Dream Date
Rarity scrubbed herself as hard as she could to rid herself of the imaginary grime that she felt Fluttershy’s animals left on her after fulfilling her promise of feeding them. A quick rinse and the unicorn felt sufficiently clean to call it a night, but not before a knock at her door caught her attention. Her vigorous bath had taken her mind completely off the favor she had asked of Fluttershy, who she found on the other side of the door. However, seeing the little yellow Pegasus looking a bit winded and nervous reminded her of the task she had asked Fluttershy to do.
“Umm…” Fluttershy found herself at a loss for words; still a bit in shock from what she had witnessed that night.
“Do come in, Fluttershy,” Rarity invited her sweating friend into the boutique. “Now, tell me. What happened?”
“Uh… umm…” the Pegasus gulped, trying to calm her nerves. “Well… they were… out in the fields…”
“Yes, yes… go on,” her friend plopped down on the floor, anxiously waiting for more details.
“And… then…” Fluttershy paused as the memory of the scene flashed in her mind. “They…”
“They…?” Rarity repeated.
“They… kissed…” the timid mare said in high pitch voice.
In that moment, Rarity could swear she felt her heart sink to a low that she had never felt before. Her eyes shrunk as she imagined her dragon suitor lost to her purple counterpart so early in the game. Her small pupils and irises and distant stare began to concern the yellow Pegasus.
“Rarity…?” Fluttershy nudged the unicorn. “A-are you ok?”
“I… I don’t know…” the dress maker said, still not breaking her thousand-mile stare.
“I-I didn’t know that Twilight and Spike… were like that…” the naïve mare commented. “I mean… I knew that they were close, but… I never would’ve guessed… I always thought he liked you like that.”
“I think I need some time to myself…” Rarity told her yellow friend, fighting back the tears coming from her eyes. “If you don’t mind, Fluttershy.”
“Rarity?” Fluttershy called her name in concern. However, the white unicorn merely led her to the exit without a word slipping passed her lips.
The young designer awoke the next morning, not defeated state, but in a determined demeanor. She was not just about to roll over and let her “Spikey-Wikey” get away from her; no, not without a fight. He had been her little suitor for as long as he and Twilight had been in Ponyville, there was no way that she would lose him so easily.
It was her physical allure that had first brought her to Spike’s attention, and her feminine charms and refined manners that sealed the deal. If being a proper mare had been the thing to win over his heart, so too it could be the key to winning him in this little contest. So long had she known him, that she had learned just how to press the dragon’s buttons to make herself irresistible. A flowing gown that would turn any male’s head, a dash of eye-shadow and lipstick that would make him never want to look away and finally a fragrant perfume that would drive him wild. She smiled at herself in the mirror, filled with anticipation for Spike’s reaction once he caught sight of her.
After last night’s date with Twilight, it only seemed fair to Spike that he should spend the day with another of the mares. Leaving the library, the dragon locked his gaze on the ground as he began deciding who should be next. Guilt still lingered in his mind. He felt like he was toying with the mares’ feelings by spending such intimate time with each. But without doing so, he knew he could not make a fair choice, for them or himself. It was a persistent thought he could not shake, no matter how he tried to rationalize it.
However, in an instant, all the thoughts in his head seemed to just fall into the deepest chasm in his mind as he found himself unable to pry his unblinking eyes from a certain white unicorn. His jaw hung so low that he swore he could the grass brush against his chin. The young dragon’s forked tongue also lolled out as his drool dripped off of it. Inaudible mumbles were all that was heard from the dragon as he tried to come up with a coherent thought, only to fail miserably.
“Hey there, Spike,” Rarity greeted the dragon with a cocky smile, loving every second of the desired effect she had on him.
“Uh… uh-waa…” Spike slurred, still unable to come up with even a single real word.
“How would you like to come over to the boutique later today for dinner…” the unicorn said in a breathy voice. “Just you… and me…”
Rarity only continued to receive garbled words in response. “I’ll take that as a yes…”
He had informed Twilight off his upcoming dinner date with Rarity. It seemed to have hit her straight in her heart as she heard this from him. She looked strained and clearly fought back tears that had pooled in her eyes as she faked a smile to encourage the young dragon to attend the dinner with the unicorn he had adored for so long. She wished him well and left him to get ready for the date. However, it was not the last he heard from the purple unicorn. Spike caught the sound of quiet sobs coming from Twilight’s desk where she was pretended to study.
The young dragon could not believe himself. He had just decided to correct his behavior with mistreating the mares’ feelings, but now here he was hurting one of his closest friends by going on a date with a rival mare. On the other hoof, he was living his dream: he finally got his date with Rarity. It was what he always wanted, and yet, it did not seem as fulfilling as he imagined it. Though he found himself unable to resist her and reject her offer of a private dinner with her, something just nagged at the back of his mind.
Of course, the guilt of his selfishness remained from before, but this was something different and he could not quite put his claw on it. Spike could feel it in his gut that this dinner was not going to be the date he had fantasized about. It was as if he knew something was going to occur that night, something not too good. Readying himself for the date only seemed to allow this feeling to fester inside him. Taking a last look in the mirror, he took a deep breath and left the library.
“Spike…” Rarity nuzzled the dragon. “I’m very happy to see you could make it.”
The lingering feeling from the library made it impossible for him to totally forgo his thoughts and mindlessly adore the unicorn in front of him. However, it did not mean it was easy for him to ignore his long-time love’s attempt to captivate him. She was even more made up than earlier and had an enticing tone in her voice that made steam blow out of his ears and nose. Instead of stammering in some nonsensical language like before, he was able to find the words to communicate clearly.
“Hi, Rarity,” he greeted her, fumbling with a single rose in his claws.
“Is that for me?” Rarity asked him.
“Uh… yeah… sorry,” Spike answered with a bit of a delay, quickly handing her the flower.
“Why thank you, Spike!” she responded, taking the flower and placing it in a nearby thin vase. “What a proper gentlecolt… well, dragon.”
Rarity had expected him to be a bit off with her, but she had thought his focus would totally be on her. In fact, he had seemed distracted with something in his mind. His eyes moved from one object to another without lingering too long on anything in particular. It was not how she predicted he would act based on his earlier reaction. Though a little disappointed, she was not dismayed.
“Well, I bet a hard working dragon like yourself has built up quite the appetite,” Rarity told him, inviting him to sit down at a candle-lit table. “I have two surprises for you tonight that I’m sure you’re going to love!”
Rarity simply stared at her date as he thoughtlessly poked his food, never once looking up at her. He did not even take a single bite; he merely rearranged it on his plate. After a few more minutes of silence, Rarity finally decided to speak up.
“You know, Spike. I do care about you… more than anypony else,” the unicorn said. “And if something is bothering you, I want to help.”
Suddenly, it hit him. All the thoughts that had been making him feel distracted and distant finally became clear.
“Then did you know how I felt about you…?” he spoke, still not looking up from his plate.
“Of c…” Rarity started.
“Even BEFORE what happened with Photo Finish?” the dragon interrupted her.
“I-I…” the wide-eyed mare stammered, caught off-guard by his sudden bluntness. “I apologized for what I did, Spike. It was wrong…”
“Did you know?” Spike asked again.
“I… I did, but…” Rarity answered disheartened.
“And you still pretended not to know me…” the dragon said sadly.
“I’m sorry about that, Spike. I should have never done it…” Rarity responded.
“How long did you know about my feelings for you?” he asked.
“It has been… a while since I’ve known,” she admitted.
“Why didn’t you tell me then?” Spike asked. “I’ve been coming over here and spending all my extra time helping you because I thought maybe I could make you care about me like I do for you. Do you really care about me or… are you just jealous that Twilight or Applejack might take me away?”
“Spike, I…” the mare tried to defend herself, only to be interrupted once again.
“You told me about Twilight’s birthday party and how you had to choose between them or Fancy Pants and you chose them…” Spike recounted. “Why didn’t you choose me when it came to me or Photo Finish? Did you think I would just come back to you like always?”
“I…” Rarity paused, wiping her tear-soaked face. “It’s not like that, Spike. I swear! I meant what I said… when I told you I loved you…”
“For how long?” the dragon demanded.
“I-I don’t know… I… it just happened,” the unicorn said. “But I know it’s true… I DO love you, Spike.”
“Well… you haven’t been acting like it…” Spike replied, leaving the table and storming out of the boutique.
Rarity sat there in disbelief, tears still streaming down her face. In an instant, her plans to woo Spike were shut down. Perhaps even worse, she might have lost him completely. She could not help but wonder if what he said held some truth. She had his affections all to herself for so long and never acted on it, not until Spike started to show interest in Applejack. Perhaps her confession was a bit brought on by jealously, but her feelings were genuine.
As for the Photo Finish incident, she could never provide a real explanation as to her actions, to him or herself. All she was able to do is apologize for her actions, but even that might not have been enough. Maybe the explanation the angry dragon had given was as close to truth as she could come up with. Rarity did remember hurting the dragon before, both emotionally and physically, only to watch him return, his feelings for her being too strong to stay away. Subconsciously, she may have believed that the situation with Photo Finish would be yet another event that he would forget in time.
Slowly, she cleared the table and stared at the two gifts she had planned to give Spike that night. Calling in a few favors from her clients, Rarity managed to acquire two tickets to the Gala. Working hard to make some spare time in her busy schedule, she also managed to design a custom suit for the dragon. Though their first time at the Gala went pretty poorly, she was sure this Gala would be a night to remember. No longer was she looking for her “Prince Charming,” having already found him in her Spikey Wikey. But now, it was all for naught.
She sluggishly trotted up to her bed and allowed herself to fall into her bed, though she knew the emotional distress she had gone through was going to keep her up all night.
Spike’s thoughts created a maelstrom in his mind. He had no idea where his sudden outburst came from. Perhaps he had been keeping it in longer than he thought; perhaps Rarity’s manipulative behavior that night was the final straw that broke the camel’s back. Either way, he felt horrible for ruining the dinner with his crush.
The dragon contemplated going back and apologizing, but the more he thought about it, the more he realized that it was how he truly felt. He knew that Rarity did not always treat him the best way she could, but he always gave her the benefit of the doubt. Maybe he was blinded by love and now that he had others that he felt strongly about he was able to think a bit more clearly. But even so, he could not just allow himself to act so rudely to the unicorn.
However, he himself needed time to calm down and allow emotions to settle. He did not want to go back there only have yet another explosion and hurt the mare all over again or give her an insincere apology. Though angry at her, Spike could not fool himself into believing he had lost his love for Rarity. She would always have a special place in his heart.
Entering the library, quiet sniffles could still be heard from the bedroom. As he reached the top of the stairs, he found Twilight lying on her bed, muffling her cries into a pillow. Hearing the creaking of footsteps behind her, the unicorn wiped her face of tears and turned around to greet her assistant.
“So… h-how was it? W-was it everything you wanted, Spike?” Twilight stuttered, trying to make it not too obvious that she was choking back tears.
“I… I don’t really want to talk about it…” the dragon replied, not being able to look the pained unicorn in the eye. “Not right now…”
Climbing into his bed, he wrapped himself tightly in his covers. He just wanted to drift off into sleep and forget all of today. He single-handedly made two mares he cared for cry their eyes out over what he did. He could not help but ask himself the question: what was he turning into?
Whoa. Now I'm a big Sparity fan, but I'm pretty sure this story is not gonna end that way. But even so, is this already the end for Rarity's attempts in being Spike's choice? What will she do with the gifts? DARN YOU CLIFFHANGERS! This was a good chapter though.
I'm so conflicted!
Rarity is mucking things up, however; she is trying to make amends with Spike. That ship has sailed and met the same fate as the Titanic
Spike's heart is being pulled in 3 different directions.
Having to choose 1 over the 2. Harem isn't a option.
Seeing Twilight breakdown like that is so sad. I want her to be with Spike.
Twilight feels she like doesn't hold a candle to Applejack or Rarity.
Applejack was there to pick up the broken pieces of Spike's heart.
I want Spike to be with her as well.
k, first off great chappie again a lil sad near t end for rares; twi and spike but, he does hav a point on rares handlin with his feelins and think he'll just bounce back after every "fall" hope his date with aj goes a lil better
Well, this is... Interesting. Spike has taken a moment to check his emotions, check in with himself, and ask if what he is doing is correct. Now it seems that Spike has finally realized what he has done, but that doesn't help solve his problem now does it? Twilight still loves him, Rarity still says she loves him, and Applejack has said she loves him. What is the poor little dragon to do? I feel this has taken Rarity out of the running given his statements, that leaves Twilight and Applejack boiling down to this it's getting exciting. Somehow I feel Rarity will get back in Spike's good favor whether she becomes a candidate again waits to be seen.
Rarity needs to understand, a mans heart is not a needle you can manipulate with magic.
It's funny, I saw my first comment on the story, third ever for it if memory serves, and I'm brought back to it. Rarity's made out to be a manipulative bitch, my original concern though I worded it kinder, and I started believing that wasn't going to be the case as I continued reading... Clearly, I was wrong.
Man, this is bad. This is bad for everyone. Poor Twilight is crushed by her insecurity and affecting Spike, who is there to witness it full time, in turn; poor Rarity's past mistakes set off the cannon of stress while it's a reasonable bit more loaded than what she deserves... and I don't think poor Applejack is going to get away any more freely than her two friends/rivals.
At this point, I'm considering that Spike staying with none of the three would be the better thing to happen. It's sad, but at least there wouldn't be the rivalry embittering all four hearts trapped in this web.
YEEEEEESSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!(pardon my french) FUCK SPARITY. Don't flip out Sparity fans I'm kidding, I myself enjoy a good Sparity once in a while. However I also love the drama created when COMPLETELY disregards Spike's feelings. I believe it only adds to a good story and I am entitled to my opinion.
I'm still holding out for Harem if I'm honest though not simply because I want to see them all together (though that is a reason, obviously) but rather, I want to see how this fight of there's will play out and how they will reach the final harem conclusion since if it dose come to that on this story I seriously doubt that its going to be like many if the other tics that do it where they all deside on being a harem like its a 1 second dession. No I suspect that in this story it would play out over many chapters with them all questioning if its the right thing for them to do for themselves, eachother and spike until they finally come to a solid and well thought out conclusion.
Or at least that's what my thoughts on the matter are - as well as some un-based speculation.
woah! did not see that coming
i really hope he ends up with Twilight though, they fit so well
No...no no Spilight no no no.
No.
Is only one I accept. Or maybe . Either two.
Damn, Spike.....can't really blame him though. Everything he said was truth. But, i hope he gets control of his emotions and makes up with Rarity soon cuz i hate seeing such a sweet couple like this.
Pretty deep chapter. Most excellent.
2953741
QFT, my friend. quoted for truth.
Oh Rarity.
Once again, it seems that you think the way to get through a man's heart is through gifts or favors. That only works to an except. Ultimately, the way to get a male to be with you longer than just a friend is to be honest, truthful, and sincere. That personally, to me, is the tipping point from being my friend to being my girlfriend. Any female can look all dolled up and all....hey, I love it when you put on makeup. But I personally love it more when your natural beauty (not just physical beauty) always seems to excude from you. And that's a hell of a lot more than just eye shadow, a hourglass figure, or ruby red thongs that has my name embroiled on the front .
Rarity, you're the element of generosity. That means that ultimately, things aren't just made for you, they are for others. That includes your fame. It wasn't right of you to shun Spike's affection for you just so that some hot-shot (who ultimately didn't want to work with you anyway) could possibly give you some recognition. In an ironic twist, I think that your relationship w/Spike would be the ultimate icebreaker for nobility, what with Spike's natural exoticism as well as his connections to the Princesses (I can imply some Momlestia here if you wanted to go that way). Plus I can see a bit of that loved adage: "You don't know what you got, until it's gone". I hope that Rarity sees it before Spike leaves her for good.
To Spike, I appreciate that you wanted to get all your feelings and emotions out in the open. Bottling in something like that would blow up in the most inopportune way. But part of me wishes that he used a little bit of tact. Rarity understood that she did you wrong (stay out of the gutter, this is serious). I personally think that the dinner date would be the perfect opportunity to get things back on the straight and narrow. But is didn't happen. I think that after you have let some steam up, you should immediately go an apologize to the first mare of your dreams, like the dashing noble drake that you are. I think that she is deeply hurt, but she will forgive you, if you truly forgive her.
Now that I mention it, clever wording from the author on the irony of the title of this chapter "Dream Date". It ultimately was the exact opposite of a dream date for both Rarity and Spike.
Such a emotional character. I'm assuming that the date w/Applejack is gonna be somewhere in the middle of what Rarity and Twilight's dates were emotionally. I can't wait!!!
I'm all for Sapplejack or Spilight
waaaaaaaaaaaaa super awesomeeeeeeeeee ;A; poor Rarity and Twi
Oh thank god for new chapter..
2955773me too
I think Spike should just choose to not pick any of the mares. No matter who he chooses, he's gonna break somebody's heart. If he can pick somebody without hurting them, then I think out of the three, he should pick
best ponyPinkie Pie .First let me start off by thanking everyone who said this was a great chapter. It was certainly an emotion-spurring chapter with many who felt bad for Rarity... and some not so much. I did certainly feel guilty about posting this chapter because I was afraid that: A) I went a little hard on Rarity and ripped her a new one, and B) I was afraid that some people would join in on the criticisms of Rarity and also rip her a new one. Thankfully, you guys were thoughtful enough not to criticize anymore than I did. So... onto to responding to your guys' comments.
2953468
Ok... so at least you were able to take the blows that this chapter gave to your pairing. Yes, as you said it, I did leave it as a bit of a cliffhanger and those gifts will show up again... eventually. I'm not going to kid either, your guys' comments did make the guilt stew in my mind. But it was a chapter that had to happen and I won't take it back! Of course, this doesn't mean that Rarity chances are completely diminished! Should've put a little spoiler alert there but eh... you'll just have to wait and see what I mean by that.
2953521
Sounds like you don't see a harem happening, but you want it to happen. Again, no spoilers, but don't count Rarity out just yet.
2953541
Well, bouncing back wouldn't really be a good way of putting it. But you will definitely see some other confrontations that will jeopardize things just as this did. To not spoil it, I will say no more.
2953579
There you go. Don't lose hope just yet!
2953741
Whether or not one can manipulate another's heart is not the question. In either case, one should not manipulate another in any way. Now that it's been said not only by AJ, but by Spike himself, we will see if it opened Rarity's eyes to her actions.
2953759
Uh... thank you?
2953816
Well, I'm sorry if you thought this was Rarity bashing but it was more for a realization for both her and Spike. Sticking to canon, Rarity has been shown to be manipulative. Old habits die hard and one cannot simply change something about themselves that is ingrained in them on the turn of a dime. Rather it takes time, and multiple eye-opening experiences to realize that what you're doing is wrong and/or needs to change. Like I said, this isn't going to be some short fic, you will see Rarity change and grow but, like all things, it will take some time and effort. And the first step to fixing a problem is identifying it. She'll have her chance at redemption, trust me. I don't hate Rarity. On the contrary, I do see that she's often given the short end of the stick and she does have her problems but that is what makes her a good character to write about. Who wants to hear a story about a mare or stallion that has it all figured out *coughMary-suesandGary-stuscough*?
2954014
Nothing like drumming up some drama to keep things interesting. But I see what you're saying, just many other have said. There's no way of ending this without somepony(ies) being terribly hurt.
2954523
The drama was really what I was going for and it seemed to work perfectly. Though, like I said before, I did feel a bit guilty for ragging on Rarity.
2955773
You're right in the fact that life-changing decision are not made on the fly. But as for the ending pairing, I will not reveal anything!
2955880
You are entitled to your opinion and I'm glad to see you're enjoying the story.
2955959
Good to see a few of you haven't lost hope in Sparity.
2956088
Again, I'm very glad to see that I did manage to drum up some pity for this pairing. Didn't want you guys to pounce on Rarity while she was down.
2956911
Hmm... Good points all around. Again, I'm just glad that some people didn't take this as "well, now it's a two-pony race for the dragon." She was still the mare he crushed on for so long, those affections don't fade so easily.
2957646
Again, all of you are fully entitled to campaigning for the pairing of your choosing.
2958310
Not much for to say then glad you enjoyed the chapter.
2960079
Yeah... Sorry it took so long. Again, I was also working on releasing that new story.
2962891
I can see it now. Twist ending: Colgate wins Spike's heart with her impressive oral hygiene!
Now that that's done. Feel free to PM me if you have any other concerns/additional comments you would rather not make on here.
2965912
What new story ?
2965933
lolol Well, guess you didn't read my little author's note. It's a story called "The Puppetmaster". It's not a romance/love-polygon like this one. It's more of an adventure fic with OC's (yes, I can hear the groans now). If you want more info, PM me and I'll answer any other questions you have about it.
2965912dont be, I'm in the process of further dissing Sparity in my latest story.............tell no one..
The quality of writing improved here. Plenty of information, but not so much that it bogs down the prose. Good job.
I had to stop for a minute and dry-heave. If I see that overused suffix correction one more time, I'm gonna gouge my freakin' eyes out, and then before I with a and , then until it all . I swear, "gentlecolt...er, dragon" shows up in nearly every Spike shipfic I read.
Anyway, keep up the good work.
2965912
well, idk it seem lik a good choice to desribe t whole blowout thing at t time or whatev can't say i gave it a try and secondly awwwww.... no fair but, then again i'll be good and wait for moar
Here's what you need to do Spike : take time away from Ponyville to gather your thoughts. Anyways, it seems that Rarity is, to me, officially out of the running. Although he does say that she would have a place in his heart, that makes sense since what he had felt for her was true, but the recent events showed him that perhaps the dream mare was just that; A dream. Oddly enough this was the first Spike x Applejack that I decided to read and it ended up being a love-square-triangle thing. Enjoying it very much and can't wait for Applejack's turn.
P.S. Twilight seems to be at too huge a lead to me (first kiss, first date) just sayin.
3010149
good idea but, maybe after his date with aj i mean it would be a lil rude and and sudden to leave a mare hangin (just sayin of course) also ya may be on to somethin with twi's lead thing yet, it depends on how well aj's date goes in t next chappie
That conversation was a long time coming, Spike. Well done, it needed to be said.
Hang in there, little guy.
Laughed so hard, I cried, I CRIED in joy at how mad Spike was, Gods this has got to be my favorite part of the story, Rarity is a complete and total bitch ,she deserved it and nothing anyone says can make me take those words back, Gods damn, I HAD FUN with this chapter, this was amazing, I need a smoke, and Spike needs a drink.
Make them cry... applejack is the only mare for you
What Spike needs to do in this situation is one of two things: Either initiate a tournament type scenario with the dates, or initiate a polyamorous relationship with the three mares. The second way, everyone wins, ESPECIALLY SPIKE!
Then Spike Left and Got in a Relationship With Gilda!
I still support the harem thing.
I think the mares should get together without spike and just have at it.
put all their feelings and frustrations out there in the open and I don't know maybe start a cat fight (or is it marefight) and afterwards when their done they sit down and have a long and overdo chat and agree to share spike and BOOM! EVERYBODY WINS DAMIT!!