As much as I thought I would love being adored by ponies with so much social status, I always did have a lingering fear of public disgrace. One wrong move, and suddenly the whole city writes you off as someone not worthy of even bumping into on the streets, and nopony respects you or anypony with whom you socialize.
That's why I was flattered when the esteemed, attractive Fancy Pants covered my behind when my friends got mixed up with my Canterlot affairs. I didn't even deserve an excuse (I had made some selfish moves back there- what a shameful girl I was in the past!), yet he still stood up for me and complimented my work. And none of those upper class ponies would dare defy the word of anyone more upper class than they! I left Canterlot that night on good terms with everypony thanks to his faith in me.
So naturally, when I ran into him at Princess Cadence's wedding reception, I had to continue our friendship, and possibly advance it.
"Oh, Fancy Pants, how nice to see you here!" I said with the cutest inflection possible.
He recognized me after a few seconds and smiled warmly. "Rarity! The mare from the garden party. Nice to see you back in Canterlot."
"Yes, well, the groom is the brother of my best friends- Twilight Sparkle, you know her."
I saw his gaze dart towards Twilight who, thank Celestia, was not dancing as...spirited as at the other party, but enjoying herself nonetheless.
"Your friends really do have connections, don't they? They'd be lucky enough just knowing a mare as lovely as you."
I tried to maintain my composure, hoping I didn't make a fool of myself. I also didn't want to throw my friends under the carriage, so I replied,
"Well, I feel lucky knowing them."
He seemed to appreciate this. "You all were very bold out there this afternoon. That changeling reveal was a fiasco, but luckily nopony was hurt and the royal couple are safe and happy. It culminated in a nice ceremony." He gestured towards Applejack and Rainbow Dash, who were chattering about who knows what. "Did you make their dresses?"
I smiled proudly. He remembered my work! "Why, yes. Celestia herself invited me to make them. Cadance's- or really, Chrysalis's demands- and the change in bridesmaids made it a bit of a hassle, but I think it worked out nicely. Thank you for remembering my craft!"
He put his hoof on my back. I felt shivers go down my spine. "How could I forget such well-stitched and beautifully blended clothing? I know ponies in the fashion industry who gush about your work, and many ponies in Canterlot have ordered your dresses to wear to the Gala."
I felt honored, so I decided to honor him back. "Well, it's all because of your promotion!"
"You're so humble." We heard the DJ put on another love song. "Say, how do your dresses hold up on the dance floor?" he asked, holding out his hoof.
I sort of stared at him for a second before putting on a flirty expression. "I would imagine pretty well."
We took to the dance floor, performing some graceful moves, even with that blaring pop soundtrack. Granted, I may have come off a bit strong, but in the end he didn't seem to mind. We even got a picture taken together!
Unfortunately, he had to leave for the restroom in the middle of the song, and I didn't see him for the rest of the night. He did respond when I sent him a letter that night asking if he had been upset with me, that maybe I had bumped him in the wrong place during the dance. He assured me I had done nothing wrong (what an irony that would turn out to be) and he still found me very charming.
We continued to write each other letters, discussing current events, fashion, and all sorts of high society. I also told him about what went on in Ponyville, since he liked to hear about other cultures. Eventually, we began to flirt more obviously with one another, eventually becoming distant sweethearts.
It felt wonderful at the time, but eventually it would begin to crumble.