//------------------------------// // Stage 3-Bargaining/persuading // Story: The five stages of being turned down // by Charzoid //------------------------------// Spike woke up the next morning feeling at least a bit better then the day prier since today he was a free dragon from his grounding. That plus him and Twilight had a bit of a talk that made him feel even more confident in his decision to try to one up Fancy Pants in a way that would make Rarity see him as the better choice. He cleaned his scales so they shined brighter then usually and did some shadow boxing to pump himself up all the more. After a quick breakfast of fluffy pancakes with honey and emeralds he was about to leave the house to help rarity at the shop. Before he could make it to the door however, he was stopped by a brief hug from behind by Twilight. "I hope you remembered what we talked about yesterday spike. I know I've been a bit on your back lately but you know its cause I care right?" Twilight asked. He gave her a reassuring smile in return before exiting the door fully as he replied while laughing a little. "You've got nothing to worry about Twilight, just as you said I'm going to be there for Rarity in the most mature way possible. It'll show her just how much I care about her and this wedding." Spike said with a smile. With that he made his way from the castle and on his way to Rarity's with a bit of a hop in his step. FLASHBACK "Spike your punishment is almost up and I think Rarity would like your help tomorrow with some of the dresses she's working on." Twilight said. "Really?"he asked "Yes really, and I know that her getting married is a bit upsetting for you but the best thing I can tell you to do is try and show her your mature side. Friends are suppose to support each others dreams even if they don't agree with their choices unless the decision seems like it could do harm to them or those around them. Rarity and all of us have tried to support you when you've needed it even if we weren't completely sure if we agreed with what you were doing. We've tried helping you build confidence as well as learn from mistakes. This is a time where you should be supporting Rarity in something she wants as well even if you feel its a mistake. Be the best reliable that we all know and love. " Twilight said "So your saying that being her best helper at the shop is what makes her like me the best?" Spike questioned "Well that and other things you help her with. Its your ability to be loyal and more reliable then most that makes you great to." she added. "More reliable then most huh? Well I think I get what your trying to say. I'm going to really look forward to tomorrow then. Spike said END FLASHBACK Staying angry to long over one failure wasn't worth the time and if he couldn't make Fancy Pants look bad with false missions then the only option was to make himself look better then him in Rarity's eyes with being extra helpful at her store today. He might be able to persuade her into rethinking who she was really in love with. She rushed into love with two other stallions before and neither ended well. Granted compared to both prince blueblood and trenderhoof she actually knew Fancy Pants personally for at least a year and a half before wanting to marry. Spike still knew her longer so that definitely had to give him more of an advantage. At Rarity's Boutique Rarity for what was likely the 10th time that morning looked at herself in her bedroom full length mirror while still wearing her wedding dress. It was a form fitting Ivory with lavender blush highlights along the back and swirled into the sleeves. Learning her lesson from the little fashion blunder with the breezies she added just enough sequins that it wasn't blinding or gaudy. She realized she shouldn't wear it to much at the risk of getting it dirty or tearing it but she couldn't help loving it. Like many little fillies growing up she had a lot of big fantasies that she hoped would turn into reality one day. Some of those dreams didn't happen but many more so far had. Her mother couldn't stop crying tears of joy when she told them the news. Her father was also just as happy for her. It was surprising how carefree he was with all the guys she dated as a teen unless one of them broke her heart. His hoofball glory days might of been over but ex-boyfriends that made her cry with being controlling learned quickly not to mess with the daughter of a former famously fierce linebacker. " Good thing I don't have to worry about that kind of drama with Fancy Pants. As much as I usually like a little drama the last thing I need is for anything bad to happen. Oh dear, I really shouldn't even think about it. I really don't want to jinx things." she thought happily. Life really was an unpredictable thing to her. All she wanted to be was a humble and well known dress maker. Somewhere along the line though she became a big sister, an element of harmony, a business owner of 2 stores, and soon the wife to one of Canterlots elite influential safety monitors. Soon she'd be standing at the alter with Fancy Pants, with her best friends as brides maids, sweetie belle the flower girl and possibly Spike as the ring bearer. "I hope he accepts the offer as ring bearer. He's practically the little brother I never had and it'd be a shame for him to not be a part of this." she thought to herself. She realized the little drake had a bit of a crush on her for a while now. It was never really a big secret or anything from the day they met to now just about every pony knew. He could be greedy but good hearted much like herself. He could be clumsy but loyal, honest, and she wanted him to find his special someone someday, but she really could never make herself feel anything for him other then the way she'd feel for her sister. At some point she even was about to attempt setting him up with Sweetie Belle but that backfired when she walked in on a sleep over her sister's friends plus close classmates were attending. Sweetie Belle had exited a closet blushing alongside a brown and orange earth pony colt that Rarity later learned was named Button Mash. Apparently they had crushes on each other and Sweetie's friends planned the party so they could confess with a game of seven minutes in heaven. "I think spike is grown enough to accept what's going on maturely despite his prank. Twilight has told me of the moments where he's helped her see things clear headed where even she couldn't. It should be safe to assume the same can apply to this." Rarity thought reasonably. She sealed her wedding dress back in its plastic wrapping to keep it from damage then pulled out the materials she needed for her next project. She was going to try making a better line of bride's maid dresses then she did for the royal wedding. Not that she didn't think they looked fabulous but like with any designer her mind was always craving to add more details or having after thoughts of what could of been better even if the customers are satisfied. First she'd start with one that would suit Pinkie pie. Usually she liked using different tints of pinkie and blue for her but this time around she was thinking of going with something teal on white. *Knock knock* She wasn't expecting customers at this hour yet so she had a good idea who it was at the door. "Its open darling". she called. Spike came in looking particularly happy and she assumed he was just happy to be off punishment. Twilight told her friends about his little prank a while ago and how bad it felt to need to punish Spike like a baby because of how old he was now. She also was going to have him apologize to Fancy Pants but he already told Rarity he found it more funny then mean so no apologizes were really needed. Rarity admired his patients and ability to not hold grudges to long unlike she use to. She had somewhat grown past grudges herself and since this was her little Spikey wikey she didn't hold anything against him. "Hi Rarity, I'm here to help with whatever you need at your shop today!" Spike greeted eagerly. "Glad you could come by Spike, there are some bride's maid dresses I'd appreciate the help with." she said smiling "Great! What do you want me to do first?" he asked. "Go in the back room and grab some teal shades of blue from the back would you? I want start with something for Pinkie Pie's dress first and I'm thinking slate teal blue with snowball white." Rarity explained. She started setting up some of her sketches she had already prepared the day prier. Then adjusted the lighting and ponyquin dolls in front of it in just the right way. After a few minutes Rarity thought that Spike might of gone to the bathroom since it seemed to be taking a bit longer for him to come back then it should of. She left the roll of the fabrics she might need in plain sight of the back room labeled so she thought about going to check up on him. Just as she was about to call out to him he reappeared carrying more of the fabrics then needed in a box alongside ones she didn't need at all. She thought she even saw a few pieces of an old nightmare night outfit in the pile. "I got the fabrics and some extras so you don't have to worry about looking for what you might need next!" Spike said. He was straining a little from the weight. He plopped it all down at her hooves, proud of the horde he had carried. "Umm, that's very thoughtful of you darling but I'm really not going to need all of this for the dresses. A lot of those aren't even the colors I need for the wedding. Are those my grooming sheers?" Rarity commented. "Are they? I just threw a lot of extra stuff I thought you'd like in the box." he said. Before she could reply, a knock once again was heard from the door. "Spike could you see who that is?"Rarity commented while returning a few of the boxes to the back room. While she was gone Spike opened the door to discover Sassy Saddles standing in the doorway. "Good morning! I'm here and hopefully not to late to help one of my favorite clients with her newest of dresses." Sassy said. "I didn't know Rarity asked any pony else over for help but my plan won't work if other ponies get involved. If things end well then that should make up for a little lying." Spike thought. "Oh well Rarity actually changed her mind and wants to do those tomorrow." he said to Sassy. "Really? Mind if I come in and ask her why?" She asked while trying to trot around Spike. Spike was blocking her path from fully coming inside. "No! I mean Rarity actually isn't in right now cause she had to go out and get some fabrics she didn't have here." the drake lied. "But what about all those fabrics behind you?" She asked while looking past him. The boxes Rarity didn't take back with her were still on display. Spike now realized maybe he really did bring in more fabrics then needed. "Those were just things she pulled out for the sake of inventory checking." Spike explained "Inventory checking?" she questioned. "Yep, that's why like I said she wants to do the dresses tomorrow cause she's busy with the whole inventory checking." he said "Well if your certain then okay just let her know I stopped by anyway." Sassy said this while leaving. "Will do!" Spike said while waving goodbye to the Rarity's manager. "Spike? Who was at the door? For a moment I thought I heard Sassy Saddles's voice." Rarity called while returning to room. "Yeah, that was her saying she had a really bad case of the flu and didn't want to whined up giving it to you so she couldn't help you today. "Spike said. "Really? She seemed fine the last I saw her a few days ago. Oh, I really wanted her input on things. Well at least Coco can help me later today when she gets here." Rarity said. "Coco Pommel is coming over to? How many ponies did you ask to come help you today?" Spike asked Rarity noted there seemed to be a bit of panic in his voice for some reason. "Well just those two really. Is something about more ponies coming bothering you?" She asked. "Oh no, no problem at all. I just thought that I'd be the only one helping you and didn't know you were going to want extra help with me around". Spike commented. "Of course I appreciate your help Spikey dear but on top of my friends I wanted to do dresses for my sister and her friends. Outfits for my parents and a few cousins of mine coming. That's a lot of work for just two to do. On top of that as helpful as you are at finding and lifting things around for me you don't really have an eye for fashion to help me make design decisions." Rarity explained. I didn't think she'd have that many outfits to do. She also has a point about my fashion inputs to. Rats! Maybe this could work even better then what I had in mind though. I can convince her with my helpfulness with working alongside Coco or maybe even working faster then Coco."Spike thought to himself. "Well that's okay me, you, and Coco might be able to get things all done before the day is over." Spike said with optimism. "I really hope your right." Rarity said. The next 33 minutes they spent sorting out the items they did and didn't need from the pile Spike carried in. By the time they were finished a knock once again came from the door. This time Rarity was the one to answer it and greeted her cream colored earth pony friend Coco Pommel inside. "Wow Rarity, for you to organize this many supplies this early must of taken a while." Coco commented. "Well I had a bit of help with Spikey here in that department darling." Rarity said "So what kind of dress did you have in mind first?" Coco asked. "Well I was hoping I could start with the bridesmaid dresses for my friends here in ponyville first. I want to begin with my friend Pinkie pie first." the fashionista explained. "Ah,I remember her from that nice little surprise birthday party she threw me last year. I'd love to help with her dress first as payback. What did you have in mind for it? Maybe something with teal?" Coco Pommel asked excitedly. "I was thinking the same thing and maybe with a belt." Rarity replied "That's a good idea but maybe just simple waves on the side would be better." her friend suggested. "Hmm, your right that's true. I'm even happier to have you here now, you have both fast hooves and an eye for highlighting things." She said As Rarity said this she gave Coco a hug and for some reason Spike felt a odd tinge of jealousy rise. He knew it was unfounded jealousy since Rarity was simply making a compliment to a friend like she does with all her friends. She even compliment him a few minutes ago so there was really no need to feel that way. As he had promised to do for the next few hours he helped where he could with fetching items the two needed, using his flames to make them tea, and helping with fitting the clothes on Coco to model when they weren't using the ponyquins. They eventually got to the final of at least her friends dresses with Applejack. The outfit had straps on the sleeves that needed tying with decorative gems pinned into them. Coco Pommel and Spike hadn't really spoke throughout their working together and since he was Rarity's friend she wanted to try chatting with him more. "So are you excited about the wedding?" Coco asked. Unlike others she didn't know about Spike's feelings for Rarity. "Oh yeah, I'm really excited about it." Spike lied while tying Coco's arm. "I've never met Fancy Pants personally but I hear he's a really nice guy." she commented. "Yep, a real swell guy." He said this slightly sarcastic while pulling hard on the straps. "Ouch, um can you not pull that tightly? These straps can't be to close when you pin the gems in." Coco said. "Sorry." Spike replied. "Its okay. I've never really imagined myself getting married one day but attending weddings like this. Seeing two ponies in love taking that big step always makes me a little jealous. What about you Spike?" she asked. He really didn't want to talk about, hear about, or think about Rarity's wedding even though he was here helping for it. "It sure make me feel something I can't really put in words." Spike said this while finishing the knot at the end of the strap then quickly picking up 3 gem pins and shoving them in. These types of pins had thick sharp tipped clips that curved down in when clipped in place.He did do as she asked and kept the straps a little from her arm but his jealous irritation with the conversation made him push the pins in harder then he should have. The second he did they pierced much deeper in her arm then if he were simply not paying attention and pricked her. His dragon strength didn't make it any more pleasant. "AaaHHHHHH!" Coco screamed in pain. "Oh my gosh! I'm so sorry." Spike apologized while trying to move the straps off the mare. "Their stuck in my skin! Don't move the straps it will make it worse." Coco said frantically. Rarity who had been in the bathroom came galloping in as fast as possible when she heard the screaming. "What's going on?! What happened?" the white unicorn asked. The first thing she saw was her friend on her side while trying to push Spike off her now slightly bleeding arm. She used her magic to move Spike out of the way and checked on Coco. Coco was trying to bite back another scream as she pointed to the pins in her arm with her unpierced forearm. "Coco what happened? Spike you've helped attach gem pins on ponies wearing dresses before, why would you be so careless?" Rarity said. "It was an accident! I wasn't paying attention on how hard I should of pressed them in." He tried to explain. Rarity gave Spike a disappointed look for a moment then helped Coco up and walked her to the bathroom for first aid. They were able to cut the sleeve open, carefully removed the pins, and secure the bleeding on Coco's arm. Spike sat on one of Rarity's living room couches and waited for them to be done while feeling guilty for hurting Coco. He was trying to prove how great and fast a help he could be only to hurt somepony in the process. After a while Rarity and Coco finally came from the bathroom together. He immediately tried to apologize to Coco. "Its okay Spike I know it was just an accident. I'll be fine and I can still help out with the rest of the outfits." Coco Pommel said. "Nether of us are angry at you Spikey dear but I have to know what distracted you that you'd push pins in her that deeply?" Rarity asked. "Um, I don't really know we were just having a conversation and the next thing I know I did it without thinking." Spike admitted. "Okay then what were you two talking about?" Rarity asked. "We were just talking about the wedding and your fiancé. I was curious on what he thought of both but I can't see how that could of been so distracting." Coco said obliviously. "Yes, I'd like to know why that would be myself." Rarity said with a slight idea to the answer. Before Spike could make up an answer there was knock at the door for a third time that day. None other then the very pony they were discussing poked his head in the doorway. "Rarity dear? I'm so sorry I couldn't leave my meeting much earlier to come and help but some new groups of trainee interns got papers mixed up and I couldn't just leave them." Fancy Pants said. He noticed the injured mare beside Rarity and then Spike sitting on the couch. "Um, am I interrupting something?" he asked. "Oh no there was just a tiny accident with my friends here but its mostly been fixed. Why are you here darling? I told you I already had friends coming over to help me with the dresses so you didn't have to cut any meetings today short to help me." Rarity questioned. "Well while I was nearing the end of a lunch break at one of my favorite cafés I ran into your manager. Mrs. Saddles asked me if you were done with what looked like a mountain of things in your inventory you needed to sort before starting your dresses. The reason being she didn't stay was because you were out." Fancy explained. "Did she really have to exaggerated it to a mountain? It was a slightly big hill at most." Spike thought. "Really now? Did she by any chance look or act sickly in any way?" Rarity asked while giving Spike a sideways glance. "Well not from what I could tell. She seemed perfectly healthy to me." Fancy replied. Rarity fully now looked at Spike questioningly who could only squeeze his tail while looking at the ground guilty in response. "I see. Well then Coco could you and Fancy Pants wait outside a bit? I want to talk with Spike for a moment. You two can get to know each other since my friend Coco Pommel here was curious on what you do." Rarity suggested. Both ponies were somewhat confused as to why they couldn't stay for whatever she was going to discuss with Spike but respecting Rarity's wishes they gave them their privacy. "Now then Spike which do you want to explain to me first? The real reason you lied about Sassy being sick or the real reason Coco talking about the wedding bothered you? I thought you wanted to help me with these dresses." Rarity began. "I did want to help you with the dresses I swear and what Coco said to me only distracted me but it didn't bother me. I'd never want to ruin something this important to you."Spike pleaded. "Lying to ponies so they can't help me, telling me those same ponies were to sick to help, then carelessly sticking pins into a pony who is helping because of what she was talking about. All these things sound like the actions of not just someone who is possessive and who wants to control how things are done with me. The last of these also sounds like someone who doesn't approve of my wedding. Please just be honest with me Spike." Rarity said. "I know its childish but I just wanted to prove I could be just as good as Fancy Pants or anypony else when it comes to helping you. This is a really important thing for you and I didn't want to ruin it. You know how much I love helping my friends and I especially love helping you. I've liked you from when we first met and wanted to show you my best today. I really don't have anything personal against Fancy Pants its just that.......I just don't know what else to do. I don't know how to prove myself as good enough for you." Spike said honestly. "Why do you think you need to be better then Fancy Pants or anypony else Spike? You and him are both great in your own ways and for different reason.I know how you feel truly." Rarity said. "No, you really don't know how I feel toward you. If you did you wouldn't be marrying a different guy." Spike replied while not looking at Rarity now. Rarity gently moved Spike's head with one hoof so he was looking her in the eyes. "Yes Spike, I truly do know how you feel towards me and I care for you just as much as I would my own sister. Your strong, generous when you want to be, loyal to a fault sometimes, and bold when you need to be. I feel a bond with you as if you were the great little brother I never had but that's as much as I can feel back. You can't force a pony to feel a certain way for you." As Rarity said this she sat herself on the couch next to him. "I will admit in a good amount of this is feels partly my fault since I never did tell you I knew or why I couldn't feel the same way back. A part of me honestly assumed you'd eventually fall for someone else at some point after getting tired of me, that someone else might fall for you, or you'd find some new obsession that would make you forget your feelings for me. The more I think about it now though with having you do things for me, me occasionally giving you gifts in return, I must of been giving the impression that something more could come from our friendship. If anyone should be apologizing it is me for never confronting you and from your perspective I was teasing you with the idea that we'd eventually be more then we could be. I hope you don't hate me to much for all this." Rarity asked. "I...I could never hate you Rarity. I'm.....disappointed but your not the one I'm disappointed in." Spike answered while trying not to show the hurt in his voice. Noticing his tone and his expression Rarity tried to thing carefully on what she say next. She put what she hoped was a comforting hoof on his shoulder. "It was a selfish thing to think to ask you to come over for these dresses or think you'd want to be the ring bearer to this wedding. You can go home if want and if you want to come or not to the wedding its your choice. Like I said I never meant to tease or hurt you and if you feel hurt all I can do is say I'm sorry." she said. "Its okay Rarity I'm not made at you or myself I'm just feeling disappointed but I'll get better." Spike said with a slightly forced smile. Back at the Castle Twilight decided to a little extra something for Spike in celebration of him getting off grounding and make him his favorite jewel cake. It was slightly more complicated then a regular one but she eventually was able to finish it. She was just about to put the final opal on the tip top when she Spike suddenly came in. That's strange, I would of thought he wouldn't be done for another few hours." Twilight thought "Oh Spike! I didn't think you'd be back this early. How did thing go at.....". She paused when she noticed the expression on his face. It would be more accurate to say there was less of an expression and more like a blank look on his face. His eyes sunken slightly and she could tell he looked like he might of been crying earlier. She flew over and tried to put a concerned hoof on his shoulder but he shrugged it off. "Spike? Spike did something happen at the shop with Rarity? Are you okay?" She asked Spike finally looked at Twilight sadly for a moment before crying into her shoulder as she hugged him. After a few minutes he calmed down enough to tell Twilight all that happened at Rarity's Boutique and what she said to him. "Wow, I'm sorry to hear that happened Spike. I hope you realize though that surely Rarity didn't say that to be purposely hurtful to you." Twilight said "I know that Twilight. She was just being honest with me and I know none of you would hurt me on purpose but that still hurt hear. "Spike confessed. "Do you want to talk about this more? I made some jewel cake for you but I'm not sure if you want to eat it now while talking about things." Twilight said. "Maybe later Twi, I don't really feel hungry right now." Spike said. He then pulled out the hug and disappeared to his room. Twilight was tempted to follow him and try making him talk more but knew he need some time to himself for right now.