//------------------------------// // Chapter 8: Rarity's Realization // Story: My Diamond // by Regis-Th3-Lesser //------------------------------// Rarity walked through the busy streets with heavy heart. The Summer Sun Festival passed two month ago today. Two months since he had been gone. He took her heart with him that day, and left a hole that only he can fill. She felt alone, abandoned. Like she wasn't really alive. As if it was all a dream, a dream that she wanted to wake up from with her dragon by her side. But he was gone, to where she knew not. So she walks the bustling streets of Canterlot, seeing only herself in a city of ghosts. She returned to her hotel where a bellhop was waiting with a bouquet of roses. “Here you are Ms. Rarity,” he presented. She took them with a forced smile. “Thank you hopper... They're lovely.” “That secret admirer certainly knows how to present to a real mare.” There was no secret to her admirer. She had came in contact with a fashion director a few weeks ago, and he's been trying to win her hoof since. “Yes he does...” she replied flatly. Inside read a note: Tonight, Cuisine Fraîche in downtown Canterlot. As much as she wanted to burn the note with an incendiary spell, she couldn't bring herself to it. He has been gone for three months, and will possibly never return. She should move on and try to see someone. It's not like they were officially together. “Have a wonderful evening madam.” “Oh?” she was pulled back to reality. “Have a wonderful evening Ms. Rarity.” “Right, of course. Thank you hopper.” she gave him five bits then trotted off. Lights came cascading from the countless windows deep in the heart of the Royal city. Rarity checked her pocket watch, eight forty-five. Fifteen minutes till the hour and her date was nowhere to be found. Honestly she should have expected this tardiness, the note in the roses was vague on terms of a meeting time. So she waited for a stallion who may be late while thinking of a dragon who may never come back. A single bell toll, nine in the evening, still no date to be found. She looked around for anyone who may be approaching, but found only ponies ignorant to her presence. “I should have known,” she fumed. “Of course he'd stand me up. He's probably busy at dinner with his ego...” “Really? Well then, my ego must have one heck of an appetite.” She had recognised the voice, but it wasn't what she had anticipated. Standing behind her was Hopper in a top hat, complete with a cane and a full jet black blazer. “Hopper?” “Wait, don't tell me. I look amazing,” he flaunted with a pose.” “Mmm, well. Not what I would have you wear, but it does fit nice. You look like a real gentle colt.” “Really? Well, thank you,” he blushed. “So, I take it you're my date for this evening?” “Y-yes I am madame,” he puffed his chest out with a manly grin. “Please allow me,” he opened the doors showing Rarity in. As she stepped through the door the aroma of fresh food and overused perfume tickled her senses. They came up to a skinny unicorn holding a quill with his magic. “And you are?” he asked snidely. “Hopper sir. I made a reservation earlier today.” “Oh right, the busboy,” he stepped down from the pedestal. “Follow me.” They made like a maze through seemingly endless tables until they were led to a seat next to a window. “Here you are, a waiter and or waitress will be with you shortly.” As they waited Rarity gazed at the decor. Crystal chandeliers grace the ceiling, connected by elegant beads of diamonds, bathed in a golden brass light. It was absolutely stunning in her eyes, but to Hopper not so much. “What do you do for a living?” he questioned jokingly. “Aside from architectural design I– wait.” “Hahaha! Gotcha!” Hopper chortled. “Yes, yes, very funny little froggy.” “Froggy?” questioned a confused Hopper. “You know “Hopper” ?” It took him a second to process before the punchline hit him. “Ohohohoo! I see what you did there!” he chortled even louder. All eyes turned to them, curiously trying to investigate why that stallion was bent backwards over his chair. “Okay Hopper, it wasn't that hilarious...” “Oh yes it was! You could be a comedian on top of being a talented artist, designer, singer–” “Excuse me sir, but I prefer to stay with what I started with,” she joked. “I think it's amazing that you can do so much. On top of being one of the Elements.” “Thank you Hopper.” Then a thick blanket of silence fell in between the two, contrasting the ambience of murmuring ponies and clanking dishes. “Do you wanna hear a joke?” Hopper energetically inquired. “What?” “Do you wanna hear a joke?” he asked with more enthusiasm than before. “Oh, yes. Sorry, you startled me.” “Alright, let me think of a good one.” He sat there, a deep thoughtful expression fixed on finding a good side splitter. While he tirelessly toiled through whatever jokes came to mind, Rarity needed a little privacy. She came into the restroom, and collapsed in front of the mirror. “This is exactly why I don’t succeed at dating! No stallion is ever my type…” “Haven’t you ever considered just giving up then?” a pink mare with dark aqua blue hair came from a stall behind her. “Well, there is one. But being with him would be… unorthodox to say the least.” “What does it matter? Love doesn’t come in any shapes sizes or preferences. It is just what it is, love.” Rarity picked her head up off the counter with newfound confidence and wisdom. “You’re absolutely right! It doesn’t matter if he’s a dragon or if he had an unsavory past. I love him and that is all that matters!” “Wait did you say a dragon?!” the mare questioned with a heightened tone. “It’s a very long story…” Rarity chuckled “How did you fall in love with a dragon of all things?” asked the mare with childlike curiosity. “I always liked him, even when he was a baby, well. Baby speaking in dragon terms. It only augmented after he left for some time. He came back a couple of months ago and left again, I haven't seen him since.” “Wow,” the mare said in astonishment. “I’ve heard of ponies and griffons, but never ponies and dragons… So miss?” “Rarity.” “Who’s your date?” “The Stallion at table nine.” The mare peeked out the door at her table, where Hopper was sitting talking to himself. “Stallion?” the mare asked with a tilt of her head. “I know he’s a little young, but he was sending me flowers and notes for the last two weeks. I couldn’t just say no.” “Eh at least he's a looker,” she said with a shrug. “He tried so hard though. I’m pretty sure he dumped his entire paycheck into tonight…” Rarity said with guilt. “Well, whatever you do, is up to you ma’am.” she walked to the door. “My ma used to tell me ‘when it comes to love, listen to how you feel instead of what you think’.” “Your mother sounds like a wise mare,” Rarity complemented. “She was, until she went senile,” the mare said blankly. “Oh my… Thank you for the advice, uh. I didn't catch your name.” “Midnight Blossom, but everypony calls me Nighty.” “Nighty,” Rarity whispered to herself. So she was left in the restroom with the advice from a random mare rattling around in her troubled mind. She fixed her makeup, touched up her mane, and walked out with the confidence to do what she had to.