//------------------------------// // Chapter 1 // Story: Diamond and the Rough // by Trinary //------------------------------// Diamond and the Rough Rarity narrowed her eyes. Success was almost within her grasp. She’d been working on the dress before her for weeks. In fact, she’d been up most of the previous night putting in the final touches. “Isn’t this exciting Opal?” Her cat deigned to partly open one eye before dismissively flicking her tail and curling back up to sleep on her corner of Rarity’s work desk. “Why do I even bother?” Rarity sighed before turning back to her work. “Stitch by stitch,” she quietly hummed to herself. “Piece by piece, snip by snip. Croup, dock, haunch, shoulders, hip…”   Soon all that was left was one final seam. Her heart began to beat faster as completion neared. She held up a needle, carefully eyeing it and slowly began to work a thread through it with her magic.   Then the door chimed as it slammed open. Rarity gave a sudden start, whipping herself around—forgetting that she was still holding the needle. The needle encountered Opalescence’s hindquarters, and the cat shrieked loudly and leapt into the air. She landed claws outstretched on Rarity’s back, prompting a similar shriek from her. Pony and cat darted this way and that as they attempted to free themselves from the painful thing sticking them.   Rainbow Dash blinked and watched Rarity’s struggle, unsure of what she had walked in on. “Did I come at a bad time?”   Rarity grabbed her cat with her magic and wrenched her off her back. “Really,” she grumbled, pulling out the needle and depositing Opal on a ponyquin. “Rainbow Dash, have you no manners? Couldn’t you simply have knocked and waited for me to get the door?”   “I guess,” Rainbow rubbed the back of her neck, not really wanting to get into it with Rarity. “Sorry, but something sorta big came up.”   The prospect of what could’ve brought Rainbow Dash to the boutique in such a hurry piqued Rarity’s interest. “Oh? What would that be?”   Digging in her saddlebags, Rainbow Dash pulled out a letter. “I got this letter from Princess Celestia. It’s for the Grand Equestria Summit—” Rarity cut her off with an ear-bleeding squeal.   “The Summit?!” she gasped. “And you’ve come to me because you want me to get you a dress for that most auspicious of gatherings?” Her eyes lit up. “I promise you Rainbow, you will not regret it! I will work tirelessly, day and night and night and day until you have the most amazing, awe-inspiring and magnificent dress to wear to the Grand Equestria Summit!” Rarity raised her hoof to the heavens in challenge.   “That’s not why I came to you,” Rainbow’s declaration was so blunt it almost swept Rarity off her hooves. “I mean, yeah Celestia wants me to go—but it’s not to play host or whatever,” she rolled her eyes. “It’s actually for Luna.”   “Princess Luna?” Rarity soon figured it out. “I see. This would be the first Summit since her return.”   Rainbow nodded. “Yeah. Celestia wants to get ponies used to the idea of their being two princesses again and having Luna at the Summit would help them do that. I mean, you’ve got leading ponies coming from all over Equestria.”   “I can see how that would be a marvelous opportunity for her. Or for anyone, truth be told,” Rarity set about straightening up her boutique. “I’m assuming the Princess wanted us to assist Luna in making a good impression? After all, things have changed so much over the past thousand years. It must be dreadfully overwhelming for the poor dear. The changes in fashion alone—!”   “Yeah yeah, I’m sure the alicorn princesses who almost never wear anything besides their crowns and greaves are worrying about what outfit to wear.” Sarcasm dripped from Rainbow Dash’s voice. “But yeah, that’s pretty much it. Celestia wants us to go to Canterlot where the Summit is to help Luna out.” Rarity beamed. “That sounds wonderful! The six of us together at the Summit, helping Princess Luna come into her own.” When she saw the uncomfortable look on Rainbow’s face, her smile fell a bit. “What is it?”   Rainbow Dash rubbed her face. “I talked to the others and well, they can’t make it. Applejack’s got something called a zap apple harvest in the next couple of days. Twilight and Fluttershy looked really uncomfortable and nervous about going to this big summit. And Pinkie Pie—”   “I believe I see your point,” Rarity sighed. “That is a pity, but I’m sure that you and I … wait,” she frowned. “Am I the last pony you asked?”   “Um, I guess?” Rainbow shrugged, only to be answered by a full-lipped Rarity pout. “Geeze, what did I do now?”   Her answer came with a Rarity hoof-stamp. “Rainbow Dash, I simply cannot believe you! After all this time you still treat me like a red-headed stepchild!”   Dash snorted. “Come on, you’re making this way bigger than it is. It’s not like you’re my least favorite friend or anything.”   Unsurprisingly her off-hoofed attempt to sooth the irate Rarity had the exact opposite effect. She arched her brow and strode over to confront Rainbow. “Really? Then you do have a least favorite?”   “That’s not what I—” Rainbow sputtered, confused at how things had gotten to this point.   But Rarity continued to press her. “Where am I on the list, hmm? What’s my ranking? Is by number or by something else—perhaps a percentage determined by ‘coolness?’ Tell me.”   “Rarity—” Rainbow Dash was cut off by Rarity leaning forward and jutting her muzzle right in front of Rainbow’s.   “Tell me.” She repeated insistently.   “But—” “Tell me, tell me, tell me tell me tell meeeee!” Rarity’s hooves danced up and down onto the floor as her voice trilled into a whine.   Rainbow Dash covered her ears with her hooves. “Rarity, cool it!” With a flap of her wings, she lifted herself off the ground and won herself some breathing space.   Her anger spent, Rarity panted as she set about composing herself, slowly counting to ten. “My … apologies, Rainbow Dash. That was unseemly of me.”   “Geeze, what was that all even about?” Rainbow landed, regarding her warily. “What brought that on?”   “It’s us!” Rarity prodded Rainbow’s chest with a hoof, who just looked more confused than ever. “Even after all this time we don’t do anything together.”   Dash shook her head. “You know that’s not true! Just the other day we went to Pinkie’s ‘Day That Ends with Y Party’ and had a great time!”   “Yes, we have a great time together with our other friends,” Rarity allowed. “But you and I never interact on our own. With all our other friends you all have something special you do with just them; such as your competitions with Applejack or your pranking sprees with Pinkie Pie. When you aren’t having lessons with Twilight Sparkle, you’re talking for hours about Daring Do.”   Rainbow Dash shuffled her hooves awkwardly. “Well, I guess we just don’t have a lot of things in common…”   “Really?” Rarity’s skepticism was plain. “I was unaware that you shared Fluttershy’s love of butterflies, seeing as the two of you watched the butterfly migration together.”   “Well, Fluttershy really wanted me to do that with her...”   “You mean like how I want to take you to the spa? Or design an outfit for you?” Rarity pounced, her expression animated with triumph. “You said that the reason you don’t spend more time with me is because we don’t have similar interests. Why is it that you’ll accommodate Fluttershy’s tastes to go on a trip with her but not do the same for me?” Rainbow opened her mouth … but couldn’t think of an answer. Rarity frowned and turned away. “That’s precisely what I thought.”   Her ears wilting, Rainbow lowered her head. “I … I didn’t even realize. I’m sorry, Rares.”   Rarity flared her nostrils. “Yes well, not even realizing you didn’t like being with me scarcely makes it better, does it?”   “You’re right,” Rainbow mumbled. “It doesn’t.” She sighed and turned around,. “I’ll—I’ll just go. I’ll tell Princess Celestia that none of you guys can make it.” Before she could leave, the door became alight magic and closed in front of her. Turning back she saw Rarity standing firmly, her horn still glowing and a determined look on her face.   “Not so fast, darling,” Rarity shook her head, the violet coils in her mane bobbing slightly. “If you wish to make up for your past thoughtlessness, then it’s not going to be accomplished by slinking off to Canterlot on your own. I’m coming with you.”   Now Rainbow Dash was really confused. “Wait, what? First you were ticked at me and now you want to come and help me?”   Rarity nodded, her visage still stern. “If you’re truly sorry, then this is what is going to happen. The both of us will go help Princess Luna fit in to Canterlot society,” she offered her friend a smile. “And have an amazingly fun time while we’re at it, just the two of us. Agreed?”   “That sounds pretty great,” Rainbow smiled. “You’re on! Thanks Rarity, you’re the best!”   “Quite,” the seamstress chuckled. “Between your familiarity with Canterlot and my knowledge of culture, fashion and high society we’ll ensure that Princess Luna becomes simply adored.” Rarity’s eyes glimmered. “Oh I can see it now! She’ll come down the castle stairs to an awestruck audience dressed in a gown of my own making! And you and I will be right there with her for every step of the way!”   Rainbow’s smile became more forced and uneasy, but Rarity was too swept up in her imagined future to notice. Rainbow Dash wanted to say something about Canterlot events, but held back. She didn’t want to come off as trying to rain on Rarity’s parade, especially when they just made up after she’d been a giant heel.   So she sighed and resigned herself to spending a few days back in Canterlot, just her, Rarity and a formerly insane mare of nightmares and darkness … and somehow it was Rarity that caused Rainbow the most concern. Maybe this won’t be so bad, Rainbow Dash thought to herself. I mean, Rarity’s going to help me help Luna. That’s all. Now if only she could make herself believe it. The following morning found a Rainbow Dash grumbled as she glared daggers at an all-too-chipper Rarity. It could have been the fact that it was early morning when Rainbow would’ve liked to sleep, the fact that Rainbow had to help drag Rarity’s voluminous luggage, or that they were traveling to Canterlot by Rarity’s preferred method.   “I still don’t see why we couldn’t have taken a train,” Rainbow grunted as the last piece of Rarity’s luggage was secured. A pair of royal guards saluted and yoked themselves back up.   Rarity tsked, a sound that made Rainbow’s hackles raise. “Rainbow Dash, the train is so crowded and loud. A carriage ride sent by the Princesses, and pulled by some very handsome, charming royal guards—” she fluttered her eyelashes approvingly to the two guards, who grinned and straightened up, “—is a much more refined and civilized way to travel.”   “It’s also a whole lot slower,” Rainbow Dash observed, frowning at the insides of the carriage. “And cramped.”   “Pish-posh, that just gives us more time to share each other’s companionship. Won’t that be fun?” Rarity smiled grandly.   “Marvelous.” Rainbow’s deadpan expression left her opinion clear. But once Rarity clambered into the carriage, she had no choice but to get in herself. In front the guards whinnied and began the long trip to Canterlot.   Rarity’s expression turned positively gleeful once they got underway. “Oh it’s so exciting! Just you and me, helping one of the Princesses of Equestria make a good impression to the crem de la crème of Canterlot society!” She squealed slightly, kicking her hooves. “It’s like a dream come true!”   Or a nightmare. Rainbow looked outside wondering just how far they’d gotten. When she saw Sugarcube Corner it was all she could do not to groan. They hadn’t even gotten out of town yet. Fortunately, Rarity didn’t spot Rainbow’s discomfort and instead attempted to bring herself back under control. “Well, one thing at a time. One mustn't get ahead of oneself.” “Not gonna get ahead of anything from here.” Rainbow drawled, pressing her cheek against the window. “Good things come to those who wait,” Rarity chided her gently. But Rainbow, having heard similar spiels for longer than she cared to remember, wasn’t having it. “Most things don't come to you at all. You have to go out and get them.” To her surprise, Rarity nodded. “True enough, which is exactly what we're doing today, I should think. We'll get to Canterlot in plenty of time.” "Yeah, sure." Rainbow Dash fell silent, still trying to get comfortable. Stupid carriage. Rarity cleared her throat, drawing her attention back to her. “What do you have planned for when we finish?” Rarity inquired, trying to draw her friend out. Rainbow blinked. “Oh … huh. I didn't really think about it. I guess I thought we'd head back to Ponyville when we were done." “Oh?” Rarity’s eyebrow raised questioningly. “No plans to stay and catch up with Princess Celestia?” She found that rather curious. Rainbow fidgeted, only it had nothing to do with a lack of comfort in the confined space of the carriage. “Well, I guess I figured I'd get to do that while we were in town helping Luna. It’s not like there’s any Wonderbolt shows or anything else going on.” “No other friends to visit?” Rarity asked. “I thought you had that other friend, Vinyl Scratch—the DQ?” “That’s DJ. And Vinyl’s actually making plans to move out to Ponyville,” Rainbow chuckled. “It’s like all the cool ponies followed my lead and moved out too. I can have a reunion of all my old Canterlot friends back in Ponyville. Except for Trixie, she’s still on the road.” A disdainful sniff made Rarity’s views on Trixie patently clear. “Yes, well, surely you had other friends besides Ms. Scratch, Cloud Kicker and her?” “Not really,” Rainbow rubbed the back of her head. “I mean, Shining Armor and Cadance are in the Crystal Empire—I’ll see all the guards and stuff while we’re at the palace—so that’s about it.” “Really?” Rarity leaned forward. “I confess I’m a bit surprised that there aren’t at least some acquaintances you’d like to connect with back in Canterlot.” Rainbow snorted. “Why would I want to do that? They were all jerks.” Rarity’s expression radiated disapproval. “Alright, so maybe I was more concerned with my training and trying to do the Sonic Rainboom than to make friends but that doesn’t mean that they weren’t still jerks! We had nothing in common, they looked down their snooty muzzles at me,” Dash grew increasingly irritated. “If it wasn’t for the Princesses I don’t think I would ever set my hoof back in that lousy, stuck-up, head up their—” “Rainbow Dash, stop shouting!” “I’M NOT SHOUTING!” Rainbow exclaimed before realizing that she was, in fact, shouting. “Sorry. It’s not you it’s just—unpleasant memories, I guess. We still cool?” Rarity gave a faint nod. “Of course we are. I’m sorry if I brought any to the surface. Perhaps this trip would be a good time to address them?” Rainbow Dash, not wanting to talk about it, just grunted before changing the topic. “So … were you planning to do anything else while we're here?” Seeing the dodge for what it was, Rarity decided to go along with it. “Of course! There's a lovely little store I've been dying to visit for a while now, but I've haven't had the time until now.” “I know a couple of cool shops in town—there's this one place where you can get discount vintage Wonderbolt stuff going back thirty years. It’s awesome!” “That old?” Rarity blinked in surprise. “How is it not in a museum?” Rainbow snorted incredulously. “I’m sure museums have that stuff already—and anyway, you don't put all that stuff in a museum. It’s not that old, you know. Just because high society thinks it’s ‘uncouth’ or whatever to wear an expensive dress more than once doesn’t mean you do that for cool stuff. “I see.” A hint of frost made its way into Rarity’s voice, sensing an implied criticism of high fashion—including her own. She frowned in annoyance. Even Rainbow couldn’t completely miss her displeasure, so she tried to recover. “So uh, what've you been working on?” This time Rarity wasn’t prepared to let it go so easily. “Just a few things I'll throw out after wearing once, I'm sure.” Rainbow Dash winced. Seeing that her point had been received, Rarity sighed and decided not to let things stew. “I take a great deal of pride in my work, Rainbow. And each Wonderbolt has their suit custom-tailored to them, which means many hours of work with unusual materials. I admire that kind of craftsmareship, as I’m sure you would as well when you get to wear one of your own.” Rainbow gave a reluctant nod. “Yeah, you’re right. I’m sorry. I don’t really get fashion or anything—but I know you work hard, and that’s cool.” “And I appreciate that, darling.” Rarity offered her a smile. “I’ve always felt that you and I have something in common.” Rainbow had to hear this one. Seeing that she had her friend’s attention, Rarity went on. “We both have the desire to not just succeed, but to excel. That requires determination, hard work, and ambition. That last one in particular is important.” She looked to see if Rainbow was following, and was gratified to see that not only was Rainbow Dash paying attention, but she looked downright contemplative. “While I dearly love our friends, I don’t see the same fire motivating them. Most are rather happy with where they are right now, and that’s not a criticism, mind you. Merely an observation. But for you and I—we have goals that we aspire to, limits we want surpass. Do you agree?” Rainbow nodded, this time anything but reluctantly. “Hay yes! That’s it exactly! Only sometimes they try to tell you that you’re worrying too much about it, or that you shouldn’t try to be so competitive. They don’t get that if you aren’t competitive, if you don’t put yourself forward—you’ll never get ahead.” “In that sense, the fashion world is much like the athletic one,” Rarity concurred. “I find it somewhat bemusing how confused some ponies find it that I can still have my own wants and needs, while remaining the Element of Generosity.” Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. “Sound like the same dolts who think that being the Element of Loyalty means I have to hang around and do every little thing my friends want. Like I’m being ‘disloyal’ or something if I don’t want to help Fluttershy give Angel a bath.” “That would be hazardous task going above and beyond the call of duty, I think.” Rarity shuddered. “As much as I adore Fluttershy and our spa sessions together, I‘ve never been able to convince her how awful that little rabbit truly is.” “Heh, guess that’s something else we have in common,” Rainbow snickered. Rarity smiled, pleased with how things were turning out. “I believe our views of Angel Bunny are shared by roughly 99% of the equine race. But if you’re looking for commonality, then I must confess, I’ve dabbled with sketches for non-formal wear … even some more athletic garb. The old Wonderbolt uniforms provide a lot of inspiration.” Rainbow’s ears perked up. “You’ve seen some of the old uniforms? They look so cool! The ones they have now are okay, but they're just … you know. Blue spandex. They’re awesome—but they could be about 20% cooler.” “Oh, I love the older uniforms!” Rarity exclaimed. “Well, some of them. The bellbottoms and itchy fabric were mistakes, but Flaire De Mare’s designs were simply wonderful! They were more expensive of course, given the blend of materials, but I always thought it was a worthwhile tradeoff.” Rainbow had to agree. “Yeah the old uniforms were pretty awesome. I really liked the jackets and shades. But the new ones are more aerodynamic and that's what counts in the air.” “Mm, I suppose that's true,” Rarity conceded. “Function always takes priority over form with athletes.” With the ice broken, Rainbow Dash kept asking questions. “Been doing anything with the others?” “Off and on,” Rarity said. “Fluttershy and I have our weekly trips to the spa, and I see Pinkie when I don't have time to cook a meal for myself. She always seems to know when I'm coming, somehow... “Yeah Pinkie is...” Rainbow paused as she looked for just the right words. Realizing that there weren’t any, she settled for simply acknowledging reality. “She's Pinkie.” “Quite, yes.” Rarity pondered as she thought about her other friends. “I should get out to see Applejack and Twilight some more. Perhaps once I'm done with the latest round of orders.” That got Dash curious. “Yeah? What would you do with Applejack?” “I'm not entirely sure, if I'm honest,” Rarity admitted. “But I feel like I should reach out and do something—we are friends, after all, and I hate to let work get in the way of that.” “Yeah … good point.” Rainbow sunk down in her seat slightly, feeling worse for not having made that sort of effort with Rarity sooner. Rarity easily discerned the cause of Rainbow’s sudden ill mood. “Oh, don't worry yourself. You're the Princess's student, and a rather involved godmother on top of that.” Her words had the opposite of her intended effect. While Rainbow Dash had no regrets or concerns about her role as Dinky Doo’s godmother, the other part she was less certain of. Being called back to Canterlot to help Luna make a good impression on the upper class struck a little too close to home for comfort. Instead of replying directly, Rainbow tried to steer the conversation onto another track. “How’s your sister?” As she expected, Rarity was only too quick to discuss her little sister--and the headaches that came with it. “Doing very well, thank you. She and her friends have been getting into all sorts of mayhem ... though thankfully, nothing too terrible. Lately.” She paused. “I believe.” With only a little prodding she soon went on at length about some latest incident involving Sweetie Belle and her friends that included a strainer, a whisk, one of Applejack's lassos, and four gallons of marshmallow cream. Rainbow Dash nodded, offered an occasional ‘a huh’ or other indication that she was listening, just so Rarity would continue going on. While Rainbow liked a good story about mischief and mayhem as much as the next pony, she was more interested in keeping the conversation off of her and Celestia. She looked out the window again and sighed. It was still a long ride left before they reached Canterlot, but part of her didn’t mind it at all now.