Diamonds are a girl's worst enemy

by Rarity Belle

Act 1 chapter 2

A couple of days later was Rarity busy with packing both her bags and suitcases for the expedition she had agreed on to manage. Though just to be certain of any case that might come up, she was reading through the contract again and again. Her eyes went constantly from left to right as she took every single word towards her. All while she continued to pack with the help of her magic. Deep in thought did seem the unicorn to have been. Who could truly blame her for the fact? It wasn't every week that she would be making a trip towards one of the most amazing cities in the land whatsoever. The mare had to play her part really carefully in the meeting with the royals themselves.

Rarity was even so deep sunken within her thoughts, that she didn't even heard the front door opening and closing again. The chime of the bell was clearly heard through all of the building but never given a response to. Not even when a light set of hooves was heard upon the stairs she bat it an eye. All that she had eye for was the document and the sheer reward.

For there was one thing in the terms and conditions that was never explained to her nor given to her. And that thing happened to be just what on earth she had to be doing down there. No real or clear goal was given as to what the team would be looking for. It wasn’t given to her directly given in the letter at least. That was another thing she had questions about, there was already a team assembled to go on the trip. Yet there weren't any names or professions given to any of them.

As clear as the letter was, just as vague it also happened to be. It happened to be something that had been getting more on her nerves than anything else the royals had ever send and spoken to her. Causing confusion was the thing that the two of them were really good at and figuring the puzzle out would be something perhaps a little bit more than somepony was able to chew.

“This is just getting ridiculous and you know it. But the prizes that are waiting down there, the riches to be seen and the stones to be collected, it has to be worth it. Not to mention, if they weren't in the need for a stone expert, why would they even bother trying to get me?” Rarity thought to herself aloud. Then she finally lowered the document and looked over towards the collection of gems that she had collected over the years. A smile grew on her face when she looked to their wonderful beauty. They ranged from just a simple sapphire to one of the most brilliant diamonds in the world. Rarity had inherited that one from her mother just so much that they were as two drops of water.

Not just the need to want such precious stones for herself but also the sheer appreciation for their forms and colors were given to her. Each of those stones had a massive story behind them even before Rarity managed to get her hooves upon them. Yet the tale she could be telling of how she got them was just as interesting for certain. For most of them weren't just bought out on a market or anything like it.

Instead were most of them gained through expeditions much like she was about to undertake then. Perhaps that was why the royals needed her, her experience was unmatched and only a few would have been able to top her. Under whom happened to be her very own mother. Though she would have immediately declined the offer as soon as she had gotten it.

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While Rarity was looking over the glass shelves with all of the precious stones, there was one thing that she almost saw immediately in the reflection of the glass. Her little sister stood in the door opening with a tilted head and rather confused expression. Obviously she had heard the words that were spoken by Rarity yet didn't seem to be understanding one bit of them. She couldn't be blamed for it as she was just a filly.

The older unicorn turned herself away from the stones and towards her sister with a smile. “Hello there Sweetie, what brings you here if I may ask?” Rarity asked her while the distance between the two of sister was being closed bit by bit.

“Well, you know how it is my time to stay with you right? But, you’re packing for something. Mom gave you the rights to go?” Sweetie spoke to her. She looked her sister straight in the eyes and wanted to know if it was just a yes or a no that was being given.

But as soon as Rarity gave a gentle nod with her head, everything in the world crashed for Sweetie Belle. “Don’t, don’t go Rares! I don’t want you to be crushed by a falling rock or anything. Or, or a team member who suddenly turns against you because of the greed! You know how it goes, right? You have been in the situations more than once!” Sweetie exclaimed before she hugged one of her sister’s forelegs. The concern was something that even Rarity could be feeling and she was right on a couple of points. Although she had to admit that Sweetie seemed to be overreacting a bit.

Though Rarity had actually thought that things would have been going that way anyway. So the only thing that she could be doing was to wrap her other leg around her little sister to complete the hug and her eyes closed themselves slowly. “Sweetie, I have been on many expeditions and I know more than well what to do in case if somepony tries to double cross me. Trust me, I can become quite angry when you make me to it. Don’t you worry about anything, for everything is going to be just fine.” Rarity had reassured her sister as she slowly started to rub the back of the filly.

“But, but what if…something does go wrong? You’re prepared then aren't you?”

“I always am, I’m always about three steps ahead of everypony around me and they know it. Besides, I have enough experience to see when somepony is thinking about double crossing me. But what has been troubling your mind the most? As your words don’t speak the whole truth.”

“I…” Sweetie began as she once again looked up to her sister. “I have dreams Rarity, nightmares about you. Something about you…will change when you go in there, so please, please, please don’t go in there.”

It were words that definitely caught the unicorn by surprise. She wasn't expecting them whatsoever, not from her sister at least. Though the other side of the spectrum was the little fact that Rarity knew those kind of dreams would be plaguing her little sister. “Sweetie, Sweetie, Sweetie, you’re thinking too much about old me that you fail to see the fun that can be had during those times. Remember a couple of days ago when you were out with your friends? Sleeping under the starry night, telling one another stories just for fun, imagine my trip to be like that. Quick, and easy.”

The words did seem to manage to calm the filly down by a little bit, yet the doubting and dark messages of her nightmares were still greatly with her. “Don’t worry too much Sweetie and I’ll be back home even before you know it.” Rarity added with a wink before she nuzzles through the mane of her sister. “Besides, you’re going to be having to spend a couple of days with aunt Twilight, you might pick a thing or two up from her as she practices her own spells.”

Once again were it words that never truly had been suiting the filly as much as would have liked. But whenever Rarity was having an idea or a thought, it was best to just let her go on it and allow her to see where it would end up. “Okay sis, have fun,” replied Sweetie as her last words. After which she tightened the hug just a bit more and released a tear or two as Rarity continued to nuzzle through the mane.

“That I will, Sweetie,” the older mare spoke in a whisper. It was just before she gave a small kiss upon the top of her sister’s head.