//------------------------------//
// Beauty Contest 
// Story: Extremely Loud, Intensely Bright, Drastically Tense, Exceedingly Tight 
// by h4ns 
//------------------------------//

Chapter 64: Beauty Contest

It was another day, and another morning that had gone by without a single good posting. For the last couple of weeks Bryce went about his regular route with Rocksalt before the dull brown colt had to go off to school. And after that was done Bryce had nothing left to do but stick close to the notice board, praying something that would be well suited for him would show up. But for days now he had come back with nothing.

The only thing that was sure of was that around lunch time Mina would come to take him away for an hour. Mainly she came by for a dose of life force, but afterwards they would always go to a cheap diner to grab a quick bite and talk.

The rest of the day Bryce waited, taking time to work on his whittling. At the time, showing his craft to Ambrosia felt silly, but now every figure he made was snatched up by the papyrus colored mare almost as fast as he could put on the final touches. He didn't know how many dolls one mare could need, but he expected her house to be like the inside of an American Girl store, if American Girls were ponies.

Right now, Bryce was carving out the last features of a one such pony figure. After blowing off any invisible wood dust, Bryce placed the latest figure on the bench, next to the other two he'd made the day before.

With that one done Bryce began to curl and uncurl his fingers. He had been doing this almost nonstop since he was laid off, and the cramps in his hands showed it.

While he waited for his hands to unclench, Bryce took the time to check the job board. There had been a few new postings since he'd check that morning, but most were announcements for future events or policy changes. Of the new postings there was a single job offering, and it was for a security guard that paid 120 bits a week. But when he saw the time required, 12 to 6 at night, Bryce shook his head. 120 bits a week sounded like good money to just sit on your butt for five nights a week, but he didn't want to get used to sleeping during the day.

When he turned back to get back to whittling, he spotted Rarity, with the tassels on her knit hat bobbing with her steps. She seemed to be in a hurry, and not wanting to distract her Bryce was prepared to let her get away. But then she spotted him.

She trotted over to the human. "Hello, Bryce. How are you today?"

"Well, I'm doing fine."

"That's nice to hear. Pardon me for asking, but shouldn't you be at work?"

"I would, but I don't have that job anymore."

Rarity stepped back. "You were fired!? What did you do!?"

"Nothing. The whole crew got fired."

"Oh, you mean laid off. For a moment I thought... To be fair, I don't know what I thought. But still, the whole crew?"

"Afraid so. Mayor... No, Mare... The 'mayor' came by yesterday and told us to cease all activity and gave us 1000 bits severance a head.

"Well I'm sorry to hear that? Is that why you're here at the notice board?"

"Yeah, but there's been nothing for almost two weeks."

"What have you been doing to pass the time?"

"Well, whittling, mostly. With Rocksalt in school now and Bait still in recovery I don't have anything else to do."

"Whittling? That’s wood carving, correct?"

"Yeah, I have a few figures over here if you want to see, unless you have somewhere to be?"

"I do, but I can spare a few minutes." Following Bryce over to a bench, she admired the craftsmanship each figure had, but was a little shaken at who they were copied after. They were all of her. Not all in the same position, but all were unmistakable miniatures of the fashionista that now stood before them.

"Well, what do you think?" Bryce asked.

"They're...nice, but why are they all...?"

Bryce rubbed the back of his neck. "Well, there's this mare. She was on the construction crew. I showed her one of my other figures and since then she's been asking for them as fast as I can make them. And now she's wanting me to make copies of you."

"What could she possibly need so many for?"

Bryce shrugged. "You'll have to ask her. As long as she's paying I'll make'em. And of all the ponies I've done you're one of the hardest."

Rarity gave the human a stink eye. "Oh, and why is that?"

"Well, you're so thin, and your manes-" Bryce cut himself off, not daring to finish that statement. He held his hands behind his back and wiggled his toes in his usual way. "I'm sorry."

Rarity waved him off. "It's quire alright. It may be a good while, but it will grow back. How much is she giving you?"

"5 bits a figure."

"5 bits? And how many have you done for her?"

"Around 20."

"That many?"

"Well, I'm trying to save up some money. You see, Bait's come into some bits. And right before he got bit he showed me a plot of land outside of town he was thinking of buying. Well, he wanted me to move in with him. I've thought on it, and if I can get enough money I'll go in on it with him. I mean, if I'm going to be living with him I want to pay my fair share."

"I see," Rarity stated. "It sounds like a noble thing you're doing. But if you want some extra bits I do have something you can do for me."

"Right now, I'll do almost anything."

"Great. It's back at my boutique. I was able to get all the necessary materials together to repair my bedroom, and it couldn't have come at a better time. There's been a hole in the center of the room. I can't see it through the carpet and I trip over it on an almost daily basis. And since I'll be out of the house out I think it would be the best opportunity for you."

Bryce gave a nod. "Sure, I can do that."

"That's good. Go on and pack up your belongings and I'll let you get to it."

Placing everything in his satchel, Bryce followed the white mare back to her boutique. But as they turned onto the next street Bryce saw something that made him stop in his tracks. 

"Bryce, is something the matter?" Rarity asked.

When the human didn't respond, Rarity followed his gaze, and found what he had caught his attention. It was a small, orange pegasus whose gaze was locked back at him. The filly was herself frozen to the spot.

"Do you know who she is?"

"No, but she somehow knows me," Bryce answered.

"Then shouldn't you go and speak with her?"

"I've tried, but she runs away before I can get close."

After standing around for a few seconds, Rarity spoke up. "You're both being silly." Rarity took a few steps towards Scootaloo, and said, "Hello there, is there something we can-?"

Before she had cleared half the distance, Scootaloo turned back and ran down an alley, out of sight.

Rarity was left stunned by Scootaloo's reaction. “Is it something I said?"

By now Bryce had caught up with the white mare. "No, I think it's more me. Do you remember that colt you told me about at Fluttershy's?"

"Yes, of course I do."

"Well, do you remember ever seeing her around him?"

"Now that you mention it she did seem familiar to me. I think she may have stuck close to Bright."

"Well, that's what she called me."

"Bright? She called you Bright Smiles?"

"She called me Bright."

"Hold on, what was your last name?"

"Smales."

"Smales... That sounds a lot like Smiles."

"Well, people back in my world used to mistake my last name for that. Some did, anyway. But this whole thing has to be a coincidence."

"Maybe so, but you have to admit it is a rather large one."

Bryce bit his lip and shook his head. "I don't know, Marshmellow. I'm not saying anything until I can talk with Scootaloo. If I can talk with Scootaloo." They continued on their way to Rarity's boutique.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

Out at the apple farm, Bait sat under an apple tree and kept watch over Apple Bloom and Dinky as they played with the dogs. Since his discharge, he had not been able to go out very far on his own. He did as the doctor had told him and kept the wound clean, kept it covered, and took the prescribed pain killers, which helped to take the edge off but did next to nothing for when he had to move about.

But he felt bad that he hadn't seen or heard from Amethyst since their unfortunate encounter at the hospital. He had asked Dinky how things were with the magenta mare, but it seemed she knew about as much as he did. 

So now, with little there was for him to do, the tan colt relented to sit under this apple tree and watch the girls, for what it was worth.

At the sound of a triangle, the fillies and the dogs fell silent. "Come on in, y'all. It's time for lunch." Granny Smith called from the kitchen door.

Apple Bloom, Dinky, and the dogs reached the kitchen without pause. Bait, however, had to move at almost a crawl’s pace. Bait didn't mind that the girls had left him in the dirt like this, he would rather not being seen when he was at his weakest. It took time, but he made it to the house. 

When he entered the kitchen, the girls had already taken their places, but he was surprised at the additional pony who sat next to Dinky. From the archway, he said, "Amethyst?"

Everypony present stopped what they were doing to look at Bait; the dogs as well, who were caught in the middle of begging for table scraps.

After a second, Amethyst said in a slow voice, "Hey, Bait. I was able to get out of foalsitting early today."

Bait was slow to respond. "That's great, really. I mean, it's great you're here. That you were able to..." He stammered for a few more seconds before resolving to keep silent and take a seat across from Amethyst.

After Bait had managed to get down a few bites of food, Amethyst said, "So, how's your leg doing?"

Bait, a little surprised the magenta mare cared, didn't respond at first. "It's okay. It's been better."

Amethyst move her food around on her plate. "Are you going to have to go back to the doctor anytime soon?"

"Sure. I need to go back on Monday for surgery to close the wound."

"Do you think you'll need to go back anymore after that?"

"I don't know what more is required, but I hope it is close to being done and over with."

"Yeah," Amethyst said, giving a weak smile to the tan colt. "I hope so, too. I'm rooting for you."

Bait gave a light-hearted smile back. "Thanks, Amethyst, that means a lot coming from you."

There was another long pause throughout the kitchen. 

After a while Apple Bloom noticed the cord around Bait's neck. "Hey, what's that thing there ya got 'round your neck?"

Bait held up the snake rattle for everypony to see. "This? It's the tail of the snake that bit me. Bryce made it."

Everypony else in the room cringed. Apple Bloom was beginning to regret bringing it up. "D- Does it still work?"

"Yes, it does. Listen." He shook the rattle, producing the unholy sound only it could gave off.

When the sound reached her Dinky's ears the young filly's mind returned to that day; the day she and Apple Bloom had come close to being snake food. She grabbed for the closest thing she could grab and buried her face into it. That thing was Amethyst's barrel.

After feeling her sister pull in close, Amethyst cried out, "Bait!"

Bait dropped the rattle, letting it hang down off his neck. He looked into the eyes of the four ponies around him, finding it hard to tell what they now thought. Looking down to his scavenged plate of food, Bait let out a sigh. "I'm sorry, everypony." He stepped onto his hooves, managing to ignore the pain in his leg.

"Bait, wait a second," Amethyst said.

"I need to go to the bathroom."

Bait trotted up the stairs, but Amethyst was able to catch up with him with ease. "Bait, hold up for a second."

He stopped at the top of the stairs. "I- I didn't mean for this to happen."

"I know you didn't. I'm sure you would never have done that if you had known."

"But I should have known. She wasn't able to get out of the pit herself; Bryce had to help her. And she would never have in there in the first place if I hadn't dragged Bryce out to see that stupid plot of land."

"You can't blame yourself for that. None of us knew."

"But still, we should have been watching them."

Amethyst trotted up the last few stairs and sat next to Bait. "Okay, there should have been somepony watching over them, but nopony blames you. And if it hadn't been for you there might not be a Dinky left for us to worry about. Or an Apple Bloom."

"Maybe, but it was more Bryce than it was me."

"You did your part, too. Even Bryce says so."

"He's being modest."

"No, he's being a friend. And... And..."

"Just go on a say it," Bait chided. "Tell me how you really feel," 

Bearing her teeth, Amethyst growled under her breath, "Darn it, Bait!!!" Knowing what little else she could say, Amethyst leaned forward and pressed her lips against Bait's. 

Bait wanted to push her back, but couldn't bring himself to do it. He felt himself getting into the kiss, and went along with her movements. 

When she pulled away Bait wanted to pull her back, but didn't want to test his luck. It took a few minutes for the euphoria to finally leave them both. "Amethyst...?"

"Bait, I don't hate," she said in a much calmer tone. "Sure, it got on my nerves when I thought you were getting close to that nurse, but I didn't hate you then, and I don't hate you now. I've been worried sick about you ever since I left you back there at the hospital. And I've kicked myself every day because of that. And I did mean it when I said I was rooting for you, because... Well, let's just say you tick me off in a good way. I feel like slapping you, but you're just so darn goofy."

They two let that hang in the air.

Bait gave Amethyst a sly smile. "So, I'm too goofy for you to slap?"

"Well, yeah. You make me laugh enough to where I wouldn't want to see you get hurt."

"Oh ho ho, you doesn't seem that way when I speak about your bottom. Most especially when I say it's quite--what's the word?"

Amethyst tried to hold back a smile. "Bait, come on. I’m not one to hit a colt when he's already hurt."

Bait's smile intensified as he drew in close. He whispered in her ear, "It's quite voluptuous."

As if by reflex, Amethyst gave Bait a playful smack across the face. "Okay, you've had your fun. Now let's wind it back a tad."

"Voluptuous."

She gave the tan colt another smack, giggling as she did it. "Bait!"

"Voluptuous."

She hit him again, but Bait kept his smile. "Okay, next time I will give it to you."

Bait raised his eyebrows, exposing his cheek for Amethyst to strike. He whispered the word. "Voluptuous."

"Alright, you asked for it!" Drawing her hoof back, Amethyst aimed for Bait's face. But it ended up low, grazing the tan colt's exposed flesh.

Bait let out a high pitched screech as he went tumbling down the stairs. He came to a stop at the landing.

"Oh no, Bait!" Amethyst ran down the stairs. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Please don't let me be the one that ends up killing you!"

Bait let out a groan.

"Bait, does it hurt? What am I saying, of course it hurts. Bait, I'm sorry."

Bait placed his better hoof over her mouth. "Amy, it's alright."

"It's just... We were having fun, and now I've... Do you need my help?"

After letting out a groan, Bait said, "There is something I would very much like you to do."

"Name it; I'll do anything."

Bait held out his injured leg. "I want you to cut off my leg."

Amethyst facehoofed, letting out a sigh. "Bait, I like you a lot, but please be serious right now."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

As Rarity sank down into the mud bath, with her body wrapped in seaweed, cucumbers over her eyes, and her blue knit cap covering what remained of her mane, she felt her joints unclench and her muscles go slack. Fluttershy, who took the mud bath right beside Rarity's, enjoyed the mud, but not as much as her friend.

"Ahh, that's the stuff," Rarity said, letting out a long exhale. "And again I'm sorry for being late, but something came up while I was on my way over."

"It's no bother, Rarity. But I hope everything's alright."

"It was nothing too serious. Just a quick detour to speak with Bryce."

At hearing that Fluttershy felt herself go warm; even warmer than the sauna was a few minutes before. "Oh... Did you need him for something?"

"Yes, actually. You see, a while ago there was an 'incident' in my bedroom. Without going into too many details let's just say my bedroom needed a little 'redecorating'. But like I said it's nothing serious."

"That's good to hear. How is Bryce?"

"He's fine, but things could be better; he got laid off from work just two weeks ago."

Fluttershy's eyes shot open. She held a hoof to her mouth. "That's awful! Do you know what happened?"

"It wasn't just him. He and all his fellow coworkers were fired."

"Oh, that's better than I thought. I was worried that..."

Rarity turned her head in Fluttershy's direction; unable to see the buttercup pegasus through the cucumbers. "What's that, darling?"

"It's nothing. Has he been able to find another job?"

"Not yet, the poor dear. But that's the way things happen, I suppose. He's been at the job board since it happened and not a single position's been posted yet that will suit him. If I hadn't seen him when I did he would probably still be out there right now. If only I had something for him." Rarity turned back to Fluttershy. "You wouldn't happen to have anything for him, would you, Fluttershy?"

"Who, me? No." She slunk back in her mud bath. "At least, nothing I can't handle myself."

"Come now, there must be something, Fluttershy. You are only one mare, after all. You must need some help, what with all the animals you care for."

"I don't need any help, really. It's not that hard of a job."

"Well, are you sure it couldn't be a little harder, for his sake?" Rarity asked with a sly smile.

Fluttershy went silent for a moment. "Wh- What do you mean?"

"Oh, I think you may know what I mean."

"I don't know what you're talking about." Rarity continued to give the timid mare the same knowing smile, forcing her to hide behind her mane. "Am I that obvious?"

Rarity gave a nod. "I had my doubts, but I still remember that 'one fateful day' when you-"

"Oh, Rarity, I was just thanking him. He saved Angel."

"And is that the reason you were so embarrassed afterwards and ran away?"

"It was nothing..."

"Don't act shy about it. I don't see what could be embarrassing about liking somepony in 'that' way."

"But, Bryce isn't a pony..."

"Hmm, what was that?"

Fluttershy took in a deep breath, then released it in a long, slow draw. "I said-" At that moment one of the spa mares came by. Fluttershy stepped out of the mud bath and into the offered bathrobe.

Rarity, who was still blind to the world around her, called out, "Fluttershy, are you there?" When her friend didn't respond, Rarity leaned out of her bath and waved a hoof in the direction she last heard the mare. "Hello?"

The sound of Aloe clearing her throat got the fashionista's attention. "Miss Rarity, Miss Fluttershy has already gone to the hoof bath."

"Has she now? Well thank you, Lotus."

"I'm her sister, Miss Rarity."

Rarity removed one of the cucumber slices from her eyes and found the pink Aloe awaiting her. "Sorry, Aloe, you both sound a lot alike."

"It's fine, Miss Rarity. You aren't the first to mix us up." After helping Rarity out of the mud, out of her seaweed wrap, and into a bathrobe, Aloe asked, "Miss Rarity, are you sure there's nothing we can do with your mane? It's been a while."

"No, I'm sure. I'm trying something new that should make it, uhm, hold its shape better."

"Are you sure, because your headwear can't be doing it much good. Won't you allow me to work with it-?"

Aloe went to reach for knit hat, but was swatted away by Rarity. "Don't touched that!" Rarity shouted. "I'm sorry," she apologized. "It's...not ready yet. If you take it off now it would ruin all the progress I've made thus far."

"It's quite alright. Now, would you follow me over to the hoof baths?"

When Rarity reached the hoof bath Fluttershy already had her own hooves submerged beneath the bubbling water. "There you are. Why did you run off like that?"

"I'm sorry, Rarity, but Lotus was there. And she had a bathrobe just waiting for me. I couldn't just let her wait, could I?"

"I suppose not, but it would have been nice if you told me, as well."

Fluttershy hid behind her mane. "I'm sorry..."

As she stepped into the hoof bath, Rarity said, "It's quite alright. But still, can you honestly say you feel nothing for Bryce? Because from the way I've seen you act when he's around-" Rarity stopped when she saw the timid mare sink further into her mane; disappearing behind a wall of pink mane.

Rarity stepped out of her hoof bath and trotted over to her saddened friend. She placed a hoof on Fluttershy's back. "Fluttershy...?" 

She allowed a single blue eye to peek through her mane.

"Is there a reason why you won't let yourself show your feelings?"

Breaking eye contact, Fluttershy gave a nod.

"Do you want to tell me why?"

She shook her head.

"Come now. If you can't tell your friend then who can you tell?"

Fluttershy looked back to Rarity, seeing the concern she had for her. "I don't know, Rarity. Whenever I come near him it's almost as if I lose control of myself. You've seen how I act. I do like him, and I was hoping he would say something. But if it's so obvious to you then why isn't it obvious to him?"

"Believe me, there is a lot that boy doesn't notice."

"Do you think so?"

Furrowing her brow, Rarity gave a deep, long sigh. "Trust me; I know."

This further dampened the yellow mare's attitude on the situation.

"But you shouldn't let that put you off him. In my opinion, you two would make a wonderful couple."

Fluttershy let out a shallow breath. "I believe you, Rarity, but I don't think Bryce would see it that way."

"Oh, why so?"

Fluttershy bit down on her lip; unprepared to explain something she thought the white unicorn couldn't take. "Rarity, in Bryce's world ponies aren’t like they are here."

"Well, seeing how he acts I can't think anypony from where he originates being very proper."

"No, I mean... This is hard to say..."

"So they're more vulgar. But I bet with a little polishing even somepony like Bryce could become a model-"

"Ponies are animals," Fluttershy blurted out.

It was enough to make Rarity pause. She gave an unexpected smile. "Is that all? I don't know if you've noticed, but aren't very different from animals."

"No, I mean ponies in his world 'are' animals."

"Yes, and so are we."

"No, not like us. Like the animals I treat. Who don't talk or live in houses or worry about being clean."

"Like the animals you..." It was slow in coming, but Rarity came to understood. "Oh...my..." She had to steady herself. "Are you sure of this?"

Fluttershy escaped into the safety of her mane. "I'm sure. Bryce told me himself."

"Oh... Well, if... But... That's...unsettling..."

"Do you understand now?"

"I can see it that way, Fluttershy, but... I need a moment." Shutting her eyes tight, Rarity took in a deep breath, and let it out slowly. Then the words came to her. "Fluttershy, I can see your way in this particular scenario, but I still think you should let him know how you feel."

"I- I couldn't..."

"You can; you just need to find the right moment and-"

"Rarity, I can't." Fluttershy interjected. "What if he says no?"

"What if he says yes?"

"What if he looks at me like I'm crazy?"

"What if he looks at you and likes what he sees?"

"What if he laughs at me?"

"What if he-" Rarity began to say before Fluttershy cried, "Rarity, please!" Rarity went silent, shocked at the diffident mare's plea. It hurt her to bear witness to, but she could tell Fluttershy was on the verge of breaking down in tears.

"Rarity," Fluttershy said. "I'm not like you. I don't have a thousand stallions who act like gentlecolts so they can get my attention. I can't leave a room silent with a wave of my mane. Nopony has ever tripped over their own hooves trying to get one more look at me. I wish I could be bold and 'flaunt my stuff' like you can, but I can't. I'm not like you." With that said, Fluttershy could no longer hold back her tears. "I'm sorry, Rarity. You are my best friend, but I can't help that I feel this way." Jumping out of her hoof bath, Fluttershy shed her bathrobe and made her way for the front of the spa.

Rarity was stunned; too shocked to move.

To say what Fluttershy had said hurt would be an understatement. The buttercup mare's words stung, and had left there stingers buried deep in Rarity's weakened exterior.

But despite how hurt she felt, Rarity wasn't going to allow Fluttershy to walk away. Not like this.

Throwing off her own bathrobe, Rarity ran to catch up with Fluttershy. Before the pegasus could reach the front door, Rarity yelled out, "Fluttershy, you wait right there!"

Fluttershy did as Rarity said, freezing mid-step. "Rarity, I'm sorry," she sobbed.

"No, you don't get to be sorry. Not after how rotten I've been to you." Now it was Rarity's turn to try and hide herself. "I don't feel good about what I'm about to say, I really don't. But for the longest time now I've been jealous of you. I don't mean to be, but to me you're the lucky one. Every day I see some colt who goes out of his way to try and woo me. I'm nice about it, but after putting up with it for so long I'm almost at wit's end. And then there's the long, rigorous hours I put in just to make myself be the fancy of everypony's desires; the belle of the ball; the Poniet to their Roneigho."

"I get jealous that I have to put in so much time to pretty myself and keep up with the latest fashions while you get by with the bare essentials. And that despite running yourself wild with your animal friends you still look as fresh as a daisy. If I were to do the same thing for just a day I would go grey." Rarity fell back on her rump as she pressed her hat down low to cover her face. "And through it all I've been a terrible friend to you; forcing you to come here every week just so my time here goes by faster. You're my best friend, too, but making you go through this so I can try and be as beautiful as you..." Rarity placed the knit hat over her face, leaving her blind once more. "I'm sorry, Fluttershy." Tears began to flow from her eyes.

What happened next was something Rarity hadn't expected. 

Fluttershy came over to the white unicorn, and with both of her hooves, pulled Rarity in for a hug.

They both said nothing for the longest time, until Rarity said, "Fluttershy, I don't understand."

"You shouldn't be sorry for that, Rarity. I never minded tagging along with you for our spa dates. And I still don't."

"But, after what I said."

"I come here every week with you because it's the only time I get away from my animals." Fluttershy released Rarity, holding her out at fore leg's length. "I love all of my little critters, but sometimes they do get to me. It helps me to get away, if only for a couple of hours. And it helps that I have a pony friend to talk to."

"I- Is that so?"

"Emhem."

"You're not just saying that to... To..."

"No, I mean it. I mean every word."

Rarity bit down on her lip, while at the same time showing the beginnings of a smile. "You're being too kind to me. You really are a friend. We are still friends...?"

"Of course."

The two mares drew each other in for a hug. "Thank you, Fluttershy."

"It's no problem, Rarity."

"But still, I wish it hadn't come to this."

"Maybe it's best it did, though. Before it became worse."

"Maybe you're right. But we could have done it a better way."

They released each other, falling back on their hooves. After paying for their treatments, they went out the front door.

As they made their way out, Rarity said, "Fluttershy, I don't know how you'll react to this, but I still think you should tell Bryce how you feel. Don't you usually go to the farmer's market? Because I was thinking you could allow Bryce to come along. Mostly to help you, but if you're around him long enough you just might let it slip."

"I don't know. It sounds nice, but... I don't know if I can. What if he doesn't feel the same for me?"

"You shouldn't worry how Bryce might feel. The question is how do you feel about him?"

"It's hard to say. But when he's close I feel like anything that comes up I can get through. Like whenever he's close nothing can get to me. I feel safe."

"Safe how?"

"Just safe. Safe from every little thing, no matter how big or small. I feel like I could be myself and he wouldn't mind one bit. I- If that makes sense."

Rarity thought for a moment. "In a way, it does. I don't feel the same way for him myself, but what you say makes sense. I hope I can find somepony I feel that way about one day, and not fell disgusted by their feigned affection."

"I'm sure you will one day. And when you find him I know he won't care what you look like. Not even when you turn old and grey."

Rarity gave a chuckle. "Oh, I dread the day that would happen," she said in a joking tone. "Think of the spa treatments I would need to reverse that."