> Gift Givers
>  by Art Inspired
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Part One: Morning Shine
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Peaceful nights had filled the Pie family rock farm for many moons until one night, Maud Pie and the other residence of the household were awoken suddenly by flashes of thunder and lightning. There wasn’t too much wind outside the two-story cottage moments before the storm came, but when it arrived, it was loud enough to even wake Maud from her slumber, and keep her awake, too. It astoundingly passed only minutes later, the windmill and silo just outside Maud's window always making terrible noises during nighttime showers, but tonight was more daunting than ever. It was the loudest her ears had ever heard it ring, and she’d heard it ring pretty loudly before.

She lifted herself from the bed, and commented, "Sounds like it's headed up the hills."

She stayed like that for a good moment or two, nearly motionless, waiting for the others to go back to sleep. Once the trampling of hooves just beyond her open door was done, she got up. Walking down the halls, she counted in her head how many seconds went by before the noise from the rains had finally stopped outside her window. "It was at least seven or eight seconds."

All Maud wanted to do that night was sleep. In this summer weather, however, she’d first have to settle for a refreshing glass of water. She poured herself a glass, drank, and sat the glass back down on the table for a second more. She stared at it for a good, long while, and then moved it into the just visible moonlight. As the rays danced through the material, it reminded Maud of a certain pony she had been missing. She hadn’t many shiny things nearby to look at save for the crystal mine shaft, but Maud had already requested not to work there through her father.

She breathed while still looking at the glass, maintaining her emotions, and said in monotone, "This is why I don’t like seeing shiny things… They remind me of Rarity."

She blinked, and stared at the glass cup for what must’ve been minutes. In that time, Maud thought back to when she, Rarity and Pinkie Pie had gone to Manehatten to celebrate their yearly Pie Sisters' Surprise Swap Day. She walked away from it after a nervous shake that she hoped nopony would see, but Maud knew better than that. She knew her sister Marble Pie would surely be hiding in the dark somewhere, watching her, wondering what was the meaning behind Maud’s indifferent behavior.

Once the coast was clear, Marble stood from behind the living room sofa after Maud had left, and quietly whispered curiously, "Rarity? Why would Maud be thinking about her?"



The morning to follow started out like all the other mornings that came before. Nopony left the cottage, and nopony got to work outside the building just yet. Not until just when the sun would reach a certain point in the sky. Nopony would even consider looking out a window just yet; that’s how tired they were. After everypony had woken themselves up, gotten some breakfast and were relatively awake, Igneous Rock would normally get every pony informed once outside what their activities and duties for the day were going to be. He wouldn’t even get the chance, though, because once outside, everypony would be too preoccupied with the task presently forced upon them by unforeseen weather. Had Maud known what this day would bring, she wouldn’t have been in so much of a hurry to get to work on the farm.

They all gasped with the entrance door opening, and then left. One after another, hooves sloshed in the mud that also now creeped its way into the cottage itself. It was easier for Maud to get a glimpse at the outside this time around, especially with Blinkie not in her way. Usually, she’d be right in front of Maud, but during the month that these events were taking place, Blinkie was away at the School of Geology getting her degree. She wouldn’t be fortunate enough to bear witness to the startling sight of the farm’s current condition, though perhaps it was better this way for Blinkie. After all, the farm looked like it was redecorated all over again for Hearth's Warming Eve. 

This time, however, it was decorated instead with mud and many tinier, varying gems and diamonds coating nearly all of the Pie family’s soil. Rather than the traditional dull, huge crystals that were dug out from the crystal shaft, the farm was painted with more color than ever. Some were a deeper blue while others were a brighter red. Regardless, all of it was perhaps a bit too brilliant, especially for Maud who had to rub her eyes. Considering Blinkie’s reaction the last time the farm was altered without her permission, this incident would’ve surely upset her had she been there. Some of the mud had even intruded upon Holder’s Boulder. 

The good thing to come out of this was that each and every single gemstone held great amounts of value, and could be traded or sold for a wealthy profit. Otherwise, Igneous would’ve likely been even more on edge about the ill timed landslide. As compared with what they had traditionally done for such an important holiday, it wasn’t anywhere near as professional looking. It was utterly messier than ever thanks to all the dirt slung nearly everywhere, but the colors bouncing every which direction almost made up for that, and settled everypony’s nerves. Everypony except for Maud.

She wasn’t prepared to see what she saw that day, and immediately started backing away from the sight as best she could, but with Igneous right behind her blocking Maud's path, she had no choice but to proceed towards the front of the cottage. Everypony except for Maud kept looking all around themselves. Even Maud's father spoke up. "This must be from last night's storm," he commented.

Maud nodded to herself, but nevertheless caught Igneous Rock’s attention. He looked at her, waiting for her to say something about this. Anything, really. “Well,” Maud began, but what came out of her mouth was something she rarely allowed her family to see. That was emotion. “It… certainly is pretty.”

It was because of that response, and the way she behaved that everypony became concerned for Maud, but her parents didn’t dare to even try and find out what was troubling her, not even her father. He knew his daughter well enough to leave things be sometimes, and he figured this might definitely be one of those times. With a short grunt, he began to instruct everypony on what to do. “Right, well,” He said. “Maud… You and Inkie can start gathering all these valuables using one of the wooden wheelbarrows. You should know not to worry about picking up each one individually. Just scoop the mud up, and deliver it to the shed where we’ll sort it all out using sifters.”

Cloudy Quartz was already on her way, saying with a small smile, “I’ll get everything ready. Been too long since we used the bigger sets of sifters.”

It appeared to everypony there that Maud’s mere reaction alone triggered a sudden, small burst of emotion within everypony. It was so slight, and so subtle that nopony had quite realized it yet, but Igneous saw his wife’s grin, and also heard Marble speak to Maud about something. What that something was, he didn’t hear. He had too much on his plate to worry about at the time, and couldn't concentrate enough to listen for much longer. All he did hear was, “I heard you talking last night about…” Everything after that was a muffle. Not to say that he wasn’t concerned much, but Igneous again knew not to intrude in Maud’s business unless he absolutely felt that he had to. 

Meanwhile, under an ancient sun that hardened the glistening ground quickly, Maud walked onward. Her sister had brought up what she’d heard the previous night, and was now silent as ever. Marble had only recently been speaking up, and Maud was only now starting to suspect that this might be because of Big Mac. She thought hard about how to respond to the statement, extending the walk greatly. Then, after they’d finally filled the wheelbarrow and were about ready to head back, Maud responded, “Rarity’s a friend of mine.”

All Marble had to do was nod, and smile to get her sister to continue talking. She could’ve talked about how she already remembered Maud telling her about Rarity, or that she wanted to know if this Rarity had anything to do with Maud’s recent behavior, but no. Marble simply kept silent and listened, hopeful that all these things would just come naturally.

“I’ve told you about how we met, and about the time I was in Manehatten with her. She found herself a new store, and… Well… I don’t know what else to say.”

Marble asked, “She just had a strong impact on you, huh?”

Maud nodded back, and stopped shoveling once their load was completely full. Maud mentioned to her sister, “I want to do something to show Rarity that I really do consider her a close friend of mine.”

Marble came up to the entrance to the barn to drop off what they had picked up, and to get another wheelbarrow. Igneous and Cloudy Quartz would be ready to begin sifting by then, so very little time was wasted all around. Upon leaving once again, and all alone, Marble made the suggestion to her sister, “You said she likes shiny things, right?”

Maud nodded. “She does likes diamonds…”

“Why not send her one?”

Maud stopped, and looked down at the sparkling mud piling the edges of where she’d cleaned up the first go around. “That’s… not a bad idea,” she said simply as ever. “But, which one?”

She left Marble with that question, and didn’t say anything else until they had completed their task. Even then, it was just her letting Igneous know that they were now available to begin sifting the jewels from the dirt. the two sisters didn’t bring it up again that evening, and it wouldn’t be until tomorrow that Maud would have her answer.
> Par Two: Sent Her A Gift
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Yesterday’s incident had came to pass, and things were certainly starting to seem out of place the following day. It wasn’t because of the landslide, however. Rather, it was Maud. After sifting through so many gemstones, Marble would feel saddened after finding out that her sister was unable to accept anything she found during her rummage as a potential gift for her distanced friend, Rarity. Ruby after gemstone was tossed, one after another, and when it was finally time to end the day, Maud would hardly eat her dinner and went straight to bed the second she had the chance. This just wasn’t right to anypony living in the house with her, because she almost always finished every bite on her plate, and she even stayed up a bit later than anypony else within the household. More than once, she had been spotted still working in the living room downstairs, studying for her research involving rocks.

The other day ago, Maud and Marble had only spend a few moments together while sifting, but just off observation alone, Marble was able to deduce just what kind of present Maud wanted to send to Rarity. It had to be the purest diamond of them all. It also had to be big enough, but not too large, and expensive looking as well. So, that morning, when everyone else would be distracted with whatever they were doing, Marble spent the better portion of her day trudging through the moistened mud in search.

Upon stepping on something jagged, but clearly more noticeable than anything else around her, Marble leaned down for a closer look. Her smile widened nicely as it rose in her hooves, trickles of water and clay sliding off the gift slowly, but were wiped away after a moment of looking at its sheer beauty. “Perfect,” Marble told the diamond. “You’ll do just fine. Come with me…”

She made sure not to waste any time, and quickly returned to the upstairs rooms. Marble hid the diamond from Igneous as she passed him by, and headed upstairs to her sister’s room where Maud could be found still asleep, or at least lying there without much motion save for her breathing. Once Marble was inside and standing over her, though, Maud would come to her senses, and bring herself up to face Marble.

When Maud looked down at what her sister held, she’d gasp. “That’s… perfect for Rarity,” Maud said while taking it into her own hooves. “You found it outside?”

Marble breathed, and gave a shy smile. “Mmhmm.”

All Maud could do was hug her, and mumble, “Thank you… so much, Marble.” Then, she said with enthusiasm, “I guess I have no choice but to send this on its way, then.”

Marble had never seen her sister act this way, but didn't give it much else thought. She simply looked over at a white box her sister had gotten out sitting on the dressed, and the note Maud had written for Rarity, and nodded. “I think this is really sweet of you, Maud.”

Maud looked down, knowing good and well her sibling was probably clueless as to just how attracted she really was towards Rarity, but nevertheless, why tell her? This was Maud’s way of thinking. Without hesitation, she put the gift in its box with the note on the bottom, and then held onto it for a minute. Marble was about to say something when Maud spoke first. “Am I really going to do this?”

Marble stared at Maud with a bit of worry now in her eyes, but she was able to settle herself down once Maud breathed with closed eyes. Still, Marble mention, “Rarity will appreciate it. Plus, you’ve got everything you needed to do it. If she really means this much to you, then go for it.” She blushed, and loosely commented, “I’m tempted to send Big Mac a few… come to think of it.”

Maud smiled, and that’s really all there was to it. Shortly thereafter, Maud left her room with the box, heading down the stairs, and once Igneous had been informed that she was simply going out to deliver something to the post office, she left the house. She didn't say exactly what it was she was delivering, but luckily for her, Igneous was far too busy to question it. The post office was still a good couple of miles for her to walk, but that time seemed to go by fast for her thanks to the support of her sister, Marble. Some of that time was of course spent on worrying about the future, and what might happen if she truly goes through with this. By the time the building she had been traveling to came into view, Maud would be asking herself, “What if Rarity doesn’t like me back at the end of all this?”

She stopped, all alone in the middle of a dirt road, and opened the box. She wanted to pull out the note she’d written in order to read it back to herself one last time, but when it was unfolded, a gust of wind caught her off guard. The note she had been holding onto went flying right out of her grasp. She stumbled, and watched it without much else of a reaction as it danced in the air. Meanwhile, she became rooted to the ground. Then, everything caught up with her, and she was already chasing the note down, the diamond left in its box back where she’d taken off. She was already way passed the mailing establishment by the time she caught up to the loose, fleeing paper.

Maud was out of breath, but still held her note down on the gravel edging the actual road itself, and this time more carefully, she brought it up with a hoof. As she brought it back to the box, she couldn’t help but to feel shaken by all of this. On her way back, she read it aloud with a hopeful tone of voice not one pony had ever heard her using. “Dear Rarity… I believe it’s possible that you probably don’t think I really, truly appreciate the time spent with you especially when we were in Manehatten. So, I wanted to show you how much you mean to me. This gift is due to a landslide we recently got, and with it came a random delivery of assorted gems and more, and this Diamond. I think of you anytime I see something shiny these days, so I thought I’d send this to you as a special gift. Thanks for everything, and I wouldn’t mind visiting you sometime… From Maud Pie.”

As she came up to the box, she lifted it up, and safely put the note back in with the diamond while saying, “Close call…” Then, she said in a more quiet, although moodless tone, “I doubt Rarity likes me back. Not the way I like her. Still, I should at least do this because of how great of a friend she is. It’s just, she likes diamonds, not rocks… I might as well be a rock, and she... a diamond. How could a pony like her ever love somepony like me?”

She brought a hoof up to her lip once she heard an approaching caravan just up the road. Without much else time to waste, she hurried along, and mailed her gift along with about as much ease as she was going to get that day. Afterwards, Maud would make her way back home. Besides nervously awaiting Rarity’s response if any response at all, Maud also still had work to attend to on the farm. There still remained a lot of gems and shards to scavenge from the muck, and even then, there were still the daily chores, and things that needed tending to as well, all of which had been piling up. All this just from a simple, little landslide.
> Part Three: In good Time
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Maud wasn’t the only pony experiencing a troublesome time. Rarity, the pony that had been on Maud’s mind as of late was just getting up and out of bed for the day. A couple of nights had already gone by since Maud had sent her the gift, but still, Rarity hadn’t received it. Not to say that she was expecting anything of course. Not yet, anyways, especially considering she hadn’t even finished a particular dress she was commissioned to make. Now, had the dress already been delivered by this day, she might not have been so surprised when Maud’s package showed up at her doorstep. 

Of all ponies, the dress was for Fleur De Lis, so naturally, it had already taken Rarity several days to complete. She was only just now nearing the end of her task. “Now all it needs is… something... But what?” Rarity said this while observing her magnificently pink and white masterpiece sitting before her on one of her pony mannequins. “Hmm… Perhaps something more of a bit brighter hue.”

She yawned, and blinked away little bits of lingering sleepiness from her tired eyes. Then, she heard a knock at the door. With the boutique not yet opened for business just yet, Rarity began wondering who could have been there so early. She answered, it only being Pinkie Pie, so Rarity greeted her promptly, and showed her in. “It’s so nice to see you,” Rarity said to the mare. “I’ve been a bit busy as I’m sure you can tell.”

Coming up to the dress, Pinkie said, “It’s been a few days since anypony’s really seen you. We wanted to make sure you were okay, but I can see why you’ve been hiding yourself away from all of us.”

Rarity nodded, and gave Pinkie a worried look. “This is one of the most profitable designs I’ve ever had the pleasure of working on. Sorry for letting it distract me from you and the others… Please, let Twilight know I’ll be finished with this soon, and that afterwards, I'll come pay her a visit.”

Pinkie asked, “Why didn’t anypony know you were busy with something like this?”

At that, Rarity stated a simple fact. “It’s what I do. Pinkie, darling, I’d expect ponies to see me walking around Ponyville here or there collecting my supplies, and just… be able to add two and two together.”

Pinkie giggled, and spoke openly like her usual self. “Guess we just didn’t realize it. So, who’s the dress for?”

Rarity smiled, and gave Pinkie a clue. “It’s somepony of great importance.”

“Oooh, is it Princess Celestia? No, Sapphire Shores!”

“It’s for Fleur De Lis.”

Pinkie’s eyes grew wide. “Woah! Get out!”

“Yes,” Rarity joyfully said followed by one of her even more excited squeals. “She actually came to me, asking if I’d do it for her, and naturally, I accepted!”

“But,” Pinkie said. “I hate to say it... You know it’s taken up a lot of your free time.”

Rarity nodded in compliance. “That’s why I’m going to finish this today, have it sent, and then I’ll have all the time in the world to be with you girls again…”

Pinkie merely watched as Rarity began once again at her work. Several additions and subtractions would take place before Rarity would finish, but in good time, she’d have this done and over with. While the last pieces of jewelry were placed accordingly, Rarity huffed. “There we go!”

She backed away, a shimmer in her eye. “How does it look?” she asked Pinkie who had stuck around long enough to see the finished project.

She predictably answered, “It looks absolutely amazing Rarity!” 

Around that time, it happened. Maud’s gift had justly arrived, and there came another knocking on the door. Rarity, now having plenty of time on her hooves quickly trotted over. Derpy stood there at the entrance, a clipboard hanging out of her mouth and being presented to whomever might’ve answered the door. Rarity, about as surprised as she could’ve been asked the mail pony, “Err… Derpy? Why must I sign that?”

Derpy took the clipboard out of her mouth with a hoof, and answered rather plainly, “Got a package for you. No letters today.”

“Oh… Well, alright then. Where exactly?”

As she signed away, Derpy got the small, white box out only to give it to its new owner. After that, she was off, and Rarity came back inside. “Who’s it from???” Pinkie asked with a bit more excitement in her voice than what Rarity thought necessary. Still, she tolerated her friend, and looked down at what she had in her hooves to find out its origins.

“It say it… comes from the Pie family rock farm.” If Pinkie’s eyes weren’t wide before, they sure were now. Rarity continued to ask, “What would your relatives be sending me?”

Nervously, she opened it up, only to behold possibly the most perfect diamond she’d ever laid her eyes upon. Immediately, she was mesmerized by its shape and shine. It could be used for a bow she'd been working on, or one of her other personal dresses. Or, perhaps it would adorn her dresser for her to admire anytime she were home. The question still remained, though, why this was sent to her in the first place. She removed her gift with her magic, and looked at the bottom of the box. Then, she pulled out the note, and said, “To Rarity… From Maud.”

Pinkie now wore possibly the most astonished face she’d ever made. “My sister?!”

“Apparently so…” After reading the rest of the note aloud, she sat that down on a nearby table along with her new diamond, and held her mouth with a hoof. She even went a little limp. “Oh… Oh…”

Pinkie could tell that Rarity was more than just touched by this, but that didn’t stop Pinkie from asking, “Are you alright?”

“Yes, Pinkie… I’m fine.” Rarity’s voice was low, and her eyes stayed fixed on the diamond. “It’s just… How thoughtful of her. I simply must return the favor!”

“Huh?” Pinkie asked, watching Rarity’s movements closely. She walked over to one of her dressers, but then stopped.

“No, no… Maud wouldn’t be near as impressed or excited about getting a dress… To send something roughly around the same value as the diamond she sent me would be rather uninspired, wouldn’t you agree? Pinkie?”

Rarity looked over to her guest who stared back. “Well…” Pinkie began. “She likes rocks. You know that!”

Before headed for her make-up table to look for a gift only to turn away from it on second though, Rarity cooed, “You don’t say?”

Pinkie continued talking while Rarity spun herself around the room. “Yep! She especially loves rare rocks that you can’t find just anywhere.”

Rarity considered she hadn’t any better ideas for a gift, so she entertained Pinkie’s developing suggestion by simply asking, “Like?”

“Well, she has a collection already. Like sapphite which is a magical and chemically altered rock fusing sapphire and regular old granite together. And then there’s-”

Rarity kindly interrupted her friend with a hoof, and said, “Yes, I see what you mean… Hmm… I suppose I could order something like that for her.”

Pinkie hoofed that thought away, chortling while she did, and then she pulled something out of her frizzy mane. “Just send her this. I had been saving it for her anyways, but I think it’ll be more special if she gets it from you.”

Rarity couldn’t tell what it was exactly, but what she did see was possibly the most crimson red color she’d ever seen in her life. After a moment had gone by,  with growing curiosity, Rarity observed the hooves that held it, and didn’t even look away when she ask, “What is it?”

Pinkie answered simply as ever, and with a smile, “Ambove…”

Now seeing blotches of yellow, Rarity blinked. “Which is…?”

“It’s basically a different kind of amber." Shrugging, Pinkie commented, "It’s not really all that valuable enough to be considered a jewel. It's weird, but anyways, it’s so red that ponies from a long time ago thought it was actually made with pure love.” She giggled some more before stating, “But that’s ridiculous. Although, recently ponies like the Pie family give these kind of rocks to someone because they love them.”

Rarity blinked again, and said, “Err… Maud and I don’t like each other in that way, Pinkie.”

Pinkie nodded with a sarcastic attitude. “Well, duh! You’d be sending it to her because you love her like a sister. Right?”

Rarity looked away. For some reason, she felt unsure of herself, and said, “I suppose…” Then, she looked at the diamond, all her thoughts returning slowly to when she last saw Maud in Manehatten. “We sure did have a nice time together, despite the negatives that happened.”

She then made eye contact with Pinkie, who asked, “Well?” Presenting the gift, Pinkie waited for Rarity to take it from her. Slowly, the unicorn encompassed the object in her aura. It floated ever slowly up to her, until it was nearly touching her white muzzle. Shaped like a heart, and with tiny, yellow dots visible here and there, the rock seemed more like a crystal to Rarity if anything, but when she felt it, the surface was anything but smooth. It was surprisingly jagged, and for as small as it was, Rarity might’ve thought it to be of a higher value had she seen it anywhere else.

“Are you sure?” Rarity asked Pinkie.

In reply, Pinkie simply said, “By all means you can have it, Rarity! I know how much it would mean to you.”

They hugged briefly thereafter, more brief than both of them would’ve enjoyed. After that, the two mares spent some extra time together by packaging up the ambove for Rarity and the dress for Fleur De Lis, and then having them sent on their way. For the next few days, Rarity would make sure to spent plenty of time with her friends. However, she would be unable to take her mind off of Maud during all that time, and later on as well.
> Part Four: Facing Fears
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Maud soon found herself trotting hastily towards Ponyville. There was a chill in the air, and things were foggier than ever, but nevertheless, the mare entered town. Her goal was simply to visit Rarity, but she knew there was more to this journey than just that. She also knew by now that all this must’ve been nothing more than a dream, because she hadn’t arrived by train. She didn’t even remember getting the letter from Rarity saying that she could come on by. All this added up in her mind, but it didn’t change anything.

Maud had arrived there for a purpose. She doesn’t dream much, so when she does, it’s because her mind is trying to tell her something. This was just daunting, though. To see the town utterly deserted scared Maud. It even terrified her, but nopony would have ever known by looking at her face. The only thing there that Maud could honestly make out was the Carousel Boutique, so not wanting to be in the outside any longer, Maud hurried herself along. She couldn’t stop this feeling from building up inside her, either. It was as if all throughout her visit to Ponyville thus far, she was being followed by something.

It wasn’t much better in the boutique. Darkness prevailed over any fragile source of light. The only thing Maud could make out besides the four walls around her, the floor and the roof was a flight of curving stairs. She chose to follow them, and in little time at all, she found her in Rarity’s room. On the far side of where Maud stood was Rarity. As usual, she was hard at work with her designs, so much that she hadn’t even heard Maud intrude. Maud figured it was either that, or she was choosing not to.

“Rarity?” Maud asked, but got no answer. “I came to visit… Rarity?”

“Humph!”

That’s all that left Rarity’s lips. A strong, rude gruff, as if Maud had done something unspeakable. “Is… everything alright?” Maud asked, lost in the experience.

“Fine.” Rarity stepped away from her work to finally face her guest. “Just fine.”

She scowled at Maud, making it more than just difficult for the earth pony to keep herself together. “Just fine?” She looked at Rarity blankly, but she could feel her forehooves tapping out of nervousness. “How can that be when your looking at me like that? Has something happened?”

Rarity refused to answer that question just yet. Instead, she brought forth the diamond she had gotten from the very friend she was currently facing, and smirked devilishly. Maud watched it floating inside Rarity’s magic, and then felt her jaw drop as it was thrown away in the trash. She even made a slight sigh of anguish. Nopony had ever seen her look like that before.

With squinted eyes, and a smile formed from the displeasure of others, Rarity spoke just loud enough for Maud to listen, even when she tried not to. “Your note said it all. How you wanted to show me how much I mean to you… You have an adorable little crush on me, don’t you, Maud Pie?”

Maud had been making eye contact up until Rarity asked this. She looked away, showing way too much emotion now to think clearly. All she could say before finally collapsing was, “This must be a dream.”

“Hmm?” Rarity asked. “A dream? Don’t be absurd.” Rarity just kept talking while Maud concentrated on the words she'd just spoken. "What makes you think I'd have anything to do with you?"

"I just... thought..."

Rarity laughed, cutting off what Maud had to say. "Oh, please! You thought wrong. I'd never, ever be with you."

All Maud could hear after that was the cackling of Rarity’s spiteful laughter. Even that, though, went away once she began telling herself this truth. Then, all she could hear was hoof steps. They were familiar, but distanced. It wasn’t Rarity, because she was gone now; Maud just knew it. This was somepony else, but with Maud's head covered by her hooves, she could barely anything except the wooden floor beneath her. Finally, the hoof steps ended right in front of her, and Maud looked up.

Just as she suspected, it was Princess Luna. This wasn’t the first time Maud had the pleasure of basking in her lunar glory, so she greeted the princess the same way she always did. She bowed, and then stood up straight to look at her. Luna kept her eyes fixed on Maud, and then asked, “You’re actually in love with Rarity?”

Maud didn’t mean to gulp just then, but the inquiry from her highness caught her off guard. “Err… I didn’t mean for it to happen. It just sort of did.”

Luna nodded, and said, “I see… There’s nothing wrong with it, but I thought I’d just see if you wanted my help. You might just need it, though, considering the dream you just endured.”

Maud shook her head. “I’ve got this under control. Just…”

“What is it, my little pony? I will answer your question as best I can.”

Maud took a leap of faith, and asked, “I think you probably don't even know, but does Rarity feel the same way as I do towards her?”

Luna blushed, knowing all too well that she couldn’t answer that directly. Instead, she teased, “Let’s just say that because of events in her life, she doesn’t seem to be looking for a relationship with a stallion right now.”

Following that was nothing but more fog. Maud had awoken, and never had her room felt stranger after that. Regardless of her dream, Maud got out of bed with a slight headache only to get started on her work for the day. As one might expect, the answer she had received from the princess just before her awakening would linger in her mind.
> Part Five: To Ponyville
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	The morning Rarity’s gift to Maud arrived at the Pie family rock farm, the sun's light shined brightly upon the cottage. Everypony except for Maud seemed more energetic that day, too, and whether or not that was because of what the landslide brought didn’t matter very much. Maud was content with seeing her family like this, even if she couldn’t join them in their fond mood. It was just unfortunate that Maud couldn’t stop worrying about Rarity and what she thinks of her gift. Had her ambove not shown up a little bit before noon, Maud might’ve gone to her room during her free time. Instead, she’d end up spending it with Marble.

When it did arrive, Marble was the first to get to the door, so she’s the one who signed. Then, she made her way to her sister, and after Maud saw what it was, she couldn’t help but give a little gasp. They both hurried along to Maud’s upstairs bedroom to open it. Locking the door behind her, Maud said, “I just want to make sure we aren't disturbed. It's from Ponyville, right?”

“Well,” Marble started. “It says that it’s from the Carousel Boutique.”

“That’s Rarity’s shop, which means…” Maud had to take a moment to settle down, but how could she? Rarity had responded in possibly the most positive way imaginable. Maud did her best to breathe, but Marble giving it over to her wasn’t helping. It wasn’t like Maud could wait much longer anyways, though, so she began slowly. One covering was lifted after another, and soon, the color of red painted the two muzzles that were so close to the cracks. Just as Rarity did when she got hers, Maud went limp. This warmth inside her chest overtook her being, and soon, she found it all too hard to fight back her tears.

“It can’t be…”

“Maud?” Marble asked in concern.

“It’s an Ambove…”

Even though Maud’s voice was as plain as ever, there still remained hints of joy in the way she spoke, and her eyes were definitely wider when looking at the red and yellow trinket. Maud’s head tilted to get a closer look at its sides, but she stopped after starting to feel those trickles of water go down her cheeks. Still staring at the Ambove, or more closely at her reflection in it, she felt her dampened face. Her sister had never seen Maud cry before. With a smile, Marble asked Maud, “Are you going to be alright?”

Maud nodded with a smile of her own, and then pulled out a note found on the bottom. Maud read, “Dearest Maud Pie… I’m so grateful for the diamond you sent me. You have no idea. Please, accept this gift of friendship as I do yours. Please, do visit ponyville, or more specific the Carousel Boutique soon. Rarity Belle.”

She held the note close, and grabbed some napkins while she was thinking of it. “How sweet,” said Marble.

Although Maud knew better, and that Rarity probably didn't send this because of her love for Maud, she replied, “Yes, it was… I suppose I’m off for Ponyville. Hope Rarity doesn’t mind me showing up so suddenly.”

As shy as she was, Marble wasn’t afraid to ask, “What’ll you do to get permission?”

More like herself, Maud answered, “I’ll take care of that.”

As Marble left, she managed to help her sister even further by saying, “I recommend checking on how Pinkie’s doing, too. I’d come with you, but I’d rather make sure Big Mac is alright with it first.”

Maud made the suggestion of asking that in Marble’s next letter, and then thanked her for all her help. The last thing Maud did before headed down stairs was write a letter to Pinkie. She wouldn’t mail it off to her, but instead just leave it in Pinkie’s mailbox when she got there. Maud was stopped by Igneous downstairs who stood from the hall. Maud was just about to enter the living room which lead to the entrance of the house, not that she’d just up and leave of course.

“Maud? Where are you going?” Igneous walked up to her, and looked his daughter up and down. She wore a saddlebag, and judging by one of her better dresses, she was definitely ready to go some place. At that time, he already concluded that he would probably fail at stopping her had he tried.

All Maud had to do was say in her usual tone of voice, “I’m visiting a friend. Sorry for leaving you short-hoofed here on the farm, but this is really important.”

The father made his scowl. “Very well,” he forced through his slightly gritted teeth. “Just…” He relax, and put his hoof on Maud’s shoulders. “We’re almost done rounding up the last of the muck that landslide left us with. Do you think you could help us finish scooping up the last little bits before you go?”

Maud smirked, and nodded. “The train doesn’t arrive until another hour, so sure.”

Thanks to Maud’s help, it only took the team a little over half an hour to finally collect the last of it all. Once finished, Maud would be on her way to the train station. After saying goodbye to her parents, she and Marble walked together down the road, listening to a brook that streamed right along side where they were going. Birds chirped in the tree tops above, and a nice, light wind graced them both with every step. Marble not often being the one to spark up a conversation remained silent, so Maud took it upon herself to do so.

“When I get there, I might end up seeing Pinkie Pie first. If I do, is there anything you’d like me to tell her?”

Marble at first jokingly went, “Mmhmm…” Then, after a moment, she said, “Just tell Pinkie that we all miss her greatly, and to visit the farm more often. It gets boring without her.”

After promising to do so, Maud noticed they had finally reached the train station. “We’re here.”

Once Maud had gotten her ticket and hopped aboard, Marble waved her goodbye. They watched each other as the train departed from the station, but once out of view, Maud was quick to make her way to her booth. The ride would be somewhat long and winding, and knowing this from her last visit to Ponyville, Maud made sure to take a good nap on the way there. Thanks to all the work she had done on the farm, it would be a much more restful slumber than Maud had anticipated despite all the lumps in her seat.
> Part Six: Second Thoughts
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Maud slept practically the whole way there. When she finally came to, the first few houses of Ponyville were within her sight. In little time at all, she found the train to be slowing, so Maud soon began getting ready for departure. It would’ve been easier had she been able to stop shaking. While reaching for her bag, she grabbed her extended hoof with the other, and huffed. She was all alone for the time being. Nopony would intrude while she sat down for just a minute, and pulled out the gift she had gotten from Rarity. She glared at it while still shaking, and muttered to herself, “Stop feeling these emotions, Maud… It’s not like you.”

She blinked at the mare she saw, and though she fought back the temptation to admit it aloud, she knew within her heart that she had changed, and it was all Rarity’s fault. Outside, she appeared to be the same Maud Pie everypony knew, but for some reason or another, it was the slight difference in the way Maud acted that might give her away. While she put her rock back, and equipped her saddlebag, Maud was able to thankfully settle herself down. She concentrated on her breathing, and then heard the conductor announce in his old, raspy voice, “We’ve reached Ponyville!”

Maud got off, giving little thought to anything else other than what she had came there for. She was grateful that she hadn’t bumped into Pinkie only for her to slow Maud down, actually, and after the note was dropped off, Maud was on her way to Rarity’s. Coming up to the door, she gulped, and knocked. Maud waited patiently, and then heard somepony approaching from the other side.

“Maud Pie! You’re finally here!” Rarity was already greeting Maud before the door had even opened. She was embraced by Rarity without a moment to prepare, and it wasn’t just a small hug, too. Rarity held onto Maud as though she were a long lost relative. “It’s good of you to visit, and perfect timing, too! I’m not really doing anything at the moment.” Even after that, the unicorn still persisted on basically snuggling Maud, and nearly dragged her in. All Maud could do now was hope her friend didn’t see her blushing.

“Did you come the second you got my gift?” Rarity asked this while trotting away from Maud, and towards what little messes she had made before Maud had shown up.

Now, in Rarity’s boutique, Maud found it hard to speak. She hadn’t exactly formed a plan, so on a whim, Maud said, “I appreciate the ambove you gave me.”

Rarity simply nodded, and then gestured with a hoof to follow her. “You’re welcome,” Rarity said while leading Maud upstairs to her bedroom. “By the way, you know that large, gorgeous and beautiful diamond you gave me?”

Maud quietly answered, “Yes…?”

“Well…” Rarity opened her door, and sitting on a desk to the left opposite of where her bed could be seen was the diamond. It was decorated in pink fabric, and made into a fashionable collar. Alongside the collar were crystal earrings which were now being lifted by Rarity. One after another was put on, and then the diamond centered bow going around the unicorn’s neck. “There,” Rarity exclaimed. “How do I look?”

Maud was amazed at how Rarity looked, but she had to compose herself. “You look…” And then she paused, at a loss for words. By now, Rarity was noticing this, and began making a face. Luckily, Maud’s senses caught up to her before Rarity could grow too suspicious. “It looks magnificent on you.”

Rarity wasn’t used to seeing Maud with a smile on her face for such an extended period of time, but she wasn’t about to say anything about such a welcoming change. Instead, she simply voiced fancily, “Why thank you for the compliment… Now, I’m sure we’ll have a lovely time together. When do you think you’ll need to be on your way back home?”

Maud scratched the back of her head, and said, “It depends. I actually wanted to talk to you about something.”

Rarity observed Maud get out the Ambove from her saddlebag. “Anything at all, Maud.”

Maud asked this about as Straightforward as possible, trying hard not to arouse Rarity’s curiosity too much. With a frown, “Have you ever had a special somepony?”

Unpredictable as the question was, Rarity had to think on her answer for a good second. “Huh… Have I ever…?” She asked this to herself while holding her bottom lip with a hoof. “I don’t think… I mean, of course I’ve had my fair share of opportunities, but it’s never really happened, you see.”

“What happened?”

Rarity looked at Maud, a little bit of blush in her cheeks now as well. “Why do you wish to know, if you don’t mind my asking?”

Instead of being defensive, Maud came closer, and admitted to Rarity, “I’d like to get to know you better.”

Saying this made Maud worried Rarity was now beginning to catch on, but Rarity also hadn’t many ponies she could talk to about this. “I see,” Rarity said with a nod. “Well, you know of Prince Blueblood, right?” 

Maud nodded. “Right.” She was actually only assuming him to be somepony of weighing importance who fancied Rarity at one point or another in her life.

“It happened at the Grand Galloping Gala one year. He was attending, and I was there…” She grunted, and continued, “He expected me to treat him as if he were a mare! It… It was utterly ridiculous, Maud!”

The earth pony found herself smirking, but immediately cut it out once Rarity looked back at her. “Really?” Maud asked. “How so?”

“Oh! He wanted me to pick him a rose, and wanted me to get the door for him! And more! It was…” She sighed, and mentioned, “It was possibly the most stressful nights of my life.”

Maud looked out the window at the castle of friendship in the distance, and asked, “Anypony else?”

Rarity giggled coyly, and said, “You’re probably already aware of Spike’s crush on me. The little guy’s felt that way ever since we met, but now…”

Maud saw Rarity moving out of the right corner of her eye. She weighed herself against her desk calmly, and said, “He’s met another dragon, you see. Her name’s Ember… Princess Ember...”

Rarity wasn’t just saying that. She meant it in a way that showed how much the truth hurt her. Maud noticed this, and asked her, “Rarity? Are you alright?”

“Hmm?” Rarity rubbed her eye a little. “I’m alright, it’s just… Maud, I don’t see why we have to have these conversations. Although…” She looked off at Spike who was now leaving Sugar Cube Corner, and resumed, “Although he hasn’t shown much interest in her just yet, I have this feeling he’ll end up with Ember in the end somehow.”

Maud sighed, and agreed. “Sorry to say, but you’re probably right.”

Rarity smiled, and hoofed while pulling down the blinds. “It’s not like we could ever be together in the first place, right? I mean, he's a dragon and I'm a mare. It just wouldn't do.” 

Maud didn’t make eye contact. She just stared down at the rock she still held in her hoof. “You know,” she said strategically to change the subject. “Ponies send rocks like these to other ponies in order to show them how much they love them.”

“Yes,” Rarity remarked quickly. “Pinkie told me about that, actually…”

Rarity didn’t say anything after that save for a few mumbles. So, Maud spoke up. “Then I’m to assume you meant sisterly love.” The way she sounded to Rarity was depressing, and with everything pointing to only one thing, Rarity then took a huge chance of her own. She grabbed Maud’s other hoof. “Rarity?” Maud asked.

“And what about you? Hmm, Maud? What about your gift to me?” Rarity’s mouth came within inches of Maud’s, close enough that she could see the emotion deeply hidden within Maud's eyes. “Did you send your gift because you like me as a sister… Or…?”

Startled by Rarity’s sudden forwardness, Maud gasped with wide eyes, and yanked her hoof free. She couldn’t say a word because of how fast all this was happening. All Maud could do was back away while Rarity watched her. The earth pony covered her mouth, and said to Rarity, “I’m sorry… I’ll just go.”

Rarity yelled, “Wait!” But it was too late by then. Maud Pie had already turned around and was headed down the stairs for the door. Before Rarity could say another word, her guest had left without so much as a goodbye.
> Part Seven: Gave Her A Kiss
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Snow fell slowly in front of the bench Maud sat upon, the roof keeping the frost from touching her at first. The beginnings of winter were happening right before her, and as winds picked up, flakes began landing on her. She sniffled, holding onto a dampened tissue. It might be hard to imagine Maud Pie crying at all, but there she was with a reddened nose, waiting for the train to come and pick her up. Her visit had come to a sudden halt, and while she waited, her mind raced with all of the experiences she had shared with the mare she originally came for. 

The crumpled tissue was tossed to the trash can next to her, and if only for a second, Maud stopped crying long enough to think clearly. She stared out at the mountains, and the snow, and all of the land stretching far and wide beyond the railroad, and she thought hard about what had just happened. She thought about what could’ve happened instead, and then what can still happen, but she just couldn’t bring herself to go back to the Carousel Boutique. “I embarrassed myself… I should just go,” Maud told herself.



Meanwhile, downstairs in the boutique, Rarity looked at herself in the mirror. She was trying to figure out why Maud would run off the way she did, and whether or not she should have chased after her. “I could check the station…”

That’s when the door knocked. Rarity answered, hoping it was Maud, but it ended up being Pinkie. She stumbled in, and asked with a gleeful smile, “Is Maud here? I got her note!”

Rarity sighed at the mere mentioning of Maud’s name, and returned to the mirror. “No, I’m afraid not,” she said rather shaken.

“Oh… Well, she stopped by, right?”

“Yes, Pinkie Pie, she did.”

“Did she tell you?”

Rarity looked back at her friend. “Tell me what?”

Pinkie’s smile dissipated, and some sweat formed on her forehead. “Err…”

“You know…” Rarity looked to her upstairs bedroom, and then said, “She was acting a bit strange, especially when I tried to confirm my suspicions… Pinkie? What was Maud going to tell me?”

Backing up into a wall, only for Rarity to come that much closer to her, Pinkie spoke in a hushed tone. “I suppose… I didn’t necessarily Pinkie promise her that I wouldn’t tell you…”

At this point, Rarity had to know the truth. “Does Maud…”

Pinkie finished Rarity’s question for her. “Totally have a crush on you?! Yep!” Rarity’s surprised face made Pinkie think she got it wrong. “I mean-”

“I knew it!” Rarity didn’t seem mad, but she didn’t seem happy, either. Just that she was right. “Which means… Pinkie?”

Rarity watched her friend come forth a bit. “Yes, Rarity?”

“Do you think… I should go see her?”

Pinkie rubbed her chin in deep thought, and answered with a question of her own. “Do you think you like her that way as well?”

“Well, darling, I certainly think she’s my friend and all… I suppose I’d have no choice but to go find out.”

She looked back at Pinkie, who had a confident look about her. “Then there’s your answer!”

Rarity nodded to herself. Soon, she’d be on her way to the train station where Maud would be. She just hoped it wasn’t too late.



Back at Maud’s bench, the mare had stressed herself enough, and now just sat there on her side, elevating herself up with her front hooves. She was focused on the slowly moving snow in front of her, and too preoccupied with waiting for the train to hear anypony approaching. Rarity came up from behind her, observing a tissue that had missed its target. She picked it up with her magic, and said to the distracted pony, “Pinkie said you’d be here.”

Maud gasped, something she was beginning to get used to doing these days, and stared at Rarity, and at the tissue she had. It was placed gently in the can, and then Rarity came over to sit with her friend. “Rarity, I… I’m sorry,” Maud apologized sincerely.

“It’s alright,” Rarity responded. “I’ll just come out and say it, then… I know how you feel towards me.” Maud observed Rarity with different, attentive eyes, and to Maud’s realization, she didn’t seem upset about it. If anything, she appeared to be completely content. “Pinkie told me, you see.”

Maud inhaled deeply. “She did?”

“Well, she never Pinkie promised to keep it secret or anything.” Maud looked away, but her gaze was redirected to Rarity’s eyes with one of the unicorn's hooves touching her chin. “Maud, I want you to know… I’m willing to be with you, especially considering how I haven’t had much luck with anypony else.”

Maud asked with eagerness, “You would?”

With a smile, Rarity told Maud, “You may be into rocks, and I might be into diamonds, but those two are usually found together. Side by side… and, you know, I’d be willing to count this as our third date.”

Maud just got closer, and asked, “How do you figure that?”

“It’s simple,” Rarity said, her muzzle touching Maud’s, and their hooves holding onto one another for warmth. “There’s the first time you visited Ponyville, and then the time we visited Manehatten…”

“Uh huh…”

“And then… there’s now…”

Rarity laid her lips on Maud’s, concluding what she meant. Rarity had kissed only a few ponies in her life, but somehow, Maud was the best. They stayed like that, sitting there with one of Maud’s hooves resting against the diamond of the bow Rarity wore around her neck. Although Maud hadn’t had much practice at all, she seemed to know what she was doing; she being the one that deepened the kiss by sliding her tongue passed Rarity’s lips.

This went on for several minutes. After the kiss had finally ended, they held each other in one another’s hooves for a bit longer, both wearing a smile. Rarity offered for Maud to spend the night, and her new special somepony naturally accepted. Needless to say, their relationship was just beginning. The following morning, Maud would awaken next to Rarity in a bed she had never slept in before last night, Rarity being held firmly by Maud.