“Oh Apple Jack, I was waiting for you darling!” Rarity says brightly, sticking a pin into a pattern laid across a swatch of dark purple fabric, the color of Twilight’s mane. She trots over to a show table, using her magic to lift the pile of cloth baby diapers. “I tried my best not to go overboard-I know I tend to get over excited when it comes to anything even remotely related to fashion.” she says, laughing.
She levitates them on to my back, trotting over, beaming. “Now, I know you’re busy with little Brio and all, but I was working on a wedding dress for one of my Canterlot patrons, and it got me thinking about how long it’s been since you’ve been on the dating scene.”
I can feel the redness in my cheeks. “Thanks for the diapers sugar, but about the whole dating thing, I’ve been really busy lately and-”
“You’re always busy!” interrupts Rarity. “You can make time for love, can’t you? Please?”
“Rarity, I just don’t feel comfortable-”
“Please!”
I huff, blowing my mane from my eyes. “With Brio around I’m busier than ever, especially seeing as it’s harvest time and-”
“Please please please pleas! You owe me for helping you with that business deal to extend Sweet Apple Acres, remember?” she pleads, draping herself over me, holding me close.
I let out a long slow sigh. I do remember. Rarity’s quite the business savvy pony. “Fine, I’ll go on a date. Who do you want me to hook up with this time?”
Rarity beams, standing. “Oh, I promise you won’t regret this darling! It’s a surprise-it’ll be a blind date. How fun!”
“Rarity, I’ll go on a date, but not with a stranger,” I insist, stamping one hoof to punctuate my point.
She brushes off my concerns, beaming. “Oh don’t worry, I’ll find someone you’ve met before. What about-well, he did say he’d be visiting to do a report on The Hay Burger, so, it’s settled then! He’ll pick you up at six o’clock this weekend!” she squeals. “You’re going to have so much fun, I just know it darling!”
Slumping, I nod, grimacing. “Yep, it’s going to be a real hootenanny,” I grumble. She has good intentions, but I’m not sure Rarity understands not everyone loves going on dates. “Listen, I better get back to Twilight’s place, see if Brio’s doing alright.”
Rarity simpers disappointedly. “Oh, alright then. Come see me again soon darling!” she says with a smile, trotting back to her latest project as I head out.
A little bell tinkles cheerfully as I leave Carousel Boutique, pushing up against the door as I head out. The sky is a brilliant shade of cerulean, but the streets and rooftops of Ponyville are dappled with shadows as the clouds hang in the sky, hiding the sun. I’ve always loved the days scheduled for cloudy skies and no rain. The air has a strange sweetness to it, a thickness to the air that almost makes me a little drowsy. A soft breeze ripples through town, causing the trees to rustle and shift, like a peaceful sigh.
It feels nice. I don’t have to worry about Brio. I don’t have to worry about chores. I don’t have to worry about my family. For once I can just relax and be separate from the world, just be myself.
And then I notice there’s a magical field around Twilight’s castle.