//------------------------------//
// Darling 
// Story: Appledashery 
// by Just Essay 
//------------------------------//

	"Well, it was pretty schnazzy alright," Rainbow said, resting on the window sill looking out onto the lawn bordering the Carousel Boutique.  "If you really wanted to, you could have thought something... anything, and it would have conjured up something in the dreamworld.  I mean... of course it was all fake... but in the dream you'd barely know any better!"

"My word..."  Rarity lowered a levitating cup of tea from her lips and rested a pale hoof to her dainty cheek.  "...I can scarcely imagine such... radiance."  Her eyes sparkled.  "Why, with the ability to manifest any and all inspiration, I could be capable of so much fabulous—"

"Whoah there, girl," Rainbow Dash chuckled, waving a hoof at the fashionista.  "That sort of wild thinking is what made maniacs out of the sons of Shindig in the first place!"

"Erm... but of course."  Rarity blushed slightly.  "My deepest apologies, Rainbow.  I know you and Applejack have been through enough."

"Eh, it's fine."  Rainbow shrugged.  "Just, I can kinda understand how and why mortals with access to Cider Space coulda gone totally mad with power.  It's really addicting... I suppose."

"And yet you did not fall victim to the alicorn powers?!"  Rarity blinked in the Boutique's light.  "Despite how seductive they must have been?"

"Erm... well... Stu Leaves and I were kinda busy at the time, Rarity."

"Mmmm."  Rarity sipped some more tea.  "But of course.  You had our dear friend to rescue."

"Heh..."  Rainbow smirked out the window.  "You make it sound so friggin' heroic."

"Isn't it, though?" Rarity remarked, blinking.  "What you and Stu Leaves did was nothing short of pure chivalry."

Rainbow gulped.  "You d-don't say."

"I may not know much about this Mr. Leaves, fellow, but I happen to be good friends with a truly courageous equine," Rarity said.  "I've no doubt that your zeal carried you effortlessly across that otherworldly domain.  Applejack's lucky to have returned home as unblemished as she has."

"Eh... it was a bumbling mess, Rarity," Rainbow muttered.  "Stu and I kept tripping over ourselves the entire time.  There was hardly anything cool about it."

"How interesting."

Rainbow blinked her way.  "How so?"

"Well, simply that I'm not used to you being so... unnecessarily humble when it comes to recounting your exploits, darling."

"If this was about winning a race or a trophy at the Running of the Leaves, then sure."  Rainbow's nostrils flared as she stared out the window again.  "But this is different.  This was about Applejack..."  She gulped.  "About bringing her back in one piece."

"Isn't that something to be proud of?"

"It's not pride.  I'm just..." Rainbow hugged herself slightly.  A cold shudder ran through her limbs.  "It's really awesome that Applejack is in one piece.  I'd rather just leave it at that.  Luck saved her, and I'm not about to brag over something that nearly wasn't the case—had the universe, like, blinked the other way instead."

There was the quiet clatter of a teacup being placed down along with its saucer.  A series of hooves shuffled over in Rainbow's direction.  When the pegasus looked up, she felt her fetlocks being grasped in both of Rarity's.

The unicorn gazed at her, lovingly, a warm smile plastered across her muzzle.  "You saved Applejack, Rainbow Dash.  Perhaps with the help of your friend, most certainly, but do not discount your role in this."

"Rarity, I..."  Rainbow Dash gritted her teeth, trying not to shiver.  "I fail to see what the big deal is."

"I know, darling."  Rarity smiled, her eyes glossy.  "And I don't think you need to look or feel any further just to know how truly loyal that proves you to be."

Rainbow Dash blinked.  She fought a lump in her throat, then glanced aside.  "Uhh... th-thanks, Rarity," she said hoarsely.  "For realsies."

"Anytime, Rainbow."  Rarity's eyelashes fluttered.  "And now, friend, if I may make a small request."

"Errrr... sure."

"How about a hug, for old time's sake."

"... ... ..."  Rainbow chuckled, rolling her eyes.  "Sure.  Just don't get any of your makeup gunk on me."

Rarity produced a dainty laugh.  Nevertheless, in swift order she was leaning in and snuggling the petite pegasus.  She sniffled slightly, then murmured with her eyes happily shut.  "It is delightful to know, no matter how near or far you may be, you are still the same Rainbow."

Rainbow exhaled, gazing past the mare's shoulders.  "Yeah.  You're telling me, girl..."