*Rarity*
Love. How splendid a thing it is. Oh, I’m not just saying that because I’m a romantic at heart….Well okay, I’m a full blown romantic. Why, I have enough books on the subject of love to fill an entire library. Though some of them are more…risqué, so maybe not.
Anyways, love is beautiful and if I had something to say about it, it was going to bloom tonight. ‘Pinkie, prepare yourself. Love is such a powerful thing.’
I had been so delighted to hear Frederic ask Pinkie out on a date. I was so afraid Pinkie would never find the one. Oh I had played with the idea of pairing her off with that Cheese fellow, but it was not to be. They were friends. Really good friends and nothing more. I couldn’t help but sigh. ‘They’d have been perfect for each other.’
But that was the past. The present was what needed my full attention.
Pinkie and Frederic were both sitting pleasantly at their booth. Which was a splendid seating arrangement, if I had to say so myself. Sitting in my own booth, I could definitely say without hesitation that it was undoubtedly comfy and felt good on my tush.
The two ponies seemed to have hit it off pretty well. They were even laughing with each other. ‘Good, good. Let the love flow through you.’ I grinned and rubbed my hooves together.
Maybe I was getting too into it? Neigh, there is no such thing as too ‘into love’. Why, we even have a goddess of love and a magical artifact/weapon that is powered solely on love. If that’s not a sign that love is serious business than I don’t know what to make of this world.
Tonight would be easy for me. The two seemed to be hitting it off quite nicely and Pinkie had certainly hooked herself a grandiose catch. Frederic von Horseshoepin was certainly a pony everypony should know. He was elite, chic, and magnifique. He was, to my knowledge, a true gentlestallion in every sense of the word. I had attended only a couple of his concerts, but his skills were to die for. Pinkie would do well with him.
Now to sit back and relax.
“RARITY!” A boisterous, prench sounding voice rang out.
I smiled, knowing that voice. “Gustave darling,” I called over to the griffon.
Gustave Le Grande was one of Equestria’s finest chefs. He was able to make just about everything, from deserts to dinners. He was a boisterous sort of griffon. Not so much as Trixie, Celestia forbid, but he never shied away from praising himself to a degree.
Still, I found his company lovely.
I stood up and trotted over to him. He didn’t waste any time in scooping me up in a big hug. Some of the other customers eyed us, but I paid them no mind. I just kissed him on both cheeks like he did to me. A typical Prench welcome, except for the hug. He seemed to only do that to me and for the life of me, I enjoyed that fact.
Putting me down, he smiled. “It is a pleasure to see you again, but may I inquire what you are doing in Canterlot?”
I just lazily waved a hoof. “Oh this and that. Mostly just helping out a friend in need.”
Gustave put a hand to his heart. “Your generosity knows no bounds.”
I giggled. “True, but please Gustave. Have a seat. I want to hear how you’ve been.”
The two of us took our places on each side of the booth.
“Life’s been splendid,” Gustave said with gusto. “My restaurant has never been more acclaimed, more visited. Oh sure, I would have ponies from all corners of Equestria to come and try my cooking, but now…” He eyed me curiously, to which I shyly looked away.
While most ponies wouldn’t think it, Gustave had this sort of…charm to his appearance.
“You wouldn’t have an idea why that’s so,” Gustave leaned in closer to myself. “Mademoiselle Rarity?”
I gulped, turning a pleasing shade of red. Taking out a fan from my dress with my magic, I used it to conceal it as well as fan away my sweat. I wouldn’t want it to ruin my make-up. “I may or may not have spread some rather interesting facts about your establishment in my travels.”
Gustave chuckled. “No need to be so shy about it. I’m overjoyed to serve so many new customers. Seeing the smiles of satisfaction as they taste my hard labor…” He sighed peacefully. “I must thank you.”
I shook my head. “No need. A place such as this should get all the attention it deserves.”
“But I insist.”
“I implore you to drop the matter.”
Gustave sent me a glare, which shocked me a little. He rarely, if ever, glared at me. “Rarity, we are friends, are we not?”
“Of course,” I bobbed my head in agreement. “The closest of friends.”
“Then let me repay this,” Gustave sent me a pleading expression. “It would be dishonorable for me not to do so. Besides, you’re overdue on some ‘given’ generosity. It’s a two way street, my old friend.”
I couldn’t resist the offer. He looked so determined, so…dashing. I had to take him up on the offer. Besides, a little treat here and there never hurt me. “I’d be glad to take you up on that.”
Gustave smiled. “Merveilleux!”
“But I must keep an eye on my friend,” I gestured to Pinkie, who was balancing on the chair with one forehoof and had a bowl balanced on one of her hind-hooves. I sighed. Frederic was staring at her in wonder. ‘At least he’s not embarrassed by her antics. Good for him.’ “She’s on her first date.”
Gustave chuckled. “Remarkable mare, that Pinkie Pie. What I wouldn’t give to have her perform for my customers some time.”
“That can be arranged easily,” I smiled. “Pinkie loves to perform. Maybe tomorrow?”
Gustave nodded, giving me a charming smile that made me blush again. “Tomorrow.”
________________________________________________________________________
*Frederic*
I couldn’t help but clap my hooves as Pinkie expertly jumped back into her seat and caught the bowl. I had heard she was an incredible pony, but to be able to do such gymnastics as well as musical capabilities…?
‘Honestly, is there anything this mare can’t do?’
"Bravo," I said, not minding the strange looks we were given. I was used to them, since Beauty Brass was strange in her own way. "Simply marvelous."
Pinkie put the bowl down on the table. "Oh, that's nothing special. Just some gymnastic skills I picked up from my Granny. No biggee. If you want marvelous then you need to see my big sister. She's like, the most marvelous pony ever!"
"What does she do?"
"She studies rocks!" Pinkie said, sounding like it was the best thing ever. "Isn't that amazing?"
"A geologist?" There wasn't anything bad about that. Far from it. It was a respectful field that helped our fair country grow. I just didn't expect someone related to Pinkie to be in such a field.
Pinkie nodded. "She's studying far from here, but when she's finished, I'm gonna throw her the bestest party ever!"
"You really love your family, don't you?"
"Well duh, of course I do. Who doesn't love their family?"
I didn't answer right away, which made Pinkie look at me in concern.
"Your family loves you, right Freddy?"
I didn't mind the nickname since I was too much in thought. I just lazily nodded my head. "I care about my family and they do for me. It's just....we're a bit strained at the moment." I straightened my tie. "Let's just leave it at that." I didn't want to bring my own family into this at the moment. It wasn't like I hated them. Far from it. Its just...difficult to deal with them some of the times.
"Oh...." Pinkie didn't say anything. She just munched on the last bits of her dinner.
"I'm sorry," I frowned, looking at her droopy expression. "I shouldn't have brought that up."
Pinkie shook her head. "No, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked."
"You had no way of knowing," I waved a hoof to distill her concerns. "My parents are decent folk. I hold no ill thoughts towards them." Which was mostly true.
"Still, you're all mopey now," Pinkie tapped her chin, obviously in thought. "Any friends?"
"A few," I briefly thought of my band companions. "The other members of my party, or band as you may call it. We haven't gotten together in some time."
"Well, why not now?"
"What?"
Pinkie pointed and I turned my head and I saw the last pony I wanted to see: Beauty Brass.
'What is she doing here?'
"Let's go say hi," Pinkie grabbed my hoof and dragged me along.
"Pinkie, this isn't..."
My next words were cut off as I found myself standing near Beauty, with her gaze upon me.
"Frederic?" Beauty eyed me with surprise.
I coughed and straightened myself, feeling no less awkward. "Beauty."
Beauty just stared at me for a moment, before her face broke out into a huge grin. Quickly and without warning, she pulled me into a bone crushing hug. "Oh, I missed you so much."
"I missed you too," I chocked out, fighting for my breath.
"Yay~" Pinkie happily bounced into the air. "Bonding!"
Pulling back, thankfully letting me breath, Beauty eyed Pinkie. "Is she your date?"
Before I could say something, Pinkie nodded. "Uh-huh. He's my firstest ever!" She pulled me to her side.
Beauty Brass gasped. "Frederic, you sly dog." She punched me on the shoulder, causing me to grit my teeth. Beauty had a bad habit of forgetting her strength. I didn't want to make her feel bad, so I kept quiet.
"I know right," Pinkie giggled. "He's the bestest date I've ever had. 'Course, he's the only date I've ever had, but that doesn't matter because he's a sweetheart, but uppity," Pinkie appeared and disappeared with each description on each side of me. She even ruffled my mane. "Classy but down to earth and have you taken a look at this guy?" She puled out a magnifying glass from her mane and looked me over. "He's fine with a capital F!"
Beauty loudly laughed with all her might. "Oh Frederic, you found yourself a keeper."
"Yes," I groaned. "Yes, I have. And I still see you're single. Can't find the right stallion?"
Beauty frowned at my tone. "Frederic, that's in the past. Leave it there."
"Ah yes," I looked up with a nostalgic look. "The past. A lovely thing it is. Remember how we got along so well. Remember those times."
"We still do," Beauty gave me a 'are you really doing this' face.
I don't know why she was giving it to me. She was the one at fault.
'No she wasn't. Stop this madness now.'
I didn't listen to myself. "Do we?"
"Yes," Beauty snorted in agitation. "Are you still going to carry on with this?"
"I don't know," I raised an eyebrow. "Are you going to stop being an uppity..." I shut my mouth before I could say anything more. 'Oh yes, call her names. Berate her. Prove to her that you're the 'bigger pony' here.' I scoffed silently to myself.
And then I felt someone slightly kick my ankle.
"Ow," I lifted my left foreleg slightly off the ground. When I said slightly, I meant it by earth pony standards.
"Freddy," Pinkie scolded me. "Stop being a jerk."
"Freddy?" Beauty put a hoof over her muzzle to stifle her giggles. "She calls you 'Freddy'?"
"It's cute, like him," Pinkie beamed and I blushed.
"I don't deny that," Beauty nodded. "I'm sorry, but I can't stay long. I have to practice with Octavia and she's not a pony you want to keep waiting."
I chuckled. "No she's not."
"It was nice meeting you again," Beauty pulled me into another hug, albeit going easier on me this time. "I'm sorry I don't have much time and...I'm sorry for everything."
"Why are you sorry?" Pinkie asked, obviously confused. "You seem like such a super duper pony. We should totally hang out later." She started to hop around me. "Isn't that the bestest idea ever, Freddy?"
I sighed and rolled my eyes. "It sounds delightful."
Beauty giggled. "Frederic, you chose wisely picking her. I hope you two are happy." She started walking away. "Don't be a stranger."
'Don't be a stranger?...Is that what I'm becoming? A stranger?' I hated that thought, just as much as I hated my attitude. I was being nothing but a jerk to her. For what? Because she didn't love me? I had a pony right beside me who was willing to give me a chance. I had no right to claim Beauty Brass as my own. She was her own pony. She decided her own fate...
"Are you having an internal moral dilemma?" Pinkie asked.
"Yes," I looked at her with raw confusion. 'How does she do that?'
Pinkie Pie shrugged. "I dunno. It's a gift."
'The hay?' I shook my head. This wasn't the time for some random inquiry. I had to apologize.
"Then apologize," Pinkie said. "It shouldn't be that hard."
"Pinkie?"
"Yes, Freddy weddy?"
"Stop that."
Pinkie giggled. "Okay."
I quickly ran over to Beauty. She stopped and looked back at me.
"Beauty, I just wanted to say...I'm sorry." My head drooped. "I've been a jerk to you for no good reason."
"You had a..."
I stopped her. "No, I had no good reason to do so. You didn't love me and...What did I do? Shut myself off from the world like a spoiled child who lost his favorite toy. I know I can't make it up to you, at least not now. But maybe...."
Beauty pulled me into another bone crushing hug. "Apology accepted, friend."
"Great," I wheezed out. "Can you stop crushing me?"
Beauty laughed and let go. "You should really be used to them by now."
"Can't help that you have the strength of a goddess," I said as I collected my breath.
"Kind of like my sister," Pinkie piped in, cartwheeling over to the pair of us.
"If you're ever in Canterlot," Beauty said to Pinkie. "Look me up. We so have to hang out."
"Oh goody," I said. "Shall I alert the princesses to the coming disaster?"
The mares giggled.
"No silly," Pinkie then gasped. "Unless they want to hang out too. Why didn't I think of that? They totally need to get out more."
"I think this is my cue to leave," Beauty bowed, before trotting away. "Take care now."
"Bye," Pinkie waved both her forelegs.
I just lazily waved one. I was too caught up in how 'good' I felt right now to put a ton of effort into it. "Bye."
"Well," Pinkie said, going back onto all her hooves. "She was awesome."
I nodded. "Yes, she is." And I meant it. "Pinkie..." An idea sprang into my mind.
"Yes, Freddy?"
"Would you mind if I came to Ponyville for a while? I think I would like a new place to draw up some inspiration for my music."
Pinkie gasped and pulled me into a killer hug. 'What is it with earth pony mares and hugs?'
"That's the greastest idea ever!" She screamed into my ear.
"Yes," I wheezed. "Greatest idea ever...Now let me go."
Pinkie giggled. "NEVER! I'm gonna keep you, Freddy. I'll play with you, take you on walks, feed you..."
"I'm not a pet," I glared at her.
Pinkie pulled back, letting me go. The smirk she was giving me sent shivers down my spine. I wasn't certain if it was good shivers or the bad kind. "Not yet, you're not."
"Meep." I meekly said. 'What have I gotten myself into?'