. Her new life had finally begun, and with it, a brighter future. And all because of Raine. Her Raine, her filly, her daughter.