//------------------------------// // A Modest Proposal // Story: ‘Til Sunday Do Us Part // by BlazzingInferno //------------------------------// Rarity studied the surface of her work table with pursed lips. Before her there was thread of every color, fabric of every make, and enough paper to chronicle a dozen spring outfit collections. Alas, one critical component was missing: inspiration. The nagging chill of winter wasn’t helping, either. The thump of her workroom door closing went unnoticed, as did most of what Spike said to her. He was probably just letting her know that he’d taken out the trash like she’d asked. He was such a dear, albeit a bit of a distracting one at times like these. “Mmm-hmm. Thank you, Spikey.” She caught bits and pieces of his reply, something about snow outside, and fetching her mail. Details aside, the one constant in his little report would be the final phrase, a question that he never failed to ask: “Can I do anything for you?” “Could you bring me a scarf, Spikey? I simply can’t think of designs for spring when I’m so cold.” For a moment, the whole of her attention returned to her work. Something just wasn’t right about this selection of materials. Nothing in front of her screamed ‘spring,’ or even so much as whimpered it. Perhaps she’d have better luck planning next winter’s apparel instead. A scarf, her favorite wool one no less, found its way onto her shoulders. “Thank you, Spikey. If only my inspiration was that easy to fix. What in Equestria am I missing?” Rarity didn’t expect Spike to have an answer, but he offered one anyway. “Maybe you just need to take a break. Why don’t you look through your mail instead? There’s this letter with no return address and a weird symbol on the front. It’s really small, but I think it’s supposed to be two blue ponies in a circle. What do you think that mea—” Fabric swatches and spools of thread clattered to the ground. She stared at him with wide-eyed surprise, or rather, she stared at the letter he’d suddenly felt the need to hold up in self-defense. “Two… two blue ponies?” “Y-yeah. See?” Rarity took the letter and scrutinized the front of it. The tiny emblem was unmistakable, assuming the rumors were to be believed. A bit of magic was all it took to tear open the side of the envelope and remove a single sheet of paper. Her hooves started trembling when she saw the same emblem on the letterhead, and by the time she finished reading the first line, she was laughing. “They’re real, Spike! The Blue Pony Society is real, and they want to give me a trial membership at a meeting this weekend!” “Rarity, what—” Smiling wasn’t enough. Laughing wasn’t, either. She leaped from her chair and danced around the room with Spike in tow. “This is the best day of my life!” “Same… same here.” Looking down, Rarity realized just how tightly she was hugging him, and just how much he was blushing. “Oh, I’m terribly sorry, Spikey. I’m just so excited!” Once she released him, he fell to the floor like a doll. “I couldn’t tell…” She trotted back to the table and retrieved the letter. “I suppose I’ve gotten ahead of myself. Let me explain: this symbol is the emblem of The Blue Pony Society, the most secretive and exclusive gathering of high-society ponies in all of Equestria. Until now I assumed it was merely an old pony’s tale, but it’s all right here in the invitation: the club name, the meeting location, the bylaws, the…” The last paragraph gave her pause. She reread the letter in full, this time paying closer attention to each and every word. “All members are required to bring their…” The letter slipped from her hooves. “All members are required to bring their… their…” Spike eventually picked himself, and the letter, off the floor. He glanced from the paper to her shell-shocked expression. “Are you okay, Rarity?” She shook her head as a tear trickled down her face. “No, I’m afraid not, Spike. It appears I’ve gotten my hopes up for nothing.” He scanned the letter and eventually found the offending sentence. “‘All members are required to bring their… their lawfully wedded spouse? Proof of marriage may be requested of any prospective member at any…’ You have to be married to be in this club?” Rarity hung her head. “It appears so. Perhaps they made a mistake, sending an invitation to me. Surely they know I’m not…” Her tears splashed on the floor. “One of the most exclusive gatherings of pony society… joinable only by invitation…” A tissue box appeared before her. She looked up to see Spike, this time with worry in his eyes instead of the usual reverence and admiration. “I’m so sorry, Rarity. What can I do to make you feel better? Just name it.” “Thank you, Spikey, but I think right now, I need some time alone.” Spike’s face fell, and he nodded. “Okay. I’ll see you later.” Rarity wiped her eyes and watched him leave. Growing up hadn't changed him very much. He was somewhat larger than he used to be; not a giant, by any means, but just tall enough to put them at eye level. Supposedly, that was as tall as he’d ever get without greed fueling his growth. The way he walked, so distraught and depressed, was exactly how she felt. He almost looked like he was the one who’d missed a chance to mingle with the highest ranks of society, rather than her. Then inspiration struck. A fresh smile formed on her lips, and she gazed longingly at her ever-present helper. “On second thought, could you stay for a moment more, Spikey?” He whirled around with a cautious smile on his face. “Sure, what is it? Are you feeling better? Can I do something for you?” Rarity batted her eyelashes at him, which was enough to trigger another blush. “Spike, I have a small… proposal for you.”