//------------------------------// // Chapter 1 // Story: Role Reversal // by TheGentlemanCreeper //------------------------------// Trotting ahead of Rarity, you open the door to The Grand Gourmet and hold it open for her. “Nachdem Sie, mein Fräulein.” [Translation: After you, my little miss.] Rarity gives you a little nod as she walks by. “Ich danke Ihnen sehr, Mein Schatzi.” [Translation: Thank you very much my darling (literally ‘my treasure)] You feel yourself blush a little bit at those words and join Rarity’s side as you and her take your place in line. “I have to admit, I’m amazed that you’ve managed to pick up Mecklesh so quick.” Rarity giggles a bit. “Oh, es war nicht so schwer. Es half, dass ich einen guten Lehrer gehabt. [Translation: Oh, it wasn't that hard. It helped that I had a great teacher.] You can’t help but beam at the compliment. “Thank you, but do you mind switching languages for now?” “Warum?” Rarity says with a cocked eyebrow. [Translation: Why?] “Because I like your english voice better. It has a better ring to it.” You move a little closer and whisper the next part in her ear. “And I think it sounds sexier.” Rarity nods. “Oh, alright. I’ll speak english if you want me to...” “Oh don’t be so down,” you say as you and Rarity make your way to the server. “You’ll be able to speak Mecklesh all day long when we go on vacation.” Rarity lets out a little squeal as the server grabs two menus and leads you into the main dining hall. “I am so excited to go to Mecklenburg with you! All the attractions and sites...” she says with a swoon. “Neuschwanstein Castle, The Black Forest, The Romantic...” You begin to smile from ear to ear. “You’re leaving out Ocktoberfest.” “There’s a reason why I’m passing over that one,” Rarity says with a scoff. “Remember last time you got drunk?” “Yeah,” you say as you take a seat at the table. “I ended up in your bed and confessed my love. What was so bad about that?” The server sets the menus down in front of you and pulls out a pad of paper. “What would you like-” “Well, nothing really. But if I want you in bed for another reason and you’re drunk, you might not be able to... Stand up... when the time calls for it and I’m not-” The server coughs heavily into his hoof. “W-What would you like to drink this evening?” he asks with red-tinted cheeks. Looking over the wine selection, you shrug before setting it down. “Just get us a bottle of Cabernet Franc and two glasses. That sound alright?” “Yes, that sounds delightful. Can you give us a moment, dear? We still don’t know what we’re ordering.” The server gives you both a nod. “As you wish, I’ll be back when you’re ready to order.” Rarity gives the server a smile as he walks off, but quickly turns back to you with a flat look. “You’re still not going to Ocktoberfest.” “Come on, couldn’t we have at least one drink during Ocktoberfest? The lager there is to die for.” Rarity gives you a look before sighing. “Alright... ONE drink. Not one and a half, not one and three quarters, ONE drink,” she says firmly. “Because so help me, if you get drunk, you’ll be sleeping out in the hallway .” “Alright, I promise,” you say as you hold up one of your hooves. “I promise, scouts honor. I won’t get drunk.” Rarity gives you a smile before leaning in and kissing you on a cheek. “That’s a good boy.” Her eyes widen a bit. “Oh! I just remembered! Did you talk to the contractor about-” “The renovations? Yes. He said that it would be around two thousand bits. So if I sell my house, we’d have more than enough to pay it off with enough left over to pay for a month long trip through Mecklenburg.” “Oh, that’s wonderful darling! I’m so happy that you’re moving in with me... But are you sure that you’re not going to miss your house?” Rarity asks as she puts a hoof on yours. “Oh not at all. It’s got a leaky roof and the basement floods, so it’d be nice to get rid of that headache. And with the renovations, we’ll have a third floor where you can move in more supplies-” “And a study for all your books and things-” “And another bedroom Sweetie Belle can actually call her own instead of the guest room. See? We’ve got this.” Rarity nods with a smile. “Yeah. It’s nice to see things actually going our way for a change.” Her smile starts to fade before she lets out a heavy sigh. “I wish the same could be said about Twilight. Did you hear what happened between her and her boyfriend?” You open your mouth to ask, but stop as the server comes back with your bottle of wine and glass. As he sets it down, he looks to both of you. “Are you ready to order?” “Can we have five more minutes?” Rarity asks as she pretends to look through the menu. The server nods and leaves you and Rarity again. “What happened?” you ask as you grab the bottle of wine and pull the cork off. “They had this huge fight a few days ago and broke up! I’ve tried to talk to Pinkie and Rainbow about it, but they’re not saying anything.” You bite your lip a bit as you pour yourself and Rarity a glass of wine. “Maybe Twilight had something to do with that. You know, ask them not to say anything.” “You think so?” Rarity asks as she grabs one of the glasses. “Why would she do that?” “Well, she could be embarrassed,” you say before taking a sip of wine. “Here, she’s been displaying this happy little life with her boyfriend and now that they’re broken up, she doesn’t want anyone to see her vulnerable and just wants it to disappear.” “Well, she’s also locked herself up in her home. From what I’ve heard, she hasn’t left her home since the breakup three days ago.” You blink a few times in surprise. “Oh, that’s not good. She’s cocooning.” “Cocooning?” Rarity asks with a hint of confusion. “What’s that?” “It’s a catch all term for retreating away into a safe area, like a home, or a room, and avoiding social contact. It’s unhealthy and it could to lead to more serious problems.” “Maybe you should talk to her, darling...” Rarity says with a smile. “You did wonders for me.” You shake your head as you turn your attention to the menu. “I don’t know... While I’d love to help, I don’t think she’d be comfortable talking with someone she barely knows.” Rarity furrows her brow at her. “Well we can’t just sit by and let things get worse!” “I never said we should, dear,” you say calmly. “I’m saying that maybe she’d be more comfortable talking to a friend, rather than a shrink.” “Hmm...” Rarity taps her hoof on the table for a few moments before a smile starts to form on her face. “Oh Mein Schatzi~ Do you still have those psychology books? The ones you keep in your office?” “I think I do, but they might be packed up. I’ll have to find them... Wait, why? What are you planning?” “Well, Twilight needs someone she can talk to, and while I’d like to think of myself as a master of matters of the heart, I don’t know about ‘cocooning’ or anything else the poor dear might be going through. I was thinking of giving myself a ‘crash course’, if you will, before I go and talk with her. It might just give me the insight I need.” You rub at your chin a bit before closing the menu. “I think I’m going to go with the the curry pumpkin soup, what about you?” “This is serious!” Rarity says with a tinge of anger in her voice. “Do you really need an answer for this?” you ask with a chuckle. “You think I’m going to say ‘No, I’m not going to let you look at textbooks I haven’t picked up in years so you can help your friend’? If it’ll help you, you can use my whole study. You don’t even have to ask.” “Oh, that’s a relief...” she says with an elated sigh. “You wouldn’t mind teaching me a few things, would you?” “Oh sure, I have no problem with teaching you a thing or two...” Leaning closer, you whisper the next part in her ear. “Especially in the bedroom.” Rarity blushes deeply before letting out a little giggle. “Oh stop it...” she says as she turns her attention to the menu, just as the server returns. “Are you ready to place your orders?” he asks as he takes out a pen and pad of paper. “Yes, could I get a caesar salad for an appetizer and for dinner, how about pumpkin curry soup?” The waiter nods as he writes it all down and then turns to Rarity. “And what will the miss be having tonight?” “Hmm... How about the vegetable lasagna?” she asks as she gives the waiter the menu. He finishes writing down her order and takes bother her and your menu. “Alright, I’ll be right back with your orders. It’ll be five, ten minutes at the most.” You give him a nod and watch as he trots off towards the kitchen. “Have you talked to Bones or Rainbow lately? Have they got a date for the wedding?” “Rainbow says that it should take place next week, if everything goes as planned,” Rarity says before taking a sip of wine. “They’ve got the Cakes catering it and I’m just putting the finishing touches on Rainbow’s wedding dress, so everything looks fine on my end.” “Ooh, that reminds me. Have you finished tailoring that suit? I want to look my best up there at the alter as the best stallion.” “All that’s left is to tailor the pants. I’ve got six bridlemaid dresses, to remember?” “Wait, six bridlemaids? I thought it was going to be you, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and Twilight.” “Ah, well, about that... Scootaloo practically begged me to make her a dress for the wedding and when Rainbow Dash found out, she asked the little filly if she wanted to be a bridlemaid,” she says as she swirls her glass. “Needless to say, she nearly hit the ceiling screaming ‘yes’ so loud, it nearly blew out my eardrums.” Rarity lets out a long sigh before taking another sip of wine. “Kind of makes you jealous, you know?” “Hmm? What does?” Rarity goes to open her mouth, but stops when the server comes with your salad. “Thanks,” you say as you grab your fork. “Anyway, what’s making you jealous?” “You know,” she says as she plays with her silverware, “everyone around you getting married. First Rainbow, then Pinkie and I’m sure Fluttershy said something about her boyfriend and a ring... Just gets you in the mood for marriage, doesn’t it?” You feel your throat go mysteriously dry as you try to say the word ‘yes’. Grabbing your glass of wine, you take a sip of wine, but as soon take a swig you feel your heart pound in your chest. “Oh, um... Well...” Hearing a set of hoofsteps, you look over your shoulder and let out a sigh of relief. “Hey look at that! Dinner is here, I’m starving!” You smile as the waiter comes over and sets the tray down containing your soup and Rarity’s lasagna. Picking up your spoon, you dig into your dinner quickly in the hopes of calming your nerves. Sweet sisters above, what is wrong with you? you ask yourself as you bring your spoon to your mouth. Calm. Down. “Darling, are you alright?” Rarity asks as she puts a hoof on hers. Forcing a smile, you look into her eyes and nod. “Of course mein Fräulein. I’m just a little distracted by your beauty,” you say as you brush a lock of mane out of her face. Rarity gives you a little look before smiling back. “Don’t push my buttons like that,” she says with a tease. “You’ll make me blush...” “If I wanted to make you blush,” you say as you lean in, close enough to whisper. “I’d bring up what we were doing last night.” At the mere mention of the night before, Rarity lets out a little gasp and shrinks in her seat, pulling at her dress. “Don’t remind me, darling... My flank is sore just thinking about it...” “Well don’t blame me,” you say above a whisper. “You’re the one who busted out the riding crop, saying you wanted to ‘try something different’, if I recall correctly.” “W...Well...” she says with a visible blush. You lean forward a bit and give Rarity a quick peck on the cheek. “Oh don’t be so embarrassed, mein kleiner Masochist,” you say with a tease. “I know for a fact you enjoyed yourself...” Leaning in a bit closer, you whisper the next part. “And so did I...” [Translation: My little masochist] Rarity’s eyes dart around the room as she bites her lip before leaning in close. “Können wir versuchen den Fesseln nächste Mal?” [Can we try the shackles next time?] You shake your head as you let go of her and let her move back in front of her plate. “How can you still call yourself a lady?” you ask with a tease. Rarity simply scoffs. “I’ll have you know I’m a lady with refined tastes.” You give Rarity a look and in a few moments, she’s giggling. “Alright... I’ll admit, our... activities... aren’t exactly proper, but please, they’re so enjoyable. How can it be wrong?” “Gesprochen wie ein wahrer pervertieren.” [Translation: Spoken like a true pervert.] From underneath the table, you feel her hoof connect with your shin, almost making you bite your tongue. “Ow, ow, ow! I’m kidding!” you say as you rub your sore shin. “There’s nothing wrong with having a few kinks. In fact, it’s quite healthy for a relationship.” You feel your heart sink a bit as you watch Rarity let out a long sigh as she played with her food, looking quite distracted. “Hey, are you okay? You’re not mad about the whole ‘pervertieren.’ thing, are you?” “No, no,” she says as she shakes her head. “Not that, it’s just... Look at us. We’re so casual about it.” “About what?” you ask as you take a sip of your soup. “Sex,” she says plainly. “Well...” you say as you clear your throat. “There’s a reason why they call it casual sex, love.” “Yes, but that’s not what I mean... What if my parents find out?” she says with some worry in her voice. “They’d probably have a conniption...” “Well... We’ll cross that bridge when we get there,” you say with a comforting smile. “I’m sure they’ll understand. Rarity continues to look down at her plate, playing with her food before looking up to you. “Maybe we should get married,” she says suddenly. “I mean, we’ve already been this far, why don’t we just take our vows and go that final distance?” You simply sat there, your spoon an inch away from your face as you stared at Rarity. You could feel your heart hammer in your ears and your knees start to get weak. Setting the spoon down into the bowl, you take a deep breath and try to calm yourself. “Something wrong, darling?” Rarity asks as she leans forward a bit. You force a smile as you nod “Oh, it’s nothing. I just remembered I have an appointment tomorrow I’m not really looking forward to...” “Oh, I see...” she says with a silent nod. “Why is it getting to you?” Your heart was now thundering in your chest for a different reason; you didn’t expect to have to lie to her, especially over something you couldn’t explain. Think fast. “Well, I really can’t talk much about other patients,” you say as you idly pick up your spoon. “But it’s a really messy divorce. You know the kind, lots of yelling, lots of fighting, and swearing. How’s the lasagna?” Rarity looks down to her plate and then back up to you. “It’s alright, but what about this couple? What are they fighting about?” You hold the spoon in your mouth for a few moments before shrugging. “You know, the judge didn’t really tell me... He just said that he was tired of all the yelling in the courtroom and wanted them to separate without all the screaming. And that’s what I planned to do.” “You’re not even going to try to get them to patch things up?” Rarity asks in confusion. “I thought you would be fighting for them to stay together.” You shake your head grimly. “No, no...  I’ve looked over the file enough times and what’s there isn’t good... It’s all dirty tricks and underhanded tactics to get more out of the other, there’s no saving this marriage... All the bridges are burnt. All that’s left is to get them to separate with some dignity.” “...Oh,” she says plainly. “Alright.” “I’ll be right back,” you say as you get to your hooves and motion to the other side of the room. “Something’s not really agreeing with me.” Trotting towards the bathroom across the restaurant floor, you give a passing waitress a nod before passing into the bathroom. As soon as you lock the door behind you, you bolt towards the toilet and kneel infront of it as you start to dry heave. Spitting into the toilet a few times, you gasp for air as your heart thunders in your ears. What have you done, what have you DONE? Stumbling over to the sink, you turn the water on and take a deep drink. What is WRONG with you? “I don’t know...” you mumble after swallowing. YOU’RE LYING TO THE MARE YOU LOVE AND FREAKING OUT IN THE BATHROOM. Shaking the cobwebs out of your head, you slump to the floor. “I know...” You say as you grit your teeth. Taking a deep breath, you slowly start to count under your breath. “One... Two... Three...” What is WRONG with you?!? “Four... Five... Six... Seven..." You don't KNOW, do you? "Eight... Nine... Well? Do you?!? "Ten...” Lettinng out a heavy sigh, you get to your hooves and collect yourself. "Alright... You can do this... You're calm, cool, and collected. Just go out there and don't forget to smile." Putting on a plastic grin, you walk out of the bathroom and put on a false air of confidence. Making your way back to your table, you sit down silently and give Rarity a little wink as you dig into your meal again. See? Everything is fine... "Feeling better, darling?" Rarity asks as she sets her empty plate aside. You nod as you swallow a mouthful of soup. "Yes, much better, thank you. How was your dinner?" Rarity takes a sip of wine and smiles. "It was quite lovely," she says as she inches closer to you. "In fact, I think I'm ready for dessert..." You raise a hoof to get the attention of a nearby waiter, but freeze when you feel something slide between your legs, followed by the freezing cold sensation of an ice-cube taken from a pitcher of water from the table next to you, making you nearly jump out of your seat. “Wha-” “Shush,” Rarity says as she brings a hoof up to your lip, her horn growing faintly. “You don’t want to spoil the fun, do you?” “Oh my, oh goodness that’s cold! Don’t leave it there!” you think, subtly bringing the edge of the tablecloth over your lap, hoping to disguise what Rarity was doing. As if the world was conspiring against you, the waiter walks towards you with a smile on his face. “And how was your dinner?” You do your best to keep your composure, but what the playful mare’s magic subtly moving the freezing cube up and down your inner thigh was making it quite hard to remain calm. “It was good!” you say rather loudly. “Very good! My compliments to the chef!” “O...Okay...” The waiter says as he grabs Rarity’s empty plate. “Are you two ready for dessert? We have a wide variety cakes, pies, and other confections that are sure to please,” he says as he lays out two new menus in front of you. “Hmm... I was thinking of having a slice of cheesecake, but I’m feeling adventurous...” Rarity says rather calmly as she moves the icecube just a little further up your thigh. “Now let’s see... Tell me, are these all the desserts you have?” “Oh no, we do have more,” the waiter says as he pulls another menu from beneath his apron. “We have thirty-two flavors of ice-cream, including wine ice cream, and all sorts of toppings. Would you like me to list them?” “I think that won’t be necessary, I’ll have the vanilla and chocolate sundae,” she says, pulling the ice cube away from your thigh, making you sigh in relief. “Any toppings?” he asks as he jots down the order. Just when you thought it was over, the sting of the cold ice hits a more sensitive spot this time, nearly making you jump out of your skin. Oh, you are going to pay for this... you think as bite your tongue to suppress a gasp. Your whole body tenses up as Rarity’s hoof guides the ice cube around and discussed her order with the waiter, as if everything was fine. “Hmm... Can I get whip cream on my sundae? With chocolate sprinkles?” she asks with a smile. “Of course,” the waiter says with a nod. “And a cherry on top?” “Thank you, dear.” she says with a smile. “And what about you, darling? What would you like for dessert?” Oh, you are SO going to pay for this... you think as Rarity presses the ice cube against your thigh, making you squirm in your seat. Taking a deep breath, you do your best to keep a straight face. “I-I would like uh.. Um... Ah! Ice!” you cry out as Rarity glides the ice cube from one thigh to the other. “...Ice?” The waiter asks with a cocked eyebrow. “Oh! You mean shaved ice? Yes, we have some left... Strawberry okay?” You nod quickly as Rarity pulls the ice cube away. “Yeah... Yeah...” you say with a deflated sigh. “Yeah, that’ll be nice.” “Alright then, I’ll have your dessert for you in just a moment,” the waiter says as he takes the menus from you. “You’re a sado-masochist, you know, that don’t you?” you say to Rarity as you wipe cold water from your thighs. “Oh, admit it...” she says with a tease. “You enjoyed it.” You feel yourself blush a bit before shifting in your seat. “That’s besides the point... I’m being serious. I mean, there’s the riding crop... and then this...” Rarity folds hooves into her chest and turns her nose up at you. “Oh like that means anything. You’re just sore I-” “And then there’s your little... side project,” you say in a rather hushed tone. Rarity looks to you in shock as the color drains from her face. “...Y...You know about that?” Putting a hoof around her shoulder, you draw her close and give her a quick peck on the cheek. “I saw you working on it a few nights ago when I was coming down from bed. But you don’t need to worry... I won’t tell anyone you’re making a-” “Don’t say it,” Rarity says as she brings her hooves to her face. “It’s so embarrassing...” “What’s embarrassing about making a black studded corset with matching boots?” you ask with a tease. Rarity visibly shrinks in her seat. “You did this to me, you know that? I used to be such a pure, innocent little filly,” she says in a mocking tone. “And look at you now, teasing stallions with ice... What a bad filly you are.” “Oh.... You think this is bad?” she asks in sultry tone. “Well just you wait.. I’ve got something planned tonight...” You feel yourself grin from ear to ear as you run a hoof through Rarity’s mane. “My little treasure...” you whisper into her ear. Rarity lets out an elated sigh before wrapping her hooves around your waist and hugging you back. “I love you so much. You know that, right?” Resting your head on top of hers, you squeeze just a little bit tighter and try to force a smile. “I know.” ********** Standing at the altar, you look out at the crowd of people, all staring at you. Your mother, your father, your sister, your friends. Everyone. And you couldn’t help but sweat bullets as you adjusted your bow tie, which felt just a tad too tight. “Bones, I don’t know if-” Looking for your best man, you find him strangely absent. Instead, a very familiar earth pony stood by your side. An earth pony that looked exactly like you. “Nervous?” he asks you with a smile. “No, not at all,” you say as you fiddle with your tie. “I’m too scared to be nervous.” “Why are you scared?” You try to answer, but your tie just felt too tie. Pulling on it again, you manage to croak out a response. “I... I don’t know.” Without missing a beat, your doppleganger responds with a sharp retort. “Yeah you do. You’re just too scared to admit that. Just as you’re too scared to marry the mare of your dreams.” “I... I don’t-” By now, you’re choking aloud as you grip at your neck, but it’s as if no one even noticed. Or cared. They all just smiled and laughed as the traditional wedding march played and a white unicorn in an equally white dress walked down the aisle, smiling at you as you try desperately to breathe. “Heeeere comes the bride... All dressed in whiiiiiiite...” your doppleganger sings as Rarity walks towards you, laughing heavily under his breath as you struggle to stay on your feet. “Aaaaand there stands the groooom...” he sings, his voice dripping with malice. “Reeaaaady to meeeeeet his dooooom....” Your knees give out and you fall to the ground as your doppleganger laughs aloud with the whole room joining as you tug desperately at your tie. At least, what was once your tie. Looking down, your heart races and your mind reels as you gaze down at the weathered rope noose around your neck, growing tighter and tighter the more you try to pull at it. As the world fades to black, a burning smell hits your nose, filling you with the dread of what you face- ********* “Breakfast!” You nearly jump out of bed as you gulp desperately for air, certain the noose was still around your neck. Looking down, you blush heavily as you gaze at the piece of silk used last night as a makeshift collar and leash before tossing it to the side and panting heavily as your nightmare comes flooding back in vivid detail. You try to shake it from your head, but the feeling of the noose around your neck, squeezing the life from you. Taking a deep breath, you start counting again, hoping to calm yourself down. “One... Two... Three...” you say aloud as you wipe the sweat from your brow. “Four... Fi-” “Darling, breakfast is ready! Are you going to come down and eat?” “...Rarity?” you ask, half unsure. Getting to your hooves and swinging out of bed, you wince as you feel something tug at your back and grope around, only to rip a piece of cooled wax from your coat. Tossing it to the side, you make your way out the door and down the hall to the kitchen where you meet an elated Rarity, levitating a pan full of scrambled eggs over to the table. “Good morning darling~” she says rather happily. “Sleep well?” Sitting down at the table, you nod meekly as Rarity pushes some eggs onto your empty plate. “Yeah...” you say meekly. “Oh, good... I’m glad you slept well. Personally, I’m still tuckered out from last night’s little game,” she says with a flick of her tail. “You’re not sore or burned, are you?” You shake your head as you chew idly on your scrambled eggs. “No. Not really.” As you stare off into space, you wrack your brain over last night’s nightmare, wondering what in the wide world of Equestria caused it. Bad food, maybe? The pumpkin curry soup was pretty spicy and upset my stomach a bit... And the shaved ice was almost sickly sweet, so that probably didn’t sit well either... But... “Darling, are you okay?” Rarity, asks, knocking you from your thought process. You give her a weak smile and nod. “Yeah, yeah, I’m fine,” you say as you get to your feet. “Breakfast is delicious by the way.” As you make your way out, Rarity stops you in the doorway. “Where are you going?” Turning to you, you nod downstairs. “I need to make a phone call. I just remembered I have to schedule a consult about another patient of mine. He’s been having nightmares and I wanted to rule out any biological causes.” Rarity gives you a small smile as you back up to the stairs. “Alright darling, just don’t take too long or your breakfast will get cold.” “Will do.” Trotting down the stairs, you make a beeline for the telephone and dial frantically. As soon as you hit the call button, you find yourself tapping your hoof quickly, pleading for an answer. “Pick up pick up pick up pick up” you whisper into the receiver. You let out a sigh of relief as soon as you hear the voice on the other end of the phone. “Ponyville General Hospital, this is Doctor-” “Bones?” you ask with a measure of relief. “It’s me.” For a while, the line is quiet. “Fritz? What-” “Listen, I need you to talk with you. Something’s wrong,” you whisper. “Fritz, what do you mean something’s wrong? Is it Rarity? Is-” “No, it’s me. Something is wrong with me and I don’t know what.” Yes you do. “Shut up...” “What was that?” the stallion asks with concern in his voice. You let out a haggard sigh as you run a hoof down your face. “Nothing. Please, Fritz... Just... Schedule an appointment or something. I really need to talk with you.” “Hold on, let me see... My day is pretty clear. Any time’s good today.” “Alright, I’ll see you in a few minutes.” “Fritz?” he asks as you go to hang up the phone. “What’s happening?” You rub at your eyes as you shake your head in frustration. “I don’t know...” Hanging up for phone this time, you take a deep breath and make your way back up the stairs and into the kitchen. With one more breath, you manage a smile and trot in as Rarity puts the frying pan in the sink. “All taken care of,” you say as you slip behind her, wrapping your hooves around her waist. “Now why don’t we take a shower?” Rarity giggles and cranes her head back, planting a quick and tender kiss on your lips. “After all the dirty things we did last night, we definitely need a shower,” she says with a tease. A quick shower and then off to see Bones, you reason. Kissing her back slowly, you let out a long sigh as you guide her to the bathroom, moving your hooves across her body, eliciting a little gasp from the white mare. Slowly, she walks ahead of you and gives you a look you’re all too familiar with. “Don’t keep me waiting...” she says as she hops into the shower. Maybe Bones won't mind if I'm a few minutes late... you think as follow her in. ******* Walking into the Ponyville General Hospital, you start to second guess yourself. Maybe this is all a mistake, you muse to yourself. Maybe I'm just overreacting... Walking up to the sleeping nurse at the counter, you tap on the bell, stirring her from her slumber. "Huh? What?" she asks, sounding still half asleep. Putting a hoof on her shoulder, you do your best to stir her sleep. "Nurse Redheart? Wake up, nurse." Slowly, she looks up to you and blinks a few times before her eyes go as dinner plates. “Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry!” Nurse Redheart cries as she sits up in her seat. “I closed my eyes for just a minute and-” “Oh, it’s alright Nurse,” you say with a smile. “From what Bones has told me, you’re not going to be too busy today.” “I know that,” she says with a haggard sigh. “But it’s no excuse to sleep on the job. I-” “Nurse Redheart, if you’re tired, get a relief and take a nap or talk to your boss and see if you can get the day off. You shouldn’t work if you’re tired. You could start making mistakes and in your profession, mistakes can have serious repercussions.” “I... But...” Letting out another long sigh, Nurse Redheart gives you a tired smile. “You sound just like him, you know that?” Getting up from her chair, Nurse Redheart opens the door and points down the hall. "The doctor is waiting for you in his office. Just show yourself in. He's very eager to see you." “Thank you, nurse. Try to get some sleep, okay?” “I’ll try,” she says with a weak smile. “Can you let him know I’m looking for a reprieve?” “Sure,” you say as you trot down the hall. Making your way for the large oak door, you open it slowly and step in, feeling a little better about the whole situation. “Hey Bones, I’m starting to think this was all-” You stop dead in your tracks and feel your throat go very dry as you stare at the white unicorn standing before you wearing a tuxedo and black bow tie, admiring himself in the mirror. “Oh! Sorry Fritz, didn’t hear you come in,” he says as he faces you turns to you with a large grin. “What do you think? I just got it today in the mail and had to try it on. My dad wore it to his wedding and it fits like a glove! I’m just so excited!” he says as he takes a step towards you. “I can already hear the wedding music as my little angel marches down the aisle... Heeeere comes the bride... All dressed in whiiiii-FRITZ!” As you hit the ground, you hear your friend call your name frantically as everything goes dark.