-Once Upon A Dream
A week had already passed since that morning. Rarity had been doing the same thing for this period of time. She sat in her room. Waited as the hours passed, laying on her back, staring at the clock, hoping this would all be soon over.
She didn't leave her room unless absolutely necessary, which meant if she needed to go to the bathroom or maybe sneak some food from the kitchen when her stomach started to cry out to her. Other than that, Rarity tried to stay put. She knew if she got in any other trouble with her parents at this time, she would be risking a longer punishment.
She hadn't spoken to her family since that day. She could still hear the argument that she came home to after waking up in that strangers home. She winced at the thought of the whole situation. She just couldn't wait until all this would be over and she could forget about everything and go back to her normal everyday life. Hanging out with Fluttershy again and going to the spa. That is what Rarity was dying for the most.
She sighed as she turned her head from the clock. She noticed the time seemed to go by a lot slower when she was constantly checking the time. She tried her best to keep her eyes away, but she couldn't help but glance back every so often to remind herself that she was still being punished.
"Celestia, please..." Rarity moved her head over to the side and brought her hooves to her face. She buried her eyes into her white furry front arms and began to sob.
She didn't really like to cry. Not that anypony enjoyed it, but Rarity detested it just slightly a bit above average. It made her makeup run and quite frankly she felt unattractive while tears filled her eyes and would slowly run down her face. So as much as she could, Rarity avoided crying, but now, she felt like it didn't matter. She had the right to cry, even though she knew she brought most of this on herself. She still felt as though she needed a good cry. Maybe afterwards she would feel slightly better about everything and try to make amends with her parents. Maybe that would speed up the process of her punishment, or at least it would be a good start.
So as for now, Rarity allowed herself to tear up and cry. Everything rushed to her all at once. Lying to Fluttershy. Getting drunk. Waking up, afraid. Being grounded. Not being able to see her friend. Applejack.
The unicorn sniffled as the tears started to slow down. She began to bring her head up and she wiped her face with her makeup stained hoof. She looked out her window as she did everyday now in the direction of that farm.
Her heart began to race with the thought of the pony that lived there. The pony that had truly saved her. The pony that gave her a place to stay when she was in need. That pony. That truly, honest pony.
As the days past, Rarity began to think less that Applejack had raped her and more that she was sincerely a hero that night. She would glance out her window and think of the orange mare, and deep down in her heart, she yearned to go back to that place and thank her for what she had done.
Rarity knew that would never happen if her parents had anything to do with it. They would never let her do such a thing, but even so, she really, really wanted to.
She felt as if she knew her. Once upon a dream.
One Month Later
"Oh, come on. It's not that bad, is it?" Rarity looked over at Fluttershy. She put her hoof in her mane and combed through it as she tried to smile as best she could to reassure Fluttershy that she would be fine.
The yellow mare merely squeaked as she buried her face even deeper into her arms.
"There's nothing scary about it...uh....just..." Rarity couldn't find any words at the moment.
"I...caa...." A mumble escaped the pegasus Rarity was trying to console.
"What was that, dear?"
"I....can....t"
"Come again?" Rarity lifted the pink hairs away from Fluttershy's face as she tried to understand.
"I can't!" Fluttershy looked up. Her aqua eyes were flickering with fear and embarrassment.
"Oh, what do you mean? It's not that hard. Just...talk to him." Rarity smiled. She had knew that Fluttershy had a crush on an old friend that she used to know back in Cloudsdale. She had always knew that. Fluttershy would talk about him all the time. He was so cool, apparently one of the best fliers around, and Fluttershy definitely had a thing for him.
"I...can't do that..." Fluttershy looked up at her friend. She had a bit of guilt hidden on her face.
This pony supposedly just moved from Cloudsdale to Ponyville today. Fluttershy found out about it and called up Rarity immediately seeking advice for the situation. All Rarity could really do is just try to talk her into seeing the stallion. She couldn't really do much, but honestly, Rarity was just glad that she was finally able to hang out with Fluttershy again. It was as if nothing happened a month ago. They were carrying on with little things such as crushes on old friends, not having anxiety being stuck in their rooms all day. They were out. Enjoying life.
"Come on. I will go with you. Just...welcome him to Ponyville. That shouldn't be hard." Rarity smiled harder as those happy thoughts came to her mind. She felt a surge of gratefulness for being alive.
"But...that's...Pinkie's job..." She looked over her bed as the unicorn in front of her grinned uncomfortably at her.
"Give me a break, Fluttershy! Anypony can great someone, and now it's your turn! You know him already! So...introduce yourselves again and maybe you two will hit it off!" Rarity winked and pushed her friend slightly.
"Come on! Let's go! Where does he live? Hm?" Rarity started to the door. She turned around to find her friend trying to cover herself up again.
"Not today....let's...give...um...him time to settle in..." Fluttershy peeked through her blankets with wide eyes.
Rarity merely sighed with disappointment.
"Fine...fine. Well...give me a call when you are ready." Rarity's eyes lowered and she gave a smaller smile this time. Fluttershy seemed relieved though that she stopped pushing her, and that was all that Rarity needed to stay happy.
---
There wasn't really much to do around Ponyville on an ordinary Sunday, but Rarity definitely wasn't complaining. She got to eat breakfast with her family and she got to see her friend, so that was all she needed to feel accomplished.
She was rather excited to meet this friend of Fluttershy's, but she just needed to give her time first. She knew how shy she could be sometimes, and with something like this, she completely understood. But other than that, Rarity felt like she had nothing else to look forward to other than being able to be free. Which was pretty good in itself. She did have a curfew now though, but that didn't come unexpected with what happened. Ultimately, Rarity had a newfound respect for her parents. She never realized how much they cared about her until that day. It was rather sad really how she never noticed that, but better late then never.
Rarity continued her coffee as she sat at a little table in Sugarcube Corner. Normally she would have Fluttershy with her, but she honestly wanted to come alone for some reason today. It felt so nice just to be able to think and sip the warm beverage down by herself for a change. Not that having a friend around was bad, but she just felt it would be nice. And it was.
She smiled as she peered down at her hooves cupped around the glass that held her drink. She closed her eyes as a breeze came through the open window of the shop. It was mid afternoon, so nopony was really in the store at this hour. They were at home with their families, or going out to the store. Rarity had a nice, quiet diner to herself, as of now. Normally it was crowded and noisy in this place, but on a Sunday afternoon, not so much.
She opened her eyes now and looked over to the other tables. There were a few ponies sitting in, but most were alone like Rarity. Some were reading the paper and others were just stopping in for a quick treat. Total, there were about five customers including herself. She liked this quietness for a change. It was good for her mind she thought.
With her magic, Rarity lifted her cup and took the last sip of her coffee. She set her drink down and reached for a few bits in her sattlebag to leave Pinkie for a tip. Not that she really deserved one. She didn't do anything other then say "Hi!" and leave, but Rarity thought it would be good in her heart to leave one anyways. Pinkie Pie was remotely her friend after all, and she wouldn't feel right doing otherwise.
Rarity turned to her bag that was resting on the back of her chair. As she turned, her bag fell to the ground.
"Celestia..." Rarity grumbled to herself as she reached for the bag with her magic. She pulled it towards her to feel a tug. She turned to see somepony holding up her bag and Rarity quickly let her magic release it letting the bag fall into the other ponies hooves.
"You dropped this, Miss?" The pony motioned the white bag into her direction, but Rarity had no intention of speaking back. She was rather at a loss for words.
The pony stood there confused for a moment, but then she smiled.
"I thought that was you." Her accent rolled through Rarity's ears as her heart started to race. Her world began to spin in all directions as she looked straight into those big green eyes.
"You..." That was all Rarity could find to say.