//------------------------------//
// A trip into the city 
// Story: Azure Flame 
// by Silver Page 
//------------------------------//


“So, what will we do first?” Rarity asked, trotting alongside Blueblood towards the palace gates. 
It was the morning after the Gala, and Rarity had brushed her mane and prepared herself for almost an hour for their day out on the city. Blueblood had told her that it would be just a simple affair; no need to wear a dress or anything too fancy. Still, she was going out with the prince! She had to look her best, or at least good enough!
Blueblood didn’t seem to mind her lack of extravagance, and seemed to actually be happier she hadn’t gone all out. He himself had combed back his hair in the usual style, and wore a red bow-tie. Nothing too gaudy for him.
“The first thing we’ll do is stop by the Hospital,” Blueblood said, saluting a pair of guards as he escorted Rarity past the gates and into Canterlot. “I want to check in on some of the more unstable patients.”
Rarity was touched by his concern for the ponies from the hospital. She knew he felt guilty for putting them through that ordeal, even though it was not his fault he was targeted by insane revolutionaries. 
“That sounds like a wonderful idea,” she said softly, a smile on her face as he led her through the streets.
Blueblood had been nervous to go out that day without his disguise. Scratch that, he was practically shaking in his horseshoes now, the idea of recognition and falling into Snob Mode almost too much to bare. But, each time he felt an anxiety attack come on, all he did was look over at his alabaster companion, and the fear would dissipate. He would be fine with her help.
Rarity, it seemed, could tell he need all the moral support he could get, and tried to give warm smiles and happy expressions whenever they looked at each other. Still, deep inside of her, she was conflicted. Azure Flame or Blueblood. What the hay was going on in her mind? Was she so shallow that she could not decide, and chose to play the field, as it were?
Brooding would do no good, so she carefully composed herself as they neared the large, white walls of the hospital. The windows were all fixed, thanks to judicious use of magic and royal funds, and many parts of the exterior seemed to have been refurbished. 
Inside, a receptionist stopped filing her hooves as the Prince walked up to her, Blueblood waving aside her hasty bows with a smile.
“Good day. I’m here to inquire after Miss Bouncing Ball. May I please have her room number?” Blueblood knew it already, or at least Azure Flame had, but he felt keeping it this way would help. To his surprise, the receptionist, frowned softly.
“Yes, of course. She’s been moved to room 331, Intensive Care Ward.” Blueblood’s eyes widened in shock.
“Intensive Care? What’s happened?”
“Not my place to disclose patient information, even if royalty is asking. Sorry about that,” she added, after seeing the prince’s despondent look.
“I’m sure it’s not for long, Prince Blueblood,” Rarity said, trying to comfort him. He nodded and gave a shaky smile.
“Y, yeah. That’s it, I’m sure. Come on, let’s go and see her.” He headed off, seeming dazed. Thoughts swirled through his head.
Was it all his fault she was in Intensive Care? It must, after all she had suffered an attack during the party, the very party interrupted by Tartarus-damned rebels! It was his fault she was in pain… All his fault!
“Dear, are you alright?” A soothing, worried voice broke through Blueblood’s self-loathing, and he blinked, seeing Rarity giving him a concerned look. Another blink, and he realized he was standing outside of room 331.
“No, I don’t think I am.” Blueblood turned to Rarity, and she saw great depths of pain and regret in his eyes.
“Because of me, a little filly is lying in a hospital bed, suffering because ponies after my life were going to let her die! How can I possibly face her? How can I face anypony? I, I just don’t think I deserve to intrude…” Blueblood squeezed his eyes shut, trying to block out the image of the young, happy filly he seen and started to know reduced to a shivering mess. A sob nearly made it past his lips, causing him to tremble as he held it in. Suddenly, he felt a soft pressure on his shoulders. He looked over to see Rarity laying a foreleg over his withers, pressing up against his side in an odd yet comfortable pseudo-hug. 
“Blueblood, I’m sure Bouncing Ball won’t hold any of it against you. She’s too kind a filly to do so. Trust me,” Rarity assured him, her voice quiet, not wanting to disturb others. “Besides, I’ll be right next to you the whole time.”
Blueblood nodded, and wiped his eyes with a short brush of magic, before standing up and straightening his outfit. Satisfied with his preparations, he raised a hoof to room 331’s door, and gave it a few short knocks.  The pair didn’t have to wait long before the door swung open, revealing a strong looking Pegasus stallion. Bouncing’s father’s eyes widened in surprise when he saw who it was, before a look of grudging acceptance appeared on his face.
“Can I help you, Prince Blueblood?” 
“Yes, I wanted to check on Bouncing Ball. I heard that she wasn’t doing so well, and I was hoping to make sure she was fine.”
A long pause stretched out, before the father nodded stiffly, and stepped aside to allow the two Unicorns to enter. The filly lay in a bed, surrounded with lots of get well cards. Some were written in the sloppy hoof-writing of foals, others the neat words of an adult. She had what appeared to be an IV drip attached to her forelegs, and she seemed sunken and gaunt. Like a bit of her youth had been replaced with weariness. However, when she looked up to see who had entered, her face broke into a massive grin, and a bit of life returned to her.
“Mr. Blueblood! Miss Rarity! Hi!” Blueblood broke in a grin when he saw her cheer up, a bit of her joy rubbing off.
“Hello, Bouncing Ball. I’d heard you weren’t doing so well, and I wanted to check on you.”
“Really?! Thanks, Mr. Blueblood! You’re really nice!”
“You’re welcome, Bouncing Ball.” He paused, and his smile started to slip as he looked at her.
“Are you OK? You seem sorta sad,” Bouncing asked, tilting her head cutely.
“…I’m so sorry for what happened, Bouncing. I, I didn’t want anyone to get hurt because of me.” He placed his hooves on the bed sheets and bent his head to her.
“It’s not your fault, Mr. Blueblood. Those meanies were jerks and wanted to hurt you. I’m glad they didn’t get to do so,” she said, leaning over and patting Blueblood’s hoof with one of her own. He nodded, and retracted his hooves.
“I should go now. Please get better, Bouncing Ball.” Blueblood gave a nod to her father, before walking out of the room, followed by Rarity, who flashed Bouncing Ball a smile. The filly grinned back, and call out to him as they walked out.
“You should smile more, Mr. Blueblood! And thanks for taking time out of your date with Miss Rarity to come by.”
The two Unicorns spluttered a bit, both trying to deny her claims, which only made her laugh, and her father hide a chuckle. After they left, their faces beet red, Bouncing Ball turned to her dad.
“I like them! They’re funny!”  Neither of the room’s occupants noticed a twisted shadow watching them from a nearby roof…