Tarnished Feelings

by DJLowrider


Weathering the Storm

The previous evening . . .

Despite how hard the storm was raging just outside his window, it had so far proven to not be enough to rouse Art Deco from his sleep on the sofa; especially with the added comfort of the blanket Silver had pulled over him before leaving. What had done the trick, however, was the incredibly insistent knocking coming at the front door of his home. He startled awake, eyes blinking a few times to try and clear away the bleariness.

“Blast it all… only meant to relax for a spell,” he muttered to himself as he shed the blanket and slowly left the comfort of the couch to answer the door. “Silver must have locked herself out again or something.”

Art unlocked the front door and opened it, preparing yet another reprimanding speech to his daughter about forgetfulness, not to mention coming home from social functions late at night. Instead he found a slightly haggard white Unicorn mare under the protection of an elaborate umbrella on the other side of his door. He did a double take and stammered a bit at her sudden and inexplicable appearance at his doorstep.

“R-Rarity! Why on earth are you out in this hideous weather?” he asked, quickly stepping aside to usher her in.

“I must apologize for the sudden visit, Art,” Rarity replied as she gratefully stepped into the house, levitating her umbrella to the side just inside the door. “I had to come see you immediately. Your daughter, Silver Spoon… I fear she’s had some sort of accident.”

Art felt his blood run cold and a pit form in his stomach at the news. He quickly stepped up closer to Rarity, his eyes a bit wide and wild. “What’s happened? Where is she? She’s not hurt, is she?”

“She’s unharmed, Art,” Rarity told him, putting a calming forehoof to his shoulder. “Sweetie Belle was on her way to visit me when she spotted her passed out in the middle of the road not far from Carousel Boutique. She quickly came to borrow my umbrella and then went back out to bring Silver in. As soon as Sweetie had Silver inside, I left to come let you know. She’s in good hooves, Art, she’ll be fine.”

Art stepped back a bit, breathing a heavy sigh of relief. “Thank Celestia… and more to the point, thank you and your sister, Rarity. I can’t imagine what might have happened to Silver to bring her to such a place, nevermind what may have become of her if she hadn’t been found when she was.”

“Well don’t let such thoughts trouble you,” Rarity told him with a small smile. “Rainbow Dash informed me earlier today of this storm and that it would run its course sometime overnight. Tomorrow morning you’ll have your daughter back safe and sound. Now then, I should be off back home myself. Have a good evening, Art, and-”

Rarity was cut off mid-sentence by a bright flash and an ear-splitting crack of thunder as the storm intensified outside. She startled and found herself quickly clinging to Art afterwards.

“Hmm… I would have to protest that idea, Rarity,” Art told her as he listened to the now much more violent storm’s sounds. “It’s neither wise nor safe to be out in such elements. You’re welcome to stay the night here if you like.”

“Are you certain?” Rarity asked, quickly separating herself from him as she realized how forward she was being with him. “I wouldn’t want to impose…”

Art scoffed at the notion. “Someone like you could never be an imposition, Rarity. I insist. It wouldn’t be proper for me to turn you out into that mess outside.”

Rarity smiled some again at his manners and nodded in concession to him. “Well, I suppose it would be ungracious of me to refuse such an offer. Thank you, Art.”

“My pleasure. Now, what say I put on the kettle for some tea?”

“Oh yes, please. A spot of tea would be ever so welcome right now.”

Art smiled and, after locking the front door again, turned in the direction of the kitchen. “Right this way, then, if you will.”

As Rarity followed Art, she couldn’t help but look around his home some. Art’s home was not only rather well-furnished, the walls were decorated with various pieces of his artwork that he’d done for personal reasons rather than for selling. His art style used lots of different shapes with dramatic lines and curves. It was bold, lavish, and exuded a sense of optimism for progress. To say it appealed to Rarity’s sensibilities was an understatement, but then to say Art was someone who also appealed to her was a similar understatement as well.

“I do hope I didn’t wake you from a sound sleep, Art,” Rarity noted as they entered the kitchen.

Art shook his head a bit as he put his tea kettle into the sink and turned on the faucet to fill it with water. “Oh don’t worry, I didn’t mean to fall asleep on the- hang on, how did you know I was sleeping?”

Rarity giggled a bit and pointed to his mane. “You have a marvelous case of bedhead, darling.”

Art took his attention from the kettle to look up at his mane. Sure enough, it was matted and sticking out in a few different directions. He fumbled and flustered a bit as he wet his hooves under the water, trying to apply it to his head to calm his unruly hair. As he did, the kettle began overflowing with water which only caused him to stammer and fluster further. Rarity couldn’t help but giggle more at him. Like her, but in his own ways, Art was an incredibly proper pony and when he was off his game he got like this. It was adorable to her to see, and a touch endearing as well. She had relatively few friends who shared her sense of propriety, so to have someone else around who did was simply a delight for her.

“I’m sorry, Rarity,” Art said with a sigh as he finally got the faucet turned off. “I meant to get you out of the rain and now there’s water everywhere in here.”

Rarity shook her head at him, smiling. “Oh don’t think anything of it, Art. But do take a moment to compose yourself. Your inner Fillydelphian is showing in your speech.”

Just as she’d said, Art realized he’d pronounced the word “water” as though it sounded like “wudder” among other pronunciations. He sighed again and fell silent as he placed the tea kettle on a burner atop his stove and turned the heat on underneath it.

“Terribly sorry about that,” he said, turning back to face her. He’d managed to compose himself enough that his accent wasn’t immediately evident again. “I suppose I’m still a bit on edge from your news earlier. Silver is the only family I have, after all.”

“I don’t fault you at all for being concerned, Art,” Rarity told him as she approached him. “At the same time, though, I seem to keep forgetting that you’re not originally from Ponyville. Or, for that matter, that Silver doesn’t have a mother.”

“More that her mother was never a part of her life,” Art replied a bit bitterly. “By her own choice, I might add.”

“It simply boggles my mind that she could go so far as to bear a daughter but be so self-absorbed that she would abandon her at such a young age,” Rarity said, a touch of disgust to her tone. “Not to mention saddle you with the responsibility of raising her all on your own.”

“Divorce and infidelity are rather commonplace in Fillydelphian high society,” Art noted simply. “Silver’s mother was more interested in maintaining her socialite lifestyle than being a parent, whereas I had been entirely ready to devote myself to fatherhood. Rather than stay in Fillydelphia and potentially expose Silver to that life, I opted to move as far from there as I could afford to at the time. That turned out to be Ponyville, and the rest is history.”

“A history that I’m glad to have been a part of,” Rarity told him, smiling once again. “I think the first time I ever met you was when my parents asked you for a family portrait of us for my sister’s first birthday.”

Art chuckled a bit at the memory. “Ah yes, I recall Sweetie Belle being rather a hooffull for your mother, Pearl. No matter how many times I assured them that they didn’t need to keep her perfectly still for me. Your father Magnum, however, took it as a personal challenge to do his best impersonation of a statue. And you couldn’t help but look completely embarrassed by your family and their antics.”

“I can’t imagine any filly of the age I was at the time not finding everything their family does to be completely embarrassing,” Rarity said in her defense.

“I suppose that’s true,” Art said, chuckling more. “Silver went through a similar phase a few years ago herself.” He paused to take a now whistling kettle off of the heat and pour the boiling water into a pair of teacups. He then added tea bags to each cup and offered one to Rarity, who smiled warmly as she levitated her teacup over to herself, keeping it perfectly balanced in mid-air.

“Thank you ever so much, Art,” she told him, ignoring the cup for the time being in order to give it time to steep.

“My pleasure, of course,” Art replied, taking a moment to look thoughtfully down at his own teacup on the counter.

“Something the matter?”

“Just reminiscing some. We’ve had a rather interesting history, haven’t we?”

“To say the least, darling. I think the first time I really got to know you was the following year.”

“At that year’s Winter Wrap Up. I remember it quite clearly. It was both of ours first year being part of the animal team. I had come up with a new design for the nests to be more spacious and comfortable, but there was just something missing.”

“It simply needed a little extra aesthetic touch, which I accomplished rather easily with just a bit of ribbon.”

“And a few years later you took over making the nests entirely on your own while I was reassigned to the gardening team.”

“I do hope you didn’t mind that. I never intended to steal that job from you.”

“Oh it was no big deal, really. Being an Earth pony I’m more suited for such physical labor anyway. I am rather deceptively stallionesque after all.”

Art puffed his chest out in an attempt to make himself look bigger and more musclebound, but such was clearly - and rather hilariously - not the case. Both he and Rarity burst into laughter at his display.

“Well, in my opinion you’re still a far better stallion than any other who’s attempted to court me, Art,” Rarity told him after finally regaining her composure.

“Magnum has confided in me on occasion that he hasn’t been all that thrilled with some of your choices of coltfriends. But then fathers seldom do approve of the stallions that take interest in their daughters. Goodness knows I don’t look forward to the day Silver brings someone home to introduce to me.”

“Well I know for a fact that he approves of you.”

Art gave her a small smirk. “Even though I’m so much-”

“If you’re about to go on about your age again, I forbid you to do so,” Rarity said, cutting him off before he could finish.

“Rarity, I’m what? Over ten years your senior?”

Rarity simply smirked at him. “Nice try, darling, but you know a lady never reveals her age. But honestly, Art, we’ve been over this before so many times. You are not all that old.”

“I first knew you when you were still essentially a filly, Rarity. I’ve practically watched you grow up into the beautiful, refined mare you’ve become. You can’t blame me for feeling rather self-conscious about that all things considered.”

“Do you see Fancy Pants and Fleur de Lis concerning themselves over the disparity in their ages?”

“Rarity I am a far cry from someone of his stature or importance. They’ve earned the right to be beyond such scrutiny.”

“And you have as well,” Rarity told him emphatically, setting her tea aside. “Your professional accomplishments and involvement in Ponyville’s community aside, you are nothing if not a devoted father to Silver. You are not some lecherous old stallion lusting after young mares.”

“Of course I’m not! It’s just… I don’t… I mean I’m not…”

“Yes…?”

“Rarity, I’m not the kind of stallion you were typically seen with before. You have to have heard the scuttlebutt going around about us by now. I certainly have, and while I’m not thrilled about the image others are getting of me I’m far less thrilled with what’s being said about you. You and I both know the importance of appearances in our social circles. I don’t want such harmful words being said about you. You deserve better than that, so very much better than that.”

“Art… believe me, I’m more aware than anyone of my penchant for not being so discerning about who I dated in the past. I know rather well how it must look for me to be seen in public with you at social events and such. I’ve talked about this with my own friends extensively, and they’ve helped me remember something very important.”

“And what would that be?” Art asked, sounding slightly exasperated at this point.

“That no one is meant to be alone,” she told him, her voice full of resolve. “And all the status and prestige in the world is meaningless if you don’t have anyone you care about to share it all with. I came to realize - slowly but surely - that every time I had a failed relationship with somepony, you were there for me... simply being there for me as a friend and confidant. You never tried to ‘pick me up on the rebound’ as Rainbow Dash likes to put it. You just did as you’re doing for me right now… offering me tea, comfort, and real friendship. Can you blame me, then, for finally deciding that you were the one I should have been giving that attention to instead of the bevy of young suitors who seemed to simply be taking turns trying to woo me? Your age and your past aren’t even worth considering as far as I’m concerned, Art. Those things don’t define who you are. You are far more than that. You are one of the finest ponies I’ve ever known, certainly one of the best stallions I’ve ever met. And I would be remiss if I didn’t admit that I cannot help but think fondly of you anytime I can spare a moment.”

Rarity ended her little speech with a touch of redness having crept into her cheeks and a small, warm smile on her face. Art, for his part, was struck speechless at the rather frank admission of affection. His mouth opened and closed wordlessly for several moments. The placid smile on Rarity’s face, however, combined with her earnest feelings was enough to convince him of what needed to happen. He simply took a moment to take a long, stabilizing sip of his tea before he spoke again.

“Would you come with me for a moment, Rarity?” he asked. “I could use your help looking for something.”

“Of course, Art,” Rarity replied with a nod. “As I’m availing myself of your hospitality, the least I can do is be of assistance to you in some manner.”

Art merely nodded his thanks to her and led her from his kitchen up to his room where, after a bit of digging through his closet, he pulled out a small chest. Opening it, Rarity saw it to be filled with various bits of jewelry.

“My word, Art… that’s a rather impressive collection,” she noted a bit breathlessly. Shiny things had always been a weakness of hers.

“Occasionally clients have paid for my works with such things rather than bits,” Art explained. “There’s one piece in particular that I’ve been looking for, though. Perhaps you with your magic might be able to help me sort through these things to find it?”

“I would be happy to assist, darling,” Rarity replied with a smile. She immediately began working her magic, lifting one piece after another from the chest to set aside. “Oh, that does remind me… Silver’s necklace will need some repair I believe. Sweetie Belle said she was found with a bowl full of pearls nearby, which I can only imagine were those she typically wears around her neck.”

“Ah yes, I had meant to tell her to get them restrung again soon,” Art noted with a nod as he watched the jewelry carefully as it floated by him piece by piece. “I’ve had it done for her every couple of years since they’re a favorite accessory of hers.”

“Color me surprised she’s so attached to that necklace. Might I ask what’s so special about those pearls?”

“Well… this is a bit embarrassing to admit, but it was the first gift of jewelry I ever gave her,” Art said, a nostalgic smile spreading across his face. “It was a present for her fifth birthday. Like these pieces, it was something I was given as payment for services rendered. At the time, I had no idea what a five-year old filly would want for a birthday present, so I just gave her those pearls and hoped for the best. I will never forget how her face lit up as she looked at them… or how tightly she hugged me after I put them on her. That was the first moment I remembered feeling truly happy since I’d brought her here. She promised me she would always take care of them, and that someday she’d take care of me as well.”

Art looked up at Rarity, who had paused the magical parade of jewelry to try and compose herself as his short story had been rather touching to hear. “I know she hasn’t always treated others such as your sister favorably, and I’ve done everything I could as her father to keep her on the right track. I suppose just having me as her only parent may not have been enough.”

“Don’t think for a second that she’s turned out ‘wrong’ because of you, Art,” Rarity told him emphatically. “No one could ask more of a father than what you’ve done for her. I’m sure she will come around someday. She’s your daughter after all. She comes from good stock.”

“Thank you, Rarity,” Art told her, nodding to her as she resumed her magic to continue going through the contents of the chest. “Still, I realize there are things that perhaps I can’t do for her. I think there are some things that do take a mare’s touch when it comes to raising a filly. And- ah, here it is.”

Art plucked a particular piece of jewelry out of the air as he spotted it just beginning to rise from the chest. He brought it over closer to show to Rarity, holding it out in one hoof. It was a thin chain from which hung a modest gold ring with a single Marquise-cut diamond set on it.

“Art… what is that…?” Rarity asked, a hint of a tremble creeping into her voice.

“This ring belonged to my grandmother,” Art replied as he removed it from the chain. “My grandfather used it to propose to her ages ago. Originally my mother gave it to me for me to use when I was thinking of proposing to my first wife, but well... the style and cut of the gem weren't fashionable at the time, so I put it in that chest years ago figuring I’d never have a use for it… except now I do.”

Rarity couldn’t help but gasp. “Art… are you-”

“Silver could certainly use a proper mare to be a role model and guide to her at this point in her life,” Art told her as he looked into her eyes smiling. “And I… I don’t think I want to be alone anymore. Especially when I’ve never been more sure of how I felt about somepony as I am about you, Rarity. Will you marry me?”

As if she wasn’t emotional enough already from Art’s story about Silver’s pearls, now Rarity felt simply overcome at his proposal. She waved a hoof at her face a bit, feeling like she needed a touch of air. It was her turn to be struck wordless, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t respond and she did so by levitating the ring up to slide carefully onto her horn and nodding to him once it was in place.

The two embraced tightly as their engagement was sealed, both of them allowing their emotions to overcome them. Rarity had finally found the love of a lifetime, and Art finally felt as though he could move on from the past that had trapped him for over a decade. They stayed simply holding each other for some time, eventually taking just enough time to put away the chest of jewelry before deciding to celebrate their engagement properly for the remainder of the night.