"I think you should tell her," Spike said.
"Tell who what?" Shining asked, turning to look at the young dragon.
"Rarity. You need to warn her about Prince Blueblood. You know what kind of stallion he is."
"Spike," Shining sighed, giving a shake of his head. "We went over this during the whole ticket disaster. We never met the prince."
"But we heard-"
"Gossip," Shining interrupted, "among the guards that were complaining about work over a couple of drinks. And I'm pretty sure that we recently had a lesson on why making decisions on gossip and rumors is bad, didn't we?"
"But this is different," Spike pleaded. "I'm not saying you should try to keep Rarity away from Prince Blueblood."
"Though I bet you wouldn't mind."
"I'm just saying that maybe you should warn her, just in case they are true."
"Why can't you tell her?" Shining asked, raising an eyebrow.
Spike shifted, grabbing a hold of his tail and twisting it.
"I tried," the young dragon finally said, "but every time I looked at Rarity, I completely forgot what it was that I wanted to talk to her about."
"Are the caterpillars you swallowed all grown up now?" Shining asked, grinning.
Spike looked at the stallion and scrunched his face. One eyebrow raised up.
"What?"
"Butterflies in your stomach," Shining said. Spike let out a painful groan and rolled his eyes.
"That was terrible. Look, could you please just tell her? If I'm wrong, the worst that could happen is that she'll think you worry about her too much. If I'm right, then at least she'll be ready for whatever happens."
Shining Armor rubbed his chin as he considered it. Rarity did have a very specific way she imagined the whole event, and she could get kind of sensitive when things were not exactly as she expected them to be. It was something that drove her to work quite hard on her outfits and designs most of the time. On the other hoof, that combined with her sensitivity could sometimes make her seem overly dramatic. Usually about small things, granted, but how would she react if the prince not only failed to live up to her expectations, but even half of what they had overheard was true?
"Okay," Shining said. "You may be right. I guess I can give her a heads up, just in case."
"Thanks," Spike said.
"Don't mention it. Especially if this turns out to be for nothing."
Shining went over to where the the mares were all getting ready. He could hear the sound of excited chattering from the other side of the door. It seemed that they were all very excited about the upcoming Gala tonight. He could even hear Fluttershy as well as the others, even if Pinkie Pie was still the easiest to understand. It made him feel a little guilty about having to interrupt.
Taking a deep slow breath, he knocked.
"Rarity," he called out. "It's Shining Armor. I need to speak with you."
There was a moment of silence as the mares all stopped talking. Hooves approached the door before it opened. Rarity stuck her head through the gap. Her mane was hanging down and seemed to still have drops of water rolling down along the length.
"Yes, darling?" she said. "What is it?"
"Uh... can we talk in private?"
"I'm sorry," Rarity replied, "but I'm afraid this is the best I can do. We are getting ready for the Gala after all, and I am quite naked."
"Uh, Rarity?" Applejack's voice called from somewhere in side the room. "Aren't we normally naked?"
"That is quite a different matter," Rarity called back.
Naked, Shining Armor thought. There were five mares that were mostly naked in the room. Some of them were probably freshly showered. With dripping wet mane glistening as it hung down. Smelling of a fresh mix of their clean aroma, their soap, and shampoos. Five mares glistening with wet coats and showing off their shapely forms.
"Shining?" Rarity asked. "Are you alright? You look a little pink in the face."
"Fine," Shining blurted out. "Fine fine. I'm fine."
Rarity tilted her head and quirked one of her eyebrows. Shining Armor shifted under her curious gaze, feeling his cheeks burn hotter as embarrassment mixed with the blush from his inappropriate fantasies.
"Anyway," Shining said as he composed himself, "Spike and I were talking, and.... Well..." He shifted his hooves. "We thought it would be a good idea to give you a heads up."
"'A heads up?'" Rarity repeated, the term sounding foreign to her when she said it. "What exactly is it you are trying to give me a... 'heads up' about?"
"Well..." He moved and leaned in. "It's...Uhm..." He chewed on his lip a moment.
"Shining, sweetie," Rarity said, getting his attention. "I am rather busy preparing at the moment. Please do hurry up and explain already."
"Okay, okay. I know you're excited to meet Prince Blueblood-" He stopped as he heard Rarity gasp.
"Do you mean to tell me that you know him?"
"No," Shining Armor replied. "Not really. But...We've heard some of the guards talking about him and-"
"Oh, Shining, really?' Rarity said, giving a shake of her head. "After all we've been through with Zecora, and you were the one who was trying to keep us rational through the whole matter."
"I know, I know." Shining sighed and rubbed at his head. "This is tough for me, and I really hope I'm wrong. It's just... According to the guards, Blueblood is rude, pompous, and condescending. If that's the case.... You're my friend Rarity, and I don't want to see you get hurt if things don't go the way you imagine."
"Aww," Rarity said with a smile. "That's sweet of you, and I appreciate it, but I'm certain that your worry is unnecessary. I'm sure a prince among all nobles would know how to behave properly and treat a lady. More than likely what you heard was either exaggeration or petty jealousy."
"I hope so," Shining said.
"Now if there is nothing out, I really must finish preparing for The Gala."
"No. That's it." Shining gave a small smile as the door closed before heading back.
"Everything okay?" Spike asked as Shining Armor came back.
"As well as can be expected," Shining Armor answered. "I need to get ready myself. Are you sure you don't want to come to the gala with us?"
"No way. I told you I don't go for that gunk. I'll be waiting for you at Pony Joe's."
"Alright," Shining said with a chuckle. "Just don't eat all the strawberry and sprinkles."
"I make no promises," the dragon called after him.