Sunny Sprout shifted uncomfortably in her bunk. Rarity was still doing her best to get some answers out of her. It was evident she wouldn’t be able to stall any more. With a heavy sigh, Sunny moved to the end of her bed, tapping the other side for her friend to get off the floor.
Rarity wordlessly complied, climbing up onto the bunk, and settling opposite her downtrodden companion. The fashionista gave her a nod, ready.
Sunny cleared her throat and began. “I… I used to have a shop in Manehattan. On the outskirts of the market district,” she looked up to the cabin window with a long stare and a smile. “It was a beautiful place, so happy, with so many friends…” Her hooves slid across the blanket beneath her. “So warm too.”
"It sounds like it was a lovely place," Rarity commented warmly.
Sunny let out a small chuckle. "Yeah, it was. I ran the shop with my husband at the time, we lived in the apartment upstairs."
“You were married?” Rarity interjected, surprised.
Sunny nodded. “Yeah. Obviously not now though,” she gave a slow shrug and looked down to her hooves. “We built something beautiful, and I couldn’t have asked for more.”
Rarity felt a dull ache in her chest, knowing what would come next. She decided to change the subject, if only for a moment.
“What kind of shop was it dear?” She asked simply.
Sunny quickly motioned to her Cutie Mark, a patch of dirt with a green sprout coming out. “It was a flower shop. Flora is kinda my thing, heh,” she gave a weak laugh. “We weren’t as popular as some of the bigger places, but there was always enough business for us to never worry about money. And regular, friendly customers that made the job fun.”
Rarity felt a sort of kinship to her, knowing what it was like relying on customers to keep food on the table in the early years of her business.
“—We even made enough to buy the building from the original owner. The downstairs shop, and second and third floor were all ours.” Sunny looked to Rarity, ensuring she was still listening. “It was a fortune, but it meant less costs on the bills in the long run...”
Sunny suddenly trailed off into silence. After a few moments she looked up to Rarity, mouth agape as if she wished to speak, but couldn't find the words to say.
Rarity leaned down to meet the mare at eye level. “What happened—”
“We had plans, Rarity!” Sunny cried out before burying her face into her hooves. “so many plans...” The mare began to softly sniffle, a weak shaking coming with each breath she took.
’Fluttershy, darling, I could really use your help right now...’
While the fashionista knew her sympathetic friend was much better suited at comforting ponies than herself, she knew she had to try.
“Sunny, I… I don’t have the words, dear.” Rarity hesitated a moment, but eventually slid over to her and placed a foreleg on the distraught mare in an effort to comfort her. “It’s alright dear, we can—”
In one fluid motion, Sunny turned and dove her head for Rarity’s chest, wrapping her forelegs tight around the other mare. The fractured composure the earth pony desperately tried to hold together shattered, falling into hard sobs and pained wails.
Rarity was taken aback by the sudden contact of her friend, and her explosion of pent up emotion. After the initial stun, the fashionista slowly settled a forehoof on Sunny’s back and stroked her mane with the other. Rarity became aware of a warm, wet sensation running down her chest and gave a silent sigh.
’The poor dear must have held back for so long.’
“That’s right, darling, just let it all out,” Rarity comforted gently, slowly rocking the mare she now cradled in her hooves. “Things are going to get better, I promise.”
The two remained as so for some time before Sunny eventually released her forelegs’ lock around the fashionista. However she refused to remove her head from Rarity's chest, taking some much needed comfort in the mare's calming embrace. She shifted position, turning to look up at the window.
“I-I… I had a life, Rarity…” Sunny sniffled softly, rubbing her snout with a forehoof before continuing, “It wasn't much, but it was mine, and—”
Rarity gently placed her forehoof over Sunny’s muzzle, softly hushing her. “You can tell me later darling, just relax for now. You still have a long day ahead of you,” she quietly, but firmly told her.
With a flick of her magic, Rarity levitated the blanket from her own bunk and settled it over Sunny and herself.
‘A long day indeed...’
<><><><><><><><><><>
“So, this town we’re going to—Ponyville, what’s it like?”
Some time had passed since Sunny’s breakdown, the two of them silently agreeing to drop the subject for the time being.
Rarity looked down to her friend, still sitting in her bunk. “It’s a nice place—very quiet, most days anyway.” She chuckled slightly to herself, briefly wondering what sorts of trouble her sister had been getting into while she was away. “Have you never heard of Ponyville before, dear?” She asked.
Sunny gave an almost imperceptible shrug. “Just what I used to read in the papers… it’s where the Element bearers live, right? Other than that, I know next to nothing about it.”
Rarity’s ears perked up, her attention instantly piqued. “Oh? So you’ve heard of the Elements then?”
She’d been thinking of how to break it to Sunny exactly who she was, and the mare may have provided her an opening. Rarity didn’t want to tell her right away and risk coming off as boastful, yet she didn’t exactly want to hide it from her either.
“Of course!” Sunny’s voice instantly perked up. “Everypony knows about them, they stopped Nightmare Moon and Discord too!” She replied as she got up from her bunk, taking a moment to stretch her back and limbs.
Rarity was happy the subject seemed to warm Sunny’s spirits, but also wondered why the mare hadn’t quite connected all the dots yet. She decided to continue questioning.
“So, what all do you know about the Element bearers?”
“Well let’s see…” Sunny grabbed an apple from the table basket, taking a small bite before continuing. “There’s Twilight Sparkle, Princess Celestia’s personal student. The Element of magic.” She took another bite of the fruit, Rarity listening intently. “Then there’s Rainbow Dash the Loyal, she even did a sonic rainboom! And also Rarity the Gen—” Sunny stopped.
Rarity turned to see the stunned mare drop her apple and stumble back a half-step. “You were saying, darling?” She asked, unable to hold back a proud smirk.
“You… you can’t be!” The mare stuttered out, but otherwise stood still. “Y-You, you just have the same name... it’s just a coincidence right!?”
The fashionista shook her head dismissively. “No, darling. I assure you that I’m the real McCoy. In fact, I was wondering when you might catch on to it,” she teased with a somewhat smug smile.
“Wow, um, I-I... I don’t really know what to say right now...” Sunny nervously rubbed a foreleg with the other, suddenly finding it difficult to meet Rarity’s gaze. “Now I feel even more awkward. I can’t believe I didn’t realize you were that Rarity.”
“Sunny, dear, there’s no need to feel embarrassed,” Rarity said as she stood up, placing a hoof on the shy mare’s side. “Trust me, even the brightest ponies sometimes overlook the most obvious of clues.” Her librarian friend crossed her mind briefly and she chuckled. “I know this for a fact even.”
Sunny met the chuckle with one of her own. “Yeah, I guess so.” She looked back up to her unicorn friend. “You know, I’m almost wondering if this is a dream again. I never imagined that I’d have the Element of Generosity being the one that helps me.” Sunny’s demeanor lightened, she even smiled.
“Think nothing of it,” Rarity remarked. “Just think of me as any other pony, darling.”
Sunny quietly laughed to herself. “That might be a little difficult at this point, I mean I’m sitting here with somepony famous.”
Rarity scrunched her muzzle into a small pout. “While I’ll admit I do rather enjoy the attention it brings at times, I would prefer that my friends simply think of me as they would anypony else.” The fashionista’s expression shifted back into a smile. “Besides, we’ll be staying together for a time I imagine, so I’d prefer it if you saw me as more of a roommate and a friend, rather than somepony famous.”
Her statement hit Sunny like a speeding freight train. She stammered incoherently, trying to say a million words that came to mind all at once. She had totally forgotten the little detail about the planned living situation.
Rarity covered a small laugh. “Well, you're certainly taking it better than I expected. Take your time, dear.”
Several long moments of flustered, failed attempts at communication later, Sunny finally calmed down enough to form her words. “So, I’m... living with an Element bearer…” she said more to herself than anything, before another concern crossed her mind. “Wait! What about the other Elements?” She spun to Rarity with a nervous expression. “What will they think?”
The fashionista hummed thoughtfully to herself for a moment. “Well, they probably won’t think much of it” Rarity shrugged and took a seat closer to her bunk. “We do these spontaneous sort of actions quite often actually, honestly I think the others expect it by now.”
“You mean like inviting a whore in—”
“No.” Rarity abruptly cut her off, rapidly shaking her head dismissively. “No-no-no-no, no! Nothing like, that, dear.”
Sunny’s ears fell back as she shrank down.“I’m sorry! I just—I mean—I’m used to—”
“Think nothing of it,” Rarity interjected reassuringly. “What I meant to say is, we often either help others or volunteer to do things—often absurdly crazy or dangerous I might add, for other ponies.” she chuckled at her own amusement. “I’m certain the girls won’t be all that surprised by you staying with me, just another day in Ponyville.”
“Speaking of…” Sunny paused, unsure of how to say what she wanted in a polite way. “How... long, do you think I’ll be staying with you—I mean I don’t want to impose or force you out of your home trying to support me too, and—”
Rarity smiled and waved a hoof. “Don’t worry about that, dear. I assure you I can support another pony without any sort of financial issues. Now, as for how long you’ll be there... as long as you need to I suppose.” She tapped a forehoof on her chin in thought. “Oh, and I do believe I may have a few leads on a job to help you start getting back on your hooves, too.”
Sunny shook her head in disbelief. “Why? Why are you going so far out of your way to help me?”
Rarity glanced to her with a smile. “I do believe I’ve answered that for you a few times now, darling.”
“No! This is different!” Sunny exclaimed. “That was before I knew who you were!”
Rarity scrunched her muzzle. “I don’t see how that changes anything.”
“Of course it does, it changes everything! You’re famous, surely you're really busy with your, uh, Element thing and what ever else you do already!”
“Oh don’t be ridiculous, Sunny. It’s not like I am required to rescue Equestria everyday.” Rarity paused for a moment, staring off into nowhere briefly. “Though, I do wonder sometimes...” The fashionista shook her head, regaining her focus. “Anyway, what I mean is I’m not so busy that I cannot attend to a guest.”
Despite her new friend’s persistent reassurance, Sunny still felt as if she were imposing. “But, what will others think? The Element of Generosity inviting a whore to live in her ho—”
“No, Sunny, you are not... that anymore. No mare should speak of oneself in a manner like that so casually.” Rarity hummed to herself, remembering a detail she forgot to mention. “I’ll also ask you to be mindful of such language, as my dear sister is quite an impressionable young filly.”
’That’s right, I’ll have to inform Sweetie Belle of the situation... and Mother and Father.’
Rarity cringed at that thought.
’I think I’ll save that last one for later, much later.’
“So, uh... after I get enough earnings to move out of your guest room... then what?” Sunny asked unsurely.
“You are free to do as you wish, you are your own pony after all,” Rarity answered dully.
“So thats it? I’m just... free to go?” Sunny asked skeptically. “I won’t owe you anything?”
“Of course not. That’s the entire point of this, darling. To get you a stable place to live until you can support yourself,” Rarity replied before shooting her a somewhat smug smile. “What would be the point if you were to owe me after everything is said and done? That would defeat the entire purpose of helping you with a fresh start.”
“Well, in that case I’ll be certain to try my best to get out of your hair,” Sunny said with a small frown.
Something in her companion’s phrasing intrigued Rarity. “Sunny? If I may… why do you seem to be in a such a hurry?”
Sunny went back to her uncomfortable pose. “I just… I don’t want to bother you for too long. I mean no offense, Rarity, but I only want to get back to my life as soon as possible, not overstay my welcome.” She looked over to her worn saddlebag on the bunk for a moment. “I hope you understand what I mean."
Rarity nodded. “I understand perfectly.” While she may have agreed, she still had a hunch that Sunny was hiding something, a reason for her urgency to have her own place again. “Like I said, I’ll do everything in my power to help you as soon as possible.”
“I know you will.”
Rarity raised and eyebrow. “You sound quite sure of yourself there, why the sudden bout of confidence?”
“Because the universe can’t take anything else away from me,” Sunny answered in a neutral tone. “If anything, you already got me away from Manehattan, and for that I am already grateful. I wouldn’t have lasted much longer in that city…”
Seeing the coming conversation was about to take a bitter turn, the fashionista quickly changed the subject. Although to one just as potentially bitter.
Rarity bit her lip in hesitation. “I’m sorry, but I have a question if you don’t mind.”
“Go ahead.”
“You never did tell me, but... what of your husband?”
Sunny silently sighed at the mention of the subject, simply staring out the window at the mid-afternoon sun. Rarity could tell the memory probably hurt, but her curiosity simply had to know.
“It’s alright, you can tell me.”
Sunny slowly inhaled a large breath through her nose, then just as slowly let it out. She didn’t want to talk about it, but felt she owed Rarity that much at least.
The homeless mare turned to Rarity, whom was sitting patiently, wearing that ever-present smile she was already used to seeing.
“Alright, remember how I said we had our own business?” Rarity simply nodded in response. “Well… after we bought the whole building, we ran into—”
A sudden shift of the floor cut the mare off. The sound of squealing brakes were heard as well. The two mares gave each other awkward smiles at the interruption.
Rarity got up and stretched. She would have told Sunny to continue what she was going to say, but the unicorn knew it would only take a few minutes for the train to stop; hardly enough time for a serious conversation.
“Let’s gather our things and make for the front, the train will be stopping soon.”
Sunny got up and grabbed her belongings. Rarity did the same with a quick flick of her magic, settling the bags firmly on her back and sides.
Sunny gave a quick nod, confirming she was ready. Rarity made for the door, turning the handle with more of her magic and glancing back to her companion with an enthusiastic smile.
“Come! Ponyville awaits your grand arrival!”
Any complaints about a low word count or slow update schedule should be filed with my complaint department.
Please, take a number and form an orderly line
Big thanks to Darastrix, Whiter Penmanship and Azu for their help.
Send them a PM and tell them they're awesome
3589318
I think this would be a better approach
Heh. For some reason, not sure why, this story has been on my mind for the last 2 or 3 days or so. And lo and behold, an update :) Very glad to see one. I shall commence reading now.
Worth waiting for every chapter.
Ten bits says Sunny and her husband ran into the Manehattan mob and the wanted "insurance" money.
You are really teasing us with this backstory of Sunny, you know that? I mean, not that I'm complaining or anything. In fact, I think this makes things flow much more naturally. Of course Sunny isn't going to bear her soul right away. These things take time. With that in mind, I'm planning on following this carrot you're dangling in front of my face to the ends of the Earth.
And of course, Rarity continues to be awesome. Although I think Sweetie Belle and her parents are the least of her worries. After all, it's very possible that Opal might not take kindly to this new house guest.
this story is still going strong and great. can't wait for the next update. hope it's just as good as this one.
YES!!! Update ahoy! I don't care about the word count, I'm just happy to see the update cause I really like this story
Yep, still liking this story very much indeed. Its kinda nice to see a very loaded emotional subject get the better of somepony for once... I have read very few fics that do that I think. And the moment when the penny dropped for Sunny was quite amusing.
Great chapter I hope the thing that got to her and her husband is not a changeling I like those things there cool
Ahh, such a tease. But good.
Poor Sunny, so much pain. I love this story, it shows Rarity's true nature so well.
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Don't you just love me?
3589423>>3589433>>3589437>>3589441>>3589442>>3589506>>3589587
While reading the rough draft Brony2893 sent me I was like "Holy shit, You're a genius with what's going on here!" However I wasn't about to let the potential I could add to it slip away. So I kind of hijacked this chapter while editing it.
Brony2893 is a good friend of mine and a genius when it comes to story telling. However I only trust him with romance, emotion and feels about as far as I could throw him, and he's pretty dam tall.
So when it comes to these things, I take what he gives me, and add too it while keeping it in the context he provided.
It's a beautiful relationship really, I only wish he would buy me dinner first when handing me a chapter.
3589617
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It is the older of the two who buys the first dinner
3589318
I'd like to file a complaint!
*is standing in fully bullet proof suit*
The wait between chapters...
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And don't get me started on the paltry word count!
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This is like, the 50th dinner!
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..WELL MAYBE I WOULD IF YOU'D PUT-OUT DAMMIT
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3589689
Well if you could actually PERFORM, maybe I would!
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I can't tell which I like more; the actual story, or the fact that several of my favorite songs are perfect background music for reading it.
Ain't No Rest for the Wicked, Carry On My Wayward Son, Prayer of the Refugee...
Even though I have to reread the story each time it updates, I really love what you're doing with it. Rarity is perfectly in character still, and that scene where Sunny comes to the conclusion of who Rarity is is just brilliant. Nice work as always!
Also, you and Azu make the story even better in the comments section.
3589689>>3589738
Would you two just buck and get it over with geez.
Oh, author, you've made my Friday!
3590136
Always room for one more
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Yata!
3589346
Fuck yes it is
3589318 Actually it IS about the word count that I have an issue with. I really do love your writing so much that I wish that there was more of it. Apart from that there is absolutely nothing wrong with the story.
I know you can do it, I just can't wait for when you take that step and do more in a chapter. Until then I'll enjoy the small ones.
To be honest I thought this was the end of the chapter.
I was just about to rage.
Glad it wasn't though.
3590169
As tempting as that sounds I regret to inform you that I do not in fact swing that way . Besides, you two have been together so long that I would hate for anything to come between you .
Eh, I'm not that worried about the time between updates, I'm just glad that another great story is being continued.
There should be a space between 'every' and 'day'. Everyday means common.
I just how this story displays the sharp contrasts between rarity, a famous hero with a nice job, and sunny, an unfortunate pony with a miserable living. Well done ^^
It's back!!! I missed this story so much! This new chapter is awesome! Keep it up!
And they arrived to Ponyville! Yaaay
I am impatient to know how the rest of the cast will react.
Suddenly, pineapples.
Thanks for continuing forward with this story.
I read ACB stories and love them. I read dark stories and tragedies and love them. But by far, this is my favorite kind of story, the uplifting, encouraging kind. And it's well written to boot!
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PINEAPPLE!? WHERE!?
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ACB?
3593152
Alternate Conversion Bureau. And by that I don't necessarily mean the raging anti-pony stories. I'm just talking about ones that aren't filled with rampant misanthropy: Grayscale, The Price of Generosity, The Other Side of the Spectrum, etc.
I'm half expecting it to be him having left her for some dumb reason.
Seems to certainly be the theme.
~Skeeter The Lurker
Best comment ever. 3589346
A sigh is specifically an audible exhalation. If it's silent then you're just breathing out, not sighing.
Grammar Nazi, away!
Pedantry aside, I do love the heart in this story and can't wait to read more!
3605369
This information ruins everything The Knife were singing about!
YOU BUTT HOLE! YOU'D BETTER UPDATE SOON!!!
3605369
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Well, now the story can begin in earnest.
I await the next chapter, patiently.
How are you doing?
Why do you take so long to update!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Please, please, please update soon.
Wow this is a really good story, this fandom keep on surprising me
Its such a great Story but the update time... well sucks.
3786175
First off, I want to apologize if you're unhappy with the free entertainment I use my free time slaving and stressing over when I could be doing other things like seeing friends, or doing anything else.
I don't get paid to do this, so try to be patient.