II
It was perhaps not very surprising that the House of Belle had included famous generals in the chaotic days of Equestria’s youth. Rarity Belle, that old house’s latest scion, waited with her ledger in amorous ambush. Rainbow was on her way.
Rarity thought of love in terms of two different languages: music and struggle. She thought they were both relevant. Love was like dance because it involved harmony. You had to dance in time or things became disorienting. It involved unity of purpose and gaze, looking for and at the same things. It was a skill you worked at, and whatever your natural talents might be, no one rose above their partner too far.
She guessed it was struggle because it was all but impossible to know another pony’s mind. She could only guess, here at the beginning, what was beyond those rose colored eyes. The knowledge of another pony’s intentions—now she loves me, now she doesn’t—was a city to be taken by force, or at least coaxed towards its inevitable surrender.
It was the second and last fitting she would need Rainbow to help with, and it was a shame to lose her close companionship. She hoped, secretly and silently, that it would not be an end. If all went well, it would perhaps be a beginning. But she didn’t know for sure. Her evidence was fleeting and circumstantial.
And perhaps invented.
She scowled at the numbers, checking her math again with a sigh.
For all of her dramatic inner posturing, her plan wasn’t really that complicated. If anything, she’d been pushed to a last resort by her friends.
Twilight hadn’t been the only one with sealed lips. Pinkie, of course, would keep the secret until she died—and maybe afterwards. Fluttershy had all but fled. Applejack had refused to talk about it at all. Rainbow herself grew nervous, but that didn’t automatically mean what Rarity hoped it did. In the end, she had only her own wishes and hunches to go on.
It wasn’t a lot, but a Lady had to make do with that she had. It did help that she had a trump card of sorts... but she doubted how effective it would be.
Anyway, she’ll be here in a few minutes.
But what if Rainbow was busy? What if Rarity couldn’t get it out of her? What if...
She unclicked her pen, laid it down in the book, and closed it.
Rarity had never been this way before about any of the other mares she’d fallen for or who had fallen for her. There’d hadn’t been that many of course, but enough to know that what she felt about Rainbow was unique. And what did she think about Rainbow?
That she was strong. Rarity appreciated that, how strong she was. She was not unbreakable, no—nopony was—but she had the kind of backbone Rarity had always looked for in a potential mate. Or a friend, really. Anypony. She knew herself. She knew how demanding she could be, and how her nature proved wearisome sometimes. But she also knew that Rainbow was not one to crumble under pressure. Rainbow, if she could, tried to lift weight instead of shirking it. If it mattered, she was your mare.
And then she smiled. Doesn’t hurt that she’s beautiful. With that mane, she’s a designer’s dream. Any color scheme can work. Well, no, not any. Most. Yes, most.
The point was that she was an equal, she was beautiful, and she’d grown up a lot since they first met. Rarity was enthralled, and it was a remarkable experience to finally be the one chasing.
Rainbow touched down outside, and Rarity caught a glance of her out the window. She smiled, and felt her heart flutter. It was time. She’d know the truth at last! But, more importantly, she’d be able to talk with Rainbow again.
She fidgeted with unladylike excitement as Rainbow walked to the Boutique’s door and opened it.
“Welcome! How have you been, Rainbow?”
“Good, I guess.” Rainbow gave her a lopsided grin that Rarity loved. “I’ve been kinda busy. But, I think my head’s a lot clearer then the last time I saw ya.”
“Good,” she replied, not sure whether it was good news for her or not. But if Rainbow felt better, it was good news in the end, she supposed. “Come this way, would you, dear? I’d like to show you what I’ve done before we get this on you. I think you’ll really like it.”
Do I sound too excited? I can’t tell. Don’t worry, Rarity, she no doubt believes any abundant enthusiasm to be about the uniform.
Not that she wasn’t excited about her work. This had been commissioned by an important pony, after all! A mildly unpleasant important pony, yes, but one of high standing nevertheless. It wasn’t her normal fare by any means, as she was used to flowing dresses, but it had been a delightful challenge.
They came into her wide and messy studio. Grandly, she brought the ponniequin forward for Rainbow to see.
“Not bad, Rares! I like it.”
Rarity blushed. Praise from Rainbow, especially about this, was all high praise to her. “Thank you. Would you like to try it on now?”
“Sure.”
Rarity undid the buttons and floated the dress uniform over to Rainbow with her magic. It took only a moment for Dash to put it on. She strutted about, and Rarity’s blush refused to leave completely. She really was beautiful—in a way entirely different from her other loves and crushes. Rainbow was beautiful in the way that a fine statue or a thunderstorm was beautiful. It was a sort of fierce beauty. At the moment, she was showing off her fine legs, and Rarity found them exquisitely tight and sculpted.
“Feels good! It doesn’t pull as much on the wings... but let me try with them stretched out.”
“Well, come back here and do so, please. I still have to make sure it’s to my own specifications. I did do much of this work late at night.”
Rainbow trotted over, and then flared her wings out. Rarity had to admit that she was lovelier still, her graceful wings ready for action. She could almost imagine Rainbow about to take off, her muscles toned and that look of fearless joy in her eyes.
“How does that feel?” She murmured, deep in thought as she circled Rainbow.
“Hm... Good, I think. I think I need to fly in it eventually.”
“Of course,” she said absentmindedly, as she did her best to focus her attention on her work. Keeping it away from Rainbow herself was becoming difficult, to say the least.
The real work was done quickly, with only light conversation between them. Rarity didn’t bring up Rainbow’s romantic life at all, asking her instead about her work with the weather team. Eventually, she led Rainbow back around the Boutique so that she could test the uniform’s comfort while flying.
“Forgive my ignorance, dear, but what occasion is this for? I’m afraid I don’t know much about my client or her importance. All I know is that she is, indeed, important.”
“The Hegemon? She’s like... kind of like the mayor,” Dash explained as she stretched her wings out. “The Hegemon used to be like the king or queen or something, back before the tribes got together. A long, long time ago Cloudsdale was kind of... not friends with Neighvarro and Las Pegasus.
“See, when they did get together and put aside their differences, they still felt like they needed to one-up each other. So every year, at the festival to celebrate the Unification, they try to outdress and outfly each other on the parade grounds. It’s silly, but it was better than killin’ each other, you know?”
“I quite agree. So, this will be... rather public then? I’m honored.”
Rainbow grinned, and tensed. “She’s going to be in top form with this thing, Rarity.”
And then she was off, up into the air. Rarity watched her with a wide grin as she orbited the Boutique in a lazy circle before speeding up and doing a flip right over Rarity’s head.
What was it like for her, up there? Rarity had flown on her own wings once, but it had not been like that. She’d not really dared to do the kinds of things Rainbow did on an everyday basis.
But watching her... it was breathtaking. Rarity fooled herself quite willingly into believing that this was her own private show, and that Rainbow was doing this for her, to impress her. And she was, indeed, impressed. Her wings beating the air in a strong cadence, her eyes flashing, her mane blown back by the wind she riled up by her flight.
She landed with a prideful smirk. “Think we’re golden, Rares.”
“That we are,” she breathed, and then straightened. “Yes. That’ll do, Rainbow. You’ve been a fine helper. Come back inside?”
In the Boutique, Rarity put away the uniform with pride and a smile. Now that it was out of the way, she could turn her attention to more important matters.
Rarity, in typical form, offered tea and company. Rainbow, also in typical form, took any opportunity for free food. So the dance began.
It helped to think of it as a dance or game. It made the butterflies in Rarity’s stomach more manageable and took her mind off of the seriousness of it. She thought it was fitting; Rainbow led and she took cues, Rarity moved a pawn and Rainbow moved out a knight.
As she sipped at her tea, she searched Rainbow for signs of... well, to be honest, she wasn’t sure. Something. Anything different about her.
But Rainbow seemed rather normal. Happier than before, but that was the only thing different.
Finally, Rarity realized she’d been left with no choice. Rainbow gave nothing away. The nervous shifting was gone, all the cues that had first sparked her wild hopes absent. She’d simply have to be direct.
“So, Rainbow. Any progress on the romantic front?”
A pause, and then: “Whatcha mean?”
“Why, your lovely mare of choice, of course!”
“Who said it was a mare?”
“My memory may betray me, but I seem to remember that you may or may not have admitted to such. Perhaps indirectly, yes, but still.”
Rainbow Dash sighed. “Yeah, I guess. You’re right. Honestly, I’ve decided she needs to know.”
“And? Dear, you simply must tell me the identity of this mare of mystery! Perhaps I can help you.”
But Rainbow shook her head. “No, not yet. If she says no... I don’t want it to be a big deal.”
“That first impression is very important, Rainbow. Please, I simply must help you. It’s killing me not to know.”
Rainbow smiled, and it was perhaps one of the most infuriatingly enigmatic smiles Rarity had ever seen. That would be like her, to enjoy any little advantage she got! So smug about her secret!
Of course... it didn’t stop Rarity from wanting to know.
“Well... if she spurns you, will you at least tell me?”
Rainbow nodded. “I think you’ll know, yeah.”
You’re just playing with me now. Of course, that wasn’t conclusive either. Rainbow would play with any interest she showed no matter what. Just another thing she could twist into evidence for Rainbow’s affections for her, but knew she shouldn’t. Not yet.
“Well... hm. At least tell me a little about her. Come now. Is she cute? Long, pretty mane?”
Rainbow shrugged. “I know you’re just trying to get the answer outta me, Rares. But... ah, I’ll play along. Yeah, she’s pretty. Long mane, pretty eyes... she’s nice, when she wants to be.” She chuckled. “Brave, too, when she needs to be, which you know I like. She’s a unicorn, but not an egghead type like Twilight.”
“Ah. An athletic unicorn?”
“I’m not that predictable, you know. I’m not, right?”
“Well...” Rarity smiled, and pretended to think, looking up at the ceiling.
Rainbow snorted and eyed the little pastry plate Rarity had baited her with.
“Anyhow, Rares, she isn’t. She’s probably the girliest girl I coulda picked. Well, not the girliest girl. I don’t know, don’t wanna give you the wrong impression. I know you’re guessing.” She couldn’t help but laugh at the dismay on Rarity’s face.
Though maybe she misunderstood it. Don’t wanna give you the wrong impression. What could that mean?
“I know you want to know, Rares. I’d love to tell you... but you’d want to help, you know? You’d mean well, but I just wanna do this myself. I need some space to work, you know?”
“I understand, Rainbow... as much as I’m not pleased about it. But it’s your right.”
“Well... would you at least receive a gift?”
“What kind?” Rainbow looked interested, but ready to say no.
Rarity played her trump card, with somewhat restrained enthusiasm. “I have passes to the Unification Ball, actually. I was wondering if you might like two. You could use it as a perfect opportunity to confess your feelings!”
Rainbow simply gaped at her. “How? Not that I’ve ever tried, you know, or thought about it... but those are hard to get. Really hard. Like, unless you’re a really important pony, you aren’t getting more than one, if any.”
Rarity shrugged. It was her turn to be smug as she said, “They’re part of my payment. The Hegemon offered them somewhat offhoof and I accepted them on a whim. She gave me four, and I figured I could bring some of the girls with me. I think this might be a worthy cause.”
Rainbow seemed lost in thought, and Rarity waited for her answer.
Finally, she grinned and met Rarity’s eyes again. “You know... yeah. Yeah, I like that plan. I think I might just take those.”
“Well, you’ll have to wait a bit. I haven’t got them yet. The Hegemon will be by later to pick up her uniform... Rainbow. I can make you a lovely—”
“Was just about to ask you, actually. Would you make me a dress, Rarity? A nice one, good enough for a ball and all that kinda stuff.”
Rarity forgot all about her suspicions and reached over the table to wrap Rainbow in an awkward and rather unladylike embrace. In response to Rainbow’s surprised sputtering, she had only one thing to say.
“Do you have any idea, Rainbow Dash, how long I have been waiting for you to ask me for a dress for yourself without me having to make you? Like, one that you like?”
“Er... Rarity? Could you... I mean, this is really nice and all, but...”
“Rainbow Dash wants a dress! Oh, thank you Celestia! A real dress! All my dreams are coming true!”
She could already see it now, Rainbow Dash’s exasperated groan aside. Yes, it would be wonderful. A beautiful dress for a beautiful mare... and perhaps she’d be seeing it again, up close, at the Unification Ball.
While I breathe, I hope!
Well, not quit all of them. But just you wait Rarity.
Girly-girl huh?...I'm sensing the possibility of no more spa-dates, cause Fluttershy fits that bill quite nicely too. Pay close attention to details now, Rarity!
I've been waiting for a while for moar..... and It was worth the wait
Another good entry! Yet more teasing, leaving your loyal fans twisting in the Cloudsdale breeze...
While I breathe, I hope! = Dum Spiro Spero. Yeah, I'm from South Carolina.
poor rarity....
1874109 I'm dreadfully sorry about how long it took.
1874122 I'm a sucker for latin. It's my classical educations. :3
A girly long-haired unicorn mare. That knocks out Lyra, Vinyl, and Colgate. HOPEFULLY it's not a filly. C'mon Rarity.
If it's not Rarity the would make me shit a brick.
D'awww, this is so goddamn adorable! :D
Keep it up!!!
yay an update
awesome chapter, can't wait to see Rarity's reaction when she learns who Rainbow has a crush on.
1874193 Plot Twist: It's actually Rarity's sister Commoner. They elope to Donkeyland and have babies. They are all ugly but they are weapons of mass destruction in the sky. Rarity looks to Big Mac for comfort. Pinkie becomes and air pirate, and Applejack curses her misfortune. The Applehatted never gets her mare. Everyone is sad (though I did write that one Rarijack)
:3
1874211 Thank you!
1874228
I assure you it will be so ladylike you have no ideaMe too. :PIt's not all that short! The length is perfect, and this chapter is absolutely fantastic.
1874392 I've always written chaps around 5K... it felt short to me. But I'm glad you think so. And I'm glad you enjoyed it!
1874024 she did specify that it was a unicorn so not shy
Rarity sure knows how to play the game. This'll be one interesting ball.
1874832 Love is the greatest of games. :)
Commence read.
Time for Rainbow to style and wear something by Rarity.
Hell fucking yes. Thank you Cube, this story continues to kick ass.
1875067 Oooh I'm a Cube? :D Am I companion Cube? Don't incinerate me.........
And thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Nice, more of this. Calling it right now: the mystery unicorn is NOT Rarity. Why? Because I have a feeling you're leading us on with all of these hints just to kick us in the feels. That, and if it was Rarity it wouldn't be much of a story. Cute and heartwarming for sure but not exciting.
Regardless! The excellent quality continues, and I will be awaiting more.
And don't apologize about the wait or length. I for one am simply content for the story to continue. When one follows as many stories as I do one is never bored.
1874024
She said unicorn.
That said, the only way this can end is if it isn't Rarity.
TAKING BETS
Reply with your bet to have it posted below:
Lyra
1874282 Ah friggin' knew it! That mental image mae me lol
Girly non-bookish unicorn? That narrows it down. Obviously there has to be a twist, but who fits the bill?
1875153 I do like feels.
Vinyl...no, not girly Trixie...lolno, Rarity...too convenient, Sweetie Belle...uhh maybe?
Okay, so I think the options here are 1) Rarity 2) OC 2a) non-fanon characterization of Lyra/Colgate/Vinyl/etc 3) Fleur-de-Lis.
I'm guessing it's either Rarity Belle or her distant cousin of a similar name, Rarity Shmelle.
1876747 Verily Dell actually, Rarity's long lost fourth cousin. We don't talk about Cousin Verily. For good reason.
Length? Length? *insert saying about quality, not quantity here*. with that done,
1878299 Thanks. :)
I prefer to have medium to just reaching long chapters, so that you have this long length to be fully immersed in. Not that you can't have immesion with short chapters, you can! But I'm not quite as good with that. I need a bit of runway. :P
Well all the comments seem to want it NOT to be Rarity, I hope they are wrong. We need another beautiful raridash. the other being "Salvation".
By this logic, either Shining Armor's full name is Shining Armor Sparkle or Twilight's full name is Twilight Sparkle Armor. Not even gonna start listing all the combinations you could make with Applejack's family. (Applejack Macintosh, Applejack Bloom, Applejack Smith...)
Also: Guise, it has to be Rarity, assuming Cynewulf is following the site rules. All character tags have to be present when the story is first posted, meaning you can't just add them on later. There are only two characters tagged, Dash and Rarity.
1881955 Just like Pinkie Pie assumes the rather bizarre but amusing name of Pinkimena Diane Pie? haha.
You do have a point though. Those would be rather silly names.
Actually, I work with the convention that surnames are kind of optional for ponies, like they were a long time ago for us. Families of nobility, influence, or with strong bonds have a shared name element (like apple or a name about apples) or a theme (Twilight Sparkle Shining Armor and all the cakes having yummy food names). My OC belongs to a clan named the Corners. They do both-- He is Poets Corner, and all of their family have shops like "Corner Bakery" and etc. because they became famous for finding spots in the corner of town squares for establishments and being stupidly successful. His wife didn't take his family name and kept the Singer name element that she liked from her own heritage.
Elsewise, I think they can have all kinds of names and trace lienage by the whole "Son of..." thing.
That make any sense? I am glad you thought about that.
1880187 Haha. I amused by some of that speculation myself. But let the peeps speculate. :3 It's fun!!
I've read Salvation 3.5 times. I like it a lot. A whole lot. :D
RD is coming rather flirtaituous here. (spelling?)
Rarity wants her, she wants Rarity, but by Celestia she is going to make Rarity work for it.
1886706 Flirtatious!
Kinda, definitely see how you could see that one. I was thinking more of a logical extension of the teasing behavior Rainbow has all the time. She smells your weakness and she's going to tease you about it because some people show their love through being mean in a really superficial way. I do sometimes, I'll tease my girl or my friends, but in a way that it's not tooooo mean.
MORE MORE MORE MOREMORE MORE MORE MOREMORE MORE MORE MOREMORE MORE MORE MOREMORE MORE MORE MOREMORE MORE MORE MOREMORE MORE MORE MOREMORE MORE MORE MOREMORE MORE MORE MOREMORE MORE MORE MOREMORE MORE MORE MORE
1944189 hahaha. heads. I should totally just end it with the dramatic reveal that she has two heads just because of that.
I'm glad you're enjoying it.
Just a wee typo.
Also, I'm liking this so far.
Good one. . But I kinda think it's a little untied. But I don't mind it. I really like the smooth flow of events. Keep up the good work.
1989368 Waking up to this was magnificent
25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m7lzaqjmgO1qhkkfmo1_500.jpg
Rainbow is clearly pining after Celestia - Long, everflowing mane? Check. Girly? - she's the flippin sun princess, that's girly. Check. Unicorn? - kinda. Besides, Dash couldn't give away that much info, so saying she was an Alicorn would've totally ruined the surprise
At least poor Rarity is losing to the best
Seriously, though, nice chapter. I like how Dash is drawing it out as long as possible, and how Rarity is too caught up in her ladylike game of cat and mouse to outright force Dash into admitting who it is. So yeah, great job once again, and looking forward to the next update whenever its available
2012713 You caught me. It's true. Rainbow Dash's Celestia is the real name of the story it was Celestia all along
Can you blame her?
Haha, thankya! Gosh, has it been a month already??
I must say I wasn't planning to read this until later on but damn, I can't wait for more chapters. Everything just seems to work so well and your text flows nicely.
2037594 I'm really glad you enjoyed it!
Yeah... Lilies has come slow. But I've missed my Rarity and Dash recently, so I think I might reread what I have and work on that this week.
2013681
two.
2177167 don't remind me...
2178536
when I see a month old comment saying "sorry it's been a month", I have to say something. It's just... the timing is too perfect not to.
But don't worry, I'm sure you'll get to it eventually. Say, 2014? or is that too ambitious?
I kid. take all the time you need.
Man I love this fic hold on I gotta fav it real quick...ok I'm back another good chapter with good characterization on both parts I espcy love the little playful back and forth at the end with all the hints and misleadings. You have me begging for more onwards!!
I like this story. I can't wait for it to update a little more. But it's good none the less.
Ooooooohohohoho yes~ This is going to be one epic event! :D
Hahahahaa! nice job!
NOTIFICATIONS DESTROYER