> With Bells On > by Horsenoises > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Chapter 1 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rarity is resting or trying to. Laying in her bed with her hair in rollers, while she flips through a fashion magazine and scrutinizes the models who are there. She's trying to imagine the styles that will come out of Polka-dots and bright colors in the fall. It all seems simply awful to her. She rolls her eyes and turns a page. "Sis?" Sweetie Belle comes to the door pushing it back slightly. "Pinkie Pie is here." Sweetie Belle moves slightly as Opal comes in and jumps up on the bed to lay at Rarity's side. "Let her in dear." Rarity sighs quietly and uses her magic to turn the page. It takes a few minutes for the door to her room to crack. "I heard someone wasn't feeling so good!" Pinkie Pie says with a cheer that warms Rarity's heart. "I brought you lunch and some cookies for later. A hay burger on oat bread, and some soup." The earth pony enters balancing a silver tray that holds a take out box, and a pink confection box tied with a purple ribbon. "Why how thoughtful Pinkie Pie." Rarity's magic removes the items from the tray and sets them on her bedside table. Pinkie pulls the tray down with a hoof and stands there smiling. "Thank you for thinking of me." "You're welcome!" Still more cheer from the guardian of Laughter. It doesn't surprise Rarity, not an ounce. She knows they all play a part, and even though they hold the values of the elements, it's true that some values have spread. Pinkie has always been a Generous Pony. "You okay?" Rarity looks up. "I'm sorry darling my mind wandered...did you say something?" Rarity's gaze watched as Pinkie Pie came to her side and hopped up on the bed. "Whatcha looking at?" "Trendy Mare Gazette." Rarity says and turns a page with her hoof. "All the latest styles they believe will be trendy this fall." Rarity pauses a moment and sighs deeply. "I don't feel well, and I'm not sure if it's from something I ate," She makes a face and turns back a page. "Or these outfits." it does sound self-serving to say. "Lay down." Pinkie Pie smiles "I can help Sweetie Belle with the dishes, and pick up around here." She nods sagely. She can't believe the wonderful friends she has. "Oh Pinkie you needn't do that." She waves a hoof. "I'm sure I'll be right as rain this evening." she nods "I'll take care of it all then." "When did this all start? You not feeling so well." Pinkie asks and slides off the bed. She turns grabbing up the magazine in her mouth after she makes a face at one of the outfits, and trots it off to the side table near the food. Rarity can only shake her head as she gets under the covers, spooking Opal off the bed. "I went to Canterlot to check the boutique." She explains. "I wasn't feeling so well at the time, and I just continued to get worse. Sassy suggested I stay at the palace." Rarity waves her hoof. "Though we have a standing invitation I simply couldn't impose." Pinkie's head tilts to one side. "So you rode home on the the Friendship Express?" Rarity nods. "Yes, I did," she pauses looking mortified. "and then I threw up on a valet." she lowers her head magic pulling a pillow over her eyes. "Humiliation I have never known." She groans because it feels better to do so. "Awe." Pinkie walks forward to put her front hooves on the bed, and use her teeth to pull up the comforter. "I'm so sorry." "It's fine dear." Rarity smiles at her the pillow falling back. "I am sure I'll feel better soon," she looks at the food. "Though the food may have to wait." Pinkie pie smiles softly. "I completely understand." She smiles "You get some rest." The pink earth pony beamed. "You will be just fine." Rarity yawned and used her magic to pull her mask over her eyes and nestled into her downy soft pillows. "Good Night love." The last thing Rarity heard was Pinkie's soft voice. "Good night Rarity." Rarity woke late in the night and sighed. She felt better, and for that, she was very glad. After using the little fillies room, she checked on Sweetie Belle who slept upside down in her bed her chest rising and falling softly. "Little dear." Rarity whispered as she used her magic to lift the filly up and put her on her pillow. Pulling a cover over her Rarity left the room pulling the door closed. Rarity's stomach lurched slightly. "I should eat," she spoke aloud, though wasn't entirely sure she could, and moved down the stairs. The house was immaculate, and even the kitchen was cleaned to a sparkling shine. The center of the table held a lazy susan, something rarity did not own, filled with cupcakes, cookies, and tarts. "Pinkie Pie." she smiled fondly. "You outdo yourself." She said to no one in particular. The light in the room turned on and Rarity had to shield her eyes. "Oh, you're up!" Pinkie said in an excited whisper. "I put Sweetie Belle to bed, the house is clean, and I fed Opal." Her hoof pointed behind Rarity. Rarity turned to Opal's gem encrusted bowl to find a lopsided cupcake in it. She could only smile brightly. "I'm sure she'll love it." She laughed and looked around the room. Pinkie smiled at her. "Feeling better?" She walked over to the fridge and pulled it open by the rag on the handle with her teeth. "Yes very much." Rarity climbed up into a chair. "Thank you, Pinkie Pie." She shook her head looking around. "I am not sure how to repay you." She waved a hand. "Thank you." Pinkie shrugged as she pulled a tray out of the fridge. Turning the pink pony kicked the fridge closed and trotted the tray to the table pushing it before the unicorn with a smile. "Eat." Pinkie Pie said and climbed up into a chair beside her. "It's a bisque..." she says of the soup, using her teeth to take the lid off. "Apple-carrot something, I didn't like it so much." "I'm sure it's lovely." Rarity put a hoof on her arm. "Thank you, darling." Pinkie smiled brightly and nodded before hopping down. "Where are you headed, love?" "Home, if you're doing ok." said softly. "Can't leave gummy alone forever." she laughed. "Last time I did he got sick on fondant." she laughed. Rarity laughed too. "That little gator." she beamed. "Winter is coming, I should knit him a little sweater." She can see it in her mind, a beautiful modular pattern with sweet little holes for his legs, and ruffles, no, rick rack around the edges. "Oh, he'd love that!" Pinkie Pie Beamed. "I'll come up with a few designs for him. Be safe going home." Rarity waved gently. "Get better!" Pinkie insisted. "Twilight wants us at the castle for lunch. If you are up to it if you aren't that's ok too." Rarity nodded. "I'll be there." "With bells on?" "Yes, with bells on." As Pinkie made her way to the door Rarity had to think, did she have an outfit with bells on it? Opal's mewl made her look back at the kitten, her white fur covered in green frosting. "You look like Spikey-Wikey." she giggled and used her magic to toss the cupcake out of the cat's dish into the trash, and opened her a can of actual cat food. "Tuna delight?" Opal danced at the can that floated to her bowl and was dumped out. "Much better." She tossed the can soon after and turned to her own meal. "So much better." she looked around, thankful to have such wonderful friends like Pinkie Pie.