//------------------------------//
// Rarity 
// Story: What Shy Did on Her Summer Vacation 
// by FanOfMostEverything 
//------------------------------//

Rarity appreciated the natural beauty of the grove, but she'd have appreciated it more on the other side of a frame or a screen. The undeniable sylvan charm did nothing to help against the omnipresent mud, sap, chlorophyll, and the rest of Mother Nature's cosmetics, all of which clashed horribly with Rarity's complexion.

Still, she had to admit, they made Fluttershy look... well, not good but certainly better than if Rarity would have looked after so long without so much as bathing. Alas, the same couldn't be said for Fluttershy's top, which was in desperate need of a washing machine, a needle and thread, and possibly a flamethrower.

It occurred to Rarity that she'd been standing there taking in the scene for far longer than she'd meant to. "Er, good afternoon, Fluttershy."

Fluttershy just maintained her placid smile. "Hello, Rarity." One corner of her mouth tilted up a bit more, giving her a puckish air. "I'm sorry I missed our last spa date."

"Quite alright, darling. Extenuating circumstances and all. I, for one, am sorry it took me so long to find a spare moment to see you. Sunset was rather vague about where to find you, and it's swimsuit season besides. You know how I dislike working with synthetics, but I can hardly be expected to figure out how to magically waterproof my preferred fabrics overnight and..." Rarity flushed. "Oh dear. I'm rambling, aren't I?"

"A bit." To her credit, Fluttershy didn't seem to mind. Though given the distant look in her eyes, she seemed about as engaged as Applejack when discussing thread count.

"Yes. Well. To the point then. Er..." Rarity mentally stumbled once she went off social autopilot. She cleared her throat. "I can understand that you're comfortable with altering your body. And that you have a love of nature. And... and I'm glad that you're getting more confident."

"You're uncomfortable."

"Well..." Rarity squirmed a bit, trying to find a nice way of putting it. Finally, she said, "Yes. I mean, there were always plenty of... well, nature girl jokes behind your back—"

Fluttershy nodded. "Understandable. The need to categorize is almost as fundamental to humans as the need to explore."

"Fluttershy, I was able to tear myself away from my work because I couldn't focus anymore. I was too busy worrying about you. You've been out here for two weeks now. You're half-naked, half-tree, and I fear half-mad."

"I don't think I'm crazy."

"Darling, there are literal bird's nests in your hair!" Rarity's shout made the residents flutter their wings in shock, but they didn't take off. If anything, she got the impression that they were giving her dirty looks. She cleared her throat. "I really don't want to come across as condescending, and I suppose I'm partially motivated by missing you, but don't you think you're taking this a little too far?"

After a long, uncomfortable stare, Fluttershy said, "Two weeks? Already?"

"Yes. Two weeks."

After another stretch of silence, Fluttershy bowed her head. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to worry you. I thought, it was summer vacation, and... well, I guess I just..."

Rarity took a deep breath. "Just tell me your brother knows where you are."

"He does. He's visited me a few times already."

"Alright. I... Well, I suppose there's no way I can stop you, but if anything goes wrong, let him know."

Fluttershy nodded. "Him and Sunset. That's the plan."

"Very well then." Rarity looked around. Then she looked at the soles of her shoes and immediately wished she hadn't. "You're... really happy here?"

Fluttershy smiled again, a more familiar one than the strange, somewhat condescending expression she'd been wearing before. "Think of it as a sort of deep-immersion spa therapy."

Rarity smirked. "All those jokes Applejack makes about mud masques come to mind."

"All-natural mud available on demand."

That got a few laughs out of Rarity despite herself. "How luxurious." Her smile didn't last long. "How long do you plan on being out here, anyway?"

"I'm not sure. For as long as I want to, I suppose."

"Or the end of the summer."

The silence went on for just a beat too long before Fluttershy nodded. "Or that. Whichever comes first."

"Do tell me should you ever have a date in mind. We'll have so much to catch up on." Rarity forced a grin on her face. "Although I'll be happy to come by at any time. To this... lovely little copse. Full of all sorts of delightful little creatures. One need only look down to see," her stomach lurched, "signs of their having been here."

"You don't have to come if you're uncomfortable."

Rarity scoffed. "Darling, you're my friend. And besides, I've been thinking of getting a cat. I'm going to have to get comfortable with... leavings if that's the case."

"I'll be fine, Rarity, really."

"You're still my friend. I would be horribly remiss if I were to abandon you merely because of a little squeamishness."

A bit of the earlier indulgence crept back into Fluttershy's smile. "All right. But I don't want to disturb your work schedule. It is swimsuit season, after all."

"Yes, and with so many people finding icons on their hips, making the lines work is proving a most invigorating challenge." Rarity looked around again, seeing the grove in a new light. "In fact..."

"Yes?"

"I dare say the scenic little retreat of yours has just given me the most magnificent idea!" Rarity's wide grin only lasted for a few moments. "Oh dear. And here I am with nary a scrap of paper. I'll have to write it down on my phone before I forget. I'll have to get to work before I forget! So terribly sorry to cut this short, darling, but inspiration has firmly struck." Rarity rushed to Fluttershy and gave her a hug, and to Tartarus with the dung. "I'll see you shortly, I assure you."

Fluttershy returned the hug. Her arms were cool and rough where they brushed against Rarity's own forearms. "Take your time. Enjoy the creative process."

"I always do. Ta ta!"