• Published 18th Feb 2014
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Every Mare Needs Her Stallion - Inquisitor M



A new, confident Fluttershy has a secret, and Rarity isn't above using a few tricks to find out what it is.

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Every Mare Needs Her Stallion

Rarity plodded into her inspiration room, a box of assorted cakes in her magical grasp. She halted abruptly, frowned, then launched into an energetic trot: knees high, chin up, huge smile. Her heart ached for Fluttershy’s little tantrum yesterday – it was no surprise she should feel a little distracted – but today was a day she got to play the part of best friend and world-class agony aunt.

Those were good days. Those were some of the best days.

She set the box down on the coffee table and re-perfected the arrangement of cups, plates, and saucers for the umpteenth time. She liked to think that the precision offset the chaotic nature of the room: one showed her dedication and focused attention, the other her openness to whatever deep and sordid topics were waiting to be gossiped about.

Good days indeed.


“Coming!” Rarity’s voice sang out as she crossed the room.

The front door swung open, but the yellow pegasus behind it was not sad, or distressed, or grumpy, and definitely not weighed down by a plethora of secret turmoil itching to be divulged. No, she was smiling – beaming, even. As happy as Rarity could ever remember seeing her.

“Good morning, Rarity!” Fluttershy fanned her wings, but the bright feathers reflecting the mid-morning sun paled in comparison to the shine of her eyes. “It’s such a lovely day and I need to call in on Twilight anyway, so I wondered if we could go shopping rather than stay indoors?”

Her saddlebags were obscured by her dazzling wings, but they were usually only pushed that far back if…

“Did you fly here?” Rarity asked, frowning.

“Yes!”

Rarity chewed her lip; if Fluttershy had been any more pleased with herself, she might burst.

“And you’re smiling.”

“Of course! I…” The beaming stopped. Fluttershy blinked. “Oh. Oh, my! You asked me to come over when I was… You have the tea service out, don’t you?”

Rarity nodded, still frowning.

“Well then of course I’d like to come in for tea first. I bet you’ve been looking forward to this all morning, haven’t you?” She didn’t wait for an answer and slid gracefully through the doorway. “Would you mind?” She motioned to her saddlebags with her raised wings.

The bags lifted from Fluttershy’s hips, but even indoors, the aura of magic seemed somehow eclipsed by the perpetual glow coming off her friend. Rarity stared in silence, her eyes following the pegasus’s… the pegasus’s… slink across the room.

“How peculiar,” she said quietly.

“Huh?” Fluttershy looked back over her shoulder, her soft, silky mane flowing across her withers and cascading down the other side.

Something wasn’t right. Something was out of place – something other than that Rarity hadn’t budged an inch from the door and was staring at her friend like some slack-jawed yokel.

“Umm, Rarity?”

“Yes!” Rarity shook her head vigorously, set the saddlebags down, and closed the door. “Yes – I mean, nothing.” She pranced alongside Fluttershy with a cheesy grin plastered on her face. “Just wasn’t expecting you to be so—”

Rarity sniffed the air. Leaning slightly towards Fluttershy, she sniffed again. “Is that…?” Finally, she pressed her nose into pegasus’s neck and inhaled deeply, eliciting a soft giggle. “It is! Why Fluttershy, you used the honey and lemon conditioner I gave you last month!”

Fluttershy giggled again – the sound of passing butterflies. “That tickles.”

“Well that certainly explains why you look simply stunning this morning. I do believe I’m a little jealous.”

Another giggle. “Oh, Rarity. You always look so lovely; I just wanted to feel like I was making an effort if we went to the market.”

Rarity raised an eyebrow.

“Well, I just happen to know that there is a vanilla slice upstairs that looks so good that I’m afraid I might eat it first if you don’t hurry upstairs and claim it.”

Without another word, Fluttershy strolled ahead and into the kitchen. The earlier slink was gone, but an altogether different something infused the mare’s wanton sashay. That was it: Fluttershy didn’t sashay anywhere. It was as if…

Rarity’s eyes sprang wide open, then narrowed to slits as her grin slowly widened. If a heart-to-heart wasn’t on the cards, some juicy gossip still might be.


“Sit.” Rarity pointed towards a chaise-lounge.

Fluttershy eyed the two-tiered cake stand brimming with an assortment of cream-filled, sugar-coated riots of wondrously unhealthy pleasure. “You have all my fav—”

Sit.”

Fluttershy’s rump was in her seat in a heartbeat. Her wings clutched tight to her flanks and forehooves tucked into her lap, she wore a look that might have been guilt if her smile hadn’t refused to hide away.

Rarity stretched out on her own chaise-lounge, horn lit as tea and cakes floated to their awaiting receptacles.

“Fluttershy, I do believe you’re being confident,” Rarity said without looking at her friend.

“I… I am? Is that bad?”

“Well of course not, dear. It’s just… unusual.” Inhaling the floral aroma of her tea, Rarity released a long sigh and sunk deeper into her cushions.

“Oh,” Fluttershy replied – as if that was supposed to explain anything.

“Oh? Is that all? Oh?

Fluttershy lifted her tea. She, too, savoured the aroma slowly before taking a sip. “You’re disappointed,” she said, staring into her cup with a lopsided grin. “I understand. It really meant a lot to me that you asked me over; it felt wonderful to know that you were more concerned with being there for me than blaming me for being a big meany.” She looked straight at Rarity. “You cheered me up, but you didn’t get to fuss over me.”

“Is it that obvious?” Sinking further down, Rarity grimaced and clutched a cushion against her chest, stroking its velvety cover with a hoof.

“I don’t think it’s so bad.” Fluttershy set her cup down and stepped around the table. “Sometimes we just need to know that somepony is on our side – that somepony believes in us – even when they’re not there. And when you have a pony like that—” she leaned forward, almost touching nose to nose before slipping past and planting a long, gentle kiss on Rarity’s cheek “—it’s important to let them know how much they mean to you.”

Somewhere, deep down in her less-than-pristine soul, a voice screamed something at Rarity, but the fierce warmth in her cheeks was a more pressing sensation.

“Fluttershy…” Those two, radiant eyes called to her, so close, so warm, so welcoming, holding her transfixed. Her breathing quickened along with her heartbeat as a rush of blood left her a little light-headed, but a moment later, Fluttershy lunged in, wrapping her in a hug and nuzzling her crest.

She hugged back before even thinking about it. The blood in her face cooled. The beating in her chest slowed. Few things in life felt so right as this.

“I… I really do deserve you, don’t I?”

Fluttershy giggled, soft and muffled. “Yes. And I deserve you, too.”

Hooves squeezed her tighter and Rarity rolled onto her back to better sink into the embrace. Perhaps it was last night’s broken sleep, or perhaps it was a rare moment of respite in the face of her jealousy, but the raw passion of the magnificent mare holding her seeped into her bones and flushed away whatever hidden stress had been weighing her down.

“Rarity?”

“Yes, dear?”

“Can I have my vanilla slice, now?”

“Yes, dear.”

Releasing her grasp, Rarity flopped back against her headrest. Her legs sprawled haphazardly and she closed her eyes as the fading warmth from her cheeks suffused the rest of her body. Fluttershy’s quiet hoof-falls stopped as the other chaise-lounge creaked, followed by the rustle of cake-wrapping and a long, satisfied murmur.

Satisfied: yes, that’s how it felt. She was glowing on the inside, just as Fluttershy had seemed to somehow glow with vitality and confidence. Twilight would probably ask a laundry-list of questions about it and write a report, but this was something better experienced: not a new experience, but a heightened one. This was a Fluttershy who knew exactly what Rarity needed and wasn’t afraid to give it all.

Knew exactly what I needed. In her quieted mind, the distant voice finally became clear. It’s a distraction.

She rolled her head to the side and opened her eyes. Fluttershy lay stretched out on her cushions like living art: the grace and demure beauty was right – aided by an exquisite choice of conditioner, of course – but something about the way she luxuriated was absolutely not Fluttershy. More than merely confident, it was sultry, almost provocative. It was…

Like me.

The one-time catwalk model draped herself across the full length of the chair, licking her cake wrapper clean at one end while dangling one stretched-out leg off the other. In the middle, the lean curves of the mare’s torso merged into a toned thigh lying almost straight out behind her, the other tucked in tightly to support her alluring poise. If Rarity looked half that good in such a posture she’d have cause for much jubilation. Perhaps another mirror by her bed might—

“Rarity?”

Her eyes followed the curves back up to Fluttershy’s blushing face.

“You’re… staring.”

Rarity chuckled as Fluttershy drew her legs in – a much more Fluttershy-like mannerism – and adjusted herself to mimic her friend’s prior pose.

“And who could blame me?” she said, feeling a little flush returning. “I don’t know what caused your little spat yesterday, but something has you looking like a whole new mare, and it looks good.”

Fluttershy curled up even tighter. “You really think so?”

“Oh, yes, darling. I’m already having visions of a whole line of summer attire for you – something a little more daring than usual. Now, no need to be bashful, I’d hate to be the one to stop you enjoying your new-found confidence.”

In short, hesitant movements, Fluttershy pushed her legs out and sank into her cushions again, a little wave of Rarity’s hoof egging her on.

“Isn’t that better? Nopony here but us girls. Speaking of which, this girl is frightfully deprived of gossip and there is that small matter of what did happen yesterday. I know—” she held a hoof out between them “—you don’t have to say a word if you don’t want to, but as your dear friend it is my duty—” she put the back of the hoof to her forehead “—to be here in your time of desperate need.”

Fluttershy giggled and settled against her headrest. “It was nothing, really.”

“Hardly nothing. I heard you ripped Hard Sell’s sale sign off his stall with your teeth and threatened to – how to say this – ‘be unladylike’ with it.”

“Oh. Well. Maybe. I suppose I did. Do you think he’ll be mad?”

“Perhaps. But only if he gets over being surprised – or terrified. You were shouting every bit as loud as that time you chased all those animals into the gala. The question, dearest Fluttershy, is why?”

The question worked. Fluttershy’s gaze fell immediately to her own hoof, which fiddled with a tassel of a cushion. Whatever it was, it wasn’t embarrassment or the usual brand of anxiety – it didn’t take Rarity’s years of friendship to know the mare would be cringing or mewling already if it were.

“I’m sorry.” Fluttershy’s eyes looked up, but her head hung low. “I really don’t want to lie to you – I would just hate that – but I can’t talk about it yet. Please don’t be upset with me.”

Rarity sighed, deeply.

“No. I’m sorry. I’m putting an awful dent in your good cheer. I may be absolutely bursting to know what little secret you’re keeping, but it seems I’m just going to have to wait.”

She rolled off the chaise-lounge and padded across the rug, stopping face to face with Fluttershy – a reversal of their earlier positions. Leaning in, she gave the pegasus a peck on the cheek, but a leg drew her into another hug before she could pull away. Rarity smiled to herself and nibbled her lip; this was the familiar Fluttershy – a little bit of private neediness, just for her.

“I know I can be a nosey old jealous nag,” she said softly, “but I am on your side, and I look forward to having you at my side for a shopping trip around the market? I can show off the most beautiful mare this side of Canterlot, can’t I?”

“Second most beautiful,” Fluttershy replied.

“Lies and nonsense!” Rarity hopped backwards, sinking low and ready to pounce. “Where is she?” She shoved her nose under the low coffee table, rump stuck in the air and tail swishing, then dove behind Fluttershy’s chaise-lounge.

“Behind here? Who is it?” Rearing up, she dangled her hooves over the back of the chair, a deep scowl on her face. “Show me where she is! Nopony, absolutely no-pony, outshines my Fluttershy today!”

Fluttershy giggled and rolled onto her back, looking up into Rarity’s face. “Thank you, but…” Rarity raised an eyebrow. “…do you think… I mean, would you mind… doing something nice with my mane first?”

Rarity gasped. “Why I thought you’d never ask! Stay here; I’ll fetch my things.”

She leapt clean over the chair and darted out of the room, grinning. It wasn’t just distraction, it was manipulation. Fluttershy had manipulated her. Few ponies would understand, but it might just be the most exciting thing to happen since Twilight’s coronation.


On any other day, it would be a prodigious work of art; with no notice and working from memory, it was a work of genius.

At the front, two plats suspended dozens of curls that tumbled down either side of Fluttershy’s face, framing her radiant eyes in bouncing coils of pink. Yellow and purple ribbons wove the top of her hair into ripples, one flowing over another like endless waves, but the bulk of her enormous mane formed the centrepiece: eight loops of hair, five large ones and three smaller ones on the inside, bound, separated and supported by coiling plats that formed a magnificent – if Rarity’s opinion was any judge – pink carnation.

There was never so much praise for her work as bringing a pony to tears.

“So,” Rarity said in a hushed tone, leaning in close as they walked through town, “how does it feel to be a glamorous model again, drawing the amorous attention of your devoted fans?”

“Oh, it’s not like that at all.” Fluttershy didn’t turn her attention from the eyes following her. The subtler changes in her might have gone unnoticed, but the hairstyle was like a neon-pink sign begging for attention. “It is a little scary, but most ponies just seem happy to look. That’s okay.”

“Well then, how about we up the spectacle a little?”

Now Fluttershy looked right at her, that little lopsided grin on her face.

“Rarity, are you testing me?”

“Absolutely! I haven’t had this much fun in an age. Follow me.”

Rarity peeled off towards Rose’s garden and Fluttershy trotted a little to keep up.

“Rarity, Fluttershy.” Rose beamed them a smile. “What’s the occasion? You look absolutely gorgeous! Do you need a bouquet? Is there a special somepony involved?”

“No, dear, I just wanted a half dozen of those small white carnations to finish my masterpiece.”

“Sure! One moment, please.” Rose trotted over to another flowerbed and came back up with a mouthful of carnations, spitting them out on the ground. “Feel free to pick the ones you like. Only the best for a date, right?”

“Oh, no,” Fluttershy said. “It really isn’t anything like that.”

“If you say so, sweetheart.” Rose gave her an overblown wink. “If you say so.”

Rarity tilted her head for a moment. “Can I give you something for them, Rose?”

“Not a chance! Every girl should have all the flowers she needs, right Rarity?”

Rarity nodded and smiled, picked out six carnations, and slid them into place among the wreath-like braids.

She hummed as she worked. It was an interesting proposition, at least – Fluttershy having a special somepony – but it didn’t quite fit. It could certainly boost her self-esteem, and volatile mood swings weren’t out of the question – she only had to think of a certain prince to be sure of that – but it wouldn’t explain their moment in the boutique. Still, a little experimentation couldn’t hurt, could it?

“There,” she said, stepping back and holding out a hoof to present her before Rose.

“Well I’m sure you don't need me to tell you you’ve an eye for colour.”

Rarity put a hoof to her chest and gave a coy chuckle. “Oh, it’s nothing. Just a little finishing touch. Now—” she leaned a little closer “—would you happen to know if Hard Sell is in the market today?”

Sucking in a sharp breath, Rose jerked back. “Oh. Y-yeah. He is.”

“Don’t worry. We’re going to apologise.”

“We are?” Fluttershy said.

“We are.” Rarity gave Rose a last smile and headed for the market place. “Maybe,” she added when Fluttershy caught up. They shared a lopsided grin for a moment.

More ponies stared at the pair as they walked. Some observed from windows, others from gardens or simply walking up and down the streets. By the time they reached the market, ponies were turning up just to get a look. Most of the attention was amiable enough, but one slightly drooling stallion earned himself a fat lip from the mare next to him; though, if she were honest, Rarity wasn’t sure which of them he was staring at, or that she could blame him either way.

Even so, the market square was hardly crowded, since most trade took place in the morning or right before closing. There was no apple stall, thankfully: if Fluttershy was hiding something important, she didn’t need more well-intentioned questions to make things difficult. Besides, if Fluttershy was going to tell anypony, it stood to reason that she should be the one—

Focus, Rarity.

“Just in case you get the urge to do something drastic, I think we should head over to Golden Hour for some photographs, first.”

“I’m not going to get angry, you know.”

Rarity turned half around; there was a tiny waver in Fluttershy’s voice. The pegasus had stopped, now staring at her with wide eyes and a slight droop to the edges of her mouth. It was another little act of neediness: I need you to believe me.

“I’m sorry,” Rarity said, keeping her tone soft and neutral. “But I heard you halfway across Ponyville and I still don’t know why. I understand that you don’t want to talk about it, and I want to respect that – I really do. Please don’t think I’m making light of it, Fluttershy; it’s just difficult to understand. That’s all.”

“I know.” Fluttershy’s face relaxed, a little smile taking to her lips. “It’s just complicated. It won’t happen today. I promise.”

Rarity frowned a moment. “You know, I still wouldn’t blame you if it did.”

“I know,” Fluttershy said again, barely more than a whisper as she trotted back alongside and deftly planted another kiss on Rarity’s cheek.

Perhaps it wasn’t manipulation at all? Now that Fluttershy’s lounging had opened her eyes, it wasn’t a stretch to imagine that such little kisses were a very Rarity sort of trait, just a little overdone.

“Well aren’t I a silly old goose.”

“Huh?”

“I think I was wrong about who’s testing who.”

“Oh.” Fluttershy’s ears folded down. “Maybe.”

“Look at us, though. Anyone would think we were the best of friends with the princess of friendship and had spent a year writing letters to Celestia about it.”

“Umm.”

Rarity rolled her eyes. “Come on, I still want pictures of the most beautiful mare in Ponyville.”


Golden Hour knew exactly who Fluttershy was the instant he laid eyes on her. He offered to move things from his jaunty little market booth to his private studio the moment he snapped out of whatever daydream had him drooling. Fortunately, Fluttershy seemed comfortable with the difference between professional and lascivious salivation.

The stroll through Ponyville had been barely more than mundane – any nervousness on Fluttershy’s part had been minimal compared to the hoof-biting that went on before some of Rarity’s early fashion shows – and being in a private studio with an eager photographer proved little different. After a few minutes fiddling with lights, Golden Hour started snapping away, giving encouragement and asking for all manner of poses and expressions: coy, thoughtful, summer belle, prancing queen – even flirty. Fluttershy did them all, but not without cost.

“Wait,” Rarity said, holding out a hoof. “Fluttershy? Whatever is the matter?”

The pegasus was breathing just a little hard, and a few lines of stress creased her brow. She took a deep breath in the lull.

“I’m sorry, Rarity. It’s just a bit much.”

An apology. A senseless apology. How very Fluttershy. But then, wasn’t that part of the test, too? Rarity’s track record with being supportive was spotty, and that was putting it mildly.

“Nonsense.” She walked over and parked herself beside Fluttershy. “I think you’re being very courageous, but I must insist on there being pictures of the both of us, too. You wouldn’t want me to look back on today through jealous eyes, would you?”

“Of course.” After a short pause, Fluttershy gasped. “I mean of course not! I mean… You know what I mean.”

Rarity drew her into a hug. “Drinks.”

“Huh?”

“Drinkies!” Golden Hour placed two sodas on the floor by a tripod. “You ladies take a moment while I reload.”

In the minutes of silence that followed, Rarity could feel Fluttershy’s pent-up stress draining away, just as her own had drained away before. Stiff, tight muscles relaxed; hesitance gave way to indulgence; shallow breaths slowed into long, deep ones. She released the hug and lay on the floor, levitating the drinks over to them as Fluttershy lay next to her.

“All better?”

Fluttershy smiled and nodded. It was as if Rarity’s enthusiasm recharged her, but that seemed odd, too. She wasn’t weak, and while Pinkie might claim to have the monopoly on fun, Fluttershy could teach most ponies a thing or two about being happy. In truth, Rarity just hadn’t thought about it that much. Now that she did, it was odd. And now that she thought about that, it was odd that she hadn’t thought about it before.

“Rarity?”

“Sorry, I was thinking. It’s a very strange day, don’t you think?”

Fluttershy drew in a deep breath and sighed. “Try four days.”

Rarity stared. What reply could come after that? She wasn’t supposed to ask about it, and as it was, she may as well have known nothing. Today’s Fluttershy could be nothing to do with it at all; today’s Fluttershy might not even last. Without prompting, the mares fell together, cheek to cheek.

“Are we ready to continue?” Golden Hour said, striding back in with two cameras around his neck.

Rarity put her hooves around her drink and took the straw in her mouth.

Fluttershy did the same.

“Yesh,” they said together.

They were photographed lying down. They were photographed standing up. They were photographed back to back, hoof in hoof, draped over one another, but mostly they were photographed happy.

At the first sign of Fluttershy’s hesitation, Rarity leant in and gave her a long kiss on the cheek. The pegasus blushed and nuzzled against her neck to the sound of more clicking.

“Fantastic!” Golden Hour yelled. “The camera loves that natural glow!”

Nuzzling became snuggling, and snuggling became melting – melting like putty in her—

Oh.

Golden Hour stopped without prompting. Rarity gave him a slight shake of her head, and he crept out of the room.

“Fluttershy?”

The pegasus hummed an affirmative.

“You were right: I’m quite happy making a fuss over you – rather besotted to tell the truth. But, there’s one thing bothering me that I just have to make sure of.”

The brushing of eyelashes against her neck signalled Fluttershy’s attention.

“Perhaps I’m letting my own silly dreams give me ideas, but I can’t help thinking about what Rose said.” She paused, but Fluttershy remained motionless. “I’m not saying that it makes complete sense, but… some of the things you’ve done… the way you’re acting… I have to ask, is it me? I mean I wouldn’t… I’d be flattered if… It wouldn’t change—”

“I was just trying to be more like you,” Fluttershy said softly.

“I know. That’s what got me worried.”

“You don’t want me to be more like you?”

How many times had she told Fluttershy to be more assertive, or confident, or to speak up for herself? Wasn’t that essentially ‘be more like me’?

“It’s what you do all the time,” Fluttershy said. Rarity stiffened, drawing up straighter. “You know, when you want somepony special to like you.”

“I do no such thing! Why, Rarity doesn’t change for anypony.”

Pulling herself away, Fluttershy sat upright in languid movements and gave Rarity a severe frown.

“Wh… But… I suppose—” Rarity grimaced “—maybe I do?”

Fluttershy nodded, her frown mellowing.

“Rarity, most ponies invite me to do things; you’re the only one that invites me to do nothing. You’re the one that invites me just to be. I never really understood that until…”

“Until another somepony came into your life four days ago that you want to like you?”

Fluttershy cringed. “Sort of. It’s—”

“Complicated.” Rarity raised a hoof and started fixing Fluttershy’s slightly mussed curls. “Frankly, I’m offended. Aren’t I good enough for you?”

Fluttershy leaned in and brushed her nose faintly against Rarity’s. “Of course you are.”

“And if you happened to be interested in mares, we’d have the greatest romance in recorded history?”

“Umm.”

“But you don’t see mares like that.”

“No.”

Rarity grinned. “Good, then it’s definitely a stallion we’re talking about.”

“No!”

“It’s not a stallion?”

“No! I mean, it is, but—”

“Aha!” Rarity grabbed Fluttershy’s head between her hooves, pulled it towards her, and laid a big, lip-smacking kiss on her forehead. “This is absolutely fabulous!”

“Rarity, I—” A hoof shot up, pressing on Fluttershy’s mouth.

“Not here. We’ll swing by Twilight’s and head back to the Boutique for a proper gossip. You’ll feel so much better when you get it all off your chest.”

Fluttershy blinked and nodded, hoof still pressed against her mouth.


Before they were even halfway to the library, Fluttershy’s attention drifted off to some fantasy world – populated by a certain stallion, no doubt. Letting the glassy-eyed pegasus catch up, Rarity matched her stride and gave her a slight bump with her hips.

What? Oh.”

“Yes,” Rarity said with a sly grin. “You were having a daydream.”

After a deep breath and a deeper sigh, Fluttershy smiled. “You were right: it’s going to feel wonderful to get it all out in the open. I really did want to tell you but…”

“You had to make sure I was here to support you, and not just to gossip.”

Fluttershy’s face twitched and twisted all over, barely suppressing the grimace that said everything Rarity needed it to.

“It’s quite all right, Fluttershy. You deserve nothing less than my best behaviour and I’m truly flattered that you came to me at all. I just hope I can be as supportive as you need me to be. It’s all so terribly exciting.”

Both ponies smiled brightly as they walked, until Fluttershy turned in slightly and gave Rarity a playful, full-bodied nudge. They still drew plenty of attention, but the world outside their immediate company didn’t matter much; they’d tested each other and passed magnificently. Maybe the new Fluttershy might hang around for a while after all?

A few minutes of pushing and giggling later, they walked into the library beaming happiness from ear to ear.

“Hey, Rari—woah.” Spike blinked, his eyes peeking over the centre spread of Rockfarming Monthly. His stare flicked back and forth between the two mares until Twilight’s voice sailed out from upstairs.

“Spike? Did you say somethi—woah.” Twilight stood on the balcony, peeking over a copy of Amazing Facts Fortnightly.

“That’s what I said,” Spike said.

Rarity and Fluttershy giggled together as Twilight launched herself over the railing and sailed gently down to the floor on her wings.

“Oh, Twilight!” Fluttershy trotted forwards and gave her a quick hug. “You’re getting so much better!”

“Me? Oh, the flying. Sure. But look at you! You look amazing! What in Equestria is going on?”

Rarity’s smile broadened, a tingling sensation rising up in her chest.

“Oh, well, it’s all sort of complicated,” Fluttershy said, “but I was just feeling so happy that I wanted do something nice, and Rarity’s been practicing for so long now.”

Twilight walked a quick circle around the pegasus, her mouth agape.

“Practicing?”

“Once one has styled a princess,” Rarity said, “one requires a certain je ne sais quoi, in case one is called to do so again. Besides, if one of my close personal friends were to, I don’t know, have something to celebrate, I’d want something even more fabulous, would I not?” Fluttershy frowned at her, but the little smirk undercutting it made the tingle run down her legs. She bounced once on the spot, her eyes gleaming and cheesy grin stretching the muscles in her face.

“Oooookaaay.” Twilight backed up a few steps. “Something tells me I’m missing something.”

“No,” Fluttershy said, but the feeling welled up inside Rarity like a geyser waiting to erupt. She danced on the spot, legs pumping up and down as if the floor were turning to lava, and squeezed her eyes shut as a squeal started escaping her mouth.

Twilight raised an eyebrow. “Either you ate Pinkie Pie and she’s trying to get out, you haven’t been to the lavatory in about three days, or there’s something you’re not—”

Fluttershy has a coltfriend!

Rarity fell back onto all four hooves, slouching and panting heavily.

Rarity!

Fluttershy’s sudden scream left a silence filled only with the slight ringing in Rarity’s ears. Spike cowered behind Twilight, and Twilight just stared, head recoiled and the faint light of desperate mental processing in her eyes.

The look was understandable – Rarity imagined she looked much the same. This was sensational news, so why was Fluttershy staring at her, eyes watering and lip quivering? Why did she look like she’d just been betra—

Oh.

“F-f-fluttershy?”

No!” Fire ignited behind Fluttershy’s eyes and she stamped a hoof, taking a wider stance and baring her teeth. “Don’t you F-f-f-fluttershy me!”

“I-I don’t understand, you said… you said you wanted to get it all o-out in the ope—”

“I wanted to tell you!” she screamed. “You don’t even know what happened yet!

Given form and released, the fire died in a deluge of tears. Fluttershy backed away, cheeks already soaked and lips pursed as Rarity reached a hoof out, her own mouth flapping uselessly as no words came out.

Batting the hoof away, Fluttershy burst into sobs and galloped out the door.

Rarity sank to her haunches and massaged her bruised hoof. That actually happened. That was real. Twilight stared at her with barely more comprehension than before, save for a slight frown. That made sense. To see Fluttershy so pained, so instantly and deeply wounded, at—

By. Wounded by me.

“Shouldn’t somepony go after her?” Spike said, the words distant and uncertain like the pony he clung to.

Rarity met the cowering dragon’s gaze. He looked small. Scared. Of course he looked scared: one of his best friends had just screamed her lungs out, burst into tears, and run away sobbing, and he likely had no clue as to why. She started towards the door, but Twilight halted her.

“Do you really think you’re the best one to go? Maybe I ought to. Besides—” she stretched out her wings “—I’m faster, now.”

Rarity shook her head. “No. She’ll go home. She always goes home. And it should be me. I have to fix this. I have to do… something.” She stared out the doorway a moment. “Sometimes I wonder if Fluttershy likes animals because they can’t say hurtful things, even if they wanted to.”

“Rarity, go.”

Mouthing a silent ‘thank you’ to Twilight, Rarity trotted briskly out the door and burst into a gallop.


Perhaps a little indecisiveness was a good thing – a little time for Fluttershy to calm down before Rarity tried to apologise. She lingered just outside the garden gate, ears folded down and face an unflinching grimace; for the third time, she reached out a hoof, and for the third time hovered just shy of actually touching.

It’s not like she’d meant it. Fluttershy wanted to be open about it, and Twilight was about as safe as anypony they knew. It was supposed to be the best news ever – a moment of unbridled joy for all concerned – but she couldn’t honestly say she’d thought it through. She hadn’t meant it, but it was her fault. She hadn’t meant it, and she wasn’t sure if that mattered. What mattered is what came next.

The gate opened near-silently, its hinges well oiled. Everything about Fluttershy’s garden was fastidiously attended to. Everything mattered. The details were important – every animal held in high esteem and cared for meticulously.

Rarity crept along the path; she was the one thing out of place in this little sanctuary of harmony. At the threshold to the cottage, she stopped again. Fluttershy would forgive her, that much was certain, but did she deserve it? What good was she as a friend if they were clicking like good food and fine wine, only to find that wine turned to vinegar when opened? Fluttershy was too good for—

“Hello? Who’s there?”

Rarity’s ears pricked up: a stallion’s voice, mature, but a high pitch. No other sound came from inside. No movement, no sobbing or whimpering. No growling or throwing of things, either.

“It’s okay. You can come in.”

The voice was relaxed and welcoming, yet Rarity’s hoof still hesitated before touching the door. She took a step back and opened it in her magic instead, lurking where she wouldn’t be seen. Like dipping a hoof in freezing water, she crept forwards, edging tentatively closer to the point of no return.

A few mice sat on the stairs, their faces drawn with what was probably worry – it was hard to tell on such small creatures. A beaver and an otter huddled on the floor below them, but they seemed more neutral, little more than inquisitive.

Another step, then one more: slowly she advanced on the doorway. Her heart pounded in her ears and her legs trembled. As the threshold approached, she leant forward and peered in with her whole head. The stallion, a spindly, sandy-yellow thing like Carrot Cake, reclined in the corner of Fluttershy’s sofa, the mare herself snuggled against his chest just as she had against Rarity all of an hour ago. There was an ease to it – a sense of homeliness – as if burying her face in her favourite pillow. Her leg snaked around his barrel, and his wrapped around her shoulders, holding her soundly in place.

“So you’d be Rarity?” he said, his voice dropping to soft-but-firm.

The maturity in his tone extended to his eyes. Nothing about him mirrored Fluttershy’s reluctance to divulge the details of the situation; both looked utterly at peace, but in Fluttershy’s case it was indistinguishable from sleeping.

Rarity nodded. She looked him over in detail: definitely much older, eyes the same pale green as his unkempt mop of hair.

“So I’m guessing ’Shy never got around to telling you about me?” he said.

Plodding a few steps into the room, Rarity closed the door behind her. “She was trying. I… Is she asleep?”

“Yes,” he replied while shaking his head and giving Rarity a pointed stare. “I guess I should introduce myself. I’m Skysoar, ’Shy’s dad.”

Rarity gasped – or thought she did. Her body remained statuesque as thoughts tumbled one after another through her mind until one word rose above it all.

Safe. She wanted to feel safe. She wanted to feel as safe with me as she is with him and I blew it.

Her ears folded down again.

“She’s never spoken of you. I had no idea.”

“I know. That’s my fault. Things changed and I wanted to see my little angel again.”

“Your little angel?” Rarity tilted her head. “That’s what she calls…”

Oh.

Her little Angel. The maniacal brute she doted on like he could do no wrong – much the same way she doted on all her animals, come to think of it.

“I’m sorry if this is rather personal,” she said, keeping her voice low, “but, am I to assume you haven’t seen her for some time?”

Skysoar arched his neck and planted a gentle, lingering kiss atop Fluttershy’s still-braided hair. “Too long. I guess you wanna know why?”

Rarity nodded.

“Well, I don’t wanna say much while she’s asleep” – his eyes scanned his daughter as a smirk crept onto his face – “but my little angel was never happy at home. I never understood it, but when she headed off on her own she was the happiest I’d ever seen her, so I left well alone. If getting out of her way was the best thing I could do… Rarity, have you ever fallen out of love with somepony?”

She nibbled at her lip and frowned. “I don’t think so. I suppose I forgot how much I love my little sister for a while. Is that the sort of thing you mean?”

“Were there things that used to be adorable that suddenly became damned irritating?”

Rarity nodded.

“Then yes, that’s exactly what I mean. Rarity, I separated from my wife – from Fluttershy’s mother. Do you understand?”

“I don’t think so.” Rarity put a hoof to her jaw, pursing her lips as she thought. “I suppose you’re saying you fell out of love with her, but I’m not sure what you’re getting at.”

Skysoar hesitated, visibly tightening his embrace on his daughter. “I put up with a ton of bullying when I was a kid – Skysoar the Eyesore, they used to call me – so when I met Parasol, I thought she’d stepped out of my dreams. I said that I couldn’t understand why ’Shy wasn’t happy at home, but now I know. I left my wife and was the happiest I’d been in a long time. She was my wife, and I was blind to her faults. That was a choice I made, but ’Shy didn’t choose us – she chose to leave us. In that, I failed as a father, and part of my little angel hates me for that.”

“No,” Rarity said sharply. “That’s not true. She’s been so happy today, but—”

“Oh it’s true, but I guess hate might not be the right word. She’s got a lot of anger, and I deserve all of it. But I’ll take it all, for her. She’s the most important thing in the world and I’m going to make sure she knows it. I’m a big boy; I can take a few tongue lashings.”

She stared at him, and he stared at Fluttershy. It made sense, of course. Sometimes we just need to know that somepony is on our side, she’d said. It didn’t matter exactly who she was talking about; it’s where her heart was, and she had tried to show it. Confident Fluttershy, unfettered by doubt, had shown her a kind of love and support that cut straight through her insecurities and touched her heart.

“She loves you,” Rarity said softly. “I get it now. If you can keep making her that happy, I think I might become rather fond of you, too. When she wakes up—” she gave Skysoar a wink, but her smile faltered “—tell her I’m so very sorry for being selfish. I only wanted to share what I thought was good news, but I wasn’t listening. Tell her… tell her again that she’s the most important pony in the world. Tell her—” Rarity’s voice cracked. Tears started falling, but she smiled as she sniffled. “Just tell her for me.”

Rarity pushed the door gently open as Skysoar gave her a nod. “Thank you. It means the world to her that you came back. I just know it. Tell her I’ll be waiting in the Boutique if she’d be willing to come and see me.”

“I reckon she will. She’s talked about you a lot.” Abandoning any pretence of letting Fluttershy sleep, he drew her into him and hugged with all the strength in his scrawny legs.

Rarity dashed outside and pushed the door closed behind her, tears still running freely. She pursed her lips and took one last look back at where Fluttershy would be. Maybe a visit home was long overdue for her, as well – no reason Fluttershy should get all the attention, right?


The hallway clock punctuated every second of the lingering silence, refusing to allow the world to stop. Minutes became hours, and hours blurred into a meaningless haze.

Time was inexorable like that.

Her face had dried, in time, but the sheet on her bed still wore the damp stains of memory – a haunting echo of something best left buried. The rest of the room had fared worse. Drawers lay strewn across the floor, their prior contents spread further still. The shards of a shattered mirror glinted in reflected moonlight, the sun having dropped below the horizon some time ago. The stain on the wall where a bottle had shattered filled the air with a thick, cloying scent that stung the eyes. No, the room had not fared well at all.

How long had it been since the sun went away? And how long had Twilight been standing there in the doorway?

“Rarity? Rarity. What in Equestria happened in here?”

Again, thoughts tumbled through her mind faster that she could make sense of. Flashes of anger, memories of smashing things, memories of…

“I… I got a bit angry,” she replied quietly, her voice slightly rasping from strain. “I should clean up.”

She was barely halfway off the bed when Twilight interrupted her. “Let me do that, please?”

Rarity retreated to her warm spot, slowly refolding herself into a huddled package. The air was cold, she noted: the window had been shattered by a hurled hairbrush. The wreckage from her tantrum floated into the air in clumps and dropped into a small metal bin, and every fragment clattered, rattled, or tinkled a lament: ‘What did we do wrong?’ Even the wide spread of feathers from a torn pillow were deftly disposed of as Twilight cleaned systematically from one end of the room to the other.

“I’m sorry.”

If Twilight reacted, Rarity didn’t know: she was already studying the ripped sheet beneath her hooves intensely.

There was no reply, either. Instead, the bed creaked as another weight climbed aboard and lay beside her.

“What happened?”

The anxiety in Twilight’s voice was real enough; the carnage alone had probably been enough to bottle up the question until there was nothing left but to ask. Like so many questions, though, there wasn’t a simple answer – or perhaps there just wasn’t an easy answer.

“Fluttershy’s father turned up.”

“I know. I’ve just been to see her – to see them. That’s why I’m here. She asked me come to tell you that she’s sorry too, and said that she did say what you said she’d said. Did I say that right?”

Rarity looked up to meet Twilight’s eyes, but immediately looked away again as tears rose up again. “He calls her his little angel.”

No reply. But then, there was no reason why Twilight should understand the importance.

“Seeing them reminded me of a big storm that blew through when I was a little filly. I hid under the table from the thunder and lightning and Father – Dad – crawled under there with me and held me until it was over. I think I even fell asleep there.

“After I left Fluttershy’s I went straight over to see them – my parents – but I started thinking about everything that’s happened since then – every reason I don’t see much of them anymore. Right after I got my cutie mark, I started arguing with Mother about anything and everything, and Dad… I realised Dad didn’t understand me at all. I used to think that’s what growing up meant. I opened the Boutique just to prove I could make it on my own, and now…” Tears rolled down her cheeks again.

“Rarity, I’ve met your parents. They adore you. You must know that.”

A smile flickered across Rarity’s lips, her execution falling a long way short of her intent. “Of course, and I love them dearly. But, is it so wrong just to wish they understood me? Fluttershy… for a moment today I felt like she understood me completely. I just wish…” The bed creaked as Twilight fidgeted during the lull. “I wish it was enough. It seems that every time I get a little of something I want I cling to it so hard that I mess everything up. I run my own boutique. I’ve saved a princess …two princesses come to think of it.”

“Three,” Twilight said, “if you count coming with me into the Everfree that first time and everything since then.”

Now Rarity felt a more convincing smile spread across her muzzle. “I had a front row ticket for your coronation, made Cadence’s wedding dress… I have no right to complain, but—”

Her lip trembled, her face scrunched up tight, and the tears came again. “It’s not fair!” she screamed, descending into choking sobs that made the whole bed shudder. A hoof touched her shoulder, but it was like crumbs to a starving mare, good only to remind her of the hunger. She cried, and bawled, and wailed. She had no right to complain. She had a charmed life. But tonight, she would give it all up for one more day of being Daddy’s little princess.

The End

Comments ( 80 )

I'm not quite sure what this was about, but it did it damn well. Have a like and favorite.

i didnt get it either but ill like it

This story has a lot of twists and turns, that might need to be straightened to lower confusion. I think I get it though. Good job.

I think I understand what's going on. Throughout life what we all need is someone that gets us, someone that can relate and deal with life not only with us, but the same way as us in some cases. A parent will watch their child grow up, and during this time know the child's quirks and reactions, but they will always reach a point of no return where everything becomes more complicated and the pair drift apart. Sometimes neither will even notice until there's nothing left to salvage. And later on in life when you sit back thinking about the good old days, you'll remember the people who seemed to understand you completely and were special because they let you be yourself when no one else would let you.

Or something like that, I dunno. Very good read though, and I'll be checking out your other stories as well for another gem like this.

3962307 3962841 Western culture is pretty negative about the important of men as parents. This is just a little reminder than fathers matter, and that absentee fathers—whether literally absent or just not emotionally connected—are among the highest indicators of emotional dysfunction among developing children. In this case, one mare's gain opens an old wound in the other. The rest is standard storytelling banter and misdirection for effect.

3962841 3963707 Fluttershy summerised it to implant (hopefully) the idea: “Rarity, most ponies invite me to do things; you’re the only one that invites me to do nothing. You’re the one that invites me just to be. . . . " Fluttershy and Rarity are virtually codependent in the show; notice how Rarity is flustered at the beginning when she is blindsided and then goes on to control the situation at every step while Fluttershy enjoys letting her do so. It's symbiotic in its dysfunction that Fluttershy is able to exploit when circumstances grant her the chance to understand herself a little more.

"but they will always reach a point of no return"

Not that they will always, just that too often they do. Parenting is a skill, not a right. I wish more people would see that.

This is lovely:

I rarely come across stories where just about every word is vital, but this is definitely one of them, "standard storytelling banter and misdirection for effect" included. :twilightsmile: Very nicely done.

Mike

3964738 From you, that genuinely means a lot. Thank you.

-M

Very enjoyable story.
Well written, well characterised, I'd be hard pressed to find something I didn't like about it, except maybe that the ending felt a bit abrupt.

Great job mate!
Can't wait to see what you come up with next :twilightsmile:

3976898 Technically, the 'next' one is the one written before this, but it needed more patience and editing. Things are a bit hectic right now, but soon... it should be soon...

And thanks! I did consider an extra beat—narrating Rarity's walk to her parents—but I felt it watered down the pace too much for my liking. To each, their own, and this one was unashamedly for me, since the subject matter is very personal.

-M

Wow.
Just... Wow.
My parents divorced when I was really little, so I'm reading it from Fluttershy's angle. This really hit home for me, and I can't find the words to express how I feel about this.
Well done. :eeyup:

4002516 Divorce and absentee parents are so prevalent in the world today that I really wanted to bring it home with a blunt-force-trauma delivery. I'm so very, very glad it found some people who could truly appreciate the implications of the situation. I'm rather in the reverse in that I have—for the time being, at least—distanced myself from my parents for my own psychological health, thus writing it from Rarity's perspective. You have my deepest sympathy for your experiences; may others be spared our pains.

All the best,

Scott

“Complictaed.” Rarity raised a hoof and

Just a typo I noticed.

4002587 Dammit! So close...

Changed. Ta!

“Well I’m sure you need me to tell you you’ve an eye for colour.”

I think you meant "Well, I'm sure you DON'T need me to tell you [...]"

Your writing is quite nice on a lot of levels, stylistic and flavorful. I'll admit, however, that I left the story feeling... well, confused and a bit disappointed. I myself lost a parent to divorce and even THEN didn't sympathize enough with the characters to really "feel" the ending. This coming from someone who likes some rather sad stories and has a guilty pleasure relationship with sappy shipfics; I'm definitely not unemotional!

I have a few murky thoughts but I don't want to leave a sprawling negative comment, so I'll just mention the biggest question mark in my mind:

Rarity's tantrum at the end really confuses me. She gets the first inkling of these feelings of missing her past relationship with her parents, goes to visit them... then we fast forward to her having torn apart her room in a drunken rage before passing out on her bed and STILL being overwhelmed by these thoughts when she wakes up. Did something noteworthy happen at her parents' home, something we as readers should be aware of? Because if not, it feels like visiting her parents would only REAFFIRM their presence in her life and the possibility of having them as very close, understanding friends again, rather than filling her with desperation for times that can never be reclaimed... Admittedly, I wonder if we got this ending just because the story was MEANT to end sad from the get-go, so it had to go this way?

Obviously my opinion is VERY subjective, as the reaction to any emotionally charged piece is wont to be! Sorry if I come across as, well, douchey. I don't mean to be, just letting you know how your story made me feel. I truly hope it's not unwelcome!

4003308 Feedback is never unwelcome.

then we fast forward to her having torn apart her room in a drunken rage before passing out on her bed and STILL being overwhelmed by these thoughts when she wakes up.

Both details here are assumptions on your part. It doesn't say anything about getting drunk or falling asleep. Many watchers of the show have noted that Rarity has the highest propensity for violence out of the main characters; she doesn't need alcohol to get that angry, just a trigger. Further, and perhaps most importantly:

it feels like visiting her parents would only REAFFIRM their presence in her life and the possibility of having them as very close

I don't think this is a fair and open assessment of the situation. I'm not saying that in some cases it couldn't, merely that it is not a viable assumption to generalise about. If Rarity made it there—and the story has a 'but' that leaves that unresolved—the same parents who left her with a feeling of being separated to begin with would only likely reinforce that feeling. After all, if the problem was them not 'getting' her, then that isn't going to change without a reason to do so.

Anyway, I'm not saying you'e wrong—Death of the Author and all that—I'm merely presenting a different possibility. As I said in the accompanying blog post, I wrote this story as a cathartic release for exactly the kind of situation Rarity finds herself in here, and I can say with certainty that visiting my parents only reminds me why I try not to talk to them at all. When communication fails, anger is sometimes all that is left.

Thank you for your thoughtful response,

Scott

4005165

It doesn't say anything about getting drunk

Ahh, I had somehow not realized the bottle against the wall was PERFUME, rather than alcohol. When I was reading I somehow separated the concepts of the smashed bottle of liquid on the wall (which meant alcohol in my mind) and the "thick, cloying scent." Oops!

If Rarity made it there—and the story has a 'but' that leaves that unresolved

Well, when I read the line, "After I left Fluttershy’s I went straight over to see them—my parents—but [...]" I didn't get the impression that the but implied that she might not have made it. "I went straight over to see them" reads, to me, as she literally made it to see them. Perhaps this is a language thing?

the same parents who left her with a feeling of being separated to begin with would only likely reinforce that feeling. After all, if the problem was them not 'getting' her, then that isn't going to change without a reason to do so.

It seems that this is something that's VERY subjective. You're claiming my point of view on this is potentially "not a fair and open assessment of the situation," a slightly accusatory statement, when it's most certainly up for interpretation based on many factors, some of which are only known to you, because as the creator of the work you have conscious and/or subconscious scene-setting/world-building/characterization for the story we can't see.

We've met Rarity's parents on the show, and it seems like they are caring, supportive types, whose biggest crime is that they don't have a refined bone in their body. It feels very likely to me that Rarity firmly thinks they don't understand her, and believes that because they have little in common it creates a huge barrier between them. These feeling manifested strongly while she was a teenager and then stuck with her as her "new norm"; many teens begin clashing hard with their parents for years until they "escape" the nest, often because they feel misunderstood, trapped, resentful, etc.

Having seen how they speak to Rarity and treat Sweetie Belle, it's difficult to imagine Rarity's parents not being openly proud of how much she's accomplished and being quite willing to welcome her back with open hooves. Which, altogether sounds like the kind of support she apparently feels she is lacking enough to have a 6 hour crying fit. Unless in this story it's meant to infer that they were unsupportive in some important way?

When communication fails, anger is sometimes all that is left.

I would argue that listening might still be a viable option...

4005231 that is, quite frankly, the most pleasant association with 'cupcakes' I have ever seen... (I'm not much of a fan of the pastry itself, and the fic even less so,) but dat profile pic tho! :derpytongue2::heart:

4005231 had a longer answer written out and the tab crashed :(

Having seen how they speak to Rarity and treat Sweetie Belle, it's difficult to imagine Rarity's parents not being openly proud of how much she's accomplished and being quite willing to welcome her back with open hooves. Which, altogether sounds like the kind of support she apparently feels she is lacking enough to have a 6 hour crying fit. Unless in this story it's meant to infer that they were unsupportive in some important way?

Well, this is clearly where the divergence occurs. Their behavior in the show is what prompted me to construct this little vignette. They were inattentive, distant, unempathetic, and generally not particularly good parents. Their being proud of her is absolutely not the kind of support she needs and Rarity explicitly states this in the story: Twilight says Rarity's parents adore her and Rarity agrees but says that she wants something else from them. There is nothing in the interaction that says either party has genuine respect for the other—a catastrophic situation for a parent–child relationship.

You see one thing, I see something else. Both are merely opinions.

I would argue that listening might still be a viable option...

So when communication fails, your suggestion is communication? You know some say the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. It's exactly this kind of illogical response that drove me to cut ties with my own parents. I don't mean that disrespectfully; it's a fact.

-Scott

4005961

generally not particularly good parents

The second thing out of Dad's mouth after "good morning" is "I'll have you know that Sweetie Belle here cooked this yummy lookin' breakfast all on her own," indicating pride in her budding skill-set. The very first thing out of Mom's mouth is informing Rarity that she is personally helping Sweetie Belle learn how to cook, which Sweetie Belle seems to enjoy doing and proud of despite an obvious lack of skill. I've worked with children; this is the behavior of a supported and "you are talented!"-reinforced child.

Yes, they don't seem to grok the fact that Rarity is surprised by the sudden addition of Sweetie Belle into her home, but Rarity had agreed to it and acquiesces to it in less than a minute, before things could escalate. Have you taken this exchange:

--Rarity: So, now, when you say "a week," is that, um, seven whole days?
--Mom: And six nights, I know! Such a short time to spend with your little sis.

that features strong misunderstanding (played for comedy in-show, but that's probably moot), and inferred it means inattentiveness, lack of empathy, and bad parenting?

either party has genuine respect for the other

I would say that for many people that pride of someone implies respect of their behavior, even if they aren't the best at expressing it.

So when communication fails, your suggestion is communication?

I wasn't necessarily suggesting that YOU were the one who needed to listen...

I was just being Captain Obvious. Almost all personal communication (not talking about diplomatic talks or other extraneous things) is wildly enhanced if listening and understanding is as important/more important to the involved parties than getting their own point across.

4005326 I'm glad to give you a new thing to think about instead of that story! I claimed this as my pony moniker a week before that story really became a "thing" and... by the time it escalated even bigger, and I thought about changing my name, I was already a moderator in my social circle (on Synchtube) and resisted change... Little did I know it'd be a PERMANENT thing! :pinkiesick:

4006210 lol, just avoid having Pinkie as a profile pic and I think you'll be alright.

4006169

The second thing out of Dad's mouth after "good morning" is "I'll have you know that Sweetie Belle here cooked this yummy lookin' breakfast all on her own," indicating pride in her budding skill-set.

You say that like it's a good thing.

The very first thing out of Mom's mouth is informing Rarity that she is personally helping Sweetie Belle learn how to cook, which Sweetie Belle seems to enjoy doing and proud of despite an obvious lack of skill. I've worked with children; this is the behaviour of a supported and "you are talented!"-reinforced child.

And I've spent a lot of time interacting with the ruins of this kind of parenting failure. This is not a good or healthy way to deal with things. This is exactly why I have Rarity turn out as she did in the story.

I would say that for many people that pride of someone implies respect of their behaviour, even if they aren't the best at expressing it.

Respect for their behaviour is exactly what's wrong. When praise and respect is given for things done, it creates an unhealthy dependency that is very hard to break in later life. There are entire parenting courses on how bad these self-perpetuating cycles can be. White lies to bolster confidence as a horrible model of behaviour to use on a child.

Almost all personal communication is wildly enhanced if listening and understanding is as important/more important to the involved parties than getting their own point across.

Yep, and that's exactly what I saw as missing in the show. Their communication was stilted, superficial, and ritualized—everything I have come to learn is bad for a developing child's emotional stability. My point was that the very words you used demonstrated that exact failure to listen—read, in this case. I said 'when communication fails' and you responded with 'listening might still be a viable option', which is, as far as I can see, completely ignoring the comment it was in reply to. If listening was a possibility then communication hasn't failed. That's exactly the kind of plastic platitude that can undercut a child's sense of self and sense of importance to their parents—it smacks of hearing what you wanted to hear and not what was actually said. This is exactly how I read Rarity's parents. why else would Rarity be so emotionally unbalanced in the show?


Yes, I realise this is mostly the norm for parenting in the west. I have simply learned that parenting in the west is piss-poor and one of the primary causes of the anxiety, depression, and obesity epidemic currently throttling healthcare in America, Canada, and much of Europe.

I must say I enjoyed this, although I find the feelings very hard to emphasize with, coming from a functional family and all...

I've read the discussion between you and Cupcakes, and I'd like to ask for clarification: The whole thing about Rarity's parents being proud of budding skillsets, or basically the whole behaviour-oriented response and also the "not to do, just to be" thing, boils down to conditional instead of unconditional love and appreciation, right?

I can empathize with that. The sentence "our boy makes us so proud, he's such a good student / pianist / whatever" must be one of the most manipulative things ever. As if they'd love him less if he'd turn out to be a janitor, even if it were his dream job.

A thing that I think didn't fit though: “Seeing them reminded me of a big storm that blew through when I was a little filly. I hid under the table from the thunder and lightning and Father—Dad—crawled under there with me and held me until it was over. I think I even fell asleep there.
What I think is more important for the emotions going on there, as well as what you described as "Rarity taking control", and also the way Fluttershy is so comfortable in the arms of her father, is the childish belief in the invincibility and infallibility of his/her father. A father figure radiates a sense of power and as long as he's there, a child will always look to his/her father on how to handle it, since that is obviously the right way to do it. This is a cornerstone on which a child builds his/her reality, and as soon as that crumbles, the accuracy of the sense of reality of the child improves, but it's a reality that is, in the case of a loving father, less pleasent. That's a thing everyone goes through, sooner or later. Even the most unconditionally loving father won't make you feel comfortable in a situation of danger once you're past that point.

Ok. So I read this earlier today, and have given it some time to roll around the cranium, I think I am prepared to discuss this work, now that I have settled on my opinion.

To start, it is obvious to me that you have a developed skill with words and a subtle sense of character development. Rarity's actions throughout the story were considered and appropriate,and the subtle clues she cajoled from Fluttershy were a delightful way to forward the plot. The final reveal, and the heartache that turns this story around, was set up exquisitely through your story.

So please understand just how hard it is for me to say this: everything was set up quite nicely for a final poignant twist, but the twist did not live up to your earlier work and it failed to move me in the way that I was expecting.

Unlike Cupcakes, I am perfectly willing to believe that Rarity's home life has been difficult. I am even willing and ready to believe that Fluttershy's happiness with her father is the catalyst that pushes Rarity to the culminating breakdown. I accept all of this.

But you did not show us this breakdown. You told us about it, after everything was over. You didn't give us the exquisite torture of Rarity being horrible to her family, or vice versa. You didn't give us a foundation of experiences to underscore the difference between the two families. I see that you are trying to play this carefully to avoid tipping your hand, but the lack of any supporting scene in the story robs your closing line of all its impact.

But I want that line to hit me. I want this story to punch me in the gut. Especially since you have shown such a wonderful and capable skill with your writing, you need to work this ending to stop explaining to us what should be shown in all its uncomfortable glory. It should be difficult to write, not because words are hard, but because you should feel physically ill with the effort of making things awkward and clumsy between Rarity and her father.

Your story is fine, as it stands. It could be great. But you have to stop dancing around the pain and sorrow at the heart of the matter, and just dive in.

Good luck, pone.

I'm a bit confused...

After reading this, I felt about the same feelings that I did toward the end of Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days when Roxas said, "Xion! Who else will I have ice cream with?"
I know it's marked as "Sad", but... it doesn't punch me in the gut like sad stories are supposed to.
...
Then again, maybe I shouldn't talk. After all, I can't even write a story revolving around a character's death to be properly sad.
...
Sorry, my thoughts go into weird places that other people can't always follow.

4008228

The whole thing about Rarity's parents being proud of budding skillsets, or basically the whole behaviour-oriented response and also the "not to do, just to be" thing, boils down to conditional instead of unconditional love and appreciation, right?

That's my understanding, yes.

That's a thing everyone goes through, sooner or later. Even the most unconditionally loving father won't make you feel comfortable in a situation of danger once you're past that point.

And that's the bit I disagree with. That's the common way things play out, but it's also unnecessarily unhealthy. One of the skills advocated under philosophical parenting is to actually make the child aware that the parents are not infallible, and that the child has every right to correct her parents when their behaviour conflicts with their stated principals. Grounding a child in this reality-based dynamic is extremely powerful for building a sense of self and a relationship that does not have to crumble with time. Yes, most people go through it, but only because so many people aren't grounding their children in reality. Letting them see the flaws in people makes it easy to be flawed themselves and still maintain a strong sense of worth.

That's my take, anyway.

4010947

And that's the bit I disagree with. That's the common way things play out, but it's also unnecessarily unhealthy. One of the skills advocated under philosophical parenting is to actually make the child aware that the parents are not infallible, and that the child has every right to correct her parents when their behaviour conflicts with their stated principals. Grounding a child in this reality-based dynamic is extremely powerful for building a sense of self and a relationship that does not have to crumble with time. Yes, most people go through it, but only because so many people aren't grounding their children in reality. Letting them see the flaws in people makes it easy to be flawed themselves and still maintain a sense of worth.

You got me wrong there, I think. I didn't mean parent's should reinforce the assumption of the child that they are infallible at any time, but it's something they'll have to actively work against, because a child will assume that. I agree that seeing the parents as normal people with flaws is important, but I think it's something of a standard-position you'll have to shake.

Still, what I tried to say is that in order for you to feel safe in the arms of your father in a situation that would otherwise scare you, you need that skewed perception of his abilities, because if you'd know that he can't do more about it than you, why would you feel so much safer?

A sensible approach to the situation with the thunderstorm would be to explain to filly Rarity (omg, got the most adorable mental image right now) that storms aren't actually that dangerous when you're living in a house, that thunder is just a sideeffect of lightning, and what a lightning rod is for. From then on, she wouldn't need her father's presence to feel safe in a storm.

Her wishing that "being sheltered" feeling back has little to do with unconditional love, IMHO. Falling asleep in the arms of your father like Fluttershy is the same thing, basically. She's being sheltered.

4011023 Well I'm definitely missing something!

You said: "A thing that I think didn't fit though:" but I'm not sure what you're saying doesn't fit. Rarity had that false sense of worth from seeing her father as perfect and was left vulnerable when that façade cracked. Seeing Fluttershy get the parental attention she'd been deprived of reminded her how much she wanted it and touched a very raw nerve that ended in her frustration and anger boiling over. Now, either we're at crossed purposes entirely, or that follows logically enough.

No?

4011049 I think the two things are completely seperate. Fluttershy speaks about "Having someone on your side no matter what," e.g. unconditional love, but ends up getting sheltered. Rarity sees Fluttershy getting sheltered, talks to Twilight about how her parents don't love her unconditionally (as in they weren't on her side when she wanted to open the boutique), brings up a memory of her being sheltered, and ends it all with "being Daddy's little Princess," which is again a position of being empowered by conditional or unconditional support.

Rarity had that false sense of worth from seeing her father as perfect and was left vulnerable when that façade cracked

This sentence in itself holds a fallacy for me; You derive a false sense of worth from conditional praise, and all which we spoke of that is manipulative. THIS cracked when she wanted to do something her parents didn't approve of, and withdrew their support. On the other hand, what seeing your father as perfect provides is not worth, but a false sense of security.

Do you see what I mean now?

4006525 I suppose in the end it comes down to some strong differences in opinion and experience regarding parenting, and a lack of understanding on my end about what happened to Rarity's childhood, teenage years, and adulthood from your perspective. I do agree, however, that endlessly telling your child that everything they do is good enough is not appropriate parenting.

I agree strongly with Dr. BlankFlank, and others with less fleshed out comments, that there was something(s?) missing here that left the story confusing in the end. It might just be that our perspectives on the situation don't mesh up with yours quite well enough to grok what you've shown us, and just a tiny bit more, an Ah-Ha! moment perhaps, might have been enough for us all to smile and nod along with you. Even me!

Also, it's my opinion that there's no such thing as communication failure, but there can be a lengthy hiatus before both sides are willing to listen to each other again. Sure, this might sound like a "platitude," an empty positive statement, but a life isn't over in a blink of an eye nor decided in the heat of a moment, or even the heat of years.

PS: The downvotes on your comments aren't from me! Yes, we disagree, but I don't think your views are THAT obscene. :twilightsheepish:

4011099 Yes, though my understanding is that they are not separate at all. In this case, the security Rarity gets from the anecdote is derivative of being valued by her father—she sees him as protecting her, which reinforced her value to him and makes her feel cherished (I am worth protecting). Most people aren't consciously aware of the difference between conditional and unconditional love (otherwise parenting would be very different); all Rarity knows is that she had that sense once and it was lost. Seeing Fluttershy so comfortable with her own father makes Rarity long for that feeling she had pushed aside to avoid the pain.

I'm not even sure that 'protection' in that sense even registers as an emotional need. I think it's more of a cognitive construct to explain/justify feelings of, or desire for, worth.

4011124 Nowt wrong with a few downvotes anyway. Who'd want to spend their whole lives talking to people that agreed with them?

Not entirely sure what to think about this. It's well-written and clearly had a lot of thought put into it, and you held my attention the whole way through - so pretty typical of your fics! I had trouble really getting the interactions and motivations, though. Then again, I don't really get people either, so maybe that means this was realistic

Pinkie might claim to have the monopoly on fun

I suspect she wouldn't claim a monopoly on something she'd rather share with others...

Comment posted by TehAussieGriffin deleted Jul 11th, 2014

4277069 Thank you for the feedback, but I'm having trouble taking any of it seriously:

1) Fluttershy's reactions were out. She would have been more convincing if she'd been trying to improve her over-all attitude and shown it.

Out how? At best, we're guessing at character traits from a show it over-simplified personalities. And more convincing at what? From the context provided, Fluttershy desperately wanted to make sure her father stayed around and was trying to make that happen by mimicking a pony she saw a socially savvy.

2) Rarity would have had trouble focusing on Skysoar's words if she were in emotional distress and that would have kicked in the minute she'd figured out they were related.

To me, flat-out stating 'she would have' belies some fundamental lack of understanding in terms of how complex people are. I simply can't take that as a valid criticism. Under the circumstances, she's already busy blaming herself and 'numbing out' is a perfectly normal physiological response for people prone to self-attack. It also depends of whether she was holding emotions back or actively trying to figure them out. There are simply too many possibilities for there to be 'a' way she should have reacted.

3) The better pony rather than Rarity to have this conversation with is Applejack as she hasn't got conflicting screen time showing her enjoying her parents company. (Though Pinkie Pie could be a close second.)

Better how? Since the point of the story was the interaction between Rarity and Fluttershy, Applejak clearly wasn't the better pony. And I can only think of one episode with Rarity interacting with her parents and it was not enjoying their company. Even if it were, however, it still wouldn't be a conflict. People can interact, even enjoy, time with their parents and harbour deep resentment towards them. That isn't a reach on any level.

Fluttershy wasn't even planning on talking about anything at all. It's only her interactions with rarity that prompt her to do it at all. I'm not sure any of that would work with a completely different character.

4) Fluttershy's argument with the merchant is little more than a red herring to throw us off the scent of a tense reunion.

No. It's context—relevant context. Even if it was a red herring, that wouldn't explain why it would constitute adding to a downvote.

5) Fluttershy would have woken up at the end of that conversation between Rarity and her dad.

Again with the 'would have'. She might have, if she'd been asleep in the first place, which she wasn't.

And this got a nod on EqD. *Shakes head.*

A nod? I'm not sure what you mean.


As always, I've no issue with the downvote, I just don't understand any of your reasons.

-Scott

Comment posted by TehAussieGriffin deleted Jul 11th, 2014

4277421
I think you're missing something. We're not premade molds. We each have our own little idiosyncrasies, a certain dissonance of thought between us that makes us each unique. Just because two people have the same motivation, doesn't mean they'll act on it the same way. I know people who can't stand their parents at all, but for each of them, they respond in different ways. Some run, others confront in rage filled storms of emotion, yet others just stew in their own misery whilst contaminating the mood of all around them, and a few bare their burden silently for yet more diverse reasons.

To try and claim you know how each person will respond to every situation just because you know a few people who share a similar motivation is the height of foolishness and arrogance. It is also denying any individuality. Further, just because someone has a motivation in a single moment, does not mean that they do not have additional motivations and prior experience dealing with similar motivations, nor does your statement take into account the vast array of experiences that goes into making an individual who they are, both nature and nurture.

If you truly fail to understand this most basic principle of human interaction, then I extend my deepest sympathies to you, but I can not let such comments go in such an unabashed manner.

Comment posted by TehAussieGriffin deleted Jul 11th, 2014

4660768 It took a while to decide if a response was appropriate, but in the end I feel that I'd be selling myself short if I didn't weigh in again.

The Dimension Traveller's comment seems to be aimed more against the claims that certain characters actions were wrong. You have come to a point where you're flat-out contradicting yourself, stuck between absurdly absolute claims about what should happen in someone else's story and how 'good fiction' should be.

It's a third person limited perspective – there is no reason to have an explanation for a character that is not the focus character. Everything a reader needs to piece together her motivation and emotional state is contained within the story; the only assumption that is drawn from the show itself is how Fluttershy might normally be assumed to interact with a character called Hard Sell in Ponyville's market, and that information isn't important. If there wasn't enough information for you to figure it out, that's fine. If the characters didn't act in a way that made sense to you, that's fine. But when you keep stating things as if they are absolute facts and not subjective perspectives, then I have to assume that you are simply lacking the ability to communicate effectively with rational human beings.

If that seems a bit blunt, please understand that from my perspective you have essentially lied about the story and made utterly nonsensical claims. That is not, nor ever will be, acceptable.

4675473 You know what I'm gonna do? I'm gonna delete all my other comments and leave it at: I don't like this story and gave it a thumbs down because I can't follow the reasoning of the characters re. their reactions.
A.G.

4676408
That's fine, because you are admitting it is your lack of understanding that lead to the original comment as opposed to any conformation, or lack thereof, to any literary and/or sociological rules.

Ow.

Fucking beautiful and emotionally evocative, but goddammit, did this hurt. I've only ever been on the fringe of troubled marriages and divorces, but this hit hard. A little difficult to follow at times (I read it twice over), but truly rewarding.

Have a like and a follow.

4773740 Thank you. I've said from the beginning that this was more something I needed to write more than wanted to write. Shades of personal experience and all that. I don't handhold much at the best of times and this even demanding even by those standards.

Funny though, it's my most contentious story by a mile, yet it continues to garner the most overall attention. There's gotta be something in that.

-Scott

Sorry to be that guy but i dont see romance in that at all:unsuresweetie::applejackunsure:

4873748 Why would you expect to see romance? It's not a romance story.

4874022 oh no not referring to you my friend told me this was romantic

4937882 Ahh, well, thank you for stopping by, then. I'm sorry you didn't find what you were looking for.

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