//------------------------------//
// Slim Chances (Swirlstar the Dedreab) 
// Story: Rarishy Commissions 
// by RariShyZealot 
//------------------------------//

Fluttershy had never liked thunderstorms much; they were loud and scary and made a mess out of everything. She liked them even less from below, cowering in her new home and counting the seconds until it was due to pass. So, it was not really a surprise that, when somepony -or something, she couldn’t help but think- knocked on the door.

With a yelp she took to the air, banging her head on the table she had hidden beneath. Rubbing her aching scalp, she quietly snuck out towards the stairs, to seek shelter in her closet with her teddy bear and wait for whatever Everfree monster had decided to besiege her cottage. However, she stopped in her tracks when she heard a voice she recognized; hoarse and though it was.
She took a breath to calm herself down, puffing out her chest as she went to open the door. Outside was the amazingly gorgeous unicorn that had helped her out when she had first come to town. Rarity was wearing a brown cloak darkened by the heavy rain, and from her reddened face it was obvious she had been crying.

Now however, she was trying to put on a brave face, managing a pained smile as she saw Fluttershy and the pegasus felt a pang of sympathy and sadness at the futile act.

“Rarity, what’s wrong?” She stepped back to let in the shivering pony. But Rarity didn’t answer, at least not before she had hung up her coat and been led by the hoof to the living room table. In fact, before she had said a word Fluttershy had assured her that whatever the issue was it would be alright several times, alternating between the kitchen and the living room as she tried to both console her friend and make them some tea at the same time.

As Fluttershy was pouring the tea for them, she finally spoke.

“I-“was all she managed before bursting into tears. Fluttershy gasped and almost threw the kettle to the table as she leaped to Rarity’s side, pulling her into a tight hug. They just sat there for a while, holding each other as minutes ticked by on the grandfather clock in the corner. Fluttershy was honestly starting to enjoy it, the feeling of Rarity’s smooth coat against hers, the smell of her perfume, even just the feeling on being this close to her crush was enough to invite a swarm of butterflies into her belly.

She silently scolded herself, Rarity, her friend -and nothing more-, was crying her heart out; this was not the time to enjoy herself. When Rarity finally stopped and pulled away gently, Fluttershy couldn’t help but leave a hoof to rest on her shoulder.

“Thank you Fluttershy… I don’t know what I’d do without you,” she said sniffling. Fluttershy couldn’t help but feel proud about that, even though it made her feel sick to be enjoying her friend’s suffering. 

“I need your help-” Rarity’s face sank, unwilling to see Fluttershy in the eye, “-I think…” After a deep breath, she told Fluttershy everything, and she listened to it all: the self-hatred, the eating problems, the purging, looking at herself in the mirror and seeing an incredibly fat, ugly pony staring back at her with equal parts disbelief and disgust. But worst of all there were the judgments, Rarity’s attempts at entering the fashion industry only to be rejected because of her looks, her idols and heroes sneering at her.

Fluttershy felt a seething anger build in her chest. They had dared to reject the most wonderful pony in the world. They had DARED to say that Rarity, the most beautiful and amazing pony in the world was not good enough for them! Fluttershy felt like hitting something, she just couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

In the end, all she did was pull Rarity back in for another hug, holding her tighter and wrapping her wings around her. She felt Rarity hug her back, felt the tears pouring onto her shoulder. She pressed her cheek to Rarity’s briefly before whispering in her ear.

“It’ll be alright, I’ll help you.” She felt Rarity nodding weakly and heard a sigh of relief.

“It’ll be alright…”





A small bell chimed as Fluttershy entered the Eastern Wind, taking in the sights and smells of the surprisingly roomy restaurant. It was not a particularly busy day, she guessed, but well-dressed patrons chatted quietly over half-empty plates of food. She slowed her walk so that she came up side by side with Rarity, and gently draped a wing over her back.

Rarity held her head high, and acted casual, but Fluttershy could read her like an open book. She was nervous, her eyes occasionally flitting over one of the more attractive mares as if to check them for disapproving stares. They sat down at a table for two near the corner and Rarity called over a waitress. Fluttershy looked up from her menu and saw Rarity having a minor panic attack about the available dishes. Dramatic as always.

As their waitress, a cheery unicorn in a flattering pink dress reached their table, Fluttershy smiled weakly.

“Greeting ladies, I’ll be your server today,” she began in an accent so affected it was impossible to determine what it was supposed to be, “have you decided on a meal?”

“I’ll take the bok choy and shiitake quiche, if that’s alright,” Fluttershy answered before looking expectantly at Rarity, who shot her a desperate glance before becoming very interested in the menu again. Fluttershy gave her a smile and turned back to their waitress (which according to the name-plate was named Tofu Treat). “She’ll have the same.”

“Very well, anything to drink?” Tofu Treat scribbled down their order on a clipboard.

“Yes, two sodas please.”

As their waitress turned to leave, Fluttershy couldn’t help but smile at the strange reversal between herself and Rarity. Usually it was her who was silent and uncertain, while Rarity took the lead. Now however, she had just decided what they were going to eat, and Rarity was giving her a thankful look for having done so.

“You know Rarity, in these three weeks you’ve changed a lot.” Instead of being avoiding and fearful, Rarity had become more direct with her feelings, even if she mostly showed it by shying away from the spotlight she used to love. “You’re looking better too, and I think maybe soon you’ll be back to normal…”

“Thank you sweetness. I simply cannot express how much this means to me...”

They sat in silence for a while, Rarity raising her head and absent-mindedly looked around in a way that made it obvious she was trying to pass the time. Truth to be told there was little left to talk about since they had spent most of the past few weeks together. Fluttershy thought back to their struggles, and couldn’t help but to smile.

Not only had Rarity improved, but she herself had learned to become more assertive and outspoken. She remembered feeling bad about forcing Rarity to eat, feeling like she intruded on her privacy when she constantly followed her. Of course she probably should feel bad about it; usually forcing others to do as you want and monitoring their every move was a bad thing.

However, Fluttershy had realized that there are times when you need to do unpleasant things to help others, and she felt proud of herself that she had not backed down under Rarity’s irresistible puppy-eyes.

Snapping back to reality, Fluttershy caught herself grinning dopily as she stared at Rarity. She straightened herself out and tried to ignore the warm sensation in her cheeks before noticing that Rarity had returned her gaze.

Rarity’s eyes were half-lidded and her mouth were somewhere in between a smile and a grin. It was impossible to stop looking at her; her flawless alabaster coat; her deep, sapphire eyes; her gorgeous mane. Fluttershy could spend a lifetime describing Rarity, not just her beauty, but her strength and kindness too. There was only one way to express how she felt.

“I love you.”