//------------------------------// // 2. Decisions // Story: Our Lady's Courtship // by Rough_Draft //------------------------------// From the other side of her bedroom wall, Sweetie Belle could hear a steady thump-thump. She had originally thought it was nothing more than a mouse scurrying through the wainscotting, but it was so persistent that she couldn’t focus on her textbook a second longer. And it was a boring enough read anyway. With a grunt, she jumped off her bed and trotted over to Rarity’s room to investigate. Her sister was lying on her fainting couch—already a bad sign. Sweetie Belle watched as Rarity curled up into a ball, continuing to slam her front hooves onto the couch one at a time. Thump-thump, thump-thump. With each thump, Rarity sobbed and buried her face into the couch, murmuring something unintelligible. “R-Rarity?” Sweetie Belle didn’t know what to say. “What’s wrong?” It was always something with Rarity, from a cancelled dress order to a spurned confession of love. Sweetie Belle had lost track of how often this had happened. After the thirteenth time—last year—she’d made sure to lock away every carton of vanilla oat swirl in the basement freezer. Even in her most pitiful state, Rarity would never dare set hoof in that grimy place. “Oh, Sweetie, my darling!” Rarity gasped and lifted her head, revealing wet mascara streaked across her eyes and frizzled hairs in her mane. “Oh, precious, it’s the worst. Thing. Ever! I really do mean it this time!” Sweetie Belle opened her mouth, but she still couldn’t think of what to say. With a shrug, she trotted over to the fainting couch and hopped up. Rarity glanced in puzzlement as Sweetie Belle snuggled up against her, resting her own head on her smaller hooves. “Mm…” Rarity threw a foreleg around her sister and hugged her close. “Mm, yes. That’s…” She sniffled and wiped at her nose with her other hoof. “Yes, much better. Thank you…” “Of course!” Sweetie Belle normally kept a policy of staying away from Rarity when she fell into hysterics, but this time felt different. She could feel the sadness radiating off her sister from mane to tail. It wasn’t like the usual humiliation or failure she’d go through with somepony else. This was genuine pain. And seeing it in Rarity scared Sweetie Belle. “Tell me what’s wrong?” she asked, keeping her voice low. “Maybe I can help.” Rarity shook her head. “It’s…”—she paused to take a deep, shuddering breath—“it’s not something you can fix, darling. It’s so personal, you see. So very personal…” “C’mon, Rarity.” Sweetie Belle snuggled deeper into her side. “We’re sisters. You can tell me anything!” “No, dearest…” Rarity dropped her head back onto the couch. Her foreleg tightened around Sweetie Belle and she reached one hoof around to brush at her sister’s mane. “No, it’s too much to bear. Please, let me have this a little longer.” She sniffled again. “I-I’m sure once I’m all cried out I’ll be fine…” Sweetie Belle had heard that excuse before, and while it was usually true, it wasn’t healthy—like gorging on vanilla oat swirl straight from the carton. But what else could she do, she wondered, if not sit and wait it out? Meanwhile, she glanced around the bedroom, taking note of the packed suitcases and valises towering on the bed. Blinking, Sweetie Belle continued to examine the changes in the room. Rarity had taken down or packed up all those little mementoes and souvenirs from her many trips across Equestria—even the prized fire ruby that Spike had given her on his birthday. The walls and closets felt empty, like standing in the middle of an abandoned lot. “Um, Rarity?” Sweetie Belle eyed the pile of suitcases on the bed. “Are you going somewhere?” “I…” Rarity shook her head. “No, precious. Don’t you worry.” She tightened her foreleg around her again. “I was just being silly. Thought I’d schedule a trip to Manehattan, but when I realized how much I’d have to do to move the two of us there…” Her voice trailed off into a slight groan. “Oh, Celestia help me, I’m such a fool!” “Don’t say that.” Sweetie Belle nuzzled her sister’s neck. “You’re my awesome big sister!” “A-am I?” Rarity glanced over at her, blinking back fresh tears. “Am I… awesome?” “Of course you are!” Sweetie Belle grinned. “That’s what makes the Cutie Mark Crusaders such a cool club! We’ve all got the best big sisters in the whole world!” Rarity giggled. “Well, I’ve always said so…” She wiped her nose again with a sigh, but to Sweetie Belle’s ears, it sounded less tormented than before. “Thank you, dear. I needed to hear that.” Sweetie Belle cuddled her with a little more enthusiasm. “Anytime, sis.” “I think I’ll take a nap and then I’ll get started on dinner, alright?” Rarity shuffled deeper into her couch, curling up like a cat. “Would you be a dear and get me a blanket from the dresser? It’s the lavender one with the star motif and the pink lining.” “Sure thing!” Sweetie Belle jumped off the couch and ran toward the dresser. But as she did, she thought about Rarity’s woes and wondered again if there was something—or somepony—that could help. Maybe I should ask Twilight if she’s got a book on depression. Sweetie Belle giggled as she took out the blanket, clutching at the hem with her teeth. I’ll bet she’s got at least ten in the library! Sunlight poured in through the bedroom window, tickling at Twilight’s muzzle. She yawned and stretched out her hooves, savoring the warm and comfy bed. She didn’t remember her mattress being this soft before. As she opened her eyes, she realized that there was a buttery yellow lump in bed with her. She blinked again. Her vision focused as the lump took shape, becoming a yellow pegasus with a tousled pink mane. Fluttershy looked so peaceful when she slept that Twilight was jealous. She knew the poor thing was so frought with anxiety, much like Twilight fretted over every letter from Celestia and her duties as a princess, but somehow the timid pegasus could always get a good night’s rest. It took another second or two for Twilight to realize that she was holding Fluttershy. With a bashful grin, she let go and sat up. Right on cue, Fluttershy murmured something in her sleep and followed up with a quiet content smile. I’m sure you’re overthinking it, a small voice in Twilight’s head offered. You’re just imagining that anything happened. You had a pleasant sleepover with a good friend, nothing more. That much she could remember. Twilight had enjoyed a nice dinner of greens and some stew, with carrot cake for dessert—at Angel Bunny’s insistence. Then she and Fluttershy had chatted some more; Twilight had realized she needed to catch up on life in Ponyville, having shut everypony out with her depression. And then Fluttershy had offered to share her bed with Twilight, who’d been too sleepy to refuse. And that was it. Twilight let out a sigh of relief and looked over at the sleeping pegasus. She really was quite adorable. Pinkie Pie had her songs and Rainbow Dash had her stunts, but for Twilight, the quality that set Fluttershy apart was her caring smile. Just seeing that happy face could brighten up anypony’s day. “Oh, my…” Fluttershy’s wings popped open as she stretched out her forelegs. Her mane shimmered over her pillow like a tiny pink tidal wave as she looked over at Twilight. “Mmm. Good morning, Twilight…” “Morning,” Twilight answered. She scooted over to the edge of the bed. “Sleep well?” “Oh, yes, but I was…” Fluttershy paused to yawn and covered her mouth. “But I was going to ask you the same thing.” “I did.” Running a quick inventory of her body, Twilight jumped off the bed and landed on all four hooves. She shook her tail, watching its lively motion with interest. “Can’t remember the last time I slept so well.” “Good.” With each second, Fluttershy sounded more alert. She pushed aside the quilt and flew into the air over her bed. A gentle glide to the left brought her to land beside Twilight. “Why don’t you take a shower and I’ll get breakfast ready?” So thoughtful, Twilight thought with a grin. Coming here really had been the best idea. “I’ll do that, thanks.” It was during the middle of breakfast that somepony knocked on Fluttershy’s door. Twilight stayed at the table while Fluttershy trotted over to answer it. She allowed herself a moment to luxuriate in the peace of the kitchen, munching on toast with blackberry jam and eggs. So many simple pleasures that she’d taken for granted all this time. I wonder if Celestia or Luna ever feel this way. Twilight made a note to ask them during the next official visit to Canterlot. They probably needed quiet meals together just to keep themselves from going crazy running a whole kingdom. But the peace Twilight felt was short-lived. Her stomach tied itself into knots when Fluttershy returned to the kitchen with Spike right behind her. “Um, hi,” Twilight said, forcing herself to swallow the toast she’d been chewing. Of course, it didn’t make her stomach feel any better. The little dragon glanced at his feet. “Hey, Twilight.” A long, poignant silence fell over the whole room, punctuated by the murmur of Fluttershy’s wings carrying her back to the breakfast table. She smiled at Spike and patted the empty stool between her and Twilight. With a reluctant nod, Spike waddled over and took a seat. Twilight tried to give him a reassuring smile, but she knew it wouldn’t seem genuine. And in any case, he looked like he had something to say. “Listen,” Spike said slowly, looking down at the table. “I’ve been up all night thinking about this. Trying to make sense outta all this business with you and…” His lips mouthed for a second, trying to force the name to his lips. “A-and Rarity.” Twilight nodded, not trusting herself to speak. “It’s not an easy thing to let go of a crush, you know?” Lifting his eyes from the table, Spike looked Twilight head-on. “I mean, you remember what happened with Flash Sentry.” Hearing that name made Twilight wince. “Yeah, I do.” “Well, I guess I had the same idea about Rarity. I… I never really gave her a chance to be her, you know?” Spike shook his head. “I wanted that magical feeling to never end, but now that I know that she’s…” He shrugged. “Well, that she’s into you instead. It hurts, but that’s okay.” “It is?” Spike snorted. “Okay, it hurts a lot. But you know me, Twilight. I’d never stand in the way of you or Rarity being happy.” He stuck a thumb into his chest. “If there’s gonna be one honest, brave, and loyal dragon in this world, then it’s gonna be me.” Twilight grinned, fearing that her own heart was about to burst with joy. She pulled Spike into a hug, crushing him into her chest. A quiet gasp from across the table caught their attention. They turned to see Fluttershy grinning bashfully as she squeezed her hooves into her cheeks. “That’s…” Fluttershy squealed and gave her cheeks another squeeze. “That’s so wonderful! I’m happy for you both!” Again, that smile. Twilight’s heart exploded twice at the brilliance of it. Spike turned back to Twilight, his expression turning thoughtful. “Hey, what are you gonna say to Rarity anyway?” Twilight’s warm and fuzzy feelings evaporated in a flash. She tilted her head to the side, picturing Rarity as she ran out of Le Abreuvoir in tears. “Gosh, I don’t know. I mean, it feels rude to say no, but on the other hoof…” “Forget that,” Spike cut in. He pointed a claw right into her face. “Do you like her or not?” “It’s not that simple—” “Yes, it is.” Spike and Twilight turned in unison. Fluttershy stared back, raising her hooves to her mouth, as if surprised by her own quiet answer. “I-I’m sorry to interrupt,” she said, cringing as she sank into her seat. “B-but Spike has a point, Twilight. You can’t just list the pros and cons of everypony. Romance just… happens.” Dread flooded Twilight’s stomach like sour milk. Unfortunately, she knew exactly what Fluttershy meant. She’d known that same honest passion in her relationship with Flash Sentry. And to her constant surprise, she finally had a name for those strange but pleasant emotion that surged through her in every interaction she’d had— With Fluttershy herself. Do you like her or not? Spike’s voice echoed inside her head. But the thought was connected to the cute pegasus that Twilight found herself staring at in wonder. Sweet Celestia, she thought, as if I weren’t breaking Rarity’s heart enough… But nopony else needed to know about those feelings—not yet. Twilight had been asked about how she felt about Rarity’s declaration of love and she’d respond to that first. “I think I know what you mean,” Twilight replied, forcing herself to look at both Spike and Fluttershy while she spoke. “I guess I should go talk to Rarity before I do anything else.” “And before Pinkie Pie finds out and throws her a giant party,” Spike remarked and reached for a fresh slice of toast from Twilight’s plate. On the road ahead, Rarity found herself marveling at her first glimpse of Sweet Apple Acres. Even from far off, she could smell the apple orchards and hear the distant thwack of somepony bucking her hind legs into a tree. The farm had its own kind of charm, Rarity had decided long ago. While she still didn’t fathom the joy of rolling around in the dirt like a sow, she could appreciate the care and attention that ponies like the Apple family gave to their land. When she trotted up to the farmhouse, she saw Granny Smith rocking back and forth in her chair, taking sips from her drink. Rarity had never been entirely sure how old Granny really was, but she was certainly older than all of Ponyville—older than the town itself. And from what she’d seen of their family album, the old mare had been quite beautiful in her youth and as athletic as any of her grandchildren. “Mm!” Granny set down her glass and waved a hoof as Rarity approaching. “Eh, mornin’, Miss Rarity! You want some o’ this here lemonade? Mighty refreshing!” “Oh, you’re too kind.” Rarity didn’t wait for permission. Her horn lit up as she floated the pitcher over to a clean glass on the barrel Granny used for a table. Truth be told, she was already feeling hot and dry from that walk through town. Clearly, somepony on the weather team wasn’t doing their job in bringing in the autumn chill. And when she heard another thwack in the distance, she had a pretty good idea of who it was. “…Now just like that,” she could hear Applejack saying from the other side of the house. “You keep it up, sugarcube, and I’ll be back with refreshments in no time.” Applejack trotted out from around the corner. By the rose in her cheeks, Rarity guessed that she’d been working herself hard all morning, but she didn’t see or smell any sweat or grime on the farm pony. She could guess who was responsible for that blush. Everypony in town could figure it out. “Morning, Rarity!” said Applejack, tipping her hat. “What brings ya round these parts?” “Nothing much, darling.” Rarity kept up a polite smile for as long as she could. As soon as Granny Smith took another sip, she leaned over and whispered into Applejack’s ear, “But if you can spare a moment, I’d like to ask for your advice on a…” She coughed. “A personal matter.” “Gotcha.” Applejack turned and, through some feat that Rarity couldn’t begin to comprehend, found a way to balance two whole glasses of lemonade on top of her hat. “You go on inside. I’ll just get these over to Dashie. I’m teaching her how to apple buck properly.” “Goodness! And how’s that working out for her?” The farm pony chuckled and shook her head. “Better than I expected, not as well as I’d hoped.” And with that, she trotted back over to the other side of the house. In the distance, Rarity could hear more of the same rhythmic thwack-thwack from the nearby orchard. She shuddered to think of how many trees a daredevil like Rainbow Dash must’ve shattered in her practice and then left to enter the house. It was blessedly cool inside the house. Applejack pushed over a bowl of hay chips to Rarity and took a seat across from her at the kitchen table. “Now then,” said the farm pony, dropping her hat onto the table, “what exactly didja want to talk about?” Rarity responded with an embarrassed grin. “Oh, well, you see…” She forced her tail to stop swishing back and forth, even though her friend couldn’t see it beneath the table. “I know you and Rainbow Dash have been in a relationship for quite a while now.” “About a little over a year, I reckon.” “Quite. Well, I need some relationship advice.” “Well, well.” Applejack chuckled and reached for the bowl of hay chips. “So who’s the lucky fella this time?” “T-Twilight Sparkle.” By a miscalculation of her strength, Applejack’s hoof missed the bowl and slammed the table beside it. Hay chips bounced into the air and fell scattered over the tabletop. Rarity cringed as she watched Applejack’s mouth fall open. “Huh,” she said softly. “Well, I’ll be a bullfrog’s granny in July! I didn’t know you and Twilight were a couple!” “We aren’t,” Rarity answered, fighting back the urge to break down and cry. She’d done enough of that last night. “I… confessed my feelings for her yesterday and now I’m certain I’ve been rejected.” Applejack picked up a hay chip and popped it into her mouth. “Ya sure ’bout that?” “What?” “Well, Twilight’s not the sorta pony who’d say no and walk away,” Applejack continued. “I mean, she’d wanna talk it over.” She swallowed her chip and gave Rarity a knowing smile. “Or did you just run off before she could explain herself?” In her mind’s eye, Rarity saw Twilight sitting across the table, staring back with a dumbfounded expression. Her lovely mouth twitched open as she tried to find the words. I… I didn’t… I don’t… But then, new memories came bubbling to the surface. Twilight’s outstretched hoof as she asked Rarity to wait, only to be ignored. And the look on her beautiful face. That pained, desperate look that couldn’t compete with the sorrow in Rarity’s heart. How could I have been so foolish? It was an awful habit of hers, she knew. When one lived in a world where appearances and a good first impression were key to success, jumping to conclusions was all too easy. She’d let herself get that way by imitating all the elites in Canterlot and the fashion stars in Manehattan, trying to win her way into their private world of soirées and galas with the right behavior. But truth be told, Rarity had never made a friend that way. It was through learning some humility that she’d found her true calling, as a generous soul, whose goodwill permeated every fabric and stitching in her clothing. Fashions came and went, but true friends and family would always be there for her. “Oh, I’m such a fool,” Rarity muttered. Dropping her head onto the table, she glanced at Applejack. “I don’t suppose there’s a chance I can make this right with her?” “Why not?” Applejack shrugged and began to clean up the scattered hay chips on the table. “Way I figure it, you and Twilight are a pretty good match. You just gotta be patient. If Twilight likes ya, she’ll figure it out for herself. And if she don’t—” “Ohh…” Rarity buried her face in her hooves. Applejack cleared her throat. “Like I was saying, if she don’t like you, then you’ve gotta be the best friend she’s ever had. Can’t go running off every time somepony turns ya down, Rarity.” “I get that now,” said Rarity. She took a deep breath, held it, and let it out slowly through her nose. That seemed to calm the knots tying themselves up in her stomach. “Thank you, Applejack. You’ve been tremendously helpful.” “Aww, shucks, ain’t no thing.” Applejack paused as Rainbow Dash cut loose on another tree with a vicious thwack-thwack outside. “Me and Dash went through a lot of that nonsense, too. Would ya believe I was the one who had to ask her out on a date?” “You’re kidding.” “Wouldn’t kid about that, Rarity.” Applejack took another hay chip from the bowl and bite into it. “That pegasus is mighty proud, ya know? Even after that first kiss, she wasn’t sure she was ready to commit to anypony. Not even somepony she considered a good friend.” Rarity supposed the same thing could be said about Twilight. But that pride of hers was something Rarity found attractive. Twilight Sparkle, who took more pride in her education and her friendship than she did her privileged life in Canterlot. A brilliant and beautiful mare who’d rather be known as a librarian than as the gifted protégé of Princess Celestia. Even as a princess, she was exceptionally modest and considerate of others. Perhaps that was the issue. Rarity had let her pride get the better of it, while Twilight was too modest to consider romance with one of her friends. No more, she resolved. Come what may, she would make this right between them. “That’s just what I needed to hear,” said Rarity. She got up from the table and trotted over to Applejack, giving her a quick nuzzle. “Thank you, dear. I really must be going now.” “Atta girl.” Applejack patted her on the back. “Now go and rescue that princess of yours.” Twilight walked the streets of Ponyville alone, confidence brimming in every step. She would’ve had Spike with her, but the little dragon hadn’t gotten any sleep and took Fluttershy’s offer of a warm bed to catch up. And it was just as well, since Twilight felt she needed to do this by herself. Her path through town brought her to the ornate entrance of Le Abreuvoir. For a moment, Twilight paused beside one of the Doric columns flanking the doorway, savoring the shade it provided from the brutal heat and light. Though she didn’t like to pull rank, she was tempted to hunt down Rainbow Dash and let her know that the Princess of Friendship wanted—no, that she demanded—an answer about the lack of cool air and clouds in the autumn skies. But the more Twilight thought about it, the more foolish it sounded. As much as she liked to toot her own horn, Rainbow Dash was only one pegasus out of the many who made up Ponyville’s weather teams. It was unreasonable to put the weight of an entire climate on the shoulders of any one pony. Now if she were a Princess of Weather, Twilight thought, that’d be a different story. She laughed, picturing Rainbow Dash as an alicorn, trying to rein in a thousand storm clouds and keep her tiara on straight. “Oh, there you are!” Her elegant voice cut through Twilight’s daydream. With a deep breath, she turned around and saw Rarity coming up to her. It was good to see that she was smiling, with not a single trace of tears in her eyes. It struck Twilight how lovely Rarity truly was. Not just as a fashionable mare, but as her friend. She took such care of herself that it was impossible not to like the way she looked. Twilight was more than a little jealous that Rarity could work just as hard as Twilight did with her studies, yet still find time for adequate grooming and a touch of style. Probably had something to do with those weekly spa dates with Fluttershy. Great, Twilight thought, here I am trying to appreciate Rarity and all I can think about now is the other cute mare in our circle of friends… “I was just coming to see you,” Twilight answered, offering a smile of her own. “I was hoping to buy you lunch for a change.” She glanced to the right, using the doorway to collect her thoughts. “I was hoping we could, um, try that again. What happened yesterday, I mean.” Rarity nodded. “I’d like that.” Once Garçon left them to their meal—two plates of foin au poivre and soy medallions in a white sauce—Twilight found herself focusing on Rarity’s hopeful smile. She hid her own smile behind a furtive sip of strawberry wine. “If we’re going to do this right,” Rarity said, “I suppose I should apologize first.” “Why’s that?” Rarity blinked. “Well, I did deceive you, Twilight. I should have been upfront about my feelings instead of leading you on all this time.” Her bottom lip curled into an adorable pout. “It’s not fair to you!” Twilight nodded and reached out to pat her hoof. “It’s fine, really. I wasn’t exactly receptive to other ponies for a while.” For a moment, she had to stop and let memories of Flash and the airship crash race through her mind. The things they’d said to each other… and then the feeling passed, leaving her calm again. She focused on Rarity with a stronger smile. “But I think I’m in a better place now. So, please, tell me everything.” Swallowing, Rarity wiped her mouth with her napkin. She fidgeted in her seat, staring right at Twilight with a mixture of dread and anticipation. “Darling,” she said, “I’ve had this crush on you for a very long time. Almost since the day we first met. I know I had my eye on other ponies—stallions, no less—but my heart always had a special place for you.” When Twilight blushed, Rarity continued with renewed confidence. “Honestly, I could list all the things I love about you. Your mane, your smile… the way you give without thinking, or how you’re so quick to jump into danger for somepony else. I love how brilliant you are, always coming up with solutions while the rest of us are too scared or sad to think.” Sliding her hoof across the table, Rarity laid it over Twilight’s foreleg. “Nothing would make me happier than to see you smile like you’re doing right now and to be the pony who makes you so happy.” Twilight didn’t know what to say. Even on all her dates with Flash, she’d never felt this touched. Even when their whole relationship had been built on nothing but passion. The heat and joy in Rarity’s voice was intoxicating, and far stronger than anything Twilight had ever heard before. Maybe this was what she needed after all. Despite what she thought she felt about Fluttershy, Twilight could see something real in Rarity’s love. Something that she could build on. She saw the two of them helping Sweetie Belle with her homework, talking long walks through White Tail Woods and the fashion district of Canterlot. Chewing on her bottom lip, Twilight imagined her hoof sliding over Rarity’s silky white coat. Watching those big blue eyes glitter with desire. Yes, she could see herself being very happy with such a lovely mare… “It’s hard to believe that you’ve kept all this inside for so long,” Twilight said. “I can’t imagine how much that must’ve hurt.” “It did hurt,” Rarity admitted, glancing down at her plate, which she’d barely touched. “You’ve no idea how much I wanted to tell you from the beginning.” Twilight nodded. “And you’re sure you want this? To be with me?” “But of course, darling!” The other mare’s eyes flashed with interest. “It’s not easy to date a princess,” Twilight went on. She allowed herself a wry smile. “Ask my brother. You’d be facing all kinds of publicity. And danger.” Rarity waved off her concerns with a teasing smile. “Really, darling, could it be any worse than what we’ve been through together? Nightmare Moon, Discord, those Diamond Dogs? We’ve faced down huge firebreathing dragons and lived to tell the tale!” Again, Twilight nodded. “You’re right.” “So, then…?” Rarity leaned forward, her eyes widening with anticipation. “W-what do you think?” It wasn’t nice to tease, but Twilight couldn’t resist. She made a show of tapping her hoof to her chin and looking away. “Hmm. What to do?” But as Rarity continued to lean over, almost dipping her curled mane into the white sauce on her plate, Twilight snapped her head back and grinned. “Well, there’s really only one thing to decide then.” “And that is?” “Should we pick someplace different for our first date?” Rarity leaned back, grabbing a napkin to wipe away the sauce from her mane. “Be serious, darling.” Twilight grabbed her hoof and stared her in the eye. “I’ve never been more serious, Rarity.” Seeing the way her face flushed was a victory for Twilight. She had never gotten that kind of a reaction from Flash Sentry—or any of Rarity’s so-called suitors, for that matter. “Oh, my dearest,” Rarity whispered. “Do you really mean it?” “I do,” Twilight whispered back. Slowly, she pulled Rarity’s hoof up and gave it a soft kiss. “I may need some time to get used to the idea of being with another mare, but I think… we could both be happy.” When she heard Rarity sniffle and saw tears in her eyes, Twilight immediately felt guilty. But then she saw the smile on the other mare’s face and knew it wasn’t another broken heart. Just the opposite, in fact.