That She is Arrayed Like These Two
Rarity made plans. It was simply part of what she did, part of who she was. As she had written once as a filly on her long list of maxims—now hidden away quite well—a lady did nothing without forethought. So she calculated and plotted. She controlled herself and to an extent her environment. Grace, she told Sweetie regularly, and poise define a mare. You must master yourself, and you will master your circumstance!
She was intentional. She was efficient.
Except when she asked Rainbow Dash far too many futile questions, gave her tickets to go to the ball with some other mare, and got herself all worked up over the mare of her dreams.
Rarity laid on her bed in the dark, feeling like an idiot.
The Unification Ball was just around the corner, and she had nothing. Well, yes, she had her own dress and Rainbow’s made, but besides that? An ensemble without its finest and most central piece was altogether useless, Rarity knew that quite well. And what was missing?
Why an invitation to a rather special occasion from her favorite pegasus, of course. Of course.
She groaned, hugging one of her rather silly large pillows to her and rolling around her bed. Melodramatic, yes, but it was a channel for her despondency. But it could only appease her for so long. Eventually, she lay still on the bed, staring at her ceiling, though she couldn’t see it.
Rainbow had been over to direct her in making alterations several times since the last visit. Each time, Rarity would sail around the discussion of Rainbow’s ladylove. Rarity didn’t ask about the two invitations that she had given Rainbow. She didn’t even dare to mention the ball, really. She just focused on the dress. Making Rainbow happy. Things she could actually manage. One of those things, apparently, was being the center of Rainbow’s attention.
“Was it something I said?” she asked the ceiling in futility. She tried again. “Maybe... maybe she’s planning some great to-do. A surprise... oh, Rarity, be reasonable. Rainbow Dash is not about to plan some sort of silly reveal. You confuse yourself with...”
She didn’t feel like talking anymore.
There were no tears, but rather an ocean of sighs. As much as she would loved to indulge herself in a good, solid, dramatic cry... there was simply far too much to be done. She had last corrections to make, after all. Rainbow would be picking her dress up.
Rainbow. Why Rainbow? Of all ponies, she wondered as she brushed a stray strand of mane out of her face, why this one particular pony?
It was just a crush, she supposed. Every mare and filly had them. They were universal. She would simply have to accept the fact that it was a transient feeling, and inconstant. In fact, perhaps that was for the best.
Though she would miss, perhaps, the chance for company. Rainbow was a fine companion.
Rarity rolled out of bed, landing on all four hooves. “That is quite enough of that! Come, Rarity! Your work awaits you!” she declared firmly. It would have worked marvelously, except that her right hindleg had fallen asleep and would not cooperate. She fell back on her flank with a rather unladylike “Oomph!” and the cycle of self-deprecation began again.
***
By the time Rainbow walked in her door, Rarity was feeling better.
Not necessarily over it, of course. Simply better. It was a matter of temporary feelings, the background pleasure that hummed beneath her work, the distraction of adjusting her glasses and simply taking in her complete dress.
And as such, it was rather easily shattered. She trotted back up to the front of the store to meet her newest customer, and saw those rose eyes and her heart skipped a beat.
“Heya, Rares. Just picking up my dress,” Rainbow said, grinning.
“I... oh, yes. Right. Right this way,” Rarity replied, and hated how her voice sounded. It was, apparently, one thing to accept defeat intellectually and another to accept it emotionally. Ah, but I betray myself, like in all my books, she thought with sigh. The heart is a fickle thing.
She would simply have to focus. To get Rainbow back to the fitting room, give her the dress, and push her out the door! Yes, that would be the plan. Quick. Simple. Impossible.
Conversation. She craved it. Rarity had seen so much of Rainbow in the last two weeks that it had perhaps spoiled her. She wanted to ask about anything. Flying, weather work, even Rainbow’s date for the... yes. I would even talk about that, wouldn’t I? Just to hear your voice. Just to keep you here with me. I don’t understand this, Rainbow.
But the walk to the ponniequin with Rainbow’s dress was a short one, and Rarity couldn’t muster any words, though she wanted to fill the silence.
“Well... your dress, dear,” she said slowly, gesturing with a hoof. “Of course, there is still a little bit of time for revisions and corrections and such, but—”
“I like it,” Rainbow said, her voice quiet.
“—we can... oh. You do? I do fear I’ve done you an injustice. The way it rides, and—”
But Rainbow was shaking her head. “No, no I like it. A lot. It’s... uh,” she ran a hoof through her mane, as if suddenly flustered. “It’s beautiful. Wow.” She said it as if the word was a foreign one, like it tasted oddly as it rolled off her tongue. Rainbow stared at the dress, her mouth curling into a grin.
Rarity felt warm, attaching herself to that word. Beautiful. She graced Rainbow with a brilliant smile. “Thank you! Oh, that’s kind of you, Rainbow Dash.”
“Eh, it’s nothing. I mean, it’s true and stuff,” Rainbow said, looking away before meeting her eyes again. “It’s great. May I try it on?”
“Oh. Of course, yes, I wasn’t thinking,” Rarity said swiftly.
Rarity helped her into the dress, her eyes and mind wandering. A beautiful dress. I never thought I would hear you say that, Rainbow Dash. A beautiful dress for a beautiful mare.
“Still to your liking?” she asked.
“Mhm!” Rainbow nodded, smiling softly down at herself. “Don’t tell a soul?”
“Hm?”
“Dresses. I like them a lot, I mean I wouldn’t tell anypony that usually, but this isn’t exactly... y’know. Hey, don’t look at me like that!” she flushed crimson and looked away. Rarity tried to stop gaping at her. “I’m allowed to be all girly if I want to!”
“Oh, far be it from me to say that! I welcome such things,” Rarity said with a chuckle. “No, I’m simply surprised, pleasantly so.”
Rainbow looked down at her hooves, but smiled. “Does it look good?”
Rarity stepped back and took in the whole sight. “Absolutely. A beautiful dress for a beautiful mare, Rainbow. You look absolutely ravishing.”
Which caused Rainbow to flush still more. Rarity suddenly felt awkward. Did I say too much? I only meant to be honest.
“Thanks,” Dash mumbled, smiling down at the ground.
“It’s only the truth, darling,” Rarity managed, and then she felt her curiosity bubbling up. They were in this awkward moment already, why not ask what she wanted to know? “Do you know who you’re taking?”
Rainbow glanced up sharply, blinking. “Wait, what?”
“To the ball. Do you know... I mean, of course you know who you want to ask, I beg your pardon. But have you asked her yet? Am I prying? Oh dear, I don’t mean to, I’m just dying to know.”
Rainbow froze for a moment, and then her ears flattened against her head. “I... well, I mean...”
Rarity saw Rainbow’s eyes shift from place to place, as if looking for an escape route or avoiding the object of some confession, and her heart raced. Was this it? Was this the moment when Rainbow would speak those words? Was this the reveal, the ultimate confession of her romantic interest? Oh! I had thought that the books were exaggerated.
“Yeah.”
“I... don’t understand. Come again?”
“I mean, yeah, I asked her,” Rainbow said, the words rushing out of her.
“Oh,” Rarity said softly. “Who?”
Rainbow stared at her, eyes wide. Rarity couldn’t muster up any clever observations as to why.
“Well... I mean, I want it to be a secret and stuff...”
“Oh, that’s alright,”
She felt as if someone had hollowed her heart out. She felt cold and small. This is it. My final proof. Why does it feel like this?
Rainbow was looking at her strangely, and Rarity tried to recover. “Yes, I’m sorry. I’m a bit off my game today, I must apologize. It’s just been a bit stressful.”
“Oh... if you’re okay.”
“Of course” she said, putting on a smiling mask.
***
“And that’s the story,” Rarity said over the mild background music. Pony Collins, Rarity guessed, though she had been a bit distracted.
Octavia nodded, resting her head in her hooves as she listened across the table. Her steaming coffee sat before her.
“My, you have had a time of it,” she said with a crisp Ponyford accent.
Rarity sighed and massaged her temples. “It has been a bit trying, but it is all my fault. I know myself, Octavia. I am simply too quick to jump to conclusions, for all my pretense to poise. I acted like a starstruck filly.”
Octavia tsked. “Oh, come dear. Don’t be so hard on yourself!”
The two ponies sat at their usual table in the back of the Inkblot. Rarity enjoyed it here, the relative peace, the little bubble of Middle Canterlot in Ponyville. The art on the walls, and the charming bookshelves full of old books, all of it. The coffee was good, and the barista had a crush on her, she could tell. He was rather obvious about it. Poor fellow.
She stared down at her cup, lost in thought. She was grateful for the cellist. Their companionship was a comfortable one, ever since Octavia had left the city for more rural environs. It was part of why she was going to ask Octavia for this favor.
“Might I ask you a question?” Octavia prodded.
“Of course,” Rarity said, her eyes unwavering. She always ordered a hot mocha here, with Octavia. It had become part of their pleasant tradition, the strong coffee mixed with chocolate. Gods she loved chocolate.
“What do you really feel, I wonder? Is this simply infatuation? Forgive my prying.”
“No, no. You’re quite right to ask. I honestly do not know. It seems sudden... but is it? Of course, once upon a time I couldn’t stand Rainbow. She was brash, arrogant. She took the beauty she was blessed with and squandered it. It was so frustrating!”
“And yet,” Octavia chimed in as she lifted her cup to her mouth with both hooves, “you love her.”
“Yes! I think so. I’m not sure. We became friends, but it was just through Twilight. I wanted to be closer with all of our circle, and so I began watching her fly, trying to coax her into joining me at the spa or for lunch.”
“The spa? Honestly?” Octavia set her cup down and chortled. “You’re kidding me. Surely, you’re kidding me.”
“No, I assure you, I did indeed attempt it,” Rarity replied, smiling despite herself. “And she even went, once or twice. Of course, only when others went with us. As a group of friends, but I didn’t mind. I’m not sure why it was so important to me.”
“You two have been spending a lot of time together. I notice Miss Dash flying towards the boutique often these days.”
Rarity sighed, but her smile stayed. “Yes, she has been. It’s been delightful! I enjoy Rainbow’s company, though it’s perhaps not the most refined of conversation. She’s so passionate about flight.”
Rarity looked up from the table and her cup to the coffeehouse. There were a few ponies. A teal pegasus with a red mane read a thick book against the wall. A handful of young teenaged ponies chatted amiably at the counter while the barista who was so enamored with her prepared them a drink. Ah, and there was his sidelong glance in her direction.
Rarity saw the table Twilight loved, where the wall dipped into a little alcove. She remembered having watched her friend writing at that table, and had always wondered what she was working on.
“I believe you could have a definite romantic attachment,” Octavia said, tapping her chin. Rarity saw her out of the corner of her eyes, and looked back to her companion as Octavia continued thoughtfully. “And I begin to suspect that it’s deeper than you know, from your story. True love begins out of friendship, I’ve always thought so. It’s the basis of romantic love, companionship.”
“That’s not exactly high romance and passion,” Rarity said dryly.
“Isn’t it, though? Love...” Octavia gestured oddly at the air, as if trying to grasp for something. “I’m sure,” she said after some thought, with a smile, “that you’ve wondered why Vinyl and I ended up together.”
Rarity raised an eyebrow. “Forgive me, but it did seem odd at the time.”
“As it should. We are rather different, after all. I prefer tea to energy drinks, if you catch my drift. Ah, but see, it all grew! Friendship can be a seed, and it is beautiful to watch affection blossom and deepen and grow!” She returned to her coffee with a knowing smile. “Like your own.”
“It’s all moot now, I suppose,” Rarity said, her eyes returning to the table. She sighed.
Octavia rapped the table, and Rarity looked back up to see her with a scowl. “Is it?”
“It would appear so, yes.”
Octavia rolled her eyes. “Rarity, you are a good mare, but perhaps your romantic acumen is not as high as you would believe.”
Rarity bristled, frowning. “Now, hold for just a mom—”
“I am being serious. Rainbow Dash has been visiting your boutique, and she was doing so before you said you began working on this dress. She’s stayed for food and chatting. She’s enjoyed your company. I find it odd, if she’s so comfortable with you, that you would be the last to know. Don’t you?”
“Well, yes, but—”
Octavia nodded. “I would not be so quick to make a final judgement,” she said quickly, and Rarity paused to gather her thoughts.
Finally, she sighed. “Perhaps. I don’t know. It’s not like what I actually do changes if I choose to hold out hope or not.”
“Perhaps,” Octavia said, and drained the last of her coffee. Rarity looked down at her own, suddenly losing interest in it.
Rarity fidgeted in her seat. Now came the awkward part. The favor. She took a deep breath and began. “Octavia, I was hoping I could ask you for a favor.”
Octavia raised an eyebrow.
“I know you love Vinyl. You moved here to be with her, and... oh dear, I’m going about this all kinds of wrong ways! I simply... I need a ‘date’,” she said, wincing. “I need to be accompanied to the ball.”
Octavia froze. She opened her mouth, and then shut it again. Licking her lips,she eplied slowly. “I am not sure I can help you.”
“As friends! Oh, I’m dreadfully sorry, I’m not trying to insinuate anything. But it would be a disgrace to me if I went alone. It’s hard to explain,” she whined. She felt stupid. Of course Octavia would be loathe to go, she had a marefriend. Stupid, stupid, stupid Rarity. Yet again we put our hoof directly into the trap!
“I will talk to Vinyl,” Octavia said hesitantly. “I do understand, I think. You told me you designed some of the uniforms, wasn’t that it?”
“One of them in particular, yes,” Rarity explained, nodding.
“Ah. So some of the spotlight will be on you. It will be implied that you and I are romantically involved... which we are not. I know you don’t mean it that way, but we both know about propriety. Perhaps,” she tapped her chin again. “Perhaps... do you know Miss Heartstrings? She plays in the square on occasion.”
“Oh, absolutely! I gave her a scarf a few months ago. Poor dear looked like she was freezing, shaking like that,” Rarity said, furrowing her brow. “Would she amenable, you believe?”
“Yes. Lyra may not be the most social of mares, but she is articulate and graceful. A poetess, though she scoffs at my calling her that. Above all, she will certainly not reflect poorly on you.”
Rarity smiled. “Thank you. Truly, I appreciate it. Perhaps now I can breathe a bit easier!”
“Perhaps. I’ll talk to her, and send her around to the boutique, if you’d like,” Octavia offered, and then stretched. “Ah, but it has been a while, my friend. Yes, Miss Lyra will be a good companion for you. If nothing else, the two of you can talk of music.”
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Dangit! I was just starting to get back into writing again! Now I cannot possibly resist taking time to read what I am sure is a wonderful chapter.
2337469 Sorry! I didn't mean to
Oh boy, this is going to backfire all over the place!
2337539 PErhaps!
Ah, poop. This is gonna go all kinds of wrong, isn't it? I sense a bit of mis-communication coming up, followed by a brief period of angst before everyone gets their stories straight and kiss and make up. And by that I mean Dash and Rarity stop being silly ponies and do this:
2337559 Which is always the goal of all shippy ships! poni kissin'
:3
yes
Commence read.
Read it anyhow.
Now yo await progress.
aaand I did spy a Background Pony reference I do believe.
2337914 Why yes you did.
it has returned.yea!
even if it was an accident to publish this, it was a pretty good chapter, and I'm assuming you edited it very quickly, so I'm also going to assume this is the final draft. Nice chapter, nice to see you back too.
Yay, it updated!
Welp, this'll end well.
2339752 Ah, but I've always been here. :P I meant to fix the importing problems from GDocs but did so fairly quickly.
2339753>>2339530 Yay!
Scarf. Heh. Very nice reference.
2340853cant wait for mote
2337914>>2338991
I thought I saw that too!
2344604 I didn't know you were reading this! Yay
2343876 I must pay homage to my favorite things. :3
2344862
I read lots of things. I think if we still had the "words read" tracker, I'd be going past 15 million by now!
Wait, where's Q97's list of typos? It's so weird not seeing that in the comments.
Decent chapter. Now, to alleviate my confusion, this takes place before "Where The Sun Is Silent?"
2349210 Mhm! IT takes place about a year or two before
2350743 Thanks, I forgot you have the Songverse listed in order on your page.
My apologies.
And holy crap "Absolution" is set in the same universe?!? ...how did I manage to miss that?
Poor Rarity... Wonder who Rainbow asked?
2354331
She didn't ask anyone yet, that seems pretty clear to me. She might ask someone else in desperation, though.
2343876
:D yes.
2423295 She's a little older! I write them all a little older.
2423414 I love writing the dance that Rarity calls love! Heh, thankya.
Genius. Using the story this far as Rarity talking to Octavia. Genius! Also yay you it in my favorite background pony shipping into the story. I'm seriously in love with this story and can't wait to see what happens next....so make something happen like soon...please
I love this story
2428375 I'm glad! Thankya
ok i love this story still! and im 100% sure is saw a Background pony ref in this too
hope to see new chapter soon 
2440181 Yep! Ya did.
Awkward moment when Rainbow asks Bon Bon for the same reason as Rarity. Double the shipping!
I almost thought this story was dead. Nice to see it's still up and going. Nice Background Pony reference by the way.
2454703 It WAS dead for a long time. :/ But an unfinished tale is a contract left unfulfilled, and it weighs on the soul. So! It must be finished.
2454772 Well said.
2349210
Well... funny story there...
You see, I apparently never received the notification when this story updated. It was only by happy accident that I found that it had. So yeah.
Anyways, Cyne, fun chapter.
And the reference.
Cap.
----------
Spacing problem.
No comma. Also, this might work better as two sentences.
Aside form not needing the comma, it's obvious that she's replying.
Period and cap.
Comma splice.
Cap.
No comma. Maybe change it a bit to be about how Rarity catches the smile instead.
Period.
Comma.
No comma. Also, don't worry about it, Rarity. It's only a story you will never read.
No comma.
Comma splice. Probably the neatest fix would be to make the next dialogue "or so I've always thought."
No comma.
No comma. Maybe an action tag too.
No comma.
No comma. Also, it's obviously an offer. So...
2463433 Disaster averted!
Why didn't you mean to publish this? It's a good chapter.
When is the next chapter coming out? It's a good story so far.
2547336 Not sure when it'll come out but it will.
I hadn't checked it for formatting errors yet. :P
2549811
Have you tried using Abiword 2.8? That's what I'm using to write with and so far it transfers over perfectly. All I need to do is check to makes sure that I have proper spacing between paragraphs.
Well none the less, That's good and I can't wait for it to come out. ^_^.
Hey Rarity, we could always use a new addition to the chili train...
2743222 Yes I highly approve of your emoticons
Thank you! Rarity is the best
I love writing her for reals.
Loved this chapter, Cyne! I thought the last one was a bit...well not dull, but not as good as the first chapter and definitely not as good as this one! I liked this chapter most because of the emotional strain you put on Rarity. Yes, I know it's cruel, but you orchestrated it beautifully (if you'll take the irony, a la Octavia) and I really believed Rarity had a reason to pine away for RD. RD and Twilight are my favorite characters and usually Rarity is on the bottom of the list, but I think that's because the show and a lot of writers here give her a bum rap. You've written her with depth of character, believable motives, and you've written her in a likable fashion, which is hard to do! I'll keep reading and commenting, but I'm lovin' the Songverse so far!
2743930 I totally agree. You must understand--I didn't INTEND this to be a multichapter, so I ended up with a second chapter and it was just bluekflwfnlwkfn but then I came back and did it better.
Gah I have to finish it now don't I
y u name dis after my favorite movie?
2792576 I took the title/chapter titles from the Sermon on the Mount in the Book of Matthew, from the Gospels. What movie?
2793068 There was also a movie named "Lilies of the Field" starring Sydney Poitier. You might not know it because it was made in 1963.
2744068
Are you going to finish it?
2853091 Yes.
This is incredibly well done and I'm glad to have caught when it's starting back up.
so are you going to finish it, so far it's awesome!