The Refreshing Taste of Iced Tea
Ah, I found another. Silencing the magic glowing around her horn, Rarity trotted a few steps off the path’s edge before striking the grass with her hoof. Bit by bit she chipped away at the dirt, hollowing a small trench through the soft soil until her hoof finally hit something hard.
Pulling dust covered foreleg away, Rarity peered at the dirt, a glint of green winking back at her. Relighting her horn, she plucked the emerald from its nest, dusting it off with a finely haired brush before depositing it in her saddlebags.
Why did Twilight need Spike to tidy the library on gem-hunting day, and such a hot day as well. Rarity drew her dirty hoof across a sweaty forehead, striking another line of brown below her messed mane. It does not matter, I must keep going, ponies depend on me.
Returning to the mountain path, Rarity continued her search, horn aglow as she groped the ground for gems. Her saddlebags swung as she walked, jingling with the cries of jewels, plucked from their home and restrained to the tight, cramped space. Sweat stuck Rarity’s usually bouncy mane against her scalp, its groomed curl flattened in the heat.
Up ahead stood a lonely oak, its only company two mossy rocks. Good, some shade. I’ll take a small break to refresh myself. As she neared the tree a soft whisper graced her ear, the sound growing to a roar by the time Rarity stood underneath the shade.
A waterfall, rushing down the mountainside, emptied into a clear pool, the water twinkling in the sun’s light. Water, just what I need. Stepping from the oak’s shadow, Rarity bounded towards the water, saddlebags and all.
A step from the water a tuneful humming broke through the waterfall’s roar, the unnatural sound causing Rarity to freeze, ears twitching as she listened. A moment past, the only sound reaching Rarity’s ears the crashing of water. The sun must be driving me mad, causing me to imagine things in the heat.
Allowing the breath she had been holding to escape, Rarity took another pace towards the inviting pool of water before stopping again. There it is again, and it sounds familiar. Creeping round the pool’s edge, Rarity searched the mountainside for any sign of a pony, the sight that greeted her eyes knocking the breath from her.
I have not seen such beauty in a unicorn since Twilight’s coronation. A white coated mare stood on the mossy rock underneath the waterfall, her aurora-like mane and tail hanging heavy with water around her neck and legs. Such natural beauty, the way the colors of her mane mix so wonderfully, pink, blue and green, almost like Princess Celest-
The unicorn spread her expansive white wings, shaking the water from them with a flap. No it can’t be, why would she be up here? White wings returned to their resting place as Celestia turned, a smile finding her lips as she spotted Rarity.
“Rarity, what a pleasure to meet you here. You look hot, would you like someplace to cool off and something to drink?” Celestia beckoned Rarity with the swing of her neck before turning and stepping through the waterfall behind her.
Mouth still hanging with open, Rarity forced it closed with her hoof while magically pulling at her mane, attempting to curl the mess of hair. I can’t see Celestia in a state like this, but I can’t refuse her invitation either, oh what do I do?
Deciding on the later, Rarity scaled the damp slope of rock, watching the ground, picking her hoofsteps carefully. The waterfall was thin but its touch soothing, Rarity stopping to let it run over her face momentarily before stepping through completely. On the other side a surprisingly large cave waited for her, glowing orbs of magic lighting the space.
“Have a seat Rarity, would you like some iced tea?” Celestia sat on a plump cushion opposite the entrance, a crystal jug and matching glass in her golden grasp.
Wordless, Rarity crossed the cave, dead purple mane bobbing with a nod. She relieved herself of her saddlebags’ burden before sitting on a pillow similar to Celestia’s. Why does she have a secret room up in the mountains? Why does she have tea and cushions as well? Why did she invite me inside? Rarity’s features twisted with each question that swirled around her head.
Chuckling, Celestia filled the glass she was holding with tea before levitating it to Rarity, the sweaty unicorn grateful for its cooling kiss. “I can see you have many questions. Are you wondering why I’m here?”
Rarity nodded again, holding the now empty glass before Celestia.
“I’m sure you can imagine how stressful it must be for a Princess,” Celestia spoke as she poured. “From dawn to dusk, decisions to make, ponies to meet, letters to read. Every now and then I take an unofficial day off to relax, and this is my favourite place to do so. The water is refreshing and there is no one around to bother me.” Her shoulders heaved in a sigh, bliss written across her face.
“I completely understand Princess, work is a stressful thing, ponies always wanting something. Sometimes you just need time to relax, have some fun.” The pair sat in silence for a few moments, the only sounds rushing water, dripping manes and the sipping of tea.
Soon enough the crystal jug was empty, Celestia producing another out of thin air with a flash of dragonfire. “If you don’t mind me asking Rarity, why are you up in the mountains, I thought you worked as a dressmaker?”
Rarity opened her mouth to reply, catching the words gem hunting in her throat before they could escape. I can’t let the princess of all ponies knowing I was performing such a brutish task. No, I wasn’t hunting for gems, I was doing something classy, something lady-like. “I was practicing my ballroom dancing.”
“Ballroom dancing you say?” Celestia held a hoof to her lips, as if she were thinking. “Would that not be hard with saddlebags?”
A mouthful of iced tea shot from Rarity’s mouth in a spurt. “Ah, yes, it would. I was simply carrying some food in them, I took them off when I was dancing.” She gritted her teeth in a forced smile. Please don’t check the bags.
Celestia’s horn rung with gold, jiggling Rarity’s pink saddlebags slightly, the gems inside clinking in response. “That seems like a such a strange sound for food to have, it almost sounds like.”
“Gems,” Rarity cut in. “Yes, they are full of gems.” Come on, think, think, why would I have gems in my bag? “They’re there because I accidentally switched my lunch with Spike this morning, just a silly little mistake.”
Refilling her own glass, Celestia’s muzzle twisted, the hint of a grin showing itself before disappearing. “I see how that could happen, but ballroom dancing without a partner? Isn’t that a little difficult?”
“Yes it is,” Rarity’s eyes rolled into her head. Come on Rarity, you’ve made it this far, just a few more lies. Well actually that one isn’t completely a lie. “Spike was supposed to be my partner for the day, but Twilight had already had him stacking books in the library.”
Celestia chuckled, a wide smile spreading her lips. “Ah yes, sometimes I wonder if Twilight misunderstands why I gave her that baby dragon.” The cave fell back into silence, Celestia slowly sipping tea as she stared at someplace beyond the waterfall. “So you are in need of a partner then,” She said finally. “I believe I can be of help.”
She can’t possibly mean to. Rarity thought as she watched Celestia deposit her glass on the stone near her cushion, still wet tail sliding over the plush material as she climbed to her hooves.
“What are you waiting for Rarity, you do need a partner don’t you?” Foreleg outstretched, Celestia waited for Rarity, a playfulness on her features.
I guess she really does. Standing as well, Rarity brushed the dirt from her hooves as she stepped across the room. “Who is to lead?”
Celestia decided without a word. Taking the surprised unicorn’s hooves in her own she pulled Rarity into a half-reared position, snouts inches away from each other. Celestia stepped forward first, Rarity following by instinct, her years of practicing the art allowing her to move without thought.
Hooves clicked against the stone as the spun together, like two duelists facing off before a fight. Their manes painted the cave’s walls with water as they twirled, Rarity matching Celestia step for step, the princess’s pace increasing with each movement.
One of Celestia’s eyebrows raised briefly, Rarity barely catching the movement. Is she taunting me? Rarity scarcely had time to finish her thought before Celestia altered the dance, waltz to samba, Rarity almost missing a step as Celestia pirouetted her, the spin dizzying.
Just as quickly, the princess changed again, slowly her steps, drawing Rarity closer to her. The foxtrot. They continued to twirl around the room, Rarity able to feel Celestia’s heartbeat against her chest. One final spin and Celestia leant over Rarity completely, the unicorn only held up by the princess’s strength.
Panting from the burst of movement, Rarity found herself staring into Celestia’s pink eyes. Such beautiful eyes to match such a beautiful mare. I could stay here forever. The moment went as quickly as it had come, Celestia pulling Rarity back up, allowing the unicorn’s hooves to fall from her own.
“I cannot doubt your tale Rarity, it seems you are quite the dancer.”
Rarity felt a warmth coming to her cheeks, the compliment sending a rush through her body. “I, thank you princess. You are amazing yourself.” In more ways than just dancing, this is the royal treatment I was looking for at the Grand Galloping Gala.
Pushing her mane aside, Celestia shifted her eyes to the waterfall. “It seems I have grown quite hot from dancing, would you care to join me for a swim Rarity?”
Of course my love. Rarity caught her tongue before the words escaped. “I would love to princess.” Following Celestia, Rarity stepped through the waterfall, scrunching her eyes and shaking her head. Silly, foalish thoughts. This is the princess of Equestria, she’s just giving me some company, nothing more.
A splash of water greeted Rarity on the other side of the waterfall, Celestia having already dived into the pool of water below. “Come on in Rarity, the water’s lovely.”
That’s not the only lovely thing waiting for me. Rarity shook her head again at the thought. She’s just a friend, nothing more. The pool of water embraced her in its soothing grasp when Rarity jumped in, the feeling of dirt and sweat washing from her body heavenly.
As she came back up for air a squirt of water waited for her, Celestia giggling at Rarity’s surprise before sending another splash towards the unicorn. Oh it is on. Lighting her horn, Rarity levitated a sphere of water above Celestia’s head, giggling herself as she let it fall.
“I see you’ve finally come out to play Rarity.” Two streams of water hit Rarity’s cheeks, like a slap from each side the impact pushed the air from her mouth.
The pair fought for sometime, Celestia’s extra limbs and further reach giving her the advantage, both mares trading equal blows regardless. Eventually exhausted, Rarity waved a tired foreleg at Celestia. “How about we call it a tie?”
Panting, both ponies climbed from the water to rest on the surrounding rocks. The hard surface was hot from the sun, the soft burning heating Rarity and Celestia’s backs as they stared at the sun.
“I never knew you could be so much fun princess,” Rarity said breathily. And so alluring. Closing her eyes, Rarity hit herself softly on the cheek. Go away thoughts, the princess will think I’m crazy.
“There are many things you don’t know about me Rarity,” Celestia said before pausing for a moment. “Would you like to learn of a few?”
She can’t possibly mean? No, she’s probably just speaking of some long kept secrets. “I could never refuse a juicy bit of gossip.” Rarity rolled onto her side, propping herself up on her elbow so she could watch Celestia’s face.
“Well if it’s gossip you want, I guess I could give you some. I was thinking of sharing something of a much more intimate variety.”
She didn’t just say that, I must be dreaming, this is the kind of thing that only happens in the books I read. Ignoring the thoughts in her head, Rarity kept her face straight. “What exactly did you have in mind?”
Celestia adopted Rarity’s position, rolling onto her side and shuffling forward until their muzzles were only a few hooves apart. “There’s one secret I have, only my sister knows what it is, and even she’s not certain of it.” Celestia leant even closer, her breath mixing with Rarity’s. “I’ve never shared a kiss with anyone.”